USA TODAY NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT BUSH "OUTRAGE" ADS -- come on, make a call

dfu | 3-9-04 | dfu

[doug from upland]

USA TODAY: 703.854.3400

Gwenn Foster - political editor.
Mark Memmott - Judy Keen, writers

Here we go again, FReepers. Finally, the NY POST did the story about the funding of PEACEFUL TOMORROWS. The POST told its readers about the funding which was ultimately tied to Teresa Heinz.

I'm still waiting for the WASHINGTON POST and NY TIMES to set the record straight. Perhaps I shouldn't hold my breath.

And now, we come to USA TODAY. Are they a wholly owned subsidiary of the DemocRATic Party? No. Do they do the bidding of the DemocRATic Party? It seems so.

I spoke with Gwen Foster, the USA TODAY political editor. She is apparently satisfied that they did the story and reported the news. She has no plans to do a story on the funding connection of Teresa Heinz to PEACEFUL TOMORROWS. In fact, she denied that the story in USA TODAY even mentioned PEACEFUL TOMORROWS. She has no interest in full disclosure and correcting the record. I called back and read the paragraph to her answering machine. I told her that is sloppy journalism.

I also left a message for one of the writers, Mike Memmott, telling him of the connection and saying to him it was sloppy journalism if they don't report it.

THE ORIGINAL STORY FROM THEIR WEBSITE

Posted 3/4/2004 3:13 PM
Bush accused of exploiting 9/11

By Mark Memmott and Judy Keen, USA TODAY

EXCERPT:

Today those groups plan a press conference in New York to say that the ads' use of video shot at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, is insulting to the memories of those who died in the 2001 attacks. Of particular concern to them: a few seconds of video of firefighters carrying a flag-draped body from the rubble. (Related video: Bush recalls 9/11, defends ads)

"Our message to all politicians is, 'Keep your hands off Ground Zero,' " said David Potorti, of Cary, N.C., a member of Peaceful Tomorrows, one of the families' organizations. His brother Jim, 52, died at the World Trade Center. ---end excerpt---

Calling them "one of the families' organizations" is not good enough. The story was incomplete.

FReepers, you saw that we raised hell on the phone with the NY TIMES over the weekend. USA TODAY needs to hear from us. PLEASE be civil. Leave your name. Guide them toward the story.

Okay, raise your hands? Who will make the call?

Thanks. Your efforts may help Dubya continue the War on Terror. God help us if the RATS get back into power.

[doug from upland]

Great. I don't have cable and seldom watch TV. Please tell us what happens.

[GOPrincess]

Had to leave after the first segment, but Bernard Goldberg did great, saying that whether or not the use of 9/11 images is appropriate is up to each voter -- his concern is that the media shirked their responsibility by not making clear the history and agenda of Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, or their connection to the Heinz Foundation.

Alan Colmes kept trying to change the debate to "But don't 9/11 families have a right to protest the ads?" and Goldberg kept saying "Of course," but telling Colmes repeatedly that Colmes was (deliberately?) oblivious to his point: just who were these family members, what was their political agenda, and especially, how were they financed? He said if the shoe were on the other foot and there was a group financed by a "right-wing Republican" the media would have been all over the funding story.

[doug from upland]

Thanks for the report.

[talleyman]

Re-bump!

(John Kerry won the Al Quaeda primary.)

(Madrid is Kerry's response to the "Republican attack machine".)

[Samurai_Jack]

Dear USA Today,

I read the article "Bush accused of exploiting 9/11, By Mark Memmott and Judy Keen, USA TODAY. Posted 3/4/2004 3:13 PM Updated 3/5/2004 12:50 PM"

Im curious why you didnt mention that the 'Peaceful Tomorrows' group is financially attached to Tides-San Francisco, both Heinz Endowments, Theresa Heinz-Kerry, and John Kerry-Democrat Candidate. That seems like a big part of the story in my opinion. As a reader I think I should know the details behind those connections. As a balanced and objective news source I would hope that you would make sure those details are highlighted.

I hope that the balanced coverage of the USA Today paper will very soon include an expose' of the money flowing into these groups from the Heinz foundations. Further, I hope that I will soon see a balanced story highlighting the large number of 9/11 families that view the Presidents advertisements in a positive light.

I have come to expect more from your paper.

[Cboldt]

*bump* Good letter. Except, do you really expect more from USA Today? =8-)

[imintrouble]

I saw bits and pieces of that Hannity/Goldberg interview but when it was getting to the meat of the matter as Hannity started to dig - Alan Colmes interrupted and diverted Goldberg who politely stayed back from the meat of the topic.

I nearly threw a plate at the television.

I don't know why Hannity didn't re-assert himself but ... the moment was lost.....

[jokar]

Great work Bump Yeomans job Doug.

[doug from upland]

Great piece exposing this nonsense -- CLICK.