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?"

[anniegetyourgun]

Uh oh....now you're gonna have to mass produce, have Jim put 'em in Freepergearstore for sale......

[beyond the sea]

"when a "freeper" -- the group's moniker for its bloggers" ............ Bloggers? Now I have to change the monogram on my PJ's. ---

LOL!

[sauropod]

Olesker is scum. Has been for a long time.

[Peach]

How did they get the guy's real name?

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

A logical question would be...what is the internet history of this rumor about the mayor's alleged marital problems. Since it predates the discussions of it on FR, the newspaper accounts should be devoting attention to tracking that down. They have chosen to focus on FR and the governor's staffer. If, as seems likely, this whole episode leads back to some liberal dirty tricks, the story obviously will not help them.

[beyond the sea]

Mogan David 4 Bush. Dang, I knew it was the Jews. /sarcasm off

Mad Dog 4 Bush....... who makes that stuff?

;-)

Oops, just learned:

Mad Dog, also known as MD 20/20, is a fortified wine produced by Mogen David wineries. It is available in various flavours, such as "Pink Grapefruit", "Wild Berry", and "Hawaiian Blue".

[prairiebreeze]

It's my policy to not even open freepmails from screennames I don't know and simply hit that delete key. I figure if it can't be said to me on the public forum, I probably don't need to read it.

[GVnana]

Looks like the Washington Post somehow has NCPAC's Freepmail to MD4BUSH.

Yes it does, doesn't it?!?

[anniegetyourgun]

Good bye and good riddance.

[conservative in nyc]

It was technically 2 threads:

According to the FR timestamps, MD4BUSH posted to Thread 1 at 11:05PM, and again at 11:13PM. The difference between the two responses: the first didn't have any underlining or emphasis; the second did, highlighting what I'd characterize as the portions of the e-mail most unfavorable to NCPAC. He or she then posted to Thread 2 at 11:14PM.

The original FR thread on the Washington Post story was posted at 11:34PM. It probably actually hit the WaPo's website before then, but I don't know for sure.

All times are Eastern.

[metesky]

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[anniegetyourgun]

That explains why you never called me to get your $1M winnings I notified you about in freepmail.

; ]

[Claytay]

bttt

[kiki04]

Fake Freepers... since Mamacrazy on the other board professes to know so much about us "evil freepers", think she might have an account here also??

[prairiebreeze]

Story of my life, :^P.

[arasina]

We are fulfilling the roles of the newspapes and pamphleteers of old.

Col. Oliver North said the same thing! I was just admiring his comments on another thread. Lies, damned lies and network 'news' - (Ollie North on CNN & Jordan)

[anniegetyourgun]

I wouldn't call those "fake freepers" - they are just a roiling hive of sickos, haters, malcontents.

[beyond the sea]

Look for the WaPo to infiltrate more often. This MD4BUSH looks like a deep cover alias.

MarleneDietrich4Bush.

***

"deep cover" -- When Marlene Dietrich was asked by the OSS to record popular American songs in German for propaganda broadcasts to Nazi Germany, she readily agreed. For her efforts, “Lili” Marlene was awarded the Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

[advance_copy]

Uh, oh. If MD4 first put this up at 11:05, yet the WaPo story occurred no later than 11:34 on 2/8, there is no way that WaPo could have gotten their information from the public MD4 post. How could they have written the story, edited it, and published on their web site in 29 minutes? They didn't! WaPo had the NCPAC e-mails prior to public posting by MD4. The public posting was just a cover. So, either MD4 is a WaPo insider, or someone there hacked NCPAC's private e-mail.