A word about comments on CSMonitor.com

We've shifted our approach. Comments on articles aren't available on most articles. You can still contact us, though.

 To our readers: 

We've adjusted our policy for comments on our articles.

 In the past, most articles on our website allowed readers to comment. A few -- on subjects that experience had shown were not bringing out the best in some commenters -- did not have that option.

 As of today, we've shifted so that we do not take comments on our articles except when a blogger or writer specifically allows them. In other words, comments will be the exception now, not the default option.

 We've made this change after extensive analysis of the comments our articles have received over the past two years. Some have been thoughtful. Some have added useful information or pointed out our mistakes. Thank you for those. But many comments have been non-productive.

 You can still reach us to tell us you like or dislike an article, to give us a news tip or story suggestion, and/or to correct the record. In most of our articles, you can click the author's byline and follow the prompts to email that person. Or you can comment by going to the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of every page (be sure to refer to the article you are commenting on). And many of our staff-written articles are posted on our Facebook page, where comments are always welcome.

 Like most things on the Internet, this change is not necessarily permanent. We value our readers and want CSMonitor.com to dignify their intelligence, empathy, and civic-spiritedness. We will  be looking for new ways to support and engage those qualities .

 -- John Yemma, Editor

 p.s. -- By the way, I'm enabling comments on this post. Feel free jump in.