BTSC Readers: Please Take A Moment To Read
by Blitzburgh
on Jul 1, 2008 7:08 PM EDT
Ok, it's that time again. I'll make it quick, with just a little background as to why this is important now, more than ever.
The site's being exposed to legions of Steelers fans since this past week. Fans just like us who love the team and like a little distraction from life sitting around one giant water cooler talking Steelers football. Many have never read Curtain and will be forming first impressions during their first visit.
It'd be a shame if we gave new folks the wrong idea about this place with unsubstantive drivel. I myself was dumb last night ripping into somebody who rubbed me in the wrong way completely. Uncalled for by me to go down that road, and more importantly, a waste of time and a inaccurate representation of the people and atmosphere here. It's neither a homerific bastion of rah rah boring blind support, nor a total free for all for people to mouth off however they want to whoever they want.
It's not rocket science, and I personally believe, along with many of you, that we've done a good job in that regard. I do not want to spend a second of my life censoring anybody. I'm too busy as is more than anything, but of course there's more profound reasons that are obvious.
No racism. No sexism. No homophobia. No politics. No religion. And hopefully, facts to backup opinions, at least when those opinions are critical of others and/or their views.
Pretty simple. That's essentially it. I don't even care about profanity. I like to believe there's women readers and readers as young as 12-15 on the site, so I hope that doesn't open up a can of worms that becomes a glaring issue, but it hasn't until now.
I apologize for my part in getting off course, and I hope y'all all continue to help me out with the sound examples that the stalwart commenters have set for the site. There's a reason we're getting more and more new interesting people joining in. Let's continue to give that reason to others in the future.
This last month of the offseason's going to be tough, with few roster maneuverings, no games, no OTAs, etc. to talk about. With a little more patience, we'll all be too absorbed with the games and the fresh cut grass on Heinz Field to be preoccupied with good-intentioned speculation turned shouting-match.
Cheers.
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Amen
The restrictions you outline are essentials to maintaining the type of high quality site that BTSC is and continues to evolve into. I even agree with being more forgiving about profanity. It’s part of the game.
Reminds me of a joke told by the comedian George Wallace.
“Going to an Atlanta Falcons game is like attending a Billy Graham revival. 50,000 people in a stadium screaming ‘Jesus Christ’!”
by RickVa on Jul 1, 2008 8:38 PM EDT 0 recs
Cheers back at ya!
Blitz I’ve only been a frequent poster on this site for maybe the past month or so. I’ve enjoyed it immeasurably. I hope to make some good contributions in the future. I believe you are doing a fine job. This read me post confirms that.
I hope you have found my comments thus far to be contributory, inoffensive, and on point! With my background in broadcast journalism I realize the importance of playing to a wide, diverse and sensitive audience. It is critical to not over step boundaries that might jeopardize success.
If I could be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to ask.
by steelersrock08 on Jul 1, 2008 9:07 PM EDT 0 recs
thanks
I actually was thinking about you and a few others as well when I mentioned the recent additions to the site. I can tell that you wouldnt be here if not for the solid atmosphere of the place. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. Anyway, many thanks for the kind words and contirbutions so far. I have a feeling we’ll be in touch sometime soon.
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 1, 2008 10:12 PM EDT
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allright!
We got lots to hear from you! Let me go get the popcorn. I’m ready when you are :)
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 3, 2008 9:55 PM EDT
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Lets keep it a great site
I’ve only been visiting the site for a few weeks, but I’ve been consistantly impressed by the level of debate as well as by everyone’s friendlness. Even when debates get heated almost everyone seems to keep the debate civil – no small feat when it comes to Steelers football, something we’re all extremely passionate about. All in all, I’ve got nothing but good things to say about BTSC, any Steelers fan ought to feel at home here.
by BluegrassSteeler on Jul 1, 2008 10:41 PM EDT 0 recs
thanks
And welcome. Glad you found it in time for camp and the season. It’s gonna be a fun season.
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 1, 2008 11:49 PM EDT
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Yeah Blitz da man
I agree with you 100% this site has been my new “bible” for steeler football. It seems that when something new is happening to the steelers this site whether its Blitz, Maryrose, Chicagosteeler, Cgolden, stealerak and many others someone gets a jump on the news and post it on BTSC. Honestly, I think there is a race to who gets the news on BTSC first, and I that it shows that people on this site care and wants to inform people about the steelers. Keep up the good work and lastly but not least THANK GOD I WAS BORN A STEELER FAN.
* till next time wave those towels proud
by LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart on Jul 2, 2008 12:24 AM EDT 0 recs
good point on the race to post
As soon as I heard of Dookie being cut, my first thought was “I gotta be the first to post this on Curtain.” Little did I know, ‘rose had already broke the story. :-(
by cgolden on
Jul 2, 2008 7:30 AM EDT
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Great Work!
I am a regular reader of the blog, though not a contributor. It’s outstanding, perhaps the most informative and thought provoking sports blog I’ve encountered. The depth of knowledge combined with the general lack of ass-holery makes it a truly satisfying read—everything I’ve ever wanted in a sports page. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
by BuzzNutter on Jul 2, 2008 12:26 AM EDT 0 recs
Well said Blitz
We know that it’s not easy to do what you do, but I’m awful glad that you do it. I’m not sure what I’d do without Curtain (besides get a lot more work done).
by cgolden on Jul 2, 2008 7:33 AM EDT 0 recs
I am going to get kicked off of here.
After just reading the conflict from yesterday I must say that I think that BOTH you and SteelerNation were wrong. Though I enjoyed reading the debate. We are talking about something that, as a fan, I am impassioned about: Hall of Fame claims of ownership.
Part of being able to claim, debate, or justify anything is to have a set of guidelines and rules in which to guide or justify the debate in the first place. Whereas Maryrose painted an excellent piece, he choose to leave something out. He later explained why, and that was fine, but he also asked for feedback.
Saying that someone didn’t do his homework was obviously wrong in SteelerNation’s case, but to attempt to add to a piece some of the technicalities of the rules is not wrong, and should be invited as part of better debate.
I have been a regular reader for over two months now, and only registered a few weeks ago, but I have found this blog vastly entertaining, and the community in which you have attracted, Blitz, is commendable. Please don’t anyone take this as anything but a compliment, but it seams as if everyone here is well educated, well-written, and well versed on the Steelers/NFL, I wouldn’t be suprised if everyone on here had at least a college degree.
The debate was entertaining. Bottom line.
"Damnit mom! You almost ran over Greg Lloyd!"
at an autograph signing back in 95. He walked out in front of our minivan, and my mom almost hit him. He apologized.
by PA ARMY OFFICER on Jul 2, 2008 9:24 AM EDT 0 recs
I think you're safe
One big difference between your post and SteelerNation’s is that yours sounds respectful. His didn’t.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on
Jul 2, 2008 9:52 AM EDT
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yea
I feel bad for being out of line, no doubt. As I mentioned to several people, I have a new rule for myself that after two hours of dealing with an identity theft issue on the phone with banks and a bottle of wine earlier in the night with my gf, no writing on Curtain! :)
More than anything, I was just pissed that his very first comment was over a technicality and self promoting. I’m pretty sure we’ll never hear from him again.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions and thoughts.
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 2, 2008 11:27 AM EDT
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Bah, humbug.
Drunken blogging is the best type of blogging.
by HinesField on
Jul 2, 2008 12:05 PM EDT
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sounds like i missed
some controversy. ;) I’ll check that thread later, but wanted to chime in about BTSC in general. Stumbled upon this site around draft time this year, after searching a bit, in response to my disgust at the lack of insightful analysis about the Steelers, at least in the national media (I am not, unfortunately, nor have ever been to Pittsburgh). This site is exactly what I was looking for, great analysis, knowledgeable and friendly fans, no bashing for no reason, people who just about always will listen to the other guy’s argument. Love this place!
As far as new traffic, I noticed this site was linked to by CNNSI the other day, on the Steelers page, does this happen often? just wondering.
by tkired on Jul 2, 2008 10:45 AM EDT 0 recs
its a new development as of last week
And why I wrote this now.
Thanks tkired. Glad you found a Steelers home.
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 2, 2008 11:28 AM EDT
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this site sucks
What Steeler fan would want to come to a site filled with friendly, passionate fans of one of the greatest sports teams in the country? Who would ever want to post on a site that treats everyone equally and lets regular joes post main stories about their lives regarding their team? Who would want to come to a site run by a level-headed, intelligent fan, one who tries his hardest to be fair and insightful? Yah, this site sucks.
Seriously though, what thread was this on? I missed it.
by steelerark on Jul 2, 2008 11:56 AM EDT 0 recs
A couple days ago
I posted an article on Potential Steelers in the Hall of Fame. I explained that I wasn’t including Kevin Greene-type guys since they weren’t primarily Steelers. I did not expound on the fact that while all teams have all players listed, there are two types, one in capital letters (primary players/coaches/contributors) and one in lower case letters (secondary people, like Len Dawson with the Steelers). I didn’t get into stuff like the Hall having two numbers next to each team, one for primary and one for secondary. I basically just wanted to spend my time writing about the essence of the piece, which was the individuals who were primary Steelers who might make it into the Hall. At the end I threw a bone to Jim Finks, who played his entire career with the Steelers (including a Pro Bowl) but got into the Hall of Fame as an administrator; thus there is no connection between Finks and the Steelers as far as the Hall is concerned. I would like the Hall to change Finks’ connection to “administrator/player” so the steelers can claim a secondary affiliation.
Anyhow, I got ambushed by some guy who claimed I didn’t do my homework; this after spending a great deal of time on the essence of the article itself. Blitz, the great curator and defender of the site, retaliated back at the guy after a bottle of Oregon Pinot. That’s all. Boys will be boys. Just a typical barroom fight where one guy gets sucker punched and his buddy clobbers him and the guy crawls home probably never to return.
by maryrose on
Jul 2, 2008 12:32 PM EDT
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lol, well said.
Pretty much. Not a big deal, I just know we have busy important people here with families and jobs, who dont need to waste any time on stupid internet bickering sessions.
We’re all very lucky to get to read ‘roses’ pieces. I am protective of that.
by Blitzburgh on
Jul 2, 2008 12:35 PM EDT
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just read it
Wow. Sorry I missed that. Its pretty sad when someone has to come on to another site and shamelessly promote their own site like that. The crazy part was when he was emphatically saying that players are inducted equally. Go to the site and you will see that that is flat out wrong. But hey, you know what? Forget anything high tech. Go to the HOF yourself. The team aspect of it is very stressed, with different sections reserved for teams. At least that’s how it was for me ten years ago. Sure they are listed as playing for multiple teams, but come on, everyone knows that Montanna is a HOF qb for the Niners, not his forgettable time in KC. Heh, not sure if anyone would ever say that Mike Webster was equally a Chief. Pretty absurd.
by steelerark on Jul 2, 2008 12:46 PM EDT 0 recs
basically
the Post-Gazette says it best about BTSC “level-headed thinking.” It’s what drew me to this site in the first place, and beyond that, that same phrase could aptly describe our favorite teams management style, that being the Steelers obviously. very hard to find level-headed or even-keeled people these days but BTSC is overflowing with them and once in a while we get some people who are the irrational, crazed fans…....no problem with them being like that, they also most likely support the Steelers, but this is not the venue for you to promote yourself or try to make yourself look ‘cool’. the readers and majority of posters on this site just want to share knowledge and opinions on the Steelers. said it before, say it again, best Steelers site on the whole internet, BY FAR. ‘Rose recent works to educate some of us younger guys (Blitz and I both in our early/mid twenties) about the history of the Steelers just further hammers it home.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Jul 2, 2008 2:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Ditto
As a new jack on this wonderful site. I want ti apologize to any participant that I might have offended. This is a great site fot the true Steeler fan> So please everyone accept my apology. Please reply!
by C-Mac on Jul 3, 2008 11:11 AM EDT 0 recs
I agree..
I completely agree with all that BuzzNutter said earlier: “I am a regular reader of the blog, though not a contributor. It’s outstanding, perhaps the most informative and thought provoking sports blog I’ve encountered. The depth of knowledge combined with the general lack of ass-holery makes it a truly satisfying read—everything I’ve ever wanted in a sports page. Thanks, and keep up the great work!”
THANK YOU!!!
by k7brown on Jul 7, 2008 12:18 PM EDT 0 recs
New FanPost
