I have a love/hate relationship with the comment section.
I like the instant feedback, even dissent, as long as it contains no personal insults or ad hominem. I hate trolls (pictured) and don’t like commenters who hold me to different standards than they hold for themselves and everyone else.
In years past, I considered shutting down the comment section for good (like fellow Vent girl Kirsten Powers - not even trackbacks) I tried it for a week. Didn’t work. I missed the interaction. I don’t know everything, and I’m willing to learn. Intelligent and interesting people read and comment on this blog, and I’ve learned so much from them.
I try to monitor comments, but sometimes I simply don’t have time (like today). Under the cloak of anonymity, people feel bold. Too bold. So bold, in fact, they forget that IP addresses are recorded when they post a comment. Some Dodo birds have posted the vilest stuff from their work computers. Anyway, that’s why I’m glad a federal court affirmed last week that bloggers can’t be held liable for what commenters write. (Source)
Download a PDF copy of the opinion. Also see Section 230 Protections.
Question for commenters (bloggers and non-bloggers):
Why do you comment on blogs?
Questions for bloggers:
1) I’ve learned the true meaning of “Be careful what you wish for” when it comes to an active comment section. If commenter participation on your blog is light, do you wish for more?
2) If participation on your blog is fairly active, how do you deal with trolls and ad hominem?
Related posts:
I tried shutting down my comments section too, and it was a disaster, and I don’t get anywhere near the traffic you get…
I just don’t let the trolls get me down anymore, I use the La Shawn rule of thumb, it’s MY blog, I pay for it, I can say what I like and they are my guest, and MY freedom of speech is assured, theirs in not…
Ya know the ones I really like though?? The ones that come to MY blog and think that they are going to change me…
Mostly it’s libbers, so you can guess how far they get…
Comment by TexasFred — 03.01.07 @ 12:06 pm
Commenter question: I usually only comment if something posted on the blog really resonates with me. I never argue and I disdain anonymity.
Blogger question: 1. Commenting on my blog is light to non-existent, and I have no problem with that at all.
Blogger question: 2 Not applicable (lol)
Now, since I’m commenting on your blog after reading for some time, let me actively cheer lead for you and say kudos! I love it! I’ve sent your url to every friend I have.
Comment by Suzanne — 03.01.07 @ 12:18 pm
I rarely comment on any blog except LaShawn’s.
There are really fine people with great minds and hearts who make comments here and I look forward to reading their thoughts.
I am so utterly vain, that I (too often) ask some commenters to lay out their facts. That may lead to a back and forth that is sometimes mostly (tedious?) meaningless. But I get into it (vanity again) because I think it fleshes them out for the other readers.
Luckily, I know I am a mortal dolt, so when someone points it out to me or slams a comment in my face, I mostly let it ride.
Here is a suggestion: Post a set of house rules for your establishment. When you have the time to review the back and forth and someone is breaking one of LaShawn’s commandments, direct them to the infraction.
I find that trolls are not too bright. I don’t waste time playing with them, but I will try to expose their foolishness.
So far as those who unleash invective and go ballistic on you…..I can only say that I am sorry for the way some of my fellow humans choose to act. (I once read some of the stuff Michelle got/gets and it is awful.) It can really get you down if you are not in the mood for an extra helping of frustration.
For the most part, liberals tend to react from the heart and out of passion. They are very strange ducks. They can’t stand to be subject to being judged, but they are amazingly intolerant of those they do not like or agree with. And yet, they are attracted by the conservative light, for a variety of reasons.
Comment by Heliotrope — 03.01.07 @ 12:36 pm
La Shawn,
Well, I blog maybe 2 or 3 times a week, give or take. But I usually don’t generate discussions on my blog. I’d like to have more discussion on my blog, since it feels as though I’m posting stuff into this cyberverse and it sinks into the nether never, neverland.
Because of this, I’ve toyed with the idea of just posting infrequent essays and nothing else. I mean, really, it’s a lot of work generating new material every other day and have it come back almost void (… almost. I figured I might as well spend that energy focusing on my short stories, ya’know?)
Anyway, I haven’t had any ad hominem attacks in my comment section. Some disagreements on my positions and arguments, but nothing outrageous.
Comment by Thomas Nguyen — 03.01.07 @ 12:39 pm
Blog commenting is like having a cyber conversation with the blogger and all the other readers. I learn a lot, so I enjoy it.
Comment by batyah — 03.01.07 @ 12:45 pm
I comment for three reasons:
1. When I have some special personal insight into an issue, usually when nobody else has offered a similar insight. For example I have personal experience in nuclear submarines, the US Naval Academy, nuclear power, natural radioactivity, manic-depressive illness and the dishonesty of news reporters that few people have.
2. If somebody makes a statement that reflects gross ignorance, dishonesty or is simply outrageous. For example, rants about Dick Cheney having received “five draft deferments”.
3. When a narrow subject field that I have studied is a subject of discussion.
Comment by Don Kosloff — 03.01.07 @ 12:51 pm
When I first started commenting on blogs and sites like Fark, I did it because I wanted to get into debates, and I thought that maybe I could change people minds, or maybe my mind could be enlightened.
It didn’t take long to realize that most (read: +90%) people who comment on blogs have static thought processes and are resolutely unwilling to change their views on anything, even in the face of incontrovertible facts against their position.
They are present in comment sections for the sole purpose of regurgitating whatever tripe they have most recently read on the subject (whether it be originally from a conservative or liberal site or publication), or to bludgeon dissenters with personal attacks and accusations of fascism.
As a result of this I guess you could say I have been jaded. My commenting has been reduced to a kind of drive-by approach. I guess you could call some of my attempts light trolling because I have been known to throw my two cents in against some particularly asinine perpetrators of the above mentioned tactics. However, I will sometimes throw out a question or two and eventually receive a thought out and thorough response.
I like that you keep your comments section open, and I like even more that you interact with your commenters not only through replying to their posts, but putting questions and solicitations for input in your blog entries themselves.
Please keep up the good work.
Matty
Comment by Matty The Dude — 03.01.07 @ 1:01 pm
When I was blogging regularly, most of the comments I was receiving came from trolls. It seems I was really good at getting people pissed off at my writing.
I wouldn’t have minded it so much if it remained the trolls, but then the spammers moved in. Dealing with moderation became too much of a pain, so I closed shop. It’s a shame because I enjoy the dialog.
Comment by jewels — 03.01.07 @ 1:06 pm
Why do I comment? It depends. Sometimes I feel I have something to add to the discussion. Sometimes I just want to let the author of the post know what I thought about the post if I got more of a personal reaction that just “that was interesting.” Sometimes I just leave something to be “unruly,” but I only do that to a couple of bloggers. By “unruly” I don’t mean abusive, more of a playful risque thing.
Do I wish for more? Yes and no. I don’t have the time to sit and write the stuff that will generate the larger traffic, though my ego wants to. Hence anytime I get meme tagged I tag Michelle Malkin just for grins.
I am afraid that if I had more commenters, then I would feel more obliged to post more often and post “substantial” stuff. After a while of that, I think I would just burn out.
I almost had a troll, but he went away after one comment. Probably because I play a Paladin in RPG’s and my aura scared him off. LOL I would rather have trolls than spammers.
Comment by DragonLady — 03.01.07 @ 1:28 pm
Why do you comment on blogs?
I comment because I like a good discussion, not debate mind you but discussion because I’m not interested in winning or losing. And I do my best not to get personal, but not always successful…
Questions for bloggers:
1) I’ve learned the true meaning of “Be careful what you wish for†when it comes to an active comment section. If commenter participation on your blog is light, do you wish for more?
I just restarted my blog after a long absence so traffic is about as rare as rain in Las Vegas. I would like more comments and will probably get them in time.
2) If participation on your blog is fairly active, how do you deal with trolls and ad hominem?
Should I get that lucky I’ll start to moderate the posts to keep things clean…
The only thing missing from that picture of the troll was the canister of napalm or a flame thrower…
Comment by Greg Laurich — 03.01.07 @ 1:44 pm
My question is this. What is the difference between a troll and a person posting opposing points of view?
As far as libel is concerned, actual libel on a message board or blog is extremely rare despite there probably being loads of untrue statements being made about people. For one, commenters on blogs generally have no personal knowledge of each other. Most comments about individuals are made about individuals who are public figures. Even if a statement about a public figure is false, there must be evidence that the commenter knew for a fact that the statement was false before a legitimate claim of libel is made.
Even when a false statement is made about a person who is not a public figure, one must prove that the statement could not be reasonably viewed as “opinion” which involves showing that the community would have reason to believe that the commenter was in a position to actually know the truth. Below is a link to a case that shows this very thing:
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/11/28/197245
Comment by Shade — 03.01.07 @ 1:56 pm
Why do you comment on blogs?
Because I need to vent my frustrations.
If I didn’t do so this way, I’d be subjecting my wife to dinner table comments like, “Did you hear what that %$@#*& idiot said today?” She prefers a calm dinner, so I need to release the pressure in other ways. 
But I’m not kidding myself into thinking I can change minds by doing this. That’s about as likely as getting struck by lightning.
Comment by redbeard — 03.01.07 @ 2:23 pm
And as to why I comment on blogs, I don’t do a lot of commenting on other peoples blogs, unless it’s someone I really like or someone I think has really earned a good comment, you see, I don’t make too many negative comments on other peoples blogs either, and I NEVER go to another persons blog and attack them, in any way…
I don’t allow anyone to come to MY blog with that kind of BS so, in turn, I won’t take it to their blog…
Professional courtsey…
#11 My question is this. What is the difference between a troll and a person posting opposing points of view?
************************
In my opinion, an opposing view is a wonderful thing, it stimulates some great discussion, a TROLL is a deliberate disruptor, some that says intentionally ridiculous or tacky, or down right nasty things strictly for their ’shock value’ and keeps coming back to do it again and again…
Comment by TexasFred — 03.01.07 @ 2:29 pm
Why do you comment on blogs?
Most likely narcissism…
A lot of times typing a response enables me to think through what I really think about a topic, especially if it’s something I haven’t thought of recently (or at all). I don’t always hit “post” when I’m finished.
Sometimes I think I can add a datum or perspective not covered. I’m an engineer, we like data.
Maybe I should get my own blog.
Comment by Radish — 03.01.07 @ 2:39 pm
I comment on blogs mainly because I simply enjoy exchanging opinions. Other than commenting on columns at Townhall, this is the only political blog I comment on, and I suppose the only reason for that is that I like your stuff, La Shawn.
On my own blog, comments are usually light (or at least they have been recently, since my posting frequency is way down). I’ve gotten into a few heated debates about Calvinism vs. Arminianism, but that’s about it.
Even though my main subject matter tends to be controversial, I really never get many inflammatory comments, even though the backgrounds and views of my commenters often differ considerably from my own. Maybe they’re all just afraid of “picking on” an 18 year old. I’ve always said “Bring it!” But you’re right, I probably should be counting my blessings.
Comment by Jay — 03.01.07 @ 2:48 pm
How funny that you’re writing about this, Lashawn. It’s an issue I’ve been distressed about lately myself.
How to deal with nastiness in the blogosphere? 1) by communicating with other bloggers (such as yourself) and realizing that no one is immune. No one. And 2) remembering that I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t feel it was something God wants me to be doing.
Have you read James Surowiecki’s The Wisdom of Crowds? If not, I highly recommend it. It’s a great book about how the collective knowledge of a group is always greater than the smartest member of that group. Blogs are kind of like that, a way for readers and writers together to collectivize their information.
Trolls are everywhere–it’s just so much easier to react to someone else’s writing than it is to write something yourself. I think it’s enough to simply moderate comments so as to filter out those people who make the reading process unpleasant for others.
Comment by Jen in NC — 03.01.07 @ 2:53 pm
I usually comment when I want to encourage the blogger.
I also will leave a question, or a bit of information or an example of my experience, if I think it will be helpful and not a copy of everyone else’s.
Comment by Karen B — 03.01.07 @ 3:00 pm
In my opinion, an opposing view is a wonderful thing, it stimulates some great discussion, a TROLL is a deliberate disruptor, some that says intentionally ridiculous or tacky, or down right nasty things strictly for their ’shock value’ and keeps coming back to do it again and again…
That’s my opinion. Someone really needs to inform feminist bloggers and their commenters of this. Politely disagreeing with them automatically makes you a vile troll.
Comment by Shade — 03.01.07 @ 3:40 pm
Okay, an admitted troll here. In truth, I think I have only been here twice to throw a couple of bombs and I was directed through Blogspot at Salon. Not sure whether you can block links coming in from there or ask them to simply not link to you anymore. That might keep many of us away. Another option is simply that if someone gets out of hand, you ban them (of course, if they are real a**holes, they will find other URLs from which to harass you). Alternatively, you can always open it up to privileged commenters only, i.e., have a sign-in and registration mechanism requiring actual email addresses. That will open you up to rhetorical assaults from folks like me (which by the way relates back to your link to the ‘potty mouth’ post - open v. closed) who will say that you, like most conservatives (and, let’s face it, it is much more often the case that conservatives do not allow comments or unregistered/anonymous comments) are not capable of open debate, democracy, or listening to alternative ideas except within their general thought area.
So, make of that what you will.
And, by the way, the troll picture isn’t too much of a likeness as I am covered in fur, have bigger man breasts, usually have a cig hanging from a lip, and am covered in syphilitic/herpetic sores, as well as pronounced, bulbous gin blossoms (just to be sure I come closer to your suspicions of liberals as sexually-depraved, chemically-induced beasts).
Comment by bugaboo — 03.01.07 @ 3:47 pm
#18 - Comment by Shade
That’s my opinion. Someone really needs to inform feminist bloggers and their commenters of this. Politely disagreeing with them automatically makes you a vile troll.
*******************
Bingo!! And God help you if you anger a ‘Bush Bot’ by criticizing the President, even in your own blog…
Comment by TexasFred — 03.01.07 @ 3:52 pm
I don’t read feminist bloggers.
Comment by redbeard — 03.01.07 @ 3:57 pm
Why do I comment on blogs?
Sometimes like #12 RedBeard, I like to vent. But usually it’s just because I like talking about issues that interest me. I don’t always have that opportunity with co-workers or family.
Blogger’ Questions 1:
I don’t have comments turned on for a couple of reasons. One, my blog is set up as more of a clearinghouse for information, rather than a venue to discuss current events, philosophy, or policy. Two, I want to be able to walk away from my blog for a few days.
I’ve considered adding a forum section to let people interested in the blog’s topic, Filipino WWII Veterans’ Rights, discuss issues among themselves. But, this may also be more maintenance than I willing to handle. Monitoring language, blocking IP’s, and the other stuff can be pretty time consuming.
Anonymity
I always try and use my real name whenever I’m posting comments. This is true even if I’m posting a comment that is contrary to a blog’s ideological slant. I find that my posts end up being more thoughtfully prepared when my real name is attached.
Comment by Ed Morrow — 03.01.07 @ 3:59 pm
I blog because I like to express myself and my opinions on a variety of subjects. Also, I work for attorneys and need an outlet for my frustrations since often the attorneys for whom I sometimes work (not in the present instance) are not as knowledgeable as to process as I am OR worse yet - when I was working for trial lawyers - they are so blindly leftwing that I need to vent.
I only moderate the comments on my blog to the extent that spammers are (mostly) prevented from attacking.
I comment on other people’s blogs for a variety of reasons. For the most part I go to the sites of people I great admire and often I comment to add my reinforcement to their opinion. Sometimes, there are site trolls make such incredibly outrageous comments that it gives me ENORMOUS pleasure to start crossing swords with them.
Yes, in that last instance in particular, I have been called a lot of names. Luckily, now that I am nearly 65 years of age and utterly secure about my good qualities while still being well aware of the bad, I pretty much don’t care what they say. I’m past the age where I expect everybody (or even most people) to love me. Only the ones with impeccable taste!
Comment by Gayle Miller — 03.01.07 @ 4:15 pm
I post because I like to hear myself write. That does NOT mean I don’t read the other comments because if it’s an issue in which I’m willing to invest a little energy, I should at least know what other folks are saying.
Not having blogified yet, I can speak to the second issue only hypothetically. YES, I would want commenter participation. And if trolls became a problem, I would hire LSB to help me de-troll.
Comment by EW — 03.01.07 @ 5:17 pm
I like to constantly challenge my own views and check out my ‘facts’ against opposite claims. I also like to challenge others in the same respect.
I do believe one should always strive to be personable, not personal, and always attempt to address the claims/issue, and not make assumptions or personal attacks against any commenter.
Comment by JohnD — 03.01.07 @ 6:47 pm
I normally only comment on other people’s blogs when I have an opinion or wish to share information.
I occasionally contribute to a friend’s blog Freedom Folks. I don’t contribute as often as I would like but then that is why I don’t have my own blog.
Question #1 Jake’s gets pretty good traffic.And comments are welcome.
Question #2 Of course being a secure borders/anti illegal immigration blog it gets it’s share of trolls.We each deal with them in our own ways. I usually reply once then ignore them after that. Unless of course they begin personal attacks on myself or my fellow bloggers there. Then I will at times give back as I get.
Comment by James — 03.01.07 @ 7:02 pm
Not sure if your are aware a tool called tor: http://tor.eff.org/
Be careful to trust you logs entries for the IP address that is posted on your blog.
Comment by Uncle Ruckus — 03.01.07 @ 7:10 pm
Bloggers Not libel for Comments
Read the story as reported by La Shawn. She also asks … Question for commenters (bloggers and non-bloggers): Why do you comment on blogs? I leave comments on blogs because just as I like to hear from others I want
Trackback by Randy Thomas — 03.01.07 @ 7:43 pm
As said elsewhere above, if a post resonates with me (or simply rings my chimes) I will make a comment.
I also like to leave a comment to let the blogger know what I think–particularly if they’ve asked a question. I don’t like being a mere lurker.
I get little or no traffic at my place. But then again, I try to stay away from too many controversial posts. I’d like more visitors and more commentors but….
Haven’t had to deal with trolls. Just a few spammers whose comments I delete.
Comment by joated — 03.01.07 @ 8:26 pm
Why do I comment on other blogs? It builds the brand. Heh, seriously, sometimes I feel like I have something insightful to add. Plus, I love getting comments on my blog, so I figure I should share the sentiment.
Lately, my own blog has been quiet. I prefer at least a low level of chatter. I like the interaction, and sometimes good discussions arise from it. And, if nothing else, it gives me fodder for posts.
I’ve had trolls before. One was just a random passer-by who never left. He left in a hissy fit after I deleted one of his posts. Arguably, it was a strong enough personal attack that I didn’t think it merited being kept around.
On another occasion, my blog was linked by a big atheist blog with instructions to its’ readers to go harrass me. My traffic tripled for several weeks and I found myself deleting some rather vile comments. Still, I’d like to hope that my words reached someone.
Trolls are like gremlins. You have to be careful what you feed them.
Comment by Hal — 03.01.07 @ 10:16 pm
Question #1: I comment here (and on other blogs) because it is my chance to speak out. Conservatives usually don’t get this opportunity with the MSM, which tries to present the leftist viewpoint as the only viewpoint worthy of consideration.
Question #2: I had a blog at one time, but right now it is in hibernation. Too much work writing something all the time! With commenting on other blogs - no pressure, and I can choose to stay out if I have no opinion or I am not interested.
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi — 03.02.07 @ 12:32 am
LaShawn, you’re an attractive intelligent woman with more good sense in the tip of your little finger than Michael Moore has in the entire corpulent bag of protoplasm he calls a body.
Comment by Lee — 03.02.07 @ 2:39 am
Funny you should blog about bloggers.
I consider you a Thinking Blogger.
Comment by Crankshaft — 03.02.07 @ 6:13 am
I comment on blogs for either or both of two reasons: I am so compelled by what I’ve read that I have to spout out my thoughts regarding it, or I want to encourage the blogger to continue to post similar material. I have a light traffic blog with next to zero comments. I enjoy all of the comments I receive, except for the spam ones. I’ve never had to deal with a troll as of yet, but can imagine it would be irritating to say the least. So, now you know…
Comment by circa bellum — 03.02.07 @ 9:21 am
My sentiments exactly with the following posters:
Mwalimu Daudi @ #31;
I’m with you on your answer to Question #1.
Heliotrope @ #3, last paragraph. I couldn’t have said it better…
Comment by Tate — 03.02.07 @ 10:08 am
Post #3:
For the most part, liberals tend to react from the heart and out of passion.
Have you read this?
http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/Govt/courses/F04/Red_Brain,_Blue_Brain.pdf
Comment by Shade — 03.02.07 @ 1:58 pm
I comment because I’m too lazy to start my own blog.
I also comment because LaShawn and I have a lot of similarities, black, single females; educated at HBCUs and have two totally different viewpoints.
I also comment in particular here because of the other commenters, who are always interesting despite the fact that I think that some of them are obviously not living in the same country I am. LOL!!!
Comment by Tiffany in Houston — 03.02.07 @ 3:05 pm
Shade, it seems obvious that liberals rely more upon feelings and less upon facts than do conservatives. That article simply seems to indicate that this is not a hard wired trait, meaning that there is hope for liberals after all.
Comment by redbeard — 03.02.07 @ 4:22 pm
Shade,
That was an interesting article. I’d be interested to see more studies, though you have to be aware that such studies are generally done by people with a liberal bias, and so must be analyzed by the reader with that in mind.
For instance, I would argue with these basic underlying assumptions of the authors’ work:
1)Isn’t it more dehumanizing to attribute your beliefs to economic conditions outside your control? (last paragraph)
and
2)Why do people vote against their immediate interests? Why do blue-collar Republicans and limousine liberals exist? (10th paragraph)
Those are both so typical of liberal stereotyping that few liberals would ever question them, and it colors their judgments. Yet I think that both assumptions are totally false.
Comment by Stacey — 03.02.07 @ 4:22 pm
Oh, and why do I comment on blogs? It’s a way to interact with a great variety of people, and get to know how others think and why they think what they do. It also allows me to refine and adjust my own thinking. More than one thread has spurred me on to further research on a subject.
Comment by Stacey — 03.02.07 @ 4:27 pm
Why do you comment on blogs?
I like intellectual back and forth even if I think most of the “battle” is kindergarten level.
Comment by DarkStar — 03.02.07 @ 9:25 pm
LaShawn,
I rarely comment here, but I couldn’t pass it up this time. First of all, I will tell you that you are one of the bloggers I respect and one of a very few Christian bloggers that keeps their head. It’s a beautiful thing to see.
I wrote a post over a year ago about a children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” and how it attempts to normalize homosexual relationships. It ended up being the third listing when the book is Googled. I had all sorts of issues with trolls and abuse for quite a while. I finally decided to limit the allowed comments to members of the HomeschoolBlogger community. I have since started up a new blog that allows me to moderate comments in a proactive manner. Both steps really help cut down the trolls.
With comments, the feedback is valuable, but like you, I really wonder if it’s worth suffering some troll’s abuse. Serious bloggers have to find the tools that will let them moderate the comments before they are seen on the blog. Why let someone deface your blog if you take the day off?
While forums exist for an open marketplace of ideas, blogs are your home turf. If you comment on my blog, I have every right to remove your words, just like an owner can remove a trespasser. I try to let everyone have a say, but every blogger has threshold, and sometimes I reach that threshold. That threshold is when (A.) It stops being fun or (B.) when I find myself preoccupied with what someone said or did for more than a few hours. When that happens, I turn off the comments for a while. It’s unfortunate, but it happens.
Comment by Steve Walden — 03.03.07 @ 1:13 am
Me too…I comment when the topic resonates, and often when the POVs expressed (in entry or comments) differ from mine. On HSB, I comment on my friends’ blogs to keep up with them, to say “howdy,” to encourage the blogger, etc.
My blog is just a little family update/personal journal thing, and I’m happy with my comment traffic. I like getting regular visits from friendlies. I’ve only had one really, really weird comment. Very weird. (And I left it as is.)
Comment by Susannah — 03.03.07 @ 1:19 am
LaShawn, call this a “pre-trackback”— I just read your post and I am going to refer to it from a post on my blog that should be online in about an hour. The thing that has always impressed me about your blog is the DIALOGUE that shows up in your comments: it’s like, no IT IS a discussion forum. It’s beautiful. Despite a healthy readership I rarely get more than 1 or 2 comments on my blog, the most recently on a post about pop star Beyonce. And that was only a dozen!
You are blessed with a readership that actually responds to your posts in comments. There aren’t many bloggers like that, and the ones that are out there only get “comments’ not “dialogue.” I wish I knew your “secret!”
Comment by Dave Lucas — 03.03.07 @ 6:49 am
I do not blog any longer, but the temptation still vexes me much to the consternation of my wife.
;-p
I never had your traffic, but I did get the occasional moonbat potty mouth determined to insult me into oblivion because I DARED have an opinion he/she/it did not approve.
I let the comment stand, never deleted any of them and rarely responded.
If it is one thing moonbat potty mouths crave, it is attention. Ignoring them is the best torture money cannot buy. HA!
On a final note: the very idea that a court of law had to decide the blatently obvious ruling in which bloggers cannot be responsible for comments made by unhinged leftist nutjobs is further evidence of the cultural rot brought about by parasites, uh, I mean lawyers, determined to persecute what is left of a decent citizenry.
Comment by locomotivebreath1901 — 03.03.07 @ 8:21 am
I comment for discussion and debate. It keeps my writing and thinking skills in practice as well. If you get into it with a co-worker, well, you’ll be stuck seeing him tomorrow. An anonymous person is no big deal. I like to know what others are thinking if only to keep myself aware that others so “out there” exist. I’m sure they feel the same about me. It is entertaining as well.
I get a few comments on each post, not much though. But, according to my site meter a decent number of people read them.
I’ve only gotten one nasty response and, funny, it was a feminist who launched an ad hominem attack and even dragged my wife into it:) She said I couldn’t write about people if I weren’t them.
Comment by michael — 03.03.07 @ 9:31 am
1. Well, for me, it doesn’t get much less than I’ve gotten on mine. How about zero comments, from the time I started to now !!!!
I actually like the fact that nobody comments, because it makes me feel less inhibited, and that I can write whatever pops into my head.
That’s a good thing?
Probably the Groucho Marx syndrome (Or was that Mark Twain?) …wouldn’t want to be in any club that would have me as a member….
If I thought anyone was reading my blog I’d be too scared to write!
2. There’s a saying (I don’t know who said it)…”What you think about me is none of my business”.
Also, I think anonymity can foster a greater degree of intimacy. It works both ways. Anonymous isn’t always a bad thing. It’s fun to think of the famous people that might go “Anonymous”. Who knows who it could be. I always think cutting off anonymous comments, you could be cutting off someone big.
Besides, going by “Let your conscience be your guide”….obviously some people have flawed consciences, but that’s not La Shawn’s problem, in my opinion.
One more thing. IP Addresses can be faked. Knowing someone’s IP address tells you virtually nothing. I’d say over 60 % of IP addresses are fraudulent.
Comment by Maxine — 03.03.07 @ 5:59 pm
Actually, I only comment when I disagree with someone. I hate reading blog comments that basically say “ditto.” (Or, as in the case of Huffpo comments, “ditto” in the language of junior high kids learning new swear words.)
But sometimes I just feel I have something important to say that hasn’t been said yet, and I must say it. Ironically, I also feel that it goes into the netuniverse and achieves not much.
Comment by KelseyJ — 03.03.07 @ 8:01 pm
I admit it…I like to needle a very specific type of commenter, generally the type that nurses their feelings tenderly (I won’t name names but most of you know the type) while decimating others. Somehow, these folks seem to think that their sensibilities are more “precious” than the sensibilities of the rest of us.
Beyond that, I am fascinated to watch the extrapolations that many liberals will make from my highly specific comments when they have virtually no information to base a substantive determination beyond the specificity that has been clearly delineated. It’s really quite extraordinary and amusing.
At the end of the day, I blog for fun and to find out what folks think about issues.
Comment by jan — 03.04.07 @ 3:25 pm
OK I would say something but it’s been said and done already “grin”
Comment by dcat — 03.04.07 @ 4:05 pm
Most of the comments I get are friendlies, even the ones that disagree with me. No trolls that I’ve noticed.
I’ve deleted the comments that had nothing to do with my post (sometimes spam, and sometimes friendlies on a rant) or that have foul language. On the non-spams, I’ll leave a note saying why I deleted it.
One guy left a pertinent comment that was littered with bad words, so I copied it into Notepad, replaced the bad words with acceptable ones in brackets, and then reposted his comment with a note that mine is a family blog. Then I posted my comments addressing his points.
I leave comments on other blogs because I can’t always keep my mouth shut.
Comment by SkyePuppy — 03.04.07 @ 6:11 pm
I like the amount of comments I receive, though I would enjoy a little more. I’ve rarely had to remove obscene comments. I prefer to run the risk of being annoyed by the infrequent jerk than deprive myself of the opinions of my readers.
It’s good to hear that I can’t be held liable for the words of others, though.
One thing I have noticed:
If someone offers a flame or personal attack in the comments section, more likely than not they help my case by illustrating the ignorance and pettiness of my detractors. Thus, even a bad comment can help further my views, and furthering my views is one of the main reasons I blog.
Comment by LDF — 03.04.07 @ 9:53 pm
One of the things that’s GREAT about the blogosphere is the interaction (at least to me).
I’ve commented upon blogs, usually when there is some point, even a very fine point of disagreement, or in rarer cases to amplify or agree with a given point.
I like and encourage comments as well, though I’ve removed some that are either vulgar or hate-filled.
The “Be careful what you wish for” admonition is a good one. Recently I received the most comments for a piece on a horrific double rape/murder in Knoxville with obvious racial overtones.
Some of the comments on both sides disappointed me, but unless they were way over-the-top, I wouldn’t delete them.
To me, that’s a part and parcel of such an open and interactive system. You have to take the good with the bad, as in most things.
Comment by JMK — 03.05.07 @ 9:42 am
The biggest problem I have when commenting is dealing with the unenlightened commenters who refuse to agree with me.
Comment by redbeard — 03.05.07 @ 9:51 am
Whenever you open up and voice your opinion about what you perceive to be important, honest, right or wrong, people are going to come at you with their opinion. Some really want to engage in a discussion, some want to find out more, some just want to be heard. Then there are the others, they just want to mix it up, and cause some controversy. Some may really have a point while still others are just being jerks. I enjoy your blog even though I may not feel the same way that you do about things, or people, but it does make me think when I hear a different perspective about a subject. So keep doing what you are doing and forget those who are just being jerks. You Go On with your bad self!!
Comment by Alexander — 03.05.07 @ 1:02 pm
A rather unusual series of comments have erupted in our political discourse of late.
Last Friday, Bill Maher made the breathtaking statement, “I’m just saying if he did die, other people, more people would live. That’s a fact.â€
Pingback by The Thomas Chronicles — 03.05.07 @ 1:50 pm
I know that some interesting people read my blog, so for that reason I wouldn’t mind having more comments, but I’m glad I don’t have to deal with jerks, so I’d rather have no commenters than have to moderate them.
Comment by mj — 03.05.07 @ 3:25 pm
I tend to read blogs that allow comments. Ones that don’t leave me feeling dissastified. Michelle Malkin’s blog is an example. I like it but have wanted to leave a note or two and been stymied by the way her site is designed. I will look at it every few weeks or so if there is a real hot issue. I look at LBC daily. One thing I enjoy here is the smart people that have come here to exhange ideas on cutting edge topics using perspectives that I don’t have.
Shade, Kemper, Tatercon, Heliotrope. And other I should mention but their nick is not rolling off my tongue.
So Lashawn thank you for a good blog.
And a blog has to be easy to sign in to and not refer me back to some old typepad login I no longer remember but it still used to block my new attempt at creating an account.
Comment by Jd — 03.05.07 @ 8:28 pm
Q) I comment if I have a question, believe I have something to add or want to encourage a blogger because there are light or ad hominem comments.
1) I run a technical blog and my comments are fairly light, 246 “real” comments in the last three and a half years. I would like more participation because I believe that it would make what I do better.
I receive around 100 to 200 SPAM comments a day. Thankfully they get blocked and are automatically deleted each night, though I have had three SPAM comments get by.
2) Though my blog does not have a “fairly active” commenting community, I have received a few personal attacks and they were devastating mostly because my blog is G rated.
If the comments are off topic, SPAM or profane, I delete them. The blogging software I use does have the option to set comments by default to moderated, but I just don’t want that much work and feel that the commenter should have the opportunity to see their comment immediately. I subscribe to my own comment feed and look at the comments to make sure that the commenting guidelines are followed. So in a sense, I moderate after the fact.
Comment by Tanny O'Haley — 03.06.07 @ 1:05 am
Blogs are in need of a filter-by-commenter capability. This would allow both the site owner and the other commenters to decide when someone is too trollish for them personally. Over time out of line behavior would be greatly reduced without requiring the site owner to make the judgment for everyone, or even to worry overmuch about the comments section.
Comment by MJ — 03.06.07 @ 3:48 pm
The number of real commenters on my blog is almost smaller than the number of spammers, but I leave comments enabled. I delete spam immediately, and I have not had many ad hominem attacks. I have had some very long responses that only tangentially referred to my post, which I suspect were from trolls, but I usually allow them to remain, and just post my response.
I wish I had more readers commenting on my posts
Comment by Don Singleton — 03.08.07 @ 12:52 pm