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Sometimes You Want to Blog Where Nobody Knows Your Name
Ed Whelan's outing of the liberal legal blogger Publius has started some debate over anonymous and pseudonymous blogging. Personally, I woudn't have outed him -- a position Whelan himself now come around to -- for his offenses. But not all reasons for anonymity strike me as equally valid.
One of Publius' reasons for wanting to remain anonymous was that his political opinions differed from his family's. It seems to me that the solution to that is to keep quiet about your political opinions. Even as a political commentator, I don't like to shove my politics down people's throats. I figure people who visit political websites, read newspaper op-ed pages and political magazines, and tune into political shows on TV or radio are fair game because they are actively seeking out political commentary. But I don't forward my articles to friends and family who haven't expressed an interest. I don't go out of my way to share my opinions with people I meet in a non-political context. And I only recently and reluctantly began posting my articles on my Facebook page, at the request of my more political friends.
But I am not going to start writing under the name Rhinocerous 55 because I have friends and family members who will undoubtedly disagree with my political opinions. Having people disagree with you -- even people you are close to -- is the price of making political commentary. If you don't want to pay it, then you should probably try stamp collecting or some other hobby. Concealing your identity so that people will not know your actual beliefs -- while criticizing people who write under their own names -- is quite a bit less honorable than concealing your identity to protect your family's physical security.
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Old Texican| 6.9.09 @ 3:07PM
Dear Mr. Antle...uh III
I don't have a pedigree (III), but I damned sure don't come here for a "political hobby"
I come here because you guys write a lot of truth, and I am concerned...deeply concerned...for my country.
I've made mine, but what are we going to leave for our kids and grandkids?
Best regards
Old Texican| 6.9.09 @ 3:52PM
Mr. Antle...uh... The Third:
I was interrupted writing the last post. I have a national company to run.
Do you think for a moment, that posting honest thoughts here that I am NOT on the lists, (plural), that Obama and crew are compiling?
Hell !!!!!! they know my name and address! They can come for me any time they please.
I have posted on your site knowing full well what is in store for me if these bast***s get control of everything.
I have found friends/compatriots here. Thank you for your site.
I don't feel quite so alone.
I am hoping for a hundred MILLION Americans show up at a tea-party July 4th. My plans are to be there...again to have my picture took. (sic) and my name added to "peaceful assembly".
I am a world wide # 1 best selling author. I write pretty well.
I have even outed myself here for anyone who wanted to chase the link.
I take serious offense at your little smart arse article!
SEND ME MY DONATION BACK...OR APOLOGIZE!
W. James Antle III| 6.9.09 @ 6:26PM
Old Texican, I didn't say there was anything *wrong* with posting under a pseudonym, especially for commenters. There are plenty of good reasons to do so. I just don't think not wanting people to know your real opinions -- as was the case with the "outed" blogger -- is one of them.
John| 6.10.09 @ 6:44AM
Humm...
1. Old Texan... Pedigree? I had an unoriginal father and grandfather, too. I also have the scars from the fights with verious lenders and security folks who found their credit showing up in mine to prove it. The III admittedly adds "cool" every once in a while, though.
2. Amspec has my real email address. They can look it up. If I say something really out of line, my fellow "Trey" can drop me a note and tell me so. I live in a real house that I pay for, own three cars that are almost paid off.. I also have a job where sometimes investigators poke around so that I am allowed to do stuff.
3. I also have a wife and kids who do not appreciate my use of my full name. In the early days I adopted a "call sign" that was hung on me in college in the late 1970's, to protect them more than me.
So Mr. Antle's point is well taken. Sometimes the motives are nefarious and bloggin' under wraps is a cover for poor, boorish behavior.
If the Editors/Site Owners/Webmasters know who you are, however, it is different.
I thought Whelen's exposure was ill advised and rash. If he knew who Publius was, and that blogger was being something less than reasonable in his representations or opinions, Whelen should have contacted him privately and directly to request a halt to what seemed offensive (I have seen Publius post before, juvenile strikes me as an apt description of his style of opinion writing.)
But then... I am old at this stuff...
I like "OldTexan" it has a certain flair to it. Tells a bunch about the poster.
Regards,
John - The Mighty Fahvaag
Angel| 6.10.09 @ 10:11PM
Wow, one-hundred million people at the July 4 Tea Parties--now there's a REAL SWEET thought. :)
Angel| 6.10.09 @ 10:22PM
You're not alone, Old Tex--they're lots of us out here. Thank God.
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