A few people are misunderstanding what this blog is about and, in particular, the purpose of its comment section.
1) Comments made do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the administrator. Generally, I let through most comments. Some I agree with, others I do not, while a segment I have no opinion on. If you disagree with a comment, you can state so, and challenge the information presented. I've done that myself. That's the back and forth purpose of a comment section.
2) I will not be bullied by self-appointed hall monitors to change the above. Everyone has a right to comment, even if they write in CAPS. And, for the record (which should be apparent), I am the only hall monitor here, and I'm not about to relinquish this position because a control freak wants--no, insists--on this job without an invitation.
3) I am fully aware that because of the anonymous ability to make comments some individuals can craft their comments as coming from different individuals rather than a single one. I've already noted this in at least one thread. That's the downside of having anonymous commentary capabilities, but the downside in not having them is taking away the advantage a commentator may have in writing openly and without fear of reprisal from management or any other entity or even person. That said, I think most of us are keen enough to get a sense of when a commentator is using multiple anonymous identities to prop up his or her viewpoint.
4) There is a lot happening in PCVST that's secretive or confusing. Trying to make sense of it is a challenge. That is why the comment section may contain incorrect or misunderstood information, and that is why this information can be challenged and/or corrected. In fact, I welcome such corrections. On the main page of the blog and my posts there, I try to maintain accuracy, because that's the only section that is my own and for which I am solely responsible.
5) Taking all the above into consideration, this blog is also an advocacy blog for affordable middle class housing and the saving of New York from well-monied interests who would like to eat it up to assuage their own gluttonous appetites, leaving everyone else high and dry. So trolls who like to provoke by going against this will have a hard time getting a soapbox platform here, though some of their commentary will be let through, of course--and challenged.
That's it. Now on with the show.
ADDENDUM: A couple more clarifications needed, this based on a critique I received from a reader of this post. This person commented, among other things: "You have taken on a big responsibility being the voice of our community." Actually--and this is something I have stressed now and then--I'm not the voice of this community, but "a" voice. This blog was started years ago because I was being pissed off by the things happening here under the reign of Tishman-Speyer. It was a personal mission that by its nature related matters and concerns that others in the community can be sympathetic with and are interested in. No one voted for me to represent anything and I am not seeking any such votes. On another issue, this reader chides me for not being proactive in making calls to verify statements made in the commentary section. I have several reasons for not wanting, at this point, to "out myself" to certain key players in the system. I am, after all, anonymous myself. There may come a time, and relatively soon, when I will throw caution to the wind and change this stance, but not now. My prerogative, my blog. There is also a time element involved. Contrary to what some may think, I am not a retired senior, nor do I have a trust fund I can live off, as I sit around the Oval and watch the girls go by. I have work I must do that demands a lot of my time and attention. Many times, all I can do is just swiftly pass through comments. I don't have luxury of doing otherwise, except possibly on the weekend. If anyone is dissatisfied with this blog, my advice would be not to read it, or better yet, start your own. It doesn't cost anything, money-wise.
