# 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:** 3
**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 31, 2005, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/41 "2005-12-31T08:13:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > If I were a Special Agent in Charge of an FBI Field Office, and I heard that two of my agents were accused of making a visit to some kid because he asked for a Mao book from the library, I’d certainly follow up: at a minimum, I’d have a memo out telling any agent who was aware of this action to report to me, and possibily I’d even attempt to interview each of my agents briefly to determine if they were involved. > > Assuming that happened, does it change your mind? No (subject to change if and when someone provides a cite for the implicit claim that **specific agents** were accused of making the visit). ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/42 "2005-12-31T08:15:57Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Is being an idiot against the law yet? > > Darn. If it were, the SDMB would be a very boring place. ---
**Author:** ![comrade33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@comrade33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/comrade33)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/43 "2005-12-31T08:19:13Z")
> [@](#): > > It definitely IS more than just a harmless prank. yeah, lemme tell ya, i had to get my doctor to prescribe me some codine due to this one. wait a minute, who did this hurt again? as far as the dispute over whether a 22 year old is a “kid”, i AM 22 years old and i still call people around my age “kids”. i will admit that i am not now, nor have i yet been (if you doubt this, take a look at my pathetic posting history) totally rational. in other words, give the kid a break. you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. in short, who cares, and why? ---
**Author:** ![comrade33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@comrade33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/comrade33)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/44 "2005-12-31T08:24:37Z")
i forgot to add, what are you going to do with the students name anyways? send them a nasty letter? get over it, or don’t you have enough of your own real life, right in front of you , YOUR OWN BUSINESS issues to deal with? ---
**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 31, 2005, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/45 "2005-12-31T09:23:21Z")
> [@](#): > > in short, who cares, and why? Because this student was telling a lie in order to discredit somebody whose political opinions he disagreed with. It’s wrong when Anne Coulter does it; it’s wrong when Rush Limbaugh does it; and it’s wrong when Student X does it. Anyone who does this deserves some public censure. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/46 "2005-12-31T13:44:49Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Because this student was telling a lie in order to discredit somebody whose political opinions he disagreed with. Got some proof for that wild speculation? How do you **KNOW** his motives? Did Anne Coulter tell you what they were? Did Rush? Why are you assuming malice on the student’s part, when stupidity adequately explains his actions? Do you have a persecution complex? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/47 "2005-12-31T13:54:28Z")
I have to agree with those who say who cares what this guys name is. I understand the university’s position and it makes sense. If a newpaper (or other news outlet) knows the guy’s name, it’s up to them whether they out him or not. Had he actually broken the law that would be a different matter. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/48 "2005-12-31T14:05:37Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Got some proof for that wild speculation? How do you **KNOW** his motives? Did Anne Coulter tell you what they were? Did Rush? Why are you assuming malice on the student’s part, when stupidity adequately explains his actions? Do you have a persecution complex? I don’t think stupidity adequately explains his actions. Frankly, I think it’s ridiculous, regardless of one’s political views, that someone could read of this particular fabrication and think it likely there was no political motivation. > [@](#): > > His basic tale remained the same: The book was on a government watch list, and his loan request had triggered a visit from an agent who was seeking to “tame” reading of particular books. He said he saw a long list of such books. But, you’re right. In terms of scientific proof, there is no real conclusion, nor can there be one regarding his motivations. I’ll assume that you’ll provide this benefit of the doubt regarding noble intentions to all politicians. Of course, none of this changes the fact that a 22-year-old man lied, created public turmoil as a result of his lie, and he ought to be held accountable for it. And, BTW, whether it’s right or wrong, he’ll eventually be “outed.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/49 "2005-12-31T15:32:08Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I have to agree with those who say who cares what this guys name is. I understand the university’s position and it makes sense. If a newpaper (or other news outlet) knows the guy’s name, it’s up to them whether they out him or not. Had he actually broken the law that would be a different matter. I guess I better backpedal on my backpedal :smack: . He _deserves_ to be outed and fined for what he did. It doesn’t do anything for any one of us and does much to hurt us. But to change laws to penalize him would possibly be worse than not doing anything. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/50 "2005-12-31T15:40:17Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > And, BTW, whether it’s right or wrong, he’ll eventually be “outed.” I agree. You can’t keep something like this a secret on a college campus. Word will get out eventually. ---
**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 31, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/51 "2005-12-31T18:28:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Got some proof for that wild speculation? How do you KNOW his motives? Did Anne Coulter tell you what they were? Did Rush? Why are you assuming malice on the student’s part, when stupidity adequately explains his actions? Do you have a persecution complex? So we don’t know what really happened? Gee, maybe it would help if we knew more. Let’s ask the student why he did it … oh wait, we can’t, they’re concealing his name … I guess we’re forced to speculate. Doesn’t your own argument prove my point? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/52 "2005-12-31T19:03:48Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > I guess we’re forced to speculate. Why? Is the answer so important to you that you _need_ to make one up? It’s not as if not knowing all there is to know about the story leaves America at risk of a major city disappearing in a mushroom cloud now is it? ---
**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:** [January 2, 2006, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/53 "2006-01-02T08:06:56Z")
Because the nature of humanity is to seek understanding. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/54 "2006-01-02T14:09:55Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > I think they should throw the book at this guy As others have asked, **what** book? If he should be expelled, what university policy did he violate, and how has the university treated other violations of the policy? We Internet Warriors love to get all He-Man about every crime, peccadillo, and stupidity we hear about. But c’mon. The fact that his story blew up into an international incident should have no effect on whatever censure he receives. As for knowing his name, I can tell you: it’s Loser with a capital L. Didja read the quotes from his professors, where they talk about how worried they are about him? Those aren’t the descriptions of Mr. Most Likely to Succeed. Those are the descriptions of the poorly-adjusted loner. As such, his name is insignificant. This is not a guy who is ever going to effect the world stage again: he’s just experienced the most attention he’ll ever get in his life. Who cares what name his mom and pop call him? Daniel ---
**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:** [January 2, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/55 "2006-01-02T15:54:58Z")
Basically, I’m assuming that this guy’s lie got some resources wasted. I think it’s more or less akin to falsely reporting a fire. He should pay; I don’t mean throwing him under the jail, but perhaps a few weekends of picking up trash along the roads or something. If somebody gets their name in the paper for a DUI or writing a hot check (and this definitely happens in some places), so should he. Or maybe nobody should, I don’t honestly know. Aren’t there laws on the book for making false reports? I was operating under the assumption that there are. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/56 "2006-01-02T16:17:47Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Got some proof for that wild speculation? How do you **KNOW** his motives? Did Anne Coulter tell you what they were? Did Rush? Why are you assuming malice on the student’s part, when stupidity adequately explains his actions? Do you have a persecution complex? This is idiotic. People can legitimately be assumed to intend the ordinary, forseeable results of their actions. C’mon, **Squink**. What’s the most likely explanation for his motives? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/57 "2006-01-02T16:22:50Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > C’mon, **Squink**. What’s the most likely explanation for his motives? Keep in mind this guy goes to Dartmouth, a school famous for its pranks. The professors have expressed worries about his emotional stability. My guess as to the most likely explanation? Sure, he’s probably a liberal or a libertarian; he’s probably heard about the surveillance issue; and he thought this would be a funny bit of political satire in the Dartmouth pranking tradition. How it blew up in his face ought to have been predicted, but I’d also guess that he’s not especially canny. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/58 "2006-01-02T16:27:49Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > As others have asked, **what** book? Mao’s little red book. Right in the forehead. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/59 "2006-01-02T16:28:45Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > I think they should throw the book at this guy > [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > As others have asked, **what** book? Obviously, _The Little Red Book_. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077/60 "2006-01-02T16:31:32Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > Mao’s little red book. Right in the forehead. I guess I walked right into that one. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mao-book-hoaxers-name-still-a-secret/337077.md?page=4)