A free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints – Basic Rules Of Decorum
Stay on Topic
Ad Hominem, or personal attacks are NOT tolerated. It is possible to disagree without personally insulting other people. There is a big difference between disagreeing with a person’s statements and attacking the individual’s character or person. From strictly a debate point of view – it does not strengthen your argument.
Examples:
- “Alderman X is a lying donkey face!
…is not the same as “I disagree with the the candidates position on this issue because the facts he uses are distorted”….etc
I think it also goes without saying that you can’t post illegal or defamatory information about people – your entitled to an opinion – but unless you can prove a serious allegation you can’t post something that is libel or slanderous.
We respect anonymity and welcome the free exchange of ideas. Unlike other media this blog allows the readers access to comment on any topic, disagree with the author, have their voice heard in this community and be a positive voice for political accountability. Feel free to disagree anytime you like, have your voice heard. This blog is read by many thousands of hatters each month – but without basic rules of civility no one would read this.
These rules have been in place since March 2006, they are an ingredient for what’s made the blog a success. Many posters have e-mailed me regarding this topic and they overwhelmingly want a respectful blog where people can voice their opinion without being subject to personal attacks. Disagree as much as you want, but keep the discussion civilized.
It would be easy for someone else to set up a no holds barred vulgarity based message board. Feel free to start one if that’s what you want, but through some fluke medhatblog has become a place that has a legitimate voice in this community, has the ear of decision makers and gives us an opportunity to be heard on issues that concern us as citizens. I am simply not willing to throw all that away because a very small minority wont use common sense rules of civility.
I will post this in the Rules for Posting section of the blog. Please be respectful – it doesn’t change your opinion to state it politely.
If you feel that someone is breaking one of these rules against you, email me and I will review it.
It’s you the readers that makes this site, and keep us going. Thank you, and let’s look forward to another fantastic, year. Elections are coming, let’s make some positive changes.
Sincerely,
Dangermouse & Skeet
Medicine Hat Media