I've got another idea for fundraising... James Hellyer is the commentator most of you love to react to. He certainly gets the blood boiling of many of you. Should his entries be subject to a sin tax or should I subsidise them in order to encourage more traffic...?
Subsidise Mr Hellyer, Mr Editor? That is worrying attitude. Surely you are asking whether you should pay him a journalistic fee. He would not be subsidised any more than you are to work at the CSJ. A sin tax would be a tax on free speech. I am worried by your anti-commercial and censorious instincts. You are in danger of becoming a collectivist conservative.
More seriously, editor, I suggest that you seek sponsorship for your site.
You might be able to invest in a moderator to keep down the personal abuse that is ruining the debate. I will simply not get involved in it and that is why my posts are much fewer. I am sure that I am not the only one. It will also put off potential sponsors.
Selsdon Man - I had noticed a drop off in your postings - which is a shame. You make a fair point about 'personal abuse'. I haven't banned anyone yet but from commenting but have sent a few folk a yellow card warning. I think the internet and blogging should be very open media but I will give my first 'red card' to the first repeat offender...
" think the internet and blogging should be very open media". I agree Tim but you do have property rights and a reputation to protect.
The point about sponsorship is serious - the online media must get a lot of click throughs from this blog. It would appropriate if a Conservative site actually made a profit.
I appreciate the advice Selsdon Man. I'd be grateful if you and any others would point out unnecessarily offensive posts to me whenever they occur. I can't watch/ moderate everything all of the time on a site that is currently as 'instant live' as this one...
Your problem is one that is widespread on the blogosphere and in chat rooms. I have been in party politics for 25 years and have experienced all the highs and lows. There only things that wind me up are bigotry, racism, lies and personal abuse. I do my best to fight them in any way I can - including pointing out offensive posts to you.
"James Hellyer is the commentator most of you love to react to. He certainly gets the blood boiling of many of you. Should his entries be subject to a sin tax or should I subsidise them in order to encourage more traffic...?"
LOL! Definitely subsidise him - good cannon fodder is hard to find these days! I wouldn't want to be denied the opportunity to indulge in my favourite sport of Hellyer-baiting ;-)
(Although I have found myself agreeing with him more and more of late and even found myself defending him to a certain extent yesterday! I've tried seeing a doctor, I've tried seeing a counsellor, I've tried medication, I've tried meditation and I still haven't found out what's wrong with me! ;-)...)
Seriously though Editor (or Tim if you prefer), you do a brilliant job with this blog and I'd be delighted to help out any way I can. Is there a general guide that you can offer to the typical amount that people have been able to contribute?
DD team resorts to trying to buy support! Wat about that then!
BTW, editor, where do the donations go - CSJ, your personal bank accounts or Conservative Home accounts? If it is the third option, is CH a private company, non-profit or charity?
Gladly.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | 10 October 2005 at 14:23
Tim, your system doesn't want to accept my credit card!I've tried e-mailing you but it's bouncing back.Send me your details and I'll send a cheque.
Posted by: malcolm | 10 October 2005 at 15:41
Malcolm, I don't know why you are having problems.
Others have successfully made payments and I've received an email from you and I replied to it...
Thanks, anyhow, for persevering with your willingness to support me!
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 16:00
Happy to help used paypal seemed to accept ok, keep up the good work.
Posted by: a-tracy | 10 October 2005 at 17:33
This is weird Tim.I have no e-mails from you.Can you try again please.
Posted by: malcolm | 10 October 2005 at 17:38
Thanks very much "a-tracy"...
And weird, indeed, Malcolm. You're the only one having problems. I'm sorry your generosity is being frustrated!
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 17:55
I've got another idea for fundraising... James Hellyer is the commentator most of you love to react to. He certainly gets the blood boiling of many of you. Should his entries be subject to a sin tax or should I subsidise them in order to encourage more traffic...?
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 18:31
Subsidise Mr Hellyer, Mr Editor? That is worrying attitude. Surely you are asking whether you should pay him a journalistic fee. He would not be subsidised any more than you are to work at the CSJ. A sin tax would be a tax on free speech. I am worried by your anti-commercial and censorious instincts. You are in danger of becoming a collectivist conservative.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 10 October 2005 at 21:01
More seriously, editor, I suggest that you seek sponsorship for your site.
You might be able to invest in a moderator to keep down the personal abuse that is ruining the debate. I will simply not get involved in it and that is why my posts are much fewer. I am sure that I am not the only one. It will also put off potential sponsors.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 10 October 2005 at 21:12
Selsdon Man - I had noticed a drop off in your postings - which is a shame. You make a fair point about 'personal abuse'. I haven't banned anyone yet but from commenting but have sent a few folk a yellow card warning. I think the internet and blogging should be very open media but I will give my first 'red card' to the first repeat offender...
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 21:34
" think the internet and blogging should be very open media". I agree Tim but you do have property rights and a reputation to protect.
The point about sponsorship is serious - the online media must get a lot of click throughs from this blog. It would appropriate if a Conservative site actually made a profit.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 10 October 2005 at 21:53
Hope you did not mind the ribbing on the first post above, editor.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 10 October 2005 at 21:55
I appreciate the advice Selsdon Man. I'd be grateful if you and any others would point out unnecessarily offensive posts to me whenever they occur. I can't watch/ moderate everything all of the time on a site that is currently as 'instant live' as this one...
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 21:55
Your problem is one that is widespread on the blogosphere and in chat rooms. I have been in party politics for 25 years and have experienced all the highs and lows. There only things that wind me up are bigotry, racism, lies and personal abuse. I do my best to fight them in any way I can - including pointing out offensive posts to you.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 10 October 2005 at 22:01
Thank you!
Posted by: Editor | 10 October 2005 at 22:17
"James Hellyer is the commentator most of you love to react to. He certainly gets the blood boiling of many of you. Should his entries be subject to a sin tax or should I subsidise them in order to encourage more traffic...?"
LOL! Definitely subsidise him - good cannon fodder is hard to find these days! I wouldn't want to be denied the opportunity to indulge in my favourite sport of Hellyer-baiting ;-)
(Although I have found myself agreeing with him more and more of late and even found myself defending him to a certain extent yesterday! I've tried seeing a doctor, I've tried seeing a counsellor, I've tried medication, I've tried meditation and I still haven't found out what's wrong with me! ;-)...)
Seriously though Editor (or Tim if you prefer), you do a brilliant job with this blog and I'd be delighted to help out any way I can. Is there a general guide that you can offer to the typical amount that people have been able to contribute?
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | 10 October 2005 at 23:36
Daniel: So far people have given between £15 and £50 but I'd be grateful for anything... £5 works for me!
Posted by: Editor | 11 October 2005 at 07:47
Thanks for your response Tim.The cheque is in the post!
Posted by: malcolm | 11 October 2005 at 15:18
OK Tim, I've sent you a donation...but in exchange you've got to say lots of nice things about DD.
Posted by: Wat Tyler | 11 October 2005 at 20:56
It depends how big the donation is, Wat. Have you sent it in a brown paper envelope?
Posted by: Editor | 11 October 2005 at 21:01
DD team resorts to trying to buy support! Wat about that then!
BTW, editor, where do the donations go - CSJ, your personal bank accounts or Conservative Home accounts? If it is the third option, is CH a private company, non-profit or charity?
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 11 October 2005 at 21:03
No...but watch out for the Securicor van.
Posted by: Wat Tyler | 11 October 2005 at 21:04
In your dreams!
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 11 October 2005 at 21:06
On second thoughts, it could be a ruse. Watch out for men in white coats.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 11 October 2005 at 21:08
The money will become my earnings, Selsdon Man
Posted by: Editor | 12 October 2005 at 00:07