Fox Isn’t News- But Talking Points Memo Is?
Politico reports that Talking Points Memo is now in the White House Press- not at the invitation of the White House, but at the invitation of the White House Correspondents Association. The question should (but doesn’t) remain: will TPM now be unable to get interviews because of their unsubtle biases?
To be fair, they have a DC bureau and hired a former Washington Times White House reporter, so I guess this makes them a semi-legitimate news source…but it still isn’t good public relations for the White House. Once again, whatever one thinks of the White House vs. Fox News drama- personally, I think it’s bad tactics on the part of the White House, but to call it Nixonian and compare it to dictatorship shutdowns of media is likely intellectually dishonest and certainly over the top- this administration has gotten itself in over its head.
White House Asks You To Turn In Your Neighbors
The White House has put up a page on their web site today asking you to turn in any person, email, website, etc where you have seen, heard, read anything that the White House is calling “disinformation” on their health care socialism reform plan.
Here’s a clip from the site:
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care.? These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation.? Since we can?t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we?re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov .
If you see something that seems fishy?? “Fishy” as in something that is an opposing view point to that of the Socialism Administration?
Why does this sound like communist KGB agents keeping tabs on what every day citizens are doing?? If the White House wants to put up this site, and do their best to counter “misinformation” or even prevent the spread of genuine truth concerning the bill, that’s fine.? Their goal is to get the bill passed.? They have to do what ever they can to do so.? But asking individuals to begin turning others in to the administration so that they can monitor those activities or try to shut those opposing voices down is unethical and the epitome of citizens fears of big brother.? This action is the basis for individuals concerns with the Patriot Act, something that Obama voted for twice but publicly denounces as civil rights violations perpetrated by George Bush.? Which is oddly enough becoming a ringing point in every speech.? At some point in your presidency Mr. Obama, you have to take responsibility for the current affairs of the country.
