Comments on: McDonnell dodges charges.

By: donald

donald — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 17:37:10 +0000

Well, I.Publius, “no way in hell” is a awfully certain stance to take on an issue that hasn’t been tested much in the courts. Maybe Waldo isn’t doing a lot of reporting, but substantially I’d say he is as much of a journalist as anyone with a regular op-ed spot in a regional broadsheet (Bryan Mackenzie, e.g.). The word ‘private’ in your phrase ‘private blogger’ does nothing. Who is “a public blogger,” if anyone? If the Daily Progress paid Waldo to blog on its website, would he be a public blogger? Would he then get special privileges? Why?

What’s the difference anyway between a blogger with a huge audience (say, Andrew Sullivan) and a writer for the NYTimes? The press got its own clause in the first amendment, I imagine, because it was the main (or only) way to easily spread information (including opinion) among the general populace. Blogging is now another means to the same end. either we are in the business of protecting speech, or we’re in the business of protecting institutions. I can’t why longevity should be a criterion when deciding which of two speakers gets protection.

anyway, in such a situation, I would take Waldo’s case in a heartbeat.

By: I.Publius

I.Publius — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 20:28:47 +0000

Sorry, donald, but there’s no way in hell that a private blogger would get the benefit of the NY Times rule.

A blog is the virtual equivalent of printing up leaflets and handing them out on a street corner… hardly the same thing as a recognized newspaper.

By: donald

donald — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 19:04:02 +0000

“stops just short of libel”

ha!

for a lawyer and an atty. gen. candidate, Bob shows an absurd (or willfull) ignorance of the law.

he’s a public figure. you’re (arguably) a journalist. between NYTimes v. Sullivan and Hustler v. Falwell, you can just about call him anything you want. and when you have the barest factual basis to believe what you say in good faith, you’re untouchable.

not that I think you’re worried. but still.

By: Jim E-H

Jim E-H — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 17:09:03 +0000

It’s so unfair that reality is biased against Republicans!

Last night, I happened to watch the “McCarthy Years” DVD from the recently released Edward R. Murrow collection. It’s striking how familiar it all seemed, and this is a textbook example — don’t acknowledge the validity of the charges, attack the accuser, and assert false connections and sources that the casual listener/viewer is unlikely to be able to check.

By: Alice Marshall

Alice Marshall — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:35:16 +0000

“Taliban Bob” McDonnell was a right-wing fanatic. But now it turns out that he’s a tinfoil hat lunatic as well.

the two have a way of going together

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:26:41 +0000

Thanks, Duane! I really did try to be journalistically evenhanded, and I’m glad it was perceived as such.

I should mention that the Hampton Roads Daily Press gave him the nickname of “Taliban Bob,” in a January 2003 editorial, after McDonnell said that he couldn’t recall if he’d ever violated the crimes against nature law.

By: Duane Gran

Duane Gran — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:17:37 +0000

Unfortunately WCHV doesn’t seem to share their audio online. I didn’t get the chance to catch MDonnell response, but I did have the good fortune to hear Waldo on Friday. While I’m a little biased on this issue, I do actually think Waldo bent over backward to avoid making an accusation and diplomatically pointed out the facts. McDonnell owes the voters an explanation, plain and simple.

Incidentally, I can’t say I blame McDonnell for holding a poor opinion of bloggers, given that some sites like RaisingKaine.com use childish terms like “taliban” to describe him.

By: Ross

Ross — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 15:54:49 +0000

Mmmmm adhom. The logical fallacy that nine out of ten politicians recommend!

By: blueinthecommonwealth_VA

blueinthecommonwealth_VA — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 15:07:49 +0000

*Proud to be part of Taliban Bob’s ‘Grand Conspiracy’*

It should be a bumper sticker. I’d put it on my car.

Let’s freaking win this thing for Creigh!

By: Raising Kaine » Bob McDonnell Claims Blogs Part of “Grand Conspiracy”

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 15:02:16 +0000

[...] OK, we always knew that “Taliban Bob” McDonnell was a right-wing fanatic. But now it turns out that he’s a tinfoil hat lunatic as well. This morning, on the “AM Charlottesville” program, McDonnell went completely off the deep end, accusing the blogger Waldo Jaquith of forming a “grand conspiracy” with other bloggers and with Democratic Attorney General candidate Creigh Deeds. Oh, and blogging is worthless. And Martians kidnapped him last night and did experiments using anal probles. Yeah, alright, I’m just kidding about the last one, but I wouldn’t put it past “Taliban Bob” to say something like that. What a weirdo. [...]