Lawmakers Demand President Bush STOP Paying Journalists to Promote Adminis

[NVMojo]

Media Release just out from Reid's office:

For Immediate Release

DATE: Thursday, January 06, 2005

CONTACT: Phil Singer 202 224-2939

Lawmakers Demand President Bush STOP Paying
Journalists to Promote Administration Policies

Reid, Lautenberg, Kennedy Also Ask President If His
Administration Has Paid Other Journalists to Promote
other Policies, including Social Security Privatization

WASHINGTON, DC – In light of alarming news that the Bush administration paid a popular conservative radio commentator and columnist almost a quarter of a million dollars to skew his reporting to promote the No Child Left Behind Act, United States Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Harry Reid (D-NV) sent a letter to President Bush today demanding that he recover the money paid to Armstrong Williams, citing federal laws that prohibit such activity. In addition, the lawmakers also asked President Bush to disclose any payments to other journalists to push Administration policies, including President Bush’s decision to privatize Social Security.

In news reports today, it was revealed conservative pundit and commentator Armstrong Williams was paid $240,000 to promote President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act on his syndicated radio program and in addition, to urge other pundits to routinely hype the law during their own appearances on other programs.

In their letter to President Bush, the Lawmakers cite federal laws that prohibit taxpayer funds from being spent by the Executive Branch for “Covert Propaganda”.

“In addition to the illegality of these actions taken by your Administration, we believe that the act of bribing journalists to bias their news in favor of government policies undermines the integrity of our democracy. Actions like this were common in the Soviet Union, but until now, thought to be long extinguished in our country,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter to President Bush sent today.

These revelations regarding Mr. Williams are the latest – and most disturbing – in a series of actions by your Administration to manipulate public opinion through covert propaganda. On May 19, 2004, the GAO found that your Administration illegally spent taxpayer funds on covert propaganda by paying Ketchum Incorporated to produce fake news stories promoting the image of the new Medicare law.

The links below are examples of syndicated columns published by the Tribune Media Company from Armstrong Williams in support of the No Child Left Behind Act.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/printaw20040524.shtml

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/printaw20040107.shtml

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/printaw20040301.shtml

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/printaw20040514.shtml

[Walt Starr]

1. Reid is restoring my faith!

RIGHT ON!!!

[Robbien]

52. Be careful. Reid is endorsing Roemer for DNC chair

Roemer who pushes capitalistic right wing policies.

Reid did the right this in this instance, but perhaps only because the story showed up in USAToday.

[chomskysright]

61. Roemer is anti-choice....

[wildflower]

84. Boxer on Reid: "Trust me, you're going to like what you see."

I heard her on the Majority Report (on Thursday I think) and that's what she said. She said it more than once, in fact. "Trust me. You're going to like what you see."

That gave me heart.

ON EDIT: She also said, "People don't come up to me in the streets and say 'I want tort reform.'" LOL.

[ewagner]

2. Yooohoooo!

Kick 'em....harder.....harder!!!!!

Get the story out and use the words

Propaganda Manipulation! LIES

[LifeDuringWartime]

3. novak?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??

you know what im talking about

[proud patriot]

7. Do you think this has anything to do with the Cancelation of shows

like Crossfire and Capital Gang ?

[blondeatlast]

74. Indeed. "The Republican Noise Machine"

pp 212-219.

It's as if Brock saw it coming...

[tk2kewl]

30. Plame ya think...?

why not keep going...

what other smear campaigns might the wingnuts being using our tax dollars to fund?

[blondeatlast]

73. Oh, yeah. nt

[NVMojo]

4. I have a copy of the letter signed by Reid, etc, but it is a .pdf that was

scanned. Does anyone know how I can link it here? It won't let me copy the text, I tried.

Thanks


I was impressed at this movement cuz what a way to slam the conservative Bush administration with wasting taxpayers dollars to dupe them into a policy program they invented.

I can also email the press statement and letter to the prez to DU if that would help.

[AlbizuX]

9. Email Armstrong

[e-mail]

Email Armstrong there...

Let him know your thoughts (be civil, but disagree with him).

[chomskysright]

64. here's a letter: forward to other black organizations here too

also to: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]



January 7, 2005

Dear Mr. Armstrong:

I greatly value the voices of black Americans in the US. I have massive respect for Jesse Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Jr., John Conyers, Mell Watt (D-NC), Tubbs (D-OH).

When African-Americans allow their voices to be used to keep a corrupt power mongering, war-loving, lying regime in place e.g, the Bush regime, their voices are discounted and entered into that so far short list associated with J. Kenneth Blackwell.

Please return that money.

Sincerely,

[cally]

15. Have you tried clicking the "T" in the toolbar

You often can copy after doing that.

PS......I loathe adobe acrobat and reader. Crazy, crazy software.

[NVMojo]

18. Hi Cally, yeah, I did try that only it appears to be a scanned image file

so that they could also show the signatures of Kennedy, Reid and Lautenberg. I don't know how to get the images here.....

[KenCarson]

19. screen shots?

,

[MadisonProgressive]

25. I have it in JPEG - can anyone post it for me?

[madrchsod]

5. big fuck`n deal

the bush klan will find another way to pay off the asshole licking whores. they got caught and no one gives a shit...well most people don`t and the rest are powerless to stop them. welcome to 1930`s germany.

[Walt Starr]

8. Groundwork for articles of impeachment

Citing two laws borken, the letter becomes evidence in a case to establish Bush and Cheney have committed high crimes and misdemeanors.

Snowball effect could be huge here, especially if Novak ever took a dime from the administration.

[Khephra]

22. AIn't going to happen for at least two years

We couldn't get all the Democrats onboard yesterday for the Ohio vote situation. They sure as hell won't stand up to impeach a "popular pResident". And we sure as hell won't get any Republicans behind an impeachment move--and they're the ones in control of the agenda.

Bush is going to have to have a "Dead Zone hiding behind a kid" moment before there is even the slightest chance of an impeachment happening.

[girl gone mad]

41. Add it to the list.

The hits just keep on coming.

[steve2470]

86. I agree Walt nt

[yardwork]

32. Hold on, we're starting to see some movement!

Does anyone think a story like this would have been published in October?

Does anyone doubt that bushco has paid dozens of "journalists" to shill?

[oldtime dfl_er]

6. I hope the language was strong

DEMAND TAXPAYERS' MONEY BE REFUNDED. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NVMojo]

10. This, along with their letter, was sent to all National Media sources ....

wonder if they will print it?? You know the MSM, they must not make the prezident look bad.

[fob]

34. With interest and a HEFTY fine, possible jail time, maybe?

Hey a guy can dream can't he?

[Just Me]

11. Now, a full investigation by independent counsel must be demanded!

No negotiations!!

After all, communist-type propaganda actions by our leadership MUST HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES!!!!

[AlbizuX]

20. Even the Freepers are abandoning Armstrong!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315982/posts

[NVMojo]

21. wow!!!

did you all read the links with this? I don't think it was worth a quarter of a million dollars!!! Holy Keerhist!!!!

And these people called teachers and the NEA "terrorists", remember?

[AlbizuX]

24. Freepers just called Armstrong, Armstrong Numnuts!

hahahah...

I love it, I love it....KARMA coming back, Armstrong.

You're being ostracized from your own.

[NVMojo]

29. WTF? does tax payers's dollars go to the ACLU?

To: Quick1
A pittance compared to the taxpayer money going to the ACLU.



27 posted on 01/07/2005 8:09:14 AM PST by OldFriend (PRAY FOR MAJ. TAMMY DUCKWORTH)
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies >

[yardwork]

35. No, taxpayer money does not go to the ACLU. Sigh.

[Just Me]

33. Yeah,...but they are still defending a communist-type propagation.

They just will not get it, will they.

It's weird: they want no government-sponsored anything but justify government-sponsored propaganda.

That is just so,...f*cked up!!!

[Raksha]

45. I didn't see the freepers justifying government-sponsored propaganda.

Most of them seemed pretty upset about the whole thing. They know it will give their cause AND their "president" a black eye...and they're right!!! Heh heh heh...

[Just Me]

55. They called it "advertising" and "educating" rather than what it is,...

,...government-sponsored propaganda.

I don't deny that some did appear concerned.

[imax2268]

51. dam...

that was fast...the thread has already been pulled...!

[blondeatlast]

75. It's been pulled.

Imagine that...

[buddysmellgood]

12. More fodder for impeachment

[MadisonProgressive]

13. I like the last line in the first article:

"This is a crime. This is a shame. This needs to change now."

You got that right Army!

[NVMojo]

17. it is a shame ....and I wonder now about how united the Dems were

about this yesterday when they went in to the Election certification hearings ....they had to have known this was on the back burner ...of course, impeaching Bush may just be easier than trying to get through a long election investigation process to boot him out that way .....

Maybe there will be more coming too ....like this....

[tk2kewl]

14. kick-o-rama

:kick:

[flordehinojos]

16. REID, LAUTENBERG, KENNEDY ALSO OUGHT TO ASK BUSH HOW MUCH HE PAID KEN

BLACKWELL TO DELIVER THE OHIO VOTES TO HIM ...... i wonder if today, based on this news of BU$CO paying ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS to sell their propaganda, they, our dear senators who left barbara boxer yesterday out to dry, are regretting not having stood with her on the challenge to the Ohio vote.

Here in Florida FEMA money went to the least affected hurricane areas in the MIAMI-DADE (CUBAN COUNTRY) AREAS which in my mind equals JEB'S VOTE BUYING FOR HIS BROTHER ... and I BET ANYTHING THAT BLACKWELL WAS EQUALLY BOUGHT!

I got an e-mail from a friend this morning which said "Spirit is Truth".

Well ... maybe, just maybe, TRUTH WILL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pdxmom]

27. And this is the same Brother Jeb...

who was sent to the tsunami area because he has so much experience handling those types of crises. I wonder exactly how Jebbie is "handling" things there?

[oldtime dfl_er]

38. Not unlike Homeland Security money

going in the billions to places like rural Wyoming.

[elizm]

54. Just promised Blackwell the Governorship...

...By the same means that he delivered the election to Bush...fraud, vote suppression, and those handy little voting machines with remote control. No need to pay him money.

[SillyGoose]

23. This made my day

maybe the corruption of this administration will finally start coming to light.


----In addition, the lawmakers also asked President Bush to disclose any payments to other journalists to push Administration policies, including President Bush’s decision to privatize Social Security.-----

won't that be interesting? Hmmm.........

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. And these lawmakers actually believe that bu$Co will offer up that info?

Hilarious!

[SillyGoose]

58. Maybe not voluntarily

but wouldn't a subpoena help?

[UpInArms]

26. kicking to get the totalitarian criminals out of the people's house

:kick:

[NVMojo]

31. Freepers smell a rat!!!!

To: mhking
I agree with you. This is inexcusable. Even if bureaucrats routinely do this (and I would like to see the DOE budget and see who else they paid) Williams should have done it for free.
I will say, however, that this looks to me like a set-up. DOE bureaucrats probably did this and then leaked it to USA TODAY. I just flat-out don't believe that USA TODAY thought up that FOIA request on their own. Seems to me that we should be asking what else was in that budget that USA TODAY ignored. I want a list of everyone who was paid to promote the NCLB Act. All of them.

AND, I would also like to know how much money was paid by the NEA to commentators who opposed the law.


38 posted on 01/07/2005 8:44:46 AM PST by Miss Marple
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies >

[yardwork]

36. LOL! The freeps think that USA Today is a liberal paper? ha hah

[alfredo]

37. Just sent my letter to the editor

here it is.

I see news has leaked about the Bush administration paying conservative political pundit, Armstrong Williams $240,000 to promote No child Left Behind. Mr Williams did not tell his listeners that he was being paid taxpayer money to promote Bush's agenda.

I wonder how many other newsmen and women are being paid to distribute government propaganda under the guise of news and commentary?

[lumpy]

39. Kick

n/t

[RevCheesehead]

43. Now you're going to have to go after CNN, FOX, and MSRNC.

How many, indeed!

[alfredo]

77. We must raise that question. We are now the media. It is up

to us to push the rest of the media to pay attention.

We must openly question how many on Fox, NBC, and CNN are on the public payroll.

[truthisfreedom]

40. bwahahahahaha! right on top of his "certification." nice week for bush.

heh. i'm smiling the rest of today.

[GOPFighter]

42. OK, if I break the law...

...I get punished. This letter cited three instances of the Administration broke federal laws. Where's the punishment? Laws are meaningless unless there is some kind of punishment. I want to know who's getting fined or going to jail.

It's time to tell the nation that the fricken' GOP is SOFT on crime!

[Seabiscuit]

62. Geeesh. Ya think Gonzales will prosecute Bush?

Or, if by some miracle, Gonzales is rejected for the Attorney General seat, *any* GOP nominated Attorney General for that matter?

[AP]

44. Williams got $240K in taxpayer money to use his position to sell the

Republican spin on NCLB.

Now there's a guy who knows on which side the bread is buttered.

The media is a fraud.

[Just Me]

59. I hope he's not merely the scapegoat but rather the can opener,...

,...revealing ALL THOSE WORMS!! :bounce:

[atommom]

46. It's about time someone called him on this. Hope it does some good.

[medeak]

47. coming up on CrossFire

Armstrong Williams.. this should be interesting to watch the backstroking.

edited to say... Novak is hosting..lord

[NVMojo]

80. I missed that, incredible Novak would open his mouth in this direction

the crook hosting the crook story ....

[coreystone]

48. If we can't get this administration on the the big "ones", let's go for...

Al Capone and income tax evasion.

Some roads do indeed lead to to ROME!

:-)

[medeak]

49. kick kick...

don't let this die

[Bouncy Ball]

50. WELLLLLL!!!! said the church lady!

ISN'T THAT SPECIAL?

Hmm, obvious, blatant PAYING of journalist to hype administration plans.

Can you spell ILLEGAL?

God. I mean, it's not surprising at all. But DAMN, I really am beginning to think bush could eat live toddlers while standing on the White House lawn, televised live, wearing only a pink tutu and no one would bat an eye.

[CO Liberal]

57. Kickity Kick Kick!!!

:kick:

[Kber]

60. Maybe you are right

but I read somewhere that by 1974, a majority of Americans denied ever voting for a Nixon second term. Same thing going to happen by the time Bush is impeached and convicted? Can we have some hope at least?

[coreystone]

68. MAYBE! We, after some Kids are drafted, we know who didn't vote for....

* !

[coreystone]

53. Watched Williams on Crossfire...regardless of his politics....he seems..

as though he has consulted his attorneys for his decision as CEO of his company, and is quite clear in admitting his "indiscretions". I don't think that Novak appreciated his honesty. Williams certainly appears that he will be covering HIS BACK; without regard for the ramifications of any one else's!

:-)

[KingoftheJungle]

56. They should have impeached him instead

He did something illegal (one of many) and instead of nailing his balls to the wall, they send him a letter politely asking him to stop? Jesus christ allmighty, what will it take to hold this government ACCOUNTABLE to something? Anything!

[Berserker]

65. It's on CNN

right now. Deborah Potter is calling it Propaganda.

[Seabiscuit]

66. Sadly, it will take either a new Congress composed of people like

Howard Dean, not likely to happen in our lifetimes (impeachment won't happen), or, since the voting system has been thoroughly corrupted and won't work, and since the neocons also control the courts, and since revolution is hopeless against a military superpower, have the people had enough yet to choose the only option left - assassinate the entire bunch of those bastards?

They did it to JFK, RFK, MLK, and most likely JFK Jr. and Paul Wellstone. And who knows how many Dems have been threatened?

Anyone hear the rumblings of total war in this country yet?

[w4rma]

70. LOL! Repugs impeach Bush? Hahaha! Dems will have to take Congress. (nt)

[wicket]

63. woo hoo!!!

:kick:

[chomskysright]

67. write TRIBUNE; here are the e mail addresses...

» Investor Relations:
Ruthellyn Musil
[e-mail]


» Media Relations:
Gary Weitman
[e-mail]


Christine Hennessey
[e-mail]

Website Issues:
[e-mail]

[The Backlash Cometh]

69. What about Novak? What about Novak?

Was he paid? When did they do it and for how much?

[blondeatlast]

76. It's possible. Brock discusses how many "pundits" are funded by

groups like the Heritage Foundation; getting "speaking fees" and "Salaries" from them to promote their agendas.

This sounds eerily similar to waht Brock uncovered.

It's in "The Republican Noise Machine."

[Overseas]

71. But 240K is chump change compared to the Medicare Reform Ad Budget

Remember the $20 million they spent on "folks like us" ads about how wonderful the prescription drug bonanza was gonna be ?
And haven't they hired a PR firm to help pump up the Social Security "Crisis" ??

[Spacemom]

72. Why bother to pay

It seems like the M$M is willing to regurgitate whatever this administration feeds them for free.

I hope he's prosecuted for this, but I doubt it will happen.

[AlbizuX]

78. VIDEO OF ARMSTRONG ON CROSSFIRE - RESPONSES

http://movies.ziaspace.com/Crossfire.wmv

Enjoy watching this little sellout trying to explain himself

[SillyGoose]

79. Update...investigation requested

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050108/D87FL1300.html

Rep. George Miller of California, the top Democrat on the House education committee, asked for an inspector general investigation into whether the deal was legal and ethical. The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, supported the request.

[NVMojo]

81. this is breaking news that may not make it to the mainstream media...

why would the mods bury it here???

[thoughtanarchist]

82. it's aging

LBN, ya know?

[thoughtanarchist]

83. We should push it into MSM

we all know the drill by now. Loud and repetative. just like the other side does. Hammer the message home.

LTE TITLE: End Illegal White House Media Corruption

[steve2470]

85. you go Reid ! nt

[laugle]

87. THE NAZI'S ARE ALIVE AND WELL

And people wonder why we are not getting any real news in this
country.  What a bunch of rotten apples we have in office. 
How many more have the Bush administration paid to push there
propaganda.  Hannity, Limbaugh, Novak, Hume, I wonder.......

[Cocoa]

88. I can't wait to find out who's been bribed on Soc. Sec.

how many other hacks at Townhall.com, who all sound the same.

[Lefty48197]

89. Yeah, that's Rupert Murdoch's job!

.