I’ve had a few nicknames over the years, most notably Gue, which a few old friends still call me. However, I’ve never represented myself as anyone other than Mark Justice Hinton. That’s probably more driven by pride than ethics.

What’s got me writing is a new anonymous blogger. We’ve all read something written anonymously from time to time. Much loved locally are Pika Brittlebush and Coco, neither of whom I’ve doubted or disliked for hiding something from us all. I used to think Pika was a high school boy having a larf. For all I know, Coco is really John Fleck. Why should I care who they are physically? I know something about their minds.

Perhaps it took one more example to make me fear a trend, but I’m uneasy about Marston Moore who just burst on the scene at Duke City Fix. I’ll admit that I’m jealous of his/her inaugural piece and, especially, the way people are falling all over him/her with praise. Hey, isn’t there enough love to go around? What about those of us who have been writing for you for years? So, maybe I’m not seeing clearly through this green haze, but why write anonymously? What is Marston hiding or who is s/he hiding from? Does mystery enhance his/her/its message?

I’m conflicted over this because I think one of the great things about our virtual relationships is we don’t know much about each other that isn’t revealed as we go. In other words, when we walk into a room full of people, we start categorizing them quickly and easily. It’s harder here in cyberspace. Perhaps we all should be anonymous. Of course, for all you know, I am an old woman, named after my mother, who made up “mjh” one day.

These days a lot of people want you to believe you can’t trust anyone or anything. They say that every word is biased and spun. Of course, some of those same people give the party in power the faith they used to reserve for god — not that there’s any difference anymore. And those with power and money hire people to spin for them and create buzz. It’s not lying — it’s getting your message out there. It’s not tax-funded propaganda, it’s what’s good for the nation. It’s not stifling dissent or pranging the minority, it’s the Constitutional option.

I rather doubt that Marston Moore is Karl “der Grosse” Rove or John Blather Dimdahl. Maybe s/he’s the next Mark Twain or P.D. James. Pseudonyms may be no more a threat to democracy than pseudo-tits. But, if MM decides to come out and take off the mask, I’ll be interested in the truth. Gue