Moore/Clark/was w a deserter? Good article in American Prospect

[Toronto Ron]

Dishonor Guard - The press is lining up to defend George W. Bush's National Guard record -- by stubbornly refusing to discuss the facts. By Paul Waldman.

http://www.prospect.org/webfeatures/2004/01/waldman-p-01-26.html

When Michael Moore called George W. Bush a "deserter" at a January 18 rally for Wesley Clark, he stepped way over the line...the kind of defamation that has rightly earned the moniker "political hate speech" from Republicans.

Or at least that's what you'd think if you listened to reporters' comments on Moore's statement. Speaking for his colleagues, ABC's Peter Jennings told Clark during Thursday's debate, "That's a reckless charge not supported by the facts. And I was curious to know why you didn't contradict him, and whether or not you think it would've been a better example of ethical behavior to have done so."

Clark declined to do so, saying he didn't know enough about it. Unfortunately, most Americans don't either -- because reporters have refused to tell them. But the press consensus has been reached: Moore's charge was beyond the pale, and General Clark made a big mistake by not repudiating it.

...

But with the notable exception of those who came across a brief story by The Washington Post's David Broder, who actually explained the controversy, the typical news reader would be hard pressed to discern that, depending on what your definition of "desertion" is (call it AWOL if you like), Moore was exactly right.

...

If this story is news to you, you're not alone. In the 2000 campaign...there was little interest in Bush's Vietnam record. If one compares the coverage given in 1992 to Bill Clinton's efforts to avoid Vietnam with that given to Bush's similar situation, the disparity is rather striking.

[ewagner]

1. Could it be?????

That this story found a new set of legs?

[NewJeffCT]

6. doubt it

I hope it does have more legs, but the reich wing press will shoot it down.

[Bread and Circus]

7. If so, thank Clark and Moore...

I am so mad right now I can't stand it.

Clark has been reamed a new one this past week
merely for refusing to disavow the truth.

What has this world come to?

[Bread and Circus]

2. I tried to bring this up in a previous thread but several DU'ers..

smacked me down and told me to "get over it":

"If this story is news to you, you're not alone. In the 2000 campaign...there was little interest in Bush's Vietnam record. If one compares the coverage given in 1992 to Bill Clinton's efforts to avoid Vietnam with that given to Bush's similar situation, the disparity is rather striking. "

---

:eyes:

[Resistance]

3. Peter Jennings going to bat for Bush

was despicable.

[girl gone mad]

5. I was..

yelling at my television.

[Resistance]

9. yep

I didn't see it on TV (heard it on Democracy Now) but Jennings' elitist, smarmy tone really pissed me off too.

First he called Moore "the controversial" film-maker, as a signal to the American viewer that this guy is a far-leftist radical who is not to be taken seriously. Then he does the "reckless charge" bit, and to top it off he questions the "ethical behavior" of Moore making such a charge.

It is really infuriating to hear our so-called "news" anchors playing these elitist games. Jennings is a bum. No wonder Americans don't know a thing about the world around them. They're being fed crap like this 24/7.

[bain_sidhe]

11. Actually, he questioned the "ethical behavior" of CLARK -

for not defending * against Moore's comment!!!!!!!!

That's probably what pissed me off the most. So, now, not only is it "unpatriotic" to criticize the chimp, it's "unethical" not to defend him when *others* do.

:grr:

[Resistance]

4. FYI

The story was also covered in depth on Democracy Now's show this past Friday. (with Moore as a guest)

Link here: http://www.democracynow.org/index.pl?issue=20040123

Academy award-winning documentary filmmaker, television producer and author Michael Moore joins us in our firehouse studios to discuss his endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, hearing his name during the Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire

[dennis4868]

8. Paul Waldman....

is a great investigative reporter....his book called FRAUD is a must read by all DUers....

[SalParadise]

10. *Seriously* Could someone point me in the direction...

of bush's explaination of where he was during that year & a half/two years?

I don't care if it's on Newsmax.com or in the National Enquirer - I just want to see his explaination. I keep hearing this has been put to rest years ago, but have yet to actually see any reason given, no matter how absurd it may seem to a partisan. I know something's got to be out there somewhere.

I just read the article on truthorfiction.com & got my "explaination" - pretty piss-poor if you ask me - I can't imagine why everyone's scared of this...

[Terwilliger]

13. Undernews has the relevant Boston Globe articles on today's page

www.prorev.com/indexa.htm

scroll down

[Generic Other]

12. Well he did sort of desert the premises during 9/11

Oh, that's not what you meant?

So sorry. Carry on. Nothing to see here.