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News/Politics 9-13-12

This is the news thread. Talk about whatever is news to you.

Media bias.

One side says it exist and happens all the time. This side disagrees with the “mainstream: media for the most part. The other side says it doesn’t exist, that it’s a myth. This side mostly agrees with the “mainstream” media. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? And could it be both are to some extent?

The situation in the last couple days in Egypt and elsewhere has brought the differences the two sides have over media bias to light yet again. I have a few things here for your consideration.

The first piece.

From the Washington Examiner

“We’re still learning more details about the events leading up to and surrounding the attacks by Islamic radicals on the U.S. consulate in Libya and embassy in Egypt, but the media has already agreed on one thing: Mitt Romney is the political loser.

“Unless the Romney campaign has gamed this crisis out in some manner completely invisible to the Gang of 500, his doubling down on criticism of the President for the statement coming out of Cairo is likely to be seen as one of the most craven and ill-advised tactical moves in this entire campaign,” opined Time’s Mark Halperin.

That instant conventional wisdom is a pretty fortunate turn of events for Obama, given that it diverted focus from his administration’s bungled handling of the entire situation and the failure of his broader foreign policy posture.”

Read more here

Now the second.

From The Right Scoop

“Open Mic Catches Press Coordinating Questions For Romney”

Read more here

And finally, this.

From National Review

“So if a presidential candidate gives remarks about a foreign-policy crisis, you’d be forgiven for thinking that in the Q&A held immediately afterward, reporters would ask him about . . . foreign policy. But when Mitt Romney took questions today after talking about the situation in Libya and Egypt, the dominant theme of the questions was all about process and politics. Here are the seven questions asked:”

“3. “The world is watching. Isn’t this itself a mixed signal when you criticize the administration at a time that Americans are being killed? Shouldn’t politics stop for this?””

Read more here

Is this bias?

That question number 3 bothered me a lot. I don’t recall GWB getting a break because Americans were dying. Why should Obama?

As you can see from the questions, they were all designed to make Mitt look bad. We also know they were coordinated amongst media members. Doesn’t this go beyond reporting to something else, maybe a Journolist kinda thing? It certainly seems like bias to me.

 

48 thoughts on “News/Politics 9-13-12”

  4. Hi…

    So anyway, someone posted here yesterday very perturbed about Mitt Romney’s having expressed criticism of Pres Obama over the Libyan issue. My question is,

    What is really so bad about Romney making the comments he did, when he did? Even if he was factually wrong, and/or spoke at an inopportune time, what are the dire consequences of his statements? I don’t get the hubbub.

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  5. Welcome SolarPancake.

    I don’t get it either. There sure seems to be a double standard. I don’t recall the press getting up in arms when Obama did it. Funny that.

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/barack-obama-used-troop-deaths-to-ding-bush-mccai

    “The Obama campaign hit Mitt Romney for using the “tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya” to “launch a political attack.” On a July 2008 appearance on CNN, then-Senator used the death of U.S. troops in Afghanistan as talking point to ding John McCain and President Bush for their support of the Iraq War.”

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  6. Aj

    I’m not buying the media bias claims this time. Too many wolf cries from the right starting with Sarah Palin 4 years ago.

    On Pres. Bush, I would point out that he had democratic support after 9-11 so much so that they passed things like the patriot act. It was after he declared major combat ops over that critisimg grew.

    Solar

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  7. Aj

    I’m not buying the media bias claims this time. Too many wolf cries from the right starting with Sarah Palin 4 years ago.

    On Pres. Bush, I would point out that he had democratic support after 9-11 so much so that they passed things like the patriot act. It was after he declared major combat ops over that critisimg grew.

    Solar,

    Gov. Romney is running for President. When facing a crisis he went off half-cocked and lacking in facts with highly critical statements aimed at undermining the President during a crisis. None of the republican leadership demonstrated similar recklessness. ThatMs why there is a hub bub.

    Solar

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  9. g2-31 etcetera,

    But the question is, what’s the big fallout? What are the fearful consequences of Romney’s speech?

    As the real AJ’s link seems to point out, this kind of talk doesn’t really seem all that new. But the hubbub does, bub.

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  10. CB,

    OK, fair enough. You think he went off half-cocked, maybe said some things he shouldn’t have, and that’s OK that your opinion differs from mine. Also, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me on Embassy security. Thank you. You are my favorite “moderate” you know. I thought they were pretty much extinct in todays political climate, but you really do seem to fit the definition rather well, at least on political issues. I’m glad you’re here, and that you share your thoughts with us.

    But if we are gonna talk about half-cocked comments, and the fallout, I expect that to go both ways. Can you agree that this is half-cocked and offensive to the dead as well? And I seriously doubt the biased media will give this any play at all, let alone the level Romney is recieving.

    http://washingtonexaminer.com/obama-compares-his-campaign-volunteers-to-embassy-staff-killed-in-libya/article/2507830?custom_click=rss#.UFHi_JWuXww

    “President Obama told his campaign volunteers in Nevada that he is “really proud” of them after comparing them to the U.S. ambassador and embassy staff murdered in Libya.

    “And obviously [our] hearts are broken for the families but I wanted to encourage those folks at the State Dept. that they were making a difference,” Obama told volunteer leaders in Las Vegas, according to the pool report. “The sacrifices that our troops and our diplomats make are obviously very different from the challenges that we face here domestically but like them, you guys are Americans who sense that we can do better than we’re doing….I’m just really proud of you.””

    Those campaign volunteers are nothing like the folks killed in service to our country. It’s offensive that he thinks they are. It’s comparing apples to Mack trucks. No comparison at all.

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  11. I’m one of the people who raised the issue of Mitt Romney speaking out against Obama’s reaction only hours after the embassy attack. I think that Romney’s timing was ill advised, appeared callous and showed an opportunistic bent that isn’t something that most Americans want to see in a leader. My question was about how this might effect the vote of the 1% or 2% of Americans who remain undecided on their vote.

    As Christians, I don’t believe that the standard of acceptable behavior is “Obama did it, too!” That stuff worked in junior high, but it’s out of place in a discussion with adults, especially adults who claim to follow Christ and operate on a higher level of truth.

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    • Another of “Random’s Laws” and one that I often violate myself is It is very difficult to attack/flame someone for being nasty and unpleasant without appearing/being nastier and more unpleasant than the person one is attacking.

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  12. Random, I was brought up with ideal that if you start it, you get what you deserve. “He hit me first” was a legitimate defense for punching out a sibling, classmate or neighbor. If you could get a confession or had witnesses you got off scoot free. It’s not Christian but it is why we didn’t have so much trouble with bullies when I was a kid. As far as politics are concerned, westerners, Christians and conservatives are held to a higher standard for some reason.

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  13. Photoguy, even if Romney’s timing was ill-advised and his words were poorly chosen, what’s the Big Deal? As a Christian, I’m willing to call his behavior unacceptable, but from the language of comments I read here yesteraday, and from some media reaction, the criticism of Romney seems far out of proportion to the offense. [I don’t really care for Romney, and I’m not voting for him.]

    I was asking what the feared fallout from his comments would be, like, how do they change foreign relations for the bad, how do they create siginicantly greater animosity between the parties, how do they cause sorrow to survivors? I just don’t see his comments as having all that much effect on anything; at least not the kind of effect that you’d think warrants the degree of criticism they are getting. What are your thoughts?

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  15. PhotoGuy,

    I get what you’re saying about the “he hit me first!” defense. However I don’t think this is that. It’s simply pointing out that if this is the standard, and it is with regards to the media’s treatment of Romney, why the double standard in their treatment of Obama? He has far worse gaffes and the media doesn’t freak out about it, or even report it in most cases, because he’s their choice. If this is how they want to play it, at least be consistent with both sides. You know, objective. But they don’t. In order to demonstrate this bias, it’s necessary to offer comparison of what both said. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think it’s more, I can’t believe I’m using this word because I’m such a black/white/ no gray kinda guy but, nuanced than that.

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  16. I just read at the Washington Free beacon that the Hilliary Clinton State Department has told the Marine Detachment assigned to protect the embassy in Cairo not to have live ammunition. This is unacceptable. What does this administration want, more American Blood on their hands?

    🙄

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  18. Here’s a pretty good observation from Andrew Sullivan:

    “This is the time for us as a nation and a people to stand united,’ – Ronald Reagan, Republican candidate, after president Carter’s botched mission to save US hostages.

    “I unequivocally support the president of the United States — no ifs, ands or buts — and it certainly is not a time to try to go one-up politically. He made a difficult, courageous decision,” – George H.W. Bush, a candidate at the same time.

    And people tell me the GOP hasn’t changed.

    AJ, I will read the article you ciete in full (I usually read the examiner 0n the way home and am familair with it — not what I would call unbiased news — even the articles read like editorials. What you have copied here — it’s an over the top comparison, but not what I would call a half-cocked non-fact based remark made in the middle of a foreign affairs crisis. Apples and oranges — one statement was reckless and untrue; the other callous and politically calculated. I think the you missed from what I’ve said, is the opining during a crisis. See abote for the answer to WWRD.

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  22. That’s OK CB. I do that even with spellcheck on.

    Do you know the answer to the question on ammo SOP and engagement with regard to Marine security detachments at embassies? I could understand that policy in some countries embassies, but not in such hostile ones. Is that normal?

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  23. Seriously, how do Romney’s comments do damage to anything? How is someone’s life made appreciably different, or some government’s policy? I haven’t meant that as a rhetorical question the previous 3 times I asked it. Am I so in the dark here?

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  24. CB,

    It wasn’t originally from WFB, which you aren’t a fan of. Here are the original sources their story was based on.

    The first is a national security/military blog for wonks of such ilk, might be to your liking.

    http://www.kforcegov.com/Services/IS/NightWatch/NightWatch_12000175.aspx

    The second source was Time, which also refernced the info coming from USMC blogs and Kforce.

    What’s Worse: No Marines, or (Possibly) Unarmed Marines?

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  25. 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

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  26. Aj,

    Even if I knew the answer to your question, I wouldn’t answer. That’s the kind of operational detail we were stongly encouraged not to remark on.

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  27. Solar,

    Its about national unity ina time of crisis and its about not pulling the focus of a President. Candidate Reagan left space for President Carter and his team to negotiate the release and arguably helped President Carter with saber rattling. Gov Romney is no Ronald Reagan. He’s not even A GHW Bush.

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  28. When I went home for lunch. I checked my e-mail. One of my friends from church forwarded me a letter from his brother who works in Israel. In the letter, his brother said that the country is preparing for an attack and the IDF is stepping up operations and preparing for both offensive and defensive activities. He said it looks like a perfect storm is brewing in the middle east. I hope he is wrong in his assessment, but right now it does seem like we are heading into a major confrontation with radical Islamic forces from both the Shia and Sunni forces.

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  29. CB: I know that’s how the criticism is being couched; I’m trying to get specifics, though. Even conceivable ones. How do Romney’s words have any impact on anything–especially as they’ve elicited criticism that would SEEM to indicate his words will have GREAT impact on something…but on what? And how?

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  31. Solar,

    In situations like the one we have right now in the middle east, their perception of division in our country weakens our overall hand. People who lead other governments and who lead radical groups pay close attention to US politics and do sometimes seek to influence it. For the radicals it is in their interest for America to have an overreaction and to use more armed force.

    I don’t know how to break it down more basically than that.

    Drives, I would expect the IDF to prepare since the radicals are whipping people up with the lie that the fils creator is an American Israeli.

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  32. CB, Here is the text of the e-mail
    My brother and his family live in Jerusalem – he is a minister – his office is close to one of Israel ‘s largest underground military bases.

    He called me last night which is very unusual – usually it is email.

    He called to tell me that he is sending his family back to the US immediately due to what he is seeing happen within the last week and what he is being told by his military contacts in both the Israel and US military.

    He said he is seeing with his own eyes military movements the likes of which he has never seen in his 20+ years in Israel .

    What he called a massive redeployment and protective tactics of forces is underway.

    Over the last two days he has seen anti-aircraft missile deployments throughout the Jerusalem area including 3 mobile units that he can see from his office windows.

    In addition, he has seen very large Israeli armored columns moving fast toward the Sinia where Egypt has now moved in Armor.

    There are reports of the top military leaders meeting with Israel ‘s Sr. Rabi which is something that has happened preceding every prior military campaign.

    His admonition is to watch carefully and pray for Israel and its people.

    He is convinced that barring something extraordinary Israel will attack Iran – with or without the US – and very soon.

    It is the belief in Israel that Obama does not stand with Israel but with the Arab countries.

    He has told me before that Israel will saber rattle from time to time but that this time is very different from what he is seeing and hearing.
    He was at the Wailing Wall 2 days ago and there were hundreds of IDF soldiers there. As he was leaving he passed at least 20 military buses full of soldiers in route to the wall.

    He has never seen this before either.

    Just thought I would pass this along.
    My brother is not an alarmist by any means.

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  33. CB: It’s disappointing you don’t know how to break it down more basically than that, because that is some pretty generic stuff. I’m having a hard time seeing how some fairly standard criticism from Mitt Romney would lead to something all that significant. Some folks have advised he should have waited a couple days. Would a couple days–or a week or two–have avoided the items you describe there?

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  34. Here’s another story from Time on the Embassy security issue. I don’t think it can even be called security given the enviroment and country involved.

    Did the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi Not Have Enough Security?

    “U.S. officials told reporters on Wednesday that the Benghazi consulate had “a robust American security presence, including a strong component of regional security officers.” And indeed, one of the four Americans killed was a former Navy SEAL, Glen Doherty, who was “on security detail” and “protecting the ambassador,” his sister Katie Quigly told the Boston Globe. Also killed was an information management officer, Sean Smith. The fourth American who died has not yet been identified. Yet Baja described a very different picture from his visit on Tuesday morning, even remarking at how relaxed the scene was when he returned to the consulate building a short while after leaving Stevens, in order to collect the mobile phone he had accidentally left behind. “The consulate was very calm, with video [surveillance] cameras outside,” Baja said. “But inside there were only four security guards, all Libyans—four!—and with only Kalshnikovs on their backs. I said, ‘Chris, this is the most powerful country in the world. Other countries all have more guards than the U.S.,’” he said, naming as two examples Jordan and Morocco.”

    “With the compound now an evacuated, smoldering ruin, Baja, who befriended Stevens in Benghazi during last year’s seven-month civil war, and in recent weeks had shared long Ramadan dinners with him, said he felt stricken not only by the loss, but also by the sense that perhaps the tragedy could have been averted, had there been tighter security on the ground, and—more especially— had Libya’s nascent government cracked down against armed militia groups. Bristling with weaponry, much of it from Muammar Gaddafi’s huge abandoned arsenals, groups of former fighters have been permitted to act as local security forces in towns across Libya during the post-war upheaval in order to fill the security vacuum, despite the scant loyalty among many of them to the new democracy. “Up to now there has been cover from the government for these extremist people,” Baja says, adding he and Stevens had discussed for months the urgent threats from armed militia. “They [government officials] still pay them salaries, and I think this is disgusting.””

    Also see,

    http://hotair.com/archives/2012/09/13/libyan-professor-it-was-obvious-all-along-that-the-consulate-in-benghazi-needed-much-better-security/

    And,

    http://hotair.com/archives/2012/09/12/report-u-s-consulate-in-benghazi-had-no-marine-protection/

    Even if HotAir isn’t much to your liking, it still has tons of links to other sources.

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  36. Oops. Posted that too soon. Or it could something else. One thing the President has been clear about our alliance with Israel but I do think Bibi and co prefer Romney because he will heel and do whatever Bibi wants.

    Solar,

    You want specifics bur in a fluid situation its not easy to predict (which is why most politicians do adhere to the water’s edge). Let’s go back to then Candidate Reagan. If he had indicated that as Preisdent he would do the opposite of every thing President Carter did he would have pulled the rug out from under negotiators. So he stood with President Carter and in essence said that were he elected he would extract vengeance. This gave President Carter more space to get the hostages free. Gov Romney basically did the opposite and did it with bad and missing facts. How that could cause harm, we don’t know yet.

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  37. Aj

    Um hmm. State does have security stds for buildings but not all of them are where they should be. State was included in the defense budget last year. It is a problem.

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  39. Anyone who lets marines go into danger without ammunition should be court marshaled, or impeached, as the situation demands.
    A marine without ammunition is like a watchdog without teeth.
    It’s an atrocity.

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  41. Drives said,
    “It is the belief in Israel that Obama does not stand with Israel but with the Arab countries.”
    If Obama gets another term, this will become obvious.

    In a way, I kinda fear that Obama may get another term. He will abandon Israel. The multitudes will attack Israel and the battle of Zechariah 12 will occur.
    It will be God’s doing, but it is not our prerogative to anticipate God or try to help that alone. We need to prevent Obama from doing that if we can.

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  42. I am not a date setter Chas and I do not claim to have foreknowledge of God’s Plan of Israel or the United States. I do however can say in no uncertain terms that the mention of the United States is absent in Biblical Prophesy.

    As to my previous post from the Independent UK, the question I have was this intentional or was it incompetence that led to the Ambassador’s death. I say we should have an independent commission investigate this and let the proverbial axe fall where it may.

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  43. The US is not mentioned in scripture. But we are here. We have declared Israel to be a friend and ally. If the Muslim countries carry out their declared intentions, the US must withdraw. I don’t know what will happen. But I can read the Bible and I believe it.

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  44. The US may be part of the nations mentioned in the Book of Revelation, Chas; but as I read the Scriptures that the nations of the world are against both Israel and Christ during the time of Jacob’s trouble. I believe if you follow my Bible Study you will come to the same conclusion. The US is becoming more and more pagan if you believe Roman’s chapter 1, judgement against America has already fallen.

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  45. Mitt Romney’s words had, and will have, zero effect on anything anyone in the ME does. It’s not as if anyone doesn’t know the difference between him and Barack Obama, nor would have any reason to think their approaches would be wildly different because of how he criticized the president. It’s simply an overreaction to get so bothered by his words on that basis.

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  46. Solar

    You do understand that the foreign press reports on the campaign? And that people from other countries read about it? I know that here in America we don’t generally read such contests and the media does not generally report on such contests in other countries, but we are exceptional in that regard.

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  47. No kidding, CB. That’s what I said–people know the differences in policy approach. There’s no secret that Romney gave away, and there’s nobody who doesn’t know about it…although there are few bad guys who really care all that much. I still wonder, what conceivable bad thing could come from Romney’s comments? Just give me a hypothetical; something that wouldn’t have happened if he had not said that stuff.

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