Our Discussion Guidelines
Here at The NPR News Blog, we're looking forward to some really engaging discussion. All we ask is that you follow some basic guidelines so we can all play nice.
Say it politely or don't say it at all. Over time, we'll talk about a lot of stuff on this blog, and you can discuss whatever topic we cover. What matters to me is the way that you do it. Some topics require blunt talk, and we're not always going to agree with each other. Nonetheless, please try to disagree without being disagreeable. Focus your remarks on positions, not personalities. There will be no name-calling, slander, comments about someone's mother, comparisons to notorious dictators -- you get the idea. If you want to get involved in a mud-slingin' contest, go run for Congress. And under no circumstances should you post anything that could be taken as threatening, harassing, sexist or racist. It will not be posted.
You watch your mouth, you hear. I HATE it when people swear online, but I know that sometimes it may be within context. Sometimes. But no gratuitous swearing or trying to sneak in a fast one. I'm not going to list the naughty words; you know what they are. Think Chris Rock. If you still don't know, go ask your mom and she'll tell you. If you try to use them here, I will not publish your comment. Promise.
Thou shalt not steal. Feel free to link to other content and to quote from other people's work, with attribution, of course. That doesn't mean you can copy and paste wholesale. My own rule is never more than two paragraphs from another article or blog posting. And please, make them relevant to the point you're trying to make.
Don't start talking about dog licenses and end up talking about Cuba. Stay on topic. As I say to my kids, it's all about focus. I was never a big fan of stream of consciousness, except when James Joyce was doing it. And be honest, have you actually read ALL of Ulysses?
There is a point to this posting, right? No manifestos, no magnum opus, OK? My editor and I reserve the right to edit for brevity as well as clarity. And we can be brutal with the delete key when we need to be.
This is not Facebook. I love to learn about new and interesting individuals, but most people will not be happy to have their phone numbers or e-mail addresses published. If you need to share someone's contact information, please submit it through our contact form.
Post no bills here. Feel free to share your ideas and experiences about religion, politics and relevant products or services you've discovered when it's germane to a post. But this is not a place for advertising, promotion, recruiting, campaigning, soliciting or proselytizing. We understand that there can be a fine line between discussing and campaigning; please use your best judgment -- and we will use ours.
Aliens have not landed -- yet. I appreciate the news tips members of the public send along. NPR reserves the right, however, not to publicize allegations, conspiracy theories and other information that we know to be false or unsubstantiated. No cab drivers not showing up for work on Sept. 11 theories, no black helicopters, and I don't care if somebody other than Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy.
Don't use the comment section like that jerk talking too loudly on her cell phone on the bus. This is a public blog, so don't use the discussion for private communications. If you want to contact me privately, please use the blog contact form. To contact other NPR programs or any of our business and technical departments, use the NPR contact form.
If you want to know even more about what is and isn't allowed on NPR.org, please see our very official Terms of Use page.
10:02 AM ET
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05- 3-2007
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Frequently Asked Questions about The NPR News Blog
What is The NPR News Blog?
It's a blog about politics, hosted by me, Tom Regan. You'll find postings from me, as well as NPR's fine group of political reporters. We're going to try and bring you political news, with a bit of analysis, that is interesting, informative, important ... and maybe a bit unexpected.
So why is it called The NPR News Blog?
Because the legal department shot down all our other ideas. So we'll need your help. We plan to ask for your suggestions soon.
What is the purpose of the blog?
To bring peace, order and good government to the universe ... OK, not so much. We want to bring you a deeper or unexpected look at the political news of the day from different perspectives and places (like the blogosphere) than you might normally look for news.
Can we talk here?
Of course we can talk. We encourage it. Talking is very therapeutic. But we have our rules. We want to run the place more like a salon than a saloon. But that doesn't mean we can't throw a chair from time to time.
Can I suggest story topics?
Absolutely. As we say, it's a great big Internet out there. I'm a big open source guy, so I'll take good ideas from anyone. And I give credit for them as well. BUT, I don't want commercials about your brother Phil's cleaning place, or how your content management system is better than everyone else's or why I just have to interview this author about his new book on head lice. I will not use them. They will rest peacefully at the bottom of the big round virtual file.
Can I link to your blog?
By all means.
Will you link to my blog?
Maybe. But no promises.
By the way, who is Tom Regan?
Normally it would take me years of psychoanalysis to answer that question. But try this. (Excuse me for talking in the third person; I know it makes it look like I'm pretending to be an NBA player or a rock musician.)
Tom Regan started in journalism the same year "Three's Company" debuted on TV. (1977). So far, there does not seem to be any official connection between the two events. You can find an official bio that details all his professional gigs here. This, however, is what's really important to know: He is a HUGE Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan; likes to listen to Ry Cooder, Dianne Krall, k.d.lang, Kelly Hogan and Tom Waits; is known around his house as the "Laundry King"; and is addicted to ESPN, the Food Network, and "house porn" TV shows. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada (the country of his birth), which means that he does have a queen, but he constantly feels compelled to rebel against her.
Are you the only person writing this blog?
I write for, and host, the blog, but there will be lots of contributions from NPR political reporters. And then there is always vacation. (I turn off all electronic equipment when it's my vacation.) But I'll be the main host of the blog.
What if I want to write you something, but I don't want it published?
Then use the comment form. You can find a link here.
10:01 AM ET
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05- 3-2007
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Well, hello there...
Greetings, salutations and welcome to The NPR News Blog. I'm your host, Tom Regan.
Or something like that. Actually, I anticipated something more like the stirring swell of background music you hear on NPR radio programs to announce the launch. But I'm actually quietly humming to myself while I'm writing this (Wolfmother's "Pleased to Meet You," which is a bit hard to hum, but there you go), so that will have to do.
Let's get right to the point of the exercise. This blog is about news. It might be big important news. Or it might be something that you wouldn't have considered news when you first looked at it. Basically, I'm going to blog about news from all over the place -- politics, sports, technology, science, health, entertainment, what's happening on "American Idol" ... you get my drift. My editor, Erica Ryan, and I want to make this baby as eclectic and as interesting as possible. As we noted in the FAQ, if you read the blog and go away finding something interesting and informative, but unexpected, then we've done our job.
I'm not here to tell you what to think. I'm here to give a little perspective on issues of the day from a variety of sources. You'll find lots of links in my postings to media sources and blogs that cover the political spectrum both nationally and globally. Which sounds very high-falutin', but the truth is that there is a lot of good material out there on the Internet that you might not normally have a chance to see. Perhaps I can help you find some of that mother lode.
I encourage you to comment on or write me about any posting, but read the discussion rules and FAQ first. It'll save us all some time. Interacting with the folks who visit this blog is one of the elements of my job I'm looking forward to the most.
So, to quote the Black Eyed Peas, let's get it started.
10:00 AM ET
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05- 3-2007
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