I thought I was secure.  I was careful about how I set up my blog, my e-mail, and my Twitter.  I used unique, complex passwords.  But it didn’t matter.  I was hacked.  It happened to me, and it can happen to you.

I was hacked because I am criticizing the Birmingham News.  I was hacked because of what I have said.  But it’s not just me and my blog that were attacked, it was free speech.

The people or organization behind this attack committed a crime.  They hired skilled hackers to attack me and hack my accounts.  They used resource that a regular person like me does not have access to in an attempt to shut me down.

It happened to me because of what I have written.  And if you write something these people or this organization doesn’t like, it will happen to you.  These people do not believe in free speech.  They do not think that you or I have a right to criticize or express our opinions about issues.

I have strong reason to believe these IP addresses were associated with the hacking:

75.214.244.245

71.229.16.248

75.223.180.136

I am disturbed that some of these IP addresses are associated with areas the Birmingham News’ parent company has a presence.  Whoever is behind this is opposed to this blog, and opposed to free speech in general.  The people behind this attack have limitless resources – resources that were used to hire skilled, professional hackers – and are more than willing to use them to shut down my blog or your blog.

I plan to pursue all legal action available to prosecute those responsible. But in the meantime, I am asking for your help.  Help me shed some light upon the people or organization behind this illegal attack.  Help me reveal to the world the people behind this attack and strike a blow in defense of free speech.