'Wash Post' Guild Leaders Want Paper Out Of Sept. 11 'Freedom Walk'

[sabra]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001015059

'Wash Post' Guild Leaders Want Paper Out Of Sept. 11 'Freedom Walk'

NEW YORK Newspaper Guild leaders at The Washington Post on Monday afternoon called on the newspaper to withdraw its sponsorship of a controversial Sept. 11 memorial walk organized by the Department of Defense. The event has drawn opposition from several groups for its alleged pro-war tilt.

"Basically, the guild is calling for the Post to reconsider and drop sponsorship," said Rick Weiss, a Post reporter and co-chair of the Washington Post unit of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild Local 32035. "As a matter of maintaining its appearance of neutrality on polarizing issues of policy."

Weiss said eight members of the local's leadership committee met Monday and unanimously passed a resolution asking the paper to drop its support of the event. He said the resolution would be delivered to Post Publisher Bo Jones as soon as possible.

The unit represents more than 1,400 Post employees.

The resoluton reads, in part, "Post news employees are subject to disciplinary action for participating in political activities that may be perceived as revelatory of personal opinions or bias. The Washington Post itself should be held to the same high standard. Moreover, arguments that the Freedom Walk is anything other than a political activity -- and indeed, a political activity in support of the war in Iraq -- should be put to rest by the prominent participation of country music star Clint Black, best known of late for his war-glorifying song 'Iraq and I Roll.'

[KoKo]

1. THANK GAWD! Was hoping something like this would happen!

It was so upsetting to read that "WaPo" was a co-sponsor of this event with Clint Black featured.

It showed their "true colors." The management's "true colors." Yellow streaks down their back's with a red, white and blue flag pin on their lapel.

[TankLV]

17. OK, now will the anti-tinfoilers admit that there's more than a passing

coincidental similarity between the repuke party and the NAZI's?!

I mean a march down the main boulevard of the capital city to support a war?

Even I would never have dreamed this crap up!

I wonder if it will be as well choreographed and colorful.

Doesn't EVERYBODY feel the least bit creepy about all this?

[annabanana]

2. I sincerely hope that they are just the first of many

organizations calling for a boycott of what promises to be a goosestepping mayday of a military showboat parade

[Rose Siding]

3. Good on them

I hope the dopey execs take heed. It's hateful to think anyone EVER thought this was a good idea.

[tgnyc]

4. The Post doesn't see licking the rectum

of the Bush adminstration's war god as a political activity, but rather a business activity. All the better to further guarantee access to those useless anonymous sources running around the White House and DoD.

[depakid]

5. It must be embarrassing to work for the Post

Knowing that your once proud paper has lost all credibility and is now looked on with disdain around the country....

[Burried News]

6. A major pothole for the Red State Victory Tour?

Way to go posties. I assume Krautyammer, Willfull and Hoagland sided with management - out of principle of course.

[K8-EEE]

7. Who The Hell Would Sponsor CLINT BLACK In Any Way?

God is he ANYBODY's favorite singer??

[Jim Sagle]

12. I see deaf people.

[hatrack]

20. ROFLMAO!

Thanks, I needed that! :toast:

[tblue37]

32. Actually, I AM deaf people.

I'm Listening as Hard as I Can!
http://www.deafnotdumb.homestead.com/index.html

[Kipling]

8. Henceforth I shall refer to the march as "The Freedemberg Rally"

[goforit]

9. Now that is A-C-T-I-O-N!!! Department of Offense = No Freedom

[Cocoa]

10. great news

the Wash Post tipped its hand as a propaganda tool with its leading role in pushing the ridiculous Jessica Lynch story.

Let's see if they insist on being a tool now.

[growlypants]

11. Wow. someone woke up over there.

[KoKo]

13. I have to give this a big kick...it's so important!

:kick:

[Cha]

14. Fuck clint black..I used to think he was

harmless..but I can see he is a dangerous idiot..why doesn't clint black join the military and go over to Iraq?

I hope the wapo does drop this..that's a compelling reason ..because 1400 employees point out your hypocricy.

This could blow up in the pentagon and defense department's Warin' face.

[Arlington]

15. from our friends at the Pentagon....

No. 843-05
Aug 15, 2005
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Statement on Freedom Walk
It is unfortunate that the Washington Post has made this decision not to support the "Freedom Walk," but we welcome their donation to the Pentagon Memorial Fund. This is a commemorative event to honor the memory of the victims who died in the attack on the Pentagon and to highlight the yet to be constructed Pentagon Memorial.


Everyone in American will pay tribute and commemorate this important day in different ways. This event is an opportunity to remember the victims and their families, to reflect on the sacrifices made by our troops and to recommit to the work still ahead.


Regardless of how one chooses to observe this anniversary we should never forget the sacrifices - both past and present -- made by those in defense of our freedom.

[meganmonkey]

16. Bwahahahaha

Gee, DoD, looks like EVERYONE hates america now!!!!

:rofl:

[TankLV]

18. I for one won't be doing any such thing!

Neither will my parther, friends, family and acquaintences.

I think their concept of "everyone" is the same as their lie that "everyone" supported bunkerboy right after 911 - it doesn't exist!

[NYC]

30. Sept. 11th in NYC, starting at The New York Times,

then to Fox, CNN, & NBC, over to the United Nations.

End the media blackout!

Lots of us will be marching on 9/11.

[autorank]

19. Fear and loathsomeness at the Post...

They've reached a new low. They are not only toadies for the administration, they're not even smart enough to keekp their cover. Seriously, how stupid do you have to be to sign oup for this. It lets the whole world know that they are shills for the * folks.

But, afterall, they are the PentaPost. I guess they just tranced out and sonambeled into this one.

[Newsjock]

21. Post Drops Plan to Promote Pentagon Event

From Tuesday's Washington Post; no link yet.

By David Montgomery
(c) 2005, The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post announced Monday that it will back out of a controversial co-sponsorship of a Pentagon-organized event next month to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and support the troops in Iraq.

The newspaper notified the Department of Defense that it would no longer donate public service advertising space to help promote the Freedom Walk, an event planned for Sept. 11. At the conclusion of the procession from the Pentagon to the Mall, there will be a performance by country star Clint Black, who recorded the song "I Raq and Roll."

"As it appears that this event could become politicized, The Post has decided to honor the Washington area victims of 9/11 by making a contribution directly to the Pentagon Memorial Fund," said Eri Grant, a Post spokesman. "It is The Post's practice to avoid activities that might lead readers to question the objectivity of The Post’s news coverage."

more to come

[hatrack]

22. Well, well, well . . .

The Post's "management" got their heads out long enough to take in a generous oxygen hit. Will wonders never cease? :evilgrin:

[KaryninMiami]

23. Thank goodness someone over there came to their senses!

Still think we should all go register and see what happens by the way...

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

24. pressure works sometime!

oooh rah!

[Rose Siding]

25. Thank goodness- What a pain to have to police them in the first place!

Those were the exact concerns I expressed when I wrote...

Dear Mr Jones,

Editor and Publisher reports that in response to criticism of the Post's co-sponsoring of the Dept of Defense's event, you said "This has nothing to do with politics or the war or support of any political position."
If the reality of a one party government doesn't make it clear to you that politics are involved, maybe some of the lyrics from the headliner's current hit will convince you. Here are some of the verses in Clint Black's "I Raq and Roll"...


YOU CAN WAVE YOUR SIGNS IN PROTEST
AGAINST AMERICA TAKING STANDS
THE STANDS AMERICA'S TAKEN
ARE THE REASON THAT YOU CAN

IF EVERYONE WOULD GO FOR PEACE
THERE'D BE NO NEED FOR WAR
BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE DEVIL
HE'LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE

SOME SEE THIS IN BLACK AND WHITE
OTHERS ONLY GRAY
WE'RE NOT BEGGING FOR A FIGHT
NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY

.....

IT MIGHT BE A SMART BOMB
THEY FIND STUPID PEOPLE TOO
AND IF YOU STAND WITH THE LIKES OF SADDAM
ONE JUST MIGHT FIND YOU

That last verse is most disturbing. Opponents of the Iraq war have frequently been accused by war enthusaists of siding with Saddam. Is Black suggesting violence towards those opponents? As it's likely that the show's star will sing his war-themed hit, are the event sponsors supportive of that sentiment?

Setting aside the question of whether it's in the interest of the public for the press to partner with the government for any purpose, can you honestly believe this won't be a celebration of Bush's Iraq War?

Regrets,

[Lori Price CLG]

26. LOL, the PentaPost stepped in some bad publicity, so they had to...

withdraw their support!

Lori Price

[Bumblebee]

27. That was quick! It's because we _are_ in majority now!

How sweet it is -- until the next outrage happens :)

[uppityperson]

28. Good. Nice to see that they have come to their senses.

[williesgirl]

29. Not to jump on anyone's flame parade, but I know these people

at The Post, used to work there. Bo Jones is a decent, honest person. Their practice is that the Public Relations Dept makes decisons on what will be sponsored or supported in any way, free ads or whatever. I doubt Bo knew about this until the newsroom went crazy via the Guild, which I'm glad they did.

When I first heard about it, I couldn't believe it. I know they are conservative both editorially and from a business perspective, but the folks in the newsroom are mostly very liberal. It really was a great place to work, especially when Mrs. Graham was alive. That's why I went there in the first place and stayed for 14 plus years.

[dionysus]

31. thank you for the insight

:)