Why am I able to edit visitors’ comments?

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  freolite · Member · Sep 30, 2009 at 7:57 am

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  I clicked Edit on the comment of one of my visitors and I was able to edit the content. I think I should not be able to do this, because I could be putting words in his/her mouth (so to speak).

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 30, 2009 at 8:09 am

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  Then don’t do it. It does put you in a muddy legal position, for sure.

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  tellyworth · Staff · Sep 30, 2009 at 8:27 am

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  It’s your blog.

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  chrisqq · Member · Sep 30, 2009 at 8:44 am

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  I have once edited a comment. My blog is for general readership but I had a comment that actually made some interesting points but then finished with a vulgar suggestion and expletives. I replaced this with “[vulgar comment removed by editor]” so that it was clear to everyone that I had edited the comment.

  My own rule is that I will generally not edit comments, but if I do I will make it clear that I have edited them.

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  raincoaster · Member · Sep 30, 2009 at 9:21 am

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  That’s a good rule. According to US law, copyright for the comments and legal responsibility lies with the commenter.

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  bigdave44 · Member · Sep 30, 2009 at 2:41 pm

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  I always edit obvious typos and occasionally asterisk out words. The latter is because when reviewing prize puzzles before the competition closing date I ask that no answers be given, and advance warning is given that this is going to happen.

  This apart I have never refused a comment or changed the meaning of one (4,500+ so far) – that’s what matters to me.

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  freolite · Member · Oct 3, 2009 at 1:44 am

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  Got that, thanks. ^^