Why don't these guys hack from a virtual machine, in starbucks, then delete the virtual machine, then never visit the same coffee shop again? how would they get traced from doing that?
I mean, you're right, face in a huge crowd is potentially more security than hidden really well, but it's not perfect either.
Long story short, no competent hacker would get caught using hidemyass, and the Feds are once again putting on a dog and pony show.