Comments, T-Shirts and Fine Dining

Last evening I was sitting down to a big piece of seal flipper pie and (just to tick off as many people as possible) a nice bowl of rabbit soup, when I began thinking long and hard about the Web Talk site. My first thought, and one I’ve expressed before, was that the greatest value of this site is not my commentaries themselves, but the dialogue that results from them. In a nutshell, the site’s success lies squarely at the feet of Web Talk’s readers and contributors.

In this light, I would like to thank all of you for stopping in and reading the commentaries, especially those (on either side of any issue) who have entered the debate and made your views known. My only wish is that more of you out there took the time to share your thoughts.

Although the comments area is very active, my site statistics tell me that on average less than 5% of those visiting actually respond on a topic. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that the other 95% are taking the time to stop by, but I ask that when you read something that strikes a chord with you please don’t be shy about getting your two cents in.

Another thought that came to me, while cutting my second piece of pie, was the content contained in the commentaries over last few months. There have been occasions in the past when I have re- published the articles of other writers (with their permission of course). Lately however most of the content has been mine alone. As much as I love hearing myself talk I would also like to hear what you folks have to say.

Some of the people who provide comments at Web Talk have very interesting perspectives on the Newfoundland and Labrador experience, however their ideas are often lost among the sea of comments we receive. There is no shortage of topics to discuss in this province and because your ideas are so important I would like to extend an open offer to all of you.

If you would like to write a commentary, or have an idea that you would like to see discussed on Web Talk, simply contact me directly at higginsmyles@yahoo.cawith the details. Over the next week or so I’ll read your emails and anyone who has an article published, or who provides a topic that forms the basis of a commentary, will receive a FREE Web Talk (pro-sealing) T-Shirt. It’s as simple as that.

Come of folks, this is your site as well as mine.

Before I close I just wanted to bring up a couple of “housekeeping” items.

First, as I said I appreciate all the comments the site receives but unfortunately I am unable to respond directly to as many of them as I’d like. This fact is one unfortunate side effect of the success the site is seeing. Each comment posted comes directly to my inbox however sometimes the volume is such that I can only find the time to review a small number of them before moving on. Again, I apologize for not responding to each of you personally but I’m sure from what I read that both sides of every issue are being addressed.

Secondly, the first supply of seal flippers arrived in St. John’s yesterday morning. For those interested, they are now available for sale downtown on Harbour drive. By the way, there is a great recipe available in our Fishing and Sealing Links that tastes fantastic. Bon Appetite.

Thirdly, if the Costco demonstration goes ahead on Saturday morning (and I believe it will), I hope those people who are in the area will find some time to stop by. If you do, don’t forget to say hello and take a look at our Web Talk (pro-sealing) T-Shirts at the same time. I will have a few shirts available for sale (at cost) if you are interested. The idea is to spread the word, not make money. I wouldn’t want to be accused by anybody, as I have been in the past, of having financial motives for my support of the harvest.

Finally, on a sad note, it was recently announced that the Independent, a local weekly paper, is closing its doors for good. The paper, known for its strong pro-Provincial stand, will be sorely missed by many. Every time we lose a powerful voice like the Independent it is a loss that we all share together. I have had a few opportunities to converse with some of the staff at the Independent in the past, including Managing Editor Ryan Cleary, who's feelings of love for this Province is unquestionable. I wish all of the staff members the best and I hope they find a new and even more powerful voice very soon.

That’s all for now, keep on spreading the word and I hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday!