There should be a way to capture people who view the story, and who they are (on the Internet). That technology should exist...There is. Every computer on the Internet has a number called an "IP Address". These numbers aren't exactly unique, but if you know the IP address you can trace it back to the ISP that provides the Internet access, and if you also know the date and time the ISP can trace it back to a particular subscriber. This assumes they weren't accessing the site from some free Internet access (like a coffee shop) or using some commonly available technologies that obscure the IP address of the person accessing the site.
That said, what good would it do you? I checked out The Stranger earlier today, as I'm sure many here have. Do you want the government knocking on the doors of everyone who looked at some random web site? Even if it were effective, that's not a power I would want the government to have without a warrant.
Someone immediately published his home address in the comments under the article.
It immediately disappeared.
brendan@thestranger.com
Brendan Kiley
Phone: (206) 323-7101
Should anyone wish to voice their concerns to these fools, they can be found here on election night:
Dan Savage