The CNN dumb talking head just said the book banning is a lie.

[Skwmom]

Hey you stupid, air-headed idiot. Koch was right, she asked about censoring books. What was debunked was the book list.

What is the number for CNN?

[Bubbha Jo]

1. There's a new AP story out about it

GOP campaign downplays Palin book-banning inquiry

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_el_pr/palin_librarian;_ylt=Aj_cjVF_Qi0MUsuOVEp0RCMDW7oF

[FreakinDJ]

6. They used Factcheck.org as their source

So EVERYONE write factcheck.org and let them know their answer is distorted and inaccurate

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

Some one help me draft the response to the editor

[e-mail]

[DeeDeeNY]

21. factcheck.org injects their own spin

They list that Todd was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party for many years, but then add that he "never participated in any party activities aside from attending a convention in Wasilla at one time," so it's okay, just move along folks.
They accept without question Palin's word for why she fired the librarian, that she didn't have her "backing" -- as though you need the backing from a librarian!! And then they add well she was hired back after the public outcry, so all's well.

[FreakinDJ]

27. Agreed - but don't you think Freepers email the editor

With their own spin and source for it.

Just like the media we need to complain to the editor about their inaccuracies. It doesn't do any good to sit here at DU and complain, but we've seen time and time again a few emails can make a change

[DeeDeeNY]

35. Yes, and I'm going to send them an email when I get home tonight.

They evidently have a good reputation that they don't get challenged on
-- Jonathan Alter insisted on Rachel's show the other night how they are an absolutely impartial organization, and that's why they link to factcheck on Newsweek's website. So I'm going to also send a copy of my email to Newsweek.

[FreakinDJ]

33. My letter to [e-mail]

Feel free to copy and paste

Dear Sirs

While reading your website I noticed a sever inaccuracy in your reporting. The comments made concerning Sarah Palin's aledged attempt at Book Banning and the subsequent firing of the city librarian are sustancially flawed.

"She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library"

Is esentially false. News articles written in 1997 during the time these events unfolded report Sarah Palin questioned the librarian 3 times over the issue of book banning. The librarian warned Mayor Palin the ACLU would be involved should she "order" the books removed from the library.

I submit an excerpt from the following article in support of my claim

"She asked me if I would object to censorship, and I replied 'Yup'," Emmons told a reporter. "And I told her it would not be just me. This was a constitutional question, and the American Civil Liberties Union would get involved, too."

The Rev. Howard Bess, a liberal Christian preacher in the nearby town of Palmer, said the church Palin and her family attended until 2002, the Wasilla Assembly of God, was pushing to remove his book from local bookstores.

Emmons told him that year that several copies of "Pastor I Am Gay" had disappeared from the library shelves, Bess said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_el_pr/palin_librarian

If you wish to retain your reputation as a "Go to souce for accuracy" then you must report this issue accurately

If they can't report the facts accurately then trash their name all over the internet

[SmokingJacket]

2. Doesn't that book list thing remind you of the Dan Rather debacle?

The truth was that Bush DID fuck up his time in the service. But CBS used a (probably) faked document to try and prove it, and when that came out, the whole story was "debunked."

Same thing here. Could Rove have sent around the fake book list to muddy the waters of Palin's abuse of power over the town librarian?

[girl gone mad]

8. BINGO! Just like the phony Bristol was Trig's real mom stories...

that they spread all over the internet to lessen the impact of Bristol's pregnancy.

[FreakinDJ]

14. Keeps us Dems busy chasing are tail too

while making us look like fools

[Skwmom]

19. Yes. Where else would it have come from?

[gatorboy]

20. Only if he takes us for complete idiots.

The Potter books weren't even published at the time she became mayor.

[SmokingJacket]

22. It didn't matter if we fell for it.

Putting those Potter books in made it easy to debunk.

[suffragette]

31. Exactly what I've been thinking. It's Rove's M.O. that he has used repeatedly

1)True damaging item is out there
2) Purposefully leak/make available false item available
3) False item takes over attention
4) Debunk false item
5) People think that also debunks true item because they've now been connected in their minds - no need to even address true item at all.

We need to confront this pattern immediately every time we see it come up.

[EV_Ares]

3. CNN just clarified what they were saying. They said it was true she inquired about the

banning of books to the librarian and the librarian refused to ban any books. CNN says it is not true any books were banned as she did not order the librarian to ban any books.

My understanding of it though is that she tried to fire the librarian and there was such an outcry in the town, Palin had to back down.

[moobu2]

9. CNN needs to clarify the clarification and add that she tried her best to fire the librarian

Only backing off under political pressure.

[leftofcool]

11. No, she did not try to fire the librarian

The librarian's term ended with the new administration as do all county employees terms. The librarian was reinstated with the new administration as were all other country employees. The letters of termination are standard and are on file, so are the re-instatement letters. If we are going to bash Palin, let us get it right.

[EV_Ares]

15. Yes, she did. I agree lets try to get it right. You might get the facts before you contradict.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/well-why-then-did-sarah-p_b_124962.html

If you want to correct someone so bad you need to support your claim with a link or your supporting info.

More info:

Book banning. This is just getting downright medieval. It’s out now that Sarah Palin, while mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, tried to fire City Librarian Dorothy Emmons for not agreeing to remove “objectionable books” from the Wasilla Public Library. Dorothy Emmons, to her credit, and the credit of librarians everywhere, refused. Something about….which amendment was that?….oh, that’s right….the FIRST ONE.

Here’s what happened after Palin asked the librarian if she’d be “alright” with removing books that Palin found unacceptable.

Link: http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/book-gate-palin-wanted-to-ban-books/

You might check facts first.

[Bread and Circus]

25. You are wrong. Palin did try to fire her but the town told Palin to fuck off.

[Demit]

26. That's funny. News reports at the time say different.

"Back in 1996, when she first became mayor, Sarah Palin asked the city librarian if she would be all right with censoring library books should she be asked to do so.

According to news coverage at the time, the librarian said she would definitely not be all right with it. A few months later, the librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, got a letter from Palin telling her she was going to be fired. The censorship issue was not mentioned as a reason for the firing. The letter just said the new mayor felt Emmons didn't fully support her and had to go. ..."

http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/515512.html

"City librarian Mary Ellen Emmons will stay, but Police Chief Irl Stambaugh is on his own, Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin announced Friday. The decision came one day after letters signed by Palin were dropped on Stambaugh's and Emmon's desks, telling them their jobs were over as of Feb. 13.

The mayor told them she appreciated their service but felt it was time for a change. ''I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ...'' the letter said. ..."

http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510219.html

[stillcool]

29. Article from 2/1/1997

http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510219.html


Wasilla keeps librarian, but police chief is out (2/1/1997)

S.J. Komarnitsky | [e-mail] / Anchorage Daily News

Published: August 29th, 2008 12:04 PM
Last Modified: August 29th, 2008 10:49 PM

Editor's note: This story was originally on February 1, 1997

City librarian Mary Ellen Emmons will stay, but Police Chief Irl Stambaugh is on his own, Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin announced Friday. The decision came one day after letters signed by Palin were dropped on Stambaugh's and Emmon's desks, telling them their jobs were over as of Feb. 13.

The mayor told them she appreciated their service but felt it was time for a change. ''I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ...'' the letter said.

Palin said Friday she now feels Emmons supports her but does not feel the same about Stambaugh. As to what prompted the change, Palin said she now has Emmons' assurance that she is behind her. She refused to give details about how Stambaugh has not supported her, saying only that ''You know in your heart when someone is supportive of you.''
------------------------------------------------
Both Stambaugh and Emmons publicly supported Palin's opponent, long-time mayor John Stein during the campaign last fall. When she was elected, Palin questioned their loyalty and initially asked for their resignations. But Stambaugh said he thought any questions had been resolved.

[EV_Ares]

34. Hope you now have understood about the firing?

[FreakinDJ]

13. self delet

[Skwmom]

16. She didn't try, she FIRED the librarian and then had to hire her back.

[EV_Ares]

18. Thanks, I knew it was one way or the other, did get this Huffington Post article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/well-why-then-did-sarah-p_b_124962.html

[girl gone mad]

4. That's the second day in a row they've tried to..

downplay this story!!

Someone needs to do an ad about THE TRUTH of this matter and get the word out. Palin wanted to censor books.

[Skwmom]

5. The STUPID AIRHEAD on CNN just said to clarify the book banning

Palin asked about banning books but did not ORDER any books ban.

No, you stupid idiot, but she FIRED the librarian, only hiring her back after public outcry.

How do these people live with themselves? They are playing a major role in destroying this country. Is any amount of money worth that?

[FreakinDJ]

23. Do you have a link for "Fired the Librarian"

would like to see for myself

We have contradicting information in this thread

[stillcool]

30. Here is a story from 1997...

http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510219.html


Wasilla keeps librarian, but police chief is out (2/1/1997)

S.J. Komarnitsky | [e-mail] / Anchorage Daily News

Published: August 29th, 2008 12:04 PM
Last Modified: August 29th, 2008 10:49 PM

Editor's note: This story was originally on February 1, 1997

City librarian Mary Ellen Emmons will stay, but Police Chief Irl Stambaugh is on his own, Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin announced Friday. The decision came one day after letters signed by Palin were dropped on Stambaugh's and Emmon's desks, telling them their jobs were over as of Feb. 13.

The mayor told them she appreciated their service but felt it was time for a change. ''I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ...'' the letter said.

Palin said Friday she now feels Emmons supports her but does not feel the same about Stambaugh. As to what prompted the change, Palin said she now has Emmons' assurance that she is behind her. She refused to give details about how Stambaugh has not supported her, saying only that ''You know in your heart when someone is supportive of you.''
------------------------------------------------
Both Stambaugh and Emmons publicly supported Palin's opponent, long-time mayor John Stein during the campaign last fall. When she was elected, Palin questioned their loyalty and initially asked for their resignations. But Stambaugh said he thought any questions had been resolved.

[FreakinDJ]

32. Thanx for the link stillcool

I'm going to email this to Factcheck.org and till them there information is wrong

[spotbird]

7. Palin must have an interview with

someone there. They have to pay the piper after all.

[mwb970]

10. This Alaskan blogger has the full story.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/book-gate-palin-wanted-to-ban-books/

[iamthebandfanman]

12. she just WANTED the books ban

she didnt actually do it!
gosh you guys!
see, its no big deal cause she didnt ACTUALLY do it... she just wanted too!

p.s.

isnt banning books in a public library against the consitution? so, if its unconstituional OF COURSE she didnt actually get them ban...
but lets not talk about the fact she wanted to do something unconstitutional and was completely for it...

[firedupdem]

17. I wish CNN would take as much time exposing the lies they tell

about Senator Obama's record! How many times are they going to defend this issue?

[Warren Stupidity]

24. CorpMedia is equating internet blog rumors and McCain campaign ads

to play "they both are lying" with us. McCain has been running ads that nobody is even avoiding the 'lie' word on, such as the kindergarten sex ad lie. The McCain campaign is just flat out lying about the lipstick on a pig remark, and there really is no disputing that fact. The internet blog rumors, contrary to what CorpMedia would like us to believe, are not ads or press releases from the Obama Campaign.


Obama needs to start hitting back hard and mean with the truth about McCain's sleazy campaign, about McCain's lack of any substantive difference between his proposals and the current Bush regime's policies, and about the efforts of the republican party and the McCain campaign to suppress the vote in key states, and must do so clearly, succinctly, and unambiguously so that CorpMedia cannot continue to confuse citizens about what is going on.

[stillcool]

28. 404-827-1500

I just called on the news tip option and told them the story was true, and the article with the facts was written by an AP reporter. Gave them the reporters name, and said they should read the news like I do


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_el_pr/palin_librarian

I just called on the news tip option and told them the story was true, and the article with the facts was written by an AP reporter. And that they should read the news like I do

By GARANCE BURKE, Associated Press Writer Fri Sep 12, 5:21 AM ET

WASILLA, Alaska - The McCain campaign is defending Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's much-criticized inquiry into banning books at her hometown library, saying her questions were only hypothetical

Shortly after taking office in 1996 as mayor of Wasilla, a city of about 7,000 people, Palin asked the city's head librarian about banning books. Later, the librarian was notified by Palin that she was being fired, although Palin backed off under pressure.



http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?18

[barack the house]

36. Technically they are being truthful she asked to ban books the librarian refused then Palin >

threatened to fire the librarian citing disloyalty. The town then worked for a recall that they later retracted at the librarians treatment.