It's more trouble to try to stay anonymous than not, and then also one can't post what one knows and doesn't know with credibility. As I just visit briefly here briefly, if I were more circumspect, I wouldn't post at all.

As for scurrilous attacks, I figure what people say behind my back is probably worse than what they to my face, and I have no access to the former anyway.

That said, if people like Ara posted with their real name, it would probably temper their replies, and they would have more fruitful exchanges.