Play the game

I wasn't going to bother with this, but over the last few months, there's been a consistent reader or two of this blog that has attempting to post comments that simply aren't part of the relevant discussion.

I point anyone to our Posting Policy, and while it may seem strident, it really isn't. I welcome anyone's opinion on here, and any viewpoint, no matter how extreme, or if it differs from my views. I don't care where you sit on the political fence as there's space for all of us to contribute to discussion in this community, to be heard and defend and debate our ideas (no matter how wrong you are!).

Last week we reported two idiots who have continually attempted to post regular hateful comments on here.

I remind readers that CairnsBlog has access to originating email address; exactly what you entered; what time you accessed the site and what you looked at; and the IP address (this is the defining one and we can locate where exactly where you post from). See the Privacy policy for the full access our data tracking records.

I don't go trawling through screeds of data to see who posted what and when, I simply can't be bothered. However, when a defamatory and personal insult comes up, we always report it to the Internet Service Provider and let them know what customer of theirs is doing this. It is a breach of their service agreement.

Yesterday we reported two Westnet customers and one from Bigpond, who have subsequently given them a final warning that they are in breach of the user agreement. I wrote about this in the early days of CairnsBlog when two successive comments emanated from Council's computers with a cairns.qld.gov.au address. Personally I don't care for where people post from, but the triggers are when the comments are of a nature that it adds no value to the discussion in a productive and healthy way.

Bigpond's Acceptable Use Policy is rather clear on these matters, as are Westnet's.

Following discussion some time ago, I've been convinced, at least temporally, to retain the option for users to post Anonymously, even though I disagree with it. I mean, if you feel passionately about a subject or wish to comment, then why not say who you are?

Anyway, I guess when you challenge an existing local government that you strongly disagree with, you're bound to get a few nutters. I would rather them post and contribute intelligent opposing views, not simply fire off dumb-arse comments that show their brain is the size of a John Howard Celebration Party.