We don't need the great orange daddy to step in

I've just read two diaries up on the rec list right now that just, to me, seem absurd.

First, Angry Mouse extols Kos to do something to put an end to nasty comments about Russert:

These kinds of comments do not reflect the majority of Kossacks.  They are, instead, the crazed and ego-driven rantings of a few people who apparently derive sick satisfaction from the suffering, pain, and tragedy of others.  

While most Kossacks have been vigilant in hiding and condemning such comments, greater action seems appropriate at this point.  

It is time for Kos to put a stop to these people.  It is a poor reflection of this website; it is a poor reflection of this community; and it is a poor reflection of Kos.

In another diary, we've got Melody Townsel telling everyone to "Grow. The. F***. Up," which isn't as much of a problem for me, but I kind of feel like having two diaries up which complain about the behavior of Kossaks in the Russert threads is overkill.

Okay.

So.

Let me start by saying I haven't read any of the comments in the Russert-related diaries.  I'm just not personally interested in them.  

But really, I think we need to get over ourselves a little bit.  This is a large community which has its share of trolls.  We have a system for dealing with trolls, and according to Angry Mouse, we've done an extremely good job of doing so.  

So I guess I have to wonder: why would we possibly need Kos to step in here?  Why on this issue of all issues?  

People say things here all the time which are hurtful, mean or inappropriate.  We deal.  We hide the comments when it's necessary to do so and, as a community, it's an extremely effective approach.  

I guess it just seems to me like there's no need to go over the deep end with this.  Like Russert, hate Russert, say horrible things about him, say great things about him.  If you say something horrendous and inappropriate your comment will get hidden.  If you don't, it won't.

This is a strange thing for me to be writing.  I almost never get into the meta-stuff here.  I don't much care.  I love this site, and I love it for the community as much as the commentary.  I guess I bristle a bit at the idea that Kos needs to step in and fix the community somehow, as though we're broken and need the Great Orange Daddy to step in and solve everything.  

We're not broken.  We're imperfect.

There's a really big difference.