We seek an, open, educated and civil conversation on ATP.

The discussion area is moderated. But very lightly. We intend to only block those comments and discussions that are indecent, inflammatory, slanderous, uncivil or irrelevant to the discussion itself. If all you wish to do is to pick a fight, please do it elsewhere. If you want to have a reasoned, reasonable and civil discussion, you are most welcome.


We will also monitor for personal attacks and abusive language. Blatant and obvious misrepresentations will also be edited out. Finally, flamers beware. please do not try to ‘bait’ people into arguments just for the sake of controversy. Your opinions are your opinions and you have a right to them, but attributing false statements to others, or inventing unsubstantiated or unsubstantiable ‘facts’ is unbecoming in an intellectual forum.

Please do not try to use the assumed anonymity of the web to say things – or to say them in a way – that you would not do face to face. ATP reserves the right to permanently block repeat offenders, including trolls and flamers who try to assume multiple or false identities with the intent to or effect of derailing civil discourse. As with most journalistic mediums, ATP retains the right to edit or block submissions considered dishonest, inappropriate, inflammatory, uncivil or exhibiting and/or enticing religious, sectarian, or ethnic prejudice. Although publicly open, this is a privately-run blog and ATP reserves the right to remove entire comments or portions of comments that do not meet these policies.

All opinions–including contrary opinions–are always welcomed and appreciated when stated civilly.

P.S. We realize that some issues ignite passions. If they do, we suggest that you (a) write the post, (b) take a deep breath 15 times, (c) drink a glass of cold water, (d) re-read your post and edit out any inappropriate language, and then (e) post your comments. This will spare you the embarrassment and us the effort of having to blank out offensive words from your post, or the entire post, or blocking you.