Political Intimidation of the Press -- IS NO ONE WORRIED??

[grasswire]

I, for one, am absolutely sickened by today's events. The blatant thuggery of the WH and GOP against the press today is anti-American and anti-democratic.

Is there no recognition of this, and no discussion of it?

[ewagner]

1. Bring me up to speed.......

what incidents today?

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. GOP wants a congressional investigation of CBS

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I started a thread this morning

yep this is pure intimidation, also send a note to your congress critters and the papers, even if those things will not do much if it is only one of us. We need to do this en masse... oh and we may have to take to the streets.

:-)

[Prodemsouth]

3. Could you give us some examples

n/t

[AngryOldDem]

42. One That I Can Think of From Today

Bill Kristol getting a free pass from Fox on the topic of Bush and the Guard, saying that this story was a plant by a desperate Kerry campaign; that this story was being adequately covered by Fox and such publications as the Weekly Standard; so what if Bush has a little hole in his service record; Bush's service record of 32 years ago is of no consequence to the campaign.

Any Journalism 101 student could have picked apart all the double standards he was spouting. Fox, of course, just let him gas on.

And, I really don't recall the media leaping to John Kerry's defense when the Swift Boat shit started up, either. They are just as willing to believe the undocumented tripe about Kerry as they are just as unwilling to admit the documented truth about Bush. That is where the media has become derelict.

[samsingh]

5. i'm terrified of it and sickened.

[calimary]

56. So ... uh ... er ... um ... is anybody, like, uh, calling CBS? Or another

network? Or maybe ... uh ... their ... uh ... congressman or senator? Or are we all just grousing here amongst each other and taking it no farther?

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION - NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM, GUYS!!!

Let it sit and fester WITHOUT TREATMENT if you want to, but all you'll get is more pus, infection, and eventual amputation.

More info/help here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2357405

[calimary]

58. MORE info/help here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2350204

JUST DO IT.

[ClassWarrior]

6. If that's what it is, it won't work...

CBS won't be intimidated. The rest of the whores are whores.

And if it's a real investigation, the truth will out. And the truth ain't good for George.*

[ikojo]

49. CBS IS being intimidated....if this NYT story is to

be believed....

http://nytimes.com/2004/09/16/politics/16guard.html?hp

CBS Says It Will Check Questions on Bush Files
By JIM RUTENBERG and KATE ZERNIKE

Published: September 16, 2004

CBS News said for the first time last night that there were legitimate questions about the authenticity of documents it presented in a "60 Minutes" report last week that raised new issues about President Bush's service in the National Guard - and said it would aggressively investigate them.

snip

"Because there continue to be questions swirling around the documents, it's important to keep looking into those as best we can," Mr. Heyward said in an interview last night. "I'm very confident in the report, but I want to get to the bottom of these continuing questions."

In an interview by Mr. Rather, Mrs. Knox, 86, suggested last night that someone had seen the documents and tried to reproduce them, "and had changed them enough that he wouldn't get into trouble over it."

Mr. Rather conducted the interview as part of a "60 Minutes" segment in which he walked a line, raising questions about the documents' authenticity in ways the news division never has before, but insisting, at times defiantly, that the sentiment they conveyed was accurate.

[Lancer]

7. I have seen the outrage

here at DU, but not a lot of other places. Frankly, I don't think the majority of Americans pay any real attention to the news much less the institution of the press.

It's obvious what the networks think of the public when they stuff their faces full of garbage like MarthaKobeScottLaciParis ad nauseum.

It's hard even for the well-informed to separate the real news from the spin, the important news from the crap.

I'm sorry, what was your question?

[BiggJawn]

44. Never mind that boring "News" stuff, Oprah's giving away NEW CARS!!!

Wouldn't surprise me to find out the RNC and GOP had something to do with that, too. C'mon, Generous Muthas DONATED all those Pontiacs? With the piss-poor earnings they're claiming this 1/4?

People don't give a fuck. Tomorrow's Thursday night, how many of you know at LEAST 10 people who will be watching "Survivor"?
did those same 10 people ever watch "60 Minutes"? Do they even know what "60 Minutes" IS???

No.

But they know Oprah gave away over 100 new Ponitacs...

[My Pet Goat]

8. Hell yeah I'm worried...

and the fact that ABC, the Washington Post, and CNN are their licking their chops as the government calls for investigations into one of their peers sickens me.

[madfloridian]

9. It terrifies me. They have been doing such to PBS as well.

I am trying to find an article about the group which "keeps an eye out" for media and what they put forth, the public stations.

I believe about 6 repub senators had threatened investigations of PBS for some reports they did not like.

Can not find it now.

[SoCalDem]

15. I saw a PBS executive at a congressional hearing a while back

being FORCED to apologize for some thing or other, and grovel at the feet of the smug repube "inquisitors" ...

[madfloridian]

29. There is a name for that committee.

Can you think of it? They are getting quite pushy now. I had an article on it, but can't find it because I can not think of the name.

[soup]

52. Is it this one? Media Research Center

http://www.mediaresearch.org/welcome.asp

If this isn't it, the one you're looking for might be linked on this page:

"The MRC offers the following links as an additional resource for information on various organizations which help expose or counter liberal media bias in the mainstream press."
http://www.mediaresearch.org/LInks/links.asp

-----

Poll on their front page:

"Assuming that the memos CBS touted on 60 Minutes last Wednesday are indeed forgeries, which do you think is a bigger story: the dishonest attacks on President Bush, or his activities in the National Guard in 1972?"
See Story
Forged memos
Bush's Guard service
They're both important

view results

-----

If the phrasing of the question isn't enough, the results of the poll will tell you who is visiting the site.

"Assuming that self-touting *resident Bush indeed failed to perform required activities in the National Guard in 1972, which do you think is a bigger story: this itty-bitty, oh so slight misstep over the course of an exemplary lifetime spent unwaveringly devoted to humble public service and the betterment of mankind, or the outrageous audacity of any sleazing slimer who would dare question *his royal presidentialness's veracity?"

-----

now I need to shower. Crawling around under rocks is filthy work.

[DBoon]

54. "The Spanish Inquisition"

What else should they be called - they seek out heresy using any possible method?

[Nordic]

10. where are the Dems demanding investigation of Fox?

it's a two-way street

Where's our so-called "leadership?"

:eyes:

[Kanary]

11. Leadership? From the DLC? You're kidding, right?

It's been MIA for over 4 years now.

Remember that when you vote at the local level........ look for SPINE.

Kanary

[Hilary08]

23. Jesus.

How dare they use the name DLC. If they all they had to do was lift two fingers to help our cause even remotely, I still wouldn't count on the DLC.

Determined to Lose to neo-Conservatives


The market is down, Iraq is a homocidal circus, Bush in the best possible light only defended Texas from Oklahoma while Kerry was in the trenches of Vietnam, and Kerry has been down significantly for HOW LONG now?

It goes to show, you can be the most bumbling, idiotic moron and hire cunning PR and campaign people and steamroll intelligent, heroic candidates. My 3rd grade nephew could handle this better than the DLC, about ABC, he said "well if the first guy's not telling the truth how do we know this one isn't?" Where is the DLC questioning their skeptics? Hmmm, probably busy writing Kerry's concession speech.


If Kerry loses, I predict a HUGE and VERY angry examination of our "Democratic" "leaders."

[Nordic]

28. yeah, if the Dems can't beat this loser and crook, they can't beat anyone

The repubs might as WELL run Ted Bundy

[ldf]

30. and a mass departure

from the democratic party (if kerry loses).

[ikojo]

51. If Kerry loses the DLC will say it's because he and

Edwards adopted too populist a message. I recall them saying the same thing about Gore in 2000 and when the Dems lost the house and Senate in 2002 (and that was after many candidates, including Missouri's Jean Carnahan, ran as Repug lite!)

No, liberalism will be blamed by the DLC if there are widespread Democratic losses this November.

[greekspeak]

32. The number two outrage in politics right now is the do-nothing dems

What could possibly be worse than corporate pravda? Congressional pravda! Ooh...let me be the one to stand closest to Shrub. Oh no...Porter Goss is great. Ooh...the repukes must be right. Biden...Daschle...LIEberman...hell even Graham of Florida.

[ikojo]

50. When you have the likes of Holy Joe Lieberman going

on Fox and supporting Bushian policies, there is no chance of the Democrats calling for an investigation of Fox...

After all that would not be "bi-partisan" now would it. Why is it that it's only the Democrats who are beaten down with the urge to be "bi-partisan? They sure could learn a thing or two from the pugs about sticking to their guns and portraying a united front as an OPPOSITION party..

[jus_the_facts]

12. WTF have ya been....this isn't new....

....s'been bein' discussed far longer than just today :eyes:

[My Pet Goat]

18. Go Tigers...

Auburn that is. :smoke:

[jus_the_facts]

22. heh...

:P

[wildflower]

13. As long as CBS (and PBS?) can continue to stand up to them...

Early this morning I was worrying that now the press, along with the country, is dividing down the middle.

But that is far better than the alternative if CBS et al. should cave.

-wildflower

P.S. Edited to answer your question: when I heard the news, yes, I was worried, and speechless; but I won't be all-out panicked yet unless CBS lets itself be intimidated or * is elected.

[grasswire]

14. I did see Wolf Blitzer...

....say that the government call for an investigation was "chilling" -- but do these people on other networks and news organization have ANY IDEA of the ramifications of this attack on CBS?

Hello? Wake up now?

I hope the professional organizations such as Society of Professional Journalists, White House Correspondents Association, National Press Club, etc., are hot under the collar.

The WH has just declared war.

[Booster]

17. You would think the White House Press Corp would be

all over this since they also took out their only toilet.

[grasswire]

25. yeah but....

...the WH press corps traveling with the president got grounded in Las Vegas last night because of that regional radio-radar problem, and they all went to the gambling tables and fine dining establishments. It's true.

[Cyrano]

16. Ummmm, what ever happened to the first amendment?

If Republicans do indeed want to investigate CBS, doesn't this make them unAmerican, seditious and unfit to hold public office?

We must take our country back on November 2nd. If not, there won't be any semblance of democracy left.

[Q]

20. RWingers seem to think that we only need the second amendment...

...and everything else is just window dressing.

[Beetwasher]

19. It's Insane and Frightening

Yup.

[Ladyhawk]

21. It's blatantly unconstitutional. :( n/t

[Pallas180]

24. where've you been. We have 3 threads asking email support to CBS

at

[e-mail]

and many have sent letters but we need more support for Rather and CBS execs so they wont cave in.

If they cave any hope of getting a return of truth in media is dead

WRITE THOSE E MAILS FOLKS

[grasswire]

26. threads for writing letters are needed...

...and necessary, but so is a discussion of the historical and historic implications of such an attack on the press.

[Tuttle]

27. Your link has a space in the beginning of it

may cause emails to fail -- please fix it

Tut-tut

[Pallas180]

31. CBS phone # [phone] for message of support - yes

historical perspective is important....we have beeen living the
perspective for the past 4 years

- propagandized media in the hands of 6 corporations

- censored news

- uninformed public, easier to control

- fascism

- totalitarianism -

the death of America.

support any media station reporter that has the bravery and guts to
buck the WH talking points and speak the truth.

[Auntie Bush]

36. Thanks...I just wrote them and thanked Dan Rather. n/t

[transeo]

63. I wrote and got a great response

Thank you for taking the time to write. Your support is
appreciated. As you can imagine, we've been inundated with negative emails. It's refreshing to hear from a viewer such as yourself. We strive for the highest level of journalistic integrity and will continue to do so, no matter what the cost. A free society demands free, unmuzzled media expression.

Regina,

CBS Evening News

[johnnyrocket]

33. What's that baloney about the WH stopping Kitty Kelly interviews!?!

That's insanity. What the hell is this? Red China?!? Is the White House gonna start burning books and imprisoning reporters...

[lostnfound]

34. Umm, do you know how many reporters have been killed in Iraq?

Many of them appear to have been directly targeted by the U.S.?

[PA Democrat]

35. What is also alarming is the reaction of other TV "journalists".

They are like sharks with blood in the water. It's as though hey are hoping that Rather goes down, because then there will be no one to remind them of their own pathetic lack of principle.

[Ilsa]

37. I certainly am worried, and yesterday

someone hinted my concern might be over-the-top as I am worried about real freedom in the US if the press is taken. I can't believe attitudes can be so cavalier.

[calimary]

55. There are those numb ones out there. I had girlfriends who'd declare

without hesitation, as sure as shit, that Roe V Wade was not in trouble. Nobody's gonna go after that. Not gonna happen. It's not gonna happen. Don't worry, they told me repeatedly. File that one in the "yeah, sure" file. Now it's hanging by a thread, and WILL VERY LIKELY be killed off if bush gets another four years. I wonder if they're still so sure...

Just have to keep fighting it, guys.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

38. I think all of us are horrified - it's hard to select just ONE outrage.

I have to agree that the loss of freedom of the press and censorship is at the top of the list for me....

[kerry-is-my-prez]

39. When I mention censorship people say "We're at war...."

....So people have to watch what they say. The government HAS to censor things."

Regarding this sort of thing - most people just believe everything they are fed - or they think you are making up things or exaggerating.

[Tsiyu]

41. They didn't have to censor during Nam

I lived through those years, and we didn't have a Patriot Act. We had one Prez during those years who was a criminal and he did the Honorable thing and resigned. AS should * before this crap gets so deep he can't breathe.

[AngryOldDem]

40. Apparently Not...

...and yes, I'm worried. The media is now a government tool, and has become such thanks to the general inattentiveness of the public. We are SO ripe for a dictatorship that it isn't funny. (Not that anyone's laughing.)

[young_at_heart]

43. We're at "war" all right........right here on our own turf!

Watching CNN (notice I don't include Fox....they have NO news) and many others has become meaningless.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

45. This action serves 2 purposes:

One: As long as the issue is active and "hot", it distracts attention and sucks all media oxygen from the disaster that is Iraqnam.

Two: It serves to intimidate any major press organization that would dare print a story critical of the emperor. "See here the terrible price of treason!"

It makes a terrible, fascist kind of sense...

[DBoon]

46. Putin. Berlusconi. Bush

Democracy is dying.

[DeepModem Mom]

47. kick

[saracat]

48. In 20002 I participated in a Protest

against media consolidation at Clear Channel in Phoenix. It was one of the hottest days of the year and I drove downtown during rush hour to be there. I belonged to perhaps six progressive coalitions and was A Democratic Chair.I still am for that matter. We had had anti-war rallies with thousands of people. I was in high hopes of this rally. Twelve people showed up. I think this was one of the most dangerous things happening in this country and no one cared. This is the end result of this kind of disinterest.I am also amazed at how many people on DU are going for Dan Rather's throat. We scream we want a media with the balls to tell the truth , and when one of the old school media does just that, there are those of us who cream him! This is a world turned upside down and you are right to be concerned.

[bklyncowgirl]

53. Personally I'm terrified n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

57. Is it really "intimidation" if it is the Press is a Government......

"Propaganda Tool."

[Cat Atomic]

59. So can we call them Nazis yet, or is that still "inappropriate"?

[Selwynn]

61. Still inappropriate - and always will be.

[Selwynn]

60. Where the fuck have you been?

This is not some "new" shocking thing.

[athena]

62. I'm very worried.

Liberals need to get together and do something about this. Start from the ground up and revive those old journalistic standards.

If the public education system were better (i.e. if it tought young people how to think critically) we wouldn't be seeing the working poor vote Republican.

[kskiska]

64. What pisses me off is the other networks piling on CBS

Don't they know that if CBS goes down, they're next in line? The object of the game is to eliminate all those pinko network news organizations to make room for more little Foxes. ABC and NBC should be standing behind CBS.

[Yuna]

66. ABC and NBC are piling on CBS?

nt

[kskiska]

67. Of course they are.

They've been hitting on Dan just like the others. Ratings.

[Yuna]

65. Yup

Like Nazis CBS was one of the few TV news source that didn't get in line behind the regime... now it looks like Rove is having them taken out.