Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Ban anonymous comments to this blog?

A fan of the blog writes into suggest that I ban anonymous comments. I see you often draw out comments for use in posts, which caused me to actually start reading the comments. I found some of them to be interesting, but others have the regrettable internet quality of obnoxiousness (equating security personnel to Einsatzgruppen, ...

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
579100_091016_ricksb2.jpg
579100_091016_ricksb2.jpg

A fan of the blog writes into suggest that I ban anonymous comments.

I see you often draw out comments for use in posts, which caused me to actually start reading the comments. I found some of them to be interesting, but others have the regrettable internet quality of obnoxiousness (equating security personnel to Einsatzgruppen, etc…). This kind of nonsense I associated with “anonymous” commenters calling themselves “The Admiral,” etc… A question — do you require commenters on your blog to provide their real names to you before they start posting? Would it not keep up the quality to require people to identify themselves, to weed out the garbage that’s so prevalent in most internet discussions? The anonymity of the internet can bring out the worst in some people.”

I like this idea, and am tempted to implement it. I have two concerns. First, it might deter some knowledgeable people from sharing, especially active-duty military. Second, how do I know if someone is using a real name? Even if I required an e-mail address that can be faked in about 30 seconds. I’d have to require contact information — and even that can be faked.

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak

Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.

Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.
Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage

The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.

A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.
A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.

The West’s False Choice in Ukraine

The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.

Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi
Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi

The Masterminds

Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.