Bill Clinton's Right Wing "Diarist"

[Ronbrynaert]

For the last week, at my blog - http://www.whyareweback.blogspot.com - and at http://www.loadedmouth.com another blogger and I have been working on a story of a right wing psychotic serial blogger with over 100 blogs to his name, who has been acting as an agent provocateur on the Internet.

The nasty troll from the Netherlands, Ricky Savage being one of his most common aliases, has left his mark everywhere...google his name and you will discover that he has left comments at practically every blog on the Internet, on the right, left and whatever.

His new blog, The New Democrat, is an attempt to cause divisions in our ranks, and cause friction between the liberal and moderate factions. Another blog of his is one that has gotten much media attention, a fake blog by President Bill Clinton, and it receives tons of hits from unknowing Democrats.

Even though he is from the Netherlands, this Jenna Bush obsessed troll has an uncommon interest in our political process. He is responsible for getting the lies of the Swift Boat Veterans out all over the Internet. He broke copyright laws and, possibly, as many as two million people were exposed to his propaganda in the months leading up to the presidential election. Every big time right wing blogger has linked to the troll...and we believe they have a good idea who he is. They've even linked to his new blog...even though it's supposedly a Democratic blog. He received 10,000 hits in less that two weeks thanks to the help of Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit, Little Green Footballs, Protein Wisdom, Wizbang, Andrew Sullivan and others.

Though he is a Republican (albeit a foreign national republican) Ricky's main goal is to profit from his many google ads and merchandise that he sells at the majority of his blogs. In addition, at his Clinton fake diary blog, Ricky is now attempting to collect donations in Bill Clinton's name for what he calls a "state of the nation" tour.

Loaded Mouth and Why Are We Back In Iraq? are going to continue to track this troll of all trolls. But we need your help.

Please help us get the word out. Please leave comments on the troll's websites (I'm not reprinting the urls here...because we've unfortunately done a lot to improve his google rating and increase his traffic while exposing his games). Please write everyone that links to his many blogs, on the right and left and whatever. Please write Bill Clinton's office and tell them to pursue legal action. Please write Time.com and tell them to remove the link they have given to his Bill Clinton blog.

All of us hate trolls. But this troll may be a bigger threat than any of us might have guessed. He must be stopped...and people must be warned...in my research I have come across many Democrats who have been fooled by Ricky the troll.

Peace.

[salin]

1. Interesting....

wouldn't he be moving into illegal territory if he seeking donations fraudulently?

[Ronbrynaert]

6. Yes

And I've made a few phone calls about it.

[Menshevik]

2. was this the blogger

that was always bashing Clark during the primaries? I vaguely remember some foreign national "republican" who was always blogging about how much he hated him and cheerleading for *.

[Ronbrynaert]

7. I doubt it

Ricky never mentions that he's a foreigner.

[salin]

21. Indeed he seems to invoke the...

my tax dollars shouldn't pay for x.. a lot. Seems sorta deceptive that way, unless he is an expat.

[Robbien]

3. I do believe he posts here at DU.

When a couple of DU posters gets very nasty and pushy about the DLC being the best, I always wonder if it is the work of this blogger. Most posters here at DU are not that nasty or pushy.

[Ronbrynaert]

8. Send me an email

With anyone you think might be him. Because that is something that he has done.

[BBradley]

4. Anybody read Ender's Game?

Sounds like the political tactic of his brother and sister.

[Robbien]

5. Yessss

and strange you should mention it, I just brought home Card's sequel "Speaker for the Dead".

[Taxloss]

10. Card was a homophobic loony.

Really nasty homophobe. I won't touch any of his books ever again.

[Zhade]

11. I found that out after reading the series...

...of which the first book was the best. The rest, bah.

Yeah, fuck Card, he's a total Freeper.

[Robbien]

14. He is? Darn, Enders Game was quite good.

I was looking forward to reading the second in the series.

Darn.

[Taxloss]

17. I know, it's sad.

He's a good writer, but he's a raving homophobe.

[Kitsune]

25. It falls off rapidly after Ender's Game. *nt*

[salin]

9. how did you pick up on this guys game?

tried following it on your and your friend's blog, but have to admit I am both interested... but also confused.

[Ronbrynaert]

12. It's explained at this post how I caught wind of him

http://whyareweback.blogspot.com/2005/01/spy-in-house-o...

One of the main ways we were able to definitively link him to the other blogs...was the name he used on his haloscan comments...but there are a few other things that we've used in our articles.

I can't tell you what they are until we're finished. Because he's checking out or blogs constantly,...and reacting to some of our moves.

some of the posts on my site (the later posts) are a little confusing to read...Loaded Mouth is a little bit clearer. It's been tough to edit, research, get the word out and write. But hopefully, by Monday...unless i get sidetracked by another tricky ricky mole move...I should have a more reader friendly story posted.

Peace

[salin]

13. So in a sense... you just stumbled upon him

though it sounds like he was sitting out there waiting to be tripped upon. Great story, and good eye. Do keep us updated.

[Ronbrynaert]

15. Yeah

As fun as it may be to read...believe me it's been even more fun working on the story.

[salin]

16. Found your link to his list of recent freeper posts

which, unsurprisingly from what I have read here, includes links to the two blogs you refer to in this thread. They are pathetic. The New Dem. is back up (but it doesn't read like any democrat I have even known); and the clinton diary ... doesn't sound anything like our former president. Do people fall for this crap? Oh, of course they do if they are rightwingers looking for stuff that "reconfirms" their warped perceptions - and sent to the sights by another rightwinger.

Very amusing stuff. Keep up the work exposing this dude.

[salin]

18. Found an old Ricky Vandall post the following

blog and thread.... seems the blogger had dealt with the troll before... what is interesting is the references to Ricky having "his own personal religion". Huh?

http://www.burntorangereport.com/archives/001436.html

Would agree that the point seems to be about scamming for money.

What does one do about the fake Clinton Diary site? I mean, who does one report that kind of fraud to?

[Ronbrynaert]

19. troll tunes

I hadn't seen that comment yet...it's one of his worst ones...he's usually more subtle.


Here's Ricky on the official KerryEdwards blog last year http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:bZKBefoL6RkJ:blog....

There's also comments that attack Howard Dean...and others that support him.

I do think it's mostly about money...but it's kind of like the election...it can't be a coincidence that most of the irregularities affected Democrats...Ricky's obviously pushing one side's agenda more than the other.

I called Clinton's office. The phone number for the Harlem office is 212-348-8882. That's a real phone number...even if it also appears on Ricky's Clinton diary.

I also wrote paypal.

Perhaps I should write Elliot Spitzer's office a letter.

I think if enough people called or sent letters then something could be done.

The Clinton diary really disturbs me. It's not really satire. If it was...It's more political than anything else...and while most readers I would assume don't believe that it's real...it's not written with an obvious right wing slant...sometimes there's no jokes..it's just subtle jabs at the democratic party and the views of the majority of it's reps and voters. Today "Clinton"'s blogging about how all Iraqis should vote and that it was right to disband the Iraqi army.

We should also write Time.com and ask them to at least add a disclaimer to the link pointing out the political slant of it's writer.

Blogging is something that anybody can do...and anybody should do. But I believe when a blogger starts sending out his links to news sites and blogs that are a part of the political establishment...then the blogger does have a certain responsibility and should. But, of course, none of that's illegal.

As a first amendment fanatic and a writer who often employs satire and shocking language and shocking "propaganda" if you will...every now and then...I think for a second that I'm wrong to pursue Ricky. But I feel like the way that he is profitted makes his case different. And I feel

I personally don't have a problem with the out of print kerry book being made available to all who want to read it...we need that in our country...and if people on the internet have to fudge the laws sometimes to do that...then fine...but when you're making money off of other people's work I draw the line.

And there's also a huge difference between billionaires for bush and the yes men.......and what ricky's doing. I think there's more to find out there...im still looking...and i have other things to post.

But....remember one thing...Ricky's probably reading this. He's at my site and Tas' multiple times a day. Please keep looking if you have the time...there's so much out there...we could use an army of bloggers to help go through everything. It's hard to write about Ricky without tipping him off too much.

[salin]

20. Are you aware of other names he uses?

on that Kerry thread you linked there was a rant before Ricky's that was from Swiss Guy who reposts tripe posted earlier by "Sue". From what I have read (from you guys) and what I have seen of troll tactics at DU - it wouldn't suprise me if Swiss and Sue are Ricky sockpuppets.

[Ronbrynaert]

22. Possible

Here's another kerry thread with comments by Ricky and Swiss Guy...
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:MfeYaD-NAIsJ:blog....

He's used Halibot22, MongooseJuice2004, LindsaysLover, Bonnie along with at least 10 more that I haven't blogged on yet.

There's the possibility that they're all one (although...come on..there are a lot of people who truly feel and think these things) or that they're affiliated in some way. Ricky has even done some things as an agent provacateur against the right wing blogs...so it's interesting and intriguing to say the least.

[salin]

23. Very interesting...

On Sunday when I did some googling... found that frequently posters with the name of Sue or Susan often endup posting around the same time with similar sorts of comments - albeit ones that are not has "harsh" or non-subtle as Ricky.

It would be interesting to see Ricky doing the thing against RW blogs, though I would venture to guess tht might be more retaliatory rather than just messin' with them for political views; that is on a couple of places I saw him jumped on (inevitably people see that Church of Fandel thing and jump all over him) ... just a guess based on my brief reading of the dude.

Beyond finding the demasking of such a dude fascinating (to watch how the really obsessed (overtime) disruptor operates, I find that ongoing Clinton Diary blog highly disturbing. It's Monday - hopefully the messages you sent on per the blog will be received today, and perhaps something will happen - especially if - as it appears to be - there is a case per fraud to be made (per the solicitations).

[Ronbrynaert]

24. Yes

i've noticed the Susans too....I think your guess is right on.

Tas at Loaded Mouth wrote this today: http://loadedmouth.com/node/457

The Real Bill Clinton: "President Clinton Asks for Your Contribution to Critical UNICEF Water and Sanitation Fund."

Fake Bill Clinton, played poorly by Ricky Vandal: "State of the Nation Donate Now Pledge Week"

He's still impersonating a president, and he's still demanding donations. Isn't this illegal?

By tas at 01/31/2005 - 08:26 | The Ricky Vandal Conspiracy | tas's blog


Highly disturbing, indeed.

[salin]

26. Caught up in a number of deadlines...

and have very little extra time - but am still highly interested in following what you find - please keep giving updates. Thanks,

salin

[tasfourohone]

27. Ricky's transgendered nature, so to speak

on that Kerry thread you linked there was a rant before Ricky's that was from Swiss Guy who reposts tripe posted earlier by "Sue". From what I have read (from you guys) and what I have seen of troll tactics at DU - it wouldn't suprise me if Swiss and Sue are Ricky sockpuppets.

I'm new here and I haven't seen posts by Swiss or Sue, so I can't say of they are Ricky, but I have observed Ricky impersonating a women on other blogs. Sourced examples that I sent to Ron earlier this week:

[e-mail] -
http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/004759.html

[e-mail] -
http://www.ariannaonline.com/blog/?postid=140

jane ashton [e-mail] -
http://www.majorityreportradio.com/weblog/archives/0004...

I haven't googled any of these handles/email addresses yet.

* tas
* loadedmouth.com

[Divine Discontent]

28. what a weirdo....

whoever he is, he is depraved and out to get any kind of money he can get from people, if it wasn't politics, I have a feeling it'd be religion, or the environment, and in the face of these thoughts, how MANY people are there out there, supposedly, say, just HORRIFIED that movies like Fahrenheit 9/11 are made and are gathering contributions to stop Hollywood's liberal agenda, or something like that??? just for the BUCKS and could care LESS about the causes they are for??

just my two cents...

HEY! and while I'm at it, please send $1 if you enjoyed my thoughts, to [e-mail] by paypal.

Thank you....

[Ronbrynaert]

30. Ummm

First off,
Michael Moore makes his movies by himself (and with the help of his staff,etc)...he doesn't steal it.

Second off,
Awww...what's the point...you're two cents ain't worth wasting any more time on.

[Divine Discontent]

31. ummmmm

your response doesn't fit my comment. I never said anything about the great Michael Moore, who sat for 2 hours discussing bushco with me and my group at the slackers tour. I never said he stole his movie? and the joke about money is that, a joke. and your welcome to the other person is a farce, you say it's a wonderful place for info, not your kind! you don't respond to the comments right.

[Ronbrynaert]

33. Ummm

You mentioned Fahrenheit 9/11 and you compared what Ricky is doing to what liberal film makers do.

And what info did you share? I didn't see any.

But I did think your joke about sending money to you was kind of funny...if that makes you feel better.

[salin]

35. I read the post differently

as mocking those people who opposed Moore's film (and probably hadn't viewed it) asking for money to wage a 'campaign' against Moore - as the comparison to Ricky... e.g., they fake anger to try to capitalize on the reactionary right's anger.

[Ronbrynaert]

37. whoops

now i feel like an idiot...i read the post differently than anyone else did.

Sorry...themartyred...

[salin]

38. might want to tell thmartyred directly

the way the threads are - especially on an old thread - folks oft only catch the text on posts directly attached (responding direclty) to their post.

Just an old time Duer's advice (take or leave as you will.)

Back to the Ricky story... any new developments? Am back to a schedule where my on-line time is greatly restricted (the choice is sleep or post... no other time left in the day). But am completely intrigued by the story. Guess you caught me in a procrastination moment - and once I did a little googling/searching/reading... I was hooked. Looks like Ricky was familiar on various liberal blogs (eg he was there long enough to tick a lot of people off...) but that digging around to figure out what the dude is up to - as you and tas are dong - is a rather new development. Good work, and please keep it up. And keep us up to date with unfolding developments. There are enough folks around and reading - that the word will get out.

Don't think the limited number of folks participating = only a few are reading (and acting). Several years I did a lot of reading, research, posting and urging others to action on an issue. At first it was a very small number of Duers who would participate. But that small group kept at it when related issues would emerge. More than 18 months later the issue (related to the "exciting" issue of energ policy) arose again - a significant number of folks participated - and acted - and indicated that they had followed the earlier discussions (though they hadn't participated) and had taken actions whenever the Energy Policy fights reemerged in Congress.

As a larger forum, the discussions move much more quickly off the pages, so there is a chance of limited readership due to the small amount of time items are on the front page of a forum... however if discussions extend over time - those discussions reach a whole lot of people.

Again - these comments may not seem important, and probably aren't. They are just a reflection of someone who has watched issue discussions evolve over a period of years at DU - and encourages you to continue feeding this thread with new information (folks will follow it - and check it - and check you if they don't think things are handled fairly... that "self checking" mechanism discussed on Tas's blog). Glad that you brought this to our attention and hope that you continue to do so.

Cheers.

salin

[Ronbrynaert]

41. Thanks...ill keep all that in mind

I've been working all night on this...and damn that troll...he made me do some heavy research tonight.

I assumed that his name...ricky vandal...referred to the wrestler...I was wrong...

It's a reference to the Vandals led by Rex vandolarum who invade spain in the 5th century....arians that basically declared war on christians...On Ricky's church of fandel blog...he mentions that rex is his forefather...

strange stuff...indeed....

but he could've picked this info up from Age of Empires....

I've also been exploring whether Ricky also does the same with the right...i might have discoverd an alias he uses at the protest warrior website.

Last night...I posted on my blog that he listed his age as 20 or 21...and I think that's probably accurate.

But I'm just about done with him...i think...the more i look....the more he seems to be just a stupid kid...i think the clinton diary is messed up...but ive done what i can do with that...inthat i called clinton's office

Im going to be turning my focus on the right wing blogs that linked to them...why...and how....

later

[salin]

42. The name reference makes sense

and I can see how that would underscore the question as to whether he does this game to the otherside as well.

The web of sites he hwas put together and who links to them is an interesting question. Keep us posted - and lets up that the 'diarist' gig eventually either dries up out of disinterest, or blows up in his face (eg gets enough negative attention that it gets a bit hot.) The thought that some folks might be fooled by it and might actually donate $ to it is rather sad.

Keep us posted!

[Ronbrynaert]

29. Welcome Aboard

Can't believe it's your first time here, Tas. DU is an incredible source for information, and there's always people willing to lend a hand and help.

[tasfourohone]

43. Thanks..

I've been on DU occasionally to see stories, but I've never checked out the forums. I try to shy away from forums because they become big time wasters for me, because I'll sit around replying to messages for a couple of hours and get absolutely nothing done. But I can see where DU can be used as a resource, too. Makes me wonder about what would have happened with my Bush/Barnes/G-Tech story if I have posted it on here...

[salin]

44. Okay, I am curious...

can you give a summary of the Bush/Barnes/G-Tech story?

[tasfourohone]

45. Summary:

I wish I didn't see this message when I have less then a minute to reply... Grumble. Here's the first paragraph of my story: "While serving as Governor of Texas, George W. Bush was guilty of fostering corruption in order to salvage his political career. Because his administration cultivated a climate of criminal activity, GTech scored a contract worth hundreds of millions, and former Texas Speaker of the House Ben Barnes and his associate walked away with a $23.1 million payoff."

Here's the rest of the story.

[salin]

46. Looks interesting...

will read the whole thing when I have a breather.

[theorist]

32. So what's the connection with hugh hewitt?

I've been browsing through a google search, and hewitt's name has come up a few times. I know the guy is a RW attack dog POS, but that just seems weird.

[Ronbrynaert]

34. As of yet

I haven't really traced ricky to hewitt.

But I did trace him to a couple of others today which I hadn't found before...Ill probably blog about it tonight.

[salin]

36. Hi there!

Seems that this is just the sort of intrigue to capture hoosier curiousity (says another hoosier Duer who has been drawn to this unfolding story...)

[theorist]

39. Hello there!

I'm really drawn to this kind of thing. Trolls are generally harmless. I'm not sure that most biologists would consider them vertebrates. This particular troll is a bit more malignant, especially if he's making money off of impersonating a former president.

[salin]

40. that part is really disturbing.

I would really like to see an end put to that. Here's to hoping that this scheme gets turned back on the perp!