patrick.net

lostand confused says

didn't understand how ti works or is there a thread somewhere?

yes, @"lostand confused" here is the explanation:

https://patrick.net/1303051/2017-02-16-user-civility-score

By each comment, I'm now putting a "civility score", which is the ratio of the user's civil comments to total comments made since Feb 15, 2017.

Civil comments are simply those that do not attack another patrick.net user's personal qualities. You can attack anything or anyone else and the comment is still considered civil.

If a comment does attack another user's character, motive, or other attribute of the user making an argument, use the "ad hominem" link to flag it. If the moderator (currently Patrick) finds that it is indeed a personal attack, it will add to that user's uncivil comment count and their civility ratio will decline.

Ultimately, I'd like to leave moderation in the hands of the most civil users themselves.

@Patrick, is it an ad-hom to call someone a fucking white male even if he is white and male? Is it OK if the person saying that is also a fucking white male?

If you're trying to avoid answering someone's point by simply insulting their personal characteristics (white, male, fucking) or motive, then that would pretty much be the definition of ad hominem.

A: "I think illegal immigration from Mexico is harmful to the country."
B: "You're a fucking white male."

It doesn't address the point about whether illegal immigration is harmful or not.

How about:
I think illegal immigration from Mexiso is harmful to the country, unless you're a fuckin white male.
( assuming "you're" is not taken as a personal reference )

rando says

If you're trying to avoid answering someone's point by simply insulting their personal characteristics (white, male, fucking) or motive, then that would pretty much be the definition of ad hominem.

A: "I think illegal immigration from Mexico is harmful to the country."

B: "You're a fucking white male."

It doesn't address the point about whether illegal immigration is harmful or not.

MrEd says

I think illegal immigration from Mexiso is harmful to the country, unless you're a fuckin white male.

Having a hard time understanding that.

Does it mean that illegal immigration of fucking white males from Mexico is not harmful?

Could also mean that illegal immigration is harmful to the US, except for fucking white males, for whom it is beneficial.