This is why it’s absurd when people bemoan the insularity of the conservative media, as if this is a phenomenon found exclusively on the right. The left-wing blog world comes up with insane theories all the time, and the latest one–that the Americans for Prosperity tent was not ripped down by union thugs in Michigan, but actually by AFP supporters–is a classic:
Yet this overwhelming evidence has not stopped the Lansing Truthers from claiming this all is a Koch conspiracy. Here are Hamsher’s updates to her original post, noting that one of Firedoglake’s own bloggers was spreading the conspiracy theory:
Update: Marcy Wheeler reports that “witnesses say the Americans for Prosperity people were trying to provoke union members to violence, and witnesses reportedly saw AFP people loosening the ropes on the tents so they would come down.”
Update II: Chris Savage from Eclectablog says that Americans for Prosperity tore down their own tent, and promises video soon:
Ed Schultz of MSNBC is on board helping spread the conspiracy.
One left-wing blogger (h/t NiceDeb) wrote that he “knew right away [the tent collapse] was likely a false flag.” Why? Because the labor movement is known for being so peace-loving and polite?
What’s most infuriating about this is that the violence in Michigan is real. It’s on video. And yet it’s not going to get a fraction of the media attention that mere speculations about Tea Party violence received in 2010. There aren’t going to be any Time magazine covers depicting union “rage,” or news specials about the rise of left-wing extremism. Media bias isn’t just about what they do report, it’s about what they don’t report. And unfortunately, it’s hard to imagine this will get the attention it deserves.
"This is why it’s absurd when people bemoan the insularity of the conservative media" n nOnly an ill informed person would make such an accusation. Conservative writers are normally very knowledgeable concerning left-wing personalities. They read their articles and books on a consistent basis. Could somebody point out any conservative media star who is insular? Even one.
I don't think that is what she meant. It is not that the legitimacy of the accusation but that it is so routinely made — and the irony of that in light of what the leftist media does. n nThat it is absurd because (as you point out) it is unfounded AND because the other side actually is guilty of the very thing of which they falsely accuse us.
I don't have time for TIME. n nWhat did TIME cover of the months of thuggery, violence, lawlessness, and way over-the-top "protesting" on Wisconsin for most of the last two years? Anything? I do not know, but I do know enough not to depend on TIME to provide balanced information and news.
The media liberals have been taught "Danger on the Right!" since 1960 and haven't learned a thing since. All they do is spread that fear. n nAccording to a recent survey only 5% of Americans know that John F. Kennedy was killed by a Leftist. That's less than the percentage of the population that thinks that Elvis is still alive. n nIf you'll recall, the news media convicted the city of Dallas for the assassination. n nFirst US News, then Newsweek – next will be Time. n nGood riddance to bad rubbish.
Huh, did someone put up metal walls in this place, because this seems like a right wing echo chamber. >_> n nFact is there are conflicting reports on this entire mess. No one, and I repeat, no one…or well, no one that is impartial, knows what exactly happened. You have those on the right who hate unions who are conveniently using this to bash them, while those on the left who are doing the opposite. n nSo really, what gives? Where is the investigative desire? Where is the journalism? Where is the sourcing of unbiased, credible sources? Seems to me you've forgotten a basic principle of journalism and are resorting to…well, stroking an ideological belief. It's unfortunate. n n n n
What part of a union guy punching another man in the face do you not understand? That picture has been all over the internet, it was taken just as he was hit, and it is quite clear what happened.
This is the standard tactic of the left. Years back when the UMass conservative newspaper was stolen by leftist activists, many people openly stated that we WANTED to have it stolen. Yep, we did all that work to put together a newspaper because we wanted it thrown away???? n nOn the other hand, the left does make hoaxes. I have lost count of the number of face racial incidents and fake rapes that have been reported for political reasons, they do this stuff… n nI am hesitant to say this after what happened in Connecticut this morning, but sooner or later one of these union schmucks is going to assault the wrong person, or more likely a friend of the wrong person and the next thing we know we will have a dozen dead union guys and a hysterical left totally unable to figure out what led up to something like this. n nI can see it: a kid back from Iraq with some serious PTSD issues but doing the best he can in college, at an event with a couple friends whom he trusts emotionally, apprehensive about the situation but reminding himself "if they aren't scared, then my fear is irrational and I *will* ignore it as I trust their judgment better than my own." But when one of these friends is attacked and calls for his help, he instantly is back in Fallushi and fighting for his very life. He knows how to kill with his bare hands, may well have had to do it in the past, and is going to do it now. Its going to happen. n nin a completely unrelated conversation, one vet started to discuss how he would kill me, and when he finished, I said "I realize why needed to say that, but you do want to be careful whom you say it to, and he mentioned that he knew that. His two little girls were playing on the lawn nearby, this man is not a monster, and he has his act together — sort of. And there are a lot of quiet kids in college just like this, desperately trying to fit in but if the people whom they are using as emotional weathervanes get scared, they instantly go to DEFCON 1. n nAnd if these union thugs keep doing outrageous things, they eventually will get a response they never anticipated from quiet peopeli n the background.