Declan McCullagh wrote:

[Background: the cypherpunk/pw:cypherpunk account used for HotWired's Threads discussion section has been used for anonymous flaming and attacks. --Declan]

HotWired The Netizen 30 Sep 96

Cypherpunks don't want real confrontations or discussions, or they would reveal their identities and make it possible to respond, as

most

flamers do. They are among media's rarest and at the same time most easily recognized subspecies: nihilists.

Well, this really advances the cause for anonymous emailing. It's even more upsetting that, because one knucklehead used cypherpunks as his name and pw, his empty-headed rants become associated with the list and the concept. <Of course, to be fair, I have to leave open the possiblility that the writer has read the likes of John Anon.'s and Dr.Dimitri Vulis' unique and ever-so-assine postings.> The primary point, however, is that right of privacy regarding anonymous email is being submerged by idiots who use it to stroke their miniscule egos. Look at how many remailers have gone under because of abuse - or, better yet, look at Georgia's new law regarding the use of nyms. Tied in with the right to privacy is the right of free speech. The problem is that the general public, with few exceptions, understand this. Most, I believe, would support the right to privacy; however, if they encounter anonymous flaming - especially if it is politically incorrect/profane/abusive, then we would hear the call for an immediate end to the right to privacy and a demand for the hanging of anonymity at high noon.