Guest post by Lurker:
The American news media was always biased toward the left, but never, in my judgement, were they as blatantly obvious about it as the Israeli media. That seems to have changed, however. Get a load of this Associated Press article from today. It's about Palin's remarks regarding Obama's "palling around" with 1970's Weather Underground terrorist bomber Bill Ayers. (Ayers held a parlor meeting in his home in 1995, at which Obama spoke, to promote Obama's campaign for State Senator. He also donated to Obama's campaign in 2001. See more in this New York Times article.)
As you read the AP article, keep reminding yourself that this is supposed to be a news article from America's premier wire service, not an editorial or a political campaign ad. Note particularly the following paragraphs:
The American news media was always biased toward the left, but never, in my judgement, were they as blatantly obvious about it as the Israeli media. That seems to have changed, however. Get a load of this Associated Press article from today. It's about Palin's remarks regarding Obama's "palling around" with 1970's Weather Underground terrorist bomber Bill Ayers. (Ayers held a parlor meeting in his home in 1995, at which Obama spoke, to promote Obama's campaign for State Senator. He also donated to Obama's campaign in 2001. See more in this New York Times article.)
As you read the AP article, keep reminding yourself that this is supposed to be a news article from America's premier wire service, not an editorial or a political campaign ad. Note particularly the following paragraphs:
While it is known that Obama and Ayers live in the same Chicago neighborhood, served on a charity board together and had a fleeting political connection, there is no evidence that they ever palled around. And it's simply wrong to suggest that they were associated while Ayers was committing terrorist acts.
Nonetheless, Palin made the comments at two appearances in separate states.
Clearly, the AP has decided for the rest of us that hosting Obama in his home doesn't constitute "palling around". And never mind that Palin didn't say that Obama and Ayers were associated at the time of the Ayers' terror attacks.
In an interview with CBS News earlier in the week, Palin didn't name any newspapers or magazines that shaped her view of the world. On Saturday, she cited a New York Times story that detailed Obama's relationship with Ayers.
I suppose that if the AP has no ethical problem with the publication of subjective value judgements and even implied falsehoods in their news articles, then we should not be surprised that their journalistic ethics do not bar snarky, sarcastic innuendo either.
Update: Incredibly, the AP didn't stop with this. They've now decided that because Palin has dared to speak about Obama's relationship with a terrorist, she is therefore a racist. See here for details.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
13 comments:
I just read an article on this last night and posted about it. I linked your post as one of the sources in mine.
I'm going to have to disagree with Lurker on this.
Whether one agrees with either Ayers' ideology or methods in his college days, one must acknowledge that he has long since "adjusted sights" and worked within the system.
Please also keep in mind that although many once considered the Etzel and Lehi to be terrorist organizations, few would accuse Menachem Begin's political associates of "palling around with terrorists".
I have to classify this accusation as major lashon hara, and hope that all will recognize it as such.
Hi Anon.
I dont think Lurker disagrees with you that Ayers has done teshuva -- he doesn't say that Ayres is currently a terrorist.
His point is that the AP Wire service is adding editorial content is what is supposed to be a factual news item.
The AP wrote: While it is known that Obama and Ayers live in the same Chicago neighborhood, served on a charity board together and had a fleeting political connection, there is no evidence that they ever palled around. And it's simply wrong to suggest that they were associated while Ayers was committing terrorist acts.
Nonetheless, Palin made the comments at two appearances in separate states.
Lurker's point was:
Clearly, the AP has decided for the rest of us that hosting Obama in his home doesn't constitute "palling around". And never mind that Palin didn't say that Obama and Ayers were associated at the time of the Ayers' terror attacks.
This isn't an issue of lashon hara -- his beef isnt against Obama, its against the AP Wire Service!
Unless, you are suggesting that he has spoken lashon hara against the AP...
To Anon: Just a comment on your point of:
Whether one agrees with either Ayers' ideology or methods in his college days, one must acknowledge that he has long since "adjusted sights" and worked within the system.
Were you aware that Ayers never renounced his former views and actions? Did you know that Ayers posed for a photo stomping on the American flag? Did you know that he said in 2001 "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough"??
To me, that is not "adjusting sights."
Joshua Muravchik says (in his article Obama's Leftism in Commentary Magazine) that Ayers gloated about charges being dropped against him (on a technicality); he said, about himself and his wife, terrorist Bernadine Dohrn, that he was "guilty as hell and free as a bird."
You can read my post about it, here.
Anonymous @ 5:49 PM: I'm going to have to disagree with Lurker on this.
Whether one agrees with either Ayers' ideology or methods in his college days, one must acknowledge that he has long since "adjusted sights" and worked within the system.
(1) The subject of my post was not Bill Ayers; it was the AP's coverage of Sarah Palin's remarks on Obama's relationship with Ayers. This point seems to have gone over your head.
(2) What, exactly, did I write about Ayers that you "disagree" with? I said nothing about his actions that he does not openly acknowledge himself -- he brags about it to this day, in fact.
(3) With all due respect to Jameel, no -- I don't think that Ayers has done teshuva at all. As Lady-Light pointed out, he gloats about being "guilty as hell and free as a bird" (his own words), and told the New York Times in 2001 that "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough".
(4) Ayers is a monster, not because he once worked outside "the system" (I have plenty of respect for a great many people who work outside "the system"), but because he was a terrorist who attacked innocent people with bombs, who was a member of an organization that killed innocent people. Your suggestion that this repugnant, gloating, unrepentant fiend is somehow absolved of his guilt because he is currently working "within the system" is outrageous.
Anonymous: Please also keep in mind that although many once considered the Etzel and Lehi to be terrorist organizations, few would accuse Menachem Begin's political associates of "palling around with terrorists".
(5) Permit me to enlighten you, then: There are plenty of people who say exactly that. That's because they subscribe to the post-modern ethic of undisciminating moral equivalence, and thus choose to equate people like Bill Ayers and Menachem Begin. I, of course, do not subscribe to such a worldwiew, and I find the comparision nauseating. But to each their own.
Anonymous: I have to classify this accusation as major lashon hara, and hope that all will recognize it as such.
(6) Wow. You should study up a bit on the halakhot of lashon hara. Publicizing of the crimes of a rasha (e.g., Bill Ayers) is not lashon hara at all. To the contrary, it is considered an positive thing.
Yay, Lurker! You are also right about those who don't discriminate between moral and immoral acts.
I also do not subscribe to the moral equivalency of all actions.
And, didn't they warn the British before the King David Hotel was bombed? I don't think Ayers warned anyone before he bombed those buildings.
His wife, btw, praised Charles Manson's followers on the murders they committed. Compare that with Lechi and Etzel?! He shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as they!
(Lurker, I cant find you)
--Forgot to mention: Lurker, your comment about Lashon Hara is correct; one is obligated to speak about the evil actions of another, if it is for a to'elet, a positive outcome, a purpose to save someone from danger.
This applies when speaking of Bill Ayers.
Lady-Light -- thanks for the kind words.
What do you mean you can't find me?
forgiving ayers for his actions during his college days would be too similar to forgiving ss soldiers who were young at the time of their actions.
i think many uberliberals forget that many conservatives don't like obama for actual intellectually-based reasons, as opposed to the color of his skin.
Lurker,your profile is not public, and-do you have a blog?
Lady-Light: The Muqata is Lurker's blog :)
Oops--right--just checked The Muqata Team Members...sorry (delayed synapse response).
Gmar Tov! ;-)
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