We don’t know that the person posting as “TimMueller” is really a Tim Mueller. The person’s comments are no more or less valid whether it’s Tim Mueller or Gary Crum posting under the avatar “TimMueller.” I write these things, and some people will agree; they won’t stop short and go, “he’s using a fake name, so he must be incorrect.” They will still agree. And people that disagree with me now will still disagree if I used my real name, and you would undoubtedly continue to harass me, much like you harass user “40-20” and use his supposed real name in clear violation of internet message board ethics.

A public figure such as Jay Bozievich, certainly there is reason to use a real name with discussing county issues. Or if I’m going to make a claim about the reliability of Tesla automobiles, I would want to use my real name of Elon Musk (if it was my real name). Otherwise you are just trying to minimize the people with whom you disagree, because you can’t beat them with facts.