Anonymous tradition

James, Mr Hendricks is Tenured, and cannot be chastised because, being a teacher, he has the 'right' to express his un?biased opinions to the world, for his credentials, lift him above public equality.

When on Active duty in the Military, we had to be extremely careful as to openly expressing our attitude, and Constitutional bias, as we could find ourselves in very hot water(pun) for openly expressing our political position.

Anonymity should not be a problem, as long as constructive critique is offered. When Anonymity is used to snipe, and make unfounded claims, then and only then should Mr Hendricks take offense, as would I.

Well Said, sir, Well Said.

Arley Steinhour USN Retired

All these same things could be said about the far right as well. During the Bush administration, anyone who didn't support sending the troops into Iraq was labeled either treasonous or unpatriotic. Let's not conveniently forget those eight years of censuring of opposing ideas, folks.

The Dixie Chicks snafu is a prime example of the far right seeking to silence anyone who didn't agree with their policies. Clear Channel caught wind of their comments and began an all-out boycott of their music group. They received death threats in the mail and were ostracized from country music altogether. All because their lead singer said the words "I'm ashamed that George Bush is from Texas." Yes, she said it overseas, but that doesn't change the atrocity of the way they were treated.

I've had one anonymous commenter on this site attack me personally twice now, at one point going so far as to say that if I don't like the Gazette's far-right leanings, I should just move away. I have to say it takes the most pathetic kind of bravery to throw personal attacks at another person while hiding behind a phony moniker.

So, I'm at odds here. I enjoy reading both sides and feel like the sharing of ideas -- a balance, if you will -- is crucial. Like Mr. Hendricks though, I won't take seriously any comments made from people who aren't brave enough to show their faces. Especially when their vitriol borders on hatefulness and indicates an unwillingness to hear both sides.

I agree completely Mr. Arp and especially with business owners, business professionals all who like to add their 2 cents worth but some crazed zealots and freaks who want a address and phone number to call out,camp out and protest at their business or home and damage a persons business/reputation for not agreeing with a opinion is not right or worth it. Do you ever wonder why we get few well educated/quailified folks wanting to run for city council busines ownership/managers or others??? or county commissioner. When anyone asked response is the same it will kill their job/ busines/damage family friendships once they vote one time against a customer/friends own wishes and the same in a response to a public opinion column they cant risk it and could lose their job.

Jlake,

By the same token, anonymous comments made on a message board about one of those people you mention above could damage their relationship in very much the same way.

Food for thought...

Dave

davejavu there are wackos on the left and right for sure and politics is a rough and tumble game. I for one believe the dems are not patriotic and do not have the countries best interests at heart, they are all about power and controll. Socialism ie Communism is just that, government controll and this is the path they seek to take us down.

Is John Murtha patriotic? He called our Marines murderers and other nasty things. He himself is an ex-marine. John Kerry came back from Viet Nam and lied about what his troops had done to propel himeself into personal power. Bill Clinton wrote that he "Loathed" the military. I can go on and on if you would like but I think you get the point.

Democrats have brought the personl atack to an art form. No matter who is on the right they are a dottering old man in Reagan, stupid in bush and a hick in Sarah Palin. I have never seen any thing like the way Palin has been treated by the left and the press. It seems the left can not engage in a war of ideas and resort to persoanal attacks repeatedly. Yet Martha Coakley is exactly what they descibe Sarah Palin as and they nominate her for a Senate seat in Massachussets.

The Dixie Chicks are a private entity and they offended their fans. While death threats aren't justified they should have thought about their fan base, country music fans are by nature very patriotic and I am sure right leaning. Saying it on foreign soil only made it worse. This can not be tied to the Republicans in any way now can it?

Anonymity is a tool like any other and can be abused. A discourse on ideas is a good thing but unfortunately too many keyboard commandos use it to attack and do so personally.

By the way as an addendum if you think the Gazette is "far right" that simply lets us know how far left you really are.