Rules

OK, so we got ourselves some rules, intended to further the goals of the blog:

1. Keep it civil. Try to keep each other civil, using gentle words.
2. Don’t raise new topics or issues not reasonably responsive to what has been said before in the thread.
3. Topic drift is not discouraged so long as each comment is reasonably responsive to the comment to which it replies. However we may divert a digression into another thread at our discretion. If we do this, no rebuke of the commenters involved is implied.
4. Don’t make controversial claims unless you are prepared to support them precisely as you made them with evidence.
5. If you see that you have made a mistake, post a correction. If your error has caused offence, correct it and apologise.
6. You may ask that a new thread be started on a topic of your choice. We do not promise to give you one.
7. Discussion of the moderation of a thread is allowed in that thread. That includes reference to and clarification of these rules.
8. The rules are not generally up for discussion. If you wish to discuss these rules, do so in a thread where this is specifically permitted.
9. We may change the rules if we find them to be not conducive to intelligent, civil discussion, or otherwise not furthering our goal.
10. We will try to moderate with gentle words, failing that, with harsh words. Magic powers are a last resort.
11. The rules may be modified on a thread-by-thread basis, if so indicated in the post.
12. It’s our blog; you’re a guest; behave like one.
13. Abide by the spirit of the rules; give them a chance; give us a chance. We’ll give you a chance.
14. Don’t be stupid.

Bear in mind that rules 2, 3, 7, and 8 are intended to facilitate focussed discussion, and are a compromise between a complete free-for-all and being so restrictive as to stifle legitimate discussion.

Addenda: Please read this post about what punctuation to use when quoting someone.