"Oops..you caught me..My bad!" Armstrong Williams

[fishface]

January 10, 2005


Dear readers:

In 2003, I agreed to run a paid ad on my syndicated television show, promoting the Department of Education’s No Child Left Behind Act. I subsequently used my column space to support that legislation. This represents an obvious conflict of interests. People have used this conflict of interests to portray my column as being paid for by the Bush Administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At the same time, I understand that I exercised bad judgment in running paid advertising for an issue that I frequently write about in my column. People need to know that my column is uncorrupted by any outside influences. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my bad judgment, and to better explain the circumstances.

In 2003 Ketchum Communications contacted a small PR firm that I own, Graham Williams Group, to buy ad space on a television show that I own and host. The ad was to promote The Department of Education’s “No Child Left Behind” plan. I have long felt that school vouchers hold the greatest promise of ending the racial education gap in this country. We need to hold schools accountable for their failures and create incentives to change. That is why I have vigorously supported school vouchers for the past decade—in print, on TV, during media appearances and in lectures. I believe that school vouchers represent the greatest chance of stimulating hope for young, inner city school children—often of color. In fact, I am a board member of Black Americans for Educational Options (BAEO), because I feel that school choice plans hold the promise of a new civil rights movement.

In the past I have used my column space to convey the promise of school options. I continued to do so, even after receiving money to run a series of ads on my television show promoting the “No Child Left Behind” act. I now realize that I exercised poor judgment in continuing to write about a topic which my PR firm was being paid to promote.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/aw20050110.shtml

[imenja]

1. can't he be prosecuted?

He's sorry for lying to the American people in exchange for cash? He's sorry he got caught. That's the extent of it. Shouldn't this be criminal? Is there no law he could be prosecuted under? Given that papers are distributed across state lines (by the post office, I assume), how about mail fraud?

[quaoar]

11. No, it's not a crime

prostitution is only illegal when it involves sex.

[Walt Starr]

12. Nope, but a crime WAS committed

Whoever signed off on this in the government broke the law as discolsure that it is a government funded advertisement is a requirement under the law.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Sorry, Williams, ya got NO CREDIBILITY so just talk to the HAND.

Coz no one else is listening to you any more you paid bushHack.

[itzamirakul]

18. My letter to Armstong Williams emailed 1/7/05

We always KNEW what you really are. We knew that you were selling out black Americans for the almighty dollar. We have known that for years. Do you think we believe that this is the FIRST time you have taken money to sell black Americans on an idea that was detrimental to them? This is not the first time that you have told black people something that was against their best interests. It may be the only time you have been found out, so far...but NOTHING is hidden forever.

There is a name for people who do what you did by taking the $240,000 in taxpayer dollars to promote a government program. They call people who do things like that MEDIA WHORES. The sad thing is that you feel no shame...no remorse...

You have ridden in on the shoulders of black people who slaved and suffered in order for you to have a position of "power" and responsibility and you have spit on their graves. I am so angry with you that I could scream. You never had any real credibility anyway, and now that is doubly so.

You are totally disgusting and the shameful thing is that you are going to be soley responsible for the total demise of the Black Forum TV Show. You should have been fired ages ago.

MY name............

***************************
Granted, I was a little "carried away" but I don't regret one word that I wrote shortly after the news broke.

[MADem]

3. Only one question remains....

How many others were on the take???

[imenja]

4. we'll find out more in days to come

The media is on to it. On Meet the Press some reporters said there would be an increase of Freedom of Information requests to find out which others are on the take. That is, provided the documents aren't all shredded.

[radfringe]

5. Armstrong admits he's NOT a journalist...he just plays one on TV

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-williams8jan08,1,6855243.story?coll=la-news-a_section

The 45-year-old son of South Carolina tobacco farmers wears multiple professional hats — radio and television talking head, newspaper columnist, public relations executive, book author and television producer.

"I am a pure entrepreneur, and I made a business decision," Williams said of the $240,000 contract. "I didn't think about the dual role of media pundit and entrepreneur. And if I had to do it again I would do it differently, because it is much more important to me — my reputation with my peers and with the public."

[rodeodance]

6. he came across as a 'victim' on a Sunday talk show.

[tavalon]

8. Funny that, eh? n/t

[tavalon]

7. Ah, a good payola scandal

Need one of those every few years. Why, oh why do we call them Rethugs, they are just plain old thugs.

[teryang]

9. That's odd- the school voucher programs in FL

...are plagued with fraud scandals.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. You took the money, buddy. Tough on crime is also a conservative

value. No excuses. Serve the time.

[grumpy old fart]

13. Just sent him an email.....

Subj: Dear Victim

I was so saddened to hear of your victimization at the hands of the liberal media. How dare they question your right to be paid for saying what you believe.
By the way, I really believe in torture and illegal war, think I could get some government money too?

I'm eagerly awaiting his reply....

[grumpy old fart]

17. Hmmmm, his townhall email is not working....

Wonder why?

[izzybeans]

14. Freepers seeking to turn it around on

NPR and PBS.

Read thread. Is this an argument we will be hearing from the right?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1317694/posts#comment?q=1

[SmokingJacket]

15. He's going to absorb ALL the public outrage on this...

... what little there is... and all the other "journalists" on the take will get off easy. No one will care anymore once everyone's done beating Williams to a pulp.

WHO ELSE? Hm? Idle speculation: Kathleen Parker, loyal bitch? O'Reilly? Is he getting more than a ticket to the Christmas Ball?

I want to know!!!!

[Walt Starr]

16. Williams is a symptom of a larger disease

The media has been bought and paid for by the Reichwing. Begala patting him on the back on Croisffire last Friday is proof that both sides are bought and paid for.

I guess we know why the "Left" comes off so fucking weak, huh?

[gratuitous]

19. And, just like any other prostitute

Williams has done the dirty deed, and he's not giving back a dime.

This IS what you wanted your tax dollars funding, isn't it?