I completely appreciate your confidence in my authority as a “Drudge scholar” (or whatever name you choose), and I am glad that someone out there takes the time that I don’t have to edit the “Matt Drudge” page on Wikipedia and other “public record” sources.  But in the future, please do not directly lift DrudgeBlog passages word-for-word without citing us.  I realize that it was not intentional plagiarism.  However, it is an intellectual property issue that even lowly bloggers like Lance and me need to take seriously.

If anyone is interested in editing the “Matt Drudge” Wikipedia page or consulting the source for my information on Matt Drudge, I will be happy to cite my references.  Because this blog isn’t a scholarly journal, and because of the time constraints, I don’t list a bibliography or assiduously reference every little thing I say — but I’m prepared to if needed.

My assumption is that the “lifting” I’m talking about will be weeded out by Wikipedia moderators because it’s not properly sourced.  It’s also my assumption that Drudge Blog would not hold up as a legitimate citation or noteworthy link in a Wikipedia article — a policy I respect and understand.   But I do share the site’s mission to protect the integrity of the public record — and don’t consider myself immune to it. 

Just get used to following your English teacher’s commandment: Rewrite in your own words.

Thanks for your understanding.