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I think what this newspaper did goes well beyond indecency.

I know some of you are joking about this, but I think this is much more.

"Outing" the identity of someone online by combing through a persons posting history by this left-wing newspaper is sickening. I mean, jeez Louise, these RATS are nuts, and for them, these are desperate times. I mean, look at what a Kerry-lover did to a three year old yesterday in WV. Look at how they are turning violent with anyone who isn't an open-minded cavity of hot air.

And while I respect those at the top of FR, I have to say that I respectfully disagree that protecting our private information is going to prevent this from happening again.

A new FReeper could join and fly a New Jersey flag. Great. We've narrowed down a search right there.

That new FReeper could begin to chime in to military threads, and contribute he came back from Iraq 4 days ago to attend his mother's funeral. Many FReepers high five him, and he thanks them all. Maybe he mentions that his mother had cancer, but that she had the best of care for years at a hospital in NY city. A FReeper posts an inquiry about the type of cancer, and whom she saw in the city. The new FReeper, wanting to help, says he'll consult with his uncle who's a neurosurgeon at Hopkins, since it was his uncle who made the recommendation.

Weeks later, he's back in Iraq. He posts to the canteen about his favorite music artist. Someone mentions something in the thread about being a fan of the same one. Several chime in about their recollections from concerts years ago.

New FReeper once saw them in Jackson, NJ at Great Adventure back when he was in college.

In another thread about some corrupt politician from Freehold, NJ, new FReeper joins into the thread, adding that he went to the same grammar school as the politician, and he can vouch the guy is a straightshooter, and a good guy.

I think that if you are an active FReeper, and contribute regularly, I will bet you that even the most careful of people could be "found out." Even my hypothetical "new FReeper" has given plenty of information to piece together. Right now, I'd know from scrolling back through posts, that HE is from NJ. HE is an OFFICER in the MILITARY & is DEPLOYED overseas. HIS MOTHER DIED on such and such a date. She probably lived in NJ. One of the NEUROSURGEONS at JOHNS HOPKINS is his UNCLE. Dah--dah-dah-dah-dah.

Picking out even one single clue from every 200 posts from a FReeper who's posted over 4, 5, 8 thousand times, and anyone's anonymity is down the toilet. Keeping a searchable archive a FReeper's history limited to a six month period, in my opinion, is a prudent barrier to intrusive freaks.

I've always figured I shouldn't say anything on FR that I wouldn't say in public. Who cares if they figure out who I am, I'm not doing anything wrong except making too many typos.

Who on FR isn't a conservative activist?

Finding out id from reviewing clues in posts.....

We can solve that easily. We lie, lie, lie and every now and then throw in the truth - in other words - act democratic. Let them spin their wheels tracking down the ids of people in the U.S. They sure can't do any reporting.

Wonder if this was from the same paper complaining about Ashcroft and the Patriot Act and abuse of civil rights.

The trouble is, Google has a better search-engine than FR. I've found out the real names of several of my favorite Freepers while googling to read their old comments.