Sound Politics: Thank You Readers...and Commenters

July 15, 2007

Thank You Readers...and Commenters

I just wanted to take a minute to thank the loyal readers of Sound Politics, with a special thanks that those that take the time to add their thoughts in the comments. Today was a great example of how people of disparate views follow Sound Politics and participate in the comments. Deb Eddy chimed in at this thread on transportation policy. Tim Eyman did likewise at a post on his latest initiative.

My specific thanks goes out to all of you who make the effort to keep the debate constructive. It's because of that effort that assorted opinion leaders and policy makers are willing to join the fray hear directly (even when they do so with attempted anonymity). That contrasts quite a bit with the orgy of profanity in the comments at another local blog. It's also in a totally different league from a group blog run by a petulant whiner without the good sense to link to Sound Politics when blogging etiquette would deem it appropriate.

So to one and all, thank you very much for reading and debating.

Posted by Eric Earling at July 15, 2007 09:44 PM | Email This

Comments

1. It's funny that the guy at NPI informs us (one can imagine with his hands on his hips indignantly) that he is, thank you very much, "TWENTY AND A HALF" years old.
the only people that normally care to add the "half" to impress people are preschoolers.

Posted by: Michele on July 15, 2007 09:46 PM

2. Eric: I read all of the blogs that you linked here, but hesitate to weigh in when the conversation gets too far afield of the issue at hand or involves too much name-calling. I really want blogger-land to be a place where the larger citizenry can discuss the pros and cons of issues ... and really regret it when it doesn't meet its potential.

Every one of us who started our political lives at the city level know that most civic problems have identifiable pros and cons ... and screaming about those Democrats or those Republicans doesn't help one bit with actually solving the problem. For instance, I wince when I see the posts here about "the Queen" ... because whether she's right or wrong, the Gov is just trying to do the best she can ... much like the rest of us, Ds and Rs alike.

Greetings to your dad ... another guy who started his political career because he cared about his community ... And I really enjoyed working with him over all those years, even though we did end up in different parties.

Posted by: debo on July 15, 2007 10:12 PM

3. By and large I can agree with debo... except she's going to have to keep on wincing because I believe with every fiber of my being that the Queen is NOT trying to do the best she can for ALL the population, rather she's trying to do the best she can for the groups she is beholden to first, the groups she is pandering to second, her base third and her far left nuttier base fourth.

WE THE PEOPLE as a group are not even on her radar.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on July 15, 2007 11:05 PM

4. I rarely comment here, but I'd like to echo Mr. Earling and Rep. Eddy's comments. Vitriol in politics adds up to nothing but self-satisfying, ultimately empty rhetoric. I know it's all in spirit, but I have to agree with Sen. Eddy. The "Queen" and other euphemisms, in spirit as they may be, seem unnecessary to me. Even if you feel the Governor is beholden to groups, I think she probably at base a believer that she does good for Washington. Politicians and people alike are flawed and decent at once; I suppose we too often forget the latter.

But by the standards of a partisan blog, that's not too much of a complaint. Thank you for doing what those of us lesser, less resourceful mortals could not possibly do, even with more free time.

Posted by: Benjamin Johnstone-Anderson on July 16, 2007 12:19 AM

5. Petulant whiner is funny. He claims he does not link to SP because of his high standards, which he lists to include banning the use of profanity. Then there is his link to HA! He is indeed young, and depends on good articulation rather than logic. Give him time. He may learn. Maybe.

Posted by: katomar on July 16, 2007 08:06 AM

6. What you're not going to stoop to trashing The Stranger's Slog? C'mon, that's so not like you.

Posted by: Cato on July 16, 2007 09:34 AM

7. I'm sure we can discuss this in a polite and civilized manner... right, Mr. Poopypants?

Posted by: Vexorg on July 16, 2007 11:20 AM