Comments

You might have noticed that I have the ability to comment to my posts turned on. You are welcome to make a comment, but I'm going to set a few rules. Remember that this is my blog, so I get to set the rules. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States only refers to government interference. It does not give you the right to come into my blog and say whatever you want. Rent your own server space if you want to do that.

First, some disclaimers. I reserve the right to change the rules without notice, and to apply those changes retroactively. I also reserve the right to enforce the rules if and when I want to. Also, I cannot take responsibility for comments that I have not yet seen.

The number one rule is that you're allowed to disagree with any opinion, but you will be expected to address the issue, not the person in your disagreements. No "You're an idiot for saying that." Back-up your disagreements with your opinion. If you disagree, tell us what you think, and why you think it.

I will not censor any opinions just because someone disagrees with me. This isn't talk radio. It's not the Lars Larson show where if you disagree you have to get it out fast, and expect to be talking to a dial-tone as soon as he can get you to stop talking so he can talk. I may actually start a dialog with you -- and I might even let you get the last word! But only if you're willing to discuss the issue, and aren't just here to flame or troll.

Please assume just one persona. I use my real name. I will respect you more if you're willing to own-up to who you are, but I understand if you want to use a pseudonym. Just stick to one name. And don't assume someone else's name or persona. If you're not Joe Smith, don't use Joe Smith's name.

No trolling. No flaming. No spam. And I get to decide how those terms are defined. Your language should be able to get a PG-13 or better rating if it were in a motion picture. Generally I'm going to delete an entire comment instead of simply editing it, so if you don't want to see the whole thing disappear, keep it clean.

I understand that topics drift, but remember that your comments are not threaded. Try to stay on topic. This also goes back to this being my forum, not yours. I get to decide what the topics are.

I reserve the right to ban people who can't act responsibly. And I won't play cat and mouse games. I'll use the nuclear option, and turn off comments for everyone. I don't have the time or inclination to play with trolling snerts, or persistent spammers.

Any links posted should be informational or educational, and back-up your opinion. If you would like to promote anything, including your own blog, please e-mail me first. Political campaigning is not allowed. You can disagree with any endorsement I make, and you can say who you endorse (and why) in response. But I will not allow this blog to look like a telephone pole full of campaign signs.

Oh... And these rules are not up for discussion. They're not opinions that I have to defend, nor will I defend them. If you disagree, I suggest trying a different blog or discussion forum where you would feel more welcome. Certainly my blog isn't the only place in the world where someone can post a comment. Or start your own blog or forum, and set your own rules. If you participate here, it's my rules.

Now didn't that sound welcoming? Well, I hope it is. Remember, you don't have to agree with me. I will never delete a comment solely because it doesn't agree with me -- except under this post.

That's not just how I see things. That's the way it is.