Oswald in the doorway: the blog of the Oswald Innocence Campaign, by Ralph Cinque

Open Letter to John McAdams: Ban using aliases on your forum 

John, there is no excuse for anyone to use an alias on your forum. We are discussing an event in history, one that occurred 50 years ago. No one on your board stands any risk of being prosecuted for that crime. If one can discuss the War of 1812 without using an alias, why does one need one to discuss the JFK assassination?

There are sound reasons to prohibit the use of aliases. First, it invites someone to falsely and unfairly misrepresent support by submitting posts under multiple aliases. Second, it invites those using aliases to make personal attacks against others- who use their real name- as has happened repeatedly to me by persons on your forum. And that may be a major reason why they use aliases, but nevertheless, there should be an even playing field. Third, using an alias abolishes the need for decency and decorum because, after all, it's the alias talking. Requiring real names would raise the level of discourse there- a lot. Fourth, the value of honesty is always at stake, and when a person can't even put his name to his writing, then his words are already steeped in evasiveness and manipulation, and there is no excuse for it. 

John, if you require people to use their real names, it won't be the first time. On Education Forum, you had to use your real name. On JFK Lancer Forum, you had to use your real name. And I believe even on JFK Assassination Forum, you have to use your real name. 

You're a professor, John. How would you like it if one of your students used an alias? Submitted work as his own but used an alias? 

We are debating a historical event here, John. That's all. There is no reason why anybody has to use an alias. I doubt that when people discuss the Reformation that anyone uses an alias. 

You are using your real name. I'm using mine. Robert Harris and Anthony Marsh are using theirs. I presume Jason Burke is his real name, and I know Mark O'Blazney is. And I'm sure there are others who are using their real names there.  But, you need to level the playing field by making everybody who comes there do the same. And whether they are CT or LN, it makes no difference; if they are unwilling to use their real name, you just tell them to get the hell out of there. That's what I'd tell them.