Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Un-Biased Reporting At It's Best...

McCain Campaign: New York Times Blocked Op-Ed Response to Obama

After reading the actual Op-Ed that the times refused to print I am alarmed as to why it would be rejected.

Time's op-ed editor David Shipley writes:

“It would be terrific to have an article from Senator McCain that mirrors Senator Obama’s piece. To that end, the article would have to articulate, in concrete terms, how Senator McCain defines victory in Iraq. It would also have to lay out a clear plan for achieving victory — with troops levels, timetables and measures for compelling the Iraqis to cooperate. And it would need to describe the Senator’s Afghanistan strategy, spelling out how it meshes with his Iraq plan,”.

Give me a fucking break! For one thing the reason we have elections is to make a choice between different points of view. Key word: DIFFERENT. Why would we want to read a rehash of what Osama, I mean, Obama had to say. He probably didn't even write that himself as he has a plethora of speech writers on speed dial I'm sure.

It clearly states that a decision about troop withdrawal depends on the climate and circumstances of the situation as McCain clearly states, "I have also said that any draw-downs must be based on a realistic assessment of conditions on the ground, not on an artificial timetable crafted for domestic political reasons. "

Seriously, I can go on about this but I digress...The fact that the Times is trying to censor and, what looks like to me, plant a firm root into mainstream America's decision on the next President, whomever that may be (duh, I feel like it's the coronation of the prom queen all of a sudden), makes me kind of ill.

If you give one person coverage, give the other equal time or equal access to avenues in order to get THEIR message out and not what your editor thinks they should say. I'd like to hear what the candidate thinks he/she should be saying.

Hell, if David Shipley thought we wanted to hear what he thinks should be said about the war then he should have ran for President. Otherwise, shut the hell up and do what you are paid to do- and that would be unbiased reporting you douchebag...

6 comments:

Metro said...

First, in order to get their message out, they have to have a message.

All John McCain can do is explain why continuiong to pour US blood and treasure into Iraq is such a great idea.

Also, you need to source from places other than FOX: CNN's money quote actually offered context: "The Obama piece worked for me because it offered new information (it appeared before his speech); while Senator Obama discussed Senator McCain, he also went into detail about his own plans. It would be terrific to have an article from Senator McCain that mirrors Senator Obama's piece."

So their main criticism seems to be that while McCain goes into depth on Obama's "surrender to the terrorists" (a wingnut talking point), he hasn't exactly been forthcoming about what he, as president would actually do other than "stay the course"--a phrase I think US citizens are tired of hearing.

They also asked him to define his criteria for victory. It seems to me that when you're accusing your opponent of defeatism then you'd better have some concrete vision to support victory-ism.

Equal time, sure. But only if the argument is authoratative. Should I give faith healers room to speak at a science forum?

By the way ... "Osama"?. Unusually cheap of you to do that. I don't think you really believe he's some sort of Muslim secret agent sent to institute Sharia across the US, do you?

Pugs said...

So, I ask this. What if there is some unforseen circumstance that happens to which Obama's plan can not be carried out? What if the definate timeline he has layed out is not achieveable? That then makes him a liar. At least everyone will see it as that. His supporters will then say, "Well he couldn't have predicted that!". Right? So why slam McCain for saying that upfront? He's not a psychic. These things are touch and go. Obama is saying what he thinks people want to hear. Making promises he can't possibley keep in an unforseen situation.

Yes, you are right that it was kinda cheap of me to call him "Osama" but he's a total wolf in sheep's clothing. Tony Rezco anyone? Mortgage scandals anyone? I will admit NO POLITICIAN is an angel, but don't act like you are the "Messiah" and have clean hands...And yes, I am unclear about whether he may or may not be a Muslim, and that scares me.

CNN's piece was obviously written by an Obama supoorter. Again, articles are written to sway people in a certain way. As I do...

Staying the course is all you can do right now. Making false promises of grandure is not helping ANYONE. People may be tired of hearing that phrase but sometimes, the truth hurts...

Metro said...

"And yes, I am unclear about whether he may or may not be a Muslim"

Let the internet put your mind at ease. Google is our friend.

However, I'd like to point out that if he's a Muslim, why does anybody give a damn what his preacher thinks?

As you say, no politician has clean hands, but I'll venture you two guesses: 1) Obama's are cleaner than McCain's, if nothing else than by virtue of his shorter time in politics and 2) Obama is considerably more consistent than McCain, who's switched positions on most issues that count, in order to pander to the "base".

By contrast, it seems most of the country wants US troop to come home.

What false grandeur is Obama offering? There's no victory in Iraq, and McCain certainly hasn't got a plan for one, or he would have said so in his op-ed. Which would then have gotten published.

Anonymous said...

I'M NOT REALLY A POLITICO BUT I AM KIND OF GETTING SICK OF HEARING ABOUT OBAMA. WHY IS HE EVEN OVERSEAS RIGHT NOW? HE'S ACTING LIKE HE IS ALREADY PRESIDENT. KIND OF EARLY TO DO THAT I THINK ANYWAY. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO LIKES HIM BUT THEY ARE AFRAID THAT HE IS BECOMING OVEREXPOSED.

Metro said...

The caps key is also our friend, 'nony. Use it in good health.

Pugs said...

@ Anon: I agree. I think it is really early to be touting yourself as the next President. If he loses he'll look like an idiot and besides, it WAY TOO PRESUMPTUOUS...

@ Metro: Ha ha! Maybe the caps key is stuck or they are a loud talker!