tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post322701226871438589..comments2023-10-10T06:48:40.299-03:00Comments on the feminist librarian: on anonymity and political speechannajcookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17573723390785613915noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post-44568246904210741532010-04-29T08:05:52.492-03:002010-04-29T08:05:52.492-03:00@Mark, Thanks for visiting! And I agree about the ...@Mark, Thanks for visiting! And I agree about the increasing reluctance of people to speak to each other across political differences. <br /><br />@A'Llyn, Interesting point re: political rallies and anonymity. I'd agree that there are many places in our political life where people DO have the option for anonymity. Anonymous (or Pseudonymous) blogging, letter to the editor, letters to elected officials, even (as you say) showing up at a rally and remaining covered? As far as I know, those things are legal -- and someone whose mask, say, was ripped off at a political rally against their will could claim harassment. On a personal level, I think people should have the guts to put their name to their beliefs if they're going to speak for them in public spaces, but I also know that there are times when the personal cost for that is high -- and we do have ways for folks to speak out while protecting their privacy. <br /><br />But I don't think petitions come with the <em>expectation</em> of privacy. As you say, we have pretty clear laws about transparency in the political process. Campaign donations, as I understand it, are also liable to transparency laws: if you donate to a politician's campaign, you should expect that that information will enter the public record. Obviously, most people aren't going to care of Jane Doe donates $5 to her local Silly Party candidate . . . but if they DID, then they could find out that information. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks for the further thoughts.annajcookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17573723390785613915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post-24263195260273292912010-04-28T22:17:16.417-03:002010-04-28T22:17:16.417-03:00Well said. It seems that we definitely say if you ...Well said. It seems that we definitely say if you want a petition to be taken seriously as a means of letting people express opinions, you have to be able to know that people aren't just signing fake names. <br /><br />That means you have to put your real name on it, and expect that people will know that because you signed that petition, you agree with what's on it.<br /><br />Now if you want to show up at a political rally with a mask and say you want to support but not be publicly associated with the opinions expressed there, well, that might be an interesting argument.A'Llynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295862804070846652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post-82413121977874682792010-04-28T21:38:02.892-03:002010-04-28T21:38:02.892-03:00It certainly seems the logical end these days that...It certainly seems the logical end these days that folks who choose their news, blogs and friends on the basis of opinions that reinforce their prejudices would be afraid of a conversation exposing them to another viewpoint. With the segmentation of public life into narrow slices we loose the discourse that allows for changes in our opinions. Sign the petition and put your hands back over your ears. Sigh!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14300244153754342784noreply@blogger.com