This might be the most ludicrous statement yet. Dave has become talk radio of FFeed (and I'm a liberal). - Michael W. May

Name calling always elevates the discourse. Bravo! - Zack W. Handley

In his twisted little mind, that's why he picked Palin - so he could easily invade russia - just listen to cindy - http://www.youtube.com/watch... - jeneane sessum

scared? Isn't he the guy who has open conversations with the press in his bus just a few ago? We respected all 4 of these candidates before the election, let's not demonize them. - Andrew Warner

Andrew, great -- let's go -- put Palin on a bus with reporters and let her answer some questions. - Dave Winer

Calling McCain a "creepy little coward" is not going to help Obama, Dave. The election is going to be won by attracting voters in suburban Columbus, Ohio, and places like that. You may convince them that Obama will be a better president. But you'll only piss them off by calling McCain a coward. - Rex Hammock

Well Rex thanks for sharing your opinion. I'm tired of tiptoeing around the egos of creepy little cowards like McCain and Rove. So unless you get the First Amerndment repealed, I'm going to keep saying what I think aobut these creeps and cowards. - Dave Winer

Dave, in all fairness it seems like Rex was speaking to the effectiveness of your communication and not your right to say what ever you wish. I agree that we don't want to top toe around the egos of McCain and Rove, but I would also hate to push away the people whose votes will essentially decide the election; those people are on the fence. - Jackson Miller

Well I don't go for that effectiveness stuff. It's as if every one of us was a pundit on some cable news show. Remember what happened when the two Republicans (Murphy and Noonan) said on MSNBC what they really thought, not just what they were *supposed* to say. That's how I want discourse done. What Rex was saying to me disgusts me more than if he thinks McCain is a great guy, the perfect leader for our country, if he really believes it. Telling someone to STFU is totally un-American and I reject it. - Dave Winer

In other words Rex was WRONG and because he's my friend I'm going to say it perfectly clearly because I don't want even the slightest chance that he doesn't hear me loud and clear. - Dave Winer

And if you don't believe it can be that way read this post and celebrate the coolness of our form of government. http://www.scripting.com/stories... - Dave Winer

Dave, can you point me to where Rex said STFU? I can't find it and it seems out of character. - Jackson Miller

I didn't say STFU. I love it when you say stuff. I'd never tell you to STFU. I said I don't believe you are helping your cause of getting Obama elected by calling McCain a creepy little coward. That's my opinion. Period. - Rex Hammock

Note to everyone else: My skin is thick and Dave Winer is my friend. I don't mind him telling me if he thinks I'm wrong -- even loudly and clearly. I wouldn't have posted my opinion publicly in this thread had I not wanted to discuss this publicly. What I won't do publicly is get into a feud with him. Dave and I agree on many things, even when we start out thinking we don't. Sometimes, even political things. - Rex Hammock

What I heard is this: It is your opinion that I should STFU. - Dave Winer

I agree with Rex. While I don't agree with Dave, I think he's working against his cause by taking the low road lately. - Ernie Oporto

hmm... sure McCain seems scared... kind of like when he was in Vietnam? Boy, making it through that has to be a piece of cake compared to - "the Press"... good one Dave... you came out on top with that comment. - Ken Stewart | ChangeForge from twhirl

In context, I think it sounds like Dave is referring to the fact that McCain is preventing his (not very well-known) running mate from participating in the Sunday news shows, as he tweeted earlier. (http://bit.ly/4pi0rZ) This is all the more unusual given that McCain has repeatedly referred to the media as "his base." - Karim

What Dave has done is what we used to refer to in my neighborhood as "calling someone out." :-) Not to be Dave's apologist, but it happens occasionally when a) you have testosterone and b) someone REALLY pisses you off. :-) - Karim

I'm sorry you heard it that way. I'm never going to tell you to STFU. Hell, I had to use Google to see what it meant. - Rex Hammock