My Blog Manifesto

I am uncomfortable with the tone and approach of most blogs, and as such I am vowing now (and putting myself on the record) that I will adhere to ten principles of decency with my writings here. These principles are almost guaranteed to make my blog less popular, and thus less well read, but I am willing to sacrifice popularity for respectability.

1. No ad hominem attacks. Who a person is or for whom they work does not necessarily make false their argument. Besides, most ad hominem attacks in blogs involve individuals who have never even met, nor are ever likely to.

2. No personal attacks. This builds on #1. Even if I know someone to be an absolute jerk, I won't write that. My blogs, to the extent they focus on others, will remain strictly on their arguments.

3. Civil language at all times. I will write entries on the assumption my children might read them (even though they've got far better things to do with their time.) I will not swear, name-call or in any other way adopt a tone not accepted in polite society.

4. Acknowledge sources. As a former journalist this is important to me. If I am writing on an issue and the knowledge I am imparting comes from a particular source, I will acknowledge that source.

5. Welcome feedback. I will do everything I can to leave comments open on this blog, although I understand why The Washington Post and others turned off comments. I have been called absolutely hateful things by complete strangers in comments (I've even had my facial hair criticized) and I'm sure I will here as well, but hopefully most commenters will adhere to these principles when writing their critiques.

6. Know my facts. Too many bloggers write their opinions first and check facts later (or worse, never get around to checking facts). It may slow my response time, but I won't write something unless I'm pretty sure of it, just as when I was a journalist I wouldn't file a story until I was sure of it.

7. Admit when I'm not certain. At times I may not have a complete comfort level with my topic; I think few people do with everything they write, and I envy those that do. In cases of uncertainty, I will let the reader know.

8. Admit to error. At times I will be flat-out wrong on something; it happens to the best of us. When an error of fact is pointed out to me I will post a correction. This is different, of course, from two people disagreeing with the import of the same facts. I will agree to disagree in those cases.

9. Keep it nonpartisan. Many blogs are partisan and that's fine. I'm an independent, though, and hold an equal disdain for both parties, so this one will be easy for me to maintain. There will likely be many reasons an individual will choose to dismiss my writings, but a partisan bias will never be one of them.

10. Keep it light. A blog should be fun. I'm more liberated here than I was as a journalist, and I'll enjoy that liberation. If I go too many entries without making a joke or linking to something silly or absurd, I invite readers to call me on it.

I don't think other bloggers should have to adopt this manifesto, but I invite them to; I think it would improve the level of online discourse. I can only focus on myself, however, and only under these conditions will I truly feel comfortable being part of the blogosphere. Please, if ever it seems I am not holding true to one of these principles, let me know. Thank you in advance.