Many websites allow for reader comments on post. This allows for sharing of discourse between readers, however websites that allow reader comments are battling with the same issue as we at the moment.
You could argue that travel-related issues would be something that can mostly agree upon, but the situation surrounding the global pandemic has further complicated comments and commenting.
We essentially have four options:
1. Not allow commenting at all
– Many websites have turned off comments altogether because they have become toxic.
2. Require verified identities
– Then, some sites require you not to have handles or avatars but require you to use a verified identity. For example, some websites require you to log in using a Facebook profile.
3. All comments are queried for manual review
– All comments are reviewed by someone that they meet guidelines set by the website
4. Allow commenting but moderate them after/before they go live
– We currently have this fourth option enabled. All the comments go through Akismet and Disqus before they appear. Readers can mark comments for manual review or vote them up/down.
Critical comments are good, and I like reading them.
Here are few examples moderated by us, Disqus, or Akismet:
Comment here is referring to a comment left by another reader where he is referring to travel with a same-sex partner.
Well. Quite self-explanatory.
Someone went ballistic.
Conclusion
I don’t understand why some always come out in the articles that deal with Covid-19 travel and other restrictions, claiming that it is nothing but a “flu” and use fuzzy math and made up “facts”?
Or someone recently called me an anti-Australian (not an issue with that – although I am not one). When I questioned Australia’s approach to Covid-19 and lockdowns, perhaps their strategy was correct in March 2020 but not in August 2021?
I have also pointed out that it is good that different countries have taken different approaches. We will eventually know the best overall strategy if there is one before we get hit with a truly deadly pandemic (eventually, we will).
Also, someone recently called me a “commie” that merely demonstrated that the person has trouble understanding differences between communism, socialism, social democracy, and capitalism, and we don’t have a single country that would be pure communist (China definitely isn’t one) or capitalistic (not even the US).
So, we welcome readers to criticize pieces or comments left by others that respect decorum. However, personal attacks, foul language, calling someone by names and so forth, are not approved and will end up flagging your Disqus account and comments for manual review.
If I need to clean up someone’s comments too many times, I have no other choice than to ban the user.
Well-said, John!
no comment😅
Id just be happy, John if you answered a question when put to you, through this medium. But I get it your busy. But Overall I have appreciated your stories, reviews and tips over the years. If I see Sebastian’s name on the story I just don’t get into it. It’s easier.
I reply to as many comments and messages as I can. Unfortunately, impossible to get back to everyone unless I hire someone part time to do it.
As someone that has been attacked on this site, I’d ask you consider a three strikes and you’re out policy. These people know full well what they are doing is wrong so two warnings is more than sufficient.
One thing I like about this site is that you moderate the comments containing personal, racist, homophobic abuse, etc, but you don’t seek to censor legitimately expressed personal opinions on the current situation (unlike other travel sites I could mention).
Why would opinions be censored? We all can read the postings, and put a value the other person’s views as we wish . Presenting an opinion is just that: Nothing more.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Usually, hateful comments that are designed to offend are entirely irrelevant to the topics on the table, as well–which signals to me that these hateful individuals are posting comments merely for attention, to upset others, to spread the harmful/hateful message, etc.
I, too, like the fact that this site seems to differentiate such unproductive comments vis-a-vis others that simply describe our experiences and opinions pertaining to the topic, which may sometimes involve cultural differences, etc. as factual matters!
I like the website and appreciate your articles. It is nice when reviews are constructive, and I agree that comments should be kept civil. John, I know you are busy but it would be nice if you could answer questions that are sent to you. I have sent you a few and you did answer most of them.
I get back to as many as I can. I used to reply to EVERY comment and email, but had to gave up when I realized that I was doing it on Saturday nights until 6AM.
Someone asked a question if it is a decent airline to have a status with, and I’m working on a story about that.
I get back to as many as I can. I used to reply to EVERY comment and email, but had to gave up when I realized that I was doing it on Saturday nights until 6AM.
I am shocked by how many have failed to see the parallels between the smallpox pandemic and Covid-19. The issue of vaccine mandates has already been adjudicated all the way up to the SCOTUS in the early 20th century. Their ruling is that individual freedoms are not limitless and to protect others, mandates by government agencies are not only acceptable, but necessary for public health.
https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/blog/on-this-day-the-supreme-court-rules-on-vaccines-and-public-health
“The most important legal precedent on vaccines specifically is a 1905 case called Jacobsen v. Massachusetts, on vaccines specifically is a 1905 in which the Supreme Court upheld a state law requiring smallpox vaccination for adults. Just this week, a panel from a Federal Appeals Court cited Jacobson when it upheld, unanimously, a new COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students at Indiana University….”
“In a 2013 paper titled “A Defense of Compulsory Vaccination,” Jessica Flanigan, a University of Richmond professor known for libertarian writings on bioethics, cited the example of people firing guns into the air in order to celebrate Independence Day. Governments can and do prohibit such behavior even though it’s a form of expression, Flanigan explained, because the bullet could end up hitting and even killing somebody.
“People are not entitled to harm innocents or to impose deadly risks on others,” Flanigan wrote.
I am happy that also Sebastian’s posts are not so racist anymore, as they used to be.
Unfortunately there are always those deadset on ruining things for others, just because they can – there isn’t a corner of the internet that isn’t trolled sadly.
Not to mention stalkers, who have no life…
One thing I like about this site is that you moderate the comments containing personal, racist, homophobic abuse, etc, but you don’t seek to censor legitimately expressed personal opinions on the current situation (unlike other travel sites I could mention).
Covid 19 is not a real pandemic for me. In Europe now you need to do pressure that more people take the vaccine. In a real pandemic the people would fight to get the vaccine.
Indeed. John said
I don’t understand why some always come out in the articles that deal with Covid-19 travel and other restrictions, claiming that it is nothing but a “flu” and use fuzzy math and made up “facts”?
Then he revealed what we all should know to be true…
We will eventually know the best overall strategy if there is one before we get hit with a truly deadly pandemic (eventually, we will).
Indeed, We are seeing draconian knee-jerk responses to a non-deadly disease.
But, if I had said that this “problem” was not truly deadly, my comment would be deleted for spreading “false” information. This, despite the fact that the UK declared the pandemic over last year, the WHO changed its definition of pandemic to exclude the need for fatal consequences and the CDC has agreed many times in many articles that the “virus” has not been isolated, purified and identified-it is a computer construct.
And, apparently, John does not notice the fact that a small group of individuals seek out my comments and vote them down. These people seldom add to the discussion.
I have benefitted enormously from LL and have expressed that many times, but LL will not prosper if my liberty is denied. I loved traveling and am angry at those who would deny me that right. I am sorry when LL supports those who will destroy LL.
How is Covid a “non-deadly disease”? You are indeed spreading “false” information making that statement. It should be censored for its untruth and the harm it causes. You are destroying our ability to travel by prolonging the response to a real pandemic. Time to reevaluate your grasp of facts.
The article had more than a title. Try reading the whole article, and find the words I quoted.
It is possible that agreeing with John is spreading false information; I have commented often when he has, but, of course, my comments were deleted.
This time, as shown by my easily verified references, he is correct.
Herein lies the problem. You see your answer as true not only for yourself but for others as well and you “insult” those who disagree with you. Consider your comment of “reevaluate your grasp of facts” because another commenter disagrees with your view. Your view is your view, but it is not mine or others. The facts that I see indicate coronavirus is not an issue for all but the immunocompromised, just like other viruses and bacteria, and that political actors have fabricated a panic unsupported by fact. Your view suggests I’m dim or in denial because it is different than yours. I read your position and accept it for what it is. I believe you’re either stupid or evil for your view, but I don’t need to say so.
Herein lies the problem. You see your answer as true not only for yourself but for others as well and you “insult” those who disagree with you. Consider your comment of “reevaluate your grasp of facts” because another commenter disagrees with your view. Your view is your view, but it is not mine or others. The facts that I see indicate coronavirus is not an issue for all but the immunocompromised, just like other viruses and bacteria, and that political actors have fabricated a panic unsupported by fact. Your view suggests I’m dim or in denial because it is different than yours. I read your position and accept it for what it is. I believe you’re either stupid or evil for your view, but I don’t need to say so.
I enjoy reading and at times I leave a comment however, I always ask myself before I do… Would I say this to the person’s face? In reading some of the comments, I’ve realized some people are happy being miserable.
John – I stopped posting comments on your LoyaltyLobby forum awhile back for many of the reasons you cited. In particular, this is a travel forum. What does race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality or you name it, have to do with travel?
What did it for me was when some of your frequent posters started with the race and ethnic stereotypes.
Requiring something like a FB login is useless. Anyone can create a FB account with no real attribution to who they are, and even worse, you can masquerade/impersonate someone easily on FB.
Good luck on how you deal with all the scum balls online.
You are so right about fake identities on Facebook. It makes me think of the show Catfish, the amount of fake FB accounts is crazy.
Anonymity is essential for free discourse which is essential for liberty. Read the Federalist Papers. I agree that the spam and other nonsense is annoying, but like the principle that it is better to free all the guilty than convict one innocent, I tolerate all comers. I do not censor. I do not block. Without liberty, my life has no value. Truth withstands all scrutiny.
Ah ha anonymity is one thing and can understand that. However, purposely creating a fake profile and tricking people is not alright in my book. Neither is using the identity of someone else. This seems to happen quite a bit that the person is pretending to be someone else or using another person’s name and pictures. Often it might be someone portraying the opposite sex which can be heartbreaking when the person they are communicating with finds out the truth or they pretend to be another person going so far as to steal their name and pictures. Best to just be friends on the internet and maintain your anonymity if you like and meet people IRL for relationships.
Ah ha anonymity is one thing and can understand that. However, purposely creating a fake profile and tricking people is not alright in my book. Neither is using the identity of someone else. This seems to happen quite a bit that the person is pretending to be someone else or using another person’s name and pictures. Often it might be someone portraying the opposite sex which can be heartbreaking when the person they are communicating with finds out the truth or they pretend to be another person going so far as to steal their name and pictures. Best to just be friends on the internet and maintain your anonymity if you like and meet people IRL for relationships.
As someone that has been attacked on this site, I’d ask you consider a three strikes and you’re out policy. These people know full well what they are doing is wrong so two warnings is more than sufficient.
Too many weirdos on the internet
I appreciate the ability to read and make comments. I’ve found most comments civil and often adding some additional color or perspective to the topic. It’s worth the extra effort and is one reason I’ve found myself visiting TPG less and LL more.
Thanks!
I don’t believe there are many who disagree with polite and civil discourse. The disagreement lies in ideology and interpretation of facts and information and whether those who have opposing viewpoints are permitted by them to post them.
People who believe that covid is utter toss, which it is, are silenced by those who believe differently. They mark our posts as spam. They report our posts for “hate” speech or spreading misinformation as a means of denying the ability to have a counterpoint. I regard the article that talk about the pandemic as full of misinformation but I don’t seek to prevent people from their comments.