Scandal Puts Focus On Role of Bloggers (WaPo on FR, NCPAC and MD4Bush)

Washington Post ^ | 02/11/05 | David Snyder and Matthew Mosk

[conservative in nyc]

The Web site began as a sort of Internet boutique for like-minded conservatives and libertarians, suspicious of federal power and angry at President Bill Clinton.

Started in 1997 by a reclusive California conservative, freerepublic.com saw its membership blossom with Clinton's impeachment and the election of George W. Bush. Attention to the site reached a zenith last fall, when a "freeper" -- the group's moniker for its bloggers -- first discussed flaws in documents CBS News used in a report critical of Bush's National Guard service.

---Snip---

One participant working under the handle MD4BUSH, whose identity is unknown, drew Steffen into a private conversation and appeared to coax him to share more details about his role in spreading the rumor. Copies of those chat room e-mails were later provided to The Washington Post.

The Oct. 18 conversation began with MD4BUSH complimenting Steffen and saying how obvious it was that the rumors about the mayor were true. Steffen, writing under the name NCPAC, replied:

"I don't look for the MO'M [O'Malley] story to hit for a little bit yet. . . . However, a lot of what everyone knows about MO'M is because of work that has occurred. It's been a wild ride."

MD4BUSH later probed further:

"Your saying that my dentist knows [about the rumors] because of work you did? Wow, I must say, I'm impressed. I mean really, everyone knows -- how did that happen?"

[BigSkyFreeper]

MD4Bush has been banned, but his stink still lingers.

That's a coincidence. The person gets banned and this article pops up.

[Rokke]

"He very well may have posted the full exchange in order to make sure it was available here when the WaPo selectively quoted from it."

If he did that, he didn't tell NCPAC he was going to do it. More importantly, he didn't post the full exchange. He only posted what NCPAC said. The only possible excuse he might have is that someone got access to his FreeRepublic account and did things without him knowing. If that is true, it should be possible to track from where his last posts were made.

[John Lenin]

They launcehd their whole gameplan this week, attack the bloggers, Hitlery's phoney poll numbers, outing Gannon. Time to sit back and wait for them to screw up again.

[NormsRevenge]

As Odin is my witness, I will smite the enemies of truth and FReedom with the Hammer of Thor..

MSM ,, Beware.

[MEG33]

I alerted them..No point in giving instructions on how to find it to the trolls.Hmmm?

[alcuin]

Just think of FR as Agent Ransack searching the folder of life.

Choose "save selected," not "save all."

[bad company]

I was wondering about that - is there a way to find out who he is?

When you receive the pages of FRee Republic the FRee Republic server sends them to your address. That's an IP address. The server keeps track of those ip numbers. The mods will know exactly where they came from and they can then find out who that IP address is registered to. MD4Bush is a had man right about now.

[moonpie57]

Looks like the Wa(com)Post is MD4BUSH.

Ya know...I was thinking the same thing. I have a feeling someone was setting him up.

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

The only possible excuse he might have is that someone got access to his FreeRepublic account and did things without him knowing. If that is true, it should be possible to track from where his last posts were made.

Well, he did say his wife was a liberal in one of the exchanges that we saw and if you're not careful with the security, anyone who used the computer can log on and read the exchange....

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I thought Thor was like three foot tall and grey. Man, he must have REALLY been working out.

[RabidBartender]

I think we are still ahead this round. Easongate is gathering traction, and the Powerline guys are slapping Bill Moyers around with a bit of fresh trout over more sloppy liberal journalism.

[HAL9000]

This situation is getting more complicated by the minute.

[conservative in nyc]

He very well may have posted the full exchange in order to make sure it was available here when the WaPo selectively quoted from it.

That's what another FReeper claimed on the 11:14PM thread that has since been deleted. I don;t remember who did. Do you remember who it was, nunya bidness?

[Mo1]

and the Powerline guys are slapping Bill Moyers around with a bit of fresh trout over more sloppy liberal journalism

*L* .. Go get'em Powerline

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Welcome to the rabbit hole Alice.

[Mo1]

You're right on that

[John Lenin]

They have yet to do anything to help themselves, every move they have made is a Bad move. Remember the mentality behind all this, it's people who are not conortable in their own skin. This is getting pathetic.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Would it be ethical, in your opinion, for the identity of MD4BUSH to be revealed here, if it is apparent that he had misrepresented himself in an effort to entrap someone?

[Mo1]

Do you remember who it was, nunya bidness?

Nunya posted right before me on that thread .. where I said it looked like a set up

[MEG33]

I alerted the mod, explained the situation and when I checked back it the thread was gone and so was the poster..several of us addressed JR to the thread also.

Publishing freepmail is a no no..I once threatened to post Burkeman1's abusive mail before I even knew how..JR came on that flameout thread and told me no no!