Jim: When I see this report on alleged sock-puppetry by a prominent lefty blogger — i.e., posting under other names in comments sections to defend and praise his arguments — it’s just sad. This mockery is accurate, but man, this is why nobody takes blogs seriously. It’s over, people. This was once an innovative and exciting medium, but now it’s been taken over by the egomaniacs and the loons.

Marshall: Boy, Jim. I just think you’re nuts. And the same with our new “random” commenter. Who is just so obviously you, it’s painful. Resorting to sock puppeting yourself, I see. BTW, I’ve taken the liberty of adding a new contributor here at On Tap. His name is Thomas, and he agrees with me. Welcome, Thomas!

Thomas: Damn skippy. Blogs have become major influencers. They move news coverage and impact public policy. People pay attention. And blogs are the ultimate free market. The good ones float to the top. The crap sinks to the bottom. Jim, I hate to say it, you’re just wrong. And there’s no chance I’m buying your book.

Jim: Thomas, are you sure about that? Don’t you want to reread my argument and think this over?

Thomas: Boy, you’re right, Jim. I don’t know what came over me. Marshall’s nuts. Blogs have turned into a circus, and discerning readers are starting to tune them out as their signal-to-noise-ratio stops.

Jim: Don’t feel bad about it, Thomas. Marshall can be very persuasive. That’s how he uses mind control to get bloggers to say nice things about Wal-Mart. Speaking of which, now available from Wal-Mart…

Marshall: Damn you, Jim! You’ve taken my alter-ego, er, new On Tap contributor Thomas from me and turned him to the forces of evil. So now I must create a new alter-ego! Er, invite a new On Tap contributor to rebut your silly claims. But first, let me take a moment to promote Cam’s show. If you haven’t caught NRA News lately, you should tune in. Cam is one heck of a host, and the show is great.

Now, welcome new contributor, Charles.

Charles: Jim, you’re off your meds again, aren’t you? And you know Marshall is right. After all, he works for Edelman, and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Washington Times, The Hill and many other publications. He’s even appeared on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. Today, Marshall helps develop online communications strategies for Edelman clients. So he knows what he’s talking about. Not like you, with your silly book coming out. Blogs are cool. Millions of people are reading them. You’re just clueless. Go back to your typewriter you ink-stained wrtech.

Dave: Hey, Cam said I could post here, so I hope you don’t mind me chiming in. I just wanted to say that I really enjoy Marshall’s work in ensuring me low, low prices. And Jim, I’m really looking forward to reading your book.

That being said, I think it’s really amusing when bloggers get caught doing stuff like Greenwald allegedly did. You’re bloggers, not rocket scientists. You’re not curing cancer. You’re not saving the world. You’re blogging. Get over yourselves.

Cam: Wow. That’s the last time I let an asshole like Dave start posting here. Hopefully my friend Shempu, the imaginary sperm whale who lives in my bathtub has something more constructive to say.

Shempu: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I’m typing with my flippers!

Cam: Crap.

Scarlett: Hi, new girl here. Cam invited me over to join your postng party, so I thought I’d chime in. No really, he did. Bought me a drink and everything. So gentlemen, while your sock puppet theater was rather amusing, theirs was better. It had pictures.