Strange things have been happening.
For one, a former student emailed me today and pointed out that my name was affixed to racist articles on the post dispatch web site. I don't want to link to it from here, but youcan find it if you look at the postings about widening highway 40.
Needless to say, except for the post there in which I deny that I wrote those things, I have not posted on that web site. All you have to do to fake your name is type somebody else's into the box.
I am surprised that the Post can allow this sort of thing to go on. Aren't they the official publisher of what shows up there, and if so, can't they be held accountable for libel?
I can't figure out why somebody would bother to do this sort of thing. There is a post there by "Ashamed Wash U student" who protested my posts, but I'm betting it's by the same person who faked the posts in my name in the first place.
Yeeesh.
That's so terrible. I've read some discussion threads on that site before, and I too am surprised it's not monitored. Actually, the idea of message boards turns me off, not because I oppose free speech, but because of exactly what you wrote here. You're the last person anyone would associate with racism; I wish this hadn't happened to you.
Posted by: Rachel at November 7, 2005 5:22 PM
I've been on the stltoday message boards before and I don't think I'll be going back. It seems that the majority of people who post on those things are just crazy. It's not the place to go for a reasoned discussion of anything. That said, I can't believe that someone would steal your identity and post things like that. It's just awful.
Posted by: david at November 16, 2005 3:58 PM