Thanks, everyone, your e-mails give me encouragement. It's always great to receive a reply from other “poor” spellers, and I appreciate your interest in my thoughts about the question, “ why do we use aliases…. Well, here we go….

The nature of the subject matter on the TBD and TER boards might predispose people to inadvertently liable; consequently, they (aliases) are used to keep the user's name a step further away from the public eye. It's just another layer of the administrative "onion", if you will.

Also, I agree, that the TER staff could probably find out any users true identity, as could just about any LE agency, particularly in lieu of the Patriot Act. I believe, this knowledge--along with the implications it has on the first amendment-makes the users and staff particularly susceptible to legal action, per the recent, late, great, TBD legal debacle. The next time, the investigators and attorneys just might get it right! And, who knows who will be subpoenaed to testify?

Also, in the case of “Lady Sylvia” (formerly of Tucson and southern California) her fluency in spoken and written Arabic, her ties to several particular Arabs in Tucson, southern Cal. and elsewhere, her precarious social status as an escort, the timing of her travels to the United Arab Emirates, England and Switzerland, and the fact that several Muslim extremist trained in Arizona, lends credence to the notion that these boards are monitored by those other than the staff. What a bummer! But, then again, why should any of us have anything to worry about if we’re upfront, honest and sincere? Don’t be paranoid.  Just be cautious.

As always, I enjoyed your e-mail. It made me think. Please write or post, again. Thanks. [email protected]