I’ve been engaged in a rather acrimonious email exchange with a gentleman who was upset that I edited one of his comments. To clarify, here is the comment policy for MCM (and the idea that I actually need to have a “policy” makes me crazy).
1. Comments are welcomed from any source.
2. Anonymous comments will not be posted unless there is a legitimate email address attached (readers do not have access to those email addresses). If a commenter wishes to remain anonymous, and if I believe the comment is meaningful and germane, I’ll post it. If someone wants to espouse a position, they should do it publicly. However, some employers are not willing to let their staff go “on the record”, yet these staff have much to say. Therefore I’ll accomodate if at all possible.
3. Self-serving advertorial comments are not permitted. Yes, this can be somewhat of a judgment call, but if in my opinion the comment is blatantly self-serving, it’s coming down or going to be edited.
4. The gentleman in question cited one of his customers in his comment, a customer that expressly forbids vendors mentioning the customer’s name in the media without the pre-approval of that customer. I do not want to get in the middle of a dispute of this nature; before posting a customer’s name, check with the customer to make sure it’s OK. (in this case I deleted the reference to the customer, a deletion that somehow upset the gentleman)
5. If and when I mention an HSA (Health Strategy Associates LLC, my consulting firm) client, I will note that relationship. This is to inform you, the reader, of the relationship and allow you to consider that relationship in the context of the post.
6. I will make mistakes. Correct them, and I’ll publish the correction along with my original language. This encourages me to get it right the first time, and lets you, the reader, know that I accept responsibility for errors.
7. Finally, I welcome disagreement and criticism, as long as it is helpful, advances the discussion, and is not personal. Attack the thinking or position, not the person.
