NPR Is Collateral Damage in Battle to Brand Tea Party

[Casino67]

Huffington Post:

The latest James O'Keefe success story against NPR has taken a predictable pattern -- panicked press releases and firings, followed by denunciation of O'Keefe in a belated attempt to discredit him. Naturally, conservatives are crowing about it, but I wanted to give a little perspective to those Huffington Post readers -- whatever your political stripe -- who share my passion for free speech, honest debate, and fairness in the media.

Over the past year, the mainstream media has collaborated with the White House in an attempt to paint the Tea Party as racist. Remember the protests on Capitol Hill last March against ObamaCare, and the media's lie that members of the Congressional Black Congress had awful racial slurs hurled at them by Tea Party members that weekend? Did you know that there's video evidence that it isn't true?

Not just one video, either. Four of them. Yes. Four. Of. Them. There's not one shred of objective evidence that corroborates the "Tea Party N-Word" story. But the mainstream media has allowed the lie to live on as one of the central "proofs" of Tea Party racism. It's been debunked, but it's raised time and time again by those claiming "reality" as their mantle.

The mainstream media promotes the idea that the Tea Party is racist because they want to delegitimize an authentic, grassroots movement that stands up to big government. And the "Tea Party N-word" story ties all the other lies about the Tea Party together -- that it's violent, that it's extreme, that it's a "mob." If you want to see what a violent, extreme mob looks like, go to Madison to see the crazed throngs the media refuses to scrutinize.

[SrWoodchuck]

Casino67! Great post.

 

Andrew Breitbart was a researcher for Arinna Huffington & Matt Drudge before going on his own.

 

Breitbarts Early Years

[righteousmomma]

I am amazed that Breitbart made it to Huffington Post.

Good for him!!

 

What is even more amazing (actually they are stupefyingly obtuse) are some of the comments after his piece like:

 

The abolishmen­t of the Fairness Doctrine has all but eliminated journalism in this country. NPR is such a small voice in media today. I would think its record of fairness is exemplary as compared to most media outlets. I am amazed when I watch Fox News about their audacity in using the "Fair and Balanced" slogan. After the Giffords shooting, they cut away from a candle light vigil as soon as the word Sarah Palin was uttered. ( :blink: )

 

The Tea Party has made Big Government the scapegoat. Wasn't it the lack of government that got us into this mess of an economy? Isn't small government and big business the real problem? The Tea Party will never represent the common folks if they continue to take money from big business.

 

Someone needs to get the facts right on the big picture here. Too bad the U.S. media no longer give us the facts.

 

 

abbiehoff 48 minutes ago (1:51 PM)

17 Fans

I have a number of objections to your article.

First there is no such thing as "video" evidence that something did NOT happen. If something happens, you can record it, if something doesn't happen, you can't. Just because 4 (count 'em 4) people were able to record something where no one was hurling epithets at black people doesn't mean it didn't happen. As O'Keefe has shown in the past, it is easy enough to edit video to "prove" whatever you want.

 

My main objection is the assumption that Ron Schiller was somehow speaking on behalf of NPR while talking to the bogus Muslim group. You, as a fundraiser extraordin­aire, should know that when soliciting funds it is imperative to know your audience. I have no doubt that if the people had accurately identified themselves­, Mr. Schiller would not have said the things he did. He may or may not have been expressing his own views; I think fundraiser­s generally tell prospectiv­e donors the sorts of things they think the donors want to hear. Further, Mr. Schiller had absolutely nothing to do with NPR programmin­g or program content. To equate his statements with NPR sentiments is ingenuous at best. ( :blink: )

 

SolarPowerGuy 20 minutes ago (2:19 PM)

341 Fans

Oh, but see, Fox News doesn't take public money. They're ALLOWED to express whatever opinions they want to poison the American voter -- because they PAY for it. And, what's more, Fox's K street offices are so generous to our politician­s. How helpful of them.

One dollar, one vote. We plebes should be thankful for Fox.

 

HUFFPOST SUPER USER

David Durham 1 hour ago (1:30 PM)

317 Fans

In view of Mark Williams' letter regarding the NAACP and statements like 'It's time to take back our government­' which seems a thinly veiled appeal to disturbing undercurre­nts within the Tea Party movement, fearing that racism lurks amid the membership is not outlandish­. Yes, Mr. Williams was denounced, but one wonders how many people he spoke for. But let's put racism aside, my biggest problem with the Tea Party is how poorly they articulate their positions on issues. They seem woefully uninformed and generally spout Fox News talking points they're unable to defend if anyone questions them. At least defend with any real coherence. When faced with facts they respond with emotion, "Why do you hate America!" and exhibit scorn for learning. Belief trumps thought. As for the 'crazed throngs' in Madison I'm left shaking my head. This is what democracy in action looks like and I find it beautiful. And while I didn't agree with the Tea Party, the fact that they got out there and were heard served as an example to Progressiv­es, hey, you can do that too.

[Casino67]

Casino67! Great post.

 

Andrew Breitbart was a researcher for Arinna Huffington & Matt Drudge before going on his own.

 

Breitbarts Early Years

 

And Arianna was married to a prominent Republican back then. Times, they are a changing. I think she saw a lack of liberal arenas at some point and went to the dark side to make more money.

[Casino67]

An open letter from journalists at NPR

 

 

Thursday, March 10, 2011; 8:17 PM

Below is the full text of an open letter signed by journalists at National Public Radio.

 

 

Dear Listeners and Supporters,

 

We, and our colleagues at NPR News, strive every day to bring you the highest quality news programs possible. So, like you, we were appalled by the offensive comments made recently by NPR's now former Senior Vice President for Development. His words violated the basic principles by which we live and work: accuracy and open-mindedness, fairness and respect.

 

Those comments have done real damage to NPR. But we're confident that the culture of professionalism we have built, and the journalistic values we have upheld for the past four decades, will prevail. We are determined to continue bringing you the daily journalism that you've come to expect and rely upon: fair, fact-based, in-depth reporting from at home and around the world.

 

With your support we have no doubt NPR will come out of this difficult period stronger than ever.

 

Thank you,

 

Robert Siegel

 

Michele Norris

 

Melissa Block

 

Renee Montagne

 

Scott Simon

 

Liane Hansen

 

Guy Raz

 

Michel Martin

 

Neal Conan

 

Susan Stamberg

 

Nina Totenberg

 

Linda Wertheimer

 

Daniel Zwerdling

 

John Ydstie

 

Richard Harris

 

Tom Gjelten

 

Howard Berkes

 

Mike Shuster

 

Laura Sullivan

 

Lynn Neary

 

Jacki Lyden

 

Mara Liasson

 

Cokie Roberts

 

John Burnett

_____________________

 

LOL, running scared. I am proud to say I have never ever heard anything on NPR radio. Don't even know where they might me on the radio dial.

[SrWoodchuck]

Casino67! Great post.

 

Andrew Breitbart was a researcher for Arinna Huffington & Matt Drudge before going on his own.

 

Breitbarts Early Years

 

And Arianna was married to a prominent Republican back then. Times, they are a changing. I think she saw a lack of liberal arenas at some point and went to the dark side to make more money.

Great payday, too. $315 Million. She may have to dole out some nice "cookies" to the contributors at HuffPo.....or else learn what a "union" is really about. Two of her major contributors are going on strike or they'll make HuffPo accept "collective bargaining."

 

I worked with a contractor that paid "slightly below average" to his employee's & sub-contractors, but a couple times a year, he'd pay "bonuses." Sometimes after a really big job, he'd give a "bump" or if you worked for him and it was your birthday, he'd buy a nice tool [compressor, nail-gun, etc.] as a way of keeping you happy. He told me that in the long run, his bottom line was much better.....as an increase in pay is forever......a bonus just happens every once in a while.

 

Arianna would be wise to buy everyone a new "Volt" or push to get them all a waiver from Obamacare.

[Casino67]

Casino67! Great post.

 

Andrew Breitbart was a researcher for Arinna Huffington & Matt Drudge before going on his own.

 

Breitbarts Early Years

 

And Arianna was married to a prominent Republican back then. Times, they are a changing. I think she saw a lack of liberal arenas at some point and went to the dark side to make more money.

Great payday, too. $315 Million. She may have to dole out some nice "cookies" to the contributors at HuffPo.....or else learn what a "union" is really about. Two of her major contributors are going on strike or they'll make HuffPo accept "collective bargaining."

 

I worked with a contractor that paid "slightly below average" to his employee's & sub-contractors, but a couple times a year, he'd pay "bonuses." Sometimes after a really big job, he'd give a "bump" or if you worked for him and it was your birthday, he'd buy a nice tool [compressor, nail-gun, etc.] as a way of keeping you happy. He told me that in the long run, his bottom line was much better.....as an increase in pay is forever......a bonus just happens every once in a while.

 

Arianna would be wise to buy everyone a new "Volt" or push to get them all a waiver from Obamacare.

 

LOL, you forget, she is a lib, she only wants to 'share' YOUR money.

[Valin]

An open letter from journalists at NPR

 

 

Thursday, March 10, 2011; 8:17 PM

Below is the full text of an open letter signed by journalists at National Public Radio.

 

 

Dear Listeners and Supporters,

 

We, and our colleagues at NPR News, strive every day to bring you the highest quality news programs possible. So, like you, we were appalled by the offensive comments made recently by NPR's now former Senior Vice President for Development. His words violated the basic principles by which we live and work: accuracy and open-mindedness, fairness and respect.

 

Those comments have done real damage to NPR. But we're confident that the culture of professionalism we have built, and the journalistic values we have upheld for the past four decades, will prevail. We are determined to continue bringing you the daily journalism that you've come to expect and rely upon: fair, fact-based, in-depth reporting from at home and around the world.

 

With your support we have no doubt NPR will come out of this difficult period stronger than ever.

 

Thank you,

 

Robert Siegel

 

Michele Norris

 

Melissa Block

 

Renee Montagne

 

Scott Simon

 

Liane Hansen

 

Guy Raz

 

Michel Martin

 

Neal Conan

 

Susan Stamberg

 

Nina Totenberg

 

Linda Wertheimer

 

Daniel Zwerdling

 

John Ydstie

 

Richard Harris

 

Tom Gjelten

 

Howard Berkes

 

Mike Shuster

 

Laura Sullivan

 

Lynn Neary

 

Jacki Lyden

 

Mara Liasson

 

Cokie Roberts

 

John Burnett

_____________________

 

LOL, running scared. I am proud to say I have never ever heard anything on NPR radio. Don't even know where they might me on the radio dial.

 

I think it is more he said these things in public. The sad thing is, as Bernie Goldberg has pointed out so many of the MSM reporters really think they are unbiased and middle of the road.