[TomGuy]

While anonymity on the Internet is essential for a free exchange of ideas, Judge Slights said there is a difference between exchanging ideas and "using it as a cover to defame others."

First, defamation would have to be proved. If the allegations are true, there is no defamation; thus that legal argument is moot.

[Gabz]

If the allegations are true, there is no defamation; thus that legal argument is moot.

And there is the run, which is why I think they are going more towards the following:

"John Doe No. 1 seems to have been making opinion-based comments rather than false statements of fact."