Open Thread Wednesday 5/28/08

I’d like to know what is going on with that woman that has been living on the Promenade for the past month or so. Has anyone talked to her? She does not seem like a bum, yet she appears to truly be homeless. When it rains she sleeps under the scaffolding between Hicks and Montague Terrace. A few days ago some guy was hitting on her and ended up spending the night with her on the Promenade bench. Anyone have any info?

If we’re talking about the same guy, he isn’t “hitting on her”, he’s a JW trying to convert her.

What happened to blog entry about the Vespa Scooter dog walker?

Jen – Thanks for the comment. Apologies for not addressing this sooner. I was preparing a column on this subject but instead will explain why here.

The original post and photo were factual and included the opinion of the person who sent us the photo. I did not pull the post because of that content. It happened. It was true.

It was pulled because – in this case and in my sole opinion – the comments ended up reflecting the very worst of the BHB community and I could not allow that. While the original topic of someone walking dogs while riding a motorscooter was clearly a matter of public safety and appropriate for this forum, the preponderance of off-topic personal digs in the comments section gave me no choice but to pull the entire story.

We will look into ways in which we can better moderate comments – including user registration – so that we don’t have to ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’ in the future.

I hope you can respect this personal choice I’ve made for the blog I run and love for the best neighborhood in New York City. I stand by this site and all of its content and reserve the right to sometimes do things just because I feel it’s the right thing to do – not a First Amendment or Free Speech issue but a matter of good manners.

Nice Jim, rip a guy for being a gentleman.

“It was pulled because – in this case and in my sole opinion – the comments ended up reflecting the very worst of the BHB community and I could not allow that.”

Wow, I am seriously impressed with your integrity in this matter. Get the hint of sarcasm? I am not sure what was said after 9 AM this morning, but until then it seemed to be a normal, sometime heated discussion about a topic that is concern for some of us. I have read far worse comments on this blog, e.g. “Ghettoplex”, homeless woman living somewhere on Henry in a “tent”, JW’s, other homeless people, minority workers at the “Busy Chef” complex, links to the “Nanny watchers”, the Housewifes of New York (Cobble Hill Blog), etc. The most racist and nastiest comments have been made in those threads and I do not recall that you ever stepped in there to avoid of having the very worst reflecting on the BHB community.

For one, if Jennifer would walk my dog, I would like to know if she walks my dog on a scooter so that I can make sure that my dog never gets walked again by her. After all I am at work and will not see her “scooting” my dog. Second, a couple of months ago she was almost running me over on the damn scooter on the sidewalk when she was racing somewhere.

So, why did you really pull that article? Was it that she (a former lawyer) called you and threatened to sue you or did Frances, in friendship to Jennifer, ask you to remove the thread instead? As some of you might have noticed in the morning, several comments were removed and instead parts of it were cited in a response from Frances.

You have lost credibility and my respect.

“Freedom of speech” violations get tossed around a little too often imo (and I’m a bleeding heart liberal, with my own ACLU card, fyi). But Homer has not violated anyone’s “freedom to speak.” He has just impaired their ability to use his forum, which I assume he pays for, to speak. “Freedom of speech” does not include guarantee of venue. It’s Homer’s venue, he can set the rules of discourse.

Anyway, I’m curious if anyone knows what’s up the 101 Clinton/159 Joralemon? It’s the large building on the NW corner of Clinton & Joralemon. A business owner there told me it was slated for demolition. And other businesses seem to be vacating. Anyone know what’s going in here?

Meanwhile, a stop work order was issued by the DOB the evening of May 28th against 71 Pineapple Street (not to be confused with the one issued for the first floor of 75 P/A) due to unlawful excavation in the basement.

Add my voice to those dismayed by the abrupt halt to the dog/scooter discussion. It’s Homer’s board. Might I suggest the topic continue to rage (it will) with aggressive removal of those postings that Homer deems add nothing to the conversation.

Hey guys, it open thread, not open season. Quit the sniping!

Re: Scooter-walker-against-traffic: Some of the insulting comments were removed AFTER I had quoted them. I quoted what was unsustainable or vile. Freedom of speech does not give speakers impunity from libel laws. When you bash the Witnesses, you bash a group. This was an assault on one person that kept mounting beyond the three (scooter-walking, against traffic, no helmet) customs and laws she broke. I’m calling WALKING a dog a custom because I don’t know if there are laws about it.

Pretend it was your kid riding against traffic without a helmet, or pretend your tax form was published here with questionable deductions. Would you appreciate comments on size, IQ, drinking habits, and probability of lacking a license or insurance?

C’mon, people: THINK about it. & don’t say your kid or you yourself wouldn’t do it because we’ve all fudged the law at some point.

Here’s another question: are any of the churches currently collecting books for book fairs?

Hi neighbors! I am a recent Brooklyn Law School grad and have come to adore the Heights! I have had the great good luck to live here in BLS housing for the past 2 years. Now that I’ve graduated I must go out into the world to find my own shelter and I’d love to stay in the area! If you could all keep your eyes and ears open and contact me if you come across something you think fits…my budget is $1800, should be at least a 1 bedroom (to suit a couple), and allow a large rottweiler dog (which will be moving up with my boyfriend). you can e-mail me at nearfame@aol.com. Thanks!