For a truly open discussion on "Why we need to get rid of anonymous comments".

A better solution is for newspapers to simply step up enforcement of their existing comments guidelines, and to quickly and mercilessly delete the comments and ban the IP addresses of serial abusive commenters."

That would be so welcome on this forum.

I see voting as a system wherein each vote has equal value and hence there is no need to 'weigh' the experience or qualifications of the voter. When it comes to opinions then I think that the strength of the argument as well as the source of the opinion are relevant to evaluating that opinion - someone with a vested interest in X may make a strong argument supporting X but their argument needs to be considered in light of their vested interest - that is hard to do if X's vested interest is hidden behind an anonymous name. And with facts there is a need to document those facts; just because someone calls himself truth that does not mean that everything that person says in truthful.

Peter: is it really so bad to scan comments and ignore those you don't care for, as opposed a plan whose cost is to stifle diverse opinion?

When I drive down ECR and I see a Bush/Cheney bumpersticker, I'm mildly offended (although assume it's a joke at this point) but I don't try and get DMV to monitor bumpers.

Also note the vast increase in the open thread participation relative to your closed threads. Especially yours - you had a zillion posts in the open thread (since locked.)

And I thought it was great that you participated.

Thank you, MP Bob and Almanac Online for leaving open forums open.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are those of us that would like to comment on this forum and have strong opinions, but we also have to make a living in this community. We cannot afford to have our strong opinions effect our ability to make a living. Especially now. Monitoring of these forums with removal of out of bounds comments is sufficient. If everyone here had to post with their real names, my prediction is that this forum would soon only be populated by about five or six posters. I personally enjoy being able to express my opinions without concern about it impacting my "real" life. As one who posts here regularly, others who post here regularly probably have a pretty good handle on what my areas of expertise are and what "value" to place on my opinions. On the other hand, you know the old saying about opinions - everyone has one.

First, yes, thanks Bob for taking the initiative to put this up without the registration restriction. I for one, while I post anonymously for reasons quite similar to Menlo Voter) can see both sides of the issue. Peter has made some great points on this subject, as has Menlo Voter, and in the past Pogo. I think the most useful input I've gotten (and I'm sorry it on this forum but I don't remember the authors) are two things. First, if your going to post anonymously, do so with honesty and conviction to your belief on a subject, but direct you "attacks" toward the subject and the arguments that are counter to your position-not at those who present those arguments. Second, like with any forum or source of information, use the positions of others to expand your viewpoint on the subject, but at the end of the day, form your opinions on facts, not just well stated opinions by people you don't really know.

Well said Who