Brand X Allows Letter Pseudonym

I’m trying to figure out a letter to the editor from the Coeur d’Alene Press that Soaf brought to my attention — one involving a Timberlake Fire District recall in which Editor Mike Patrick allowed a pseudonym to be used. Here’s the nut graph: “The Press was contacted and Mike Patrick informed me that the letter had been signed ‘Mis-Informed Timberlake Supporter.’ Mike Patrick allowed the fictitious name, which was included with the e-mailed letter, to be used. This is stretching ‘freedom of the press.’ Mr. Patrick said the signer wanted to remain anonymous because ‘she was concerned about her safety.’” Full letter here .

Question: We use pseudonyms all the time in the blogosphere. I doubt the free-wheeling comments section here could exist without it. Do you think newspapers should allow writers of letters to the editor to use pseudonyms, too?