One of the main themes of the Republican convention is "We Did Build It," a dishonest twist on something Barack Obama said about public spending on infrastructure.
We've already gone through this, in part to point out that many outlets chose to repeat the dishonest manipulation of Obama's words instead of explaining what he had actually said.
But Republicans are undeterred, and as Bill Keller of the New York Times (8/28/12) pointed out in a blog post, they found a way to take that dishonesty even further, unveiling videos where Obama is heard saying this:
If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You, you didn’t get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think: "Wow, it must be because I was just so smart." There are a lot of smart people out there. "It must be because I worked harder than everyone else." Let me tell you something, if you've got a business, that … you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."
Keller points out that what Obama actually said was this:
Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business–you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
Since this is a defining theme for the Republican gathering, you would think (or at least hope) that journalists would point out that this is a lie. (That they're expressing this sentiment in a stadium largely built thanks to taxpayer dollars–well, that's icing on the cake.)
But turn to the Washington Post today (8/28/12), and you see this summary of the famous misquote:
Tuesday night, delegates in the Tampa Bay Times Forum convention hall waved signs saying "We built it"–mocking an Obama statement that business owners are not solely responsible for their successes.
"If you've got a business, you didn't build that," the president said at a rally in Virginia on July 13. "Somebody else made that happen."
Democrats point out that, in context, Obama was referring to government-built infrastructure such as roads and bridges as well as the research that went into creating the Internet, all of which help businesses.
Still, the comment has become a favorite Republican theme, one that echoed many times in the speeches Tuesday.
As you can see, the Post's reporters offer readers exactly the same chopped rendition of Obama's words as the Republican videos. Sure, reporters Karen Tumulty and David Fahrenthold go on to give us what "Democrats point out" about the "context" of those remarks–which is a fancy way of saying the words that are missing that explain what he was talking about.
The Post is right that this "a favorite Republican theme." And why shouldn't it be? Lying has obvious advantages–especially when journalists are afraid to call you on it.
About Peter Hart
This is so commonplace, and yet the Right will continue to belabor the old tropes about the "liberal" media. Even NPR does this. They allow airtime to the GOP and Tea Party to present blatant falsehoods, as in "such and such leader said this…" but then they just allow the misinformation to hang there, unopposed. This is so disappointing.
Yes, they have pointed out the outright lies about Obama getting rid of welfare work requirements, but they do it in a very bland way, as if pointing out lies and trickery and showing some anger or emotion about that would somehow taint their "neutrality".
But you guys missed the End of world memo.
FOX News itself called Ryan an out and out liar:
Paul Ryan’s speech in 3 words
2. Deceiving
On the other hand, to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention to facts, Ryan’s speech was an apparent attempt to set the world record for the greatest number of blatant lies and misrepresentations slipped into a single political speech. On this measure, while it was Romney who ran the Olympics, Ryan earned the gold.
The good news is that the Romney-Ryan campaign has likely created dozens of new jobs among the legions of additional fact checkers that media outlets are rushing to hire to sift through the mountain of cow dung that flowed from Ryan’s mouth. Said fact checkers have already condemned certain arguments that Ryan still irresponsibly repeated.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/#ixzz253alVG2J.
The main reason the republican hammer on that little bit, is because they can twist it easily, and make it seem like Obama lied. And of course that will resonate with the base.
It's easy to take words out of context when you have fundamentalists in your audience. Fundamentalists are people who don't see context even when it's right there in front of them. They select expedient verses from the Bible and ignore the rest of it as a matter of long habit. The secular fundamentalists of lawless plutocracy are no better than the worst religious fundamentalists of patriarchal prejudice – and as we know, these two groups overlap.
I think that the journalists should look more closely into what Mr. Romney has built and where his money came from and where it's going. . Mr. Romney, I think that you are a very scary man.
It did help to have your Daddy's money, Mr. Romney, so that you could live off of your stock interest while going to college. It also helped to start Bain, and then that war money and all those dead South American's to fund your program helped too. So, did you murder all those people by yourself, or did someone do it for you?
I suppose the people at Bain are all skilled multitaskers, as all that support work must have been done for you too. I'm impressed if you ran the mailroom yourself, answered all correspondence, cleaned the toilets, etc. etc. Well, that means that you won't possibly need a presidential cabinet if you can do all that yourself.
Of course, those banks were certainly helpful in giving you money, so you didn't do that by yourself. Where would you have gotten more money if there were no banks?
I think too that "cutting" is an example of your the majority of your plan to "save" the government. I suppose you were influenced early by the cutting off of the blonde locks off that blonde kid. That did seem like a meanness that you did pretty much by yourself.
Saving the Utah Olympics…that was amazing, as it only took millions more to keep that going, and as I understand it, you took millions for yourself…is that because you had no help and ran everything yourself?
I suppose that you won't need any health insurance either, because I suppose you can just diagnose yourself and do your own operations, if need be.
That would certainly be an "exceptional American," although I think that's a myth too.
I also think that you have forgotten all the companies that you took over, then borrowed huge amounts and left the companies in such debt that they had to close. Poor KB Toys, but hey, you didn't build that, did you? You didn't build 40 years of a company, but you did take all the money out of it and now it's gone too. Wow, you didn't build it, but you sure made a ton of money off of it.
I guess you never heard that really old saying that"No man is an island." No person, no job, no country, no religion no culture exists in a vacuum. There isn't any air in there.
There also isn't much air left when the poisoned oceans can't absorb any more carbon either.
Maybe you think that"No man is an island," isn't a true saying, but you know, if you take that "Cayman" out of the equation , then really what and who are you? If those Somali pirates ever figure out how to hack that place, and move all your money, then you really will find out that you are T.S. Eliot's "HOLLOW MAN."
The scariest thing though, is that you actually believe that you are a self made man. That is a myth too about anyone. No human being has ever been able to live in a self made vacuum bubble. No matter what you say, no government official does either.
One of the pervasive problems in American public life is the poor use and knowledge of the English language. It makes for misunderstandings, twisting of meaning (as wtih 'You did not build that'.) Another aspect is the uniterrupted yelling and 'blowing off steam. "
Yet another huge problem that I can trace back for decades in my life: in a sequence of events certain facts that are vital to understanding cause(s), process factors, and eventual results–along the development–are pretty soon left out. It applies to all spheres of public life but plays perhaps an especially significant role in military and political matters. The points omitted are the uncomfortable ones or the data that an intelligent public should demand to be given and no media, primitive, should leave out. The beginnings of the first Gulf war were an excellent example of this media practice.
At the RNC Convention the above displayed over and over. The simple media reporting that should then follow up with a 'fact sheet' of some sort, does not exist. The American public is so blind-sided that there is neither any demand for objective reporting, nor rebuke for when it does not happen. The better Mit Romney's acceptance speech was liked, the more absent and voice that–once again– followed the 'reporting' by any fact sheet, or even a statement: Mitt Romney did not mention how he would create twelve million jobs.
Anyone can come up with a Christmas wish list. Politicians seem to be in the business of disgorging such lists. Yet, no-one names it; points out the irreality; questions, therefore validity in the given context–or any, most often, for that matter.
There is no culture for careful reporting, expressed in carefully chosen language, for the express purpose of informing the public; honoring journalistic possibilities and the public, etc.. Tonight on the various news and commentary programs the virtually total lack of serious analysis of what was said, how it was said, what it lacked, what was true, should be appalling to the audience. But, even if people had the time, it is not at all easy to reach the programs. It is very frustrating. And there is enough proof that whatever intelligent commentators say or are prepared to do, nobody listens–also a development which has advanced over the last two to three decades to a frightening extent. How can and honest environment be created for people to have, cherish and maintain hope?
A sad observer
Maybe it is just that the press is so looking forward to the influx of superpac money that they are hopping on the bandwagon early!
Get it straight………….He did say it.He did mean it.He has said it before.His underlings like Liz warren have said it often and expounded on it.She is a key speaker at the DNC.His people doubled down on it before the spin was developed.They were then told to zip it(not a word since).You people on this sight believe it.Stop playing semantics.Read the text of his whole speech.Read it upside down and sideways.Backwards, and in a mirror.It still comes out the same.The idea that he was simply saying without roads we would not be here- is idiocy.Believe me …having a road outside my house has not made my business successful.If that were true no business would fail.I have read the speech many times.I have read similar comments from him before.Watch his best bud liz warren talk on the subject please.Same exact word for word points.And no bullshit walls and bridges to fall back on.He said it,and we are nailing jello to a tree.
Gloriana
Did you watch the RNC at all?Did you hear your own hatchet man Danial Carvell say that Mitt and Ryan are good men with damn good records probably not open to personal or professional attack……but worthy adversaries in the arena of ideas?Why in the hell are you still wasting our time digging for dirt and slinging mud and innuendo?The best in the world have had years now to do so ….and come up with next to nothing.One might almost surmise it is all you have.Next week starts the angry vicious,bitter DNC.But when then sheds away like a worthless old skin Mitt and Barrack will have to prove who can lead.President Obama has been free of personal scandal.Putting stories in People that he is banging waitresses 2 at a time is not worthy of this great land.Anymore than the nonsense you are trying to pin on Mitt.The RNC convention proved the adults are in the room.Brilliant gifted forward thinking men who say they can fix this mess.Who are unwilling to except the status quo.Who are willing to debate Obamas record.Obama now must run on his record,and debate the Republicans ideas.It is really time for the children (you)to leave the room.
michael e says "having a road outside my house has not made my business successful."
This leads me to assume you work at home.
Even if clients don't visit you and you don't send out truckloads of product, your business still needs that road.
Equipment and supplies come to you by road, as does the repairman.
Surely the postal carrier at least occasionally delivers business-related mail. Business must take you or an assistant to the post office at least once in a while.
It's hard to imagine that you, as a business person, never have to have a face-to-face with a banker.
Power companies use roads to do the repairs and maintenance that keep your business humming.
Communications companies use roads to lay cable and install wireless equipment.
Police and fire departments use roads to protect your business from escaping criminals and spreading fires.
All the people who serve you, even just once in blue moon, use roads getting to work every day. They used roads to get to and from the schools that equipped them to do their jobs.
I'm glad you are successful, but you didn't get there without taxpayer-funded roads.
What's more troubling to me is when Republicans do get caught by the media in a lie; the simply don't care. It seems today's GOP is not only "ok" with telling lies, it has become a requirement to tell them often. Romney/Ryan feel that unless you are wealthy you have no dicernable relevance. They appear to be saying: high character comes with a really great portfolio, this is where the "real truth is". I'm nauseated from knowing these two people are the best the opposition party can offer the American voters. Such whole, unrelenting disdain for honesty is a serious character flaw. Not only from the standpoint of the GOP presidential ticket, but it also shines a spotlight onto reckless motives and a rabid anti-women, anti-worker, anti-affordable healthcare, anti-Social Security and Medicare governing philosophy, fully aligned with their complete lack of integrity. If these sociopaths will twist words to create an alternate reality toward locking in their perceived gains: they clearly don't give a damn about the American citizen. A vote for a Republican is a vote against representative government. It is throwing your support in favor of plutocracy, plain and simple.
Chrigid those roads are maintained today with MY taxes.I take it for granted because I paid for it.And when I pay someone I expect to have it done and done right.On top of that I built a business.I take that for granted because I paid and sweated for that.I am taxed on it every minute of the day. (See Im a part of that stupid 50%)Actually Im part of that group that pays 87% of ALL taxes…..YOUR WELCOME..I understand sir that we live in a symbiotic community.I take care of your health and you take care of…… my plumbing.I don't want any part of what you have built and worked for.And damn you if you want any part of mine.I did build it! Hope you feel the same about the fruit of your toil.
Oh michael e.:
" It's time for children should leave the room ?" : ) That's funny, because dissing the children is not healthy for the planet and any other living thing. :0
You should read Matt Tiabbi and Rolling Stone; he's credible, a great reporter and does the job of uncovering that lack of "truthiness" virus which is making such rabid politics. Also, some of the things the RNC said are quite hilariously untruthful.
Well, I hope your road never floods, because I don't think Mr. Romney would be much help. He did advise the woman whose house had flooded from hurricane Issac: "to go home and call 211." Oh, we got your number Mr. Romney! : )
I think working on your sense of humor will help you survive this political season. :)
Maybe the next convention should give Mr. Eastwood a do-over. This time, instead of an empty chair, he can talk to an empty Romney suit. : )
I usually don't bother to read michael e's half-literate Kool-Ade-induced ramblings, but they caught my eye for some reason today.
Michael e, Obama most certainly did not say what you and the other GreedyLyingBullies* are claiming. Sure, it was part of the paragraph. But one small part of any paragraph can look like the opposite of what the whole paragraph says. They've done the same thing with other things Obama has said; it's nothing new for them to use such a tactic.
And he wasn't talking about just roads! He was talking about roads and the power grid and the education system, and the tax-increment financing, and all the other tax-favorable deals that businesses get from cities and states and the feds. The GreedyLyingBullies convention was held at a venue that was built with public money! Businesses get a lot of help from all levels of government. Right now, my colleagues and I at the state agency where I work are processing applications from farmers (people with farming BUSINESSES) to get financial assistance for growing their farming businesses. There are two separate programs we're working on, in fact. And others at our agency are working to help other farmers in other programs. At other times of the year, we help them through yet more programs. And my agency is just one of probably hundreds of governmental entities in my state and in this country that help businesses in similar ways all the time.
*My new name for Republicans because if the news media won't tell the truth about them, the rest of us have to do so in other ways.
Jamie do you think Elizabeth Warren said it?Look her up on You tube.She says it again and again.She and Obama are thick as thieves.She even got a spot on the DNC speaking list.Im just waiting for him to distance himself from her(never happen).Look you can say that Obama does "not" feel that the wealth should be diversified because in a sense we all had a part in making that millionaire or billionaire rich.Whether because we built those roads he uses- or because we did the manual labor.You can say he does "not" believe that it is unfair for executives or owners of companies to make so much more than the rank and file.And so he wants to level that playing field because in his understanding …the workers made these men rich.This socialistic understanding of the market place IS what he believes and wants.He echoes Liz warren word for word.And notice though he has said that his words were taken out of context ,he has NEVER disavowed the premise.
As far as Government help.I look at it like the men who fix the slot machines at the casinos.Does the casino fix machines because they have a good heart?Or because it is in their self interest?The government bailed out the banks and made their money back.Good deal on our behalf.And that is the only deal they can make.A good deal on our behalf.It is not in their interest (or ours) to bail out failing concerns or people.They do that for political reasons and to keep the masses placated.There is charity.The kind Mitt and Ryan always gave to.The kind Obama and Biden never did.Beyond that we have a safety net.The kind the right wants to fully fund.The kind the left prints ,and borrows then raises taxes to pay the interest on their loans.Farm loans are a good investment.Good honest people.Im sure they do their best to carry no dept to anyone.
So Michael, your argument has evolved from "government spending on infrastructure doesn't help me be successful at all" to "those are my tax dollars paying for that so I expect it" (1- that taxes funds this isn't in dispute and never was and doesn't stop it being government spending on infrastructure which you claimed plays no part in your success, 2- they aren't just "your" taxes, they're everyone's taxes). And, "I take it for granted" which is a non sequitur. Your taking it for granted doesn't have anything to do with anything. At last we get to "they do it for cynical reasons" which is also a non sequitur because motivations for doing so were never discussed. (does anyone actually argue that the government does it because they are such swell guys and girls?).
Your steady retreat from your original position seems a tacit, though lacking the honesty of an outright admission, acknowledgement that your statements that you don't benefit from infrastructure spending were wrong.
Also, be careful with your taxation claims, you called it "87% of all taxes" which is actually false (only a lie if you know it's false so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt). This claim (that the top 25% of wage earners pay 87% of the total) only refers to the federal income tax. This doesn't refer to payroll taxes (where most people pay most of their taxes), sales tax, excise taxes… etc. In other words even right wingers don't claim that it's "87% of all taxes".
What you want to say is that the top 25% of income earners pay 87% of all THE income tax (or the federal income tax, but people might remember that they often pay state taxes and might see through it so I'd stay away from it).
In that way you can trick people into thinking that 75% of Americans are responsible for only 13% of all taxes paid by playing on their understanding of the concept of income tax (most people say income tax to refer to taxation on income, not the specific tax you are referring to, in other words they consider the payroll tax to be income tax) and not be open to accusations that you are a liar, because you aren't lying, you are simply helping people to come to improper conclusions by careful wording of an argument to maximize the potential for misunderstanding.
This will allow you to convince the gullible that it is in fact the rich who are getting soaked and are sorely oppressed by taxes all while not technically lying, only being incredibly intellectually dishonest. Which I assume is preferable to being an outright liar.
You just threw a slew of numbers out .Made me think…..thank you for admitting that although people like me pay 87% of the federal income tax burden(and some pay nothing),that I also pay taxes like everyone else on everything that moves or breaths.Just goes to show that trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes by saying Mitt only pays 12% on his taxes is a huge lie.Money out the door on people like me for all the various taxes usually is well over 60%!Beyond that, do you realize that by making the argument that you are- that you are bolstering the very points that Obama is trying to run from as far and fast as he can?You seem to believe that in fact WE DIDNT BUILD THAT ALONE!
This spurious argument you make that we owe all we are in life to a group of people who are hired and paid to keep up a base line modem of infrastructure….A group(government) that overtaxes everyone through its own inefficiency;inflates cost to their own benefit, and does not half the job any private sector concern could do….is lunacy.Then because I have a crappy ass road outside my practice that I should thank them on bended knee for my success in life and for overcharging me, and wanting me to pay more because they did not rape me enough the first(or twentieth)time around?ARE YOU NUTS?
In my area we had a bridge out for 3 years.The government could not get it done their inefficiency is so great so a private area resident and his construction company did it.At half the price.In 6 months.No union workers.And as he said…… no payoffs to anyone, though he was threatened left and right.I love his spirit.But I owe him nothing.And he did not extort me from money .He did his job,I do mine.God is he hated by you libs in the area.
I would love if Obama said this……Without your Doctor you might all be dead.You would not build anything.You should pay them for all your worth just for keeping you healthy and alive.Forget government roads and bridges.How about your heart brain and other vital organs.But he wont….. because it is a stupid argument of the symbiotic relationship.His speech was another divisive speech.Trying to show those who feel underappreciated that they deserve everything that those rich fat cats have.Those fat cats who took think they built it alone.He tries to make people feel class warfare, that will in turn feed his re election.And then you dare to play semantics.You smirk, knowing the truth- yet happy we did not quite nail his jello to the tree.That he slipped out again.Well I think not this time.YES WE DID BUILD IT is sounding across the land.And as to your belief that he didnt say it…one word suffices.BULLSHIT