What do you mean the "comment code"? The way it works here, you get served with choices to sample  comments, you pick your choices i.e. you set your own  base line and that combined with the flags on certain of your posts will more or less set  your civility standard.

Other than that, there's no obligation to subscribe to the G&M, no obligation to read the on-line edition or comment on the posts. It's all optional.