I guess in my quest to figure out MD4BUSH's identity, I didn't really comment on the WaPo article itself. It's actually quite decent, and a lot better than earlier articles.
Sure, there are a few relatively minor flaws:
1) The WaPo's keeps on calling this place a blog instead of a forum. This is somewhat understandable, given most of their readers won't appreciate the difference anyway.
2) I think they slightly mischaracterized the WaPo settlement. As I understand it, we can excerpt the most relevant portions of their articles, regardless of where the text appears. This is important because reporters (especially at the NYT) sometimes bury what we think should be the lead.
3) I'm not sure why Jim Robinson was characterized as "reclusive".
IMHO, the Washington Post is not as lost a cause as the New York Times. They at least are listening to our concerns. They also spent considerable effort actually investigating the Swift Boat Veterans' claims. We might not have liked the result of their investigation, but at least they tried.
Call me naive, but I still don't think there's sufficient evidence on this thread to counter the WaPo's contention that they don't even know MD4BUSH's identity. But Jim Robinson knows plenty that we don't know, and seems to be on to something. I don't know what it is, but have watched enough TV crime dramas to know arsonists often return to gawk at the fire. MD4BUSH: Care to explain what you were up to here? Something seems rotten.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1246101/posts
TIPP Tracking poll 10/15/04 Bush 47% Kerry 44, Bush 47%-43% 2 way.
Posted by maica to GOP_1900AD
On News/Activism 02/11/2005 5:47:46 PM PST ? 79 of 81
I think the 'details' in all these posts would make a Hollywood screenwriter a little jealous.
#53: MrEd1964- - - -July 24
#55 demopublican- -July 24 <-- [who uses the same handle at the Sun forum! ]
#63 Bug10- - - - - - - July 27
#66,69 ?authority - - July 31, Aug 4
#70 genevaz- - - - - - Aug 6
#71 tskitmir- - - - - - Aug 14
#72 chloec- - - - - - -Sep 3
#74 superwoman4u2- -Sep 11
There were almost solely "distinctive" posters from July 24 until Sep 3. There is no way that lurkers alone would be finding this particular thread once or twice a week for a two months span.
Someone was trying hard to spread the rumor. I certainly hope it was not NCPAC, (who did not seem to mind using Caps) like these posters did.
Actually, this latest ComPost article is rather mysterious. Unless you've kept up with this case, you'd hardly know what they are talking about.
The really interesting point is that the bring in MD4BUSH for the first time. MD4BUSH is obviously the key. He's either a Compost reporter or a Dem operative (probably from Baltimore) who is working in cahoots with the Compost.
No lies in this column either, as far as I could tell, unlike the one yesterday which was chock full of lies and mischaracterizations. It seems as if they are getting a little more cautious. I don't blame them, after the fall of Rather and Eason. They could be next if they aren't careful.
In fact I believe they have already crossed the point of no return. Cooperating with an agent provacateur to publish a private email correspondence and then lying about the contents of posted threads and perhaps the emails as well. That's not smart, when there's a large electronic trail here at FR.