Thoughts on Swearing & Censorship

Thanks for keeping this topic alive...

because the issue isn't dead although it certainly has DIED DOWN.  Posts ARE being deleted rather capriciously and I have NEVER been able to get an answer from JJ as to what the problem with my suggestion of voluntary moderation was. Lacking a response, my best guess is that JJ realized, actually rather astutely, that the eyes of the world are on Iran and that this IS certainly ONE of the largest English-language Persian websites in the world, and English being the lingua franca...so...this seemed wise to me, actually, since all I want is for the world to respect Iran and honor our common heritage.  .And visitors were dropping in, "kharejis", you know, my "hamvatans", really well-intentioned people, and just sort of saying, I can't BELIEVE the way you people speak and behave. I will get involved in other political or human rights issues, thank you...really, I read a couple of those.   So I'm MORE than fine with the involuntary moderation for crucial pragmatic purposes,whether that was indeed JJ's intention or not.

But that still doesn't answer the question of the strange deletions. You mentioned volunteer editors. Is that a fact or heresay or just conjecture? And if it's a fact, why are you privy to it and others not? JJ mentioned, I believe in the goldfish blog, in response to someone's lingering concerns, that he intended to blog on the moderation issue further, but his latest blog was on Salman Rushdie. Well, perhaps he needs more time to assess things...but....

I wish he would articulate more.  (Hi, jj, Fisher Kinghankings!   :D  My concerns and the one last wish in particular, I take it, are not exactly news to you....)

 Best to all and thanks again,

Robin Jayne Goldsmith

Ey-ranian

Ey-ranian = mooftkhor Iranians who live/work in the West and think the West is the greatest place forgetting that the West, for example the U.S. started doing better because of stealing Iraqi oil.

Can't warn anonymous commenters

I think Paki may be offensive, so that may be the cause of it's removal. Also I think threads to comments are deleted when the main comment is deleted. The primary problem in identifying a comment that is malicious, or questionable, even if you have a policy, is that you can't warn the commenter, especially if they are anonymous (no email). So the alternative is to post a warning that really has no bite, but gets the point across, on the piece among the comments reminding everyone to keep it civil and to the point and to avoid irrelevant personal attacks. I think I will do that from now on. It's easy to do and probably the best response. It won't clean up what may become a very messy comments section, but at least a best effort to police it without censorship will have been shown.

Kourosh, Thanks. Someone

Kourosh,

Thanks. Someone please provide the definition of these words too:

arab zadeh

kondeh

madar ghahbee

Let's be clear on the words being used to vent anger. I for one have no issues with swearing. A healthy dose in real life, keeps this behaviour off line.

I read both deleted

I read both deleted comments!

comment 1: Something about Pakis

comment 2: entered by my husband, asked why you are still writing. when you said you wouldn't. (Thanks for answering it today)

I will assume we are talking about 2 other deleted comments which brings the total number of deleted comments to 4.

This isn't directly about you. I have noticed many comments being deleted. Some of them aren't even offensive. So I don't get who is deleting and based on what? I think that when a comment is deleted IS THE BEST time to debate the merit because it shows that someone made a decision for the rest of us. We deserve to know why.

So in response to your 2 questions, nothing should be deleted. Unless there is a clear guideline that all editors follow. If anyone breaks the guideline (non existent so far), they should be warned. Positive reinforcement is good too. Maybe we should have an Editor of the month. Someone who sticks to the guidelines.

when I say...........

Kiram tou rohehe rouholah kondeh khomeini madar jendeh moslamoneh vatan foroushe shia jakesheh madar ghahbee, pedar sagehe arab zadeh akhonh...I am really saying I want to confront his religion, him and his khorossuckers!!!

I advocate the bombing of Mullahs. I do not necessary wish to have Iran bombed per se, but if mullahs dwell in Iran, well, I cannot very well say Bomb Mars! If they did I would be saying Bomb Mars!!!

Deleted comments in question

Comment 1: paraphrasing: "What does Jamie think about you having a crush on his mother."

Comment 2: paraphrasing: "You're not supposed to delete me bitch, you're supposed to call me a pussy."

I am still trying, but I can't find a relevance to my article about Pervez Musharraf's recent crackdowns on his opposition. Wait, there is one way it cold be related... Nope it's personal allright!

The problem with deleting and editorial license

Thanks for helping define the issue. Keep in mind that while the cold definitions of those words sound harmless, they are in fact almost always used in a disparaging or damage inducing way, not merely in passing. I say this having felt a lot of those words' sting. Unfortunately, once a comment is deleted, you cannot debate the merits of it's deletion. It's gone. Saying that a comment that was deleted "wasn't really that bad" is a matter of opinion based on differing standards. Also, accusations of impropriety in the choice to delete is a bit misplaced given this is a private website serving it's product to the community for voluntary consumption. As much as we need one, this is not an actual community property with ANY of the community serving obligations one would expect. I do think that you have brought up a good point, in that we need a standard of what is going to be acceptable "civilized" (def: polite, courteous, well-mannered, civil, gentlemanly, ladylike, mannerly; cultured, cultivated, refined, polished, sophisticated; enlightened, educated, advanced, developed.) behavior and what is not. Then following that, what is an appropriate or fair response to breaking that rule. I have no feedback on either of these and am happy to accept whatever outcome is reached.