Penn. AG Corbett Subpoenas Twitter For Bloggers' Names

Posted by timothy on Thursday May 20, 2010 @11:30AM from the would-like-to-have-in-my-hand-a-list dept.

Dthief writes with this from Pennsylvania's ABC27 News: "The state attorney general's office has issued a subpoena threatening officials of the social networking service Twitter with arrest unless they reveal the names of two bloggers who have been critical of Attorney General Tom Corbett and his public corruption investigation. Vic Walczak of the American Civil Liberties Union told Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV that the court action 'raises grave concerns about abuse of the grand jury process to retaliate against political critics and opponents.' He said Americans 'have a right to criticize government officials and to do so anonymously.'"

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Since when do we have a right to anonymity? by Raconteur · 2010-05-21 04:42 · Score: 0, Troll

Even if we (legally) do (I doubt it), it is a reprehensible practice. I use an avatar here, but I don't hide my identity, nor should anyone. Hiding behind an electronic curtain while firing live rounds is ridiculous. If you can't say it on a street corner or on television, don't say it. This practice is the genesis of political unrest. We need privacy in some aspects of our lives, political dissent and discourse is NOT one of them. If you can't believe in your views enough to stand by them in public, keep your trap shut.