“Baghdad” Tony Messenger finally finds an ally in his lonely quest to discourage anonymity on the Internet. And guess where this ally of “Baghdad” writes his newspaper column? You guessed it, for the same publication that Messenger is the editorial page editor. Columnist Brian Lewis and “Baghdad” Tony make a monumental leap by equating writing political opinions anonymously, with a CEO getting caught red handed writing anonymous comments about his products . Lewis writes he is “disappointed and disgusted”by anonymous and pseudonymous postings on the Internet. He specifically refers to the recent John Mackey incident.

Is Lewis trying to tell us that throughout the glorious history of capitalism, an entrepreneur has never tried to gain competitive advantage by disparaging a competitor’s product while praising his own anonymously? The only difference we see is that now, ethically questionable tactics such as these, can be done electronically instead of by word of mouth. Lewis even goes so far as to mock the founding fathers, many who wrote under pseudonyms to protect their lives and families:

“Mr. Mackey, many people are idiots and cowards. Many people don’t have the guts or the fortitude to stand behind their words. Many people enjoy the power they think anonymity confers upon them.” Read more…

Lewis also says that he “won’t take serious” anyone who doesn’t attach their name to their words. In the 21st century Mr. Lews, bloggers don’t much care if the old media doesn’t take us seriously. Our work is what gives us credibility, not your stamp of approval, Sir.

The Missouri Political News Service asks how can these journalists- who should know better- ever believe they will have any support for their views in a country that prizes free speech?

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