TIM ETHRIDGE: Our New Year's resolution: Clean up the website comments

I have a friend, a retired iron worker, who is a seven-day subscriber to the Courier & Press, despite his protests we don't always carry the box scores of his beloved (if usually bumbling) Pittsburgh Pirates.

He doesn't go to our website, courierpress.com, often, but when he does it's for this reason: "To see what people are saying at the bottom of the stories."

My friend generally enjoys the sometimes insightful, sometimes snarky comments offered up by anonymous readers. But to that end, from my experience, he's in the minority.

The single most-asked question I receive about our newspaper — and the same could be said for many other editors and our publisher, Jack Pate — is "why do you allow those people to stay anonymous?" Readers and sources — business leaders, government officials, coaches and athletes, police officers and even accused criminals — feel violated by the level of anger directed from behind an identity screen.

We don't allow that in print — all letters to the editor must be signed and verified — but the thought has been that, in the online form, stories can launch live-time discussions that include all who would like a chance and can benefit the community.

That hasn't always been the case, even though all users must accept terms of agreement that include a promise to not make a posting that:

"Violates or infringes in any way upon the rights of others, including, but not limited to, any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, moral right or other intellectual property or proprietary right of any person or entity;

"Impersonates another or is unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, vulgar, obscene, profane, pornographic, or otherwise objectionable;

"Encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any law;

"Is an advertisement for goods or services or a solicitation of funds;

"Includes personal information such as messages that identify phone numbers, Social Security numbers, account numbers, addresses, or employer references;

"Is excessively repetitive or otherwise an attempt to circumvent character limits."

Moreover, the agreement states, "any conduct by a user that in our sole discretion restricts or inhibits any other user from using or enjoying the website will not be permitted."

On some stories, we already limit comments: All those that refer to sex-related crimes, to start, and specific topics that, history has shown, quickly deteriorate into name-calling and implied, if not blatant, racism. But we've been pretty liberal with our interpretation and enforcement in the past, feeling we'd rather err on the side of expression of opinion.

It's far past the point where commenters are playing nice.

When we talk with people in the community, an overwhelming sentiment is Evansville is becoming more and more negative — and our opinion boards have played a major role in that. There certainly is nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone else's thoughts. There is something wrong, as spelled out in our terms of agreement, in calling that person an "idiot" or worse in your response — or tossing out an unsubstantiated accusation.

So here's the deal. As we approach a new year, we want to change the tone of the conversation. To do that, we're instituting what fairly can be described as a no-tolerance policy. Think of it this way: If you wouldn't want your mother to read it, don't post it. And, just like at home, it won't matter "he started it."

Violate the terms of agreement and a user's right to comment will be suspended — and we anticipate making that decision often in the first weeks of the new year. Make your point, but don't belittle another reader.

The hope is a more civil and productive conversation will ensue — one that will be less of the train wreck my friend, the retiree, occasionally drives by, gawking at what he is seeing.

So please continue reading the Courier & Press. Send in your letters to the editor. And, if you desire, comment on stories at courierpress.com or on the newspaper's Facebook page.

Just do so with civility.

© 2012 Evansville Courier & Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Comments » 219

bubbageek writes:

Tim, something indeed needed to change.
Most of us desire a more civilized and intellectual experience.

I would, however, hope that we don't censor/ban some good folks who just might need time to adjust to the new ropes. Most of us look forward to the dynamics that are currently present. Perhaps email or online warnings to offenders, before outright bans are issued.

That having been said:
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! Whether you love, hate, or just ignore the Geek! ...

royrogers (Inactive) writes:

The thought that the Commenters on the C&P site are the root cause of Evansville becoming more Negative is delusional, as is the grandiose perception of the C&P's influence. My opinion is not worth any more than those that emerge from the Company located at Walnut and Heidlebach.
The Fountain Head of Negativity in Evansville is to be Found in Old Downtown at the Civic Center.

reflow31 writes:

I think I follow your rules to keep my comments in order of what the story is about. I like the idea of restriction on some stories. If I see a comment that is vulgar or abusive, I just stop reading that one and go to the next.

pardarlap writes:

I agree with suspending those that violate the terms of agreement. But what about the ones that just come back with another user name, and keep right on posting their garbage?

chuckcougill writes:

so is there an email address we can complain to? for the past year or so someone has been commenting under my name and complaints don't seem to get me anywhere

FyreDragon (Inactive) writes:

I agree that this forum could benefit from stricter enforcement, hopefully leading to a better experience for all. I don't envy the task of the moderators though.

I don't think that these message boards are the cause of the increasing negativity seen either here or in the community at large, though it does often clearly reflect it. The roots of that problem are much more complex and run much deeper.

Let's make 2013 a better year, eh? :) Happy New Year everyone!

royrogers (Inactive) writes:

in response to FyreDragon:

I agree that this forum could benefit from stricter enforcement, hopefully leading to a better experience for all. I don't envy the task of the moderators though.

I don't think that these message boards are the cause of the increasing negativity seen either here or in the community at large, though it does often clearly reflect it. The roots of that problem are much more complex and run much deeper.

Let's make 2013 a better year, eh? :) Happy New Year everyone!

Amen!

stmike9#2288 writes:

I agree wholeheartedly with the new policy and support the implementation as stated. I think many folks who comment on here are just plain "mean spirited" and lack any sense of respect or have even a shred of manners. Furthermore, they often do not address the subjects at hand in their comments; rather they seize every comment as as an opportunity to spew out irrelevant opinions laced with meanness and betraying ignorance and intolerance. Yes, that does make our Community look bad and seem negative. Congratulations Courier for cleaning the mess up.

safeathome writes:

This is much needed. Those who attack the other posters rather than discussing ideas or the content of the stories contribute nothing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but too often comments are just a nasty tirade against another person. Thank you, Tim.

Notglty writes:

Good luck with that Mr. Ethridge.

The problem with allowing anonymous comments isn't just about the "level of anger directed behind an identity screen" it's also about the patently false allegations that are made with no accountability.

Anonymity may encourage live-time discussions to some extent, but much more it encourages hateful, abusive, defamatory and false comments being made.

You're correct that many business leaders, government officials and others feel violated and defamed by bloggers. I can not emphasize enough the chilling effect it has on their willingness to report newsworthy information to the media as they do not want to be subjected to the anonymous blogging.

The best way to at least partially clean up the comments is through accountability - having commentators' identification verified even if not requiring their true names to be posted with their comments.

Scott A. Danks

beerguy writes:

in response to royrogers:

The thought that the Commenters on the C&P site are the root cause of Evansville becoming more Negative is delusional, as is the grandiose perception of the C&P's influence. My opinion is not worth any more than those that emerge from the Company located at Walnut and Heidlebach.
The Fountain Head of Negativity in Evansville is to be Found in Old Downtown at the Civic Center.

roy, you are spot on. It's not the negative posters that are driving the perception of negativity, it is the absence of results by our local government, coupled with ZERO transparency. The negative posters are merely manifesting their frustration with a lack of good governance. This article struck me as a 'Big Brother' warning, ala George W. Bush re: attacking Iraq: "you're either with us, or you're against us". Not quite. C & P is in error if they attempt to eliminate well-intentioned criticism, which is based in fact.

beppo69 writes:

What is amazing to me is that nobody seems to be genuinely concerned about why people here are so negative? I have some ideas about that but nobody would be interested in a list of the causes. Even if we acknowledged and wrote about it, the appropriate people would do nothing to change their policies within either government or the private sector to address the negativity.

Another thing that occurs to me after this past election cycle is that so many people who should be engaged in the public debate don't even bother to read the newspaper anymore. Some of them literally despise the Courier & Press.

Conversely, the newspaper covers certain aspects of the electorate as if they are a culture of bacteria growing in a Petrie dish, instead of treating them like human beings concerned about the future of their nation.

There are errors of omission and comission on both sides and nobody seems interested in bringing the various parties together within a spirit of good faith and mutual trust. It does not seem to be within our political DNA around here anymore. That got flushed as tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs left over the past 30 years.

bubbageek writes:

Excerpt:
"When we talk with people in the community, an overwhelming sentiment is Evansville is becoming more and more negative — and our opinion boards have played a major role in that."

_____

There is a reason for Evansville's tendency to become more and more negative. I beleive Bill Hazelip framed this very well in his
"SPECIAL TO THE COURIER &amp; PRESS,"
January 27, 2010

Quote:
"Eyesight, hindsight or no sight. John Lucas of the Courier & Press is right in his Monday Good Morning column, "I'm convinced there's a pall over Evansville."

I can tell you in 10 minutes what has occurred to destroy a town which had such a bright future and is now part of the everlasting crippling pall.

My whole life, less my travels and military service, has been in my hometown, 76 years of it.

Perhaps the pall settled over you when ...

n You saw the dark, dirty streets, broken curbs and trash of the streets.

n You remembered the Fantus Survey of the 1950s, which said Evansville should have close to a quarter of a million people by the turn of the Century, not 116,000 people.

n You drove by block after block of empty manufacturing plants and warehouses on Maxwell Avenue, First Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Maryland Street, Columbia Street, on and on.

n Perhaps you thought about the two auto plants, Chrysler and Briggs or about the "Refrigerator Capital of the World" with over 20,000 employees; Seeger, Whirlpool, Servel, Harvester, International Steel, Bucyrus or about Evansville being the "Furniture Capital of the World" or one of the other 20 industries that left Evansville.

n Maybe your thoughts were on the Downtown and its 20 vacant blocks and of a mayor who disregards the people by tearing down two more blocks to put up a $127 million arena that most of us don't want.

n Maybe you remember the glory days of the University of Evansville Aces and now think of their record breaking 10 straight losses.

But, most of all you remember your relatives, neighbors and friends who now must leave this once proud town in search for employment in metropolitan areas and states most of us have never been in. And then you can realize why there is a pall — a never ending pall.

In my travels to the East Coast in the 60s and 70s, I saw our future in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, or Newark, Rochester, and Wilmington. These cities could not stop the slide and neither can we.

The answer is leadership without politics, which is as unlikely as making tea without water.

Lucas' article made me think.

Bill Hazelip is a resident of Evansville."
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010...

_____

To ask the citizenry represented on these boards to accept the apparent decline of our beloved City in stride and without passionate objection, would be to underestimate the spirit and sense of responsibility that resides within the great people that make up our community.
Respectfully. ...

IamKrauthammer writes:

Thank you! I know it takes time and you have to read so many complaints. Many, are not even close to being personally insulting. But many are, too.

prmattingly writes:

As an editor, I would imagine that you have a specific task. However, like all good progressives-in-charge, it sound like your duty is to put it into effect the gradual deterioation of our 1st Amendment rights. Every day,we have to observe in the media those who will strive to tell us that a certain lifestyle is not a choice and is a civil right. Or, because some teenager hasn't been raised with any common morality or courtesy and there comes a decision to gun down a bunch of innocents, that the 2nd Amendment no longer is something that our society should observe. Those who are in media have been raised in a society that, frankly, would prefer to follow John Reed and Frank Marshall Davis than our Founding Fathers. They seem to have forgotten a time when there was a common morality and respect for our patriotic heritage. I realize that not all those living in that time really observed that heritage. But, it did put a protective covering over the culture that is sorely missing today. We live in a time where it is not uncommon to see those who disagree with a certain lifestyle or progressive premise castigated in the public square if they dare speak up. And the only thing that seems to be a common denominator is that the ability to utter the name of Jesus in public brings the harpies from the underworld out in droves. So, when YOU decide that it is time to "disable comments" rest assured that you are just accepting the status quo that now exists in our world today. You are part of the 'in crowd' that is in control. After all, it is yours to make this a 'better' world and you are doing your utter best to see it come to pass.

Joey_Wilson writes:

Good idea. The Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro did away with anonymous online comments about six months ago and now there's almost never ANY comments. Hope you can find the middle ground.

faded_obama_poster writes:

I honestly dont care how government officials feel. last I heard, they were here to serve us anyway.

funnycar writes:

in response to IndianaEnoch:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Some reply here for hours and hours and it boors me and others Im sure. I suppose the CP has no plans to limit the number of times (and hours)a person can respond in these forums but Golly Gee in IndianaE there should be some limit considered. Snicker!

EPD_Information writes:

It is about time the C&P for acknowledging there is an issue on their comment boards. While it is important to remind everyone to remain civil, I think those of us who read these on a daily basis know who the poster are that need to be removed. They are the ones who make vial, nasty comments, and false accusations on a lot of stories. We all know who they are, so there is no reason the C&P staff should not know as well. If you really want to clean the place up, go after them. No one should be put in a position where they are defending themselves against false allegations from an anonymous blogger on a mainstream news outlet. This site has allowed this stuff for a long time.
I hope the staff is finally willing to enforce their own rules. If not, it will be business as usual.

tlws writes:

Keep the trolls off, yeah, but if it's a debate-like story, you have to expect that people aren't going to agree. You've got to figure out the difference between friendly disagreements and downright being rude. There are people on here that don't seem to know the difference.

I was a moderator for several years on a very popular kid site that had a forum. Honestly, some of the comments I've seen on here make it seem like the work of a ten-year-old.

hmorgan#4112 writes:

I really do like the Courier's New Year's resolution.

Good-by to tricksters and frauds.

hmorgan

hmorgan#4112 writes:

in response to IndianaEnoch:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

I have long thought that some or many posters are shut-ins and retirees while others may simply need to get back to their office work duties.

h.

EPD_Information writes:

in response to faded_obama_poster:

I honestly dont care how government officials feel. last I heard, they were here to serve us anyway.

We work to make the community safer. The term "serve" means we answered the call to serve our community. It does not mean we have to tolerate false accusations and disrespect as a part of answering that call. This site has allowed rampant false comments against us and other public servants without the poster being held to any standard to support their claims.
There are many jobs that "serve" you. None of them deserve to be treated with disrespect or be subject to vial comments as part of the job.

ukcats01 writes:

Do you really think your alias name makes you "unknown"...dream on. Everything posted is traceable...

MsHuntress writes:

in response to EPD_Information:

We work to make the community safer. The term "serve" means we answered the call to serve our community. It does not mean we have to tolerate false accusations and disrespect as a part of answering that call. This site has allowed rampant false comments against us and other public servants without the poster being held to any standard to support their claims.
There are many jobs that "serve" you. None of them deserve to be treated with disrespect or be subject to vial comments as part of the job.

EPD_Information,
I agree completely. EPD has had some bad apples in their ranks, but normally those bad apples weed themselves out. What really bothers me is people make false claims and yet they have no accountability to prove those claims. Generally those who trash talk EPD, VCSO and other law enforcement agencies are the first to call them when they are in need.
I have had a couple of bad experiences in dealing with EPD, but I also know they were there to protect me when I was in danger. I thank all our men and women in law enforcement for the job they do and the sacrifices they make every day.
Tim,
Thank you for finally cleaning up the boards. This is past due and MUCH needed.

Pianoguy_1 writes:

My mom is a retired school teacher. Her philosophy was: "When a child misbehaves, attack the behavior...not the child". I appreciate what the C & P is trying to do. And regarding the 1st Amendment, everyone is entitled to free speech and their opinion but you don't have a right to post it in MY yard. Be civil with your comments.

wingman writes:

I can't believe people take any of these comments seriously,its just a childish way to kill some time,common folks lighten up.

dveatch (Inactive) writes:

I have chosen the userid I have for one simple reason; You don't like my opinion, to bad. You'll either get over it or take it to you grave; either way its your problem.

Anonymity goes way back in our history. The founding fathers would not have been able to do some of the things they did without it and to take that away is wrong. Do some take advantage of that privilege?

Sure. King George of the time would agree and would have loved to put a stop to such hearsay and "vile" publishing's from his citizens.

But then it seems most "Americans" of today could careless about many of our founding principles. C&P included along with those who posses such thin skin should be living in their own bubble leaving the rest of us that are mature enough to deal with life's realities alone.

I realize nothing I say here will have any impact on C&P, they will still make same anal decision much like their filters.

blue2golf writes:

This has been suggested before, but changing the forums to "facebook only" accounts would help. I realize that nothing is foolproof, but folks tend to be more respectful when commenting via facebook.

dveatch (Inactive) writes:

in response to blue2golf:

This has been suggested before, but changing the forums to "facebook only" accounts would help. I realize that nothing is foolproof, but folks tend to be more respectful when commenting via facebook.

If they did that it would be a good way to get rid of me forever. Had a facebook account when they first started. Later on when I read an email interview with Zuckerberg calling anyone a long list of expletives for trusting him with their data was the day I canned that account.

ur_joking_right writes:

I don't think comments should be edited or disabled UNLESS they are vicious attacks. Even off topic comments about the pres when the story has nothing to do with the pres should be allowed...and then we should be allowed to comment back and laugh at them. Talk about 2nd Amendment rights like you wanna shoot someone if they talk about gun control....but 1st Amendment rights to talk like an idiot are ignored? Shoot let em all speak.
This is a forum where we voice our opinions...and it ought to be anonymous unless you choose not to be. Why? Because there's always some nutcase who may show up at your door to stalk you over something you said.

EPD_Information writes:

in response to wingman:

I can't believe people take any of these comments seriously,its just a childish way to kill some time,common folks lighten up.

You obviously have not been the subject of any of the vile, false, and horrible things posted on here. This is a mainstream media outlet. It should be treated as such by those posting comments and those who are supposed to enforce the rules about what can be posted. There is a big difference between childish and slanderous. There are some on here who are closer to slanderous.
Google Indystar.com and check out how a slanderous post worked out for them. They are now a pay to view website and comments are only allowed through a Facebook account.
It makes me wonder how many "hits" their website gets compared to the old way and how those decreased "hit" numbers affects their on-line advertising sales.

NoMoDoh writes:

It is simple to use the "Suggest Removal" button to alert the C&P when someone appears to be out of line or off topic.

Trying to keep the posts "soft, warm and fluffy" is unreasonable and not in keeping with the the intent of allowing the public to express their opinion of the material presented in the article.

If the C&P wants the posts to be an echo of what they have printed, perhaps they should just stop having any comments posted and require letters to the editor, instead.

btw: How are we to know which editor writes the columns attributed to "the editors"? Do all editors contribute or a select few? Why not list their names at the top or bottom of the columns.

A lot of the negativity is due to the refusal of local politico's to follow the wishes of the electorate. The CSO project, EarthCare, Johnston Controls, the arena, downtown hotel fiasco and the destruction of Roberts Stadium are a few examples. Evansville will not grow as long as it builds one and destroys another. That is standing in place, not planning for growth. Anything that is stagnant begins to smell.

Too often, more light is shed on issues by the posters than the C&P. Think about that!

MsHuntress writes:

At the end of the day, the comment boards are the sole property of the Courier & Press. They have the right to run their business as they see fit. We are allowed to post comments at their discretion. I have found newspapers (Houston) that require people to log in with facebook or yahoo information and they don't have near the negativity that we have here. A newspaper in Dallas requires a subscription to be eligible to post in the comments.
We are offered this service free and we are allowed to remain anonymous and it is time for a solution.
Perhaps a solution is making people register and verify who they are before posting and then they can select a screen name to use on the boards might be a solution.
I do agree that the current system of banning people isn't working. I have seen people get banned and then come back within 5 minutes under a new name and start trouble again. Maybe a solution to that would be to ban the IP. Another possible solution for those who have multiple accounts is to limit the number of accounts per IP to a set number.

ragsfan writes:

EPD_Information wrote:
'The term "serve" means we answered the call to serve our community. It does not mean we have to tolerate false accusations and disrespect as a part of answering that call.'
Amen.

Itsthespending1 writes:

What I find funny is how the voters complain about negative TV/radio ads then you see how they act here. Maybe they are just giving us what we want?

Good luck with the crackdown EC&P - it is needed, and looks like you already started. But whoever in charge of it may be a very busy person, at least at the start.

ragsfan writes:

in response to dveatch:

I have chosen the userid I have for one simple reason; You don't like my opinion, to bad. You'll either get over it or take it to you grave; either way its your problem.

Anonymity goes way back in our history. The founding fathers would not have been able to do some of the things they did without it and to take that away is wrong. Do some take advantage of that privilege?

Sure. King George of the time would agree and would have loved to put a stop to such hearsay and "vile" publishing's from his citizens.

But then it seems most "Americans" of today could careless about many of our founding principles. C&P included along with those who posses such thin skin should be living in their own bubble leaving the rest of us that are mature enough to deal with life's realities alone.

I realize nothing I say here will have any impact on C&P, they will still make same anal decision much like their filters.

It's their website. Don't like their policies, toO bad. Go make your own website and opine as much as you want.

Itsthespending1 writes:

Not to excuse what goes on here, but if you think it is not worse elsewhere, you have not been around the blog world much.

SarahG writes:

Bravo to Tim Etheridge. "Free speech" is a wonderful thing, but when it degenerates into trying to track people down (via the internet) and personally attacks based on information discovered, it ceases to be a "forum of ideas" at all.

People who do that kind of thing have some problems of their own.

I also agree with Scott Danks, wholeheartedly.

backhomeagain writes:

I agree, clean up is over due. However there were at least three violation of this; "Includes personal information such as messages that identify phone numbers, Social Security numbers, account numbers, addresses, or employer references;" in a thread just this past week and none of the offenders we removed. They were reported.

dveatch (Inactive) writes:

in response to ragsfan:

It's their website. Don't like their policies, toO bad. Go make your own website and opine as much as you want.

Didn't say this was not their website. I did say they will make another anal decision irrespective of anything but to "calm" those preferring only textual/visual candy.

Surely you could have conjured a better response than that.

MsHuntress writes:

in response to Notglty:

Good luck with that Mr. Ethridge.

The problem with allowing anonymous comments isn't just about the "level of anger directed behind an identity screen" it's also about the patently false allegations that are made with no accountability.

Anonymity may encourage live-time discussions to some extent, but much more it encourages hateful, abusive, defamatory and false comments being made.

You're correct that many business leaders, government officials and others feel violated and defamed by bloggers. I can not emphasize enough the chilling effect it has on their willingness to report newsworthy information to the media as they do not want to be subjected to the anonymous blogging.

The best way to at least partially clean up the comments is through accountability - having commentators' identification verified even if not requiring their true names to be posted with their comments.

Scott A. Danks

Very well stated!

wingman writes:

in response to ur_joking_right:

I don't think comments should be edited or disabled UNLESS they are vicious attacks. Even off topic comments about the pres when the story has nothing to do with the pres should be allowed...and then we should be allowed to comment back and laugh at them. Talk about 2nd Amendment rights like you wanna shoot someone if they talk about gun control....but 1st Amendment rights to talk like an idiot are ignored? Shoot let em all speak.
This is a forum where we voice our opinions...and it ought to be anonymous unless you choose not to be. Why? Because there's always some nutcase who may show up at your door to stalk you over something you said.

its really that simple.

EPD_Information writes:

in response to NoMoDoh:

It is simple to use the "Suggest Removal" button to alert the C&P when someone appears to be out of line or off topic.

Trying to keep the posts "soft, warm and fluffy" is unreasonable and not in keeping with the the intent of allowing the public to express their opinion of the material presented in the article.

If the C&P wants the posts to be an echo of what they have printed, perhaps they should just stop having any comments posted and require letters to the editor, instead.

btw: How are we to know which editor writes the columns attributed to "the editors"? Do all editors contribute or a select few? Why not list their names at the top or bottom of the columns.

A lot of the negativity is due to the refusal of local politico's to follow the wishes of the electorate. The CSO project, EarthCare, Johnston Controls, the arena, downtown hotel fiasco and the destruction of Roberts Stadium are a few examples. Evansville will not grow as long as it builds one and destroys another. That is standing in place, not planning for growth. Anything that is stagnant begins to smell.

Too often, more light is shed on issues by the posters than the C&P. Think about that!

Your last sentence says a lot. Posters on here have been allowed to put anything they feel "adds to the story". They are never held accountable to prove their statements. They are posted as If they are fact based when they are usually fact less. There are multiple media outlets in this community. All of which use reporters we know by their names. They can be held accountable for their statements. As the PIO, I am held accountable for mine.
I am not against people disagreeing with me or an EPD policy. I am against the post that turn a well written, fact based news article into a fact less blog that does everything but shed light on a story. There are posters on here who have a history of posting things that violate the C&P policies. It is time for them to follow the rules.

wayneandellen87 writes:

Sounds like sensorship to me. If the person in office does not like it, stay out of it. If the C&P was to be told no, they would say freedom of speech and sue for the right. The pen is mightier than the sword. I believe the C&P has lost this sight. I will cancel my subscription the their newspaper. Dictatorship. If they cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Comes with the job.

gbnf3812 writes:

About time, thank you C&P. It would be great if the anonymity was gone. Tough to figure out how to verify the info provided at registration though. But there has to be a way. For those decrying this as an attack on free speech, sorry but no. Accountability does not negate free speech, it simply tends to eliminate hate speech.

gbnf3812 writes:

in response to blue2golf:

This has been suggested before, but changing the forums to "facebook only" accounts would help. I realize that nothing is foolproof, but folks tend to be more respectful when commenting via facebook.

I would support this idea. Not bad.

elkaybee writes:

in response to SarahG:

Bravo to Tim Etheridge. "Free speech" is a wonderful thing, but when it degenerates into trying to track people down (via the internet) and personally attacks based on information discovered, it ceases to be a "forum of ideas" at all.

People who do that kind of thing have some problems of their own.

I also agree with Scott Danks, wholeheartedly.

I am in complete agreement with you, Mr. Ethridge, and Mr. Danks. I catch myself descending into the mud with some of the more vicious posters. I resolve to be better in 2013.

EPD_Information writes:

in response to wayneandellen87:

Sounds like sensorship to me. If the person in office does not like it, stay out of it. If the C&P was to be told no, they would say freedom of speech and sue for the right. The pen is mightier than the sword. I believe the C&P has lost this sight. I will cancel my subscription the their newspaper. Dictatorship. If they cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Comes with the job.

The C&P is a privately owned company. They are not required to provide you or anyone else with a place to exercise your constitutional freedoms. There are many websites that will allow you to post anything you want.
If you are going to stop posting because you can't post stuff that is false, vile, or slanderous as a way of protesting the rules, than maybe the weeding out process won't take a s long as people first thought.

Hickeyboys_Daddy writes:

btw: How are we to know which editor writes the columns attributed to "the editors"? Do all editors contribute or a select few? Why not list their names at the top or bottom of the columns.

Good one!! I'm thinking the very same thing.

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