The problem isn't anonymity, either.

As Amos said, the problem is bad behavior by jerks, and Mudcat moderators have, at times, been every bit as guilty of that as "Martin Gibson" (and I don't profess to know what Mudcat member's alter ego that was).

The Mudcat moderators, in their attempts to be consistent, have at times exacerbated problems in the forum when targeting individuals they all personally dislike, by provoking and antagonizing them, publicly shaming and humiliating them, etc.

The classic example of this was the way Shambles and Jon were treated. Carol is another person the moderators targeted and bullied.

I agree with Donuel. The pendulum will likely swing away from Joe Offer's Homeland Security Big Stick approach eventually. Maybe.