I have never published an explicit policy on comments, but I generally delete those that are spam, libelous or gratuitously offensive and leave the rest.
Recently, I also started deleting comments from a Labour supporter who was leaving comments having a dig at me on wholly irrelevant posts. But where he makes some effort to make his comment, however critical, relevant to the original post then I am happy to let it stand.
So what about the comment on this post? The post on his blog that it sends you to is certainly relevant to the debate, but he has made no effort to engage with what I say. He has simply posted a link.
I think this is bad form, but should I delete it?
What do you think?
Let it stand. It's obvious that he's a cretin just from the fact that he posted after such a needlessly curt fashion.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I can't quite see how their use love of insults such as "illiberal cretin" matches up with calling yourself "Gandhi", that well known abusive individual...
ReplyDeleteOn the delete / not delete question, I'd delete as the comment has been posted up in several places, always just the link, so it's really more like spamming that contributing.
I agree with Mark Pack on this one. It's singularly ill-mannered to post a comment that doesn't engage with your blog but just posts a link to his own blog. It might just be forgiveable if the post he advertises was any good, but its ignorant and offensive heading is enough to damn it from the start.
ReplyDeleteIt's your choice whether to delete, but you should feel no obligation to leave the comment intact.
It's a toughie. On the one hand, it's an unsolicited link, and just plain rude. On the other, it's relevant to the matter at hand, and the minute you delete a post of an opposing view you're in potential flamewar territory for doing so even if it was quite legitimate to do so.
ReplyDeleteOn balance, I'd go with James on this occasion - it's not like it's worth getting into a row with him and it's not like he's going to change anyone's mind. Let him shout in front of people who already agree with him, and carry on as normal.
And having made this post, you've registered your unhappiness with that form of comment. You've now set down a rule and would be within your rights to zap in the future, but I'd shy away from retrospective enforcement.
Delete. That is an advert not a comment. It is also intentionally and unnecessarily offensive.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many fantastic web designers out there that share their work with the rest of us...
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get point
This "Gandhi" is an unbelievably rude and stupid asshole - if it were posible, I'd delete him from the world of politics, so deleting his link is the minimum you can do ...
ReplyDeleteIt adds nothing to the conversation - delete it.
ReplyDeleteI like the irony of a thread on spam being invaded by a spam comment so I have let it stand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your views. In future I shall be more inclined to delete the sort of comment in question.
I agree with Mark Pack on this one. It's singularly ill-mannered to post a comment that doesn't engage with your blog but just posts a link to his own blog. It might just be forgiveable if the post he advertises was any good, but its ignorant and offensive heading is enough to damn it from the start. It's your choice whether to delete, but you should feel no obligation to leave the comment intact.
ReplyDelete