The Freep is part of the story.
The interesting part is that a poster to FR actually debunked the story.
Both of them.
Speculation, even wild speculation, is a legitimate function on a discussion forum. And most of it turns to vapor when all the FACTS are revealed. Sometimes the speculation is borne out by the facts.
What is most interesting is the extent to which the so called MSM has delved into this particular round of speculation. And that none that I have seen have acknowledged that Free Republic (Conscience of a Conservative) researched and debunked within an hour and a half of the story being posted here
Here is email that I sent to the BS (Baltimore Sun) reporters:
The fact of the matter is that Free Republic is not the source for this rumor disguised as a new story. It was posted on the FR forum from a blog fourthestate.co. There then ensued a discussion that now has over 200 comments. Within an hour and a half, one of the posters, Conscience of a Conservative, had found out the facts of the matter; and he did not even have to visit the Court House.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3284149/posts?page=144#144
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3284149/posts?page=168#168
Perhaps you would wish to enlarge and extend your story to give full and proper coverage of Free Republic’s real investigative reporting?
The WaPo at least gets it right that we did not originate; but it fails to acknowledge that we debunked it quickly.