If you want to comment on this blog ...

A small number of readers have mistaken the comment section of this blog for a stall door in a public restroom, where they feel they can write just about anything they want.

They are wrong.

As I expressed in a previous post, I'm generally disappointed at the level of discourse in the comment section of this blog. Many comments are quite good, actually, but there's a fair amount that are little more than obnoxious rants and/or personal insults. I've had enough.

I read a fair number of blogs and most of them do not tolerate the nonsense that a handful of my readers feel they have a right to engage in.

I'll outline our official posting policy below, but, in a nutshell, here the rules of the road:

You can disagree, but you can't insult. In short, no flaming.

You can't swear or use racist, homophobic and other hateful language.

You can't lie or make unfounded allegations.

You have to stay on point.

I'd be nice if your comment actually added something to the group discussion. Ideally, I'm looking for informed, intelligent discourse. I intend on making the comment section more conducive to those who want to make such contributions.

For the record, here are the paper's official rules on posting comments:

Reader comments are posted immediately and are not edited. Please use good taste, be respectful of other writers, keep comments relevant to the post and do not impersonate someone else. We are not responsible for the comments on this blog, but we reserve the right to remove any that are libelous, obscene, threatening, abusive, or otherwise offensive, and to block any user who does not follow these guidelines. Comments containing objectionable words are automatically blocked. Some comments may be re-published in The Buffalo News print edition.

This blog has received more than 870 reader comments since I began writing it in April. In recent weeks we've blocked a couple of consistently over-the-top commentators and removed about a dozen inappropriate comments. I have stepped up my policing of the comments section, and will continue to do so.

In short, I'm in a clean-up mode.

As in print, The News reserves the right to control the content it publishes online. We are in the news business and are not interested in hosting an online food fight.

Comments

[Mike]

Mr Heaney, good comments and yes the Buffalo News/you have an obligation to monitor these blogs. My only question is with your comment, "You can't lie or make unfounded allegations". Who determines the truth? And to what extent? Sorry, but I have visions of Big Brother (the novel 1984, not the tv show) selecting what is true or not according to Buffalo News reporters.

[hate me now]

Mr. Heaney,

I assume that with this blog you have opened yourself up for debate, as far as standards go. What makes what you say any more truthful then what others have to say? Isn't there always two sides to a story? If you disagree with anothers side, that is fine, but I thought this was a place where open and free debate can emerge? By picking and choosing the comments you want to remove, makes this blog exactly what you are trying to fight with the BPD. I agree that racist, and obscene comments should be removed, but I think if you want to go out and challenge the integrity of others, then you, as you are a part of the public eye, should be held to the same standards. Your integrity should be questioned from time to time to make sure you keep yourself in check. I know I've seen some very factual posts of mine removed because they discredit what you say. IE posting part of the Freedom of Information Act. I understand you may get frustrated to be challenged all of the time, but to think you are above the agencies and the people you criticize is just a little hypocritical.

[BobbyCat]

I can't agree enough with cleaning up the place but I would go further. One or more hate mongers are using several different names to spread the same bile. I will read one racist rant, for example, then it is followed by one or more pro-racist bloggers agreeing with the original post. But it's the same guy, using different names, agreeing with himself. Can't you stop that scam? I wonder if your software can mark the blogger's computer IP number and limit their names to just one.

[Don H]

Your guidelines and objectives are welcome.

[Chancellor Carlyle Roberts, II]

Ah, yes, more political correctness!

[BS]

Mr. Haney - thank you and the News for finally standing up to lies, half truths and innuendos, as well as insults from those 'allegedly' relocated to other, more prosperous parts of the country.

I am of the opinion that if anyone wants to put forth a fact - they can cite a source of that information - if they can't it's clearly something that's fabricated for their own purpose.

If it is an opinion - it can surely be expressed in a somewhat civilized manner without throwing insults at anyone and everyone who dares to have a differing take/opinion on the subject.

It's a matter of how we look at things - one man's ceiling is another man's floor - but you don't have to call either one nasty names.

Thank you.

BTW - does this policy apply to your blog only or all of the News blogs?

[CG72]

Anyone is free to start their own blog if they feel stifled here, right?

[Jennifer K.]

Good ideas all. It saddens me time and time again that good manners are castigated as 'politically correct speech.'

[HapKlein]

That’s more like it. Earlier on thee were some obviously mentally disturbed folks making comments and they were so unattached to anything I never read much of them.

But lately it seems some sort of bullying trust of libertarianism keeps trying to sneak in along with swines with little to say yet a determination to be tasteless along with being pointless.

I generally blog my own opinion and sometimes reflect other opinions that are offered but I just don’t see any point in personalities.

I am often amused if I revisit a blog and there is a nasty opinion expressed about my view. I rarely read them very thoroughly. What would be the point?

[hate me now]

I believe that the News tends to help facilitate some of these half lies and half truths. I think the words of the Buffalo Detectives say it all. Of course what do they know, they are only the footsoldiers that actually Do the work.

I think this blog merely facilitates the negatives. It would be nice to see some positive remarks from the author, as this blog is named outrages and insights. It shouldn't always have to deal with what some consider an outrage. It could give insight to the good things going on in Buffalo.

I do give Heaney credit, good investigative work on the Golisano/ Pigeon column. That was enjoyable, even if I hate Hoyt, it was good work.

[James Heaney, Outrages & Insights author]

Readers: The clarified rules on comments are aimed at maintaining/restoring civility and fostering an environment for intelligent discourse. People can have at it, provided they adhere to the rules, starting with "You can disagree, but you can't insult."

Hate Me Now, it has taken me a couple of days to recover from the fact you actually paid me a compliment. That said, I clarified the rules with people like you in mind: Those who hide behind provocative pen names and hurl insults while insisting you're all about debating issues and holding people accountable. I'd suggest adding more light and less heat to your comments.

[hate me now]

your welcome... it was earned

[Chancellor Carlyle Roberts, II]

Jennifer K wrote: "Good ideas all. It saddens me time and time again that good manners are castigated as 'politically correct speech.'"

It isn't about good manners, it's about trying to dictate to others that they're not allowed to say anything negative about certain politically correct groups.

[Lydia Bezou-Hojnacki]

BobbyCat, you have a good idea about limiting the number of handles per person. I would agree that there should be a limit, but let's make the limit at TWO, so that some people who like to use their real names are able to use a pseudonym occasionally when a desired comment warrants privacy for certain reasons.

There are also certain names that have been used which are obviously impersonating others, and those should be checked through the email address that is required with the public handle.

Sorry, Buffalo News, but do us this favor, please, and check these registered users. Thank you!

[hate me now]

Heaney,

I'm not sure if I understand your rules completely. Are the insults only those that are hurled at you, or a nother reader? If someone insults the mayor, or a politician is that ok? I just want to make sure that your holding the same standards to everyone. If your saying that we can not insult the author or other posters, but can politicians, I think that is a little hypocritical. Shouldn't all insults be removed? If they should all be removed then you have some editing to do, because I could point out about 5 posts that you've slacked on.

Just wanted a little clarity.

thank you,
Hate me now
(I know you do!)

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