Before the results of the presidential election of Harry Truman, the Chicago Tribune printed a paper with the headline "Dewey Sweeps Nation!" Unfortunately for Thomas Dewey, the people of America elected Harry Truman. The Chicago Tribune forever will be known for printing this journalistic "faux pas". Mark Twain said, after he read of his demise, "The reports of my death were highly exaggerated."
I try not to let personal ire enter into this blog; it cheapens the credibility of my writing. I don't want to resort to "schoolyard taunts" with no grounding in fact; name calling shows the weakness of any position. Ed Schultz has made insulting comments about Glenn Beck at a personal level with no grounding in fact, and has yet to make an argument in fact about anything Beck has espoused. Perhaps, Mr. Schultz is jealous of Beck's ratings, as it seems no one is watching him! Sunday, when I received my paper, I opened to the second page to see a political cartoon totally based on conjecture without a hint of knowledge of the actual event that took place. Allow me to describe the cartoon; it shows an overly portly Beck with a wide smile on his face, arms outstretched in front of a scowling Abraham Lincoln at the Memorial. Beck is screaming "I Have a Scheme!" At the forefront of the panel are signs saying "HATE", "FEAR" and "BIGOTRY"!! This cartoonist obviously is a student of the school of "MAKING IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG"!
Anyone who actually saw this rally knows the polar opposite of those signs was the message that was delivered that day. Rabbis, Imams, Ministers and Priests were on the "steps" along with Beck; all who spoke gave messages of love and integrity. Honor was the order of the day. No negative speech was given, nor would it have been tolerated! A crowd of ordinary people surrounded the entire area, Americans of every type; some old, some young, some Black and some White.
This cartoonist is part of the "threatened left" who must attack without facts. He wants to influence people who didn't see what happened on August 28th in Washington. He paints a false picture, and has no compunction about untruth in the pursuit of his ends; the character demolition of Glenn Beck. If I were a progressive, I would like to prove my points through facts, not through cat-calls and insult; not through lies and distortion. If this method is all the liberals have left, then they are on very shaky ground.
This cartoon first appeared in the Dayton Daily News. The Chief Editor needs to look long and hard at this type of picture journalism for honesty in content. Integrity in facts is the cornerstone of responsible journalism. When irresponsible charges are showcased, the value of the reporters are in question. Newspapers are supposed to be the guardian of truth to the public. I hope the Dayton Daily News takes this responsibility seriously.
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