# LA Times protecting Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 30, 2008, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218 "2008-10-30T05:18:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/61 "2008-10-30T19:10:05Z")
You can also say “rectal goat leprosy” but “Hannity” is shorter. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/62 "2008-10-30T19:10:59Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It didn’t. That’ the point. So… the fact that there’s no proof _proves_ that there’s proof? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/63 "2008-10-30T19:12:16Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It didn’t. That’ the point. Well, I have no evidence that the tape has proof that you’re a terrorist-pedophile-atheist. So you know what that means. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/64 "2008-10-30T19:20:31Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And your source for suspecting Obama did, indeed, clap at some “anti-Israeli rants” is . . . ? It was speculation regarding how the video would be harmful versus the article posted since the article didn’t cover that type of information. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/65 "2008-10-30T19:24:59Z")
> [@stolichnaya](#): > > …It’s not any different than the lizard-people or the 9-11 truthers. It’s exactly the same. :: stage whisper :: So the lizard-people talk to you, _too?_ :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/66 "2008-10-30T19:33:26Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Well, I have no evidence that the tape has proof that you’re a terrorist-pedophile-atheist. So you know what that means. It means that if I were running for President and someone withheld it that people opposing me would screem bloody murder. There’s a simple solution to this. The LA times can show the video to it’s own employees (representing both parties) and they can report on it. It was, after all, given to them for the purpose of reporting on it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/67 "2008-10-30T19:45:30Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It means that if I were running for President and someone withheld it that people opposing me would screem bloody murder. > > There’s a simple solution to this. The LA times can show the video to it’s own employees (representing both parties) and they can report on it. It was, after all, given to them for the purpose of reporting on it. Are you saying they haven’t reported on it? They broke the story! Or are you saying that because the article didn’t say that Obama was cheering on Hamas they must be suppressing it? Do you concede that perhaps the article didn’t say that because it didn’t happen? And therefore, the LA Times is not protecting ANYONE except their own integrity? What about the fact that McCain has, as chairman of the IRI, approved funding for Khalidi’s organization more than once? Does that taint McCain at all? Or is all fault on Obama here? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/68 "2008-10-30T19:47:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There’s a simple solution to this. The LA times can show the video to it’s own employees (representing both parties) and they can report on it. It was, after all, given to them for the purpose of reporting on it. You mean report on it like, say, something like…[this story](http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obamamideast10apr10%2C0%2C5826085.story)? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/69 "2008-10-30T19:49:37Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > You mean report on it like, say, something like…[this story](http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obamamideast10apr10%2C0%2C5826085.story)? Ah, but that story doesn’t specifically say that Obama shook the hand of a suicide bomber’s mother, or that Obama stood on the table and toasted the deaths of America and Israel. Therefore it must have been laundered of all the Obama-derogatory truthiness. BIAS!!!1!eleventy! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/70 "2008-10-30T19:59:40Z")
> [@](#): > > …Obama is a U.S. senator from Illinois who expresses a firmly pro-Israel view of Middle East politics… And there you have it. Clear proof that the _Love Arafat Times_ is lying, because we already know this isn’t true, because Muslims hate Israel, and if Obama isn’t Muslim, then why is he _brown!?_ (I trust I will suffer no more derision for my campaign against Cognitive Dissonance, the number two threat to the Republic!) ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/71 "2008-10-30T20:07:17Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > Journalists get information “off the record” somewhat frequently (more or less depending on the policies of their organization and their beat). “Off the record” is accepted to mean, in a very basic sense, “you can’t print this”. It’s useful for the journalists because they use that to check things out, even if they can’t ever release that information. Or as one reporter told me, “To see if its even worth bothering about.” Occassionally, one of the nutters in a political party will announce/propose a bill that looks controversial, party officials will let reporters know “off the record” that the thing’s a turkey and they’ve no intention of letting it go anywhere so not to bother reporting it. This lets Sen. Nutjob or Congressperson Crackers announcement announcement/bill die a quiet death, without giving the opposing side any traction to say that the party is “divided” (even though the _only_ person in the party in favor of it is the guy who proposed it). Or worse, bringing the crackpots out of the woodwork to scream that they’re in favor of it, and the government _must_ act upon it _NOW!_ ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/72 "2008-10-30T20:19:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It means that if I were running for President and someone withheld it that people opposing me would screem bloody murder. You are **presuming** _a priori_ that the tape contains something damaging. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/73 "2008-10-30T20:20:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It was speculation regarding how the video would be harmful versus the article posted since the article didn’t cover that type of information. Is your real name [Michael Goldfarb?](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/rick-sanchez-v-michael-go_n_139357.html) [QUOTE=CNN INTERVIEW] SANCHEZ: Now, is the – I need to parse this out as best I can from you, Michael. The fact that John McCain’s organization gave $448,000 to this group that was founded by Mr. Khalidi, is there no reason for some to be critical of as well just as some might be critical of Barack Obama for being at a meeting with some girl read a poem for example? GOLDFARB: Look. You are missing the point again, Rick. The point is that Barack Obama has a long track record of being around anti-Semitic and anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric. SANCHEZ: Can you name one other person besides Khalidi who he hangs around that is anti-Semitic? GOLDFARB: Yes, he pals around with William Ayers. SANCHEZ: No, no, the question I asked you is that can you name one other person who he hangs around with who is anti-Semitic? Because that is what you said. GOLDFARB: Look, we know there are people who Barack Obama has been in hot water– SANCHEZ: Michael, I asked you the name one person. One. GOLDFARB: Rick – SANCHEZ: You said he hangs around with people who are anti-Semitic. Okay. Khalidi and name other people that we all know about? GOLDFARB: And rick, we both know who number two is. SANCHEZ: Who? Would you tell us? GOLDFARB: No, Rick, I think we all know who we are talking about here. SANCHEZ: Somebody who is anti-Semitic that he hangs around with. GOLDFARB: I think we all know who we are talking about. SANCHEZ: Say it. GOLDFARB: I think we all know who we’re talking about, rick. SANCHEZ: Well, you say that his policies differ from Barack Obama and many other people, and either way, we have the leave it at that. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/74 "2008-10-30T20:33:29Z")
haha goldfarb. What a dick that guy is. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/75 "2008-10-30T20:38:24Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Is your real name [Michael Goldfarb?](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/rick-sanchez-v-michael-go_n_139357.html) 😕 OK, I’m stumped. Just who is this person Goldfarb is talking about but won’t name, who is not Khalidi or Ayers, and who is anti-semitic, and who is somehow associated with Obama? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/76 "2008-10-30T20:45:48Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😕 OK, I’m stumped. Just who is this person Goldfarb is talking about but won’t name, who is not Khalidi or Ayers, and who is anti-semitic, and who is somehow associated with Obama? I’m guessing either Wright (long odds) or Farrakhan (much more likely). Asserting that Khalidi is anti-Semitic is also assuming facts not in evidence, for that matter. Pro-Palestinian doesn’t necessarily equal anti-Semitic. Goldfarb is a weasel’s weasel. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/77 "2008-10-30T20:47:08Z")
\*GOLDFARB: I think we all know who we are talking about. \* No we don’t! Who is Goldfarb talking about? Biden? Michelle? Clinton? Who? Ah, should have previewed! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/78 "2008-10-30T20:50:23Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > No we don’t! Who is Goldfarb talking about? Biden? Michelle? Clinton? Who? Could it be… Satan? ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/79 "2008-10-30T21:14:02Z")
At this point they could release the damn tapes and the whispering still wouldn’t stop. That’s the thing about rumor and paranoia and denial. If the tape came out tomorrow and it was squeaky clean, the McCain campaign would say, “That’s not the _real_ tape, is it? They must have _edited out_ the bits that we heard about! Where’s the REAL tape?” ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218/80 "2008-10-30T21:14:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😕 OK, I’m stumped. Just who is this person Goldfarb is talking about but won’t name, who is not Khalidi or Ayers, and who is anti-semitic, and who is somehow associated with Obama? If you watch the linked video it is clear Goldfarb doesn’t know who Goldfarb is talking about either… [QUOTE=Fish] Where’s the REAL tape?" [/QUOTE] Probably with the real Birth Certificate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218.md?page=5)