Becoming A Discerning News Consumer

"BURLINGAME, Calif. - Sarah Palin defended her claim that Barack Obama "pals around with terrorists," saying the Democratic presidential nominee's association with a 1960s radical is an issue that is "fair to talk about."


"During her stop in California, Palin was asked about an Associated Press analysis that said her charge about Ayers was unsubstantiated, a point made by other news organizations, and the criticism carried a "racially tinged subtext that McCain may come to regret."-AP article on MSNBC

These two paragraphs reference a comment Palin made at a fund raising rally in California about Obamas association with radical Bill Ayers who in the 1960s was part of a terrorist group called The Weather Undergound which besides having the lamest name of any terrorist group ever bombed government targets in the US. One was responsible for the death of a police officer. It was in Ayers living room Obamas senate bid was contemplated and he was the one who helped Obama get seated on the Annenberg Challenge Foundation Board.

Here's a few questions I asked myself about this article. What's the problem with the statements? Are they factually correct? What are they wanting me to take away from this? In other words, how are they trying to manipulate me?

At two different points in the article that refer to Ayers as a "1960s radical" Problem? He's still an unrepentant murderer whose actions resulted in the death of a police officer in the 60s. He has publicly stated he "didn't do enough back then" and that he was "not sorry for anything he'd done." He was more violently active in the 60s- he's still a radical.

The last sentence in the second paragraph, what's this about a "racially tinged subtext"? So, this guy Ayers, is a black community leader of some type and McCain is trying to make the thought of them together look like he's part of some sort of black supremacy movement or something right? Well, not so much- he's whiter than I am, actually.

The statement is actually so bizarre, it's almost funny and I really appreciate it because they might as well be screaming, "I support Barack Obama and will do anything- including lie to help him win!"

I respect honesty like that.

The writer purposefully placed that sentence at the end of that paragraph to drive (hopefully) home the point that McCain/Palin might be a bigoted ticket. That's all you were supposed to carry away from it. The writer would be pleased if by the next day you said to someone,"That Palin, seems kind of racist, doesn't she?"

Another sentence meant to drive home some doubt and have an easy way out for Obamas guilt by association with Ayers:

" Obama was 8 years old at the time the Weather Underground claimed credit for numerous bombings and was blamed for a pipe bomb that killed a San Francisco policeman"

Here you are meant to think and repeat whenever you speak about the presidential race," Oh come on, Barack was only 8 years old when those bombings occurred!"

Ayers is totally and still verbally unrepentant for everything he did, he's still a radical political figure and helped launch Obamas career.

Obama was not 8 when he met with Ayers in his home to discuss a run for office.

The writer was not interested in laying out facts for you to carry away from the story just doubts.

Well, that and a vote away from McCain.