A little bit more on posting

You guys have probably noticed that I've deleted a few comments. It isn't a perfect method, but for the moment, it's the best method I have at my disposal to tamp down the nonsense. I strongly believe that if this blog didn't have comments, it would lose about 75 percent of its whatever magic it has. If it were overrun by trolls, it would lose about 50 percent. I don't like deleting people's shit. But I'll do whatever I can to make this a space for civil conversation. Hosting a blog (as I was telling one of the Atlantic online guys) is like have an ongoing dinner party at your house. If I were hosting that party, I wouldn't allow some jackass to just wander in and ruin everyone's good time, so I won't allow it here.

There will be some changes in the coming weeks that make moderating discussions easier. But for right now, this is what we have. If you see someone making an ass of himself, please hit that "email Ta-Nehisi" link, and I'll look into it and do what I can. Thanks guys.