The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

NATIONAL DAY OF BLOGGER SILENCE UPDATE: Remember Seth Allen

Posted on | June 8, 2012 | 78 Comments

FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
On the morning of Thursday, May 17, I was planning to go to Camp David, 15 miles from my Maryland home, to cover the G8 Summit.

I had never even heard of Brett Kimberlin.

Then Aaron Walker published his 28,000-word post, “How Brett Kimberlin Tried to Frame Me for a Crime” and, after skimming over it, I made an executive decision: “Screw the G8.”

This story was more important. A convicted terrorist using lawsuits and other forms of harassment to intimidate bloggers into silence about his criminal history? Not on my watch, Mister.

When my reporting on the Kimberlin story resulted in harassment aimed at me and my family, I had no choice:

Many other people who have rallied to this cause, including my friend Ali Akbar, have suffered similar harassment, but we must remember that others have suffered far worse in the cause of liberty. My father was wounded within an inch of his life fighting the Nazis in World War II, and it would be a disgrace to his memory for me to back down from a vicious punk like Brett Kimberlin.

People who will not stand up for their rights will eventually discover that they have no rights. It was not the publication of the Declaration of Independence that made America free. Rather, it was the courage of the soldiers who were willing to fight.

Ace of Spades has called for a Day of Silence. Coincidentally, today is the day when this blog will record its 10 millionth hit. We will celebrate tomorrow. Today, we stand in silent solidarity, as Michelle Malkin asks: “Who will protect the freedom to blog?”

UPDATE: When Ace announced the Day of Silence, many bloggers were mystified: “Silence? Isn’t that what Brett Kimberlin wants?” Exactly, which is why every blogger participating in this protest — Andrew J. Patrick just joined our ranks — will write one post about the Day of Silence and nothing else all day.

The point is to call for congressional action, as Ace said: “They are our representatives; we would like some representation.”

My congressman is Republican Roscoe Bartlett. Perhaps some of my friends would care to call his D.C. office at 202-225-2721 and ask Congressman Bartlett’s staff when my representative will take notice of what has happened to his Maryland constituent.

UPDATE II: Well, look what we have here: A Memeorandum thread about the Day of Silence! This post will continue to be updated with links to other bloggers participating in the Day of Silence as we wait to hear from more members of Congress who, we hope, will join Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) in speaking up on behalf of our First Amendment rights.

UPDATE III: Ken at Popehat continues to urge that bloggers focus on the free-speech aspect of the Kimberlin case, rather than the tedious Left-vs.-Right partisan angle. It is important in this context to remind readers that all this began with a progressive blogger, Seth Allen, whose site is DFQ2 and whose Twitter handle is @Prepostericity.

To put it as mildly as possible, Seth is perhaps not a likely candidate for Sean Hannity’s “Great American” panel. Seth is emotionally volatile and his politics are way out there on the freaky far-left fringe.

Yet he seems to have a fully functional bulls–t detector, and when Seth whiffed the scent of bovine excrement coming from the direction of Brett Kimberlin’s tax-exempt hustle, he exercised his First Amendment right to start raising hell. Seth’s tale is told briefly in my American Spectator column today:

During his 17 years in federal custody, Kimberlin became a skillful “jailhouse lawyer,” filing more than 100 legal proceedings on his own behalf and, over the past two years, he has deployed those methods in a series of lawsuits and criminal accusations against his chosen targets. Another non-profit Kimberlin co-founded, Velvet Revolution, made headlines by offering rewards for evidence of wrongdoing by public figures including GOP strategist Karl Rove and U.S. Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donohue. And then a left-winger who used the alias “Socrates” began to speak out on a number of Internet forums, expressing his suspicion that Kimberlin and his Velvet Revolution partner, prominent liberal blogger Brad Friedman, were running a dishonest scam.
“Socrates,” it turned out, was an eccentric young Massachusetts resident named Seth Allen. Believing that Velvet Revolution’s frequent accusations of Republican election fraud and other right-wing crimes were a bogus fundraising gimmick, Allen started doing online research, discovered Kimberlin’s infamous history and persistently wrote about it, getting himself banned from several progressive websites in the process. In October 2010, Kimberlin sued Allen for more than $2 million, charging him with “defamation, libel, cyberstalking, and tortuous interference with business.” That lawsuit tipped the first in a series of dominoes that have been sequentially toppling with increasing rapidity ever since. . . . .

Please read the whole thing, which is a 1,500-word attempt to explain the craziest story I’ve covered in my entire career.

UPDATE IV: Jimmie Bise Jr. at the Sundries Shack:

The goal of Kimberlin and those who act like him is simple. They want you to be afraid, so afraid that you will not speak out freely and boldly in the public arena. Their message, so plain any reasonable person can see it is this: if you disagree with us in any way in public, we will make a spectacle of you. Kimberlin and his ilk have assaulted the First Amendment in a way we have not seen in this country in a very long time. They want our silence and, today, that is what they will get.

There are some disagreements as to the appropriate means of observing the Day of Silence, and Instapundit is the most prominent of the bloggers not participating, but is linking those who do. Professor Reynolds remarks, “Also, not to be too critical, but can we please stop scheduling PR stunts on Fridays? That’s not a good day for those, for obvious reasons.:”

Don’t get me started, or I’ll preach from the Gospel of Butt-Hurt.

Nobody ever asks for my advice, and when I volunteer advice, it’s always ignored, so I’ve stopped trying to tell other people what they should do — unless I decide to tell them go to Hell.

If people actually valued my ability, knowledge and experience, they would be offering to pay me for it.

Instead, I’m Not Good Enough for BlogCon, persona non grata, viewed by the Official New Media Elite as an unwelcome liability to the cause. God knows I don’t know anything about “media strategy” or how to succeed with this here “blogging” stuff . . . 

No “discretion,” either. But I won’t preach the whole sermon now.

UPDATE V: Having gotten that off my chest — Butt-Hurt is the New Black for bloggers — let’s keep linking back to some of the bloggers who, defying the authority of the Official Elite, have linked here today, beginning with Evil Blogger Lady, wo explains that “Freedom Isn’t Free.”

EBL got into a squabble with Wombat this past week over the whole FMJRA thing and I, up to my eyeballs in the Kimberlin story, didn’t have the time to referee the squabble.

In all such disputes, Rule One is, “The Wombat is always right.” Rule Two is, “If you think the Wombat is wrong, see Rule One.”

It’s weird how often arguments among bloggers turn into private resentments that fuel silent fueds that are waged secretly until, one day, it all blows up into a huge public drama with cataclysmic consquences. When did Charles Johnson first become resentful of Pamela Geller’s success? We don’t know, but we saw what happened when everybody tried to ignore it and hoped it was “just a blogwar” that would subside quietly.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant. People who piss me off (bad enough that I notice it) seldom have to wonder if they have pissed me off.

UPDATE VI: Fox News online reports on the story and includes the obligatory denial from the convicted perjurer:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the incident and said the case had been referred to the FBI.
Frey said talks with nationwide experts suggested this was a case of SWAT-ing and says he and all previous victims had all written about activist and convicted felon Brett Kimberlin — about whom Erickson has also written.
Kimberlin said he has no connection to any of the attacks.
“I had never even heard of Erick Erickson until a couple of days ago,” he told FoxNews.com. “I have nothing to do with the SWAT-ing of anybody.”

Let me clarify a few things that should be obvious, but evidently are being overlooked by some people:

  1. This isn’t just about “SWATting,” but about a broad pattern of harassment by Kimberlin and his associates.
  2. We don’t know who was responsible for the alleged SWATtings of Patterico, Erick Erickson or Mike Stack.
  3. Nearly all the harassment being carried out online — we won’t name the website or Twitter accounts involved, nor describe the types of harassment involved — is being done under pseudonyms and we will not know who did what unless and until there is criminal prosecution of the persons responsible.
  4. Neal Rauhauser has previously described Kimberlin as his “client.” It is therefore entirely reasonable to suspect that Rauhauser is being paid (and may be paying others) to conduct an aggressive online assault against Kimberlin’s critics.

This is why Rauhauser’s role in the 2010 “TwitterGate” scandal is so important to keep in mind. If Rauhauser is running such an operation on Kimberlin’s behalf, and if that kind of intimidation campaign were being funded with proceeds from Kimberlin’s 501(c) non-profits, this would almost certainly be in violation of IRS regulations and other federal laws regarding the activities of tax-exempt organizations.

UPDATE VII: Chris Muir explains why Day by Day Cartoon went blank today.

Dan Collins writes a must-read: “My Letter to My Congressmen Regarding Convicted Domestic Terrorist and Perjurer Brett Kimberlin.”

Bob Belvedere of The Camp of the Saints manages to get himself quoted by Andrea Shea King at Radio Patriot and, though tempted to make a Rule 5 wisecrack, I’ll resist the urge.

UPDATE VIII: “Kimberlin’s Cronies Go After The Lid,” which is a pattern that we can expect to see repeated. It will almost certainly be alleged, for example, that Dan Collins is a “chubby chaser” and that I have been apprehended while driving at high speed in Livonia, Louisiana. However, in our defense, it must be pointed out:

  1. The enforcement of so-called “speed limits” is arguably a form of political discrimination against Appalachian-Americans, whose penchant for, um, rapid transportation is a widely recognized ethno-cultural trait; and
  2. Hey, chubby girls need love, too!

We will continue to ignore all vicious smears and half-truths purveyed by Kimberlin’s defenders: Satan is a liar.

– Robert Stacy McCain, Whereabouts Unknown

Category: The Kimberlin Files

LIVE AT FIVE – 06.08.12

Posted on | June 8, 2012 | 6 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Feinstein Vows To Crack Down On Intel Leaks

Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee

Congressional investigation could embarrass Obama at the height of his re-election campaign

Putin’s Hard Line On Protests Put To The Tests
Toughened penalties may have only fueled opponents’ anger, resolve

As Iran Tensions Fester, UAE Completes New Pipeline
Negates Iranian ability to block Strait of Hormuz



POLITICS
Obama Complains About House Inaction While Off Attending Fundraisers

President Obama whines to students at UNLV

Complains about Congressional inaction on jobs, student loans
McConnell responds: “The only people dragging their feet on this issue are over at the White House.”

Scott Brown Accuses Liz Warren Of Being Debate-Shy


US Military Suicides Rising, Even Though Combat Eases

Arizona Imposes Tough Regulations On Newly Legal Medical Marijuana Businesses

Attorney General, House GOP Clash Over “Fast And Furious”

Poll: Majority Of Americans Think Arizona Immigration Law Is “Just Right”

No Enemies On The Right: Rand Paul Endorses Romney, Ron Paul Calls On Followers To Be “Respectful” At Tampa



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Prices Fall After Bernanke Says Nothing About QE3: NYMEX $82.83, Brent $98.10
European Stocks Slide As Stimulus Hopes Dashed
Fitch Slashes Spain’s Credit Rating To Near-Junk
US Credit Rating Could Follow Spain In 2013
PRC’s Top Banks Hold Line On Interest Despite Top Bank’s Rate Cut
California’s San Onofre Nuke Plant Likely Offline For Summer
As French Unemployment Rises To 10%, Greece Rockets To 21.9%
B&N E-Book Settlement Complaint Smacks Down DOJ
Facebook Rolls Out Central Location For Apps
Virgin Mobile Offers iPhone As No-Contract Market Gathers Steam
IE10’s “Do Not Track” Default Dies Quick Death
HTC Locked Out Of Windows 8 Tablet Party?
Nokia Plans To Expand On AT&T Lumia Deals
RIM Officially Nukes 16GB Playbook Tablet
PRC Tightens Internet Controls; Real-Name System To Expand



SPORTS
LeBron James Not Done Playing Yet

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce watch helplessly as LeBron James dunks

James forces Game 7 with 45-point rampage in Game Six

A-Rod Struggles As Rays Avert Sweep With 7-3 Beating Of Yankees

Buchholz Shuts Out Orioles, Red Sox Win 7-0

Ochocinco Released By Patriots


Goldwater Institute Files Suit To Block Glendale Council Vote On Coyotes Deal

NASCAR Drivers Choose Up Sides In Busch Controversy

Chapman Falters In Reds’ 10th Inning Loss To Pirates

Wang Still Limp, Nationals Baffled By Dickey As Mets Win 3-1



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Former Fleetwood Mac Member Bob Welch Dead At 65

Bob Welch, 1945-2012, RIP

Dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound at Nashville home

“America’s Got Talent”: Stuttering Soldier Timothy Poe’s Stolen Valor?

Charlie Sheen Flips Out After Running Afoul Of Staples Center’s No Reentry Policy

Selena Gomez Showing Serious Cleavage In New Issue Of “Elle”

Universal Gets Rolling On “Snow White And The Huntsman” Sequel

Phillip Phillips Undergoes Kidney Surgery


“Fifty Shades Of Grey” Heating Up With Angelina Jolie Talk

Taylor Swift Ditches CMT Awards, Jumps On Kings Bandwagon

Jewel Fixes Teeth (Temporarily?) For June Carter Cash Role

Jimmy Kimmel Disses K-Dash’s 72-Day “Marriage”



FOREIGNERS
Syria Bars UN Monitors From Massacre Investigation
Spain’s Rajoy Tries To Take Charge After Stumbling Start
Baluchistan Madrassa Bomb Toll Rises To 15
US Losing Patience With Pakistan, Panetta Says
Golden Dawn MP Wanted By Greek Police For Assault
Netanyahu Cabinet Helps Vote Down Bill To Legalize West Bank Settlements
Opinion: Time For Ulster’s McGuinness To Jettison Last Republican Taboo
Hollande Rolls Back Sarkozy’s Retirement Reforms
Dalai Lama’s Envoys To PRC Resign In Frustration
US Offers Bounty On Somali Militants
Prince Of Wales A Real Danger To The Monarchy?



BLOGS & STUFF
Peggy Noonan: What’s Changed After Wisconsin
American Thinker: Payback Is A Hound Dog
Power Line: The Spike (Ed Klein Edition)
Vodkapundit: Who Do You Believe, The Exit Polls Or Your Own Lying Eyes?
Da Tech Guy: Who’s Throwing Who Under The Bus?
Lonely Conservative: Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-TX) Joins Call For Investigation Into Logger SWATting
Ali Akbar: My Mistake, Brett Kimberlin, And Attacks On My Mother
Protein Wisdom: “Senator Asks DOJ To Investigate SWATting Of Conservative Bloggers”
Michelle Malkin: ACLJ Steps Up To Defend Bloggers Targeted Over Brett Kimberlin Coverage
MacIver Institute: AFSCME-Sponsored Post-Recall Rally In Milwaukee Turns Violent
Weasel Zippers: Because The Economy Doesn’t Suck Enough, Liberal Dems To Push For $10 Minimum Wage
Althouse: Atlantic’s Molly Ball Claims Romney’s Road To 270 Doesn’t Get To 270
NewsBusters: Jon Stewart Slams MSNBC Coverage Of Wisconsin Recall – “MSNBSad”
Randy’s Roundtable: Fast And Furious (Lies)
Jawa Report: Yesterday At Obama’s San Francisco Fundraiser, The Press Lined Up To Interiew…
Investor.com: What’s Really To Blame For The Lousy Recovery
Volokh Conspiracy: Open Primary Law Yields Two Republicans In CA-31 Even Though Dems Are Largest Party
American Power: The Left’s “Smoldering Wreckage” Leads To Smothering Agenda

Category: Live at Five

Hammurabi Rides Reborn

Posted on | June 7, 2012 | 9 Comments

by Smitty

Hammurabi Rides Reborn

Hammurabi rides reborn,
(So-and-so’s a right blackguard!)
Though I’m not privy to facts,

In each personal regard.
The sudden onslaught of scorn,
Moves me to poetic wax.

As though by mere spoken word,
I could halt the lame attacks,
That email and tweet adorn.

Historical knives in backs,
Are unstabbed as sound’s unheard.
Easier, new flesh is torn,

Than everyone just relax,
In forgiveness be reborn,
And swallow pride gone hard.

Or not. Let’s for past wrongs mourn,
And continue eyeless acts,
Toothless allegations heard,

Useless vows of vengeance sworn,
By adults? So untoward,
Serving only strength to tax.

If you like the form, try Afghanistan Reflection

Category: Blogging, Video

Separated At Birth? Frances Fox Piven / Susan Sarandon Edition

Posted on | June 7, 2012 | 14 Comments

by Smitty

It bothered me for a while that Piven reminded me of someone. . .

Celibacy argument Gaaaaah
Category: humor

CNN Gets Scooped on Its Own Story
UPDATE: ACLJ Joins the Fight!

Posted on | June 7, 2012 | 35 Comments

FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Very busy today, awaiting developments on The Kimberlin Files. However, Da Tech Guy cleverly points out that CNN allowed Arlette Saenz of ABC to beat them on reporting this story, even though the reported SWATting of CNN on-air personality Erick Erickson was a central element of the story.

For that matter, CNN contributor Dana Loesch is well-informed about the Kimberlin story, and could put CNN’s reporters in direct contact with many others who are involved. But maybe the executives at CNN would rather continue being No. 3 in cable news ratings, and let their competitors scoop them on such an important story, because they are more interested in playing politics than reporting the actual news.

Jeff Goldstein mocks Brett Kimberlin’s self-proclaimed victimhood.

Obviously, having spoken to Saenz about my own role in the story, I owe The American Spectator a follow-up on my May 29 article, “Terror By Any Other Name.” So . . .busy day.

UPDATE: Almost forgot — but Bob Belvedere has reminded us — that Eric Holder testified today before the House Judiciary Committee. Did committee members ask the Attorney General any questions about Senator Chambliss’s inquiry?

UPDATE II: Michelle Malkin breaks the news that the American Center for Law and Justice will defend Ali Akbar:

“Free speech is under attack,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “Conservative writers are now facing threats against themselves, their families, and their livelihoods merely because they’ve aggressively investigated the history and funding of radical liberals. The ACLJ has a long history of successfully defending free speech, and we look forward to defeating this latest attempt to threaten and intimidate conservatives into silence.”

Busy, busy, busy . . .

— Robert Stacy McCain, Whereabouts Unknown

 


Category: The Kimberlin Files

American Glob Misses The Point

Posted on | June 7, 2012 | 22 Comments

by Smitty

“A MODEST PROPOSAL: Liberals Should Start Their Own Country” doesn’t understand the fundamental premise of modern liberalism.
That is, Modern Liberalism is an alliance of the Pointy Haired Boss and Wally against Dilbert and Alice. It is the well-heeled loudmouths teaming up with the slackers to mooch off of the productive.
There is no way under the sun that the PHB and Wally are ever going to found their own country, even if there was infinite, uninhabited rich land available. Even to say that, you’re viewing reality through the Dilbert/Alice prism.
Turn on, tune in, and drop out to the Lefty weltanschauung for an understanding of why they’ll wait for you to start a swell new country, then move in to hammer you with fear and guilt and live off of the sweat of your brow. It’s called Progress.

Update: Daily Pundit slightly misses the point. The statement was not “Have Proglodytes ever started a country?”. American Glob had a modest proposal for our current crop of American Proglodytes to, you know, follow through on their repeated threats (teases) to leave this country.

To restate my original post,
offer an example of a parasite leaving the host.
For surely as they depart our coast,
Reality will strike, leaving them toast.

Category: Blogging, Progressivism

LIVE AT FIVE – 06.07.12

Posted on | June 7, 2012 | 1 Comment

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Diplomatic Deadlock At UN As Syrian Massacres Continue

A bullet-riddled shop door in Taftanaz

PRC, Russia unwilling to back ouster of Assad

SecDef Panetta Pays Surprise Visit To Kabul
Will confer with ambassador Crocker, top commanders



New Russian Anti-Protest Law Could Galvanize Opposition
Putin claims increased fines under new law bring Russia into line with EU



POLITICS
Obama Fundraising Thrives While The Economy Burns

Cher at Obama fundraiser

President expected to raise $5 million in West Coast swing

GOP Ignores Veto Threat On Medical Device Tax Repeal

San Jose, San Diego Vote For Pension Reforms

DC City Council Chair Kwame Brown Resigns After Bank Fraud Charge

Boy Scouts To Review Policy On Gay Leaders, No Change Expected

Despite Bipartisan Outrage, Security Leaks May Go Unplugged

Federal Judge In NY Rules Marriage Is A State Issue



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Prices Rise For Third Straight Day As Traders Speculate On Fed Further Weakening Dollar; NYMEX $85.21, Brent $100.64
European Futures, Asian Shares Climb On Global Stimulus Optimism
Merkel: Two-Speed Europe Is A Reality
NASDAQ To Pay $40 Million For Facebook IPO Glitches
Spain To Test Market Confidence With Bond Auction
Taco Bell Plans More Upscale Menu
Gold Edges Up ahead Of Bernanke Testimony
EHarmony Confirms Password Breach
Rather Than Sharing Your Location, Foursquare Wants To Suggest One
Google To Unveil Digital Maps That Work Offline
XBox SmartGlass Could Save Windows Phone, Tablets
Google Alerts Users To Suspected State-Sponsored Cyberattacks
New Internet Standard Gives Network Room To Grow
“HALO 4” Launches Weekly Series To Extend Its Aura



SPORTS
Devils Stave Off Elimination, Beat Kings With Late Goals

New Jersey's Adam Henrique scores the winning goal last night in Game 4

New Jersey beats Kings 3-1, lives to play another day

Spurs Get Swept By Thunder, 107-99

Rays’ Maddon Has No Cure For Missing Evan Longoria

Kyle Busch Wins Wreck-Filled Prelude To The Dream

Phillies Fall To Dodgers 6-5, Losing 5th Straight And Freddie Galvis Too

Williams Finally Loses At Home, Mariners Win 8-6

Consolidated Suit Expected In NFL Concussion Case

Key Witness In Clemens Trial Contradicted By Wife

Chen Shines As O’s Edge Red Sox For 7th Straight Win At Fenway

LaRoche Key As Middle Of The Order Does The Damage In 5-3 Win Over Bumbling Mets



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
The Arc Of Joan

Christina Hendricks

Christina Hendricks talks about her “Mad Men” character

Miley Cyrus Engaged To Liam Hemsworth

Danica McKellar Files For Divorce

John Mayer Whines About Being Humiliated By Taylor Swift Song

Gisele Bundchen Pregnant With Child #2

Leighton Meester Crushes Mom In Court Over Plastic Surgery Money

Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Strug: It’s A Boy!

Jim Carrey Fires Back At Jenny McCarthy’s Comments About Her Autistic Son

National Enquirer: Travolta Had Six-Year Gay Relationship With His Pilot

Ray Bradbury Dies, 91



FOREIGNERS
Iran Threatens Delays In Nuke Talks
Prince Philip Much Better After Jubilee Hospitalization
India Pitches For Larger Role In Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Where They Stand: Egyptian Candidates Shafiq, Mursi
“Canadian Psycho” Case Takes New, Macabre Twist
French Unemployment Rate Rises To 10%
Great Successor Stages Massive Youth Rally
Meanwhile, In Azerbaijan…
Russia’s Quiet Rapprochement With Pakistan
Nightmare Scenario Looms In South Sudan, Aid Groups Warn



BLOGS & STUFF
Jammie Wearing Fools: Obama Greeted In California By Taunting Over Wisconsin Recall #FAIL
Riehl World View: Wisconsin Loss Adds Fuel To Damaging Fire Inside Democratic Party
Weasel Zippers: Barney Frank Slams Dems, Unions For Making “Big Mistake” In Pushing For Wisconsin Recall
James Taranto: We Are The 119%
Via Meadia: The “People United” Go Down In Flames
James Pethokoukis: In Wisconsin, The Long Recession Claims Another Victim
WyBlog: NJ Judge Again Rules Bloggers Not Journalists, Not Entitled To 1st Amendment Protections
NewsBusters: President Of Estonia Rips Paul Krugman – “Smug, Overbearing And Patronizing”
Weekly Standard Blog: NYT Says Romney Still Bullying Gays…With His House
Power Line: You Can’t See Michelle Obama Without Photo ID
Viking Pundit: ObamaCare Was More Important Than Fixing The Economy
Ed Driscoll: “He Doesn’t Need People”

Category: Live at Five

Did Brett Kimberlin Stalk BlogCon? UPDATE: Confirmed or Not?

Posted on | June 6, 2012 | 40 Comments

FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
New developments today in the story of convicted terrorist bomber-turned-progressive activist Brett Kimberlin: Sources report that conservative New Media activists believe that Kimberlin — whose activities are funded by the tax-exempt 501(c) non-profits Velvet Revolution and the Justice Through Music Project — showed up in April at BlogCon, a conference sponsored by FreedomWorks and the Franklin Center.

The incident was uncovered by @JDonels, who reported on his Tumblr blog that a person using the Twitter alias “Robert Slydell” appears to have been involved in the incident:

Did a left-wing activist infiltrate BlogCon Charlotte? Try to intimidate bloggers on Twitter? Did this person know someone who may have hacked Twitter accounts, and have his real name accidentally exposed in the process? And did this person know of efforts to put conservatives in TwitterGulag?

A photo of Kimberlin was circulated among online activists and, sources say, it was confirmed that Kimberlin showed up at the hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where BlogCon was held. Sources say Kimberlin was seen collecting information about the conference proceedings and was eventually escorted from the premises by hotel security.

Kimberlin has been accused of engaging in a campaign of harassment and intimidation against conservative bloggers, including Patrick “Patterico” Frey, Aaron Walker and National Bloggers Club president Ali Akbar. The case has drawn widespread attention, and major news organizations are taking increased interest in the story. Bestselling author Michelle Malkin wrote today:

[Award-winning conservative blogger] Ace of Spades has called for a National Day of Blogger Silence this Friday to focus Capitol Hill’s attention to this vital free speech fight.

UPDATE: Hans Bader of the Competitive Enterprise Institute called attention to the Kimberlin case Tuesday in a letter to the editors of The Washington Times. Meanwhile, Examiner columnist Joe Newby contacted a board member of Kimberlin’s non-profit Velvet Revolution, who claimed there have been “coordinated right wing attacks” leveled at Kimberlin “based on no facts.”

Kimberlin’s criminal career has been the subject of extensive reporting by Massimo Calabresi of Time magazine, Mandy “Liberty Chick” Nagy of Breitbart.com, Ed Barnes of Fox News and other news organizations, and was covered in-depth by New Yorker reporter Mark Singer in his 1996 book, Citizen K: The Deeply Weird American Journey of Brett Kimberlin..

UPDATE II: Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) just became the first member of Congress to officially demand investigation of the “threats and intimidation [which] have no place in our national political discourse.”

UPDATE III: Instapundit and Dan Riehl on Chambliss story, which is also now the subject of a Memeorandum thread.

UPDATE IV: Another source contacted me this evening to express uncertainty about the identification of Kimberlin as the person escorted out of the North Carolina hotel where BlogCon was held in April. Furthermore, this source said, there is concern — based on Kimberblin’s known modus operandi — that heightened scrutiny may prompt the convicted bomber to desperate measures.

“He’s a megalomaniacal sociopath,” the source said, adding that the Mark Singer book Citizen K makes clear Kimberlin’s complete contempt for law enforcement and his belief that he’s “smarter than the cops.” Thus, whether or not Kimberlin was at the April event in Charlotte, he might single out individuals associated with the conference as “enemies,” targeting them for “lawfare” harassment or other types of intimidation tactics.

– Robert Stacy McCain, Whereabouts Unknown

 
UPDATE IV (Smitty): Welcome, Instapundit readers!
 

Category: The Kimberlin Files
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