The Daily News Record EXPOSED as Fox Light!

This just in from Project Censored via DailyKos:  

“In February 2003, a Florida Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with an assertion by FOX News that there is no rule against distorting or falsifying the news in the United States.

FOX asserted that there are no written rules against distorting news in the media. They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves. Fox attorneys did not dispute Akre’s claim that they pressured her to broadcast a false story, they simply maintained that it was their right to do so.”

There you have it Ladies and Gentlemen!  Fox News won the right to bluster, lie, and distort “news” as they see fit.  They stand four-square behind the Free Speech clause in the US Constitution.  It’s their RIGHT to present the news as they see fit.  There is no crime in a news organization LYING to the public.  There is no crime in distorting the news to reflect any political ideological persuasion.  It’s not a crime to misrepresent facts to push an ideological position.  They won a court cast to PROVE IT!

My friends, where do we find out what’s going on?  Who do we turn to for the truth?  One must assume that if Fox is doing it, ALL news organizations distort and represent the news according to an ideological perspective of some sort.  Would it be too much to assume an educated populace?  Is it too far-fetched to think that by reading a broad spectrum of news reports and balancing the various views against each other that a semblance of reality and truth can be determined? 

Of course!  Education!  Liberal thinking!  Do the research.  Find out the facts.  Put information together and determine to the best of your ability what is closest to the truth.  

Mr. Editor, you have the right to bluster, lie, distort, and be as ideological as you want to be!  Please don’t try and pass it off as truth, intellect, or journalism! Your radical, extreme views most obviously reflect your political ideology.  You’ve lost all credibility as a reporter or editor. You are simply a megaphone for the right wing fringe that still supports endless war.  

Incoherent and Incompetent.

The Editor’s column in today’s Daily News Record once again demonstrated the dark side of the editorial staff.  Radicals, "incoherent" activist judges, illegal immigrants, murderers, and law-breakers, were today's villains.  The editor once again expresses the extremist view that his own common sense is an adequate replacement for everything he DOESN'T know about federal and state law.  His comments were about Judge James Munley's ruling that cities and towns could not pass ordinances regarding illegal immigration because cities and towns don’t have jurisdiction over the BORDERS OF THE UNITED STATES. Judge Munley stated simply that: 

"We cannot say clearly enough that persons who enter this country without legal authorization are not stripped immediately of all their rights because of this single illegal act."

Further, the judge indicated that illegal immigration is a FEDERAL crime and can't be overturned or replaced by a town ordinance.  To this point our editor simply uses his common sense to state:

"Well, homicide is sometimes a federal crime too, so does that mean that cities and towns can’t enforce the laws against murder?"

And

"...what good are laws if people who recklessly and wantonly violate them are not held accountable?"

And even once step further into insanity,

"People who are not here legally definitely should not have rights that trump – or undercut – the rights of American citizens and their elected representatives.

Liberal activist judges seem to think that criminals and illegal aliens have a whole host of rights under the Constitution but that law-abiding people have none."

So to summarize:

To gain "a whole host of rights under the Constitution," one must emigrate to another country, gain citizenship in that country and re-enter the United States illegally! 

We should repeal all the laws of our country because we don't hold illegal immigrants accountable.  (This is a version of the classic "He did it first." argument of middle school miscreants.)

Anyone who breaks the law immediately loses all rights and privileges of American citizenship and is not deserving of any protections under the Constitution.  (This one is simply the "Cheney Doctrine" of "taking the gloves off."

Cities and Towns should be allowed to form gangs of vigilantes to enforce laws against murder, rape, and pillaging, AND illegal immigration.

Using language like this should be a crime!  It certainly would not pass for logic, reason, or intelligence.  Paranoid ranting has no place in the editorial column.  This type of petty shouting should be relegated to the farthest reaches of the blogosphere where it's proper audience can be found.  

I once again call on citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, the publisher of the Daily News Record, and the readers of this community newspaper to demand the resignation of this editorial writer.  His writings are a complete embarrassment to our fine community.

Leader or Crook?

Here it is in a nutshell.  In 2001, the Bush Administration ordered up the famous warrentless wiretapping program, known officially as the Terrorist Surveillance Program, which they admitted to in 2005.  Along with the wiretapping, they also ordered up a data-mining program that largely remained secret although a poorly kept one.  Gonzo's deceptive testimony over the past few months is his pathetic attempt to remain within the legal boundaries of perjury, and explains why he may be successful.  Deceptive, duplicitous, arrogant, dishonest, untrustworthy?  Yes.  Of course.  Business as usual.

It just amazes me that Bush and cronies ordered this stuff secretly, knowing it was illegal and knowing that they would be vilified when caught. Their whole approach was to work outside the law, on their own, in secret.  This was in spite of the full-fledged support of Congress, the American people, and the Courts in the tragic days after 9/11.  President Bush commanded at that time a nearly 90% approval rating and could have ordered up pretty much anything he wanted that related to the security of the United States citizens!  A BLANK CHECK!  Instead he chose to work secretly, deceiving the American Public with secret probing into private information protected under law.

Right wing pundits always point out that the President was only working to provide national security.  They say that if the terrorists find out what we're up to, they'll be able to figure out countermeasures.  They say that because of the nastiness, cruelty, and danger of these particular bad guys, they MUST keep all of this illegal behavior under wraps. 

All I know is that when faced with legal options or illegal options with regards to national security, the Bushies have chosen the criminal road.  They don't trust America, because so many of us disagree with them.  We don't trust them because they view any of us who disagree as terrorist sympathizers.  Mr. Bush has squandered his place in history and his legacy, by trashing his 9/11 mandates.  Instead of riding the tidal wave of support from the American people, he chose to hunker down with his radical NeoCon advisers and cast off all but the faithful few who believed in his radical vision.  

Mr. Bush is a tragic figure of epic proportions.  He could have been great, but failed completely.  He could have brought us together, but he split us apart.  He could have joined with the world to make us safer, but chose to go it alone and has made the world a much more dangerous place to live.  He could have chosen bravely and well, but chose the cowardly, secretive approach of a leader motivated only by his own fear and the fear of his followers. 

2 to 1. Oh Really?

In response to the DNR editorial on July 10. 

On July 7 in a federal district court, two out of three judges ruled that the plaintiffs in this case simply did not have the right to sue in this case. It seems that the government keeps all records of surveillance secret from everyone, including the judges in this case. Because of the secrecy, the plaintiffs couldn’t prove that they had been victims of wiretapping.  No evidence, no case. The two judges did NOT rule on the constitutionality of the wiretapping program but only on the viability of the case.

Glen Greenwald in Salon: 

The two judges in the majority did not dispute any of this. Instead, they ruled, roughly speaking, that because the program was conducted in secret, the plaintiffs cannot prove that they were subjected to warrantless eavesdropping and thus lack "standing" to contest the legality of the NSA program.

The lone dissenting judge agreed with Judge Taylor that the NSA Program is illegal.  In fact Judge Gilman stated that it wasn’t even close.

 

The Judge:

The closest question in this case, in my opinion, is whether the plaintiffs have the standing to sue. Once past that hurdle, however, the rest gets progressively easier . . . . [The administration's] AUMF and inherent-authority arguments are weak in light of existing precedent and statutory construction.

The real issue here is the government’s own admittance that the wiretapping is illegal and that it is within the power of the government to stonewall and obstruct any legal action against it.  Exactly where in the constitution does it say that the rights of the people concerning privacy are to be ignored when the government deems it necessary?

Again from Mr. Greenwald:

Any journalist or Bush follower claiming that this decision constitutes vindication for warrantless eavesdropping -- or that it constitutes a repudiation of Judge Taylor's finding that the President broke the law and violated the Constitution -- is deeply confused and/or engaged in a campaign of deceit. Even worse than that, anyone celebrating this result is essentially celebrating a situation where our government leaders are able to act in secret -- even when the law makes it illegal to do so -- and as a result of this secrecy, block courts from ruling on whether they broke the law.

I would say that the DNR qualifies as one of the above mentioned journalists and Bush followers. ‘Nuf said.

Count the Cost

Today's editorial in the Daily News-Record:

The audience of NBC’s "Today" show Friday heard anchor Ann Curry say that several American soldiers are accused of killing Iraqi civilians. (The "Today" producers and writers love stories like this.) What was not heard was any analysis of how the war in Iraq is going.

For that, curious citizens have to read Michael Yon, a blogger who is in Iraq and has been in almost every battle for several years. This month he was with American troops during "Operation Arrowhead Ripper," – the battle for the city of Baquhah.

"The big news on the streets today is that the people of Baquhah are generally ecstatic, although many hold in reserve a serious concern that we will abandon them again. For many Iraqis, we have morphed from being invaders to occupiers to members of a tribe. I call it the "al Ameriki tribe," or "tribe America," he writes.

I have no doubt that what Mr. Yon is reporting is true.  I'm absolutely sure that the events in are happening.  I'm also sure that polling is important but only a tool to help us understand what's going on in the "hearts and minds."  In this case progress is measured in VERY small increments and is celebrated with a very LONG editorial. 

My problem is also with the math.  The first number: 441 BILLION dollars so far.  Are we getting our money's worth?  Isn’t this an astronomical figure with no end in sight for these types of incremental results?  When we safeguard a city like Baquhah, are we really able to guarantee that the citizens of this town will REMAIN safe after the troops leave?  Where are the Iraqi’s?

The second number: 200,000 United States citizens who no longer live in New Orleans.  Didn't we promise to rebuild their city?  This is but one example of government funding for war and imperialism in the name of national security having a serious effect at home in America.  Homeland security is threatened by huge numbers of vacancies in vital HOMELAND missions.  Why aren’t these vacancies being filled?  Folks, it’s the Coast Guard and FEMA!  It’s hurricane season!  Anyone feel safer because of all the manpower and money spent on the little town of Baquhah and others like it? 

The third number: 67% of American citizens who now feel that the war in Iraq should be ended.  It’s America!  The people’s voice has been heard.  This war was WON; it’s time for the Iraqi people to make their own history.  To hear so-called “conservatives” continue to support extremist views is contrary to the will of the American people.  The far right (33%) is carrying the day and winning the debate as long as we are there.  True conservatives are beginning to count the cost of the war and are returning to their Goldwater/Eisenhower heritage.  Support for the war continues to erode. America is counting the cost.

The two biggest questions remain... What exactly are we doing there?  and..  How exactly is our occupation of Iraq making us safer HERE? Anyone?

UPDATE

Nancy Pelosi is now my new hero!  Here is her contribution to my recent post, "Count the Cost." Thanks to Greg Sargent on Josh Marshall’s blog.

“Think about what $10 billion a month would mean to protecting Americans from terrorism, improving security at our ports and airports, and increasing border security. Think about what $10 billion a month would mean for the 47 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and for the education of our children. Think about what $10 billion a month would mean to lowering the deficit so that future generations are not burdened with debt.

“The American people are outraged at the Bush Administration’s misplaced priorities -- that is why Congress will hold the Administration accountable with votes this month to end the war and redeploy the troops. This will include a vote on legislation to begin redeployment of our troops within 120 days and to conclude by April 1, 2008, with the exception of those remaining in Iraq to fight terrorists and protect our diplomats.

“The date-certain legislation gives our Republican colleagues another opportunity to join Democrats in heeding the wishes of the American people, who want to wind down this war and bring our troops home.”

I’m all for our Republican friends to join in support of ending the war!  Let’s all start with our own congressmen.  Write them now!

Trouble for Thompson

As predicted, when folks start taking Fred Thompson seriously, he’ll have to face the withering fire of partisans from both sides.  He’s already taking hits and his responses are revealing about what kind of president he might be.  Evidently he’s adopted Reagan’s “Teflon” approach.  Seems that he was hired as a lobbyist for a

“family-planning group to help ease a controversial abortion restriction, according to a 1991 document and several people familiar with the matter.” (Josh Marshall)

Steve Benen elaborates:

“Getting away with lobbying for a pro-choice client is an awkward hurdle. Getting caught lying about it can dog a presidential campaign for quite a while.”

  Same old same old for the Republicans.  Why can’t they simply admit that what they do is considered “business as usual?”  That because they BELIEVE that they are GOOD Americans that anything they do is allowed because they are GOOD and they are fighting EVIL.  Put up or shut up Repubs!

Our Seventh Grade Editor

OK I"m officially off the wagon.... dadgummit, every time I read something like today's DNR editorial, I vow to not just let it ride. I guess It's my way of not staying silent... Letter to the editor to follow...

"It's OK because HE did it."  "He did it first."  These are quotes from seventh graders in my classes who were busted for various and sundry minor and major school rule violations.  No matter how many kids were disciplined and how often they were warned, they'd see one or more of their peers seemingly "get away" with something, do themselves and get caught.  They would ALWAYS cry, whine and complain using the age old excuse, "He did it first, and you didn't do anything to him!"  

The administrators and teachers would always explain that other kids behavior was not a measuring stick for their own. Because someone else was caught acting up in class is not an excuse for you to do it! They would explain over and over that school rules are to be followed all the time by everyone.  We'd also explain that their life as as a student would be a lot easier if they would do what was right instead of following questionable peer role models....

In today's DNR, guess what?  The editor excuses the clemency of Scooter Libby because...you guessed it... Clinton did it first!  I repeat, dear friend, your editorial life would be so much easier if you'd let your better sense, intelligence and human value system rule your writing, and let the rabid right wing role models you admire rattle on to themselves.  Grow up!  Excuses are for losers and this excuse of Libby's behavior is the most lame of all.  Still fixating on SEX and BILL after 6 years?  Get over it! Leave it to Rush and Sean and Bill-O'Really?...  

Heil Bush

He can't even get the clemency right.  Evidently, according to Tom Grieve at Salon Magazine, there is a pretty straightforward procedure for commuting a sentence. It involves submitting the request for commutation to the DOJ where the sentencing judge and the prosecuting attorney are given the opportunity to give opinions and recommendations. The timing is curious and incorrect as well because requests for commutation are not supposed to be accepted unless and until a person has begun serving that sentence.  No commutation requests are usually accepted while the appeal process is underway.  

Or perhaps he just thinks he got it right.  Bush often remarks about the high ethics he follows as he makes decisions. He has said,

"we must always maintain the highest ethical standards. We must always ask ourselves not only what is legal, but what is right."

 
He also famously said that being president would be "a lot easier if he were a dictator."

Tom Grieve again
,

"In a statement this afternoon, House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers said Bush's decision is "inconsistent with the rule of law." He's dead on there, but what does that get us? In the president's world, legal vs. right is just another choice to be made. Once again, Bush has made his.

For a great exposition of the entire issue read this from Sidney Blumenthal in Salon.

Can't Help it..

I know I promised to stay off the blog.... but.....

President Bush is using the same stubborn, forlorn logic of any good Confederate. The Rebels never lost the war! The south just lost patience! We just couldn't wait out the damn Yankees! If we'd have just given it a little more time, we'd have prevailed. Now it's all come true! The terrorists came here and destroyed our way of life. Carpetbaggers and Yankees came in and gave away our plantations, freed all our slaves and just ruined our way of life. President Bush is a good Confederate from the great nation of Texas. I'm sure he'll be damned if he'll give in to those Yankees again!

:)

67%

Keith Olberman in Salon Magazine, July 3, 2007: 

“The protection of the environment is turned over to those of one political party who will financially benefit from the rape of the environment.

The protections of the Constitution are turned over to those of one political party who believe those protections unnecessary and extravagant and quaint.

The enforcement of the laws is turned over to those of one political party who will swear beforehand that they will not enforce those laws.

The choice between war and peace is turned over to those of one political party who stand to gain vast wealth by ensuring that there is never peace, but only war.”

67%

Two-thirds of the American people disagree with President Bush....  Take your pick: Scooter Libby, the environment, the war, the Gonzales fiasco...

The series of articles in the Washington Post and Salon Magazine on Dick Cheney's manipulations in the White House are telling.  They show the extent of the power grab that is still underway in the White House.

67% percent of Americans disagree with Cheney and Bush. 67% of Americans think they've gone too far.  67% of Americans are idealists, believing in the American Way of freedom, democracy, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  33% are ideologues, believing that government is not for the people and by the people but the nemesis of the people. 

Blue Rage is taking a summer break.  We'll leave the political arena for two months.  We can't help but wonder where we'll be by then.  

September is the new line in the sand for Iraq.  If history is our guide, failure in Iraq will mean the bombing of Iran will begin.  The only military success that Bush can achieve is aggression.  What will Congress and the people say? How will they respond?  We'll see.

All of the Presidential candidates will be (I really mean it this time) really buckling down and getting serious about their campaigns.  Fred Thompson will still be teasing the faithful.  He knows that as soon as folks are asked to take him seriously, he'll loose his "star" quality.  

Barack will maintain his underdog status and even guard it carefully.  He's good, but not good enough to fight off the Hillary/Bill machine that could destroy him.  Stay cool Obama....  

The Republicans will get nastier, more manly, and even more draconian, as they continue to pander to their increasingly small but strident base.  They all carry the burden of the idealogue, trying to convince us all that their policies trump the constitution.

Mr. Cheney will not relinquish power.  Congress will not impeach him. His Stalinesque manipulations will be felt in the halls of government for many years after he retires to Wyoming.  It only remains for history to uncover the extent of the new revolution that brought him to power and the extent of the damage he and his lackeys have wrought on the government he despises so much.  

See you in September.

Blue Rager