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