Press Largely Ignored Incendiary Rhetoric at Bush Protest

[GaryC 7]

Press Largely Ignored Incendiary Rhetoric at Bush Protest

By Bill Sammon

FOXNews.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

News outlets that are focusing on the incendiary rhetoric of conservatives outside President Obama's town hall meeting Tuesday ignored the incendiary rhetoric -- and even violence -- of liberals outside an appearance by former President George W. Bush in 2002.

When Bush visited Portland, Ore., for a fundraiser, protesters stalked his motorcade, assailed his limousine and stoned a car containing his advisers. Chanting "Bush is a terrorist!", the demonstrators bullied passers-by, including gay softball players and a wheelchair-bound grandfather with multiple sclerosis.

One protester even brandished a sign that seemed to advocate Bush's assassination. The man held a large photo of Bush that had been doctored to show a gun barrel pressed against his temple.

"BUSH: WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE," read the placard, which had an X over the word "ALIVE."

Another poster showed Bush's face with the words: "F--- YOU, MOTHERF---ER!"

A third sign urged motorists to "HONK IF YOU HATE BUSH." A fourth declared: "CHRISTIAN FASCISM," with a swastika in place of the letter S in each word.

Although reporters from numerous national news organizations were traveling with Bush and witnessed the protest, none reported that protesters were shrieking at Republican donors epithets like "#######!" "#######!" and "Fascists!"

Frank Dulcich, president and CEO of Pacific Seafood Group, had a cup of liquid thrown into his face, and then was surrounded by a group of menacing protesters, including several who wore masks. Donald Tykeson, 75, who had multiple sclerosis and was confined to a wheelchair, was blocked by a thug who threatened him.

Protesters slashed the tires of several state patrol cruisers and leapt onto an occupied police car, slamming the hood and blocking the windshield with placards. A female police officer was knocked to the street by advancing protesters, badly injuring her wrist.

The angry protest grew so violent that the Secret Service was forced to take the highly unusual step of using a backup route for Bush's motorcade because the primary route had been compromised by protesters, one of whom pounded his fist on the president's moving limousine.

All the while, angry demonstrators brandished signs with incendiary rhetoric, such as "9/11 - YOU LET IT HAPPEN, SHRUB," and "BUSH: ####### CHILD OF THE SUPREME COURT." One sign read: "IMPEACH THE COURT-APPOINTED JUNTA AND THE FASCIST, EGOMANIACAL, BLOOD-SWILLING BEAST!"

Yet none of these signs were cited in the national media's coverage of the event. By contrast, the press focused extensively on over-the-top signs held by Obama critics at the president's town hall event held Tuesday in New Hampshire.

The lead story in Wednesday's Washington Post, for example, is headlined: "Obama Faces 'Scare Tactics' Head-On."

"As the president spoke, demonstrators outside held posters declaring him a socialist and dubbing him 'Obamahdinejad,' in reference to Iran's president," the Post reported. "People screamed into bullhorns to protest a bigger government role in health care. 'Nobama Deathcare!' one sign read. A young girl held up a sign that said: 'Obama Lies, Grandma Dies.' Images of a protester wearing what appeared to be a gun were shown on television."

On Sunday, The New York Times reported that a Democratic congressman discovered that "an opponent of health care reform hanged him in effigy" and was confronted by "200 angry conservatives." The article lamented "increasingly ugly scenes of partisan screaming matches, scuffles, threats and even arrests."

No such coverage was given to the Portland protest of Bush by The New York Times or the Washington Post, which witnessed the protest.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/12...c-bush-protest/

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That kind of behavior is just wrong, Gary. Have you read anyone here defending it from the Left? So why are so many of you Right Wingers defending such behavior when it's lunatics from your camp?

[GaryC 7]

That kind of behavior is just wrong, Gary. Have you read anyone here defending it from the Left? So why are so many of you Right Wingers defending such behavior when it's lunatics from your camp?

I didn't see the "outrage" from your side over it like the trumped up outrage we are getting now. In fact, the only violence we have seen at the health care protests have been union thugs beating up on those that choose to express their opinions. Just look at your words, you describe those that disagree as "lunatics". You need to step back and look at yourself in the mirror.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What is the purpose of this sort of analysis? What is it actually supposed to prove?

[GaryC 7]

What is the purpose of this sort of analysis? What is it actually supposed to prove?

To hold a mirror to those like Steven that think expressing ones opinion is somehow "un-American". What the anti-healthcare reform crowd is doing is milktoast compared to the protests by the left in the past.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

But seriously - one protest 7 years ago Vs many protests today?

There are any number of reasons why the press might not have covered the 2002 event - if its the same one I'm thinking about, the Portland police were heavily criticised for using tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters.

All at a time when the administration was pushing a case for war... In fact, I'd say that the press dropped the ball entirely in its analysis of the build-up to the Iraq war.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That kind of behavior is just wrong, Gary. Have you read anyone here defending it from the Left? So why are so many of you Right Wingers defending such behavior when it's lunatics from your camp?

I didn't see the "outrage" from your side over it like the trumped up outrage we are getting now. In fact, the only violence we have seen at the health care protests have been union thugs beating up on those that choose to express their opinions. Just look at your words, you describe those that disagree as "lunatics". You need to step back and look at yourself in the mirror.

I wasn't blogging here in 2002 for one. Second, I wasn't defending such actions back then....I'm sorry, but you'll just have to take my word on that.

What bothers me more than the political hacks that are purposely trying to disrupt these town halls are those on the Right who apologize for the behavior instead of condemning it. Have you seen any segment on Fox News denouncing it?

If Right Wingers think this is just ####### for tat, then that's a pretty cynical view, IMO. Leaders from both sides of aisle should denounce such behavior regardless of who is doing it.

Edited August 13, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[GaryC 7]

But seriously - one protest 7 years ago Vs many protests today?

There are any number of reasons why the press might not have covered the 2002 event - if its the same one I'm thinking about, the Portland police were heavily criticised for using tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters.

All at a time when the administration was pushing a case for war... In fact, I'd say that the press dropped the ball entirely in its analysis of the build-up to the Iraq war.

That was just one of many protests where hateful speech has been used by the left. In comparison the townhall protests have been respectful. Don't tell me you don't remember the wild and sometimes violent left wing protests that occured throughout Bush's two terms. None of that is happening now, at least not to that degree. But to listen to Steven talk the riot squad needs to bring out the water cannons when the right shows up.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think anyone was posting here in 2002 - all that was here was that Little Brown Envelope site. VJ didn't start in its current form until sometime in 2003.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

But seriously - one protest 7 years ago Vs many protests today?

There are any number of reasons why the press might not have covered the 2002 event - if its the same one I'm thinking about, the Portland police were heavily criticised for using tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters.

All at a time when the administration was pushing a case for war... In fact, I'd say that the press dropped the ball entirely in its analysis of the build-up to the Iraq war.

That was just one of many protests where hateful speech has been used by the left. In comparison the townhall protests have been respectful. Don't tell me you don't remember the wild and sometimes violent left wing protests that occured throughout Bush's two terms. None of that is happening now, at least not to that degree. But to listen to Steven talk the riot squad needs to bring out the water cannons when the right shows up.

I remember the anti-war protests being at their peak in 2002 and 2003 - but as I say, I don't think any part of the US media did its due dilligence on that story (the reasons for the protests).

I don't really care who is doing the protests, but as to what ends up in the media - there's more going on there than simply "librul media bias".

Edited August 13, 2009 by Private Pike

[GaryC 7]

I don't think anyone was posting here in 2002 - all that was here was that Little Brown Envelope site. VJ didn't start in its current form until sometime in 2003.

What are you talking about?I know VJ wasn't here. I am talking about the double standards on full display here. The protests in the story is just an example of 8 years of the lefts tactics. Of course you know what I mean, you just want to dance. Sorry, my card if full.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think anyone was posting here in 2002 - all that was here was that Little Brown Envelope site. VJ didn't start in its current form until sometime in 2003.

What are you talking about?I know VJ wasn't here. I am talking about the double standards on full display here. The protests in the story is just an example of 8 years of the lefts tactics. Of course you know what I mean, you just want to dance. Sorry, my card if full.

Gary, I think we'd all get along better if people treated others as distinct individuals and not part of some amorphous mob.

Steven's opinion on the town hall protests has #### all to do with this story or anything you draw from it.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

What is the purpose of this sort of analysis? What is it actually supposed to prove?

To hold a mirror to those like Steven that think expressing ones opinion is somehow "un-American". What the anti-healthcare reform crowd is doing is milktoast compared to the protests by the left in the past.

Letem go Gary, he's just creating his own whiplash. As long as ppl like him are movin their lips its good for America and the beginning of the end for ppl of that ilk.

[nowhereman 1]

That kind of behavior is just wrong, Gary. Have you read anyone here defending it from the Left? So why are so many of you Right Wingers defending such behavior when it's lunatics from your camp?

I didn't see the "outrage" from your side over it like the trumped up outrage we are getting now. In fact, the only violence we have seen at the health care protests have been union thugs beating up on those that choose to express their opinions. Just look at your words, you describe those that disagree as "lunatics". You need to step back and look at yourself in the mirror.

Bat is correct on this one... it serves no purpose to compare left wing nuts & right wing nuts... both are equally destructive. IMO the only way the constant rhetoric & bashing between the Republicans & Democrats is going to stop is that the moderates from both parties stand up & say enough is enough (let the far right & left tear each other apart for all I care). Does the media slant to the left? Perhaps so, but I also see the right use media bias as an excuse in many cases to cover up something they did. It's time for everyone to stop pointing fingers & take some freaking responsibility for their actions.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

That kind of behavior is just wrong, Gary. Have you read anyone here defending it from the Left? So why are so many of you Right Wingers defending such behavior when it's lunatics from your camp?

kinda difficult to defend it when it didn't even make the news.......