Many, many years ago we were all subject to censorship. All of us.
Books, films, art, literature, opinions.
Censorship takes many forms but it is about controlling access to alternative opinions and the right to express alternative opinions at the end of the day.
Older media sites such as Slugger O’Toole have led the way in blowing away the cobwebs surrounding state or media mogul led Media. Newspapers have had their day as opinion formers. Choice is the new media. There is a danger in sites such as Slugger trying to manipulate their content or contributions such as happened to me recently. It merely reinforces the prejudices surrounding their contributors.
I have done a little research on the person responsible. Suffice to say a pattern is obvious and a political bias is unmistakable. This is a pity.
Unfortunately, however worthy those contributors are, consumers, ie: the rest of us, will move on and seek forums and opinions that we trust.
Trust is the cornerstone that seals the deal between a provider and a customer.
Once trust is lost, a bond is broken. I lost my trust in Slugger tonight.
"We in coming days may be" 
I have ruled that people may approach a virtual pub but with amendments to the virtual traditional route and with only virtual hymns to be played by a virtual band as you pass a virtual Catholic Church.
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Mr Fitz,
I think we should have a Blogger commission with rights to rule on exactly what hymns may be sung when passing certain bloggers sites along with the words to those songs for the avoidance of doubt.
In addition, perhaps we could organise an independent NI bloggers conference in a nice pub, (I have a few in mind but am open to suggestions), with guest appearances and speakers and perhaps a sponsor, any ideas?
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Id have to think about that. The problem is that if Independent Bloggers organise they get involved in “group think”. The Federation of Independent Bloggers=FIB
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I have it on astonishingly good authority that andnowhat is indeed black carded/banned. He/I got the e-mail.
No big sweat but a mssive apology to Mick and all those on Slugger.
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Some of us who are on Facebook (Bakebook in Ooolster scots) may be aware that we have “friends” who live in vvirtual towns, with virtual pubs. It’s not edifying to watch.
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That’s glitch Kalista… so far as I know you did nothing wrong on Slugger… will have a look..
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Don’t worry Mick. I’m ashamed at my behaviour last night. I spoke out of turn some time ago and said something I shouldn’t have brought up on P.ie. I didn’t want it brought up on Slugger.
I know you’re smart enough to read between the lines.
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Mick;
Just got the message that I am reinstated on Slugger. Thank you and I hope not to let you and the rest down again. I’m still not happy with myself for rising to something.
Cheers again.
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Kalista,
Good to see things getting sorted
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Hi Bangordub.
Mick says that he encourages robust debate. That apparently does not extend to respectfully asking a question of his favourite blogger. Same thing happened to me last night as happened to you. Sometimes I despair but nothing a good whiskey doesn’t cure eventually. I’m an optimistic sort of oul geezer.
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Joe,
I know exactly how you feel, although I admire your stoicism! It is the inherent and, in my view, misplaced, loyalty to a blogger who is actually damaging Slugger that I object to. I have blogging rights on Slugger but I absolutely reserve my right to legitimately criticise and call things as I see them. Mick can decide to publish or not. Mick has that right on his own blog. I just get the feeling that a certain person seems to have carte blanche to censor and blog on Micks site
without accountability or responsibility.
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