As I mentioned yesterday, there was an article in the Trib about the settlement with Tuna. And as usual, the rock-eaters were out in force in the comment section. To be fair, there were also some lovely comments left as well. Below is my favorite comment that was left after somebody posted a link to my blog:

Please, scott baker is linking his own blog to this- he likes the sounds of his own voice This is what scott baker has said about the people of waco in the past- i think it shows what he thinks of our intelligence level. "So to say that the current lineup is my "fault" is ridiculous. To people who feel that way, I would suggest that their lack of broad cultured tastes in performances is their "fault.""

Now, as a general rule I don't respond to morons who post anonymous comments on websites, but I thought I'd go ahead and post my response here. Who knows, maybe this particular fool is still reading. I dare him or her to attempt productive intelligent dialogue instead of cowardly anonymous stone-throwing.

Although I don't generally bother to engage people who lack the integrity to use their real name when insulting me on a public forum, I thought I'd make an exception this time. "Waco Theater Lover", I had to respond because you deserve sincere congratulations. You managed to cherry-pick the one sentence which, when taken entirely out of context as you did, might make it seem that I was speaking negatively about the people of Waco. The one out-of-context statement taken from over four years of blog archives in which I have had nothing but positive and praising things to say about Waco, the people of Waco, and especially the theatre-goers in Waco which could be distorted to seem that I was speaking negatively or critically of them. Well done. That wasn't easy to do.

As for the accusation of linking to my own blog: grow up. I sign my name and stand behind my words when I speak. I'm not difficult to find and I'm more than willing to actually engage and converse with anyone who sincerely wants to do so.

And that's probably the most fundamental difference between us here, "Waco Theater Lover." You call yourself one, but so far all you have to show for is ad hominem and anonymity. I actually believe that by talking with each other in sincerity we can learn from one another. I don't believe that I have all the answers. But I'm willing to put my thought out to be tested, tried, criticized, and improved upon. What about you? Are you willing to bring anything useful to the table of discussion? Any ideas that might lead to the improvement of the Arts and theatre in Waco? That's the opportunity before us here. That's what this article is about. We have the ability to move forward, to talk about what we want and what kind of community Waco can be.

I encourage all of you to engage in constructive conversation about what comes next. Be generous to each other, let all voices be heard, and chart a course that can be journeyed by everyone who truly cares about the Arts and theatre in Waco.

And I sincerely mean what I say, as anyone who actually knows me will attest. Check back here next week as I continue to lay out my vision for the Hippodrome and the Arts in Waco. I hope that at the very least they will provide a good launching-off point for community dialogue about the role and the future of the Arts.