The Rushville Republican, like many newspapers across the nation, allows people to anonymously post comments online and includes unsigned comments in Rants, Raves and Random Thoughts.

Years ago this practice would have been unheard of, but times have changed and it's a fairly common practice in this day and age by newspapers and other media outlets worldwide.

This newspaper recently adopted a set of guidelines in an effort to keep the process as fair as possible.

In the future any posted comments will have to meet the following criteria in order to be approved.

False statements about a person, business or institution will not be permitted.

Comments regarding someone's personal health, sexual activity and other private matters will not be permitted.

Threatening statements or statements that suggest violence will not be permitted.

Accusing someone of criminal activity will not be permitted.

Comments suggestive of religious, racial or ethnic intolerance will not be permitted.

Crude statements or those determined to be in bad taste will not be permitted.

Swearing or the use of obscenity will not be permitted.

Explicit name-calling, such as "moron," "idiot" or "Peeping Tom" will not be permitted.

We will continue to allow comments that some might find offensive, provided they do not violate any of the points made above.

Criticism of public officials, as long as it does not violate any of the points made above, will be approved.

Criticism of people who are subject of stories, as long as it does not violate any of the points made above, will be approved.