12/02/2006

This is news?

The Tribune ran a piece today about an employee of the Montana Secretary of State's office, Bowen Greenwood, who 'outed' himself as Neomadison on What's Right in Montana.

Um, that was 17 days ago.

As a point of reference, that was the same day on which the Tribune reported that Kitzenberg had switched parties. Can you say "old news?"

Further, in referencing the post in which Superman revealed his Clark Kent netroots, the Tribune failed to even include the link.

Note to the 'old media': More color photos and graphs ain't the answer. Please forgive my Spadian syntax, but it's called the 21st Century. You might want to join us.

And, as far as the substantive suggestion that Greenwood was doing something wrong, I agree with Wulfgar's point that, as a practical matter, Greenwood's postings could cause political problems for his employer. The suggestion, though, that public employment requires some sort of "full disclosure" before one can express non-libelous/slanderous views on political matters flies in the face of our most precious Amendment. I think we all, on both sides, need to start moving away from the idea that there are some political beliefs that are just "wrong."

If we start from the premise that all political positions are legitimate, why is it my business what a government employee believes, or what he posts on a public forum on his own time? If Wulfgar is correct that no government employee can post anonymously, then it means that every time a government employee states a political position, it had better be done publicly with his or her moniker firmly attached. That would mean that we are entitled to know the political views of everyone who draws a taxpayer check. I respectfully disagree.

3 comments:

a-fire-fly said...

Hold on now. If Sam Harris had actually commented anonymously he may have gotten away it. He had the right to comment as "Sam". He did not have the right to comment as "Sam, a Judge from Great Falls, these are my election results".
As some guy named Sam, he could have sworn, lied, and talked about porn all he wanted. As Sam the Judge, he had a responsibility to uphold certain ethical standards.

I am torn on the Bowen issue. I think it would probably have been best for him to retain his anonimity or stop blogging, but I don't agree that public officials should have to disclose who they are if they are bloggging as private individuals.

WolfPack said...

Wulfgar,

I am not as familiar with Bowen's online history as you so maybe you can enlighten me. Has Bowen posted something that was unethical or displayed an abuse of power in his state job? If not, his posts do not compare with our local JP. If he has just been spouting his political beliefs then I don't see the problem. As with anyone else in the bloging world, does it matter who he is when evaluating the strength of his arguments? I would prefer that government employees do not use the credence of their agency/office to legitimize their posting. Bowens words should be evaluated on their own and all this outing discussion seems like a desperate tactic by those who disagree with Bowens views but are uncomfortable debating him in an intellectual fashion.

GeeGuy said...

It's way too late, and I want to discuss this in detail but not tonight after the great Griz win (I'm basking, alright?).

But I do want to say this, Wulfgar. It was not my intention to "accuse" you of anything. As much as we disagree, I have more and more often come to find that I believe your positions are usually somewhat (somewhat!) reasonable, though usually cloaked in strong, bordering on outrageous, rhetoric. In other words, my post wasn't intended as a slam, and I hope to explain why tomorrow (although my kid has a basketball tournament).