After what feels like the gazillionth time somebody took the comments off in a completely different direction, I got frustrated today and threw off some comments. So as you can see, I posted my updated rule above. Update: I've returned them to their normal resting place down at the bottom of the posts, now.
Now while I'm sure somebody will start screaming about censorship, I'll remind you that we all have the freedom to control the content of our blog space. And one thing I've found is that too often people won't discuss what's on the blog, they'll just pick a subject and run with it. That impedes the discussion of issues when all someone wants to do is bring up the presidential race, for example. Now if a relevant point comes up and the conversation turns on it, that's a different story.
So rather than let this get completely out of control, I'm going to tighten up my comments so we can have discussions rather than cut and paste the same tired talking points. I will keep the deleted comments and repost them in a relevant post if one comes up within a week or so. The other option is for me to throw up comment moderation, which I really don't like.
Hopefully, we can get the rules relaxed again soon, but I surspect that won't be until after Election day.
18 comments:
People get a little weird when they think that they are in power as I think you are getting with these "RULES FOR THE MASSES" thing of yours. I really don’t think that you needed to post your 10 commandments about blogging. It kind of make you look like a dictator, and I don’t think that too many people will be feeling like we need a dictator to tell us grown up how to comment. We are all bloggers our selves and get along fine thank you without anyone LAYING down rules for us to follow.
I am no doctor but I think you have what is called Elephantitis of the head. This is a condition caused by an over inflated ego in which one's head is disproportionately large compared to his body! Which by the way is a horrible, horrible thing to have. And by the way, “ripping the politicians you hate” is not exactly a terrible crime these days! It’s done everywhere on every blog.
...I think you have what is called Elephantitis of the head.
I'm stealing that! it's a good line, and it fits my greatness perfectly. :)
“ripping the politicians you hate” is ... done everywhere on every blog.
I know that. But when it's getting to the point where I can't talk about movies without a talking points war breaking out, I have to do something. Otherwise, I'm just another site full of the same blather everybody else has.
It's also why I don't have comments on my non-political blogs.
Are you for real? I think these rules are a joke, who makes rules for a blog? What is this
Elementary school?
Tell me, if I break the rules, will I be suspended until I appeal or can I still play here during the appeal process? LMAO....
This stuff really makes me feel homesick for The People's Republic of China!
I’m sorry but I fail to admire the sheer ordassity of this. What an attitude, please show me to the nearest exit out!
"Now while I'm sure somebody will start screaming about censorship"
i'm not sure that your explanation is the right one, but it’s you blog and your call. But I like the others am not happy about it and will not post here any longer.
wow, you really set people in a funny direction. I'm sticking around. My fragile ego can handle it.
Your house, your rules.
Makes sense to me.
A while back I had a problem with spam comments on my blog, so I instituted moderation. A few people at the time accused me of putting it on so I could eliminate negative or contrary viewpoints.
They were, of course, proven wrong.
But the point remains. It's your house. Run it the way you want to.
Thus saith the nutbat.
If you're going to delete my comment, and be such a hypocrite
why should I even bother to comment in the first place?
Bob and the Anonomi: It's your choice, but I'm doing what I believe will best serve the mission of the blog. Rest assured I won't delete comments just because I don't like what's said. I have a track record of that.
Obob: I like it when people get all funny. I'm hoping for naked pics from the ladies next.
Saty: I'm just glad you're not blasting me. You can officially remove the label of 'nutbat' now.
RULES FOR THE MASSES?
NO! RULES FOR THE MESSIAH!
Look, I just came here to let you know my feelings on this subject.
I have opinions of my own, and at times they might even be strong opinions, I visit other peoples blogs so that I can express my thoughts and opinions no matter how strong they may be. I have NEVER been afraid to say how I feel and what I wanted to say. . I never was shy and I never held back for any reasons at all. And I had hoped that I could have discuss them here in a civil manor and exchange our opinions in a way that grown adults can do without the use of curse words and foul language as some other enjoy. And I had always thought that you would agree with me. But it has become obvious to me that it’s not they way that you feel at all. If I changed the topic on one of my posts, it didn’t seem like such a BIG DEAL to me, all you or anyone else had to do is ignore my post, NOT to delete it. If i put my thoughts into a post, I did so for a reason, the reason may not have been of any importance to you, but it was to me. I didn’t violate any of the 10 Commandments! I expected rational discourse from people until proven otherwise and authenticity in the blogosphere demands authentic behavior. What you just did is NOT authentic behavior. Was uncalled for , sneaky, meek, and unbecoming someone like you. So besides from my coming here today to post this message, You won’t have Bob to kick around anymore. There are plenty of other blogs for me to visit where I can expect more sensible behavior. I think that YOU should re-think your position on deleting ANY comments unless they are offensive.
NO! RULES FOR THE MESSIAH!
Bob, are you putting me at the same level with The Marxist (Obama)? and is that an insult or a compliment? :)
But seriously (as I get, which isn't very), I'll take it into consideration. I suspect the problem will go away on its own after the election, but until it does, perhaps only the threat of deletion for going off-topic is enough. I'm not a fan of deleting comments, and when I had moderation on during the conventions, there was maybe only one person who got comments deleted.
Plus, I don't necessarily delete offensive comments. It allows intelligent people to be reminded how crazy the crazies are, and gives me reason to make obscene and funny comments of my own.
Doesn't it strike you as at all ironic that these, your comrades in conservatism, are the ones freaking out about you exercising authority over your own house, and I, the left of liberal, fully support your right to manage your affairs the way you best see fit?
Seriously.
I visit other peoples blogs so that I can express my thoughts and opinions no matter how strong they may be.
See, this is the reason I have a blog of my own. Where I can say whatever I like, without restriction. On other blogs, I say what I want, but I don't necessarily expect them to like, post, or otherwise support what I say.
And I had always thought that you would agree with me. But it has become obvious to me that it’s not they way that you feel at all.
This is really the core of the whole issue, isn't it? Someone disagreeing with you and you don't like it?
I expected rational discourse from people until proven otherwise and authenticity in the blogosphere demands authentic behavior.
What is this, the Harvard Law Review? It's a blog, for Christmas sake.. it's a place where Patrick holds forth on whatever strikes his fancy.. and nothing more. Do you really take yourself and your opinions this seriously?
What you just did is NOT authentic behavior. Was uncalled for , sneaky, meek, and unbecoming someone like you.
Sneaky? He announced it. Did you want a personalized email sent to you prior to the institution of his new policy? Meek and unbecoming? Again.. this is his blog. He can run it the way he wants to.
I think that YOU should re-think your position on deleting ANY comments unless they are offensive.
I think you need to get over yourself. I seriously doubt you'd be pitching this fit if it was someone else's comment, or if we were all having this conversation on your blog.
I guess I can see both sides of this issue, but at the end of the day Patrick, you started this blog and should be able to run it as you please. People can also choose not to come here, which I find to be a little dramatic considering the reasonableness of your request.
It's like you post about the "Bailout" and a handful of people get into a heated debate in the comments section about whether "red" Kool-Aid is better than grape flavor ("red" is superior OF COURSE). No harm done obviously but could be considered inappropriate.
Thanks for the link, I'll do the same. I really don't worry about controlling the comments section. I talk too much trash for it but I can understand monitoring the real vile crap.
Once in a blue moon I get a comment from a Lib, and it almost always includes swear words, so I delete it. They can't seem to leave (1) an intelligent, well-thought-out comment at all, and (2) a comment that's not full of nasty diatribes. The cool thing is that we host bloggers have the last laugh.
Patrick, thanks for adding me to the roll, I added you to mine as well.
Gee, and here I was thinking that I almost always think my comments out before I leave them here, and I hardly ever have to cuss over them.
You must be referring to "Lib"ertarians and not "Lib"erals. Or maybe you're referring to "Lib"rarians. I don't know.
James: I don't care about vile if it's got a point. It's the people that just post things without looking at the subject, like commenting about Sarah on a post about movies.
Pasadena: But swear words are FUN!!!
Saty: It's a "code word" you know. If we were taling about a librarian, it would just be a reference to Sarah and include the word "naughty." :)
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