Do blog posts swirl left or right?

Recently there’s been a lot of discussion about the relevance of blogs. What purpose do they serve? Who’s actually paying attention? Are they a form of journalism or creative writing?

So I decided to tool around a bit, and came across a blogger’s post that included a video of a person making a statement about a situation. The blogger misquotes what the person said in the video, then misinterprets the person’s remarks in the same post. 

In essence, the blogger bashes the person in the video for saying something he didn’t say, or even imply. Now my question is this: Why would a blogger post a video that he obviously didn’t watch, then bash the person for something he didn’t say?

Then when someone calls him on it in a comment, the blogger tries to explain away the faux pas with gibberish. (Pass the aspirin please.) This is a typical scenario that plays out ad nauseum all over the internet every minute of every day.

Generally speaking, with all the distortion, are blogs even relevant as news sources? Is it a waste of time for news seekers to follow blogs? 

Although many blog posts are useful, an increasingly vast number can be relied on only as a means of personal expression. In fact, feel free to flush …

George DeLuca produces ComeToLowell.com

Thank you Warren Shaw …

Thanks to Warren Shaw for his efforts to spearhead the reformation of unscupulous practices used by many bloggers and posters. Hopefully, his case goes viral, as its time to get the discussion going in earnest.

Many blogs and comments sections allow unidentified individuals a forum to discredit people with real names and lives, and ruin their reputations for unknown and in most cases hidden agendas.

People who blog using their real names are aware that snippets of negative comments can be picked up by the search engines, risking tarnishing their good reputations. The offenders know full well that they can do so without anyone knowing who they are.

Case in point is a person who when asked to identify himself or herself replies “Everyone knows me.” Not true, especially if you consider the context of the request.

Consider this a wake up call … Anyone who wants to follow a reputable blog that sets the standard can visit RichardHowe.com.

George DeLuca produces ComeToLowell.com

Resume Issue – A Victory for the City

Sen. Eileen Donahue and Sgt. Mickey O'Keefe

Once again, thank you to Rita Mercier for saying what many of us were thinking about the strong individual characters of Timmy Green and Mickey O’Keefe at last nights City Council meeting. File it under “all’s well that ends well.”

Also, thank you to Rodney Elliot and Ed Kennedy for working out a solution for letting the people in on the process of selecting officials that represent the City.

And kudos to City Manager Lynch for graciously making the resumes of all candidates for future offices available to the Councilors via his office.

But it was Rita Mercier and Rodney Elliot who brought the point home by letting the people in on the credentials of Sgt. O’Keefe. Now the people AND the City Manager know a little more about his background that may not have been public knowledge. Rita accentuated the victory by stating that perhaps Sgt. O’Keefe would be a suitable candidate for other positions in the future. How can we harness that synergy for a deeper sense of team play? We’re close, but not quite there yet.

Congratulations to Timmy Green on his appointment! We all know he’ll do a great job for the City and for the LHA.

The team play that was exhibited by all at last night’s City Council meeting is a step towards providing a government that’s team oriented AND one that works. Keep up the good work!

above photo by George DeLuca
ComeToLowell.com

How effective are Neighborhood Groups?

Adam Baacke led the Tanner St. Workshop on Monday

Just about every neighborhood in Lowell has a neighborhood group. On the lastest segment of “The Lowell Connection” on 980WCAP now available at http://www.cometolowell.com/980WCAP2.htm, we discussed 3 meetings that were held on Monday night: the meeting of the newly formed East Pawtucketville Neighborhood Group, the Community Workshop for the Tanner St. Economic Development Plan, and the meeting of the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association.

Our guest was Paul Belley, neighborhood activist. Chime in as we continue our exploration of how Lowell is governed. Is it government by the people or is it a top down form of government? Should you join a neighborhood group? Why or why not? Are there other ways to be heard? Do you contact City Councilors, board and commission members, the City Manager, City staff, etc. directly? Do you contact members of the delegation to let them know about your concerns? How are members of Citizen’s Advisory Committees and “blue ribbon panels” chosen?

photo above by George DeLuca
ComeToLowell.com

a “Share the Streets” group for downtown?

I just came in from the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Group meeting. Towards the end there was a poignant discussion regarding the need for more protocol, or a mutual respect for all who share our downtown. Somehow, that spirit has been lost as hordes of partiers come to lowell to cut loose on weekend nights … the numbers seem to keep growing.

I don’t criticize the emerging dance culture … “Lowell is a City” as was said, and people like to go out, drink, dance and have fun. But the problem is that there are people who aren’t interested in that kind of lifestyle, who still wish to be out and about on a weekend night without intoxicated free spirits knocking them over and taking their belongings. Or they may want to stay home and read a book or be with someone special and not have music booming or other forms of crude noise and actions. 

The problems have grown recently, and people have had just about enough. Efforts have also escalated by the police and the establishment owners who are trying to keep order. So what can we do as residents?

Admittedly, there are so many revelers in the general party group that frequent the constantly growing scene, that its difficult to manage them so that others who do not partake can also enjoy a relatively peaceful and joyous lifestyle in the way that they like to live. Happiness is not a one way street.

Yes Lowell is a City, but instead of resigning ourselves to that fact and doing nothing, downtown residents can consider starting other informal groups or subgroups. A seed for an idea was planted, like a “Share the Streets” group that advocates for protocol in the streets so that all can safely and peacefully enjoy the amenities of downtown 24/7.

For example, if Downtown is now a major draw for young partiers from all over region each weekend, they need to be held accountable for wreaking havoc fueled by demon alcohol. A group could form to study the issues and come up with some ideas for enhancing their own lifestyles while countering irresponsibility. Several examples immediately came to mind and were discussed (and it felt good).

Food for thought. It’s a start …

George DeLuca, ComeToLowell.com