.
This is another instance in which HuffPost isolated Sen. Joe Lieberman for "special treatment" --- in this case, via an outrageously misleading splash headline, which predictably incited gross misperceptions, and anti-Semitic and general user hate speech directed at him. In fact, the grievance HuffPost articulates would have been far more appropriately directed at another Senator altogether... as anyone who reads this story can tell very quickly.On August 23, 2009, this was HuffPost's "splash headline":
Also see:10/27/09: Lieberman acts independently, incites HuffPost's biased wrath and its users' anti-Semitic venom (HuffPost: "Approved!!!")
2/2/06: HuffPost blogger depicts Sen. Lieberman in blackface (HuffPost: "You're NOT fired!!!* * *
HuffPost also played this headline up on other top story pages:
Clicking on this headline brought the user to this story page:
Lieberman: Using Reconciliation For Health Care A "Real Mistake"
Reading this brief story, the first thing the honest observer notes is that Sen. Lieberman did not make the statement that HuffPost attributed to him in the headline, "Uninsured Can Wait Until Recession Is Over." Here's what he did say (emphasis added):
"I think it's a real mistake to try to jam through the total health insurance reform, health care reform plan that the public is either opposed to or of very, very passionate mixed minds about," Lieberman said. "It's not good for the system. Frankly, it won't be good for the Obama presidency. Because he's got other fights to fight."
"People on the Finance Committee, which I think remains our great hope now, these six people, three Democrats, three Republicans working together, that's the hope to get things done. They've said to me that they agree on about 3/4 of what needs to be done," he added. "Let's do the 3/4 and save the other quarter for a day when the economy is growing and maybe we've done something to turn down the deficit."
Now, let's look at what HuffPost quoted Sen. Lugar (R-IN) as saying:
"I would advise the president that bringing up the health care situation in the midst of recession... was a mistake," said the Indiana Republican, who is one of Obama's closest GOP allies in Congress. "And therefore he ought to postpone the decision... You can always go back and forth -- should he have had a plan as opposed to throwing it up for grabs for the Congress? Or should he have done this or that? -- [It's] too late for that. For the moment, let's clear the deck and try it again next year or in subsequent times."
So, in a non-insane world, it is clear that while Sen. Lieberman was advocating "doing 3/4" of what the Senate can actually pass regarding healthcare reform --- while it was Sen. Lugar who was advocating essentially scrapping the current proposals, and trying again "next year," or when the recession is over.
Thus, if HuffPost really wanted to vent its frustration and anger at any member of the U.S. Senate, it would clearly have been better directed at Sen. Lugar than at Sen. Lieberman. So how could HuffPost get this headline so wrong? Especially given how quickly it excoriates other news outlets for inadequate fact-checking?
WND's Jerome Corsi Claims Fort Hood Shooter Advised Obama
Note: In this instance, HuffPost reporter Jason Linkins scorched WND (of which we are not fans): "Were this being written for a responsible journalistic entity, some creature called an 'editor' would have stepped in and said, 'Hey, Jerome, you realize that by your own findings, you article is complete horseshit, right?' But this is World Net Daily, written by and for complete charlatans."
Fox News Falsely Claims Obama Watched Documentary On HBO Instead Of Election Results
Fake Obama Thesis Story Goes Viral, Because Of Stupidity
The Ten Most Egregious Fox News Distortions
(VIDEO) Fox News Newspaper Ad Makes False Claims About Tea Party Coverage
Non-Stories: A Season Of False Starts For News Organizations
Paul Begala: Fox News: We Report -- Even if We Know It's False
GE: Bill O'Reilly's Report "Maliciously False"
9/12 March 'Tea Party' Photo: False Image Spread By Anti-Reform Activists
As noted in the introduction to this article, this isn't the first time HuffPost has isolated Sen. Lieberman for "special treatment," and we doubt it will be the last. Why does HuffPost apply such a double-standard to Sen. Lieberman?
One answer might be that, as is documented in this extensive archive, HuffPost has a long history of applying different standards to its "news" coverage --- and its user comment* moderation policies and procedures --- regarding stories concerning Israel and Jews. Noted dissident Natan Sharansky argues that this kind of double-standard is, itself, a form of anti-Semitism. Learn more here. (*Pay special attention to the first block of user comments, below.)
Only HuffPost can provide answers to these questions. Perhaps one day, someone in a position of influence will ask it to do so.
Regardless, the damage was clearly done (again).
So what kinds of user comments did HuffPost review, approve and decide to publish on this Lieberman "news" thread?
As a reminder, keep in mind HuffPost's (supposed) Comment Policy and Terms of Service, which (supposedly) prohibits comments containing ad hominem (personal) attacks; slurs based on religion, race or other factors; libels and defamation; wishing for, threatening or celebrating public figures' deaths or illnesses; off-topic content... well, you get the idea.
Also remember that contrary to its statements elsewhere, since March 2008, HuffPost has been "pre-moderating" all user comments on its news threads --- meaning that the only ones that appear are those that it has made the conscious decision to publish, after reviewing them in advance. This is all documented here.
The first ones that jumped out at us were the following --- explicit statements of users' desire to physically attack Sen. Lieberman (see "ISO9001" and "BetterDeadThanRed09" at bottom):
Remember that HuffPost pre-moderates all user comments on its news threads --- meaning that it reviewed, approved and decided to publish both of these violent comments. Note also that these users have between 50-100 "fans" each, meaning that they've clearly been on HuffPost for some time. In fact, both of these users are well-known violators of HuffPost's (supposed) Comment Policy and Terms of Service. Yet as is documented in detail here, while HuffPost allows these and other "protected" radical leftists to do pretty much whatever they want, it censors and bans non-leftists who speak out against such users --- after as few as six non-violating comments.
Here is a sampling of the 1,541 user comments that HuffPost reviewed, approved and decided to publish, as a direct result of its incitement via this grossly misleading headline. Users with more than 50 "fans" (meaning they've been on HuffPost a while, and are not "trolls") are bolded:
teron678 I'm a Fan of teron678 I'm a fan of this user 118 fans permalink
Lie-Berman isn't a DINO .......... so for those who keeping claiming that stop it ... he is a Democrat ..... he votes with the Democrats 90% of the time ....... the type of Democrat he is though ... is a tr@itorous Z I 0 N I S T Democrat ... he wouldn't hesitate to sell the his party even the US down the river .... just to save his beloved country Israel ..
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:35 PM on 08/23/2009
tantrictim I'm a Fan of tantrictim I'm a fan of this user 30 fans permalink
you poor gentiles dont need health care, my bubby has some nice chicken soup, you like?
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:33 PM on 08/23/2009
BambooHarvester I'm a Fan of BambooHarvester I'm a fan of thisuser 175 fans permalink
What country does LIEberman work for ?
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:29 PM on 08/23/2009
SOLERSO68 I'm a Fan of SOLERSO68 I'm a fan of this user 36 fans permalink
Jesus christ why does any care what lieber man thinks? and WHY does he have a committe chair. he should be an orphhan in the senate. what a slime. Hey joe! no more welfare for iseal!
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:43 PM on 08/23/2009
tran23 I'm a Fan of tran23 I'm a fan of this user 9 fans permalink
Sorry guys. It won't do any good taking away Lieberman's health care here in the U.S. He has Israeli citizenship also. Israel has had socialized health care since 1948.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:01 PM on 08/23/2009
salkoc I'm a Fan of salkoc I'm a fan of this user 17 fans permalink
lieberman is a spy for the state of israel . he has never shown any alliance for this country and on several occasions referred to israel as his country .
if there is justice ...this man should loose his seat......and then make one bad investment so he can lose the things he cherishes .
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:44 PM on 08/23/2009
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Joseph Sperrazza I'm a Fan of Joseph Sperrazza I'm a fan of this user 2 fans permalink
[...] I say, let's synthesize the two positions - let's save money by eliminating spending on Israel until the recession is over.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:48 PM on 08/23/2009
(reply)
postman66 I'm a Fan of postman66 I'm a fan of this user 304 fans permalink
Talk about your Bar Mitzvah explosion.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:52 PM on 08/23/2009["Postman" is one of HuffPost's long-term, "protected" radical leftists, with a bit of an... interesting history... see 5/2/09: HuffPost user: "Hey, someone should murder President Bush!!!" (HuffPost: "Approved!!!")]-------------
LooktotheLeft I'm a Fan of LooktotheLeft I'm a fan of this user 601 fans permalink
In all seriousness, if you were to examine Joe's complete body of work, he's actually right of the most r*ight-w*ing Jewish leaders in recent history (Menachem Begin comes to mind) to the point of s*uici*dal irrationality. [...]
This is somewhat of a stretch, but I'd just as soon have Chuck M*anson babysitting my kids than Joe.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:53 PM on 08/23/2009["LookToTheLeft" is another one of HuffPost's long-term, "protected" radical leftists... see here.]-------------
postman66 I'm a Fan of postman66 I'm a fan of this user 304 fans permalink
Odd how Lieberman's other homeland gets' UHC and in addition they get three million US dollars every year in foreign aid.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:46 PM on 08/23/2009
(reply)
Subhunter I'm a Fan of Subhunter I'm a fan of this user permalink
Since 1979 Israel has been number one in line each year to suckle at the US foreign aid teat. Since that year she has received up to 3.0 billion tax payer dollars annually more or less free from strings to do what she wishes with. Doesn't that warm your heart.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:10 PM on 08/23/2009
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drw I'm a Fan of drw I'm a fan of this user permalink
Lieberman does not represent the people, he only represents himself.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:32 AM on 08/23/2009
realsocialist I'm a Fan of realsocialist I'm a fan of this user 3 fans permalink
The only mistake I see is that this clown is a senator
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:26 AM on 08/23/2009
treetracker I'm a Fan of treetracker I'm a fan of this user 43 fanspermalink
Perhaps, Israel can wait before we send them more money...
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=831
Interesting article outlining how much our support has cost us.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:44 PM on 08/23/2009
mrcontinental I'm a Fan of mrcontinental I'm a fan of this user 56 fans permalink
Senator Joseph Lieberman, (I-Conn.) The "I" stands for Israel correct?
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:09 PM on 08/23/2009
Pilate I'm a Fan of Pilate I'm a fan of this user 27 fans permalink
To all Democrats in the Senate: Strip this man of all of his committees, then kick him out of your caucus.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:07 PM on 08/23/2009
jimmygee I'm a Fan of jimmygee I'm a fan of this user 9 fans permalink
Lieberman is a charlatan posing as a Democrat. He'll do and say anything to feather his own nest. A true conman he is.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:36 PM on 08/23/2009
Deschris I'm a Fan of Deschris I'm a fan of this user 18 fans permalink
Liberman is one old washed up piece of crap.He should not be allowed to make decisions that affect younger people and others that need the system reformed.So they should wait until the recession is over.Liberman,people have been waiting for 60 years....no more waiting!!! You dont give a sh***t because you are insured.We should hold your next pay cheque until the recession is over and offer you no health care coverage whatsoever.You selfish,worhless, piece of........dir*t.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:01 PM on 08/23/2009
Deschris I'm a Fan of Deschris I'm a fan of this user 18 fans permalink
He can always die* first.Hope springs eternal.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:03 PM on 08/23/2009
(*Had such a comment against President Obama or any Democrat "slipped through," the user would have been instantly banned, the radical leftists that HuffPost protects would have gone apoplectic, and claimed they are reporting him/her to the Secret Service. Yet HuffPost not only approved this comment, it left the user active as of 12/09, while it was banning non-violating users after as few as six comments. The user now has more than 500 "comments" in archive.)
LooktotheLeft I'm a Fan of LooktotheLeft I'm a fan of this user 601 fans permalink
[...] I think I now officially h*ate this c*ocksucker more than anyone on the planet.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:22 PM on 08/23/2009["LookToTheLeft" is another one of HuffPost's long-term, "protected" radical leftists... see here.]
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And here are users who complained about the fact that HuffPost moderators were either refusing to allow certain comments to be published, or removing those that they'd already approved:
SmolderingRuin I'm a Fan of SmolderingRuin I'm a fan of this user 44 fans permalink
As long as you're getting rid of perfectly legitimate and acceptable posts with no swear words in them, even though Arianna herself used fuck in a headline, here's one you can really sink your teeth into.
Eat shit and DIE* LIEberman, you miserable, cowardly little motherfucker.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:34 PM on 08/23/2009
(*Had such a comment against President Obama or any Democrat "slipped through," the user would have been instantly banned, the radical leftists that HuffPost protects would have gone apoplectic, and claimed they are reporting him/her to the Secret Service. Yet as is documented below, HuffPost not only approved this comment, it left the user active as of 12/09, while it was banning non-violating users after as few as six comments. The user now has more than 1,700 "comments" in archive.)
Weirdwriter I'm a Fan of Weirdwriter I'm a fan of this user 332 fans permalink
O Comments Pending. I WILL REPOST this CIVIL, RELEVANT COMMENT UNTIL I SEE IT, MODERATORS.
Let Sen. Joe know how you feel WEEKLY. Call, email, snail mail.
Official: http://lieberman.senate.gov/
U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:09 PM on 08/23/2009
medicinecat I'm a Fan of medicinecat I'm a fan of this user 27 fans permalink
Why do HuffPost censors work so hard to protect Lieberman and that weasel Specter from criticism?
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:31 PM on 08/23/2009
Estreet1964 I'm a Fan of Estreet1964 I'm a fan of this user 20 fans permalink
Looks like we've got some prize winning idiots scrubbing the posts today. Everyone make sure and be nice in your comments.
Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:30 PM on 08/23/2009
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ADDENDUM Nov. 20, 2009: So what ever happened to the users who savaged Sen. Lieberman based on Jewish/Israeli slurs?
Did HuffPost ban them --- like so many non-violating users are, after as few as six comments*, because they dared to express dissenting opinions, or challenged or mocked the its "protected" caste of radical leftists? (See Section 7 here.)
Or did it continue enabling, if not protecting them?
Let's take a look:
"teron678" --- Still active, now with 9,955 comments published since June 2008:
"BambooHarvester" --- Still active, now with 7,882 comments published since April 2009:
"LookToTheLeft" --- Still active, now with 14,309 comments published since April 2009 (see more on this user, and how HuffPost protects him no matter what he does --- even after banning him --- here):
"postman66" --- Still active, now with 13,300 comments published since May 2009 (see more on this user at: 5/2/09: HuffPost user: "Hey, someone should murder President Bush!!!" (HuffPost: "Approved!!!"):
"salkoc" --- Still active, now with 455 comments published since March 2009:
"SmolderingRuin" --- ("Eat shit and DIE LIEberman, you miserable, cowardly little motherfucker.") --- still active, now with more than 1,700 comments that HuffPost reviewed, approved and decided to publish.
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