Did anybody else get this e-mail?

"I am not writing to ask for anything.  I do not want to be reinstated or anything.  But I do have something to say which I believe is significant, and I am writing with the best intentions for Olyblog's future.  I just want to be heard.  This is my message:  It's very uncomfortable to write a hyperlocal post, and then not be able to respond to comments.  I tried to participate in my own reinstatement, and I really disliked the fact that I couldn't comment on comments regarding what I had written.  I wrote a post about this, which was deleted, which made me feel ... well, it made me feel that the real purpose of this "suspension" process is to make people like me quit.  Which I am doing.  But I'm not a troll, and I'm not going away mad, I'm going away sad.  I'm sad that you guys have put so much effort and energy into this project, and in the end, you're so worn out and angry that you can't tell the difference between a troll like Tschida, and a
 generally well-intentioned person like me who gets a little too sharp sometimes.  I'm leaving without hard feelings, just a recognition that the prejudice against me is running so high that I am not even being heard.  And here is my little parting gift for you, IF you want to make the "punishment" of posting three local stories work.  I suggest that you suspend the ability to post on other stories, but allow people to post comments on the stories they author themselves.  It's really important to be able to dialogue with your readers, and I think it's important for the readers to be able to dialogue with the author, as well.  Good luck, and I hope things improve for you all, and Olyblog in general soon."

This makes me sad.  Right off the bat I do think we should allow author comments on the hyperlocal post as long as they're not combative.  I don't think it's possible for us to do this without moderation, but I think we should let the commentless person know all comments will be put through moderation but will be allowed on authored posts.

I agree with Emmett on both keeping all docent conversation public as well as encouraging OlyBlog to be a whatwemakeofit space that discourages vitriol and head butting.

I'm pretty sure I can make 10am @ B&B on Sunday, but I'll know for sure later today.  I'm back in town now but until Saturday my availability is really limited.

- Jason

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I got this also.  I responded asking them to try and stick it out.  I think
your solution is a good one, perhaps we should update policy to reflect it.

I also agree, as I said in my previous email, that all docent conversations
should be public.  At least when the topic is the blog as a whole.  I think
sometimes privacy issues come into play, at the request of users, and then
we have to respect that.  Again, my mistake was hitting reply and not
checking to see where it was going, turns out I only replied to Rob.  My
mistake.

10am B&B on Sunday works for me.

Rob, et al.,

Reason for not publishing certain material on-list is that I think it is appropriate to handle disciplinary matters in private - both for the safety and security of the docents, and/or the offending party.

I am working on a "vision for olyblog" statement, so hopefully I can have something ready later today. But, for purposes of a preview, what I was trying to say earlier, in a nutshell, was: 1) I want OlyBlog to be a place where people who seek change can participate in a "roundtable" discussion about building a just, peaceful, sustainable, truly civilized society, and 2) that I tired of disruptions, acrimonious interjections, interactions that detract from a "roundtable" environment (yes I may be guilty of some of this myself, and I will gladly own up to it and seek to change my own behavior).

So I don't think we disagree so much. It's not about liberal v. conservative. It's about challenging the status quo and promoting sustainable, just, and peaceful alternatives. It's about finding solutions that work for everyone.

I am totally with you about wanting OlyBlog to be about community - the whole community. But I don't appreciate the participation of those who seek to disrupt, to detract from the creation of a "roundtable" discussion, or to drag out the same repetitive arguments, in support of global dominance for example (i.e. if people want to advocate a policy of aggression, dominance and imperialism, OlyBlog is not the right place - IMO). Maybe it would be better to have this conversation in a more personal setting.

Bert!