Recently some of the regular readers of the blog have contacted us about the use of “anonymous” as a name.
No one was concerned about the right to anonymity. Instead they were having difficulty addressing their responses to the right comment.
Their concern could be alleviated if people used unique names or pseudonyms when they make a comment.
It would not be necessary to use the same pseudonym each time.
Do as you wish, however please remain civil and keep it clean.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
I find, as long as you speak of facts, it does not matter who knows your actual name.
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I was saving this for a Saturday, but since Brutus has brought this topic to light, here goes:
It is confusing to me, at least, to try to follow some of the comments on this Blog. Either one person has multiple personalities, all using the same pseudonym (Anonymous), or multiple people have chosen to use the same fake name. Either way, if you feel compelled to hide your identity, couldn’t you at least take the time to create something uniquely your own and in keeping with – perhaps – your personal views or opinions?
I do recall the early days of online Bulletin Boards there was a certain feeling that it was a good idea to create an online persona, complete with a personal handle, much like we did back when everybody had a CB radio in their car. But, I thought those days were gone. I really do not understand why anyone who chooses to participate in this local Blog feels a need to hide their identity.
I have seen that some of you claim that you must keep your online ID hidden from your employer, but that really makes no sense. What kind of employer is going to fire you for speaking your mind, as long as what you say is within the bounds of normal conversation. If you know that your opinions are contrary to what is accepted and expected in your work, or your life, maybe you need to consider another line of work, or another way to live your life. Or, Gawd forfend, maybe there is indeed something really wrong with your opinions, and you’re actually ashamed of them?
Another consideration is the fact that, if your comments bring allegations against someone in public life, and accuse someone of something perhaps illegal, you are denying that person’s right to face their accuser, under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution. That right there is a big reason that anonymous complaints tend to be worthless.
But, here’s the thing. When you choose, for whatever reasons, to use a fake name, you are keeping *US* from knowing how *YOU* really think or feel or believe. Because we do not know you, nor do we have any opportunity to know you. So, believe me, since we do not know you, or anything about you, we really have no reason to care what you think, or believe, or feel. So, bottom line? Your comments are pretty much meaningless. The only reason I take exception with so many of them by offering my own comments is because I find it off putting to see people who conceal their own name, then try to make an issue of the name of Beto O’Rourke – a name he has had and made no effort to hide since childhood.
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You sound more and more like Joseph McCarthy. Just because you abhor anonymity does not make it wrong, dishonest, immoral, cowardly, or unethical or any of the many other things that you have inferred in your never-ending battle to “out” commenters. Even when some people have given you a good reason you want to argue that they are wrong or being dishonest and tell them how to manage their personal lives and careers. Your fourth paragraph is condescending and shows just how out of touch you are. As for the Sixth Amendment, that argument is absurd. This is a local blog for God’s sake, not a court of of law. Most comments on this blog are anonymous, so if anonymous comments are “meaningless,” why are you here?
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It is to laugh. I inferred nothing, but you certainly did. I implied nothing, either, because I flat out said what I mean. Again, I did not make any effort to ‘out’ anybody, but I have made an effort to point out that if we have three or four people calling themselves “Anonymous” that can get confusing! And, yes, you are indeed displaying a form of cowardice.
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I skip comments that don’t have a name.
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that doesn’t seem to be a particularly wise philosophy. either you are interested in diversity of thought or you are not. requiring a name for an online post seems to be a specious reason for attaching value to what was said.
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I did not ask for a name, nor did Brutus. What I tried to point out is that it serves the anonymous people among us no purpose if more than one of them choose that particular moniker! That – imho – simply multiplies the number of folks who lack the courage of their convictions to a marked degree.
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You have continually insisted on names for months and are still bullying with your “lack of courage” comment.
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It seems that the primary purpose for some to “know” who says something is to attack that person.
If someone says “x” I fail to see how knowing who they are is important if dialogue and discussion are the stated goal of having comments in the first place.
Any public entity is open to discussion, at least in a free forum as this claims to be, and is not constrained to discussing public persons in a way that any single person thinks is “respectful” or otherwise only in glowing, positive terms.
For example, stating that “Veronica Escobar’s office is under investigation for coaching migrants in Mexico on ways to circumvent American law in order to gain entry into the United States” is a factual statement. Her office is being investigated for these things which, if true, constitute fraud. The statement in and of itself shouldn’t be even minimally controversial.
If you wish to argue that they are doing so legally, and argue the meaning of simple words like “is” as a means to technically exonerate a public figure, at least do so honestly. Say that you don’t think what they are accused of doing is illegal. Attacking the truth is irrational.
Another example that seems to set off at least one reader is that Robert Francis O’Rourke has and continues to very publicly benefit from the lie that he is Hispanic due to his nickname given to him by his Hispanic caretaker when he was a child. Calling him Beto doesn’t make him Hispanic, nor does him speaking college Spanish at campaign rallies. Being wealthy enough to have a nanny in the first place pretty much proves my point.
Robert Francis O’Rourke tried to destroy historic El Paso barrio neighborhoods through eminent domain in an effort to help his wealthy father-in-law acquire land in and near downtown. That’s who O’Rourke is in reality. The literal proposal was to use the courts to take the land from the individual homeowner’s and give it to his father-in-law’s real estate group. There is ample evidence of this for anyone who cares to spend time researching the issue online. You don’t even have to leave the table to find out for yourself.
Robert Francis O’Rourke is knowingly and willingly reaping a benefit through cultural appropriation. I didn’t invent the concept of cultural appropriation, but if you believe in the concept then it is hard to argue that Robert Francis O’Rourke, a white Irish descendant from a wealthy family is certainly the poster child for such a conceptual theft of heritage and identity for one’s personal benefit.
And for those who are technically challenged or otherwise don’t understand how the internet works, if you don’t put any name at all in the name box when posting it defaults your post name to Anonymous.
No one is typing that their name is Anonymous. They are literally leaving the name box blank.
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It is long past time for you, o anon, to get over Beto’s name! Attack him, if you will, on his positions, actions, statements, or looks, but you are very wrong about his nickname, and your constant attacks on his use of that name are petty, and now bordering on the absurd.
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Right on! Mr. O’ Rourke knows that Hispanics crave their rightful place in this society of which they have the dominate population. If he wanted to help people in this city advance he would have already done something. It is obvious he is not inside the Hispanic culture and uses his fair Spanish speaking skills to try and trick Mexican descendants into believing he is on their side. He is on the side of money and power. He is not wanting to help anyone but himself. The truth is available for those who want it. And the government is the biggest employer in this city, this is a big reason people won’t sign their name.
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Policing comments seems to me an endeavor in futility. the premise originally proposed for this blog was partly that posters can remain anonymous. now that seems to be changing.
just like tearing down historic statues, allowing the pre-structuring of “dialogue” by only allowing that which goes unopposed is as un-American a concept as i could imagine. there was a time in this country when a person could say what they thought. that time seems to be gone, to be replaced by speech-police who determine not only what is acceptable but what people “mean” when they say things.
if you get to define meaning for speech you oppose there is no limit to censorship and no ability for engagement of free speech
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If one of the guys with big money or at the city know your name they can come after in different ways. many people who post things may not have all the facts but posting something may make some journalist or someone in law enforcement look into things. This is not always the cases, but you basically are saying dont be a whistle blower. All Brutus has to do is force the Commenter to put a name in and dont allow it to post unless there is one.
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I totally agree with your first sentence, but stop and think about your last sentence. Do you want to share your name with Brutus, not knowing who he is? All we know is that he is one of the big dogs.
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when i said put a name in i meant any name. a bogus or real. up to the person who posted the comment.
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When I worked for the City, I posted my thoughts under a non de plume because city employees are not supposed to engage politically (though they can participate in the “public forum” whatever that means). Safe was better.
There are good reasons to be anonymous in a town with as tight a power circle as El Paso. Now I don’t have to and I like to use my real name, shortened so as to minimize the already hundreds of Google hits on my full name.
And speaking of which, my email was hacked and some of you might have received a request for help today because I’m stuck in some foreign place. DO NOT SEND ME MONEY AND DO NOT RESPOND.
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My name is Tom Busch. I live at 516 E University Ave, El Paso Texas 79902. My phone number is+19152442871. I’m a day drinker so if you call me you’ll never know what you’re gonna get. And if I say something that’s particularly offensive or abrasive then I don’t have a problem taking it behind the barn. Everybody should own up. If we were less dickless we might effect some real change.
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you obviously have nothing to lose.
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I worked for a guy named Wally Lowenfield for 20 years. He owned and founded Casa Ford. His name, address and phone number was in the phone book. He lived in the same house for 40 years. You could call him at midnight if you thought it was important. The problem with the fags in El Paso is they imagine they actually have something to lose.
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Dear Clueless,
Times have changed
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Dear Clueless, Times have changed
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yes and it looks like your mighty proud of being a “day drinker” . Does that mean when you leave the house later in the day you might be over the limit and driving to your job or where ever ? Don’t show up on the El Paso Times in the DUI section because somebody here might point out your little post here. Not to mention didn’t you have aspirations of running for office? If I were the competition i might would point out that little statement to the voters. After this last rant anyone reading your rant might think your drunk now. Any more rants ?
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Those are some compelling arguments. And I am suitably chastised. I will give long and serious introspective thought to them. But I still don’t know your name. So until a better alternative is offered I’ll just have to call you jaggoff
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And just to qualm any issues about my driving while intoxicated I’d like to point out in no uncertain terms that I ALWAYS ride the trolley. It’s free now. And Budweiser is on sale for $14.99 an eighteen pack which makes it basically cheaper than water. Most folks don’t know this about me but I have an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music. So when the trolley is empty I move up front and the driver and I sing songs from my best of the Monkees collection or three dog night favorites. This is how i give back to the little people in my sunset years.
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Dude, it looks like you took “The Last Train To Clarkesville” a long time ago.
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Your posts bring to mind the Cream album White Rooms.
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Commentator (or whatever the heck your name is).I might drink beer on a hot day and wake up sober the next day. But you, on the other hand will wake up every day not knowing the difference between a contraction and a possessive pronoun. You and your ilk are what’s eating at the very soul of this great nation.
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“What’s in a name?” That question that l posed is still as relevant today as it was 400 plus years ago. BTW- will someone please dig up my coffin and invent a crowbar (if you already haven’t done so) to pry me out of this coffin. l’m starting to become claustrophobic!
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Anyone know about this? Just got it a survey from the Hispanic Chamber.
Recently, the City of El Paso announced that voters will be able to vote on a proposed $940 million bond in November. The bond will cover public safety, public health, animal services, and streets. The bond includes:
• $302.3 million for the El Paso Police Department.
• $203.3 million for the El Paso Fire Department.
• $68.7 million for the Department of Public Health.
• $10 million for El Paso Animal Services.
• $255 million for streets.
According to the city, the large size of the bond is due to a lack of bond funding for these services for a significant period of time. The bond will not increase taxes for residents of El Paso. Rather, it will increase the amount of debt the City has.
However, the City is also proposing a property tax increase of 4 cents per $100 of property valuation. For example, a house valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $64 in property in taxes per year. In addition to increasing environmental fees for commercial property owners and and increasing in solid waste fees for residents.
The city says the bond and the increase in property taxes and fees are due to an expected $7.3 million in lost revenue due to legislative changes at the federal and state level along with a loss in revenue due to a decrease in visitors because of wait times at the Ports of Entry and issues with migrants from Central America.
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Ticked Off: Yes, we have seen these reports, and I think most of us are indeed with you (ticked off is putting it mildly). All of a sudden, after so many years of neglecting all of those things – and, only partly in favor of the ridiculous QoL issues – now we are facing an emergency in all of those other important areas! Amazing, isn’t it? The public has been asking for these things all along, and largely been ignored, as our elected representatives pursue “growth,” shiny objects we don’t need, “new” business, and a rush to offer serious incentives to any business. I’d say that it is time for them to learn to live as the rest of us do. If you can’t afford it, learn to live without. And, stop wasting money elsewhere until you can afford it.
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It is total BS to for the city to say that increasing debt by nearly a billion dollars will not result in higher taxes. The debt has to be paid.
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Duderino. Carol Kaye. Hal Blaine. Tommy Tedesco. Glen Campbell. Leon Russell and a bunch more. I think it’s safe to say that the Monkees had the best pop back up band in history.
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Eric. Sadly, your response qualifies you for no more than a minor middle management position in El Paso. On the bright side, you’re already where you belong.
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Tom, I think you are one step away from putting a gun to your head and pulling the trigger. Leave Eric alone, Dude.
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I’m going to Walmart right now to buy a cheap filter for my dog’s wading pool. I promise I’ll ask for Eric and apologize for my rude behavior when I get there. I have guns. But I bought them to shoot OTHER people. That seemed more sensible.
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Your dog has a wading pool? Very cool
I think you buried the lead on this one.
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