Slog - Comments on I, Anonymous: It's Elementary http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary For years, citizens have funneled their angst, rage, and other ugly feelings through I, Anonymous, the Stranger column devoted entirely to unsigned rants. Recently I received a slew of I, Anonymiis from an unlikely source: an alternative elementary/middle school in Ballard, where it appears an entire class was assigned to write their own I, Anons, all of which arrived in a single envelope. I'll be sharing these with readers via the Slog over the next week or so, starting now. Dear Sister, You are so annoying sometimes. You are a wimp. If I accidentally hurt you, you start screaming at... Copyright 2008 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:06:54 -0800 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 18:48:07 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Mr. Poe Why aren't they allowed to swear? You're having your elementary/middle school students write for a column in The Stranger, and you're putting limits on them?

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753142 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753142 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:06:55 -0800 Comment by Callie Who said anything about them not being able to swear? Also, David clearly states that these kids were assigned an assignment, by an instructor, which was subsequently sent in to the paper for possible publication. David is not "having students" write a Stranger column.

]]> Callie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753145 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753145 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:14:55 -0800 Comment by Phelix Oh, I sympathize with that kid. Sisters are the pits. Stealing clothes, eating gum, complaining when you hit them. *sigh*

]]> Phelix http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753148 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753148 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:18:20 -0800 Comment by Lindy This is the best.

]]> Lindy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753151 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753151 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:19:42 -0800 Comment by Jaime-Leigh I find this incredibly sweet. I don't know why, maybe because I have seven sisters--I know how she feels and yet I don't think I would ever have been so nice about it, especially if I knew it was anonymous. I don't know. Just how I feel. It made me smile!

]]> Jaime-Leigh http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753153 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753153 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:20:42 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe @2

No - fucking - shit. My 'you're' was referring to the teacher.

Do you see any swearing? It reads like it's from an elementary student. Like, we're talking fourth grade. My comment was based on my surprise that a teacher would bring any light of The Stranger into the classroom. With all of the swearing, sex columns, sex ads, etc.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753162 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753162 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:24:32 -0800 Comment by Ann That letter is creepily reminiscent of the relationship I had with my older sister when we were growing up. We're insanely close now, and it's effing hilarious to read this with an adult perspective. Of course, in our sibling in-fighting my older sister was the one hitting me all the time, but I was definitely the thief.

]]> Ann http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753168 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753168 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:26:34 -0800 Comment by Gloria This is so cute.

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753170 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753170 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:26:42 -0800 Comment by Gloria That is so cute.

Do we know if the teacher literally brought the Stranger into the classroom? He/she could have simply summed up the premise for the students.

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753174 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753174 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:28:45 -0800 Comment by Gloria Um, sorry about the double post.

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753182 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753182 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:32:59 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe I wouldn't care if the teacher did. I'm just surprised.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753183 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753183 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:33:25 -0800 Comment by seattle98104 I don't understand Mr. Poe's assumptions nor his point.

That is all.

]]> seattle98104 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753188 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753188 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:36:52 -0800 Comment by josh what's with all of the pseudo-deanonymizing of "I, anonymous" of late?

]]> josh http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753197 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753197 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:44:35 -0800 Comment by Justy @2 and @ 12

Don't you understand? We can all read Mr. Poe's mind. Can't you?

]]> Justy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753198 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753198 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:46:00 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe Psh, seriously.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753200 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753200 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:47:28 -0800 Comment by Kate I love it!

Keep em coming!

]]> Kate http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753202 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753202 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:48:14 -0800 Comment by Christin It strikes me as a bit of an odd assignment, to be honest.

I, Anonymous is inherently a passive-aggressive form of communication, but at least the people who are compelled to write I, Anonymous letters know that they're being passive-aggressive. And having kids keep candid diaries or "letters to my future self" is fine--there's no expectation, explicit or otherwise, that the person about whom you're writing will receive the message, or that anybody other than the writer might act on it.

But to assign children to write anonymous letters to others? Kids are inherently passive-aggressive as it is; they don't need any help in sharing candid, possibly-cruel thoughts with others.

]]> Christin http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753203 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753203 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:50:57 -0800 Comment by hunh? I love the letter. Little sisters are the pits. I felt this way growing up with one and still kinda do.

]]> hunh? http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753218 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753218 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:05:37 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle I remember when Mr. Poe was my little sister and she kept stealing my gum.

Man, I was so steamed!

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753241 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753241 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:27:37 -0800 Comment by David Schmader Glad you guys are into this, keep checking back. (Trust me, diatribes against little sisters are the tip of the iceburg....)

]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753254 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753254 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:32:35 -0800 Comment by Callie @6 Okay, but the fact that you knew that David Schmader didn't put them up to writing these letters still doesn't clarify what the hell are you're talking about in your first post. It makes no sense. And, seriously, It amazes me what an A-hole you always are. I think it's funny when it's snarkily directed at celebrities and such, but there's no reason to be so bitchy to other sloggers. Namely me.

]]> Callie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753292 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753292 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:03:23 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe I'll admit, I fucked up on my word usage. However, and needless to say (if you read all of my comments), I am an asshole to almost everyone. I have no issue(s) with you.

Just ignore me like my daddy did. Woe is me.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753309 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753309 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:33:44 -0800 Comment by Just Me @17- HELLO!!! Seattle is passive-agressive! The fact the Stranger has the column in the first place in really appropriate. So, the teacher is just getting the kids ready for living in Seattle as a wishy washy, stick up the ass liberal, passive-aggressive, environmentalist preaching, SUV driving, start a study committee before deciding anything freak.... In other words future mayors of Seattle.

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753317 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753317 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:46:02 -0800 Comment by Callie @22 Will do. My widdle feewings were hurt, but all better now.

@23 Good point

]]> Callie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753321 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753321 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:49:30 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @23 - look, if it bugs you so much, go back to writing your Uptight Seattleite column.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753343 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753343 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:58:04 -0800 Comment by Just Me @25 Will: I would but I am so unsure if I should write the column or not write the column. You see, I was going to start a study group amongst my friends but could not really make up my mind if I could do that.

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753354 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753354 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:06:06 -0800 Comment by Darcy I guess it would be wrong to forward the letters of small children to passiveaggressivenotes.com, wouldn't it.

]]> Darcy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753667 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/i_anonymous_its_elementary#c753667 Life Wed, 27 Jun 2007 18:48:07 -0800