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Scandal Puts Focus On Role of Bloggers (WaPo on FR, NCPAC and MD4Bush)
Washington Post ^ | 02/11/05 | David Snyder and Matthew Mosk

Posted on 02/10/2005 10:41:44 PM PST by 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?"

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Free Republic; News/Current Events; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: compost; ecpa; freerepublic; gannon; kristinn; md4bush; media; mediabias; msm; ncpac; odoherty; omalley; ryanodoherty
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To: MJY1288
They want to marginalize all of us as kooks and crazies who should be ignored.

Despite the contrast of the mean congeniality of FR discource compared to the mean crassness and incendiary vulgarity of that as DU, we're the crazies...

181 posted on 02/11/2005 12:38:04 AM PST by Lexinom
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To: Jim Robinson

Is it safe?


182 posted on 02/11/2005 12:38:09 AM PST by alcuin ( I apologize for not being clear.getridofthateffinlooselipssinkshipsgesture)
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To: Jim Robinson

Glad you're on top of it...


183 posted on 02/11/2005 12:38:35 AM PST by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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To: MEG33
Now I would love some answers from the poster.

It would certainly be nice.

184 posted on 02/11/2005 12:39:04 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper (Smoke-free since January 16, 2005)
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To: Jim Robinson

Great! I am not expecting a peep out of MD4Bush.


185 posted on 02/11/2005 12:40:03 AM PST by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: Jim Robinson

Sounds like there just might be ammunition for NCPAC to use in his defense. And fooder for many hours of talk radio. Good to have the light shine on it.


186 posted on 02/11/2005 12:40:04 AM PST by Kay
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To: Jim Robinson
I think MD4Bush has some splainin' to do. Also think this story is far from over.

Those of us who have been true to the purpose for the existence of FR stand behind you Jim.

187 posted on 02/11/2005 12:40:34 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper (Smoke-free since January 16, 2005)
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To: Kay

You may be right. I didn't realize that he posted FReepmails on an old thread.

I only very briefly scanned his posts and saw a post expressing joy after the Bush win.

I'm operating at reduced speed with dial-up as my cable internet is down. Takes a long time to do anything, so I didn't read the posts that closely.


188 posted on 02/11/2005 12:41:42 AM PST by BillF (Fight terrorists in Iraq & elsewhere, instead of waiting for them to come to America!)
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To: bad company
BTW the very first post on FR for MD4Bush, was to NCPAC

Makes one think s/he knew who NCPAC was before they even signed up

189 posted on 02/11/2005 12:42:45 AM PST by Mo1 (Question to Liberals .. When did supporting and defending Freedom become a bad thing??)
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To: bad company
BTW the very first post on FR for MD4Bush, was to NCPAC

Another coincidence. Then he vanishes for months before returning to post the emails to a thread, long unused, having nothing to do with the scandal..

Stinks badly. I wonder which one of the reporters did it? Both of them?

190 posted on 02/11/2005 12:42:47 AM PST by GeronL (--- Loading, Loading...)
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To: alcuin

Safe as safe can be on Albert Gore's Internet. LOL


191 posted on 02/11/2005 12:42:49 AM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: John Lenin

christiangop was a troll..a parody of a repressed fundamentalist.


192 posted on 02/11/2005 12:43:39 AM PST by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: MEG33

I keep my mouth shut now, most of the time and sure enough most of them expsoe themselves in time.


193 posted on 02/11/2005 12:45:20 AM PST by John Lenin
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To: Jim Robinson

What's that they say: The simplest explanation is usually the correct one?

I think we can all guess how this is going to turn out.


194 posted on 02/11/2005 12:46:23 AM PST by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Humina, humina, humina...)
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To: GeronL
Then he vanishes for months before returning to post the emails to a thread, long unused, having nothing to do with the scandal..

Yeah. Exactly.

195 posted on 02/11/2005 12:47:13 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper (Smoke-free since January 16, 2005)
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To: BigSkyFreeper

LOL. These so-called 'reporters' have proven themselves time and time again to be nothing less than partisan political hacks.


196 posted on 02/11/2005 12:49:16 AM PST by GeronL (--- Loading, Loading...)
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To: Jim Robinson

Careful Jim,

Al Gore and his Vice Presidential Action Rangers might just try to shove you down a Fry Hole.


197 posted on 02/11/2005 12:49:24 AM PST by Dr.Zoidberg (Children classics updated for Islam, "If you're happy and you know it, go Kaboom!")
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To: BigSkyFreeper

It took me a moment to really have that sink in..that they were mail and had nothing to do with that old thread. He was posting a gloat.


198 posted on 02/11/2005 12:50:10 AM PST by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: GeronL

It's like I said earlier on a Jeff Gannon thread, that if the media wanted to cleanse any doubt about their political leanings, the whole of the MSM would shut down completely.


199 posted on 02/11/2005 12:51:16 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper (Smoke-free since January 16, 2005)
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To: Jim Robinson

Thanks, Jim.

Now I don't know what to think. My cable internet is down and I'm using backup dialup so I'm really slowed.

I hate to defend the guy if he really goaded or entrapped NCPAC.

It would be nice to hear from him before throwing him out completely.

Maybe his liberal wife accessed the FReepmails on their home computer and she is the culprit?

Maybe his dog is one of those yellow dog democrats and was memorizing screen views and barking them in code back to his spymasters?

Having said that, I know that I'm way past bedtime.


200 posted on 02/11/2005 12:51:41 AM PST by BillF (Fight terrorists in Iraq & elsewhere, instead of waiting for them to come to America!)
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