It's been a while since I have written here. I've been writing on Facebook and some other sites. It has gotten me around the country more. Interesting responses from different parts of the country. In any event, a Facebook commentary I made about something in Rowlett stirred up some trouble. The issue went away, but it is still caught in my throat and I want to write about it.
Let's talk about Facebook, first. In my opinion, Facebook has both good and bad features to it. There is no doubt it comes under the first amendment and enjoys the rights of free speech. Back in the ole days, one could grab an orange crate off the back porch, drag it out to any public park and call the President a fool, or the Democrats a bunch of thieves. In these modern times, one can do the same with Facebook. However, just as in 1780, you can't cause harm, as in crying FIRE in a crowded theater.
Whether at a keyboard, or on an orange crate, you are free to voice your opinion.
The main difference between Facebook and orange crates is that on Facebook everybody gets to share an opinion on the same subject........and maybe they may get off the subject. This includes people who can think, and others who don't. Unfortunately, one has to sift out the brain dead from the serious commentary if one is to get to the thoughts with substance. It's a pain in the neck, but the price of technology. Therefore, if you're a Facebook affectionado, you have to accept the good and the bad......two parts. The chemical mixture is one part substance and one part National Enquirer.
What's that got to do with Rowlett, you say. Well, the good Facebook is an excellent place to post official information on a variety of city subjects: notices, newsletters, reports, etc. Facebook provides a valuable service here and the city should take advantage of it. However, it's hard for a dummy to disagree with an intelligent official notice. I'm sure it has been done, but its harder.
Because of this Facebook with two faces, it seemed logical to me that official Rowlett discourse should be divided into two faces, also; one face suitable for Facebook and one that isn't. The posting of events, newsletters, FAQs, etc., works well with Facebook. However, there are some official Rowlett issues that, in my opinion, doesn't need to be on Facebook. These would include all issues that are decided upon and reported from the dais. This would certainly include City Council and probably P&Z. Any official commentary about city management issues and decisions do not need to be discussed on Facebook. It my opinion that any messages to the public regarding finance, employees, appointments, etc. should be delivered from the dais........NOT FACEBOOK.
A couple of weeks ago, the mayor discussed an issue on Facebook regarding some citizen's critisizm of some Rowlett employees. I took exception to reporting such issues on Facebook. I did not attack the mayor. In fact, I was somewhat supportive because the mayor was covering the employee's backsides. I liked that. My only issue was that she should have let it rip from the dais, rather than Facebook. Anybody reading the string of commentary could easily see that my only opinion was the issue of where is was done, not what was done.
Well, the Part II Facebookers came out. One suggested I change toilet paper to a less abrasive brand. One accused me of concocting a conspiracy of some kind and anointing my self as Facebook Boss. They read the Facebook commentary and had no clue what they just read.
I am not writing this to change any opinion you may have. That's all part of Facebook, Part I, and covered by the Constitution. My opinion remains unchanged. The sensitive nature of employee relations has no business on Facebook. However, I am writing this to plead with you to use you brains. We just don't need any more dumb asses around here. Oops, there goes another opinion.
Let's talk about Facebook, first. In my opinion, Facebook has both good and bad features to it. There is no doubt it comes under the first amendment and enjoys the rights of free speech. Back in the ole days, one could grab an orange crate off the back porch, drag it out to any public park and call the President a fool, or the Democrats a bunch of thieves. In these modern times, one can do the same with Facebook. However, just as in 1780, you can't cause harm, as in crying FIRE in a crowded theater.
Whether at a keyboard, or on an orange crate, you are free to voice your opinion.
The main difference between Facebook and orange crates is that on Facebook everybody gets to share an opinion on the same subject........and maybe they may get off the subject. This includes people who can think, and others who don't. Unfortunately, one has to sift out the brain dead from the serious commentary if one is to get to the thoughts with substance. It's a pain in the neck, but the price of technology. Therefore, if you're a Facebook affectionado, you have to accept the good and the bad......two parts. The chemical mixture is one part substance and one part National Enquirer.
What's that got to do with Rowlett, you say. Well, the good Facebook is an excellent place to post official information on a variety of city subjects: notices, newsletters, reports, etc. Facebook provides a valuable service here and the city should take advantage of it. However, it's hard for a dummy to disagree with an intelligent official notice. I'm sure it has been done, but its harder.
Because of this Facebook with two faces, it seemed logical to me that official Rowlett discourse should be divided into two faces, also; one face suitable for Facebook and one that isn't. The posting of events, newsletters, FAQs, etc., works well with Facebook. However, there are some official Rowlett issues that, in my opinion, doesn't need to be on Facebook. These would include all issues that are decided upon and reported from the dais. This would certainly include City Council and probably P&Z. Any official commentary about city management issues and decisions do not need to be discussed on Facebook. It my opinion that any messages to the public regarding finance, employees, appointments, etc. should be delivered from the dais........NOT FACEBOOK.
A couple of weeks ago, the mayor discussed an issue on Facebook regarding some citizen's critisizm of some Rowlett employees. I took exception to reporting such issues on Facebook. I did not attack the mayor. In fact, I was somewhat supportive because the mayor was covering the employee's backsides. I liked that. My only issue was that she should have let it rip from the dais, rather than Facebook. Anybody reading the string of commentary could easily see that my only opinion was the issue of where is was done, not what was done.
Well, the Part II Facebookers came out. One suggested I change toilet paper to a less abrasive brand. One accused me of concocting a conspiracy of some kind and anointing my self as Facebook Boss. They read the Facebook commentary and had no clue what they just read.
I am not writing this to change any opinion you may have. That's all part of Facebook, Part I, and covered by the Constitution. My opinion remains unchanged. The sensitive nature of employee relations has no business on Facebook. However, I am writing this to plead with you to use you brains. We just don't need any more dumb asses around here. Oops, there goes another opinion.
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