City Council Can't Take Blogger Criticism And Resigns?

from the there-has-to-be-more-to-this-story dept

Mon, Nov 2nd 2009 1:40am — Mike Masnick

Dave W alerts us to a story in the UK of how (allegedly) 11 city council members in a small rural town resigned from the council after getting annoyed by a local blogger criticizing them. Dave notes that the blog in question isn't too bad, but also notes that such city councils are often staffed by people who do the job because no one else wants to do it. Still, if you're going to hold some sort of public office, at some point you would think that you would learn how to take some criticism. It makes me wonder if there's really more to this story beyond just a critical blogger and thin-skinned council members.

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Filed Under: blogging, politics

13 Comments

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Ron Paul Audits The Fed, 2 Nov 2009 @ 2:34am

Senate Sunshine Act S.604
Good.

Now, if we can get some comments to what's actually occurring at "Sunshine Act" meetings, we all may be a little better off.

**ALL COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 27, 2009**

The Board will review all of the comments submitted. Please consider submitting your comments by e-mail or fax since paper mail in the Washington DC area and at the Board is subject to delay.

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. OP–1374, by any of the following methods:

* Agency Web Site: http://www.federalreserve.gov .
(Follow the instructions for submitting comments at http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm )

* Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . (Follow the instructions for submitting comments.)

* E-mail: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov .
(Include the docket number OP–1374 in the subject line of the message.)

* FAX: 202/452–3819 or 202/452–3102.

* Mail: Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20551.

All public comments are available from the Board’s Web site at
http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/2009/Notices/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons.

NOTE: Comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed in electronic or paper form in Room MP–500 of the Board’s Martin Building (20th and C Streets, NW.,) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Nov 2009 @ 3:35am

I think only 1 of the 12 Councillors was elected and there had been several instances of them awarding contracts to companies that they had personal interests in.
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DS, 2 Nov 2009 @ 4:00am

Re: Senate Sunshine Act S.604
Ohhhh! The Federal Reserve is such an evil cabal that I'm compelled to post giant off-topic comments.
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Devin G, 2 Nov 2009 @ 5:37am

let the blogger come be on council for a while and see how they feel after. I suspect it is easier to lob verbal bombs from behind an anonymous blind than it is to actually do something about it.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Nov 2009 @ 6:12am

Re:
It's always easier to criticize than actually do it. What is your point?

Welcome to a world of communication, you will hear things you don't like, you have to come to terms that some people just plain don't like you. They will nit pick, call you names, talk about how they f'd your mother, dig up anything they can you sling mud on you.

Ya know, stuff that you should have learned to ignore and deal with attending school.

We are adults now and should all recognize that some people are just jerks for the sake of being jerks and should be ignored. If you can't ignore them obviously you are the problem.
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Free Capitalist (profile), 2 Nov 2009 @ 6:15am

Re:
I suspect it is easier to lob verbal bombs from behind an anonymous blind than it is to actually do something about it.

I have no doubt you are correct. In any case the city is better off without the departing council. Volunteer or no, they do not belong in the role if they cannot deal with the vitriol.
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Trails, 2 Nov 2009 @ 7:11am

Re:
Agreed! Here here!

In future, we should avoid all complaints unles having actually done something ourselves.

Witness cops beat someone unconcious without provocation? Don't file a complaint until you've completed academy training and spent two years on the force (bonus points if you get an A&E film crew to follow you around).

Seriously, "Devin", if they can't take a bit of criticism they SHOULD resign.
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RS, 2 Nov 2009 @ 7:35am

Re:
Duh. Welcome to the internet.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Nov 2009 @ 7:36am

Re:
Duh. Welcome to the internet.
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Jake, 2 Nov 2009 @ 8:04am

I just read through a few pages of that blog, and there is a hell of a lot more to it than a critical blogger and thin-skinned councilors. The guy's had bricks thrown through his windows and his car torched over this stuff.
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ChimpBush McHitlerBurton, 2 Nov 2009 @ 9:56am

Re: Re: Senate Sunshine Act S.604
...well, I don't know about off-topic comments, but the Fed *is* an evil cabal.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Nov 2009 @ 10:29am

Re: Re:
Volunteer or no, they do not belong in the role if they cannot deal with the vitriol.

There is a difference between "cannot" and "will not".
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Jim Sadler, 2 Nov 2009 @ 12:54pm

Holding Office
I have held office in homeowners and property owners associations for years. There is no pay involved and we are well aware that we must put up with the usual nonsense such as people always suspecting that money is missing or being foolishly used or nut job complaints about people feeding squirrels or whatever. But we also have to deal with seriously mentally disturbed people as well. It really can be frustrating trying to deal with people who have no connection with reality and are rude, obnoxious etc.. The only reason that I run for election is to keep some of these type away from being seated in a powerful position.
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