Defense deleted

Exactly how would that have been libelous? By virtue of having a blog and serving as a TV commentator, you’re a voluntary public figure. And he didn’t say you were an alcoholic. He made a satirical assumption based on your last name. Lighten up, Dan-o.

Apparently, the closer we get to the election, the more jerks come out of the woodwork. Even when I disagree with you, I respect your opinion. (No, I wasn’t #8, but you sounded like you’d wanted one.)

Personally, I had assumed that whoever wrote that post on GOP News had been sniffing glue because that is one of only two possible explanations for a post that stupid.What I find funny is the insult directed at Dan, which proves the trickle down theory of Republican comedy. A few A-list right wing pundits are actually amusing but when the D-level talent tries to make a joke, it is about as funny as Mallard Fillmore, which results in huge comedy deficits and a general sense that Republicans should leave the jokes to people who know what they are doing.

Anon. 9:18, that is so ridiculous, so absolutely stupid and crazy. Are you suggesting that President Bush is competent – at anything – but recieves unfair criticism?

Thought I’d do the old copy-and-paste before Mr. Mass. GOP News starts hitting the delete key again. Sorry if this is boring; at least I’m sticking in the comments rather than making a new post out of it. To wit:14 – Dan called you names? I suppose you assume “drunken Kennedy” to be a truth, rather than a slur against Dan. You’re a typical glass jaw conservative–you can dish it out but you curl into a fetal ball at the thought of having to defend yourself. Much better just to delete the comments and pretend it never happened.Your idea is dumb, given that the GOP can’t even field enough candidates for local office to take over the Legislature, much less actually win the races. No amount of money will change this and the idea that the mainstream media is what croaks GOP candidates is laughable. The idea that the voters of Massachusetts will suddenly welcome the GOP with open arms if the state has both a Democratic legislature and Governor for a few terms has no historical basis. Wishful thinking on your part won’t make it so.Bob Parks believes that a GOP governor has taken the heat off the legislature and its “monstrous” policies. I’d be interested in knowing exactly which policies he considers to be “monstrous”. Bob forgets that the voters in MA elected Weld because he actually seemed more liberal than John Silber, especially in regards to social policies.Hardcore religious conservatism isn’t going to play in the Commonwealth and Republicans nationally haven’t shown themselves to be fiscally conservative or particularly interested in the right of states to make their own decisions, so what exactly is so appealing about the GOP? The roll back of taxes to 5%? I can’t think of a single thing the Massachusetts GOP believes in, except the aforementioned tax roll back and animosity towards marriage equality. That’s some platform. (Comment this)Written by: CCFK at 2006/08/09 – 13:21:4215 – Charles,I deleted Dan’s comments because they were demeaning to the intent of this site. If Dan wishes to go online and bitch and moan about who said what to whom then he should go and visit the Yahoo chat rooms. That goes for you as well. I reserve the right to delete any comment I see unfit to stay on this site. As do you and Dan with your sites as well. This site is for the intent of discussion.This foolishness began when I made a suggestion that the GOP make a greater effort to win the legislature than it has in the past. Even at the expense of the Governor’s office. I stand by that thought. You and Dan are welcome to disagree, but need I remind you that Dan lobbed the first bomb by saying my suggestion was stupid on his site. When I countered on my site he had a hissy fit, and he began to add silly comments to MY site. At that time I decided to stop and remove all comments related to his opinion. I would also remind you that he called me “Smartass” in his comments and that I consider childish name calling.If you want to know Bob Parks thoughts on any issue please feel free to visit his site. He does not write for this site. Although I would welcome him at any time as I feel he has some very good and intelligent opinions to add to any political discourse.Lastly, let me say that I am both proud of this site and proud of the Republican Party. I support the party because it has a long and notable past. More importantly I believe the GOP is the party with the right moral, fiscal and international policies and views. The fact that I offer a strategy somewhat different than the traditional view should not offend you so greatly. Quite frankly I am not sure why you and Dan are so put out by the simple suggestion of a legislative push to our party. Nonetheless, I stand by my comments and will not allow any insipid comments to be dropped on this site. (Comment this)Written by: gopnews blog at 2006/08/09 – 14:07:3216 – Fair enough. I will continue without any reference to he who must not be named.To reiterate:The GOP can’t even field enough candidates for local office to take over the Legislature, much less actually win the races. No amount of money will change this and the idea that the mainstream media is what croaks GOP candidates is untested–you have no evidence to support this, just an assumption. Given that the GOP has won the governor’s seat for the last sixteen years with widespread mainstream media coverage, you vastly overstate the power of the media to kill off GOP candidates. The idea that the voters of Massachusetts will suddenly welcome the GOP with open arms if the state has both a Democratic legislature and Governor for a few terms also has no historical basis.Hardcore religious conservatism isn’t going to play in the Commonwealth and Republicans nationally haven’t shown themselves to be fiscally conservative or particularly interested in the right of states to make their own decisions, so what exactly is so appealing about the GOP? The roll back of taxes to 5%? I can’t think of a single thing the Massachusetts GOP believes in, except the aforementioned tax roll back and animosity towards marriage equality. That’s some platform.You also say you believe that the “GOP is the party with the right moral, fiscal and international policies and views”. I didn’t realize that the GOP was suddenly monolithic on moral issues–are you saying there is no room for disagreement in your party on moral issues? This may play on the national stage, but how exactly is that going to translate to something which appeals to Massachusetts voters? I don’t see that you’ve given any thought into issues and messages which would actually appeal to Massachusetts voters.I just gave you solid reasons why I think your plan is unworkable. Go ahead and delete my comment. (Comment this)Written by: CCFK at 2006/08/09 – 14:29:5917 – Oops, I meant go ahead and delete Comment 14. Sorry. (Comment this)Written by: CCFK at 2006/08/09 – 14:58:0218 – Hey, GOP Guy — Once again, you are just making it up. You write to Charles, “I reserve the right to delete any comment I see unfit to stay on this site. As do you and Dan with your sites as well.” In fact, I have never removed a single comment from my site unless it was (1) true spam — that is, robot-generated come-ons to buy whatever; (2) threats of violence against the president and others (yes, it’s happened); or (3) something that, based on my knowledge of media law, might actually be considered libelous (very rare). I even let Gregg Jackson keep posting after he blocked me!And why do you persist in criticizing me for calling you a “smartass” when it was you who fired the first shot by calling me a drunk? (Comment this)Written by: Dan Kennedy at 2006/08/09 – 15:28:27

For the record, I don’t delete comments that I disagree with either. I’m fully comfortable giving people all the rope they need to hang themselves.Anon at 12:16:I tend to agree with you. But the sad fact is that there are people out there who look to people like Gregg Jackson and GOPnews as sources of accurate information.