What's in a name?

I have been spending a lot of time recently debating what should be a pretty simple question:

What's in a name?

All of this was spurred by a push to have a person's Twitter handle used on a letter to the editor.

I have declined to do that.

Our policy is clear: We require a name and town of residence for a person to have their letter published in the Daily Times. We also get a phone number that we use for verification, which we do not publish.

I realize that in today's world of social media, this is considered quaint, a throwback. I still think it's important.

Every time I pen something that appears in print, my name - and very often my face - is behind it.

A Twitter handle - in particular when it is merely a pseudonym - does not suffice. It allows an author an anonymity that is troubling. It's the topic of my print column today.

Weigh in and join the discussion. You don't even have to use your name.