The Anonymous Commenter
Do commenters on other sites have a right to their anonymity?
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I don’t set any of the comment policies here. However, at my own blog, I have always respected the anonymity of my commenters and — barring anything unexpected — I don’t see that changing for foreseeable future.
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Commenters have no rights beyond those that a site owner/manager chooses to give them. Full stop.
David:
While commenters may have no inherent “rights” per se, I support anonymous comments as a way to encourage discussion.
There is a second reason, as well: Sometimes people have a need to remain anonymous. An example is some of the comments I received regarding my posts on Blackwater USA’s antics in Iraq from company employees.
Or perhaps the commenter is a University of XXXXXXXX professor who does not want to explain himself or herself tomorrow in class or more importantly to the ethics review committee. Especially if that commenter happens to be conservative in a sea of Liberals.
Or perhaps he or she does not want to defend the 12 or 15 or 20 books they have written or the numerous comments made on Meet the Press or Nightline or 60 minutes. Perhaps they just want to roll up their sleeves and say whats on their mind without having to edit their work, spell check or worry about political correctness.
Perhaps they are like me and just love to speak their minds and be considered a “Moron” because they refuse to be politically correct and this gives them that refreshing break from the mundane chore of constantly having to carefully purse what comes from their mouths on a daily basis in the REAL world.
Perhaps there are reasons.
OH sorry I just reread what I wrote and it sounds like Im implying Im a college professor who has written many books. I have not. I am a just a moron who sits on his redneck couch, reading the bible to ole blue and tellin the missus to bring me another paper cup so I can spit my “bakky” into a clean cup.
They deserve anonymity (made entertaining often by creativity in nom-de-plume selection, same as for race horses, musical bands, and vessels such as boats, airplanes, and spacecraft, where names are created where they don’t exist otherwise).
In the past (on other sites) I’ve normally signed my name, and been credited for having the guts to sign my name (when addressing something in a strongly worded manner), on all my postings; I felt nowadays that anonymity (even without creativity) is sometimes the better course of action to take.
* * *
Somebody: Bakky in that form at least reduces the number of cigarette burns in your home. And don’t forget she can bring you another one from the box fulla beer in the fridge in her other hand.