It’s the height of the election season, so emotions are naturally running high just about everywhere, including, occasionally, in the comment section here.

The vast majority of commenters at this blog are bright, witty and truly interesting people. We have developed the best comment section in the business, bar none.

But elections bring in new readers and commenters and I had to delete about two dozen comments yesterday for being way over the top, harsh, even profane. Many of them were from the same people posting over and over again. Most were new commenters who’ve stopped by for the election coverage. Some of those people are now banned. For life.

You have freedom of speech in public spaces, but I control my blog. It’s my blog and my rules. I try to keep this space as free and open as possible, but in the end this place ain’t a democracy. Also, whining about deletions will not help.

Please, everybody take a deep breath and attempt to be civil. Leave the despicable national campaign talking points out of comments, try to keep an open mind and be decent to each other.

I’m busier than usual because of the frenetic pace of the campaign season, so I freely admit that I’m a bit grumpy as well. Don’t push it.

Remember, we’re all gonna be around long after this campaign is over. Getting yourself banned now means you’ll be locked out of the future here.

Again, I love my readers and my commenters. But please try extra hard to keep a lid on the emotions from here on out.

Thanks.