Jun 26 2007
Closing Down Comments?
OK folks, the comments section of this blog is being underused by serious commenters and fouled by people who whine about insults as they fling them left and right. Sadly, the comments section is losing it purpose for me – the owner of this little old site. So I put it to a vote.
Keep Comments Up? – “yes” or “no”.
Please just vote in the comments. I have had it with the BS and it is a pain to keep monitoring the comments for spam and finding just a bunch of crap once the spam has been removed. We have 1300 registered users, but only a handful comment. I get the feeling they are bogarting the comments and have chased others into silence. I know I avoid them most days. Anyway, please vote. No promises from me I will honor the vote.
My time is precious and when I take a day off for a big event like today’s vote and the losers come thrashing in with angst and anger it really questions the utility of the comment section. It was never meant to be a “bitch and moan about AJStrata” section.
Update: Seems the trend is to keep the comments and ban the nasties. I am glad to hear there are more folks reading than posting the garbage, which is what I suspected since the traffic level only drops a bit when I challenge the orthodoxy. I will keep the comments on. And if posters can’t be civil (as the amnesty hypochondriacs seem incapable of doing)….
Well – we shall see. After listening to Sean Hannity whine all day about how our democratic processes was shoving something down his throat (simply because his side took a loss) I realized a lot of people do not love this country as they profess so much to do. True love of country is demonstrated in how one loses the debate, and does this while still supporting America. It is not demonstrated in how one acts when they win.
The far right has done a disservice to this country in the way they are losing ugly on this. Hannity was crowing about how he has had the same position on immigration for years and how this was something to admire. Well, Bush (and others) have held their positions for long times. So if it is admirable in Hannity, it must admirable in Bush. But Hannity did not admire his adversaries – he belittled them and puffed himself up. I realized after getting totally repulsed by Hannity’s hissy fit that there is possibly some good to come of this. And it is probably better to demonstrate a better option than following in the footsteps of those who cannot tolerate differences of opinions. The comments will stay open, if only to prove to the hypochondriacs there is a better way.
sallyvee
AJ, I think the comments are bothering you or you wouldn’t have to ask. Take a break .
I think if you analyzed it, the only comments AJ is having a problem with is on immigration posts. That’s where he has about 90% opposition to his position. other posts only have about 5% opposition and that’s the same old libs, ken,soothie, and centerisa…./ Notice they agree with him on immigration, but nothing else. Then there’s you, crossp, terrye and a couple others in the woshiping AJ category that aren’t gonna disagree if he said the earth were Red. So once the illegal alien issue gets settled, the comments will be back to normal.
Immigration, as said above, is the only subject I’ve seen AJ unwilling to discuss. His position is basically my way or the highway. He can’t stand being questioned about his position, will answer no questions at all about them, just insists he’s right, and calls you a lot of bad names if you disagree. Only subj he treats that way.
AJ,
I will support whatever decision you make. Personally, I would probably keep the comments and I would start removing some posters here that abuse the priviliege you have given them to post here. There are many of your regular readers and long time posters who will still visit, read and post.
Some of the posters here that lose their cool over the immigration debate should be banned. They have no right to harass you or other posters that disagree with them. Let them start their own blogs. Let us see how successful how they will be. I bet not much.
You started this with a vision to inform others. Do not let some of these malcontents, run you off. I say kick them to the curb. Give a poster one warning and when they violate that, ban them.
There are many moreo f us than them. These type of individuals act like fools in their everydays lives, not just here.
Soldier on my friend.
FE and Retire05,
For your information, Owl was here posting long before you and Owl has never been a problem. Some that started posting after him or her, I can not say as much for.
Well Aj, If you cut off the comments I respect your decision to do that, it’s your site. I for one have agreed on many of your posts, you and I disagree on immigration. When I have commented I try to keep it within the arena of ideas and thoughtful disagreement. I choose not to name call as I don’t think it makes my point. With that said I feel that many of your posts on immigration present your point but I think you also name call and insult those of us that disagree. So in some ways if you get a lot of negative posts you may be partially to blame for that.
Regardless I still look forward to reading your thoughts and opinions!
ROONENT1 SAID:
Some of the posters here that lose their cool over the immigration debate should be banned.
Ah, the voice of reason. Since I’m a long time reader and commenter here, I know you are also. So let me ask you a question and I would like a serious answer.
Has any commenter lost his cool more over the illegal alien issue than AJ has? If so, who? I haven’t seen it. I’m one that disagrees with AJ on it, but so far I haven’t resorted to name calling yet, as some have. Yes I know it’s his blog, and he can have comments or not. I for one would find one way communication very undesirable. I hardly ever even look at a newspaper. I read no other blogs that don’t have comments and probably wouldn’t read this one long, even tho I’ve been here almost from the beginning. He’s free to ban who ever he desires or not allow comments at all, or if he wants, he could just make it a policy that anyone that wants to polish an apple can comment, but no others. Think about it. when the illegal alien issue is gone, the controversy will be also. Most times it’s a mild blog.
If you can’t take tough passionate debate on a blog, I pity you in the real world.
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that the immigration topic has really inflamed a lot of peoples passions, including mine, but if you people look around, it is doing that all over the entire country. Why is that a bad thing? Sure, it gets personal, but the truth is that it is an extememly personal topic, it matters a lot who you are, where you live, and what your life experiences are, that is why people are so passionate about it, because it is not some vague issue like global warming that they really don’t know about and honestly don’t care much about. This topic is divisive because it has touched our lives deeply in different ways but deep nonetheless. This is a conversation/fight that needs to be worked out. This bill is going to have a more profound effect on the economy, culture and politics of America more than any other legislation in the past 30 years. It is not going be settled by telling the other side, “I’m right, you’re irrelevant, shutup.”
ROONENT, You said:”FE and Retire05, For your information, Owl was here posting long before you and Owl has never been a problem.”
that may be true or it may not be. I’ve been here a long time. I don’t recall Owl ever being controversial. however, he seems to have jumped right on the name calling bandwagon. that’s a problem.
Tell me when I’ve been a problem or controversial other than the illegal alien issue disagreement.
Yeah, FE doesn’t resort to name calling.
quote
“I wouldn’t have thought there were 64 idiots in the Senate, but i’ve learned not to be surprised in politics
Left by For Enforcement on June 26th, 2007″
end quote
HA HA HA………..Too funny, especially after his last comment.
Pathological!
Reader, you still got that laughing ailment? Your memory must have gone. you posted that same thing earlier and I answered it then.
being an idiot is an action, not a name. Do I need to repeat that, even tho your memory is gone, you should be able to remember it for 5 minutes.
quote
“…being an idiot is an action, not a name”
endquote
Looks like I need drugs for my laughing ailment because this statement by FE is making me laugh uncontrollably.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Superb editorial at the WSJ, just posted.
[SNIP] Like Democrats on national security, this is a classic case in which pandering to the base will harm the GOP overall.
http://opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010263
id·i·ot /ˈɪdiÉ™t/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[id-ee-uht] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. an utterly foolish or senseless person.
Clearly that means that is what they are, not just a name.
and take this quote:
“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” [Mark Twain, c.1882]
See he’s saying they position is that of idiot, not that he is calling him an idiot. that’s the same context that I used it in.
Did you say you are or are not related to any laughing animals?
Earth to FE. Come back to reality.
Seriously, FE. You really need to take a break.
HA HA HA
I say keep the comments open and throw out all those folks that disagree with you. After all why would you want to entertain opposing viewpoints…be like Bush reward loyalty and punish dissent.
I’d like to see the comments open. I enjoy AJ a lot. And on most topics we are in agreement.
I think the only area we have serious disagrements is on Illegal Aliens, and what to do with them, or about them.
I would just like to encourage AJ, TERRYE, KEN, and a few others to take the Captain Ed Challenge:
Look at what he has found so far. You can even click on the link at his site, and read along.
He has found some amazing things in this bill, just like the Folks at Heritage, National Review, Michelle Malkin and others. These are not evil people. They are like all of us:
Concerned about the future of our Country.
They are not crazy people, no flames coming out of any body parts!
They just happen to believe, based on this bill, and past history, that this bill is not the solution.
Take a look at the comments at Captain Ed’s blog. They sound like the Freepers. I don’t think that meens they are evil. They are concerned, and justifiably upset. As am I. I don’t hate Mexicans, or anyone else. If I did, I’d never have lasted 9.5 years at my current employer! I AM A MINORITY THERE! We are majority Immigrants where I work.
I just encourage everyone, Left, Right, and Center. Read the bill. There are links to it at many sites. It can not hurt any of us to be informed. In fact, it helps us all. And after reading it, truely reading it, you still support it, fine. I’ve noticed many here seem to sit all day and hit refresh, to continue posting. Wouldn’t your time be better spent informing yourself as to what you are arguing about? At least then you would sound informed on the issue.
And that is exactly what those who are most hated here have done. I hear terrible thinks here about people who spent a year of their lives researching this topic to write a book about it. Well, I can tell you, I don’t judge a book by it’s cover, nor it’s author. Nor should you.
Isn’t that similar to judging people by their ethnicity or color?
So, I guess that’s all I have to say. I hope when you get up in the morning this Post makes you think, hey, maybe I aught to read it. Maybe I aught to read a book on this topic. If not, I can say I tried.
Take Care Folks, I enjoy reading all your comments. Your all decent people, and I’m proud to be able to post here. I don’t usually hang here for long, as I have things to do most of the time. But I do enjoy this blog, and those who post here.
Sallyvee, the problem with that story is; they are saying that Hispanics will see the Repubs not wanting them if the bill fails. The Dems are just as strongly opposed to the bill as Repubs are. So I don’t agree with premise of the story. Anybody can write a story saying whatever they want. Being right is not related to that.
Reader
Seriously, FE. You really need to take a break.
you don’t. It wouldn’t help.
“…Anybody can write a story saying whatever they want. Being right is not related to that.
Left by For Enforcement on June 27th, 2007”
So I guess we can’t use anyone’s story no matter how much research their analysis entails. Give me a break. You are outright refusing to consider a viewpoint because you have an opinion already.
Another point:
Say you are right that the Dems oppose just as much as Repubs (which I don’t know if this is accurate). A major point of the article SallyVee cited says that the Repubs shouldn’t be hissyfitting about it to the point where they become recognized as anti-hispanics or anti-mexican. I don’t see the dems throwing as much of a hissyfit. If you can’t support the immigration then so be it. Don’t make it sound like the end of the USA because then you marginalize the Republican Party as a whole. This is a recurring theme of AJ’s posts.
Good find SallyVee. Very interesting article.
I am for keeping comments
I vote keep the comments (although Reader makes a strong case for a “no” vote).
I’ve been away for a while, but I see that not much has changed on this issue. The public is decidely against this bill, yet the Washington elites seem intent on backdoor deals and shady manuevers in order to pass the “thing”. Those who want open debate and congress to act in accord with their constituents are accused here of hyperventilating and being extremists. No amount of spinning will cloud the obvious winner of this debate. Unfortunately, logic & reason & the will of the people don’t always mesh with legislation.