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New Commenting Rules

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Due to the marked increase in abusive comments, towards other commenters and this blogger, I have decided to institute the following additional guidelines. It’s not a matter of the few ruining it for the majority. Simply put: I do not mind the occasional ribbing nor do I shy away from a robust exchange of ideas–that includes a good shot, but insulting someone’s mother or ridiculing another’s appearance brings nothing to the table. Calling me or any of my readers “fascist fucking pigs” as one Laila Yuile supporter did in the Watts post from yesterday is just not going to go through or get approved no matter what else was contained in the remainder of the text.

Additionally, I am perplexed by people who continue to submit comments when they know they’re banned from this blog. You are not bothering me in the least, as I simply delete your bloody ridiculous comments the second I begin to read them. Submitting under different names isn’t going to cut it either. Larry Jordan–this means YOU, among a few others, including the illustrious thug from Garden Bay Brian Gough, who hides behind the name ‘Grant’.

So…

1) Lengthy essays that run 500 words and include comments about Larry (the good one), Dave, Gary (from the Island) or Bob (who also posts on another blog for retired VPD heroes) being simply ghost names for me and my thoughts is beyond asinine. I post and only comment in reply to you. Sadly, some valuable comments are deleted because they include lengthy and insulting statements (often libelous) about what is perceived by a deranged few clearly prior to meds. Those won’t be approved. Don’t bother. The only person you will frustrate is YOU. I will simply hit the delete button.

2) Writing me about what a polling hero you are in your own mind (yes, that means you Glen Robbins) and how you predicted Barack Obama’s win, while ignoring the topic and insulting me is a waste of space on this blog. Well known nutters in the blogosphere ether will NEVER be approved here–do not waste your time, it’ll never happen. We talk about serious issues here. I have the best commenters of any blog in this province, but I have diluted the quality by trying to be ultimately democratic and letting even some crapsters in. Well, those days are gone. I will not allow this blog to turn into a place from which such people can hang off.

3) Please stick to the topic at hand. Even some regulars do not adhere to this: If you start asking me about the Premier when I’ve done a post on the global economic crisis, I won’t approve your comment. You can send me off-topic comments–which I will happily address either by email or in a future post (which I’ll tell you about), by clicking on the appropriate ‘Contact’ tab on this blog’s browser. It’s a simple process, please get used to it.

4) I like a good insult as much as the next bare-knuckled contrarian–but there are limits. If I’m “an idiot” for thinking that France’s economy might also soon suffer some bond issues, then say so but back it up. But when you come to comment on, for example, Dianne Watts and refer to her as an “ugly right-wing bitch” then I think that you have not only given up your privilege to comment here, but you additionally can’t comprehend the Mayor of Surrey’s politics–nor can you see very well. Similarly, yesterday, I had a small flood of Laila Yuile commenters that felt it necessary, while being dumb enough to use the same names they use on her blog, go into long, tiresome comments about how Watts is just like Carole Taylor a “whitebread whore” and “conservative ass-licker.” Apart from being out of your minds (those of you that wrote accordingly), do you honestly think I’m going to approve such comments, not just because they’re grotesquely inaccurate but terribly offensive too? Really? Think again, if thinking is at all an option for you.

5) On any legally sensitive posts, while I am enthusiastic to bring them to you, please take due care in your comments. Particularly if you are anonymous, your comment will be edited as the ramifications are to me, not you. I realize that my own enthusiasm to get these kinds of posts out to you is often frustrated by legal opinions (as with the current and previous BC Rail posts) but you must exercise greater care. If I leave a question open, like, “what was in your brother’s envelope that he gave to Dave Basi, Premier” you cannot speculate without reason.

6) Finally, please do not think I’m ignoring your comments, those of you that send me private emails and those whose comments might not appear right away. I receive a ton of mail daily and cannot possibly answer all of it in one day–sometimes even in one week. Yesterday, I received 78 emails from readers, the day before it was 46. That’s a lot of comments to sift through, so please be patient. Also, I’m not sure why it happens, but many times comments will get kicked to ‘SPAM’. That’s not good but I have no way of policing that. If you have left a reasonable comment and feel I’ve not posted it, please do send me a note and I’ll look for it.

Thanks for your understanding on this.

Later today you will, once again, enjoy two more BC Rail posts–with some excellent backgrounders from Bill Tieleman’s blog.

Author: Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 
Category The Rest · Tags

Comments

35 Responses to “New Commenting Rules”
  1. GuyinVictoria says:
    August 17, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Thanks Alex. I enjoy reading the comments because it provides in most cases a better understanding of what the rest of the Province is thinking. However, I find it a complete waste of my time when some idiots write nonsense. There is nothing wrong with a few rules. Many of your readers are very knowledgeable and it shows….and that I enjoy.

    Guy in Victoria

  2. Bob says:
    August 17, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Alex,
    No thanks necessary as most of us understand completely. There is nothing wrong with civility and the world could use a lot more of it. Those who don’t understand merely show themselves for what they are.

    Did you say TWO BC Rail posts? In one day?

    More pearl onions needed.

  3. Newf says:
    August 17, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    I wasn’t clear as to the target but now we know. LOL “Alex was brought to my attention only recently and in only a day or 2 I realized how thin skinned this narcissist actually is. He is about as significant as a flea on an elephants back. He can dish it but cannot take it. No redeeming qualities from this person.”

  4. mark says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    can’t wait for the bc rail posts. been anticipating since last one.

  5. DonGar says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    It never ceases to amaze me how foul mouthed and venomous many on the far left tend to be. Nothing and no one is off limits to their attacks all the while they are telling you how much more intelligent they are. There are some on the right as well but a far greater number on the left. They also like to ignore facts and in general rules and the law as those don’t apply to them.

    • AGT says:
      August 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM

      This must rank as one of the most exceptionally terrific comments ever on this blog.

      Yuile and her whole cadre of dimwitted supporters, including Van Rassel, Gough, Gary E, Robbins et al are living proof that when Morely Safer wrote about kooks with keyboards holding the legitimacy of the Internet hostage, he was understating the case by some margin.

      I’m preparing a post on this for publication prior to the BC Rail posts which STILL sit with the lawyers.

  6. dmorris says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    I’m not one for government intervention,but when a politician suggested making internet commenters use their real names,I had to sympathize with him.

    I simply cannot understand the cowardly tactic of a drive by profane smear on anyone,perhaps the problem is lack of a good education. If anyone wants to insult someone, by all means do so,but tell us what exactly it is that excites your emotions so much.

    As an old timer whose first means of distant communication was smoke signals,hell on a windy day I’ll tell you, I’ve been disappointed by the childishness of some people who inhabit the ‘net.

    My Dad used to say,”if you hate someone that much,go and challenge him to a fight”. When I was young,that’s the way we settled a grudge.

    Today, it seems anonymous name-calling is the order of the day,an indication of how much people have changed in the last sixty years.

  7. rusty says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Rules?
    We don’t need no stinkin’ rules …

  8. Splendor Sine Occasu says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    I wonder when people will accuse you of “…censoring their freedom of speech”…

  9. Gary says:
    August 17, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Finally, and unfortunately, it has come to this. I’ve been a tad surprised and a fair bit impressed in the latitude you’ve permitted on more than one occasion with comments from the darker side. If anybody entertains a momentary doubt as to the length you go time after time to allow dissenting opinion they need only re-visit any of the pieces you’ve posted and it’s there , for all to see. Your frustration is shared by those of us that believe journalism is a very fine art, practiced best by men and women of reason. On more than one occasion you’ve stated that you have the most intelligent readers and commentors in the blogosphere. The reason is simple, this is the best blog going, bar none. Others do a very good job, but none I’ve seen yet is so interactive. I always feel like family when I come here, that’s all you pal. I feel it’s an honour to be even a small part of what’s really going on here. And I for one welcome this particular piece, been too long coming. All else you do and yet we continue to get what you provide us, I got a funny feeling this one’s gonna get some very positive feedback. Thank You Alex, from the bottom of my heart.

  10. chuckstraight says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Eagerly awaiting BC Rail ( apprenticed there). No problem with rules about civility. I am an NDP supporter and enjoy your blog.

    • AGT says:
      August 17, 2011 at 2:37 PM

      Thank you so much. I have thousands of NDP readers and the vast majority are wonderful people, who I appreciate very much.

      But once you get into the den of the really, really doctrinaire, it’s starts to smell to High Heaven. That’s about ten percent of them, but they are the most vocal–sadly.

  11. Sparky says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Those are not “New Commenting Rules”……….they are merely examples of common sence and civility.

  12. George says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Thank you

  13. Seymour Forest says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Alex, you’re one of the two great people reading this blog reply.

  14. Chris says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    New Grecian Formula, with just a little grey on the sides.

    • AGT says:
      August 17, 2011 at 2:34 PM

      Yeah, silver actually. I have no idea why it’s coming in so rapidly, but I don’t mind it at all. Hell, it’s hair! I’m just delighted it’s still coming in!!! LOL!

      …and NO, I won’t be dying it.

  15. Seymour Forest says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    “Ah, your brother blows bubble gum!”
    – Bugs Bunny

  16. beacon of truth says:
    August 17, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Hi Alex,

    I always found you to be be extremely tolerant and gracious in what is allowed on your blog. Much more so than most other blogs. You have a good ear for fielding opinions and comments that sometimes you don’t agree with but for the sake of the debate you feel it’s important that a particular point is made.

  17. Newf says:
    August 17, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    DONGAR says in part, It never ceases to amaze me how foul mouthed and venomous many on the far left tend to be. After 11 yrs of Lieberal reign on this Province I’m more than surprised those on the “far left” are so passive. This is quite civil compared to how the “far left” should be reacting to the vile leadership of our Province. Did you ever think the people are just becoming P’OD DONGAR and that they are appearing to be “far left” ?

  18. Tim says:
    August 17, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Thanks, Alex, I was hoping you might lay down some ground rules. Some of the comments from the Watts story (and previous ones) had my blood boiling. I took a screenshot of Van Rassel’s blog post about you (and by extension insulting your readers) – couldn’t believe what I was reading.

    Good timing on these changes, though… just as I was running out of popcorn here. Phew.

    I know you know I and others appreciate what you’re doing and the opportunity to chime in here and there. Give me a shout on the old facebook; it would be great to have a drink and talk shop when you’re over here.

  19. Jack says:
    August 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Amazing to me how much “the entitled” believe they are entitled to do, like saying anything on someone else’s website(and dime). And if called on it, huff and puff about “freedom of speech” and cry foul.
    Intelligent discussion ends when personal attack and profanity begin. Anyone who is unable to contribute to an even intense discussion without resorting to attacks is obviously in an intellectual vacuum.
    Now, let’s get back to facts, probabilities, common sense, investigative tenacity and dirt.