It hasn't been long since tech-savvy Jack Dorsey introduced the world to yet another social networking site in 2006. But since its birth, Twitter has become the third most used social network, according to a February 2009 blog entry by complete based on their count of 6 million unique monthly visitors, and 55 million monthly visits. Besides being the timeliest user-generated site to inform other Twitter users of celebrity deaths and sporting event victories, Twitter has become a makeshift political news outlet itself. The worldly impact of Twitter has quickly -- and with much accuracy -- bypassed many news outlets on bringing political news to the spotlight of attention.
Aside from the ongoing controversy surrounding the Iran Election, which maintained its spot in the "trending topics" sidebar of twitter as #iranelection for months, many new political stories have made its claim-to-trending-topics as well.
If you're a familiar Twitter user, it isn't surprising to see President Obama as a "trending topic" frequently, given his newly proposed healthcare plan and interesting policy directions he's taken since his inauguration in January; however, what isn't frequently seen in the sidebar is the name of a Presidential Adviser.
As mentioned in my previous blog, differentiation among published stories from CNN and Fox News is nothing of new or surprising nature; however, I do find it interesting for a reputable news corporation to leave out facts entirely; facts of which hold vital details.
Saturday, September 5th was when I first took note to "Van Jones" and "Glenn Beck" both being "trending topics" on Twitter, and, upon more research found the story on CNN. The story surrounded controversy of Jones referring to the Republican party as "assholes," and also brought back to light his signing of a petition in 2004 that the Government be further investigated surrounding the September 11th attacks. Okay, I thought. Any political figure who at one point prior to being an advisor to the highest authority of the nation, signed a petition which basically says the United States could be suspect in the terrorist attacks, will without a doubt be scrutinized. I, for one, took more out of that detail than him referring to Republicans in the ignorant way he did. But something did not seem right. Especially when Jones was quoted saying that his opposers have started a "smear campaign" against him.
Then I found Glenn Beck's side of the story.
One would think that before bringing in someone to advise you on decisions that could potentially affect the status of America for centuries to come, many hours of research would be done on what that person stands for. Hopefully just that was done. Or, hopefully not.
In many different interviews aired of Jones, which beck refers to as "Jones in his own words," radical socialism, communism, and racism is all heard. The last time I checked, a smear campaign is a tactic used to make others question the credibility of one, not to make factual evidence known.
"White polluters and the white environmentalists are essentially steering poison into the people of color communities" Jones said in an interview aired on Beck's prime time show. The point I find interesting is the direct attack made by Jones, and with such confidence of its absolute truth. President Obama made it clear in his victory speech that race should never, and will never be an issue in the future of our Government. Is he not aware of Jones' stance on "white environmentalists?"
"No more broken treaties, no more broken treaties, give them the wealth" Jones said in a March 2009 speech referring to Native Americans and their inequality in the country. He followed be stating, "We're going to change the whole system." This brings up a new question: change the whole system in what aspect?
Many people reading this may be angered at this point in defense of the man they put into the Oval Office, however I feel it necessary to add this tid-bid of information: I voted for President Obama. And while I'm yet to question "who" I helped put into office, I'm beginning to question "what."
Do we want a communist America? Aren't we based upon liberty and justice for all? Freedom of speech? The pursuit of happiness?
It is important to note that Jones did in fact help create a "Revolutionary Communist Organization," and if you aren't aware of what I'm referring to -- or simply think it's false -- I urge you to do more research. Maybe during that research you'll come across an audio clip of an interview Jones had with Mumia Abu Jamal; however, you may not be able to find a lot on Jamal, as he is currently in prison because he murdered a police officer execution style. Justify that association.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Jones' resignation: "What Van Jones decided was that the agenda of this President was bigger than any one individual. . . "
Maybe all of this is coincidental. Or maybe I and other Americans are trying to dig for something that just simply isn't there. But what is not of coincidence, is what holds factual truth.
• Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement -- Truth
• Accusing "white environmentalists" of polluting "people of color communities" -- Truth
• Claiming "We're going to change the whole system" -- Truth
Now that I think about it, I hope President Obama didn't research Van Jones enough.
© Jeff Kelleher
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Political Assignments
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