“Climategate” post, I want to go over MY rules for posting on this blog once again.

First, personal attacks are out.  I occasionally fail here myself – I called “Low Key” “spam,” for example.  These are emotional issues. So I cut everyone some slack, but only a little.  Make a habit of it and you are GONE.

Second, whether you agree or disagree with me is not important, but I treat this blog as a source of useful information for people, so if your comment gets in the way of intelligent discussion, it’s in danger.  

As anyone with eyes to see and a brain to read can tell, when a person VERY critical of the research outfit whose emails were exposed took the time to provide us with intelligent links, not only was his (or her) post accepted, I listened  and it changed my own tone because it brought up disturbing issues of possibly incompetent or dishonest research.  I had not addressed these issues in my first post.  Not being a person knowledgeable in programming, I am willing to wait and see how that issue transpires, but from my limited understanding it looks bad for them at this point.  

Third, a post that is simply name calling, accusations, and assertions that people he or she does not know are “criminal,” acting in bad faith, etc. WILL be deleted.  Neither I nor most other readers are interested in opinions without the person sharing them making an effort to defend them in a reasonable manner.  By “reasonable” I mean being open to logic and evidence.  Ask yourself before making a serious accusation or statement – what could possibly get me to change my mind?  If you cannot think of anything earthly, you’d best not say it here.

Radicals in this country have poisoned public debate by making it very unpleasant for most people. They specialize in name calling, finding conspiracies everywhere, and assuming anyone who disagrees with them is their enemy, dishonest, etc.  They can be on the left or the right, but these days are usually on the right.  I used to try and reason with them.  No more.  I am tired of it.  I do my bit for truth, democracy, and decency by kicking them outta here when they expose themselves.

You disagree with something I say or another commenter says?  Fine.  Give reasons, evidence, stuff like that, and assume we are at least as well meaning as you are.  If you cannot do that, go play elsewhere.