Every time these people open their mouths, they reveal their inner rot, a kind of moral halitosis.

-- So says A man named Justin (not our Justin).

These people?

I must protest the above remarks! While ostensibly directed at Glenn Reynolds (and Tim Blair), there's a clear implication that InstaPundit belittled the name "Dennis" as inferior to "Justin." Furthermore, there's an implied assertion that some pen names are more equal than others:

One could go on in this vein: would you rather read a book by Ayn Rand -- or by Alice Rosenbaum? Charles Lutwidge Dodgson -- or "Lewis Carroll"? I see nothing wrong with the name Eric Blair, but for reasons of his own the man we know now as George Orwell shed his old name and assumed a new, more adult, more authentic identity. What of it?

To attack a writer because he has a pen-name is akin to accusing him of all sorts of other non-crimes: yes, writers like to change their names. They also like spending inordinate amounts of time alone, sitting at a desk. Odd, but true. So shoot me.

As most readers know, Classical Values has:

When Glenn Reynolds (subject of the above tirade) said that the name "Dennis" "doesn't have quite the same ring," was Dennis offended?

No!

And did Justin take it as a compliment in any way, shape or form?

Of course not!

In fact, Glenn Reynolds was -- and is -- right!

Dennis does not have the same ring as Justin. This I swear on all the Bibles in the world.

Some people are overly sensitive about names, but around here, we know how to take a joke!

If we are accused of moral halitosis, well, we'll be grateful that we weren't accused of immoral halitosis! (Or the non-metaphorical variety, like stale cigarette breath.)

The Other Justin also hints darkly that Tim Blair and Glenn Reynolds might have it in for him -- along the lines of a Logan's Run scenario.

Well I'm 50 -- and as most of you know I'm not allowed to reveal anything about Justin (a scifi fan who had to educate me about Logan's Run....). But he carelessly left a loophole (might have been drinking, I suppose) which I am about to exploit shamelessly, as soon as I turn on my scanner.

It's a picture of Justin!

Our very own Mr. Let's Pretend himself!

I'm not allowed to say how old he is, but some of the sharper analysts out there might be able to hazard a guess......

And in light of the photo games which have been going on, no, you may not link to it, copy it, or even look at it!

Avert your eyes now!

UPDATE (03/29/05): According to Tom Palmer, the Other Justin may have more of a sense of humor than previously thought. Unless I am reading things incorrectly, he complains that the following accurate quotation from his colleague constitutes a "smear":

I will stand up proudly for it. I have cheered on men attacking US troops. I will continue to cheer any defeat US troops meet.

....having denied that he has cheered on the killings of American troops and Iraqi police and soldiers, Mr. Raimondo admits it in his blog post by defending....the killing of U.S. soldiers.

But don't you dare quote me, because I'll say you're crazy! And who do you think they'll believe! You or me?