Over the last few days, some comments on this site have degenerated into a vicious game of personal attacks.
I have been trying to monitor it to the best of my ability and have been accused of over-zealous censoring and "shoddy" (?) journalism. I have personally been called a bigot and a fascist, among other lovely epithets. I can take it.
Where I draw the line, though is when I see fellow bloggers and guests being unfairly targeted with slander and abuse. Censorship is a tough road to travel. Obviously, it is up to the host how much profanity they allow. But the spirit of the blog is to allow a democratic and open forum for discussion and exchange of ideas. Deliberate personal attacks are not welcome here.
Nor should they be condoned anywhere in the blogosphere.
22 comments:
Agreed Joanne. We should all be able to have discussions and debates without hurling insults and names at one another. I quite enjoy reading (and sometimes participating) in the debates. I find it quite interesting to see everyone's opinion. One should be able to make their views known without vulgarity and the demeaning of others. Then and only then can true discussion happen. It's just basic respect. Thanks for your blog and I also enjoy going to the others you have posted and reading their postings. Blog on everyone!
I'm trying to be nice Joanne... the liberal hacks make it tough sometimes though.
Sure do...
Good luck finding that holy grail of polite discourse.
I think we should try to set a good example for politicans and the media. ;)
I can't offer a solution, only a word of encouragement. Unlike other blogs, there's a touch of politeness found here directed personally at practically every poster, even though it might be in a rebuttal.
One word of caution, though. These last two topics - abortion & homosexuality - are so emotionally charged that they don't necessarily bring out the best in people.
Keep up your good work, Joanne TB.
Good point Gabby. I heard an old saying once, "there's two things you don't talk about: religion and politics"
We seem to have dived into both, combined the two, and taken it 6 times around the dance floor.
Thank you very much, Gabby, for the encouragement.
Yeah, I do seem to pick the hot-button topics..
Vicki - I agree. For the most part, this has been a productive exercise.
Regarding abortion, I do believe that we can all agree that there should be some limit as to how late in pregnancy an abortion may legally be performed, unless there is a life-threatening crisis for the mother.
Is everyone on board with that? In the interest of eliminating the greater of the evils?
Excellent post Joanne..... and Kelly, you expressed my feelings exactly. Yes they are volatile topics and ones that people feel passionately about. I think the discussions have been fascinating and informative. I tend to tune out the rude people as I think that if they don’t get a reaction, they will eventually go away, or learn some manners.
vicki -- No, I didn't miss the fact that the conversation has been polite for the most part, but I also realize that it has been "sanitized for your protection" to a certain extent and the plug has been pulled when things start to get a little heated.
I love everybody! Now give me a $1 and I'll love you more!!!
I'm having a hard time leaving my blog that damn bannana is freaking addictive!!!
Seriously guys, I love debating that is where we get answers not black eyes!
Sara, you're right. Let's everyone just shake digital hands and we'll call a truce.
jdave - If you could resubmit your comment without the profanities, I'll publish it. Thanks. And sorry if I offended you.
the hot-button topics are the fun ones :)
Matt,
Why is felatio illegal in the states?
When discussing blog conduct, I think of blogs as something like a party or meeting at someone's home.
As hostess, you certainly have the right to turf anyone you wish. It is not a censorship or freedom issue. Publicly available media have different constraints, because not everyone can afford to start a major media outlet. Since anyone with internet access can start a blog, you can have wild parties that would attract the police in the real world, or you can run a sunday school, or you can have anything in between.
I find comments in a blog like this that use "liberal" as an adjective to be insulting most of the time, though this is the first time ever in any blog, that I have even mentioned it. Usually I ignore the chaff and try to respond only to actual points being made, if any. If they happen to fit in with some political party's positions, I try to avoid generalizing from that.
For example, you can take some attributes of fascism, nazism, communism, etc and see those same attributes in positions of liberals, conservatives, ndp or bloc parties. So we get swastikas tagged to conservatives and hammer & sickles tagged to liberals or ndp.
A lot of people can't really deal with the idea that other people are more than one dimensional stereotypes. Usually if you are obviously not completely matching the stereotype, you are somehow inconsistent and therefore dangerous because your actions will not be as predictable. To such people changing one's mind is bad, reconsidering a position is bad. Unless of course it involves adopting the entire body of their positions.
But in reality, complete lack of compromise is what leads to extremism.
There ought to be rules. I learned this morning from Kinsella's NP article that there's a rule for the length of time expected until somebody refers to a right-leaning person as a fascist of some sort. A good chuckle was had over that.
The topics here are certainly provocative and engaging, and it's been enjoyable participating in a frank exchange of views with others.
Liberal Supporter, that is one of most interesting and well-articulated comments I have ever read on this blog! And to think that it came from a Liberal. Who knew?
RGM - You are welcome here anytime. Mi casa es su casa.
HAHA Nice one Joanne!
I agree with Liberal too, From now on if the Liberals screw up oh sorry if a Liberal person screws up I will try to blame that individual not the whole party. Hmmm Carolyn Bennett screws up a lot and I think it her personal fault,,, how was that?
I have also tried to keep things callm chez moi. I have tos ay after being called plenty of names myself, it is difficult sometimes not to retaliate. My stand on abortion is very medical. I am also religious. Life is sacred.WE cab now save a baby at 23 weeks of gestation and abortions can be obtained at 20 weeks(up to 24 weeks in some jurisdictions). Where does life begin?
Roy - Great points. Thanks. Especially from a medical POV.
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