AFS Cinema
Bullies on the Internet
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 9, 2014
Dear Editor:
As immediate past chair of the Mueller Neighborhood Association, I closely follow issues that could impact the quality of life in our neighborhood, and the city as a whole. After weighing all of the considerations, I’m supporting Proposition 1, the urban rail proposal, and have encouraged others to do the same. But in doing so online, I’ve met with an astonishingly vitriolic response from a handful of Prop. 1 opponents, some anonymous and some not. In recent weeks, this group has characterized Prop. 1 supporters as “morons,” “idiots,” “liars,” “shills,” “stupid,” “trolls,” and, artfully, “full of crap.” I respect that people have strong opinions – that’s part of what makes Austin such a special place – but when the dialogue moves away from issue advocacy and into a relentless barrage of personal insults, we all lose. Prop. 1 opponents: Let me and others express our views without being bullied.
As immediate past chair of the Mueller Neighborhood Association, I closely follow issues that could impact the quality of life in our neighborhood, and the city as a whole. After weighing all of the considerations, I’m supporting Proposition 1, the urban rail proposal, and have encouraged others to do the same. But in doing so online, I’ve met with an astonishingly vitriolic response from a handful of Prop. 1 opponents, some anonymous and some not. In recent weeks, this group has characterized Prop. 1 supporters as “morons,” “idiots,” “liars,” “shills,” “stupid,” “trolls,” and, artfully, “full of crap.” I respect that people have strong opinions – that’s part of what makes Austin such a special place – but when the dialogue moves away from issue advocacy and into a relentless barrage of personal insults, we all lose. Prop. 1 opponents: Let me and others express our views without being bullied.
Kathy Sokolic