Comment policy

Reader comments are welcome and encouraged. 

Friendly debate and opposing viewpoints are welcome, though I reserve the right to remove any comments that are not respectful and relevant, as well as comments that come across as spammy, promotional, or threatening. Off the Beaten Shelf is meant to be a safe space for all readers and I reserve the right to ban anyone who fails to respect that fact. 

Comment deletion is at my sole discretion. Leaving a comment up does not necessarily mean that I personally agree with it or endorse its author. 

Hateful -isms are not welcome here. Racism, sexism, ageism, etc. Anything that disparages a group of people will not be tolerated. If you find yourself opposed to this policy, leave. This is my corner of the internet and if you want to perpetuate hate, I suggest you go elsewhere. Like, preferably off the face of the planet. 

If you question whether your comment is appropriate for this space, I encourage you to err on the side of caution and refrain.

In short, be nice or be quiet. 

And lastly, the legalese disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog and on my social media sites do not reflect those of my employer. (However, should you try to get me fired for cursing or expressing liberal views, I imagine my boss would laugh at you.)