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?"

[bad company]

Everybody ping your lists so they can see what is unfolding here.

[Mo1]

Anyone can lurk on these boards and read what everyone is writing - except in private emails. Private emails are private.

Seems the WP missed this part of those emails

[MEG33]

Courtesy ping..You never know who is who on the internet.

[Kay]

Ping. Just in case you haven't seen this.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

What better way to become the Stuppe du jour than to count coup against the people who helped dethrone Rather?

If this was perpetrated by these two literary slack-jaws, they have only served to make it harder for their ilk to do further harm using this same tactic.

[MEG33]

Look at this!

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Proper name " Washington Compost "

[Getsmart64]

Later reading...

[HAL9000]

Someone is leaking your emails - possibly in violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

It may have been intercepted without the knowledge of you or MD4Bush - and you may have grounds for legal recourse. File a lawsuit against John Doe #1 and issue the subpoenas.

[Rokke]

Private emails are private until the conman you are corresponding with makes them public by publishing them on the internet. MD4BUSH is obviously a reporter trolling for stories. In the absence of a legitimate story, he created one.

[Kay]

Hal -- I think MD4BUSH is your perp.

[NormsRevenge]

What they forget is that they are seriously undermannned and completely unprepared for the consequences if such a thing were true.

I hope it is not. I can't find any personal bio info etc on either of them, but will be looking.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

The cheese becomes more binding.

[Mo1]

MD4BUSH is obviously a reporter trolling for stories. In the absence of a legitimate story, he created one.

So-called reporters from the Washington Post seems to be trolling websites alot lately

[HAL9000]

Hal -- I think MD4BUSH is your perp.

That's quite possible, but who is MD4Bush? He needs to come forward, one way or another.

For the sake of the legal process, if NCPAC decides to pursue that option, let's not jump to conclusions.

[Rome2000]

"Half-wits" is putting it rather mildly.

Arrogant unAmerican elitist seditious sons of bitches is more apt.

Freerepublic a "blog" indeed.

[alcuin]

They ARE out to discredit Free Republic <<

Let credibility remain internal.

External fOrCes, TrixieWaPoetal, are irrelevant.

Don't get hung up on the mantle of import, influence, and legacy (IIL).

Yours, The Battersea Hurler.

(sp?)

[CyberAnt]

So .. what I see is the SLIMY media is sending people over to FR to corner people into private "chat" and then they have copies of all the conversations.

I don't like it. It's a form of entrapment.

Well .. when the disruptors first started coming onto FR prior to the 2000 election - they were eventually exposed. I believe these people will be exposed also.

I believe I am going to be much more cautions what I say to screen names that I am not familiar with. Just a thought.

[Rokke]

The fact is, MD4Bush actually started (or at least voluntarily repeated) many of the rumours concerning O'Malley. Here is a post from him dated 8 October 2004:

Posted by MD4Bush to Dahoser
On News/Activism 10/08/2004 10:30:19 AM CDT · 75 of 80

Yeah, he cheats on his wife. I heard that he is not allowed in the house and is living in some new high-rise near city hall. He's is a young arrogant punk for sure. I can't him, he is like Slick-Willy.

[jellybean]

MD4Bush has been banned, but his stink still lingers.