Some 'Truth Squad'
I didn't mind this piece by Alan Bernstein in the Chronicle, but I hope he didn't expect the headline writers to call it "The Truth Squad: Examining the claims of GOP hopefuls in the 22nd District." When you call something a truth squad, you are implying that the candidates are lying. Bernstein didn't even come close to establishing that, perhaps because he wasn't trying to. For example:
CANDIDATE: Former Pasadena Mayor John Manlove.I'm pretty sure I won't be supporting Manlove, but his statement seems entirely reasonable to me. A lie? Hardly. Reasonable information for a reporter to include? Yes, definitely, but not under an article headlined "Truth Squad."STATEMENT: "I am the only candidate with a proven record in business and in government ... (and) I abolished the tax department."
INFORMATION: Manlove founded an advertising agency. Candidate Shelley Sekula Gibbs, a dermatologist, was a Houston councilwoman; candidate Dean Hrbacek was mayor of Sugar Land and works as a tax lawyer and certified public accountant; candidate Robert Talton has served in the state House and is a lawyer. As mayor, Manlove voted with the majority on the city council to contract with Harris County to collect taxes for Pasadena rather than have it done by city personnel.
The only thing even close to a 'lie' was Shelley:
CANDIDATE: Former councilwoman and interim congresswoman Shelley Sekula GibbsUnfortunately, Shelley has an Al Gore-like habit of repeatedly inflating her accomplishments.STATEMENT: She served on the Houston council for six years and "during that period of time I rolled back taxes three times and ... helped to cap a tort reform initiative."
INFORMATION: Tax rate reductions came on votes by the mayor and the 14-member council. The council has no jurisdiction over tort reform. While she was a councilwoman, Texas voters in 2003 approved a referendum capping financial awards in many lawsuits. She advocated for the proposition, according to a spokesman. The referendum was supported by the Texas Medical Association's political arm, to which Sekula Gibbs contributed money a year after the passage, according to state records.
Though I understand the headline writer's desire to sensationalize, an editor really should've re-worded...
Also, I eagerly await the Chronicle article where Nick Lampson's current rhetoric is contrasted with his voting record back when he held a solidly Democratic district. Somehow, I think I'll be waiting a long, long time for that one.
Posted by Evan @ 01/18/08 01:38 PM
Previous Entry | Home | Next Entry
Comments
** Though I understand the headline writer's desire to sensationalize, an editor really should've re-worded... **
Editor?
At the Chronicle, after all the layoffs?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by kevin @ 01/18/08 02:12 PM
Dang, Kevin beat me too it.
Of course I can't confirm, but rumor is the local English classes at HCC have been using rough Chron copy for grammar lessons.
Just a rumor of course.
Posted by Cory @ 01/21/08 10:06 AM
Add Comments
No flames or impolite behavior. HTML will be stripped. URLs will be transformed into hyperlinks.