Today's edition of "Democrat or Not?" gives us an example of a party affiliation that is mentioned by the MSM instead of one kept secret and naturally the party mentioned is the Republican brand. The strange part about this one, however, is the context in which it is reported. In what the media is calling a "politically motivated" family argument over Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton a stabbing occurred. But, here is the thing: neither of those involved in this family tiff are politicians and both were fighting over Democrats that they support. Yet, for some reason, TV station CBS 3 in Philly felt it necessary to mention that one of the combatants was a "registered Republican."
Now, we have all heard the Associated Press claim that mentioning a party is fine "when it's relevant." They've claimed they only mention a party when it is "relevant" to the story. If this practice is prevalent throughout the news industry it sure seems that they all think it "relevant" when a Republican is involved... in anything.
This domestic argument involved a Mr. Sean Shurelds, a Barack Obama fan, who was stabbed in the abdomen by one Mr. Jose Antonio Ortiz, a Hillary Clinton supporter. These two goofs were brothers-in-law and were fighting in an Upper Providence Township home. Afterwards, Ortiz was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault and two misdemeanors.
So, what we have here are two guys fighting over who they are going to vote for. But, the interesting thing is how many MSM outlets found it "relevant" to mention that one of them was a Republican. And the other? Well, his party didn't interest any of these newsers at all amusingly enough.
Channel 3 news gave us what seems a common report on this story...
Authorities said Ortiz, a registered Republican and Clinton supporter, allegedly stabbed Shurelds, an Obama supporter, in the stomach.
Channel 69 News also mentioned that Ortiz was a "registered Republican." So did ABC Channel 6 news. As did KYW Newsradio 1060 from Philly.
If you're interested, the smokinggun.com has a copy of the police report but the party registration of Ortiz is not mentioned in the account.
So you tell me. WHY was the fact that Ortiz was a "registered Republican" necessary to report? Was it because they could portray a Republican as a knife wielding, nut case? Maybe we should expect to see a mention of party affiliation of carjackers, flim-flam men, and jay walkers, too. If they are Republicans, that is?
h/t Steve
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"Authorities said Ortiz, a
February 26, 2008 - 12:45 ET by Chris Norman"Authorities said Ortiz, a registered Republican and Clinton supporter..."
My question is, why hadn't Good Morning America already had Ortiz on to showcase "another Republican voting Democrat this election"?
I'm not as sure about this one as others....
February 26, 2008 - 12:45 ET by sarcasmo"[A] registered Republican and Clinton supporter" has a teeny bit of a "man bites dog" smell to it, no? Until I saw this, I'd figured it was a fight between 2 Democrats.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
I'm assuming there's a
February 26, 2008 - 13:16 ET by balboaI'm assuming there's a sentence in there somewhere that says, "Alcohol was involved."
Nonsense, Bal!
February 26, 2008 - 13:21 ET by sarcasmoLegal drugs are all universally safe & effective. The government tells me so, and they're never wrong!!!
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Almost all criminal are Democrats
February 26, 2008 - 13:13 ET by needleWell, this IS newsworthy considering that almost all criminal are Democrats, whether they are registered or not; so normally it is redundant to specifically identfy them as Democrats.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
"...almost all criminal are
February 26, 2008 - 13:17 ET by balboa"...almost all criminal are Democrats."
That's a keeper.
That's a fair assumption,
February 26, 2008 - 16:08 ET by Jack BauerThat's a fair assumption, if you think about it.
The majority of the prison population are disproportionately African-American, Hispanic, and from lower socio-economic groups, i.e. POOR.
And who do these groups support? It's all fairly well documented.
90% OF A-A's vote Democrat. Isn't it about 70% of Hispanics. And clearly the vast majority of "working-class" inmates also vote Democrat, don't they?
Well if the libs are going
February 26, 2008 - 13:15 ET by rbosqueWell if the libs are going to play that game...
Charles Manson, Jeffery Dahmer were both Democrats.
I actually saw that piece
February 26, 2008 - 13:32 ET by Republic1I actually saw that piece on television last night. The reporter saved this little chestnut until the very end of the report, so that the words "registered Republican" would resonate in the viewer's mind as the last term associated with a violent crime story. It was jarring and gratuitous. And as anyone knows, a Clinton supporter sure as hell isn't a real Republican.
"Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him." -Muhammad
No worries!Even if he's
February 26, 2008 - 13:34 ET by ArmedDadNo worries!Even if he's a felon,Hillary still wants Ortiz' vote!
Where did it come from?
February 26, 2008 - 13:50 ET by JoelCTWhere did the "registered Republican" information come from? Did they actually go look up this guy's voting record? I don't understand. Is it common for reporters to look up this kind of stuff when reporting crimes? I don't remember ever seeing in my paper, "two men, both registered Democrats, shotgunned three people to death in a East Austin bar yesterday..."
Registered Republican... NOT!
February 26, 2008 - 13:53 ET by wizardjrOn another blog the blogger used Lexis to look this guy up. It turns out there is a guy with this name who is a registered Republican but he was born in 1937 - this guy not! I think its another shallow verification by a liberal journalist with an ax to grind (Oh! what a surprise). I'd like to know if there is some other record that shows this Hillary supporter is a Republican (yeah, sure... and the check's in the mail).
Well come on now... at
February 26, 2008 - 14:01 ET by bigtimerWell come on now... at least it wasn't a repub involved in gun violence...lol!
It never ends with these people in the msm...
Quite sure alcohol wouldn't of been a factor either.
There's not really much that
February 26, 2008 - 21:32 ET by lotrThere's not really much that one can say in response to this, other than a hearty thanks for exposing it -- it's subtle anti-Repulican partisanship under the guise of objective reporting.