You know what would stop the alert abuse in its tracks?

[nyabingi]

64. This whole alert system kinda

took me off guard at first because it's fundamentally against the idea of having a solid debate about whatever the topic is. If someone doesn't like what you've said (that it's "mean", which is one that has been tossed in my direction), they can just lobby to have you censored and you have no way of defending yourself against the alerter or the jury members.

I have never even though of alerting on someone's comment (nor would I) because I'm seeking a good debate, not trying to shut it down. My initial postings are meant to be provocative and to tap the emotional reservoir of the reader, if anything to get the train moving into my substantive conversation. If you've provoked me enough to get me angry, I'm gonna debate it with you and trade ideas with you, not run home crying like a baby. We're all adults here and everyone can fend for themselves.

There's value to keeping any comment boards moderated and well-kept, but it can be abused to silence dissent, and that defeats the whole purpose of being able to comment and engage others in heated conversation.