Oh, drat, "preview" ripped some self-deprecating humour code from my post:

<peeve class="petty">
Last paragraph was tagged.
</peeve>

Reporter: What do you think about the execution of the offense today?

Coach: Sounds like a good idea.

--

@201 - KPRATT: :)

@203 - NELSON.C: Yes, that's how I feel. That this is a policy declaration and agreed upon by all at BB. Thus, I am mostly let down by the lack of public input from the editors. It's a shame really that BB has come to this. But not really. BB's evolution was long overdue.

--

Thank you for posting this, Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator. I must not have been the only one asking.

Until this thread I had no idea who Teresa was. So I took a look at her blog. I am happy to learn she comes across there as a perfectly reasonable human being who is more gifted than flawed because here at BB her tendency is to let her flaws get the better of herself. Understandable in a way.

This discussion while a bit ugly is ultimately helpful I would believe. Yes, it's execution could have been done better and it would have been nice if the editors had shown up in support or at least introduced it (maybe elsewhere?). I saw a comment from Joel but that's about it. It's sad to see the editors shy away from what the moderator clearly felt was an important metablog topic. Letting her speak for them in this manner... well, how publicly involved or uninvolved the editors are is a whole other topic.

In time Boing Boing will never have been better but right now with the comments in their current condition, Boing Boing is not what it once was. Once comment discussions are moderated consistently and with a deft, reasoned touch I am sure Boing Boing will once again be on my morning rounds. Two steps forward, one step back, and then two steps forward -- that is a good life.

Still, I wish that a few on this board weren't so self-involved and roaming around in a pack. If only I wasn't so undermined by that human frailty, curiosity, and could refrain from viewing comments. Or if only these few would grow up and overcome their desire to stamp their collective personality upon Boing Boing while stamping out others' personalities. Really, must you few insist upon posting your veiled dissenting opinions on others and others' remarks? And having TNH come rescue you from a puddle is really juvenile.

if someone encased takuan in black cloth and tied up the bundle in rope... i wouldn't mind. nobody should establish such a domineering presence. takuan needs to be more frequently absent from bb. it is so rare a comments thread can be read without having to deal with his in-jokes and the clique herd falling in line with fellatio.

travelina, betsy is merely picking the new toy because the control toys all remain the same and she has seen them plenty of times already.

OT: Why does BB edit a user's comment without stating it has? Also, if there is a comments TOS, what is the URL? Danke.