White House paid commentator to promote law

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 1/7/2005 12:17 AM Updated 1/7/2005 5:35 AM

White House paid commentator to promote law
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.

The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.

Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."

The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." He said he will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investigation
(snip/...)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-06-williams-whitehouse_x.htm

[zbird]

1. If it's something that Williams believes in strongly...

why did he require money to push the cause?

[notadmblnd]

6. becuase the real cause he believed in.....

was the money?

[JaneQPublic]

46. Yep. The "It" in "It's something I believe in" is the $240,000. (nt)

[nolabels]

64. Sticky Notes for posting work where hammer and nails leave off

[Carl Brennan]

150. LOL, and so true

[In Truth We Trust]

69. No shit!!! WTF I want him to write a check to the American people

for every cent we paid for this illegal praopagand BS. Then I want whoever authorized this at the white house to be fired and prosecuted IMMEDIATELY!!!! This only confirms what we already know about so called journalists in the MSM. I wonder how many checks we've written to Wolf and all the rest of the treasonous msm.

[Catherine Vincent]

92. hehehe!!!

[lawladyprof]

2. Maybe this wasn't/hasn't been the only time they did this

N/T

[Supersedeas]

17. An isolated incident certainly wouldn't fit the pattern from the Bushists

Do you smell taxpayer dollars slipping by through and between the hands of FOX executives?

Smells like truth belief...in a faith ba$ed policy pu$h.

[Just Me]

24. I certainly believe that this is merely the tip of the iceburg!

I mean, good GAWD, this administration has been the most active propaganda machine of all time (well, in my lifetime in this country); propagating an unlawful war and "Clean Air" and "Medicare reform" and "Social Security reform" and "tax reform" and a rosy economy and on and on.

I would LOVE an investigation that would open up that can of worms!!! I'll betcha' a whole slew of these type of "contracts" would be revealed!!!

[calimary]

45. It does make you wonder who else is on the payroll.

I can think of quite a few names beyond just those from A to Z in the Pox "news" employee listings.

[blm]

59. RevMoon has plenty of black ministers on his payroll.

Bush and Moon partnership is over 40 years old.

[renaissanceguy]

149. How can we find this out?

Does information have to be leaked from an inside source? How'd they get to the bottom of this one?

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/466053

[roseBudd]

152. USA Today (Gannett owned) found it with an FOIA request n/t

[fishwax]

82. I'd bet you're right, but good luck getting an investigation

out of the GOP controlled congress.

[RamboLiberal]

86. Most Wingnut pundits broadcast in New York

Wonder if we could get Eliot Spitzer on the case - I'm betting Williams is only the tip of the iceberg. I'd love to see the rest of them caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

[ClintonTyree]

107. Leave Spitzer alone!

He's going to be our next Governor. I don't want BushCo. hunting him down and "accidenting" him before that happens.
All the media whores on the payroll will be a little nervous for a while. Maybe more will develop a conscience and come forward. Not a good bet, but anything can happen. At least maybe they'll stop taking the blood money and start reporting on their own.
A man's gotta dream.

[Tomee450]

119. I agree.

This won't go anywhere. The Democrats won't say much and the media will probably not follow up.

[lostnfound]

85. Yep: how about the prepackaged ads by former journalist Mike Morris?

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/01/07/bush_team_scolded_for_disguised_tv_report?mode=PF

Bush team scolded for disguised TV report
By Ceci Connolly, Washington Post | January 7, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Shortly before last year's Super Bowl, local news stations across the country aired a story by Mike Morris describing plans for a new White House ad campaign on the dangers of drug abuse.

What viewers did not know was that Morris is not a journalist and his ''report" was produced by the government, actions which constituted illegal ''covert propaganda," according to an investigation by the Government Accountability Office.

In the second ruling of its kind, the investigative arm of Congress this week scolded the Bush administration for distributing phony prepackaged news reports that include a ''suggested live intro" for anchors to read, interviews with Washington officials, and a closing that mimics a typical broadcast news sign-off.

Although television stations knew the materials were produced by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, there was nothing in the two-minute, prepackaged reports that would indicate to viewers that they came from the government or that Morris, a former journalist, was working under contract for the government.

[tjdee]

3. He's not the only one, but nothing will happen.

Armstrong Williams is one fucked up individual.

This is also the Armstrong Williams who was sued for sexual harrassment by a man who said Williams claimed to need "affection".

Williams denied it--so here we have a man with a high degree of self-loathing taking money to do something he believes in.

Riigggght.

[Drifter]

4. Who exactly paid the pundit ? ...

did it come from AWOLs annual salary ?

Hmmm. Nope. Looks like AWOL is make us pay for the propoganda that will fuck us over, and make his friends rich.

Cheers
Drifter

Calling Mr. Whitman .... where is Mr. Whitman ?

[wicket]

5. Wow, this has to be highly illegal

It'll be interesting to see what comes of this. Wtf??

[snippy]

12. It is illegal. However, since the crime was committed by a republican

it can not be prosecuted under current US law. This incident is very similar to the money Bush spent promoting the Medicare prescription drug benefit law. The GAO investigated that incident and concluded that the administration had broken the law against spending taxpayer funds for propaganda purposes but that no one in the administration should be prosecuted or otherwise punished. There have been several other similar incidents since Bushfuck the Liar took office.

[Just Me]

27. Where is that statute prohibiting covert government propaganda?

Does it really have so little bite? I thought it was a crime akin to treason? Of course, I have been mistaken many times.

[snippy]

37. Here is a link to the GAO report with citations to the statutes violated.

http://www.gao.gov/decisions/appro/302710.htm

And here is the digest of the report.

DIGEST

1. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’s (CMS) use of appropriated funds to pay for the production and distribution of story packages that were not attributed to CMS violated the restriction on using appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda purposes in the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2003,
Pub. L. No. 108-7, Div. J, Tit. VI, § 626, 117 Stat. 11, 470 (2003).

2. CMS, in using appropriations in violation of the publicity or propaganda prohibition, incurred obligations in excess of appropriations available for that purpose. See B-300325, Dec. 13, 2002. Accordingly, CMS violated the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341, and must report the violation to the Congress and President in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 1351 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-11.

[Just Me]

39. Thank you so much, Snippy!!!

:hi:

[calimary]

51. Yeah, Snippy! I just called Henry Waxman's office about it.

Gave his staffer the info. Said I want it looked into, plus - WHERE did the money come from, and WHO ELSE is on the payroll?

[Just Me]

40. Here's an interesting (older) story on psy-ops & the media,...

,...if you have already seen it.

snip

In the 1980s, officers from the 4th Army PSYOPS group staffed the National Security Council's Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD), a shadowy government propaganda agency that planted stories in the U.S. media supporting the Reagan Administration's Central America policies.

A senior US official described OPD as a "vast psychological warfare operation of the kind the military conducts to influence a population in enemy territory." (Miami Herald, 7/19/87) An investigation by the congressional General Accounting Office found that OPD had engaged in "prohibited, covert propaganda activities," and the office was soon shut down as a result of the Iran-Contra investigations. But the 4th PSYOPS group still operates.

CNN has always maintained a close relationship with the Pentagon. Getting access to top military officials is a necessity for a network that stakes its reputation on being first on the ground during wars and other military operations.

http://www.fair.org/activism/cnn-psyops.html

[snippy]

48. Apparently lying and illegal spending of taxpayer money are some

of those republican moral values.

[calimary]

55. How much Humvee reinforcements or body armor would that money

have bought for our troops?

Which corporal or sergeant got his/her right arm blown off because the money was diverted to buy Armstrong Williams's mouth?

Let's ask the voters yet again: ...and you're OKAY WITH THIS?

Let's ask our reps: ...and you're OKAY WITH THIS?

Maybe it's time for another call to Barbara Boxer's office. It worked pretty well the last time.

[calimary]

56. 1 (800) 839 - 5276 - TOLL FREE to Capitol Hill Switchboard.

A good time to use it. They'll transfer you to anybody's office in the House OR the Senate, just for the asking.

[scbluevoter]

95. I. O. K. I. Y. A. R.

In the words of Paul Krugman "it's ok if you're a republican."

[UpInArms]

7. wonder how much NoFacts got for leaking Plame's name?

these pieces of flotsam make me :puke:

:argh:

[calimary]

109. He's one of the first other names I wondered about.

My mind IMMEDIATELY went to that. It was actually my second question when I heard about this story. First was - "hmmm... I wonder who else is on the payroll." Then, the name Robert Novak popped into my mind. Along with the esteemed Russert, Zahn, Blitzer, King (John, AND Larry), Wallace (Kelly, AND Chris), and, of course, EVERYONE, across the board, on the Pox "news" network.

What could we have used that money for - in Iraq, since our soldiers are forced to be there - with less-than-satisfactory personal body armor and vehicle body reinforcements? How many dinners could that money have purchased at the hospitals where our soldiers were billed for their meals while they were treated for their war injuries? How much bottled water could that have supplied to the troops last summer when they were sweltering in their heavy combat suits? And if you wanna talk bribes, how many informants might that have bought - so that maybe we'd have gotten some usable tips about suicide bombings that killed so many of our people in Army mess halls? Instead, it's used to buy media whores.

[Earth_First]

8. Another example of the "liberal media" I presume?

:eyes:

[yorkiemommie1]

9. kick

thanks, esp. since I'm in educ. field. my coworkers will find this veddy interesting.

[maddezmom]

10. Armstrong on CNN now, defending being a paid pundit

:eyes:

[NYC]

14. He calls that "paid punditry"?

It's advertising, pure and simple.

[Carni]

15. CNN What an appropriate place for the defense of lying and bush spew!

Did anyone catch "Daybreak" this AM and Mr "I mow down pedestrains and speed away" Cafferty ragging on the Democrats for the objection yesterday? Horrible Heidi tsked tsked and seemed to agree wholeheartedly--it was a media circle jerk of fun (NOT)

[tsuki]

74. My husband turns on CNN every morning, and short of divorcing him which

would be stupid on my part, I listen with half an ear.

I don't know what prompted it, but Cafferty read an opposing email apparently to some question, and the email referred to him as a RW something.

The other man said, "Gee, I thought you were a populist." (joke, joke, puke)

Then Cafferty said something about those people, can't say anything, they get to their typewriters...kinda muttering, nonsensical.

Cafferty is a real self-righteous, know it all prig. Sounds like anyone on the internets is a threat to him.

[calimary]

65. You suppose he was being interviewed by yet another "paid pundit"?

This just absolutely and critically begs the question - WHO ELSE IS ON THE PAYROLL??? For how long? For how much? Where'd the money come from? Who authorized it? Who else knew about it and kept quiet - or maybe TRIED TO keep it quiet?

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

75. Hit the...............

Nail on the head.

[SoCalDem]

90. We all have been LIVING inside a 24/7 INFO-MERCIAL for 4 years

We're like the bored audience that's expected to "ooooh and ahhhhh" everytime a purple plastic cooking gizmo is waved about, or when the camera cuts to a greasy upright chicken doing the vertical limbo..

We have all been HAD, and they will be "having" us for another 4 years.

[eg101]

98. it's been a LOT longer than 4 years; try 80 years!

this has nothing to do with Bush or the GOP alone. The corporations and the media have been buying the media "news" for almost 100 years.

Google Creel, bernays, NAM

[Just Me]

99. A full-blown and THOROUGH "for real" investigation would be,...

,...quite interesting, I imagine. They simply can't "cook the books" forever. The "truth" can't be contained.

[calimary]

113. I called George Miller's office this morning and complained, and

gave them the GAO link elsewhere in this thread. They said they were continuing to investigate, and that this wasn't going to go away. I urged them to stick with it.

BTW - saw Joe Angotti (former NBC news exec, now journalism professor at Northwestern University) who was interviewed on MSNBC and he had the same responses that my husband and I have been growling to each other all morning. Asked if this was unethical he declared that it certainly was. Asked to comment on Williams' claims that he was shilling for NCLB because it was something he believed in, Angotti (bless him!) said (paraphrasing) - well, if he believed in it so strongly, why couldn't he have talked it up for free? I'm so glad that response is coming out.

I'd just answer that kind of question with a question - throwing it back to the cute little blonde anchor-cookie: "so do you expect that, from now on, whenever you hear an opinion from Armstrong Williams, are you simply going to accept it at face value, or just maybe... might there be a question always popping up in the back of your mind as to whether somebody's paying him to say this?"

[Algomas]

154. Head of CNN calls Williams a "whore"...

I heard this yesterday on NPR and could not believe my ears!! I noticed as well that Williams was outed by USA Today, whose publisher wrote an editorial blasting Bu$hco recently.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Impeachement proceedings, anyone?

This is just too pathetic. "Probably illegal" There's nothing probably about it. And I'm sure in time we'll find this kind of thing is very common with the Bush Administration. I wonder how much they paid Bob Novak? Hmmm?

[Dr Fate]

22. Telling the truth about Republicans is "too radical"

So no impeachment or anyhing even close- DEMS will let this slide.

[President Jesus]

13. Armstrong's political donations

listed in detail: http://www.newsmeat.com/media_political_donations/Armstrong_Williams.php

[c71898]

96. And his contact info

The Right Side
With Armstrong Williams

201 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Suite C-3
Washington, DC 20002-4957

PHONE: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

[hadrons]

16. only RW White people listen to Armstrong Williams ....

the ones who wish "all nergoes were like him" ...

I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in." ... yeah Armstrong cash in

[leftynyc]

19. If it's something he really believed in

why didn't he do it for free?

[Sandpiper]

144. The Black Commentator referred to him as

Strom Thurmond's favorite negro.

[Turbineguy]

18. I could use

240 grand. Anybody got anything they want me to strongly believe in?

[TacticalPeek]

20. As I understand it, you don't have to necessarily believe in it.

Just comment regularly.

Taking the 'free' out of free speech. There's no depth to which they will not plummet.

[Dr Fate]

21. So which household DEM is on TV calling Bush a "Criminal?"

Oh I forgot, telling the truth about Republicans is "too Radical" and "too much like Micheal Moore."

Best we just give him another free pass.

[rodeodance]

26. no more free passes should be our montra!!!1

[Dr Fate]

31. It is "our" mantra- but elected DEMS dont listen to "their" base.

The base is there simply to donate money & volunteer for them come election time.

During the off years of the election cycle, we are to be treated as "Micheal Moore conspiracy nuts" whenever we demand that DEMS tell the truth.

[jswordy]

23. As a 25-year journalist and editor, I'll tell you definitely...

IT'S UNETHICAL!!!!

End of story.

[rodeodance]

25. will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investiga

tion" I do hope this happens!!!

[MnFats]

53. as another journo of 25 years, i agree completely...

....
if someone on my staff pulled this they would be fired instantly without discussion or debate.

"Leave now. We'll put all your belongings in a box and mail it to you."

This guy should be an outcast. Scum of the earth.

We should not allow this to fade away.

I'm home with the flu today but I'll be writing some letters.

[jswordy]

70. Thanks for the input.

As much as we in our profession get tarred for being unethical, we really are hyper-concerned about this kind of crap. The guy should be toast, his credibility just went up in flames the MINUTE he took the bribe.

[nashville_brook]

77. as a publisher and editor or 10 years... younger writers coming up, they

don't grok this at all. they don't get the *duty* part so much. not everyone -- but the great unwashed, i'd say. it's a grind, like anything else.

i got into this for the opposite reasons. i had a difficult time understanding that *any one* could view the craft as anything BUT a sacred thing. i'm in the minority, by far.

[warrens]

93. as another 25-year journalist

It's so far off the chart, I've never heard of anything so outrageous. Well, apart from those Hollywood types who were taking cash and bimbos and stuff to puff up bomb movies. Just the amount of money is jaw-dropping. Never mind the ethics of it. I would have loved to have heard the negotiations. "I believe in this VERY strongly and for a cool million, I would believe in it even MORE strongly and never stop talking about it." "No can do, Army, but let me check with the Punk, if I can get him away from Donkey Kong, and get back to you."

If this guy keeps his job, his employer should be shut down.

[eg101]

106. puhleeze...the media has been selling out for 100 years

creel? bernays? NAM? CPI? Operation Mockingbird?

Gimme a break.....
The media has been for sale for a long time.

THey have laws against radio payola, but why not media payola? I know why--because that is an integral part of the American power structure....

[calimary]

126. 25-year news/b'casting veteran here. I couldn't agree more.

He has NO integrity now. Except maybe for those with similar agendas and/or short memories.

EVERY time I see him talking something up, or down, I'm going to wonder who paid him - and how much - to say those things. He's damaged goods now. Credibility completely shot. I wonder if any of his peers will even blink about this. Especially the inevitable others in his club who are also on the take as he's been. And anyone or any company that employs him as a "journalist" or "pundit" is just as compromised. The guy knows NOTHING about full disclosure OR honest information-brokering. Since he WAS/IS a "pundit," ALL HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO DO is to reveal this, at the get-go. To say that he's been enlisted as a spokesman, or hired by so-n-so to do such-and-such. Full disclosure. Must not have bothered his beautiful mind. What a disappointment. Yet again I find myself relieved to say I USED TO be in the news business. If I still worked in it, I'd be too busy apologizing all the time. Just what our industry needed, this is.

[msanthrope]

28. Where did the money come from and how was it reported? n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

153. US Dept of Ed budget

remember how shrub increased the budget for education? And all the RW pundits went off on that talking point as a response to the charge that NCLB is not fully funded? Well none of that extra money trickled down to the schools, lemme tell ya. I am a teacher and our federal dollars have decreased drastically since shrub took office. The asshole was paying RW talking heads to promote the law.

It was reported by USA Today. I saw the reporter interviewed last night. He claimed that he got an 'anonymous tip', filed a FOIA request and three weeks later, he had the goods on Armstrong and wrote the story that appeared yesterday.

[Merlin]

29. THIS MUST BE OUR DIGGING-IN POINT! Un-F*cking-Believable!

I just don't want to hear any "MAYBE" qualifiers from our Dem "leaders."

GODAM IT, THIS IS ILLEGAL!

PURE AND SIMPLE.

I am furious!

Who has a way we can collectively email every fucking Dem leader ?

Let's Roll!

[The Stranger]

79. Relax. Keep your shirt on.

The media will bury this so deep, you'll know the names of every dog, cat, ferret, cow, pig and guinea pig Bush, his wife and their extended family has ever owned in history before you will see one frame of this broadcast in the media.

[pdxmom]

30. It makes me sick

And to hear Williams on CNN trying to defend himself was unbelievable. He kept saying "I really can't remember". Right. Taking a payoff to promote a cause for the administration obviously causes brain damage.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. He Can't Remember A $240,000 Contract?

Come on! I knew he is a well paid shill, and all, but he isn't Bill Gates. I think anyone in his financial stratum would remember making a deal for a quarter million dollars.

He took a bribe; then he lied to cover up the bribery.
The Professor

[pdxmom]

35. Oh, he remembers the money

What he doesn't remember is how often, when, where and maybe even why he really talked about education reform. He made it sound like he just talked about whatever the reporters asked him about, and if No Child Left Behind actually came up, all he did was express his opinion on that.

Basically, he worked really hard to separate himself from himself.

[hatrack]

132. Good thing cable networks don't keep videotape of their shows . . .

Otherwise, someone might check old broadcast tapes and find out just how often Williams pimped NCLB. Whew, what a relief! :eyes:

[RaleighNCDUer]

60. Naw. It wasn't a bribe.

They simply paid him in advance out of gratitude for his saying the things he believed in that he hadn't yet said.

Get it?

[ktowntennesseedem]

80. Maybe he doesn't remember because there were so many.

If I had several different bribes... I mean, contracts, I just might forget a particular one in question.

[ProfessorGAC]

91. Now That, I Hadn't Considered!

Good catch! He's SO on the take, that he doesn't remember where all the funding comes from.
The Professor

[DaDeacon]

33. Williams is a damn Money blind fool.

Like other black repubs, can't see Mr.Charlie for the green...damn right I said it!

[Tomee450]

120. I agree wholeheartedly.

I believe many black Republicans are nothing but opportunists shilling for the money.

[wishlist]

34. Bet they are paying columnists/news writers to support SS privatizing too

They have blatantly admitted that they are going to be doing a PR blitz about SS and last year got caught misusing taxpayers' money on ads promoting their Medicare drug plan, so nothing this corrupt bunch does would surprise me.

[UpInArms]

44. here's some more discussion

on how that works

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1129417&mesg_id=1129572&page=

[hatrack]

133. How how many checks Larry Kudlow's gotten in the last six months

.

[DaDeacon]

36. Black Repubs = Sell Out, just more proof! N/T

[stanwyck]

38. So, are Rush, Sean, and Bill

going to report on this? Or will they be eerily silent? Afterall, this is a huge abuse of taxpayer's money, right? Bill should be all over this. Maybe those butt cheeks are pretty clenched today.
Who's next?

[DaDeacon]

41. Billy O and Butts = funny n/t

[Ernesto]

42. A kick & a thanks to Judi n-t

[Kitsune]

43. There has to be ONE repub in the House willing to start impeachment

This is fucking ridiculous and disgusting! There has to be at least one half-decent Repub in the House who'd be at least willing to consider introducing articles of impeachment over something this obviously and blatantly illegal.

Just one?

[stanwyck]

49. please name that one Repub

Tom Delay, maybe?
What is it going to take to wake up numbed down America? What? Just how degraded does our democracy have to become? Clarence Thomas is cashing in like he won American Idol. OK for an American Idol contestant. Rather unseemingly for a Supreme Court justice.
And we're supposed to believe conservatives have the edge on morality?
Where do we live now? Cause this sure ain't America.

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. What a waste of money

Do these assholes have any idea how many books $240,000 would buy???

[No Exit]

50. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Anyone doubt that there are legions of other journalists out there who are being DIRECTLY paid MONEY to spout the administration's propaganda?

My favorite part about this story is this quote: "Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but 'I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in'".

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Hey, Armstrong, my friend, I understand! Like you, I believe in MAKING PROFITS, too!! Yeah boy, something he "believes in": PROFIT. This man will stand up for his principles!

Wonder how much they pay Rush and that wacko nutball, Hannity.

[mattclearing]

52. This just proves what we already knew.

The White House is trying to manage the news and is involved in shady public relations dealings to make its nutty initiatives seem reasonable.

[Norquist Nemesis]

61. Bingo!! It's absolute evidence of the media and govt

being in bed together for propaganda...a don't bite the hand that feeds you (because you may end up dead).

[raggedcompany]

54. The audacity with which the White House executes it's propaganda

is staggering. The are the actions of a bully whose never been challenged. Makes me sad, takes the wind out of my sails to read stuff like this. Fact is, they've won. The don't care what gets exposed, it doesn't matter..they will shrug it off and keep chugging along.

[outrage]

66. RE: "The audacity with which the White House executes it's propaganda"

...takes the wind out of my sails to read stuff like this. Fact is, they've won. The don't care what gets exposed, it doesn't matter..they will shrug it off and keep chugging along

Hmn. It's just the oppostite for me. They haven't won shit. this makes me mad as hell. It makes me want to fight harder. The only problem is I need some marching orders, I need to know what I can do. Who do I write? Where do I protest? Talking about it isn't enough. Time to mobilize. Time to get in somebody's face and stay in their face.

[Just Me]

102. Write your congressperson, write your paper, spread the word.

Ask you friends, family and constituents to do the same.

[calimary]

124. I second this: 1 (800) 839 - 5276 - TOLL FREE to the Capitol Hill

Switchboard. Won't cost you anything but maybe two minutes of your time. Preferably in the morning. That tends to be the easiest time to get through. Some of these offices are pretty busy. Almost impossible to get through to Barbara Boxer's yesterday (Thursday), for love nor money.

[baldingrockwarlord]

134. "write your congressman"

I'm sorry, I mean you no disrespect personally, but please prove to me definitively when the last time was that "writing your congressman" ever really worked or got positive action? Do you REALLY think they listen to us anymore? That letter, email, or phone call may be politely received, then sh*tcanned. Our so called elected officials don't really care about democracy or their citizenry anymore, especially once they get to the hill. Note yesterdays vote please. You can threaten to vote them out, but unless your request has LOTS of money attatched to it, (just like the broadcaster received the 240K) they're not listening. All those protesters in the streets of New York during Chimpy's convention didn't amount to a hill of beans. I was impressed, and it warmed my heart for a little bit, and I hoped, but nothing happened and the media downplayed the numbers, the significance and the message. Sorry folks. I am also beginning to believe democracy is dead. NGU and "keep hope alive" "help is on the way" and "I've got your back" are now all just empty words and phrases w/ no action or effective teeth to them. I can only let my trust hopes dreams and ideals be stepped on for so long and I've reached that end game. I now think that EVERY single Democrat that holds office should be thrown out next electable chance and replaced by a new face/name that hasn't been tainted by corruption(good luck finding one of THOSE). We have no real representatives anymore. This party is over unless they (the dipwads we have elected to speak on our behalf) do something and fast.

[FredScuttle]

136. uh, yesterday

Three words for you: Barbara Fucking Boxer.

[prayin4rain]

57. "probably illegal" This is ridiculous. These people don't get in trouble

for ANYTHING!!!! It is just ridiculous! They don't even face public opinion consequences in most cases. I am so sick of it.

[Cocoa]

58. $240,000 media whore

[LevelB]

62. My wife is a school teacher

She regularly fumes about the unfunded mandate (wait - didn't the Republicans do something about those with their "Contract With America"?) called the NCLB. When she hears that they spent DOE money for this, she just may explode.

B.

[nashville_brook]

72. fuels speculation ... end of public education? not a conspiracy theory.

[proud2BlibKansan]

156. I am a teacher

and I am still exploding.

I just got back from lunch with a whole group of teachers. I can't even describe the anger. We all hated shrub before, but we truly despise him now. And don't even get me started on rod fucking paige.

[outrage]

63. White House paid commentator to promote law

Gives the term "sell out" whole new meaning.

[StephanieMarie]

67. Is there any area where *co hasn't broken the law? n/t

[tsuki]

68. What you believe in is the $240,000. These guys are so greedy.

[stanwyck]

71. Use as ammunition

the next time a wingnut starts spouting hatespeech direct from freeper radio: And how much was Rush/Sean/Don/Bill/whoever PAID for that talking point?
Challenge all rightwing talk with asking for the price tag to the American taxpayer. And how much did THAT piece of propaganda cost us? If your advesary doesn't know what you're talking about, and, chances are, they won't. Fill them in on the story. They're listening to infomercials. But they repeat hate-radio as "news."
Fight back.

[AlCzervik]

73. WTF??? Is that against the law?

[Logansquare]

76. Everybody knows you're supposed to launder it thru the AEI

Or some other RW thinktank. They're getting careless.

[jljamison]

78. its actually quite pathetic

I think the real story here is that this NCLA, the Bush Administrations "Shining Star" domestic program, isn't good enough to sell itself. Its actually quite pathetic.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

81. they have no shame

if this fellow believed in what he was trying to sale to people he wouldn't have to be paid to do it.

i think that says something about the NCLB program doesn't it?

[hraka]

83. Just like Fox News

Faid and Unbiased (excuse me, I just spit my coffee all over my keyboard).

[kwolf68]

84. Williams = MORON

I remember him asking the South Carolina Dem candidate for Senate Inez Tennanbaum (pardon spelling errors) this unbelievable question:

"When does conception begin?"

And this guy gets paid to pontificate!!!!!

[Hamsta1]

104. Sounds like a pretty "forward" question!

Maybe he was trying to round third base without touching the first two... Isnt Inez a married woman? Where's the morality??

Him and Blackwell are Sellouts of the Year. Maybe the NAACP will have an award(or do they already) for the person who does the most harm to their own race. Especially when they are in a position where they *could* do some good.

[FredScuttle]

137. "House Negroes of the Year"

Malcolm X had those two pegged perfectly

[Cobalt Violet]

87. How many more "jounalist" are on * 's payroll?

I doubt this is the only one.

[Career Prole]

88. CNN Armstrong Williams interview transcript here...

Scroll a bit more than halfway down the page...
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0501/07/ltm.05.html

HEMMER: There's a TV commentator reportedly admitting accepting money to promote President Bush's education policy.

According to "USA Today" today, Armstrong Williams was paid $240,000 to plug the "no child left behind" act in his syndicated broadcast. Some are now suggesting this deal raises ethical questions and possibly a congressional investigation.

Armstrong Williams with me from D.C., and good morning to you.

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, TV COMMENTATOR: Good morning, Bill. How are you?

HEMMER: I'm doing fine. What did you do in return for the money?

WILLIAMS: Well, Bill, the -- we were subcontracted to Catch Em (ph). And what we were doing, they used our media. We own our syndication, the rights side, where we syndicate our shows all of the country.

And with many of the affiliates, we have to pay them. And especially, in particular markets that they wanted this "no child left behind" to be on their airwaves, they paid for advertising time is what they paid for.

And in addition to that, which is what our contract called for -- I made it clear because it's something that really believed in as a commentator, something I wrote often about -- that I would use my contacts with people that I knew in different media outlets from time to time to get them to talk about "no child left behind"...

HEMMER: OK. Stop there. A couple of questions here.

Did you disclose to your readers, did you disclose to your viewers about the transaction?

WILLIAMS: Listen, I disclosed to different people whose airwaves that we use. I disclosed it to different commentators. I don't -- I can't recall whether I disclosed it to the audience or not.

HEMMER: All right. But part of your job is to persuade people, right? And part of your job is to present arguments that you believe in. And if you did present those arguments and were getting money in return for it, why not tell people?

WILLIAMS: Well, you know, it's not as if it was an issue that I did not want to tell them. If issue did come up on the air, I made a very clear that we had a professional relationship where "no child left behind" was using our media as advertising.

It was advertising. It's not as if we were paid. People look at the article and say we were paid $240,000. It was in advertising. They used our media.

We taped a one minute commercial with Secretary Paige where we produced -- we did for about 20 minutes. We produced a one minute commercial. He had two, one minute commercial spots in our shows, on our commercial reel.

HEMMER: Stop again. Sorry.

You made money off this, right?

WILLIAMS: Our company did. We made money, yes.

HEMMER: In turn, you did because you are employed by the company. How often would you...

WILLIAMS: No, no, no -- not employed by the company, I own the company. There's a difference. HEMMER: OK, well, even better.

WILLIAMS: Yes.

HEMMER: How often did you come here on CNN and promote what you talked about, or wrote about or, in turn, were paid for?

WILLIAMS: Well, you know, I can't recall that because when I'm on CNN, we talk about issues of Iraq, when I'm on Wolf Blitzer's show, when I'm on "CNN MORNING."

I can't even recall if there is ever the time that we talked about "no child left behind." But certainly if the issue arises, it's very possible. I'm certainly going to talk about it because I'm an advocate for it.

HEMMER: Through our research, it appears back in October, on the 18th of October, you came on and talked about that very thing. Do you recall that discussion? Do you recall that conversation?

WILLIAMS: I wouldn't recall it, but it's quite possible. I mean, I appear on your broadcast quite often. And "no child left behind" is an issue that was consistently in the media for the last two years.

More at link...

[go west young man]

123. As always CNN and Hemmer show no real backbone..

he should have asked him if he realizes its a crime and he could go to jail. Instead he basically says see you in the future back here on CNN. Sad.

[Career Prole]

128. They'll see him in the future after they discuss kickback fees.

"How's about 10%...just let me wet my beak. Otherwise you'll never propagandize in this town again!"

[KamaAina]

89. Armstrong Williams, the last honest journalist (sarcasm)

When he's bought, by Gawd, he stays bought!! :evilgrin:

[Jose Diablo]

94. There it is, we now know why Rove's talking points are faxed

each day to the MSM. It's really just services rendered for money paid. Isn't this illegal?

No wonder MSM is very concerned. I wonder what JQ Public will do if this comes out. Probably nothing, just go back to chewing their cud.

Edit: I wonder which project this money comes from: War in Iraq, Homeland Security, CIA's black budget, Military?

Further Edit: How much tax money has MSM recieved to further Bu*h's agenda. Shouldn't this be kinda like providing campaign money from our taxes?

[TheDonkey]

97. CAN WE HAVE SOME OUTRAGE!!!

Hello MSM? Hello DU?

Where is the outrage about this. What a disgusting use of our money. I hope this is investigated immeditely and it won't be until we place the fire under their feet.

[warrens]

100. Anybody who has ever given him a paycheck

Directly or indirectly, as in paying syndication fees, should be demanding their money back and drop him immediately. This is unbelievable. And Jebediah just hired some hack from a Florida paper who was fired for plagiarism and viewing porn on his office computer.

Which gives you some indication about how the Bushies view the press. With some justification.

[TheDonkey]

118. yea, he needs to be hung up to dry. This is trash

pure trash. Bush and Armstrong should go down in flames for this.

[ashmanonar]

122. *rages*

*explodes*
*combusts*

and i'm spent...

[coreystone]

101. Lautenberg on CNN Now!

[grumpy old fart]

103. and, and? n/t

[coreystone]

105. "gof" - It's been a long week. It's Friday. This story is hitting MSM,,,

It may fizzle out by tomorrow.

Who knows!

:-)

[chomskysright]

125. not if we CRANK THE ECHO CHAMBER....

[coreystone]

108. Williams Will Be On "Crossfire" at 4:30 (EST) on CNN.....eom

[LevelB]

110. HA

Looks like CrossFire is going to go out with a bang.

B.

[ClintonTyree]

111. Is this Administration responsible for anything?

"White House spokesman Trent Duffy said he couldn't comment because the White House is not involved in departments' contracts."

It appears that the White House is not involved in ANY departments affairs. To listen to the Bushies, they're not aware of ANYTHING that is going on in their administration. They're that Sergeant Schultz's of government. "I see nothing......I hear NOTHING"!

The buck stops nowhere with these guys. Well it does stop with the media quite often I guess.

[pdxmom]

138. Plausible deniability

But, I don't find it very plausible that everything that goes wrong, is illegal, falls apart, or gets people killed is someone else's fault. How can anyone know so little about so many things done under his auspices? And the Kool-Aid drinkers will swallow this right down, too.

[coreystone]

112. Maybe this is a parallel, and posted on another thread, but I find..

it interesting!

Bush's Drug Videos Broke Law, Accountability Office Decides

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/07/national/07drug.html?oref=login

:-)

[janetle]

114. Worse than Dan Rather

The right wing screamed about that---this is infinitely worse and illegal in addition.

[Darkhawk32]

116. The make false news stories.....

Rather was DEFINITELY SET UP!

[janetle]

127. I agree

I hope at some point this comes to light.

[rqstnnlitnmnt]

115. deleted..sorry dupe post

[Tomee450]

117. This is really shocking.

I wonder if other journalists have also been paid.

[Nezz]

121. At Least

he made sure his child (if he has one) wouldn't be "left behind".

[chomskysright]

129. here is letter to Congress , a sample...

January 7, 2005

Dear Senator:

We have the Republicans trying to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about a blow job? This is BAD against the backdrop of THIS? The President is bribing journalists? We cannot get news coverage of the voting irregularities, the lying deceit of J. Kenneth Blackwell???

Please do not fall prey to thinking that USA Today is 'all of a sudden' a Democratic newspaper.

They are covering the news. That is what the news is SUPPOSED to do.

Posted 1/7/2005 12:17 AM Updated 1/7/2005 5:35 AM

White House paid commentator to promote law
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.

The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.

Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."

The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." He said he will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investigation
(snip/...)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-06-will...

[Penndems]

130. I read this in Howard Kurtz's "Media Notes" column in today's

Washington Post. My jaw hit the floor. :wow:

They paid this son of a bitch - another one of their "useful idiots" -$240K OF MY TAX MONEY to act as their mouthpiece and spew their propaganda. Yeah, you BET it's illegal. But hey - the laws don't apply to "the elites" - RIGHT?

Armstrong Williams. The Alan Keyes of broadcasting. He doesn't give a shit about his own race, and neither does Keyes. (Hell, Keyes didn't even want blacks working in his office at the State Department when he was Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.) Except, of course, if there's money involved or it helps advance his career. He's a media whore all right, and as long as he's got Sugar Daddy Bush taking care of him, ole Armstrong's in hog heaven. There's an ugly name for his sort, and Nabisco coined it for one of their confections a while back.

Wonder who else is "on the take". Hannity? Limbaugh? Coulter? We know the Good Reverend Robertson is. He gets more of MY TAXPAYER MONEY through "faith-based initiatives" (an oxymoron if there ever was one).

Don't know whether anybody realizes this or not, but we've got the political equivalent of the Mafia running this country right now. Tony Soprano and Vito Corleone took lessons from The Village Idiot and his minions. This crew believes that anybody can be bought, if the price is right. They worship the almighty, all right - the almighty BUCK, that is.

[enki23]

131. the worst thing is... they were smug enough to fucking DO this.

they knew this would come out eventually. they just figured no one would fucking care.

and, of course, they're mostly right.

[jazzjunkysue]

135. Photo: NCLB: Neo-Con Love Bunny

NCLB: Neo Con Love Bunny

[Kimber Scott]

139. When I "believe in" something, I do it for free. (nt)

[Catherine Vincent]

140. No wonder Rod Paige quit.

And kudos to the USA Today for uncovering the story.

[MergeLeft]

141. I am outraged by this

The whole of America should be outraged by this!

[struggle4progress]

142. kick

[Melynn]

143. Truly an outrage

The Bush administration has enough money for this lackey but enough money for body armor for American fighting men. Truly outrage.

[Shopaholic]

145. Unfuckingbelievable

It just never ends does it? So when's Armstrong going to whip out his checkbook and give us our damn money back?

[Melynn]

146. Yes Unbelievable

My previous post should have read, "The Bush administration has enough money for this lackey but not enough money for body armor for American fighting men. Truly outrageous."" Newbie mistake on my part. Plus pure anger cause me to write badly.

Yes, when will this lackey of the chimp president give back this money? Never. Repugs only care about money.

[Carl Brennan]

151. Now that would make a good letter to the editor

Welcome to DU

[bklyncowgirl]

147. Tip of the iceberg? (I hope) nt

[Penndems]

148. Williams will be on washingtonpost.com Monday at noon

doing an online chat. Questions and comments are accepted in advance.

Link:
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/04/_nation_armstrong011005.htm

[leesa]

155. How much do you suppose O'Reilly, Hannity, Limpballs, etc have been

paid to promote an illegal war and all of the other illegal deeds of this maladministration? Can we find out? It will come in handy at their trials for treason and war crimes.

[Debbie13]

159. I hope someone will follow the MONEY TRAIL

[superconnected]

157. another reason not to trust people supporting bush

notice it gets more and more evily currupt as it goes. And that's just going off the little pieces of dust that makes the news.

[mitchum]

158. Uncle Ben was a lot better at pushing rice than policy...

"But Lawd, the paychecks are so much bigger now!"

[Acryliccalico]

160. Kick n/t