Conservative Students Learn Lesson in Media Bias

YCT NEWS ADVISORY
Date: February 27, 2003

YCT State Chairman Chris Allen mused, "We were certainly startled to get this telegram from Mr. McLinden, a person whom we had perhaps naively regarded as an objective journalist devoid of blatant bias, asinine acerbity, and childish cantankerousness. After pulling our collective jaws off the floor, we initiated an internal investigation in response to Mr. McLinden's eloquent prose and must admit that he is correct on the subject of jackboots, as one of our state officers, Jack Long, proudly wears good'ol Texas cowboy boots."

YCT State Vice Chairman David Rushing quipped, "We are most appreciative that Mr. McLinden wisely did not fall pray to making sweeping generalizations or employing sanctimonious stereotypes about our membership because he realizes that sound journalism emphasizes facts and precision. Nevertheless, because of the grave seriousness of his concerns, we felt we owed it to him, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the people of this state to conduct a full investigation. We have determined that none of our state or university chapter officers work at McDonald's, the vast majority are not members of a Greek organization, but an Aggie in our group does drive an old BMW that he will be glad to sell to Mr. McLinden for $11,000. In any case, we hope that this information will enable
Mr. McLinden to avoid losing any sleep at night."

Allen put this old-fashioned Texas tussle in perspective, "In light of the recent books by Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg that shocked the world by having the audacity to suggest there is liberal bias in the media, we are heartened that Mr. McLinden could with only a few masterful key strokes put all such wild conspiracy theories to rest. We will await with bated breath Mr. McLinden's apology to his venerable colleague Molly Ivins for stealing her thunder and overshadowing her brilliance when it comes to Pulitzer-quality screeds against all evil forces in the world that refuse to accept the holy orthodoxies of the left."

Pausing for a brief moment of seriousness, Allen pointed out, "Contrary to Mr. McLinden's statement that YCT supports establishing a one-party system, YCT is non-partisan and routinely endorses the few remaining conservative Democrats such as Congressman Ralph Hall and State Sen. Ken Armbrister. "

Allen pledged, "At our statewide convention this weekend in Austin, we will be sure to save a hot seat for Mr. McLinden, as well as a warm spot in our hearts."

The Young Conservatives of Texas, a non-partisan conservative youth organization, has been fighting for conservative values for more than two decades in the Lone Star State and publishes the most respected ratings of the Texas Legislature. Our legislative agenda for the 78th Texas Legislature is now available.

YCT has chapters at Texas A&M University, West Texas A&M, Baylor University, the University of Texas, Texas Tech, Southern Methodist University, Hardin-Simmons University, and in the Houston and Washington, DC areas.

YOUNG CONSERVATIVES OF TEXAS
www.yct.org

NEWS ADVISORY

March 14, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: David Rushing, YCT State Chairman,
Chris Allen, YCT Communications Director

YCT Reacts to Firing of Fort Worth Star-Telegram Reporter Steve McLinden In Wake of His Unprofessional Message to YCT

Austin, TX - Today, Texas Media Watch reported that Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff writer Steve McLinden, who recently called YCT "heartless, greedy, anti-intellectual little fascists" with "jackboots" in an email message he sent to YCT (enclosed in full below), has been relieved of his duties. McLinden sent the message in response to YCT's news advisory announcing our protest of former President Bill Clinton's February 12 lecture at the University of Texas at Austin.

YCT State Chairman David Rushing stated, "We don't know with absolute certainty why Mr. McLinden was fired, but we received a very professional message from Fort Worth Star-Telegram Executive Editor Jim Witt several weeks ago (enclosed below) in which he informed us an investigation was underway that could lead to Mr. McLinden's termination."

Rushing noted, "The poor judgment Mr. McLinden showed in sending his acerbic message to YCT may have manifested itself elsewhere as well. We have no idea what McLinden's cumulative record at the paper was; the message to us could have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Nevertheless, Mr. Witt's message and the timing of the firing suggest there is a high probability that Mr. McLinden's unprofessional comments to YCT were at the very least one factor in his dismissal."

YCT State Communications Director Chris Allen added, "YCT did not demand that Mr. McLinden be fired and actually took a decidedly light-hearted approach to the issue in our response (enclosed below). Mr. McLinden may have a family that he is supporting and we certainly do not wish ill on anyone, even those who insult us. As conservatives, we believe that individuals must deal with the consequences of their actions, but at the same time we wish Mr. McLinden the best of luck in the future."

Allen explained, "We are gratified that, whatever the cause or causes of Mr. McLinden's termination, the message we received from Mr. Witt alone demonstrates that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram clearly recognizes the seriousness of media bias and unprofessionalism. The impressive and decisive manner in which the Star-Telegram handled this will hopefully serve as an example to media outlets and journalists across the country as they strive to maintain the time-honored standards of objectivity and professionalism."

Rushing concluded, "In light of revelatory recent books by Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg on media bias, it is encouraging for conservatives that steps are finally being taken to address this widespread problem."

YCT received the following message on February 28 from Fort Worth Star-Telegram Executive Editor Jim Witt:

Subject:
FW: From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Date:
Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:01 EST

From:
"Jim Witt" jwitt@star-telegram.com

To:
ygconservatives@netscape.net

To the Young Conservatives of Texas:

As editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, I appreciate you bringing this
matter to my attention. I want to apologize to your organization for this
e-mail from one of our reporters, and assure you it does not represent in
any way the opinion or practices of our newspaper.

We are currently conducting an internal investigation concerning the e-mail.
Our news reporters must abide by a company ethics code that is very strict
in matters such as this, and violation of it can result in harsh penalties,
including termination.

Again, I apologize for this incident and hope your annual convention is
successful.

Sincerely,

Jim Witt
Executive Editor
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Re: NEWS ADVISORY: YCT to Protest Bill Clinton Lecture at UT on Wednesday

Date:
Mon, 10 Feb 2003 11:29 EST

From:
"Steve McLinden" mclinden@star-telegram.com

To:
Young Conservatives of Texas YgConservatives@netscape.net

Ah, the heartless, greedy, anti-intellectual little fascists are mobilizing again. (Let me guess. All you frat boys saved up your allowances and monies from your McDonald's jobs for those Beemers you'll be driving to the protest, and those new jackboots you'll be sportin' enroute). Hey, don't forget all the nasty little deals that Reagan's henchmen cut with Middle East figures that got us directly into this mess today. I'm sure you'll be protesting the Reagan household any day now. By the way, is it not enough to have the White House and Congress? Would you like to stamp out all signs that we are a two-party, Democratic country? What's that? You would? How noble of you. I salute you and your polarized, little status-quo world.

YCT State Chairman Chris Allen mused, "We were certainly startled to get this telegram from Mr. McLinden, a person whom we had perhaps naively regarded as an objective journalist devoid of blatant bias, asinine acerbity, and childish cantankerousness. After pulling our collective jaws off the floor, we initiated an internal investigation in response to Mr. McLinden's eloquent prose and must admit that he is correct on the subject of jackboots, as one of our state officers, Jack Long, proudly wears good'ol Texas cowboy boots."

YCT State Vice Chairman David Rushing quipped, "We are most appreciative that Mr. McLinden wisely did not fall pray to making sweeping generalizations or employing sanctimonious stereotypes about our membership because he realizes that sound journalism emphasizes facts and precision. Nevertheless, because of the grave seriousness of his concerns, we felt we owed it to him, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the people of this state to conduct a full investigation. We have determined that none of our state or university chapter officers work at McDonald's, the vast majority are not members of a Greek organization, but an Aggie in our group does drive an old BMW that he will be glad to sell to Mr. McLinden for $11,000. In any case, we hope that this information will enable Mr. McLinden to avoid losing any sleep at night."

These kids have the sarcasm thing down pretty well.

Nice work down there in Texas.

Wow, that's good stuff.

They can't get much more resentful of us than they already are.

Liberal Reporters are NOT your friends. They never have been, they never WILL be.

Semper Fi

BuMp

Yes. We know these guys. You saw their pics when we protested Clinton with our Clinton Legacy: National Insecurity, last month.

Sorry about the order of the above articles. I posted them almost in reverse sequence.

I always enjoy reading y'alls site. More FReepers should take the time to read what y'all have.

Dixie

did not fall pray to

Shouldn't this be, "fall prey to?"

"heartless, greedy, anti-intellectual little fascists"

Man when liberals start the name-calling they can hardly stop.

You're correct, but I cut and paste as things are written. Thanks, prof.

Not a bad article otherwise, would you say?

It looks like that old boy did not know quite what he was biting into.

</sarcasm>

He left his tag open.

That's gonna leave a mark. ;-)

Why doesn't someone with no compulsions about shooting off his mouth and with such "make-America-weak-and-vulnerable" convictions go sit on Saddam's lap and growl at us? He's the perfect brainless, lapdog for a murderer. Maybe if he licked Saddam's boots real good, he wouldn't test poisons on him.

"Be careful of something that's just what you want it to be."

I never heard that one before, but I too detect a strange odor. The real motivation for terminating McClinden may never be known, but I am sure his offending a group of young conservatives was hardly the proximate cause.

Ping.

Something to keep in mind should you catch flak for FReeping.