BULLY BOY
PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID
TABLE
ON THE HEELS OF THE NEWS THAT GRANDPA 'ROCKER' BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WAS HITTING THE TRAIL FOR CELEBRITY IN CHIEF COMES THE NEWS THAT BON JOVI WILL BE JOINING IN.
THAT'S RIGHT, BOYS AND GIRLS, THEY WERE BIG IN THE 80S! THEIR LAST ALBUM ONLY WENT GOLD! THEY WOULDN'T KNOW A HIT IF SLAPPED THEM IN THEIR WRINKLY FACES!
BUT THEY'RE THE GOLDEN OLDIES, TAKING IT TO THE STREET -- IN LIMOS -- FOR BARRY O!
WATCH AND WONDER IF JON BON JOVI IS WEARING HAIR PIECES! WATCH AND WONDER IF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN REALLY BELIEVES A MAN OVER 60 NEEDS TO BE WEARING A TANK T-SHIRT IN PUBLIC! WATCH THEM LUMBER AROUND THE STAGE IN SOME PARODY OF THEIR YOUTH!
AND THEN REMEMBER, BECAUSE THEY WERE ONCE HOT AND ON THE CHARTS, YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THEM ABOUT WHO TO VOTE FOR! IN 50 YEARS, IT'LL BE MILEY CYRUS AND JUSTIN BIEBER TELLING YOU HOW TO VOTE!
BUT RIGHT NOW THE OLDIES CIRCUIT IS BRUCE THE TWINKIE SPRINGSTEEN AND JOHN IT'S MY REAL HAIR BON JOVI.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
We're starting with the Libya because the media can't
get their story right. We have to start with last night's debate in
New York between President Barack Obama, Governor Mitt Romney and -- as Cedric and Wally pointed out this morning -- from Team CNN 'candidate' Candy Crowley.
This
is really the best example of the failure of the media. Something
happened last night in the debate. Forget who is accurate in facts for a
moment (we'll get to that). A series of events went down and the press
can't even report that accurately -- they can't even handle a
timeline. We're going to use Brian Montopoli (CBS News) as an example
because he's got one mistake (while others have many) and he's also easy
to follow (while others are obscuring -- intentionally or not). Montopoli reports
the chronology the way everyone else does (he just does so in a more
understandable manner). To make it even easier to follow, I'm going to
put numbers in the excerpt of Brian's report and we're calling the
debate [1]:
Crowley isn't offering apologies. Though she initially seemed to backtrack
[2] on her Libya fact check, suggesting that Romney was "right in the
main, I just think he picked the wrong word," she later maintained [3]
that she had not in fact done so. She said [4] on The View Wednesday morning
that her fact check was simply an attempt to move the conversation
forward, and suggested that criticism of her performance was inevitable.
So
the timeline is: [1] debate where 'moderator' Candy Crowley says Barack
Obama is correct; [2] CNN post-debate last night where Crowley
'suggests' Romney is "right in the main"; [3] Wednesday morning on CNN
says she's not backtracking; and [4] goes on The View and says what she said at [2] but pretends criticism is inevitable.
That chronology is technically correct. But [1] has an (a) and a (b) that the media is missing.
Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) reports on
[3], Crowley on CNN this morning (that's where Brian's link goes) and
Weiner seems to grasp the point others are missing. It seems so obvious
to Rachel that she's probably wondering what her peers are talking
about.
The false narrative is Crowley said
Barack was right, Crowley went on CNN last night and conceeded Mitt had a
point, this morning she said she hadn't backtracked on CNN last night
post-debate and whatever she said on The View.
We're going over this slowly. Most of you probably already grasp what happened. As Ava and I noted this morning:
Romney expressed disbelief that Barack stated that on September 12th but Crowley declared that "he did in fact, sir." And Barack asked her to repeat that "a little louder, Candy" which led her to state, "He -- he did call it an act of terror."
No, he didn't. At best, he implied it. And Crowley knew she was wrong almost immediately. You can see it on her face as the audience applauds and she rushes to quickly add, "It did as well take -- it did as well take two weeks or so for the whole idea there being a riot out there about this tape to come out. You are correct about that."Ruth caught that quick amend by Crowley but few others did, especially alleged news outlets.
Romney expressed disbelief that Barack stated that on September 12th but Crowley declared that "he did in fact, sir." And Barack asked her to repeat that "a little louder, Candy" which led her to state, "He -- he did call it an act of terror."
No, he didn't. At best, he implied it. And Crowley knew she was wrong almost immediately. You can see it on her face as the audience applauds and she rushes to quickly add, "It did as well take -- it did as well take two weeks or so for the whole idea there being a riot out there about this tape to come out. You are correct about that."Ruth caught that quick amend by Crowley but few others did, especially alleged news outlets.
The
reason Crowley is saying she did not backtrack after the debate is that
she's aware of what she said during the debate -- a point that did not
make the news cycle this morning at most outlets. After the debate, she
echoed what she'd already said. Why are people not aware that Crowley
also told Romney he was correct? Again, Ava and I this morning:
At
the start of the debate, Candy Crowley declared, "Each candidate has as
much as two minutes to respond to a common question, and there will be a
two-minute follow-up. The audience here
in the hall has agreed to be polite and attentive - no cheering or booing or outbursts of any sort."
(We're using the CNN transcript, by the way, which is laid out on one web page and will not require you to click for another page every few paragraphs the way ABC and others offering a transcript do.) Applause is an outburst. And it can be distracting. For example, Ruth caught Crowley admitting at the debate that Romney was correct but most people didn't and that was probably due to the second round of applause that was going on.
in the hall has agreed to be polite and attentive - no cheering or booing or outbursts of any sort."
(We're using the CNN transcript, by the way, which is laid out on one web page and will not require you to click for another page every few paragraphs the way ABC and others offering a transcript do.) Applause is an outburst. And it can be distracting. For example, Ruth caught Crowley admitting at the debate that Romney was correct but most people didn't and that was probably due to the second round of applause that was going on.
She
did not pause, she did not say, "You, Governor Romney," most people
thought she was continuing the same support she gave Barack.
She
didn't. the second statements after the applause for rescuing Barack,
were supporting Mitt Romney. That most people in the news industry do
not grasp that goes to how poorly Candy Crowley performed as a
moderator. When the moderator herself is confusing, that's a problem.
Now let's deal with the factual issue. After the debate, Glenn Kessler (Washington Post) explained:
What did Obama say in the Rose Garden a day after the attack in Libya? We covered this previously in our extensive timeline of administration statements on Libya.
"No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for," Obama said.
But the president did not say "terrorism"— and Romney got tripped up when he repeated the "act of terror" phrasing.
Otherwise, Romney's broader point is accurate — that it took the administration days to concede that the assault on the U.S. mission in Benghazi was an "act of terrorism" that appears unrelated to initial reports of anger at a video that defamed the prophet Muhammad. By our count, it took 8 days for an administration official to concede that the deaths in Libya was the result of a "terrorist attack."
More to Romney's point, Obama continued to resist saying the "t" word, instead repeatedly bringing up the video, even in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25. On Sept. 26--15 days after the attack-- the White House spokesman felt compelled to assert "it is certainly the case that it is our view as an administration, the President's view, that it was a terrorist attack."
What did Obama say in the Rose Garden a day after the attack in Libya? We covered this previously in our extensive timeline of administration statements on Libya.
"No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for," Obama said.
But the president did not say "terrorism"— and Romney got tripped up when he repeated the "act of terror" phrasing.
Otherwise, Romney's broader point is accurate — that it took the administration days to concede that the assault on the U.S. mission in Benghazi was an "act of terrorism" that appears unrelated to initial reports of anger at a video that defamed the prophet Muhammad. By our count, it took 8 days for an administration official to concede that the deaths in Libya was the result of a "terrorist attack."
More to Romney's point, Obama continued to resist saying the "t" word, instead repeatedly bringing up the video, even in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25. On Sept. 26--15 days after the attack-- the White House spokesman felt compelled to assert "it is certainly the case that it is our view as an administration, the President's view, that it was a terrorist attack."
Kessler is being more
than fair to Barack who was talking about 9-11 (2001) at the Rose Garden
when he starts using the terror word. Let's go to the White House for what Barack said in the September 12, 2012 Rose Garden speech and use the link for the full speech, we don't have the room so we'll offer the sections that apply:
The
United States [1] condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and
shocking attack. We're working with the government of Libya to secure
our diplomats. I've also directed my administration to increase our
security at diplomatic posts around the world. And make no mistake, we
will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the [1] killers
who attacked our people.
Since our
founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths.
[2] We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of
others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of
senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to
unequivocally reject these brutal acts.
Already,
many Libyans have joined us in doing so, and [1] this attack will not
break the bonds between the United States and Libya. Libyan security
personnel fought back against the attackers alongside Americans.
Libyans helped some of our diplomats find safety, and they carried
Ambassador Stevens's body to the hospital, where we tragically learned
that he had died.
[. . .]
Along
with his colleagues, Chris died in a country that is still striving to
emerge from the recent experience of war. Today, the loss of these four
Americans is fresh, but our memories of them linger on. I have no doubt
that their legacy will live on through the work that they did far from
our shores and in the hearts of those who love them back home.
Of
course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked
the solemn memory of the [3] 9/11 attacks. We mourned with the
families who were lost on that day. I visited the graves of troops who
made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed
grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you
and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. And then last
night, we learned the news of [1] this attack in Benghazi.
As
Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained
because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up
for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it. Our country is
only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those
both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.
[4]
No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation,
alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand
for. Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of
the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to
see that justice is done for [1] this terrible act. And make no
mistake, justice will be done.
But we also
know that the lives these Americans led stand in stark contrast to those
of their [1] attackers. These four Americans stood up for freedom and
human dignity. They should give every American great pride in the
country that they served, and the hope that our flag represents to
people around the globe who also yearn to live in freedom and with
dignity.
We grieve with their families, but
let us carry on their memory, and let us continue their work of seeking
a stronger America and a better world for all of our children.
That's what he said regarding the "attack."
[1]
represents the time he specifically mentioned the events of 9-11-2012.
He refers to the "attackers," to "this terrible act," "this attack"
(twice), "the killers" and "this shocking and outrageous attack." When
speaking specifically of 9-11-2012's event, he never uses the terms
"terrorism," "terrorist," "terrorist attack," etc.
[2]
is where Barack is referencing a YouTube video that the White House was
maintaining led to a protest outside the US Consulate in Benghazi and
the White House maintained cause the attack.
[3] notes where he specifically addresses the attacks of 9-11-2001 -- eleven years prior.
[4]
is when he suddenly declares "no acts of terror." What is he speaking
of? We all are aware that September 11, 2001 saw two "acts of terror"
in NYC with two planes crashing into the Twin Towers -- and doing so at
two different times, right? We're all on the same page there? And, on
that same day, "acts of terror" including a plane (or missile for those
who don't believe a plane hit) going into the Pentagon and another plane
crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
We have
what Barack said. The press gets in a hell of a lot of trouble when
they try to mind read. So what did he say? After bringing 9-11-2001
into his speech, he finally uses terror to state "no acts of terror."
Is he including the Benghazi attack in that? You don't know. He may or
he may not be. He's also spoken of Iraq and Afghanistan and, by
inference, tied them both into the attacks of September 11, 2001. Which
no one objected to because when Bully Boy Bush does it, we scream like
crazy. But when Barack does it, we just stay silent.
Six
times in the spech, he directly references the September 11, 2012 event
from the day before. In those six times, he never once calls the
Benghazi attack terrorism or the attackers terrorists.
Candy
Crowley was wrong to cut Mitt Romney off last night in his assertion
that Barack Obama did not label the attack "terrorism" as Barack
insisted when he stated "[. . .] I told the American people and the
world that we were going to find out exactly what happened, that this
was an act of terror and [. . .]" No, he did not call the events of
9-11-2012 "an act of terror."
Word games. That's what we're getting from the White House. Earlier we got lies. Now we get word games.
And the mix gets more toxic as Scott Shane (New York Times) arrives
to 'explain' to us. Shane insists (lies), "Mr. Obama applied the
'terror' label to the attack in his first public statement on the events
in Benghazi, delivered in the Rose Garden at the White House at 10:43
a.m. on Sept. 12, though the reference was indirect." If you're a mind
reader you might make that claim. We've already established that was
talking about the September 11, 2001 attacks and then proclaimed "No
acts of terror . . ." Shane knows better than to mind read. Is he on
firmer ground referring to a Las Vegas, September 13th speech by Barack
where it is stated, "No act of terror will dim the light of the values
that we proudly shine on the rest of the world, and no act of violence
will shake the resolve of the United States of America."?
Not
really. What does that have to do with September 11, 2012. The "no
act of terror" or the "no act of violence"? Both? Both and? None at
all. I have no idea because, unlike Scott Shane, I don't present myself
as a mind reader. Nor do I play the game of, "I know what he said but
what he really meant was . . ." If something's a terrorist act, you
call it that. I thought Barack was the great communicator. Presumably,
even a poor speaker could clearly call something a terrorist attack if
they thought it was a terrorist attack.
We could go through all of Scott Shane's ridiculous b.s. but I didn't watch Crowley on The View because life is too short and we'll move to another topic for the same reason. Read Brian Montopoli's piece for CBS News,
it's worth reading -- timeline not withstanding -- and don't accept
Candy Crowley's nonsense at the end which seems to argue that
conservatives are criticizing her and liberals praising her and it's
about them.
It's not about them. Ava and I are extreme lefties. We didn't slam Jim Lehrer for the questions he asked or the way he asked them nor did we slam Martha Raddatz.
We're slamming Crowley because she conducted herself very poorly. We
slam both/all for participating in this sham that denies third party and
independent candidates their place on the stage. In that regard, maybe
we should praise Crowley for making it all about herself? She revealed
just how hollow and meaningless these faux debates are. Murphy (Puma P.A.C.) ventures,
"I think Candy Crowley was pissed for being assigned to the 'less
prestigious' debate, the one where the moderator is supposed to be
practically invisible, and she wasn't going to stand for it. She really overstepped." Glen Ford (Black Agenda Report) offers his take on the debate and these are his points on the Libya exchange:
The
consensus on imperial war is near absolute. What passes for argument is
merely a matter of style and posture. Romney attacks Obama for failing
to grasp or reveal the "terrorist" nature of the fatal attack on the
U.S. ambassador in Libya. But both candidates are wedded to an alliance
with Muslim fundamentalist jihadis against Middle East governments
targeted for destabilization or regime change: Syria and Iran. Obama's
obfuscations on Benghazi were an attempt to continue masking the nature
of the Libyan legions armed by the U.S. as proxies against Gaddafi, many
of whom are now deployed in Syria – a mission with which Romney is in
full accord. There is also no daylight between the contenders on drone
warfare or the continued projection of U.S. power in the "Af-Pak"
theater of war, or in Somalia and Yemen. The War Party wins in November,
regardless of the Electoral College outcome.
September
12th, as we learned in last week's hearing, the State Dept's Patrick
Kennedy could brief Congress that it was a terrorist attack. Why
couldn't Barack tell the American people? Why the song and dance about a
YouTube video while a very important, very real video was hidden from
the public and is still hidden from Congress? I'm referring to the
footage of the attack. As we learned in last week's hearing, the FBI
said they'd turn it over to Congress gladly but they didn't have
possession of it. Someone else does and, on the orders of the White
House, is refusing to turn the video over to Congress.
Anne Gearan and Colum Lynch (Washington Post) had an important Libya story on Monday.
If you doubt it's importance, Bob Somerby attacks the story. What
happens when Bob goes crazy and off his meds? I seem to remember the
last time. He knew a player in Plamegate but refused to make that
public. Still hasn't. All this time later. We called him out in real
time when he was trashing Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame. Bob did a great
job obscuring reality on behalf of a bad journalist. Bob's back to
that crap again. We won't be linking to him again until he's back on
his meds. Anne Gearan has a solid career behind her for being a meat
and potatoes, basic facts nailed reporter. Can she make a mistake?
Anyone can. But did she make the mistakes Bob accuses her and Lynch
of? Nope. I'm all for holding people accountable. I'm not for your
cloaked wars where you pretend to hold someone accountable but it's
really about some petty grudge. I don't play that game. If someone
deserves to be called out, they get called out (I would prefer not to
call out Joe Biden -- I know Joe and Hillary but it's harder for me to
call Joe out than Hillary just because of his nature -- he's a very
sweet person). By the same token, I couldn't stand Patricia Heaton
because of an attack she made on a very good friend of mine. So when I
had reason to mock her, I mocked her loudly and repeatedly -- I'm
talking offline at various events but it was true online as well. My
anomosity was so well known that friends at ABC avoided even suggesting
Ava and I review The Middle. When we finally did,
I had no problem praising Patricia's performance. I was stunned by how
good she was as Frankie. I am still stunned. I caught two episodes
last year, she's still doing an amazing job. She should be nominated
for an Emmy for this role and she should win. She's better than I would
ever expect her to be, yes, but she's also playing a fully developed,
fully created character. So our political differences as well as what
she said about a friend of mine didn't enter into it and don't. If
someone deserves praise, I don't care if I like them or not. I don't
play that game. I'm actually happy for Patricia that she's become such a
first rate actress. This is a quality of work that few actresses ever
achieve and she should be very proud of herself for what she's done in
the role of Frankie.
There are serious issues
and Bob Somerby can cover for another friend all he wants but the
reality is if Barack's going to claim to be responsible -- as he did in
last night's debate -- the first thing he needs to do is start
explaining why Susan Rice made those statements. As many in the press
who cover the White House have pointed out in conversations over the
last weeks, "Why even Susan Rice? Why was she the one sent out?"
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"'It did as well take two weeks or so'"
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"The Three-Way Debate"
"THIS JUST IN! CANDY'S CAMPAIGN!"
"The King of Self-Love sings to the Choir (Ava and C.I.)"
"Bad news for Nouri in survey of Iraqi citizens"
"Stephen Stromberg: Idiot of the Day"
"Jill Stein lets her campaign go down the drain"
"Most important story by the network news"
"the mess we're making"
"'It did as well take two weeks or so'"
"Joni book"
"Revolution"
"Barack did not come off presidential"
"A learning experience"
"He's such a prissy priss"
"The Three-Way Debate"
"THIS JUST IN! CANDY'S CAMPAIGN!"