It's time we act civilized and stop executing people

[Hyperion]

[The Dharma Bum]

Oh I see, you've been the victim of false accusations in the past. Your position makes more sense to me now.

I can sympathize because it does happen.

[Spider]

Might be tough to avoid naming the victim without violating the Confrontation Clause? Sixth Amendment. In cases like rape the victim usually has to also bear witness. Unless I've misinterpreted it. The right to face one's accuser is pretty ancient stuff.

Not sure how there is to be a fair and open trial without even seeing the identity of the victim.

[Homer]

[Bauce]

[Dylan]

[The Dharma Bum]

[exploited]

There would be a great deal of utility of having a verified internet identity. I think it would be a nearly ideal way to introduce people to direct democracy - have them debate and vote on real legislation. Be able to introduce your own. Of course this also has massive abuse potential as you've pointed out.

[Spider]

[Bauce]

I doubt much of what the press does these days is about a "gentleman's agreement" beyond basic journalistic standards. I believe the authorities can and do ask that the press not publish the accuser's identity, though they can't forbid them to do it). I think to do so anyway just comes off looking sleazy, so the reason they typically don't is that it would be a bad reflection on them.

This is the irony about it though. When the accused is some shmoe who works at a gas station counter selling cigarettes and candy, even if you published the accusers name, it wouldn't hurt anyone. In that case, no one will harrass or intimidate the accuser, nor will there be widespread public speculation on ulterior motives. On the other hand, if the accused is a big time athlete, or celebrity, or a successful pillar-of-the-community type, the accuser will most definitely have all sorts of assumptions and speculation made about what really happened. The irony is that the identity of the accuser in the latter example is far more likely to be revealed.