For one reason or another, I’m starting to believe that the Obama Administration hates me. Sure I might not support most of his initiatives – but the least they could do is start releasing interesting news during the week rather than over the weekend. Its pretty tough to have a life and start a blog when all the top news gets thrown out on weekends. However as they say, better late than never… which is exactly how I feel about the resignation of Van Jones.
Now I don’t know Van Jones and I won’t pretend otherwise. He very well could be totally reformed from all his past indiscretions that I find horrifying. Everything you will read in the progressive media will say Van Jones was a victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by Glenn Beck and his right wing hit team. However, since when did it become okay to ignore someone’s past when vetting them for a national political position? Even if it was an appointed position by Obama and not an elected position – it is still in the best interest of the office holder to ensure the nominated candidate doesn’t embarrass the administration. Of course, although EVERY…POLITICIAN…EVER… has their past investigated, judging Jones is apparently off-limits.
Let’s list a few of the extremist views that the Obama administration found acceptable:
- Admitted he was a communist in the 90’s
- Founded the Marxist group, STORM
- Expressed support for Mumia Abu-Jamal, a convicted cop murderer currently on death row
- Signed a 9/11 Truther petition claiming the Bush administration orchestrated the World Trade Center attacks as a pretense to the Iraq War.
- Called all Republicans, “Assholes” – (Okay, this one doesn’t count, but I find it funny that of everything that he has said/done in his life, the two things the media find fascinating are the 9/11 petition and this one.)
When you consider the reasons we have ridiculed our political figures in the past, where does “supporting conspiracy theories regarding 9/11″ rank against things such as, oh…having an unwed, pregnant 17-yr old daughter? If these were small nit-picky things we were talking about, Id agree with the sentiment that we should forgive and forget for a man’s past. In her commentary on the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington says:
Van Jones is not foible-free. He’s human. And ardent in his desire to effect change. In fact, his journey from radical activist to someone who came to see that the solutions we need in this country are ones not easily categorized as right or left is what has made him such an effective leader. If we continue to obsessively see things through that right/left prism — and use those differences as weapons with which we attack our perceived enemies — it is going to be infinitely harder to move the country to where it needs to be.
That’s terrific and I really do agree with her. Listen, I am all for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances in life…but there is no comparison between using personal foibles as ammunition, and an individuals past extreme Communist/Marxist political beliefs. There is a way Van Jones can prove his vision for America has changed and not have a national position in the White House. When even his hometown, liberal newspaper supports his resignation, you know that it was a mistaken nomination in the first place. With all the concerns raised by half the nation regarding Obama’s plans for the future of America – I am amazed they allowed this mistake to slip through the cracks.
Incredible. Ranking ridicule of political figures for me goes something like this. most offensive to least
1. committing a crime
2. supporting conspiracy theories
3. support for cop killers
4. lying under oath
5. caught red handed flip flopping
99. pregnant 17 yr old
I am glad that someone like this working for our government is able to be dug out. I am also concerned on the extreme lack of coverage on the issue. This also calls into question Obama’s ties and once again his failure of proper vetting before appointment.
Im always skeptical of anything glenn beck puts forth, but it appears he wasnt bs ing on this one… i guess this is just another shining example of systemic hypocrisy in that MSM outlets didnt or wouldnt even report on the issue until he did resign.
How many more examples do we need to get people to realize that 1. Obama is much more radical than he said we was during the campaign, and 2. The MSM is ridiculously biased…… Many people out there honestly believe neither…..
The coverage is lacking because of the extreme bias of the media. They don’t want to tarnish the reputation of their “Prom King” or the people he has put in position around him.
Very true, the problem is that complaining about it gets old fast and no matter how many facts point to the extreme double standard it rarely will convince any ideologue. But the “Prom King” part is very disturbing to me, i defer to Bill O Rielly and his investigation into the links between NBC/GE/ and the administration. There should be no room for that favoritism in the news or journalism.
Stacy,
Agreed, the unfortunate thing is i talk to people everyday who dont believe there is any bias in the media. Even when statistics back them up. (We all know common sense already does)
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1001/campaign-media
I don’t like that Obama is treated like some sort of celebrity. When have you ever seen people walking around with shirts that depict any former President? It scares the crap out of me!
Mac – I am often shocked by how disillusioned most Americans are.
Wow, shocked by how disillusioned most Americans are. Interesting to say the least. Obama a radical? That is pretty funny considering the fair amount of anger in the progressive base. What I would like to see, and unfortunately I digress is a debate that centers around real issues that really matter.
Fox News hasn’t broken a story in 13 years, a benchmark that any journalistic entity is held to in regard to quality of reporting. That means that they are news shapers. I’m often shocked that presidents are treated as celebrities….. Wow! They are. What an amazing news flash. I’m often amazed at how many Senators and Congressman are being prosecuted and censured. Wonder of all wonders.
If their was true liberal bias in the media, maybe we wouldn’t have used the opinions of Achmed Chalabi and a supposed Knight Ridder opinion of 50% of Americans whom felt that Iraqis were responsible for the twin towers to launch a response. Maybe Scott Ritter whom was involved in the initial weapons count, would have been listened too versus derided in regards to WMD.
We now see that a sh## load of US Justices were dismissed because of “wrong political ties” not to mention the 800 plus signing statements used under invented law meant to empower the executive branch. As I’ve mentioned before, if you want to talk about media bias, find out who owns the media. Five major companies, mainly GE, (NOT LIBERAL) versus the 80 that did 20 plus years ago. So MacGregor, the fortunate thing for you, is that you talked to somebody today whom understands the current media bias. Why do you think that two years after 9/11 fifty percent of Americans thought that Iraqis were involved in the twin towers, when in actuality it was 14 Saudis and a few others. Do I have to be the one person whom keeps the blog honest? It doesn’t seem work when there is teamwork. HOOAH!
Gabe,
Thanks for your opinion, we don’t this to get carried away. While I do believe the bias is there i HATE arguing about it.
So let me just point out 2 bad misconceptions you have regarding the last post.
First, not sure where your going with the FNC and breaking stories in 13 years. If you insist on bashing though, just scroll back up to the top of the page and you will see FNC at work. Pretty funny you made that remark on this page.
Secondly, GE not liberal? Here is their letter to shareholders showing their donations to the democratic party.
Here is a story about a recent email to employees having to do with GE and their ties to the current administrations plans.
http://www.businessinsider.com/ge-a-really-great-bet-on-big-government-2009-8
Yes, i understand that all corporation and special interests will spend lots of money on PAC’s. Having Immelt (CEO) be adviser to Obama coupled with campaign donations and obvious financial reliance on Green jobs, should be enough to persuade to believe the company is a little liberal. Not to mention if you watched 1 minute of any of their nightly news show channels you will see what way they lean.
[…] discovered a lien had been placed on her house over unemployment compensation. Van Jones resigned after his Marxist and 9/11 truther views came to light. Then you have the Safe and Drug Free School…Kevin Jennings who openly writes about his frequent drug use while trying to promote homosexuality […]