I started this thread 24-hours ago feeling that there was a principle of personal privacy at stake here -- shared by my fellow-AC forum FTer -- as well as one of puzzlement as to why this was even done with no forwarning. I thank RP for his explanation and response. Once again it reflects the oft unintended consequences of good intentions. (Didn't we go through this when FT was revamped and we had a "rate this post" fiasco?) But like waiting for a delayed flight, we can all be understanding, if only the reasons are explained to us, and we are not kept in the dark.

Had Randy posted in advance of the opening of the polls, that this logo was going to be made available for those who vote, that they could go to such-and-such a place to "sign on", or even "sign off" (the negative option has been long banned from the marketplace, but seems to be the default on the web), and that it be limited to the most appropriate logo without denoting any national identity (FT is a world wide site), then it is likely that the original thread on the AC forum would not have been started -- though I cannot speak for my confrere -- nor would I have resorted to starting this one, and the clone over on the TalkBoard forum.

Finally, what I did find useful was the ensuing 8-pages of debate. This more than the weeks of run-up campaigning was more enlightening to me as to who I will vote for. In the end, perhaps stirring up this hornets nest will get more FTers to cast a vote. We'll have to wait until the end of the month to see.