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?"

[ArmyBratproud]

Jim Rob,

I have always understood it that a host of a site (admin, mod, etc.) can tell where a poster is posting from.

I think it's called something like our "IP" address or something like that.

Wouldn't that be a way to find out if MD4Bush is a Washington Post or Baltimore Sun guy? Or some Dem worker?

[mingwah]

I suppose the next step by O'Malley is to round up all those who have "spoken" rumors in or around Baltimore.
He may want to start with a certain shuttle bus driver who gave a brief tour of O'Malley hideaways to my daughter and a couple of others.
We could call it the O'Malley Round Up! Maybe send everyone who has 'murmured' an O'Malley rumor to a camp, preferably one with bad food and bobbed wire. Wait, that would be a Baltimore public school!

[TheForceOfOne]

Like this?

http://www.abika.com/help/IPaddressmap.htm

[conservative in nyc]

Have any proof of that?

[mingwah]

Yep, my daughter was there as I said. And it proves what? People accept their elected officials are compromised. And this proves what?
I think we can accept that our politicians are compromised and we have, thanks to Bill Clinton, accepted that they will lie about it.

[Alia]

Egads, I *knew* I was experiencing a brain "zot" when I respond about "Sarah McClendon". I'm think of a woman who did great investigative reporting from an angle which never was made into MSM culture.

Thanks, Tim Graham; for clearing up my brain zot:

Gannons to the Left of Me

[HAL9000]

MD4Bush Identified! - Ryan C. O’Doherty, Maryland Democratic Party, Information Technology Coordinator

[Texican]

Ernest:
I checked just the other day and we had over 227,000 signed up. I am in at 5463 so I have been here for a while. In another year we will have over 500,000 I will bet. Then after the 2006 elections it will jump up to 750,000. This has been a wonderful ride.

Good evening and the very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

A look back at the past.

You can see that The Post writers tried to spin this as part of the culture of conservative blogs. If the writers knew that a Dem operative (MD4BUSH) was behind the activity on FR, the story is deliberately false. That's worth looking into.