More Comments From Readers

We received terrific feedback from the piece we posted last week, called "What's Eating You," about the tone of comments on Scarsdale10583. We thank our supporters, welcome the critics and continue to enjoy the discourse. Here are a few of the interesting responses we received:

Comment #1: Just went on to Scarsdale10583 and read what you wrote about some of the negative comments you've received. Just remember that people who are happy are less likely to tell you. You've developed a great site with interesting and informative content. I look forward to reading it each week and I'm sure many other Scarsdale residents do as well.

Comment #2: Hi – I wanted to thank you for your piece, "What's Eating You." In particular, I wanted to make two points:

1) I know that many, many friends in town greatly appreciate all of your hard work and effort on Scarsdale10583.com. While it's always an excellent source of community news, it was particularly valuable during the Sandy aftermath, which was greatly appreciated.
2) I'm particularly glad you commented on the tone in many of these anonymous comments. It is disgraceful that adults feel they can address their neighbors in this way, whether they disagree vehemently or not! Of course, these anonymous comments, while incredibly impolite, are also cowardly! Consider changing your policy to either require people to use their real names or enabling you to delete uncivil comments (I recognize neither is a perfect solution – maybe an online reader poll on the best way to address the problem?). Anonymity on the internet has promoted a greater coarsening in society, unfortunately, and I'm glad you spoke up to address the issue.

Comment #3: My mother, who passed away this week at the age of 92, always said "if you can't put you name on it, don't say it". She never went on the Internet or read a blog, but just maybe she knew more than we do about living a civil life in a wonderful community.

Comment #4: As a usual anonymous poster, here's my issue: I want people to know that among you are people who disagree with the median opinion... who AREN'T Democrats, who support gun rights, who believe in G-d, who oppose affirmative action and race/religion/culture/sexual orientation laws. You (the generic "you") should know that in your midst are educated, intelligent, honest, fair neighbors who didn't vote for Obama, don't like school testing, oppose high taxes, and are horrified by the invasions of privacy sanctioned by the government.

But I don't post my name, and have no intention of changing that. My work colleagues, neighbors, clients, other community contacts don't need to see my name published. Rather, they - and the rest of the community - should know people like me exist. But you don't need to know who I am. You just need to know that you can't assume the person you are speaking with agrees with what you're saying. And let me say - as a staunch conservative in a Blue state, that is an assumption I have to make all the time.

You are absolutely entitled to post strong opinion pieces. It's your website, after all, and you should be able to use this forum to express yourself. And... set rules for the replies (no direct insults, no curses, no "outing" people, etc); and be sure to respect the privacy of your neighbors and friends whenever possible. For ex: it wasn't news to publish the names of persons with handgun permits. It was just an invasion of privacy. But don't be surprised when people respond accordingly.

(Editor's Note: Scarsdale10583 did not publish the names of people with gun permits. Those appeared in the Journal News.)