Check out the links on Joey Baer's page: http://www.joeybaer.com/buffandblue/
When I was an editor there, we often chose our stories with the intent of effecting change, whether it be a deeper analysis of (then) DOSS's disarming, Kappa Gamma's hazing practices, and other forms of general idiocy on campus. But we always tried our best to make sure we were presenting some appearance of a fair and balanced article. I'll be the first to admit we didn't always achieve that but we at least TRIED. I'll also be the first to admit that the BnB wasn't always worth the paper it was printed on but when we hit gold, we REALLY hit gold!
Looking at Buff and Blue special editions #4 and #6, it appears that the FSSA / Students have basically hijacked the BnB with its 100+year history as its propaganda tool instead of allowing it to remain an independent body upon which readers can look to for analysis and reporting.
Looking at the loss of the BnB and reviewing DeafRead, it seems there is NO one source anyone can turn to to provide a full and unbiased account of what's going on at Gallaudet.
CLARIFICATION: I'm not saying DeafRead is a source of original material related to the protest. I was referring to the fact that the the blogs that currently take advantage of DeafRead's features are quite partisian in this debate.
-Neil
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DeafRead approves all kinds of perspectives on the Gallaudet Protest. The site is taking a neutral stand on which blog posts makes it on DeafRead.
It happens that most blogs are in support of the protest, hence the overwhelming number of posts in support. However, there is a number of blogs that have been critical of the protest and we have no qualms about including them on DeafRead as well.
I disagree. DeafRead is helping set up blogs, like ElisaWrites.com and offering badges for anybody blogging about the protests. All three editors are heavily affiliated with RidorLive.com, which taints their credibility. It is true that DeafRead.com has not censored any blogs-- but that's more of an automatic process. Has McConnell been offered a DeafRead badge, for example? I rest my case.
Actually, McConnell can download the badge simply by going to: http://www.deafread.com/rsshelp and doing some basic HTML coding to get it up there.
The point is that none of the internet resources I've seen so far are simply reporting what goes on: they're focused on spinning the the story a certain way.
Neil: The point is that none of the internet resources I've seen so far are simply reporting what goes on: they're focused on spinning the the story a certain way.
I'm geniunely curious about that statement.
Were you suggesting that even Inside Gallaudet and 9thPrez.com were trying to spin the story or incident their way too? I don't know about you but from here, I can see that they do.
Beside that, in a political environment, folks from both sides tend to spin the story or incident their way. It's part of politics and it always will be. Good example: Fox News on Foley. They simply loved to spin their stories to favor Republicans.
Mike McConnell has been with DeafRead.com since Day 1 and one of his blog post has the 2nd highest DeafRead view count of all time (check the top ten for the last 90 days). DeafRead has helped by sending many visitors to his blog who would have never been able to find him in the first place.
Mike has had ample opportunity to install the DeafRead badge on his blog but he has his reasons not to . We respect his decision because it is his blog after all. We were hoping that he would install the badge in exchange for all the traffic that we have sent his way but that is not mandatory on our part.
The recent 'newcomers' protest blogs have been published a lot of content lately and have gotten a lot of attention. Since they were new to DeafRead.com, naturally we wanted to make sure they were aware of the badge and they need some help to do this.
We would LOVE to see the DeafRead badge on all the Deaf blogs if possible. The more diverse voices there are, then there will be more exposure to differing opinions. This leads to better dialogue via blogs and help people understand the different ways people can view the same situation.
In a way, we are doing a service to the pro-JKF and anti-protest blogs since we are giving them a way to get some visiblity on all the pro-protest blogs via the badges! Oh the irony! :-)
Some dissent is healthy, even for the protesters. It helps keep the conversation going on.
DeafRead badge is available for any blog to use and if any blogs (protesting or not) needs the help, they can get in touch with us via the DeafRead contact link.
Jason, Thanks for the comment.
Look, I'm not expecting blogs to be neutral since by definition, they're one (or more) persons writing about their own perspective.
Rather, I'm bemoaning the fact that there is no purely neutral location where people of whatever stripe can get factual information.
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