Oops. New Republic writer suspended for phony comments

Lee Siegel was the magazine's “culture critic,” but his blog on the site has disappeared, only to be replaced with a letter from the editor. It seems as though Siegel fell into a trap that's snagged a number of online writers over the last year-- using a pseudonymous alter ego to boost his own reputation. What makes it so much fun is that he's the guy responsible for a number of vicious attacks on liberal blogs and the coining of the term blogofascism, giving progressice bloggers everywhere a hearty laugh by comparing them to Nazis. You know, addressing the most serious problem America faces today.

In place of Siegel's blog is a letter of apology from TNR's editor, Frank Foer, explaining that an internal investigation revealed Siegel as the force behind a commentor named "Sprezzatura," who'd been entering the threads to expansively defend Siegel's genius. It was a deception, the author donning a mask to gin up support for his own work, and it resulted in the blog's dismantlement and Siegel's suspension.

Highly recommended for starting your day off with a good laugh.