My intent in starting this blog is, as suggested above, to provide a forum for ALL people who are passionate, or even remotely interested, in the current controversy surrounding illegal and legal immigration where they may debate each other, as well as the issue, with mutual respect. To preserve this lofty ambition we, the administrators of the blog, reserve the right to set down and strictly enforce the following rules:
1. The use of any and all expletives1 is strictly forbidden. If you find it necessary to forcefully express yourself in that fashion, it is suggested that you substitute the word “expletive,” in context. I’m sure that you will be understood, and no other substitutes2 will be tolerated. It is hoped, however, that the commenters will not feel the need to be impolite in their debate, although passion is understood and not discouraged.
2. Ad hominem attacks are strictly forbidden.3 Attack the issue if you will, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES attack the individual merely for offering their opinion. It has no place in debate or in polite company.
3. Allegorical allusions to hate crimes, past or present, must be firmly couched in FACT, with accompanying documentation (i.e. links) to their source, otherwise discussion will be considered inappropriate to the tone of this site and removed as an attempt to inflame rather than to forward, or add to, the debate.
4. Threats of any kind, whether real or implied, are strictly forbidden. The consequence is immediate banning from this blog.4
5. It is requested that all commenters either submit under consistent pseudonyms or under their own name, although anonymous comments will also be accepted. HOWEVER, forum trolls will not be tolerated and individuals who attempt to comment under multiple identities (as confirmed by IP addresses) will be “outed” and ultimately banned.
CONSEQUENCES
It is not my intention to moderate the comments on this blog, with the exceptions noted in the above rules. However, violations of the rules will be treated as follows, although errant comments will remain, as noted:
• 1st violation will be given a warning as an “Editor note” inserted in the comment, as well as an email from the Admin requesting an explanation. Lack of response will be noted on the blog, and the Admin reserves the right to be less than polite in that note.
• 2nd violation will automatically place that commenter in moderation, which will be noted in the comment as an “Editor note” and the Admin reserves the right to be less than polite.
• 3rd violation will result in immediate banning of both the IP address and the pseudonym/name of that individual.
1 Any and all words considered profane or referred to as profanity.
2 Abbreviated phrases (i.e. WTF), suggested profanity with substituted letters or missing letters (i.e. f***), etc.
3 This includes, but is not limited to, terms such as racist, Nazi, impolite “nick-names,” apologist, etc.
4 This supersedes the general consequences to be established for violating the other rules.
