"I did something this morning that I have not done in the past, I deleted a comment by someone who I have warned once in the past quite a number of months ago."--GMR

=================================================

Now this is something about which I don't have a built-in twitch so I can work up a thought or two.
But surely the appeal of blogs is that they 'edit' reality only after 'displaying' reality.While I trust your judgment on these matters of honour and decency,is it not better to use the post as an example of what you intend to ban? It's the difference between 'tell me',and 'show me'.

Cutting to the chase---- What horrendous and/or overtly stupid thing did Mr./Mrs./Ms. "x" say that set the process in motion? Inquiring minds want to know.He/she/it deserves the public humiliation,if only because he/she/it should have known better.As the old IBM dictum went--THINK !!!

Posted by dougf at May 30, 2005 06:04 PM

"Inquiring minds want to know.He/she/it deserves the public humiliation,if only because he/she/it should have known better.As the old IBM dictum went--THINK !!!"

Doug, you crack me up. Let's just say that it was a violation of the "ad hominem of a juvenile nature:" rule. OK?

I just don't see the need to curse a lot.. though I have violated that a time or two myself, not consistently. The individual deleted is a consistent violator of the principle!

Posted by GMRoper at May 30, 2005 07:40 PM

You've handled it well.

It bugs me to NO end when blog owners delete comments just because they disagree. Happened to me a couple of times on two different blogs. No note to say it was deleted. One even changed her original post to eliminate the point of dissention. Personally, I think that shows a lack of integrity.

However, deleting uncouth comments or spam comments, and mentioning you did, seems well within a blogger maintaining their boundaries.

I had to do that once for a guy doing multiple cross-postings in a rant sort of way.

Posted by TulipGirl at May 30, 2005 07:54 PM

Tulip Girl, thanks for the support, I've deleted so many comment-spam; I guess I should have mentioned that in "full disclosure." LOL

I appreciate your stoping by and I understand, from reading your blog, the difficulties in learning CSS and MT... I'm still a tyro, but learning.

Sometimes you just have to delete without warning or worry. Most the time I just make a minor "editoral change." and let it go at that... and then sometimes my ire gets up and this morning is one of those times.

Hope you will stop by and comment often.

Posted by GMRoper at May 30, 2005 08:25 PM

I've never understood the need to curse like crazy to make a point...

Posted by steve at May 30, 2005 09:02 PM

Me either Steve, and that is one of the reasons I like you... other than that you are a Red Sox Fan. It's sure not for your politics. ;-)

Posted by GMRoper at May 30, 2005 09:16 PM

I have, on occasion, in other places not this one, used foul language to emphasize a point or the emotion of a particular point. I agree that civil discourse demands that we respect each other, especially if we disagree - vehemently even.

It would be offensive if you were deleting comments that express points of view you disagree with, but foul language used to attack another? No Problem.

Posted by too many steves at May 31, 2005 05:58 AM

Of course, there wasn't a curse in the comment, as I recall, assuming it was mine. Just a gratuituous expression of my contempt for sanctimonious rightwingers. That seems to have hit home.

The meat of the comment was simply a question: Why on Gods good earth would anyone celebrate Memorial Day by using a picture of a monumnent decorated with American flags above soldiers graves as a prop for a cheap jibe at the French ?

Struck me as uncouth...

Press DELETE

Posted by reg at May 31, 2005 06:36 AM

reg, much better comment, but the original contained the a******* word, and I won't tolerate that kind of language on my blog.

You are welcome to state anything you wish, but you may not use that kind of language.

Nuff said?

Addendum: reg, I always appreciate your point of view, wrong though I think it is. I also especially appreciate the passion that you present your case with, misplaced though I think it is. You are welcome to comment at ANY time, on any subject, even the occasional "off topic" subject. I hope you will continue to inhabit these shores and make any comment you wish, providing it is in good taste, doesn't contain nasty invective and expresses your point of view.

Posted by GMRoper at May 31, 2005 06:49 AM

"I agree that civil discourse demands that we respect each other, especially if we disagree - vehemently even."--TMS

=================================================

Oh, I beg to differ,if I may.With all due respect,and with all proper regard to your sincere opinion and feelings,might I suggest that civil communication is not based upon mutual respect.

Rather it is,I humbly propose, based upon the deliberate avoidance of 'non-respectful'if not completely perjorative,terms of endearment.In other words,it is founded upon the 'illusion'of respect.If I believe something strongly,and you believe the exact opposite,we can agree to disagree and maintain a 'civil'discourse but that it no way implies that either of us repsect the other.We merely respect the 'right'of the other to freely express a personal opinion,and have learned that one of the ways to do that is to use 'moderate'language in our communications.

And again,if I may be so bold,even this constraint is based upon a purely utilitarian calculation.History 'appears' to have taught us that 'tolerance' for all opinions is the best way to ensure both long-term social progress and personal growth.One of the ways we attempt to preserve that 'tolerance' is the use of 'civil'discourse.Less 'committment'and therefore less incentive to take the conflict to the next likely level.

But,and I say this with deepest respect,the fact that I might phrase my opinion 'nicely',in no way implies that I feel any amount of respect for a contrary opinion or indeed for the holder of said opinion.It merely indicates that I respect the right to hold that opinion.

Only in my very humble opinion,of course.

Posted by dougf at May 31, 2005 07:51 AM

On the other hand, we may disagree with someone whom we respect--and, we withhold any attacks purely out of respect. A classic example is advice or opinions given to us by someone who is elderly. Out of great respect for their age, experience, and, possibly, position in the family, we listen respectfully, even if we don't agree or if that person's experience doesn't match our situation--and again, we restrain ourselves out of respect. In a similar fashion, I can't tell you how many times I've listened to the same story over-and-over-and-over by an older person without once screaming, "Enough already! I've heard that story a thousand times!"

Okay, I hope this has been helpful for you jerks.

Posted by Woody at May 31, 2005 09:47 AM

This jerk has been helped. ;-)

Posted by GMRoper at May 31, 2005 10:26 AM

I'm not great with all those smiley face symbols, etc., but I hope and presume that everyone knows that I was kidding in the last sentence of my previous comment. If they don't, then they're idiots. Okay, okay. I'm kidding again. (Or, is it true what they say about many a truth are said in jest--or, am I kidding about that?) Nah, I love you guys.

Now, time for a group hug!

Posted by Woody at May 31, 2005 10:45 AM

Personally, I don't communicate in any fashion with people that I don't respect - doing so would be a waste of time for both of us.

And, on the "civility" idea, I don't know about you but I am most likely to be dismissive of the comments of those that resort to uncivil and personal attacks. Strong language doesn't bother me, especially in defense of a point of view. Personal attacks, especially when accompanied by foul language, display to me a certain intellectual laziness or base desire to be inflammatory. Neither of which I find particularly useful.

:) :) :)

I'm still trying to figure out when and by whose decree the smiley face lost its nose. :-)

Posted by too many steves at May 31, 2005 10:57 AM