This week the greater Kansas City blog community is confronted with tragic news regarding the state of the current discourse online.
The greatest local sports blogger in the KC area calls it quits with this kiss-off complaining about the state of online discussion.
OTC: That Dent In My Couch Is About To Get Some Time To Heal Itself
Money line:
"The comments from readers – both pro and con – were just as entertaining for me and many of my readers.
"Somewhere along the way that changed.
"Instead of attracting intelligent, passionate and humorous repartee, my OTC column comments section has recently devolved into mostly immature blather. It just is not something with which I or my column wants to be associated. There are plenty of websites that welcome drivel – and even mine can handle some. But this constant deluge of dunces embarrasses me."
This is kind of sad but follows a pattern for the more thoughtful denizens of the Internets.
A shame really because Mr. Hall was a knowledgeable and insightful writer with a nuanced perspective on the local sports scene.
For us, Greg Hall's best blogger moment was when he brought breaking news reporting live from the scene of Boston terrorist bombings.
Again, this is a sad moment for the local blog scene and signals a strength of social media where nasty comments can be quickly tuned out, blocked or simply disappear into the infinite noise.
Here @ TKC, we have no expectations of comments and instead focus simply on our role as the last remaining KC FREE SPEECH ZONE. Under our leadership this blog community may not achieve Mr Hall's insight but instead commits to a no-holds-barred approach to all things in KC, including the pro-sports WHITE WELFARE scam perpetrated on local taxpayers.
If there is hope on this holiday, it's that bloggers often hang it up and then come back eventually.
Developing...
"can NOT be tuned out"
ReplyDeleteWhat Hall says is an industry phenomena.
You are only fooling yourself if you believe anything other than your "denizens" have been redefined as hateful, bigoted, misogynist, and bitter.
I follow because I hope things will revert to where this blog was 2 or 3 years ago.
When you defend your open forum format, you disrespect the intent of the freedom of speech.
Sorry, but I witness an approach that stirs the pot in the effort to generate attention, rather than inspire thoughtful debate about issues important to Kansas City. There is a real void to fill there.
Now, I will probably get called a Libtard. Don't worry, I will get over it.
You should take his comments to heart Tony. There are several times a day that I would comment, but don't want to be associated with those that have gone before. Freedom of speech is pointless if not constructive.
ReplyDeleteAgreed with the first two comments. This blog is little more than a hate and intolerance incubator. If I ran such a thing, I'd be ashamed that it was such a pit of intolerance. The fact that you do nothing to promote a less hateful comment section is inexcusable.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't used to be this way. Somewhere, this thing went aground.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the three previous comments.
Tony you have the power to bring about the change in restoring some integrity to your blog posts. Why not start today?
Hyperblogal, if you don't like what is said don't fucking read it ya fucking whining pussy. If you have something to say then say it. You have to learn asshole how to skip over the bullshit and read the important stuff. Funny you piss and moan about comments but don't have the balls to say anything about meaningless shit that Tony posts on here from Glazer, Bones and the dumbest nigger in town Washington. Grow a pair of get off the blogs.
ReplyDeleteSmartman II........FTW......
ReplyDeleteThe honest truth is that if most of these comments were targeted at Hispanics or gays , women or other respected minority groups Tony Botello woukd have moderated the section a long time ago. TKC anti-black bias is obvious not only in the comment section but also the in the selective "news" post. Lucky for him black hate is all the rage these days. But to pretend anything close to a free speech zone is bs.
ReplyDeleteFuck the Pbear in the ass with no lube with a bbc like the one his wife left him for.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that grown ups have to be protected from what they consider harsh language (READ-opinions that are different than mine.) is another symptom of the Progressive tidal wave that has engulfed this nation with PC rules and regulations that apply extemporaneously to those who refuse to buy into that Progressive Narrative.
ReplyDeleteIf you are offended by a comment, ignore it, or respond in kind. Jesus Christ, you can post anonymously and your tympanic membrane is just as able as your lame brain to move on and grow the fuck up.
So, repair that run in your fuckin hose, find your earrings and let the party rock on!!
Here at TKC it's a more open road on the stories. Over at Greg’s site it's a little different. Greg just covers sports and fools who think they know something about sports start spewing just really stupid and not even funny comments. In short they are there just to be assholes and nothing less. But what I notice more than anything on OTC is the rude comments attack a few good comments. Here at TKC I just blow it off and don't sweat it. Seems that some of OTC commenters have thin skin sort of like Glazer does when you show how he is wrong with his facts and lies. But the point is here at TKC Tony catches a lot of the blunt a good deal of the time and that seldom happens to Greg at OTC. But on another side note I do as a rule find hard core sports fans to be very ruthless in their comments and for sure when it's KU, KS and MU fans going at it over at OTC.
ReplyDeleteGreg's a good guy, but he doesn't have what it takes to be a writer. Never did.
ReplyDeleteI disagree 1:17 to your anti-black comments. “Black Hate” isn’t the rage now days; it’s the news day in and day out. When white people such as me speak out against law breakers, killers and rapists we are labeled as racists simply because it’s black people who lead in breaking all the laws. That isn’t black hate that’s stating facts. If it was Hispanics doing all the law breaking I would be just as critical of them as well. I pay taxes, work and give time and money to charities to help out those in need and I get attacked by people who would rather sit on their butts and live off the government dime which by the way is my tax dollars being wasted on them. Free speech is what it is, free speech and everyone likes free speech till it’s free speech exposing the fraud or bad side of what they stand behind. If I say I am fucking damn tired of all the Michael Browns in the world and as well the so called parents of MB’s for not being honest with things, I should have that right to say so because the law says that laws were broken by MB and he more or less in my view died by his own hand. Making statements like that does not make me racist. Making statements like that say; I am able to deal with reality and not delusional fools marching in the streets over a criminal’s death.
ReplyDeleteLater dude......enjoy a real job !
ReplyDelete@ 1:19 your perv is getting the best of you. Sex with animals is not normal. Furthermore, one seriously doubts you would lube up anywhere near a bear. Perhaps Missie B's would be a better alternative for your ill thoughts.
ReplyDeletei like the comment, greg is being a big baby!
ReplyDeleteSeems like a few on OTC are getting on Greg for his hypocracy. Greg is simply a media critic who wasnt good at it. As another comment said he wasn't cut out to be a writer.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Greg's and have been since he wrote his column for the Star. That said, he criticizes radio guys but can't stand it when anybody criticizes him? Seems like a double-standard to me. He should be more thick-skinned and let the trolls roll off his back. As for the previous comments that mention "racism, hate, and intolerance" why is that always your go to answer for everything? Why should anybody tolerate a small segment of society that commits a staggering amount of crime? Why is it you never dispute facts, point out inaccuracies or incorrect information? You never do. You just yell "racist" without any facts. You're also the same person that only sees a black person when they are on TV. Anybody that has any experience around them knows how lazy and dangerous they really are.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah it is full of hate and dipshits and anyone else who doesn't think like ME!!!
ReplyDeleteTony confuses "free speech" with "idiotic speech." Evidently he can't tell the difference between the two. When someone can't express himself without multiple and gratuitous "fucks" and "assholes" is allowed to freely post, why would people who can actually communicate like civilized people bother to contribute at all? Allowing these vulgar and other juvenile, faux-macho commments is NOT free speech - it's an irresponsible lack of editorial common sense.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 3:53, Greg Hall was often was a nasty, condescending prick to radio and tv personalities he didn't "like" or didn't agree with. Not a nice guy. Good riddance.
ReplyDeleteEditor perhaps you should take your KU journalism degree over the KC Star.
ReplyDeleteHere at TKC you can get a good dose of "go fuck yourself and suck a cock".
We enjoy vulgar, juvenile, faux-macho comments. Much more than the phony stream of shit that flows from your self absorbed ass.
One would be inclined to believe that Hyperblogal and Editor are one and the same.
ReplyDeleteIP Logging in progress. Prove you are not a robot.
ReplyDeleteDumbass, stop trying to promote your shitty blog.
Delete532 said it best.
ReplyDeleteI think he could handle being called a Libtard.
Who is this Greg Hall guy?
DeleteI like the cut of his jib!
LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreg Hall and I have been the closes of friends ever since he was in the group Hall and Oates.
ReplyDelete