Hundreds protest after Austin paper backs Bush

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/politics/2865550

At least 300 people upset about the Austin American-Statesman's endorsement of President Bush for a second term gathered near the newspaper offices to protest.

The Sunday demonstration was organized shortly after the American-Statesman posted the editorial on its Web site at 6 p.m. Saturday, protesters said.

"As soon as it hit online, people started phoning and e-mailing and saying, 'What should we do?' " said Glen Maxey, a former Democratic state representative, who used a bullhorn to urge people to go door-to-door promoting Democrat John Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards.

<snip>

"I thought it was very interesting to read, because it reads like an endorsement of Kerry," said Sarah Bird, who wore a shirt that read, "Kiss Bush Goodbye!"

Austin resident Pat Miller said the editorial "makes a case for one thing and says another."

[Randi_Listener]

1. Nice

Motherfuck that fucking shitface at every turn.

[Fenris]

2. That was a bonehead thing to do on the Statesman's part.

Austin is far from Bush Country. The Statesman knows that, but in an effort to kowtow to the lower-brained masses making up the majority in the legislature, they gave a pseudo-endorsement of Bush. I mean, the whole goddamn thing read more like an indictment.

Meh, who cares. It's a shitty paper anyway.

[amber dog democrat]

3. The Statesman is known for moral cowardice

in this case they are trying to have it both ways - We canceled our subscription a couple of weeks ago. What happened to convictions and principles ?

[Fenris]

4. I think it's the mix of values in the city

On the one hand, the city is the most progressive enclave in Texas. On the other hand, the government that is centered here is full of right-wing loonies. So the Statesman thinks it has to appeal to the Austinites and whore for the government. The result is bizarro political endorsements like the aforementioned Bush "approval". Sort of makes you wish the Chronicle would publish a daily. *sigh*

[amber dog democrat]

6. I think the Statesman feels vulnerable

already and would wash its hands of poilitical endorsements if it could.
I don't blame them, but what a lame endorsement.

If the Statesman tries to walk a middle path to avoid offending advertisers - and the powerful then its less valuable. but i seldom agreed with its endorsements in the city council races - sometimes I was on a diametrically opposite side anyway.

Its just a newspaper. I still have to think for myself.

[GHOSTDANCER]

5. Nothin like finding out the morning paper you read is slaneted right....

[leftofthedial]

7. how many of the little bushturd's endorsements read

like condemnations?

It seems there are quite a few in that category. "Bush sucks worse than a picante salsa enema and Kerry has a far better grasp of the realities, but we endorse Bush."

[gavodotcom]

11. Yeah, I've noticed that, too.

(I apologize in advance if this seems negative, I surely don't mean it to be)

The Madrid bombing probably boosted Bush's numbers by a lot. If there was no connection between terrorism and trying to influence an election, the conservative love affair with Bush probably would have run its course by now.

I have to hand it to the administration, they've done an excellent job tricking enough of America into believing that 9/11 was just as much about the President as it was about the United States to make this election close.

[priller]

8. The editorial was quite hilarious

At the end, after the litany of complaints, it said basically that they'll vote for Bush and hope he admits his mistakes (!) and changes course (!!!). Talk about your cognitive dissonance. They vote for Bush expecting he'll do the two things he quite proudly NEVER DOES!

[leftofthedial]

12. Denver Post did the same thing

idiots

[bobbieinok]

15. sounds like the Salt Lake City editorial

[BattyDem]

9. Texas DUers, tell me something ...

is there even the slightest chance that Texas can go blue this time around, or does Austin just happen to be a more liberal-thinking part of Texas?

[TXDemGal]

13. No chance

unfortunately. It sucks.

[donheld]

10. This is a story i love

If only more people in more cities would get out and protest it would help a lot.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

14. I was really mad...

that I missed the demonstration! I did write a letter and had already canceled my subscription over a month ago. I'm ashamed of the fact that most of my state is nothing but blind sheep.

[Longhorn]

16. I cancelled my subscription yesterday.

I've been a subscriber since 1973. When the gal asked for my reason, I told her because of the endorsement of Bush. She said she was sorry about that. I used to work for the Statesman, too, as a freelance reporter for several years.

[sonias]

17. The Austin American Statesman is trash

I canceled my subscription too and pledged to use that money $144/year go to the county and state Democratic party.

Here is the RealEstatesman version of the same story
Bush endorsement has protesters seeing red
(note the dig at us with the use of the word red)
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/auto/epaper/editions/monday/metro_state_14c75a91378962b40010.html
And here is a prime example of "A.A.S.-inine" stupidity

(snip)
The editorial calls on Bush to get rid of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, and Attorney General John Ashcroft, and expresses concern about the erosion of civil liberties on Bush's watch.

The editorial concludes, "We do not make this endorsement lightly or without reservation, and we ask that the president return our faith by acknowledging his failures and acting to correct them."
(/snip)


Yeah right, I'm sure bu$h will get right on that Mr. Oppel, you know that part about acknowledging his failures. And he's preparing those pink slips for Wolfowitz, Ashcroft and Rumsfeld right away. Another scathing endorsement of why bu$h should be fired. These incompetent people work for the incompetent-in-chief. When the government is failing miserably, who do you hold accountable? Well it should be the guy who supposedly is in command. Then we can get rid of all of the incompetents in one fell swoop. Fire the liar!

Sonia

[MoJoWorkin]

18. Doesn't everyone in Austin read the free Chronicle, anyway?

My daughter has lived and taught in Austin for the past 6 years, and says that the Statesman was ALWAYS pretty much crap.

[priller]

19. Always crap

Commonly called the "Real-Estatesman" around here for years since it always sides with the "pro-growth" lobby of building more roads, more malls, more buildings, more sprawl, screw environmental regulations, etc, etc. Very much out of touch with the typical Austin resident, but it's the monopoly daily.