It appears that Representative Denny Hoskins (r - noun, verb, CPA) is a clueless pilgrim in the land of republican false equivalence. Here's a recent Facebook post from our intrepid pilgrim, taking on the corporate media powerhouse which is Show Me Progress:
Denny Hoskins IRONIC - I guess that is the best word I can use to describe my opponent. Her Treasurer's husband is a blogger for a Pro-Dem Ultra Liberal website and likes to follow me around and takes pictures and record my speeches. Numerous people at the County Courthouse also state that a young lady has been going through my personal and business financial records/history at the courthouse.
Did I whine and cry to the media when this happened to me? NO! It's a free country, I will always protect Freedom of Speech and our freedoms to be on PUBLIC land.
If she doesn't like having her picture taken, then maybe being an elected official is not a good fit for her. - HOW IRONIC!
Using all caps is the Internets equivalent of shouting.
You've got to be paying way too much for shoddy opposition research (or maybe it's free). Your information is out of date.
I don't necessarily like or dislike covering Denny Hoskins at public events, that just goes with the turf of blogging. I will say that it can sometimes be interesting. That's what we do, we cover politics and government in Missouri. We've been granted media credentials at campaign, political, presidential, and vice-presidential events.
"...Numerous people at the County Courthouse also state that a young lady has been going through my personal and business financial records/history at the courthouse..."
We didn't ask for the records that broke that story. Thanks for the suggestion, though, we'll file it for future reference. That's why they're called public records. Is Denny Hoskins saying that he's never been apprised of the public records concerning Jim Jackson or Courtney Cole? Just asking.
"...Did I whine and cry to the media when this happened to me?..."
Really, did you want to go so boldly on the record with that statement? Just asking.
...But bloggers, in general, are not journalists. Bloggers often offer one-sided opinions, not news...
...The best bloggers may be accurate, but what if they are not?
Do editors force them to double-check facts? Must they seek opposing opinions?...
...Unlike most bloggers, mainstream reporters must deal with editors who question articles before the information is presented to the public. Editors also know that - not just in physics, but in life - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, meaning reporters need to know that if there is more than one side of a story, those other sides must be presented. If a reporter is wrong, he must write a contrite correction saying so and if a reporter is wrong intentionally, he is unlikely to remain a reporter for long...
...Bloggers have value, but people who value democracy need to understand the narrow agenda and resources of bloggers are no substitute for the broad agenda and resources of reporters.
The Show Me Progress official laminated blogger new media ID, (lanyard not shown, not actual size)
There's been much hand wringing of late about the breaking news exploits of blogger Mayhill Fowler. You know, along the lines of "how dare the great unwashed commit journamalism and show us up."
...And get this: According to Russert's testimony yesterday at Libby's trial, when any senior government official calls him, they are presumptively off the record.
That's not reporting, that's enabling.
That's how you treat your friends when you're having an innocent chat, not the people you're supposed to be holding accountable...
Half the battle is in actually showing up. If you don't put the resources into actually showing up you can't complain when somebody else does. Nature does abhor a vacuum.
...Basically what he was shown the door for was drawing a line in the sand about staff cutbacks. And the reason he was drawing a line in the sand was because he's concerned that if the size of our staff is reduced, it's not going to be just a matter of job reduction, but it's going to mean that we are going to reduce the number of stories we're doing, and that's going to be a detriment to the community end and the people that read us online around the world and around the country. So, it's a serious issue at our paper. And if you look at all these other papers, reducing staff is going to mean reducing coverage and that's going to create a news vacuum that's important to citizens of this country...
When we started this clean, well lit place previous experience showed us all how to deal with it (you know, meta).
But, just so you (our dear readers) know that we all aren't a bunch of slackers you should be aware that we did apply in January for blogger credentials to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. We filed all the required and requested paperwork in a timely manner. In case you haven't noticed we have yet to post a triumphant diary with a headline screaming "We're going to Denver, nyah, nyah, nyah!" That's because we didn't get any credentials. Twice.
And here's what they told us on On May 29th (the second time):
The crowd had filled out to its full size of 12,000 (probably minus a few no shows).
I stopped to talk to two women who were sporting Hillary stickers. I asked them where they were from. "Grinell, Iowa." I asked them who they were supporting. "Hillary or Obama. They both have platforms we agree with." One said, "It's a triumph of American politics I'd like to see. Both are smart." I asked if they would be participating in the caucus. Both said they have in the past, and they will this time, too.
As I walked through the entrance gate a twenty-something asks me for my ticket, then sees the press pass, smiles and says, "Sorry," then motions me through. I'm wondering the same thing.
Down the rabbit hole.
There was an army of volunteers at the entrance from one campaign or another passing out campaign stickers (and still others working the crowd, handing out campaign paraphernalia and getting Iowans to fill out cards). They see my pass and don't offer me anything.
There's no mud. People stream in through the entrance. The food lines at the south east are humming with activity. The huge tents with tables are occupied. I see a big crowd to the north east.
Ah. The scheduled photo-op.
The attendance to the event is eventually announced. 12,000. A record. That's one big mass of humanity.
Early tomorrow morning a small group of us from Warrensburg will pile into two vehicles for the 4 1/2 hour drive to that muddy (probably) balloon field near Indianola, Iowa for the 30th Harkin Steak Fry. This to hear Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson speak.
I wrote about some of my experiences at the event four years ago here.
The Show Me Progress official laminated blogger new media ID, (lanyard not shown, not actual size)
