Using comment moderation is burdensome, but necessary.
Yes, it makes online discussion in real time on my blog impossible most of the time. The delay in publication discourages interaction and debate.
For years, I didn't use it. I don't like it.
However, I'm not willing to surrender my blog and give foul-mouthed, misogynistic stalkers a forum to spew their insults.
I've been accused of rejecting comments that disagree with my point of view. That is absurd. I NEVER reject a comment based on point of view. NEVER.
I reject filth and harassment.
I've received comments from angry Leftists that are really disgusting, absolutely obscene. I've received comments that include threats to me personally.
Because comments of this sort are not rare, I believe the only responsible thing to do is to moderate comments before publishing them.
Do I say all Leftists are uncivil, based on the Internet activity that I've observed?
Do I paint all Leftists with a broad brush, accusing all Leftists of this despicable behavior?
Of course not.
That wouldn't be a fair accusation. It's not true that all Leftists are like that.
Too bad so many Leftists are so quick to use a broad brush when it comes to conservatives or others who don't share their views.
An example: Accusing all participants in the Tea Party movement of being violent and racist.
It's not fair. It's not true.
Too bad some shameless Leftists, including members of the media and elected officials, insist on degrading hard-working, concerned Americans, those exercising their right to free speech and their right to assemble. These people deserve far better than to be called "teabaggers."
Some moderation from these Leftists is in order. Their smear tactics are reprehensible.
I've been accused of rejecting comments that disagree with my point of view. That is absurd. I NEVER reject a comment based on point of view. NEVER.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Why I Use Comment Moderation
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5 comments:
I have posted comments that agree and disagree. To date none of mine have been moderated out. I also refrain from colorful metaphors and attacks.
I support your policing your own blog.
/World's smallest violin playing "My heart bleeds for you"
Thank you, Lee.
Mary, I very rarely put myself out where I can be attacked (I'm a coward that way), but one time (ONCE!) I made a comment on a Facebook group where somebody had complained about how Sarah Palin pronounces something. The resulting comments (hundreds of them) were almost exclusively nasty and negative toward Mrs. Palin, so I pointed out to the group how nasty it all was, and some total stranger sent me a message to my facebook inbox saying that I must be a Palin supporter, and I must be "brain dead" like her, and that I should go back to whatever country my ancestors came from (huh?). That was from just one fairly innocuous comment, that some could interpret as being supportive of Palin (the comment didn't betray my feelings about her either way, because, as I said, I'm a coward that way). I can't imagine how much hateful stuff is sent your way since you make it very clear how you feel about things. I really enjoy your blog, and I also enjoy the fact that the comments are not full of hateful bile. Thanks for moderating them.
Thanks, D.
I once posted what I considered to be a balanced and respectful comment to something on the Huffington Post, nothing inflammatory. I received the sort of reaction you got.
I never posted anything there since then. That was a few years ago.
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