Champions of Free Speech?

I referred earlier to MoveOn.org's campaign to try to shut down the #dontgo Twitter thread by spamming it with unrelated messages. Today we have a new example of the oh-so-tolerants on the left trying to shut down free expression (HT Capt Ed).

Nearly 10,000 of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes across the country will probably receive a foreboding “warning” letter in the mail next week.

The letter is an opening shot across the bow from an unusual new outside political group on the left that is poised to engage in hardball tactics to prevent similar groups on the right from getting off the ground this fall.

Led by Tom Matzzie, a liberal political operative who has been involved with some prominent left-wing efforts in recent years, the newly formed nonprofit group, Accountable America, is planning to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions.

“We want to stop the Swift Boating before it gets off the ground,” said Mr. Matzzie, who described his effort as “going for the jugular.”

Mr. Matzzie apparently has forgotten that "swiftboating" didn't start with the Swift Boat Vets...it started with his former employers at MoveOn.org! MoveOn has a long, storied history of running ads against Republican office holders and candidates that are flat out lies. The Swift Boat Vets, on the other hand, served with Sen. Kerry and saw him in action. Their stories about the candidate were never proven to be false by the candidate. He was even challenged (by the SBV's) to prove them wrong - which he never effectively did. THEN there was the hideous General "Betray-Us" ad.

If Mr. Matzzie really cared about misleading advertising in campaigns, he would go after his former employers at MoveOn.org as well as going after Republican 501(c3)'s. Instead he is taking a very heavy handed approach to silencing free speech. Good work guys.