We here at Blogs for Bush like to encourage lively debate - we believe in the free and fair give and take because we know that conservative Republican ideas will always beat liberal Democratic ideas in such a debate. In service of this goal, we try to be as flexible as possible in the sorts of comments we allow, but lately we have been getting a lot of complaints which are fully justified.
We have banned a few of the worst offenders over the past few days, and we hope this improves the tone of our debate. I would like to take this opportuntiy to state some groundrules we try to live by:
1. No racial, ethnic, religious or sexual slurs.
2. No foul language - anything more harsh than "damn" or "hell" is entirely unacceptable, and we encourage people to stay away from even mildly bad language.
3. You shall not insult the writers of this blog - an insult is to call us liars, cowards and such things. Calling us stupid is ok, but we expect a full and reasonable explanation of why you think we're stupid.
4. Stay on topic - we've been very flexible on this, but we're going to be more strict about remaining on topic. If there is a topic we haven't covered, then please contact us...trust me, some times we wracking our brains (yes, liberals, we do have them...though mine may be a badly misplaced and dispeptic liver...kudos to anyone who knows where I stold that from) for things to write about. We don't skip stories because we are afraid of them, but some times we are so busy we don't even notice them happening.
5. Hard and fast rule from this moment on: no altering a person's nom-de-post. Use their chosen name or don't address them directly at all. Anyone altering a posting name will be given one chance to reform, and that is it.
We know there have been offenders on both sides of the aisle here and we hope that everyone will just let bygones be bygones. We very much appreciate you who come here to read and comment and we hope we add something of value to your daily routine. We want to keep this blog going (and, yes, it will keep going post-Bush) as a place where people can feel free to air their views on the topics of the day - in order to do that, good manners must be observed by all.
Posted by Mark Noonan at January 5, 2007 01:23 AM
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thank you mark. I really do not like the name calling scene. And i did get alittle P.Od at the name calling i was quoting. So i apologize for my share, and thank you for pointing out that it was indeed on both sides.
thanks, and i do intend to avoid that in the future.
Posted by: Bill Stensin at January 5, 2007 03:01 AM
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU MARK!!!
And if I have transgressed any rules of behavior in any previous posts, I apologize right now to anyone offended...
I pledge to do my best to keep civil in all of my future posts, in an effort to reflect "the spirit of the new bipartisanship and civil tone" being currently exhibited in Washington D.C.
Thanks again for taking notice of the downward spiral in the tone of debate, and taking prompt and prudent measures to turn this blogsite back in a more positive direction.
Posted by: babyboomer aka dbogdan at January 5, 2007 03:06 AM
Oh... and to quote an anonymous sage...
"Profanity is the last refuge of the illiterate M*&%@)F**#*r!"
Just kidding! Please don't ban me!!!
Posted by: babyboomer aka dbogdan at January 5, 2007 03:09 AM
Does suggesting that someone's comment was disingenuous count as foul language? Heck, "disingenuous" has more syllables than a four-letter word has letters. Or maybe it depends on who made the comment? Lol!
Posted by: Ricorun at January 5, 2007 04:07 AM
It's your blog and you make the rules of discourse. That's how it should be and is. Personally, I like the way you handle it. For those inclined toward prolific profanity, there are plenty of other blogs they can vent on. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon at January 5, 2007 06:11 AM
Mark,
Thanks. The name calling was getting way out of hand on both sides. One suggestion I would like to make is that instead of always coming up with posts that divide us you might want to drop in something on the positive side from time to time. For instance, there was a great article about how Bush has increased aid to Africa. While I disagree with most of his policies, I think he should get credit for the good things he has done. Check it out at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000941.html?nav=rss_politics
Posted by: Casper at January 5, 2007 07:15 AM
Sweet... It'll be nice not being called Frawg-ass/arse...
:-p
Posted by: Georgia Frawg at January 5, 2007 08:49 AM
Thanks, Mark.
I come here, first and foremost, because of you and Matt. I enjoy the topics you cover, and I agree with much, but not all of what you say. It's much more interesting, IMO, to debate with someone with whom you have mild disagreements than someone who is 180 degrees out of phase with your views. I don't mind getting into it with someone like Cyberactor occasionally, but too often debates between opposites tend to end up in a "did not -- did too, did not -- did too" scenario in which both parties are reluctant to give ground. When a debate comes down to who can cut and paste the most Google references to support his/her position, then it's no longer a debate but just a pissing contest. And then, of course, when one party is compared to Hitler or called a faciast or a commie pinko, the discussion, for all practical purposes, is over.
I applaud your attempt at a "new tone", but I'd also like to point out that President Bush tried to do the same and was met with rancor and hostility. Hopefully we can be above that.
Posted by: Retired Spook at January 5, 2007 08:59 AM
As a liberal, and occasionally snarky commenter, these are wholly appropriate rules that any reasonable human should be able to live with. People can disagree without being disagreeable.
Posted by:
KnightErrant at January 5, 2007 09:30 AM
Thanks, Mark.
This is really great. I come here mostly to learn, but more importantly to show support for our President, also, I really enjoy the religious topics.
It's nice to know, that I can now discuss the issues, and actually learn something, from those of whom have the patience, and are likewise mannerly.
Thanks again.
Jeremiah
Posted by: Jeremiah at January 5, 2007 11:05 AM
Posted by: Gar Wood at January 5, 2007 12:14 PM
However Georgia... I think pain in the ass might still apply. Only kidding.
I disgree with you a lot, but seriously, in the last few days, some of the "big boys and girls" were actually communicating in a wonderful way. Ideas and issues were being discussed.
Then someone would pop up and say RACIST or SEXIST for no reason but to inflame. I do hope those sort are gone, or at least on notice.
See you round the bend.
Posted by: wawilliyo at January 5, 2007 12:29 PM
Posted by: Mark Noonan at January 5, 2007 12:46 PM
Great. To this I suggest the 'F' word.
Let's have a little F-U-N.
Posted by: LaMano at January 5, 2007 01:34 PM
Sweet... It'll be nice not being called Frawg-ass/arse...
But "Frawg-arse" has such a nice ring to it.
Just kidding, Georgia; you know I like you 'cause you remind me of me whan I was your age.
Posted by: Retired Spook at January 5, 2007 02:53 PM
I appreciate and respect the rules of procedure for comments on this blog. Thank you for clarifying them and enforcing them. I hope that my posts fall within your guidelines. I plan on continued participation in the future.
Gee, don't that read like some congressional form letter? LOL!
Posted by:
Carl at January 5, 2007 02:58 PM
Thanks, Mark--I was getting tired of calling the kooks all those bad names. Really, I was. I mean it. Thanks...
Posted by: Where's Obama?--CNN at January 5, 2007 07:37 PM
Posted by: GTgraduate at January 5, 2007 09:50 PM
Amazingly, the newer posts are very civil...I guess everyone knows you guys meant it. I appreciate the decision to set the rules, and publish them.
Posted by: kjstrouble at January 6, 2007 12:28 AM
Damn...Pelosi really is cracking the whip on us conservatives. You know this nice stuff is a one way street with libs?
Posted by: Nebraska Militia at January 6, 2007 07:57 AM
This as almost akin to banning smoking in restaurants, Mark. I really don't like these new-old rules, so please let me know when I get too close to the edge. I'll either clean up, or clear out. IMHO, you've allowed too many parrots to set the tone in this blog, and this has driven away some very intelligent people.
I only wish I knew where they all went...
Posted by: Where's Obama?--CNN at January 6, 2007 09:08 AM
Posted by: keefer at January 6, 2007 01:58 PM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
thank you mark. I really do not like the name calling scene. And i did get alittle P.Od at the name calling i was quoting. So i apologize for my share, and thank you for pointing out that it was indeed on both sides.
thanks, and i do intend to avoid that in the future.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU MARK!!!
And if I have transgressed any rules of behavior in any previous posts, I apologize right now to anyone offended...
I pledge to do my best to keep civil in all of my future posts, in an effort to reflect "the spirit of the new bipartisanship and civil tone" being currently exhibited in Washington D.C.
Thanks again for taking notice of the downward spiral in the tone of debate, and taking prompt and prudent measures to turn this blogsite back in a more positive direction.
Oh... and to quote an anonymous sage...
"Profanity is the last refuge of the illiterate M*&%@)F**#*r!"
Just kidding! Please don't ban me!!!
Does suggesting that someone's comment was disingenuous count as foul language? Heck, "disingenuous" has more syllables than a four-letter word has letters. Or maybe it depends on who made the comment? Lol!
It's your blog and you make the rules of discourse. That's how it should be and is. Personally, I like the way you handle it. For those inclined toward prolific profanity, there are plenty of other blogs they can vent on. Keep up the good work.
Mark,
Thanks. The name calling was getting way out of hand on both sides. One suggestion I would like to make is that instead of always coming up with posts that divide us you might want to drop in something on the positive side from time to time. For instance, there was a great article about how Bush has increased aid to Africa. While I disagree with most of his policies, I think he should get credit for the good things he has done. Check it out at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000941.html?nav=rss_politics
Sweet... It'll be nice not being called Frawg-ass/arse...
:-p
Thanks, Mark.
I come here, first and foremost, because of you and Matt. I enjoy the topics you cover, and I agree with much, but not all of what you say. It's much more interesting, IMO, to debate with someone with whom you have mild disagreements than someone who is 180 degrees out of phase with your views. I don't mind getting into it with someone like Cyberactor occasionally, but too often debates between opposites tend to end up in a "did not -- did too, did not -- did too" scenario in which both parties are reluctant to give ground. When a debate comes down to who can cut and paste the most Google references to support his/her position, then it's no longer a debate but just a pissing contest. And then, of course, when one party is compared to Hitler or called a faciast or a commie pinko, the discussion, for all practical purposes, is over.
I applaud your attempt at a "new tone", but I'd also like to point out that President Bush tried to do the same and was met with rancor and hostility. Hopefully we can be above that.
As a liberal, and occasionally snarky commenter, these are wholly appropriate rules that any reasonable human should be able to live with. People can disagree without being disagreeable.
Thanks, Mark.
This is really great. I come here mostly to learn, but more importantly to show support for our President, also, I really enjoy the religious topics.
It's nice to know, that I can now discuss the issues, and actually learn something, from those of whom have the patience, and are likewise mannerly.
Thanks again.
Jeremiah
Thanks Mark.
Gar
However Georgia... I think pain in the ass might still apply. Only kidding.
I disgree with you a lot, but seriously, in the last few days, some of the "big boys and girls" were actually communicating in a wonderful way. Ideas and issues were being discussed.
Then someone would pop up and say RACIST or SEXIST for no reason but to inflame. I do hope those sort are gone, or at least on notice.
See you round the bend.
Casper,
Coming right up.
Great. To this I suggest the 'F' word.
Let's have a little F-U-N.
Sweet... It'll be nice not being called Frawg-ass/arse...
But "Frawg-arse" has such a nice ring to it.
Just kidding, Georgia; you know I like you 'cause you remind me of me whan I was your age.
I appreciate and respect the rules of procedure for comments on this blog. Thank you for clarifying them and enforcing them. I hope that my posts fall within your guidelines. I plan on continued participation in the future.
Gee, don't that read like some congressional form letter? LOL!
Thanks, Mark--I was getting tired of calling the kooks all those bad names. Really, I was. I mean it. Thanks...
good post.
Amazingly, the newer posts are very civil...I guess everyone knows you guys meant it. I appreciate the decision to set the rules, and publish them.
Damn...Pelosi really is cracking the whip on us conservatives. You know this nice stuff is a one way street with libs?
This as almost akin to banning smoking in restaurants, Mark. I really don't like these new-old rules, so please let me know when I get too close to the edge. I'll either clean up, or clear out. IMHO, you've allowed too many parrots to set the tone in this blog, and this has driven away some very intelligent people.
I only wish I knew where they all went...
I accept your new rules