NC Judge Manning rules on case involving postings to a blog in NC

[SuzieQ]

I guess I am fortunate to have saved the "not for public view" emails from Mr. Voller, Mr. Hammond and Mr. Starkweather.

Should any of them opt to take me to court, it might make for an interesting "discovery" stage.

Maybe they can't stand criticism in this type of forum because it is much more difficult to sweep under the rug.  It is out there for everyone to see.

[beinginferior]

Is this why Randy wanted to have 'coffee'?  So their blunders were not in public view?  No wonder he avoided answering so many questions.  However,  I doubt MayorRandolphVoller is the only username Randy has.....

[annamarie]

[/quote]
The lawyers would then go to google, find out what ip address and what isp the gmail account was created on.   They would then go to the isp and fin out who leased that ip when the gmail account was created.   If the legal barriers are down, for the most part they will track you down. 
[/quote]

Google is not keen on complying with such orders and has/is considering purging records on a regular basis so they don't have the information requested - great way of staying out of it. 

As for tracking down your IP - most of us have variable IP addresses; our provider(s) assign and reassign our IP addresses on a semi-regular basis for their own network regulation and if you have a Wi-Fi network that is unsecured then you can easily argue someone parked in front of your house and accessed your WiFi point to post, get mp3, movies, whatever. 

Anyone really intent on remaining anonymous is smart enough to run everything through a proxy server so it looks like you are commenting from Siberia or Abu Dabi or some other absurd location.

But really - is this the best use of our tax dollars?  Millions in legal bills to find the location, perhaps, of one individual - maybe if harm came to someone but otherwise be more productive instead of wracking up legal fees.

[Mark]

Mark Barroso, here. I'm one of those people who pop up close to election time.

I respectfully disagree with Gene's reasoning about anonymous posters for the bulletin board. While anonymity served a purpose to rally colonists against England more than 200 years ago, and that you indeed have the right to run this board as you wish, the more pertinent question is what serves Chatham County best.

As someone who used to make a living with anonymous sources (as an investigative television producer), I understand the truth-teller's fear of retaliation. I hid a person's identity if they had a reasonable fear of being murdered or physically attacked. . Everyone else who wanted to be anonymous were most often lying or settling a grudge. I would know this because I checked out their stories anyway. The viewers of my television news reports would not be served very well if I just let any one say anything from behind a curtain.

I doubt that the Truths told here rise to a standard that deserves protection. Revolutionaries (real ones, as in 1776) had reason to fear that they would be killed, jailed or have their property seized by British agents. If you fear such repercussions today you are not in touch with reality. What "truths" do we have here on the BBS? That the BoC, Randy Voller, the Chatham Coalition and progressives in general are, 1. Wasting money, 2. Idiots, and 3. Wasting money. Do you need anonymity to say that?

I think the quality of debate here on the BBS would increase overnight if posters had to stand behind their statements in public. Plus, more people would participate if they didn't believe they were getting into a verbal playpen with impulsive ranters.

In balancing what "truth telling" would be lost, versus increasing intelligent debate and the number of participants, I would go for the latter. Anonymity has brought out the worst tendencies of everyone, regardless of political beliefs.

[Muddylaces]

Mark Barroso, here. I'm one of those people who pop up close to election time.

I respectfully disagree with Gene's reasoning about anonymous posters for the bulletin board. While anonymity served a purpose to rally colonists against England more than 200 years ago, and that you indeed have the right to run this board as you wish, the more pertinent question is what serves Chatham County best.

As someone who used to make a living with anonymous sources (as an investigative television producer), I understand the truth-teller's fear of retaliation. I hid a person's identity if they had a reasonable fear of being murdered or physically attacked. . Everyone else who wanted to be anonymous were most often lying or settling a grudge. I would know this because I checked out their stories anyway. The viewers of my television news reports would not be served very well if I just let any one say anything from behind a curtain.

I doubt that the Truths told here rise to a standard that deserves protection. Revolutionaries (real ones, as in 1776) had reason to fear that they would be killed, jailed or have their property seized by British agents. If you fear such repercussions today you are not in touch with reality. What "truths" do we have here on the BBS? That the BoC, Randy Voller, the Chatham Coalition and progressives in general are, 1. Wasting money, 2. Idiots, and 3. Wasting money. Do you need anonymity to say that?

I think the quality of debate here on the BBS would increase overnight if posters had to stand behind their statements in public. Plus, more people would participate if they didn't believe they were getting into a verbal playpen with impulsive ranters.

In balancing what "truth telling" would be lost, versus increasing intelligent debate and the number of participants, I would go for the latter. Anonymity has brought out the worst tendencies of everyone, regardless of political beliefs.

I do not want my name on this board, not because of fear of retribution, but I do not want potential employers to be able to google search my name and use politics as reason for or against employment. 

[whatsup]

Can you explain to us then Mark, why your friends the Vollers have chosen to use several anonymous names on this bulletin board?

[Pat Barnes]

Mark,
       If you are up for intelligent, open, honest debate, would you mind making public those youtube videos you made for Sally and Jefferey during the last election?  C'mon, now, surely you remember- I'd sure like the County to be able to view how you misinformed, misled, and pretty much lied about Commissioner Barnes involvement in the sewer line to New Hill issue. Just how honest and open were you folks? You weren't. What integrity is there in deceiving the public, just for a vote? None.  I eagerly await a response.
       Oh, and to stay on topic, I agree about anonymity- people should use their names.
       The Coalition still has an F in my book- it became the very monster it sought to destroy, and you, Mark, are part of it.

P.S. Hey, Gene, glad to hear you kept those e-mails from john and jeff- i have a few myself from those two.

[mary51802]

Mark Barroso, here. I'm one of those people who pop up close to election time.

I respectfully disagree with Gene's reasoning about anonymous posters for the bulletin board. While anonymity served a purpose to rally colonists against England more than 200 years ago, and that you indeed have the right to run this board as you wish, the more pertinent question is what serves Chatham County best.

As someone who used to make a living with anonymous sources (as an investigative television producer), I understand the truth-teller's fear of retaliation. I hid a person's identity if they had a reasonable fear of being murdered or physically attacked. . Everyone else who wanted to be anonymous were most often lying or settling a grudge. I would know this because I checked out their stories anyway. The viewers of my television news reports would not be served very well if I just let any one say anything from behind a curtain.

I doubt that the Truths told here rise to a standard that deserves protection. Revolutionaries (real ones, as in 1776) had reason to fear that they would be killed, jailed or have their property seized by British agents. If you fear such repercussions today you are not in touch with reality. What "truths" do we have here on the BBS? That the BoC, Randy Voller, the Chatham Coalition and progressives in general are, 1. Wasting money, 2. Idiots, and 3. Wasting money. Do you need anonymity to say that?

I think the quality of debate here on the BBS would increase overnight if posters had to stand behind their statements in public. Plus, more people would participate if they didn't believe they were getting into a verbal playpen with impulsive ranters.

In balancing what "truth telling" would be lost, versus increasing intelligent debate and the number of participants, I would go for the latter. Anonymity has brought out the worst tendencies of everyone, regardless of political beliefs.

I do not want my name on this board, not because of fear of retribution, but I do not want potential employers to be able to google search my name and use politics as reason for or against employment. 

Same here. Most of us want to get together to meet and some of us know each other. Retribution is not a fear but I agree about the employers. Although it against the law to do that they do it.

[peacefulcapitalist]

I do not want my name on this board, not because of fear of retribution, but I do not want potential employers to be able to google search my name and use politics as reason for or against employment. 

+1

[peacefulcapitalist]

Mark,
       If you are up for intelligent, open, honest debate, would you mind making public those youtube videos you made for Sally and Jefferey during the last election?  C'mon, now, surely you remember- I'd sure like the County to be able to view how you misinformed, misled, and pretty much lied about Commissioner Barnes involvement in the sewer line to New Hill issue. Just how honest and open were you folks? You weren't. What integrity is there in deceiving the public, just for a vote? None.  I eagerly await a response.
       Oh, and to stay on topic, I agree about anonymity- people should use their names.
       The Coalition still has an F in my book- it became the very monster it sought to destroy, and you, Mark, are part of it.

P.S. Hey, Gene, glad to hear you kept those e-mails from john and jeff- i have a few myself from those two.

I would just like to see the video again in which Sally told us she was going to get out of county merchants to remit sales tax on purchases by county residents to Chatham County.  Kinda dropped that one into the memory hole.

Anyway lesson learned.  Everyone should arm themselves with this: http://www.savetube.com

That way when people remove videos after elections are over, you can still keep a record.

[srvfan]

I think anonymity is a good thing.  Yes there are too many instances of anonymity being abused and people feeling free to say things that they probably wouldn't own up to and don't add to the debate, but eventually most of us see those posters for what they are and don't pay much attention to their posts.

We should be debating ideas, therefore real names shouldn't be that important.  All too often in politics it's a situation where people agree with the poster, whether they're using a real name or an anonymous alias, than with their thoughts.  I hope I'm being too cynical, but it seems like it's gotten to the point where the majority of people don't think for themselves and aren't capable of reading an article/post or thought without letting the identity of the writer sway their opinion of the thoughts expressed.  IMO an anonymous alias is perfectly acceptable if someone posts that the ideas espoused by "James Smith" are incorrect, but if they're going to come on here and say that "James Smith" cheated them on a business deal, or kicked their dog, or stole their wife, then they need to come on with a real name.

The reason I don't want to use my real name goes back 8 or 10 years and to another message board.  Long story short, someone made a post, there were several responses, I responded and slightly disagreed with the original poster, someone responded underneath me and said something considerably unflattering about the OP and later on I was confronted and accused of saying something that was posted by someone else.  I don't want to be standing in line at the grocery store sometime and be accused of saying or doing something I didn't do.

That, and the fact that I try as hard as possible to fly under any and all radars, I don't want to bring attention to myself LOL.

The anonymous posts don't bother me, but the losers that have multiple aliases? Now that's just pathetic, geez people, get a life.

[Mark]

Quatro, is that you? Jeez, I'm sorry you're still pissed. I took down the videos because the election is over. It's been over for two years. I don't remember a sewer line mentioned in the videos, and I still don't know what you're talking about. In fact, Sally made a point of not criticizing your father at all in the video because she wanted his supporters to vote for her. That's basic electioneering. I doubt that your father lost the election over a sewer line that only a few people cared about, but it's not clear to me if you're mad that the Coalition didn't endorse him. Anyway, I appreciate the job your dad did for four years and always enjoyed your company. In fact, you have my email and if you ever want to talk, drop me a line.

I'm not surprised most of the anonymous posters here prefer it that way. It's too bad there's no way to survey the people who would post if this place was more civil.

[Mark]

Can you explain to us then Mark, why your friends the Vollers have chosen to use several anonymous names on this bulletin board?

By definition, I wouldn't know if they had anonymous names. However, you do make my point.

[beinginferior]

Somebody call 9-Wah-Wah,  someone needs a wahmbulance.  

I have to second the question presented before.  If Mr. Mayor is so concerned about knowing everyone's real identity,  then why does he post under ALL of his fake aliases,  including the one where he makes fun of southerners by talking in his southern cowboy drawl.  What was that character's name again Randolph?  Whatever his name,  he made lame attempts at being offensive.

It is funny,  NONE of you are jumping on board to chastise John Hammond for making personal and unfounded attacks full of lies,  yet you want to know our names on this here chatboard.  Cuts both ways. Thicken your skin and grow up.  If it bothers you here is an idea,  CUT YOUR DAMN COMPUTER OFF.  

[WolfpackFan]

I'm not surprised most of the anonymous posters here prefer it that way. It's too bad there's no way to survey the people who would post if this place was more civil.

Actually, there is a very simple way.  Start your own BBS and create your own rules about identity.  Please come back and let us know how it goes.

[Tags:]

Jump to: Please select a destination: ----------------------------- Chatham County Online ----------------------------- => Chatham County Online => Chatham County Schools => Chatham County Food & Drink => Chatham County Music & Arts => Chatham Community Calendar => Free Classifieds & Help Wanted Ads => Noah's Ark - All Creatures Great & Small. => Neighbor to Neighbor => Gardening and Agriculture => Chatham County Real Estate => North Carolina => This, That and Everything Else