Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 03-03-2002, 10:58 PM

From <a href="http://www.morons.org/articles/2/1365" target="_blank">morons.org</a>:

Lou Sheldon is incensed that the Traditional Values Coalition was mentioned in the same breath as anthrax (although fellow anti-abortionists in the Army of God have been linked to anthrax attacks.) He wants to sue for lots of money and mandated sensitivity training for that persecuted minority, conservative Christians.

The original NPR statement from <a href="http://www.morons.org/articles/2/1262" target="_blank">here</a>:

Quote:

"Two of the anthrax letters were sent to Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, both Democrats. One group who had a gripe with Daschle and Leahy is the Traditional Values Coalition, which, before the attacks, had issued a press release criticizing the senators for trying to remove the phrase 'so help me God' from the oath. The Traditional Values Coalition, however, told me the FBI had not contacted them and then issued a press release saying NPR was in the pocket of the Democrats and trying to frame them."

ex-idaho · 03-03-2002, 11:57 PM

Ok, there are 2 things wrong with the statement. Dascle and Leahy never tried to have the phrase "So help me God" removed from the oath and the phrase is not a part of the oath to begin with.

Toto · 03-04-2002, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by idaho:
<strong>Ok, there are 2 things wrong with the statement. Dascle and Leahy never tried to have the phrase "So help me God" removed from the oath and the phrase is not a part of the oath to begin with.</strong>

NPR didn't say that Daschle or Leahy tried to get the phrase removed - just that the TVC attacked them for removing it. I think that is true.

ex-idaho · 03-04-2002, 09:53 AM

The phrase "So help me God" has never appeared as a part of the oath of office. Washington improvised that bit and it has remained there traditionally ever since.

Grumpy · 03-04-2002, 06:53 PM

The point is that, as a news story, there was little to motivate the mention of TVC in connection with anthrax. You could just as easily name any group you want (from AARP to ZZ Top) and disavow any responsibility for the attacks. Saying "the FBI does not consider them suspects" makes the listener wonder why the reporter considers them suspects. Either there is an unsubstantiated basis for believing that they are suspects -- which, if they're not, defames them; or the reporter simply wants to defame them.

That aside, TVC seems to be missing the point. NPR said quite plainly that they didn't send the spores. That's practically a compliment.

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03-03-2002, 11:57 PM	#2
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	Ok, there are 2 things wrong with the statement. Dascle and Leahy never tried to have the phrase "So help me God" removed from the oath and the phrase is not a part of the oath to begin with.

03-04-2002, 09:53 AM	#4
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	The phrase "So help me God" has never appeared as a part of the oath of office. Washington improvised that bit and it has remained there traditionally ever since.

03-04-2002, 06:53 PM	#5
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	The point is that, as a news story, there was little to motivate the mention of TVC in connection with anthrax. You could just as easily name any group you want (from AARP to ZZ Top) and disavow any responsibility for the attacks. Saying "the FBI does not consider them suspects" makes the listener wonder why the reporter considers them suspects. Either there is an unsubstantiated basis for believing that they are suspects -- which, if they're not, defames them; or the reporter simply wants to defame them. That aside, TVC seems to be missing the point. NPR said quite plainly that they didn't send the spores. That's practically a compliment.

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