I remember.
It was the day the Old Media Dinosaurs started to die and Citizen Journalism was born.
I remember the day, just like it was yesterday.
It happened on January 17, 1998.
Newsweek Magazine’s Michael Isikoff lacked the courage decided to not publish the story about Bill Clinton and his “issues” – you know, his inability to keep it in his pants refrain from societally inappropriate behavior.
Well, a lot has happened since then.
The takeaway is this:
Freedom of the Press is not only a right – it is good business.
Telling the truth can bring you criticism – just ask Matt.
And, irony of ironies, it can deliver cash to you and your PayPal account.
Just ask Matt again.
Bob Etheridge beware!
As Don Rickles once told Frank Sinatra, after “Old Blue Eyes” had his goons compatriots beat up Jackie Mason in Las Vegas:
“Make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody.”
As Jackie put it (pre-beating and post-shooting):
“I have no idea who it was who tried to shoot me….
After the shots all I heard was someone singing ‘Doobie, doobie, doo.’”
To soon-to-be Former Congressman Bob Etheridge:
“Bob. Beat up some more college students while you can.
As of June 12th – you only have 220 more days in office.”
Others opine:
PowerLine:
Speaking of Gangster Government
HotAir:
Video: Rep. Etheridge assaults student on street; Update: Video restored
posted at 9:30 am on June 14, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Andrew Breitbart’s BigGovernent:
Long Hot Summer Begins: Congressman Attacks Student
by Mike Flynn
Michelle Malkin:
Next on ‘When Congressmen Attack’ — Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC)
**Written by guest-blogger Doug Powers
Riehl World View:
Progressive Bob Etheridge (D-NC): The Ways And Means Of Student Beatdowns
By Dan Riehl
Wizbang:
Republican Congressman assaults college student
Posted by Rick
Published: June 14, 2010 – 10:26 AM
UPDATE:
The Washington Post
BTW, do you remember when the Washington Post used to be important?
I do. That was long ago.
Nowadays, it is the Mississippi of the Lame Stream Media.
(The New York Times, proudly being the Amazon)
Who TMZ’d Rep. Bob Etheridge?
“Last week Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), who’s seen as a safe bet for re-election this year despite representing a somewhat conservative (Cook R+2) district, ran into two self-described students with video cameras outside of a fundraiser.”
After this fair and balanced lede, David Wiegel goes into the left-wing snark fair and balanced commentary of how unfair it is for a Liberal to get caught beating up somebody.
Didn’t “Dave” learn from the Rodney King incident?
Regardless of how grainy the video – when history is made – and recorded -
times change.
And from Raleigh – close to my former Home Town of Durham:
Congressman caught on camera in physical confrontation
And from Greensboro – just west of Durham:
Congressman loses his cool, acts like a fool
Doug Clark, Editorial Writer, apparently has a vision problem:
“Instead, he grabbed one by the wrist, then by the back of the neck while repeating, “Who are you?”
At least he didn’t start slapping.”
Er, uh Doug, the Congressman *did* start slapping.
It’s on the video.
And so the “kids” did not identify themselves – why do they have to?
They just asked a question.
“What do you think of the Obama agenda?”
How many Democrats do you think are going to lose their “jobs” because of their support for this agenda?
Let’s hope it’s at least 100.
And Doug, my name is Jan Risbergs Jr – just in case Congressman Etheridge slaps me or my camera.
Heading west from Greensboro, we arrive in Charlotte, a lovely city.
Will Asheville be next?
Does Fontana Village have a newspaper?
Video shows Rep. Etheridge grabbing videographer
So far (12:47pm) there are 230 Comments.
Citizen Journalism at its finest.
Both sides of the political spectrum are represented.
Bob was right.
The students were right.
What do you think is going to happen?
Well, before we head west to Fontana Village, where BTW I spent my first honeymoon in 1980
(The Blogging Handbook claims that personal information adds to the story)
Let’s visit Fox News
N.C. Congressman Under Fire for Physical Confrontation With Man in Washington
where their lede is:
“A North Carolina congressman is under fire after a video surfaced Monday showing him in a physical confrontation with a young man on a street in Washington.”
Will CNN agree that this is fair & balanced?
Well, here is their report – and they are first with the apology:
Etheridge apologizes for confrontation
(CNN) – Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized Monday for his physical confrontation with two young men who identified themselves as students and asked if the North Carolina Democrat “fully supports the Obama agenda.”
“I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved. Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina , I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.”
Hey Bob! Wait just a minute -
“No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become,
this does not justify a poor response.”
Er, uh, do you realize that your political career just ended?
At least for 2010?
This is not 1998 – remember Michael Isikoff?
And speaking of Michael, do you remember when 13 people died because of a report that *this time* he had the courage to write. Yep, that pesky “Koran Story”:
Newsweek Retracts Koran-Desecration Story
from May 17, 2005.
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