The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Signed, Nobody

9.9.08 @ 12:01AM

ANONYMOUS
Re: Peter Hannaford's False Free Speech:

That's why I use my real name wherever I go on the Internet. It keeps me honest. (Also identifiable, but that's a side benefit.)
-- Robert Nowall
Cape Coral, Florida

I agree with Peter Hannaford's statements that web posters should be identified just like writers of newspaper letters to the editors are. What I didn't like was the Spectator's sub-head on his article: "Should the First Amendment protect the cowardice of slanderers who hide behind anonymity on the Internet?" Of course it should. As Mr. Hannaford implies, respectable websites will practice self-restraint and ban anonymous posts. But websites need to have the legal right to allow such anonymous posting. Those that do readers can dismiss as not being worthy of taking seriously. I frequently "tune out" of websites when the posters go crazy. People libeled by anonymous posters can take legal action against the website operators if they like (and it would be easier than attempting to sue someone posting libelous material on a bathroom wall). With current challenges against the American exceptionalism that is demonstrated in at least one way by the First Amendment, it is important to remember that "no" means "no" when it comes to laws Congress can pass restricting free speech.
-- Michael Landry
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Why am I not surprised that Peter Hannaford, an editorial page editor from the old media, would offer us a false Hobson's Choice when it comes to anonymous free speech? And how rich is it that Mr. Hannaford cites as an example for his hand wringing, a "law school message board...for prospective and actual college and law students"? You mean to tell us that it's the intellectual elites that engage in this form of distasteful ribald self-expression, and not those Neanderthal conservatives? Hmmm, what's this world coming to?

Mr. Hannaford is either ignorant of, or forgets, that anonymous vilification is as old as our republic itself. The very roots of our revolution were sowed from the vitriolic writings of anonymous pamphleteers: Thomas Payne, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, to name but just a few. Now, this is not to say that hate-filled profanity, ad hominem and vile comments, that are too often found on blogs and websites, are to be confused with this genre of anonymous satire, but Mr. Hannaford's reaction and solution to this dilemma is as draconian and iron-fisted as what we've come to expect from our leftist elites. Mr. Hannaford offers up self-restraint, in the form of a self imposed gag order, all in the name of civility. Civility trumps discourse any day in today's politically correct world. He concludes with the Orwellian refrain that self-restraint advances free speech. Well, only in the mind of an elitist. While the disclosure of one's actual identity would indeed weed out the vile and the prurient, it would also kill hard edged ridicule of the pompous and the powerful, that only anonymity affords. I'm not convinced Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid would take to kindly to criticism that has a name associated with it, are you?

Responsible websites have policies that protect from the extreme circumstances. Any website that doesn't, well, why would you even pause to consider these comments, let alone take offense? So, Mr. Hannaford, if your solution to the people's right to unfettered free speech is to kill it, I hope you won't be offended if I say that I'm not the least bit surprised that you're comfortable as an editorial board editor.
-- A. DiPentima

Peter Hannaford's column re-emphasizes one of the bedrock principles of American law: the ability to face, or in the case of the Internet, identify one's accusers. Being required to include a name and a number with a rant should seriously cull the herd of self-aggrandizing cockroaches whose intellectual "prowess" runs the gamut from curses to incoherence.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.
-- Arnold Ahlert (really)
Boca Raton, Florida

THREE OF A KIND
Re: The Prowler's Fannie, Freddie, and Obama:

With cheer leading for what amounted to laissez-faire capitalism, an abhorrence of any government regulation and plenty of liquidity provided by the Fed under the leadership of Al Greenspan, realtors, mortgage brokers and bankers, along with irresponsible home buyers and speculators, set the stage for what is arguably the most serious economic crisis we have faced as a nation since the Great Depression. As Bernanke and Paulson try to save our economy by bailing out Fannie and Freddie and put it on a sounder footing for the future by looking at increased governmental regulation, The Prowler worries about who, Obama or McCain, was first briefed by Paulson. Why? Because Paulson and his wife, who have "strong ties to the Democrat party, would not be an honest broker with Republicans."

As we argue over who is most responsible for this mess, borrowers or lenders, it might be helpful to remember a couple of things. I don't recall the current administration or any of the mortgage brokers or bankers, Republicans and Democrats alike, fervently urging Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson, former CEOs at Fannie Mae, to closely examine each loan application and to exercise the utmost prudence before making a loan. Also, did I misinterpret TV commentator Larry Kudlow when he was talking about "the greatest story never told"? I thought I heard him urge Bernanke to lower interest rates in order to keep the party going. Was he really crying in the wilderness about how we were, as a nation, on the road to economic perdition? Nevertheless, isn't it time to stop playing the blame game and insist that our political leaders from both parties work together to solve this problem? All of us, Republicans, Democrats. Libertarians, Independents et al. have a little bit at stake here, folks.
-- Mike Roush

MCCAIN, CHESSMASTER
Re: Jeremy Lott's Cold, Calculating McCain:

Mr. Lott is quite correct in his assessment of John McCain choice of V.P. However, if you look at the polls and see the remarkable turn of event in favor of the Republican ticket, to me it looks like Americans were looking for a reason not to vote for Obama. He is after all the nominee with the least qualifications to be President, but many are probably sensitive to voting against Obama at risk of being branded racist. Placing a woman on the ticket changes the "Old white guy" image, and eliminates that sense of guilt.

Who knows, maybe this was part of Mr. McCain's strategy.
-- Angelo Zenga
Mississauga, Ontario

I am beginning to think that the Democrats and their media hand maidens actually want McCain to win. How else do you explain that they're falling into the same trap again going after Governor Palin?

Letter to the Editor

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