The good. The bad. The ugly. You can find it here.
This page contains feedback received from Lessons in Mediocrity readers, and it will be unedited and attributed to the source whenever possible.
A word of caution, you may find some of the language offensive, so proceed at your own risk. As always, thank you for reading Lessons In Mediocrity, and feel free to join the conversation by adding your comments below!
(This list will be populated over time)
The Ugly:
“Randy Seaver is far from a journalist. Hypocrite more like it. Censorship should not be a thing anymore. His opinion is not facts nor honest “journalism” tool.”
—Catherine Day (via Facebook) June 26, 2025
The Good:
“So excited to see your news in a new and refreshing light. Thank you, Randy-great journalism!”
— Sue Goldthwait, commenting on the Biddeford Gazette (May 25, 2025)
The Good:
“. . . Please do not ever stop speaking about, writing about, and sharing your story, Mr. Seaver. You may never realize that a person standing next to you in the grocery store, sitting next to you at a town council meeting or reading your article at home could share some of your same history. And be encouraged not ashamed.
“And God knows it needs to be shared. Talked about and not hidden in shame.”
— Anonymous. commenting on the Voices Carry post (Feb. 8, 2025)
The Good:
” . . . As a reporter you’ve been a fixture in this community for decades now. Sometimes you are inconvenient, sometimes you make us uncomfortable, and sometimes the powers that be desperately want you to flinch. Please don’t.”
— Mark Robinson, commenting on the launch of the Biddeford Gazette, (January 13, 2025)
The Ugly:
The Ugly:
“We will let a judge decide of your mental capacity to be reporting any kind of news without facts.”
Ms. Sawyer, commenting on Facebook about my reporting on the issue of unhoused encampments in Biddeford. July 9, 2024
The Ugly:
“What a self important (sic) jack ass of a joke you are lol”
— Anonymous, May 4, 2024
The Ugly:
“LOL you are a pathetic.”
— Anonymous, May 4, 2024
The Ugly:
“Randy Seaver is the Al Diamon of Biddeford – filled with hate rhetoric that is unfounded, ignorant and just plain ridiculous . . . perhaps Randy Seaver should get off his butt and from behind his computer and actually contribute something to society instead of being a whiny brat on the sidelines. Otherwise, shut up. No one cares what you have to say.”
Peter Chandler, commenting on Dog Day Afternoon, July 2. 2015
The Good:
“You do your homework, you are aware and vigilant, you consider both sides of a coin, but above all, the fact that you truly care about the issues in question comes through in your writing. I have always known of the power that words have to move people and to topple empires, both of which are the two best reasons I can think of for you to rock on.” Rachel Lovejoy, Jan. 11, 2014
The Good:
“Randy, Thank you so much for your brilliant column in today’s Portland Daily Sun. I could never have said it as well as you have. You nailed it.” R. Warnberg, in response to Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room, Nov. 12, 2013
The Bad:
“Randy and MERC have both been permanent fixtures in Biddeford for decades; you can’t go a day without hearing about either one of them; they both smoke a lot and well, MERC stinks, but I don’t usually get close enough to Randy to know if he does,” Brian Keely writing on B3 (“Biddeford’s Best Blog” July 3, 2012
The Ugly:
“Randy is right, he isn’t the media. He was a hack of a journalist . . . Randy often makes the same mistakes and it is hard to take him seriously. I take that back, it’s just hard to take him seriously.” Karl Reed, Jr. writing on Game Over aka “Biddeford’s Premier Blog” September 2013
The Good:
“Another excellent article. As a former Asst. Fire Chief and selectmen, I would add that developing a relationship with the media is extremely important. You are going to be in an uncomfortable situation and if you have been nice, you will be treated nice. No cover up or anything like that, but if you hang up on the media or don’t treat them with respect, they will pay you back.” Bill Packard, Sept1, 2013
The Bad:
You [Randy] are pretty puffy about yourself, being a self-proclaimed journalist. Do you think you are a rock star or something?, WM Andersen, Feb. 24, 2012
The Good:
“My goodness, I think that was the most inspiring story I have ever read. So very well written, thought out with the most beautiful message. I am so glad that you made it. And you made it well. Thank you so much for your story.” Gaito2, August 10, 2013
The Bad:
No wonder you are retired as a journalist. You cannot even fact check. Microsoft word and Strunk & White disagree with you on my grammar, though. I’m even more elated that you cannot understand my own use of irony. If you’re going to come at it, maybe try not bringing a knife to a gun fight. P.S. Keep recycling classic rock songs as your titles. Hack! Anonymous, Sept 9, 2013
The Good:
“My God Randy…feels like u just punched me square in the stomach, right were u knew it would hurt most, to get my attention. Very nicely and poignantly written. Reality isnt always pretty, but its always worth looking at clearly.” Tresa Dunham, July 29, 2013
The Bad:
“It’s Kumbaya you dolt. Cumbya sounds like something I’d expect to see in the video I’m loading while I type this message” Floyd, March 22, 2012
The Good:
“Blunt, raw, a challenging hypothesis.. Well done, Randy.” Daniel Parenteau, July 27, 2013
The Bad:
“The dark vader of this city is writing this column,” Joanne Twomey, Feb. 20, 2012
The Good:
“I have been reading your posts for a couple of years (at times it seems longer) and generally find them thoughtful, well written, thought provoking, and often times entertaining. I would like to add that serving in an elected position is at best, mostly a thankless job, even when the 51 percent majority of voters view your effort favorably, the other 49 percent do not…..and sometimes they can yell the loudest. Keep up the good work.” Gene Bourgault, June 14, 2013
The Bad:
“There is a healthy digression within this clock tower piece claiming that it was inappropriate for the Journal Tribune to question Randy Seaver’s seat on Biddeford’s Downtown Development Commission (DDC) while he was also an editor and reporter covering the city of Biddeford. To gather some insight on this question, I reached out to the Maine Press Association. Here’s my question, and their response. QUESTION: Is it ethical for a Maine newspaper reporter or editor to serve on a city committee (planning, downtown development, historical, etc) if that Maine newspaper reporter or editor also reports on that city? ANSWER: “Simply put, no. I don’t see any way that reporter or editor could avoid conflicts of interest. Even if it were somehow possible, the credibility of a journalist who attempts to take on both roles would be highly suspect.” Josh Bodwell, Jan. 24, 2012
The Good:
“I really appreciate your compassionate, reasoned words. I want to add to the conversation that mental health issues also have a societal context- what would a society based on more cooperation and care do to alleviate aspects of mental illness.” Delilah Poupore, Dec. 15, 2012
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LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 
Why not credit me on my post to you? You know it was me. Your readers know it was me. I know it was me. Afraid?
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