So what, exactly, are you taking issue with in the proposed code? Civil behavior? Ignoring Trolls? Taking responsibility for views expressed? I’m curious.

Three things:

1) The only people who are going to play by these rules are people who are already acting decently and running quality sites. The assclown brigades responsible for the bullying that prompted this whole thing aren’t going to care.

2) Why do we bloggers have to live up to a code like this when the swine on Fox News, CNN, Meet the Press don’t?

3) Anonymous comments should always be allowed. Period. If that anonymous person abuses that privilege, then, yes, bounce his ass. But sometimes anonymity is proper.

Plus…badges? In 2007? Tim O’Reilly wants website badges?

I’m not totally in disagreement that this “code” would be a pretty empty gesture, but I am concerned over that nastiness and vituperative, mean-spirited sniping that the relative anonymity of the web can lead to (I also freely admit to not seeing what the fun of flaming is. Making a telling point, now, _that_ I understand the attraction). Personally, I figure that the best way to combat it is to try and keep my naturally sweet disposition.

And for that, I thank you. The world needs more sweet dispositions.