Kristen Anderberg writes: "I have noticed a few trends with troll behavior. Most trolls, judging from their own wording and phrasing, are male. Most, if not all, use “anonymous� or pseudonyms as their identifiers. The act of cowardice involved therein, in attacking someone’s character, behind an anonymous mask, is appalling and repulsive. The high level of aggression displayed by these trolls would be markedly decreased if someone pulled back the curtain of anonymity and exposed them, like the Wizard of Oz."

BECKY: If this is an accurate description of a chatboard "troll" the only people who fit that description are the anonymous posters who have repeatedly heaped unfounded pejoratives on me.

But as a homeless advocate, I cringe at the thought of calling anyone a "troll" as the first step towards justifying agression is to dehumanize the enemy. Homeless people have been called "trolls" as a prelude to violent attacks.

I believe I have been the victim of these people, rather than one who engages in these types of tactics which are degrading the discussions here at indymedia.