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?"

[Alia]

My, my.. a true lady would never answer that question, directly, sir!

[arasina]

Sorry I had a slip of the finger there its pukin dog.

I guess I lost all I was trying to say didn't I?

Not at all! Your post was EXCELLENT! I apologize for detracting from your comments. I totally agree with your sentiments about the MSM's fear. In fact, they deserve a second posting:

Rightly Biased posted:

I've been saying it for a while we are scaring them and showing the MSM how far behind the stream they really are.

It scares them,

How many times has FR broke major news stories? I can't even keep track anymore.

We are what the Red states turn to for info.

It scares them.

Remember punkindogs manifesto?

It scares them.

Rathergate?

It scares them.

But we aren't scared we'll be here long after their gone.

[dfwright]

bump for later

[JesseJane]

They prejudiced the public before the public could learn the facts.

Absoultely right. Poison pen, abuse of power, personal destruction; bloodsport of the left.

[processing please hold]

OK

[ACDSWIZ]

Wah? What is that your IQ or something? You prove the points I made. Group think. Your problem not mine. I don't live on FR like some of you do. For what it's worth my 2 cents.

[freebilly]

We need to stop posting photos of FR related events. And we should not put our photos on our profile pages or in posts.

You mean I can no longer post my pic...?

[freebilly]

Anyone who doe's not agree with the group think on FR is called a troll. Maybe this is why some people get even by doing harmful things.

Didn't you star in a teen slasher pic...?

[GOP_1900AD]

OK, let me rephrase that, post only certain "special" photos, meant to distract and confuse the opposition! :=)

[CyberAnt]

Well .. no forum or chat room requires people to identify who they really are. Even if they are media - I guess that same standard would apply .. I think that's why it's so important for the "buyer beware" attitude to be in play. We as the "consumer" if you will .. need to be aware that the media can and will use everything we say against us.

And .. they are devious enough to engage people in private conversations in order to try and smoke out a high profile person - such as the aide to a Governor.

[jackbill]

Who is the Freeper named Bob who is giving the whole time-line on MD4BUSH, etc., to Bruce Elliott, who is subbing for the ailing Ron Smith on WBAL, Baltimore?

Check out and listen at WBAL.com

[GOP_1900AD]

FYI:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1341352/posts

[Deb]

Thanks.

[nicmarlo]

When you see the long time background of being pro gay agenda pushing of the author writing the hit article, light bulbs start really go off.

yes, I imagine so.....I will definitely start doing that with my searches. and i will look at your links, too.

[nicmarlo]

I will ping both of you when I do these searches and find the long documentation with the gay agenda.

ty much

[jackbill]

Thanks.

[GOP_1900AD]

When this first started to blow up I did some looking around and found this. What interested me was that in this thread, a number of troll posts had been sufficiently nasty that they were removed. Note the time frame:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1291364/posts

Governor Ehrlich (Republican from Maryland) Open House
Maryland Govt. Web Site ^ | 11-30-2004 | self

Posted on 11/30/2004 12:50:52 PM PST by staytrue

Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., First Lady Kendel S. Ehrlich, and children Drew and Joshua welcome you to their 2004 Holiday Open House on December 5, 2004 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Join the Ehrlich family at Government House across from the State House in Annapolis.

Refreshments will be served.

Cost is free and this is open to the public.

[conservative in nyc]

Who is the Freeper named Bob who is giving the whole time-line on MD4BUSH, etc., to Bruce Elliott, who is subbing for the ailing Ron Smith on WBAL, Baltimore?

I don't know. It wasn't me. I'm still catching up on the updates from this morning and afternoon.

[TheForceOfOne]

I was listening as I flip flop between Sean Hannity and Ron Smith in that time frame. I listen to Sean more when Ron is on but he is on vacation and I really like listening to Bruce Elliott who is filling in for him better. Two different FReepers called in it was great to hear. O'Malley, I believe made that press conference a couple of days ago in a preemptive strike in coordination with the Washington Post for the soul purpose of strategically maneuvering himself in position for the next gubernatorial election. O'Malley had no reason to make that press conference over a rumor that had been floating around for over two years and before Governor Ehrlich even new that it would be Mrs. Townsend he would be running against. Martin O'Malley wasn't even in the picture and most had conceded he wouldn't even be running for Governor at that time. O'Malley is a slug and you probably have already heard the stupid comments he has made numerous times against the president. As our fellow FReeper reported MD4BUSH is at the heart of this issue and I believe the lid will blow off of this when we find out who he/she is. I missed Chip Franklin on WBAL this morning but he is like O'Malley's enemy and I am sure he will have a great interest in this issue. Hats off to the FReepers again, soon we will need a "Wall of Fame" for those who have helped bring down the evil of the Democrats and the MSM. What a proud place that would be to hang your hat. All this made possible by Jim Robinson for giving those who make it happen a place to roost. Isn't America great! You gotta love it!

[Dolphy]

Interesting take. Move a step further back and the game, seems to me, to be about control of information. In every organization, government or private, information is power. The higher up you are, the more you have. The higher up your are, the more control you have.

Now try some reverse engineering. What is the mantra of the Dems? Bush lies and most recently even Biden has resorted to calling information from the White House propaganda. Add to that the regular charge that the Bush White House is the most secretive ever. The reality is that Bush takes his message directly to the people in a more effective way than any President in recent history. He bypasses the media power brokers. Through the power of his presence at rallies, to the deliberate use of local media to get his message out, to churches, to forums like this one to the huge grass roots effort amassed for the last election.

This is a supreme power struggle that they can't win. We have the information now and it isn't about some silly gossip in Maryland. This is about raw, unfiltered information available to more people than ever before in history.