Part 3—The Post refuses to serve: It isn’t hard to repeat Mitt Romney’s charges concerning the Medicare program.
There is little confusion or murk about what the candidate says. Last Thursday, in the Washington Post, Rosalind Helderman reported his charges in a 1200-word news report.
To this day, Helderman’s piece constitutes the Post’s main attempt to report Romney’s charges. The scribe had little trouble reporting what those charges are:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/campaigns-fierce-rhetoric-on-medicare-dims-hope-for-a-solution-experts-say/2012/08/15/65cd679a-e6f1-11e1-936a-b801f1abab19_story.html
HELDERMAN (8/16/121): On Wednesday, Romney accused President Obama of siphoning Medicare dollars to fund his 2010 health-care law, and he promised to restore that money if elected.According to Romney, Obama had “siphoned” $716 billion from the Medicare trust fund. He had used the money “to fund his 2010 health-care law.”
[...]
Romney promised that if elected, he would restore the money to the program as a way to bolster it for current retirees.
"My commitment is, if I become president, I'm going to restore that $716 billion to the Medicare trust fund so that current seniors can know that trust fund is not being raided," Romney said on CBS News's "This Morning."
Romney said he would restore the money if he reached the White House. He seemed to say that current retirees were being harmed by Obama’s “raid.”
These charges were quite straightforward—though we’ll guess that many Post readers would have a hard time explaining the way “the Medicare trust fund” works. (Helderman made no attempt to help those readers out.) But just in case there was any confusion, Helderman also quoted Romney’s running-mate.
He made an additional charge:
HELDERMAN: "We're going to have this debate, and we're going to win this debate," [Paul] Ryan said. "It's the president who took $716 billion...from the Medicare program to spend on Obamacare. That's cuts to current seniors that will lead to less services for current seniors. We don't do that. We actually say end the raid and restore that, so that those seniors get the benefits today that they organize their lives around."According to Ryan, Obama’s “raid” of the $716 billion would lead to fewer services for current senior citizens. According to Ryan, Obama took the money “from the Medicare program to spend on Obamacare.”
The charges by Romney and Ryan seem to be quite straightforward. In a country whose seniors rely on Medicare, they sound like serious charges.
Now we reach the part of our story which is truly remarkable:
In her 1200-word news report, Helderman made no attempt to say if these charges were accurate! And good lord! She even quoted RNC chairman Reince Priebus, who said Obama has “blood on his hands" because of this conduct. "He's the one that's destroying Medicare,” Priebus was quoted saying.
Astonishing, isn’t it? Even as she reported those charges, Helderman made no attempt to say if the charges were accurate! Helderman wrote a long news report—and she refused to serve.
In fairness, Helderman wasn’t alone in her refusal to serve. By publishing this news report, the Washington Post refused to serve, from its money-grubbing ownership right on down.
Helderman’s editor also refused to serve—and it’s likely that he or she ordered the focus of this piece. As a result, readers read a list of aggressive charges—but they were never told if the charges were accurate. Just for starters, Helderman made no attempt to address these obvious questions:
Did Obama take $716 billion from the Medicare trust fund?Those are blindingly obvious questions. But go ahead—read the full report. Helderman made no attempt to answer those blindingly obvious questions. Instead, she built her report around a fatuous theme:
Did he somehow use that money to pay for Obamacare?
Budget experts are concerned about the campaign's "fierce rhetoric."
In even a slightly more rational world, the Washington Post’s refusal to serve would seem completely astounding. Sadly, we don’t live in that world. In our world, elementary intellectual procedures have almost completely broken down. Consider:
In this case, the Post reports that Romney’s charges are turning fierce—so fierce that experts are concerned. But the Post doesn’t make the slightest attempt to say if his fierce charges are accurate!
As we have noted, the Washington Post’s refusal to serve is being matched by the New York Times. Today, the Times presents a lengthy, jumbled report about that $716 billion. But go ahead! Read the whole thing—and study its graphic! See if reporter Jackie Calmes attempts to answer these questions:
Did Obama take $716 billion from the Medicare trust fund?Romney, Ryan and Priebus have been making clear charges against Obama. But with very few exceptions, major American news orgs have refused to examine the accuracy of these charges. And of one thing you can be sure:
Did he somehow use that money to pay for Obamacare?
Sargent and Capehart won’t say a word about the Post’s refusal to serve. Neither will Ezra Klein, slipping Post bucks in his pocket.
Your darling Rachel won’t name-call the Post, although she’ll clown for you all night long. The millionaire children of the “press corps” do not discuss their own.
(Even your darling Chris Hayes won’t go there—and we know how pure he is! Do you think Jonathan Chait will tell you? Please don’t mention that child!)
The Post and the Times are refusing to serve. They're helped in this remarkable task by a large group of well-paid enablers.
Tomorrow: What Sarah Kliff (and others have) said
Friday: When Romney appeared on “This Morning”
Wouldn't this space have been better used to to tell us why Rachel Maddow's once-new book is super important and awesome?
ReplyDeleteNo. But really, some might think this column proves I'm wrong about Somerby being unable to talk about anything relevant.
But I say it just proves how irrelevant he really is! See how there's not a single comment?
Nobody cares about you Bob! You're useless and...
What? What is it?
OK OK OK already, mom!
Damnit, I've gotta go clean my room.
oakley sunglasses cheap, polo ralph lauren outlet, christian louboutin, burberry outlet, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, longchamp outlet, gucci outlet, coach outlet store online, kate spade handbags, louboutin, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton, coach outlet, burberry outlet, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, coach purses, nike shoes, michael kors outlet, polo ralph lauren, tory burch outlet, longchamp handbags, true religion jeans, louboutin shoes, louboutin outlet, air max, tiffany and co, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet stores, jordan shoes, coach factory outlet, prada outlet, nike free, true religion jeans, tiffany and co, longchamp handbags, air max, michael kors outlet, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, chanel handbags, kate spade outlet
ReplyDeletenike free, nike roshe run, ray ban sunglasses, north face, ralph lauren, michael kors pas cher, michael kors, air max, mulberry, lululemon, hollister, nike blazer, nike air max, true religion outlet, polo ralph lauren, louboutin, north face, converse pas cher, hollister, ray ban pas cher, new balance pas cher, sac hermes, air max, true religion outlet, nike tn, barbour, hogan outlet, nike trainers, polo lacoste, vanessa bruno, air jordan, sac guess, abercrombie and fitch, sac louis vuitton, louis vuitton uk, oakley pas cher, vans pas cher, sac longchamp, louis vuitton, nike free pas cher, nike roshe, sac louis vuitton, michael kors, timberland, longchamp, air force, air max pas cher, sac burberry
ReplyDeletereebok outlet, jimmy choo outlet, canada goose, new balance shoes, ghd, beats by dre, bottega veneta, ugg boots, celine handbags, north face outlet, instyler, valentino shoes, uggs outlet, nfl jerseys, birkin bag, soccer jerseys, asics running shoes, insanity workout, hollister, marc jacobs, mont blanc, soccer shoes, mac cosmetics, babyliss pro, ugg boots, rolex watches, chi flat iron, canada goose outlet, ugg, vans shoes, mcm handbags, abercrombie and fitch, p90x, nike roshe run, canada goose jackets, wedding dresses, giuseppe zanotti, ugg pas cher, canada goose, uggs outlet, north face jackets, ugg australia, nike huarache, longchamp, ugg boots, herve leger, ferragamo shoes, lululemon outlet
ReplyDeletemoncler, hollister, ray ban, karen millen, pandora charms, links of london, air max, converse shoes, wedding dresses, montre homme, pandora charms, lancel, louboutin, vans, parajumpers, thomas sabo, converse, ralph lauren, canada goose, baseball bats, oakley, hollister clothing store, hollister, pandora jewelry, canada goose, swarovski, moncler, rolex watches, iphone 6 cases, moncler, canada goose, coach outlet store online, juicy couture outlet, air max, swarovski crystal, moncler outlet, toms shoes, moncler, juicy couture outlet, moncler, moncler, timberland boots, canada goose uk, louis vuitton, supra shoes, ugg, gucci, ugg
ReplyDeletenike shoes, Cheap Jordans,Cheap Jordan Shoes,Cheap Air Max,Cheap Free Run Shoes,nike shoes,nike outlet,nike factory,nike store,nike factory outlet,nike outlet store,cheap nike shoes,nike sneakers, toms outlet, toms outlet,tom shoes,toms shoes outlet,tom shoes,toms wedges,cheap toms,toms.com, air jordan, air jordan,jordan shoes,cheap jordans,air jordans,jordan retro,air jordan shoes,jordans,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,retro jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan retro, cheap jordans, cheap jordans,cheap jordan shoes,cheap jordan,cheap jordans for sale,jordans for cheap,jordan shoes,jordans,air jordan,jordan retro,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,air jordans,retro jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan shoes,air jordan retro, jordan retro, jordan retro,jordan shoes,air jordan,air jordans,retro jordans,air jordan retro,jordans,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,cheap jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan shoes, air max 90, air max 90,nike air max 90,air max 95,air max 2014,air max 2013,air max 1,nike air max,air max,nike air max 2014,airmax,nike air max 2013, air max 95, air max 95,nike air max 95,air max 90,nike air max 90,air max 2013,nike air max,air max,air max 2014,nike air max 2014,airmax,nike air max 2013, nike free 5.0, nike free 5.0, nike free trainer 5.0,nike free run 5.0,free running 2,nike free run,nike free,free running,nike running shoes,nike free trainer,free runs,free run 5.0, omega watches, omega watches,omega watch,replica watches,rolex watches,replica omega watches,rolex,watches for men,watches for women,rolex watches for sale,rolex replica,rolex watch,cartier watches,rolex submariner,fake rolex,rolex replica watches,replica rolex, ralph lauren outlet
ReplyDeleteralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,polo ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren,polo ralph,polo shirts,ralphlauren.com,polo outlet,ralph lauren polo, oakley sunglass, oakley sunglasses,cheap oakley,cheap oakley sunglasses,oakley sunglasses cheap,oakley outlet,oakley sunglasses outlet,oakley vault,oakleys,oakley.com,sunglasses outlet,cheap sunglasses,oakley prescription glasses,fake oakleys,oakley glasses,oakley store,fake oakley,oakley sale,cheap oakleys,discount oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, Ray Ban Sunglasses,Ray Ban Outlet,Ray Ban Sale,Cheap Ray Bans,Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses,ray ban sunglasses outlet,ray ban,rayban,ray bans,ray-ban,raybans,ray ban wayfarer,ray-ban sunglasses,raybans.com,rayban sunglasses,cheap ray ban, burberry, burberry,burberry outlet,burberry outlet online,burberry factory outlet,burberry sale,burberry handbags, chanel bags, chanel bags,chanel handbags,chanel sunglasses,chanel outlet,chanel purses,chanel handbags official site, coach outlet store, coach outlet,coach outlet store,coach outlet store online,coach outlet stores,coach factory outlet,coach factory,coach factory online,coach factory outlet online,coach outlet online, chaussures louboutin, louboutin,louboutin pas cher,christian louboutin,louboutin chaussures,louboutin soldes,chaussure louboutin,chaussures louboutin,chaussure louboutin pas cher,louboutin france, sac michael kors, michael kors,sac michael kors,michael kors sac,michael kors pas cher,sac michael kors pas cher,michael kors france, north face outlet, north face outlet,the north face,north face,the north face outlet,north face jackets,north face jackets clearance,northface, yoga pants, yoga pants,lululemon,lululemon outlet,lululemon athletica,lululemon addict,lulu lemon,lulu.com,lululemon.com, beats by dre
ReplyDeletebeats by dre,beats headphones,beats audio,beats by dr dre,beats by dre headphones,dr dre,dre beats,beats by dr,dr dre beats,dre headphones,beats by dr. dre,cheap beats, ferragamo, ferragamo,salvatore ferragamo,ferragamo shoes,ferragamo outlet,salvatore ferragamo outlet,ferragamo belts,ferragamo belt,ferragamo outlet, nike blazer, nike blazer,blazer nike,nike blazer pas cher,Chaussures Nike Blazer,Nike Blazer Femme, nike air force, nike air force,air force,nike air force 1,nike air force one,air force one nike,air force 1,air force one, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet,michael kors handbags,michael kors uk,michael kors,michael kors,michael kors bags, cheap jerseys, cheap jerseys,nfl jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,jerseys from china,cheap jerseys from china, cheap nfl jerseys, NFL Jerseys,Nike NFL Jerseys,NBA Jerseys,Soccer Jersey,NHL Jerseys,Baseball Jerseys,Custom Jersey,Youth Jerseys,Women Jerseys,NCAA Jerseys,cheap jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,basketball jerseys,jerseys,hockey jerseys, jerseys from china, jerseys from china,cheap jerseys from china,nfl jerseys,cheap jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,jerseys,baseball jerseys,nba jerseys,hockey jerseys,basketball jerseys, burberry uk, burberry, timberland boots uk, timberland
ReplyDeletenike shoes, Cheap Jordans,Cheap Jordan Shoes,Cheap Air Max,Cheap Free Run Shoes,nike shoes,nike outlet,nike factory,nike store,nike factory outlet,nike outlet store,cheap nike shoes,nike sneakers, toms outlet, toms outlet,tom shoes,toms shoes outlet,tom shoes,toms wedges,cheap toms,toms.com, air jordan, air jordan,jordan shoes,cheap jordans,air jordans,jordan retro,air jordan shoes,jordans,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,retro jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan retro, cheap jordans, cheap jordans,cheap jordan shoes,cheap jordan,cheap jordans for sale,jordans for cheap,jordan shoes,jordans,air jordan,jordan retro,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,air jordans,retro jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan shoes,air jordan retro, jordan retro, jordan retro,jordan shoes,air jordan,air jordans,retro jordans,air jordan retro,jordans,jordan 11,jordan xx9,jordan 6,new jordans,cheap jordans,jordan retro 11,jordan 5,air jordan 11,jordans for sale,jordan 4,jordan 1,jordan future,jordan 3,jordan 12,michael jordan shoes,air jordan shoes, air max 90, air max 90,nike air max 90,air max 95,air max 2014,air max 2013,air max 1,nike air max,air max,nike air max 2014,airmax,nike air max 2013, air max 95, air max 95,nike air max 95,air max 90,nike air max 90,air max 2013,nike air max,air max,air max 2014,nike air max 2014,airmax,nike air max 2013, nike free 5.0, nike free 5.0, nike free trainer 5.0,nike free run 5.0,free running 2,nike free run,nike free,free running,nike running shoes,nike free trainer,free runs,free run 5.0, omega watches, omega watches,omega watch,replica watches,rolex watches,replica omega watches,rolex,watches for men,watches for women,rolex watches for sale,rolex replica,rolex watch,cartier watches,rolex submariner,fake rolex,rolex replica watches,replica rolex, ralph lauren outlet, ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,polo ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren,polo ralph,polo shirts,ralphlauren.com,polo outlet,ralph lauren polo, oakley sunglass, thomas sabo
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses,cheap oakley,cheap oakley sunglasses,oakley sunglasses cheap,oakley outlet,oakley sunglasses outlet,oakley vault,oakleys,oakley.com,sunglasses outlet,cheap sunglasses,oakley prescription glasses,fake oakleys,oakley glasses,oakley store,fake oakley,oakley sale,cheap oakleys,discount oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, Ray Ban Sunglasses,Ray Ban Outlet,Ray Ban Sale,Cheap Ray Bans,Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses,ray ban sunglasses outlet,ray ban,rayban,ray bans,ray-ban,raybans,ray ban wayfarer,ray-ban sunglasses,raybans.com,rayban sunglasses,cheap ray ban, burberry, burberry,burberry outlet,burberry outlet online,burberry factory outlet,burberry sale,burberry handbags, chanel bags, chanel bags,chanel handbags,chanel sunglasses,chanel outlet,chanel purses,chanel handbags official site, coach outlet store, coach outlet,coach outlet store,coach outlet store online,coach outlet stores,coach factory outlet,coach factory,coach factory online,coach factory outlet online,coach outlet online, chaussures louboutin, louboutin,louboutin pas cher,christian louboutin,louboutin chaussures,louboutin soldes,chaussure louboutin,chaussures louboutin,chaussure louboutin pas cher,louboutin france, sac michael kors, michael kors,sac michael kors,michael kors sac,michael kors pas cher,sac michael kors pas cher,michael kors france, north face outlet, north face outlet,the north face,north face,the north face outlet,north face jackets,north face jackets clearance,northface, yoga pants, yoga pants,lululemon,lululemon outlet,lululemon athletica,lululemon addict,lulu lemon,lulu.com,lululemon.com, beats by dre, beats by dre,beats headphones,beats audio,beats by dr dre,beats by dre headphones,dr dre,dre beats,beats by dr,dr dre beats,dre headphones,beats by dr. dre,cheap beats, ferragamo, ferragamo,salvatore ferragamo,ferragamo shoes,ferragamo outlet,salvatore ferragamo outlet,ferragamo belts,ferragamo belt,ferragamo outlet, nike blazer, nike blazer,blazer nike,nike blazer pas cher,Chaussures Nike Blazer,Nike Blazer Femme, nike air force, swarovski crystal, swarovski
ReplyDeletenike air force,air force,nike air force 1,nike air force one,air force one nike,air force 1,air force one, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet,michael kors handbags,michael kors uk,michael kors,michael kors,michael kors bags, cheap jerseys, cheap jerseys,nfl jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,jerseys from china,cheap jerseys from china, cheap nfl jerseys, NFL Jerseys,Nike NFL Jerseys,NBA Jerseys,Soccer Jersey,NHL Jerseys,Baseball Jerseys,Custom Jersey,Youth Jerseys,Women Jerseys,NCAA Jerseys,cheap jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,basketball jerseys,jerseys,hockey jerseys, jerseys from china, jerseys from china,cheap jerseys from china,nfl jerseys,cheap jerseys,cheap nfl jerseys,jerseys,baseball jerseys,nba jerseys,hockey jerseys,basketball jerseys, burberry uk, burberry, timberland boots uk, timberland, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses cheap, ray ban sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, polo ralph lauren, polo ralph lauren outlet, burberry outlet, burberry outlet, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet online sale, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, christian louboutin, louboutin outlet, louboutin, louboutin shoes, tory burch outlet, gucci outlet, prada handbags, prada outlet, longchamp outlet, longchamp handbags, longchamp handbags
ReplyDeletejordan shoes, nike shoes, tiffany and co, tiffany and co, air max, air max, nike free, chanel handbags, kate spade outlet, kate spade handbags, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, louis vuitton outlet stores, louis vuitton handbags, coach outlet, coach factory outlet, coach outlet store online, coach purses, true religion jeans, true religion jeans, true religion outlet, true religion outlet, air max, air max pas cher, air jordan, nike free pas cher, nike roshe run, sac longchamp, longchamp, polo ralph lauren, sac louis vuitton, sac louis vuitton, louboutin, michael kors pas cher, sac burberry, oakley pas cher, ray ban pas cher, hollister, sac hermes, vans pas cher, timberland, new balance pas cher, converse pas cher, north face, nike tn, polo lacoste, nike blazer, air force, sac guess, vanessa bruno
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton, hogan outlet, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors, michael kors, lululemon outlet online, louis vuitton uk, hollister, north face, mulberry, ralph lauren, nike air max, air max, nike free, abercrombie and fitch, barbour, nike roshe, nike trainers, nike huarache, longchamp, hollister, vans shoes, nike roshe run, mac cosmetics, abercrombie and fitch, birkin bag, north face outlet, north face jackets, new balance shoes, reebok outlet, lululemon outlet, nfl jerseys, rolex watches, wedding dresses, beats by dre, mont blanc, ferragamo shoes, giuseppe zanotti, instyler, babyliss pro, mcm handbags, chi flat iron, insanity workout, ghd, bottega veneta, valentino shoes, herve leger, asics running shoes, soccer shoes, soccer jerseys, celine handbags, p90x
ReplyDeletejimmy choo outlet, uggs, ugg boots clearance, ugg, ugg pas cher, ugg boots, canada goose, canada goose jackets, canada goose outlet, canada goose, canada goose, canada goose uk, moncler, moncler outlet, moncler, moncler, hollister clothing store, air max, baseball bats, iphone 6 cases, timberland boots, moncler, ugg, oakley, louboutin, ralph lauren, hollister, air max, vans, converse, gucci, ray ban, converse shoes, lancel, toms shoes, moncler, canada goose, canada goose, moncler, montre homme, karen millen, supra shoes, juicy couture outlet, juicy couture outlet, coach outlet store online, wedding dresses, rolex watches, hollister, louis vuitton, ugg, pandora jewelry, pandora charms, pandora charms, links of london
ReplyDelete