Letters to the Editor
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This is Progress!
Allright. The evolution of cogent commentary continues.
Thanks, folks.
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Alright, A Little Late To The Party, But...
...thank you Salon, an excellent evolution, I think. Kudos for taking the bull by the very necessary horns.
Honestly, I've followed the arguments from both sides re: the anonymity angle, and I'm still not sure why anyone would care enough to retain the capacity. I've previously disclosed exceptionally personal stuff on here that would be utterly devastating if it were traced back to the actual real life me, but "Survivor Man" is still a long way away from my actual name, so I just don't understand the need for that extra layer of protection. I mean, to be a little crude and risk offending our slightly prudish American friends in particular, who fucks with two condoms on?
But anyway, I'm finding myself liking Salon again, perhaps as much as I did in its glory days. (Okay, perhaps something that big-eyed and raw ought to have been posted anonymously, ha ha.)
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A for effort...
...as pretty much an absolutist on the issue of free speech, i can't find too much to complain about regarding the minimal registration requirements, etc...
it appears the main 'offense' against salon/saloonists, is that 'you' (editorial or personal ? ) will censor only those posts which are 'threatening' in extremis, or 'murderous' in intent...
while that is a pretty low bar, one wonders -theoretical-like, mind you- that if one were to speculate on the demise of richard simmons, if he were to -say- fall into a biomedical dumpster full of liposuctioned fat and drown...
um, is that a death threat ?
i *guess* *technically* you could say so, if you were so inclined... or you might see it for the obvious farce it is...
but still...
NOW, this leaves untested and unaddressed the much more important issue of quasi-public discourse in the semi-private public commons...
not only on thisy here l'il ole virtual venture, but the cases of malls, downtown areas, and other public gathering locales, increasingly kontrolled (*sigh* does he/she *have* to do that 'k' bullshit... *snort* yes, he/she *does*...) by korporations, or korporate mercenary kops acting on behalf of the state...
*besides* the sheeple's complacency in accepting ABSURD and UNCONSTITUTIONAL restrictions, 'free speech zones' (are you fucking kidding me ? ? ? can you GET any more orwellian than that ! ! !), and the like while on public property; Public Citzens are confronted by the prospect that there *ARE* NO free speech rights in 90% of the 'public commons', because they are all 'privately' owned/leased or otherwise policed by korporate interests, *NOT* public interests...
true, real, proud, American Free Speech does not wait for a time and place of The State's choosing; mature, serious, non-trivial Free Speech does not concern itself with mere profanity and other childish diversions...
Free Speech isn't to be diluted or adulterated for the lowest common denominator of the faint-hearted, mock-shocked, and pseudo-devine set; children have to grow up *sometime*...
Free Speech -especially in the mainstream media- *should* be the most precious and fundamental of our rights as citizens and owner-operators of 'our' (sic) democrazy...
...instead, it has become debased by triteness, horserace mentality, and -24/7/365- the best infotainment money can pimp...
turn that ipod up, sheeple...
baa baa baa
art guerrilla
aka ann archy
eof
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david sugarman & RealName
I doubt it will be so obvious as yesterday you were spam free and today you have a hundred thousand ads for Viagra in your inbox. But I would be shocked and diapointed in Salon (a cash strapped organization looking to be a political force for good) if our email addresses didn't wind up in a customer database, that was then sold to a third party information broker to be sold to various and a sundry direct mailers. Quite frankly there's no way to know how a spamer got your email address, but somehow they alwasy manage to.
As to real vs. fake email address, just goes to show that you should never assume. Had I known I could have written a fake email address I would have. Oh well. I stand corrected.
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Glad for changes that make for more civility
Posting too far out to be read, but I wanted to chime in my approval for any changes that make for more civility yet keep the passionate, informative, and enlightening exchanges part of what makes Salon what it is.
Recently while on vacation, I was only able to read the original articles but not access any of the letters afterwards (my host's connection would time-out before the letters would load) and it diminished the experience of reading Salon significantly. I realized how much I look forward to the "conversation" with other posters afterward. It was like seeing a really provacative movie and then not being able to discuss it as you're leaving the theater and strolling down the street.
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Taking out the trash
In recent weeks I have been driven away from Salon.com more than a couple of times by the sudden increase in serial incivility and what appears to be a guerilla assault on rational, though partisan, discourse. It was disheartening, because I viewed Salon as one of the few places where this wasn't happening. I wrote notes to Salon and to Joan Walsh about the increasing pitch of gratuitous viciousness...while realizing that it was driving me to want to give what I was getting. Not a good place to be. Shut up, or shout back.
Thank you for listening to what I am sure are a number of people who have been experiencing this disappointment. Putting some controls in place which make it harder for those intent on disrupting dialog, rather than contributing to it, is, as Martha Stewart would say, if she gave a damn about anything deeper than the level for planting roses....a good thing.
Now, if people would just feel that what they have to say should be said under their real names. Anonymity is a cowardly shield that has a place only when society enforces reprisals and sanctions that threaten the futures of those who engage in their right to free speech and dissenting opinions....oh....right....nevermind.
Anyway, thanks for restoring some semblance of order. I respectfully sign this...with my real name.