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Today's Poll: Should government agencies be able to demand the identity of anonymous critics?

By Howard B. Owens
Tim Miller

If there is outright slander or other falsehoods, it can become an issue for the courts. If that is the case, then finding the person making the slanderous comments is a legitimate action.

However, "they said bad/hurtful things about me/us/our actions" is not a valid reason.

May 10, 2013, 8:33am Permalink
Tim Miller

Doug - can't (and won't) disagree with that....

If the pols are getting their undies in a bunch because somebody is criticizing them, even to the point of declaring (gasp) "Those Pols suck!", well, too freaking bad.

Only if they are claiming something like "Pol A is on the payroll of a mob boss" or "Pol B is a pederast" should the courts get involved.

Assuming, of course, that the statement is false. ;-)

May 10, 2013, 11:07am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

A person does have the right to keep their identity anonymous to avoid adverse reactions and unwarranted retaliation. If someone is falsifying facts then the government official should set the record straight and inform the public of the actual facts.

Slandering of the government? Well like Doug stated, it has to be not true, in which I feel 90% of the government’s bs is untrue. Yes, I feel the government has to add 10% truth to their statements to make it seem valid.

May 12, 2013, 5:45pm Permalink

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