* Every election around this time we get flooded with first-time commenters who just want to leave drive-bys and whine about the rules. From last night…
53 Comments
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:02 am:
I’ve seen plenty of posts that were critical of the governor. What an odd thing to say.
As a Conservative-Independant, I don’t agree with many of the opinions expressed here. But, this site is owned by Rich. It is his sole discretion what is deleted amd what is posted. I support that completely. There,is no better site for news or insight on Illinois Politics. You don’t have to agree with Rich. You do, on his site have to abide by his rules. If that upsets you, start your own site and compete with him, see how that goes. If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man.
This site isn’t censored, it’s moderated and we’re all thankful for that. And all of us have felt the effects of moderation at one time or another. I respect Rich’s decisions in doing that even when I post something that doesn’t go through. It’s what keeps this site from devolving into Facebook. And if you just want somewhere to rant or validate your opinions there’s plenty of alternatives out there.
Rich’s blog, Rich’s rules. And this from someone whose Ph.D. length posts about IPI (and related) proposals to convert public employee pensions to 401(k)s (Georgia & Utah considered it in 2008 & found it wouldn’t work) routinely don’t appear.
The benefits of this site have to do with evidence, cites, and inside- informed arguments by the best here. Untethered political opinions are a dime a dozen.
My drive-by opinion is if you don’t like it lump it.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:07 am:
People that love to spout off about public policy without any knowledge of the facts they are talking about usually complain about Rich. So in the words Oscar’s owner, Bite Him.
==This site isn’t censored, it’s moderated and we’re all thankful for that.==
Exactly, which is why the comments here aren’t the usual echo chamber and/or toxic waste dump that most comments sections are anymore.
Thanks Rich for all of the time and effort you put into moderating (banned punctuation)
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:23 am:
Not true that negative comments on Gov. J.B. don’t show up.
This is a nice community to express your opinions or add facts to a discussion. I know some of my notes don’t make the page. On reflection it is often a good bit of editing that keeps them from public view.
Yes, Cap Fax is a great place to get information on Illinois politics, but even if you don’t care for some of the views of some of the folks who express opinions you can still come back for the music and Oscar pictures.
I think we can all agree Rick does pick some good tunes.
The website “Media Bias/Fact Check” rates Capitol Fax “Least Biased”….These sources have minimal biases and use very few loaded words…”. If the comments seem to some to be more ‘liberal’ than not, then Maybe liberals find the site more comfortable to their biases (everyone has them) and welcoming to their thoughts. If conservatives find it otherwise, their decision not to comment doesn’t affect their desire to read/learn. My guess is that readership is 60% liberal/40% conservative. Since Rich has abandoned “Bite Me”, his standing regarding “loaded words” has further secured the “least biased’ rating.
Love the thoughts expressed by those here. Also appreciate that Rich monitors.You can express opinions but they have to be based in fact and respect for others. Thanks
Yes, this site is cruelly censored. Oscar’s posts never make it through, and there aren’t anywhere near enough pictures of him.
- Birds on the Bat - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:08 am:
This blog is great for everything you need to know about Illinois politics. Unfortunately, like most blogs, there are a couple bullies around here that need to be the center of attention and are always right.
(sigh)
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:09 am:
Now there is executive/legal action taken against social media companies by certain interests, like when tweets are flagged or disinformation is deleted. Like this blog those are privately owned businesses who can establish rules.
Like Rich says, if we don’t like the rules we can get our own blogs/sites and say what we want.
No but you are heavily biased towards democrats and liberal causes more generally. To say you’re not would be lying to yourself and your audience. I got so sick of your bias I generally read Illinois Politico instead, all the news I need and doesn’t take so many days off every year. Strive to be more objective and non partisan.
- Exclamation Point Defense Association of America - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:33 am:
I would venture to guess that all of the regular posters have probably had comments deleted at some point. Such is life. Why does it seem that the biggest whiners seem to come from one party? It’s probably because of the religious watching of a certain network that claims victimhood for any and all transgressions. Grow up.
I’ve never quite isolated the specific cause, but browser add-on gremlins seem to create issues with the site. So what is seen as ‘censored’ may just be some bad code in your browser but everybody is a victim (and TBC, Rich has even looked into this for me and the posts don’t register).
- From the far, far western suburbs - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:41 am:
Oh horrors…two comments? Come on JFK, many of us don’t agree on everything, or with what Rich opines. But we do respect each other and that makes for more thoughtful discourse here.
Like Rich said, if you want to throw fire bombs, go elsewhere. If you want to engage in thoughtful conversation and debate, start doing so regularly.
- Defense of Maskless Freedom to Shout at Clouds - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:43 am:
I will acknowledge that I have apparently been shadow-banned for a couple years, but I still have no clue what post caused it to happen (not a big loss, as I never was a prolific commenter).
That said, it’s Rich’s blog, so I don’t complain (in fact, this might be the first time I’ve even made a comment to this effect, partially on the off chance Rich decides to bless me with the knowledge of what I did wrong back in the day). As many commenters note, if I really want to see my own comments, I can make my own blog.
Anyone who has moderated a website or blog knows that quite a bit of the “censorship” is done on autopilot by banning certain, usually obscene or derogatory, words and phrases. Automatic filtering comments on that basis is mostly politically neutral.
And we’ve all been caught by those filters; they don’t play favorites. From personal experience, I know Rich does look at the comments that get trapped and occasionally passes some through even if they used one of the bad words … it seems to depend on the context the word is used.
I have to agree the blog leans left, but that is the case for the State, so it is to be expected. Not necessarily a bias as much as a reflection of the community. And the community here is made up of a lot of political wonks. If I had to rate it, the tilt is probably more like 65/35 or 70/30.
But it is still the best place to discuss Illinois politics, or to try to reach the political movers and shakers. They may just be lurkers, but they all read it to get a feel of how the involved electorate is leaning.
I think part of the spin issue is that we focus on deaths, primarily. In terms of the ISHA issue, surely that is important. But suspend that debate for a moment, and focus on illnesses, doctors costs and hospitalizations.
What school district could afford to pay event those bills, should 10 or 20 students and a few parents and siblings become ill because of a contagion event?
The potential costs (at the local organization-level) surely outweigh the benefits, especially in the absence of risk-sharing (insurance coverage).
And then there are the potential deaths, and long term effects on the heart, lungs, etc.
Exclamation Point Defense Association of America - given my propensity to over use and at times incorrectly use ellipses, that may be next on the hit list. I’ll be looking to you to help me form the Ellipsis Defense Association of America.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:08 am:
Can’t help it, when I read the word “cruel”, the first thing that came to mind was that little band from Rockford. Hadn’t heard it in a while, so I’ll give JFK a back-handed compliment for planting the seed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-oYFEXScEU
I rarely post here but knowing that it is personally moderated makes me think carefully about how my words might be interpreted as I am basically an anonymous IL resident on here.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:07 pm:
ArchPundit - I’ve had the same problem, usually with longer comments on legal issues where I have cites to case law, statutes and/or court rules. I was thinking maybe going back and forth to proof read and correct autimiscorrect triggers something so that when I Say It it just goes off into the cosmos. Since I’m a hunt and peck typist I usually just give up. If I really wanted people to hear my thoughts I shouldn’t have retired my law license. But, whether it’s my tablet or Rich’s moderating, it ain’t my blog so you just have to live with it.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
As someone who has had some comments never post (although not from being denied by Rich; I think there is some sneak tech issue, because others post instantly), I applaud when Rich refuses to play with these drive-by, fact-denying, logically-defective posters. I tend to slip into legal and supporting proof quotes/sources, but that is to show where I got something, even if other don’t agree with it. Facts matter, truth matters, and the drive-byers should just keep driving to IPI and Facebook. P.S. Where’s Oscar these days?
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:06 pm:
I think in some 15 years of posting here, I’ve been deleted maybe 10 times, and actually ended up in agreement with a few of the deletions. As someone who offers opinions that often differs with this blog site and certainly many other commentators, I’ve never felt that I’ve been censored. Stalked by a few here at times, but I find being stalked a badge of honor. Weird, yes. Threatened? No.
JFK should find the Capitol Fax Eastern Block website and go on a super spreader tour around the state with Bailey. That may better serve the echo chamber he is seeking.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:22 pm:
Sometimes I have post disappear, but looking back I usually can figure out why.
===But, whether it’s my tablet or Rich’s moderating,
I think links have something to do with it–not consistently of course, so I can’t narrow it down. I use them more sparingly and it seems to have helped. Again, none of this is on Rich and I tend to think it’s on my end anyway.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:02 am:
I’ve seen plenty of posts that were critical of the governor. What an odd thing to say.
- SOIL M - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:11 am:
As a Conservative-Independant, I don’t agree with many of the opinions expressed here. But, this site is owned by Rich. It is his sole discretion what is deleted amd what is posted. I support that completely. There,is no better site for news or insight on Illinois Politics. You don’t have to agree with Rich. You do, on his site have to abide by his rules. If that upsets you, start your own site and compete with him, see how that goes. If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:29 am:
This site isn’t censored, it’s moderated and we’re all thankful for that. And all of us have felt the effects of moderation at one time or another. I respect Rich’s decisions in doing that even when I post something that doesn’t go through. It’s what keeps this site from devolving into Facebook. And if you just want somewhere to rant or validate your opinions there’s plenty of alternatives out there.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:29 am:
Ask not what you can do for Capitol Fax JFK
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:30 am:
Rich’s blog, Rich’s rules. And this from someone whose Ph.D. length posts about IPI (and related) proposals to convert public employee pensions to 401(k)s (Georgia & Utah considered it in 2008 & found it wouldn’t work) routinely don’t appear.
- Glengarry - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:40 am:
Heh
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:42 am:
Anyone — Nobody with any sense thinks it would be a good idea to convert public employee pensions to 401(k)s. Harrumph
- walker - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:44 am:
The benefits of this site have to do with evidence, cites, and inside- informed arguments by the best here. Untethered political opinions are a dime a dozen.
- Mr. Hand - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:01 am:
I thought Rich was at the Congressional hearings yesterday with Zuckerberg and Dorsey?
- Drake Mallard - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:03 am:
My drive-by opinion is if you don’t like it lump it.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:07 am:
People that love to spout off about public policy without any knowledge of the facts they are talking about usually complain about Rich. So in the words Oscar’s owner, Bite Him.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:18 am:
Soccermom - “Nobody with any sense … .” Well, that would exclude the organization on the southeast corner of 2nd & Lawrence in Springfield … /s
- Monadnock Pigeon - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:19 am:
==This site isn’t censored, it’s moderated and we’re all thankful for that.==
Exactly, which is why the comments here aren’t the usual echo chamber and/or toxic waste dump that most comments sections are anymore.
Thanks Rich for all of the time and effort you put into moderating (banned punctuation)
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:23 am:
Not true that negative comments on Gov. J.B. don’t show up.
This is a nice community to express your opinions or add facts to a discussion. I know some of my notes don’t make the page. On reflection it is often a good bit of editing that keeps them from public view.
Yes, Cap Fax is a great place to get information on Illinois politics, but even if you don’t care for some of the views of some of the folks who express opinions you can still come back for the music and Oscar pictures.
I think we can all agree Rick does pick some good tunes.
- Sayitaintso - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:42 am:
The website “Media Bias/Fact Check” rates Capitol Fax “Least Biased”….These sources have minimal biases and use very few loaded words…”. If the comments seem to some to be more ‘liberal’ than not, then Maybe liberals find the site more comfortable to their biases (everyone has them) and welcoming to their thoughts. If conservatives find it otherwise, their decision not to comment doesn’t affect their desire to read/learn. My guess is that readership is 60% liberal/40% conservative. Since Rich has abandoned “Bite Me”, his standing regarding “loaded words” has further secured the “least biased’ rating.
- illinifan - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:43 am:
Love the thoughts expressed by those here. Also appreciate that Rich monitors.You can express opinions but they have to be based in fact and respect for others. Thanks
- Keyrock - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:48 am:
Yes, this site is cruelly censored. Oscar’s posts never make it through, and there aren’t anywhere near enough pictures of him.
- Birds on the Bat - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:08 am:
This blog is great for everything you need to know about Illinois politics. Unfortunately, like most blogs, there are a couple bullies around here that need to be the center of attention and are always right.
(sigh)
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:09 am:
Now there is executive/legal action taken against social media companies by certain interests, like when tweets are flagged or disinformation is deleted. Like this blog those are privately owned businesses who can establish rules.
Like Rich says, if we don’t like the rules we can get our own blogs/sites and say what we want.
- 2nd Ward - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:27 am:
No but you are heavily biased towards democrats and liberal causes more generally. To say you’re not would be lying to yourself and your audience. I got so sick of your bias I generally read Illinois Politico instead, all the news I need and doesn’t take so many days off every year. Strive to be more objective and non partisan.
- Exclamation Point Defense Association of America - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:33 am:
– This site is cruelly censored –
The EPDAA agrees.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:34 am:
“I got so sick of your bias”
Yet, you came here to complain about said bias.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:35 am:
Couple of these comments prove what I’ve long known.
Conservatives are the biggest snowflakes of all.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:36 am:
I would venture to guess that all of the regular posters have probably had comments deleted at some point. Such is life. Why does it seem that the biggest whiners seem to come from one party? It’s probably because of the religious watching of a certain network that claims victimhood for any and all transgressions. Grow up.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:39 am:
EPDAA wins the day.
I’ve never quite isolated the specific cause, but browser add-on gremlins seem to create issues with the site. So what is seen as ‘censored’ may just be some bad code in your browser but everybody is a victim (and TBC, Rich has even looked into this for me and the posts don’t register).
- From the far, far western suburbs - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:41 am:
Oh horrors…two comments? Come on JFK, many of us don’t agree on everything, or with what Rich opines. But we do respect each other and that makes for more thoughtful discourse here.
Like Rich said, if you want to throw fire bombs, go elsewhere. If you want to engage in thoughtful conversation and debate, start doing so regularly.
- Defense of Maskless Freedom to Shout at Clouds - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:43 am:
– This site is cruelly censored –
–The EPDAA agrees.–
As does the DMFSC
- Chambananon - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:44 am:
I will acknowledge that I have apparently been shadow-banned for a couple years, but I still have no clue what post caused it to happen (not a big loss, as I never was a prolific commenter).
That said, it’s Rich’s blog, so I don’t complain (in fact, this might be the first time I’ve even made a comment to this effect, partially on the off chance Rich decides to bless me with the knowledge of what I did wrong back in the day). As many commenters note, if I really want to see my own comments, I can make my own blog.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:44 am:
When your opinion is nothing more than “Pritzker bad. Rawr.” how much is it worth?
When the opinion comes from someone who thinks the deaths of almost a quarter million Americans is a “hoax” the answer is nothing. Not a thing.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:46 am:
Anyone who has moderated a website or blog knows that quite a bit of the “censorship” is done on autopilot by banning certain, usually obscene or derogatory, words and phrases. Automatic filtering comments on that basis is mostly politically neutral.
And we’ve all been caught by those filters; they don’t play favorites. From personal experience, I know Rich does look at the comments that get trapped and occasionally passes some through even if they used one of the bad words … it seems to depend on the context the word is used.
I have to agree the blog leans left, but that is the case for the State, so it is to be expected. Not necessarily a bias as much as a reflection of the community. And the community here is made up of a lot of political wonks. If I had to rate it, the tilt is probably more like 65/35 or 70/30.
But it is still the best place to discuss Illinois politics, or to try to reach the political movers and shakers. They may just be lurkers, but they all read it to get a feel of how the involved electorate is leaning.
- H-W - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:54 am:
I think part of the spin issue is that we focus on deaths, primarily. In terms of the ISHA issue, surely that is important. But suspend that debate for a moment, and focus on illnesses, doctors costs and hospitalizations.
What school district could afford to pay event those bills, should 10 or 20 students and a few parents and siblings become ill because of a contagion event?
The potential costs (at the local organization-level) surely outweigh the benefits, especially in the absence of risk-sharing (insurance coverage).
And then there are the potential deaths, and long term effects on the heart, lungs, etc.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 10:57 am:
=== I generally read Illinois Politico instead===
That explains some things.
- Token Conservative - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:04 am:
This is a privately owned website and the first amendment doesn’t cover website comments. So, deal with the bias or go somewhere else.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:05 am:
“I got so sick of your bias I generally read Illinois Politico instead, all the news I need…”
You might want to double-check that…
– MrJM
- DownSouth - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:07 am:
Exclamation Point Defense Association of America - given my propensity to over use and at times incorrectly use ellipses, that may be next on the hit list. I’ll be looking to you to help me form the Ellipsis Defense Association of America.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:08 am:
Can’t help it, when I read the word “cruel”, the first thing that came to mind was that little band from Rockford. Hadn’t heard it in a while, so I’ll give JFK a back-handed compliment for planting the seed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-oYFEXScEU
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:10 am:
===was that little band from Rockford===
I was thinking about this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0l3QWUXVho
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:13 am:
That’s a good ‘un, too. This must be Power Pop Thursday.
- Theshow - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:16 am:
I seem to have better luck when I post after Rich has gone to bed
- Exclamation Point Defense Association of America - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:30 am:
Dear DownSouth and the fledgling members of the Ellipsis Defense Association of America,
Welcome to the fight brothers and sisters(cruelly censored punctuation mark) Our fight for justice and recognition will go on …
- AnonMinooka - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:50 am:
I rarely post here but knowing that it is personally moderated makes me think carefully about how my words might be interpreted as I am basically an anonymous IL resident on here.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:07 pm:
ArchPundit - I’ve had the same problem, usually with longer comments on legal issues where I have cites to case law, statutes and/or court rules. I was thinking maybe going back and forth to proof read and correct autimiscorrect triggers something so that when I Say It it just goes off into the cosmos. Since I’m a hunt and peck typist I usually just give up. If I really wanted people to hear my thoughts I shouldn’t have retired my law license. But, whether it’s my tablet or Rich’s moderating, it ain’t my blog so you just have to live with it.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
As someone who has had some comments never post (although not from being denied by Rich; I think there is some sneak tech issue, because others post instantly), I applaud when Rich refuses to play with these drive-by, fact-denying, logically-defective posters. I tend to slip into legal and supporting proof quotes/sources, but that is to show where I got something, even if other don’t agree with it. Facts matter, truth matters, and the drive-byers should just keep driving to IPI and Facebook. P.S. Where’s Oscar these days?
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:06 pm:
I think in some 15 years of posting here, I’ve been deleted maybe 10 times, and actually ended up in agreement with a few of the deletions. As someone who offers opinions that often differs with this blog site and certainly many other commentators, I’ve never felt that I’ve been censored. Stalked by a few here at times, but I find being stalked a badge of honor. Weird, yes. Threatened? No.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
When people from both sides of the aisle say you’re not tough enough on the other side of the aisle, you’re doing a great job.
Keep it up, Rich.
And this coming from someone who gets a fair amount of my wonderful insights denied entry.
- 1st Ward - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:09 pm:
JFK should find the Capitol Fax Eastern Block website and go on a super spreader tour around the state with Bailey. That may better serve the echo chamber he is seeking.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:22 pm:
Sometimes I have post disappear, but looking back I usually can figure out why.
- JoanP - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
I don’t think there’s an elected official in Illinois who has not been the subject of both positive and negative comments here.
And it is possible to express those opinions without using “uncivil comments, profanity of any kind, [or] rumors”.
Try it.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
===But, whether it’s my tablet or Rich’s moderating,
I think links have something to do with it–not consistently of course, so I can’t narrow it down. I use them more sparingly and it seems to have helped. Again, none of this is on Rich and I tend to think it’s on my end anyway.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:25 pm:
I believe I’ve had one post that got past the robo-moderators that Rich later took down, and he was right and I was wrong.
– MrJM
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
=== cruelly censored ===
Neither of those words mean what you think they mean.
- 37B - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:59 pm:
He was a cruel man . . . but fair.
- Winderweezle - Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 8:14 pm:
I was in a band named “Cruelly Moderated”. We were a Motley Crue cover band.