This is my blog.
I want you to feel as if it is your blog, too.
But in light of some recent commentary, I have to set some rules.
Burning Wood is about music. In its 40 months of existence, it has rarely strayed from music. I encourage all of you to participate, to share your thoughts, your ideas and your words....about music. I've been known to shut down on occasion, when I feel like readership is at a low, or when it seems as if comments become light and interaction is down.
THIS IS NOT A FORUM FOR YOUR POLITICS
I allowed some comments out of respect for those involved, but I also see now, that I have fueled a fire that need not be fueled.
I don't mind negativity. I'm the poster boy for Pete's sake. But I try, at least, to keep it about the music, and when I get on something.... a record, an artist, a trend...I try to back up my negativity. I rarely...and you can try to prove me wrong if you have the time...just say, "Aahh this sucks." Your word is not the last word any more than mine is. But boy, do I love a good debate...about music.
RESPECT EACH OTHER
There have been many occasions when readers have left comments that have rubbed me the wrong way. And I've said something. This is my blog. I'm allowed. But I've always been respectful to readers. I may not have shown respect to Eric Clapton or those fuckheads the Fleet Foxes, but I have never been disrespectful to readers. Yet readers, hiding behind the safety of anonymity, have no issue being disrespectful to me and other readers.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT'S HERE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP READING.
If you're unhappy with the music I post and the artists I write about, why do you keep coming back here?
There is a lot of music on this blog. There is also a lot of love, for which I am grateful. But I will no longer accept or publish comments that have nothing to do with music.
Again, my apologies to all for not being a very good referee.
12 comments:
Too bad, because music is often political and it when it is it can and should invite comment. Nasty comments about the motives of the poster as opposed to discussing the points raised in the post are something different though.
Oh, well, I was tempted to wade in but chose not to when I realized I wasn't going to be as nice as the others. But what happens if you review the new album by Alger Hiss (http://www.myspace.com/algerhisstheband}?
Albert said:
"and Toy trumps everything he's done in the last 20 years, IMHO....."
I somehow missed ever hearing about David Bowie's "Toy" until I saw the above. It didn't take long to find and, er, acquire.
IMHO Albert's comment is dead on.
I humbly apologize to you and the blog for my contribution to the circumstances requiring the institution of rules for conduct.
I've always been a troublemaker and this isn't the first time that's happened.
Couldn't agree more, this is a music blog. And that should say it all, really. But one can see how all this got your blood to boiling and you're more than right to put an end to it as you see fit.
I happen to visit a lot of music blogs daily, excited for the possibility of new music shared with knowledgeable and sometimes also entertaining thoughts from the blogger(wink wink). What it comes down to is (and this'll sound selfish, but it also explains a lot), we, the readers, just lost one posting to this explaination, a posting without Sal's always interesting music and without Sal's always witty writing.
So, finally here comes the conclusion, all of you political minded hotheads, please keep it to yourself. This is a music blog. Keep repeating until nosebleed.
As you were.
Izzy
Thanks Izzy. I thought my Fleet Foxes line was funny. ;)
Well said Sal.
I also apologise for my interaction,I rarely rise to the bait, but it wasn't the first time this had happened with the particular poster, however I could have just let it go.
Sal - I like Fleet Foxes and could care less about Todd Rundgren (although I do like the ablum he produced for the Furs). But I love your blog and agree that music should be the primary topic and respect should be shown to all who visit here.
Thanks Kevin. I know for a fact I called Todd a fuckhead on these pages, too.
:)
As one who sits on the sidelines enjoying your posts and ultimate discussions, I am appalled that there is some knucklehead(S) trying to drag you and/or this site down.
You make it very easy to decide if I want to purchase or download said music for free.
As Bill Murray said in Stripes,"lighten up Frances!"
Keep up the great work Sal it is much appreciated, the silent majority (I'm sure). Phil
I just read through the whole unpleasantness this morning. Sorry you had to put up with that in your space.
But enough about politics. I'm just here to say that I'm listening to the PPHS Weekend Mix right now, and holy mother o' god, it is EXACTLY what I need today.
Thanks for all the great music, Sal. This blog is a treasure.
I like politics, and there's plenty of websites for that. This ain't one of'em. Take your politics over there, people.
I'm not sure that we aren't going a bit over the top with this.
Sal has stepped in and ended it and that's exactly the right thing to do.
Something objectionable was said that I stepped in and objected to, because it was a preposterous argument, bbj did too and the OP took exception as he always would.
Sal stopped it and he was absolutely right to do it, he also has regrets he let it go on and he's right.
However, I take great exception to being lumped in with "knuckleheads" when I was defending an apolitical organisation being acused of a political act.
Perhaps I should have left it, but it was so ridiculous and misguided.
I also question myself and have since drawn quite a few people to the original post who are not of this parish and they were even more gobsmacked than myself.
I'm not trying to pour petrol on flames and I am (and always will be) a friend of Sal's.
Did I get called a knucklehead?!!
I resemble that remark.
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