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"Were nutcases like him the reason the GOP gained more seats in 1966 than it had prior to 1964?"

That was one, also the 'Rats winning a number of traditionally GOP seats that they shouldn't have, and the 6-year curse of a 'Rat administration (if you count JFK-LBJ as one). The GOP, ironically, would've had at least 8 or so fewer seats going into 1966 had it not been for them winning ultra-'Rat Southern seats in '64 (in AL, for example, the all-'Rat delegation in 1962 (as it had been since 1901) became majority GOP (5-3) in one fell swoop, but then dropped to 3-5 'Rat in '66, and the GOP would not regain a majority there until 1997). Some of these, of course, were temporary gains, and wouldn't be solidified for, as with AL, until the '90s.

Free Speech Foundation to Aid 20 year-old Website Owner Defend Against $5 Million Libel Lawsuit

Washington, DC - The Free Speech Foundation, a Washington, DC-based First Amendment watchdog group announced Thursday that it would assist a Pennsylvania website owner hit with a libel lawsuit. Michael Marino, a 20 year-old website designer who owns ProBush.com is being sued by former Democratic South Dakota Senator James Abourezk for $5 million.

Abourezk’s lawsuit claims that his reputation has been damaged by his inclusion on the site’s parody list of “traitors”. The list is made up of Hollywood celebrities, musicians, writers, reporters and politicians who have been critical of President George W. Bush or the war in Iraq. Similarly, a roster of “Patriots” also appears on the website, composed of public figures who are outspoken in favor of the President and the U. S. -led war in Iraq.

Marino maintains the First Amendment protects the free speech rights of ProBush.com and that the list was not to be taken seriously, as a disclaimer on the website suggests. Facing the threat of a multi-million dollar judgment against him by the former U. S. Senator, Marino has been forced to retain a law firm in South Dakota to defend him.

Marino is scheduled to begin night school in the fall, but those plans are now in jeopardy due to the lawsuit. A legal fund has been established by the Free Speech Foundation to assist with the legal costs of a trial that could last for several months.

The outcome of the case could have a significant impact on Internet speech, which has become the most important medium for individual expression. A victory by Abourezk would undoubtedly have a chilling effect on the bourgeoning "blogosphere".