I've been questioned as to the integrity of the blog given that people can post anonymously. The anonymous posts have always been allowed; as many of you know I initially verified all posts with a second direct contact before posting them. This became too clunky for a flow of banter that you can see gets going around topics.
Unfortunately the reality of blog posts and comments is that people can choose a name (or not) to ascribe to submitted comments; mandating people create and verify a Blogger profile just takes time and only results in a moniker (or perhaps their real name if they choose). People who "get" blogs understand that using your name or some moniker is what leads to some credibility and rapport with other readers over time - for example, on this blog when Spicoli, Cyclorado or Alex says something it adds to their online persona amongst the regular readers. For what its worth, anonymous posts are taken with a grain of salt and don't have the weight or respect of those that have a name.
In my case everything I post has my name on it, so you know where I'm coming from. Bottom line this is an aspect of digital communication that can't be overcome - it's an online forum for all comments, regardless of source or attribution.
I intend the blog to facilitate discussion and the majority of comments have been good for debate. The "regulars" set a mature tone for comments and the anonymous readers are just part of the territory of the digital world.
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Anonymity is good for the discussions. A question or comment is all the same whether you know who is asking it or not. In fact a level of anonymity is better for some who may not want others to judge them personally on the merits of the question or comment. My moniker is relatively anonymous, but those who have been watching this site, know what my concerns/interests are. A question from Anonymous can only be taken at face value, and probably gets a better answer, because there is no possibility of bringing up personal stuff that is inconsequential to the discussion. Not that this ever happens in this forum...
Ahh, remember when George W. and Laura Bush were blogging with us here in the East County? What an honor that was...
Joking aside, I have no concerns about the integrity of this forum. No one has yet posted in my name, and if there was ever an attribution problem, I'm confident Dan would correct it right away.
Monikers are helpful, if someone wishes to remain anonymous. I do agree that it is better to encourage input from those outside the ranks of officialdom in any way that works. I also believe that "personal stuff" has not been a big issue with any identifiable contributor to this forum; we do occasionally get such commentary from anonymous posts, but also no big deal.
Anonymous posting is the norm for blogs so I don't know why anyone would question the integrity of this site, but using Anonymous as a blogger I.D. can get confusing sometimes.
And, of course, there's no rule against our intense curiousity about the secret identity of all superheros and purely digital entities who post...
Anonymous is like a box of chocolates...
I agree that fly-by hate postings are a problem, as in today, May 11, on this site. You want people who dump something like that to stick around to defend the dreck or be forced to rethink their opinion.
Still, is censoring posts the solution? The "line" on objectionable content is actually a mile wide. It's also possible that such posts might reveal the biases of those who tag along. And it's possible that such posts might unearth a legitimate grievance, though, today, I am thankful to be largely ignorant of Longmont politics...
It comes down to name calling. Just calling an official a bitch and having nothing else of substance is going to be purged by me ASAP. I want debate on concpets, policies, decisions and values. If people using their own names call someone else a name, the agrieved can take that up with them directly, and also everyone reading this blog knows who said what.
Much like the paint at Eagle Place, such verbal choices only reflect poorly on those who choose them. If they want to be anonymous, my blog is not the place.
What about references to the Chicago Bears? Unless they are hateful and deriding like.....
Da Bears
P.S. In the Daily Camera today, Local Section front page is a short blurb informing readers of an event that now one needs to know about and probably would be deleted as in bad taste on this blog. If Dan wants to post it, he can let me know.
This was just above a misleading press release about Exempla Good Samaritan winning a national award.
(I listen to talk radio as an antidote to reading the Camera.)
"I listen to talk radio as an antidote to reading the Camera."
File that one in home remedies right after taking speed to counteract all the booze.
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