Community and discussion guidelines

Guidelines for discussion, comment and debate on the Watching the Deniers blog are as follows:

• Treat all posters, commentators and readers with respect and refrain from personal insults and ad hominem attacks
• Satire (directed at groups, organisations and/or individual/s) is permitted under the guidelines of “humour” and the principle of “freedom of speech”
• Snappy retorts and one-liners are fine, but be mindful of the above: we can all appreciate a good retort
• Some “blue” language is permitted, but be very mindful this is a public space and excessive use may result in disciplinary action (see below)
• The topic of this blog is primarily about climate change: the science, debate, climate scepticism and the politics – “stay on target”
• Some discussion of other subjects is permitted, provided there is some general relevance to the discussion at hand (for example drawing on historical incidents as parallels in a discussion)
• When making any claim (scientific or otherwise) provide references (links if possible) for others to evaluate your argument/s – repeated failure to do so may result in disciplinary action
• Avoid “Gish Gallops”: long posts with multiple claims not supported by evidence – repeated failure to do so may result in disciplinary action
• Respect people’s privacy and anonymity: if an individual refuses to reveal personal details or their “real world” identity, respect that (see also cyber stalking below)
• When engaged in debate/discussion and a fellow poster (or the blog owner) asks you to clarify an argument or point please respond: it is not merely polite to respond to the question, but essential to keeping discussion on track
• The blog owner can change these guidelines at any time
• NEW GUIDELINE: false claims such as “climate change is not real”, “climate change is a hoax” or “there has been no warming for 15 years” cannot be made.

Disciplinary actions: three strike rule; one strike rule for those who return; where immediate bans may take place

• The blog operates on the “three strike” rule: commentators will be given three warnings if they breach guidelines and the opportunity self-correct their behaviour
• The “third strike” or third warning will result in a 3 month suspension
• Upon return after the three-month suspension, commentators who have been previously been banned will be subject to a “one strike rule”: this final failure to comply with guidelines will result in a permanent ban
• Any direct or implied threats will result an immediate and permanent ban: there is no opportunity to appeal this decision
• If threatening language or a direct or implied threat is made, the comment will be deleted and, at the blog owner or moderator’s discretion, the text of the comment and email/ISP details of said poster may be provided to the relevant authorities
• Immediate bans will be placed on those who “cyber stalk” and try to identify either the blog owner and/or commentators. At the blog owner or moderator’s discretion, the text of the comment and email/ISP details of said poster may be provided to the relevant authorities
• Immediate bans will be placed on those who make comments deemed to be: sexist; racist; homophobic deemed to be inflammatory (and if necessary, the email/ISP details of said poster may be forwarded to the relevant authorities).