I spent a few hours this morning reading through all 1,500 comments posted in the three months since this blog went live. I am overwhelmed by the comments and commenters.

Before launching, I seriously debated whether to take the risk of allowing comments. I am now enormously gratified that I did so.

On the whole, the comments are intelligent, thoughtful, and respectful. I thank all who are contributing to an impassioned debate and elevating the level of discussion.

I made a tough decision this morning. For the first time, I banned a commenter from future posting. After three months, I am still a fledgling blogger, so this was a tough call for me.

Substantively, it was easy. This commenter had clearly and repeatedly violated item #2 of my comment policy (emphasis added)

Please refrain from personal attacks. Treat this as a discussion among friends. Debate vigorously, and play nicely, please. If necessary, I will moderate comments as needed to keep the discussion civil.

I worked in the United States Senate for 7+ years, and developed tremendous respect for the Senate’s rules of decorum in speaking on the Senate floor. Senators must always address the Chair, rather than speaking directly to each other. Ad hominem personal attacks are a violation of the Senate rules. Members from radically different ideological perspectives refer to each other as, “My good friend, the Senator from