Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Comment Moderation is Now Back On

Well, it lasted for 16 days but I'm afraid I have decided to reintroduce Comment Moderation. This site is being targeted at the moment but lunatics who think it is quite in order to use the 'C' word and worse. I am not prepared to allow this to continue. For the benefit of everyone, let me spell out my Comments policy

1. Any poster who uses the 'C' word or similar will have their comment deleted
2. Any anonymous or named poster who is gratuitously offensive to other posters will have their comment deleted

Since I switched off comment moderation two weeks ago I had only had to delete three posts until yesterday. But a concerted campaign of anonymous posting has been launched - I'll leave you to speculate who by - and I'm not prepared to be the focus of nasty smears by people who hide in anonymity.

That's it.

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

I actually don't find the word "Cameron" to be excessively offensive.

Anonymous said...

I am undecided as to whether 'Cameron' is offensive, or not. I suspect that as an old Etonian he will be, but we will have to try him in power to see.

Anonymous said...

Conservative?

Anonymous said...

Anon 1155: I disagree. I find not simply the word "Cameron" but the entire concept of Cameronism profoundly offensive. But then, I used to be a Conservative, and that's another C word these days.

ian said...

The C word? That's Conservative in my house.

So why don't you just disallow anonymous comments?

Anonymous said...

Good thing too. I think you shouldn't allow 'anon' comments either. The buffoons should be prepared to put their names to what they say.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Iain, what an error of judgment. Your blog was just beginning to wake up and show the flexible free debate you professed to want to encourage, (and yes, to become a bit "racier" like Guido's - but with correspondingly more chance of little bits of useful inside knowledge) and now the dead hand of time-delayed censorship will just send it back to sleep again. Can't you cope with a few naughty-worded nutters? The rest of us can, so why not you?

Anonymous said...

Yes, and if anyone else mentions the Congestion Charge again there will be serious trouble.....

Anonymous said...

Well, you were DAFT for switching comment moderation off Iain! That was just asking for trouble!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Iain:

Totally unrelated to this thread. A question for your "other" job!!

Do you know when Politicos will be stocking a video/DVD of the 2005 general election?

I've got the 1997/2001 videos, but I can't find any on the market for 2005?

Surely there must be something?

It'd be nice to watch an election night with Tory gains for a change!

Be very grateful for a response.

Anonymous said...

Good move, Iain. Thank good for sense and decency.

Garry said...

This anonymous smearing is very aggravating for those of us trying to pose straightforward questions. It's all so very distracting.

Last night, for example, an anonymous idiot distracted Iain from answering a straightforward question I'd asked him.

Now that moderation has gone on, this is no longer possible so in that sense, it might be a good thing.

Iain, after yesterday, I wonder if you've had a chance to find out whether Nicholas Boles is still the front-runner to be Conservative candidate for London Major? Conservative HQ hasn't replied yet.

Newmania said...

Shame Iain it was fun while it lasted .I enjoy a bit of bantering and it did enliven the comment thread.The supposed smears were so ridiculous as well , I don’t believe that anyone took them seriously .Let us hope if you are going to be smeared it will be with a thick coat of scented lard to help the circulation in your billowing thighs…..


If you happen to spot this ; concerning the darkly malevolent right wing plot that is Doughty Street ( apparently), I am told that Haringey Conservative called Catriona is likely to be appearing soon. I don`t want to miss her if she is and on this occasion will forgive you for your clear preference for women…so to speak.

Is she and if so when and can we have have some Guidoesque revealing camera angles…..please …Mr.Dale Sir

Anonymous said...

I think you've done the right thing Iain. If the anonymous posters were clever or constructive or even amusing that would be one thing but too often they were just moronic. Boring too.

Anonymous said...

Frankly, as this is Iain's blog he can set any rules he likes!

He's also right about some of the idiotic posters who've appeared lately.

This blog has always had energetic and spirited debate, which is why I enjoy reading it. However, some of the unpleasant rubbish which has turned up recently has been neither interesting nor readable.

Abuse and smears are no substitute for intelligent argument, in fact, merely point out the lack of said intelligence.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see the comments moderation being reintroduced but understand your reasons.
Must admit the site came alive with an increased flow of comments over the last few weeks. But the band of anonymous foul mouthed trolls who have taken up residence at Guido's, seem to have made your site their 2nd residence.

Anonymous said...

I'm not prepared to be the focus of nasty smears by people who hide in anonymity.

Paranoia is not the best of qualifications for a would-be politician. Maybe a thicker skin would help.

Anonymous said...

No c****nts for a hour. The logjam builds up while Iain pores over every word, fretting about its potential offensiveness to himself.

PS sorry about the offensive word there!

Anonymous said...

Oh My god.....Oh my god....comment moderation is on.....police state! this is an infringement of my human right to speak anonymously.

Anonymous said...

Using language which is offensive to others -is the sign of a very poor education.
Anyone with a modicum of intelligence should be put their point over and possess sufficient vocabluary to do so.

Of course the present education policy of this government does not allow that. Many of them including the inglorious leader had the benefit of a wonderful education and now deny it to everyone else.

My secondary school education deep in rural Hampshire was far superior to the so called schools today.

For one thing -no one seems able to debate properly without recourse to vitriol!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 12:17. Yes, it's a shame, because the spontaneity of debate was fizzy and fun, but some people think freedom means free-for-all - freedom from restraint, freedom from civility, freedom from rationality, freedom from having to go to the trouble of engaging other commenters by posting something other than idle insults.

This Anonymous holds Guido's blog as an exemplar of fun and spontaneity. But because of all the illiterates and all the scummy jokes made by men with a mental age of 10, I now only visit Guido's about once a week, for the political gossip, and seldom bother reading the predictable comments. That you hold up Guido's as an example of freedom tells us all we need to know about you.

[This is not to say that Guido himself is not well worth the read.]

Anonymous said...

Only one C in Conservative but a whole bunch of them in Zanulab.

Anonymous said...

The only offensive four-letter word I know is "work"

Anonymous said...

Comment moderation is rather like watching invisible paint drying. How much longer do I have to wait?Will it show up like I wanted? Will it show up at all? Phew, the suspense.

Disillusioned and Bored said...

What a shame. No need to post this comment, but check out my story on a ridiculous letter I received this morning from HM Revenue and Customs. And they wonder why small businesses are struggling.

www.disillusionedandbored.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

two and a bit hours, and c**nting....

Anonymous said...

I didn't know "Federal Europe" started with a "C"

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

where does the word "troll" come from in a blogging context?

peteblogging said...

Iain

I think its hilarious that you're happy with comments that label a democratically elected government "Nazis", claims that "ALL suicide bombers are muslims" and advocates the removal of all minorities from any decision making roles, but blanches and throws a prissy fit when someone swears.

And they said the Tory party was dead! Great stuff!

Iain Dale said...

Pete, I don't object to swearing, but I do object to being called a c***. Call me oldfashioned...

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

This Anonymous holds Guido's blog as an exemplar of fun and spontaneity

Did I say that? I said that the absence of comment moderation made it "racier" (without implying anything), but also left the door further ajar for inside information, which as you must be aware gets communicated in many ways. And I regretted the dead hand of time-delayed censorship.

That you hold up Guido's as an example of freedom tells us all we need to know about you.

No, Verity, it tells us rather a lot about *you*. You sound like a censorious headmistress. You're not alone, alas; "ordinary woman" said:
Using language which is offensive to others -is the sign of a very poor education.
Oh dear.

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

peteblogging said
I think its hilarious that you're happy with comments that label a democratically elected government "Nazis", claims that "ALL suicide bombers are Muslims"

1.sorry have I missed something? outside Sri Lanka they are, aren't they?, Muslim I mean.

2. the Hitler regime was democratically elected. Does that mean we should no longer call them "Nazis"?

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be good if there was a boredom-ometer filter based on a poster's linguistic style. Then all Tim Ireland's anonymous posts could be binned automatically without the rest of us running the risk of narcolepsy.

Anonymous said...
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Andrew Harnwell said...

tony made me do it (etc):

According to Google Define it comes "from the fishing term". According to the OED, to troll means, amongst other things, "to angle with a spinning bait".

I think this is one of those usages whose origins will remain obscure.

peteblogging said...

Fair enough Iain.

Anonymous said...

Iain, I understand you to be a prospective Conservative candidate for election to Parliament. What do you think about censorship?

Anonymous said...

I prefer coming to Iain's blog instead of Guidos simply because Guido just attracts people who swear and hurl abuse without bothering to explain themselves or even attempt to make a valid point.

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned like Iain, but I prefer political debate within the realms of reason and using (fairly) respectable language.

Anonymous said...

It is sad that the comment moderation has had to be switched back on.

Like some of the people posting here, I do agree that it moved the blog on abit.

Verity - well said!

Can't the Anon thing just be switched off?

Anonymous said...

Staying Awake - I suspect that Tim Ireland/Manic/Anon wasn't weened off the tit soon enough.

I bet his mantra is Bitty Bitty ahhh Bitty.

Anonymous said...

Trolling...'singing parts of the same song in succession'.

peteblogging said...

Tone made me do it

Re: ALL Muslims are suicide bombers - I didn't comment on the thread because I don't think I'll be able to convince you of my position. But I think its an incendiary statement that serves no-one. And, as you point out, its not true (why exclude Sri Lanka?)

Re: Nazis - Its hysterical and ridiculous to compare this government (or indeed any British government) to the Nazis, for reasons that are far too obvious and numerous to go into here.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I also can't bear the words "Conservative" and "Cameron" and find them deeply offensive. I have to avert my eyes every time they appear on a screen. I quite literally feel nauseated and have to vote for Ken Livingstone.

Anyway this blog appears to be the usual rambling Tory nonsense, the maniac anonymongs were way off the mark - nothing here that will change the world.

Meanwhile, Ken, who they all hate with a passion, is in charge and will be for years to come, as will New Labour if Cameron is anything to go by.

18 Tory Street smear campaign - good luck, you're going to need it!

Anonymous said...

Iain , please switch off the comment moderation. You make yourself look silly. Are you just having a hissy fit, or can't you cope any more?

Anonymous said...

Your site, your rules Iain, no problem with that.

But, for all the 'named' posters on here, very few have their names linked back to any actual information about them, i.e. their own Blogger page or website.

Surely people who reply using the 'Other' option, then make up a snappy handle, are effectively just as anonymous as those who just post without bothering to put a name in?

Verity - what is the difference between you (and me for that matter) contributing to the comments page with a clearly invented unlinked user name, and the anonymous posters you scorn so predictably?

Anonymous said...

Could we just get something clear? No-one, not least the teacher at the heart of the so-called controversy, said or suggested that "All Muslims are suicide bombers". Your poster "peteblogging" invented this suggestion.

Anonymous said...

I do feel sorry for people who create a weblog, express their political views and then feel compelled to censor the replies. Gives the impression of insecurity.

Guido 2.0 said...

Tim Ireland has not posted anonymously (he is posting as Manic for reasons of satire), but Iain Dale appears happy to publish this and other anonymous smears.

Andrew Harnwell said...

It is silly to talk of moderated blogs in terms of censorship. A blogger is no more obliged to publish every single comment than a newspaper is to publish every letter it receives.

Daily Referendum said...

Are anonymous posters ashamed of being linked to what they have to say?

If I can't say something in my own name I don't say it.

It's all very sad. Are they the modern-day crank callers?

Johnny Norfolk said...

Iain

I support you in trying to keep some sort of order, but please use the lightest of touch when you delete. if in doubt leave it.

Anonymous said...

Quite right. The Guido site is littered with what can only be described as filth. Shame.

Anonymous said...

Moose - You are mistaken. I do not scorn anonymous posters, either "so predictably", as you claim, or in a manner that surprises. Some anonymous posters write rational,interesting, witty posts and one assumes they are posting anonymously for a reason.

I loathe verbal incontinents who think swearing and splattering abuse around like angry monkeys flinging poo is a good substitute for wit and lucidity of thinking. And these people do usually post anonymously.

I actually think there is only a slender difference between posting anonymously or with a handle. That difference is, with an nomme de guerre, one is motivated to protect its integrity.

Yes,anonymous 6:09, this diversion of the real story by Pete irritated me, too. The teacher made the totally non-controversial comment that most suicide bombers are muslims. (We are talking of today, and in Western civilisation, before anyone gets up on his hind legs and wails, "Tamil Tigers ....".)

Red Reader, agreed. Wading through the merde in Guido's comments in the hope of reading something witty or incisive is just too much trouble. And that is a shame, because Guido himself is brilliant. But he runs his property as he chooses, as does Iain.

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

Pete Blogger

There's a world of difference between saying "ALL suicide bombers are Muslims" (this is indeed true throughout the world except Sri Lanka and certainly true in Europe)

and saying "ALL Muslims are suicide bombers"
- NOT something I've ever seen written on this blog (or any other blog I've read for that matter).

On our right of centre blogs we like the facts, less keen on wish list opinion.

Anonymous said...

"18 Tory Street smear campaign - good luck, you're going to need it!"

I don't think pointing out Livingstone's dodgy political allies and increasing of taxes and the C-Charge is smearing.

"Tim Ireland has not posted anonymously (he is posting as Manic for reasons of satire)"

And nobody is interested in his satire because he reminds them of the child in the playground who is obsessed with something nobody cares about to the extent that he alienates those who might be sympathetic.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Tim wrote...
"Tim Ireland has not posted anonymously (he is posting as Manic for reasons of satire), but Iain Dale appears happy..."

zzzzzzzz

Iain Dale said...

Anonymous at 12.33. There won't be such a video I'm afraid.

This has nothing to do with censorship. This blog has had comment moderation for two years until a fortnight ago when I switched it off. I will not allow the C word to be used and I make no apology for it. I do not censor normal posts at all and I never have. In the last month I have probably deleted only 5 comments for crude language.

Anonymous said...

moose said......

I am, dear moose, exactly what I say -an ordinary woman

with a vote

most of the things I say are exactly what many of my community think and say.

Admittedly I am probably somewhat older than many of you being in my sixties -but still active and compos mentis.

I do not have a blog or a website -I see no need and am too busy.
I happily read Iain and Guido because they go where papers do not and are not owned by newspaper tycoons. I also find them interesting.

I do not use my actual name -because well probably because I don't want some kooky individual knocking at my door even tho I still have a six foot, kick boxing son at home!

I mistrust most politicians but there are a few exceptions including my local one.

as I sya -I do have a vote..and use it so I feel free to comment.

You are awful Iain -but I like you (but I expect you are too young to remember that catchphrase!)

Guido 2.0 said...

Iain, you naughty boy... you keep inferring that it was Manic who used 'the C-word' and you have repeatedly failed to correct anonymous commenters claiming that Manic has been leaving comments anonymously as part of our discussion.

If Manic is guilty of either offence, it would be a simple matter to prove it... so please put up or shut up.

(PS - There's more than one way to censor people, as you well know. One clever way to do it is to invent a bit of spin that undermines their position and justifies the introduction of moderation.)

Cinnamon Marine said...

So who is this Manic chap, and is the mania a delusion that he actually matters to anyone?

Guido 2.0 said...

And another thing, Iain... if your problem is with smears, why do you continue to publish the comments of those who smear Manic?

You'll be doing them a favour by deleting their 'Manic is crazy' drivel... because they mostly mock Manic for adopting a character and speaking in third-person - when this is exactly what 'Guido' does.

Anonymous said...

Tone Made Me Do It - Pete Blogger intentionally subverted the statement (most suicide bombers are muslim, which is absolutely introvertible) to 'most muslims are suicide bombers' and then held that statement up for disapproval.

This is a a dishonest form of debate, of course, and very childish and transparent. A lot like the muslim technique of taqqya, in fact.

Anonymous said...

That damn Fawkes! He'll do anything to stay #1.

Anonymous said...
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