Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Posting Comments on This Blog - Warning

In the 15 months in which this Blog has existed I have never censored any postings, but I am becoming increasingly concerned at the level of personal vitriol being posted on this Blog. I have no problem at all with people like James and DM Andy, who post thoughtful and interesting posts. What I do have a problem with is people who think it is funny to post snide innuendo and insinuation - not just about me but other posters too. There is a simple answer to this and to withdraw the Comment facility. I have absolutely no wish to do this but won't hesitate to if the level of personal abuse descends further.

33 comments:

Andy DM said...

Thanks Iain for the kind words, you're far too nice to be a Tory :)

Westbury-on-Trym Lib Dems said...

Er, cheers squire! By the way, I think he means you, Robb. Bad boy!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree. Robb is extremely boring.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. James is funny, Robb is just abusive (and a bit sad too). Well said Iain.

Anonymous said...

Iain
So no more abuse - not even about Mr Lamb. And all your comments will be honest and straightforward eh Iain? That will be nice - no need to have a go at you then eh?
Sorry if I hurt your feelings.
Robb

Anonymous said...

Boys, boys! Enough of this carry on-and they say women are bad! Meow!

Can we all leave the personal out of this and have some stimulating, intelligent political debate?

Robb, there's a fine line between teasing and being a nudge so let's all behave please.

Iain Dale said...

Lady F, I dread to think what a "nudge" is!

Anonymous said...

New York Yiddish, my dear, for elbow in the rib type of teasing which is very tiresome and not very nice.

Anonymous said...

well as a reader of your blog for well over a year I wouldn't blame you if you did take the action outlined. I think some posters are coming over from the Vote 2005 site, just to be abusive, as often as they can. As much as I love Robb I'm on the verge of pushing him under to 2.30 from Cromer.

Maybe a slight compromise would be to take the comments facilitity away anyway when the election is called - as I'm sure you will be far to busy to engage in prolonged comment answering then.

carlislecookiemonster

Anonymous said...

Oh, carlisecookie, surely not yet! I'm having way too much fun with young Robb and anyway, I wanted to do the pushing!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps, rather like Ian Farr's "Contemporary Germany" seminars in 1983, we'll look back on all this in ten years time and wonder why we bothered...

Not that you said much then, and left me to do all the talking.

Iain Dale said...

Now I'm intrigued! Who are you? 22 years ago, eh? Doesn't seem like it.

Anonymous said...

I think Lady Finchley is Iain in disguise...

But I agree with what he says about personal attacks and unnecessary comments - but think he should practise as he preaches. Happy for Iain to attack Lib Dem policy or specific things Norman Lamb has done wrong around Norfolk but he tends to make personal attacks on Norman Lamb's credibility and integrity - none of which come with any evidence... So come on Iain - stay with the spirit of the blog!

Jojo

Anonymous said...

" Liberal Democrats’ damaging and irresponsible policies on crime and tax in a clearer and more focussed way. I intend to ensure we do just that.” "

Just how damaging has Micheal Howards Council Tax been Mr Dale?
And his failed Poll Tax beforehand?
Instead of coming up with half baked ideas on CT like you did on Monday , why don't you embrace Local Income tax and help those that most need it most like pensioners and those on low incomes.

Answer:- Because your policy will inevitably only help those who are well off in the long run.

Anonymous said...

Jojo:

Close but no cigar!

Guido Fawkes said...

Its your blog, and your property. People post comments as your guest. You can delete comments as you wish.

I have a policy of one warning - then delete on sight in the event of repeat offenders.

Westbury-on-Trym Lib Dems said...

My guess is that Lady Finchley is Iain's (twin?) sister whom he has previously mentioned on this site. Then again, she could be his mother or, just possibly, my mother. Who knows?

(Strangely, I had thought I had posted this earlier but obviously haven't - I may need to lie down in a darkened room).

Anonymous said...

Ah, James, you're getting warmer!

Westbury-on-Trym Lib Dems said...

You're not wrong there. I have just been out to get lunch and am propped against the radiator now.

Are you Barbara McGoun by any chance?

I did not realise that she had been a singer with The Mustangs in the '60s until I read it in the EDP today. Perhaps Iain could add that to his excuse list as there must be quite a few of that generation down Horning way? Just a thought - I know he has an AGM today and that sort of sage advice could prove invaluable.

Iain Dale said...

James, helpful advice as always! Barbara and I have been in constant email communication this morning and she was appalled to learn I am trawling the internet to find a copy of a song she has recorded. If only we had known this before we could have set the North Norfolk Conservatives Dirty Tricks Department onto it. Would have guaranteed a win. For those without a sense of humour (Robb...) the last bit was a J.O.K.E.!

Right, off to put a cold towel over my head to prepare for my speech tonight. There'll be dancing girls, dry ice, the lot. Robb, you'd LURRRVE it. You could smooch with Lady F. Oops, my fantasies are getting the better of me...

Westbury-on-Trym Lib Dems said...

Lady Finchley isn't an old flame, is she?

You can admit it - we've all been in similar situations - late in the evening, the party is drawing to a close, the lights are dimmed, everyone has had a few drinks, one of the many, many Mustangs hits starts to play in the background, one thing leads to another...

Or how about an off the wall guess - Aunt?

Anonymous said...

With all these thrilling twists and secret lovers, this blog is really hotting up into quite an opera - even more exciting than 'I'm a celebrity, get me out here'!

Ah... The Mustangs. Class act.

Anonymous said...

The mysterious Lady F ..

Is it ... the Agent?

No ...

The housemate?

No ...

The mild mannererd janitor?

Could be ...

Anonymous said...

Margaret Thatcher doesn't have Broadband?

Carlislecookiemonster

Anonymous said...

Oi, James enough of the old! Anyway, if I told I'd have to kill you....

Iain Dale said...

I am sure Lady F is far too much of a Laydee (copyright Little Britain) to have anything to do with a wizened old Tory hack like me... Although judging from her scribblings she might be able to reach the parts many others have failed to... THAT'S ENOUGH -Ed

Anonymous said...

I do take exception to all this P**** taking of Lady F. She asked me to marry her - no-one has done that since my ex wife [the third one] and she deserves credit for that. She keeps on alluding to a fat lady singing. Talking about the trouble Iain is in she said - "it aint all over till the fat lady sings" [or something like that] What with Barbara McGoun having been lead singer in the Mustangs could that have been an Ides of March experience for the lad???? Barbara isn't fat is she?
Have you ever had tea on a Sunday afternoon at the Savoy, Barbara.....?
Robb

Anonymous said...

I was in my final year while you were, I think, a second year. I was more involved in the languages side - did Danish. I remember Ian and Richard Evans being certain East Germany would be around for ever !!

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, how sad, another by-election lost.
Whata shame after all the promises of certain victory on politicalbetting.com and the disparagement of the LD candidate as "only Norman Lamb's Secretary".
How dear. Looks like my £100 punt for a 10k majority for Norman at 12-1 is looking interesting.
Keep it up Iain. You're a great recruiting agent for Norman Lamb.

Anonymous said...

Iain what odds will you offer for a Norman Lamb victory of over 10,000 votes and, anonymous contributor, where can I bet £200 and at what odds on such a victory?
Robb

Iain Dale said...

Rob, in your dreams, mate. And by the way, why have you got 2 bs in Robb. Isn't one enough. Better watch out, the LibDem will want to take the extra one.

Anonymous said...

Iain,

Nice one!

Anonymous said...

The extra R in Robb is a bit like the extra I in Iain. It was my stage name in my band a few years back. And before you ask, no not the Mustangs......
Bye Iainn and Lady FF. Yeh, and bye "Carlislee" and heed what I say Carlisle - become a politician and fight for the freedom of all people. Never allow yourself to be corrupted by the desire for, or aquisition of, power. Corruption can creep up on you before you realise it and power will blind you. Don't listen to your friends - listen to your enemies and remember, what people don't tell you is usually more important than what they do tell you. I am guessing that you are young Carlisle - forgive me if your not - and on the young lies the future. Remember, without access to Education, to Housing, and to Good Health noone can be truly free
Bye
Robb