I’m going to be honest with you, that’s where this is headed. The trolling, the name-calling, the total lack of respect for people has now risen to the point that I am two steps away from recommending we shut it down.

Most of you seriously scare me, talking about killing people and stalking people just because they disagree with your opinion. This is ridiculous.

Thank you to the few of you who are maintaining the civility.

For two years I have made a case to my bosses to keep this site alive. But it’s getting to be too much for us to manage so six of you can argue and bicker with each other and call any newcomer names. I’ve argued that this is a place for the community to come and talk about issues. I even researched switching to another platform, but the expense won’t be allowed. There is NO advertiser who wants to be here because of the low level of decorum consistently displayed. Therefore, there is no new platform coming.

Because you have chased off all new users by accusing them of being someone else, the site’s growth has leveled. That, along with the fact no advertiser whats to be here, means there will be no improvements, and there will be no increase in my time dedicated to moderation.

You all complain to me weekly about so-and-so trolling, and so-and-so posting personal attacks. Well, this is what you made it. We wanted this to be a hands-off, user generated site, and this is what you made it.

So tell me why I should fight to keep BakersfieldTalks.com up and running?

“So tell me why I should fight to keep BakersfieldTalks.com up and running?”

To some, this is the closest they get to having any real power or influence (or perceived as such). In the real world, we would simply ignore the person, but we engage them out of morbid curiosity. Its the only place we feel entitlted to our opinion and defend ourselves. Online seems to be the only place we can speak our mind without there being dire consequences (like getting fired or getting punched). Why should it be kept running? For some of us, its the only time we get to speak unless spoken to. I think the civility issue is being overblown and I believe its being overblown by the ones who are PROBABLY the highest offenders. To those that want to toss stones then complain any time someone throws a stone at you, I say GROW UP. The solution, with all due respect Jamie, is to just stay out of it. Don’t bother playing ref. If someone wants to be a jerk or a bully, we have a choice-DON’T RESPOND! If we stop trying to overdramatize this and ignore the culprits, I can assure you things will get better. I occasionally take the bait, and I’m going to do my part to. Arguments cease when there’s no one to argue with. Its hilarious how I can come in here sometimes and see one particular user post something clearly meant to start an arguement and then post a complaint that no one is responding to the post. Hmmm? I wonder why? So it is possible.

Think, the key word is ‘level’. I am far from being a skillful debater, but I do try to back up my statements with cited facts, or when it is just my opinion, I say so. And yes, I readily challenge the posters’ intellects, if not also their character. To me the character is revealed by the post.

That is a big part of the problem … everyone is challenging each other’s intellect and character.

If I feel in my heart a certain way about an issue but don’t have the facts to back it up, does that make me stupid or a bad person?

Why? Maybe someone thinks something is ethically wrong. They come here and state their opinion and get called a “lib-tard” a “gun toting conservative” a “commie” or whatever else you can come up with.

It’s ridiculous. Everyone here talks about their rights — “It’s my right to do this!” It’s my right to say this!” “It’s my right to have that!” — yet you don’t even afford others a right to their own thoughts, feelings, opinions, and way of life.

I can’t leave it alone because there ARE some legal issues. Some of what happens here could be considered harassment if it ever went to court.

There are a lot of users who are not commenting here, and I find that interesting.

I have stated many times that I believe it is an insult to try to change someone’s belief, and I don’t think I’ve ever done that. I may dispute the facts they cite for that belief. For example, you just said Hitler was a ‘very intelligent and well learned individual’. Where did he go to become well learned? I can find no record of learning for him. He had a gift of oratory and understood the German character and was able to take advantage of the times to further his agenda. When it became clear that he was popular and could sway the masses, money began coming in. So there, I’m challenging your statement because I think it is factually wrong. If you base a belief just on ‘your gut’ without thinking it through, I think that is false reasoning and will challenge it.

Andy – See, you’re pointing fingers and calling names. Believe me when I tell you there is more than one person that would be bounced permanently if that’s the route I go.

Also, there are four users who flag a majority of the comments for moderation, and they are the same four people who have the most of their own comments deleted.

Jamie, your job is impossible and I think you show great restraint, more than most of us do.