Fox News: MSM ignored angry violent liberals at 2002 Bush event

[sabra]

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/08/12/analysis-press-largely-ignored-incendiary-rhetoric-bush-protest/

Analysis: Press Largely Ignored Incendiary Rhetoric at Bush Protest

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.

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 "Slut!" "Whore!" 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.

:eyes:

[hippywife]

1. I'm gonna guess that

Fox also neglected to report this? :eyes: :rofl:

[billyoc]

2. They DID ignore me.

Bastards.

[Turbineguy]

3. It took Fox seven years

to unearth these facts?

[still_one]

4. fox along with most of the MSM also failed to cover the protests against the illegal Iraq war /nt

[anigbrowl]

10. Quite true, but irrelevant

Metaphorically speaking, a foul in the last game has no bearing on the score of the current one. To the extent these allegations are true (and I remember reading about this protest at the time - from other sources besides Fox-not-really-News) it now reflects poorly on us. So while I don't agree with the current right-wing intimidation masquerading as activism, I can't be entirely bleeding-heart about it because we (ie, the left in general) have upped the ante at times too.

My personal take on protests is that they're most effective when you have more numbers and less drama/hyperbole, even if the payoff isn't as obvious in the short term.

[still_one]

15. No question about it, however it is ironic that the most selective

network in regards to filtering out news that doesn't fit their agenda should be the bearers of this news

[kirby]

5. This is what happens when Dems throw around Nazi labels...

It cheapens the true meaning of Nazi and its history.

[still_one]

16. Yes and no. One thing though, there are a hell of a lot more similarities to the tactics

that the republicans use that actually relate to what the third reich did, then what the Democrats are do

[anigbrowl]

6. Self-serving on Fox's part, but I've often said such tactics are best avoided

Polite, dignified protest is nowhere near as emotionally satisfying as hurling eggs or calling for pitchforks and guillotines...but nor does it come back to haunt one later. Mob tactics are ultimately destructive to one's cause in the modern era.

[dbonds]

7. Protesters at Bush functions were not just ignored,...

they were never in the least acknowledged. They wanted to pretend all was well in the bush-i-verse.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. The one in August 2002? Where the police used pepper spray on the protesters?

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0823-01.htm





Edited: Our own, William Pitt wrote about it for Truthout and quoted CBS News.

http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/portlandTO.pdf

[Blue Diadem]

13. Apparently rubber bullets too according to Democracy now.

http://www.democracynow.org/2002/8/30/more_forest_less_bush_two_thousand

The protesters were greeted by hundreds of police, including many in full riot gear, some even wearing black bandanas over their faces.

Despite peaceful protests, the police declared a state of emergency and threatened to arrest anyone who did not disperse. But then the police began shooting people with rubber bullets and pepper-spray. Children were among the victims of chemical attacks, including a 10-month old baby.

Bush was in Portland to announce a relaxation of federal logging regulations, which he claims is necessary to reduce the threat of forest fires. The “Healthy Forests Initiative” calls for reduced protection of the nation’s old growth forests and increased thinning of federally protected forests.

But many scientists and environmentalists say his plan has more to do with serving the timber industry than with saving forests. At the protests in Portland, one protester held a sign reading “More forest, less Bush.”

[Vinnie From Indy]

9. Bush put protesters in cages

They gave them the name "freedom zones". Those were not reported either.

[gratuitous]

11. Yeah, Bush came here for a fundraiser. Once

The Crawford Coward didn't bother coming back after that, even though the cops did a crackerjack job of using their most repressive tactics, complete with riot gear and lack of badges, name plates or other identifying insignia.

Bush wasn't here to listen to anyone, just to scoop up a wad of cash for his re-election, two years away.

[holiday]

12. Bush's criticism compared to Obama's? apples and oranges

Obama hasn't started a WAR

[Uncle Joe]

14. I see an inherent difference between fundraisers and town hall meetings.

A fundraiser makes no attempt to address the passions of the people; aggrieved and moved so far as to protest, whereas a legitimate town hall meeting is geared toward answering those very concerns.

[SoCalDem]

17. We actually HAD real grievances with the Bush admin

that's the difference:)

and the media ignored us because they were all about protecting the little puppet:)