About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Does The Morning Call Care About the First Amendment?

Regular readers of this blog know that I make creative use of pictures. It's completely unfair, but it's what I do.

Today's Morning Call account of the lawsuit against Atiyeh includes the picture you see on the left. It's obviously intended to portray the developer as an idiot.

Unlike me, I thought newspapers were supposed to be fair and unbiased and all that crap.

If the paper's purpose is to make Atiyeh look like a fool , the online comments accompanying the story indicate that the Allentown paper has failed. An Express Times poll (admittedly unscientific) indicates that 56% of its readers side with Atiyeh.

I would think a newspaper would be a little more concerned about a public official using strong arm tactics against an individual who is merely exercising his First Amendment rights.

After all, those rights include Freedom of the Press.

Updated Noon: Instead of being concerned about little things like government officials stepping all over citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights, Morning Call columnist Bill White has just published a blog asking for suggestions about how to kick Atiyeh around.

Gee, I remember when newspapers actually cared about the First Amendment.

48 comments:

Doc Rock said...

Bernie,

Check out the comments on The Call story. Very few in support of King Edwin and his merry band.

Memo to Edwin: when the public sides with Abe Atiyeh against you, you are in deep trouble!

Anonymous said...

So they called a spade a spade and after all, can he prove that he is not an idiot?

future downtown allentown unattendee said...

This might be a little off-topic, but I am sorry. This NIZ craps smacks and reeks of the obvious. When the hell are they going to fix the infrastructure - the roads and the bridges. It doesn't make any sense, not to fix them, prior to building this far-fetched black hole in the middle of a place that isn't easily accessible. craZy. I rather have the bridge finished. I can always see hockey on tv. The bridge on the other hand is a necessity.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anybody who suggests that someone should be required to prove a negative, a logical imossibility, is himself an idiot.

Anonymous said...

The ironic part of this whole mess is Senator Browne trying an end around to eliminate the unconstitutionality of the legislation.

Start calling his office and lobbying against anything but repeal. His office number is (610) 821-8468 and email is pbrowne@pasen.gov.

Put democracy to work!

Anonymous said...

It appears that someone has too much time on his hands. Might I suggest you get a job to relieve you of some of that excess time you have? And BTW, isn't the Bill White blog post a use of White's 1st Amendment rights?

Anonymous said...

"It appears that someone has too much time on his hands."

Which is exactly why YOU are here, Anon 12:30.

It's okay. You don't have to admit the action and excitement here at Bernie's is unmatched by any other blogsite in the Lehigh Valley ... because the blind man down the street already called out your naked jealousy so your own admission would just be redundant.

Maybe, though, you can get a date with a Cheerleader by being that NIZ Hero.

All the world loves a lover, so ... Good Luck!

THE THODE-GEETING NIZ IS TOO BIG TO FAIL?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Bill White and newspapers in general are guardians of our democracy. They have an obligation to speak out against government intrusions into our free speech rights, as has happened with what Pawlowski is attempting. Writing about American Idol or "What Is It?" should pale by comparison.

In fact, as someone has suggested to me, he should be sent a copy of the Bill of Rights and use it in his next "What Is It?" blog.

As for having too much time on my hands, I will make time for the First Amendment when I see it assaulted. I would think a newsman would be even more concerned.

Instead, in addition to a picture designed to portray Atiyeh as a bumbling fool, White fishes for ideas about how to taunt him even more.

So much for defending the First Amendment.

Anonymous said...

Were is the rabbit that palumpashitsky and his court jesters allowed stongarmed robbery of insurance proceeds than had senator brown give him an award? This for guick insurance payoffs were pay to play in palumpaville took place. Than there is the biggy six and I repeat six muders were covered up because $$$$$$$$$$

Anonymous said...

As of 1:05 56 comments

Redmeat88: 13 Comments
(The Avatar is says; "Doing my part to piss off the heath left")
Allentoian: 8 Comments
JediMasterMatt: 2 Comments
Staberdearth: 4 Comments
David1206: 5 Comments
(The Avatar is Pro Romney)

820,000 plus in the Lehigh Valley and with 56 Comments on the Morning Call, and with 4 posters making up more than the majority of the comments you make the assumption that is a true reflection on how the area views the lawsuit? Stop your fear mongering.

Anonymous said...

The real problem here is that the Morning Call is not nearly as good at the silly pics as you are Bernie. I live for your face-in-hole pics of King Edwin, and the Steve Barron kilt stuff.

That's good work. The Morning all is a pale imitation of you.

And besides, whether the guy filing suit against the NIZ is wearing a stupid hat, a purple thong and nipple clips, or a bee keeper's outfit.......the public still knows when something smells bad.

Anonymous said...

I knew a guy a few years back who actually had a medical card stating that he was not insane or crazy.

Can we prove without one that we are?

Anonymous said...

Big Government should not be in the risky business of financing magnificent $ 160.0 million dollar Palaces of Sport.

MORE PROFESSIONAL PROPAGANDA ALLOWS FOR BETTER POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS

Anonymous said...

Frankly, I prefer the Express-Times coverage of Allentown over the morning call anymore these days. Their Allentown reporter is also writing about crime and the schools and all sorts of other things all the time and I still like their stories better. Plus it's free.

Anonymous said...

How much does the Morning Call stand to make with the NIZ? Do they profit from the arena being built? Will their property values rise due to their proximity to the arena? The press used to be a watchdog. Now they are the cheerleader. And does the Morning Call really believe that the fraud, corruption, back room dealing, taxpayer hood winking etc. not merit an investigation or do they not care about the illegality of the NIZ because the ends justify the means?

Anonymous said...

You are what others see. The picture is more than fair to
Abe. Same goes for you O'Hare.

Dorian Grey

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Anon 149pm, according to the Express Times the Palace of Sport is now $174MM.

Anonymous said...

What's the problem with a hat made out of wood?

It's pretty cool and also shows off some keen woodshop skills.

Joann and Dean from Hometime would kill for that.

Anonymous said...

So this blog is suddenly an Atiyeh advocate when their mutual enemy is the mayor of Allentown? So predictable and petty.

Anonymous said...

Here is the state of this blog (sure to be deleted):

- Pathetic posts like 2:59 are allowed to remain.
- Posts with opposing views are completely deleted without trace.
- Inexplicably, the blog author choose to delete some posts but indicates when he does so with a label.

So any opposing point that the author cannot counter simply gets deleted without a label or trace.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:33 :

Please file all complaints with respect to the alleged censorship by Bernie O'Hare at his blog with well-respected "Independent" blogger JON GEETING ... he likes to think of himself as some kind of Moral Authority, anyway.

Did you know that What-Am-I-Gettings-From-Big-Government? censors his blog, too?

How do I know?

Because I have been banned ever since the Anthony Weiner Fiasco.

Got something to say and want to be guaranteed to be able to say it uninterrupted?

Then start your own blog --- that is my sincerest advice.

Regards,

FELDMARSCHALL GEBHARD VON BLUECHER

Anonymous said...

Who is Bill White?

Scott Armstrong

Anonymous said...

Isn't he the guy who does hard hitting stories about how much greasy crap he can eat before shitting his pants at Musikfest? He carries a lot of water for that debacle and the rich guy who likely views him as an unkempt little lap dog. He's not a serious journalist and thinks the First Amendment is thou shalt not kill.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Funny how politics makes strange bedfellows. BOH for years you have been slamming Atiyeh for his myriad of development schemes. Now that he is a "victim" of the NIZ soap opera he's your best buddy. Even stranger is King Edwin stabbing his former campaign bankroller, after Atiyeh left the reservation and attacked the NIZ. There are more drama queens in this than there are on an episode of "Glee." And Bernie YOU are the "King of Queens."

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am not on my blog 24/7 and i can see i have some comments to delete.

Bernie O'Hare said...

6:34, differing with Atiyeh on some issues, as I do, is no reason to slam him for everything he does.

Anonymous said...

You don't give a damn about the first amendment O'Hare, as evidenced by your "blog". Why slam a columnist? He isn't doing straight reporting, that's why he is a "columnist".

I agree with the others. You are the proverbial dude in the glasshouse tossing boulders.

Clean up your own act.

Bernie O'Hare said...

8:25,

A columnist at The Morning Call, which no longer runs editorials, is a guardian of our democratic form of government, especially when it comes to local government. Bill often does that well, but not in this instance.

The mayor of Pa.'s third largest city filed a $150 million suit against a person who questions the constitutionality of a statute, and who is seeking redress in the appropriate venue. Pawlowski's action was designed, not just to chill Atiyeh's First Amendment rights, but those of other developers. He also is trying, and apparently failing, to dissuade other municipalities from questioning the theft of their EIT.

This is more than bullying, but amounts to an outright deprivation of civil rights.

The MC had a great story, but editors chose to insert a photo of Abe designed to make him look like a fool.

Rather than serving as a guardian of the First Amendment, the paper ridiculed someone for exercising it.

The juxtaposition of that picture, with that story, also violated ethical standards of fairness and impartiality.

Instead of standing ip for the First Amendment or just fair journalism, White instead chose to taunt Atiyeh even more.

Finally, your comments are obviously the result of your disdain for me, not your admiration of Bill White.

Bill Coker said...

Well said, Bernie.

I generaly enjoy Bill White but think he's over the line on this. Molovinsky raised a good point on the area when he asked why only two people are really making out....Reilly and Butz.

Apparently no one in Allentown knows the actual cost of the project or the cost to surrounding municipalities, just that the surrounding areas will pay for it.

Anonymous said...

Bill White is a much more knowledgeable and legitimate judge of fairness and impartiality, than you.

You try and stomp on peoples rights all the time. You censor and delete, while inviting "discussion". You file meaningless lawsuits to intimidate and harass.

You hate Pawlowski and since Abe is now a Stoffa buddy and against the NIZ, he is a new O'Hare buddy.

You are pathetic. You couldn't hold Bill White's jock strap.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Go take your "drug cocktail," Tricia.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Bernie O'Hare said...

Dude, don't get me in trouble.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone want to hold Bill White's jockstrap?

Doc Rock said...

If you've read White's columns and blogs, are you sure he needs a jockstrap?

Anonymous said...

The MC is a useless rag.
In the NIZ.
bankrupt.
Lap dog to Pulpudski.
expecting to be paid and lauded for reporting pseudo-news.

Anonymous said...

6:34, differing with Atiyeh on some issues, as I do, is no reason to slam him for everything he does.


That seems to be the MO when it comes to the mayors of our two main cities. {shrug}

ironpigpen said...

Excellent question with respect to the jock, DOC ...

... I think you, however, that you already know the correct answer.

Personally, I find Bill White to be little more than a poster boy for the Lame Stream Media, a stenographer for the local Progressive Liberal Democrat Party.

Soon, one will see Bill White do his bit for the DNC and start cranking out articles about how much of a smashing success the first term of 0-bama was ...

ROLF OELER impersonating ROLF OELER IMPERSONATOR

Anonymous said...

I know it wasn't the meat of the story, but I personally love the pictures you put up with your articles Bernie.

Anonymous said...

"Man in wooden hat should not have feet of clay."

author unknown

Doc Rock said...

Rolf said,

"Personally, I find Bill White to be little more than a poster boy for the Lame Stream Media, a stenographer for the local Progressive Liberal Democrat Party."

When his Dave Barry wannabe strategy crashed and burned, he tried being a commentator on "hard news."

For as lame as the Dave Barry impression was, his "hard news" commentaries are in the same league as Jon Geeting and Michael Donovan. That league is the sub-minors. Junior hockey players are probably more politically astute.

Anonymous said...

"Man in wooden hat should not kick termite nest"

author unknown

Anonymous said...

Anyone that knows alentows history with the moronic gag obtaining one square city block knows that they have been part of the corrupt politcal machine that runs allentown. Now owned by a chicogo based firm, and can anyone say Pennsylvania Resteraunt burnt to the ground. The gag has one intrest and that is manipulating the readers that what they publish is truth.

From a small child I was a daily reader, now the throwing the free papers on my porch offends me and also adds to the garbage in the streets

Anonymous said...

"Man in wooden hat must beware the peckers"

author unknown

Anonymous said...

What are u afraid of palumpas lap dancin office lady at least ms poolie new that her job discrption. Not like hailstone backin dat a$$ against the doornob and rub.very low standards let alone any ethics moral or otherwise

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:55, English as a second language?