Whaaat an a-hole

[mojowork_n]

Yesterday's commentary from the editorial page editor (David Haynes) at the state's largest daily:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/118467399.html

"...Since his inauguration, Walker has displayed a strong ideological bent at times that distracts him from the work at hand: creating an efficient state government and formulating government policy to promote job growth...

...there are many of Walker's initiatives that we agree with. One example: His decision to try to close the state's chronic budget gap....

...we believe that it's far too early to predict the ramifications of Walker's agenda. Recall efforts now under way seem to be built more on emotion than on sober judgment. Walker's opponents argue that the loss of collective bargaining for public employees trumps everything.

We disagree. One issue - even a policy disagreement as large as this one - shouldn't lead to recall.

Our recommendation - like any piece of commentary - was based on what we knew at the time we published it. We know more now, but not enough to invalidate our judgment of last October. It's better to wait and evaluate Walker and legislators at the appointed time - the next election - when we'll have more information and more time to digest it..."

Translation: We've been well-paid to look the other way, or at least appear to buy into the Official Story that this is all about "closing a budget gap." Instead of following our primary duty of informing the public, we'll do what we can to make sure that no one else will connect the dots between the authoritarian power-grab, the deficit that was created in the first place through (completely unnecessary) tax cuts, and the ongoing efforts to exploit the 'emergency situation' to directly benefit campaign backers, in the name of phantom 'job growth.' Bad Luck for all of you, but "cha-ching" for Us!

[Sabriel]

1. Without a no-confidence vote option, we have to recall

What else does he want us to do...sit on our asses while Walker trashes the state permanently?

Idiot.

[AleksS]

2. I'm especially bothered by

I'm especially bothered by the JS's attempt to brush all the other issues under the rug by claiming the only reason people are pushing for the recall is the collective bargaining.

Yes, that alone would most likely be enough, but balancing the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class, selling out our schools, selling off state assets, centralizing power in the governor's office, the lies, the exposure of his consideration of plans to jeopardize the welfare of WI protesters during the Faux-Koch call, the giving a job (and a raise) to one of his shill's mistresses, all of those add up to a serious call for recall.

Plus, where was the JS when Sens. Lazich and Kanavas were calling to recall Doyle in 2009?

No, as usual Republican hypocracy runs amok.

[mojowork_n]

3. It's more than hypocrisy

I honestly have some lurking fears that they might be taking some kind of pay-offs, in exchange for the 'right sort' of editorializing:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/journal-communications-4q-profit-more-than-doubled.html

Journal Communications 4Q profit more than doubled
Feb 15, 2011 3:20 PM CT
By The Associated Press


MILWAUKEE (AP) — Journal Communications Inc., owner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media properties, said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter net income more than doubled because of a boost from political campaigns that spent heavily on television and radio advertisements.

The company, which owns TV and radio stations in 12 states, said its broadcasting division helped make up for declines in its publishing operations, which have been losing ad dollars to free or cheaper alternatives on the Web. Along with the Journal Sentinel, the company publishes several community newspapers and shoppers in Wisconsin and Florida.

The company's net income rose $14.7 million, or 26 cents per share, in the period ended Dec. 26. That compares with earnings of $7.2 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 8 percent to $104 million from $96 million...

Most of that I'm sure got credited to the broadcast division, but what other way do these guys have to make money with a newspaper, these days, besides selling their soul (and journalistic responsibility) to the highest bidder?

It's not hard to see the bias on daily display in the Page 2 "Politifact" 'truthiness' rankings. Some are better than others, and occasionally they're spot on, but every so often the conclusions go absolutely against reason. Especially when the topic or subject has to do with the state budget, and what is and what isn't a tax savings. Ditto "job creation."

[Maraya1969]

7. Why don't you post that in the comments section of the online

journal? I think it would be great for people to learn to follow the money.

I just moved to WI, (in my mind and heart) and posted a comment.

[sybylla]

5. Same here.

They just a bunch of apologists who can't come to grips with the fact that they delighted in screwing over the taxpayers with their endorsement while they benefited from Walker's plans for cutting taxes on wealthy corporation - like the JS.

[Sabien]

4. deleted by user n/t

post deleted by user.

[mojowork_n]

6. self censorship is a tool of the Overlords N/T