Rule updates and what they mean…
Recently more time has needed to be spent editing and removing comments as I’ve attempted to re-enforce the rules that are set out here. It was my hope that this would only be a temporary situation and that people would make an attempt to follow the very simple rules that you all agree to when you hit “submit” on your comment and all that would be left would be taking a few moments to let a newcomer know what the rules were if their first comment was outside of the general expectation. I have no plans to turn this blog into a huge profit making machine, but there are some realities here, I do invest over 80 hours a week here, a huge majority of you appreciate the blog for what it is and contribute your thoughts on all sides of the topics presented.
Last week a comment was made suggesting that assassinating me would be a good thing, while I dealt with the person, it really was my straw breaking the camel’s back moment. I don’t care that some of you disagree with me politically and philosophically or that some of you assume you know my motivations, I’ve attempted to make this blog as fair as possible realizing that there will always be a few that will take issue. The stupid threats directed at me and at times my family because I have a blog, where I don’t even go out of my way to slam my own personal political beliefs down anyone’s throat is just that, stupid. I’m not asking for abject adoration or proclaiming myself the knower of all information who is always right. I’m not, but what I am expecting here on out is people focusing on the topic and civil discussion. You don’t have to like the person who comments, but disagree with them based on what they say/write not who they are.
Certain words trigger moderation, some of you discovered that last week when you used the word “cocktail” that’s built within the wordpress spam software, however, some of you will now find your posts being held in moderation and if it is not on topic or it contains more personal insults/references than I want to edit out? It won’t be posted. I don’t plan on making this list public, and those few who will be under moderation have the ability to end being on moderation by demonstrating they are willing to contribute as per the rules ask, nor should any of those this happened to be shocked, they’ve had enough chances to decide to contribute or not. Frankly one of the top reasons some people don’t comment here is they don’t want to be bashed for sharing their opinion and it is difficult for some to feel as if they can join in though they want to, that is the opposite of the environment I wanted to create here. I don’t want people to be afraid to comment, I want them to be a part of the discussion.
You’ll also note that insults are no longer allowed at elected officials/candidates since that rule was meant to excuse those in the passion of rant, not as permission to just toss in insults at elected officials or candidates as the main comment. Basically, if you wouldn’t state the comment to your boss or one of your children or if you wouldn’t be willing to make that comment in public? Reword it…
I’m not a fan of selectivity, but it was either do this or have every comment written have to be approved, which would be much more time consuming and on the days I am not here? Would prevent discussion. Thank you to the majority of you who have had no problem following the rules of civil discourse, those of you who want the ability to fling more poo than product? You’ll have to find someplace else to welcome your comments. I realize this will impact some of you who enjoyed reading the poo, I’ll gladly lose your readership if necessary to meet my goals of what I believe this blog can become.
Well said Lisa. It is your blog, your time and energy and research, I will be a nicer person from now on.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:45 pmIt is sad that you and your family had to worry about some wacko threatening you. That is totally uncalled for.
Hopefully, people of varying viewpoints can share their opinions, without being censored or moderated, even if the truth does sometimes hurt.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pmThe truth isn’t the problem, Henri, it’s those who decide for whatever reason to make it about someone else than it is about.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:11 pmOkey dokey – it’s your blog. You make the rules.
And it is disturbing to hear about bloggers becoming real time threats. But I know it happens.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pmIt’s truly sad that adults cannot read, understand and abide by the rules. You know you’re appreciated from this end.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:07 pmAssassinating you? Clearly, someone forgot to take their meds this week.
I’m sorry to learn of the threats and hateful comments made against you and your family. You’re a good person and you do not deserve to be treated that way.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:51 pmI can’t imagine a threat of assassination against you Lisa. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I think you are reasonably fair nearly all the time.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pmIn this day and age, it is difficult not to take threats seriously. There are just too many people out there who are really “out there”.
This is your blog, your rules. I find the give and take here, for the vast majority to be civil. You obviously work hard at this, and should be proud.
Keep up the good work!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:04 pmoh to know the restraint I harbor on some days, Lisa.
But my perception differs from yours, somewhat.
but damn it, how are you going to get to the crux, show the full picture, expose the fraud and educate the uninformed by tweaking the rules tighter?
because some spineless fruit loop?
from someone that has had to deal with attacks and threats by a media-public figure in the community, there’s more joy felt when you run by the spineless freak that confronts you than by not even deviating from the plan.
if they’re truly a threat, they’ll get their just desserts. I know, I’ve had my moment of elation.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pmRoman thanks, most of those who comment here make it worth it because they are civil and they want the same things I want. For perhaps people to actually know a bit more than when we first started.
Brian, we’re different people, that’s not something that I’d enjoy and it wasn’t just that one comment, it was the culmination of all of the previous threats and stupidness that made me realize I don’t have to put up with some of it, nor should any of us have to.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:48 pmLisaRenee,
I am so sorry to hear that this continues to be an issue. I have to admit however, that sometimes I read merely the posting on GCJ and not the comments, especially on some of the longer strings.
I know that you pour your heart and soul into this as well as your time, and that at the very least, you deserve respect for both your rules and yourself.
The freedom to partake in Civil discourse is essential to a free society. You and I may never share the same side of a subject, but we can share the ability to respect one anothers’ opinions and as a consequence, one another.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:54 pmI think bloggers who have a public face and who do not remain anonymous are a special attraction for cowardly cyber-terrorists, because they can anonymously bully real people with almost total impunity.
Personally, if I had to do it over again, I would choose to remain anonymous and spare myself and my family the stress of lunatic threats. I know from personal experience how Internet psychos can torment those whose address and phone numbers can be quickly found with a few database searches.
Sorry to hear of your latest round of cyber-terror, Lisa. I remember you received almost as much neo-Nazi BS as I in 2005 for the simple “crime” of posting a few times on my blog and doing some research on Bill White.
Oh, and the Photo-shopping of your picture into hardcore porn. You can’t beat neo-Nazi pornography for vileness and shock value, can you?
:-}
June 15th, 2009 at 10:09 pmSomeone takes what you do here way too seriously. It’s a blog for crying out loud. Nothing of any real consequence can come from here to motivate someone to violence. Wonder what this guy does when he sees graffiti.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:18 pmWhat? I can’t say things like “shit for brains” “pant load” or call people “idiots” any more? I hear them so often on the radio; I thought it passed for adult polite conversion.
I stopped writing letters to the Blade. Ever time they published one my answering machine would be filled with just nasty messages and threats. Not a big deal when it was just a wife and I, but now then I have children I don’t bother.
It is the reason I stay relatively anonymous (a lot of you know me) but I don’t need a bunch of nut jobs calling my work place or my home.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:25 amMike, not that I want them to come back, but dealing with them and their photoshopping instances was much more funny that what I’ve dealt with here the past two years. They were even funnier on the phone, I’ll never forget when they called my home and asked if this is where that “n*** loving Lisa Renee lived” and I responded, “no but this is where that Puerto Rican loving Lisa Renee lives” they never called back…Though I think it’s had a cumulative effect that I am tired of and one that I agree with many of you commented, it shouldn’t happen over a blog, especially this blog.
Sensor, you can still use I think that idea/suggestion/plan is “idiotic” — I realize I’m expecting people to rise above what is being promoted by some as adult conversation, but I know you can do it.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:08 amYour expecting a lot from me.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:13 amYes, well it’s up to us to show them how it’s supposed to be done.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:20 am“NO LONGER ALLOWED INSULTS AT
PUBLIC OFFICIALS/CANDIDATES” ?????????
ruh-roh.
Admin edit: rest of comment was removed since it was directed at a person who is not the topic.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:44 amThanks for the update.
Sorry to hear that people go overboard and personally threaten you over things that are said on a blog.
I’m glad that there is a Glass City Jungle. This is where I go to get a lot of my local information.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am