What Is Happening To Civil Debates On Patch?

To All

Differing opinions, opposing points of view, challenges to prove or disprove allegations, requests for facts to back up statements can all be part of civil debates without becoming vulgar, abusive and threatening. Some of the individuals posting seem to think they are participating in football riots with soccer hooligans in Europe! Several people have told me that they no longer read the blog section of Patch because of the nasty comments being posted.

I have seen some blogs where contributors have strongly stated and defended their positions on issues without resorting to abusive language. I can't say I was thrilled when a blogger suggested I either belong in a senior citizen home or was to dumb to find one and had accomplished nothing on the Township Committee. However, that did not degenerate into out and out name calling and aggression.

 We all need to calm down and stop putting Jason in the position of being a referee or censor. Freedom of speech does not mean that everyone can scream "Fire!" in a crowded theater.