CNN Pins Blame On Democrats For Right-Wing Smear Of 12-Year Old Boy

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/11/cnn-blame-dems-graeme/

CNN Pins Blame On Democrats For Right-Wing Smear Of 12-Year Old Boy

This morning, CNN aired its first report on the right wing smear campaign against 12-year old SCHIP recipient Graeme Frost. CNN pinned the blame on Democrats for assault on the Frost family.

CNN’s John Roberts reported: “Some of the accusations may be exaggerated or false. But did the Democrats make a tactical error in holding up Graeme as their poster child?” A CNN political analyst then placed the blame squarely on the Democrats’ shoulders:

I think in this instance what happened was the Demcorats didn’t do as much of a vetting as they could have done on this young man, his situation, his family. (…)

More and more, Congress is acting less like a deliberative legislative body, and more like a political campaign. We’ve been seeing the politicization of every aspect of government.

Video at link~

This isn’t mere political theatrics. You wouldn’t know it from the CNN report, but Congress did actually pass an SCHIP expansion that is overwhelmingly supported by the American public. Moreover, the Democratic-led Congress has been acting like a “legislative body,” breaking the record for the highest number of roll call votes in history.

The CNN report disturbingly suggests that Democrats are to be faulted for daring to a put a human face on the SCHIP program — a health care program for kids. Mahablog offers this explanation:

In other words, it’s the Dems fault that the Frost family is being ripped to shreds by the Right? This is like saying “it’s your fault if you lead your cow into a river full of piranha.” Yes, righties are behaving like a school of piranha, and the Dems should have known this would happen.

Another disturbing trend in the media portrayal of this story, as noted by Marcy Wheeler, is a willingness by the traditional media to place the blame on “bloggers” and politics “in the Internet age.” Right-wing bloggers were indeed leading the charge, but the entire conservative establishment — Rush Limbaugh, Senate offices, and leading conservative publications — joined in the effort.

Few journalists have yet to note that while the right-wing blogosphere attacked Graeme, it was the progressive blogosphere that led in his defense.

[PA Democrat]

1. Despicable. Confirmation of why I don't watch CNN.

It's the Democrats fault because they should KNOW that right wing scum will stoop to any level to prevent legislation that promotes a decent society where kids can get health care?

Apparently, Bush was OK to use those "snowflake babies" for a photo op because the people on the left have enough morality not to make death threats against CHILDREN.

Two different standards here according to CNN. Democrats need to cower in fear of hateful right wing scum, while Republicans are free to do whatever they damn well please.

Ok, I'm glad they cleared THAT up.

[PATRICK]

2. It is black and white

when it counts. The MSM is against the Dems all the way this election year, organizationally, and not just the usual bloviators.

[underpants]

5. I saw this this morning and you are right

This isn't just catering to the right to cut the criticism this was blatant reporting of RW talking points (Malkin and Rush for crying out loud) as news.

[PATRICK]

43. Read "The Daily Howler"

This is the same thing that happened to Gore and has not changed ever since. They unite in lies against Democrats.

[w8liftinglady]

3. yet another reason I support Link TV

http://www.linktv.org/
and I would highly recommend this special showing later today..."Media in a Time of War"
http://www.linktv.org/programs/special_mediawar

[Frances]

4. Do you mind explaining how linktv works?

Can you watch it on your computer? (Sorry to ask such a basic question)

[w8liftinglady]

6. unfortunately,you can only watch snippets of programs.It is entirely donor funded

not funded by any major corporations-to my knowledge.As their funding increases,they will expand their programming oprions.There are some podcasts available

[w8liftinglady]

8. here are Phil Donohue's comments on LinkTv prior to its' inception

he is a producer and commentator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCEn8-iZc1o

His next documentary "Body of War" is due out soon.
http://www.bodyofwar.com/home.php

[EFerrari]

10. Yes! LinkTv is a treasure. I keep my satellite service

mostly to watch Link. :toast:

[bdamomma]

14. oh, Link TV is great.

[w8liftinglady]

17. even if you don't get linktv-watch the clips from their documentaries-

http://www.linktv.org/programs/911press
http://www.linktv.org/programs/line
http://www.linktv.org/programs/affluenza
http://www.linktv.org/programs/behind
...and a TON more
http://www.linktv.org/documentaries

[backscatter712]

7. Fuck them.

That kid was perfectly within his rights to speak his mind on S-CHIP. They shouldn't have to fear right-wing thugs.

The blame for the attacks go solely and completely on Limbaugh, Malkin, Free Republic and the thugs that follow them and make the attacks. Not on the kid, not on his family, not even on the Democrats who gave him the opportunity to speak in front of Congress.

Those Freepers who would attack this kid should be lined up against a wall and napalmed.

[earthboundmisfit]

9. John Rogers has been "on message" all morning

My S.O. has been turning CNN on while I'm trying to get my last hour's sleep each morning (then he leaves the room), and this a.m. I heard Roberts going over and over this morning's guided talking points - this plus Kurtz and "how the media caused the public to be unsupportive of the war" - also, all damn week they've had pieces on the "living biblically" guy. Hence I wake up all pissed off, and as of this morning S.O. now understands to leave the f*ckin' thing OFF rather than turning it to CNN (or Morning Joe either!)

[blue cat]

11. start listening to your music

it will make both of you in a better mood. worked wonders for me.

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. CNN has lost its fucking collective mind.

[bdamomma]

13. this is despicable, didn't they report on KO, it came out of

McConnell office last nite.

[EVDebs]

23. The censors at MSNBC didn't get the memo. eom

[Johonny]

15. If only

They had not given him any health care and let him die. He would be safe with Jesus in Heaven and couldn't be attack by the right or lead to the wolves by the Dems.

[Done]

16. The Democrats shouldn't even nominate a candidate.

If we do, he or she will be swift boated just like John Kerry was, and it will be our fault because we knew in advance that this is how they would react, just like it was John Kerry's fault for being swift boated.

John Kerry responded to the swift boaters, but his voice was greatly over-shadowed by the corporate media who endlessly repeated and gave unwarranted credibility to the lies. This was all John Kerry's fault because he should have made himself heard over the television industry which appeared to be working for the swift boaters.

[OHdem10]

18. I usually abhor the kill the messenger tactic but I have deliberately

and carefully watched John Roberts. He is the biggest
Lapdog the GOP has.

He consistently works to frame any issue in favor of GOP.
Yes in this case he turned himself into a pretzel in order
to attack Democrats.

The only way to counter this is: Watch CNN when he is on
air.

Send CNN an Email pointing out Roberts' "trick". Be respectful
The more EMails the Better.

This is how the Right have gained power over people like
Roberts.

Point out his consistent lack of objectivity.

[rudy23]

19. Did anybody ask the same question about B*sh sending Petraeus out to spread his message?

No. Will Dems move to censure Michelle Malkin in Congress for the things she said about a child?

[Festivito]

20. Not "..as much of a vetting as they could have done " What 1 hr more?

Had Dems vetted only one more hour, well, they could have said the SAME THING.

Had Dems expended two-billion man hours, they could have said the SAME THING.

Had Dems engaged every person in the world to vet this story, they could say the SAME THING.

THIS IS WHY HILLARY JUST LAUGHS.

[HootieMcBoob]

21. Stomach Turning

How do you look at everything that's gone on with this situation (I know that's a big assumption) and come to this conclusion? Unbelievable.

[EVDebs]

22. Google up 'CNN and PsyOps' and see what comes up

Also, Operation Mockingbird.

The intel agencies have turned into rightwing agitprop organizations and are in place only to prevent progressive policies from emerging.

It is fascism, folks.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

24. yes it IS fascism!

[EVDebs]

26. Some are finding the courage to stand up - if ONLY the D leadership would

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2014187&mesg_id=2018194

[Rosa Luxemburg]

28. I feel that the Dem congress is being moulded to the 08 Presidential campaign

someone is calling the shots and it is not Congress

[EVDebs]

29. Someone, Rep Woolsey perhaps, needs to pry the leadership away from 'staying the course' in Iraq

and on the Constitutional issues they're giving away to *.

[w8liftinglady]

27. holy shit.Do you find people think you are nuts when you mention this?

what the hell has happened to my country?

[EVDebs]

35. I asked a trivia question at work the other day...

'How many rifles did the Warren Commission Report mention being found in the TX Schoolbook Depository ?'

Answer: 3, the Italian Manlicher-Carcano, a British Enfield, and a German Mauser

c/o Richard Belzer's blog

Defaming History or, Who Didn't Kill JFK by Richard Belzer
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-belzer/defaming-history-or-who-_b_60188.html

One really young girl walked away, one old hippie answered correctly, and the rest of the twentysomethings yawned and stayed put. They also believe fully in the Official Conspiracy Theory of 9-11 (OCT).

As long as I known for putting out correct information, the street cred sticks with me. But maybe I'm nuts for thinking I can make some progress in my lifetime what's left of it.

CNN and PsyOps
http://www.counterpunch.org/cnnpsyops.html

Jeewhiz, I wonder what other important event was taking place in, say, Nov. 2000 ? Inquiring minds want to know.

[EVDebs]

25. Rabid dogs are put away in this country; a rabid GOP gets fed by the M$M

and grows stronger by the day. Who is going to put an end to this ? Nancy Pelosi ? Only when she decides to.

[alphafemale]

30. Ok...so doing a silly pun on a GENERAL'S name is horrifying.

An attack on a little 12 year old boy is fair game.

mmmm...K

[Horse with no Name]

31. Reminds me of wifebeaters who tell their wife

that they should have known better than to make them mad...and then blame THEM for their own beating.

[KaptBunnyPants]

32. What was there to vet?

That they own a house? That's the only part of the right wing smear which is even remotely true.

[Poiuyt]

33. This is like Pat Buchanan saying the biggest error ever made in this country was when

the Democrats let Bush invade Iraq

[xchrom]

34. how is any part of what the republick party has done tho this boy and his family right?

i mean in ANY WAY?

they didn't misrepresent themselves -- or out and out lie.

so how is that the fault of the dems?

and mitch mcconnel relesing this family's personal info -- no reponsibility falls to him?

and how is cnn not biased against the democratic party?

[DeepModem Mom]

36. K&R

[baldguy]

37. They FORCED Graeme to tell the truth!

He didn't want to say bad things about President Bush (praise be his name!) He knew people would be angry and he didn't want to but they MADE HIM DO IT!! Damn evil DEMONCRATS!

So, now we must beat him & make his life hell! AND IT'S THE DEMONCRATS FAULT!!

[AllexxisF1]

38. The other week...

The other week on CNN I saw something that I just could not believe. I was ironing like always before work and sure enough they were reporting how some school district will not allow Al Gore's documentary to be shown because it has been politicized. Right after Kira Phillips said that there is this huge applause from the weather guy! She gave him this look like Oh my God WTF. He went on how Al's finding were completely wrong and how it's all trash.

Kira just looked at him in disbelief after he said that.


This is CNN's fucking weather guy for crying out loud being political.

[Odin2005]

39. CNN = Corporatist News Network. Fuck them.

I refuse to watch the BS on cable and network "news," it's all BS as far as I'm concerned.

[SeattleGirl]

40. Jesus Fucking Christ!

Assholes!

[judaspriestess]

41. they allow glenn beck to have a tv show, enough said

I rarely watch cnn now

[cboy4]

42. This entire situation from the veto to the smear is

absolutely despicable. :puke: