Anonymity

[SoCalCAPOfficer]

For example, I could easily get caught up in a discussion on how to work around the old folks who are so computer illiterate they can't log on to a computer, much less do something in e-Services or on the IMU. 

I know this has nothing to do with anonymity, however, I resent the remarks against the "Old Folks" being computer illiterate.   I am an "Old Folk"  and I have owned a computer since 1980.   One of the smartest computer folks I know, the man that does his best to fix problems with  Ops Qual for National, is 80 years old.   I would match him against anyone for computer literacy.   Don't discount us "Old Folks"  we can not only learn new tricks, we can still teach them.

[BigMojo]

I choose to remain "somewhat" anonymous, and I have what I view to be a good reason.

I fear if I fully disclosed my information that I would be pre-judged based on what I've read here before I signed up.

That being said, Hi, I'm Ben, a still wet behind the ears SM. Nice to meet you...See, now I'm not anonymous any more.

[Short Field]

[I resent the remarks against the "Old Folks" being computer illiterate.   I am an "Old Folk"  and I have owned a computer since 1980...

    SoCalCAPOfficer, you just made my point.  Notice I said "For example:".  I was just looking for an example that could get a rise out of some folks.  As someone who got to attend training conducted by Admiral Hopper while she was still a Captain, I sort of resemble that remark as well.   

While I don't mind other people on forums getting upset with me, starting flame wars, or whatever, I would sure hate to cause disharmony in the squadron.  Anomymity works just fine to prevent that.

[Nick Critelli]

I am disturbed by what I am reading.   Perceived fear of retaliation while certainly  understandable is not a reason to fail to speak the truth. Anonymity does not protect the just it merely hides the coward and provides shelter for the slanderer.  If one is not willing to be identified with and stand by their opinions  both they and their views are worth nothing. 

Internet defamation is  one of the fastest growing areas of international  tort law.  Careers have been shattered by the virus  spread  by anonymous posters.  Anonymity is no shelter, it is a military pillbox.   Do not  tolerate, encourage or spread its evil.

For those who fear in silence,  have courage.   When good men remain silent, evil triumphs.  Speak the truth and you will be invincible.

[SDF_Specialist]

I am disturbed by what I am reading.   Perceived fear of retaliation while certainly  understandable is not a reason to fail to speak the truth. Anonymity does not protect the just it merely hides the coward and provides shelter for the slanderer.  If one is not willing to be identified with and stand by their opinions  both they and their views are worth nothing. 

Internet defamation is  one of the fastest growing areas of international  tort law.  Careers have been shattered by the virus  spread  by anonymous posters.  Anonymity is no shelter, it is a military pillbox.   Do not  tolerate, encourage or spread its evil.

For those who fear in silence,  have courage.   When good men remain silent, evil triumphs.  Speak the truth and you will be invincible.

Nick, great words. I don't think people are afraid to speak the truth, or what is on their mind. I think people are afraid of the consequences that could result if they do. Anymore, if someone out of anger says "man I'd like to kill him...", it's perceived as a threat. What can we do when everyone seems to take our words, and twist them?

[Nick Critelli]

...afraid to speak the truth, or what is on their mind. I think people are afraid of the consequences that could result if they do.  ****  What can we do when everyone seems to take our words, and twist them?

The ONLY consequence that can come from speaking the truth is good.  One may have to go to the effort of defending  the truth, but it is always  better to fight the good fight than cower in the cellar. 

Of course this presupposes that what one speaks is, in fact the truth and not  opinion or unverified republication.  

What gets most people into trouble (bad consequences from speech) is the tendency to voice their opinion.  There is an old adage in the Law of Evidence: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion which they should more properly keep to themselves.  Many a man has proven himself a fool (even on CapTalk) by voicing an opinion.   Only those opinions which are backed  by experience/training/study are worth stating.  If one has neither, he would be better off keeping quiet and learn from others who do.

Republication presents a totally different type of problem as has been evident by various blogs and postings including some relating to CAP. 

Today, anyone can setup an Internet blog,  filled with news linked from free Internet sources, even join a newspaper trade association  (membership free) and viola claim to be a journalist taking the shelter  of NY Times v Sullivan (immunity from defamation) and privilege from disclosure of sources. In essence, it's  a license to defame and they do a very good job of it.  Rule:  Never trust a republisher (either on a blog or on a post) unless they are willing to disclose their sources or give you the name of their liability insurance carrier. 

Regarding words being twisted, words  are tools of communication.  Chose and use them wisely. Most postings are nothing more than personal streams of  consciousness which are guaranteed to get you into trouble.


NC

[mikeylikey]

I have been away from the board for a few days......I would just like to say that there are people out there that will just as easily put their name to something that is a total fabrication.  Being anonymous or not here is not the question I think we wanted to originally debate.  I think it was more of a way fro those that don't get long with others here to "call them out" on technicalities.  If we don't like what an anonymous poster posts......IGNORE IT!  Suck it up and drive on to something more interesting!!!

[Nick Critelli]

Suck it up and drive on to something more interesting!!!

It's always interesting to have the view from the anonymous side.  Why do you maintain your anonymity?

[Short Field]

The ONLY consequence that can come from speaking the truth is good.  One may have to go to the effort of defending  the truth, but it is always  better to fight the good fight than cower in the cellar. 

I agree with you in matters of fraud, corruption, other criminal behavior, and matters of integrity that speaking the truth is the only way to go.  But the polite lie is the social grease that makes it posssible for us to live with each other.

When the wife asks "Does this make my butt look fat?", quite a few of us had better be looking for a good way to answer, - and the honest truth isn't it.    Pointing out other peoples faults and weaknesses in a public forum is not the way to motivate them to change.  One trait I have seen in good commanders is that they always praise in public and chastize in priivate.  Anonymity on this site helps keep it private.

As for fear of retailiation, well, retailiation is a real threat.  People have to pick their own battles.   Sometimes you and the organization are better off if you keep your mouth shut and wait until you are in a position to constructively change things.  What was that line from Hamlet?  2b or not 2b??? 

Tags - MIKE

[mikeylikey]

Suck it up and drive on to something more interesting!!!

It's always interesting to have the view from the anonymous side.  Why do you maintain your anonymity?

Because I CAN

[Nick Critelli]

Because I CAN

Wrong, my friend. The real question is SHOULD YOU.

Tags - MIKE

[mikeylikey]

^^  Well.....  I don't know you.  How am I to know you are not some super spy from Russia or something.  Just because you type your name, doesn't give you any more standing in my book.  I look at a persons OVERALL posts, the subjects they have brought up, the threads they started and whether they are adding productively to the discussion. 

Anyway, when the rules change and I HAVE to tell you who I am, then I will.

[BillB]

News Of The Farce reports that MikeyLikey is really Tony Pineda with an anonymous name

[flyerthom]

News Of The Farce reports that MikeyLikey is really Tony Pineda with an anonymous name

I thought he was Elvis.

[Al Sayre]

The ONLY consequence that can come from speaking the truth is good.  One may have to go to the effort of defending  the truth, but it is always  better to fight the good fight than cower in the cellar. 

I agree with you in matters of fraud, corruption, other criminal behavior, and matters of integrity that speaking the truth is the only way to go.  But the polite lie is the social grease that makes it posssible for us to live with each other.

When the wife asks "Does this make my butt look fat?", quite a few of us had better be looking for a good way to answer, - and the honest truth isn't it.    Snip
Tags - MIKE

Unless she is standing there starkers you can always answer no and leave it at that...  After all it really isn't the clothes that makes it look fat...

[RiverAux]

There are several different types of anonymous poster:
1.  The guy who signs up and immediately starts picking fights for the fun of it (The Troll).  Nobody likes them, but they are quickly spotted and are usually pounded into submission pretty quickly.  

2.  Part-time trolls.  These folks usually make worthwhile comments but every now and again like to trash people (either on the board or in their unit/Wing) personally.  They obviously want to keep their "freedom" to behave badly on occassion.  

3.  The guy with honestly good intentions who has a problem and is looking for advice on how to solve it, but doesn't want to make his unit look bad by broadcasting its problems to the entire world.  Probably won't stick around long.

4.  Folks who generally make worthwhile contributions to the board but who know CAP well enough to understand that real criticism, even if written in a constructive and nice way, can come back to bite them if their comments got back to their units.


We all know that it is very unlikely that anything really beneficial to CAP will arise from the discussions on this board.  It is a fun activity.  So why undertake it if the only possibility of something real happening is getting kicked out of CAP if someone doesn't like what you say here?  No one is going to get an award for anything they say here, but there is every possibility of getting actual negative results to your CAP career, even if you're one of the "good guys".    

[Nick Critelli]

...We all know that it is very unlikely that anything really beneficial to CAP will arise from the discussions on this board.  It is a fun activity.  So why undertake it if the only possibility of something real happening is getting kicked out of CAP if someone doesn't like what you say here?  No one is going to get an award for anything they say here, but there is every possibility of getting actual negative results to your CAP career, even if you're one of the "good guys".   

I couldn't disagree more. A lot of good comes from CAPTALK postings. We have one thing in common: CAP and we want to make it better. CAPTALK provides us with a a forum where we can share ideas, debate and discuss various issues relating to CAP. 

That's my problem with anonymous posters. They're simply bomb throwers, snipers  who add nothing of value but rancor.

If all you see in this endeavor  is the negative, I feel very sorry for you.  By the way....who  are you anyway.  I've been debating with you for some time on this and other threads and don't have a clue who you are.  Are you a  CAP member?

[mikeylikey]

That's my problem with anonymous posters. They're simply bomb throwers, snipers  who add nothing of value but rancor.

Should I disregard everything you may ever post again because of that comment.  That is not usually the case around here!  I thought I added some value (even if it was conjecture, or humor, or a real honest answere).  But if that is how we are going to play around here.......I will only read posts by those who have posted over 1,000.  Usually by that time the anonymous poster who is here just to cause trouble leaves.  Is that fair, we should only take in to account posts by those that have been here over a year, or have reached 1,000+ Posts.  No, neither is your reasoning!

[floridacyclist]

And then there are those anonymous posters who threaten physical violence to other posters while hiding behind their veil.

[mikeylikey]

^  I only told you what to do to yourself, I never said I WOULD DO IT!