I have blogged before about the fact that--as a purely political issue--it is a mistake for the Obama administration to elevate any news outlet within the US to the level of an enemy, even rhetorically.
But it also seems that the Obama/Holder Department of Justice has notched up this strategy another level, with government employees in the DOJ being assigned to surf opposition blogs, record information, and even plant troll comments. From a compilation of current blog reports [h/t Libertarian Republican]:
As one blog [Muffled Oar] reports in greater detail:
IF this is accurate [please note, I placed that in bold because I am not yet assuming that the case has been verified] it represents a step in a decidedly authoritarian and anti-Constitutional direction.
For those who suggest the political process is somehow being subverted through false and mis-information on places like Fox and in conservative or libertarian blogs, and that therefore response and regulation are needed, I would respond with this American principle: The truth is too important to allow the State to decide what it is.
But it also seems that the Obama/Holder Department of Justice has notched up this strategy another level, with government employees in the DOJ being assigned to surf opposition blogs, record information, and even plant troll comments. From a compilation of current blog reports [h/t Libertarian Republican]:
Are you a conservative or libertarian blogger? Do you take issue with and write pieces that don't mesh with Obama's policies? If you do, Eric Holder, United States Attorney General, is possibly getting feedback on what you've been blogging about.
Warner Todd Huston, a freelance writer who has written for Newsbusters.org and Human Events, has discovered that Mr. Holder has hired a whole team of Democratic campaign bloggers to troll the internet looking for anti-Obama articles and posts. When found, the bloggers are instructed to post comments, usually anonymously, in support of Dear Leader's ideas and policies.
As one blog [Muffled Oar] reports in greater detail:
Not only is the Department of Justice Blog Squad going to reach out to nontraditional media like TPM Muckraker or the Muffled Oar, but they are also tasked with fostering anonymous comments at conservative leaning blogs such as the Free Republic. They are also tasked with fostering anonymous comments, or comments under pseudonyms, at newspaper websites with stories critical of the Department of Justice, Holder and President Obama.
IF this is accurate [please note, I placed that in bold because I am not yet assuming that the case has been verified] it represents a step in a decidedly authoritarian and anti-Constitutional direction.
For those who suggest the political process is somehow being subverted through false and mis-information on places like Fox and in conservative or libertarian blogs, and that therefore response and regulation are needed, I would respond with this American principle: The truth is too important to allow the State to decide what it is.
Comments
Pssst...Steve, Get over the wingnut hyperbole if you want to be taken seriously.
jason330
Kind of an ironic point for you to make, considering that my original post was not exactly what even you would call wingnut talking points.
http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/2009/10/conundrum-at-1600-pennsylvania-ave-to.html
In it I expressed clearly that responding even to lies from a major media outlet in this fashion is a tried and true political loser. You may disagree with that assessment, but if you read the original piece it is hardly a Beck or Fox apologia.
Oh, that's right...you and MSNBC and the rest of the leftisphere are the 'good' guys -- allowed to emulate Karl Rove without being Rovian. Gotcha. Check.
Talk about self-anointed hubristic elitism. Sheesh.
You confuse "couldn't" with "didn't."
I respond to those challenges I choose to respond to.
I have written on Beck before; you can either choose to read it or not, just like you can choose to provide you name or not.
Either way, I could care less.
If it is happening, it should not be and should be stopped now. I suspect it is a case of overzealous political hires trying to do what they think is right.
Anon my only advice is you want to play with rattlesnakes remember they bite!
... just like you can choose to provide you name or not."
Those rather impotent deflections were yet another acknowledgment of your cowardice to stand by your accusations.
Not surprised at all.
As far as the Obama administration responding to FOX news is concerned, I see it as nothing more than the government entering into public dialog. It is an interactive approach that I've long wanted my government to do. I don't see it as ominous.