However, at least in the short time I've been here, I feel it's often used as a cover to say something — "less positive" — that a user wouldn't say under thier signed name.

Assume much?

Bury your head in sand much? Just in this very thread, we have AnonyMonk saying:

And I downvoted you for being an ass.

and

and I downvoted you for complaining about his complaining

There are plenty of other examples to choose from.

As for monastic "ethos", I think s/Anonymous Monk/Brother/g sums up my thoughts nicely.

There more positive than negative ones

What point are you arguing against? "I feel it's often used" says nothing about relative frequency. And "there are positive anonymous posts" is a stupid response to:

I know we probably wont get rid of Anonymous Monk altogether but it would be great if we could address some of the issues I think a number of us have with it.

So, taking this example specifically, I really wouldn't feel much loss if a change in site policy had somehow prevented it from being posted. :)

- tye