For years, online newspaper comment sections have been left in a wide-open anonymous fashion and for years that system of public participation has drawn out the varied “peanuts” from each corner of society who, like the lurkers they are, wish to mindlessly rip on other’s misfortune from an anonymous place behind the safety of an online handle. And, they often do so with poor grammar.

For years, editors have complained that those peanuts’ hateful comments have drowned out and otherwise hijacked the civil discourse that was often expected to take place in the comment section of the newspaper’s online presence. Years of legal discussion, boardroom and newsroom banter resulted in the lowest common denominator approach – leave those comments alone and up and remain unliable for them. Of course, that stance was to be within reason and on the right side of privacy and dignity regarding peanut attacks in the comments.

Collectively, the peanuts’ comments stop altogether or  hinder the community from networking in a modern realtime way on issues such as sexual assault.

Those delicate stories now hit the web with comment sections disabled. It’s a practice which will in all likelihood continue for some time.

The past solution, was unfair to our print readers who must take a much more proactive road to express their opinion when they send a letter to the editor, which they must sign.

Now we have a game changer. Starting Nov. 17, the comments section of this newspaper’s online presence will use Facebook as a platform for public input and comment at the bottom of online stories. Anonymity on Facebook is not impossible and some peanuts will surely get through, but we believe the online community will likely participate more often because most people will own their words, opinions and expressions as a result of using their own personal Facebook accounts and the social pressure applied there by their choice and collection of friends.

At best we expect increased debate without hate, at worst better individual accountability.