The Rules of Exchange

It is my hope that many will join in with comments, challenges, and ideas during the course of this blog. And given my great devotion to the principles of free speech, it is my intention to leave all comments in place, and to stand as is. Intentions aside, some conduct will not be tolerated. With regards to obscenity, Blogger has its own standards, and I will thank all visitors to observe those. Things that will draw action from me include:

1. Excessive Blasphemy - If you wish to make a point of your unbelief, do so. If you wish to go at length about it, go somewhere else. This does not and should not be taken to mean I wish to limit examples of wrongs done by religious organizations or persons. You are free to go into as much detail as you wish in that regard, but if you are angry with people there is no reason or advantage to go into a tirade about any figure that you regard as sacred. 
2. Vefiably False Information - Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but not their own facts. If you start trying to pass of bogus information in this realm, you will be challenged for substantiation. Failure to meet the challenge will result in action being taken.
3. Sock Puppetry - All participants are welcome to make their case, and only their case. If you try to make someone else's case for them, you will quickly disappear. So let's all avoid phrases such as  "what you really mean to say is..." Let people's words speak for them. If you need someone else to clarify, ask them. You take care of speaking for yourself.
4. Personal Attacks - Too easy, too common, and way too abused. Use relevant facts. Anyone can call a person a liar. Can you cite cases where the person has lied before? Claiming a person is a racist doesn't mean much to me in a discussion about climate change. My hope is that comments submitted to this site will make people think. Comments dealing strictly with personal attacks do just the opposite. They discourae thought. Unless they have a very good reason for being here, they won't stay here long.