Media Matters: DNC issues a cease-and-desist letter to XM's Rose and Quinn show.

[madfloridian]

If you have been following this outrageous bit of spin today from the right wing blogs with your head spinning at how little sense it made....well, be thankful Media Matters is on top of it.

It is so complicated, so silly, and so unbelievable. You have to read the whole long page.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200705110002?f=h_top

A quick summation that is only the beginning of trying to understand the twists and turns. In short it is taking the Kansas tragedy and using it to smear Sebelius, Howard Dean, and perhaps Durbin.

XM Radio's Quinn & Rose made baseless claim that Dem leaders behind Sebelius links between war, Kansas Guard shortages
On the May 10 broadcast of Sean Hannity's nationally syndicated radio show, radio hosts Jim Quinn and Rose Tennent repeated baseless allegations that they had reportedly made on their own XM Radio show that Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman Howard Dean was behind Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' assertion that equipment shortages due to the war in Iraq had impaired the Kansas National Guard's ability to respond quickly after a tornado leveled the town of Greensburg, Kansas. Quinn told host Sean Hannity that, according to his source, Sebelius called Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) after she had publicly made her complaint about the Guard shortages "to apologize for the statement she had made and she explained that she did not believe those statements really to be true -- that they actually had more than enough National Guardsmen showing up." Sebelius, Quinn continued, then said that " 'Howard Dean called me around 5 o'clock' -- we assume that's 5 o'clock in the morning -- 'and told me not to ask the White House for any help or make any statements until I heard back. Dick' -- and we don't know who that is; my source assumes it's Dick Durbin , but I can't, I don't know -- 'Dick called me an hour or two later, and that's when he told me that we needed to use this and talk about the Guard all being at war.' "

The first level of unreality is the part where Sebelius is apolozing profusely to of all people....Brownback.

Hubby and I have followed this today in utter amazement at the spin.

Here is the letter in pdf format claiming Howard Dean had no such conversation. In very powerful terms.

http://mediamatters.org/static/pdf/dnc-20070510-quinnrose.pdf

Do not fail to read the letter from the lawyers. It is more than firm. I can't copy paste from it, maybe someone else can.

[madfloridian]

1. More about the letter....

"The DNC has issued a cease-and-desist letter to XM Radio stating that the allegations are "false and defamatory libelous and slanderous" and demanding that Quinn and Tennent broadcast "an express and specific retraction of these statements" on their show."

Moreover, Quinn's claim that Dean and other national Democratic leaders instigated Sebelius' statements about Guard resources being depleted because of the war in Iraq is undermined by Sebelius' numerous past statements of concern about the impact on the Kansas Guard of the war in Iraq. As Media Matters for America has documented, Sebelius has -- on several occasions well before the Greensburg tornado -- highlighted the need for additional National Guard funding and equipment because of deployments for the Iraq war":

And a list of her letters follows.

These are purely ugly attacks.

[Kagemusha]

2. I've been afraid to ask but, having not followed this story's late developments...

Was the governor wrong somehow?...

[madfloridian]

3. The MM site pretty well explains it. It is a long read.

There are more and more articles now about governors speaking out on the shortages.

There is so much in this column at MM it burns the brain. The story has switched several times today from Durbin to Dean and then back. It was started on a radio show which a "reliable source" who had never burned them.

I have been stunned.

[Kagemusha]

5. Well my introduction was a post here re: Freepers saying she'd lied.

They cited the radio show.

Well she can't lie about it if it's true to begin with! But I don't think I have time for the whole MM thing right now. If she's not somehow radically wrong like has been alleged, well, what can I say, business as usual under this administration.

[madfloridian]

7. Well, if you read the letter from the DNC ....

and MM it will explain.

The DNC's letter is a powerful one from a law firm.

[NewJeffCT]

16. Yes, she had spoken about before

but, see my post below - a Freeper-type called local radio here in CT last night (on a progressive show) and said that Sebelius had plenty of NG troops to handle the tornado, but was forced to use those Democratic talking points...

were there enough National Guard troops?

[Toots]

18. It isn't so much manpower that's missing but equipment

Trucks, bulldozers, helicopters, generators, etc. I don't think she or anyone else ever said there were not National Guard soldiers there...

[NewJeffCT]

20. Now I'm sure the caller had his facts wrong

but, before I call the show to correct him this afternoon, I just want to make sure my facts are correct... I think the caller said that all she had to do to get equipment was to pick up the phone and ask for it.

[givemebackmycountry]

4. This does not surprise me...

She's a Democrat.
She's from a "red state".
She had the stones to call BUSH out, and point out to him that all of her heavy equipment is in IRAQ with her troops.

They had to smear her.
That's what they do.

By the way - I work in that "red state" and I'm glad she's working for US.

[madfloridian]

6. There's a Hannity audio at the link.

When Hannity asks Quinn his sources...he stammers and says he can't out his source.

I say good for the DNC for getting on top of this.

[bunkerbuster1]

17. Former Kansan checking in w/ question

Any reason to think that this latest round of bashing will have any effect whatsoever on Kathleen Sebelius' clout/popularity/reputation?

Because my understanding from people I know there is that she's extremely highly regarded there, and that the Bush Crime Family messes with her at their own peril, at this point.

But I could be wrong.

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. Absolutely not

She is LOVED here. The only people criticizing her are the rw blogs.

[madfloridian]

8. Part of the letter:

"The statement made by Mr. Quinn is demonstrably, unequivocally, and absolutely false. Governor Dean had no such conversation with Governor Sebelius, ever.

No effort was made by the Quinn and Rose show to contact anyone at the DNC for comment or to check the accuracy of the statements before they were broadcast.

The statements quoted above are false and defamatory, and libelous and slanderous, and threaten to interfere with the DNC's operation"....and so on.

"On tomorrow morning's show, or the next morning's show at the latest broadcase on the Quinn and Rose show an express and specific retraction of these statements. "

[madfloridian]

9. Here's a blog seach on Google...alarming how it spread.

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=%22howard+dean%22&btnG=Search+Blogs

Contact info:

Contact information:

Sean Hannity
[e-mail]

ABC Radio Networks
[e-mail]
ABC Radio Networks

The Sean Hannity Show itself.


When contacting the media, please be polite and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and be sure to indicate exactly what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.

[antiimperialist]

12. Is it me, or Hotair has closed registrations?

It is common among coward right-wing blogs such as Littlegreenfootballs to supress registration in order to keep us from exposing their lies.
They love to have a one-sided forum.

Could any of you register?

[madfloridian]

30. They like to live in comfort with their lies.

They don't want unpleasant stuff.

[madfloridian]

10. Somone posted it in GD as well, I will keep theirs kicked.

It needs attention.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x865645

[antiimperialist]

11. This is simple

Quinn and Rose said that an anonymous source said

-that Howard Dean called Kansas Governor at 5 am to coach her into saying that the tornado disaster was caused by Iraq weakening Kansas National Guard.

-That Sebelius blamed the tornado on Iraq.

-that Sebelius (Kansas Governor) apologized to Sam Brownback for statement #2.

All three are lies, even though Iraq does impair the national guard ability to deal with disasters such as this one, and Sebelius has said it in the past.

[madfloridian]

13. I would recommend Gov. Sebelius consider the same action

as Howard Dean did. The DNC letter covered what he did not say.

http://mediamatters.org/static/pdf/dnc-20070510-quinnrose.pdf

She needs to speak up for herself.

[madfloridian]

14. Contact info for Sebelius and the XM show from Democrats.com

It's a good post, but he does not mention taking up for Howard Dean. He is a victim here as well.

Here is the blog with good contact info.

http://www.democrats.com/node/12825

Here is the DNC contact info.

http://www.dnc.org/contact.html

[NewJeffCT]

15. A local Freeper-type called a station here in CT about it last night

Amazing how quickly they spread their lies... said Sebelius had plenty of national guard troops and all her statements were Democratic talking points handed to her by Democratic leadership.

[madfloridian]

19. The difference between our side and theirs.....their bloggers spread the word.

Ours say nothing at all. I don't see it mentioned at a single left wing blog. I figured after Media Matters came out with the DNC letter that they would spread the word.

No, they are not.

That is the difference. We tiptoe around in fear on our side. We worry if they are all guilty of something.

And we don't speak out.

I may have missed it on a cursory search of the blogs. But it is pattern about defending our own.

[madfloridian]

21. I guess that radio show hasn't gotten the letter yet....or else they don't care

and they will get away with it.

http://www.warroom.com/

There is still a post up with the accusations. I guess the truth does not matter to their side.

And I don't see any left wing bloggers caring either.

And I guess our side chooses not to fight back on this. Hey Kos, hey Jerome, hey Matt, where are you? Why do we let them do this.

[madfloridian]

22. Kudos to Mercury Rising for their post.

http://phoenixwoman.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/they-lie-without-consequence-xmquinn-edition/

They Lie Without Consequence: XM/Quinn Edition
Posted by Phoenix Woman on May 11th, 2007

That's how its done.

[peaches2003]

23. The War Room

The only thing is repeated on Quinn and Rose's website- www.warroom.com

[madfloridian]

24. Our side does not fight back...

So the statement will remain there. I see Brent Bozell's Newsbusters is continuing it this morning. I won't link to that site.

Not a single blogger on our side is taking up for Dean or Sebelius, and we should be so very ashamed of ourselves.

Looks like there has been no acknowledgement from XM or the War Room that the DNC letter has been received.

[madfloridian]

25. It continues. Still nothing from our side. Latest Jeeves blog search....

http://www.ask.com/blogsearch?q=%22howard+dean%22&t=a&search=Search&qsrc=2101

They just keep on.

[madfloridian]

26. Media Matters links to Free Republic which is still leading the charge.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1831454/posts

I guess they don't care about truth at all. I still don't see our side bloggers defending Dean or Sebelius.

None of the major bloggers on our side has a doggone thing to say. Just let them fight their own battles, huh.

[Time for change]

27. Kudos to Media Matters for digging this up

Organizations like them are vitally important to our attempt to maintain or restore our democracy.

[madfloridian]

28. Someone else apparently got a letter.

Free Republic got one. And "Stop the ACLU" is jealous and upset that their site did not get one, since they started the rumor that is turning out not to be true. :think:

http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/05/11/what-does-a-guy-have-to-do-to-get-his-own-cease-desist-letter-from-the-dnc-update-on-the-sebeliusdean-allegations/print/

"What Does A Guy Have To Do To Get His Own Cease & Desist Letter From the DNC? (Update on the Sebelius/Dean allegations)

Posted By RagingAnura On 11th May 2007 @ 10:06 In News, Politics As Usual | No Comments

Good Lord are those Democrats touchy!

Yesterday afternoon, <1> I posted about allegations that Howard Dean had manipulated KS Governor Sebelius into criticizing the White House about federal response to the Greensburg tornado, as did others (a <2> Technorati search should enlighten you as to how viral the story has become in the blogosphere).

The offended souls at the DNC have whittled down the reaction time to a very impressive overnight. Their lawyers sent a letter to both <3> XM Satellite Radio (the ones who originally got the purported information) and to <4> our buddies over at Free Republic. Both letters are not only denials of the facts as I mentioned them yesterday, but they also contain injuctions to cease and desist any further dissemination of allegations relating to this matter.

Did I just witness the 1st Amendment take a pick axe to the head? "

It's on the front page of Media Matters, and they are saying we are trying to kill the 1st amendment.

And none of the left wing blogs is touching it. Not even defending. Nothing.

And Stop the ACLU thinks they are all so hilarious.

Here is the letter in pdf format.
http://hotair.cachefly.net/documents/2006-11/Letter%20to%20James%20Robinson%20re%20FreeRepublic.com%20statement%20re%20DNC.pdf

I guess I was right. Truth really does not matter anymore. On the internet and radio anything goes.

And they and many others apparently see it as squelching free speech. :think:

[madfloridian]

29. Yay, finally, Raw Story with an article and a quote from Sebelius.

"Governor Sebelius issued the following statement in reply: "I am outraged that the Quinn & Rose show has aired a report suggesting that my efforts to highlight the need to replace National Guard equipment lost in Iraq are inspired by anything other than my responsibilities as commander-in-chief of the Kansas National Guard. The accusation that I received a call from anyone, encouraging me to take on this issue following the devastating tornado in Greensburg, is one-hundred-percent false -- period.

"Making up stories like this, designed to turn the tragedy at Greensburg into some kind of political circus, is a shameful affront to the citizens of Greensburg and the citizen soldiers of the National Guard," she added."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Democrats_send_cease_and_desist_to_0511.html

Where are the other lefty bloggers?? Or do we let folks like Dean, Sebelius and Durbin take their own hits now?

[madfloridian]

31. One tiny paragraph at Kos.

Teeny weeny paragraph....geez, you would think all the left bloggers are thinking maybe those being smeared are all guilty so they better not take up for them.

"Here's another XM highlight. They've been pushing a completely fictionalized story, repeated on Hannity's radio show, that Howard Dean was behind Sebelius' assertion that equipment shortages due to the war in Iraq had impaired the Kansas National Guard's ability to respond to the tornado in Greensburg. The DNC has responded with a cease-and-desist letter (pdf)."

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/11/142648/377

The bottom line is that Brownback is the one who could set this straight. And I can just see him doing that eagerly, can't you?

Nothing Sebelius can say will matter because she is the victim they are after. Dean is just their nemesis anyway...heck they even mention Pelosi and Reid being in on pushing it.

Brownback could stop it. But he won't. And Free Republic has a new post up about it...just thinking it all fine because of free speech.

I guess that is what we have become as a country. Back away from taking up for each other.

[madfloridian]

32. Taylor Marsh at Huff Post lets rip on Quinn and Rose.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/cease-desist-to-xm-over_b_48250.html

"Quinn & Rose" are at it again, with a lot of help from XM radio. You may remember them from my coverage during the '06 election. I caught these radio wingnuts supporting the swiftboaters against John Murtha, then let them have it. Of course, many of the links that showed them out can no longer be found, but that's also to be expected. Once caught, these types of political assassins just wipe away the evidence. Well, now they're lying on the air, joined by a wingnut site that is doing whatever it can to spread the word.

However, FreeRepublic.com and XM radio just got slapped by Howard Dean. They tangled with the wrong man, who's shown before that he's a different kind of Democrat. The fighting back kind."

Thanks for that, Taylor Marsh. Maybe it is time for all of us to start fighting.

I am calling XM again until I get some answers.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. An article I found that supports what Sebelius is claiming:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3260734

[madfloridian]

37. She has been speaking out for a while on this issue.

Did you read all the points Media Matters made about it?

She has spoken out a lot. They are using her as a target most likely because she is a Democratic governor. They are bullying her.

"On January 21, 2006, The Kansas City Star reported: "In a Dec. 30 <2005> letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Sebelius urged the return of Kansas National Guard equipment shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan. 'The Guard was critical to responding to recent blizzards and floods in Kansas, yet its ability to respond to similar situations is being diminished by a lack of equipment,' she wrote. She said Rumsfeld had not responded."
On June 29, 2006, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that Sebelius provided Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey with a list of equipment the state of Kansas lost to the Iraq war, noting, "Sebelius and other governors have said the loss of equipment leaves states vulnerable in emergencies or natural disasters."
On September 5, 2006, the AP reported that "Kansas' congressional delegation, Sebelius and governors from around the country have been lobbying the Pentagon for increased funding to replace National Guard equipment that has been left in Iraq or damaged beyond repair after repeated use in war."
On February 27, 2007, Sebelius' office issued a press release stating: "The reliance on National Guard troops and equipment in Iraq is leaving states vulnerable. ... Sebelius expressed strong concern that sending the National Guard on repeated tours through Iraq compromises states' ability to respond to natural disasters, terrorist acts, and other threats to public safety."
Moreover, a May 9 New York Times article on Sebelius' comments reported that Guard officials in Kansas and elsewhere echoed Sebelius' concerns about the depletion of Guard resources:

In Kansas, the National Guard is operating with 40 percent to 50 percent of its vehicles and heavy machinery, local Guard officials said. Ordinarily, the Guard would have about 660 Humvees and more than 30 large trucks to traverse difficult terrain and transport heavy equipment. When the tornado struck, the Guard had about 350 Humvees and 15 large trucks, said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state's adjutant general. The Guard would also usually have 170 medium-scale tactical vehicles used to transport people and supplies -- but now it has fewer than 30, he said. On the other hand, General Bunting said, it had more cargo trucks than it needed.

The issue is not confined to Kansas."

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Yes I have been following this closely

and I thank you for your attention to this story. :hi:

[Jim Lane]

35. Ahnuld weighs in

From a San Francisco Chronicle story about the difficulties the National Guard will face in dealing with the upcoming California forest fire season: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also acknowledged the National Guard's equipment woes and attributed them to the war." ()

So here's a question for Hannity, the Freeptards, and their ilk: Are you contending that Schwarzenegger also does whatever Howard Dean tells him to do? You might consideer the alternative explanation -- that governors of opposite parties are saying this because it's true.

[madfloridian]

36. Good one...

We are hoping Crist will speak out more firmly. He said he was assured by Chertoff that everything was ok....yeh, right, Charlie. :think:

[madrchsod]

39. even rush is`t as dumb as he seems

"I emailed the story to Rush via the 24/7 email link. Rush went into it on the show but without verifiable facts he just tiptoed around “the Party” told the Governor what to say. I sure hope the source goes public or it will doe a quick death." from fr
good luck free republic you guys may be having another fund drive real soon...