Bernie Ward and the U.S. Attorney purge ... a connection?

[Newsjock]

Here's an interesting hypothesis being floated over in ba.broadcast. I won't vouch for or against it, but it's certainly interesting and might benefit from some research.

http://groups.google.com/group/ba.broadcast/browse_frm/thread/ec0da5ff0965fa78#cb58a9793baed081

Here's what happened (I can almost guarantee this).

1. Bernie got nailed downloading the pornography by the Feds. -- Late 2004
2. His computer was confiscated and he have his "Book" defense. -- Early 2005
3. Case went on hold. -- Early 2005
4. Kevin Ryan was replaced as US Attorney for Northern California. -- Feb 2007
5. New NCA US Attorney, Scott Schools, reviewed all non-closed cases of his predecessor. -- March 2007
6. Bernie couldn't back up his "Book" explanation with any evidence. -- Est. August 2007
7. Indictment Filed. -- December 2007
All makes perfect sense given the timeline and the change of US Attorneys.

... Bernie's Agent is blaming the Bush Administration for the indictment.
Note that Kevin Ryan was one of the US Attorneys fired by the Bush administration in the fiasco earlier this year.
Could the new Attorney, Schools, be a Bush Hack, and be more inclined to indict political enemies, such as Bernie Ward?
Legitimate question.

[napi21]

1. I don't know, but I find it odd that I can't stream KGO tonight!

I tried their std. link, and although I have been having some problems with that link, the alternate links always work. I tried the alternates tonight several different times and none work! I find that just strange. I always listen to Bernie then Ray.

I particularly wanted to listen tonight because the stand in host was Karel and he usually doesn't pull any punches. If he knew something I think would have said it.

DZoes anyone else stream KGO and have a problem linking too?

[Newsjock]

2. You didn't miss anything

Both evening hosts (Brian Copeland early, and John Rothman late) said they were not going to talk about Bernie at all except to say that their prayers are with him.

The stream worked fine for me, though.

[LLee]

16. Ray Taliaferro also said

Ray Taliaferro also said there would be no talk about Bernie at this time, but later would be when the KGO bosses were ready.
As this story is not coming out that Bdernie is a perverted child porn user, but has broken federal law with error in journalistic research, what is the big deal? It looks like KGO is going to keep him off the air for a couple of months. What a loss.

[wake.up.america]

3. Bernie, Bernie what is going on? Research for a book???

[Pachamama]

4. I don't believe Bernie would have done this...I think its a set up by the Bush Administration...I've

long believed that they threaten people and set people up....Look what was done to Scott Ritter, Weapons Inspector who dared to say that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. I believe he was charged too with having child pornography or being guilty of something along those lines. It later proved to be unfounded. But I think this kind of thing is designed to shut people up. Its not that things like this aren't possible. I just can't believe Bernie would do this. And given how outspoken Bernie is against the criminals in the White House, he is not a surprising target.

[napi21]

5. I don't believe it either, and I can accept that none of the other hosts

are allowed to talk about what's going on. I guess I was hoping maybe Karel might because he seems to always do his own thing, but this could be a keep your job or not thing because it involves another KGO host.

I only hope it won't take a long time to get resolved, for Bernie's sake and mine too! I miss him already.

[wake.up.america]

6. Bernie should do everything possible to clear this up. I listen to him ...

then follow up with Ray T. while I am working.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. If they were gonna target someone in Bay Area radio

it'd be Ray Taliaferro. He's more outspoken against the Wregime than Bernie — or, he's nastier, anyway — and he's black.

[ConsAreLiars]

8. Sorry, that's a completely unrealistic argument.

Ray is on after 1:00AM, while Bernie began at 10:00PM. In terms of audience size and influence in the community as a whole Bernie was a far more influential voice. You may as well argue that some Black gay Satanist guy on public access was more offensive to the powers-that-be. They don't care about who is outspoken or nasty. They care about who is influential in mobilizing the opposition they intend to shut down and intimidate.

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. Oh

[Retrograde]

10. but he's such a nice guy in person!

I've had the pleasure to meet Ray Taliaferro once at a volunteer luncheon, and the best way I can describe him is as a courtly gentleman. Nothing like I pictured him listening to his program. Unfortunately I only get to listen when I get way, way too early.

[Oeditpus Rex]

11. I've heard that, too

Weird, isn't it? Hang a microphone in front of him and he's all, "Sir? Sir?! SIR?!? How DARE you come on MY program and spread the LIES of that EVIL, CORRUPT... uh... IDIOT, GEORGE W. BOOSH?!? LIES, LIES, LIES!! My GOD!!"



:D

[Pachamama]

12. I don't disagree that Ray Taliaferro would be someone they might want to get more, but isn't it also

sometimes who can be set up easier? I just think that Bernie may have been an easier target. And being a former Catholic Priest, that just so sets up a good story.... :eyes:

[Oeditpus Rex]

13. That's certainly possible

I didn't think about the "priest" angle that way. But, yeah — put that next to "child porn" in a hed and he gets fried in the press. :eyes:

I thought of Taliaferro because he often spends his entire four hours ranting about W, while Bernie usually gives one hour to the Wregime, one to something local and the other to whatever. (The night I talked to him, the topic was something about baseball vs. other sports from some social standpoint.) Taliaferro also claims a huge audience, but I've never seen his numbers, so... :shrug:

Honestly, though, I think this is gonna turn out like it did with Pete Townshend — that he actually was doing research for a book and just didn't use proper discretion.

[wake.up.america]

18. I don't think they want to tangle with Ray unless they have something big time.

[never_get_over_it]

14. I am just sick about this

I am so sure that this is a set up to shut Bernie up. Ray and Bernie both justifiably bash the crap out of this criminal administration and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if "they" were trying to set both of them up. They just, apparently were able to "find" something on Bernie.

I don't know if there is anything any of us Bernie fans can do - at least as far as keeping him on the air. I listen to almost ALL of Bernie's shows and I'm on the east coast - if I don't hear them live I hear them via archives. Bernie is my FAVORITE talk show host - and I am truly heart broken and very worried. But I tell you I don't believe for one moment that Bernie is some kind of child porn freak.

Hmmmm - maybe this case can be used to bring attention to this US Attorney political prosecution...

I think I'm going to call Pat Leahy's office.

[LLee]

15. Bernie held off on this to do his annual Thanksgiving Charity

Bernie held off on this to do his annual Thanksgiving Charity, then he turned himself in for the journalistic error he did in 2004.
Not sure what the process or agreement was and with whom...but this is the story I am finding.
I have listened to Bernie for 10 years, including the last week when he did his Thanksgiving Charity. So heart breaking.

[Prefer]

17. The glove doesn't fit

It doesn't fit Bernie's personality.

Also, if this were a valid accusation, I would expect there to be some kind of pattern involved, over time, not just a one time transgression, accidentally. That would tend to fit more with his actual explanation.