The Rules of Engagement or How To Act Right In Public

I love it when people comment on my blog and I write about contentious topics so I expect a level of heightened emotion in said comments. I am perfectly comfortable with that.  This blog is a “safe space” ( in so much as any virtual space can be considered safe) wherein people can discuss issues of all kinds. Discussion, debate and even a certain amount of sarcasm in service of a larger point are totally within bounds.

Things That Are Not Within Bounds:

Hate Speech. Don’t bother. I’ll laugh at you and delete your comment before it gets anywhere near the public.

Speech that is otherwise blatantly abusive to me, other commenters or the people about whom I am writing.

The End.

That’s pretty much it, really. I have no blog rule that prohibits those who disagree with me. I will never have that rule. Speak your mind. But be aware of some things when you do.

Comments are moderated. As such, I am the person who gets to decide if a comment reaches the public portion of this blog. If I think your comment falls into one of the two categories above, I’m shutting the comment down. Comments that are not abusive, blatantly racist/sexist/prejudiced, posted by trolls who are looking to start a flamewar, and not spam are welcome. And honestly, even if you’re trolling, if what you’re saying is at least rational or I can use you as an object lesson, I’ll probably let you through.  As I said, I don’t mind people disagreeing with me or my other bloggers and commenters, but you cannot come in merely to abuse.

General Moderation Policy: Anyone is free to disagree with me or anyone else, to argue and debate, to yell and complain. But if your comments turn abusive, or if you attempt to derail conversations and make them all about you and all about “What’s Wrong With Black People”, or “What’s Wrong With Women,” then I will make an example of you. Please understand, I’ll probably let your comment stand if it’s not abusive. But I will make it clear exactly which of the Derailing for Dummies categories you are buying into as well as deconstruct your argument as an example to others. I may offer a warning before I do this.

How to Get Banned Forever: If you engage in hate language, racially offensive remarks, gender-based offensive remarks, or abuse the posters and commenters, you earn an instant banning. This space on the web is for discussion, not your bullshit.

You’re censoring me/suppressing my right to free speech!: After I stop laughing I will direct you here and since I only want to explain this once, I’ll do it on this page. The Right of Free Speech protects Americans from government suppression. That’s it. You do not have the right to freedom of speech anywhere on the internet. You have the right to express yourself within the rules set up by the site owner and service provider. If you require hate speech or abusive language to express yourself do it elsewhere. If you consider my ability to deconstruct your argument as censorship, buy a damn dictionary.

In closing, bring your A game. I’m good at this. I research the hell out of things before I type them. I’ve always got more data than I post and I am not nice.