RE: anti-Democrat hit piece; call the AP about it and complain...

[originalpckelly]

I believe I will be calling the AP about this article. This author has a long history of producing anti-Democrat hit pieces and I am not taking it anymore. This is ridiculous; a story that is so obviously biased should have that clearly labeled. The AP is a well-respected news organization, and it is sad to see one of their writers have such a slant.

Not only that, but the article is clearly racist. The author makes an unattributed comment about the fact that a few committee chairs would be black. "Black lawmakers would run major committees." It is not racist to use the word black instead of African American, it is racist that it should be the focus of an article with a negative tone. It is as if being black is wrong. Well it isn't, and quite frankly Republicans should and do believe that as well.

The author makes another unattributed comment about liberals, "...more than an unrelenting string of liberal Democrats are positioned to take over committees." I could understand this opinion being in the article, if it was attributed to a Republican. When the writer of the article makes the comment, it is a clear example of bias.

I don't doubt there are anti-Republican hit pieces out there from the AP. Hopefully members of the Republican party are willing to fight those if they are not labeled properly. Bias in the news is always wrong, no matter in whose favor.

I say that everyone should call the AP and complain about this article and the writer of it. This web page has the main AP number as well as link to the local AP press offices of each state:
http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact.html

[Blue Fire]

1. Typical repug scare tactics

in an election year. We need to present a positive and progressive message to counter this right wingnut spin and smear crap. I hope this smarmy little weasel is doing nothing more than cryin' in his soup before it's even done cooking!

[originalpckelly]

2. I intend to call in a few hours, you should do so as welll...

I think I will call the main bureau number on the web page I linked to.

[cantstandbush]

3. Well, seeing as how the white majority is in power now and things are

as bad as they are, a few committee chairs held by blacks might not be a bad idea. Remember who is in charge now. They are not only mostly white BUT mostly REPUBLICAN.

[originalpckelly]

4. Think about this for a second...

About 12%* of America is black. 12% of committee chairs should be black as well. This would be the way it is if Democrats take back the House and/or the Senate.

I would like to mention, it is my understanding that there are NO black committee chairs at ALL currently. This is courtesy of our Republican friends.

*The US Census Bureau QuickFacts on the USA: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html

[Solo_in_MD]

7. Quotas ??? Surely you jest.

A more rationale statistics would be
- % overall in the House and Senate
- Average seniority comparisons
- Percentage by party
- Percentage as chair/senior opposition member

I also note that you used the term "black" which OP considers pejorative. I however, do not.

[MrTriumph]

5. Thanks for the heads up.This is outrageous.

I sent in my complaint.

[originalpckelly]

6. I didn't see they had a link to send in e-mail, but...

I don't know how effective that will be in getting a response from the AP.

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. This same article

was posted here with the title "Yes Virginia, liberals would take over if Democrats win House" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2660344&mesg_id=2660344

Noew that article has mysteriously disappeared from that link. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060603-0938-democraticchairmen.html

To make it even worse it was published in my paper today. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEMOCRATIC_CHAIRMEN?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-06-03-12-46-58