Seems like that would only be a bother if one were to make cyber statements that he didn’t want attached to his real name.
I tend to take someone a bit more seriously (for better or worse) if I know they’re backing up their words with a real life name and/or face.
“Stephen Heath” + Clearwater
I agree that you can take someone more serious if they back it up with their real name but putting it out there in these forums is scary. The thought of Peg in st pete or boatmoter knowing my full name and finding out where I live with my wife and kids is just out of the question. In this day and age you never know what someone is capable of if you upset them by disagreeing with their views especially when it comes to politics or religion.
Thanks, Steve. Obviously I agree on your point, and follow the sophisticated credo of Popeye, the Sailor Man....."I yam what I yam...” Unfortunately I often say things or go public in ways that I later regret, e.g. “reply to all” as an email option. But the repercussions are fleeting and sometimes help me to learn, but rarely recant. Another favored family motto/trait is “Often in error, Never in doubt.”
So NICK, you’re telling us your last name is not “23”?
All good. I’ve watched PEG post in cyber forums since 2004 and at worst, she’ll look up the 23rd Nick in the phone book and go visit his house.
Seriously, I’m no stranger to controversial posts (out of the closet cannabis consumer for instance), but my address is not public and I don’t ever post anything that could be used against me legally.
Seems like that would only be a bother if one were to make cyber statements that he didn’t want attached to his real name.
I tend to take someone a bit more seriously (for better or worse) if I know they’re backing up their words with a real life name and/or face.
“Stephen Heath” + Clearwater
I’ve written stuff that newspapers thought fit to publish, and then suffered the abuse and threats by phone and mail. I’d as soon not worry who’s following me.
Seems like that would only be a bother if one were to make cyber statements that he didn’t want attached to his real name.
I tend to take someone a bit more seriously (for better or worse) if I know they’re backing up their words with a real life name and/or face.
“Stephen Heath” + Clearwater
I’ve written stuff that newspapers thought fit to publish, and then suffered the abuse and threats by phone and mail. I’d as soon not worry who’s following me.
I agree that nowadays it’s easy enough for psychos to get your address, who your family members are, history, basically EVERYTHING if they want to. Why make it easier for them by giving your real name?
It’s like, if someone wants to steal you car, believe me, they’re going to steal it. No matter what kind of contraption or electrical device you put on it. All you can do is make it as difficlut as possible for them, then hopefully thieves will move on to easier prey. OR, you can leave the keys in the car and the doors unlocked and make it easy! Your choice isn’t it!!
As far as I’m concerned, people who write things in these blogs that they WOULDN’T write using their real names, didn’t have integrity to begin with, and are enjoying themselves being the antagonists to these discussions.
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As far as I’m concerned, people who write things in these blogs that they WOULDN’T write using their real names, didn’t have integrity to begin with, and are enjoying themselves being the antagonists to these discussions.
Well said and agreed but most people don’t have the nerve to say what they really think and I like the fact that this forum gives them the opportunity to do that without any worry. It gives you a feel for what is really going on in peoples heads.
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As far as I’m concerned, people who write things in these blogs that they WOULDN’T write using their real names, didn’t have integrity to begin with, and are enjoying themselves being the antagonists to these discussions.
Well said and agreed but most people don’t have the nerve to say what they really think and I like the fact that this forum gives them the opportunity to do that without any worry. It gives you a feel for what is really going on in peoples heads.
You’re right as well.
Some of these folks however, I wish they’d left what was going on in their heads, IN their heads!!
MAC, I’ve been printed in almost 300 newspapers with LTEs and OPEDs using my own signature and have never once received a threatening phonec call or mail.
Of course, the primary topics I write on pertain to the failed policies of the so-called “War on Drugs” and the related destruction wrought on Americans and other parts of the world by such policies. So therefore, the feedback I do receive is almost without exception laudatory and praising.
I’ve learned in almost ten years of active cyber communication that those who express themselves with the LOUDEST Bravodo and asseert how they would “Kick ass” or otherwise put it to someone with who they disagree are just keyboard cowards who clearly don’t have the gumption to get off their butts and honestly represent their views in public where thir real names and faces could be exposed to the light of public scrutiny.
Most “scary stuff out there” is far more in the mind of the scared person than it is real. But maybe that’s beccause I’m nto too scared of mot of my fellow man. I’lve learned that at the end of the day, nearly all people are pretty much like me and you.
Well, I can see a different side of it -while your views are certainly valid -and I agree that anyone who would say things in the blogs that they would be ashamed to say in public likely have integrity issues, its also possible that they would say it, depending on who they said it to.
Nowdays, we have seen far too many examples where word got back to the company or organization these folks worked for, and even though what was said was not called into question (so we are lead to believe that it was true, or accurate as far as it went) and even though it was NOT written on company time, or company equipment (including sites on company servers) they had to pay retribution (usually in the form of losing their job -their very livelyhood- for their little dose of free speech).
Now, I can’t speak for everyone -and don’t pretend to. But I really need my job -and don’t want to lose it because my political bend is different than that of my bosses (believe me, it is. They are about as left as you can get -and I’m probably as far right as you’ll ever meet) and I have no illusions as to weather or not they would make me pay, if I were identified and someone who had a bone to pick were to push my words in the form of print, under the noses of my collective bosses.
Now, I take chances when I join anti-protesters to go and harass the liberals out in St. Pete on some saturdays, and it is a risk, and I’ll go as far as saying that when I decide to start writing my blog, my name will be used (as its already posted on my website anyway), but I certainly understand why others would choose to hide behind a name. At least in MY profession, if I lost my job, I could easily find another -not that I want to, mind you. I’d still lose the seniority and other things that go hand in hand with working at a place for a number of years. But I wouldn’t have to leave town
So NICK, you’re telling us your last name is not “23”?
All good. I’ve watched PEG post in cyber forums since 2004 and at worst, she’ll look up the 23rd Nick in the phone book and go visit his house.
Seriously, I’m no stranger to controversial posts (out of the closet cannabis consumer for instance), but my address is not public and I don’t ever post anything that could be used against me legally.
Steve, perhaps one of the reasons you never receive any threatening mail is because your address is not public. Mine is, and the topics I’ve covered are varied. Years ago, I had an article published when I had noticed that in the morning there was always a long line at the welfare office, but never one at the employment office. (I passed them both on the way to work.) I had taken the time to count the jobs available in the newspaper the weekend before, and they were in the hundreds. There were photographs of both offices in the morning verifying my comments. The mail and phone calls were horrendous.
So NICK, you’re telling us your last name is not “23”?
All good. I’ve watched PEG post in cyber forums since 2004 and at worst, she’ll look up the 23rd Nick in the phone book and go visit his house.
Seriously, I’m no stranger to controversial posts (out of the closet cannabis consumer for instance), but my address is not public and I don’t ever post anything that could be used against me legally.
Steve, perhaps one of the reasons you never receive any threatening mail is because your address is not public. Mine is, and the topics I’ve covered are varied. Years ago, I had an article published when I had noticed that in the morning there was always a long line at the welfare office, but never one at the employment office. (I passed them both on the way to work.) I had taken the time to count the jobs available in the newspaper the weekend before, and they were in the hundreds. There were photographs of both offices in the morning verifying my comments. The mail and phone calls were horrendous.
You don’t need to validate why you don’t use your real name. To me, it’s a no brainer and goes without saying.
Other people make different choices, and it’s certainly their right to be able to. I on the other hand agree with you point of view on this, and that is, that it is a matter of safety. Period. It only takes ONE wacko.
You don’t need to validate why you don’t use your real name. To me, it’s a no brainer and goes without saying.
Other people make different choices, and it’s certainly their right to be able to. I on the other hand agree with you point of view on this, and that is, that it is a matter of safety. Period. It only takes ONE wacko.
Agreed. And I hate fixing drywall. It’s dusty and takes days to get the taper done.
lol....as if anyone of note will take issue with anything said on ta forum like this.
MAC, my address is not public, but my phone number is public on the web attached to my name with regard to our education on public drug policies.
I receive numerous inquiries about our education outreach and have never once received phone calls that gave me a bother.
If you did, I guess I understand why you might find it troubling to use your own name.
If one uses a forum like this strictly for social purposes, it’s rather moot anyway. If however, an apsect of your participation is the dispensation of useful information and actions for other citizens to employ, a real name or at least a weblink to same is sure helpful and it adds credence to any staunch politicial or social ideas expressed.
NIGHTBIKER, I can dig staying anonymous if you’re burning some of your employer time or have any other reason to fear adverse bounce back from your employer based on your public expression. Guess that’s one reason over 25 years ago I stopped working for anyone that might harm me in that way.
