Where's The Outrage?

(updated as needed - new items before the fold, old stuff after)



The 'hit or miss' John Hawkins puts one into the cheap seats with this write-up:

In Barack Obama's case, the media would be focusing on an entirely different set of issues if he were a Republican.

1) This guy is way too stupid to be President of the United States!...How does Quayle's gaffe compare to Obama thinking there are 57 states? Duhr! How about Obama walking into a window at the White House? Duhr, duhr! What about signing a guest book 2008 in 2011? Duhr, duhr, duhr! Obama's stupidity would be a staple of late night talk show jokes if he were a Republican.

2) Obama's an amateurish cowboy who's wrecking our image around the world!...He's screwed things up so badly with Pakistan that it's endangering the war effort in Afghanistan. His administration gave Russia a "reset button" that actually said "overcharge." The fact you probably don't even know about how badly we screwed things up in Honduras is telling. Then, there's Obama's impulsive and bizarre insertion of the American military into a civil war in Libya. If Obama were a Republican, the media would be telling us we need to get a Democrat in office to repair the damage caused by Obama's blundering.

3) Obama's going to bankrupt the country by giving our money to his corporate cronies! Remember when the media talked about the size of the deficit all the time? Remember when we heard about Halliburton and Blackwater on a daily basis? Oh, yes, that was when we had a Republican President...

4) He's the job-killing, gas-price-raising, economy-wrecking President! Can you imagine the stories we'd see every day if a Republican were President? We'd have daily stories on the people left homeless by the “Obamaconomy,” human interest stories about single mothers who can't feed their kids anymore, and we'd hear from experts every day about how Obama is killing jobs, raising costs at the pump, and destroying the economy with his policies. Remember how the press used to slip a reference to George Bush speaking in front of the "Mission Accomplished" banner into every story about Iraq? Well, they'd do the same thing with Barack Obama's empty promises about how his 1.1 trillion dollar stimulus would "save or create jobs."...

5) Obama's not an authentic black man. Black conservatives have their "blackness" challenged all the time...

6) He's an arrogant jerk who cares about no one but himself!... Vacation, golf, shooting hoops -- the fun never stops for Barack Obama. It would be great if the rest of us could take that much time off, but our jobs keep us too busy. It's also fantastic that Obama finally went to Joplin, Missouri. If you're wondering why it took so long, well, they didn't have a golf course cleared until now...

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Which is more outrageous?

A: The judicial branch of the government rules that military tribunals for terrorists are unconstitutional. President Bush orders that military tribunals for terrorists held in Cuba will continue.

B: The judicial branch of the government rules that Obamacare is unconstitutional. President Obama orders that the implementation of Obamacare continue unchecked.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Under President Bush, sensible laws are in put in place whereby law enforcement can follow up on legitimate terrorist leads. People with terrorist ties are probed and, where necessary, captured via raids or stings and taken off the streets. The left does not do things like verbally assault people in the Bush administration and splash fake blood around, publish editorial after editorial about the "trampling on the Constitution", assaults on freedom, "King George", and government intrusion into the privacy of terrorists.

B: Under Obama, the government purchases X-ray vans capable of randomly peering in cars (and homes?) and deploys them within the United States. The left largely ignores it.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: A Bush White House staffer is prosecuted and convicted for 'lying' about who told what to whom. The staffer claimed that his recollection of the event was different than that told by the other party, a party with a vested interest in damaging the Bush White House. Interestingly, the story told by the other party actually conflicts with other statements made by that party, yet the staffer was still convicted based on the other party's version of events. The press was basically silent on the matter, not getting into who was right or the adequacy of the punishment, etc.

B: A worker in the Obama administration, an assistant attorney general, is caught lying in testimony before the Civil Rights Commission on the particulars of DOJ machinations since Obama took office. Specifically, he testified that no political appointees were involved in a decision to not prosecute black defendants caught on tape blatantly intimidating white voters at a polling place on election day. Documents were later released showing that the assistant attorney general was not telling the truth. In fact, a political appointee was directly responsible for squashing the case against the recommendation of career attorneys at DOJ. The media is basically silent and, in nearly 2 years, has done little to no reporting on the case or its implications.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: A conservative Republican House member says he is going to challenge a RINO in a midterm Senate election and that someone in the Bush White House had offered him an administration job if he dropped his primary challenge. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan issues a statement that both says that the White House investigated itself and nothing improper was done and also that someone working for Andy Card had, in fact, offered that House member a job in return for not 'muddying the waters' of the primary. The press sits on the story and then starts to lightly nibble it weeks later.

B: A Democrat House member says he is going to challenge a vulnerable Democrat in a midterm Senate election and that someone in the Obama White House had offered him an administration job if he dropped his primary challenge. Obama's Press Secretary issues a statement that both says that the White House investigated itself and nothing improper was done and also that someone working for Rahm Emanuel (it turns out it was Bill Clinton) had, in fact, offered that House member a job in return for not 'muddying the waters' of the primary. The press sits on the story and then starts to lightly nibble it weeks later only after CNSNews and FoxNews expose the lies and obfuscation of the administration, turning it into a matter of lying to the press, not a legitimate scandal involving the violation of several laws by White House staffers.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Bush's Attorney General, let me say that again, his chief lawyer, shoots his mouth off about a California state law that requires/allows their police force to ignore abortion laws when it appears to be at issue during the course of their normal duties. Appearing before Congress, he was asked an elementary question: "Have you read the California law?"

Gonzales' response: "I have not had a chance. I grant that I have not read it."

The media launches into a full-blown rant-and-tirade cycle and recycles the quote several times an hour on the cable networks, daily on the national news, prints several editorials denouncing the laissez-faire, dishonest attacks on California by someone that couldn't be bothered to read the few pages that comprise one of the most controversial state laws in the nation in most every paper, and starts a special section in the "letters to the editor" section of the op/ed pages for people to vent on how hypocritical and stupid Bush and his team are.

B: Obama's Attorney General, let me say that again, his chief lawyer, shoots his mouth off about an Arizona state law that requires/allows their police force to enforce federal immigration laws when it appears to be at issue during the course of their normal duties. Appearing before Congress, he was 'asked an elementary question: "Have you read the Arizona law?"

Holder's response: "I have not had a chance. I grant that I have not read it."'

The media is silent and ignores the fact that the country's top lawyer hasn't bothered to read the few pages that comprise one of the most controversial state laws in the nation, but doesn't let that stop him from slandering the state or those that passed the law.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: In response to protests over the Iraq War, President Bush puts in a call to The Minutemen and has them begin busing in supporters to rallies and town halls with professionally printed signs and bullhorns to drown out and obscure the protesters before news crews. He puts in a call to the NRA and asks them to organize local chapters and get them to show up at town halls and show a little muscle. After a couple of NRA members are arrested for beating a black man while using racial slurs, a member of President Bush's cabinet has a conference call with the NRA and tells their "brothers and sisters" in the NRA to keep doing what they're doing.

B: In response to protests over his attempt to socialize health care, President Obama puts in a call to his highly organized "grassroots" "community organizers" and has them begin busing in supporters to rallies and town halls with professionally printed signs and bullhorns to drown out and obscure the protesters before news crews. He puts in a call to the SEIU and asks them to organize local chapters and get them to show up at town halls and show a little muscle. After a couple of SEIU members are arrested for beating a black man while using racial slurs, a member of President Obama's cabinet has a conference call with the SEIU and tells their "brothers and sisters" in the unions to keep doing what they're doing.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Stepping into office for the first time against a backdrop of partisan divide, President Bush gets to work on legislation with the Republicans. When Democrats complain that they're being shut out of the process and they want to get some ideas in there, he tells them that's just too bad, "I won...I will trump you on that."

B: Stepping into office for the first time against a backdrop of partisan divide, President Obama gets to work on legislation with the Democrats. When Republicans complain that they're being shut out of the process and they want to get some ideas in there, he tells them that's just too bad, "I won...I will trump you on that."

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Candidate Bush expends a lot of energy during his 2000 campaign talking about bipartisanship and such. After the conservative enmity that chewed up the end of the Clinton presidency, candidate Bush says during the campaign: "In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long." But after 9-11, President Bush goes to a political rally and says of the Democrats: "I don't want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess."

B: Candidate Obama expends a lot of energy during his 2008 campaign talking about bipartisanship and such. After the liberal enmity that chewed up the end of the Bush presidency, candidate Obama says during the campaign: "In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long." But against the backdrop of a recession, President Obama goes to a political rally and says of the Republicans: "I don't want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess."

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: After 9-11 and during the run-up to the Iraq invasion, President Bush grows weary of liberals trying to eat into his growing support. He has a "czar", an unelected 'official' never confirmed by the Senate and unaccountable to anyone but himself, set up a special contact email address at the official White House address and asks people to report any emails, web postings, even casual conversations of anything that seems "fishy" from anyone that doesn't support the Iraq invasion or is spreading lies about the 9-11 attacks. This unaccountable "czar" does not explain how this collected data will be used and refuses to tell Congress what they plan on doing with the information. Later, people who had sent in information to the site (or been reported to it) begin receiving partisan propaganda emails from Karl Rove about supporting the Iraq invasion.

B: During the run-up to socializing health care, President Obama grows weary of conservatives continuing to eat into his fading support. He has a "czar", an unelected 'official' never confirmed by the Senate and unaccountable to anyone but himself, set up a special contact email address at the official White House address and asks people to report any emails, web postings, even casual conversations of anything that seems "fishy" from anyone that doesn't support ObamaCare or is spreading facts about what the proposed bills contain. This unaccountable "czar" does not explain how this collected data will be used and refuses to tell Congress what they plan on doing with the information. Later, people who had sent in information to the site (or been reported to it) begin receiving partisan propaganda emails from David Axelrod about supporting ObamaCare.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Candidate Bush makes explicit promises over and over again during the campaign that no one making less than a quarter of a million dollars per year will see any of their taxes increased. He then signs a bill raising the cigarette tax, which impacts the poor more than the rich, almost immediately after getting into office.

B: Candidate Obama makes explicit promises over and over again during the campaign that no one making less than a quarter of a million dollars per year will see any of their taxes increased. He then signs a bill raising the cigarette tax, which impacts the poor more than the rich, almost immediately after getting into office.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush, just sworn in and delivering his inaugural address, takes the opportunity to bash outgoing President Clinton. President Bush's conservative supporters mock Clinton as he departs.

B: President Obama, just sworn in and delivering his inaugural address, takes the opportunity to bash outgoing President Bush. President Obama's liberal supporters mock Bush as he departs.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: To the howls of the liberal press, ex-President George HW Bush and Mitt Romney at a fundraiser push the Iraq invasion as a "moral imperative". To the howls of the liberal press, President Bush speaks at a gathering of faith-based groups and speaks as a preacher that Iraq invasion opponents are "frankly, bearing false witness" about the 9-11 attacks and terrorist support by Iraq. To the howls of the liberal press, he defends his decision to keep the country safe by invading a terrorist-supporting state by claiming, again in religious terms, "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper." Near the end of 2002, to the howls of the liberal press, he holds a conference call with a thousand evangelist preachers and asks them to use Christmas services to speak about supporting the invasion of Iraq, citing specific prayers. To the howls of the liberal press, he actually says, "We are God's partners in matters of life and death."

B: In the silence of the liberal press, ex-President Bill Clinton and Al Gore at a fundraiser push ObamaCare as a "moral imperative". In the silence of the liberal press, President Obama speaks at a gathering of faith-based groups and speaks as a preacher that ObamaCare opponents are "frankly, bearing false witness" about ObamaCare. In the silence of the liberal press, he defends his decision to socialize health care by claiming, again in religious terms, "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper." Later, in the silence of the liberal press, he holds a conference call with a thousand rabbis and asks them to use Jewish New Year services to speak about supporting ObamaCare, citing specific prayers. In the silence of the liberal press, he actually says, "We are God's partners in matters of life and death."

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush, fresh to the office, receives the PM of our greatest ally, Great Britain. He blows off the reception, saying he's "tired", and cancels the press appearance, what would have been the first between the leaders. Later he presents the PM with a handful of CDs from the local Tower Records while receiving thoughtful, historically significant gifts from the PM. First Lady Laura Bush presents the PM's children with trinkets from the White House gift shop while receiving thoughtful, beautiful outfits for the Bush daughters. A senior Bush official later reportedly tells British officials they should stop thinking there's any "special relationship" between Great Britain and the USA. Bush would later give the Queen of England a photo album with pictures from her visit to America along with a bunch of photos of himself.

B: President Obama, fresh to the office, receives the PM of our greatest ally, Great Britain. He blows off the reception, saying he's "tired", and cancels the press appearance, what would have been the first between the leaders. Later he presents the PM with a stack of DVDs that won't play in UK DVD players while receiving thoughtful, historically significant gifts from the PM. First Lady Michelle Obama presents the PM's children with plastic toys from the White House gift shop while receiving thoughtful, beautiful outfits for the Obama daughters. A senior Obama official later reportedly tells British officials they should stop thinking there's any "special relationship" between Great Britain and the USA. Obama would later give the Queen of England an ipod with videos from her visit to America along with a bunch of his own speeches.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush nominates a white man for a Supreme Court vacancy. A white man who has a history of saying things like: "I would hope that a wise white man with the richness of his experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a minority woman who hasn't lived that life." The press brands President Bush and the nominee as racists.

B: President Obama nominates a latina for a Supreme Court vacancy. A latina who has a history of saying things like: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." The press brands anyone that opposes the nominee as racists.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Against a minor furor about certain claims, President Bush refuses to release his Air National Guard records to confirm his fulfillment of his that obligation, spending a reported million dollars on lawyers to keep the documents from becoming public in the face of lawsuits. The press excoriates him and takes the side of those demanding that the records be released.

B: Against a minor furor about certain claims, President Obama refuses to release his birth certificate to confirm his eligibility to serve per the Constitution, spending a reported million dollars on lawyers to keep the documents from becoming public in the face of lawsuits. The press excoriates those that dare to ask him to produce it.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Candidate Bush repeatedly makes clear that he is a supporter of gay marriage. Dick Cheney says during a debate: "George Bush and I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage. We do support that." Then, the very first minute after he is sworn in, the White House website is updated to indicate that he supports a defense of marriage constitutional amendment, which would immediately force all states to deny gay marriage.

B: Candidate Obama repeatedly makes clear that he is a supporter of the traditional definition of marriage. Joe Biden says during a debate: "Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage. We do not support that." Then, the very first minute after he is sworn in, the White House website is updated to indicate that he supports the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which would immediately force all states to accept gay marriage.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush asks Congress for 'special funding' for the war against terrorists, funding apart from normal appropriations. During his presidential campaign Bush had attacked then-President Clinton for doing such things, saying it was "cooking the books".

B: President Obama asks Congress for 'special funding' for the war against terrorists, funding apart from normal appropriations. During his presidential campaign Obama had attacked then-President Bush for doing such things, saying it was "cooking the books".

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush makes an unprecedented appearance on a late-night comedy talk show where he insults blind people. He refuses to apologize. The press goes absolutely nuts on him.

B: President Obama makes an unprecedented appearance on a late-night comedy talk show where he insults special olympians. He refuses to apologize. The press covers it up.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush is interviewed on a 2005 MLB playoffs pre-game show. At the time, New Orleans and much of the southeast is still a shambles and many community officials are saying that they're getting no help from the federal government. President Bush uses the opportunity to crack fat jokes about a popular actress. The press rips him to shreds over his inconsideration.

B: President Obama is interviewed on the 2009 Superbowl pre-game show. At the time, giant ice storms are ravaging the midwest, people are dying, and many community officials are saying that they're getting no help from the federal government. President Obama uses the opportunity to crack fat jokes about a pop singer. The press is utterly silent and instead wonders if President Obama can fix the BCS.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Right after the 9-11 attacks, Bush White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card tells the press: "Rule 1: Never allow a crisis to go to waste. They are opportunities to do big things." The Bush White House then begins rolling out initiatives that have nothing to do with terrorism or national defense, but are instead simply conservative pet projects. Years later the Bush White House begins using September 11 as a date to implement more conservative ideology, like making it an official 'buy a gun' day.

B: Right after the 2008 election, Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel tells the press: "Rule 1: Never allow a crisis to go to waste. They are opportunities to do big things." The Obama White House then begins rolling out initiatives that have nothing to do with economic recovery, but are instead simply liberal pet projects. The Obama White House begins using September 11 as a date to implement more liberal ideology, like making it an official 'volunteer for a liberal cause' day.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: During the 2000 campaign, Bush claims that abortion is "above his pay grade". As soon as he is sworn in, though, he moves to block abortion funding overseas.

B: During the 2008 campaign, Obama claims that abortion is "above his pay grade". As soon as he is sworn in, though, he moves to restore abortion funding overseas.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush pursues rule changes that allowed conscientious objectors to get out of military service, instead forcing them to fight in Afghanistan or Iraq or be forced out of the military and face legal action.

B: President Obama pursues rule changes that allowed moral objectors to get out of performing abortions or dispensing birth control, instead forcing them to perform abortions or be forced out of practice and face legal action.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush fires an Inspector General who issues a report criticizing the contracts with Halliburton in Iraq and ties to the White House. He fires the Inspector General after he is first called and intimidated and told to resign, which he does not. He does this in violation of a law that requires that the President give Congress prior notice before firing an Inspector General. The media assaults him when the administration tries to say the Inspector General was going senile.

B: President Obama fires an Inspector General who issues a report criticizing the AmeriCorps program and ties to the White House. He fires the Inspector General after he is first called and intimidated and told to resign, which he does not. He does this in violation of a law that requires that the President give Congress prior notice before firing an Inspector General, a law that he co-sponsored in the Senate. The media helps spread the smear that the Inspector General was going senile.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: In his first address to Congress, Bush says that the US invented the automobile. The press falls all over itself abusing the President about this gaffe for weeks, about how it's a sign that Bush is an idiot.

B: In his first address to Congress, Obama says that the US invented the automobile. The press politely points out that the automobile was invented in Europe the next day and then the incident is wiped from the media's memory.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush tries to leave a meeting in front of the press only to find the door locked. The press ignores the simple mistake.

B: President Obama tries to enter the White House in front of the press through a window. The left and their press refuse to abandon their mantra that Obama never screws up, is infallible, and never does anything that comedians could joke about.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: President Bush's Attorney General, John Ashcroft, comes into office to find that the Justice Department has obtained summary judgements against several white men, members of a militia group, for voter intimidation. It is revealed that, as part of a larger strategy supposedly targeting hundreds of polling sites, members were dispatched, some with weapons, to intimidate minorities against voting. They use racial slurs against both voters and Democrat poll observers. The AG has the charges dropped against the white men without explanation. President Bush's AG Ashcroft had previously made public remarks about how Americans were "cowards" on the subject of race. The press commits suicide in large numbers in protest.

B: President Obama's Attorney General, Erik Holder, comes into office to find that the Justice Department has obtained summary judgements against several black men, members of the New Black Panthers, for voter intimidation. It is revealed that, as part of a larger strategy supposedly targeting hundreds of polling sites, members were dispatched, some with weapons, to intimidate whites against voting. They use racial slurs against both voters and Republican poll observers. The AG has the charges dropped against the black men without explanation. President Obama's AG Holder had previously made public remarks about how Americans were "cowards" on the subject of race. The press barely touches on the case, if at all.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Days after the fatal Sago mine disaster in 2006, it is revealed that the mine's owners had given more campaign donations to President Bush than anyone else in the past 20 years. Additionally, it is revealed that the owners were allowed to bypass typical permitting procedures the year before for the mine. The press bursts into flames.

B: Days after the fatal BP drilling rig disaster in 2010, it is revealed that BP had given more campaign donations to President Obama than anyone else in the past 20 years. Additionally, it is revealed that BP was allowed to bypass typical permitting procedures the year before in the Gulf. The press barely whispers these stories into the aether.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: After Bush administration reviews encouraged the EPA to back off unfounded claims about global warming, the press fails to see a problem.

B: After Obama administration reviews encouraged the EPA to back off labeling coal ash as "hazardous", the press fails to see a problem.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Which is more outrageous?

A: Days after Hurricane Katrina swamps the southeast, President Bush flies over the devastated areas as federal officials, particularly the military, take over operations from failed local and state officials and start trying to put things straight. The press applauds his efforts.

B: Two weeks after the worst oil spill in history, a spill that cost 11 lives, a spill that was still proceeding unchecked, President Obama fails to even mention the event during his weekly address. His administration largely hectors the private enterprises involved, publicly, into fixing the problem as federal agencies by and large simply stand by, having failed to implement plans drawn up for just such a situation years ago. The President instead lectures America on campaign reform. The administration refuses to explain why burn plans were not followed to prevent the spread of the oil slick. Before getting around to visiting the coast preparing for ecological disaster the President makes time to visit with Bono in the White House. The press swoons over the fact that now they have a real leader in office.

The answer is B, because B actually happened.

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Bit sickening, isn't it?

Larry Elder:

When the economy recovered under President George W. Bush, the major news media pronounced it a "jobless recovery." Now, despite unemployment stalled at 9.7 percent for several months, the same media call it a "surprising" or "unexpected" recovery.

Obama urged passage of an $800 billion "stimulus" package in order to prevent unemployment from reaching 8 percent. Post-stimulus passage, unemployment reached 10 percent. Consider how the media would have treated President Bush had he given varying predictions about, and then varying accounts of, the number of jobs supposedly "created or saved" -- a laughably unprovable yardstick.