To Post or Not to Post? That is the Question A Signed Post About Anonymous Comments

Three months ago, our “No Strings Attached” blog did not exist. Now, well over 1,000 readers are checking us out on a regular basis. We’ve all embarked on a long, strange trip through this new technology. One of the editorial issues we’ve been mulling over is how to handle anonymous responses to our postings.

On the one hand, some believe a signature is important. It connects words-- and deeds-- to persons. A signature gives accountability because it says “I said this and I will stand by it.” In other words, it shows a person’s intent to approach the discussion openly and honestly. When we sign our names, we hope to be modeling effective discussion based on transparency, civility, responsibility, and integrity.

In government, real reform depends on bringing accountability, transparency, and integrity back into decision-making. That requires each person taking a public position to be prepared to give the reasons for it, publicly! That would all suggest that our reader responses should have an identified source.

On the other hand, others say a signature can actually stifle discussion because some people are afraid. They are afraid for a lot of the same reasons a signature makes them accountable. Accountability can bring consequences. If things go well, the consequences may be positive, but if they are not going well, the consequences might be disappointment or even retaliation. And, anyway, why should it matter who said it? If it’s a truly good idea, if it is well argued and supported with evidence, and delivered in an non-personal way, why should it matter?

Actually, one of the driving forces behind our blog in the first place was the resistance-- should we say hostility-- to transparent, honest, reasoned debate we encountered from the ‘powers that be’ in City government. We could wave the facts around all day, only to be criticized for taking the job too seriously, taking up too much time, being ‘paper pushers.’ Public officials have an obligation to share facts and our opinions with the public whose City, tax dollars, and very future are hang in the balance. But not everyone in the community is a public official. Not everyone has taken an oath to stand up and take a beating for disagreeing with the status quo.

Blocking all anonymous comments risks not getting to hear from any of the people who have good ideas and constructive things to say, but don’t want to risk the wrath of friends, family, customers, whoever, for saying them.

In formulating our editorial policy regarding anonymous submissions, we tried to balance responsibility and the likelihood of high quality, thoughtful responses with openness and a spirit of encouraging participation. Here’s what we settled on, at least for the time being:
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No Strings Attached welcomes responses: comments/questions/suggestions/criticism about any city issue that we have taken up, or that you would like to see addressed.

All comments must add something of substance to the discussion. While we appreciate the encouraging comments we receive, we generally will not post them. The same goes for angry, incoherent rants.

We accept no personal attacks. By personal attacks, we mean unsubstantiated negative comments meant simply to embarrass or annoy. Critiques of the public performance of public officials are not personal attacks if they are substantiated by the facts and documents. We will not post general statements that demean or degrade our fellow councilors or city staff. The point of this website is to inform. If you are considering a response, a good rule of thumb would be to ask yourself if your submission is fact-based or merely opinion. We’re interested in the former.

We prefer all responses entered on the blog to be signed (first and last names) in a verifiable way, including legal address. This is the standard used in almost all public discussion (letters to the editor or public petitions before City Council). Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Should you have information that you would like to share, but have a compelling reason to remain anonymous, you may submit your comment as stated above along with the reason that we should withhold your name.