LTTE alert. I need all of your help.

[MessiahRp]

Besides the fact that Gannett papers have been unapologetically Pro-Bush since the campaigns begun with The Post Crescent soliciting pro-Bush editorials in Appleton and such, this was appalling.

In The Oshkosh Northwestern today they ran a headline article about the debate. In it, Jeff Bollier tried to claim Bush won hands down and used "supposedly undecided young people" as their gauge. In one instance they claim a Green Party voter switched to Bush. That is ludicrious. The Greens are extremely organized in Winnebago County and if they went against Kerry it would be for David Cobb because Kerry isn't far left enough.

This is a blatant attempt to prop up Bush who failed miserably last night.

We need to fight back against this spin with a chorus of LTTE's.

I need your help. Who's with me as we rebut this right wing spin?

http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_18049893.shtml


Rp

[CitizenRob]

1. sometimes

Sometimes I wonder how much it would cost to start a real newspaper with real news in one of these places that only have right wing screech sheets.

[sybylla]

9. I've thought the same thing quite often.

There are days I think it would stomp the Gannett asswipe into the mud.

[CitizenRob]

2. Phone number...

By the way, any of you who would like to say to hello to the author of this Republican propaganda piece:

Jeff Bollier: [phone] or [e-mail]

Let the calls/emails begin!!!

[CitizenRob]

3. accoutnability?

Somebody should start an organization that tallys inaccurate reporting and traces that tally directly back to the original reporter who made up the lies.

[MessiahRp]

4. I sent this LTTE in....

Jeff Bollier's pathetic attempt to interview "young undecided voters" and spin the debate as if Bush won it hands down was more proof of the Fox News-like spin that most of the Northwestern has been part of for some time.

The fact that anyone could claim a real Green Party member would be swayed to Bush is a ludicrous notion in itself. The Winnebago Greens are extremely well organized and if they weren't voting for Kerry they wouldn't move to the right, they would vote with David Cobb because Kerry isn't progressive enough for their tastes.

The article is slanted and insulting to the intelligence of anybody with a pulse on the political stances of this community.

Regardless of the Republican money machine that has done a better job of getting all the Bush yard signs out then Democrats have with Kerry signs, this does not mean this entire community is Pro-Bush and we should not be treated that way.

This diversity shows come election time as Oshkosh has gone for Clinton in '92 and '96, for Gore in 2000, for Feingold in '98 and for Doyle in 2002. Put into perspective and Oshkosh actually does have more Democratic voters than the Republicans do, we just don’t have the money machine to put the visible yard signs out.

So please stop slanting your articles to the right. A large majority of the public, many undecideds included realized Kerry won the debate handily. They realized he was more articulate and offered a stronger plan to win the peace in Iraq and keep us safe at home.

Spinning Bush’s mediocre performance only makes your publication seem less credible.

[Polly_Sorbate_60]

5. Here's what I just sent

Hey all, short-time reader, first-time poster :) I just sent this in to Mr. Bollier. (Since his fine paper is distributed in my hometown):

Dear Mr. Bollier,

I read your October 1 piece on 5 young voters' reactions to the debate with interest--although I wasn't quite sure whether or laugh or cry. Did you find these young viewers at a Young Republicans rally? I know Gannett is probably not offering you the best compensation package (and believe me, I can relate--I work in a very similar field)...which is why I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you were possibly trying to paint a true picture of the young audience you had assembled--one that reveals these students as being completely UNINFORMED. You provide an excellent argument for increasing the voting age to 25.

I am a moderate Democrat. I don't like to rock the boat, nor do I like partisan extremes. I have never written a letter to a newspaper editor (or journalist) in my life. But when I read your article, something in me snapped.

QUOTE--"Behrendt said he thought the war in Iraq would slow down after Nov. 2 because right now, 'it’s a big selling point for Bush.'
'Eventually, when the Iraqis get trained, the troops will be pulled out and the Iraqis will fend for themselves,' Steiner added."

The war is a big selling point for Bush? The war in Iraq will slow down after Nov. 2? SLOW DOWN AFTER NOVEMBER SECOND? Oh, I fear for Mr. Behrendt's future children--their gene pool won't give them a leg up on the competition once this gem of a man procreates.

ANOTHER QUOTE--"Brandon Kiefer, a Green Party supporter, who didn’t like Kerry’s plans to reign in terrorism in Iran and North Korea while securing nuclear material in Russia and strengthening the country’s homeland security." Hmmm...reign in terrorism...secure nuclear material...strengthen homeland security. Nah, count me out, too.

AND ANOTHER--"Bartell said she has friends in the military heading to Iraq in the coming months and Bush’s plan to stay the course solidified her support for the Republican incumbent." I wonder what Ms. Bartell will think of Bush when her friends return, changed people--or don't return?

In the future, please...this reader begs for a less partisan article.

Sincerely,
(yes, I did add my real name :))

I can't say how happy I am to discover you all. COMMON SENSE--in my neck of the woods? Whoda thunk? :) (Wow, I just re-read this...is it too mean? Is it obvious I had 2 glasses of wine before I wrote it? :))

[vireo]

6. Good for you, Junebug!

And welcome to DU! :hi:

It sounds like Oshkosh is in serious need of journalistic competition. Does anyone else here remember "The Paper?"

[ewagner]

7. Great letter

Welcome to DU junebug.........got lots of friends in Oshkosh.......

:hi: :toast:

[tinnyguy1777]

8. I sent this in on Sunday, Oct 5

Sir:
I read your article referring to the students and their opinions of who "Won" the debate between the incumbent and Kerry.
It's not a matter of who won, but of the substance of the answers. It was a typical Republican "spin game", played to the hilt by the incumbent.
Compare the "spin" of the incumbent, to the articulate responses fostered by Kerry, and there should be no doubt as to who really "won", (if that's the important qualification, you were seeking).
As to your choice of students to interview, you could have forgotten about the high schoolers entirely, and chosen some upperclassmen, who just might, by this time in their short lives, realized how much our lifestyle has deteriorated in the few short years, since the incumbent has been in office. Questioning "high schoolers", who are notoriously "fickle", who can easily be mis- led, and even confused by your questions, leaves your final intentions, in doubt. Their simplistic views of the real world are not an accurate barometer of what is really going on. Are you also a "shill" for the incumbents party, trying to garner votes for him, thru negative reporting.
It is my sincere hope, that for the future so called "debates, you will find a more astute audience to question. You may be surprised at the results of seeking out a more cognitive group of people

[MessiahRp]

10. Published today...

http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/opinion/stories/opinion_18111966.shtml

Not sure what kind of impact it will have other than seeming angry and inciting Republican responses but all I have asked for is balance and more often than not Gannett is on the wrong side of this issue.

Also when I sent this letter in the editors circled the wagons and accused my letter of basically attacking an innocent man who makes a living wage. I don't recall slamming the author really at all as much as I slammed the publication for it's slant and doubted the legitimacy of what was clearly a biased focus group.

The editors acted like petulant children (much like their leader el' Busho) and even resorted to taking personal shots at me for working with the Kerry Campaign in e-mail replies.

That's what we're dealing with.

So anyways, let's hope some more of these are published because I know that I'm not the only one who found the ridiculous coverage they did on a clearly dominate Kerry win in the debates as sick and twisted.

Rp