March 15, 2010 _ The whole story on numerous issues can’t be gleaned from area news outlets.
On Saturday, Karl Rove was hosted at the Desmond Hotel by the Republican Committee of Chester County. Last week Rove made appearances on various network news shows promoting his book, a look at the White House years with President Bush. As expected, Rove received some tough questioning from the national media but his responses make sense and he has shed some light on the Bush Presidency.
On Sunday, no printed mention of Rove’s Chester County visit was found nor any mention of Rove’s revelations in the book.
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The area newspapers had plenty of space for President Obama’s visit to Arcadia University in Montgomery County last week. The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily Local News both printed front-page stories on Obama’s visit and both papers had stories on protests against Obama.
The Daily Local News anti-Obama piece was in the Business section. The Inquirer’s headline was: “Pro and con greet Obama: ‘Kill the bill!’ Clashed with ‘Thank you, Mr. President!’ in Glenside.” In the Inquirer story Obama asked Congress to take a stand on his health care bill. The challenge to Congress was courageous of the President. If Congress takes a stand with the American public, Congress will oppose Obama.
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An Eye On The Media reader submitted an article from the Real Clear political website on the health care issue. The headline was:“The Democrats' Pickett's Charge.”
The story reported, “And now the House Democrats line up at the instruction of their blind commanders for a final charge into glory as they battle to foist a health care system on a country that neither wants it nor can afford it. The charge may or may not reach its objective. But one thing is certain: The carnage among those who vote for health care will remind Civil War buffs of Pickett's Charge on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
“As a French general who witnessed the spectacle said, ‘C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre.’ (It is magnificent, but it's not war.) The sight of so many Democrats throwing away their political careers may be arresting, but it is not politics.”
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One story that seemed to have gotten past many local reporters and editors was the latest Ghaddafi incident. The story was noted by the BBC on its website on March 9. The headline to the story was: “US apologises over Gaddafi comments.”
The story reported, “The US State Department has apologised for comments made about Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's call for jihad, or holy war, against Switzerland. Department spokesman PJ Crowley, who made the dismissive comments, said they did not reflect US policy and were not intended to offend. Col Gaddafi had criticised a Swiss vote against the building of minarets and urged Muslims to boycott the country.
“Mr Crowley described it as ‘lots of words, not necessarily a lot of sense.’ Libya and Switzerland are embroiled in a long-running diplomatic row. ‘I regret that my comments have become an obstacle to further progress in our bilateral relationship,’ Mr Crowley said.”
The Obama administration is now apologizing when one of its officials tells the truth.
The Wall Street Journal on March 11 did write an editorial with the headline: “Groveling With Gadhafi: The apology tour hits a new low.” The editorial stated, “President Obama’s world apology tour is now the stuff of legend, cut even his worst critics probably didn’t expect this week’s footnote involving Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi.”
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While Obama pushes his health care bill more Americans remain out of work. The New York Times ran a story last week with the headline: “Jobs Still Elusive, 5 States Posted Record Unemployment Rates in January.” The Associated Press story reported, “Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
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The Obama administration continues to cast off old United States allies and last week Israel fired back at the administration. The Inquirer ran a story by the Los Angeles Times on Vice President Joe Biden’s “high-profile” visit to Israel in connection with floundering peace talks. Not sure why Biden’s visit was called “high-profile” since before Israel announced its plan to build 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem few knew Biden had left the country.
The story reported Israel’s announcement was “a surprise step that embarrassed and angered the highest-ranking Obama administration official yet to visit the country.” The BBC also reported on the snub of the Obama administration.
Another BBC story reported ties with England were becoming frayed.
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Finally, Obama didn’t win any praise from the Supreme Court and NASA astronauts last week.
The Inquirer ran a story with the headline: “Roberts troubled by scene at speech.” The story reported, “Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said yesterday that the scene at President Obama’s Jan. 27 State of the Union address was ‘very troubling’ and said the annual speech had ‘degenerated to a political pep rally.’”
The BBC reported on the astronauts’ discontent with the President with an article with the headline: “Obama Nasa plans 'catastrophic' say Moon astronauts.” The story reported, “Former Nasa astronauts who went to the Moon have told the BBC of their dismay at President Barack Obama's decision to push back further Moon missions. Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, said Mr Obama's decision would have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for US space exploration. The last man on the Moon, Eugene Cernan, said it was ‘disappointing.’”