This morning, the Old Dominion Blog Alliance issued this press release:
Live By “Macaca,” Die By “NAMBLA”
Top Virginia Democratic Strategist Linked To Pedophile Web Site
Richmond, Virginia. (August 25, 2007) – The Old Dominion Blog Alliance (“ODBA”), an organization of approximately 25 conservative Virginia bloggers founded on December 9, 2005, discovered on August 21 that someone registered the domain name of “olddominionblogalliance.com” on August 16 via GoDaddy.com’s Domains by Proxy service in order to conceal their identity. The domain was then set to forward to the web site for the North American Man-Boy Love Association ("NAMBLA"), an organization that promotes illegal activity between adults and children, including pedophilia.
Following this disclosure, the parties behind it were subsequently discovered to be Joe Stanley of Yellow Dog Strategy, a Democratic consultant who manufactured last year’s “macaca” gaffe by U.S. Sen. George Allen into an ex post facto racial slur, and produced the controversial anti-Harris Miller mailing, and Ben Tribbett who runs the Northern Virginian blog “Not Larry Sabato.”
Evidence in hand and a confession by Mr. Stanley show that he was the one who purchased the domain name and then set it to forward to the NAMBLA web site. Mr. Tribbett, who is close to Mr. Stanley, proceeded to peddle the story to another blog and then feigned outrage at this action apparently in order to further raise the story’s visibility while maintaining deniability over it. Mr. Stanley undertook this action just two days after members of the ODBA began a concerted effort against state Sen. Roscoe Reynolds (D-20th Dist.), a candidate for whom Mr. Stanley has done work and who is locked in a tight reelection battle with Republican Jeff Evans. Sen. Reynolds advertises on “Not Larry Sabato.”
“Child sexual abuse is not a joke and certainly not a political tactic to be used in order to silence your political enemies,” said Kathryn Wilton of the blog CatHouse Chat, a member of the ODBA, the wife of a Navy veteran and mother. “Pedophilia is a morally repugnant behavior and how Mr. Stanley or Mr. Tribbett could think this is humorous or fair game politically is beyond my comprehension.”
“Senator Reynolds needs to go on the record whether or not he agrees with these abhorrent tactics used on his behalf,” added Greg Letiecq of Black Velvet Bruce Li, one of the most widely read blogs in Virginia. “Joe Stanley did this to benefit him. Reynolds must either expressly condone or renounce these tactics used for his gain.”
Members of the ODBA are currently considering whether to bring any civil legal claims stemming from this defamatory act perpetrated upon them. Should a case be brought and damages awarded, any proceeds will be donated to organizations that fight child abuse.
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And again, I ask what Joe-the-Jerk's clients -
- Roscoe Reynolds, State Senator, Virginia's 20th district
- Chap Peterson, State Senator, Virginia's 34th district
- Al Weed for Congress
- Creigh Deeds for Attorney General
- Eric Ferguson for Delegate 2005
- James Webb for US Senate
- Ferguson for Delegate 2007
- Public Policy Virginia
- Change America Now
- Elmendorf Strategies, LLC
- Democratic Judicial Campaign Committee
think of this despicable behavior. Do they want to be associated with someone who stoops to these unethical and foul tactics? Will Roscoe Reynolds, Chap Peterson, Creigh Deeds, and Eric Ferguson in particular come forward to denounce Joe Stanley and sever their professional ties?
I can understand going after a political opponent fairly ruthlessly, although I would not condone this type of base strategy. The ODBA, however, is mainly made up of private citizens who are active with the grassroots. Is it now acceptable to vilify private citizens to achieve political goals? Have our politicians drifted so far away from the people they are supposed to represent that they are willing to do whatever it takes to squelch political debate and discussion?
I think Roscoe has - don't forget his reaction to one of his constituents in a recent interview:
Roscoe, that body language might be okay during a radio interview, but that TV camera is picking up ever disdainful slouch and sneer. You're an elected official, you're supposed to be a servant of the people, even if they didn't vote for you - and even when they disagree with you.
You know, Roscoe's association with Joe Stanley could certainly explain a lot of his attitude - after all, "birds of a feather flock together," and "bad company corrupts good character."
So, Roscoe - are you going to step up to the plate and denounce the defamation-loving dastard?
