For example, a reader recently posted a racial slur on our website regarding a public figure we had written about. At first, I was appalled. My immediate instinct was to delete it. But doing that didn’t seem to square with what blogs, internet-based expression and free speech is about.

So I chose to play the comment as confused (though it was truly deluded). My response was diplomatic and focused on clarifying what we had written vis-a-vis the comment.

This approach didn’t engage the commenter; he didn’t respond. His comment still stands and it speaks for itself – and the commenter’s small mindedness. No sense burying this kind of speech – it will surface elsewhere.

Air it out and your readers should be able to sort it out for themselves.

Everyone can have a chance this way, but things do not get out of hand without cause. Even trolls have good days.

The beset you can do is try to articulate your own policy (at least for yourself) — e.g., I’ll be gracious to dissenting points of view; I’ll correct typos (or leave them as is); I’ll respond with a comment when X or Y or Z is true.

If you choose to allow a likely troll in, and he turns out to be an actual troll, no big deal. Get rid of him. This is how con men work: by playing on your sense of fairness. They’ve got lots of other potential victims, and will toddle off when they don’t receive their main nutrient: limelight.

Being blocked from a blog is not on the same level as being sentenced to death (despite claims to the contrary).

Blog is a very public place, and one needs to expect occasional unpleasant behaviors when allowing commenting by unregistered or anonymous users.

Having a mandatory registration may be one solution to the problem. Having FOAF system is yet another, more strict solution.

I don’t think that you should delete decent comments, as same poster can just use another public computer. So what’s the point? Preventing bad comments, or bad users who you may not know? First is possible, second cannot be always verified.

I’ve seen too many good bloggers lose their regular visitors by allowing one bad person free reign.

But that is my own feelings on the issue and only applies to me and my blog and only at this moment. I might have felt different about it yesterday and I might feel different tomorrow.

That’s right where I’m at. Some days I would have just ignored this as any comment is a good comment and I hate to be the judge and jury without direct evidence that applies to ME not just the world. Maybe he’ll play nice on my blog.

Other days, I want NOTHING to do with jerks like this. As Rob asks, would I invite him into my home knowing what I know. Of course not!

But I’m a fence mender and peace maker, too. Maybe I could find a way to have nicenice with him so we develop some trust and respect – and maybe he can learn from our relationship that the web is tiny community and everything you do is public FOREVER.

That’s why I brought up the subject. There are no right or wrong answers, are there? Is it possible to set a standard that everyone can adhere to when it comes to this kind of issue? I don’t know, that’s why your feedback is so important. We have to support each other when faced with these challenges so we can all learn.

Thanks!

Silently, yet expeditiously, deleting a comment is not at all the same thing as announcing, “I’ve deleted a comment from a creep, just so you all know!” If you delete his comment and all further comments, your readers will never know. If they knew, which of course they won’t, they would thank you for making sure they can come to your blog without having to put up with a bunch of garbage. Delete away! It’s your blog!

If they want to behave badly anywhere else, they can…not my problem. But on my blog they will behave or be deleted. If a troll can live by that kind of rules and remain civil on my blog, then their comments are as good and no worse than anyone else’s.

But the moment that known troll starts his crap on my blog, i would have no problem with deleting their comment…but just the ones in which they are behaving badly. If after being deleted a few times they get the message that only civility is acceptable and can make a comment in which they can behave, then the acceptable comments will be allowed to stay.

Knowing about his past behavior is a warning to watch his comments and act swiftly and calmly should anything occur, but I don’t think it should be used as an excuse to pre-emptively censor anyone.

But that is my own feelings on the issue and only applies to me and my blog and only at this moment. I might have felt different about it yesterday and I might feel different tomorrow.

Ultimately, I have to agree that it is your blog, your rules (no need to post them if you don’t feel like it, you have the right to make them up as you go along), and whatever you want goes, and tough luck for anyone that doesn’t like it.

You can even ban someone because you don’t like the color of the font they use on their own blog, if that is your wish…and nobody would have the right to tell you that you can’t or shouldn’t….at least on your blog. Nobody has any rights on your blog execpt the ones you choose to give them, and only for as long as you allow.

You have all rights on your blog.

Gives a new meaning to that line found at the bottom of some blogs that reads “All Rights Reserved”, doesn’t it?

“My blog, my rules.” That’s what I go by with my blogs. Whether or not his comment is calm, you know the potential powder keg he can be. So if you decide to keep it, you’ve chosen the higher ground and maybe, just maybe, he’ll play nice.

However, if you delete it and he goes off on a rant, then it’s “poor baby” for him and you move on with your life. The world has too many bullies and one day they will get what’s coming to them in one form or another.

Hang in there!

Delete it. If you actually need any justification (which you don’t; it’s your blog) you’ve stated it here.

If this is a person who has been abusive in the past, the posting of an innocuous comment is manipulative behavior, trying to draw you into a game where you respond. This is classic behaviour. Don’t be drawn in. Delete it, and don’t play their game. Ban their IP, if you can. Do not engage or interact in any way.

Knowing this person’s history as you’ve said, if it were me I would delete the comment and if ever challenged as to why, refer them to your comment policy page. In my opinion, it’s important to include in a comment policy something along the lines of, “I reserve the right to delete any comment I deem inappropriate for whatever reason”.

I say, do not permit the troll to comment.