AN INVITATION TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS
When I was a kid, my mother told me that I was great at getting under people's skin. Based on the emails I received today, I still got it.
Tonight at 10 p.m., I will open my blog to comments for anyone who would like to express their opinion on my recent domain name purchases and my right to publish anonymously. I will participate by responding to the comments posted.
Tonight at 10 p.m., I will open my blog to comments for anyone who would like to express their opinion on my recent domain name purchases and my right to publish anonymously. I will participate by responding to the comments posted.
42 Comments:
Keep up the good work!
Are you currently employed by (or recieve money from) any political parties, political candidates, or political organizations (527's)?
Would you please post some of the "long history of [the DFL] buying the domain names of GOP elected officials, private citizens, and candidates for political tomfoolery." Something that has occured in the year 2000 or later would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
What role do you have in the GOP at the local, state, or national level? What role(s) have you performed in the past? Please include volunteer efforts.
How much of what you post is sent to you by Minnesota GOP staffers?
Your goal, ostensibly, was more traffic. I'm assuming you've now circuitously acheived that goal.
Would you be willing to do the honorable thing and sell the domains to the respective DFL candidates - if they wanted to buy them, and you could retain anonymity?
The most important question first: are you male or female? I need to know which pronouns to use.
I agree that you have the right to publish anonymously. But do you have any specific reason(s) for doing so?
If you're going to be anonymous, why choose such an incredibly lame moniker? Why not go with "Brutus" or "Quisty" or something vaguely homoerotic like "Hindrocket"?
(By the way, I find it incredibly ironic that this blog does not allow anonymous comments.)
The only recent mentions I can find in the Star Tribune morgue about "cybersquatting" are several instances Republicans doing it to Democrats.
Published on April 4, 2002
Some people searching for Minnesota Rep. Bill Luther's campaign Web site a couple of days ago got a bewildering response.
When they typed ``LutherforCongress.org'' or similar names, the congressional home page of Luther's likely Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kennedy, flashed onto the screen.
Joshua Graham, of St. Paul, acknowledged that he's responsible for the cyber stunt, which he accomplished by buying a number of catchy domain names that Luther's
Published on November 5, 1999
If former Congressman Tim Penny seeks the DFL nomination for the U.S. Senate next year, he will have to find a name other than "timpenny.com" or "timpennyforsenate.com" for his campaign Web site.
That's because a Minnesota Republican Party official, deputy executive director Randy Skoglund, recently bought both domain names, as well as two Web site addresses for DFL candidate Michael Ciresi.
What role did you play in organizing or planning the September 2004 protest against the Minnesota Poll?
How many people write for this blog?
In September, that Star Tribune identified Chris Tiedeman as the organizer of the protest against the Minnesota Poll. Are you Chris Tiedeman?
Why do you continue to remain anonymous even as you attempt to increase the exposure of your blog and thrust yourself into the political spotlight?
Why do you not allow anonymous comments? Do you hold commenters to a higher standard than yourself?
Do you believe that remaining anonymous damages the credibility of your blog?
On Monday, you said: "By design, my blog is dedicated to a truthful discussion on the activities, statements, and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. I encourage people to visit the websites of Minnesota Democrats by providing links to their websites from MDE." But, at least as of February 18, you did not. The links to left-wing blogs and the DFL party were not available on your sidebar until at least February 18. Would you have placed these links on your blog if these domain registrations had not become an issue?
What's your favorite color?
How come you're not allowing anonymous comments? :)
Caramel Color-
MDE actually did have links to local liberal blogs in the recent past. I know this because whenever I would check my sites traffic stats... someone at MNGOP.com domain would have been referred to my site by the link that used to exist on this site.
I always found it odd that whenever someone at mngop.com would access my site... they would do it using the link on this blog.
Either the MNGOP really enjoyed using MDE as it's portal to liberal blogs... or the anonymous author of this blog frequently checked the sites he linked to.
I look forward to a reply on this thread that will clear up any questions on whether or not MDE has formal relationships with political parties, political candidates, or political action committees.
Hey, speculation, be it land or stocks, is part of the American way. Why not webs?
But frankly, I would arrange to sell these to their "rightful" owners in a month or two, at cost. You've made your point. Let's win these elections straight-up.
Do you at any point plan to respond to any of our questions?
Oh, yes, there were links at one point, for quite some time. But then the Exposer updated his side bar a litte while back and they disappeared until recently. I say February 18 because that's the date of the latest post in Google's cache of MDE, and there are no links to the left on the cached page.
I try and answer your questions in order.
Q: Are you currently employed by (or recieve money from) any political parties, political candidates, or political organizations (527's)?
I am anonymous because of my job.
Q: Would you please post some of the "long history of [the DFL] buying the domain names of GOP elected officials, private citizens, and candidates for political tomfoolery." Something that has occured in the year 2000 or later would be much appreciated.
1. The purchase of Randyskoglund.com by a DFL activist who then forwarded the name to the DFL Party website.
2. The DFL purchased www.pawlentyfacts.com.
3. "A company called Lone Gunmen Data Specialist Inc., whose owners include Marc Asch, a former state representative and president of Common Cause of Minnesota, snatched Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum's 2000 campaign Web address when its registration lapsed last year. Asch said he was retaliating for the campaign's failure to fully pay the firm's bill for computer work.
Bill Harper, McCollum's chief of staff, said it was his understanding that Asch worked as a volunteer and that McCollum paid him $2,500 anyway to try to settle the matter. Harper called Asch's action an example of "taking someone's domain name . . . for malicious or injurious purposes," noting that McCollumforCongress.org was printed on campaign letterhead costing thousands of dollars." Source: Source: Star Tribune, April 4, 2002
4.“Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle accused Democrats of violating a state cybersquatting law by creating a Web site that uses her name and directs users to a Democratic Party-sponsored site critical of Lingle's political record.” Source: Associated Press, October 10, 2002
5. “And a voter seeking information about David Dewhurst, the Republican land commissioner running for lieutenant governor, might surf to daviddewhurst.com. The actual campaign site is dewhurst.org. The first one provides a parody of Mr. Dewhurst's campaign, the latter promotes his candidacy.” Source: Dallas News, April 18, 2002
6. “Former U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford thought it was a joke. Surely the Democrats wouldn't stoop to buying his name?
It was no joke.
State Democrats, led by Gov. Jim Hodges' consultant, have bought Internet sites in the names of several Republicans who are potential threats to Hodges' re-election.” Source: The Post and Courier (SC), April 18, 2002
7. www.georgewbush.com vs. www.georgewbush.org
and let's not forget the the gracious hosts at the second one gathered the misaddressed internally intended communications of the RNC and Bush campaign and posted them for the world to see. (i believe they also took all stuff sent to @rnchq.com or @rnc.org)
8. www.pawlentyexposed.blogspot.com
Q:Your goal, ostensibly, was more traffic. I'm assuming you've now circuitously acheived that goal.
Would you be willing to do the honorable thing and sell the domains to the respective DFL candidates - if they wanted to buy them, and you could retain anonymity?
If Mike Hatch's campaign really wanted mikehatchforgovernor.com, I am sure we could work something out. But I will not sell these domain names for profit. I may just donate them.
"I am anonymous because of my job."
You didn't answer the question. Your anonymity is in any way endangered by telling us whether or not you currently have any formal relationships with a political party, political candidate, or PAC.
I guess when you say that you seek the truth about Democrats, you ignore the ethical responsibilities of being honest with your readers.
Oops, that should say... "Your anonymity is NOT in any way endangered.
Q: If you're going to be anonymous, why choose such an incredibly lame moniker? Why not go with "Brutus" or "Quisty" or something vaguely homoerotic like "Hindrocket"?
(By the way, I find it incredibly ironic that this blog does not allow anonymous comments.)
I agree. I use Minnesota Democrat Exposer which is rather boring. If you have suggestions, please let me know. I may post a poll.
Up until a month ago, I did allow comments to be posted. But I had people posting some very inappropriate sexual comments so I shut down the comment section.
It is back up for good. I will remind you that blogs like www.mngopwatch.blogspot.com did not allow comments for a very long time and until an article was published in the Pioneer Press, it was published anonymously. Patrick was indentified in the article, but "The Hammer" was anonymous until yesterday.
Hey MNGOPWATCH.BLOGSPOT.COM, please correct me if my facts are wrong but I am very confident that I am correct.
There is a huge difference between this blog and MNGOPWatch. At the bottom of their blog (even when they were anonymous) you will find this statement, "Minnesota Republican Watch is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee."
But I guess this anonymous blog has more reason to dodge this question than other anonymous blogs.
Q: What role did you play in organizing or planning the September 2004 protest against the Minnesota Poll?
A: Nothing other than announcing the the protest and providing information.
How many people write for this blog?
A: Just me. But I will joined by another blogger in the next week.
Q: In September, that Star Tribune identified Chris Tiedeman as the organizer of the protest against the Minnesota Poll. Are you Chris Tiedeman?
A: I am not Chris Tiedeman, but I did play him on TV.
Q: Why do you continue to remain anonymous even as you attempt to increase the exposure of your blog and thrust yourself into the political spotlight?
A: Because it is my right. This is my blog and I will run it the way I want.
Q: Why do you not allow anonymous comments? Do you hold commenters to a higher standard than yourself?
A: That is a good question. I designed this blog and I am very proud of my work. I always said that I would only post the truth. I don't have any interest in spreading lies about DFLers when the truth is so much better.
I receive numerous emails a week from people who have gossip or theories about the DFL. I know that some of the emails are full of lies and I refuse to post them.
By allowing comments to be posted on my blog from anonymous sources, it gives the people who comment
control over what is said on my blog about DFLers. By requiring people to sign in, they become more responsibile.
Q: Do you believe that remaining anonymous damages the credibility of your blog?
A: No. If I used my ability to remain anonymous as a way to spread lies and gossip about DFLers than it would.
I post the truth and that makes my blog credible.
Q: On Monday, you said: "By design, my blog is dedicated to a truthful discussion on the activities, statements, and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. I encourage people to visit the websites of Minnesota Democrats by providing links to their websites from MDE." But, at least as of February 18, you did not. The links to left-wing blogs and the DFL party were not available on your sidebar until at least February 18. Would you have placed these links on your blog if these domain registrations had not become an issue?
A: I had a technical problem with my blog back in Jaunary. I was updated my template one day and I erased it. I did not have a back up so I had to recreate my blog. For three hours it was completely blank.
I am still rebuilding it and I will continue to have links to liberal blogs and website. If I remember correctly, I linked to www.mngopwatch.blogspot.com before he linked to me.
Q: What's your favorite color?
A: Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, and Blue.
Q:There is a huge difference between this blog and MNGOPWatch. At the bottom of their blog (even when they were anonymous) you will find this statement, "Minnesota Republican Watch is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee."
But I guess this anonymous blog has more reason to dodge this question than other anonymous blogs.
Q: If it makes you feel better, I will add "Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee."
I hope that makes you feel better.
Thank you for attempting to provide a list of DFL shenanigans. But I asked for sammples of things the DFL (which you are attempting to expose) had done since the year 2000. Instead, you provided
1) the one you mentioned in 1999 that I seem to be having difficulty finding record of.
2) Pawlenty facts: I assume you mean that because it has pwlenty's name, it should only be pro-pawlenty? Like MDE is pro-Minnesota Democrats? Like KerryCore was pro kerry? (http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:o4z9R2fbAZoJ:www.kerrycore.com/+%22John+Kerry%22%2Bopposition+web+sites&hl=en)
3. McCollum is a DFLer
4. Lingle is in Hawaii
5. Dewhurst is in Texas
6. Stafford is in S.CArolina
7. Also not a local example
8. I find it odd you would use Pawlenty exposed when your site is MDE
Carson: When did you become the Blog police? When did you become the sole voice of what is fair and right in the blogging community?
The reason you are upset is because I am a partisan Republican. BTW: I linked to your site before you linked to mine.
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I'm too dumb to post.
I have to laugh at the comment about not being able to comment anonymously. Anyone can create an account at Blogger and not use any personal information. All they have is their handle. Then they can come here and post with complete anonymity (Except I believe your IP address. Most commenting systems log this to prevent abuse.).
Rew: This was my original statement: "I will remind my critics that Democrats in Minnesota and across the country have a long history of buying the domain names of GOP elected officials, private citizens, and candidates for political tomfoolery. My intentions were mild in comparison."
This is what you claimed I said:
"long history of [the DFL] buying the domain names of GOP elected officials, private citizens, and candidates for political tomfoolery."
If you are going to quote me, at least be accurate. I can't respond to a quote I never said.
I provided my sources for my statement.
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Carson: If you don't like the fact that I am exercising my First Amendment right to remain anonymous, then you can show your disdain by not reading my blog.
It's just that simple.
As much as I hate to agree with MDE, I am amazed at the amount of time and venomous energy local democrats have wasted over what is a pretty tame, if mischievous, political maneuver.
So he bought a couple of domain names -- who cares? It's not like he is using them to display pornography or sold them to the Republican candidates. We're a year and a half out from the '06 election. We're likely more than a year away from even knowing who the endorsed DFL candidates will be. If MDE wants to use early interest in speculative candidates to his benefit, is it really worth obsessing over? Between KSTP's hissy fit yesterday and psychotic e-mails MDE has received from self proclaimed democrats, I fear for the sanity of my fellow political hacks. If the internet is not a haven for anonymous free speech, if it's not the new battlefield upon which political campaigns will fight to outsmart eachother, then what is?
To all of you who still don't understand what all the fuss is about, I hope you’ll join me in constructing tin foil helmets to shield our brains from the contagious hysteria.
As much as I hate to agree with MDE, I am amazed at the amount of time and venomous energy local democrats have wasted over what is a pretty tame, if mischievous, political maneuver.
So he bought a couple of domain names -- who cares? It's not like he is using them to display pornography or sold them to the Republican candidates. We're a year and a half out from the '06 election. We're likely more than a year away from even knowing who the endorsed DFL candidates will be. If MDE wants to use early interest in speculative candidates to his benefit, is it really worth obsessing over? Between KSTP's hissy fit yesterday and psychotic e-mails MDE has received from self proclaimed democrats, I fear for the sanity of my fellow political hacks. If the internet is not a haven for anonymous free speech, if it's not the new battlefield upon which political campaigns will fight to outsmart eachother, then what is?
To all of you who still don't understand what all the fuss is about, I hope you’ll join me in constructing tin foil helmets to shield our brains from the contagious hysteria.
MDE you've really set off a stink bomb in the moonbat cave, for that you have my admiration.
However if you're a GOP staffer I suggest you disclose that fact.
There's nothing wrong with political party operatives writing blogs on their own time, in fact there's nothing wrong with party's paying for someone to write them...as long as it's clear to everyone.
Love your site, keep it up~ but if you throw red meat to the Minnesota barking moonbats at the expense of the credability the rest of us who are out here on the front lines have earned, we're gonna be really P.O.!
It wasn't a misquote, I was asking for specific information. But I appologize if it came off as misleading. I just found it odd that you could give no current local example, other than:
"2. The DFL Party has previously linked to a anonymous blog called Pawlenty Exposed. I suspect DFL staff is a major contributor for the material posted on the blog. In fact, some of the posts mirror DFL press releases."
which, as far as I can tell, is an acusation that appears to be being applied to you word for word.
Again, thank you for the responses.
Rew: It was a misquote because you put in quotations.
I just also gave more examples than what you posted:
1. The purchase of Randyskoglund.com by a DFL activist who then forwarded the name to the DFL Party website.
2. The DFL purchased www.pawlentyfacts.com.
3. "A company called Lone Gunmen Data Specialist Inc., whose owners include Marc Asch, a former state representative and president of Common Cause of Minnesota, snatched Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum's 2000 campaign Web address when its registration lapsed last year. Asch said he was retaliating for the campaign's failure to fully pay the firm's bill for computer work.
Bill Harper, McCollum's chief of staff, said it was his understanding that Asch worked as a volunteer and that McCollum paid him $2,500 anyway to try to settle the matter. Harper called Asch's action an example of "taking someone's domain name . . . for malicious or injurious purposes," noting that McCollumforCongress.org was printed on campaign letterhead costing thousands of dollars." Source: Source: Star Tribune, April 4, 2002.
I have no problem with your anonymity.
However, you have not answered several questions posed to you. In response to Carson's initial question you posted a response that is ambiguous at best and that does not actually answer the question. You could and should respond with a simple "yes" or "no" (and you could add some explanation along with it). In addition, you have not responded to Luke Francl's questions. I am going to reprint them. Your failure to respond to Luke's questions, and your ambiguous and seemingly evasive answer to Carson's initial question, along with the fact that you address many other questions much more straightforwardly, means you should address those questions now to avoid the impression that in fact you have some political connections you are seeking to hide.
Here are Luke's questions again:
"What role do you have in the GOP at the local, state, or national level? What role(s) have you performed in the past? Please include volunteer efforts.
How much of what you post is sent to you by Minnesota GOP staffers?"
Carson asked: "Are you currently employed by (or recieve money from) any political parties, political candidates, or political organizations (527's)?"
How about it, my friend?
Here are Luke's questions again:
Q: "What role do you have in the GOP at the local, state, or national level? What role(s) have you performed in the past? Please include volunteer efforts.
A: How do I answer that? I am a Republican activist living in Minnesota. I love being a Republican and I hate Democrats.
My volunteer efforts? Are you f-ing joking? I am not posting my resume. Remember I want to be anonymous.
Q: How much of what you post is sent to you by Minnesota GOP staffers?"
A: I assume you mean Republican Party of Minnesota staff? If so, then nothing.
Q: Carson asked: "Are you currently employed by (or recieve money from) any political parties, political candidates, or political organizations (527's)?"
A: see above.
Q: How about it, my friend?
A: You do have a problem with my anonymity. If you didn't you wouldn't act like the blog police.
When did the Minnesota blogging community elect you and Luke Francl as the enforcer of blogs?
Here's a suggestion: Why don't you and the rest of blog police spend your time trying to solve the mystery of where Jimmy Hoffa is buried and respect my right to remain anonymous.
That felt good.
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