Posted on 08/07/2002 9:16:58 PM PDT by StopDemocratsDotCom
Hardly a radio or television news broadcast transpired on Wednesday without prominent mention of the handful of hecklers who attempted to disrupt Vice President Dick Cheney's speech to the Commonwealth Club of California with shouts of "Cheney is a corporate crook."
The media's near blanket coverage of the anti-Cheney chanters comes despite the lack of a single witness alleging any corporate crookery whatsoever against the VP. The stunt alone, it seems, was newsworthy enough for most editors.
The Clinton administration, of course, never had to worry about scandal driven heckling.
It's not that protesters didn't show up regularly throughout the ex-president's two terms. It's just that when they did, the press helpfully declined to cover the confrontations.
Throughout 1999 and 2000, for instance, hecklers routinely dogged both Bill and Hillary Clinton over the claims of Juanita Broaddrick, the Arkansas businesswoman who maintains she was raped by Mr. Clinton 24 years ago.
Nearly every weekend during that two year period, a hearty band of demonstrators from the Web site FreeRepublic.com staked out their appearances in Washington and New York; colorful signs, costumes and catchy chants at the ready.
Mainstream media interest in covering the anti-Clinton demonstrations was nearly nonexistent. Even when two of them were beaten up at one Philadelphia protest by goons wearing T-shirts reading "Teamsters for Clinton," the press by and large looked the other way.
The media's breathtaking double standard has finally begun to take its toll on the Bush administration, with Mr. Cheney now effectively sidelined in order to dodge an all but certain media mauling the next time he pops his head into the sunshine.
This would be the same bunch of dogged investigative journalists who asked Mr. Clinton one time and one time only about the rape allegations pending against him. Then, when his lawyer told reporters to move on, they obediently did so.
For the sake of their own political survival, not to mention the interests of the people who voted them into office, the Bush political team needs to force the issue.
Reporters should to be told in no uncertain terms: The White House will entertain no further questions on the accounting practices at Halliburton and Harken Energy - until Mr. Clinton and his wife are pressed for answers about the most heinous crime ever alleged against a President of the United States.
When reporters finally browbeat the truth out of the former first couple, then and only then should they get their Cheney press conference.
There's a wonderful reason for that: the democrats are not in power. When I heard the coverage of the Cheney protest, my first thought was, "I'm glad it's their turn to protest and not mine." When the traitors and haters are unhappy, that means things are moving in the right direction.
They'll get all the media coverage even though "Corporate Crook" isn't even close to
Bill Clinton
We have you surrounded
Put down the intern
and come out with your pants up.
Now that is a catchy chant. Do you remember who originated that slogan? (AP?)
BILL CLINTON!
WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED!
DROP THE CIGAR
STEP AWAY FROM THE INTERN
AND COME OUT WITH YOUR PANTS UP!
I believe Doctor Raoul penned that mighty refrain.
Makes sense to me but sadly it will never happen. The media is controlled and always will be.
Thank you FReepers for trying to make a difference.
Freepers called it well yesterday saying the media would be hyperventilating about this and they were right.
If there was no attempt to prepare for the unthinkable would you be the first to demand answers as to why we weren't prepared?
Hysterical suggestions of despotic powers being sought is beneath contempt at this time. Just my opinion, of course!
The protestors have been shown over and over and over on Atlanta's local news shows. This is the first I've heard of a Cheney response. Thanks for sharing.
(Sorry - not sure about reporters names -- too angry at the whole hit piece to be sure if I got them right!!)
This would be the same bunch of dogged investigative journalists who asked Mr. Clinton one time and one time only about the rape allegations pending against him. Then, when his lawyer told reporters to move on, they obediently did so.
It takes a lot to make me angry, but this has put me over the edge.
Get with it people...We're in a Cultural War here (much like the 1960's), but WE'RE the ones trying to fight with flowers now. Forget the moral higher ground, these jerks & jackass lovers are only going to understand one thing...Picking their molars up off the pavement!
If it's physical intimidation they want...
There are several problems with that. First of all, there were about 500 of them there, with a fair percentage of gorillas. Second of all, only about 35 people showed up to protest Clinton AT ALL, with only 5 from FR. Third, the only person actually to stand trial as it was was Don Adams, and he didn't lift a finger against anybody. The Teamsters control the courts in Philadelphia (this according to former Mayor and DNC chairman Ed Rendell.
I have protested Clinton and her "highness." It was a great experience and I encourage everyone to stand-up for what you feel is worth protesting.
The media (80% at least) are bottom feeders and need to be aware that we see behind their deceptive practices.
My husband was at a local deli the other day when some guy picked up the local propaganda news and the comments made by all of other customers made his heart glad. I believe, in most cases, that people are becoming more aware of how the media is scewing the news. At least, I hope so.
Also the soon to be Governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania...bummer :(
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