Eric-

I think the reader comments should stay and, if there have been enough complaints to cause the paper to consider getting rid of them, the option to view them or not is a good compromise. I have talked to people and overheard others who mention reading these comments. I think it's pulling people in.

Sharon

I personally enjoy scanning them and reading just what I find of interest. If this is done on a daily basis, I feel that the reader becomes familiar enough to read chosen letters from chosen people. I never miss reading the letters and discussing them with others.
I say, "keep em coming!"

I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. I FIND MOST OF THE COMMENTS INTERESTING.THE ONES THAT ARE TASTELESS I CHALK UP TO BEING RUDE OR INGNORANT.

Good compromise...Readers should click if they want to read comments. Personally, the attacks would go away if people signed their comments and took responsibility for what they said. I'd say 50% of the postings are helpful and represent most public opinion. This could be a great forum for discussion like "Letters to the Editor" if they identified themselves. Maybe this should be a requirement to post? I'd say yes!

I like the feature and would like to see it continue unchanged, however, I wouldn't be opposed to clicking to read the comments. The anonymity doesn't bother me really - I think it gives some people a voice they might not otherwise care to share. I have faith that the majority of readers/posters are intelligent and capable of deciding for themselves what is valid. Imagine an election where people were required to identify themselves on the ballots. Does it really matter in the end who makes the comment - or the vote? Isn't it really all about the message?

The comments should remain, but they should be watched carefully. The option to hide the comments is advisable, as some people wish to only read the article, and not see the many arguments/opinions that go on. It should also be noted that posts ENTIRELY LIKE THIS are not advisable, as they come off as rude and unintelligent.

I thoroughly enjoy reading the comments left at the bottom of articles. I find myself sometimes laughing hysterically at the ludicrous and/or narrow points of view, but hey freedom of speech, right? As for the complaints received about the reader comments, if you don't like them, don't read them. It's just that simple.

I have posted several times myself and have had interesting debates with other people who have posted comments. I do get a little peeved when the reader leaving the comment spells incorrectly (PROOFREAD!!) or does not have any facts to support their argument, but nonetheless, the majority of the comments left are entertaining and sometimes informative.

Keep the comments just like they are...reading them generally provides the biggest chuckle all day!

I think you should have a link giving people the option of reading comments, but the link to post a comment should be at the end of all the other comments posted. In other words, you shouldn't be able to leave a comment until you've read (or have pretended to read) all the other comments.

I feel that the comments sections should stay! It give the reader the option to comment on how they feel with certain articles. Why not incorporate an agree or disagree section for the comments left. What a way to get a populous.

keep them i like to know what people think

There are plenty of web forums in which to share one's view here in Maine. As Maine Goes, or the Omelet. I feel as though the comments make the paper appear trashy and exposes the lack of education many Mainers have on issues. while some of the comments are good, I feel the staff at Mainetoday fail to censor the inappropriate content of much of the posts. Keep them if you must, but at least make people click on a link to read them. omitting them all together would be more sensible.

I think many individuals use the comment box to voice their opinions so they feel like they've added their 2 cents. Although, unfortunately some think they need to use it as a shouting match. As with anything else you encounter, there is always going to be some ignorant people who try to ruin it for everyone else. At times, it can be annoying, but it can also give to something to laugh at. I think the comments should stay with the suggested "click to view comments" option.

I think that they should stay, but be more moderated. Quite a few of the comments are just blatent attacks and do not contribute to the article nor the debate about an article.

I often find the comments annoying- so a link to make a choice would be good.

In my opinion, we have choices, I can stop reading an article any time I want, nobody forces me to read comments. Nobody is nailing down my feet and making me read anything I don't want. We have to click a link to move to the next article anyway. As long as we breathe, there will be tasteless comments. Are we fostering intolerance of other people in this society to such a degree that we have to remove from sight comments in a section marked comments. After all the hellabaloo about road rage, isn't that only an intolerance of other people driving on the road ocassionally making mistakes in judgement or not paying attention as well as they might versus another's attitude that the other person somehow is infringing upon their "rights".

I don't think the change you are proposing makes any difference. There are a number of things that I dislike about the reader's comments, but the number one aspect of the readers comments that I dislike is the ability for the comments to come from people who post without providing there real name and real address.

If you are going to continue to allow reader comments, then please make sure that the comments are from verified individuals and that they have to provide their name and address, just as they would if they were to send in letters to the editor.

Thank you.

Reader comments are consistently interesting - from a couple of points of view: (1) There are most always some sincere and interesting comments regarding a story that reflect the public's opinion, and that's a good thing to hear, whether you agree or not. (2) When you see a large number of comments from uneducated people, ignorant about basic facts, it provides those in a position to do so, a wonderful opportunity to discover that this education needs to take place, and follow up on meeting that need.

I say keep the remarks at the end of the column. One can easily choose not to go on and read them. If all else fails, and you feel you HAVE to do something to protect people from reading opinions which disagree with their own, then by all means, keep the comments, but add the link.

On a lighter note... spell check would be a great addition to this site.... perhaps it's typos making so many people look illiterate (including me on occasion)!

Please keep the comments section.

The biggest annoyance I find is when 2 people get into a debate, and keep endlessly posting until someone feels they won.

Maybe you could limit the number of comments each person is allowed somehow?

I agree with the previous comments left on this matter that the humor outweighs the negativity. Laughter has proven health benefits! :)

I would keep the comment section the way it is. People who are offended should just avoid reading then in the future. I am a firm believer that the more forums for discussions the better.

This is a great forum...it cuts out the time involved in the letters to the editor column.

I say keep the Reader Comments - they are welcome alternatives to the print media Letters to the Editor which have become increasingly stodgy and "safe". Also there is not always enough room to print what people write. Being anonymous is necessary for some, myself included. Some of us work in places or are funded by sources which might take offense at "freedom of speech". Free speech is not always free! The comments do range from the patently ridiculous to the truly sublime. But they are a real time slice of life. And the medium encourages people who might be otherwise be intimidated by traditional media to start thinking (we hope) and communicating.It's democratic.

Most people comment are well within the realm of appropriate, but some are relentlessly crude, tasteless and uncalled for. It is much like they would choose to head butt a horse, but not have the sense to choose to do it at the front end.

Yes on keeping reader's comments, yes on keeping anonymity, yes on the "click to see comments" function so people don't get offended or unduly ridiculed unless they go looking. Also, Linda P. at 09/29 2:55 makes an excellent suggestion. I think censors are necessary but moderators are not. The members have so far been self-moderating each other by interaction like any small dysfunctional family that can't keep themselves from bugging one another. It works well enough that people I disagree with commonly are starting to grow on me, like a recurring fungus.

I like things the way they are. Most people don't like to hear opposing points of view, but as several folks have pointed out they don't have to keep reading the messages if they choose not to. As long as the comments are not profane or indecent what's the harm ?