Conservative monthly The American Spectator has sold out on the one principle that every publisher must hold sacred: freedom of the press.
It’s confirmed. As part of a legal settlement, The American Spectator removed all references to leftist activist, serial litigator and convicted felon Brett Kimberlin.
The first hint of this was published by WJJ Hoge on September 10th, whose headline characterized Kimberlin’s Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice. Hoge, like me and about twenty other people and organizations-including Breitbart.com, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Aaron Worthing, and more-have been sued by Brett Kimberlin in federal court.
Kimberlin’s claim is that we’re all part of a criminal conspiracy to defame him. He’s suing us using RICO statues that were developed to prosecute organized crime. It’s obviously absurd.
The American Spectator was one of the defendants, as well. No more. Now they’ve collapsed like a cheap card table after Michael Moore does a belly flop on it.
This is one of the most shameful chapters in the long history of the Brett Kimberlin Saga: a conservative publication caved to Brett Kimberlin’s demand to memory hole him.
Go see for yourself. Search for “Kimberlin” and you’ll get nothing. Not a single reference to his name.
The American Spectator granted Mr. Kimberlin his wish and removed every single mention of his. Articles like (ironically) this one
Want to read that article about the threat to Free Speech Rights?
You can’t. The American Spectator is denying your access.
Why aren’t you allowed to read this or anything else about Brett Kimberlin on the American Spectator site?
Of course, they don’t explain.
I’m not mad because I was a co-defendant in a lawsuit with The American Spectator. I don’t think their settlement impacts my case in any way.
I’m mad because removing completely accurate material about a valid story under the threat of a bogus lawsuit is wrong. There’s no larger game at play here. This wasn’t a tactical retreat.
The Spectator SETTLED with Brett Kimberlin.
Hang your head in shame, American Spectator. You deserve to be shunned.
But first, The American Spectator deserves a reminder of the First Amendment.
Here’s the contact form for The American Spectator.
Let them know if you approve of their decision to deny you access to previously published material about Brett Kimberlin.
Cowards.
Well…that is one site I can cross off my bookmarks. I can’t believe that they gave in to Kimberlin. No matter what happens now he will ALWAYS claim victory…even if he loses to every other defendant. I am totally disgusted with this bit of news. Shame, shame, shame.
And everybody who feels the same way should let American Spectator know exactly why they are being dropped.
Shameful. ‘Nuff said.
I sent a tweet to @AmSpec hours ago indicating their explanation may be the last thing I ever read from them. No reply.
If they had paid attention to this, rather than throwing their readers and the 1st amendment away like something unwanted and unnecessary, they’d not have made such a wrong move.
They should have at least discussed it with the other defendants. If they had, I’d bet they wouldn’t have cravenly turned their backs on everything they supposedly stand for - free speech, conservative values, etc.
Gone. You can’t be that weak-kneed and get my support.