To many, it's the appeal of the Internet. To me, it's among its biggest drawbacks.

I'm talking about anonymity.

Much of the commentary on and in response to blogs, or in chatrooms or elsewhere on the Web is conducted by people who hide in the shadows. Comments and criticisms and pronouncements and invectives often are by people who don't have the courage to identify themselves.

As Saturday Night Live's Church Lady might have said, "Aren't they special?"

Show some guts. When you chastise a reporter, or editor, or publisher, or alderman, or mayor, or congressman, etc., tell us who you are. Otherwise, be prepared for your words to be relegated to the cyberworld's version of the circular file.