– I love the Internet. I love the freedom to peruse different publications and opinions. As a journalist, I love that people from around the world can possibly read something I’ve written. But what I do I hate the most, with all fiber of my being? Anonymous posters on comment pages and message boards. This form of cowardice has led to more cruelty, insults, slurs, you name it, than anything else. I have been called every name you can imagine, and then some, via boards and emails. And usually, it’s for something as stupid as the person was a fan of X and I wrote about team Y. So I naturally have to be a bitch, slut, whore, dyke, you name it. Would those words change if the person had to sign their name and stand behind what they wrote? The irony is, I stand behind everything I write, with my name and sometimes my photo. We’ve allowed a new world of cowards and guttersnipes to ferment, hiding behind cutesy names while throwing bombs. I wholeheartedly second tremendous Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz, who also wants read names attached to real comments.
I am all for free speech. Have your say. I may not agree with it, or like the language, but I respect your right to say what’s on your mind. But with rights come responsibilities. Have the maturity to be stand-up and take responsibility for your words.