Comments on: Is It Wrong to Censor Comments? http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/ Standing in the Gap in a Society that's Warring with God. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:31:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Musicguy http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78360 Musicguy Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:01:38 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78360 That's like saying I don't agree with the President, so I'm going to stop voting/speaking out against his assinine policies. Not gonna happen. I'm not ever going to sway your opinion, but that can't necessarily be said for all who visit/stumble upon your blog :-) That’s like saying I don’t agree with the President, so I’m going to stop voting/speaking out against his assinine policies. Not gonna happen.

I’m not ever going to sway your opinion, but that can’t necessarily be said for all who visit/stumble upon your blog :-)

]]> By: MInTheGap http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78346 MInTheGap Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:09:46 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78346 Even the Pro-Blogging guys say that it's good to have a <a href="http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/11/03/problogger-comments-policy/">Comments Policy</a>. Perhaps you have some setting that keeps spam from ending up on your blog-- that, in effect, is one manner of comment policy in that you're not going to allow spam bots to comment. Another form is if someone came and just started to take things out of context, off thread, etc. Perhaps the reason that more conservative blogs have comment policies is that we like to be transparent about how we will deal with people and appreciate the rule of law. It's probably also got something to do with the fact that it's rare (at least that I've found) for a person on the right to go out trolling for someone of the opposing view. You've said before that you realize that you and I are going to rarely-- if ever-- agree, but you come back. For me, if I find something like that I'm not that inclined to return. Even the Pro-Blogging guys say that it’s good to have a Comments Policy. Perhaps you have some setting that keeps spam from ending up on your blog– that, in effect, is one manner of comment policy in that you’re not going to allow spam bots to comment. Another form is if someone came and just started to take things out of context, off thread, etc. Perhaps the reason that more conservative blogs have comment policies is that we like to be transparent about how we will deal with people and appreciate the rule of law. It’s probably also got something to do with the fact that it’s rare (at least that I’ve found) for a person on the right to go out trolling for someone of the opposing view. You’ve said before that you realize that you and I are going to rarely– if ever– agree, but you come back. For me, if I find something like that I’m not that inclined to return.

]]> By: Musicguy http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78344 Musicguy Sun, 09 Dec 2007 22:23:34 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78344 I have never censored a comment on my blog, and I never will. I don't sympathize at all with those who do. I find it interesting that those with "comment polices" most always end up being those who reside among the conservative right. Mere coincidence, or something much more sinister?? If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. I have never censored a comment on my blog, and I never will. I don’t sympathize at all with those who do. I find it interesting that those with “comment polices” most always end up being those who reside among the conservative right. Mere coincidence, or something much more sinister??

If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

]]> By: MInTheGap http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78338 MInTheGap Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:37:02 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78338 Nope, it's not retroactive. And disagreements are fine-- though we may not have agreed we've both been civil and I'd like to think that at the end of most of our conversations we've at least understood each other and have treated each other with respect. Differences of opinion are fine, and cause us to think. It's when it goes from that to actually calling people names, belittling one another, or just being antagonistic that I have a problem. Nope, it’s not retroactive. And disagreements are fine– though we may not have agreed we’ve both been civil and I’d like to think that at the end of most of our conversations we’ve at least understood each other and have treated each other with respect. Differences of opinion are fine, and cause us to think. It’s when it goes from that to actually calling people names, belittling one another, or just being antagonistic that I have a problem.

]]> By: Loc http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78331 Loc Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:41:26 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78331 ....I'm wondering Min does this include the comments I have made. I'm pretty sure that we have never agreed on anything. ….I’m wondering Min does this include the comments I have made. I’m pretty sure that we have never agreed on anything.

]]> By: Carol http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78327 Carol Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:34:05 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78327 Good for you, I agree -- your house your rules. Good for you, I agree — your house your rules.

]]> By: Mary http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78320 Mary Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:14:30 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78320 This is a great policy to have, imo, and wonderful reasons to have it. Have the recent events at my blog at all influenced you? ;) At any rate, I appreciate you wanting this to be a community atmosphere. Of course, disagreements are welcome, as long as they remain civil and respectful! It's ridiculous that there are people out there who seem to be willing to devote hours of time to "patrolling" (is that where the "troll" part comes in?) the web for topics that they can zone in on and attack. And I mean hours. The one time my blog has been under attack, the person who wanted to find fault pretty much read my entire blog (over a years' worth of posts!) and commented all over the place. It wasn't all bad, but I think she was buttering me up to get more dirt, or something. Who knows. But as a result, I'm definitely not against putting certain questionables into the moderation queue! This is a great policy to have, imo, and wonderful reasons to have it. Have the recent events at my blog at all influenced you? ;) At any rate, I appreciate you wanting this to be a community atmosphere. Of course, disagreements are welcome, as long as they remain civil and respectful!

It’s ridiculous that there are people out there who seem to be willing to devote hours of time to “patrolling” (is that where the “troll” part comes in?) the web for topics that they can zone in on and attack. And I mean hours. The one time my blog has been under attack, the person who wanted to find fault pretty much read my entire blog (over a years’ worth of posts!) and commented all over the place. It wasn’t all bad, but I think she was buttering me up to get more dirt, or something. Who knows. But as a result, I’m definitely not against putting certain questionables into the moderation queue!

]]> By: Ad Tracker http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78315 Ad Tracker Sat, 08 Dec 2007 22:27:56 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78315 I could not agree with you more! As you may be aware, I've been dealing with some 'troll drama' on my blog for a week or two. One of these trolls had a coniption fit because I deleted his foul mouthed comment. He changed his tone (and language) completely when I explained to him that while I believe in free speech, I have no obligation whatsoever to give someone I find offensive a platform. I explained to him that any comments he published on my blog were only there because I was gracious enough to allow them there. I concluded by telling him, "My house - My rules, deal with it." We actually went on to have a reasonable discussion. Immediately after that incident I posted a comment policy so there wouldn't be any confusion in the future. Oops! Sorry I went on so long. I could not agree with you more!

As you may be aware, I’ve been dealing with some ‘troll drama’ on my blog for a week or two. One of these trolls had a coniption fit because I deleted his foul mouthed comment.

He changed his tone (and language) completely when I explained to him that while I believe in free speech, I have no obligation whatsoever to give someone I find offensive a platform.

I explained to him that any comments he published on my blog were only there because I was gracious enough to allow them there. I concluded by telling him, “My house - My rules, deal with it.”

We actually went on to have a reasonable discussion.

Immediately after that incident I posted a comment policy so there wouldn’t be any confusion in the future.

Oops! Sorry I went on so long.

]]> By: Mrs. Brigham http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-78313 Mrs. Brigham Sat, 08 Dec 2007 22:00:01 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2007/12/08/is-it-wrong-to-censor-comments/#comment-78313 I treat my comments in the "coming over to my house" fashion. I also will not approve a new comment on a LONG ago post. There have been *very* few comments that I have needed to decline....maybe eight at most. And discussions with those who may disagree with me have always been nit only interesting, but also full of kindness & understanding- such a delight to take part in. :o) Also, I do have several teenage young ladies who read my blog, and I would not approve a comment that I would feel inappropriate or unacceptable for them to see, both out of respect to them and their parents. There is so much garbage in the world and I would prefer my blog (and home!) not be a place where people need to see ugliness. In a perfect world an open forum policy might be possible, but sadly I just do not see how this can be, particularly online where it seems it is often forgotten that there is another living person on the other side of the screen. I treat my comments in the “coming over to my house” fashion. I also will not approve a new comment on a LONG ago post. There have been *very* few comments that I have needed to decline….maybe eight at most. And discussions with those who may disagree with me have always been nit only interesting, but also full of kindness & understanding- such a delight to take part in. :o) Also, I do have several teenage young ladies who read my blog, and I would not approve a comment that I would feel inappropriate or unacceptable for them to see, both out of respect to them and their parents. There is so much garbage in the world and I would prefer my blog (and home!) not be a place where people need to see ugliness.

In a perfect world an open forum policy might be possible, but sadly I just do not see how this can be, particularly online where it seems it is often forgotten that there is another living person on the other side of the screen.

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