Day: September 23, 2009

It is time for Fox News to start reporting the news rather than making it. Has Fox News transformed itself into the oppositional party of the White House? One day’s worth of listening confirms this theory to me.

Check out the email directive from Fox News Managing Editor Bill Sammon after the raw video of the Fox cheerleader made the rounds:

(bold highlighting by Eric Boelhert)
From Mediaite:

From: Sammon, Bill
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 2:25 PM
To: 005 -Washington
Subject: standards

For those of us who have only been at Fox for a relatively short period of time, it’s useful to remind ourselves that, as journalists, we must always be careful to cover the story without becoming part of the story. At news events, we’re supposed to function as dispassionate observers, not active participants. We are there to chronicle the news, not create it.

That means we ask questions in a fair, impartial manner. When approaching interviewees, we identify ourselves, by both name and news organization, up front. We seek out a variety of voices and views. We take note of the scene in order to bring color and context to our viewers.

We do not cheerlead for one cause or another. We do not rile up a crowd. If a crowd happens to be boisterous when we show it on TV, so be it. If it happens to be quiet, that’s fine, too. It’s not our job to affect the crowd’s behavior one way or the other. Again, we’re journalists, not participants — and certainly not performers.

Indeed, any effort to affect the crowd’s behavior only serves to undermine our legitimate journalistic role as detached eyewitnesses. Remember, our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting — not altering –the important events of the day. That is nothing less than a sacred trust. We must always take pains to preserve that trust.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please stop by.

It will be interesting to see if those working for Fox News follow the directives of their managing editor or if his directive was all for show. CYA as it were.

Those who consider themselves Republican might want to start asking themselves if this is how they want to be seen from the outside world. Most Independents I know are running in the other direction as fast as they can.

A Quantico marine has the Marine Corp and vet organizations fuming over his ‘hero hoax.’ Sgt. David Budwah has gone all over hell and half acre bragging on himself for his alleged wounds suffered on his 2nd tour of duty in Afghanistan. Turns out though, Budwah never saw Afghanistan, not even close. He was in Okiawa or Quantico.

Budwah claims he was wounded in the face and arm trying to shield a buddy from from an exploding handmade hand grenade. The Marines say that the 34 year old sargeant lied and used his sob story to weasel his way into baseball games, rock concerts, banquets and other desirable places who intended to honor wounded war veterans.

Budwah had been a radio specialist who spent most of his time in Okinawa. He faces over 31 years in prison if convicted. According the Manassas News and Messenger:

Budwah also is accused of faking post-traumatic stress disorder in hopes of leaving service early and was sent to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, where he bluffed his way into 33 events from late July through November 2008, according to charges obtained by the AP through an appeal of its Freedom of Information Act request. Budwah is charged with making false official statements, malingering, misconduct and larceny.

How arrogant for this Marine to dishonor those who have legitimately received medals for bravery. The Marine Corp is furious. It is unclear how Budwah’s deception was discovered. He should go down as a national disgrace.

Sgt. Budwah really should have never spoken of Afghanistan. Those guys are our heroes. He is a liar and an anti-hero if convicted.