A PSA to New Commenters
I expect they won't read this, but it makes me feel better.
I recognize that I am writing this predominantly for my own satisfaction, but here it goes anyway.
The way our comment system works is that the first time someone comments, it automatically goes into moderation. That allows us to intercept Russian spam (as happened this morning) or bot traffic that is designed to look like a real comment but is actually an attempt to get a link inserted on the page (as happened a day or so ago).
It also means that when real people comment for the first time, we have to approve it.
So, hear ye, hear ye all who would comment: if your very first comment is phrased in the form of an insult to the site’s authors or to other commenters, your comment is going to be deleted. I mean, if your very first move is to be rude, what are your subsequent interactions likely to be like?
(And yes, I just deleted an opening salve aimed at my co-blogger).
Disagree all you want. Please, bring some reasoned, evidence-based arguments. We’d love that.
Heck, just be polite and show you can play nice with others and you will be given the latitude that other regulars are given in mixing it up a tad.
But rude out the gate?
Adios.
It must be annoying to have to screen out the ill-mannered that haunt this blog but your efforts make it a better site.
As my friend Joe used to say “Good on ya’!”
Glad I got in before they had a policy here 🙂
Thanks for your hard work. I know sometimes it feels like a thankless job, but most of us* appreciate all y’all letting us play in the sandbox!
*And no, I don’t understand the ones who keep getting smacked with the rolled up newspaper but still come back for more. But I’m glad they do.
Say WHAT?????? I thought this was the internets!
Steven, thanks for ‘raking the sandbox’ in which we play.
This is one of the very, very few blogs worth reading and commenting. I’m so glad it exists.
@CSK: Same here.
Thanks for all that you do Steven!
This is great. One of things I like about this place is that, even though I’m usually in the minority on opinion, I rarely get insulted and sometime am made to think by people disagreeing with me.
Plus, you post cool and interesting photos every Friday. You have a really good eye.
@Hal_10000: It’s been interesting seeing your evolution on politics, as well, over the years. I’m glad you keep coming back!
We haven’t seen Andy in a while. Hope he’s all right.
@Hal_10000:
Hal, it’s always a treat having you post. I miss sane conservatives’ contributions to this site. You and I have “known” each other on line for almost 20 years, thanks to Lee and “Right Thinking From the Left Coast”. I wish you had the time to post more often, because you always add to the conversation.
@Hal_10000:
Shit, my bad. I’ll try to do better.
Demonstrating civility should be the key that opens doors.
Thanks, all!
@Jax: I had a similar thought the other day. At one point he noted he was taking a bit of a break from commenting, then he commented a bit for a while, and I haven’t seen anything from him in a bit.
@EddieInCA:
Thanks! I’m so busy these days I rarely have time to comment but always lurk around.