WorldNetDaily wasn’t alone in touting the work of Mike Vanderboegh, whose self-published novel apparently inspired a group of militia members to formulate a plot to attack federal office buildings and disperse biological poison. The militia members were arrested before they could put the plot into action.
NewsBusters touted or served as an apologist for Vanderboegh on several instances:
A May 2006 post by Tim Graham complained about a Time magazine article that highlighted Vanderboegh as part of a group of former right-wing militia members who had since become active in the immigration debate. Graham bashed Time for “cribbing from the SPLC” in its profile of Vanderboegh, though he didn’t challenge the accuracy of what was written about him.
A March 2010 post by Brent Baker criticized the TV networks for reporting extremist rhetoric regarding the passage of health care reform. One report Baker cited included a clip of Vanderboegh saying, “The muzzles of three million rifles who can be – if required – pointed directly at the hearts of anyone who wants to be a tyrant in this country.”
NewsBusters republished a March 30 column by Michelle Malkin touting the work of “gun rights advocates David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh” in exposing the Fast and Furious gun-walking scandal.
A Sept. 9 post by P.J. Gladnick excerpted a blog by Codrea touting “efforts made by this reporter, Mike Vanderboegh of Sipsey Street Irregulars, and a handful of supportive readers” on exposing the scandal.
An Oct. 16 post by Tom Blumer excerpted Vanderboegh’s blog for a “succinct summary (HT Ed Driscoll) of the establishment press’s coverage of Issa’s actions since the subpoenas’ issuance.”
Will NewsBusters tell its readers about the violent militia plot and the man who inspired it? Don’t count on it.