Why are you here?

This is worth a read for everyone….bloggers and commenters alike.

Though we argue and debate, at times with great passion, we also care for and take care of each other, and that’s part of the charm of the place.

Until we don’t.

When I see comments filled with ALL CAPS, shouting at others, I cringe. I didn’t come here for the screaming, whether I agree with the screamer or not.

When I see people being insulted and called “capos,” it’s not just a violation of Godwin’s Law, but an offense against the community. I didn’t come here to be insulted or to see insults slung around.

And when I see anyone except Jane claiming to speak for all of FDL, I laugh. Even (as I look upwards in this post and see my thoughts about “we” at FDL) when I’m the one doing it.

For a community to not simply survive, but thrive, there must be mutual respect — especially between those who disagree with one another.

For the record, I started Blogging Blue – and I’ve kept it going all these years – for the community, not because I wanted to hurl insults at folks I don’t agree with politically. I understand as much as anyone that the folks who read blogs tend to be far more passionate about politics than the average person, but we can disagree passionately without the need to resort to insults, name-calling, and downright nastiness.

Perhaps I’ve been too lenient in allowing folks to get away with behaving badly, but from now on I’m going to be taking a much closer look at things, because I want Blogging Blue to be a community, not just a bunch of proverbial “monkeys flinging poo” at each other.

I know we can do better than that, and I challenge each of you to do better than that.

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6 thoughts on “Why are you here?

  1. Has anyone else been around the InterTubes long enough to remember BIFF?

    HELLO MY NAME IS BIFF. SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BED-WETTING
    PROBLEM. IT’S PROBABLY BECAUSE THOSE BITCHES BEAT UP ON YOU SO
    MUCH HUH? I STILL THINK YOU’RE HANDLE IS NEAT THOUGH, EVEN IF
    (OB FLAME) YOUR A WIENER (OB FLAME).

    YOUR FLAME FRIEND,

    BIFF

    BIFF was an amateur compared to some of the “wingnuts” we get on BB…

  2. Phil, point of the article that Zach has posted is even those you label and refer to as “wingnuts,” are people with a point of view. Not allowing abusive comments to begin with should make it easier for everyone interested in dialog and attempting to understand the issues to do so and others may not feel so compelled to answer vindictive nonsense with more vindictive nonsense.

    I take your comment about BIFF as throwing out an unnecessary hook to attract an argument and meant to inflame some BB commenters. In my view not a great way to influence others to consider the validity the ideas a “Blue,” political bent wants to encourage people to embrace.

    1. I fully understand the “point” Zach was making. I, in fact, made this very point in an e-mail to him before my brief self-imposed exile. But I believe you mistake my point.

      No request for civility will be honored by those who have no honor. Bots like “notalib” and “wingnut” lack the basic social framework to participate in adult conversations at BloggingBlue. Their purpose is not to learn but to enflame. It’s not to educate, but to intimidate. They are the modern BIFF.

      1. Thanks for clarifying that for me. If Zach is does moderate those kinds of vicious initial comments from ever even appearing, I think that would be great for the blog and bring greater participation.

        I see that I mistook your intention, above, but the comment by itself, appeared to me as what I said I, “thought,” I saw there. Again, thanks for your response.

        1. Zach is going to be more proactive about trolls on both sides.

          I don’t mind comments from folks whose views are diametrically opposed to mine, so long as they’re rational and free from insults. I welcome discussion, but I’m tired of nastiness.

  3. Thanks for all your efforts, Zach. The moment i become less than structurally unemployed, let me know where I can be of assistance to your efforts at BB.

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