Right of Anonymity

Periodically, I hear complaints about anonymous comments here. I wish everyone would identify themselves because I think that would make for a more accountable and respectful discussion. But there is a valid role for anonymity.

I challenged an anonymous poster recently to use his real name...his response, in part:

[regarding opposition to Westwood Station] This is not something I would care to have prospective employers seeing, if by chance they were to google my name. I could honestly care less what people in Westwood think of me. That is not the issue. I invite anyone to come over and have a discussion with me about Westwood Station. I would fully disclose my contact information and address to anyone who thinks that I'm ashamed of what I have to say. My opinion is my opinion and I am not ashamed to say it, whatsoever.

However, I am not about to risk my career and professional reputation because of some silly development that I am against. I am not a proponent of putting information about myself for anyone to see on the internet.

I hope this blog can serve as a bridge to participation. Poorly expressed, illogical anonymous comments speak for themselves, and I think people ignore them. But sometimes it takes that voice from the back of the room grumbling to push others into voicing what they are thinking...and eventually people DO put their names on opinions. But if we say, "you can't speak unless you identify yourself"--well, that is fine in person, but online, as an individual resident, it is asking a lot to make a person stand up for his opinion on every issue forever. "Oh, you're one of THOSE people."

Myy goal is to make it easier to start a conversation on issues that matter to people and then see where it goes.