Should The Pilot Require Commenters to Use Their Real Names When Posting Comments to Stories on Its Website?

CNMT 1 year, 8 months ago

Everyone is entitled to their opinion - but in society today, if one posted an opinion that someone else didn't like, there is a slight chance that person would try to find them and might cause them a problem. I think posting with a screen name is fine.

ncsnafu1 1 year, 8 months ago

I agree with CNMT and suggest that the Pilot filter comments to ensure that real names are not used in stories.

anonymous65 1 year, 8 months ago

Some people have social phobia and do not want to be noticed, but do want to voice their opinion.

Jibbs 1 year, 8 months ago

If real names are attached to each comment, then they will be Google-able (as these screen names currently are). As divided as the US currently is, I wouldn't be comfortable with that. Say five years from now you are being considered for a job, and, as with any company, they will do a Google search of your name, and perhaps the prospective employer disagrees with your views on the "(whatever) Bill". It will matter. Just a thought.

Besides, I don't know what the push to do is. It's generally the same six people or so arguing about the same issue on about every article, with a zero percent success rate at changing the other's mind.

MooreCountyTeacher 1 year, 8 months ago

Post my name-lose my job?? Come on Pilot! There is no such thing as free speech when you have something to lose.

SH59 1 year, 8 months ago

I have a business and would not be allowed to express my personal opinions freely here. People love to be mean and vindictive and I can't afford to let my personal opinions get in the way of my business; survival is way too important these days. It's when people make personal attacks to each other because they don't like their opinions that becomes the problem. Not everyone is able to get their point across and all of a sudden they see red and want to lash out. I wouldn' mind learning some debate techniques and skills here, maybe a suggestion of the day.

blessherheart 1 year, 8 months ago

Letters to the Editor must have real names and be verified - why not the comments?

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

Anyone blogging on Facebook sites for CNN or Fox have to use their sign-in name. I have exposed my identiy since I signed up and no one has threaten me and if they have, I didn't shy away. People who post hide behind comments and the key board. This still a free country to express one's opinions without fear of reprisal...Like BHH said, Letters to the Editor have to have verifiable names and addresses. Why not here. It's more private than Facebook....

Jibbs 1 year, 8 months ago

Seriously Toda?

The CNN and Fox News websites each have thousands of subscribers from across the country and around the globe. And do you really think they give them their real names? Please. A bright college student like yourself knows better than that. How many subscribers do you think the Pilot has in this small town (that actually participate)? 25-30? Once you have someone's full name, getting their phone number, address, and entire background info takes about 30 minutes and 20 bucks. All it would take would be one actionable threat, one assault, or worse, before The Pilot is sued for everything they have and everything they would ever make.

Just Google some of the many million dollar lawsuits Facebook and MySpace deal with all the time because of suicides, bullying and harassment. The legal fees for one case alone are probably more than the entire annual revenue The Pilot brings in each year, much less the settlements.

What would be your advice to people (mainly some of the women who post) who would be at risk of retaliation from dissenting readers? "Just don't say anything that's upsetting to people"? IMPOSSIBLE! Nowadays, even saying, "Merry Christmas" makes people mad.

What is your motivation for this?

Jibbs 1 year, 8 months ago

Come on Toda, I know you're not that naive.

There is nothing that guarantees we are free to speak without reprisal from other citizens. The First Amendment says: "Congress (keyword) shall make no law [. . .] abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . ." You can't stand in front of your workplace with a megaphone and scream about how awful the business is and expect not to be fired; you just can't be arrested for it. With all do respect--and I mean that--some of us are much younger than you, and don't prefer to tatoo every single political or social view on our foreheads for the rest of our lives. It does stay with you forever. You are free to do that all you want. I'm not sure if you have a job or not, but in the example of MooreCountyTeacher (above), do you really think it wise that he/she's name is attached to everything he/she says? Would parents of his/her students like that? Or boss and colleagues? Probably not. Maybe you will be considered for a job next year, and the employer sees some of the things you've said (Howard "the walking dead" Coble, John "Boner", just to name two). Are you doing so well financially that you can afford to only chose to work for an employer who is also a liberal who enjoys "witty" comments like that? Most people aren't.

MonkeyJunction 1 year, 8 months ago

Monkey Junction is my real name:)

LisaS 1 year, 7 months ago

There is always a danger in letting people hide behind anonymity. Bullies and bigots thrive on this. I understand some of the reasoning for those who wish to not give their names and after all we do have secret ballot elections, but I have to vote on the side of honesty and courage to express our opinions and sign our name to it, or we have the right to remain silent. I may not always agree with the people who sign their names to comments, but I have respect for them because they are upfront about who they are and what they stand for. If you choose to leave a comment that you would not sign your name to, then you should think twice about leaving it at all. Of course, if you are a bully or a bigot you will continue to take advantage of the opportunity to spew your hatred under the cloak of anonymity.

Jibbs 1 year, 7 months ago

LisaS (or anyone else) go to pipl.com and type your name in. It shows all of your addresses including your current one. Anyone who wishes can find your home. Are you ok with that? Do you really think it's anonymity that's the most dangerous?