Reader Feedback: Anonymous Comments, Drinking Ban

Lindenhurst Patch recently asked readers about whether or not anonymous comments should be banned.

This was as a result of a new bill in Albany looking to combat cyberbullying by prohibiting Internet users from posting anonymous defamatory comments.

(Read more about this here and here.)

In a recent about this subject, 75 percent were in favor of banning anonymous commenting. Only 25 percent were against it.

Here’s what some residents and readers of Patch had to say:

Robert Deacon: “The idea of the review is to express one’s like or dislike. I feel all reviews good or bad should be accompanied by the name of such or at least an e-mail address, if not both. This practice would really curb the amount of cyberbullying of businesses and individuals. I’d like to see a field for rebuttals and/or for a thank you for the kind review.”

Denise Botiglione: “I think there should be some name or e-mail or link associated with every comment. You don’t have to post your photo, but at least own up to the comments you leave whether they are good or bad. I just think that if you’re going to post something, then at least have the [guts] to own up to it with a name. We definitely need to curb the cyberbullying.”

Bruce: “Infringement of freedom of speech is what a ban would be.”

Robert Deacon: “No nation grants absolute freedom of speech to its citizens, for to do so would leave citizens unprotected from slander and the nation incapable of protecting its vital secrets. Restrictions on speech are thus sometimes clearly necessary, while other times, appeals to public order, national security and other values are used to justify repression of speech that goes beyond established norms.

“It's simple. Have your say and be an adult and stand by what you say, not just say it to hide and hope that you were heard. Let them know you want to be heard. Or risk having your so-called speech (post, comment, review) removed or taken down.”

Drinking Ban
Patch also asked what readers thought of the recent overnight weekend ban on drinking the LIRR instituted.

In a recent about the subject, 37 percent said it won’t work and won’t be enforced. Another 24 percent were skeptical that it would work because passengers might already be inebriated.

Twenty percent said this ban is needed and felt this would address disruptive behavior. And 17 percent said that drinking should be allowed at all times on the LIRR.

What do you think about these two issues? Tell us in the comments section, below.

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