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Jan. 11, 2007 Matt, Ed: Pat Hurley’s departure from UK is greeted from this corner of the UK universe with sadness. Pat is a fine writer, seems to be a decent fellow and quite funny to boot. But ever since his arrival, he has been questioned and ridiculed as to whether or not he is an Emmy winner, and most recently, has had to deal with insinuations that he is a sexual deviant. Pat argues that we are losing many fine writers. He says it is the fault of one man, and while I’m ready to assign 100% of the blame to this fellow, you can bet that his acidic retorts and rebuttals are the cause for the overwhelming majority of it. This individual’s writing skills are exemplary, and over the past two years I have both debated and defended him. But these relentless attacks for the sake of attacking read more like obsession, rather than debate. Not everything needs to be debated, disparaged and “disproved.” I have had more than my share of battles at UK, particularly on the front page. I am making a vow to limit my rebuttals to the appropriate forum UNLESS they are personal attacks that are posted on the front page, and this includes some articles that I find offensive to black folks in general. (I say some because many of these diatribes are so poorly written that responding might lend them credence). Pat states succinctly and correctly, that UK has lost credibility and must change. I’m not sure that banning his rival will solve the problem, but UK should get back to its roots: news analysis and human interest stories. When I came aboard in December 2004, Google, Yahoo and several other sites picked up our articles. It was a positive that people commented on our work via e-mails and to the various sites that posted our views. Now UK has become the domain of elderly men engaged in some sort of wrinkled, wang-waving contest. New writers aren’t interested in joining a site where their articles will be slammed. Our long-term writers are abandoning what appears to be a ship taking on water. The rebuttal forum is fun and some of the exchanges are funny. Other times, the writing tenor is just too abrasive, and I readily admit that I have been part of it as well--giving as well as receiving. I once suggested an “Issue of the Week” type format, like the pro & con segments found in newspaper editorial pages. The Editor would pick an issue, and interested columnists could apply for the opportunity to debate it: One article where you shoot you best shot, and that idea could still work--with restraints. It could mean fewer personal attacks and allow an opportunity to those who want to rant. Otherwise, we risk losing writers like Judy Ramsook, Claxton Graham, Ken Hughes, etc. and UK becomes nothing more than your typical blog. UK deserves better, so does its loyal writing staff. ------------ About the author: Timothy N. Stelly, Sr, is a 47-year old author of two novels, Tempest In the Stone, and The Malice of Cain. He is currently editing his poetry manuscripts, Ebony Vistas, and Tales From the Black Side of the Rainbow. He resides with his three youngest children, Dante, Kimberly and Lawrence. website: http://stellbreadO@tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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