Press: Anonymous Opinions Worthless

These are what we consider not just effective but appropriate uses of the Internet to sway public political opinion in opposite directions. They’re appropriate because the sources were steadfastly identifiable and responsible. But not everyone lives by these standards. You may not see the termites, but you can detect them from the rotting wood of blogs and online comments including sites like this newspaper’s. The upside is anyone is free to express an opinion. The downside is that the vast majority choose to do so anonymously, rendering their opinions roughly equivalent to termite scat. And now the termites are busy here. There’s an e-mail campaign that links to a website established to unseat Sheriff Rocky Watson (pictured) in 2012/ Mike Patrick , Coeur d’Alene Press Editorial Board. More here .

Question: Do you think online anonymous opinions are worthless?