Walmart, mosque debate & Houston reality series bring out the good & the Mean Girls in CultureMap readers

CultureMap readers love to sound off and we love hearing from you. But it never ceases to amaze me how catty readers sometimes can be.

Case in point: Shelby Hodge's story on the filming of a reality series at the home of Leslie Tyler Fink  (the week's second best-read story) brought out the venom. Some of the postings read like an adult version of Mean Girls.

Even though we encourage our readers to be civil and use their real names, anonymous postings seem to be OK on the Web, so we have to abide by that. But I believe hiding behind a pseudonym is a cowardly thing to do. We will rarely censor respondents because we believe in free speech, but postings by anyone posing as another person will be immediately removed. 

Ralph Bivins' first look at the plans for the new Washington Heights development drew a lot of reaction. But while the debate was heated, most comments about plans for the construction of the first inner loop Walmart were civil and, for the most part, I found the discourse instructive and illuminating.

Ditto for comments about my column agreeing with Ron Paul that the mosque and community center near Ground Zero should be built. Even those who disagreed offered reasoned comments that I had not considered.

On the Walmart issue, our social media editor, Fayza Elmostehi, and writer Caroline Gallay joined in the fray with an audio debate on the site. We plan more audio debates on important Houston issues, so if you have an idea for a great debate, let us know.

Most viewed stories week of Aug. 22-28

1. Brown Hand Center doc arrested for assaulting wife — again

2. Finally, the cameras roll on a reality series in H-Town and it ain't Real Housewives

3. The truth that started the whole moon Mars Hoax

4. It's a wonderful life: Mao's Last Dancer Li Cunxin reflects on his amazing journey

5. Trying to make sense of Erica Blasberg's apparent suicide

Editor's picks

1. Unveiled: New Washington Heights project to bring retail, restaurants — and, oh yes, a Walmart to Houston's Inner Loop

2. The Los Angeles Times puts Menil on a pedestal for Eli Broad to admire

3. For once I agree with Ron Paul: Build the mosque near Ground Zero

4.  Art gallery haven 4411 Montrose is up for sale after bankruptcy

5. Last Concert Cafe temporarily shuttered for fire code violation, faces party dilemma