Intro: "Independent political groups, especially those backing conservatives, say federal disclosure law doesn't apply to them. The FEC is at an impasse: Democrats want full disclosure of who's paying for political ads; Republicans say they favor a hands-off approach."
John Boehner, with Mitch McConnell in the background, listens to a question during a news conference, 11/03/10. (photo: Reuters)
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Comments
We are concerned about a recent drift towards vitriol in the RSN Reader comments section. There is a fine line between moderation and censorship. No one likes a harsh or confrontational forum atmosphere. At the same time everyone wants to be able to express themselves freely. We'll start by encouraging good judgment. If that doesn't work we'll have to ramp up the moderation.
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Since the earliest cases of allowing anonymous political activity that I know of applied to socialists who didn't want their personal information revealed publicly (presumably because they correctly feared retaliation from friends, family, neighbors and employers), we need to pause before we implement laws that would either silence large segments of the population (both progressives and conservatives) or subject those with radical views to discrimination and retribution.
I do not pretend to know what the correct level of transparency is but I do know that both progressives and conservatives are often all too willing to try to intimidate and use violence against their opponents.
Lee Nason
New Bedford, Massachusetts
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