The comments function of the site is there to encourage anyone and everyone to speak up about what has been posted (or, in the case of open threads, anything at all). While posts are generated by me, I welcome all feedback and wholeheartedly endorse discussion and interaction via comments. Whether you agree or disagree with me, want to seriously debate a topic, wish to express a different way of looking at something, or just want to add a quick emoticon, never hesitate to say what is on your mind when leaving a comment here. The only thing I ask is that you please follow and respect my rules.
- Submit your comments only under the post to which they correspond.
- Never submit comments that violate someone else’s rights or the law (i.e. threatening someone). I will happily report you to the authorities and support any and all legal action against you.
- Comment moderation is currently enabled and may delay your post. Do not resubmit.
- Approved comments are permanent and will not be changed or deleted. If you wish to update your previous response, you’ll have to submit new comments to augment or clarify yourself. Do not contact me requesting edits because it ain’t gonna happen. If you don’t like what you already submitted, you should have been more careful in evaluating your thoughts before sending them in.
- On the outside chance that I’ve closed the comments on an entry to which you would like to respond, contact me via e-mail so we can consider our options. Always obey the first rule.
- Trackbacks and pingbacks which do not include a link to the post you are referencing will be deleted. This practice may also get your site blacklisted.
- I have no problem whatsoever with profanity (you’ll notice I use it myself), but please be sure it’s appropriate and not excessive. Basically put, no swearing for the sake of swearing (that which has no redeeming value to the post or your comments).
- I will not tolerate flaming of anyone associated with the site (me, The Kids, my family, my friends, visitors, and other commenters). I enthusiastically welcome and encourage lively discussion, debate and deliberation, but personal attacks of this nature are verboten. Flaming the subject of a post is permitted as long as it doesn’t violate the first part of this rule.
- Comments are not the proper medium for notifying me of site design or accessibility issues except when that’s what the post is about. Broken links, design flaws, suggestions, recommended improvements to accessibility, and other site-related feedback should be e-mailed to me.
- Above all else, use common sense.
I reserve the right to edit or delete your comment if I deem it appropriate, even if you have not broken any of these rules. If you do violate one or more of these rules, and depending on the severity of the offense, I may permanently ban you from commenting. As appropriate I may also ban your neighborhood, town, state, or country; this is in addition to reporting you to your ISP and/or publicly flaming you on my site.
All comments are bound by these rules and any changes or additions to them that I may make from time to time, with or without notice to you.
I read all comments. Despite this, I may not respond to all of them. It is often better to let a comment stand on its own merits than it is to respond gratuitously just to say I responded to your comment. Don’t ever think I didn’t read what you said just because I don’t respond to it specifically.
Most important to remember is that this is my site. That means my rights, especially my freedom of speech, will always trump yours. If you’re well-behaved and follow these simple rules, it’s unlikely that you’ll have anything to worry about. If you don’t like it, get your own blog and practice your own digital dictatorship.
