President-elect Barack Obama's transition website Change.gov is censoring questions offered by readers about disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Although the "Open for Questions" page was launched Wednesday stating "The Obama-Biden Transition wants to hear from you," readers have been quick to shelter the president-elect from inquiries relating to Blago.
I guess this is change you can believe in.
As reported by Politico's Ben Smith:
President-elect Barack Obama's Transition today launched "Open for Questions," a Digg-style feature allowing citizens to submit questions, and to vote on one another's questions, bringing favored inquiries to the top of the list.
It was suggested when it launched that the tool would bring uncomfortable questions to the fore, but the results so far are the opposite: Obama's supporters appear to be using -- and abusing -- a tool allowing them to "flag" questions as "inappropriate" to remove all questions mentioning Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich from the main pages of Obama's website.
The Blagojevich questions -- many of them polite and reasonable -- can be found only by searching words in them, like "Blagojevich," which produces 35 questions missing from the main page of the site.
You really gotta love it. What are some of the questions being censored?
I'm sure media outlets who regularly carped and whined about secrecy and lack of transparency in the Bush White House will be aggressively reporting this revelation, although I wouldn't hold my breath."Given the current corruption charges involving Blagojevich, will 'serious' campaign finance reform that takes money completely out of politics through publicly funded elections be a priority in the first term?" asked Metteyya of Santa Cruz, California.
"This submission was removed because people believe it is inappropriate," reads the text underneath it.Also removed as "inappropriate":
"In light of the recent corruption scandals (Blagojevich, Rangel, Jefferson, Stevens, etc) that have dominated the political scene,is there any ethics legislation being crafted to actually curb corruption and prevent another wave of nixonian cynicism?", a question from "lupercal," of Gainesville.
And: "Is Barack Obama aware of any communications in the last six weeks between Rod Blagojevich or anyone representing Rod Blagojevich and any of Obama's top aides?", a question from Phil from Pennsylvania.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Censorship is free speech to Liberals
December 11, 2008 - 10:59 ET by PopularTechThey have no idea what the Constitution is.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is Not Pollution
→ Fastest Blog in the West
December 11, 2008 - 11:02 ET by Cool ArrowNoel (aka Sundance) Sheppard once again breaks the LAN Speed record for rush to print.
I was about to put something in Open Thread about Change gov, and suddenly (as Howard Cosell would say) Suddenly, the right lead.
Mother Of All Informers
December 11, 2008 - 11:04 ET by melpolIt would become the greatest story ever told if Blagojevich named his co-conspirators in order to save his backside. But it would be better for America if he was pardoned in a deal to keep his mouth shut. We need our elected leaders to end the recession and their integrity should not be questioned.
http://www.associate...
What the????
December 11, 2008 - 11:07 ET by considerthisBecause unchecked corruption has always been the answer to the nations troubles?!?!?
Huh...
Seriously.
December 11, 2008 - 11:21 ET by choselife3xMelpol's head is so far up his ass he needs a window installed in his stomach to see out.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
you're kidding, right?
December 11, 2008 - 11:35 ET by SouthJersey1953You forgot to tag your comment with the sarcasm tag
Luke 23:34
PALIN/Jindal '12
That was one HELL
December 11, 2008 - 11:53 ET by choselife3xOf a good troll imitation.....
*hat tip*
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
"...if Blagojevich named
December 11, 2008 - 12:00 ET by celator"...if Blagojevich named his co-conspirators.."
I was just listening to a Chicago radio station on my internet radio. The host (don't know his name) was commenting that two big shots he knows in Chicago called to tell him that Blad is so mad that none of his political friends are supporting him in this mess, that he is about to drop a dime on all of them. Including Obama.
It will only get more interesting.
I think the dime will drop
December 11, 2008 - 12:11 ET by Hunter12I think the dime will drop on Rod. His personality is such that he won't go quietly. This is known. He'll be found hanging from a rope somewhere or having shot himself three times with a double-barrelled shotgun.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Hunter
December 11, 2008 - 20:38 ET by DoktorFrankenBlago has always been a bit of a loose cannon - mouth-wise. And he's never been that street smart. He was just lucky to be a likable enough fellow (to the stupid public that doesn't look any farther than that) that married into the right family. He received the backing and blessing from the right folks within the Illinois Combine/Daley Machine and took the Governor's office from other, more qualified (yet not much less corrupt - except Paul Valas) candidates.
He is nowhere near as scheming as a Hillary or Hussein and will feel the weight of the world on him very soon. Keep in mind, his wife is complicit in many of Blago's, and other pol's (including Hussein's house purchase) deals. That they may both be sent to prison will play heavily in the ''singing'' and dealing and threats to his life from ''external'' pressures.
This ''play'' is just getting into the second, of three, acts.
Hunter... Exactly. He
December 11, 2008 - 20:43 ET by bigtimerHunter...
Exactly.
He and his wife had better have some proof stashed somewhere with someone or someones they trust by now in case of their double suicide...like found in a car with motor still running in garage.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
not so fast BT
December 11, 2008 - 21:09 ET by botghis disclosures could help the Clintons thus his fate may not be sealed yet
----- Radical Liberal
botg...LOL...we shall
December 11, 2008 - 21:13 ET by bigtimerbotg...
LOL...we shall see.
His machine is bigger than the Clinton machine was/is.
Even though some same big-wig players are all involved.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Seems yesterday's rat pic
December 11, 2008 - 12:13 ET by Blonde...was perfect, in more ways than one.
The rats are abandoning the sinking ship.
Most excellent. Time for a popcorn run.
Showing Once Again...
December 11, 2008 - 11:05 ET by considerthisThat Libs never wanted the "Equallity" they screamed for. They only wanted power.
What a dictatorship this next 4 years will be.
Obama's Website
December 11, 2008 - 11:07 ET by GeneralAlWhy are you suprised? This is Commisar Obama and the United States of Soviet Socialist Republic. Don't forget, he's going to unite the world! In order to do that, you need to sensor the press, unless of course they sensor themselves as do the MSM. In a socialist state, more accurately called a communist state, you cannot have any hard, unflattering questions asked. They must always be positive in order to reinforce the idea of having complete control and that everything eminating from the commisar is all good!
That picture
December 11, 2008 - 11:24 ET by iveseenitallLove that picture of the Chicago mob "boss" behind one of his sycophants. The big question is will Sammy- the- Bull tell all or will he be rubbed out before he squeals? It's all up to Barry and his moll, Never-So-Proud.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
I was thinking that photo
December 11, 2008 - 12:37 ET by motherbeltI was thinking that photo would make a good captionfest. My submission:
Obama: I may be standing next to this creep, but my invisible hermetic seal shields me from odor of corruption wafting off him.
Liberal e-book burning
December 11, 2008 - 11:21 ET by TheCynicThis is old news in a new location. "User moderated" sites like YouTube, SlashDot and even Amazon message boards almost always result in a liberal takeover where conservative posts are squashed.
They call it "moderation".
I call it "e-book burning". Given the chance, liberals will happily destroy another person's words if they don't agree with them.
I think Melpol was being
December 11, 2008 - 11:26 ET by KarinI think Melpol was being sarcastic.
Moonbattery.com has a section today, complete with screengrabs and pictures, illustrating how this censorship that Change.gov is practicing is futile in the internet age. You would think the O people would know this, since they're so technologically brilliant and all.
Get those names and
December 11, 2008 - 11:28 ET by HockeyKidGet those names and addresses! January 20th, the audits begin!
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Was it that scene in
December 11, 2008 - 11:32 ET by ConservativeRexWas it that scene in Casablanca?
To paraphrase: " I am shocked, shocked mind you, that free speech is squashed in the Obami administration"!
transparency
December 11, 2008 - 11:42 ET by katainkentlike mayonaisse in the hot sun.
"part of what I'm hoping to introduce as the next president is a new ethic of [government enforced] responsibility" - B. Obama
Today
December 11, 2008 - 12:10 ET by Dragonsbreathposts are removed.... Next Year posters will be removed.. Right?
How Game Their Own System
December 11, 2008 - 12:25 ET by PrieblesJust like their credit card donation website during the campaign...THEY HAVE TURNED OFF THE EMAIL VERIFICATION at Change.gov.
So use your imagination and come up with a fake name like FrutoBoyCrispilla@email.com and login. Or lots of fake names (y'know like ACORN did) and start having fun.
Game #1: Search for questions containing "Blagojevich" or "spoke to Illinois" and start Approving the questions...there are a lot of them.
Game #2: Search for questions containing "Bush" and watch page after page of questions about "holding them accountable for war crimes" load up. I would suggest these questions be FLAGGED AS INAPROPRIATE.
Have Fun!
Obama needs to say only this...
December 11, 2008 - 12:30 ET by sawing batta"this is not the Blago i once knew..."
end of story, no more curiosity by the Press...move on, no story here...now move along. Hey, how about a story about how BUSH is crazier than Blago? but let's be careful ....if we're going to talk about the White House, let's make sure not to open the door to how Clinton did the same thing as blago with his asset - the Lincoln Bedroom.
When has Obama ever defended Free Speech?
December 11, 2008 - 12:49 ET by lareeDoes anyone know, Is Obama a supporter of the 1st Amendment? I mean we know how he feels about the 2nd.
http://bellalu0.word...
Bella Blogger, "Can I Just Finish My Waffle" has a screen shot of what has been taken down.
http://sarah-palin-2012.blogspot.com/2008/12/7-questions-obama-needs-to-answer.html
I got a few questions of my own like, Who is Vera Baker, and why is she in Martinique, we can start with 7.
Thank You Bella Blogger for
December 11, 2008 - 13:16 ET by Scuba DudeThank You Bella Blogger for saving a piece of the Shahinshah's vanishing history.
I do not believe coke-head Obama is a supporter of the 1st Amendment, remember those "Truth Squads" sent to squelch any dissenting voices during the election?
The Ministry of Truth is now being assembled, forget what you knew before and drink this kool-aid prepared just for you.
Che nge
December 11, 2008 - 12:53 ET by totalkaosdaveTotalKaosDave
It's change you MUST believe in:
http://www.changeyoumustbelievein.com/architectural_002.htm
But on the lighter side of the news....
December 11, 2008 - 13:09 ET by Prester John....NPR is short of money (until BHO the Dem congress gives it more) and is laying off staff.
NPR to Cut 64 Jobs and Two Shows
Faced with a sharp decline in revenue, National Public Radio said Wednesday it will pare back its programming and institute its first organization-wide layoffs in 25 years.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/10/AR2008121002064.html?sub=AR
How long before some California or New England lib calls for bailing out NPR?
Hey Prester, I heard
December 11, 2008 - 14:05 ET by bigtimerHey Prester,
I heard about this sad news yesterday...it just broke my little heart.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
A perfect example of O's
December 11, 2008 - 14:03 ET by bigtimerA perfect example of O's view of how the Fairness Doctrine should work.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
More removed comments from Obama's site
December 11, 2008 - 16:36 ET by Gary Hall"This submission was removed because people believe it is inappropriate."
and my favorite (just teasing - but it was actually posted):