Flag Day Coverage By The Daily Local, An Unsurprising Cliche
I was happy to see that we made the front page of the Daily Local. To say that I was disappointed with the slant in the coverage would imply that I had any hope of fair coverage of our great Flag Day Rally.
Starting with the title itself – ‘PROTESTORS USE FLAG DAY FOR EMPHASIS’ – I suspected an unsurprising left-wing slant. Did we organize a “protest” on Saturday? Or did we organize a Flag Day Rally? We were there to honor a National Day, we were there to show our patriotism, to show our support for our country. We were not protesting on Saturday, unless you consider flying a United States Flag a “protest”.
It took me only three paragraphs to realize that this is still Karen Porter’s newspaper. Because of the six front-page paragraphs about a tremendous Flag Day Rally organized by local West Chester patriots and our partners, fully four of them were quotes by or coverage of the “Peace” protests on the other side! The final paragraph on the front page was particularly galling to include about a spectacularly patriotic event:
“We’re attempting to continue to raise a voice of protest to the ongoing war in Iraq and to President Bush’s policies of war and injustice around the world which accompany it,” said Smith, who is a staff member of the Brandywine Peace Community.
Nothing like a boring and cliche attack on our Commander-In-Chief to describe a Flag Day rally. You would think they could at least come up with a more creative and less transparent way to show their true contempt for our President.
I took umbrage to the following paragraph:
Both sides admitted it could be difficult to tell which message the drivers were honking for.
Perhaps someone covering their eyes would confuse the honks, but anyone of clear sight could quickly see the different messages. I can assure you that no one associated with the Chester County Victory Movement was confused by the support we received, nor were any of the Warrior’s Watch Riders, nor were any of the Gathering of Eagles. Quite the contrary – we felt that it was blatantly obvious which side supported our flag and our country, and which side is trying to press their naive and infantile leftist beliefs.
It was also interesting to note that they also claimed we had “about 100″ people on our side, when our numbers at noon were over 175, and this was not even our peak time. We normally get 25-30 patriots to stand on our corner.
The remainder of the article was a tit-for-tat telling of the day. I suppose the author of the article felt that this was really just the same old weekend in West Chester. I suppose that he didn’t realize that the CCVM had about 6 times our normal showing, while the “Peace” side had the same old cast of characters. I suppose he didn’t realize that we had galvanized support from so many organizations and people across the country that we had some drive up from Orlando, FL, New York, and Washington, DC, just to join us.
Saturday’s Flag Day rally was a tremendous and special day. You’ll have to forgive me for thinking that the Daily Local’s coverage was anything but unsurprisingly tired and cliche.
Bravo fellow Sheepdog, for pointing out the inaccurate reporting of a tremendous day. In the days gone by, any large gathering of people and patriotic songs and flags and banners, would have been honored in the paper, not chastised or belittled. Shame on the Daily Local for not leaving politics out of this American Flag day’s coverage. Shame on them for catering to the small minded, shallow hearted Peace organization. Shame on them for printing the drivel that they spouted, on the front pages of the paper, on a day meant to honor the United States Flag, and it’s 233rd Army’s birthday!
What the Daily Local cannot do, is take away the way we all felt as we celebrated among our fellow Americans! God Bless America, and her Sheepdogs!
Comment by Trish — June 16, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Sean – I hope you sent this to the stooges at the Local. Their idea of fair and balanced is simply to mention that we were there while glorifying the treasonists of the CCPM. You bring up some good points that I hadn’t considered in their coverage. Thank you.
What would Betsy Ross do?
Comment by LadySheepdog — June 16, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
sean
EXACTLY what i thought when i read the article!!
thank you for articulating it so well.
Comment by carolyn — June 16, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
I was very dissapointed in the way the article was slanted also. I was going to fire off an email to the editor and then thought better of it. I sent him a thank you for covering our event on the front page and also for the pictures. I’m sure everyone noticed as I did that the pictures did not do our event justice for the amount of people that participated in “U.S. Flag Day”! I’m sure it was taken as people began to assemble and not when we were over 150 strong! They wouldn’t want people to see a large crowd of patriotic people in the paper!! Now I know for sure that the Daily Local is definetly slanted. It would have been more appropriate to have the caption saying, “U.S.Flag Day!” That would’ve been too much of a positive message, yet that’s what the day was about, nothing more nothing less to use someone else’s recent quote! It wasn’t about the CCPM and had nothing to do with them. Plain and simple, it was about “U.S. Flag Day”.
I was so dissapointed to see the way they turned that to their advantage (D.L.) and the CCPM. I also noticed that the editor, Andy H., did not put the information in the paper prior to U.S. Flag Day that he told me he would advertising our event/date/time/location and about the celebration afterwards at the Knight’s of Columbus. He said he’d put it in the paper 2-3 days before the event so people wouldn’t forget about it. I even sent him a gentle reminder email this past Thursday when I saw it hadn’t been put in the paper yet. I did notice though that CCPM got a shout out for a “peace” event they were going to part of on June 14th prior to that date in the Daily Local that included the location/time/date etc.
But at the end of the day, at least our event was in the paper and will reach more people that may want to get involved. Anyone that is patriotic could read between the lines and see what the the Daily Local is about! It may also interest people that are tired of the “America” bashing that’s going on!! Irregardless, we made the front page.
I always thought papers/news media etc. were suppossed to be neutral! Unfortunately we know better…life is not always fair, ask a soldier that has to leave his family/friends/comfort zone! God Bless America!
Comment by Summer Rose — June 16, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Huzzah for Rich and all the patriots on the “right” side of the square ! Late Saturday night we were in Exton Mall, and a man approached me, looked at my Army Vet’s Cap and shirt and we talked. I told him about the rally, and he said “my son is in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne.” I told him I knew someone else in that Brigade, and asked him how long before his son came hom. He said he’s been there 14 months, and just “re-upped”. He said his son is a Combat Medic. I choked up, shook his hand and told him we pray for his safe return. That devotion to duty is why we will be the Victors in this war. A Combat Medic from Exton strapping on his pack and going out in 100 degree heat, 8,000 miles from home to keep these crazy lunatics away from us ! He’s not doing it for the money !
Comment by Steve Lee Parsons — June 16, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Summer Rose – Yes, I noticed the pictures as well. They wanted to back up the stereotype that we are bikers and they are hippies, which is only half right. I didn’t mention it in my post simply because I like the fact that the Warrior’s Watch guys are on my side – they’re the ones I’d choose to hang out with any day.
Oh, and they got Ray’s name wrong on the other photo.
Comment by Sean — June 16, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
If I were walking in a rough neighborhood, would rather have Warrior’s Watch guys with me, than the generally obnoxious, mean spirited, effete snobs from the “other side”.
Comment by NeoCon — June 16, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
I agree. I’d trust any of those people that stand on our side of the street to hang out with and know they’d watch my back!
Comment by Summer Rose — June 16, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
That piece in the paper about what KP said about how she told her people to bring any type of flag to distingush themselves from the CCVM…that was amusing. It doesn’t take much to distingush the CCVM from the CCPM. We are the ones standing tall with our American Flags and supporting our troops. U.S. Flag Day is about America and American Flags, not flags that in my opinion dishonor the American Flag or Americans by having peace symbols in them. I’m sure the real “Betsy Ross” wouldn’t have liked to see her handiwork screwed up!
Comment by Summer Rose — June 16, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Sean,
When I first arrived in West Chester, I was told the nickname for the Daily Local News was ‘The Daily Porter News”. She is one of the citizen advisors to this paper, and probably has undue influence on the subject matter printed.
Comment by Skye — June 16, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Stop the presses!!!!!!!!!
When I was growing up, I lived in Paoli. There is a very good chance I am too old to remember when anyone paid attention to the DLN. (perhaps there’s a really good reason)
It was the FAR WEST and the FAR CONSERVATIVE branch of the “Main Line TIMES and the Suburban & Wayne Times”.
When I was a crazy suburban kid, my Mom was friends with Suburban & Wayne Times writers, who despite their age and “cultural” writings, never picked sides, right or left, and reported AS IT HAPPENED”
I gotta say, those were the DAYS my FRIEND! And, I thought they’d NEVER end..
Comment by Trish — June 16, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
I apologize- I meant to reply to Skye – we affectionately refer to it throughout the county, as the DAILY LACK OF NEWS, and whenever I try to defend it (as a granchild of a NEWSMAN) I am further remoided that they are either lacking in talent, or replete with liberals! Once in a great whlie does the DLN report the news, accurately, and not editorialize!
Comment by Trish — June 16, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
If she’s still on the “advisory board” that’s a conflict of interest and she should be impeached.
Comment by Raoul — June 16, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
Sean,
Great insight. Guess we have come to expect that “equally good” crap from journalists even when the facts don’t support it.
Porter’s side had problems that day. Her normal supporters diserted her.
They had the Brandywine Peace Movement (Bob Smith) and there was some of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War who were to ashamed to admit it so they wore Delaware Valley Veterans For America shirts, a group started by Beitzel’s fellow VVAW puke Bill “Bug Out ” Perry.
Perry Winter Soldier’s tesitimony says that his unit was mad and rampaged through a village because it was ambushed.
When you read Perry’s “testimony” (not under oath) he says he was walking point, was warned of the ambush, became scared and ran into the village without warning his unit.
Beitzel’s fellow Jane Fnda funded back stabber Jon Bjornson was there. You know what they say, “Treason loves company”.
Porter obviously pulled out the stops and even with the outside invitations, she got few takers. Only the hard core radical Hate America left wants to be seen protesting US Flag Day.
Comment by Raoul — June 16, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Trish,
Those are all Journal Register papers now.
Comment by Raoul — June 16, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
All,
The media has a template. The story is pretty much written before the reporter shows up, at least the outline.
Saturday was a big sea change and had the reporter had an open mind and concentrated on what they actually saw, they would have gotten it right.
Also, forget your beliefs about newspapers, that they’d love a “scoop”. The hardest story to sell is one that no one has reported on yet. No media outlet wants to be first.
Comment by Raoul — June 16, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
Summer Rose,
On the other side, only two people decided that on US Flag Day their favorite flag is a US Flag.
Argentina and Germany were featured as the DLN noted.
Comment by Raoul — June 16, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Hey, Sheepdogs,
I did email the guy who wrote the article. I pointed out to him the same things you guys pointed out. I used diplomacy, don’t blanch, Rich. I began by saying that while the coverage seemed fair, there were a few inaccuracies that I would like to clarify. We were almost two hundred strong, we are patriots supporting our troops and country, not protestors, or pro-war. We just wanted our voices heard, too. I pointed out that there is no doubt in any of the CCVM’ers who the honks were for, and told him about the cars that stopped to sing the National Anthem with us. It may have been the case when we co-mingled, but not now. And even then, we usually knew when the honks were for us. I even used those words, Sean, that it is “clear” us who the honks are for. He did know that people came from Florida, b/c I introduced him to the couple. I do believe that he quoted Bill. Trish, you summed it up…nobody can write anything that would take the smiles off our faces as we remember this special Flag Day. We stood strong and proud.
Rich emailed us with a letter from Scott Willens. I went to the link, and par for the course, John Grant is a frequent visitor, trying to defame and discredit, and talk down to Scott. Scott holds his own, of course, because he has God, and doing what is right on his side. As well as the Sheepdogs. He socked it to John Grant who made mention that we refer to them as sheep. Scott carefully tells them that we DO NOT see them as SHEEP, he explains Michael Savage’s definition of Sheeple, and states that our enemy and the CCPM are viewed by us as the WOLVES. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, John Grant. You are the WOLVES, we do not see you as benign, innocent, stupid people, we see you as a threat to our country and our enemy, the WOLVES we protect the sheep from. Anyway, I digress, the main point I wanted to make was that their side continues to refer to us as antagonistic, hostile, and all those other phony insults….even though we don’t even SEE them anymore, let alone want anything to do with them. It is as I said all along, they cannot resist trying to taunt us and try to make us react. We are better than that, and they can’t stand it. They are weak, pathetic, and Saturday was their crowning glory. Raoul, you mentioned some things that KP said about Saturday, where do we find them?
Comment by Dee Berk — June 17, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Another thing, John Grant or his side-kick, Seth, made mention that one member of the Sheepdogs was admonished for something he said by another Sheepdog. Does anybody know of what he refers? I would like to dispute that allegation, if possible. I don’t remember anybody admonishing anybody else on this website, unless they were kidding.
Comment by Dee Berk — June 17, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Photos that reveal the real Sheepdogs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skye820/sets/72157605637603075/
Comment by Skye — June 17, 2008 @ 12:29 am
Was there some type of comprehension problem with what U.S. Flag Day means and represents?? U.S. Flag Day means just what it says and implies…U.S. Flag Day!! Not flags of different types/countries…why would anyone bring anything but a real and true American Flag to U.S. Flag Day??! Exactly, right?!
Geez…do they need comprehension classes now too along with “peacemaker training” classes??
Comment by Summer Rose — June 17, 2008 @ 7:31 am
[...we felt that it was blatantly obvious which side supported our flag and our country, and which side is trying to press their naive and infantile leftist beliefs.]
When Porter allowed that US flag with all the writing on it, she proved she hates the flag and America. As do all the other people who attended on that side of the street and condoned it.
That was a good way for the public to decide if they are patriotic. Now the public knows that they are not patriotic.
Comment by Raoul — June 17, 2008 @ 7:52 am
Dee,
http://blip.tv/file/991546/
John “Baby Hugo” Grant
This could be a Saturday Night Live skit about America Haters who suck up to dictators. If you didn’t know it was real, that’s what you’d think first.
Comment by Raoul — June 17, 2008 @ 8:01 am
Of course all communist sympathizers still believe the Rosenbergs to be innocent, despite the de-classification of the Venona cables which exposed them for the traitors that they were (and also exposed 11 others in Truman’s administration).
Comment by LadySheepdog — June 17, 2008 @ 10:09 am
LadySheepdog,
Go to Ft Meade and visit the museum. There was a large display on Venona and lots of handouts.
One striking revelation was that the KGB assigned the codename “Liberal” to Julius Rosenberg.
Funny how there are all those Communist deniers like there are Houlocast deniers, that snidely look down their nose and sneer about “McCarthism” when in fact, when the US Government knew from the Soviet intercepts that the Rosenbergs were ABSOLUTELY guily.
Comment by Raoul — June 17, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Re #7 by NeoCon
Thank you sir!
FYI among the WWR there on Sat. were:
1 off-duty police officer, 1 retired police officer, 1 very senior, large church, administrator, a former corporate security administrator, 1 general contractor & 1 photographer who has photographed all 5 living Presidents of the United States.
I don’t know what the others do but…we sure are thugs. LOL
I’ll leave it to you to put faces with the positions.
Again thank you. “We Got Your Backs”
Comment by Charlie — June 17, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
Raoul,
I bet he stunk and didn’t wash his shirt before he went to hobnob with the scumbag. I resent that the other thing, Ron, said that “many” Americans think like he does…what a lie. Who cares what that Chavez thinks about us or our country. Their applauding made me sick. EEEWWWW…he is sickening.
Charlie,
you are the greatest group of thugs it has been my honor to know. If they only had such thugs on their side they would know what love and loyalty is all about.
Comment by Dee Berk — June 18, 2008 @ 3:00 am
Last week, the-president-you-love-to-hate Hugo Chavez had the political grace to listen to the citizenry of his country and retract what might be called The Venezuelan Patriot Act. On the other hand, the-president-you-love-to-love George Bush won’t listen to the majority of citizens of this country who feel this country is going down the toilet. (I think it’s at 80% now.) No. HE just plans to walk away on January 20th and leave the mess for Barack Obama to sort out. I don’t think Hugo Chavez can be characterized as a “statesman” yet — but his political humility and savvy last week indicates he’s still very much in the game.
Comment by John Grant — June 19, 2008 @ 1:29 am
John Grant, you completley un-American unpatriotic traitor. Get out- just go live with Hugo. I bet you’d be his lap dog if you could. He is scum, and yet you give him kudos, as though he were great. George Bush IS a great man, who has kept this country safe WITH his Patriot ACT, and with other means but you are such slime, you refuse to recognize it. Chavez’ “Venezuelan Patriot Act” was nothing remotely like ours, and you know if you were at all honest, that it would have been a true and dangerous infringement on it’s people. Chavez has no such thing as political humility or grace, and savvy is not a term that could ever be used to describe him. I think it would be a very good idea if you were to go and live in Venezuela for say, a lifetime. Then maybe you could get back to us about how savvy, graceful and humble that man is.
Comment by Trish — June 19, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
John – count me among the 80%who think the country is going down the toliet. However, I want the country to become more conservative. The recent Supreme Court decisions are an example of how the country is headed in the wrong direction. It’s arrogant and ignorant on your part to assume all Americans who think we’re headed in the wrong direction have your liberal political/world view. Many of us want lower taxes, less law suits, school choice, and drilling on our own land. I doubt you feel the same way. I’m not interested in a president that will govern by focus groups and polls. That’s not leadership. It’s followership.
Comment by mike k — June 19, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Most importantly, John, many of us feel the decision to go to war was correct. We want to win the war. We think victory will lead to peace. Surrender and appeasement will lead to more Americans dying and the beginning of the crumbling of the greatest civilization in the history of the world.
Comment by mike k — June 19, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Grant – you would be among the first people who Chavez would make “disappear” shortly after you move to Venezuela. Then I could agree that Hugo has savvy.
Comment by Rich Davis — June 19, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
http://blip.tv/file/991546/
John Grant Salutes Chavez. Can we call this political backing for VFP??
Comment by Skye — June 19, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
On the other hand, the-president-you-love-to-love George Bush won’t listen to the majority of citizens of this country who feel this country is going down the toilet.
Interestingly, he makes this comment when the Dems hold a majority in Congress. Our President, does not have to fix this ‘problem’ the voters will, come November when we elect McCain as President of the United States.
Comment by Skye — June 19, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Grant,
Bill Clinton was proved a liar by Monica Lewinski’s blue stained dress.
Have you washed that Veterans For Peace Shirt yet?
Comment by Raoul — June 19, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Dee, Mike K., and Rich-Excellent points!!
Political grace-Chavez??-John, you’ve got to be kidding?! El es Diablo!! I don’t think the majority of people in his country would agree with you! Maybe it’s time for you and people that think like you do to pack up and go live in those countries that you may think are so wonderful with the leaders you seem to think are so great and have such grace. Please let me know if I can get you some boxes or you need help packing. Oh, and John, GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!
Comment by Summer Rose — June 19, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Mr. Grant – remember that Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and 75 other senators voted to go to war. The only reason that B. Hussein Nobama didn’t wote for it was because he was still in middle school.
Comment by LadySheepdog — June 19, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
GRANT: Please GO to Venezuela and insert your nose between your beloved president-for life Hugo Chavez’s butt cheeks!
Comment by Joe Boyce — June 19, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Grant – In that video of you in Venezuela, when you said “Greetings from the Veterans For Peace” to Hugo Chavez, you are really chewing some gum… Did you sell out your country for 30 pieces of Bubblicious??
Comment by Rich Davis — June 19, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
John – I read you’re already developing a preemptive excuse for an impotent Obama presidency should he win. Nine out of ten sentences from Obama would start with, “The previous administration…” He’ll go on to criticize Bush for everything gone wrong in the universe. If he’s elected his slogan will go from, “change we can believe in” to “we can’t change a thing because President Bush was so bad, the world hates us, boo hoo.”
Comment by mike k — June 19, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
“…his political humility and savvy…”
And you spent 7 hours and 43 minutes in the audience watching that freak.
7 HOURS, 43 MINUTES!
That’s devotion.
Comment by Raoul — June 19, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Verona Cables? Hello? What about Senator Santorum’s declassification of documents proving we found chemical weapons in Iraq post-invasion? It doesn’t matter how mantras of the left are discredited and debunked – simple ad nauseam repitition from MSM, Congress (with a higher diapproval rating), and Hollywood is enough proof for them that no facts an inch from their nose would change their minds. As Michael Savage calls Hugo Chavez, “The Football-Faced Castro of Venezuela”, this “statesman” called Bush the devil (El Diablo) in front of the U.N. with his buddy-ol-pal I’m-in-need-of-Jihad Ahmadenijad. He holds his people in squalor and like so many other despots blames the United States for the consequences of his own oppressive regime…then CROSSES HIMSELF like a crazed exorcist while mentioning Bush. Perhaps John et al. should go to church with Chavez and see how “Christ-like” he is. Hey CCPM, you know why CCVM won’t go out on Sunday’s instead of Saturdays? They go to church on Sunday! Nice assumption that Obama will clean up a mess. It’s Obama campaign “volunteers”, similar in thought to CCPM members, who ostracize and threaten Hillary supporters. At the same time, they politically maneuver by barring two Muslim women from appearing behind Obama at a rally because of their head scarves. Obama has the nefarious connections with assorted clergy, Weather Underground members, and known self-professed radicals and communists. Wonderful solutions he’ll provide. “Hope”? “Change”? I hope I have some spare change when he’s done with me. Obama and many of his supporters believe in Chavez-over-America/Chavez-over-Bush philosophy. Much to your frustrion, this will be highlighted over and over and over and over again by Rush, Hannity, Levin, Savage, Coulter, Ingraham, and others on the Big Talker 1210, which will effectively “Swift Boat” (as you Franken-Kerry supporters call it) him out of the running come November.
Yes, Chavez “is very much in the game” in impressing the immoral anti-American anti-Semitic majority in the U.N., but they’re in his camp anyway. What’s wrong is wrong even if everybody is doing it. I believe things are going down the toilet, but I don’t blame Bush for it. I blame Clinton for 9-11 with his distracted stance toward a looming and ominous threat. I blame hypocritical environmentalists like Gore for oil prices. I blame Congress for creating a climate for amnesty for illegals. I blame the 9th Circuit Court for overturning referendums, the will of the people of California, time and again. I also blame the Supreme Court for legislating from the bench with Constitution-overturning rationale. You know, between those courts, with rolling back regulations against illegal immigration and allowing homosexual marriage, the next logical step in this progression is homosexual marriages with illegal immigrants to grant them citizenship rights as a spouse. You think that’s far-fetched? It plots out perfectly on a linear regression graph for liberal “gray areas” without use of “gray matter”. Most importantly, I blame aging liberal Vietnam-nostalgia hippies for the demise of our resolve and morale against the greatest enemy the world has ever known…and Chavez sleeps with them. May he “sleep with the fishes”.
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 19, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
I just remembered my crown jewel in the argument…
We’ve seen this kind of dog-and-pony show, shell game that Chavez is showing us and John is eating up and promoting through his media outlets…
POTEMKIN VILLAGE!
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 19, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Let’s shine a light on John Grant and Chavez’s common friends, the commies at Code Pink.
Grant will fuss and fume that he didn’t go to Iraq with Code Pink, he went with Global Exchange.
For a difference, to be a difference, it must make a difference.
In reality, Code Pink and Global Exchange are the same.
Here’s an analysis of Hugpo and the Pinkos by the Capital Research Center:
Global Exchange seems to be spearheading
much of Venezuela’s U.S. propaganda cam-
paign. In 2008 it will be offering 13 “reality
tours” of Venezuela. Lasting from 10 days to
two weeks, the tours are on such topics as
“Women’s Rights and Leadership in the
Bolivarian Revolution,” “Community-Based
Organizing and the Bolivarian Revolution,”
and “Afro-Venezuela: The San Juan Cultural
Festival.” According to Global Exchange,
“Venezuela is at the center of a new, progressive
model of socioeconomic development
that is shaping Latin America’s future.” For
between $800 and $2,500, an American can
see Chavez’s revolution in action. On the
group’s website, a young American man
gushes: “The faith that they have in their
government and the faith that the government
has in them is something that is really
beautiful and is something that I’ve never
seen before and I didn’t really know it existed.”
An indication of the Global Exchange outlook
is evident in the views of JoJo Farrell,
who directs the Reality Tour Program. In an
op-ed last fall he applauded the Chavez government
for not renewing Radio Caracas
Television’s broadcast license. The false
story that “Chavez was silencing the station
due to their opposition to his policies” continues
“to be perpetuated in the U.S. media
today,” Farrell observed. The real reason
according to Farrell: the station’s “role” in
the attempted 2002 coup against Chavez
Farrell isn’t the only American who thinks
the American public isn’t getting the real
story about what’s going on in Venezuela.
Princeton professor Cornel West, who makes
a living denouncing his native land as racist
and patriarchal, said reality tours are essential
because, “We in the United States have
so many lies about President Hugo Chavez
and the Bolivarian Revolution.” West said he
visited in 2006 “to see the democratic awakening
taking place.”
Established in 1988, Global Exchange reported
assets of $1,561,689 and income of
$4,173,190 in 2005. Its funding comes from
foundations and from organizing reality tours
to places like Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and
North Korea. Since 1998, the group has taken
in almost $3.3 million in grants. Donors include
the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation ($388,000), James Irvine Foundation
($385,000), Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
($250,000), the far-left Tides Foundation
($$223,191), Wallace Global Fund ($145,000),
and Schumann Center for Media and Democracy
Inc. ($140,000).
led by well-intentioned dupes. Its founding
director is Medea Benjamin. Born Susie Benjamin
to an affluent family, she changed her
first name to that of the enraged woman in the
Greek tragedy who seeks revenge against her
husband by murdering her children.
Benjamin’s own vengeance against America
has led her to support murderous dictators
across the globe. She is an ardent pro-Castro
advocate, having once lived in Cuba and
married a pro-Castro Cuban. For years she led
guided tours to Cuba. After returning from
her first trip to Cuba in the early 1980s, Benjamin
told the San Francisco Chronicle that
Cuban life “made it seem like I died and went
to heaven.” In the 1980s Benjamin helped
form the Institute for Food and Development
Policy (IFDP), which sent aid to the Marxist
Sandinistas ruling Nicaragua. Benjamin is
also a co-founder of Code Pink, the anti-war
feminist group that disarms critics by frivolously
dressing in pink, which disguises its
deadly serious political ideology.
John Grant = Code Pink/Global Exchange Dupe
Comment by Raoul — June 19, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Like I said Raoul…Potemkin Village.
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 19, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Hey johnny, when I come down to West Chester one of these days, what are you doing to do to me, hit me, or spit on me??????
Comment by Paul Couturier - OIF Vet — June 19, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Hooah, Paul. Although from one OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) Veteran to another, it’s Bob you have to look out for. He’s the one who’ll call you “baby killer” in front of your children. I’m certain he would not have been so bold if I didn’t have a 27-month-old little boy in my arms at the time. He certainly stayed out of “swatting” distance like a hit-and-run, sniping little mosquito. More buzz than bite though. As for spitting, whether they hock-a-loogy (not sure of the spelling on that as I’ve never needed to spell it out) or not, they make their disdain for us perfectly clear. Their “Support the troops, bring them home” signs might as well be “Welcome to Potemkin Village, PA” as far as we’re concerned. I’ve yet to see ANY OIF Veterans sound off on CCVM or CCPM blogs in support of CCPM’s cause, although they claim to have “spoken to troops” who agree with them. In their minds, absense of proof doesn’t mean anything, or else they’ll use that to bring up the Iraq WMD status, ignoring the proof that backed it up. Welcome back. It’s unfortunate it’s not completely welcome by everyone. To that end, with the spitting and the bile for the military, it’s EXACTLY like Vietnam…for them. They hold on to that flower child time with a nostalgia that reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” song. They peaked 30+ years ago and can’t come to grips that it’s over for them. At least get something new to live for that’s more your speed, hippies…like Mah-Jong.
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 20, 2008 @ 9:31 am
John Grant-From what I’ve heard/read about Venezula, a majority of the people there live in poverty. So you think Chavez is sauve and a good leader?? Also, why would President Bush want to talk to a leader of a foreign country (Iran) that wants to wipe another country off the map etc.?? Why talk with someone that does not deal in logic? What is the point in talking with someone that’s…ah maybe crazy?? Why am I even trying to talk with you…?
Comment by Summer Rose — June 20, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Bob? From AccounTemps? Bob always sounds like a great guy on the radio commercials.
Comment by Raoul — June 20, 2008 @ 11:10 am
armyanimaldoc,
“I’ve yet to see ANY OIF Veterans sound off on CCVM or CCPM blogs in support of CCPM’s cause, although they claim to have “spoken to troops” who agree with them.”
All we have is Porter’s word that there are vets who disagree with us and would like to do violence to us
See Porter’s “Blood Would Flow” email.
Comment by Raoul — June 20, 2008 @ 11:12 am
All,
John Grant gets his inspiration from Hugo Chavez, the guy who tried to pass a law that would have REQUIRED CITIZENS TO SPY ON EACH OTHER in Venezulea.
Keep that in mind when reading Porter’s recent email urging their own Ashcroft/Gonzeles style “Domestic Sureveillence” of the Sheepdogs. Then there’s that golden oldie of an email where she tells CCPM members that she’s reporting us to the police so that she can know who we are? Really, the police, an arm of the government, will investigate political opponents for you? Maybe in Nazi Germany Mizz Porter, but not America. But that is what she wanted done.
Comment by Raoul — June 20, 2008 @ 11:17 am
OK. Let me get this straight. On my second modest, non-abusive submission to your blog I am cut off. I can see why you wouldn’t want your people to see my last comment, since it begins to break down this stupid polarization you guys thrive on. Was I being too “jingoistic” Sean? Me thinks you guys can’t take what you dish out and run in terror from honest discussion.
Comment by John Grant — June 20, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Paul, why would I want to hit you or spit on you? I don’t even know you, pal. I’m open to talking with you or anyone. Scott and I disagree a whole lot, and we still were able to speak for quite a while in cordial terms on the phone. I know who I am and what I’m about and I’m sure you know the same about yourself. So cut the Spitting crap. It’s tired.
Comment by John Grant — June 20, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
So cut the Spitting crap. It’s tired
As soon as you quit the Lying crap, John.
Why did you ban Raoul from commenting on your YouTube Account?
Comment by Skye — June 20, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
Nobody cut you off – stop lying.
Comment by Rich Davis — June 20, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Scott and I disagree a whole lot, and we still were able to speak for quite a while in cordial terms on the phone
You stated Scott cursed you during the phone conversation – the one I initiated over your accusation of Scott lying about being called a ‘baby killer’ by a member of the CCPM. In fact, you stated to me that you had connection issues with the phone call. Hmmm, I had no trouble speaking to Scott before I handed you the phone…
Interesting.
Comment by Skye — June 20, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
John, you want to know what is really tired? You.
I am the one that you gave the finger to last Saturday. You are certainly not ‘holier than thou’ or as ‘cordial’ as you so proclaim and your act of treason has grown very tired to a nation that must (and will) win a war with or without the support of traitors like yourself.
Think about this one John–you and your ilk (multiculturalists and anti-American crowd)insist on adhering to the idea that all cultures are equal and even that some dictatorships and leftist governments are better than the United States–’yet’…you (and your crowd)…don’t want to live in anything but an advanced Western society.
But (increduoulsy) you will willingly go galavanting around the world bowing (and saluting)dictators and other swarmy characters who are antagonists/enemies of the your own country. How sad is that? See, you are a traitor.
I’ll see you (and your finger) on the corner next Saturday.
Comment by Mike — June 20, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
John,
Go start your own blog so you can tell all the lies you want to your libtard friends. I’ve been moderating comments all day and nothing submitted by you has been deleted. You’re a disgrace to this country and a discredit to even the whackos of the CCPM.
Maybe your sorry gum-chewing ass should move to Venezuala to see if you’d have the same First Amendment rights under Hugo Chavez that you enjoy here in the Land of the Free.
Comment by LadySheepdog — June 20, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
This is a moderated blog. Posts that are off-topic most of the time are deleted immediately. Posts that regurgitate the same old cliches and Marxist talking points are also most of the time deleted immediately. Posts that have no intent other than to ‘troll’ are always deleted immediately, and if anyone commenting doesn’t like it then they are free to not leave comments and not visit.
Comment by Sean — June 20, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
John-can you say, “Hanoi Jane”?
Comment by Summer Rose — June 20, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
‘Why did you ban Raoul from commenting on your YouTube Account?’
Because he was losing the arguement.
Know the difference between Fascists and Communists?
While both will only allow one side of an issue to be heard, and vigorously supress all other views,
the Communists feel the need to revise history. Kind of like how the CCCP, I mean CCPM tried to use letters to the
editor to attempt to prove there was no crime when Meicht was only too happy to accept a plea deal from the
prosecutor.
Comment by Raoul — June 20, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
Ladysheepdog,
US Flag Day is militaristic don’t you know…
Comment by Raoul — June 20, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
Skye, in fairness to John, we did have a subsequent conversation this week and it transpired as he stated, although you are correct about our first conversation. Here is the actual post that I wanted to put on Seth’s site, but he had banned me, so I sent it in an e-mail to sheepdog.
“I had an amicable conversation with John Grant earlier this afternoon by phone for about 20 minutes. Not that I trust or believe everything that he says. I think the difference that I made was that throughout most of the discussion, we didn’t disagree on a single thing. That was partly my secondary objective – to show that there is more that unites us than separates us. The only way to accomplish anything is to find those common points and go from there. If we expect to do this with known and declared enemies, we must first start with our fellow Americans. I explained that blogs are unfortunately detrimental in that there is no vocal inflection or facial expression, so you can’t really tell someone’s demeanor, intent, or humor to full effect. I had to end the conversation only because I had a 2 P.M. meeting, and I told him that my only real concern with my November experience with CCPM was what Bob called me. It also wasn’t a great first impression that my first communication with John was him simply telling me that Bob never said that (on this call he took me at my word). There were others (if not most) in the group I certainly didn’t agree with that day, but as I mentioned before, several students from CCPM took the time to talk with me (talking and listening). This happened AFTER Bob maligned me, and I was still calm and patient enough to conduct a civil conversation with CCPM members. I don’t know if this is a start or not. For my part, I have/had no hidden motives or agendas. John seemed likewise, although he kept saying that we weren’t going to agree despite the fact that we agreed on almost 90% of our conversation. Anyway, could you please post this so that John (and CCPM) knows that I appreciated at least having the communication. I know CCPM checks your blog – they might as well at least see when somebody from (or affiliated with) CCVM says something nice about one of them, and not in a patronizing tone. I also asked John if he was okay with me submitting this sort of message about the conversation on Sheepdogs, and he was fine with it. As for Seth, what I wrote here was what I was trying to get through all along on his blog about communicating with CCPM, but he banned me anyway.”
That said, I think John’s completely off his rocker about Chavez…thus my Potemkin Village analogy. It’s a movie set fascade, like Old Tucson Studios.
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 20, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
P.S. You are correct on your assessment of that first phone “conversation” from the Brewery, Skye. I cursed one word to John and it was the only complete word I was permitted to get out of my mouth. That was why I chose that particular word. I then hung up because it wasn’t a dialogue at all.
Comment by armyanimaldoc — June 20, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Mr. Grant,
At once of my very first rallies in March I was holding a sign that said “Why don’t leftists condemn Al-Queada attacks”. You shortly came up to me and got in my face (on our side of the street) and said “Why do you say that? We don’t feel that way. What do you mean by that sign?” Being new, I did not know whether to talk to you or not. You didn’t introduce yourself, I had no idea who you were and you got right in my face and I turned beet red and was embarassed by the lack of formal speaking space. I told you that by not condemning the attacks, you were condoning them. You immediately got frustrated and were going to verbally bash me when Raoul came over and you scurried away like a scared chicken. What you did was rude and a small reflection of your hate for America and disdain towards anything that is good and decent. I have never yelled at the other side nor crossed the street nor cursed nor personally bashed any of you guys on our site. You are the only one I briefly talked to. Where are the manners John? A Vet for Peace is still a Vet and should act in a dignified manner but from what I have heard about you you have acted indecently towards the CCVM. I hope you continue to read Sheepdogs posts and be embarassed.
Comment by Denine — June 21, 2008 @ 5:59 am
Denine,
[You shortly came up to me and got in my face (on our side of the street) and said “Why do you say that? We don’t feel that way. What do you mean by that sign?”]
Must have been another John Grant you are thinking of. This JOhn Grant wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Local assuring the public that Veterans For Peace do not harass, threatenen or intimidate folks.
Must have been some other Bradley Thompson that John Grant was talking about too. Certainly his Bradley Thompson would not have acted like “Clipboard Bradley Thomspon” did at Winter Soldier 2.1.
Comment by Raoul — June 21, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Denine,
Despite all Grant’s protests in his letter, they do harass, intimindate and threaten. And Grant’s a prime example.
Example? Make this Exhibit #1, Skye’s video of Grant coming back as close to the lens of her camera as possible and saying something to the effect that, “It’s my job/right to get as close to your camera lens as possible.” Of course Grant is a foot taller and over a hundred pounds heavier, and he does that after she complains that he’s violating her personal space. Grant mumbles that he’s allowed to do that but he doesn’t have the balls to do that in front of WCPD.
Go after women? They sure do. Grant put his hands on Cass during that “Scrum”.
Likewise Beitzel, who likes to play “Did I touch you…did I touch you”? Back when there was still mixing of sides, a woman with MS that uses a cane was standing at the top of the memorial steps. She asked for my assistance because of the weird little man who stood next to her and then slowly kept moving closer till his elbow was in her face. His antics were such that she feared that he was going to push her down the steps. There’s Skye’s video showing BiteSize playing his “Did I touch you…did I touch you” game at the “Scrum”.
So in summary, just off the top of my head, there’s you, Skye, Cass and that lady that I can recall. It’s consistant with past observations of “men” in the peace movement.
And I just remembered another incident, at Walter Reed where John Grant protested in front of the hospital, giving a speech about how Iraqis were suffering. John Grant did so using BLACK FUNERAL WREATHS AS PROPS. If John Grant is such a man of principle as he contends, he would have demanded their removal or refused in protest.
With all those Soldiers suffering PTSD and many having survivor’s guilt, John Grant commited an atrocity that day.
And one of their ranks, a guy with a guitar case kept using that case as a ram to try and push a female counter-protester into Georgia Ave traffic.
Again, big difference in height and weight. And all these heroic “Veterans For Peace” did nothing to stop it.
Comment by Raoul — June 22, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Denine,
John Grant did a similar thing to me on one of my first days at the WC Rallies. I had the sign that refers to succeeding in Iraq, and he came into my space, right up to my face and asked what I thought success would be in Iraq. He was countering every word I said, telling me he “knows real Iraqis” and there can’t be success etc etc, until Skye came over with her video camera at which time he backed off suddenly. He made me extremely uncomfortable, and I can sympathize with you! Nice men don’t pull that stuff on women…especially those they don’t know, even when they have a differing opinion!
Comment by Trish — June 23, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Mike – with comment #57, you took the words out of my mouth. -MIKE K.
Comment by mike — June 23, 2008 @ 8:06 pm