MSN website does not allow comments on their articles and I have come across some other news providers that do not allow comments on their articles either. The reason cited by one site, and I have no doubt their reasoning is the same or nearly the same as other sites not allowing comments, is that so many of the comments are filled with hate, intolerance, racial slurs, insults, and rudeness.
Many years ago CB radios became popular in passenger cars and one could apply for a license to operate one. I had one and found them to be handy in some circumstances. But as the radios became more popular people would resort to insulting other users and things got so bad that most people stopped using CB's so they didn't have to listen to the disrespectful chatter.
It does seems that when you give people freedom to express themselves and the anonymity to hide their identity then the harassing speech quickly follows. Democrats insult Republicans, whites insult blacks, non believers insult Christians, straights insult gays, men comment on women's bodies and what they would like to do, and almost everyone insults police officers. The other side of this coin is just as childish as the first side.
We can have a difference of opinion and have a meaningful discussion without resorting to calling each other names. Once one person attacks then the other goes into defensive mode and the fight is on. It should not be this way.
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