Why do you feel that your opinion on this deserves to be another blog post rather than a part of the community discussion at the node above? Are you trying to divert attention away from Reprehensor's blog that has garnered such overwhelmingly negative feedback and condemnation by creating a separate blog entry that begs more for sympathy than reason? Why were these points that you now present here and claim to be part of the debate on the switching off of comments altogether not included in Reprehensor's original post? Sir, are you manufacturing a history in a desparate attempt to support a flawed decision that has proved very embarassing?

Just how real is this danger of a site shutdown by the haters of hate speech of which you speak? Generally, you supply many links to support assertions that you make and positions that you take on a variety of topics, both here and on your own blog. Yet, to justify your claimed fear of some Blogland Security shutdown raid, you provide none. Are these scary "stories of similar things happening" that you are hearing open source, verifiable events or are you just picking up paranoid back channel chatter on private mod squad frequencies to which we ewesers are not privy?

Users judged by the mod squad to have instigated "hate speech" (a wonderfully controversial term that I love to hate), and/or disruption, and/or an unwillingness to substantively contribute to the site have always been vunerable to banishment by your automagic permaban button. Surely, the "some people" of whom you speak cannot be so many as to be unmanagable. Would it not be a better and more efficient use of your time to handle these scarce cases individually rather than employ yourselves as human eschelons and carnivores?

Are we supposed to now rejoice (or bleet contentedly) that you chose "less draconian" measures? At least someone in this administration is willing to admit that mod squad filtering of comments is indeed still draconian, not to mention reprehensible. And, now you plead for us to "stay the course", at least for a month or so? In addition to what we have all already been doing, "writing hard-hitting blogs, sharing news tips, and organizing activist activities", should we also go shopping, Patrone?

The only point raised thus far with even a whiff of legitimacy is the concern for increased expense of bandwidth. But, rather than openly and honestly ask for more financial support from the comminity in order to support continued open comments, you choose to curtail discussion by closing the valve and save expense, which in turn effectively stifles lively and timely debate. I find this rather bizarre, to say the least. Kinda, sorta, just like my last relationship.

I respectfully request that the 911blogger mod squad immediately issue a self-imposed injunction against moderation of blog comments until a new front page blog post is created. This blog must contain a prioritized list of ALL of the issues included in discussions concerning adoption and implementation of a policy to moderate and/or totally eliminate user comments to blog posts. While you're at it, indicate who took what stance on each point, too.

In addition, I request that said blog include links to this blog and Reprehensor's original blog as reference for current and new members of the community. Furthermore, I also request, no demand that the 911blogger mod squad agree to not institute any moderation policies or eliminate comments altogether without providing justification to the community with 30 days advanced notice and comment period of intended action(s).

It is my humble opinion that the 911blogger community deserves nothing less this day after Independence Day.