May We Talk About Your Ideas?

One of the highlights of my week is the meeting the editor holds every Wednesday, where we talk about anything out of the ordinary which may have happened, as well as determine how we might improve the way we cover such an event in the future.
A recent meeting went particularly long because we were discussing a letter writer who has been submitting under a pseudonym, and a reader had objected. I had become aware that the writer was utilizing a pseudonym, but after an exchange with him, allowed him to continue the practice because the author preferred to avoid potential public criticism, and I thought he added to the community dialogue.
There was a range of views on the matter around the table, including that anonymous opinions should be limited to Spout Off. The problem with that solution, in this instance, is that this writer’s pieces vastly exceed the Spout Off limit of 600 characters.
One responded: if someone is unwilling to put up with criticism when expressing their ideas, then so be it; let them remain silent. As for myself, I can’t sit still when, for whatever reason, people’s ideas are repressed. The Federalist Papers were written under pseudonyms in order to force those with opposing views to address the issues rather than attack the authors.
We discussed the tension in the Crest school when it was going through labor union negotiations, and that some involved were feeling intimidated by the presence of what they termed “union goons” making their presence felt on the premises, and someone complained about it through Spout Off. Apparently, the unions are not used to people having a forum for complaining about such tactics and set about trying to put an end to it. I was contacted by someone on behalf of the union seeking the Spouter’s identity, and I promptly told him that we don’t have the information but we wouldn’t give it to them anyway if we did, under any circumstances.
In another instance, when Dennis Township was constructing a new school building, there was widespread dissention on the issue, which was fought out through Spout Off. One contributor opined that, without Spout Off, the community would not have had a forum for the discussion that took place.
I expressed that our nation has thrived because all ideas can be heard, and the best ones have the opportunity to win out, regardless of whose idea it was. This foundational principle is one of the cornerstones of our incomparable nation and is well expressed in the quote (variously attributed to Patrick Henry or Voltaire): “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
I have observed, however, that there is a sentiment afoot to shout down people when the ideas they are expressing run counter to another person’s or group’s notions.
We concluded our meeting with an ongoing preference for letters to the editor being published under the names of known authors only. Out of hundreds of letters we receive annually, less than a half dozen were published under a pseudonym. We will discontinue that practice, however, if anyone feels his or her anonymity is important, and Spout Off does not afford him or her sufficient space to develop the thoughts, in that instance, the letter could be emailed to me at publisher@cmcherald.com for consideration for publication, along with an introduction by me.
Art Hall
P.S. Your thoughts are necessary to maintain democracy. Please make the time to submit them. Simply go to the Opinion tab at the top of the Herald website (www.capemaycountyherald.com) and write it down.
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From the Bible: Do not set foot on the path of wicked people. They cannot rest until they do something evil or violent, or sleep till they make someone stumble. Proverbs 4