In response to the passions that some issues generate (this bill, for example), we’ve produced an ingenious new function in our comment system.

It’s sort of an automated schoolmarm that invites people to tone down their language if they’ve gotten a little too riled up. Visitors who use harsh language will be invited to reconsider before they submit their comments.

A careful, polite comment is always more persuasive than an angry or vulgar comment. Commenters whose frustrations are very real do themselves harm when they use foul language or insult others. That drives away people who might sympathize with them.

Now, of course, some people aren’t interested in persuading others. They merely want to create a stir. These poorly adjusted folks—we call them “trolls”—get pleasure from upsetting people. The best response when they try this is to deny them their reward. Do not respond.

Now WashingtonWatch.com remains a free speech zone where people can express controversial opinions in strong ways. We do not require a log-in to comment, though logging in will allow you to develop a reputation for honesty, fairness and depth of knowledge. And we’re not going to play the role of teacher or parent to users of the site. You’re grown-ups and it’s up to you to manage your conversations.

With our little warning system in place, though, we will be more justified in occasionally editing or deleting comments that degrade the conversations on our comment boards. One technique that I’m looking forward to using is called “disemvoweling.” It’ll be a kick to use, along with other techniques, for discouraging bad behavior.

But don’t get the idea that there’s any guarantee that the comment boards will always be dignified, or that you can always call on WashingtonWatch.com moderation to protect your sensitive eyeballs from reading ugly comments. As strongly as you feel about any issue, there are people who feel just as strongly the other way. Your job is to find common ground, compromise, or to just agree to disagree.

In the short term, our collection of one or two trolls will get very excited about this new system. I anticipate they will be swearing and insulting people every which way, testing the system and our management of it. Our trolls will calm down soon enough, though, and hopefully people of ordinary decency will be persuaded that commenting rudely is not in their interest. The end result we hope for is a slightly better quality of conversation on the site. Your assistance is appreciated.