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"
------
As I noted on your other thread, I just sent Beverly Cocco a message of support - I think it's important that the intelligence and open-mindedness of our group be reflected in the way we handle these things - if the issue is CBS and partisan reporting, that is the target of our ire, NOT the victims of CBS hit pieces. I understand about the group Beverly is associated with, and that some members of that group may be farther left than others - but if someone is misrepresented in a CBS news story for doing nothing but standing behind an issue they believe in, it is CBS at fault, NOT the someone. Let's keep an open mind, and aim our ire at the appropriate targets. Rather is Scum.
Off "People Against the Draft" website:
About Us:
People Against the Draft is a non-partisan, grassroots organization of concerned parents, students, educators, and others based in New York City. We have already established chapters throughout the New York metroplitan area and intend to expand further. Our purpose is to educate and lobby against the military draft.
So this woman from the Philly burbs just happened to start her own little organization?
Look at the Leftist groups that are linked onto their website.
What is her original link to Levitch? I'm not getting anything yet.
Oh, of course not - jeez, don't be rediculous! I sent a note to Beverly, babby_whatever@blah.com. I would never send a general note to an organization like that, I don't agree with them, and I don't like CBS. I DO, however, have sympathy for people who are misrepresented by a "News" organization. The practice is despicable.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/feature/display/100802/index.php
New York City 'Town Meeting' Passes Anti-Draft Resolution Current rating: 7
by Jacob Levich
Email: contact (nospam) nodraft.info (unverified!) 12 Aug 2004
(from the open newswire): With elected officials, activists, and experts in attendance, an assembly of New York citizens and others rejects military conscription, calls for end to Iraq War.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Levich (917) 319-3710 contact (at) nodraft.info
New York City 'Town Meeting' Passes Anti-Draft Resolution
With elected officials attending, citizens' assembly rejects conscription, calls for end to Iraq War.
New York, N.Y., August 11, 2004 -- With elected officials, experts, and activists in attendance, an assembly of New York citizens and residents overwhelmingly passed a resolution rejecting plans to reinstate military conscription and calling for an end to the war in Iraq. The resolution, which is to be delivered to Presidential candidates and the New York State Congressional delegation, reads in part: "We reject reinstatement of the military draft [and] other attempts to militarize our youth, including compulsory 'National Service.' We call for an end to the war in Iraq."
The August 11 Town Meeting on the Draft, which drew a capacity crowd to the auditorium of the Renaissance School in Jackson Heights, Queens, was conceived as an answer to the call by Senators Joseph Biden and Chuck Hagel for a "national debate" on reinstatement of the draft, according to Jacob Levich, a founding member of sponsoring organization People Against the Draft. "The Senators asked for a debate, and we gave it to them," Levich said. "The message: a resounding, 'Hell no, we won't go.'"
Speakers at the event included New York District 13 Senatorial candidate Luis Rosero; the Chief of Staff for incumbent State Senator John Sabini; Rep. Mark Cohen, chairman of the Democratic Caucus of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives; Shirley H. Young, Military Families Speak Out; Ben Chitty, Vietnam Veterans Against the War; Monique Dols, Campus Antiwar network; Anita Cole, Center on Conscience and War; and Ariella Ghanooni, ISO and United for Peace and Justice. An open-mike period provided opportunity for questions and spirited debate.
People Against the Draft (www.nodraft.info) is a fast-growing non-partisan, grassroots organization of concerned parents, students, educators, and others based in New York City, with chapters and affiliates in Long Island, Bronx/Westchester, and Philadelphia. Its purpose is to educate and lobby against the military draft. Text of the resolution appears below:
RESOLUTION of the NEW YORK CITY-AREA TOWN MEETING on the DRAFT (August 11, 2004)
WHEREAS current US foreign policy is leading inexorably to reinstatement of the military draft; AND
WHEREAS the young people of the United States deserve greater access to education, opportunity, and jobs, not compulsory training in war; AND
WHEREAS the all-volunteer military is more than sufficient to defend this country providing we cease to wage unnecessary and illegal foreign wars; AND
WHEREAS reinstatement of the draft can only lead to the perpetuation of the war in Iraq and to further wars of aggression throughout the world; AND
WHEREAS conscription has never made the Armed Services more racially and economically equitable, and can be no substitute for genuine efforts to redress inequality in the military or in society at large;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this New York City gathering of citizens, residents and others:
1. We reject reinstatement of the military draft;
2. We reject other attempts to militarize our youth, or to reintroduce conscription by stealth, including compulsory "National Service";
3. We call for an end to the war in Iraq and an end to US wars of aggression; AND
4. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to local elected officials and to each member of the state delegation in Congress.
Levich owns the site.
His name is on the front page.
Links give the headquaters as NYc. and his Email address
(registered to him).
See above post.
People Against the Draft (www.nodraft.info) is a fast-growing non-partisan, grassroots organization of concerned parents, students, educators, and others based in New York City, with chapters and affiliates in Long Island, Bronx/Westchester, and Philadelphia. Its purpose is to educate and lobby against the military draft. Text of the resolution appears below:
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
Kerrys club
SEE IT??????????
Roger that!
Monique Dols
Columbia University
212-865-4796
mjd139@columbia.edu
Ariella Ghanooni, ISO and United for Peace and Justice
http://www.socialistworker.org/2001/375/375_16_KeepDream.shtml
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