The following article was sent to me by email and it had been posted on TOWNHALL.COM. Compare the inaccuracy and romanticizing of mainstream media when reporting on Biden as opposed to the innacuracy and demonizing perpetrated by the vast majority of the media when reporting on Sarah Palin and her family. When reading most of the liberal media today you must remember that you are in a "conscience free zone."
"TOWNHALL.COM 08/31/08
Joe Biden once got in trouble for plagiarizing a speech and inflating his academic record. So it will not surprise you to find that his famous working-class background turns out to be mythical. But it may surprise you to learn that Biden isn't the one who has trouble with the facts.
In his Wednesday night speech at the Democratic convention, Biden referred to "those of us who grew up in middle-class neighborhoods like Scranton and Wilmington." In the video preceding his address, he said that the people he knew as a boy didn't regard themselves as working class but as middle class.
So what did the news media report? "Sen. Joseph R. Biden accepted the vice presidential nomination of the Democratic Party with a speech that harkened back to his working-class roots in Scranton," said The Washington Post. The Wall Street Journal informed readers that "Sen. Joe Biden showcased his working-class upbringing." The New York Times said he "spoke frequently, and earnestly, of his blue-collar background."
No, he didn't. In fact, he did just the opposite. Anyone paying attention would have noticed as much. But the legend of Joe Biden, born in a welding shop, dies hard with political reporters, who find it easier to romanticize a gritty, hardscrabble childhood than a conventionally comfortable one.
The facts are there for anyone who wants to look at them. When Joe Biden Sr. died in 2002, his obituary in the News-Journal of Wilmington reported that when he married in 1941, "he was working as a sales representative for Amoco Oil Co. in Harrisburg."
It went on, "Biden also was an executive in a Boston-based company that supplied waterproof sealant for U.S. merchant marine ships built during World War II. After the war, he co-owned an airport and crop-dusting service on Long Island." Upon moving his family to Delaware, the News-Journal said, Biden "worked in the state first as a sales manager for auto dealerships and later in real-estate condominium sales."
Executive, co-owner and manager? Those titles identify the jobholder as solidly middle class, if not better. They fall in the category of white-collar occupations, not blue-collar.
And Biden Sr. clearly knew the difference. In his book, "Promises to Keep," Biden writes that his father was "the most elegantly dressed, perfectly manicured, perfectly tailored car sales manager Wilmington, Del., had ever seen."
Biden notes that he himself could have gone to the best public high school in Delaware. Instead, he enrolled at Archmere Academy, a Catholic prep school that made him think he had "died and gone to Yale." He took a summer job to help pay the steep tuition, which today amounts to $18,450 a year.
That doesn't mean the Bidens never had financial trouble. Biden says they had to move in with his mother's parents after one setback, and he remembers "when the electric company would send a collector to the house."
For nearly a year, the father was reduced to cleaning boilers for a heating company. But middle-class people are not immune to unemployment and bad business deals, and the Bidens regained their footing before long.
So where did he get his working-class reputation? Partly it comes from Biden's streetwise demeanor and his preoccupation with the fact that his family wasn't as well-off as some of the people he knew -- which seems to have given him a permanent chip on his shoulder. Partly it comes from his frequent tributes to blue-collar folks, such as the firefighters who took him to the hospital when he suffered an aneurysm.
But mostly it reflects journalists' weakness for simple, vivid narratives. It's easy to write about a statesman who worked his way up from a log cabin. It's easy to write about a leader who came from great wealth. But someone growing up the son of a sales manager is a bit lacking in color and drama.
The errors about Biden bring to mind the recent satirical report from humorist Andy Borowitz: "A member of the U.S. Olympic diving team was disqualified from competition today when it was learned that he did not have a sufficiently compelling human story line to exploit on the NBC telecast of the worldwide sporting event."
Biden just didn't have a sufficiently compelling human story line for a presidential campaign. Luckily, he does now.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Democrats Embody Hypocrisy
After reading the rather ridiculous demeaning Disibio guest column in the Aiken Standard today I had the good fortune to read the following article on NEWSMAX. I have published just the first few paragraphs.To read the entire article click on the title of this blog.
"Democrats Embody Hypocrisy
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 8:59 AM
By: David Limbaugh
Liberals are outraged at the supposed hypocrisy of Sarah Palin (and conservatives) for supporting abstinence-only education and family values generally in light of revelations concerning the pregnancy of her teenage daughter. It's only fair, then, that they should be called upon to explain their own hypocrisy in the compassion, privacy, gender, and race departments.
Liberals are sick and tired of conservatives lecturing them about family values. Yet it is liberals who do most of the moralizing and sermonizing, seeming to derive their entire sense of superior self-worth in favorably comparing themselves with heartless, bigoted conservatives.
Liberals claim a monopoly on compassion for the poor, minorities, women, and homosexuals. Yet when they get the chance to score political points, they abandon their allegiance to these groups as quickly as Barack Obama threw the Rev. Jeremiah Wright under the bus. Just ask Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, or Michael Steele.
Liberals are fed up with conservatives for trying to regulate their "private" behavior. Yet it is they who want to regulate every minute aspect of our lives, from smoking to eating to weapons to energy consumption to confiscatory taxation to healthcare to retirement security. "
http://www.newsmax.com/limbaugh/sarah_palin_gossip/2008/09/03/127254.html
"Democrats Embody Hypocrisy
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 8:59 AM
By: David Limbaugh
Liberals are outraged at the supposed hypocrisy of Sarah Palin (and conservatives) for supporting abstinence-only education and family values generally in light of revelations concerning the pregnancy of her teenage daughter. It's only fair, then, that they should be called upon to explain their own hypocrisy in the compassion, privacy, gender, and race departments.
Liberals are sick and tired of conservatives lecturing them about family values. Yet it is liberals who do most of the moralizing and sermonizing, seeming to derive their entire sense of superior self-worth in favorably comparing themselves with heartless, bigoted conservatives.
Liberals claim a monopoly on compassion for the poor, minorities, women, and homosexuals. Yet when they get the chance to score political points, they abandon their allegiance to these groups as quickly as Barack Obama threw the Rev. Jeremiah Wright under the bus. Just ask Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, or Michael Steele.
Liberals are fed up with conservatives for trying to regulate their "private" behavior. Yet it is they who want to regulate every minute aspect of our lives, from smoking to eating to weapons to energy consumption to confiscatory taxation to healthcare to retirement security. "
http://www.newsmax.com/limbaugh/sarah_palin_gossip/2008/09/03/127254.html
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
About the Barracuda
Received this in my email today. Unfortunately it is a true picture of Joe.
"Nation Review Online
September 01, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
Who Broke Politics?
The name is Joe. Joe Biden.
By Chet Arthur
Harry Truman said that for the first six months he was in the Senate, he couldn’t believe he’d gotten there. After another six months, he couldn’t believe they’d gotten there.
Barack Obama didn’t hang around the Senate cloakroom long enough to pick up the word on Joe Biden. He didn’t realize that Biden is something of a joke in the Senate.
Isn’t it curious that in 36 years, Biden’s never even been mentioned for Majority Leader, or even for Majority Whip?
Obama’s claim to be a “post partisan” candidate is belied by his choice of the vicious, knee-groining Biden as his running mate. Barack Obama, in his electric acceptance speech, claimed that “politics is broken.” A reasonable question then is: Who broke politics? Much of the credit for the brokenness of politics must go to that political leg-breaker, Joe Biden.
One leading example of how our politics is broken is the judicial-confirmation process. Judicial confirmations used to be civil affairs. They used to be honorable contests in which both sides sought to review the record of the distinguished jurists who sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Joe Biden can claim the lion’s share of credit for turning judicial confirmations into lions’ dens. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden presided over the “Borking” of Judge Robert Bork. He was the chief Kleagle for the “high tech lynching” of Clarence Thomas. He tried to go after Roberts and Alito as well. He is not known as the “smiling barracuda” for nothing.
Ironically, not one of the men and women who have come before his committee would have survived one day if they had been proven to have plagiarized major speeches and law review articles — as Biden has been found to have done.
Perhaps because of his own shady past, Biden has seemed determined to impugn the integrity, intelligence, and the competence of all those with whom he disagrees.
Try to recall the confirmations of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Steven Breyer.
Remember the fireworks? Remember the inquisitors bearing down?
Did anyone steal their video rental records — as they did with Judge Bork
Did anyone ask them to share their religious beliefs under oath — as Howell Heflin did to Robert Bork? Did anyone allow lying testimony about a questionable sexual comment to be puffed into a national scandal — as they did with Clarence Thomas? Did anyone drive their spouses from the hearing room in tears?
No one can remember such outrages committed against arguably the most liberal justices ever confirmed. That’s because Republicans still believe in civility. They still believe in the rule of law. They’re trying to repair the process that leg-breaker Biden broke.
Biden presided over a remorseless struggle in which only the strongest can survive. He did not want simply to reject Clarence Thomas, he wanted to destroy the man, send him back to Pinpoint, Ga., stripped of honor and dignity. Justice Thomas prevailed because of his unflinching courage and massive self-control.
With Joe Biden, you don’t reach across the aisle. You retch across the aisle.
For this rancid record, Biden not only should not be vice president, he should not even be in the Senate.
— Chet Arthur is a nom de cyber for a Washington, D.C., political veteran."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Review Online - http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MWM0Y2QyY2Q3MzA1M2U4MzQ3MzFkMzExMGU1OTcxNTc=
"Nation Review Online
September 01, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
Who Broke Politics?
The name is Joe. Joe Biden.
By Chet Arthur
Harry Truman said that for the first six months he was in the Senate, he couldn’t believe he’d gotten there. After another six months, he couldn’t believe they’d gotten there.
Barack Obama didn’t hang around the Senate cloakroom long enough to pick up the word on Joe Biden. He didn’t realize that Biden is something of a joke in the Senate.
Isn’t it curious that in 36 years, Biden’s never even been mentioned for Majority Leader, or even for Majority Whip?
Obama’s claim to be a “post partisan” candidate is belied by his choice of the vicious, knee-groining Biden as his running mate. Barack Obama, in his electric acceptance speech, claimed that “politics is broken.” A reasonable question then is: Who broke politics? Much of the credit for the brokenness of politics must go to that political leg-breaker, Joe Biden.
One leading example of how our politics is broken is the judicial-confirmation process. Judicial confirmations used to be civil affairs. They used to be honorable contests in which both sides sought to review the record of the distinguished jurists who sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Joe Biden can claim the lion’s share of credit for turning judicial confirmations into lions’ dens. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden presided over the “Borking” of Judge Robert Bork. He was the chief Kleagle for the “high tech lynching” of Clarence Thomas. He tried to go after Roberts and Alito as well. He is not known as the “smiling barracuda” for nothing.
Ironically, not one of the men and women who have come before his committee would have survived one day if they had been proven to have plagiarized major speeches and law review articles — as Biden has been found to have done.
Perhaps because of his own shady past, Biden has seemed determined to impugn the integrity, intelligence, and the competence of all those with whom he disagrees.
Try to recall the confirmations of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Steven Breyer.
Remember the fireworks? Remember the inquisitors bearing down?
Did anyone steal their video rental records — as they did with Judge Bork
Did anyone ask them to share their religious beliefs under oath — as Howell Heflin did to Robert Bork? Did anyone allow lying testimony about a questionable sexual comment to be puffed into a national scandal — as they did with Clarence Thomas? Did anyone drive their spouses from the hearing room in tears?
No one can remember such outrages committed against arguably the most liberal justices ever confirmed. That’s because Republicans still believe in civility. They still believe in the rule of law. They’re trying to repair the process that leg-breaker Biden broke.
Biden presided over a remorseless struggle in which only the strongest can survive. He did not want simply to reject Clarence Thomas, he wanted to destroy the man, send him back to Pinpoint, Ga., stripped of honor and dignity. Justice Thomas prevailed because of his unflinching courage and massive self-control.
With Joe Biden, you don’t reach across the aisle. You retch across the aisle.
For this rancid record, Biden not only should not be vice president, he should not even be in the Senate.
— Chet Arthur is a nom de cyber for a Washington, D.C., political veteran."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Review Online - http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MWM0Y2QyY2Q3MzA1M2U4MzQ3MzFkMzExMGU1OTcxNTc=
Monday, September 1, 2008
Non-Partisan City Election Sept. 9
.
University of South Carolina Professor Bob Botsch had a good guest column in the Aiken Standard layingout arguments against moving to the non-partisan election method for Aiken. While I might quibble with a few of his arguments I believe overall that he has reached the right conclusion
I have opposed non-partisan elections in the past but supported council's decision to hold a referndum this year so that the voters can have their say.
Railroad Depot Groundbreaking
The Following story appeared in the Aiken Standard today. Though I have been a critic and believe the City will incur even more costs before the complex is finished I feel we must all support the completion of this project. Hopefully it will prove to be an asset to the City rather than another financial burden.
Railroad Depot will break ground at ceremony Friday
By APRIL BAILEY
Staff writer
Organizers and Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot will hold a groundbreaking to prepare for construction on the depot building on Friday. The event will be held at the future site of the Railroad Depot, at the corner of Park Avenue and Union Street. The event is scheduled to kick off a little after 9 a.m.
The ceremony will coincide with the beginning of the Aiken's Makin' festival. All Aboard members will march to the site from Newberry Street, led by the Aiken High School ROTC Color Guard and the USC Aiken Pep Band.
All Aboard Campaign chairman Tim Simmons, Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, Aiken County Council chairman Ronnie Young and Washington Group President Preston Rahe Jr. are slated to speak at the groundbreaking.
The ceremony comes after nine years of planning for the depot project, according to a release from the organization. Construction for the depot building is expected to take about nine to 10 months, with its grand opening set for next year.
The building will be designed to replicate the original railway station, built in the1800s. The first floor of the two-and-a-half story depot will serve as the tourism office for the City of Aiken, as well as a meeting space. The second floor will house several train exhibits of Aiken's railroad history, with models that will depict life along the railroad from Charleston to Aiken to the Savannah River.
For a little more than a year, workers have been restoring vintage railroad cars, which will be located next to the depot. The cars will serve as a space for parties and catered events. A baggage building, which will include a kitchen, will also be constructed at the site. Construction on the railroad cars, depot and baggage buildings, loading platform, site work and groups is expected to cost $2.4 million. Organizers say that the entire project will cost $3 million.
Supporters of the project say once it's complete, the depot will help stimulate growth at Park Avenue and Union Street, with Gyles Park the site of future concerts and festivals.
Railroad Depot will break ground at ceremony Friday
By APRIL BAILEY
Staff writer
Organizers and Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot will hold a groundbreaking to prepare for construction on the depot building on Friday. The event will be held at the future site of the Railroad Depot, at the corner of Park Avenue and Union Street. The event is scheduled to kick off a little after 9 a.m.
The ceremony will coincide with the beginning of the Aiken's Makin' festival. All Aboard members will march to the site from Newberry Street, led by the Aiken High School ROTC Color Guard and the USC Aiken Pep Band.
All Aboard Campaign chairman Tim Simmons, Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, Aiken County Council chairman Ronnie Young and Washington Group President Preston Rahe Jr. are slated to speak at the groundbreaking.
The ceremony comes after nine years of planning for the depot project, according to a release from the organization. Construction for the depot building is expected to take about nine to 10 months, with its grand opening set for next year.
The building will be designed to replicate the original railway station, built in the1800s. The first floor of the two-and-a-half story depot will serve as the tourism office for the City of Aiken, as well as a meeting space. The second floor will house several train exhibits of Aiken's railroad history, with models that will depict life along the railroad from Charleston to Aiken to the Savannah River.
For a little more than a year, workers have been restoring vintage railroad cars, which will be located next to the depot. The cars will serve as a space for parties and catered events. A baggage building, which will include a kitchen, will also be constructed at the site. Construction on the railroad cars, depot and baggage buildings, loading platform, site work and groups is expected to cost $2.4 million. Organizers say that the entire project will cost $3 million.
Supporters of the project say once it's complete, the depot will help stimulate growth at Park Avenue and Union Street, with Gyles Park the site of future concerts and festivals.
Sarah Palin- A great Choice!
Now we have a chance for real change.Sarah Palin actually has more executive experience than the other three candidates combined.
Aiken Standard Objectivity Challenged Again
Aiken Standard
Dear Editor,
I was surprised to read your biased coverage of the 2nd Congressional District race (“Candidate for Congress sees SRS need,” Aug. 21). Congressman Joe Wilson has been a longtime supporter of SRS, even serving as a Personnel Security Hearing Officer there for eight years. He is a 31-year veteran of the military and the only Member of Congress with four sons in the military, including two who served in Iraq. He even founded the Victory in Iraq Caucus, standing with our troops and against those who have given up on their efforts. He opposes amnesty for illegal aliens, understands the needs of American owned small businesses, and supports environmentally sound drilling for oil and natural gas right here at home.
We were disappointed that you never profiled Congressman Wilson and his tour of SRS, nor did you properly identify a letter writer as a spokesman for the Aiken County Democrat Party. We are quite confident of an excellent Republican turnout on Election Day, including Congressman Joe Wilson’s overwhelming reelection.
David B. Lobb, Vice Chairman
Aiken County Republican Party
Dear Editor,
I was surprised to read your biased coverage of the 2nd Congressional District race (“Candidate for Congress sees SRS need,” Aug. 21). Congressman Joe Wilson has been a longtime supporter of SRS, even serving as a Personnel Security Hearing Officer there for eight years. He is a 31-year veteran of the military and the only Member of Congress with four sons in the military, including two who served in Iraq. He even founded the Victory in Iraq Caucus, standing with our troops and against those who have given up on their efforts. He opposes amnesty for illegal aliens, understands the needs of American owned small businesses, and supports environmentally sound drilling for oil and natural gas right here at home.
We were disappointed that you never profiled Congressman Wilson and his tour of SRS, nor did you properly identify a letter writer as a spokesman for the Aiken County Democrat Party. We are quite confident of an excellent Republican turnout on Election Day, including Congressman Joe Wilson’s overwhelming reelection.
David B. Lobb, Vice Chairman
Aiken County Republican Party
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