By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

The pen IS mightier than the sword. There is much good that can be accomplished by a thoughtfully composed letter. It can be the beginning of positive social change, the wake-up call somebody needed, the whistle calling a foul.

But there is an important caveat: You have to sign your name. If not, the honor of the action is lost.

There's a reason why the written word is compared to a sword, the weapon of gallantry, the weapon of skill and precision, the choice of a brave warrior. When you fight with a sword, you must look your opponent in the eye. You must let yourself be revealed, vulnerabilities and all. You must be willing to subject yourself to counter-attack by your foe. It is a noble way of doing battle.

Writing that is anonymous is more like a sniper hiding in the bushes, more like a bomb hidden under a parked car, more like terrorism. It is cowardly, no matter the original intent, no matter the validity of the letter's content.

People who send unsigned complaint letters, hate mail, critiques or exposes often include a line that says, "I don't want to sign my name for fear of retribution." They're willing to lob a grenade into someone else's life, be it righteous or malicious or vengeful, but they want to drive off into the night unseen and unaffected.

If you aren't willing to stand by your accusations, come what may, then don't make them.

The person who anonymously faxed letters to local media outlets about a Honolulu Fire Department battalion chief's admitted indiscretions got what he or she was looking for: public embarrassment for the battalion chief as well as disciplinary action by the department. The letter stated it had been sent by the wife of one of the firefighters assigned to that station, which only serves to implicate the wives of EVERY firefighter there. If this matter was such a big deal, why wasn't a formal complaint filed? Why didn't a firefighter assigned to the station write a letter? Were there ulterior motives behind the letter? We'll never know.

It's unfortunate that in this case the anonymous sniper got what he or she wanted because it only encourages others to do the same. It is unfortunate that this relatively venial infraction got so much media attention.

In court, a defendant has the right to face his accuser. In the court of public opinion, that should also be the case. Otherwise, we're right back in high school with the "he said," "she said," "I heard," "somebody told me" game.

I have great respect for the people who write letters to the editor of newspapers and who stand by their opinions with their names and reputations. Yes, I'm sure they get nicks and gashes from those who disagree with them. But at least there is honor in the fight.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.