This is simultaneously funny and sad.

I read Mike Bayham's article and found it a concise description of Kerry's troubles. Much worse commentary has been written about Kerry than this. Does this email from the Rutgers math teacher fall under the anti-spam law? If he sent it from his computer at Rutgers, does it violate a university policy on threatening email? I hope there is some consequence for his actions, other than everyone discovering he's a blithering idiot.

http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000006DC84.htm

This is a link to an article this professor Levitt wrote condemming the shutttle program. After reading this, I can believe the email. I had thoughts it might be a hijacked address, not now.

I urge caution. Return e-mail addresses are routinely faked. There is most certainly a significant chance that Levitt did not write the e-mail in question. Unlike Mr. Maron, the fact that Levitt wrote a cogent, courteous if forceful (and wrong) article on spiked-online.com which was critical of the Shuttle program does not convince me that he is a foul-mouthed loon.

The blogosphere is viewed with considerable jaundice by the main-stream media, and by many people unfamiliar with us, because of the suspicion that unfounded, un-fact-checked rumor can fly about and multiply before cooler heads prevail. No doubt you've heard Walter Cronkite's criticism to that very effect.

And no doubt you laughed. What! Us? Repeat stuff in print which we really haven't a clue is true? C'mon, this isn't the NYT. . .

Yes, well, be careful with this one, as it could easily provide ammunition for a charge that actually sticks. Personally I don't think Rand should have posted the link, until he had a lot more definitive proof that Levitt actually wrote the e-mail. Let's remember why we're not voting for John Kerry, eh? And treat the truth with more respect ourselves.

Well, this wasn'something that originated in the blogosphere. It was from Townhall.

Maybe ... but a quick Google shows an email ID
at - njlevitt@math.rutgers.edu

I'm a bit suspicious of a hotmail account. I would have asked for verification from the university ID.

Well, this wasn't something that originated in the blogosphere. It was from Townhall.

Um, Rand, the point is it's in the blogosphere now, courtesy of you. And I think it probably shouldn't be, not without a lot more substantiation than the Townhall article gives.

Tatania,
I have to disagree with the courteous part. The thrust of his article was that 14 astronauts died so people at NASA could keep their jobs. That is a heinous charge to make. One, without ANY evidence, that is insulting to every person at NASA.

OK, I'm going weigh in here. Disclaimer: I'm a member of the class of 1967, Rutgers College. I'm also the webmaster for the Rutgers Club of Washington, DC and the representative to the Capital Alumni Network.

OK, we do know he wrote the spiked article. It seemed pretty solid to me. Good grief, my views aren't that dissimilar. Neither, based upon available evidence, are a lot of space activists. He made a strong case for his views.

Now, what about the e-mail? Let's assume it is his. I have a temper -- people know that. Do I express myself that way in cyberspace? No! But it can be quite trying some times. In other places? Well, let's consider it a good thing that my car isn't equipped as James Bond's is. DC traffic would try the patience of a saint. I am not a saint. Perhaps the professor was having a bad day. I know some Democrats and Republicans (yes, both) who behave so badly they can drive others to do things they ordinarily wouldn't do.

So, yes, feel free to recommend Rutgers to your students -- unless you know of a place where people are saints and never lose their tempers.