newsobserver.com projects - From letters to the editor to blogging - Comments

Re: From letters to the editor to blogging

stoops — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:42:24 -0400

Good job avoiding the question, Greg! A BlueNC trademark.

Now THAT was a great answer!

Isaac136 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:40:36 -0400

you go Greg!!!!

Re: From letters to the editor to blogging

bnartist — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:28:00 -0400

If by office you mean anywhere in the world with a wifi hotspot the answer is yes. When combined with good coffee the answer is a resounding yes.

Nice try. Welcome to the 21st century.

gregflynn

Re: From letters to the editor to blogging

stoops — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:11:02 -0400

Does Mr. Flynn blog while at the office?

Re: From letters to the editor to blogging

Isaac136 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:53:53 -0400

A think tank for progressive ideas? I think "think tank" might be pushing it a bit. There's a lot of spirit on BlueNC, lots of energy, sure, but it's not exactly teeming with deep waders. "Messy like democracy" is more like it.

From letters to the editor to blogging

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:42:34 -0400

Greg Flynn used to be a frustrated letter writer.

An architect for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, he liked to research and write about state politics, particularly on issues like transfer taxes and the influence of home builders, but he didn't have an outlet for his thoughts.

"It's frustrating writing a letter to the editor that may never get published," he said. "And then, even if they do, you can't write anything for another 30 days."

In 2006, Flynn learned about BlueNC and began blogging regularly. Soon, he was given the power to "front page" — allowing him to promote posts by himself or others to the site's home page.

Flynn, 48, of Raleigh, avoids writing about public education or other issues that could get him in trouble at his day job. He says his boss asked him about the site once, but it has never been a problem.

He hopes that BlueNC can serve as a sort-of think tank for progressive ideas, countering the influence of well-funded conservative groups like the John Locke Foundation in its own freewheeling way.

"It's messy like democracy," he said. "It can get out of control. People can post anonymous things that are associated with campaigns or say nasty things. But it's turned into such a good community that people get called out for making ridiculous claims. It's self-regulating."