I really dislike Thursday mornings because of the lack of time. However, it seems the comments policy has to be touched on again due to one or two incidents over the past two days.This blog allows anonymous comments on certain conditions. Whilst this often produces a better comment due to the lack of constraint the writer now feels and that can be useful, especially with the world issues recently, the moment he personally calls another writer an idiot or whatever, I delete.
The other type most of us delete is when the person comes in either off topic or with scant regard for the subject line, accompanied by a link to click. We all know these and they're pests. Unfortunately, I fear Anon was caught up in this too in his haste.
You might say that Anonymous has been doing a lot off o/t commenting of late but there is a clear difference - it was feeding information vaguely attached to a former and far-from-dead-even-now topic and quite often pertinent. Besides, there is more than one Anonymous and their grammatical and stylistic singularities identify them anyway [don't forget I'm a former headmaster].
This whole blurb comes down to respect for the blog, the subject being discussed and the other commenters, even though we might violently disagree. I have no problems saying that what you wrote just now was the greatest load of garbage I've ever read but that's not, in my book, ad hominem. Attack the message, not the messenger.
Others might disagree.
I don't know what the comment was! But I agree basically with your view- this is about courteous discussion and thoughtful engagement- afterall none of us are forced to be here and its supposed to be interesting and fun as well as informative. Personal insults are ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteAs is the unrelated link along the lines of great article come and read my blog about pink flamingoes- at which point the delete button is so easy to use!
I've had a couple of the 'unrelated-go here' comments but other than that my commenters are nice and not anonymous. But I don't write the same sort of controversial posts as many of Blogpower so there's little with which to disagree.
ReplyDeleteOh! you've got a new little box down below - or is it me that has it? 8.30 am and I'm confused already.
There is a certain discourtesy in posting anonymously, added to this the anonymous poster often seems to want to :
ReplyDelete1) Insult wildly.
2) Accuse wildly.
3) Promote extreme ideology.
Gets boring sometimes.
I'd much prefer not to have Anonymous comments (agree with Wolfie on that, it is somewhat discourteous, and a bit gutless, too perhaps) but am finding that it's mostly Anon who writes more than a few words. I don't much see the point of anyone wishing to remain anonymous when freedom of speech is not even an issue.
ReplyDeleteI've made an 'Off Topic' thread into which I can repost any very off topic posts which I don't necessarily find a need to delete.
No comments policy to date, it's more a case of reacting as I go along. It's nice when anyone does comment so I'm not in any haste to be too picky.
I must admit I post under my own name. However, there are times when I have considered what I am saying and may not want it associated with my RL persona. Not because I don't believe it but because I don't want a knock on the door at 0600 and an 8 hour grilling by the thought police because I said something factual but against the latest PC fad. At least with Anon they have to go to the USand get the data and they could refuse. It may be toomuch hassle for them.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a lot of the "anon" comments on your blog lately and they are very long - I can't understand why this person does not have their own blog. I had the 2 - I don't know if it was the same 2 - anons on my blog and noticed stylistic differences. Then one of them made me uncomfortable and now I don't allow anon comments. I have moderation, as you know, but have only ever had to reject one or two comments - one which was rude and even libellous about another blogger and one which was clearly spam.
ReplyDelete"The other type most of us delete is when the person comes in either off topic or with scant regard for the subject line, accompanied by a link to click. We all know these and they're pests. Unfortunately, I fear Anon was caught up in this too in his haste".
ReplyDeleteJames.
Non of what you said is true. The link you deleted was pertinent.
It illustrated the hi-jacking of a people by arafat, the bad leadership, the seizure and brainwashing of the children, and the disgusting state to which 24/7 State sponsored propaganda of the most despicable type has reduced the people.
All, entirely within the subject of your blog concerning the security situation.
If your readers found the link troublesome, blame the propagators of state sanctioned abuse, not me. That is what is happening, and if you want another dozen similar links, well, I can provide them.
Wolfie.
Your three points: What are you smoking?, 'cos you're clearly hallucinating.
Insult wildly, NO, only ever Gracchi.
Accuse wildly, NO, only ever gracchi.
Promote extreme ideology. I repeat, what are you smoking? look around you!
As for your delicate sensibilities ("certain discourtesy"), take a look at your own picture, will you, and then take a running jump.......
As for gracchi, only ever in response to his comments.
Go back a bit.
Remember when he said - - you have intelligence, but no intellect, - or words to that effect, did I go crying to the headmaster?
No, I "took him on"
Does gracchi's opinion count for more than anonymous's, just because he has a name?
Once again deal with the message, not the messenger!
Anyway, James, your readership,- - following a post that clearly tested someones attention span, one commenter said that they had no intention of reading it, and could you do a 90 second precis of it.
You let that one pass, buddy.
It implied that your time was clearly far less valuable than their time.
I really thought you'd jump on that!
At the top of this page, gracchi bleats about courteous discussion and thoughtful engagement- afterall none of us are forced to be here and its supposed to be interesting and fun as well as informative.
Can someone show me where discussion, of any type, and thoughtful engagement of any type, is taking place, I seem to have missed it.
It seems that this current page is one of the most heavily populated, and for what, so you can all take a gratuitous swing at anonymous.
Folks, if you bother to check statistics and volumes, anonymous is the one who has been doing the discussing, and digging, and reporting on that digging, while you lot have done sweet F. A. to aid James in his larger project. Anonymous may as well paint a face on the wall, and talk to that, as talk to you lot. Certainly the responses would be as informative!
Bag, - right on.
Anonymous has never been to julie, or welsh blogs, so you can stop the innuendos right there!
Gracchi, I find as I get older, I suffer fools less and less gladly. I can see I will have to put you on "ignore", if you will agree not to start a fight by responding to my posts. How's that grab you?
Finally James.
Anonymous appreciates your position, buddy.
Anonymous will be silent.
It seems to anonymous, to come down to - loose anonymous or loose half a dozen other readers/commenters.
Your readership/commenters have shown their true colours, and maybe they're just not worth the effort.
Sorry, buddy, anonymous thought we were going places.
Anonymous gagged, by democratic consent
I originally had a no deletions policy, but had to revise it.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad, but you have to protect the integrity of your blog, James.
There's debate and then there's confrontation.
Well, anonymous promised silence, but anonymous is gonna come back on "crushed"
ReplyDeleteTake a look at what's happened, fuck-wit, Anonymous NEVER was the first aggressor. Always gracchi. And note he's the first to moan on this page!
Now, other than this page, where it is entirely justified, where else do you see anonymous creating any confrontation?
What the hell are YOU smoking?
and liz but other than that my commenters are nice and not anonymous.
So all anonymous posts are by your definition, Not nice? Get real girlie.
And wolfie, while we're here, and anonymous has nothing to lose, 'cos anonymous will probably be barred, anonymous has NEVER promoted ANY ideology.
Now, piss-off and be bored.
Crushed by Ingsoc said...
ReplyDelete" I originally had a no deletions policy, but had to revise it.
It's sad, but you have to protect the integrity of your blog, James."
Great post but lacks any integrity when posters such as the above can behave in the most appalling manner to other bloggers and still be supported, despite BP ethos.
Crushed enabled comment moderator so I could ot refute HIS lies recall? HE also had a policy that he would not delete/ censor any comments even negative ones about him as long as they did not reveal his identity or location. When I have challenged HIS posts as being hypocritical or to assert my right to free speech about the lies and deliberate atempts to chase away another blogger( ME), he deleted, and enabled.
HE should NOT be online emotionally victiminzing women/lying behind the scenes about them and then posting such filth . I am surprised haat BP has stood for this. I have left my blog after this outrageous behaviour.
Firstly - didn't expect this response - it is great.
ReplyDeleteNow, one by one:
Tiberius - courtesy is the thing. One can say the most terrible things behind a veil of courtesy.
Liz - what little box?
Wolfie - apart from those two comments to Tiberius and yourself, it's been pretty good really.
Julie - you're on a specific McCann agenda there and you'll get nutters. Mine are usually more general.
Bag - :)
Welshcakes - they have their reasons and one is that it can't be sheeted home to them. Therefore I'm the one who ends up strapped to the table with the electrodes inserted. That's my cross.
Anonymous - the one I deleted [from many] was because it didn't present in the same form and gave no indication of the subject matter. You see I'm also under assault from spammers and so have to distinguish between yours and theirs.
Who's gagging you ? I run this blog and am happy to get your links to more than interesting material - though it may cost a few readers in the process.
Maybe I should have a place to run them - I am definitely doing a precis this weekend of all your links.
Crushed - noted, man.
Uber - this goes way back. BP is neutral. It neither condones nor vilifies. It takes issues as they come. Personally, if you look at Crushed's UNited Earth post, I got stuck into what he wrote. Don't see how this is condoning.
Everyone's aware of your point and Crushed does not come out of this cleanly but there's only so much can be done until you're corroborated by others. So far this hasn't been.
I oculd be corroborated by HIM but I don't want him OUT of BP.
ReplyDelete