Barack Obama Attacks Free Speech

[Goofyluver]

So you are equating an individual protesting to a multi-million dollar campaign shutting down a major radio station for their own purpose?

Sure. Let's go with that. That was exactly my point.

Or maybe I should respond as I see fit...

What the heck???

 

[freckles and boo]

So you are equating an individual protesting to a multi-million dollar campaign shutting down a major radio station for their own purpose?

These were individuals collectively protesting. The use of the internet to inform Obama supporters of where the mud is being slung is the only innovation here. People are fed up with the slimey smear tactics and distortions. They are responding in extreme ways because of the extreme garbage being passed off as "truth". After what happened to John Kerry in 2004 it is no surprise that it has come to this. Perhaps if there hadn't been "swiftboating" there wouldn't be a truth squad.

 

[Charade]

These were individuals collectively protesting. The use of the internet to inform Obama supporters of where the mud is being slung is the only innovation here. People are fed up with the slimey smear tactics and distortions. They are responding in extreme ways because of the extreme garbage being passed off as "truth". After what happened to John Kerry in 2004 it is no surprise that it has come to this. Perhaps if there hadn't been "swiftboating" there wouldn't be a truth squad.

So that gives the right to interfere with someone else's rights?

Let me ask one simple question. IYO, has Obama ever lied? Has he ever lied about McCain?

Ok, that's two.

 

[freckles and boo]

So that gives the right to interfere with someone else's rights?

Let me ask one simple question. IYO, has Obama ever lied? Has he ever lied about McCain?

Ok, that's two.

If that is the criteria, many, many protests could be considered illegitimate. Do I have a right to drive down 95th street without seeing huge banners of late term abortions? Are THOSE protesters interfering with my rights?

The interview went on as planned. Kurtz was able to speak. People who agreed with him DID get through on the phone lines. His rights were not affected by the protest.

As for your questions - I don't know. I suspect all politician use facts in ways that suit their purpose. The truth is, what Obama and McCain do is going to be scrutinized. What their supporters do, especially those who subscribe to the Karl Rove school of vicious character assassination, is what we need to worry about.

 

[TimeforMe]

This is really worth posting in its entirety. I posted the original news link the other day and there seemed to be a lot of skepticism on behalf of OSs, that this really occurred. Well perhaps a statement from the Governor of Missouri is a bit more convincing. Obama is a scary guy.

day, September 27, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Gov. Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign’s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on news reports that have exposed plans by U.S. Senator Barack Obama to use Missouri law enforcement to threaten and intimidate his critics.
“St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign.
“What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment.
“This abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson’s thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television, radio, the Internet, blogs, e-mail and daily conversation about the election.
“Barack Obama needs to grow up. Leftist blogs and others in the press constantly say false things about me and my family. Usually, we ignore false and scurrilous accusations because the purveyors have no credibility. When necessary, we refute them. Enlisting Missouri law enforcement to intimidate people and kill free debate is reminiscent of the Sedition Acts - not a free society.”

Ummmm, let me guess...the governor of Missouri is a republican? You truly found this "worth posting in its entirety"? Why? It doesn't nothing but make accusations without showing any real facts or examples. Anyone can do the same thing. Ridiculous.

 

[ntsammy5]

 

[Charade]

If that is the criteria, many, many protests could be considered illegitimate. Do I have a right to drive down 95th street without seeing huge banners of late term abortions? Are THOSE protesters interfering with my rights?

Nope.

 

[What the Heck]

These were individuals collectively protesting. The use of the internet to inform Obama supporters of where the mud is being slung is the only innovation here. People are fed up with the slimey smear tactics and distortions. They are responding in extreme ways because of the extreme garbage being passed off as "truth". After what happened to John Kerry in 2004 it is no surprise that it has come to this. Perhaps if there hadn't been "swiftboating" there wouldn't be a truth squad.

And they were told to block the entrance. And they were told to call over and over. And they were told to fill up the emails. They were told to try to shut down the interview. That isn't protesting, thats attempting to shut down discussion.

 

[DawnCt1]

And they were told to block the entrance. And they were told to call over and over. And they were told to fill up the emails. They were told to try to shut down the interview. That isn't protesting, thats attempting to shut down discussion.

Exactly. They weren't "disagreeing" with what they heard, because they heard nothing. The intimidation and obstruction started one hour prior to the second interview. The "contacts' via text and email to send the 'army forth', is equally disconcerting. This book that DS#3 wanted for his paper on the Hitler Youth Movement arrived this week. I think I will read it. Sounds like there might be some modern day parallels. (Hanzi, the girl who loved the swastika)



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842312900/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[Charade]

And they were told to block the entrance. And they were told to call over and over. And they were told to fill up the emails. They were told to try to shut down the interview. That isn't protesting, thats attempting to shut down discussion.

Exactly!

 

[Goofyluver]

And they were told to block the entrance. And they were told to call over and over. And they were told to fill up the emails. They were told to try to shut down the interview. That isn't protesting, thats attempting to shut down discussion.

They, just like you, have a right to protest.

The radio show went off...the interview was conducted. Kurtz was able to exercise his right to free speech.

If you would like to protest this atrocious act that was committed by these people, feel free to do so. Write someone. Call someone. Maybe it will make you feel better.

 

[freckles and boo]

And they were told to block the entrance. And they were told to call over and over. And they were told to fill up the emails. They were told to try to shut down the interview. That isn't protesting, thats attempting to shut down discussion.

Well, the best I can tell, this is the full content of the email.

In the next few hours, we have a crucial opportunity to fight one of the most cynical and offensive smears ever launched against Barack.

Tonight, WGN radio is giving right-wing hatchet man Stanley Kurtz a forum to air his baseless, fear-mongering terrorist smears. He's currently scheduled to spend a solid two-hour block from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. pushing lies, distortions, and manipulations about Barack and University of Illinois professor William Ayers.

Tell WGN that by providing Kurtz with airtime, they are legitimizing baseless attacks from a smear-merchant and lowering the standards of political discourse.

Call into the "Extension 720" show with Milt Rosenberg at (312) 591-7200


(Show airs from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. tonight)
Then report back on your call at http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Kurtz has been using his absurd TV appearances in an awkward and dishonest attempt to play the terrorism card. His current ploy is to embellish the relationship between Barack and Ayers.

Just last night on Fox News, Kurtz drastically exaggerated Barack's connection with Ayers by claiming Ayers had recruited Barack to the board of the Annenberg Challenge. That is completely false and has been disproved in numerous press accounts.

It is absolutely unacceptable that WGN would give a slimy character assassin like Kurtz time for his divisive, destructive ranting on our public airwaves. At the very least, they should offer sane, honest rebuttal to every one of Kurtz's lies.

Kurtz is scheduled to appear from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Chicago market.

Calling will only take a minute, and it will make a huge difference if we nip this smear in the bud. Confront Kurtz tonight before this goes any further:

http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Please forward this email to everyone you know who can make a call tonight.

Keep fighting the good fight,

Obama Action Wire

Nowhere does it say "block the entrance" or "call over and over" or "fill up the emails".

And nowhere does it say that the entrance was blocked or that Kurtz was personally confronted. I would have a VERY serious problem had that happened. But it didn't.

Zack Christenson, executive producer of “Extension 720 with Milt Rosenburg,” said the response was strong.

“I would say this is the biggest response we’ve ever got from a campaign or a candidate,” he said. “This is really unprecedented with the show, the way that people are flooding the calls and our email boxes.”

The fact is, Kurtz had only received access to the Annenberg papers the day before the interview. If he had anything new and legitimate to say, it would have been responsible for him have thoroughly gone through the records, something he certainly didn't have time to do.

 

[Charade]

Well, the best I can tell, this is the full content of the email.

In the next few hours, we have a crucial opportunity to fight one of the most cynical and offensive smears ever launched against Barack.

Tonight, WGN radio is giving right-wing hatchet man Stanley Kurtz a forum to air his baseless, fear-mongering terrorist smears. He's currently scheduled to spend a solid two-hour block from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. pushing lies, distortions, and manipulations about Barack and University of Illinois professor William Ayers.

Tell WGN that by providing Kurtz with airtime, they are legitimizing baseless attacks from a smear-merchant and lowering the standards of political discourse.

Call into the "Extension 720" show with Milt Rosenberg at (312) 591-7200


(Show airs from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. tonight)
Then report back on your call at http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Kurtz has been using his absurd TV appearances in an awkward and dishonest attempt to play the terrorism card. His current ploy is to embellish the relationship between Barack and Ayers.

Just last night on Fox News, Kurtz drastically exaggerated Barack's connection with Ayers by claiming Ayers had recruited Barack to the board of the Annenberg Challenge. That is completely false and has been disproved in numerous press accounts.

It is absolutely unacceptable that WGN would give a slimy character assassin like Kurtz time for his divisive, destructive ranting on our public airwaves. At the very least, they should offer sane, honest rebuttal to every one of Kurtz's lies.

Kurtz is scheduled to appear from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Chicago market.

Calling will only take a minute, and it will make a huge difference if we nip this smear in the bud. Confront Kurtz tonight before this goes any further:

http://my.barackobama.com/WGNstandards

Please forward this email to everyone you know who can make a call tonight.

Keep fighting the good fight,

Obama Action Wire

Nowhere does it say "block the entrance" or "call over and over" or "fill up the emails".

And nowhere does it say that the entrance was blocked or that Kurtz was personally confronted. I would have a VERY serious problem had that happened. But it didn't.

Zack Christenson, executive producer of “Extension 720 with Milt Rosenburg,” said the response was strong.

“I would say this is the biggest response we’ve ever got from a campaign or a candidate,” he said. “This is really unprecedented with the show, the way that people are flooding the calls and our email boxes.”

The fact is, Kurtz had only received access to the Annenberg papers the day before the interview. If he had anything new and legitimate to say, it would have been responsible for him have thoroughly gone through the records, something he certainly didn't have time to do.

Bolded parts mine.

That's all I need to know. They find someone else's free speech unacceptable and don't want them on the public airways.

Excuse me? Would a public street acceptable?

Where would they like him to voice his free speech?

I'm glad the effort failed.

To the first bolded part. I believe we've established the connection between Ayers, Obama and Chicago Annenburg Challenge.

 

[FayeW]

First of all, calling and emailing the station doesn't effect the station's ability to transmit the broadcast, so Mr Kurtz's right to free speech was not compromised. The listeners merely used their right to free speech to voice their concerns and displeasure with the guest.

Television advertisers pull their ads all the time, if they disagree with the content or the message of the program in which their ad will air. People write in to televison stations and have had programs pulled from their viewing area. Advertisers don't like to be involved with controversial programming that could effect their ability to sell their product. How is somebody writing, calling or emailing the radio station in advance of a controversial guest more of an infringement on the right to Free Speech than having programming pulled because you don't like the message?

It's been going on for decades in televison. Nothing new here.

 

[Goofyluver]

Bolded parts mine.

That's all I need to know. They find someone else's free speech unacceptable and don't want them on the public airways.

Excuse me? Would a public street acceptable?

Where would they like him to voice his free speech?

I'm glad the effort failed.

To the first bolded part. I believe we've established the connection between Ayers, Obama and Chicago Annenburg Challenge.

The interview went off. Kurtz was able to express himself. His freedom of speech was not impacted.

If these people had not been allowed to protest, their freedom of speech would have been taken from them.

People protest all of the time. Just this morning I was driving down the street, and a group was gathered in front of a local restaurant protesting the bailout. Will these people be able to stop the bailout? Nope. Do they have a right to protest? Absolutely.

And again I say it...if you are so horrified by this response...why don't you file a protest of your own. E-mail someone. Write someone a letter. Call the Obama camp if you feel you must. You have the right to do so. Just as these people had the right to express their views.

 

[c4a]

Not surprised by the OP's announcement-Obama wants.
Said it before, will say it again. The Republicans will try to take my money. The Democrats will try to take my rights. Makes me proud to be an Independant.
Should I be looking over my shoulder for the "free speach police"? Or is it just comments directed at Obama we are not allowed to say? Is this why news videos have been being pulled? Go to the site one day & the next it is "sorry, this video is no longer available for viewing"? Actually serious question (bolded one)-and not one of my s.a. responses. I've been wondering what the deal on the "pulled video was about".