I think JC brought up some excellent reasons for posting anonymously. I also think that it makes sense for vets to use that feature to keep their addresses private, that it makes sense for those in FFZs who have ferrets, etc. I don't think that the anonymous feature should be used by someone to insult another or make accusations against another. Still, if Bill has seen having such things getting out into the open actually stop rumors in their tracks then that's certainly useful. Here's a suggestion: if there is ever a situation like happened with the person who said nasty accusations about Bob's simple typo of hitting "8" instead of "9", and the poster wants to be anonymous while the target is named, and the letter is a borderline one then perhaps the TARGET of the post should get a copy of the letter BEFORE it appears in print, and the letter should be held while the NAMED VICTIM decides if the letter should appear or not. After all, since the poster is anonymous that can't hurt the poster. Then if the letter appears it would appear with a REPLY from the victim and that would be that -- NO ONE could comment afterward, end of story. Right on the bottom of the letter Bill would note that discussion was now closed. WOULD THAT WORK? It could still stop rumors but it would prevent things from escalating, wouldn't it? Am I right or wrong? I am SO very, very tired of the nasty rumors I have gotten, and of the garbage which has come up here recently -- and ***NO*** I am NOT going to say who sent the private ones; that's between that individual and me PERIOD, nor do I want letters asking so don't bother to send any. You know what is said about "assume": "ass" "you" "me", so don't assume who it is, either. I am NOT mentioning anyone by name here and didn't in my mention of the trash I've gotten, or of the nasty things said in relation to others, so with over 3,000 people here I'm sure not narrowing down the field for anyone and don't have any intention of doing so. Don't go putting words in my mouth which I never uttered and thinking that is the same as if I'd mentioned them. Over 3,000 people is hardly a narrow field. Anyway, do you think a process like the one above would work? Let's turn something unpleasant into something constructive to prevent such problems in the future, and let's got on to some real life things, even some happy things. Those are what belong on here and help all of us. Hey, even Ashling who is really a "Daddy's girl" gave me kisses on Mother's Day. Hmmmm, did she get orders from the Mother Ship? Anyone here who spys on that secret ferret organization (not using the initials to help avoid the ferrets spotting this letter... :-) ) have an answer? [Moderator's note: Actually, I frequently tell the posters of somewhat inflamatory material that I'll only allow it after I forward it to the other party and the party has had a day or two to respond if he or she wishes to. Upon hearing that the poster usually tells me to just forget it, but other times that's the way it goes. I'd do it more frequently if it didn't take so long each time! BIG] [Posted in FML issue 3053]