Why do bloggers have such a bad name?

A? recent post by Doug Harrison (www.averyfineline.com) included comments made by one of his readers basically bashing all bloggers in general.? (See post here)

Here’s an excerpt:

“……Many of you are obviously well educated and well spoken. It is a shame that you don’t put your writing talents to more useful purposes. You hide under a cloak of anonymity and take pot shots at people who are trying their best to do what God has called them to do. You are wise to have your meeting at NQC in secret. I suspect it has a lot to do with the fact that you wouldn’t have the courage to make your comments to the individuals you castigate in your little blogs in person………In the spirit of this site, I will share my opinion on what part these blogs should play in Southern Gospel Music. NONE!…..”

Here’s another interesting find I found on The Perrys website by Libby Perry Stuffle:

DISLIKES ABOUT GOSPEL MUSIC ON THE INTERNET:
MESSAGE BOARDS AND BLOGS

Are we bloggers so distasteful that no one wants anything to do with us????

Then tell me why even my small, relatively new blog catches the attention of 3000+ unique visitors every week?? I couldn’t even begin to guess how many readers that www.averyfineline.com, www.musicscribe.com/blog, www.southerngospelblog.com? (or most any other blog)? have each week.? I imagine that their numbers are exponentially higher than mine.

Blogging in general is a personal “journal”, if you will, that is basically comprised of the bloggers opinions, emotions, and reactions.? Not all opinions are going to be candy coated, nor should they be……especially those few blogs that are focused on a musical genre like Southern Gospel music.? Overall, I feel the other bloggers like Doug Harrison, David Bruce Murray, Daniel Mount, and myself have the best interest of the SG industry at heart.? Of course, we all have different views, but overall I honestly believe that each of us want Southern Gospel to be the best that it can be.?

I am grateful that Clarke Beasley (NQC Executive Vice President) recognizes that bloggers? can and do play an integral role in the SG industry.? The Bloggers Roundtable, (which is obviously not a secret as eluded to by the reader from Doug Harrison’s blog) is an opportunity for fellow bloggers to come together to discuss issues that we feel are important and for us to get feedback from other industry professionals about the role we play in Southern Gospel.?

What are your thoughts about us bloggers?? ? Are we wasting our time? or are we helping? secure the future of Southern Gospel music?? I’d love to hear the opinions from my readers.?