Your mention of that person has prompted a response: http://www.baltimoresun2.com/talk/showthread.php?p=208614
It's a comment by dc925er on a thread started by a poster by the name of Jack Dublin who announces he/she is no longer posting under his/her name:
As of today, I will not post under the handle Jack Dublin. Although many times I voiced my real opinions under this name, I also just as often used Jack Dublin as a fictitious character to write satire, intentionally controversial opinions, and just to stir the pot. But in the current climate created by the postings of Joseph F. Steffen Jr., I have decided that it would be best from now on to only post as my self, and I should only voice real opinions.Although it appears Steffen was voicing real opinions under his handle, I would like to avoid any confusion or complications in the future between what I actually think on any subject and what I say behind an imaginary character.
I think the Steffen scandal is the beginning of the end to the anonymous and often times anything goes forums on the Web. I believe any postings one may make under an anonymous name, that are deemed controversial by whomever, despite privacy agreements, may begin to become fodder in the dirty little wars we all face from day to day in our professional and personal lives. That is too bad. Our nation was founded in part on the anonymous writings in the Federalist Papers (ala Publius). But in a modern world where humor is sometimes confused with personal sentiment and opinion and debate can be construed as negativity, prejudice, or worse, I would rather stand on my own good name than the musings of a created persona.
Ill miss you Jack. Its been fun.
This was posted on 2/10/05. Notice that dc925er spaced out the word "freeper"? Is that a way to keep Google's spiders from making a hit? (that's the question for you JohnRob).
Fascinating...
dc925er mentions it's creepy ... heck, I think it's VERY creepy that they found my post on that other thread so quickly!
We ... are .... being .... watched! :=)
MD4Bush - Our own "deep throat" who posted on or around the MD mayoral election as well as the national election of last year. He/she seemed to have a detailed knowledge of Maryland politics as well as certain rumors surrounding Mayor Martin O'Malley (MOM). In addtion, this person posted private correspondence (possibly Freepmail) that would damage the reputation of NCPAC (later outed as Steffen of the Ehrlich administration. The posts in question can be found here posted just after 11pm on 2/08. The Sun and Wapo both ran stories the following day breaking the news.
Michael Olesker, Dan Rodricks, David Nitkin , and whoever else at the Baltimore Sun who may be lurking. It should be noted that Nitkin and Olesker were both banned from the statehouse by the governor. A decision that was upheld today.
The Washington Post, including John Wagner, April Witt, Amet R. Paley, Lena H. Sun, David Snyder, Matthew Mosk, Allison Klein, with Mosk doing most of the heavy lifting. The Post made the connection between MD4Bush and NCPAC (Steffen) first, the day after MD4Bush peppered old threads with private messages.
NCPAC - Now known as Joseph Steffen an Ehrlich staffer who had been consistently posting to FR on a variety of topics, including local MD politics. He has since been fired and admitted to the Sun and Wapo that he was NCPAC. His posts are here.
Links to the Atlantic article - So far mention of the article are David Nitkin of the Sun, MD4Bush here on FR, MD state senate President Mike Miller, and a poster on the Sun's forum known as dc925er. I'm sure this list will grow.