More than likely. The conversation seems like a movie script. Too cut and dry; everything spelled out for the audience.

> Topiary: (as you know I stole this nickname from a troll last December, didn't work out so well)

Give me a break.

This seems likely - the "police are dumbasses" mentality, and popular image of LulzSec as clever hackers really doing it for "lulz", allow them to present stories like this -and- gain support.

Not to dismiss the possibility entirely, of course - but it is awfully consistent with their previous attempts to hide the fact that they're on a sinking ship.