Doctored Kerry photo brings anger, threat of suit

[Sequoia]

The photographer who snapped John Kerry attending a 1971 anti-war rally says he and his photo agency intend to track down -- and possibly sue -- whoever doctored and circulated a photo that made it appear that the then 27-year-old Vietnam veteran was appearing alongside actress Jane Fonda.

Ken Light, now a UC Berkeley professor of journalism ethics, says he photographed Kerry at an anti-war rally in Mineola, N.Y., on June 13, 1971. The decorated Vietnam veteran was preparing to give a speech at the rally -- but Fonda was never at the event.

Light's photo gained prominence when someone took it and merged the shot of the now Democratic presidential front-runner with another separate photo of Fonda -- one taken by photographer Owen Franken as the actress spoke to a 1972 rally in Miami Beach, Fla.

The fabricated Kerry-Fonda photo was circulated with an identifying logo of the Associated Press and became the subject of talk show fodder after it was placed on many Web sites as evidence of Kerry's "anti-American" activities after his war service.

<snip>

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/20/MNG4S54RGO1.DTL

[Champion Jack]

1. Wasn't some freeper claiming credit for the forgery?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. I bet he's not quite as "talky" as he was the other day.

[Carni]

13. Yes, His freeper name is "registered"

The article about the clown making the picture being a freakrepublic member is HERE:

http://www.berkeleydaily.org/article.cfm?issue=02-17-04&storyID=18291


Apparently his name is : Rich Taylor ([e-mail])

LINK TO THAT HERE: http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:8qKEUAK6vZQJ:www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/3116/geobook.html+registered%40aol.com+rich&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Email address "[e-mail]"

AOL profile for [e-mail]
Name: Registered
Location:Michigan, USA
Gender:Male
Hobbies & Interests:Politics through humor

This is the same *genius* that brought the world at large the Soreloserman materials in 2000.

[thebaghwan]

16. So who is going to call the journalism dept at Berkeley and pass this info

to the good professor?

[Loonman]

17. I wrote to her with the threads, but not the info on the freeper

[e-mail]

[Carni]

19. Oh I have a feeling someone will email Ken Light!

Or maybe call? ;)

http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:SMAaPjjItgwJ:journalism.berkeley.edu/faculty/light/+kenlight%40uclink4.berkeley.edu&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

EMAIL: [e-mail]
Phone#: [phone]

The name Rich Taylor that this registered individual signed to a guestbook in 1999 may be fake... but I would think the photographer could legally obtain the guy's from AOL if he were serious about legal action!

[fob]

29. I just printed it out and plan on dropping it off this weekend.

Just in case!

[Carni]

32. GREAT!

GOOD WORK DU'ers! :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

20. His current away message re: working on an image

This is what his current away message states:
"I am working on an image. If you need me, feel free to pop me an email! Thanks!"

Hmmmmm....which image? Redoctoring his original p-shopped Kerry photo...trying to erase evidence of his handiwork? lol

I have no idea, but meanwhile AP should sue for misappropriation of use of their trademark.

[UpInArms]

21. here's a link to that Berkeley page

http://web.archive.org/web/20040220113439/http://www.berkeleydaily.org/article.cfm?issue=02-17-04&storyID=18291

excerpt:

Then—according to a host of Internet postings—came the Internet prankster who calls himself Registered, an unabashed GOP partisan who loves to apply his digital imaging skills to tweaking prominent Democrats (see his entry at www.freerepublic.com/~registered).

Combining the two shots—both posted on Corbis.com, a site that allows photographers to market their photos—Registered came up with a very realistic rendering of Fonda sharing the platform with Kerry at her side, an image sure to push the hot buttons of the Right because of another notorious photo, this one real.

In 1972, Fonda became the bete noir of the right when she allowed herself to be photographed, clad in a North Vietnamese army helmet, at the controls of an anti-aircraft gun as she urged soldiers to shoot down the “American imperialist war raiders” who were bombing Hanoi and environs.

The fabricated association of Kerry, a genuine war hero who won the Silver Star, with Fonda quickly ping-ponged around the rightist blogosphere.

Adding credibility to the fake was the accompanying caption and headline, attributing the shot to the Associated Press.

The most illustrious media outlet to be taken in was the New York Times, which cited the image in a Sheryl Gay Stolberg story datelined Feb. 12. The Times acknowledged the image as a forgery on Feb. 14.

“My first reaction” to the forgery “was shock,” Light said. “Then you become disturbed because this is a very serious matter. It’s a presidential election, after all, and to have your photograph turned into something like this is very disturbing.”

...more...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

49. And the SoreLoserman tag was such great marketing-for a 9-year old

:eyes:

I hope that dingbat isn't planning a career in advertising anytime soon.

[Loonman]

2. Freeper "registered"

That's his handle.


I think he's hiding in Jimmy Rob's skirt, at the moment.

[kskiska]

9. Yeah, "Registered"

They've been bragging about him over there. He even slapped an AP tag on the picture. He's still in business, though.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076946/posts

[PaDUer]

11. Copy the thread..

before they delete it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

14. Here's a thread where Registered is REALLY mentioned

Kerry Photo Altered, Used for Political Attack (FR, Registered Mentioned)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. OMG! Idiot Freep suggests he created fake pic by "accident"!

"Registered isn't causing us to "lose" the war by creating a fake pic, whether he did it on purpose or by accident." http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1080321/posts?page=118#118

LOL!!!! :crazy:

[Carni]

22. HERE "registered" admits he made photo!

What a moron LOL


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076443/posts?q=1&&page=51

To: Spiff
Recreating news events...is that a hoax Spiff?

btw, the image I did doesn't show them shaking hands does it?

72 posted on 02/11/2004 8:55:37 PM PST by Registered
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Woo-Hah. That's the way to fight.

Let's get it out into public consciousness that the RW is doing all kinds of dirt to Kerry: the photo, the intern story, etc. That's the best kind of insulation there is. Get people automatically presuming that any negatives they hear are lies and spin.

If I weren't getting so sick of the Meme meme, I'd call this the Republican Slander meme.

[burythehatchet]

5. Hmmm Slander

Didn't someone just write a book by that name?

[iam]

7. They don't have to presume

the wrong can do nothing but lie.

[Sparkle]

6. Good!

Sue the pants off that freeper!

[Skittles]

8. I AGREE

we need to fight back at these lowlifes.

[bspence]

10. holy crap

I didn't know that photo was faked! Wow, and if I don't know, then I'm sure 99% of america isn't aware that it was faked either.

[trotsky]

12. Keep in mind there are two photos.

One, legitimate, shows them both seated and apparently watching a speaker. Kerry is about 2-3 rows behind Fonda.

The second, forged, shows Fonda at a microphone and Kerry right next to her, seated.

[Champion Jack]

18. As a side note: It's a lousy Photoshop job IMO

[auburngrad82]

23. Republican attack ad strategy

CBS news carried an article that said the Bush/Cheney campaign will begin running ads next month against Kerry.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/20/politics/main601316.shtml

The Washington Post reports that beginning next month, the
president's campaign will launch a multi-million dollar ad campaign
that will focus on Kerry's past, including his days as a Vietnam War
protester.

"The beauty of John Kerry is 32 years of votes and public
pronouncements," Mark McKinnon, the campaign's chief media adviser,
told the Post.

It will be ugly because Junior is the brain behind the negative attacks against Michael Dukakis which used the now famous photo of Willie Horton that scared the hell out of every conservative in America. He will go as low as necessary to keep the White House.

The Democrats have an opportunity that doesn't come around every 4 years. There is such an abundance of Bush quotes, Bush video clips, and Bush soundbites out there that the best campaign advertising strategy for the Democrats would be to use Bush against himself.

For example, pair up a video clip of his 2003 State of the Union address where he informed the nation that we were under iminent danger of nuclear attack from Iraq with a full screen bolded quote from David Kay stating that Iraq has no WMD.

Another example: a video clip of Bush on Meet the Press stating to the American people that we will create 3 million new jobs over the next year followed by a video clip of Scott McClellan's White House press briefing just one week later where he had to explain that the estimate has to be adjusted down because they had used "outdated statistics".

You can counter Republican attacks that will state that Kerry voted FOR the Iraq war with the video clip from the State of the Union. Congress backed the war because Bush lied to them.

There are so many possibilities of using this administration against itself that you could run ads for months featuring the dishonesty/mismanagement of the Bush administration and you'd never have to repeat yourself.

By comparison the Republican's attack ads painting Kerry as a baby killing commie will get very old in a hurry. It isn't working with the Vietnam vets I know and you would think that they would be most sensitive to this issue. The Republicans are over-estimating the value that Kerry's stand against the war will get them.

I also like the idea of using quotes from famous Republicans to attack Bush on the question of honesty and accountability. This one is a little long for TV ads, but it's just an example of what can be done:

A video clip of Ari Fleischer loudly stating that we are a nation at war and that is is unpatriotic to question our President followed by a quote:

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only
unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
– Teddy Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star, May 7, 1918

[Judi Lynn]

26. Great T.R. quote, auburngrad82. Welcome to D.U.! n/t

[rocktivity]

24. Here they are

rocknation

[Tommy_Douglas]

25. I feel for Kerry...

He's going to be attacked left and right by all these false allegations. These people have no scruples, they see nothing wrong with lying, and they show no remorse for it. Its disgusting and almost impossible to combat.

[rocktivity]

28. My solution to the Kerry attacking problem

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=369828


rocknation

[King_Crimson]

36. Right on...

Just like my sig line says!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

34. And the shame of it all is... it is not that good. The facial shadows

don't match. The geometry of Kerry and Fonda is not right. Cover them one at a time, you will see what I mean.

[Fovea]

37. If it were any worse,

he would be holding an Argentine Mauser.

Look at the direct angular light on Kerry, and the more diffuse light with mx sources illuminating Fonda. Specifically, look at the hollows of their cheeks.

Lame. Lame. Lame. Shame on the Media Whores who didn't even look cursorily at the image.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

38. The New York Times should really be embarrased.... with their

photo library? And no one noticed this?
God, what a disgrace.

[MasonJar]

27. Just when has protesting against the Viet Nam War a negative,

especially by a war hero. We all know now that it was an illegitimate war. Kerry learned the fact first hand and tried to end it. That is patriotism, not the opposite. We have to step on them every time they lie or we will end up with Mr Malaprop for another 4 years.

[sendero]

30. Forget threatening a suit....

... they need to BRING a suit. This kind of stuff has got to stop.

[Bake]

31. No suit for libel

Unless Kerry himself brings it. He's the one being libeled. The photographer could conceivably bring a suit for copyright infringement. That's about it.

Better to USE it as a glaring example of Puke dishonesty.

Bake

[dfong63]

33. what's really a shame

is that there is nothing really dishonorable about appearing with Jane Fonda. she sacrificed her career and her good name in the struggle against an unjust war. Jane Fonda was the victim of the mother of all right-wing character assassination efforts. in my opinion, she's at least as much of a hero as Kerry.

[DiverDave]

35. Registered is reading this

or one of his little fascist buddys is.
So I got something for you, you piece of dog turd.
Your tin god is going down, and guess what?
Nobody can pardon HIM...quite a hoot,huh?
Bush pardons everybody involved in this pile of shit administration and HE is left out in the cold LOL

Oh and see if jimmy boy can loan you some money, your going to need it for lawyers.

Brownshirt little sissy bitch.

[Carni]

39. What he said...!

LOL!

[johnfunk]

43. Taylor, "You piece of dog turd, your Tin God is going down"

... but maybe not before two of his puppeteers, Dick Cheny and Alberto Gonzales, go -- Cheney for trying to fix a Supreme Court case, Whitewash House Counsel Gonzales for probably being privy to STOLEN confidential Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat documents

And for the record, Rich, I've seen the way you treat progressives first hand -- you are a contemptuous, arrogant little shithead.

Sorry, I take that back -- that comparison is an insult to contemptuous, arrogant little shitheads everywhere.

I hope AP sues your smug ass for everything you have. It's not the FIRST time you've STOLEN an AP image for a non-satirical reason, is it, Dick... er, Rick..

[johnfunk]

45. "Oh and see if jimmy boy can loan you some money"

ROTFLMFAO -- that'll be the day -- RimJob probably needs all the SHeeple money for the upkeep of that tweaked out custom RV of his...

[johnfunk]

40. More info on "Registered"

Many of his humor-challenged graphics can be found at the Strange Cosmos Web site (http://www.strangecosmos.com).

Here's Strange Cosmos' WHOIS info from Geektools:

Registrant:
Baltic Enterprises (STRANGECOSMOS-DOM)
PO BOX 877
CHESTERFIELD, MO 63006-0877
US

Domain Name: STRANGECOSMOS.COM

Administrative Contact:
Administrator, Domain (FBUDHVASJI) [e-mail]
PO BOX 877
CHESTERFIELD, MO 63006-0877
US
636.530.7594 fax: [phone]

Technical Contact:
Network Solutions, Inc. (HOST-ORG) [e-mail]
13200 Woodland Park Drive
Herndon, VA 20171-3025
US
1-888-642-9675 fax: [phone]

Record expires on 02-Jan-2013.
Record created on 02-Jan-2001.
Database last updated on 20-Feb-2004 21:41:02 EST.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS.SERVINT.COM 209.50.225.13
NS2.SERVINT.COM 209.50.225.12

Registered claims to be from Michigan -- but I'm sure his pal in Missouri might be able to put authorities in touch with him.

A little under two years ago, "Registered" appeared at Capitol Grilling -- but stopped posting when a couple of the liberals started going medieval not only on his Clinton-hating but lack of talent as a foto-toon humorist. He disappeared after one of the libs came pretty close to telling "Registered" that a couple of his posts might well be actionable. He disappeared for a week then began posting under the handle "Born Again" -- but was "busted" when he made the same spelling and punctuation mistakes ag "Registered".

Bottom line -- when cornered, Registered shows himself to be nothing but a coward and a hateful, spiteful little bigot jealous of those who actually do good for the public at large (i.e. Democrats). Registered claims to be a Christian, but my bet would be on jesus putting the smackdown on the little hypocrite if they ever met.

[johnfunk]

41. Lookie! He even has a Yahoo! Discussion Group!

It's time to sign up -- and post some enDUring comments!

[johnfunk]

42. Here's the crsnic.com WHOIS for his web site registeredmedia.com

Organization:
Registered Media
Rich Taylor
1685 Marquette
Muskegon, MI 49442
US
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Registrar Name....: Register.com
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.register.com

Domain Name: REGISTEREDMEDIA.COM

Created on..............: Mon, Jul 28, 2003
Expires on..............: Thu, Jul 28, 2005
Record last updated on..: Sun, Dec 21, 2003

Administrative Contact:
Registered Media
Rich Taylor
1685 Marquette
Muskegon, MI 49442
US
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
Register.Com
Domain Registrar
575 8th Avenue - 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
US
Phone: [phone]
Fax..: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.WEBCONTROLCENTER.COM 216.119.106.2
NS2.WEBCONTROLCENTER.COM 216.119.106.3

Register your domain name at http://www.register.com

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

44. here is a map of his home address... reverse lookup failed to

verify it though...

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&address=1685+Marquette&city=Muskegon&state=+M&zipcode=49442&submit=Get+Map

[Carni]

47. Oh geez he's in "Da UP"

Rich Taylor
1685 Marquette
Muskegon, MI 49442
US
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

If they want to serve this dummy they will have to send sled dogs at this time of the year LOL

[johnfunk]

46. Rich Taylor? His new name is "Rip" Taylor...

... not for his similarity to one of my favorite flamboyant, zany comedians but for the way he likes to "Rip" off the AP...

[Catherine Vincent]

48. I hope that freeper bastard is sweating in his pants!

Ya Bush buttkisser!

[grasswire]

50. he even has a button...

....for people to donate to Paypal!

Calls it his "tip glass."

[johnfunk]

51. Kick -- It's time to let the AP...

... and the original photographer know who this fraudulent, un-funny "satirist" Rip... er, Rick Taylor is. He can't hide behind FReeper anonymity anymore.