Ballysdownunder Blog rules

The moderation team here on the Ballysdownunder Blog (that’s me folks) wants to remind those who like to engage in the comments section of a few basic rules.


1. Personal attacks on either myself or other posters are, in layman’s terms, not cool and depending on the mood of the blog host (me again) will more than likely be deleted outright. I don’t want people to think they can’t be passionate or can’t engage in a bit of banter, but recent xenophobic, homophobic and outright abusive name-calling have over-stepped the mark (which admittedly is a bit smudged and blurry in places).

2. If I see that comments are simply regurgitating previous points, I reserve the right to get rid of those too. If you think you’re being censored, then you probably are. You can complain via a post to the blog host if you want (that’s me too) but they’ll get deleted as well.

3. The comments section is there to debate the point at hand, not to pursue your own agenda. Vigorous deletion may take place if this is ignored. Rules of descency still apply.

4. If you are attempting to make a point or raise an opinion then please back up any statements - particularly if they’re challenging a point - with links and references. Flat out denial and stomping of feet does not constitute debate. Stop throwing your toys!

I’m putting these rules out there (again) for the benefit of the majority of people who do not engage in the comments section, in the hope that they feel they can in the future. Counter-intuitive perhaps, but having met a number of “fans” of the blog in person, many have complained that the aggresive nature of some of the comments is stifling a better quality of debate. I tend to agree, hence the above.

And a final word.

If you don’t like these rules, or think they’re unfair, then write to me at this address

Dave Ballantyne
98 Letters-Which-Will-Go-Straight-In-The-Bin Crescent
Getyourownblogville
The Internet
(borrowed from The Green Blog - thanks)