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Daily Herald ends reader comments
Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Daily Herald…
* Many years ago, I was so fed up with comments that I turned them off. The blowback was severe because even people who rarely or never commented loved reading the comments here. So, I switched platforms to allow me to automatically screen out the worst of the worst. The worst “bad” words are banned (see George Carlin’s infamous list if you dare and aren’t at work), others are automatically held for review, including a certain punctuation mark. Some of the more aggressive commenters are automatically held in purgatory until we release them or decide to delete them. The system usually works. Often, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Sometimes, I admit, it’s overkill. But we do try to adjust as we go along. * The reason the blowback was so harsh was that comments are such a vital part of this site. I always say that this website truly lives and breathes. We have the news feeds on the right side of the page which constantly refresh; then there are our posts throughout the day; the press release posts; and the comments. Leave for 20 minutes and come back and the site has changed. It’s truly quite unique and even beautiful. I take heat for deleting some comments. I take heat for letting some comments through. It’s a balancing act and it isn’t perfect. But what I will never do is allow this place to turn into a cesspool, which is what happened with the Daily Herald and many, many news sites before. A whole lot of folks spend a bunch of money to post ads on this site (just look around, we’re like a NASCAR racecar right now - an ad on every square inch), so there has to be some sort of decorum or those people won’t spend that money. Hey, I’m a capitalist. What can I say? I don’t have a government pension but I do want to retire someday and hand this over to Isabel. I make zero apologies for that. * I’m firmly committed to keeping comments alive for as long as I still have breath in my body. But this ain’t a public park. It’s a private establishment. I’ve said for many years that this place is like my tavern. Management (me) reserves the right to refuse service for any reason. If you don’t like it, you’re free to go somewhere else. Goodbye and good riddance. I just don’t care. * Anyway, I (mostly) love you all and I appreciate what you (mostly) add to this site. It’s incredibly valuable and I (mostly) cherish all of you. We’re (mostly) like family here and that gives me (mostly) great joy. So, (most of you) keep up the great work [banned punctuation]
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- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:01 am:
Rich- thanks so much for your ongoing efforts to make this a (mostly) terrific blog….
- Irreverent - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:04 am:
I think maybe one in ten of my posts never make it through the mod queue here, even when I try to be cognizant and keep the vitriol toned down. So we see what flies on the broader internet, try to tone it down, and CapFax still mods it.
To me, that’s an opportunity for reflection as to how far we’ve strayed from civil discourse. I’m not even joking when I say the moderation here helps guide me to being a better person day-to-day, both online and IRL.
All this to say, in a roundabout way, thanks for all you do, Rich.
- hmmm - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:05 am:
Thank you, Rich. I love commenting and interacting with your site. If you don’t mind me asking, what is this banned punctuation you speak of?
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:06 am:
Yes, Rich - thanks for your efforts.
Btw, if you ever do open a tavern, I will frequent it.
- Stephenson County - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:07 am:
Rich, you do a great job. Balanced and Fair unlike so many national news sites.
- Chris - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:12 am:
Appreciate the transparency Rich, keep on the good work
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:14 am:
I have often used this site as an example of the media transition we’re going through where legacy media (newspapers, TV, radio) are being replaced by websites, apps, and influencers that cater to a specific market, and delivers news/content that is both relevant and interesting to that specific market.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:14 am:
I truly appreciate this blog because I can visit knowing I will always find intelligent and respectful discourse. I found this blog as a non-politico (I still am for the most part) and I’ve learned so much from Rich and the regular commenters. Even the snark is relevant and mostly respectful. I come here to get facts about the issues that affect me and my family without the rhetoric meant to distract and influence my opinions. I rarely miss a day so just know there are many like me who don’t often comment but rely on this blog as a source for news.
- Occasionally Moderated - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:14 am:
Love this blog and the comments are usually quite valuable to digest the content.
I also appreciate that it is allowed to agreeably disagree here.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:23 am:
Thanks for (mostly) letting my musings rise out of purgatory.
- low level - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:23 am:
==It’s a private establishment. I’ve said for many years that this place is like my tavern. Management (me) reserves the right to refuse service for any reason. If you don’t like it, you’re free to go somewhere else. ==
Spot on, Rich. Its your board, you make the rules. Thank you for running an outstanding page.
- Interim Retiree - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:27 am:
While I don’t comment regularly, and will disagree w/some of what I read, I really appreciate reading other commenters. Rich (& others) give me things to think about as well as learning something new each day. Thank you Rich & Isabell.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:27 am:
This blog keeps me up to date with what’s going on in Illinois. The comments add to my understanding as good conversation should. Although I rarely comment, I really appreciate this place. Thanks for work you do in moderating it.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:32 am:
==It’s a private establishment. I’ve said for many years that this place is like my tavern. Management (me) reserves the right to refuse service for any reason. If you don’t like it, you’re free to go somewhere else. ==
Rich, I’d like to buy a round of Malort for all your readers and commentors.
- Horseshoe Voter - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:35 am:
==I do want to retire someday and hand this over to Isabel.==
This makes me smile. Not that we want you to go away any time soon.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:41 am:
I have comments held or deleted as much as anyone else here. And I almost always understand why, because Rich is crystal clear about his standards. There is no right to free speech here, we are all guests.
I love this place. I can’t imagine a future where this place didn’t exist. Thanks Rich, for everything you do to keep this establishment at the highest level.
- That Guy - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:42 am:
Those parentheses are doing a lot of work lol
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 10:59 am:
A few years ago certain people went nuts because social media companies moderated hate speech. One of them bought a company (Twitter) to “restore free speech.” Free speech means media companies can moderate themselves as they choose, and people can start their own blogs or companies to rant about being blocked or moderated somewhere else. They can make a “spite blog” like the spite coffeeshop on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:03 am:
I mostly wish I could spend more time here, though that would probably result in me getting mostlied. This place is unique and while you don’t need me saying it, something to be proud of - thanks Rich.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:09 am:
The comments here are a significant reason I read this blog. For the most part, they are civil (and I know that your moderation accounts for a lot of that). But they are also thoughtful and informative. I’ve learned a lot from the expertise of several commenters, and they often present me with a point of view that I may not have previously considered.
Thank you for doing what you do.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:14 am:
How do we find out if we are on the moderation list?
- joand315 - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:17 am:
Thank you for this great service that you provide to all of us. One reason I come here is to view opinions that I would normally not see. I appreciate the lack of vitriol. The beer is cold and the peanuts are fresh.
- Scoot - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:18 am:
I’ve been reading capfax since 2003 and I keep coming back to this blog because I learn something practically every week. I’ve learned so much about Illinois government and politics during this time and I just thank you Rich and your interns over the years for doing such an amazing job! Keep up the good work!
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:19 am:
I love and share this blog as a must read for anyone interested in following Illinois politics and governance. The comments are valuable because you and Isabel take the time to moderate them which results in more responsible & knowledgeable comments & commenters. This has become a virtuous cycle. Thank you for creating and maintaining this space.
I am a bit curious about the automatic screening. I have noticed that when I switch between using my phone and my laptop and/or log in from different locations, some of my comments are held. Does the holding algorithm find this suspicious, or am I just using terms that get flagged? (I am careful with my language, so I feel like it is the former.)
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:24 am:
I think a big part of what happened with the Daily Herald is the growth in Chicago of “Moms for Liberty.”
First they lost in the court of public opinion over masks and vaccines.
Then they lost in actual court.
Then they lost in the legislature.
Then they lost in the voting booth.
What they’ve been left with is trying to “win” on social media, including harassing outlets in comments and social media.
The Daily Herald closing comments probably means those commenters will be posting “three times as hard” on atwitter.
- Stix Hix - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:30 am:
Thank you Rich and Isabel for compiling and for your insight on the news and events. And yes, I love reading the comments from so many very smart and well informed people. I often quote you and commenters to my friends.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:35 am:
This site is the gold standard for informed, intelligent, and (mostly) civil discourse. It is an oasis in an ocean of toxicity.
- SJOH - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:37 am:
Thank you for the posts and allowing comments. I learn so much from you and Isabel and also from those who comment. It is all valuable.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:38 am:
== Does the holding algorithm find this suspicious, ==
It’s happened to me also. I suspect it has to do with the IP addresses that show up. I think it also somewhat depends on your provider. For example, while I live in Springfield, one of my providers will show my location as Chicago. Think that is the point where I move off the provider’s proprietary network and onto the general internet backbone.
Sometimes there is just a lag posting. Other times I’m not sure why the automatic filtering catches a comment. If it doesn’t show up after an hour or two and I feel strongly about the comment, I’ve been known to nag Rich … but I don’t do that very often.
- Regular democrat - Wednesday, Oct 1, 25 @ 11:38 am:
One thing all can agree on is that you are fair. I like everyone else have my own opinions but i tend to keep them to myself. I respect the rules and just keep quiet . I dont post often (the whole Bears ask for public money has got me riled up) but i do enjoy reading the posts. Its a good balance and your moderation of your space is commendable.