StG if you become a police man, you will soon understand.
Your posts here,if known to be yours, will be sifted to find something to use against you.
Some harmlessly by work mates who just want to rag you, some by press looking for the first brick to build a story on.
Some true filth may want to hurt you or your family, and any help in locating you will be looked for.
Like you Fear is not my reason, common self interest is.
I have never even thought who is this poster?
We get our personal opinions of posters, even an idea of what they are like, without knowing them.
We do not need names, increasingly things like face book will show the wisdom in being just as we are in OLO
regards

I hear what you're saying, Romany and Belly, and appreciate your reasons for desiring anonymity.

Personally, I'm glad I can use my given name. I see no reason to add my surname here, but I do if writing letters to the editor or to politicians, etc. My views frequently conflict with those of others, but I’m pleased I haven’t had to resort to anonymity to express them.

I work on a casual basis and as far as I know have always managed to fly beneath the radar so to speak. My employer though is one of those which insists its employees refrain from publicly expressing political opinion. To me, expressing such opinion, provided it doesn't vilify others, is the fundamental right and duty of every citizen and as such I will continue to disobey this directive. If ever I was brought to account on it, which I'm sure I won’t be as I’m too much of a small fry for anyone to bother, I would though fight the case vociferously, not that that would get me anywhere of course.

I know I'll be accused of reading too much into it, but I actually think this whole pseudonym trend just feeds into the increasing culture within democratic societies to restrict freedom of expression. I've always considered myself reasonably well-informed, but reading 'The Land of Plenty' by Mark Davis, and his chapter on the Howard Legacy in particular, has really opened my eyes as to the insidious reach the Howard Government achieved in controlling and manipulating our ability to dispense and gather opinion, much of which is still in place today.

If we the people start hiding behind pseudonyms, as seems to be the trend, how can we then turn around and demand our government be open and accountable? To me, secretive governments and a cowered populace are flip sides of the same coin.

There may be compelling reasons for choosing anonymity, but if there aren't, I see its use as both cowardly and dishonest. If a view is worth having, it should be worth putting your name to.