UPDATE<\/b>: The content below was updated in February and September, 2010. Here are the changes, in brief:<\/p>\n
1. I will accept anonymous comments if the content of the message contributes to the quality of a post.<\/p>\n
2. I will delete any comment that has an embedded link to a commercial company. I do not allow other people to endorse products or services on MY blog.<\/p>\n
The rest of my commenting policy remains as previously written:<\/p>\n
——————————————–<\/p>\n
I do not allow anonymous comments on this blog. Anyone who wants to post a comment may sign in using his or her google or blogger account, or use the “anonymous” option to submit a comment, but he or she must give a name or screen handle, and be consistent about it.<\/p>\n
What’s the problem with anonymous comments?<\/p>\n
1. Civility<\/em>. Anonymous comments encourage nasty snark-fests of the worst kind. People write comments behind a computer screen which they would never make if they had to sign their name.<\/b> It’s one of the worst aspects of the internet and helps destroy the potential of this medium for communication. It can also have a chilling effect on people who want to engage but would like to disagree agreeably. While some blogs enjoy controversy generated by flame wars as it attracts readers, I do not have an interest in doing that.<\/p>\n 2. Responsibility<\/em>. If you’re going to write something, you should own it.<\/p>\n 3. Negativity<\/em>. This goes along with civility. Some people write nasty things behind the screen of anonymity that reveals much about their lack of quality of character and integrity. I will not abide negativity related to sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or that expresses intolerance.<\/p>\n If you wish to comment on any post on this blog, feel free. Sign in with your google identity OR use the anonymous option but include your name or screen name.<\/p>\n I will review all comments and decide if they will be published or not. For example, you may refer to me by “Booted Harleydude” or its short-form, “BHD”, but not by another name. References to me by another name get deleted because I separate my blogger identity from my personal identity. That is not the same thing as anonymity, because my blogger and website identities are the same and have been for over a decade.<\/p>\n Also, I will delete any comment that includes and embedded link to a commercial enterprise. I do not allow other people to try to endorse products or services through MY blog. If you want to do that, write your own blog.<\/p>\n Ultimately, my blog is an expression of my personal opinions. If you do not like my opinions, say so and own your remarks, or surf elsewhere<\/a>.<\/p>\n Acknowledgment: some of the language used above is from the anonymous commenting policy of a blog written by a friend. Used with permission.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UPDATE: The content below was updated in February and September, 2010. Here are the changes, in brief: 1. I will accept anonymous comments if the content of the message contributes to the quality of a post. 2. I will delete … Continue reading