" I think that any public figure that trys to stiffle the voices of democracy should be dragged into the town square and given the saddam hussein treatment. Does this "Democratic" party leader forget that this great country was founded by a group of MEN SNEAKING AROUND BEHIND THE KING'S BACK? "

" katie,katie katie.... do you remember that old saying...if you dont like it dont read it??? "

" You know, come to think of it, maybe all the Citizen needs to do is put a disclaimer above this feature that says something like: "The comments contained below are anonymous opinions. They are not vetted for truth or accuracy, and as such, each represents only the highly personal, and possibly prejudicial, opinion of one unnamed individual." "

" I like the Ithaca Journal model, where the newspaper knows who you are, if they need to, but the public doesn't have to, if you don't want them to. It means there is a place for things to come forward that people know, but are afraid -- sometimes for fear of very real repercussions -- to say publically -- not because they aren't true, but because they ARE true. Readers know that what is written here is no more than hearsay, and to take it all with a grain of salt, but I still think it is a valuable as an anonymous forum. If libelous, threatening, obscene, etc. comments were allowed, that would be different. But plenty of things are sent which are not posted -- that part is on the paper's head. As another reader notes -- this is a rough barometer, gives an idea what people are talking about around town, etc. Maybe someday The Citizen will have the funds to do something with more technical features, but for now, this is a grand space. "

" Were it not tho "Two Cents" feature, it would be the bathroom walls, graffiti on buildings and public places, or the like. I believe that this feature allows a reasonable social barometer as long as it does not degenerate into an insidious tool for destroying an individual in the manner which some kids use MySpace-type sites to demonize other students--something I think as adults, can be managed. I agree with Chuck Mason that there have been some great ideas--and humorous as well--in it. What is truly unfortunate and sad is that there ARE individuals in Two Cents--as well as in this "comment blog" who lack the courage of their convictions and who will not sign their name to their opinions. I agree with you Katy, that this feature does occasionaly descend into pettiness, but the beauty of it is that anybody who feels they've been maligned can respond, either anonymously or in an editorial. All in all, I think it's a brilliant feature that allows people to blow off steam. Besides, eve if people had to sign in or print a name, what would stop people from using a psuedonym or pen name? There are even people in this blog who claim to be real people and yet are usimg fake names! "

" I would not give you two cents for Katies opinion! "

" I agree with everything that Katie said, but unfortunately the reality is there's no way this feature is going away. There's just too much allure for the newspapers (and a great many across the nation are using similar forums - you think the Citizen dreamed it up on their own?) in getting all the additional traffic on their websites, not to mention the small bump in paper sales. "

" Two Cents has rejuvenated this little podunk paper. People actually read the online newspaper, eagerly looking to see what other people in the community say, and to add their own two cents. -----Two Cents posts are checked by a human before they are posted to make sure they abide by the rules set, which include not posting anything obscene, libelous, threatening, etc. -----But Two Cents is a great example of grassroots democracy and freedom of speech. People have a wide range of interests, from petty whining to intense opinions on large issues facing the country and the world -- and it's our right to have and express these opinions, and we are very pleased with The Citizen for providing the forum to do so. -----The Ithaca Journal has similar forums, which require registration prior to allowing comment, but the posts remain anonymous -- when you register, you can provide as much or as little info about yourself as you like to the public. But you have to realize, something like that takes a lot more infrastructure technologically (and people-wise as well), and I doubt The Citizen has the funds or personnel to manage sign-ins and authorizations and password file management and all that -- they can't even swing software which allows paragraphs! -----People love their anonymous gossipy bulletin board just as they love to gossip over a beer down at the Utopia Club or any other bar, or at the post office, or the dump or anywhere people gather -- it's human nature. You can't stop people from talking. As life expands to include an online dimension, human activity moves into the new space. -----Get over it: The Citizen wouldn't want to do away with their most popular move in since color print, a forum which encourages reading, writing, correction of grammar and engagement in the wide range of issues of the day. "

" Yeah....what ChuckMason said! "

" Stop your whining Katie. I love the two cents. No one should take it seriously. It is a nice outlet for the baD taste our local leadership(YOU INCLUDED) leave in our mouth. Besides, I have seen quite a few great ideas there. "