Update: Pilot reports on attacks, Google sued
By Joel McDonald • Mar 20th, 2009 • Category: Blog, Campaigns & ElectionsJulian Walker at the Virginian-Pilot has an article out today about the anonymous blogger who has been attacking and threatening Pat Edmonson, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor. I posted about these attacks yesterday.
The Pilot article describes the kind of filth being posted online at the anonymous blog, http://stoppatedmonson.blotspot.com. In a communication from the campaign, it was mentioned that they were close to being able to identify the person, or persons, behind the attacks.
One strategy in seeking prosecute those responsible has been to sue the host of the libelous blog, Google. As the reason for the suit filed, it was noted that, “Google Inc. hosts slanderous and libel material at www.stoppatedmonson.blogspot.com. This material is slander/libel in accordance with Virginia Code Section 18.2-147.”
While those of us in the blogosphere might be made a bit nervous when candidates start suing over what’s being posted about them, I want to stress that this lawsuit has been made necessary because those behind this blog have crossed the line. In no way does the Edmonson campaign feel that going after blogs criticizing Edmonson is politically beneficial, or even the right thing to do. As the e-mail from the campaign said, “Pat respects free speech and is a supporter of net neutrality, one cannot make slanderous comments and threats against anyone with no expectation of accountability.”
The lawsuit against Google is one way in which those behind the attacks and threats can be held accountable.
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Joel McDonald has been following Virginia politics since February 2008, starting with the Democratic Presidential Primary. Since then, he has been the primary new media contact for progressive district and statewide campaigns.
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I just viewed the blog about 10 minutes ago and itmakes Virginia News Source pale in comparison.
That said, she’s going to have a tough time winning the court case.
Great reporting Joel, you are quite right in that Pat respects the internet and opposes censorship. The issues herein involve threats (not just in the blog content, but in other forms as well).
Henry, Pat plans to file a discovery motion for a subpeona to compel google to provide certain information about the blogger in question, because of the threatening nature of some of the communication. The issuance of such a subpeona is actually quite typical in these type of cases.
Thanks Joel, for providing a forum to discuss these issues.
Conner Morris
Communications Director
Pat Edmonson for Lieutenant Governor
I, for one, am so relieved that Edmonson is standing up against these threats and remarks. It’s a clear representation of the views she has said from day one, and is a further representation of the work that she’ll do when she’s elected as Lieutenant Governor.