The Associated Press – where most Americans get their state-wide and national news – is taking Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s side by constantly using Blumenthal’s version as fact, instead of using more neutral words.
Blumenthal is insisting that he only “misspoke” when he time after time claimed to have served IN Vietnam in speeches to small crowds when television cameras weren’t around.
The facts – as presented in the New York Times and backed up by many eye witnesses, including Blumenthal’s friend, former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays – clearly show that Blumenthal out and out lied or if you want to be charitable “misstated” his military career.
But this is the way AP has been referring to this major issue ever since Blumenthal represented his side on Tuesday.
In last night’s coverage of the state Democratic Convention, the lede of the story sent to every newspaper in Connecticut and in the U.S. that is part of AP –
By SUSAN HAIGH and PAT EATON-ROBB
HARTFORD (AP) — State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, under fire for misspeaking about his military record during Vietnam, easily won the endorsement Friday night of Connecticut Democrats to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Chris Dodd.
I have no idea what AP’s motives are to use the more innocent word misspeak instead of the more critical, but neutral word misstate. But it makes a huge difference, especially repeated day after day.
Words carry emotions. There are huge differences in the words terrorists, insurgent, freedom fighter, militant, security forces, and opposition. Each carry vivid pictures for readers and can easily sway public opinion.
Even the Courant, which has done some sloppy reporting in this case, chose to be factual in Christopher Keating’s front page story today where he wrote that “Blumenthal’s campaign is still reeling from the controversy caused by his videotaped speech in Norwalk in 2008 in which he said he had served in Vietnam, when actually he served stateside during the war in the Marine Corps Reserve.”
I will even let slide that Keating left out that there were many occasions that Blumenthal is accused of saying that and there is even the larger issue that Blumenthal did all he could to stay out of Vietnam.
So as you watch political campaigns, and any other issues, read carefully how reporters characterize controversies and be aware of the power of a single word. And ask yourself, why did that reporter or commentator use that word.
Do you REALLY have to ask yourself why the AP would use the word “mispeak” rather than the word “mistate”.
The word misstate’ IS neutral, but the word “misspeak” implies that what Blumenthal did was just an “innocent” mistake…. and the AP, being the blatantly liberal biased press agency that it has become, wants to do everything it can to help Blumenthal get away with his outright LIE!
If Blumenthal has been a a Republican, you could bet that the word “liar’ would have figured prominently in every AP story about this controversy.
Nothing has changed about the Viet war. It claimed the lives of over 50,000 U.S.
Soldiers. Blomey claimed the valor, honor respect, sacredness,emotional up-heaval,
how can there be any down play. The bug need be sprayed and put away. This is
just one of the many slaps of honesty that this toad speaks of. Just his way of life is
a mis-statement. What the heck does a freaky looking guy like him have in common
with me beside SINS. Twenty — 20 –YEARS of LIES. To please who? To back slap
who? To build up who? To support who’s person? THE MIND OF BLOMEY IS
TWISTED AND SICK. hE NEEDS MEDICAL HELP. HE IS A SICK SOUL. A DARKEN
HEART. PLUS HE SUPPORTS MURDER IN THE WOMB. DARKENED SOUL
What other lies has Blumenthal told in order to advance his political career? This is the question CT voters need to ask themselves before they pull the lever in the voting booth on November 2.
As a Vietnam Veteran, I find his “misspeaking” a total disgrace. He should be ashamed of himself as it makes a mockery of those who served and died over there.
Veterans across the state should NOT vote for this man ever again.