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Deleting comments is like weeding your garden. (My favorite analogy)
There is almost no other form of content editing here (and I tried to find a way to edit comments just for fun, many times; nice and bullet proof, so far, thank heavens).
Yeah, interesting analogy. A tighter one if it were used systematically, but this bunch is so catlike and loose that there's little systematicity in any events.
More in the way of book-buring is what I did to one blogger; after a particularly one-sided and inflamatory post, I declared I woud not read that blog anymore. And I have not.
posted by
majroj
on July 23, 2005 at 11:38 AM
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Reminds me of the famous quotation..."So you're the little woman who started this war..." Abe Lincoln re the Civil War to the woman who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin.
posted by
cmoe
on July 22, 2005 at 8:45 AM
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Dave Cryer, If, but, so, mebbe - You have summed up my thoughts on this.
I believe that to ban or delete does weaken one's argument and is perhaps is an admission that the argument lacks in some way.
posted by
Azur
on July 22, 2005 at 6:57 AM
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Talking shop...
Banning books and deleting comments may not be in the same league, but they fall under the same code of fair play.
Take away someone's freely stated angle on an issue and you as the proprietor are saying, Not in my shop / Not in my blog - fair enough, it's your shop window, you can do as you please.
But when you do that, you're doing it because you don't agree with what's written. You exercise your right to cleanse your shop. You disagree.
But by expunging the material from your shop, you take away the possibility that others might disagree and you actually weaken your case.
So if you truly do disagree with a comment, surely it's best to leave it there, so that others may voice their opinion in support of your own. There may even be the chance that other gainsayers may persuade your opponent that you are in fact right. Which cannot happen if you've already chucked the tome out of the door onto the street.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on July 22, 2005 at 6:49 AM
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MayB,
Both banning books and deleting someone's comments shows nothing more than insecurity and fear in the banner or the "deleter." How sorry I feel for both....great post, thanks.
posted by
NCwriter
on July 22, 2005 at 6:39 AM
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Very well said and written.
take care and enjoy your weekend
posted by
_Symphony_
on July 22, 2005 at 5:20 AM
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Well spoken, May. 
posted by
SilverMoon7
on July 22, 2005 at 4:54 AM
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Majroj you were missed. I agree that banning books and deleting comments are not in the same league but they offered an interesting analogy.
I thought about emailing the blogger as it is not my way to fall out with people but I am not sure there is any point as they were not open to discussion
posted by
Azur
on July 22, 2005 at 3:39 AM
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"It's my blog, and I'll dfelete who I want to, delete who I want to, "
(Jackie DeShannon, no?).
Someone wants to delete me, fine. I reserve the right to keep my porch clean, too, although I've only done it once. I just keep deleting my own blogs, instead.
I don't think deleting comments equates to banning books, inless they're really, really long and serious comments.
Like mine.
Just email the blogger and ask what's up, or don't click on them again, if it's that bad. Their loss.
posted by
majroj
on July 21, 2005 at 11:37 PM
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This is just like the gun control advocates
People who are going to go and hold up a 7-11 aren't going to be registering their guns.
posted by
Joe_Love
on July 21, 2005 at 9:47 PM
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How DARE you have an opinon of your own!
And don't think I won't be checking my comments sections for bombs from here on out!
posted by
UsualSuspect
on July 21, 2005 at 9:43 PM
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MayB,
Well said...erasing the comment doesn't erase the difference of opinion just the appearance of same...
posted by
Julia.
on July 21, 2005 at 9:42 PM
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To my mind,
banning anything makes it more sought after. I believe in simply agreeing to disagree and leaving it there.
posted by
word.smith
on July 21, 2005 at 8:54 PM
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Hello MayB,
It would be a dull world if we all agreed on everything. Writers write to get their points across. Isn't that what communication is all about? Anyway, thanks for the visit and you have a great day! I hope you enjoyed the picture of our fish. Yes, there is something very peaceful about watching them swim. Bet, you can't tell I enjoy our fishtanks with different kinds of fish, just living a peaceful existence?
TTFN
posted by
jacentaOld
on July 21, 2005 at 6:45 PM
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mayb
Good for you!!! My feeling is that if someone deleted your comments, it gives off a false sense of agreement to other readers.
People around here need to lighten up!!
posted by
TIMMYTALES
on July 21, 2005 at 4:45 PM
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MAYB
Banning the books serves no purpose. To delete you comments because your opinion may differ serves no purpose either. Just because one can't see things, doesn't mean their not there. Lately I have been learning as much as I can about Islam. That requires buying the books or getting them from the libary. Like you, I am no threat either, but wanting to learn more is something we should do everyday. Mostly we learn through books. Just my 2 cents!
posted by
Offy
on July 21, 2005 at 4:37 PM
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Benny-the-door, I agree with you yet it's funny how banning is seen as more effective
posted by
Azur
on July 21, 2005 at 4:11 PM
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i appreciate your comments.
:) Thank you!
posted by
DancesWithWords
on July 21, 2005 at 4:00 PM
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Banning the authors might stem the floodgate of mass propaganda. Still, if there was a will to get the literature, there will be a way to get it. Online shopping from overseas is one solution.
Ben.
posted by
A-and-B
on July 21, 2005 at 1:54 PM
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It is a difficult issue but i find your proposal to observe (monitor)
who browses or buys certain books as more worrying. this would not stop at specific terrorist related books and would spread to literature of all political persuasions invading peoples privacy seriously and building up a picture of citizens
posted by
Benny-the-door
on July 21, 2005 at 1:46 PM
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MayB
Ah, but isn't having a differing opinion in and of itself a "threat" to some? To be able to logically disagree by default implies the opposing point of view is illogical. When in a "my way or the highway" situation, I prefer the latter. It's usually better than their low road.
posted by
Talion
on July 21, 2005 at 10:39 AM
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Hi MayB....dig your writing style...good points made.
This is a free country---freedom of the press. As for blocking another reader here on Blogit, I don't get that. If someone were harrassing me and spewing viciousness, then okay. Don't let it bother you.
posted by
MedusaNextDoor
on July 21, 2005 at 9:32 AM
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I've never been a fan of banning books
people will find litereature that supports them even if it is underground. And banning the books makes them the martyrs. As for comments. I have accidentally deleted a comment (my own) but I've never nuked someone elses. What is the point?
posted by
MerryAnne
on July 21, 2005 at 9:07 AM
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Hey MayB,
As far as someone deleting your comments; I could only think that someone who would do this might do it out of fear. Sometimes people view a different opinion or someone questioning something that they have written, as a threat. Different viewpoints aren't always a "challenge" of someone's intelligence. But I guess some folks think of them that way. Just my opinion.
Good to read your posts!
Go Easy,
J. King
posted by
J.King
on July 21, 2005 at 8:58 AM
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Hi MayB...
...I didn't know a person could even delete comments that are left on their posts! Seems a little pointless to me though...reeks a bit of censorship! Not sure where I stand about removing such books from a store...I can see both sides of it. Food for thought...
posted by
ginnieb
on July 21, 2005 at 8:52 AM
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i totally see your point however i think as people we come to the point of trying to take whatever measres we can.... thats in re: to the books, now in re: to your comments, i have no clue...
posted by
mmm-w
on July 21, 2005 at 8:49 AM
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Mayb...
I think it would be better to leave it there and then carefully observe who was looking at it...I think you are right on with this post !!!
posted by
SincerityAnna
on July 21, 2005 at 8:45 AM
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