How rampant was "payola" in the 2004 election. Let me ask you this:

[BigBearJohn]

In light of Armstrong Williams revelation, I was wondering - - how is this Williams situation
ANY different that what happened back in the 60’s when DJ’s were
prosecuted for accepting cash for airplay? Shouldn’t the government be indicted and/or fined?

Did the government break the law or not???

http://www.history-of-rock.com/payola.htm
Payola - The paying of cash or gifts in exchange for airplay.
"Payola" is a contraction of the words "pay" and"Victrola" (LP record player), and entered the English language via the record business. The first court case involving payola was in 1960. On May 9, Alan Freed was indicted for accepting $2,500 which he claimed was a token of gratitude and did not affect airplay. He paid a small fine and was released. His career faltered and in 1965 he drank himself to death.

[shoelace414]

1. Of course they broke the law

but with Republicans running the whole government, nothing will come of it.

[Darknyte7]

5. And there it is...

That Independent Counsel Statute sure would be handy right about now. Damn those pesky sunset provisions!

[babylonsister]

2. Some people, including myself, think laws were broken.

So another one is being introduced:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_di...

Hopefully this will emphasize the problem for all the dumbasses out there who aren't even aware there is a problem.

[BigBearJohn]

3. this link did not work for me

[babylonsister]

4. OK, try this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1538220&mesg_id=1538220&page=

[DearAbby]

6. The Payola aspect should be investigated.

We all know that Kerry received very little air time, what there was was shown in a bad "light". Swift boat liars had extensive play. Rathergate had extensive play.

Bush being shown in his invite only pep-rallies had extensive play. No one, by watching MSM, had any idea what the Democrat message was. They think Kerry... they think Flip flop.

They think Kerry... and they think this is a man that lied to get his medals.
They think Kerry...This was a man that disrespected the Vietnam Vets.
Sum it up, via MSM Kerry was liar,a traitor, who could not make up his mind...oh yeah he is filthy rich too.

It all should be investigated, now that the Williams case had been brought to light. It is a legitimate question.

[L. Coyote]

8. this link works

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000778976

[hootinholler]

20. No, I think he means...

This article:

Third Columnist Implicated in 'Payola' Charges

By E&P Staff

Published: January 27, 2005 11:00 PM ET

NEW YORK Michael McManus, whose syndicated column, "Ethics & Religion," appears in 50 newspapers, was hired as a subcontractor by the Department of Health and Human Services to promote an administration marriage initiative, according to an article posted Thursday by Salon, the online magazine.

-Hoot

[rumpel]

7. * pretends he did not know!

President Calls For End to Tax-Funded PR for His Policies

Bush says such contracts were news to him and his staff. In the latest case, Maggie Gallagher was paid to promote his marriage initiative.

snip

During a White House news conference, Bush denied that he and his staff knew about such contracts, which Democrats denounced as "covert propaganda" directed at the American people and paid for by their tax dollars.

"I expect my Cabinet secretaries to make sure that that practice doesn't go forward," Bush told reporters. "We didn't know about this in the White House, and there needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press, the administration and the press."

According to a report by Democrats on the House Committee on Government Reform, the administration spent at least $88 million on public relations contracts in 2004, more than twice the $37 million the Clinton administration spent in 2000, its last year in office.

The report also said that 41% of such contracts last year were awarded on a no-bid basis, while in 2000 under Clinton only 16% were noncompetitive. The report said the numbers were preliminary and likely to increase because some government agencies had yet to disclose their 2004 public relations expenditures.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-armstrong27jan27,1,3672684.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

[BigBearJohn]

9. What's amazing to me is this seems like something we can JUMP on!

and WHY aren't any of the democrats SHOUTING to high hell over
this CRIME!!!??#!@#$!@#$!@#$

[RaulVB]

10. Since when the Democrats are "political savvy"?

When was the last time they ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING RIGHT ON THE PR AND MEDIA FIELDS?

[BigBearJohn]

11. That would be funny if it weren't so true

[AtLiberty]

18. Now that Bush has been "elected,"

Of course it's time to call off the tax-funded PR...

[tex-wyo-dem]

12. Let's turn this around....

If it were a Democratic administration in power when this payola scandal broke, I guarantee the rethugs would be screaming from the rafters about this. Every con talking head would be spending day upon day, hour upon hour smearing this all over the place. People would be outraged!

But, no, the pResident "didn't know anything about this" and he's "ordered" his people not to continue this policy, so everything's fine and dandy -- move along...nothing to see here.

[RaulVB]

13. They would be calling for...IMPEACHMENT!

Yep, you got that right.

[tex-wyo-dem]

15. Yep...scary this reality thing n/t

[BigBearJohn]

14. YEAH! JUST LIKE NIXON DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BREAK-IN

[rumpel]

16. It would be nice if any of our Senators would bring this up during

the Gonzales floor debate.
Would he thoroughly investigate, who knew and when?

[BigBearJohn]

17. OOPS... that would have been great.

[Needtodosomething]

19. Dont see anyone stating the obvious

If Bush and company are out there paying journalists(with our tax money) in an attempt to push their agenda...isn't that alone an indicator of fraud?

[newyawker99]

21. Hi Needtodosomething!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DearAbby]

22. Excellent idea rumple...write your senators to state this during the AG

Debate. Will the New AG investigate the Payola, and who is revceiving slices of the PAYOLA PIE.

[BigBearJohn]

23. Great idea!

[berniew1]

24. Whole electoral system revolves around huge amounts of money

Much goes to operatives; much to media; much to party; etc.
Money is flowing everywhere in elections these days. And a lot of power and influence go with it.
Most insiders including the Media like the system the way it is, since its hugely to their economic benefit.