Lib Blogger OutedBy Ed Whelan
at Bench Memos, "Publius" of Obsidian Wings.
Some forthright
condemnation from the right side of the blogs:
The point is, there are a lot of good reasons for bloggers to remain anonymous and Ed Whalen has no right to decide differently just because he got steamed about someone’s response to his analysis. Did Publius commit a crime? Was he slandering Whalen? If not, Whalen’s fit of personal pique looks low, tawdry, childish, and vengeful. The closest Publius got to getting personal with Whelan was in calling him a “know-nothing demagogue.” And this was after making the point that Whelan knew better and was simply pandering to conservative sensibilities.
And
James Joyner:
Jeopardizing a man’s career and family relationships over something so petty is simply shameful.
I admit to being a bit torn here. On the one hand, a blog should stand or fall on the merits of the writing and the arguments made, not on the reputation of the writer. On the other hand, I am uncomfortable that the shield of internet anonymity not allow somebody to make poor arguments and lies just because he knows that they will not redound against him personally. I see no evidence however that was the case in this instance; about the worst that can be said for Publius is that he used ad hominems at times.
Still, I don't have the benefit of anonymity, and I'm just a bit jealous at times of those who do.
Labels: Ed Whelan, Publius