Comments on: Ground Rules http://www.mybadpants.com/2010/02/08/ground-rules/ Like genetics, only funnier! Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:39:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: crisitunity http://www.mybadpants.com/2010/02/08/ground-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-103 crisitunity Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:08:46 +0000 http://www.mybadpants.com/?p=60#comment-103 Why? It's just a word. It's not one I ever want to be called - punching and mace would ensue - but it's only a word. <strong>Because it's the "nuclear weapon" of discourse. I realize that over time words gain and lose significance, and that a generation ago the "F" word was at the same level...yet it simply doesn't have that impact today. Right now, today, there is no use for that word in debate. Not even in angry debate. Deploying that one is just invoking scorched earth policy and ending the discussion. Remember that these rules are essentially for new commenters...what would I or would I not approve? If someone needs to nuke the debate stream, then they don't need to contribute at all. Also keep in mind, each and every one of these rules/criteria exists because I've already encountered it. So really, these are a review of my past behavior, and I've NEVER approved a comment that decided to "go there" linguistically. Are these capricious and arbitrary? Yes, unapologetically so.</strong> Why? It’s just a word. It’s not one I ever want to be called – punching and mace would ensue – but it’s only a word.

Because it’s the “nuclear weapon” of discourse. I realize that over time words gain and lose significance, and that a generation ago the “F” word was at the same level…yet it simply doesn’t have that impact today. Right now, today, there is no use for that word in debate. Not even in angry debate. Deploying that one is just invoking scorched earth policy and ending the discussion.

Remember that these rules are essentially for new commenters…what would I or would I not approve? If someone needs to nuke the debate stream, then they don’t need to contribute at all.

Also keep in mind, each and every one of these rules/criteria exists because I’ve already encountered it. So really, these are a review of my past behavior, and I’ve NEVER approved a comment that decided to “go there” linguistically.

Are these capricious and arbitrary? Yes, unapologetically so.

]]> By: Oregon Sunshine http://www.mybadpants.com/2010/02/08/ground-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Oregon Sunshine Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:28:48 +0000 http://www.mybadpants.com/?p=60#comment-101 Ok, just making sure it wasn't the religious one. Because, if it was, then I was going to give you a really, really hard time about it at home. ;-P <strong>LOL, no..."taking the Lord's name in vain" (as it was called in my youth) is certainly not something I could hold against a commenter. Yes, I'm often abjectly uncomfortable with it, especially when I do it; but that's simply not something I could stand on a soapbox about without hanging a giant neon "Hypocrite" sign around my neck.</strong> Ok, just making sure it wasn’t the religious one. Because, if it was, then I was going to give you a really, really hard time about it at home. ;-P

LOL, no…”taking the Lord’s name in vain” (as it was called in my youth) is certainly not something I could hold against a commenter. Yes, I’m often abjectly uncomfortable with it, especially when I do it; but that’s simply not something I could stand on a soapbox about without hanging a giant neon “Hypocrite” sign around my neck.

]]> By: Oregon Sunshine http://www.mybadpants.com/2010/02/08/ground-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Oregon Sunshine Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:59:12 +0000 http://www.mybadpants.com/?p=60#comment-100 Which "C" word? Please be clear. I can think of several. Do you mean one you say at home or the one I abhor? <strong>Rhymes with "punt" and will not be tolerated (i.e. the one you abhor).</strong> Which “C” word? Please be clear. I can think of several. Do you mean one you say at home or the one I abhor?

Rhymes with “punt” and will not be tolerated (i.e. the one you abhor).

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