I recently engaged in a not-so-wonderful "dialogue" with a person on this site, who after insulting other bloggers because they weren't for his candidate, said that "my opinions are backed up by this site's legal counsel".
The question I have is: should a lawyer who is the "legal counsel" to dKos be able to post his "opinions" without disclosing his relationship with the site?
As the presidential primaries arrive, many bloggers of course have been discussing their own candidate, and having a healthy (mostly) disagreement about issues, tactics, strategies, and overall electability. We've had discussions of dirty tricks, false and negative adverstising, and mostly a good discussion of each candidate's positions.
This of course has been great, and I have participated like everyone else (my disclosure: Edwards supporter).
However, I was distressed to learn that one of the commentors is actually the "legal counsel to the site". And in a troll rated comment where an individual calls everyone "BS", this individual actually said that the "legal counsel to the site supports my comments."
Whoa, Nellie. I don't think this is fair, ethical, and upon learning who the legal counsel is, objective at all.
I've worked with plenty of attorneys in my life, many who have been serving as "legal counsel" to the client. It is unethical for them to "weigh in" on an issue with a personal opinion, and to discuss their opinions in public without disclosing their relationships.
What do you think?