New Banning Policy

I will be banning people a lot, going forward.

Here is the sort of comment that is no longer allowed: An insult lodged out of the blue at a commenter, a coblogger, or myself, based on nothing except political disagreement with something that person said.

The proper response to an argument or statement you don't like is a counter-argument or correction -- not a personalized attack.

Criticism is fine, but note that in criticism, ideas are discredited, not the person offering the idea.

Some people seem incapable of doing that, or too lazy or ill-informed to try, so they launch into the personal attack pre-emptively.

In some cases, there is what I would call an "organic" fight, where two people get into it little by little, each gradually getting meaner and meaner.

This will not be cause for banning, but just for a caution to take it down a notch.

Unless someone jumps way, way up without provocation. That will be taken as an out-of-the-blue insult, and reason for banning.

This is largely a problem of n00bs who warp in because they see us linked somewhere; but I'm announcing the policy to them anyway, so they won't whine when they're permabanned.

In addition, there are some assholes here who are incapable of having anything resembling a civil discussion; any disagreement is quickly met with the only argument they know: "Well you suck."

I have let the assholes fester here far too long; I intend to make up for lost time with rapid-fire serial banning.

I am tired of being afraid to speak my piece on my own website for fear of the drive-by assholes attacking me out of the blue; I imagine many of you are as well.

This was once a place for actual discussion; it will be again.

And I will ban those assholes who are incapable of behaving like elevated, educated, thinking people.

You're too "angry" to discuss things? Don't give a fuck; not my problem. You're banned.

You super-like Trump and you just can't abide someone who has a less enthusiastic opinion than you? Don't give a fuck; not my problem. You're banned.

You're super anti-Trump and need to shower the Trump people with all your frustrations that he's winning in the polls? Don't give a fuck; not my problem. You're banned.

The assholes will be banned in short order. There will not be argument about this.

I know for many low-functioning individuals, simply attacking people for something you disagree with is a political argument; some low-thinking, low-character people have never actually had a real discussion, and actually are so ignorant as to think a personal ad hominem, dropped on a stranger out of the blue, is an "argument."

Well, I don't have time to educate you; your daddy should have done that. Take it up with his wayward ignorant ass.

Your problems are your problems, and your problems alone; your emotional problems and angry outbursts will no longer be acceptable blog fodder here.

If this blog is too fast for you -- if people making arguments you might disagree with is just too painful for your mind to take -- well, there's lots of other blogs on the web; I suggest you try one that's more your speed.

We here are pretty good commenters, and pretty good at discussion and at repartee; we're not going to be dragged down to a sub-moron level simply because that's the only level at which a sub-moron feels he can participate in a Real Life Political Discussion.

These are the rules, and they will be enforced. Adjust your behavior accordingly.

posted by Ace at 08:45 PM

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