One of the reasons why we felt it was important to remain anonymous is because of the very fear of what has been playing out in recent days to other bloggers using the terrorizing technique called "SWAT-ing".
Patterico
Erik Erickson
Aside from the fear of retaliation, one of the main reasons why we choose to be anonymous is because we want to present information along with their accompanying links to back them up in hopes that the reader will take the initiative to do more research on their own. We hope SHIELD will be one source that, when combined with other information, will allow our readers to make an educated and informed decision. We want our readers to focus on the facts, not the persons who are writing them. Otherwise, we end up with nothing more than ad hominem attacks and childish bantering which does nothing but cause a distraction from the facts of the issue at hand.
We attempt to cover a wide range of topics and understand that some of the issues may be of interest to some people and not to others. We look at the entries simply as a springboard that will direct people in the right direction as they continue their own research and come to their own conclusions.
All politicians and candidates running for political office are subject to scrutiny, regardless of party affiliation. We understand that the (negative) exposure might not make some people happy, but we go by the words of Thomas Paine when he said,
Every
man who acts beyond the lien of private life,
must expect to pass through two severe examinations.
must expect to pass through two severe examinations.
First,
as to his motives;
secondly,
as to his conduct.
On
the former of these
depends
his character for honesty;
on
the later for wisdom.
