Posted on 09/29/2004 7:40:38 PM PDT by Enlightiator
Last night after doing some research, I sent an email to Beverly Cocco concerning the CBS interview on her concerns about the draft: Beverly, I read the article about you posted on the CBS news website "The Issues: Reviving The Draft," after having seen a link to it on a conservative website, FreeRepublic.com. I did a search, and found that you are involved with a group called Parents Against the Draft and People against the draft. http://www.nodraft.info/
The website of People Against the Draft appears to be a non-partisan effort, and I fully support your right to be an advocate to whatever issues you wish, including making sure there is no military draft. That is what freedom is all about, the right to stand up for what one believes. I also perceive you to be a very honorable person. In that regards, I hope you will let me know if the CBS interview by CBS News Correspondent Richard Schlesinger, and the web version of the story, accurately reflected what you said.
In particular, I have a concern with CBS news fairness in our political process, in view of the fake memo's in the 60 minutes fiasco. For their article in which they interviewed you, I would like to know:
1. Do you believe that CBS news accurately and fairly reported the things you said in the interview?
2. Did you mention HR163 during the CBS interview (HR163 was was initiated by Democrats). I did not see it in the story, however I did find that you referred to it in a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
3. In the printed version of the interview, at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/28/eveningnews/main646055.shtml, the story lead in states "CBS News continues an election-year series titled "What Does It Mean To You?" focused on where the presidential candidates stand on major issues and how a vote for one or the other candidate might affect average people's lives." someone who is really an activist and member of organizations to prevent the draft in the political realm. Most "average people" are not actively engaged in the political realm to prevent a possible military draft. Did you discuss your organization and activism concerning the draft with your interviewer? I saw no mention of it in the written story.
4. I would like to hear what you think regarding the fairness of the CBS interview to our presidential candidates. Did they omit anything important you said that could be considered negative or positive for either political party?
I would like to post your reply (without your email address), to www.freerepublic.com. Is that acceptable to you?
From all that I have seen, you are an honorable person pursuing a cause you believe in. I am doing the same thing, to ensure fair and honest reporting.
Thank you!
David
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No reply received as of yet, however I saw in the threads today that CBS had ADDED a new line to the article: " Beverly Cocco is so concerned she is involved with the organization "People Against the Draft" : http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/28/eveningnews/main646055.shtml
I have no doubts that the other posts on FR, the bloggers, etc. resulted in this change. My initial thoughts were that Beverly Cocco was not an active partisan for Kerry, but perhaps fell for bogus emails about the draft and joined some group. Further research today, however, leads me to believe otherwise:
Some of the 15 members of the Philadelphia Stop the Draft "Meetup Group":
http://stopthedraft.meetup.com/8/members/
* beverlycocco - Philadelphia, PA - Beverly Cocco of CBS news fame, one of the "average people" consulted by CBS on issues that might be affected by the presidential election:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/28/eveningnews/main646055.shtml
* Rep. Mark B. Cohen - (D-Philadelphia), a Howard Dean delegate to the DNC, now turned John Kerry supporter. On his blogsite, Cohen questions "the depth of Bush's opposition to draft restoration and states "The media and other blogs should be intensely questioning Bush on this": http://www.phillyblog.com/mark_cohen/
* "ladywriter" - (some of her other "meetup groups" include "Democracy Matters -- Philly for Kerry" and "Philadelphia Against Bush")
* Pat Deforno, who is "outraged by this presidents actions by getting our country in worldwide danger by preemptive strikes on Irag"
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I'd like to know too if that link is for real? I want to spread it around if so?
Wow, thats quite a media contact list you have there, great work, I've put your profile in my favorites. Have you ever successfully gotten a story out using some of these contacts?
I PERSONALLY contacted Beverly Cocco and wrote this peice after our conversation... You MIGHT find it surprising considering the fact that left-wing or not, her and many of those in her group are NOT supporting the Dems... They're actually informed on WHO is pushing the draft. The DEMOCRATS!!
http://www.nodnc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14&mode=nested&order=1&thold=0
TAKE A MOMENT AND READ THE STORY!!!
Thats incredible, I didn't know that John Kerry had mandantory service plans for our youth. I bet you linked to the webarchive since I am sure Kerry has taken it off his website!
Ping
http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/marxism/2003w19/thread.htm#00082
Marxism mailing list archive
Will CBS ever learn its lesson?
You must have been great at playing "connect the dots" when you were a kid!
I would like to see her say that on Scarborough or O'Reilly.
H&C would do also.
All roads lead to Rome err in this case the CPUSA.
Great work by all who are on top of this.
Do you really believe she is just being "used" by CBS?
Come on, how does CBS randomly find a lady in the Philadelphia suburbs with views against a draft. Oh yeah, she just happens to be tied to a Marxist organization?
What has she done to clarify her position?
No where in the CBS article does it mention her involvement with People Against The Draft, as we all know.
Why is CBS communicating with the Communists, AGAIN???
And on an issue that is obviously slanted against the Republicans (regardless of whether Cocco knows the Democrats are behind congressional legislation or not)
Pray for W and Our Troops
Do you really believe she is just being "used" by CBS?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I personally spoke to her for about a half hour on the phone today, at first she was reluctant to talk, but I can assure you that she is FULLY AWARE that the Democrats are the ones supporting and pushing the Draft. She had done her homework...
Fact is, she has 2 sons who are of draft age. One is a senior in college and she does NOT like the fact that the Dems are supporting the draft.
I did some additional research which I didn't include links to and I can absolutely assure you that she started the anti-Draft group AFTER learning of the Dem legislation.
Whether she's a life long Dem or not, unless Bush says he'll support the draft, she's voting for Bush.
AND FOLKS, THAT LAST STATEMENT MAY BE EXACTLY WHY CBS AND THE DNC ARE DESPARATE TO DO THE HIT PIECE!! LOTS OF THE YOUNGER PEACENIKS WILL VOTE FOR BUSH IF THEY FIND OUT THE DEMS ARE PUSHING THE DRAFT!!!
http://www.nodnc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14
______________________________________________________________________________________
John Kerry Outlines Plan to Require Service for High School Students
Part of 100 days Plan to Enlist One Million Americans in National Service A Year
On September 11th, 2001, America experienced the most terrible and deadly attack in its history. John Kerry believes we need to think big and do better and get more young Americans serving the nation.
As part of his 100 day plan to change America, John Kerry will propose a comprehensive service plan that includes requiring mandatory service for high school students and four years of college tuition in exchange for two years of national service.
People against the draft
http://www.nodraft.info/
Contact us:
National, New York City, and Queens: To get answers to your questions, start your own local chapter, or join our Internet mailing list, just email contact@nodraft.info. We'll inform you about upcoming meetings and events and invite you to become involved.
Bronx, NY chapter: Contact Anita Dutt, ard1626@hotmail.com
Long Island chapter: Contact Joanne Morici, jmorici@hotmail.com
Philadelphia Lancaster/Bucks County affiliate: Parents Against the Draft Contact Beverly Cocco, babby61754@comcast.net
Owned and registered by Jacob Levich
Read about him in Pravda..
http://english.pravda.ru/letters/2001/09/24/16031.html
From the Front Page:
http://www.nodraft.info/
Oct. 14, 2004
Forum on the Draft, Town Hall, Bethlehem, NY (Albany area). Time TBA. Sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Jacob Levich from People Againstg the Draft will attend.
Ping
see above post.
Mrs. Cocco's letter in the Northeast Times on July 17, 2004 is as follows:
"Put a Chill on the Draft Bill"
Just this week I received an e-mail so upsetting that I forwarded it to all my friends, who then forwarded it to all their friends. We are now a good size group.
The e-mail concerned Bill S89 and HR 163. The bill is about reinstating the draft, beginning in the spring of 2005. The draftees will be all males and females between the ages of 18 and 26. There will be no deferments; seniors will be allowed to finish the year, and underclassmen will only be allowed to finish the semester. There is already a document signed between the U.S. and Canada, the “Smart Border Declaration,” which will prevent crossing the border.
Since this is a federal bill, I was advised to contact Sen. Specter, Sen. Santorum and Congressman Joe Hoeffel. Sen. Specter’s office said that these bills are a “secret.”
When I told him that the cat was out of the bag, he offered to connect me with the Washington office. That office assured me that the senator was against this bill. I am still waiting for Sen. Santorum to respond, but Congressman Hoeffel is undecided. His office is sending me a letter detailing his thoughts.
We are now in the process of collecting as much information as possible about this bill and the candidates.
We keep getting told that there are no sponsors for this bill and not to worry about it. But why did South Carolina Sen. Ernest Hollings draft this bill, and why is it sitting in the Senate? We think that it is important to find out before the election.
Meanwhile, we are starting an organization called Parents Against the Draft (PAD).
For more information, call me at 215-xxx-xxxx.
Beverly Cocco
Walton Park
Points:
The email she received was fraudulent
CBS failed to investigate the email she references
CBS had to know that she started this organization
CBS failed to investigate the organization
The organization is linked to card carrying Communists.
I don't care who is sponsoring the legislation in congress, the Democrats are using this to bang the drums against the President. Just look at the news today. This is classic propaganda. Once again, CBS is taking the lead to take it mainstream (in conjunction with the Democratic party)
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