Posted on 09/20/2004 7:27:38 AM PDT by thebride
Police Officers Endorse Bush; News Media Remain Silent by Jim Kouri 20 September 2004
The news media have scrupulously avoided reporting that the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation's largest police union, has endorsed George W. Bush for reelection.
The nation's largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, announced in September that they enthusiastically endorse President George W. Bush for reelection. More than 300,000 police officers are members of the FOP. Yet, the news media intentionally or unintentionally ignored this important endorsement by our nation's law enforcement community, which shows the trust American cops have in Bush's ability to wage a war on terrorism and his resolve to protect the homeland.
When the international firefighters union endorsed John Kerry (largely because he believes buying more fire engines will protect us from terrorists), the news media could hardly hold back their excitement when making the announcement of that endorsement to the American people. Of course, they never mentioned that the New York City firefighters endorsed Bush -- and let's be honest, they are the guys who charged into the burning twin towers on September 11, 2001. Many of them laid down their lives -- along with NYPD and Port Authority cops -- to save the victims of the worst terrorist attack in our nation's history.
In addition, other police unions including New York City police organizations endorse President Bush. Most recently, the NYPD's Sergeants Benevolent Association added their wholehearted endorsement of our Commander-in-Chief. Yet the media's silence over these important endorsements is deafening.
But why are the mainstream media ignoring these announcements by our nation's cops? There may be several reasons: Perhaps they only wish to run news stories that question Bush's leadership or paint him as a draft-dodger, such as the recent 60 Minutes hatchet-job regarding the President's National Guard service; or perhaps they are only interested in covering news of various union endorsements of Senator John Kerry; or perhaps the story isn't sexy enough for the mere 30 seconds or so it would take to inform the American people that their protectors support their President. The cynic in me says that the news media have very little use for cops to begin with, except when they serve as anonymous sources or help them in their coverage of an important story. Usually, the coverage of police by the mainstream media involves allegations of police brutality, their alleged use of excessive deadly force or stories of police corruption. And of course there's the old Liberal standby: police racism or racially-motivated police abuse.
On the same day that the Fraternal Order of Police made their decision to support President Bush for reelection, Senator Tom Harkin, a fierce Kerry supporter, was all over the news shows and cable news networks calling Bush a liar about his military service. His allegations rang hollow and displayed on his part hypocrisy which knows no bounds. For it is indeed Senator Harkin who lied about his military record. In 1992, during his own presidential bid, Harkin advanced the myth that he flew fighter missions over Vietnam. It turned out that he never saw action in Vietnam. He was never a Vietnam veteran. Yet here is a liar calling the Commander-in-Chief a liar. Only in politics. So the news media, who are -- or should be -- aware of Harkin's fabrications, lavish extraordinary airtime on him, while ignoring honest cops supporting someone they believe is an honest leader.
Is there any wonder that in a recent poll taken by the 14,000-member National Association of Chiefs of Police, 92 percent of the police commanders and sheriffs responding said they believe the media (print and broadcast) were not fair and impartial in their coverage. Ninety-two percent! And the arrogant minions of our nation's newsrooms even ignored that poll. Are you surprised?
Jim Kouri is a certified protection professional, writer, commentator and contributing editor for Chief of Police Magazine. He serves as the Fifth-Vice President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's a frequent guest on many TV and radio stations including Fox News, CNN, CBS, ABC, CNBC, and others. The views expressed herein are those of the writer and not necessarily the views of the National Association of Chiefs of Police or its membership.
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They couldn't make time for the FOP endorsement story because they were already running 3min packages on all the police chiefs who were opposed to letting the sun set on the AWB.
"News Media Remain Silent"
I guess they've embarrassed themselves enough already.
Where is, our friend in the media, Fox hiding?
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Spending too much time proving to their critics they they really are fair and balance, by being a little more liberal.
RUSH talked about this on Friday. The endorsement, that is.
Too bad the labor kool aid drinkers at the International Union of Police Assosciations are backing the rat John F'n Kerry. I'm surprised the MSM hasn't run w/ that yet. They do pay alot of attention to the Firefighter International.
The FOP was behind W in 2000 too now that I think about it
What is embarrassing to me, an old cop, is seeing all the young law enforcement officers in uniform behind Kerry when he speaks. In my day, we would have been looking for a job when we got back to the station. I guess the difference is we did not have unions to protect us then. Our uniforms were issued to us, and if we wanted to make any kind of political statement is was in civies.
I've given up on the "mainstream media". Keep up the good work Freepers!!!!!!!!!
This is what paid political advertising is for, at least if you are to the right of George McGovern.
Just because FNC has not reported it yet, it does not mean they won't report it at all. Unlike the MSM where you can be sure 100% will be silent
Welcome to FR! It sure looks embarrassing to me too w/ the uniforms behind Kerry. I've had some first hand experience w/ that and trust me, there aren't too many of those officers who are comfortable being there. I worked a Clinton rally in 1996 and a recent Kerry rally where the officers were part of the local security detail. The candidate's handlers go hunting for photo ops and latch on to the on site public safety personel. Not all the time but it happens
Bump.
I'll call as many talk radio shows as I can today. We'll get it out.
"We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry," Rather added.
Is this the same as I lied my a$$ off, and got caught by a bunch of people in jammies.
ping
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