It's kinda funny watching at least a few people jump to defend it for others.

I really haven't seen any post which I would say is jumping to the defense of anonymity for others.

There were a few posts by individuals who indictaed they were involved with "Art" and that he provided them with a real name and address, and that they were pleased by their transactions.

Barry H. (who's name is known to most of us) posted why he only uses an initial. His post was hardly a defense of anonymity, in fact it demonstrated the relatively trivial nature of the "danger" from posting under your real name (I understand you have different concerns which relate to your profession and don't much matter for most of us).

Or maybe I missed some posts.