Dennis Kneale was out for the bloggers again this evening and I must admit I’m beginning to move to his 
side. This is becoming a case of the blogosphere making a collective ass of itself. If you’re not familiar with the story here are the Cliff Notes.
Kneale is a CNBC talking head and has his own show at the end of the day. He’s mediocre, somewhat conservative and not nearly as obnoxious as either Kudlow or Kramer but he’s no Mark Haynes. Last week he started beating the drums for “green shoots” and some bloggers took him on. So far so good.
Kneale responded with his side of the story and then started more or less trashing bloggers, particularly those that use aliases. It was entertainment and more or less done as such. Unfortunately, some bloggers can’t differentiate.
Tonight Kneale went after the bloggers again as it started getting rough in some of the comments on the blogs. You know the usual speed limit IQ guys talking about sexual preferences and going downhill from there. Harmless enough but one of the bloggers stepped over the line and published Kneale’s home address. Of course, the cretin didn’t have the guts to use his own name. Kneale was understandably pissed and I have to say I don’t blame him.
A lot of this is what the blogosphere is all about but there need to be limits. Authors need to exercise some judgement moderating comments on their site and especially need to avoid doing anything that might put another’s life in peril — like publishing an address.
While I’m at it let me echo Kneale’s comments with regards to anonymous bloggers. Frankly, if you haven’t got the cajones to put your name on your work, I can’t take you seriously. I don’t buy the argument that some bloggers have to remain anonymous because they might endanger their job. Anyone that’s taking a paycheck from someone and then turning around and expressing views that were they known would result in their dismissal is a weak sister. Take the man’s money and shut up or speak up and take the consequences.
Personally, I think most of the anonymous authors in the blogosphere are a bunch of highly literate high schoolers who are having a very big laugh at our expense. I constantly marvel at how much content these supposedly incredibly important hedge fund traders and investment bankers turn out. They all seem to be such angry people, yet they have to be making a fortune based on their profiles.
So, Mr. Kneale, thanks for the material for a post and good luck. You’re not the best on the network but given the competition I think you have a good chance of winning this argument.
Posted in 
Tags: 
Who cares if someone wants to remain anonymous? So, you get paid to blog right? Most do not, but have something to say and their way is through blogging. I blog anonymously and I have a strong career, but do not want to jeopardize it and trust me, I have very big balls. Call it a weak sister or whatever you want, but the bottom line is my message has nothing to do with if you know my real name or not. Personally, I would rather have an anonymous blogger who has a job than read someone who doesn't. That's just my opinion. Oh, and in the Kneale segment you are referring to, the first round, the guy did give his real name, phone number and picture to him, but it made for better TV to not disclose that. So much for knowing the facts though.
Just for the record, I do not get paid to blog. I wish I did because that would be a sweet life.
My position on bloggers who won't disclose their name stays the same. I don't exactly know what your situation is but if your employer has a ban on blogging then I think you ought to honor that so long as you take his paycheck or stand up, walk out and blog away.
There is no ban, I just comment on things that fall outside of what we do. It is a liability thing. I also had my site up way before I had this job, built a base and wanted to keep my base happy. I do not agree with the person who gave og DK's address, however you missed the point. The person who responded was real, the picture was real, the phone number was real. The only thing that was not real was how it was introduced, period. I like what I do, but I also like expressing my views and anonymity allows me to express my views without any repercussions. For example, if I mention something political that goes against my bosses views he could use that to make my life difficult or terminate me. A simple, but real example. So if I am right 9 out of 10 times I still have no creditability if I do not give my name? Yup, that makes sense. You, like I, are entitled to your own views no matter how misguided. I digress as the name and info was given and was real.
Very decent attempt to be fair to someone who does not deserve any fairness. It was very sad to see that that person just took the only article in the blogosphere where “part of the bloggers’ campaign” was criticized and used it out of context as an argument for his case – without even understanding that you are not taking his side (what thinking person would) but just call for not stepping over the line. bloggers are just yet another part of population and..not everyone is civilized or smart
BTW – very nice blog you have here, enjoyed reading some posts today.
Thank you
Thanks.
[...] don’t intend to weigh back in on the Dennis Kneale contretemps with the blogging community. I had my say on that a week or so ago. I do want to ask a question of Kneale or for that matter anyone else who [...]
[...] don’t intend to weigh back in on the Dennis Kneale contretemps with the blogging community. I had my say on that a week or so ago. I do want to ask a question of Kneale or for that matter anyone else [...]