Category Archives: Housekeeping

Identity Disclosure Now Required For Comments

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I’ve been weighing whether to require use of names when commenting, and not posting the comments when it looks as if a false name is  used.  Here’s how I broke it down:

CONS of Requiring Names

  • Less Participation.  Limits participation in the comments section, including some extremely thoughtful, respectful anonymous commenters.
  • Less Candor.  Limits candor in the comments section.

PROS of Requiring Names

  • More Personal Responsibility.  Holds folks personally responsible for their words.
  • More Fairness.  Treats everyone equally – all disclose identities, not just some.
  • More Respect.  Limits aggressive, disrespectful and rude commentary that always comes with blogosphere anonymity, and drives readers away.

There are arguments on both sides, to be sure.  It’s not an easy call.  I especially hate to lose valued anonymous commenters who are thoughtful and respectful.  And I hate to see fewer comments, which will happen.  But in the end,  I’ve decided to err on the side of disclosure and personal responsibility, and live with the consequences.

New Identity Disclosure Rule.  First and last names are now required for commenting.  If it looks like a fake name, it won’t be approved until the commenter can show it is a real name. The burden of proof is on the commenter.  If the identify disclosure rule prevents you from commenting, I understand, and hope you will still come by for a read.

Retraction and Apology

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Earlier today, I posted a column critical of House leaders for, as the Star Tribune originally reported, shutting off the sound system in reaction to anti-gay remarks made by Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe).

House Speaker Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis) noted in our comment section that this never happened.  I indicated at that time that I would retract the post if I learned that the sound was not turned off.  The Star Tribune has subsequently clarified its earlier account:

According to Thissen spokesman Michael Howard, although there was audio silence in the recording of the floor session immediately following Gruenhagen’s statement, the House sound was not actively turned off. Instead, the silence occurred because no microphones were activated at that time.

As soon as I learned this, I immediately removed the critical post, since the action I was criticizing apparently never happened. I apologize.

– Loveland

Sign Off

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Now that we have socialized medicine, the Wry Wing Politics Braintrust is giving itself a week off.  We’re strapping the dog to the roof of the Family Truckster and heading for Vegas.

Thanks to the dozens of you who have made our first month-ish fun.  The agenda for the week of the 9th is World Domination, which may need to be extended into the week of the 16th.  Till then, try to keep the digit detonation to a minimum.