Bloggers' counter-revolution [Buckhead and Free Republic credited]

Washington Times ^ | January 14, 2005 | By Phil Kent

[Jim Robinson]

What's the newest word getting into the dictionary for the new year? Miriam Webster's editors announce it is "blog" — defined as "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer."

So hoist a glass to toast perhaps the most famous "blogger" of 2004 — a brilliant Atlanta lawyer nicknamed "Buckhead." He's the pajama-clad fellow, along with a follow-up host of other Internet truth seekers, who struck a telling blow at anchor Dan Rather and his CBS TV "60 Minutes II" by quickly analyzing and questioning the proportionally spaced fonts used in the so-called National Guard records of George W. Bush.

"Buckhead" — who's real name is Harry MacDougal — spends many a wee hour on his computer surfing the "blogosphere." The Georgian first challenged CBS in a posting on the FreeRepublic.com Web site. "I am saying these documents are forgeries, run through a copier for 15 generations to make them look old," he wrote barely four hours after Mr. Rather's Sept. 8 show unveiled its "scoop." Within minutes, other bloggers were using their Internet superhighway to further analyze the typefaces — not known to have been used in 1972 typewriters — to reinforce my friend's suspicions and to tweak aggressive news outlets into doing some investigative reporting.

A few days later, as establishment media experts were finally weighing in against a smug and defiant Mr. Rather (who apologized 14 days later), one exultant FreeRepublic.com groupie declared in a succinct posting: "Buckhead for the U.S. Supreme Court."

[CedarDave]

The truly dark side of modern liberalism can be seen in the rise of a "politically correct" news media. It has not been receptive to political conservatives and our traditional Judeo-Christian culture — and it has gone out of its way in recent years to condone and even glorify everything from drug use to same-sex marriage. Since the culturally corrosive Woodstock era, the "old media" led by CBS and the New York Times increasingly mocked traditional values and lifestyles as outmoded, racist and intolerant. Their unofficial motto evolved from that 1969 rock/drug/sex festival — "If it feels good, do it."

I also picked out this very paragraph for highlighting. It is so true and can be seen on most every hourly news update and on my local 10 p.m. news.

[wagglebee]

God Bless You for what you have given us Jim.

Without your perseverance and dedication, Free Republic would not exist and there would likely be no other forum to expose the brazen deceit of the left.

[visitor]

We'll be CELEBRATING 2 VICTORIES next week, how sweet it is :^)...rto

[IonImplantGuru]

I wonder if CBS has learned the wrong lesson from this to not post the source documents on the internet to be reviewed by pajama-clad amateurs?

I took a walk down memory lane by linking to famous post 47 by Buckhead, then following the link to CBS.com and the 'originals' of the faked memos (if that makes any sense!).

CBiaS amazingly still has the link up; however it's amazing how the original posted story is loaded with subsequent mea culpas now. Lots of fun enjoying the schadenfreud!

[IonImplantGuru]

"I remember posting on that famous thread that night and reading "Buckhead's" famous analysis. Is the thread still on file in the archives of FR anywhere?"

See post #21 for a link; it's still there!

[Texas Songwriter]

All things being otherwise the same, I believe if Buckhead and the others had not exposed this lie and/or the Swiftboat Vets had not been so thoughtful and persistent with the truth, this country would have been inaugurating John F.Kerry on January 20. So from the depths of my heart I want to thank Buckhead,Jim,John O'Neall, and the other freepers who love this country more than we can know. Free Republic changed the course of history. Free Republic may be responsible for allowing a George Bush rather than a John Kerry to appoint 3-5 Supreme Court justices and give direction to this country for the next 40-50 years. We will never know the degree to which Free Republic has managed to keep this Republic Free.

[GretchenM]

So now we're "groupies" ??

[GretchenM]

It takes an odd sense of style to emphasize cuffs as the most important item on formal wear.

[GretchenM]

Screen captures work for most things, even if the "news" source doesn't post the goods online.

[nicmarlo]

Liars and biased reporters: Beware of the pajamahadeen!!

Congrats, again, to Buckhead, Howlin and Tanker!

[AnAmericanMother]

That was relatively restrained for the time.

Years ago (over 100) one Eminent Victorian, Mr. Thackeray, wrote a bit of dialogue purporting to be two little Victorian children asking their grandparents about their salad days at the height of the Regency. "Did you box the Watch, Grandpapa? And how tight your trousers were! And how very low your dresses were, Grandmama!"

Our day will come too.

[cmsgop]

I am just so Proud of you!,

YOU TOOK HIM DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darksheare]

Congrats you three!

[MeekOneGOP]

Bloggers' counter-revolution
[Buckhead and Free Republic credited]

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, Nic! :^D

[nicmarlo]

Ain't this just great?! : )

[uncleshag]

My kind of ping, MeekOne. Thank you!

God Bless Buckhead and all FReepers who
watch lefties while America fights WWIII.

Thanks, Jim, for FRee Republic.
You are a true American Patriot!

[JLO]

BUMP!

[McGavin999]

Just think, you helped to start all of this.

[Bahbah]

While we are rejoicing, rightly, I'm sure we are wondering what's next. This site is not a blog. We've been called lots of things: extreme right wingers (wrong), mighty coast watchers (nice), people in pajamas without "standards" (unlike CBS). Some very alert and powerful people who don't want any truth to impinge on their forward march have been aware of the danger that people like us and places like this pose to them. Be careful and alert. JMHO.