# Why is the Mao book hoaxer's name STILL a "secret"? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 24, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077 "2005-12-24T14:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/1 "2005-12-24T14:35:29Z")
[http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm](http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm) > [@](#): > > NEW BEDFORD – The UMass Dartmouth student who claimed to have been visited by Homeland Security agents over his request for “The Little Red Book” by Mao Zedong has admitted to making up the entire story Th name of the student is never revealed… > [@](#): > > At the request of the two professors and the university, The Standard-Times has agreed to withhold his name. Ummm, why? The student is a 22 year old adult. He caused no small amount of ruckus when he lied about the actions of others. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/2 "2005-12-24T14:47:33Z")
Because the prank was just that…a prank. Nobody was killed. So why let it hang over the poor goof’s head, especially in the **current** political climate? ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/3 "2005-12-24T16:22:17Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Because the prank was just that…a prank. I’d say it was more than a prank, given the **current** political climate. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/4 "2005-12-24T16:32:43Z")
> [@](#): > > UMass Dartmouth university spokesman John Hoey: > > As to any possible repercussions against the student, Mr. Hoey said, “We consider this to be an issue to be handled faculty member to student. We wouldn’t discuss publicly any other action. Student discipline is a private matter.” [http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm](http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm) ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/5 "2005-12-24T16:38:22Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm](http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm) Oh I get the UMass position…and IF the original incident had been anything approaching a “private matter”, I’d agree with the newspaper’s position. It strikes me that if you’re a 22 year old man who makes (and continues making claims even after they were made quite public) false claims of a public nature…then you should be held to public scrutiny. “Poor goof”, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/6 "2005-12-24T16:50:30Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > It strikes me that if you’re a 22 year old man who makes (and continues making claims even after they were made quite public) false claims of a public nature…then you should be held to public scrutiny. Why? When does this ever happen? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/7 "2005-12-24T19:32:35Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Because the prank was just that…a prank. > > Nobody was killed. > > So why let it hang over the poor goof’s head, especially in the **current** political climate? It was a bit more than a prank. People cited this story as evidence that the Patriot Act should not be renewed. It was an attempt to influence legislation. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/8 "2005-12-24T19:54:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > It was an attempt to influence legislation. :eek: The kid’s got the same rights as the president doesn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![AFAIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/9 "2005-12-24T20:10:58Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > :eek: The kid’s got the same rights as the president doesn’t he? I didn’t know the President’s name was being withheld. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/10 "2005-12-24T20:22:39Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > :eek: The kid’s got the same rights as the president doesn’t he? It’s kind of amusing to me that when we’re discussing “rights” that folks should have, a 22 year old is an “adult”. When we’re discussing “responsibilities” that folks should have…a 22 year old is suddenly a “kid”. At 22, many folks have graduated from college…have full time jobs, making their own living. A 22 year old man is a “kid”? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/11 "2005-12-24T21:02:35Z")
> [@AFAIKnow](#): > > I didn’t know the President’s name was being withheld. I was speaking of the president’s right to lie in order to influence legislation. How do we even know that ‘influencing legislation’ was this young adults intent? To me it seems more likely that he simply made up a story in order to a) weasel out of completing his assignment on time, or b) get laid. Then, when the confluence of wiretapping and Patriot act politics turned his tale into national news, he freaked out and said some more, even stupider, things. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/12 "2005-12-24T21:55:50Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > :eek: The kid’s got the same rights as the president doesn’t he? Yup. The President’s name is George W. Bush. What’s the kid’s name? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/13 "2005-12-24T22:24:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yup. > > The President’s name is George W. Bush. > > What’s the kid’s name? I betcha George W. Bush not only knows the young man’s name, but has a tap on his phone. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/14 "2005-12-25T02:33:03Z")
I wonder if this student could find himself being charged under some sort of “malicious mischief” charge. Did he file any sort of complaint? If so he could get hit with filing false charges of some sort? I would find it hard to believe he didn’t know it would hit the media, and would be like pouring gasoline on a fire. It definitely IS more than just a harmless prank. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/15 "2005-12-30T03:34:39Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > The student is a 22 year old adult. He caused no small amount of ruckus Did he cause a “ruckus” that diverted public safety officers from genuine problems? Nope. (Don’t bother to cite examples of public safety officers **voluntarily** taking time to argue a political issue to counteract the perceived effect of the story. That isn’t at all comparable to public safety officers being **impelled** to respond to a false alarm.) Did he cause a “ruckus” by generating propaganda unsupported by facts? Sure. Within broad limits that weren’t even approached here, that isn’t an actionable offense in a free country. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/16 "2005-12-30T04:26:54Z")
As far as I’m concerned, a 22 year old is old enough to take responsibility for his actions. He took an action of his own volition; he wasn’t a victim of outside circumstances. So I see no reason to protect him by withholding his name. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/17 "2005-12-30T04:31:18Z")
His name should be released to the public and he should be expelled. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/18 "2005-12-30T04:54:47Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > Ummm, why? The student is a 22 year old adult. He caused no small amount of ruckus when he lied about the actions of others. Presumably the Standard-Times had access to information directly from UMass and agreed to the restriction in order to report exclusively (or perhaps cooperated after the fact in order to maintain a good paper-school relationship). UMass would shield his name because they have nothing to gain by sharing it. Organizations usually do not share information unless they are compelled or have a self-interest. Normally I find hiding this kind of information out of self-interest to be infuriating, but frankly I am just relieved to hear that this was a hoax. In any case, there are enough people that will want to know. I suspect his name will be discovered and released. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/19 "2005-12-30T11:54:09Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > His name should be released to the public and he should be expelled. Okay, I’ll tell you his name if you tell me the names of the White House leakers. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2005, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/20 "2005-12-30T12:47:21Z")
Hey, I’m creeped out by this Patriot Act BS as much as anyone, but I think they should throw the book at this guy, including revealing his name. It’s akin to a woman falsely accusing someone of rape; it hampers the ability of those truly wronged to get justice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077.md?page=2)