Should Anonymous Internet Comments Be Allowed?

Freedom of speech is a double edge sword....without it we have nothing left...with it we have our freedom to say what we feel. The fact that people don't want to give their names at times is not always a bad idea...but if there was a real security risk, we can get any hacker to find out what we need to know. I believe in regulating some things, but not this. Granted, I sometimes hate it because of the terrible things people say and do, but again, if I don't want to hear it , I stay away from it. Like TV..I don't have to watch what I don't want to, but I sure want to be able to watch what I want. The government needs to intervene in rights being taken away and put a stop to it, but they have no business implementing them on any government level. There are common sense laws in place to go after real threats or real sounding threats from those on line, and with a pretty good success rate. For the few who take it too far, the majority should not be penalized. Too bad the minority in the house and senate don't practice the same thing. Good thing there isn't a filibuster in place on the internet. The minority would always use it.

I believe you have something backwards. The Repubs are in the majority in the house and yet they are the ones abusing the filibuster

its so frkn anoying that almost every site on the net wants you to register to leave a comment. so half the globe should be able to access your email because you want a dip in their pool that says open to public, its enough you even bother to visit the site...then they wana keep you.

Aren't there already laws in place that if you threaten anyone, you get investigated and could be charged. Several people have been caught under those laws. We need to keep the crazy New York mentality from trying to control the rest of the country. Limit salt and deny supersizing in NY if you must but leave the rest of us alone.

Or, maybe we actually have jobs and families and do not want radical democrats harassing us.

Sorry, but what does having a job and family have to do with this? As for harrassment...who makes the most robocalls?

"Sorry, but what does having a job and family have to do with this?"

Maybe smething has to be posted anonymously because to otherwise do so would threaten their lives? OR maybe threaten their careers without actual, substantial cause [overzealous employers]? Maybe they aren't a majority, but the fact that the number of cases of this happening is > 0 is enough for me.

Ignoramus.

THINK for a minute, and you'll see many legitimate reasons to do things anonymously that go beyond simply not wanting a real named attached to it..

Damn where's the "other" check box... anyway it shouldn't be regulated any more than it is besides the government can track anyone down, but as a point of courtesy if you have something to say then put your name on it. Even if you know it's an idiot statement, you make it, believe it, so own it!!!

Let the idiots on the internet have their fun. There is no limit of retards who internet access, there's no stopping these annoying posts.

No, if you're going to say it, then you should be willing to stand behind it fully.

Um... I don't think stating an opinion anonymously makes m less able to stand behind it - or maybe I'm not understanding your post.

Sure it does. If there's no way to link YOU to what you SAY, then you can say anything you want with impunity.

When I, who use my own identity, say something, people could come and fight me over it. And I'm ready for that--in fact, I'd love to see it. Getting a little boring around here.

Agreed

y shouldn't it be?

Freedom of expression.

yes, because that'll mine that in order to post a comment you got to register into the site first and fill the application and all that stuff in......too tiring!

Not regulated, there's no way to enforce. But it sure is chicken $#!+. I really try not to say things I wouldn't say to someone's face.

People can sit in their underwear and say stupid things without identity. To me, that's a weenie way out.

uh yeah, y bother. i didn't put my real name and I have Bill Kaulitz as my profile picture. I don't have to tell u who I am

Too many trolls on the internet skew public discourse. Cowards must be eliminated from the conversation. Free speech does not mean free of consequences.

Anonymity is usually because the content of what is said is NOT true, venomous and hateful, defamatory, etc., and leaves no avenue for response, and or prosecution for slander. NOTHING should be allowed to be printed for the general population to read that is slanderous in nature and the person who prints it should be prosecuted. IF facts are stipulated and proof is offered that is verifiable (not just someone claiming it to be true) then it is open market on anyone; but beware the teller of tales.

Gimme your name, address, phone number, social security number, DOB, DL number, place of employment, boss' name, company name...or would you rather remain anonymous?

I don't think the question was about maintaining and retaining YOUR OWN PRIVATE information. Of course you know you don't have to give out any info that you don't wish to, but I think the question pertained to whether or not I could claim that you were a bank robber or worse, and I remain anonymous. Or did I miss this one?

Hmmm. Maybe I missed it too, when I read "printed for the general population". If anyone accused me of being a robber, the accuser would have to reveal their identity in a court of law. The I.R.S. does keep identities of accusers secret though, which is good. If ever you purchase something and never receive it from the company, send a letter to the IRS about it. They are waiting to get their foot in the door to investigate someone's books. They need "cause". But if you decide to give notice to the company that if they can't find what happened to the check you sent, the IRS will find it for them. You'll get a refund from the company real quick! Been there, done that.

most contact methods are available on my profile and even my image so ?????? Can you claim the same???

Nope. Not me! Free speech!!! (so far). I'll say whatever I want without being hunted down from Gestapo-type govmt people. If this Country doesn't watch which direction she is going, there might be a time Sodahead will be outlawed.

"Anonymity is usually because the content of what is said is NOT true, venomous and hateful, defamatory, etc., "

[citation needed]

If I publish something about YOU that is not true and remain anonymous; for example, I call you a child molester or a rapist and a lot of people read my comment then don't you think that is crossing the line a little bit? It might even be true, but what if it is NOT true and some of your friends and relatives didn't know those things about you and now tend to believe them and there is nothing you can do about it, is that okay with you?

"If I publish something about YOU that is not true and remain anonymous; for example, I call you a child molester or a rapist and a lot of people read my comment then don't you think that is crossing the line a little bit?"

OF course it is, but you were making a sweeping generalization, I was calling it out.

I pushed no, then changed my mind, but it wouldn't let me go back. I am a total free speech nut and I think we are losing our rights daily. However, you can't yell fire in a crowded theatre and annonymous comments could be doing just that. If they are not dangerous comments and do not hurt anyone, then they should be allowed. My problem comes with WHO is doing the regulating.Who is playing God in respect to what we are allowed to say. The only people that could regulate with authority would be the government and they are the exact reason we should be able to say what we want.

That's the whole point of the Internet , to say and do things we'd never do in real life

Nothing is really "anonymous" as IP addresses can easily be identified. Just ask Homeland Security!

IP address != person.

Yes indeed we must worry about Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hide, But seriously it is why people post on these sites and others, for the freedom to express their opinions. Actually this is the only site, that has not acted in such a ridiculous manner as some other, that require your real pic...If something is terribly offensive or other, then yes i agree to remove that post. Most people want to be a part of something that is why they go on sites such as these. Logic and common sense is becoming misconstrued among legislation on the internet. Too much of anything though is not good for anyone...but as for this post ...Give me a break!

It's a curse. I get that it sometimes ok, some people aren't going to hide behind anon so that they can say anything that they want, cuss out whoever they want, start crap with whoever they want... It's not kool. People should be regulated. It's crap man, I see people do that stuff all the time. Cuz it takes a whole lot of guts to hide behind no name and tear someone apart. Real Cool. I'm not saying that Anon is all bad, I'm just saying, people should be IP tracked, like on Wikipedia. And IP perma-banned for starting crap. Anon is not a license to do whatever you want. And on 4chan, if you post child porn, Moot sends the 4chan Party Van to ship you off to jail. Not that I get on :P

I'm not sure on this one but I do think I would like to get my hands on some of the foul mouthed people who post on You Tube. It makes conversations with sudh people impossible. Some of the disgusting things that get said are really over the top. I suspect they are young teen boys who get their jollies by being really potty mouthed.

They are in many cases... All you can really do though is to not feed the trolls. If you reply, they win. :\