Well, here we are, Day Two after the full Swiftboat-style campaign has been fired up against Barack Obama. It started yesterday with an article written by the notoriously biased, Nedra Pickler (article here: http://news.yahoo.com/... ), entitled, "Obama may face grilling on patriotism". Then this morning, Pickler follows up with yet another, again carrying "Swiftboat" water, entitled, "Conservatives say Obama lacks patriotism. While today's article contains some re-hash from yesterday's hit piece, much is new.
More after the fold.......
In yesterday's article, Pickler quoted the slimy Repuglian consultant, Roger Stone, and does so again today, but it's full on Swiftboat now.
In today's propaganda-character assassination hit piece (link: http://news.yahoo.com/... Pickler even stoops so low as to actually publish quotes from an actual Swiftboater, to wit:
Conservative Republican consultant Keith Appell, who worked with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said Obama's opposition to the war will create a "striking contrast between McCain the war hero and Obama the poster child for the anti-war movement."
"If you are McCain, you want to play up the decorated war hero, loves his country, served his country," Appell said. "You want to play those themes up as much as possible, especially in comparison to Obama and his role in the anti-war movement."
If there's any group in the United States that should be so discredited as to make their quotes worthless, the Swiftboaters are it, yet Pickler apparently takes pride in putting them front and center in her campaign against Obama.
I think questions need to be put to AP about Pickler's ongoing bias. Over the years she has consistently, whether it be John Kerry, John Edwards, Hillary, or Obama, has written nothing but biased garbage about Democrats, much of it looking like either RNC/Rove produced hit pieces, something from the Swiftboaters, or perhaps Ari Fleischer's neocon smear outfit, Freedom's Watch.
I don't think there is a more biased person writing for a major news organization in this country today than Pickler, though in today's article it appears she strives for a little more balance, the fact remains, this is a hit piece, constructed to damage Obama. Make no mistake about it.
And speaking of Freedom's Watch (Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/... ), this outfit, started and run by a nest of wealthy neocons, like Sheldon Adelson (CEO Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the third-richest American in Forbes magazine's rankings last year), and several people from the Republican Jewish Coalition, who's goal it is to supply millions of dollars to those who will help them promote war(s) in the Middle East, and to promote "Israel friendly" Republican candidates, is one evil bunch. They supposedly have a war chest of $25 million (and counting) to be used to influence the 2008 elections, and are already showing themselves to be a factor. They are worth keeping an eye on....
But back to Nedra Pickler.... If you can find the time this morning, please write AP at info@ap.org , and let them know how unhappy you are that Nedra Pickler, a clearly biased reporter, is being allowed to assist groups with their character assassinations of Barack Obama. You can also write Pickler herself, here: npickler@ap.org , though I think she actually relishes any hate mail she might receive....
So this is it. From here on, day in, day out, we will be seeing one hit piece after another on Obama. We knew it was coming. I hope the Obama people have a quick response team setup to go after people like Pickler, Freedom's Watch, and the Swiftboaters. These accusations and insinuations cannot be allowed to stand for even one day without an immediate counter-attack. I would love to hear from someone connected to Obama's campaign as to what counter-measures they have setup to deal with this, and to let us know how we can help...