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Mr. Potter is not Bedford Falls
Now, I want you all to listen carefully for all of you George Baileys out there on Ricochet. I know it’s difficult to keep going when it seems like everything is against you. Yes, Mr. Potter (@roblong @exjon ) owns the editorial policy, er, bank, but Mr. Potter is not Bedford Falls. We also have lots of other people in town. There’s Bert and Ernie and a few too many Uncle Billies. Together, we can make it through these rough times. Deep down, even Mr. Potter only wants what is best for Ricochet, er, Bedford Falls, he just has a slightly different vision. But let’s stick to our mutually-shared vision of a place where friends can have coffee and conversation together. Together we can make this happen. Together, we can get Mr. Potter to see the error of his ways and maybe clean up the streets of Bedford Falls a bit.
Speaking of which, we also have a few too many pouncing tigers wandering around who need to be tamed down to pussy cats so we can have them at the table without constant damage to all involved. Pouncing is not conversation. If you see the pouncing tigers, please tell them to stop doing that and sit down and Meow like civilized cats.
A valiant effort…I will you well in it, O Furry One…
It occurred to me last night that I needed to start backing off and allowing more slack. I read a couple of comments that were pretty clearly RWI, and chose not to rise to that bait.
RWI? Really witty indeed?
Well, gosh darn it, Arahant.
Ritin’ while intoxicated?
Exactly, Percival. There is far too much of that going on around the site.
The cat’s out of the bag?
Interesting analogy and useful to cheer one up.
Do consider this. Mr Potter is also the Chief of Police and the High Judge Magistrate. He can edit out posts, suspend us, and ban us for life.
A long time ago, when I travelled in the south and I ran into a police chief who flew the stars and bars on his car and belonged to the local night gathering mens club, I would upon answering where I was from answer “The Great State of Delaware where I look north from my backyard on the Mason-Dixon line” (True at the time).
That would allow me to drive on without having to enjoy more hospitality. Good thing he never asked where I was born.
Heh.
“You’re a Yankee through and through, now aincha, boy?”
Fortunately I had the good sense to drive a dented Ford Pickup on that trip with Delaware plates.
To get back to this, the editors, including Jon are constrained here and take a fairly light hand. It may not feel like it when the hand is coming down on you, but I am not seeing it come down unfairly. Yes, he has his opinion and he expresses it, such as in that post you mentioned elsewhere on the Main Feed. But we get to express our opinions, too. I only see the editors stepping in where they have to because of the Hammer and Tongs Society having their rumbles.
Whatchu talkin about, Willis?
[I’ll see your 40s American pop culture reference and raise you one from the 80s.]
Hello!
Uncle Billy is skeptical here.
Very nice post,
ClarenceArahant.My daughter’s peaceable kingdom:
On July 4, 1976, our country celebrated its 200th anniversary. This is a recording of Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. It’s eighteen minutes long, but it’s inspiring. We are a very young country.
Love this, thanks for posting. These clips always remind me of my brother. When he was a little kid (three or four) and when the Boston Pops with Arthur Fiedler were still a staple offering on PBS, he loved the orchestra, and every time the conductor would appear on stage he’d shout, “Look! It’s Boston Pop!”
So you’re not thinking of the alternate ending?
Re: 22, Ewww, that’s gross, Grosse!
Is this the sort of thing you mean:
Sigfried and Roy’s longtime feline friends come to mind, too…But, as Roy was always quick to point out, these were/are wild things who choose to be with us…They can also tire of us. (No disrespect to the late and beloved Manticore intended. As Roy would wish.)
Pottersville became a fun, freewheeling little town after Bailey’s deadening moral earnestness was lifted. Midnight dancing with Gloria Grahame is supposed to be dystopia?
I like the spirit of the post, but cats? Have you ever seen a cat with a mouse? Cats are the types of animals that would run the Spanish Inquisition, whether they be big like tigers or tiny like kittens.
Not to inject conflict, but I say try to be dogs!!! We need more *canines* in Bedford Falls! :)
After all, a nice doberman can be strong and noble, but he can have a good-natured, high-spirited romp with a lab on a field as entertainment…. If a tussle gets contentious–over a bone, say–a doberman will be pretty straightforward about his displeasure, too. The bark will get deeper, sure. But you know what’s what.
A cat???? A cat will rake you with his claws, run away, and then *hunt* you at night… A cat holds a grudge in a way a dog’s nature won’t allow.
Cats. (Imagine a person named Lois shaking her head in wonder…)
There’s a reason that character in James Bond doesn’t have a puppy in his lap. ;)
That’s the price we pay for having a monitored site, uh, town. We don’t always agree with Mr. Potter, and sometimes his choices might be subjective, and we will be especially annoyed when he focuses on us, but he gets to do that. It’s identifying our reactivity that allows us to let go of our frustration and move on.
Beautifully done, Arahant. Inspiring, too. Thanks.
Good post. Never fear to get your point across, but do it with tact and kindness. Some of us snowflakes are pretty delicate.?