Someone who has posted anonymous comments to this blog thinking they will sway your opinion regarding Jason Chaffetz. They have posted a blog at www.thetruthaboutjason.com. Of course, I have to refer to this individual as “they” because I honestly don’t know if this is a male or female; I have no name to go on.
But that brings up an interesting point: Anonymity. Why be anonymous? Why not come out and boldly be counted? The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right to confront your accusers. It’s very telling when someone makes accusations like this and violates constitutional principles to do it. Anonymity guarantees the accuser they will never have to be held responsible for their accusations–they are free to say and do whatever they wish, without fear of retribution or punishment, even if they are wholly wrong.
I don’t know who this person is, but from their repeated references to David Leavitt, my guess is that they are an embittered Leavitt supporter. Prove me wrong–show some integrity and step into the light. Your anonymity speaks volumes about you–and not kindly.
They say they want a civil dialogue, yet they resort to smearing, false accusations, innuendo, half-truths and other rhetorical devices in order to manipulate your opinion. In other words, this person hides like a coward, speaks out of both sides of their mouth, and argues like a liberal.
I think that I had the same person commenting on my blog. Nothing but meanness and misstatements. Most people will see through his antics and generally ignore him.
It will be interesting to see his response here. Come on Anonymous, stand up and be counted.
So you attack the anonymity of the truth about Jason blog site, but then is this not anonymous? Double standard? At least there is consistency with your double standards.
So who are you, then?
I noticed that you are also annonymous.
Grrr….
My apologies to those who thought I have been posting anonymously. I recently changed the theme of my blog, and only now noticed that this theme doesn’t include the author’s name with the post. The previous theme did include it.
What kind of stupid theme doesn’t include the author’s name? Well, it was a trial run of this theme anyway. It looks like a change is needed.
And to answer my critics, my name is Trenton.
I can vouch for Trenton. I have met him, and he rightfully claimed this blog. There is nothing anonymous about him. Trust me if you ever meet him he will be the largest stature in the room.
So, I have answered those who claimed I was being hypocritical or that I had a double-standard. Neither claim is true because my anonymity wasn’t intentional, and those who have been familiar with the site have known who I am since I started this blog.
Now let’s bring up the subject of their red herring argument. They didn’t answer the charges I laid against the author of thetruthaboutjason.com. Instead they changed the subject and redirected the argument back at me. The original argument remains unanswered. So, I hold to my demand for that author, who remains anonymous, to come out of the shadows.
The internet has created some of the sleaziest attacks we have ever seen because of unknown posters and screen names. If you attack someone be honest with who you are, but that is my opinion.
People will post things that they will never tell a person face to face, that is cowardice. But it is the name of the game and the Chaffetz campaign has been above that and discourages such attacks. I applaud them.
You know, the interesting thing about this particular blog you refer to, it only came up online the day after the Convention, leading me to believe it was someone from Chris Cannon’s paid crew.
Don’t forget Leavitt’s paid crew. James is a name that comes to mind. Or even Bud… hmm, Are they one and the same? Transparent and predictable old “friend”…
According to the Salt Lake Tribune this site was ran by Jason Smith, a paid staffer of Leavitt, who got hired by Cannon shortly after the primary. Cannon of course, denies knowing about this side web-site, but it would not surprise many to see his staff support something like this.
Isn’t it funny how the thetruthaboutjason.com site mentioned above is no longer available…
I guess that guy’s “truth” wasn’t after all.
Everyone has the right to free speech. It doesn’t matter if they guy was a paid contractor for Cannon to distribute signs to supporters. He is still a voter in the 3rd District who personally witnesses and dealt with Jason Chaffetz and his Campaign and he has a right to voice his opinion and disagreements and greivances with Jason Chaffetz. He didn’t slander Jason, he brought up valid concerns that were based in facts and truth. If you read that blog it doesn’t mention rumors of Jason’s past or past jobs, it talks about behavior at the convention and behavior in the campaign and the author’s opinions about that behavior. That is clearly within that individual’s free speech rights. Affiliation with a campaign does not matter. And even if the campaign had sponsored the blog, it still is not a problem, they have a free speech right, that is what a campaign is. And if they want to tell stories about how Jason’s campaign behaved at Convention than let them.
Josh,
You’re missing the point. We were trying to establish that Chris Cannon had a hired gun out there slinging mud at Jason Chaffetz, and he denied knowing anything about it.
The concerns he brought up were the distortions of an individual disgruntled because his candidate lost, nothing more. I was also at the convention, and saw first-hand the things that transpired there. That blog’s account and reality do not match up.
The First Amendment does not protect you if you’re lying, an unfortunate habit that seems to be endemic to the Cannon campaign.
It’s obvious that you are a supporter of the author of that blog, as you proclaim that his concerns are based in truth and fact without offering any reason or evidence for your claim. You just expect us to take your word for it.
Well, sorry, we’re not buying it here.
I worked on Congressman Cannon’s staff for a few weeks this past June. We were well aware of some pretty big skeletons in Jason’s closet, but were ordered by the Congressman Cannon himself not to mention or repeat any of them to anyone… even members of our family.
Congressman Cannon ran a good, clean, gentleman’s campaign. He really wanted to keep the rancor seen in most campaigns out of Utah politics, and I will always admire him for that. Congressman Cannon could have torn Chaffetz to shreds at anytime, but didn’t out of consideration to him, his family, and the state of Utah.
I hope the future of politics in our state holds more men like Congressman Cannon.
How convenient that you bring this up now. What’s the point? Your claim is absolutely unprovable. Even if it were true, (which I doubt), I really don’t think it would have mattered.
In fact, if Chris had brought it up, he may have lost by an even larger margin.
Besides, Chris has enough in his own closet to worry about and turnabout is fair play. I think that’s why he really kept quiet.
You are a pussy.
Jason Chaffetz loves Australian women and their naked skin. Paid for by NUSKIN.
My name is Jason Chaffetz, and I approve this message.
People who tell lies go to hell.
Jordan,
Brilliantly argued. It’s obvious your mother had little to do with your upbringing.