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(This is a copy of the comment moderation policy from my personal blog, which also applies to SD.JTimothyKing.com.)
In brief, I wish the tone on this site to remain basically civil and uplifting. Respect others, and if you can’t say anything positive and sympathetic, at least try to say something constructive and empathetic.
When you comment, try to decrease stress and conflict, rather than increase it.
Stay away from words like “always” and “never” and phrases like “nothing but self-aggrandizing, sanctimonious claptrap.” Don’t troll. Don’t call others by nasty names. Just because you feel like an insecure little man doesn’t mean there’s any value in making everyone else feel the same way.
Correct others humbly and with meekness.
I try to pursue these ideals, not always successfully. Please point out how I have lost sight of my vision for this site, but please do so as gently as can muster.
Anonymous and pseudonymous comments I am more likely to delete if I judge them to be abrasive or abusive. Commenters who give their real names and URLs I am more likely to take seriously, and if they write something hurtful, I’m more likely to think they at least did so in good faith, because they’re willing to take personal accountability for their own statements.
When moderating comments, I try to discern whether the commenter—as evidenced in his comment—is trying to add to the discussion, or whether he’s just trying to be a jackass. If the former, I may reply. If the latter, I may summarily delete the comment. I make my determination based on my own intuition and values. I may even keep a comment initially, later deleting it. (And I have done so twice as of this writing.)
If you disagree with my decision to delete a comment, you have one recourse: we live in a free existence, and you’re welcome to publish your own blog post giving your side of the story. Just don’t expect anyone to care.
-TimK
P.S. For more details and history on my comment moderation policy, see this post.