I'll make a Flash attack ad "expose" on Sinclair if everyone pushes it.

[symbolman]

I'll make a Flash attack ad about all this if someone (everyone) will promote it, maybe with a banner that can go to as many sites as possible -- maybe with Skinner's blessing that we can push the Flash here and at Take Back the Media, Buzzflash, etc..

I can make it interactive so that it opens sites that are important (like the FCC) automatically - and has everything needed to get folks to sites to sign petitions, senators, congress, all that..

plus it would be fun to throw in the fact that one of the top guys is a sexual pervert as documented..

I'm really busy editing our film right now but willing to take the time out to do this.

but I want to make sure I have the backing and get fed all the info I need to make a goddam good flash that goes viral.
I'd need pics of the stockholders, owners, etc.. all the dirt.

Any thoughts? Skinner? EarlG?

[teach1st]

1. Good idea! I'll push it on my teacher web site

Thanks! You do great work.

[troubleinwinter]

2. Your flash

http://www.tbtmradio.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpage... is the best, clearest, most concise and haunting I have seen. I don't know what kind of ("Oscar")award they would give that, but yours is the best. I wish it were seen by everyone. Really beautiful (painful) work.

[symbolman]

4. link doesn't work

I'd really like to know which one it is :)

what's the title?

and thanks!

[troubleinwinter]

8. Perhaps it's my fault for pasting the link from the original post.

Think you can use the link from original post, as I did, or this oughtta work. http://www.tbtmradio.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20040606205339801

Wonderful work, symbolman!

[troubleinwinter]

10. A kickin' here!

See "BUSH KNEW - An American Requiem"

http://www.tbtmradio.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20040606205339801

[HereSince1628]

3. Maybe you could include FCC's response to the "rumor"

Taken from Josh Marshall's Talking Points Memo . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

This was included in Josh's most recent blogging. It's a letter to Sinclair Broadcasting from the FCC's Reed Hundt

"Dear sirs:

I'm told you were involved in a decision to order Sinclair stations to carry anti-Kerry propaganda. If my information is false, please forgive this intrusion. While I do not believe you should be required to carry pro-Kerry content, except of course for an even-handed sale of your advertising time to both campaigns, I do wish to register my objection and concern if in fact you have obliged your stations to carry anti-Kerry propaganda.

I assure you that if you were carrying anti-Bush propaganda I would be equally concerned.

The problem is this: How can it be part of a broadcaster's public interest obligation to aspire to alter the perceptions of the audience about a presidential candidate by showing biased content that in no way reflects either breaking news or even-handed treatment of the issues? Why should a broadcaster keep its licenses if it behaves in this manner? I hope you will reconsider your edict -- unless, of course, I am misinformed, in which case I do hope you forgive this message.

-- Reed Hundt "

[symbolman]

5. That's incredible

wow. that's the kind of letter that WORKS. thanks

[progdonkey]

9. now that's class

Why should a broadcaster keep its licenses if it behaves in this manner?

I love how this thinly veiled threat is couched in the middle of a paragraph. There is no hanging on the issue: the threat is there and gone. And then it's followed by an almost Bob Newhart-esque "unless, of course, I am misinformed, in which case...."

Classy. :headbang:

[Swamp Rat]

6. Kick ass symbolman!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

7. I can help with image searches

Tell me what kind of images you're looking for and I'll grab them and send you the links on my web hosting. Checking Sinclair's site now - a real no-pic site, unfortunately - but I'll keep looking.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

11. the film itself and its maker should be included in the attack

Disinfopedia.org shows Carlton Sherwood's bio claims he is a Pulitzer Prize winner, but their search of pulitzer.org failed to find any prize awarded him.

Also from disinfopedia - Sherwood's links to the Moonies and the Bush administration:

(Carlton Sherwood) also is known for his purportedly independent investigation of Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, Inquisition: The Persecution and Prosecution of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Sherwood concluded that Moon and his followers "were and continued to be the victims of the worst kind of religious prejudice and racial bigotry this country has witnessed in over a century." Sherwood himself had previously worked for the Washington Times, owned by members of the Unification Church.

In a story on this book, the PBS television series Frontline obtained a copy of a letter addressed to Moon. The letter was written by James Gavin, a Moon aide. Gavin tells Moon he reviewed the "overall tone and factual contents" of Inquisition before publication and suggested revisions. Gavin adds that the author "Mr. Sherwood has assured me that all this will be done when the manuscript is sent to the publisher." Gavin concludes by telling Moon, "When all of our suggestions have been incorporated, the book will be complete and in my opinion will make a significant impact.... In addition to silencing our critics now, the book should be invaluable in persuading others of our legitimacy for many years to come."

Sherwood is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served as a Marine in Vietnam's De-Militarized Zone. Sherwood formerly worked for Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, whom George W. Bush later appointed as the first Secretary of Homeland Security. The Bush administration has selected Sherwood to create and manage a new federal website aimed at first responders (police officers, firefighters, etc.). While working as a Ridge administration official, Sherwood directed then-Gov. Ridge's award-winning broadcast TV and radio operations in Harrisburg. He currently serves as executive vice president of the WVC3 Group, Inc., an anti-terrorism, security firm headquartered in Reston, VA.

[troubleinwinter]

12. KICK!

[bling bling]

13. Ok, Here I go. Use anything of interest

President takes message directly to station groupsKaty Bachman. Mediaweek. New York: Oct 20, 2003.Vol.13, Iss. 38; pg. 12
Copyright VNU eMedia, Inc. Oct 20, 2003

TV STATIONS


Enlarge 200%
Enlarge 400%

Rod Daniels, anchor at WBAL, Hearst's ABC affiliate in Baltimore, cues the Bush Q&A.

Sidestepping the national broadcast and cable news networks, president George W. Bush last week held a series of interviews with five TV groups to discuss his assessment of the war in Iraq and its aftermath.

"I'm mindful of the filter through which some news travels and sometimes you just have to go over the heads of the filter and speak directly to the people," said Bush in an interview with Laurie Kinney, Hearst-Argyle Television's Washington, D.C. correspondent. Hearst, Belo Corp., Cox Television, Tribune Broadcasting, and Sinclair Broadcasting each had eight minutes with Bush and fed their coverage to their sister stations. NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and ABC Radio also aired some of the coverage.

Jennifer Hitchcock, Hearst's deputy bureau chief in Washington, said Hearst had been making the case for three years that the president could reach his intended audience via the TV groups, including WMUR, Hearst's ABC affiliate in Manchester, N.H., in advance of the '04 New Hampshire primary. "Our 25 news-carrying TV stations reach more people than a prime-time news program on cable news and that caught their attention," said Hitchcock.

Station groups also believe they bring a different approach to covering the White House. "I don't understand why the networks should have exclusivity. We don't want to be like the networks and report like they do," said Carl Gottlieb, managing editor for Sinclair's News Central news feed to its affiliates. "I'm hoping this is only the beginning."

Just in time to cover the election, Meredith Broadcasting announced last week it would open a news bureau in D.C. by the end of this month. "Since the 9/11 attacks, there has been increased interest in national stories and in the activities inside the Beltway," said Micah Johnson, Meredith's vp of news operations. -KB

on edit: I'm doing research now and will provide other info as I find it.

[bling bling]

16. More

Our Newest Journalism.Authors:Frank, ReuvenSource:New Leader; Jul/Aug2003, Vol. 86 Issue 4, p32, 3p, 1bwDocument Type:ArticleSubject

IMAGINE for a moment that you are a contemporary American Joseph Goebbels, and your job is not to formulate, but to disseminate, a message of hate.

The challenge is the same for you as it is for someone trying to draw attention to a movie or to extol the virtues of a brand of soup: How do you cover the daunting variety of avenues through which the public can be reached? No one route or three routes or dozen routes can reach everybody, yet that is precisely your task.

So there you are, trying to carry out your assigned mission and spread your ugly message to almost 300 million people, in 50 states, over thousands of VHF and UHF radio and TV stations, as well as cable networks and local cable outlets. But you have to get past hundreds of self-important executives, heading hundreds of impenetrable bureaucracies, before you can saturate the country.

America is not America for nothing, however. The first of what promises to be a mighty handful of centralized and centrally controlled news-emanation factories has been discovered by an enterprising reporter from the Washington Post. It sits in Maryland, in the suburbs of Baltimore, and provides packaged newscasts to localities thousands of miles away. It is a miracle of modern communications technology. Those who have seen it have seen the future. And it works. Boy, does it work! It is tailor-made for some future Minister of Propaganda.

What happens at this state-of-the-art facility near Baltimore is a species of the Newest Journalism. It is called "CentralCasting"--one word, unlike Central Casting, the legendary Hollywood office that supplied "types" for minor roles in movies. The facility itself is called News Central. Its owner is Sinclair Broadcasting...."

<snip>

Longer article available but I think I have to conform to the 4 paragraph rule. I saved the full text in Word.

[bling bling]

18. More from New Leader Article Above

<snip>

Editorial commentary could be similarly controlled. Sinclair's News Central provides a daily one-minute segment written and delivered by Mark Hyman. Although he is not so identified, the Washington Post discovered that Hyman is Sinclair Broadcasting's vice president for corporate relations. His observations are usually of the order that taxes are too high, government is too big, plus other opinions that would not be out of place in the locker room of any exclusive country club. Because Sinclair owns its stations, it has the power to force-feed them segments like Hyman's The Point.

[bling bling]

21. Sinclair has (in)vested interest in who wins the Presidency

If you go to their Website and check out Sinclair Ventures (wholly owned by Sinclair Broadcasting), you can check out the companies that Sinclair invests in.

The very first company on the list is G.1440 Technology Consulting Group . They are the Global Provider for outsourcing software called Sitel.

A little research on the Sitel website shows why it would be in their best interest NOT to elect a President who cuts the tax loopholes to companies that outsource to other countries. Check out one of the "case studies" they reference on their website:

SITEL designed a proof of concept (POC) model that allowed both the Company and SITEL to test the operations internally from the SITEL facility in Panama City, Panama. The POC model gave the Company the opportunity to see first hand how the operations would be run before roll out of an expanded business model.

SITEL was awarded the business and currently delivers services with 350 full time employees, providing phone, e-mail, and white mail support. We have since developed new cross-marketing initiatives and outbound sales opportunities; increased customer satisfaction and service level standards; and have shown cost savings over previous in-house operations.

http://www.sitel.com/CaseStudy.asp?csid=6&pid=139

[bling bling]

22. Oh my...

2nd on the list of companies that Sinclair Broadcasting invests in is:

Jadoo Power Systems: Jadoo Power Systems designs, develops and manufactures power systems that utilize proton exchange membrane fuel cells for portable applications. Jadoo's products provide low-cost, efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives to existing power sources. Current and future product lines include battery replacement systems for professional video cameras, surveillance systems, military power units, and telemetry systems that monitor natural gas pipelines.
http://www.jadoopower.com/investor.html

On Jadoo's website is a list of their investers: Right under "Sinclair" is:

Contango Capital Management was formed to bring capital to innovative entrepreneurs who are working hard to answer the energy challenges facing our world today and in the near future. Located in Houston, Texas, Contango Capital Management invests in early-stage technology-based and service companies in the energy industry, and was formed to pursue the multiple short term and long term opportunities that are arising out of the significant changes that are taking place in the energy industry today.
http://www.contangocapital.com/alliances.html


On Contago Capital Management's website is a list of their affiliates. Check this "affiliate" out:

Contango Oil & Gas is a Houston-based, independent natural gas and oil company. The Company explores, develops, produces and acquires natural gas and oil properties primarily onshore in the Gulf Coast and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Contango also owns a 10% partnership interest in a proposed LNG terminal in Freeport, Texas.
http://www.contango.com/profile/cast.htm

I sure wish my job was an investigative journalist because I think some intersting information/connections could be made here between Sinclair and their political motivation for keeping Bush in office.

[bling bling]

24. Sinclair invested in VisionAir in Dec. 2000

VisionAir provides software for law enforcement. On its website it helps companies figure out how they can apply for the 2.1 billion dollars worth of grants (and use it to buy VisionAir software) that the Department of Homeland Security issued to states earlier this year.

Who knows what the connection here might be, but it sure seems newsworthy to me, by Sinclair's standards.

[symbolman]

14. It's beginning to look

like there is not enough interest for me to do this.. I'd love to, and to be honest I really do not have the time - this would put me far behind in making actual money to SURVIVE and I have a baby coming.. I want to kick some ass and put all this great info into ONE good work that will be useful to as many on the web as can be reached.

I appreciate the people here that have volunteered money and help, but this thread is sinking like a stone - a pretty good indication that everyone with one piece of this puzzle is perfectly happy to post that piece over and over when the possibility of putting it all into ONE 800 lb gorilla of a media piece is the best choice, with potential to reach so many.

I wish people knew how much work goes into this kind of effort, making flash requires tons of editing, finding graphics, links, etc - we basically mortgaged our home to fight this admin, do so much work for nothing while watching MoveOn get flooded with millions. (I just worry about all the talent being smothered by the sheer amount of money that MoveOn amasses, leaving little for other smaller valid orgs.)

It's a little disheartening - I stand by my offer but I'm not going to be silly, if there's no real interest in me doing it.

Thanks to those who posted and want to help - keep up the fight.

[anarchy1999]

15. I'll send it everywhere I can, I 'll help to get it on RadioLeft.

Don't give it up yet. It's way too early. I can't do editing, I can help with links and I do really well with promotion.

Please reconsider, you are one of the best. To this day your flash with Iraqi's right before the war haunts me.

[HereSince1628]

17. Dear Symbolman., I make $6.80 an hour, I once made 40K/year

I wish I was in a position to DO something. But, I am not.

Nonetheless I recognize the special circumstance you are in. Ability, knowledge, opportunity....

I beg you...PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS FALL FOR WANT OF SUPPORT.

Sometimes the "right" thing to do is downright painful.

NOW IS THE TIME THAT TRIES MENS" SOULS. My 8th Grandfather lived this. We relive it now. I beg you, and all those with the ability to fight the EVIL force we are set against to make EVERY effort to defeat THEM.

My family has been in this land since 1628. We have seen bad times and good times. NOW is the time to see PATRIOTISM, which I define as loyalty to the progress towards Liberty, Justice, and Equality.

I know the burden falls disproportionately upon the capable. But I BEG you. PLEASE think of the implications of NOT acting to your children and their children.

Some things are worthy of very high costs...this could be one.

[troubleinwinter]

20. symbolman, I have been discouraged, too, BUTTT

I have seen very important subjects sink like a rock with no notice, while silly light-weight, meaningless subjects get hundreds of posts on several threads & it depresses me to think that nobody can see the true issues vs. silliness.

I get demoralized. Then a day later, the important issue comes up again & gets attention.

I think we are all quite stressed and tired at this point. I get tired of BS concerns, while true stuff is overlooked.

I will stand by ya! Your work is wonderful. Please don't give up, we all have to do whatever we possibly can. The stakes are so very high.

[anarchy1999]

19. Here you go courtesy of another DU'er who must not have seen this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2478054


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_10_...

Too generous ...

I had been thinking about a post that would put in stark terms what is going on with this Sinclair Broadcasting stunt, noting how it amounts to a massive in-kind contribution from Sinclair to the Bush-Cheney campaign to pay for the broadcast of an hourlong Swift Boat ad ("Stolen Honor") smack down in the middle of primetime broadcasting on local network television channels across the country. After all, it's the same basic material and it even includes several of the same aggrieved veterans.

But like I said, too generous. It isn't like a Swift Boat ad. It actually is a Swift Boat ad.

A perspicacious TPM reader (JJG) notes that a September 29th press release on the 'Stolen Honor' website announced that 'POWs for Truth', the sponsor of the 'documentary', was merging with 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' to form the new consolidated group 'Swift Vets and POWs For Truth.'

If it weren't so disgusting, it would almost be funny.

So the Swift Boat folks are hawking a 'documentary' put together by a guy who has specialized for the last fifteen years or so in made-to-order investigations for various right-wing outfits like Rev. Moon. And Sinclair orders their 62 network affiliates to run the thing in prime time days before the election. And they give the Swift Boat folks the ad time for free on the premise that they're running it as news programming.

Unlike cable programming, local broadcast licenses aren't 'owned' -- courts have always been clear on this. The right to broadcast over a given slice of spectrum is public property on loan to the broadcaster in exchange for providing programming in the public interest. This is but a paler version of the de-democratization we're now seeing in Russia as the standing government asserts increasing control over a nominally independent media.

It's not a 'fairness' or a free speech issue. It's a massive and quite public case of election and campaign finance fraud.

It's the sort of thing that, if it happens, will put the legitimacy of the entire election into doubt.

[nostamj]

23. 'everyone' ???

tall order, but, c'mon, DU is behind this from the admin level!

flash away!

[anarchy1999]

26. Reach VetWife, GuyJ, seemslikeadream, reprehensor, Derby378

there are lots of us here that will promote and help. C'mon symbolman, we'll even knock ourselves out sending it to truemajority, moveon, reclaimdemocracy, codepink, gregpalast, all the media, you name it, we'll find it and send it out. Jim Hightower, Molly Ivins, GrannyD, all favorite local dem candidates and independents. ACLU, FAIR, Unions of all stripes and all local media.

You need more media, give it a couple of hours, we'll all get it coming in.

[kimchi]

25. You do excellent work, Symbolman.

I would HONORED to send it to everyone I know. Other than doing what the little buttons tell me to do, though, I don't have any technical experience to lend.

I would be happy to google for pictures of people you want, but that is the max of my knowledge.

Come on, DU; LETS KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES!

[teach1st]

27. I'm kicking this sucker

I want the flash on my teacher site.

I will also donate money.