Every once and a while, I think it is a good idea to review the comment policy for a blog.
Comments are very important to Apt. 11D. I genuinely appreciate the fact that people like to come to this blog to chat. I have made comments a big part of this blog. I throw out open questions and put the latest comments up on the top right hand portion of this blog - valuable space that could be used for other purposes.
However, sometimes the comments on this blog get a little out of hand. I need for you all to self-police yourselves, because this blog is a hobby. As I've said before, the ads on the sidebar bring in beer money for myself. I have other projects and responsibilities. I have very limited time to manage blog comments, so if this responsibility becomes too burdensome, I will have to remove the comments.
Some quick rules:
1. Sockpuppetry. You have to stick to one name in the comment section. You can't say one thing with one name and then something different with another. Unless you are being purposefully and obviously ironic.
2. Comment Hijacking. If the blog post is about Topic A, then you really should stick to Topic A. Comments should not exceed the length of the post. One person cannot dominate the comment section. I think that five substantive comments per day is sufficient for the most part. There can be unlimited one-line snark. From time to time, I get complaints from readers that someone is hijacking the blog. I do not have the time to mediate these matters. If you feel so strongly about Topic B and think that I'm completely off base for not considering Topic B, then I suggest starting your own blog. Feel free to put a link to your post in a comment here, so everyone who wants to talk about Topic B can talk about it elsewhere.
3. Offensive comments. I love debate. I have zero problem with people criticizing an idea or an opinion expressed in a blog post. Sometimes I fail to consider an angle of a story or maybe you're aware of some information that disputes my point. FINE. Tell me. I'll always be cool about it. I'm very proud of the fact that there's a spectrum of political ideology in the comment section and, as long as everyone is civil and respectful, I'm happy to foster that environment.
But if there's something about ME that deeply and consistently disturbs you - my political leanings, my world view, my family, my house, my choice in footwear, my character, my weakness for celebrity gossip - then you really need to find another blog to read. If you don't move on voluntarily, then I will help you.
I've never had a problem with racist, sexist, evil comments, but if they happen, then the comment will be deleted and the commenter banned.
I think that's about it. Sound, good? OK, let's move on.
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