Thanks for the response. Trolls must be frustrating, but I hope I’ve managed to suggest they are better ignored than bullied. The first impression you make newcomers you want to reach should be important to you.

As the political environment has polarized, it is tougher to find blogs that are fair to opposing viewpoints, not 100% on either side, and do not torture logic to support their views. There are a lot of people, myself included, who seek that.

If commenters would generally be as civil as you, I would have no problem at all.

The fact is 99% of the lefty commenters that come here are trolls like Elizabeth - people who say so many outrageously stupid things that it becomes tiresome trying to answer them.

By stupid I mean how can you “discuss” something that is not in the post? Or like Elizabeth:

Did George W. Bush give away the nuclear cookie jar to India? And did he do it because he is desperate for positive headlines no matter what the consequences?

That is so far beyond the pale as to be in the next state. That kind of Bush Derangement Sydrome I realized long ago is meant simply to get a rise out me and others so I give them what they want and if they persist, ban their asses. They are not serious people.

There are many liberals who come here and behave themselves and we’ve had quite spirited discussions about a host of issues. But I will not abide trolls.

If you do decry name calling in your comments, you might lead from example.

Those not holding to your views, but open to all views, must be repelled by the name calling here, and the hostility to those raising questions and points not totally with your views. They likely flee, never to return. You miss an opportunity to influence and draw supporters. Instead, you preach to the choir; which by most polls is getting smaller every day.

Don’t you want to use your blog to build support for your views?

And Miss Brown, dispite the provocation you too should avoid name calling. It works both ways.

Rick - you should consider making it blog policy to prohibit name calling and mocking from your comments and then delete ruthlessly ANY comments that violate that rule. Your blog is almost unique among those on the Right by actually allowing comments. Why squander the opportunity to be a place of earnest discussion where your views can be nurtured and spread?

Are you really such an asshole?

Maybe if you used a more measured approach in your discussions you might actually find more people would be willing to join the discussions here.

Where in my post do I say anything about how “things are just great” in Iraq? Are you an idiot normally or do you just make an exception when you leave comments that reveal how stupid you truly are?

Mouth breathing brainless twits like you should read what is written on the page. The only point I was making has been born out by the facts; that the media exaggerated the violence following the destruction of the Shrine. Did you miss that? I don’t see any comment from you on the thrust of the post so I must assume you can’t read which means I’m wasting my time responding to you.

So what do you think? Scandal-A-Week George’s next fiasco is starting to bubble up big and nasty all over. Did George W. Bush give away the nuclear cookie jar to India? And did he do it because he is desperate for positive headlines no matter what the consequences?

Stay tuned!