What kind of water is under that thin ice? If t ose comments were in any way anonynous I'd see a reason to worry ore. But tge hidden comment mecanism is quite good at preventing the casual reader from seeing them, and that should preclude the need for banning. "It's the statue, man, The Statue."
I just think it cannot help the reputation of the site, or encourage readership, when it seems that each time I pull up the recent comments list, there is something offensive to read. And not offensive in some ideological sense, but simply sophomoric. The hidden comments only work after so many people have rated a comment. I understand you and I probably see more of the recent comments than the "casual reader", but comments are comments. I often visit other blogs I know nothing about and try to judge from the comments what the vibe is there. If someone who is mean seems to be dominating threads, I probably won't go back.
But some of that is a matter of taste too. For example, I think Lana is funny, even though she can be mean. But she's also not contributing almost every other comment either... Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire
I'm against any banning policy. This site has got a troll-rating feature and a God-given right (what's an atheistic version of this?) to ignore any posts/diaries, wouldn't it be enough? But then what do I know, being a citizen of a country where freedom of speech doesn't really exist and everything is being censored???
:)
BTW, mr R Kulisz (is that him the last nasty offender, right?) may well be a Pole living in the Evil Twins Country or recently left it and is now experiencing a cultural shock. Then you may want to greet him with an authentic Polish word "Kurrrva" and he'll be happy.. or not
