Pueblog USa
Friday, September 21, 2007
Pseudonymously Yours
There are very good reasons for anonymity.
It’s been passed to me through the rumor mill that some elected officials have declined to have their written words posted on this blog, even though their writings would be posted in their entirety so that there could be no concerns about taking things out of context.
The concern of the elected officials has something to do with the fact that people can post on this blog anonymously. Why this is a problem is beyond me. Certainly if an elected official publishes something in the newspaper a great many people see it and discuss it without any opportunity for the official to respond to criticisms at all. In a public forum setting, an official may or may not know who is asking a question or making a comment, so the anonymity shouldn’t matter.
Indeed, anonymous comments on political matters is in the finest traditions of America. The Federalist Papers were published anonymously, and they are considered amongst the most important literature regarding our government and Constitution. One reason they were published anonymously was to keep the discussions focused on the issues, and not on the personalities and possible motives of the people who wrote them.
This reason is still valid regarding issues in Pueblo. I have frequently seen the established “curmudgeons” of Pueblo tuned out because people figure they’ve already heard everything the individual has to say, and the individual is regarded as an eccentric, at best. The individual’s identity interferes with his or her message.
Another reason this blog provides anonymity is because individuals need to be able to freely express their opinions without retaliation from employers, friends, and in-laws. And without incurring an “eccentric” label.
Next entry: Ethics In Pueblo Government — Part 1 Previous entry: September 2007 PNP Newsletter