anonymous in that you don't use the same nick all the time, I agree.  If you mean anonymous in that you don't use your real name, I don't agree.  In fact I strongly disagree.

I don't think people should use several different nicks to match their mood du jour, but I don't think people need to use their real name.  Besides, how do you know 'the real name' is real?  Anything can be a fake.

This site and many others require login to post, which means the owners know who we are, basically.

I am trying to raise awareness about a problem.  There are people who seem to want to hide their identity so that they can engage in uh, shall we say lying?

I just want people to think about it.

On the Internet?  Surely you jest. ;)

If people are prone to lie, they will lie about their real name.  Using one and only one nick should be the only requirement, IMO, to the extent the site owners can regulate that.  That's my view anyway.

I'm using my real name.  Someone on another string just attacked me anonymously.  Lowell uses his real name.  Other people are well known.  I don't care if you use a nickname.  I am trying to make a point about flagrant abusers.  Especially, the Fairfax Whisperers who attack people for not being Dems when their boy Gerry is busy getting his million(s) from the real estate developers destroying the environment in preparation for his big run for Congress.

I'll say it.  Gerry Connolly is a Republican.

I don't know what thread you're referring to, but I'll just say that blogs and forums are rather much "open source".  They are regulated by not only the site owner, but by the community as a whole.  If a person, using either a real name or a nick, is continually being a jackass, then they will be seen for what they are.

If you want to start your own blog/forum you can regulate it however you wish, but for me personally, I support the format of this forum, which is that you must sign up and login using your unique username.  Is it a perfect system?  Not for every situation, but if you find it troubling then you can choose not to use it.

I'd offer that if someone in a thread is attacking you unfairly, then say so. If the trend continues, the person will be dealt with appropriately, either by public humiliation, or by other means available to the site owner.
  ;)

I looked up the thread you're referring to, and yes, that's a cheap shot.  Anonymous or not, that person is a troll.  They'll soon be seen as such, so I wouldn't worry too much about what name they choose to post with.

Who your talking about specifically but I have always felt anyone who doesn't use their name and bashes other people continually is a bit of a coward.

In the end, those who cowards are defeated.

Some of uf can't use our real names on blogs, due to our jobs.  Its a reality.  I've been in many jobs before where I would be fired for blogging, so nicknames are the way to go for me.  I don't think I say anything more or less because its anonymous or not.

Using my own name makes me think very carefully about what I am posting.  Yes, I can be very pointed at times, but the very best debate requires people to respect the line between responsible and irresponsible commentary, and using my name ensures I do that.

I understand that not everyone can do that, and for them, having an established "blog identity" with one name is the next best thing.

Reputation counts for a lot no matter what forum you are in.