Comments on: On the banning of commenters.

By: Opps there she goes again

Opps there she goes again — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:49:44 +0000

One important fact that Tim has left out of his commentary about Mrs. Sili is the fact that has posted as a shill for her husband under several user names on FredTalk. She was banned last spring for threatening one of Mr. Sili’s critics. She then was caught posting as Willow2.

This infraction is supposed to be a lifetime ban on FredTalk. Of course, since she is politically connected, they want to be able to keep her as a source for inside stories. The drama also does keep the readers coming.

By: william e. sparks

william e. sparks — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:43:10 +0000

I concur with Mr. Ballance.

By: J. Tyler Ballance

J. Tyler Ballance — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:12:01 +0000

Just to add a factoid to what the cowardly Anonymous posted:

While it may appear incriminating, there is no guarantee of certainty that someone posting from a particular IP address, is ALWAYS the same person whose name appears on the account.

So, while the original post here says the facts point to Mrs. Sili, there is no assurance that the account was not being used by another person who shares, or has access to, the same computer account.

All the more reason to insist that posts be accompanied by the originator’s actual name.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:47:58 +0000

We Republicans in the county had big hopes for Jeff Sili’s political career until his wife ruined it by alienating so many people. She needs to follow Rudy Giuliani’s advice to President Obama, “Shut up.”

By: J. Tyler Ballance

J. Tyler Ballance — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:28:52 +0000

When blogging first became popular, most of the blog posts were signed using the real name of the author. Then came a disturbing trend towards paid blogging, where PACs or campaigns paid people to create blogs to shill for their particular candidate or issue, often under fake names.

Perhaps the most ironic development is how, fiercely partisan blogs, some of which claim to be on the side of our Constitution and “free speech” are the most rigorous practitioners of censoring any views that do not coincide with their party talking points. (Do you hear me, SWAC?)

This has not been the case with this blog, however, and I support your decision to ditch that person who has been posting outright fabrications on your blog.

The blogs of today could be a place where citizens exchange real information and share their personal insights and experiences, but increasingly the blogs are nothing but a bunch of propaganda mills filled with ever more shrill and slanderous posts by people hiding behind fake names.

What I would like to see happen in the blogosphere is the end of posting under fake names. If you have an opinion or an observation of fact, then have the courage to stand by what you say.

Our lessons of history show us that even the founders hid behind pseudonyms, but it is arguable whether the practice is needed in a relatively free society, without the King’s military ready to chop off the heads of dissidents.

As we move forward into the Twenty-first Century, let’s elevate the quality and tone of the debate. Let’s discuss real solutions to issues and openly share ideas regarding the possible solutions that are brought to the table from all sides of the political spectrum. Ask political candidates and elected officials to enunciate what laws they will create or repeal that will help restore our core infrastructure and promote the revitalization of our strategic manufacturing base, as well as just what they are willing to do to enhance our LIBERTY.

To this elevated discussion, bring forth some well researched ideas of your own; post them and be honorable enough to sign your name, your real name, to those ideas, and be prepared to have those ideas stand on their own merit in the bright light of the public square.