Monday, March 3, 2008
Will the real anonymous please stand up?
What's with all the anonymous comments? Do you really believe someone is going to hunt you down if you put your real name on a comment? How about this, if you don't want to put your full name, how about just your first name? I put my name up here, why don't you? There's one anonymous who keeps on and on about how I'm connected to Mark Marino and I'm afraid to post his comments because....I'm not afraid, I'm just tired of reading the same blather over and over again. I posted it the first time you said it, but I'm not going to keep posting the same comment. Come up with something original for Pete's sake. Or, better yet, try to further the conversation just a bit. And when you do, please, put your first name, at least, on the post. There are a couple of people who have been using their real names on posts and I think it just lends credibility. The idea of this blog is to further public discourse, not provide a bully pulpit for someone who wants to post derogatory comments about other people. So, will the real anonymous please stand up?
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31 comments:
I can't agree more!!!
Jim Mollick
"The idea of this blog is to further public discourse"
Can't say that's been something I've noticed.
IS IT REALLY YOU AGREEING WITH SOMEONE?
Good call Stan!
-Name withheld for fear of having a banana cream pie thrown at my face.-
Stan,
I know why most people want to remain anonymous on this site, a lot of the actors being criticized are either bullys or stalkers, who wants them showing up on your front doorstop in the middle of the night, not me! Some of these people are just plain sickos. I feel much safer in my home and on my commute to work knowing that I am anonymous, and not subject to being bullied by these guys.
I agree, and it would be nice and preferable, but in my community there are clowns who think it's cool to voice their displeasure by an assortment of mean-spirited tactics when they get can't get their way using legal methods. I know people who've had their homes pelted with eggs, their cars tampered with, their email hacked into, etc. I'd love to 'decloak' but I'm not willing to put my children and family at risk of whatever these juvenile numbskulls cook up next just because I voice an opinion they don't like.
It's more about the mechanics of the site than anything else. You read, you type out a comment and then you get to all the gobbledygook at the bottom. You just want to submit your two-cents worth as fast and as painlessly as possible -- and that way is to select the "Anonymous" button and submit it.
I have no desire to register, remember a password and all the rest when there's a much quicker and easier way.
Stan
It is time for a change.A new editor at Times Herald would be a start.
Obviously, you have never had a police car parked outside of your house for 5 hours at a time (after you complained to your senator about police misconduct) or had your child pulled out of class and accused of a crime he did not commit or been given the evil eye as you drive out of your driveway. Stan, you have the power of the press (whatever you write in unquestionable truth). The rest of us are not so lucky. If you were really after the truth (and not some political agenda) you would welcome public discourse on sensitive topics.
How about this? What if all the anonymous posters came up with their own nickname. I wasn't really looking to put anyone it harms way. In fact, even if you put a name to your post I wouldn't know if it was really yours, now would I? If we go with the nicknames at least we can keep people straight, and begin to see a patter with their thinking.
Stan,
After reading some of these comments, even I am speechless.
Jim Mollick
Sorry, I forgot to post a comment on the anonymous above who thinks it's time for a new editor at the paper. This is exactly what I'm talking about with my previous post. I have a sneaky suspicion that it's the same person who keeps trying to link me to certain other people in the county. What's the deal? Why don't you just call me on the phone or come down to the paper to see me in person if you have that big of a problem with me? You know who I am, who are you?
Give me a break please, with the "Oh, I'm so afraid some one is going to egg my house" routine! I'm a free lance writer with the Herald which means I am a private citizen, the same as everyone else. I DON'T have the power of the press behind me--all I have is my words and my name and even if you don't agree with me, at least I have the courage to put my name on my words. It's too easy to toss off half baked thoughts and make unfounded accusations if you are never going to be held accountable for what you say. Frankly, the most unintelligent and inarticulate comments on this blog, and in the Two-Cents column in the paper for that matter, are the ones where the author doesn't have the guts to sign his own name. If you're tech-savvy enough to post here, you're tech savvy enough to figure out how to leave a name. Put up or shut up.
Proudly submitted,
LISA MOSSIE
Stan,
The idea of anonymity has, throughout history, become the way the less adventurous of us make our point heard.
Even our founding fathers, when writing the Federalist Papers, chose to write under the pseudonym "Publius". It wasn't until after the fact that we found them to be 3 individuals.
Although I make the point above, I can't see posting comments on a blog as being so heinous that we need to keep our identity secret. I'm guessing that most of the people who post on your blog, so so when they are at work. I'm also guessing that they probably should be earning money for their boss while they are writing their "poison" comments, under the veil of anonymity. I guess what I'm trying to say is this-people are afraid of getting in trouble with thir boss, their spouse, with their friends, etc., because they have an opinion.
One of the reasons I choose to use my real name and post frequently is this: I don't fear any of that. I have no qualms about telling it like it is. I guess that is what separates me from the rank and file "poster".
As for Mollick being speechless...i ain't buying it. I know him too well! (LOL)
Bill Shaw
writemarsh.blogspot.com
I think the idea of a pseudonym is a good idea, although some entries in your blog might better be called a nom de guerre. Go look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!
Some of us might want to protect our identity on behalf of other members of the family. We don't want people to think our spouses agree with our comments or ideas or that they are hiding behind us.
I hear Marino wants you to take out his trash now. Was it worth it to be his yes man?
Who cuts your hair? Stagliano you are his yes man also.You write want he wants.
How about ex Police Chief Bud can't keep his pants on Bender he is your buddy also.
With these buddies how do you have time for your blog?
Stan, Isn't nice to have friends??
I see that our deposed Trappe Borough council president(Stuart Strauss) is at it again. His unmistakable grammar and lack of punctuation is the usual calling card of Mr. Strauss. Having been at the receiving end of more than a few of his emails, i can vouch for the fact that it is undeniably Mr. Strauss sending these "anonymous" posts.
Thank you Stan Huskey for giving us these forums to air our opinions about our local governments and give us all a device to which we are able to vent our frustrations and heap our praises upon those that deserve it
I AM one of the anonymous bloggers (Yes, there appear to be several of us.)In response to the assumptions that people are writing from work (when they shouldn't be) and/or we are cowards.1) I have my own business and 2) I am an international speaker/writer. I DO say the same things to larger audiences under my real name.(Local examples of authority misconduct translate well to national and international audiences.) The reason I disclose identity to one audience and not the other is that one audience invites public discourse as a way to understand and solve social problems, whereas, the other audience desires willful ignorance and resorts to harassment as a way to maintain ignorance.
-Anonymous #5
Stan...Great article in today's paper...Pennsylvania is named the "Keystone State" if that is so...we sure have no say when it comes to selecting our candidate for President...change for our Primary is needed...or maybe the other states need to have their Primaries a little later...not sure which would be better...but the "Keystone State" we ARE NOT!!! Super Delegates are turning out to be "wantabes" that are self serving double dippers in some cases.
Bill, you were right, I can't remain speechless. At least not for long!
If we ever go to war, I want Lisa Mossie as my wing woman and Bill Shaw in my foxhole. Intelligent, persuasive, and credible. They are also unafraid to put their name where there post is.
As for Stan Huskey, take it from me, he is no push over by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that he posts opinions that differ from his, some calling for a new editor, and dosen't require the persons name is a true testimate to his belief in the 1st ammendment. That's really what this blog is all about.
People can disagree and can agree to disagree. It really is about a battle of ideas.
I find that the people who spew venom behind the anonymous tag really don't have any.
As a County employee you see too much activity that is corrupt, immoral, and illegal. Unfortunately leaving a name is not in the best interest of my job. So who do you really contact when you see something immoral, illegal or corrupt when everyone is in bed with each other at the county? You vent here, but there is not much else you can do.
There goes anonymous beating up past Trappe Borough President again. Is this the same person who was making daily predictions that Strauss was going to keep his Council seat ? I am surprised he is still around with all the money he lost. Judging by his or hers grammar, spelling,
captalization,and not spelling the old President's name right, I feel it is Councilman Matt Watson
if you need a favor for a price call me who is your anonymous blogger making these comments.I know individuals who have received emails from him and I believe he knows Marino.
So as a county employee where does one go who sees inappropriate or even illegal behavior? HR is not an option, let's face it Peter Leiss was hired as a friend of Matthews. So if the inappropriate behavior is someone else at the top who is a Matthews hire/friend what do you do? Even for something illegal or questionably border line illegal who can you go to? Is it truly a disgrace what goes on here in the County seat!
How come in fair journalism do not you talk about the Democrats on your blog instead of Marino ,Matthews ,Kerns ,Davis and company?
I believe you are a New York Times liberal.
Right?? Show both sides of journalism instead of one. That would be a change.
Everyone should have to use their own log in whether its a real name or just a screen name. That way you can can distinguish one anonymous from another. Thats how most message boards work.
By the way, I am not one of the normal posters....I check this site about once a month to see whats going on.
Anonymous (3/11/08)...Exactly what are the Democrats doing/have done/planning to do that needs more attention in the TH and this Blogg?? Photo Ops. have been more than fair for both parties... Call the TH and have a reporter attend your meetings so that the public can see how your Party is handling the County affairs/functions. Oh Thanks...I did not know the LP Barber's Name...she is not Political.
People have the right to their own particular comfort level. If you don't want anonymous comments, Stan, then don't allow them. But if you didn't allow anonymous comments you would have a lot fewer comments....it's blogger prerogative.
Well Stan, why don't you live up to what your blog says "not a bully pulpit for someone who wants to post derogatory comments about other people"
There are some comments that you, as the writer of the blog, allow on here that are pretty derogatory.
Take a look and maybe you can really leave out the rhetoric about named individuals, just to "NOT POST DEROGATORY COMMENTS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE"
you need to get off your bully pulpit! you allow your reporters to report something, but in earlier news articles you have said this won't happen on my watch. but it happened and I posted and my post was never answered. and, yes, there are some out there that are protecting the criminals, because they are criminals too, so I have to watch my back. eggs on a car don't sound bad, but let it dry and it's a pain to get off. sugar in a gas tank? yeah, it happened to my relative after he spoke out about a sewer issue. so sometimes being anonymous works, when the "editor" will take the time to investigate things rather being lazy and just printed from the ap site. and I am not talking about just you in this case. there are others that have done the same thing. integrity? doesn't exist in most newspapers.
Funds getting low?? Asher, Matthews & Davis are the politicians that should make sure the Republicans have enough cash to help the cause - since they have been the cause of the up-roar in the Party. Put the money where your mouth is - since you know best...like a Super Delegate on the Dem. side. I think not!
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