Anonymouses

Something I discovered by writing this blog is -- it's hard to say anything of consequence without risking offending someone.

There are plenty of inoffensive blogs out there, nicey nicey blogs, flower blogs, blogs about dogs and cats and gardening and kids and food and babies and sewing and the weather.

I pass them by, mostly. I read a lot of local blogs for the news and mood. But only locally.

I like the rants, the riled up folk.

Well, except the political and religiously riled up folk. They get on my nerves.

But, you know, a good soul cleansing beef about traffic or getting a ticket for your unleashed dog? Hey, it's better to put your angst on the web than take it out on the street.

I started this blog with my own name without even thinking. I wasn't even aware that most bloggers were anonymous. But in hindsight, I couldn't have written this blog about a bookstore owner in Bend without outing myself.

There have been times when I haven't quite been able to say what I think. Or at least say it in the tone that first emerged from my fingers.

But overall, that's a good thing. It's made me think, reflect, and finding a less vile way of saying it. I have a tendency to get all verbally riled up, and spout, especially at the store. I'm sure I've had customers who thought I was off my rocker.

So it's not a bad thing for me to take the time to think about what I'm saying. I'm usually able to get the point across.

I've tried not to take this too seriously. My words are not golden. They aren't going to change the world.

I try to treat other blogs with the same distance. If I don't like something, I don't have to read it. But I'm not going to try and tell other people what they can read and not read.

At the same time that local blogs can be completely over the top, they've also been willing to tackle subjects that the local mainstream media either won't or can't deal with. There is a certain amount of truth in even the wildest, most offensive rants that simply isn't being talked about elsewhere.

And I don't think that aspect could exist without anonymity. Political correctness is an extremely strong force in our culture. Even 'negativity' is incorrect; which is pretty crazy if you ever want to solve any problems.

I've sidestepped the whole moral dilemma of being anonymous. It's as I've always said about lying -- if you tell the truth, you don't have to constantly try to remember what you said the last time. Besides, it just feels good and strong to be forthright and honest.

But sometimes I wish I could yet let it rip with a nice anonymous post.