Wikipedia Protects Heckled Toledo Mayoral Candidate

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Call it the Press Conference From Hell.

Toledo mayoral candidate Ben Konop, an earnest young liberal, thought it would be a great idea to conduct a press conference in front of the home where his mother grew up. Little did Ben know that Maxwell the Heckler, the next door neighbor, would completely destroy his press conference and forever burn that incident into the public memory of Mr. Konop. To get the full hilarious flavor of how Maxwell destroyed the press conference, take a look at the video.

Most of the heckling consisted of "Boo! LIAR! BOOOOO!"

The first reaction of your humble correspondent when watching that video was that Maxwell the Heckler was some sort of anarchist bent on destroying Konop's press conference in a humorous way just for the sake of fun. However, upon investigation, it turns out that Maxwell the Heckler was actually "speaking truth to power," a favorite leftwing slogan.

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Yes, Maxwell was right. Ben Konop is a liar. Bigtime. 

As the Law of Reason blog  and many other sources have pointed out, Konop blatantly broke a written pledge he signed not just once but twice when he ran for Lucas County Commissioner:

Ben promised, on multiple occasions, and twice in writing, that he would serve his full 4 year term as County Commissioner before running for any other office.

He signed an "Ethics Pledge" on February 9, 2006 and again on May 15, 2006. He said that he would serve his full 4 years. But what has Ben actually done? He served a little over two years and then announced that he was running for Mayor of Toledo. And what reason did he give for his breach of his Ethics Pledge? He said, "I am the best candidate to take our community in a new direction...That was my calculus in evaluating my pledge. It was an equation. What is in the best interest of the community?"

Oh, it was "an equation." Well that explains it. His ethical pledges, his promises, are always subject to an ever-changing equation that only he knows. I see.

What's even more ironic about this supposed pledge is that when Ben called on his opponent, George Sarantou, to sign the pledge, Ben surmised that it was Sarantou's intention to simply "use the Commissioner's office as a springboard to run for Mayor?"

Okay, it is pretty well established that Konop is a self-serving liar (Boo! LIAR! BOO!) and after a bit more research it wasn't long before I came upon the Ben Konop Wikipedia entry. Guess what? Even though that Press Conference from Hell is the only way that 99.9% of the people out there who have heard about Ben Konop know him, Wikipedia has no mention of it except for a Ben Konop caves to heckler link in the external links section at the bottom of the entry.

Just as bad is the fact the Wikipedia makes absolutely NO mention of the broken pledge that Konop signed twice. In fact, there isn't even mention of that broken pledge in the Discussion section. A clue as to who has been purging that section of unfavorable Konop material is given in this entry:

What is the policy of the subject of a biographical wikipedia article making updates to the article about them? Checking the history, a user "BKonop" is repeatedly removing a "Controversies" section of the article. Someone keeps coming back to replace the section so the subject matter of the section is maintained in the article. It just seems a bit unseemly that the possible subject of the article is repeatedly removing a "Controversies" section, particularly because the reason that "BKonop" is giving to change the article is non-factual information, even though each item in the subsection is linked to sources. 72.241.2.141 (talk) 12:16, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

It remains absurd for Wikipedia to both not refer (other than a link) to the heckling incident whose video is currently featured on CNN,  Comedy Central, and MSN  as well as not mention his broken pledge. 

Oh, and if you think it was Maxwell the Heckler wearing the beerhat who was a loon when compared to the cleancut Ben Konop, then take a look at this Konop quote from a couple years ago on the subject of using federal funds to give away fuel cards:

Better to give these fuel cards to Lucas county "working families" than to have them fall into Dick Cheney's hands or, some big oil company.

Somehow I know which "loon" I prefer.

So break out the popcorn, pour yourself a beer, and enjoy the video.  Tell it like it is, Maxwell!

Boo! LIAR! BOOOOOO!!!

(UPDATE:  Wikipedia has now added a "Media interest" section to their Ben Konop entry which references the heckling incident. However, Wikipedia has still NOT made mention about Konop breaking the pledge that he signed twice to serve his full term in office.)

(UPDATE #2: Despite the fact that this video has gone viral on both the web and on cable TV, bringing more attention to Toledo than it had in years, the Toledo Blade newspaper still has not made mention of the booing incident except for a cryptic reference on June 29. The world wants to know more about Maxwell the Heckler but from the Blade, nothing. Hmmm.... I wonder which candidate the Blade will be endorsing for mayor?)

(UPDATE #3: Wikipedia has finally gotten around to mentioning that Ben Konop broke his campaign pledge to serve out his entire term as county commissioner.)

—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.


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The young guy has to

learn how to talk through his detractors.

He should never have given sway to him.

He'll learn

That was funny .. was like a scene from an adam sandler movie

That was funny .. was like a scene from  an adam sandler movie 

_______ Him and the Unicorn he rode in on

 yea this guy has no idea

 yea this guy has no idea how to handle himself, you don't bring attention to a person who is trying to ( hat tip George Carlin) ATTRACT ATTENTION TO HIMSELF

what a loser

 

 

FINALY A REAL CANDIATE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!

http://zod2008.com/index.htm

Sounds like a chump, but

Sounds like a chump, but should the neighbor really be heckling during the press conference? Isn't that kind anti-conservative?

huh, bal?

Konop is running for mayor, not boy scout troop leader. Taxpaying citizens absolutely have the right to confront dishonest politicians, anywhere and everywhere they roam.

 

→ candance

But if it's a Harvard Professor shouting "Racism!" from his own home, suddenly it's important speech.

Obviously some animals are more equal than others.

Hope is an excuse for doing nothing - Rush Limbaugh

Who said he was conservative?

He is probably a liberal too.

 

My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

Ahh, comedy

There are few things I find more amusing than watching a liberal define conservatism. Comedy gold.

 

If stupidity got us into this mess,
then why can't it get us out?
--Will Rogers

That's hilarious...the

That's hilarious...the liberals are amusing...the only one that had any sense was that little girl, I think the other one too...looked like sisters, maybe his kids?

Anyway...nice for evening laughs.

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

            

             Where was this guy when obama was on tv?

It would have been

It would have been entertaining...then again, he would have long ago been escorted, detained and his reputation being destroyed in 24/7.

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

Who says they aren't diving

Who says they aren't diving in his dumpster as we speak?

Konop-shin fit

that was one of the funniest clips I have ever watched anywhere.  three cheers for the heckler!!! Here's the question: Given Konop's wimpy response, would anyone really want him elected to lead anything?  Excellent blog. 

MC... You got that

MC...

You got that right...they just don't come anymore wussified than Konop.

The little girls had more spunk than he probably has ever had in his little finger.

It all was really hilarious to me....loved the guy just sitting there doing it on his balcony or whatever it was....not even having to give it that much effort either voice wise...or anything else for that matter.

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

Porch Booing!!!

When the camera zoomed in on the guy that is actually doing the booing I just about fell out of my chair laughing. He just doesn't care that the guy is having a press conference....Hilarious.

hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked it--more liberals,

I liked it--more liberals, many more, should receive the same for they lie to the dumb.

Liberalism is a convenient lie.

Nice

Always great to start the day with a laugh.

"What a revoltin' development this is!"

Chester Riley

Lucy pulled the ball 100 times in a row!

Lucy pulled the ball 100 times in a row! That was hilarious.

I'm going to disagree.

It's juvenile and classless.

This is known as the "heckler's veto" and is regularly practiced by liberals (I'm just using an example, I don't know who's a  liberal or conservative here) against conservative speakers on college campuses.

I doubt anyone here finds it amusing that people like Ann Coulter, David  Horowitz and others are heckled and interrupted to the point that they can't continue their speeches.

 

Naw, the funny part

 

The funny part is their tactics coming back to bite them in the butt.

 

http://gjresult.com

 

Flower Garden

What set Maxwell the Heckler off was that Konop's volunteers stepped on his flower garden. Remember, Maxwell was sitting on his own front porch minding his business when that crowd arrived for the Konop photo-op press conference. They came to him, not the other way around.

Max wouldn't be a plumber by

Max wouldn't be a plumber by any chance, would he?

Maxwell the Heckler

Maxwell is a landscape architect. And what set him off was that one of Konop's volunteers stepped on his flower garden. So for those of you who think Maxwell was out of line here are the facts:

1. Maxwell was sitting on his own front porch when the Konop press conference crew arrived.

2. One of Konops "volunteers" (although I heard some were paid) trampled on Maxwell's flower garden.

3. Maxwell never left his own front porch during all his booing.

4. Maxwell was fairly laid back. Not all that much effort put into the booing. However, he was irked about the flowers plus the fact that Konop acted concerned about a water main in the neighborhood only when the cameras were on him.

 

 

I thought the funniest thing

I thought the funniest thing was that he was VERY laid back.

I would have turned all my sprinklers on full blast, too. 

Bang Bang Maxwells Silver Hammer

I have tried to time my sprinklers to hit my neighbors car when they go to work in the morning (I live on a corner lot and they park on my side of the street).

I think it was just fine as the points were made above: stay at his house and used no profanity.

One point I have not seen is that he was consistent. It took 3 minutes to make the wuss of a candidate cave.

Maybe the only thing missing was his stereo blasting, the ever so popular NB anthem: "Won't Get Fooled Again".

 

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

Lol, that's great - Maxwell

Lol, that's great - Maxwell should come up with his own "Silver Hammer" t-shirt.

I still disagree.  The

I still disagree.  The fact that someone stepped on his flower garden doesn't give him the right to step on Konop's right to free speech in a public place.  He had other options to deal with the flower-stepping....a trespassing complaint, for instance. The fact that he lives next door and never left his porch means nothing IMO. 

He still used the "heckler's veto" which may not be illegal, but as I said is juvenile and classless. Is he in Junior High?

He could have let Konop speak and then invited the journalists to hear "the goods" on Konop.   I'm sure they would have jumped at the chance.  But that's not what he wanted; he wanted to hound Konop into giving up.

 

 

MB, I heartily disagree...

...no way would the media there have jumped at the chance to hear Max's side after Konop was done. They were there b/c Konop asked them to cover his speech; why would they give airtime to some guy sitting on his porch? The Blade's print coverage of the event pretty proves that - "it never happened."

Is it your position

That Maxwell does not have the RIGHT to FREE EXPRESSION of his opinion of another garbage politician while sitting in front of his own home?

Interesting.....

 

http://gjresult.com

 

BOOO Motherbelt....BOO!!

It would have been a great time to mow and trim the lawn..

Then blow the clipping back into the yard.

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

I agree with MB

This candidate redefines the word "wimp" but it is classless to heckle someone to the point that they cannot speak. If you feel compelled to heckle someone fine, but make your point once or twice then allow the person to speak.  

And no one is saying that the heckler doesn't have a right to speak up.  Of course he has the right to speak, but just because you have the right to be a loud-mouthed jerk doesn't mean you should do it.  Have some tact and civility. 

Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing that with us, Newsbusters.  That's the funniest newsclip I've seen in a long time.  LMAO!!!

From Wikipedia: Konop's tenure as commissioner was

also shrouded in controversy as he was caught driving without auto insurance, and was forced to settle out of pocket after causing an accident.

He doesn't keep two ethics pledges, and he drives without auto insurance. How much do you want to bet that he cheats on his taxes also.

Yes, he certainly does qualify to run as a Democrat for any office. Moreover, the citizens who vote for him, and other Dems such as Barack Hussein Obama, Barbara Boxer, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Al Franken, etc. qualify for a mental competency examination, as there is reason to doubt their competency to vote.

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