Dear Orange Juice Readers,
As you all know, I have never allowed my blog team to post stories anonymously. We all sign our names to our work.
When I restarted this blog, with Claudio Gallegos, we wanted to stand out from the other blogs in town, and one of them was fully loaded with anonymous bloggers. They still are, actually. Claudio and I wanted to do things differently. And we did.
Now we have realized that there are indeed some very good writers who cannot post with their names, as doing so would wreck their careers. Claudio asked me if we could invite them to join our blog. But I cannot do so without input from you, our readers.
Specifically, Claudio would like to invite the very well known anonymous bloggers N2justice and Bladerunner to join our blog team. And I would like to add a conservative blogger, who used to write for that other blog in town.
But first we need to hear from you, our readers. This would be a very significant reversal for us, and I won’t do it without your blessing. I look forward to your thoughtful feedback.
Art,
I say NO.
We all take our hits for what we post. In fact you know about the actions being attempted now by some of the weasels because we dare stand up and speak out.
I don’t think that it would be a good idea to allow folks to post stories on this blog using a “nom de plume”.
If these folks want to add to the debate in this community they should do so using their names. I feel that it is cowardice to hide in the shadows when posting.
That is my two-cents. I hope you don’t go down that road.
I’ll still read your blog if you go Anon but I like the way it is now.
Sean,
I assure you, this won’t be a move made lightly. So far the feedback is negative, so this looks like a “no go.”
Art, No. The OJ bloggers need to be real faces and names in our community. N2Justice and Bladerunner can still be enjoyed in the comment section if they need to protect themselves. But the bloggers (i.e. editors) need to be stand-up type guys if they are to represent for us all the courage to speak out about problems in our community.
Art, I think this is a matter of credibility. Take a look at that little blue box at the bottom of the page. It presently shows a big number 2. I think one of the things that has helped The Juice grow is the fact that your posters are not anonymous – as Sean Mill said above, they are willing to take the hits for their views. Even though it’s a little too SantaAnaCentric for me at times, I know you’re trying to broaden the appeal by signing up posters from more geographically diverse areas. Quite honestly, when Matt Cunningham over at that other blog was “outted” as Jubal his posts became more relevant to me. My recommendation is to stick with the formula that made your blog a success.
It’s a “no go” because someone like Bladerunner would never bother writing on/for the same blog as you Art.
Even as an anon, BR has more people’s respect in one of his pinkies than you have in all of your body.
If someone can add stellar information as an insider, anonymous posts would be fine. It would depend on the value of what’s being written.
For what it’s worth Art, I would vote NO.
I think the idea has merit. Most of us post on subjects that we care about. Having a moniker/handle is helpful b/c after a while of posting we pretty much know where a particular poster stands.
As far as “anonymous”…. that is very different than a moniker or handle. Anonymous – you have no idea how many people are posting using that designation.
A guy like N2Justice – has contributed around here. That’s the moniker he chose. Maybe he just doesn’t want the drama of defending his posts and ideas or run the chance of offending customers and other associates. But he still has his opinions, and in my opinion, he’s got some interesting things to possibly say in a blog atmosphere.
Especially in a town like Santa Ana where mob ethics and retaliation are more common than not. Who needs the hassle of petty tyrants tracking down a blogger who simply wants to participate and lead the discussion?
It is admirable that Sean and others use their own names. However, if you belong to other posting groups and other blogs that are not so politically dangerous….. you’ll see plenty of people who choose a moniker, post under that moniker and develop a readership.
So really, it is possible to have a monikered poster as part of a blog team. They don’t need to explain why they choose to be a moniker. Some people just don’t want the drama of others beginning to take things so seriously.
I’d love to contribute on dicey subjects such as athiesm and alternative life styles. But why in the world would I put my own name to those kinds of postings when I know what lengths some people would go to supress either of those subjects?
You want increased participation and readership? You’re going to have to take some chances with people who who have strong points of view, yet don’t want real world nut cases taking things to their home in a personal way.
Well, as an anonymous who is so due to professional reasons, I think it would be of value to allow selected anonymous writers to post on occasion. It should be an original writing of some kind, show some creativity, etc. If you have the capacity to implement this kind of selectivity oversight, give it a try for a while. You can always change course if you decide it is not working. And, remember Deep Throat was anonymous for decades!
Now we have realized that there are indeed some very good writers who cannot post with their names, as doing so would wreck their careers.
Ha ha! You’ve been ripping anonymous blogging forever, and now all of a sudden you understand the need for it?
Fickle. you guys so desperate for more hits you’ll flip the principles you brag about on a dime?
What next? Call it “OC Blog” and Art changes his name to “Jubal”?
I predict Art chooses to allow anonymous blogging no matter how much negative feedback he gets from readers.
So what if it means Art will turn OJ into something he has always ripped. he is so hungry to make his blog credible he’ll have no problem pulling an about face and writing one of his famous rationalizations to justify it.
Its important that the blogger have an identity so we have an idea of where they’re coming from.
Someone should search Orange Juice and compile all the times Art ripped OC Blog for having anonymous bloggers, so we can all the contrast when he suddenly decides anonymous blogging is A-OK. Maybe he can change the name to the 1984 Blog, where war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength.
Respectfully, I have to say NO. While I personally recognize the need to post anonymously, associating an psuedonymed Blogger such as Bladerunner or N2justice, the risk is that these pseudonyms have inappropriate or illegal reasons for staying anonymous.
We should not forget the scandal that arose out posts made under fake names on Santa Ana Citizens under the name “John McRickenidge” and another false name. These posts were tracked back to the State Assembly computers at Lou Correa’s assembly offices, and specifically to two computers in Lou Correa’s district office, including the computer of former Chief of Staff Chris Leo. Although a scapegoat firing of a support staff member occurred, the scapegoat denied ever making the posts, and stated he was being made a scapegoat.
The falsely named posts that came out of Correa’s office were used to promote his own bills, promote Correa in his district, and to promote candidates he was supporting in local races while launching spurious attacks on other candidates running against Correa’s chosen candidates. It also constituted an illegal use of Assembly computers, and misappropriation of state resources.
Ignoring the (lame) argument excusing such conduct under the guise of “everyone does it – its no big deal”, I would say IT IS A BIG DEAL. If Orange Juice wants to maintain its integrity, it cannot allow its associated bloggers to blog without disclosure of their true names. Responsive postings are much different – they are not “endorsed” by OJBlog.
Please resist the temptation, no matter how wekk ntentioned – it is a hornet’s nest and OJ Blog will be stung.
I’m flattered by the suggestion (I think), but on a very basic level, I have no interest in authoring for a blog. And being a blog author here would not ruin my career because I have none of the connections that some have suggested that I have.
I have no problem with your current policy of having authors post their names. But the flip side of that coin should also be true…when a blog author here feels taken to task, the instinct seems to be to demand that the anonymous commenter expose his or her real identity, or expose their supposed “ties” to what the author perceives as the negative forces and financial interests in the city.
Whatever you do, please, can you just start taking anonymous commenters at face value and not engage in these silly witch hunts?
One is only “anonymous” and something is only “confidential” around here as long as Art Pedroza doesn’t get mad at you – which is virtually impossible to avoid.
As for Art’s claim he “never” posts anonymously – Pssshhh! Yeah, right!
I strongly caution anyone who doesn’t want their real identity known to pass on being a blogger on this site. Besides, Sean is right. Have the balls to sign your name or shut up.
Good morning Art.
Larry Gilbert votes NO. While editorials published by the O.C. Register do not reflect the author we know by topic who they are and can take them to task if we choose.
It’s already a problem with anonymous comments on the blog in that we do not know if 10 threads are from one or more individuals.
I previously suggested that these posters at least differentiate themselves by picking any number be it 007 or 101 after signing on.
It makes it easier to carry on that dialogue knowing it’s the same person.
I am pleased to see that we have just added two new bloggers. If in time we fail to keep up with the news than perhaps alternative measures might be considered.
I do welcome debate with n2justice and bladerunner who will still be able to weigh in and hold our feet to the fire if they so choose.
Art,
I agree with the majority of the posters,that the bloggers should not hide their identity for the many reasons others have stated.
Don’t you think that an anonymous editor/blogger would become known after 3 or 4 posts?
When they would need to quit?
Some how I think the idea is unworkable.
Blank Ballot.
http://blogs.ocregister.com/orangepunch/archives/2006/04/an_answer_to_critique_of_anony.html
http://www.ocblog.net/ocblog/2005/04/anonymous_blogg.html
Ugh! Someone quotes justifications from the Machine blog and Machine ally Greenhut.
I think “guest” blogs from anons or ID’d authors would be fine so as long as it is an infrequent thing. It would spice things up every now and then and hopefully inspire the regular bloggers to write better articles. Art would have to assign a unique internal ID as to not have that person write under several different names or under the generic “anon” all the time.
Perhaps, then, later that blogger can be asked to join the “team” if the demand is there but only using their real name once enlisted to write regularly.
Dear Orange Juice Readers,
Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. I am touched by how many people really care about what we do with this blog.
It appears that most of you don’t want us to be like that other blog in town, so we won’t be allowing anon bloggers on our team.
You may rely on the Orange Juice team to write about what matters and put our real names to those thoughts.
We have been very fortunate to add two new bloggers to our team, and I am sure we will find more in the next few weeks.
Until then, thank you for your continued support!
And just as suddenly, Art thinks anonymous blogging is bad again. Bladerunner must have turned him down.
Poster 25,
Not really. Go back and read the comments. The idea did not go over well.
As for Bladerunner, I don’t know if he or she would want to blog for us. But it is a moot point now, isn’t it?
The Orange Juice will continue to set the standard when it comes to blogger accountability.
In a word: NO.
Perhaps some “guest fourm” could be worked out. For I might participate in something like that.
But as described, NO.
We love Bladerunner and
N2Justice….we just can’t
stand what they say or how
they think. Other than that
we could care less. In the
meantime we have suggested
Former Mayor Sandy Genis
and Community Activisit
Geoff West to join our hearty crew. Guess, that
Art…doesn’t want those
intel types to grace our
pages too often. Oh well,
if anyone can think of better people..we are open!
Please no. There is value in knowing the speaker.
In principle anonymity might allow voices that would otherwise be afraid to be heard. I like the principle, but in practice anonymous posts tend to be … a waste of the reader’s time. Knowing something about the character and beliefs of the speaker can make a huge difference in interpreting what is written.
Trust and respect have to factor in somehow.
For someone who does not feel comfortable posting in there own name, hopefully they can find another who can post in their stead.
Interesting. A review of several posts in May 07 show them as authored by one “Nom De Guerre” If that’s not an anonymous author, then who is it?
n2justice,
When Thomas left this blog for a few weeks he started another blog, using that pseudonym. However he used the same blogger software we use here, and it screwed things up such that many of his OJ posts are now attributed to that moniker.
They were never presented that way originally.
I hope that clears this up for you.
Art,
Yep, that clarifies it. Gracias!