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If it is controversal it makes for a good dialog. A blog is a dialog. I only delete if they are personal attacks but not with differing opinions. That is how we learn and grow.

There are time all we can do is agree to disagree and there is nothing wrong with healthy debate. 

Richard,

Many people thrive on controversy while other prefer not to entangle themselves.

I agree though, you have to be careful how you are perceived on the internet.  What we post today has the potential to stay with us for a very long time.

Well stated Rich, even the "put on your big boy/girl pants and get over it".  I have read several posts that had controversy going on.. I always felt the poster knew when posting it would be controversal.

You really do have to be careful if you put it out there. It is ot there whether you like it or not

Richard,

You are 100 percent correct. You should delete a persons post if they are respectful and disagree. Seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Good stuff Richard, I think I know what blog you might be talking about..  :)

I couldn't have said it better, if you write it you should be able to shoulder the comments!

Off a ducks back comes to mind!

Missy, Nothing wrong with controversial, it does make for good dialog. It's when you just arbitrarily delete comments that are opposed to your position that it becomes a problem.

Mark, I couldn't agree more.

Jennifer, Everything we post, as well as everything we comment on is indexed somewhere and can come back to bite us.

Gail, Some people toss controversial subjects out there just for the fun of it and than don't like the comments that come back in return.

Charlie, Post it or comment on it and Google can find it.

Steven, If you can't deal with comments that don't always agree with you, don't post.

Jared, OK but I'm not telling.

Richard, I am very curious now regarding whose blog you read! I know you won't say who did this but it has made me wonder about what they were talking about. You are right about blogging," if you cannot stand the heat then get out of the kitchen".

Good thoughts in regards to the delete button.  I like you will not comment if I don't agree but think it is controversy.

Rich,

Good point.  I am not suprised though.  You usually do have good points.

Ricahrd,

Really well said.

The one thing I have learned during my short time here on AR is that there are going to be a lot of different opinions.  And this is a good thing.

Blogs, in my opinion, are meant for a forum for information and debate.  If bloggers can't handle the second part, the debate, then they need to rethink their posts.

I think debate is very healthy and I have certainly learned a lot about people in a very short period of time, and I am grateful for this.

Richard - I once had to delete two comments from a member of active rain... They were so rude, funny thing is when I clicked over to look at the person's blog - they had never written one.  Other than that, I've tried to take it like a man :-)

Richard - Now I don't know enough about this but I read somewhere a while back that the comments are actually copyright of the commentor and the poster could get in trouble deleting legit comments??? Not talking about spam comments. ~Rita

Caren, I find it interesting when some members intentionally write a controversial post and then can't handle the comments.

Chris, I intentionally chose not to identify the post from yesterday. The point is more important.

Kathy, The delete key is important but should be used carefully.

Marlene, Thanks. You must be busy, I haven't seen you for a while on AR.

Mark, Debate is healthy. I frequently learn more from the comments than the original post.

Debbie, I've never had to delete a comment but wouldn't hesitate if it was warranted. Disagreement with me doesn't automatically warrant a deletion.

Rita, I've never heard that before but anything is possible. If you delete it though, I wonder how can it be a copyright infringement?

Controversial blogs generate more interest than boring and bland ones.  Every now and then I throw something out there just to see what dialog develops...  But I am glad we can edit comments after they're posted, because sometimes I think better of a comment.  LOL.

Margaret, I've gone back and modified comments after a bit of reflection too. You're right, thank goodness the capability is there.

Hi Rich:

I guess everyone has the right to delete, but people should expect that not everyone will agree with their views...

As you mentioned, as long as it was done professionally with respect...why delete it?

You need to take the good with the bad and vice-versa...

Hi Rich!  I've only deleted one comment in the year I have been here on Active Rain.  I wrote what I thought was a positive post and I got one negative comment.  I started to reply and then thought, what the hell... I can just delete it rather than get into an ugly back and forth argument.  I never heard from that person again, to my knowledge, although I can't even remember his name.  I thought about it afterward and I wasn't sure I did the right thing, but it was done.  Rich, if you ever disagree with me, please don't not comment.  I welcome feedback from people I respect.  Also, I think I have given up on commenting on anything political in nature.  That may be my newest new year's resolution!

Well Said

Way to go on the feature, my friend!

Featured @ Club Chaos

I love debating or as my husband calls it arguing. Wth a few rules, Not crude, mean spirited and not personal. Debate the point.

Love the honest discussion on blogs including this one.  Let's keep the integrity of the process and be professionals.  What I would like to do is delete all of the blogs that I see that are blatant attempts to self promote and/or publish inane material just to gain points.  There "otta" be a law!

Hi Rich,

I couldn't agree more. I had subscribed to someone's blog right here on Active Rain. I was catching up on reading the other night and clicked on her blog and was shocked to read very inappropriate language. Click. Delete. I don't need the drama, especially here, where it's all about sharing and learning from each other.

Thanks,

Lisa

I enjoy people who would respectfully disagree. It makes me think! You are making me wonder whom and what this blog is really about. Now I will go on thinking about it. LOL.

I delete comments only when it is a pure advertisement which spammers use. I also had some who you know are spammers and are not members. Just weird people who have nothing better to do with their time.

What a weak minded person.  A special censorship group should be set up.  If these people can't handle it leave. 

MORNING RICHARD!  Thicken up is good advice - disagreeing is not disliking -- sometimes I think people confuse the two. -- Gabrielle

Toula, If you post something to evoke a disagreeing comment you should be able to take it and not delete.

Susan, Every post of your's I've read has been positive and uplifting. You would never have posted anything like what I was referring to. Besides, you're like the Italian sister I never had. Family of boys.

Ann, From experience, husbands can be a little sensitive about that.

Gina, Honest dialog helps us learn, even if it disagrees with our position.

Lisa, Actually, I was subscribed to this persons blog too, and no longer am.

Loreena, Anybody who thinks they're too smart to learn from another point of view is just wrong, in my opinion.

Mike, I don't know about weak minded but definately thin skinned.

Gabrielle, Good point about disagreeing not being disliking. There are so many points of view on Active Rain and its a great learning experience.

Richard, I am a family of girls...well there were two of us, so I am honored to be your Italian sister!  Pass the locatelli cheese please!  xxoo

Richard,  I agree with your blog but wonder if you can answer a question for me.  I'm somewhat new to this entire social networking thing and AR is the only one I really participate in although I have signed up for a couple others but not gotten involved yet.  I've been disappointed in number of comments I get.  I wonder if I'm posting them to the wrong groups or what.  Any suggestions?

Richard:  as they say "if you can't stand the heat..., I like to take a somewhat contraversial position sometimes to here responses.  Debate can be a healthy thing. It helps to hear all the angles, to stay informed and speak from a position of understanding

Richard - it appears we have the same criteria for wielding the power of the delete function. Blog posts are a dialogue, and, in a dialogue, one may often hear something in disagreement.

Very valid points indeed, and it is sad to see when the power of censorship goes to peoples heads and valid, respectful comments are deleted.

Unfortunately, it is very easy for Social Networking sites to develop into social clique sites too. I havent noticed this on AR yet though!

Richard, very wise points.  When I was a newbie I was shocked to learn that you can remove comments because you want to or they present opposing views.  What's the point of blogging and putting out your position if you can't take a discussion.  So it's a childish position - agree with me and my post or I'll use the magic delete key.  I like the 'put on your big girl and big boy pants' and deal with it.  If it's really controversial better get to the 7-11 to pick up a bag of depends.

Verbal civilized boxing gloves anyone?

Susan, I know there's at least two Active Rain participants who know what "gravy" is.

Marian, I'm on Twitter and Facebook too but I'm really challenged there. On AR I find that when I post between 7:30 and 8 AM there seem to be a lot of quick responses. During the day most people are busy doing other things. Subscribe to others peoples blogs and many times they will reciprocate. Some of the most active groups are Club Chaos, Whacked and Square Pegs. Keep at it though and it will pay off.

Charles, I think it makes my understanding stronger if I know what opposing sides feel.

Mike, There's nothing wrong with disagreement. It would be a pretty boring world if everyone agreed on everything.

Wez, There is some of that here on AR too but not as much as other sites.

Lyn, As long as the comments that disagree are disagreeable I'm OK. Sometimes passions run a bit high and I'm glad the delete key option is available.

Rich, What do you have to say about identity protection? :) I see your prof pic is missing some features. What about transparency? Do you feel the same? Should we put on our big boy pants and put a whole pic out there? or is cyberspace too scary?

Please don't think I'm being sassy. I truly want to know what, if anything, made you put a partial pic up?

Christine, Two reasons, creativity, and I'm just not that good looking. After I photoshopped out all the wrinkles thats all that was left. Be forewarned, one click on the More About Me link above left will get you a full pic holding my Grandson. On a slightly more serious note, I think the pic as it is makes me stand out from the crowd. BTW, I like sassy.

Richard,  very good point.  In blogging we put what we feel out there.  Out of respect, we need to leave comments that may not agree with what we feel....Thanks, Olga

Richard, I have deleted comments, but only my own.  Sometimes, I reread what I posted and think, "What's the use?" and pop, its gone.  But, I would never disrespect someone else's opinion who disagrees with me.  Too bad for her.