GARART POLITICAL NEWS - Articles - Zimbio

Where are the editors? Blatant Obama Bias Runs Unchecked Against Hillary at Agence France-Presse

Sun, 10 Mar 2008 14:23:00 GMT

posted by marklesliewoods

[Pictured above: Most Democratic Party voters anticipate an inevitable compromise ticket combining the Clinton and Obama campaigns into what Bill Clinton has called an 'unstoppable' pairing. Most commentators on this week's MSNBC 'Meet the Press' echoed the former President's sentiments.]

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is the oldest news agency in the world, and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. It is also the largest French news agency.

Agence France-Presse in English

Ethical questions of journalistic integrity are being raised as some writers at Agence France-Presse cannot seem to conceal their obvious political bias for Barrack Obama.

For example, Jitendra Joshi in the article entitled "Deadlocked Democrats agonize over Florida-Michigan puzzle" seethes with open contempt for Hillary Clinton, while all but worshipping at the metaphorical feet of Barrack Obama.

Note how Joshi characterizes Obama's gain of a mere 7 delegates in sparsely-populated Wymoing this past week as a 'landslide'

"Democrats wrestled Sunday to unpick their White House dilemma, with Florida and Michigan clamoring for a say, after Barack Obama's victory over Hillary Clinton in the latest nominating clash."

"Following Obama's landslide in Wyoming Saturday, party grandees sparred over whether to bring the two states in from political purgatory after they were punished for advancing their primaries into January."

Deadlocked Democrats agonize over Florida-Michigan puzzle

Compares this biased rendering by Joshi to a more balanced account by Marie Horrigan in the Congressional Quarterly entitled "Obama Wins Wyoming Caucuses, 7 Delegates"

"Barack Obama won Wyoming's Democratic presidential caucuses Saturday amid record turnout, defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton after her strong performance in Tuesday's contests and continuing the neck-and-neck race for the nomination."

Obama Wins Wyoming Caucuses, 7 Delegates

Horrigan gives us a balanced view that doesn't let the Clinton campaign off the hook for their amount of 'spin', as compared with Obama's campaign 'spin' as we read:

"The Clinton campaign spun the results as a triumph over expectations. 'We are thrilled with this near split in delegates,' Campaign Manager Maggie Williams said in a written statement. She added: 'Although the Obama campaign predicted victory in Wyoming weeks ago, we worked hard to present Senator Clinton's vision to the caucus-goers and we thank them for turning out today.'"

"In a conference call with reporters, Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe said the results were a big win for them, especially given Clinton's 'very furious campaigning.'"

But notice how Joshi takes a talking point quote from the Obama camp and reports it as fact, calling the activity of Clinton 'furious' without any jounalistic qualification, more evidence of an ever more thinly-veiled bias at Agence France-Presse and other agencies agaisnt Clinton:

"But Clinton's campaign is furiously lobbying superdelegates with the argument that she has won the biggest states so far and, with Florida and Michigan included, is ahead in the popular vote by about 32,000 ballots."

Why did an otherwise qualified and experienced journalist like Jitendra Joshi drink so deeply of the Kool-Aid, and how ashamed is she going to be once this sham of political reporting in favour of Obama by a mainstream media cabal is retrospectively uncovered by journalism historians?

But more importantly, with the world's oldest news agency, Ou' sont? / Where are the editors at Agence France-Presse?

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American Twilight: Politics, Sex and TV Dinners

IMUS: Why lend credence to Sharpton?

Fri, 18 Aug 2007 02:45:30 GMT

posted by Garart

Tawana Brawley, attempts to bilk New York corporations, his children attended private school on the cuff of soul-singer James Brown. His National Action Network is a front for the distribution of street money in local,state and nation elections. He used his national prominence to help promote Christopher Hitchens' book “Is Christianity Good for the World.” Was he being compensated by the book’s publisher Twelve Book? Did he debate Hitchens in his role as a minister? This is a precise of Rev.Al Sharpton.

Why does Don Imus lend so much credence to this charlatan cleric?

He used the Brawley case to achieve media attention. He tried to defraud some of New York’s Fortune 500 companies. The reason for his presidential candidacy was to extend the reach of his National Action Network as the distributor of street money, while he pretends its’ mission is to provide voter education.

As most already know, Imus is being sued by one of the members of the Rutgers Women’s Basketball team. Don’t resist the conclusion that Al didn’t play a role in the instigation of this lawsuit. He has a history for feigned lawsuits, remember Brawley.

Democratic politicians across the nation curtsy to Al rather than scorn him. He should receive the same disdain Bill Clinton leveled at rap singer Sister Soulja. Watch the video clip where his arms are spread to accept all with open arms. The pertinent question is: Are his arms open to preach the word of God or get a good hunk of change? Watch the tape and listen to the derogatory hate speech he utters.

Imus is dead-wrong to appear on his radio show and to lend him even greater credence. Imus’ recognition of Sharpton as one of the leaders of the Black community is woefully ill-conceived. I personally would like to see poll numbers which measure his favorability among African Americans. I think we may be startled.

Imus is correct to hire the lawyer who defended Lenny Bruce as I likened Mr.Imus to in the midst of this controversy. Mr. Imus’ first amendment rights have been violated and the notion,hyped by Sharpton that offensive speech should not be protected speech is unconstitutional on its' face. If a person chooses not to hear a certain type of speech do what detractors of Rush Limbaugh have been doing for years—change the station.

Our first amendment right to free speech should be absolute. Unless it spurs violence than the purveyor of the speech-- particularly if a conspiracy to initiate violence can be proved --criminal sanctions should be imposed. In the Imus imbroglio there was no violence. His remark was inappropriate but why do media outlets hire shock jocks? It is not to teach political correctness. Our civil liberties are being eviscerated enough by the Bush Administration and we want to censor Don Imus.

Who has anointed Sharpton to be the arbiter of what we can or cannot say? A right wing wing-nut or a left wing wing-nut they are the same—wing-nuts. Are we going to be forced to parse our words to ensure we do not violate Sharpton’s: “Dictionary of Offensive Language?” We don’t need Sharpton to tell us the phrase “napppy headed hos” is a hurtful appellation. However, Mr. Imus should vigorously fight the civil suit filed yesterday which is ab initio an example of this whole affair--frivolous.

The young woman must have known that media coverage may result because of her membership on the team. She may have relished that coverage. The coverage may have benefitted her aspirations if she should want to become a professional athlete. She wanted celebrity. She is a public figure. She may have not liked some of the press coverage she received but that did not directly cause what ensued after Imus’ remark. It was the press that chose to turn the incident into a media circus. Mr. Imus is not in charge of what the media does or does not cover. He is not a “national assignment editor”.

On the other hand, Mr. Sharpton hyped this story because he knew it might place him yet again, in the media spotlight as the leader of the Black community. This has been Sharpton’s modus operandi throughout his career. Mr. Sharpton wants to be the left-wing’s Anne Coulter. He wants to be the “Minister of Propaganda and Public Enlightenment” but here in the United States, at least not yet, we are sans a Joseph Goebbels

One final question: Mr. Sharpton announced recently he was going to Utah to, as he calls it, encourage a “dialogue” with Mormon leaders.Who paid?

Welcome to our wikizine called "GARART POLITICAL NEWS"

Mon, 31 Jul 2007 17:03:26 GMT

posted by Garart
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "GARART POLITICAL NEWS". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!

T HE BONE-YARD

Wed, 6 Sep 2007 22:29:35 GMT

posted by Garart

The Bone Yard

There use to be a guy in NY who sold mattresses. His name was Crazy Edie. His prices were insane.

Despite the Sunshine State’s great beaches perpetual summers et cetera its politics is run by a bunch of boneheads. They do say politicians are ugly actors or that the District is Hollywood for ugly people.

During the Labour Day weekend, Broward County, Florida—where a Hollywood exists too—Sheriff Ken Jenne was clearing his belongings from his office. On Tuesday, Jenne resigned as the county’s chief law enforcement officer.

His resignation was sought by a prosecutor who wants to make his name as Ken Jenne made his thirty years ago—being “Underdog” the slayer of the corrupt. Jenne gained access to $60,000 from various places, invaded taxes and committed mail fraud. (You can read the story, here.)

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida said he had to rid the county of corruption. I know a political hit when I see it and this is a big gotcha.

There are probably hundreds of thousand of political gotchas. Hell, mythology, religion, history is full of gotchas. My personal favorite is Julius Caesar, particularly if Shakespeare is his speechwriter.

In my career alone there were at least fifty prosecutions that were vendettas: Tony Scotto, Rep. Mario Biaggi, Meade Esposito, Teddy Mauritas, Rep. Robert Garcia. There was Abscam, Zofran—I kid that’s a nausea drug, Rx only.

Neither the Ds nor Rs would pull something like this in NY, although they hit Lyn Nofzinger on Abscam. I had clients out the ying-yang on that one. At least Jenne didn’t have dollars in his freezer—talk about cold hard cash. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

In any event during my “Great Awakening” (on behalf of a business client I relocated from New York’s Upper West Side to Tallahassee. Florida) is I realized my conjecture was correct: There is nothing between New York City and Hollywood but thousands of miles of cow dung.

Further digression—In Brooklyn the pols were Italian, Irish or Jewish. Although ethnics voted for ethnics non-Jewish candidates would trek to Borough Park to be blessed by the Rebbe. I knew the steps of that synagogue like the back of my hand.

The District Leader and president of the United Manzini Traditional Democratic Club was James V. Manago. He had been sheriff of King’s County then Billy O’Dwyer (later impeached) appointed him Chief Clerk of the King’s County Courts. He built them a new home; the house that Jimmy built.

For Jimmy $60,000 was pocket change and it’s not the notion that times are different. There are gotchas but going after a guy for political points is like pulling off a scab. For Ken Jenne it was a fifty-percent pay cut for others it just plain greed, or the rush of criminality who knows. Ken Jenne’s embarrassment is not going to change the political affiliation of Broward seniors, in fact they are use to shady politicians and they like the shade. It holds one’s interest.

Let’s get back to the Florida state party. There has, in the twenty years I’ve lived in Florida, not been an effective state boss. Democrats here never realized Florida would become a Red state and as in most of the Dixiecrat states the voters bought Nixon’s “Silent Majority” and law and order. Hell, a presidential candidate was on “Law and Order” last night cast as a District Attorney.

These two phrases were code. Members of the Silent Majority were those who were “anti-Hippie,” and “law order” a/k/a minorities’ better stay in their places.

We may not have a state primary because the Rs moved the date up to January and the DNC says there will be no further fucking with the primary calendar. Every candidate for President has signed a binding pledge. Democrats care because of the mo-thang. GOP candidates are so numerous it will be a cluster fuck at least until March. Party leaders don’t wanna piss on Iowa and New Hampshire’s parade. The issue here is there are no party leaders.

Our state party chair, a former-congresswoman, lost her seat because she was too stupid to understand modern politics. She was beaten by an Eloise Babcock Burke type. Two years before she almost lost to a biker—can’t remember the guy’s name—Big Biker Billy or something.

As I write this I’m blowing a Dominican made with Cuban seeds but not the same. Politics isn’t the same either. Until I retired candidates had and still do have nimrods like me offering advice, the “consultant” the bane of politics. I can remember when my big “consultant” job (I was only seventeen) was to find a place for then-Vice President Mondale to take a leak or whatever. Anyway it was unlike Larry Craig.

Consultants are a dime a dozen. Everyone knows about political campaigns and you’d rather live in your bathroom than hear the yammering of college students, senior citizens and volunteers. How I loved volunteers.

However, when asked how many Democrats it takes to screw in a light bulb? One must consider at least:

· One strategist

· Four press people: television, print, internet and radio

· Advance guys and probably one-hundred volunteers. The heavier the candidate the more volunteers

· And make sure those volunteers get face time with the candidate for there is one thing a consultant can’t do—be an entire field operation.

I got out before my hair fell out. Brings me back to those halcyon days of smoke-filled backrooms and deal-making where there were four guys in a room. One puffed on his “Churchill” looked at the other three and said: “You’re the congressional candidate Linguine; you’re the State Senate candidate Tommy Flynn, and you, Harvey Wasserman, you’re the Assemblyman.” Now let’s go buy us some tail.

On the way down in elevators from Court Street to 10^th “Air-ven” in each of the five boroughs from buildings hither and yon Flynn would ask Mangano, “should I fart for you, now?”

T HE BONE-YARD

Wed, 6 Sep 2007 22:29:35 GMT

posted by Garart

The Bone Yard

There use to be a guy in NY who sold mattresses. His name was Crazy Eddie. His prices were insane.

His resignation was sought by a prosecutor who wants to make his name as Ken Jenne made his thirty years ago—being “Underdog” the slayer of the corrupt. Jenne gained access to $60,000 from various places, evaded taxes and committed mail fraud. (You can read the story, here.)

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida said he had to rid the county of corruption. I know a political hit when I see it and this is a big gotcha.

These two phrases were code. Members of the Silent Majority were those who were “anti-Hippie,” and “law order” a/k/a minorities’ better stay in their places.

We may not have a state primary because the Rs moved the date up to January and the DNC ordered there will be no further fucking with the primary calendar. Every candidate for President has signed a binding pledge. Democrats care because of the mo-thang. GOP candidates are so numerous it will be a cluster fuck at least until March. Party leaders don’t wanna piss on Iowa and New Hampshire’s parade. The issue here is there are no party leaders.

However, when asked how many Democrats it takes to screw in a light bulb? One must consider at least:

· One strategist

· Four press people: television, print, internet and radio

· Advance guys and probably one-hundred volunteers. The heavier the candidate the more volunteers

· And make sure those volunteers get face time with the candidate for there is one thing a consultant can’t do—be an entire field operation.

On the way down in elevators from Court Street to 10^th “Air-ven” in each of the five boroughs from buildings hither and yon Flynn would ask Mangano, “should I fart for you, now?”