Letters to the Editor
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Marcotte said what?
My intention is never to offend anyone for his or her personal beliefs, and I am sorry if anyone was personally offended by writings meant only as criticisms of public politics.
There is no way anyone can read her posts at Pandagon and believe this to be a true statement. What a liar.
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PM
This sounds a little too self-referential to me. In late break news, a story that we broke yesterday about two bloggers being fired in the Edwards campaign, a story that no one else could confirm and that the canidate's spokesperson herself denied as ever happening, has come full circle with the bloggers not only being fired, but rehired.
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Journalism 101
This is the first article I've read today on this. And nowhere does it mention why the two bloggers stirred controversey in the first place, only oblique mentions to offended Catholics. One sentence of explanation would do the trick. Now I will surf to find out what the bloggers did. But seriously. Get with the program, dudes. Stories are supposed to be self contained.
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Conceeding to Bigotry
You simply have to look at who Donohue is in this. Haven't we seen enough of Dems conceeding to the retrograds--even if they could give a damn about them? The man is a proven bigot who minimizes the victimization of children by clerics. How much worse can you get than that?
He's not just a cheap red-neck flak, he's a fraud as a human being. If the bloggers turn out to be turkeys that's another matter. It's to Edward's credit in my book that he rescinded, at least for now. I'm going to start to pay more attention to him.
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How about some specifics?
I have to agree that this is very weak journalism. And yes, when you're "breaking" political news you're journalists and not just columnists. So, be prepared to back up your story. When the original story is based on anonymous sources and then the story you write to back up that first assertion is also based on anonymous sources...jesus. Sources close to and in Salon told me yesterday that it would cease publication today but then today sources close to and in Salon confirm that that decision was made but quickly reversed and publication will continue. See? I was right! Prove it otherwise!
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what?
What?
What did they post that's so anti-Catholic? Do you have even a single quote?
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... or your sources on the Edwards campaign were wrong
Maybe the two bloggers were something more like "suspended." Or told to shut up for a day while their status was under review. Or they were supposedly fired by someone who did not have the ultimate authority to fire them, so they were never really actually fired.
Without knowing more about your sources, precisely what they did and didn't say, what they were in a position to know, and so on, it's hard to judge whether your claim that they were fired and rehired is correct. It's pretty easy to judge your take as being self-serving, though, as well as insulting towards the Edwards campaign by, in essence, branding them as liars. You're both good reporters; you should either put up conclusive information or acknowledge that it not entirely clear from the public record whether they were ever actually fired and that your unsourced claims are, well, gossip.
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Good - kinda
While I think Edwards could have chosen a LOT better people to work his blog relations, and I think that whoever did the due diligence was inept at the very least, this could turn out to be a plus for him if he uses every future attack on them to point out the scumbags that Republicans (McCain especially) have working for them.
Really, though, if anybody gets fired it should be the doofus who neglected to vet these bloggers in the first place. I would think that there'd be any number of great bloggers out there who'd have jumped at the chance to work for Edwards and who are a bit more sparing of the F-bombs and vitriol against religion. And I'm a militant atheist myself, don't get me wrong.
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Get over yourself, Donohue
Get over yourself, Donohue.
I must confess that Edwards has earned a great deal of respect from me for how he handled this. Bravo.
There's no question that Marcotte's rhetoric has been controversial. It is also confident and brave. I'm so impressed that I'd like to send my daughter to intern with her.
There have been so many good people in the public eye beaten down by rightwing lynch mobs feigning hurt and outrage over these past few years. I hope this event signals a shift in the standard political response to this type of affair.
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Giving Donohue A Pass
The real tragedy in this faux controversy concerns the media treatment of the alleged defender of Catholicism's good name, Bill Donohue. The mainstream media treated him as a reasonable and credible spokesman for offended American Catholics. What should have happened was that the mainstream media should have called him out as the politico/religious equivalent of a flat earther.
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Somebody Please Get Miss Traister off the NC Beat....
I was very glad just now, to read: "This is the first article I've read today on this. And nowhere does it mention why the two bloggers stirred controversey in the first place, only oblique mentions to offended Catholics. One sentence of explanation would do the trick...Stories are supposed to be self contained."
I just read that story and thought "WHAT is this about?"
I mean..having read the article, I'm pretty sure (I've beenthrough this exercise before)whom I'm supposed to Not-Like....but, other than that?...huh?
I wish Miss Traister would go back to writing about the Duke Lacrosse players rather than my former senator. Actually...I really would like to hear what she now has to say about that case,given the time/space (sorry....very Stevie Nicks of me, I know) she's previously given to it when, like the current story, it provided a safe arena for slinging attitude.
Quite Sincerely,
David Terry
www.davidterryart.com
dterrydraw@aol.com
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Respect is a two-way street?
Apparently not, for Catholics (and other) churches. They're fine with denigrating and ridiculing others who disagree with them on subjects like same-sex equality. The Catholic Church is even fine with killing some 20-60 million Africans through their anti-condom distribution policies, according to the President of the Royal Society of Britain, the world's oldest continuing scientific body.
Like all bullies, they can't take what they dish out. Point out facts to the faith-based and watch what happens.
Again, like all bullies, the Church's stance of "we're being persecuted" is the exact opposite of truth. It is the Church that's persecuting those - yes, with lies and ridicule - who won't bow down and kiss its ring.
To cite one of L. Ron Hubbard's favorite doctrines from his Scientology, the Catholic Church is "Fair Game."
ALL churches and religions are "Fair Game," which use slander, distortion, lies, violence and persecution in the name of God. Including, of course, Scientology.
Edwards and his staff did the right thing, and in less than 24 hours.
Bully for them.