I received an email that was also sent to the Morning Call and the Express-Times from Elmer Yeakel, a former public official who lives in Nazareth. I'm sure many of you know Elmer and his wife and are aware of the significant contributions they have made to the community throughout the years (and continue to do so I should add).
From his letter, included below, it seems that without identifying this site, he has taken exception to my policy of allowing anonymous posts. I say this because the print publications he also sent the letter to require a name and contact information before publishing a letter, and obviously you don't need to do so here.
I personally believe that the more open to comment a site is the better and every voice should have an opportunity to be heard. While there are people who abuse the privilege of posting anonymously, there are many more who don't. Moreover, there is more conversation because people feel "safe" to make honest comments or broach topics they may not if they were named. It is also much quicker and for those concerned with submitting personal information safer (for the record I have no access to any accounts on this site other than my own as Blogger is a Google product, not proprietary).
I also think it is fair to criticize decisions and actions made by elected officials. Some would even say it is a responsibility. On the most local level we can't expect the media to scrutinize government the same way they do on a state or federal level. As a result if people don't pay close attention and question officials they will be able to do whatever they want (some would say they do anyway, but at least it is brought to the attention of a wider audience).
Having said that there is a big difference between that and the name calling and flaming I've often stated is not appropriate or wanted on this site. There is no place for it and often only invalidates all of the writer's comments, good or bad, and in short back-fires. When it goes on and on, as it did on this site not too long ago, it takes away from the conversation. As a result I've simply decided to delete as soon as I see it and keep the site clean (I do keep a record of all posts and a back-up in the event anyone claims I've edited an opinion instead of an inappropritate comment).
I've also said it is easy to be negative, hard to be constructive and positive, but that is what I'm working toward here and I think most people are with me.
It is easy to dwell on the cheap shots and criticisms, but for the most part, people's comments and the issues raised here have forced us to take a good look at what we do and how we do it and I think we're better off for it.
Keep commenting, by name or not, just keep it informative and constructive.
Here is letter:
To Whom it may concern
I have a very deep concern for all of the negative press toward our public officials over the past number of months, to include elected government officials and elected members of our school board. It is my strong opinion that an unsigned or anonymous writer has no right to be heard and in many cases is not even registered to vote.
We are a government of the people, for the people, by the people, We elect these people to represent us. It behooves me to understand the thinking of people. WHY? What Happens?? WE elect these people to represent US. We celebrate with them on their election. In some cases, perhaps the next day or in some cases it takes a little longer, that person we elected becomes the most incompetent that was ever elected. WHY?
Permit me to share with you a comment I heard a U. S. Senator say on television some years ago and I quote “If you are not pleased with the person who represents you in your government, then you have an obligation to find someone who will. If you can not find that person then YOU must be that person.” End of quote.
Because it does look different from the other side. Yes, try it.
Elmer P. Yeakel
Former Public Official
Nazareth, Pa. 18064
23 comments:
My response to Elmer and to others with his same beliefs (and this is in no way a personal attack), if you don't like to read anonymous posts, start your own blog and require everyone to authenticate their name with their posts.
NOC - (I'm on a public computer and its truthfully a pain to log-in so I'm not making a point by being anonymous here;-)
News sites often require registration and often it is a pain. I saw that Joseph Owens blog now has comments which I thought was great (before you were directed to one of their forums, so to me it wasn't really a blog), but then I had to register, set up an account, profile, password, email etc.
I just wanted to say glad to see you have comments.
Being open and trusting of people to do what is right is not easy for people who have been acclimated to corporate compartmentalization of knowledge and information. Business was run like that for generations and is only changing now.
Look at wikipedia, everyone thought it would fail miserably. They've now put measures in to protect some of the content, but for a long time the community was very honest and open (it wasn't as mainstream either).
It is different and change is tough, but in this case I think its for the better and won't be making any changes.
Although I do not know much about Mr. Yeakel and I am sure he knows virtually nothing about me I would hope that he will appreciate what Ross Nunamaker has accomplished at his blog. By allowing folks to post anonymously Ross has help carry on a very old American tradition. The ability to criticize ones government with no fear of reprisal because no one knows who did the critiquing. Case in point: The debate over the ratification of the federal constitution. On one side were the supporters and they signed there editorials with the name Publius. We know today that three separate individuals help write the collective writings called the Federalist Papers and they were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay respectively. The Anti-Federalist papers (far less known) were written by:
"Centinel" (Samuel Bryan)
"Federal Farmer" (Melancton Smith? or Richard Henry Lee?)
"Brutus" (Robert Yates)
"John DeWitt" (?)
"Cato" (George Clinton?)
"Pennsylvania Minority"
Note that there are some questions as to the actual authors. Another words they are still anonymous. The reasons vary for this but not the least of them is that the winners of political battles tend to wield the power and with that power often comes abuse. I have always wanted my name attached to everything I do, write or say. That is my choice and many of my associates have questioned the wisdom of that. They my not be wrong.
So even if I disagree with Mr.Yeakel on the issue of posting anonymously I am in his camp when he criticizes those who complain and then vote for the same people year in and year out. I have long been an activist for change. Those who are the most critical should rise up and help effect change. I have voted for fools too, but only once, then I will write in a name if the wrong person for me is unchallenged. Standing up for ones convictions is not easy but it is necessary for our republic to thrive. Thank you Mr. Yeakel.
Is that George Clinton of Parliament/Funkadelic fame? He looks old, but I didn't know he was that old.
One Nation Under a Groove. Getting Down Just for the Funk of it.
Disallowing anonymous comment will ruin this site since it will discourage honest dialogue. I would never post anything with my real name on this site for the same reasons that I would never put political or social related bumperstickers on my car; it invites harrassment from people who do not agree with me. It is so easy for anyone with even minimal computer skills to find out where I live and/or my phone number, etc.
Is secret ballot a bad thing too?
It is up to the blogger to remove any unwarranted flame (as NOC does well).
I am relatively new to this site (about 6 weeks) and I really enjoy it...I have even posted a couple of times on the pool and school board votes. I love the serious nature, and beleive anonymous posts are essential to the continued success of the site. With all due respect to former and current officials, the internet and sites like this are here to stay, and while some may argue it is "less civil," it is effective - in part due to the anonymous nature involved.
Now, a note to the 11:09 poster...funniest post I've seen on here yet! "We got the funk!"
My experience is that anonymous comments are generally quite informative. But I would NOT delete the flamers. That requires an editorial decision. I prefer the info unfiltered. I'm a big boy and can sort through this stuff myself and ignore the personal attacks. Ross knows how much I like his blog and I've publicly said so many times. But unless some anonymous comment advocates physical harm to others, I'd let it stand. I think the reader has enough intelligence to discern for herself whether an individual comment is inappropriate. I don't like it when someone makes that determination for me, whether it is print media or another blog. Having said that, it is Ross' blog and he has to do what makes HIM feel comfortable.
Yeakel's letter, incidentally, is a subtle defense of backroom politics.
For those concerned about use of auditorium-----there are two choral competitions there on Saturday . one at high school level: the other at college level.(see today's Morning Call)
10:02 anonymous' comment is uncalled for, esp. as he does not have the guts to sign his name. and that is what cheapens this site
The previous post is courtesy of the Department of Redundancy Department.
Thank You.
10:02 is right, I've been asking repeatedly not to attack the individual, but the argument/position.
There is no reason to attack him personally. And as I noted, he has done a tremendous amount for this community and given a lot of his time and energy to making it the place it is, he doesn't deserve that type of comment - named or anonymous.
Sorry about the time stamp issue, obviously did not think 10:02 was right or I wouldn't have dinged him/her.
To the individual who made the same post three times - Blogger isn't broken. I deleted your post because you chose to make a comment that personally attacked someone.
Was it the most egregious remark made? No, but I have asked repeatedly of late to have some respect. If you disagree with someone's opinion, be open to them, and make your comments about the ideas and actions not the individual.
Sadly-----when someone is bold enough to identify him/herself---stand up and be counted-----there is usually someone with a grudge who is ready to insult that person. This is why it is so difficult to find candidates for public office. Today's society, esp. news media , would rather "tear down" and deconstruct . Case in point----did Morning call have to report"Nazareth Area Singers Fail----" Couldn't they have written "Mercersburg Academy Wins"??????
I thought the same as you in regard to the Call's lead on B1 to get you to go to the story.
It was a poor decision by the individual who wrote it (typically not the writer of the article).
And regarding the other point I also agree with you though the politicians have done it to themselves in campaigns because being negative and tearing something or someone down is infinitely easier (and more cost effective in a campaign) than being positive, constructive, or building something up.
Every deleted comment is the same comment from the same person.
I don't have to guarantee your right to post anything you want.
I allow it on the site because I think it is good for the discussion.
I also ask that you are responsible in what you post.
I've asked repeatedly to not attack an individual, but instead to speak to the idea/action and provide your comment and opinion. I'd hope you'd be constructive in doing so.
The actions of this individual not respecting these wishes is why we see rights eroded on a regular basis.
It is not because most people don't get it, it is because a few chose not to and ruin it for the rest of the community.
I'd appreciate it if you let it go, but if you don't I'll just keep deleting them.
I get an email message for every comment and a link to that comment, takes less time for me to delete than it does for you to post.
I'm not sure what point you are trying to make, but if its an attempt to get me to moderate the site, forget it. The trash seems to work.
Anon, It's a lot of work to post the way Ross does. And as the blogger, he has the right to decide what kind of comment is acceptable. Why not give him a break and let him do his thing? If you want to get your message out, it's very easy to set up your own blog. You can even do it anonymously. No one is reading this. The only reason I know is because it was brought to my attention by Ross. Why not end this little war?
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