Posted on 08/18/2010 7:44:12 PM PDT by kristinn
Free Republic rocked Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) world by breaking the story about her menacing comments calling for the investigation of critics of the location of the Cordoba House mosque planned for the neighborhood of the World Trade Center site of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on New York City.
Two San Francisco media outlets reported on Pelosi's press conference where she made the remarks, but neither one saw fit to report them. Fortunately one of those outlets, KCBS, posted an audio recording. The other, the San Francisco Chronicle, posted a video that had bad audio rendering the menacing comments inaudible.
I had posted the Chronicle article which highlighted Pelosi appearing to dodge the issue by saying it was a local zoning issue for New Yorkers to decide. Afterward I found the audio file at KCBS and listened to it. When I heard Pelosi say the things that weren't being reported I knew this was something that was potentially explosive. So I transcribed the relevant parts, wrote up an article and posted it to Free Republic at 10:21 p.m. EDT.
Soon after the Washington Times picked up the story and from there it went to Twitter and then to other sites like Atlas Shrugged and Breitbart.
The story percolated over night in the blogosphere and on Twitter until the Washington Times report hit the Drudge Report--first as a headline and then as the lead story with a banner headline and a photo of Pelosi that stayed up most of the day.
Pelosi's threat was reported by the major political sites like The Hill, The Washington Examiner and Politico, as well as NRO, Hot Air and Powerline. The story also dominated talk radio shows including Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
By early afternoon when Pelosi issued a clarifying statement that reiterated her call to investigate the mosque critics, it was too late to soften the blowblack.
That didn't stop the mainstream media from trying. The AP, AFP, the Washington Post and other mainstream media wrote their first articles about Pelosi's comments after she released her clarification. What was missing from most of the articles though was reactions from 9/11 families and others to Pelosi's threats.
An exception was WCBS in New York which posted a story with the scathing headline: 9/11 Families: Pelosi Has Lost Her Mind.
The Hill was nearly alone in reporting on Rep. Peter King's (R-NY) response calling Pelosi's comments a threat to 9/11 families.
The Hill was also virtually alone in reporting Rep. Dan Lundgren's (R-CA) rebuke of Pelosi.
Thanks to Free Republic, millions of Americans became aware today of Pelosi's totalitarian threat to investigate them and put her on the defensive.
I've posted this not to pat myself on the back or to get attaboys, but to show how valuable is Free Republic. Without a Freeper taking the time to dig a little deeper in the story, Pelosi most likely would have gotten away with her threat.
Other Freepers, like Buckhead and icwhatudo to name two, have profoundly affected the national political landscape with their posts on Free Republic.
As we approach the critical November elections, vigilant resourceful Freepers will be needed now more than ever to root out what the politicians and the mainstream media don't want us to know.
You’re very kind. The D.C. Chapter and Freepers everywhere have worked hard to support our troops and their families. Glad we were able to help.
I see her on TV sometimes and think back to those days. We had a good time Freeping Clinton’s myrmidons in the press.
Thanks, Kristinn! You are the best!
Mega Kudos to ya kristinn
BTW, what zone is that that contains NYC, The Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa.?
9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America Respond to Nancy Pelosi
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2573399/posts
N o t Y e t!
They will be back from vacations when the kids go to school.
That's when we start!!!! Big Time.
Bravo Zulu, Kristinn! Right in my own backyard.
Ditto that!
Nice work!
Well I'm giving you one anyway! Way to go Big Guy!!! That's what I'm talkin' about! Pelosi has been taking arrows all day because of this and I'm "Lovin' it!"
Well, bring it on! FR is ready for bear, especially with this
important election season just about upon us!
Truth be told! Thank you Kristinn...and a Huge Salute to Jim and Fr...what would we do without this place to find, hear and reveal the truth. Free Republic Rock On!!!!
Way to go! And the Washington Times picked it up from FR? Nice ...
That’s nice.
Boxer "rocks n hammers" also came out with "it's a local issue....
I honor you sir, and consider it a priviledge to be on Free Republic, sharing bytes with you.
You know I’m one of your biggest fans, Kristinn. I always knew you had great potential. You are at last coming into your own. Keep it up, FRiend!
In Austin this was all over KLBJ 590 AM this morning: they had a ton of fun with it. I think half the staff are FReepers.
Great job, Sir!
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