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Should Protesters Be Allowed to Remain Anonymous?

How would this change protests and rallies?

There has been considerable discussion regarding anonymity for those choosing to respond to articles and blog postings. Strong opinions have been shared on both sides of this issue. Those that believe a person should use their real name have offered reasons that range from simple credibility and controlling vitriol, to having the character of your convictions. Conversely, those that support the use of “screen names” suggest that safety and general public reaction are sufficient concerns to continue allowing anonymity.


What about public protest? Should those that gather to voice their opinions be required to declare who they are? It would certainly allow us to address the littering and vandalism. It would also expose those that choose to be profane, and allow police intervention when some decide that verbal protest is insufficient to their cause.

What do you think?

Bottom Line February 4, 2013 at 03:59 pm
It might be more interesting than changing anonymity on blog postings.
The Donny Show February 4, 2013 at 09:31 pm
All the union thugs would be exposed.
Jay Sykes February 5, 2013 at 01:49 am
How would 'protesters' be required to identify themselves? State issued photo id , hello my name is ... ANONYMOUS badge, QR bar-code emblazoned t-shirt.
Craig February 5, 2013 at 02:01 am
The protesters will be happy to share their name- they wear it as a badge of honor.
I am not saying if it is right or wrong; just that it has been my observation. He who defecates on a squad car does not leave a calling card next to the pile. Hence, identity of protesters is irrelevant.
WaitingForTheSpark February 5, 2013 at 02:45 am
The people who follow Progressives philosophies are very illogical, emotional and prone to be violent when you disagree with them. The people who are at the center of pushing Progressive politics and Progressive philosophies aren't stupid contrary to what they post on here. These Progressives are smart, deceitful, conniving snakes who know exactly what they're doing. There is no way I would put my real name out here, those people on the other side are very unstable.
Bottom Line February 5, 2013 at 06:24 am
I doubt they would persevere in the light of day. Or at the very least we would limit the behavior I experienced in Madison when an elderly gentleman was yelling profanities at a 14 year old girl.
I think we need to start framing discussions, which the liberals have mastered to silence those of us that have principled philosophies. While they continue to assault us by controlling the media, we should regain our composure and remind them that they depend on our discipline to afford their "free speech".
Bottom Line February 5, 2013 at 06:25 am
,,, understood. And more importantly, it is understood by the Progressives.
Bottom Line February 5, 2013 at 01:35 pm
If you review the Cloward-Piven Strategy you will find that Progressives have adopted the plan rather well.
GearHead February 5, 2013 at 07:23 pm
I've noticed when you turn a video camera towards your average profanity-screaming union boor, and ask their name, they tend to get really quiet and backpeddle, unless they break your camera first. My guess is because their mothers wouldn't be proud of them.
Mike Knox February 5, 2013 at 10:50 pm
I joined in on the article regarding posting your real name for blogs. I prefer to know the name of the people in the blogging community just as I do when I go downtown, but I would not want it to be a requirement.
In some cases, you need a permit to demonstrate. That permit requires someone to identify themself first. If a police office has probable cause and asks for you to identify yourself, you must comply. However, if you have no ID on you that is not in itself is not illegal. All this talk about requiring names seems to me an attempt to stir a pot that isn't really cooking.
Bottom Line February 6, 2013 at 02:36 am
Well ... there were 2 blogs posted asking whether or not a person should have to declare who they are. While there were opinions on both sides of the debate, the majority of Liberals believe a person should use their real name. I posted this blog because it would seem more useful to require it for protests and rallies than on a blog, not because I support the requirement in either instance.
Mike Knox February 6, 2013 at 03:29 am
Was there a survey done to determine who preferred what and their political affiliation? "...the majority of liberals..." That seems like a straw man tactic.
Steve ® February 6, 2013 at 04:20 am
Great spin on the other bogs, bravo!
Blue fisters have all been ID'd by signing the recall with their full name and address. Plus a few hundred thousand fake names. Luckily this is searchable and for a few years will be handy for employers, lenders, and other professional uses to weed out the cancer from our society. A new data base of all protest participants would be handy in the future. We can continue to weed out the progressive union thugs and get this country back on track.
Bren February 6, 2013 at 05:11 am
To clarify: car defecation = black bloc. They are known for wearing black hoodies over their faces.
They aren't bona fide protesters
Luke February 6, 2013 at 11:40 am
@Bren
By definition, black bloc IS for protesting. In addition, someone who participates in car defecation is not black bloc unless dressed appropriately. Black bloc and car defecation are liberal protest tactics, but they are not synonymous, nor necessarily related in any other way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bloc
Lyle Ruble February 6, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I find it funny that certain commentators are referring to some kind of liberal conspiracy. If anyone knows anything about liberals, they are probably the most disorganized bunch of people that you would ever meet.
Equally funny is; that on one hand liberals are stupid, unthinking thugs, yet on the other hand liberals are smart, conniving and manipulative. This is the same thing that the Nazis' attributed to the Jews. Additionally, liberals control and manipulate the media and entertainment industries to discredit and denounce the right. And, should we forget it is the liberal financial industry, dominated by Jews, that has manipulated banking and business to create the financial crisis that has gripped the world. It all sounds strangely familiar.
Luke February 6, 2013 at 12:27 pm
@Lyle
The liberals are quite organized on the national political level. But, yes, there are a lot of useful idiots at the base. I must have missed out on the recent theories about the financial industry and the Jews. That only comes to my attention when watching old movies or Jessie Jackson and his associates speak. (Has anyone noticed that Jessie Jackson's eyes are getting farther apart as time progresses?)
Bob McBride February 6, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Equally funny is; that on one hand liberals are stupid, unthinking thugs, yet on the other hand liberals are smart, conniving and manipulative.
**************** Both sides do the same thing. The opposition is characterized in whatever fashion fits the scenario at hand.
Luke February 6, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Oh, wait, I did recently hear something about the financial industry and Jews.
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/22973/Default.aspx
Luke February 6, 2013 at 12:51 pm
And...........
http://olehgirl.com/?p=9487
Jay Sykes February 6, 2013 at 01:06 pm
I think we need an enlightened ruling from our resident Scatological expert.
Bottom Line February 7, 2013 at 06:04 pm
Interesting links.
GearHead February 8, 2013 at 03:59 pm
Hmmm, Dratsum. The only ill will I've seen at a TEA event (with my own eyes) were nails in the parking lot, laid by the aforementioned union boor types.
GearHead February 8, 2013 at 04:20 pm
@Lyle: Conspiracy happens all of the time. Let's say some creeps at the EPA want to force regulation over "regional haze." They will conspire with an environmental group to sue EPA, and "settle" with them. The court accepts and rubber-stamps the "settlement," and amazingly the enviromental group gets a cash settlement. No doubt so they can eat well to fight the next good fight. This of course trumps any state's rights and walks all over the 10th admendment. When the affected State crys "foul," the EPA dryly says "we have been court-ordered to..."
Just another egregious power grab by the executive branch, with a little help from their liberal friends. Wake up, Lyle.
Lyle Ruble February 8, 2013 at 05:48 pm
@GearHead....Wow, the EPA is involved in a conspiracy with environmental organizations! If that is the case, then the federal courts must be complicit in the conspiracy, which would involve the judicial branch and not just the executive branch.
Liberals are not disciplined enough to be successful conspirators. They could learn a lot by emulating conservatives; now they know how to pull off a conspiracy! :-)
NObama 2012 March 5, 2013 at 09:03 pm
ID to vote=fascist attempt to suppress votes. ID to comment on a website=the only responsible thing to do. Classic Progressive projection.
Avenging Angel March 5, 2013 at 09:24 pm
I found the recall blue fisters, the various "occupy" movements, et al, to be totally disgusting, but the right to peacefully assemble is a core right in the United States. Requiring ID would be, in my mind, unconstitutional. Even though the last thing the blue fisters and occupiers were was peaceful, that does not trump the right to assemble, and, yes, to do so anonymously.

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Steve ® June 10, 2013 at 03:55 pm
So? What was used and what harm does it cause? Although ironic this may provide more good thanRead More harm. What is written on the application sign?
Cricket June 11, 2013 at 01:31 pm
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PaulRevere June 10, 2013 at 12:40 pm
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CowDung June 10, 2013 at 12:53 pm
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Mike Stevens June 14, 2013 at 07:20 am
Wow, PaulRevere, AKA the hardest working person in America, who only takes 1 day per month off andRead More who believes all evil is related to public schooling, has time to not only comment on St. Louis area Patch sites, but on Milwaukee area sites as well? Paul, perhaps you should go back to school to check your grammar--other avenues to educate the public ARE on the way, not IS on the way. Oh, you must be too busy working 20 hours a day (but finding tons of time to comment on several Patch sites) to check grammar
Walker celebrates after defeating the liberal unionista blue fisters
Steve ® June 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm
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Keith Schmitz June 6, 2013 at 01:03 pm
Are you assuming we're stupid Steve? Don't. BTW -- you called yourselves Tea Baggers. We're onlyRead More using the term you selected. What a great PR roll-up for this group of Neanderthals. You're problem with that any fister reference is usually the speaker feels it is where his head should be.
Greg June 6, 2013 at 01:10 pm
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH, that is why their fists are blue, OUCH!
Bob McBride June 6, 2013 at 09:04 am
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Bob McBride June 6, 2013 at 09:15 am
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CowDung June 6, 2013 at 09:30 am
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Greg June 4, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Starting at ONLY $70,000.00 Time to cash in your aluminum cans.