School Raps McCain For Using Image As Speech Backdrop Without Permission
Okay, the McCain-Walter Reed Middle School backdrop debacle is getting weirder by the second. Now the principal of the school is hammering McCain for using footage of the school during his convention speech without seeking the school's permission.
Here's the statement from Donna Tobin, the principal...
"It has been brought to the school's attention that a picture of the front of our school, Walter Reed Middle School, was used as a backdrop at the Republican National Convention. Permission to use the front of our school for the Republican National Convention was not given by our school nor is the use of our school's picture an endorsement of any political party or view."
One other interesting development: The California Democratic Party is actually holding a press conference in front of the school within minutes, where Dems will hit McCain for not knowing the difference between the school and Walter Reed Medical Center, which is believed to be the backdrop the McCain campaign really wanted.
Though multiple news organizations are asking for clarification, the McCain campaign is still refusing to comment on questions about whether it had hoped to use the medical center as a backdrop and accidentally used the school instead. Hard to blame them...
Late update: Shortly after posting this, we got an email from Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Tamar Galatzan who represents Walter Reed as part of her district. She had her own thoughts on McCain's use of the middle school:
"Though I am flattered that Senator McCain chose to use a school from my district as backdrop to his remarks at the Republican National Convention, I wished he had checked with me first. As a strong believer in public education, I don't think the Senator is the most appropriate person to showcase one of the premier schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He is unwilling to bring fairness and equity to No Child Left Behind and ensure that schools like Reed get the resources they need from the Federal Government. From what I've heard, that's not a priority for the McCain/Palin ticket."
Yip yip we nailed him!
Now let's roll out Trooper Gate and what that bomb explode in our pretty faces!
September 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Umm, the only pretty face that particular bomb is going to explode in is Palin's.
Watch the ABC report. She completely contradicted herself. On video. She clearly lied to someone.
September 5, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't matter.
Democratic Senator, who is heading the investigation, said this: "it's a huge mistake by McCain and "reflects very, very badly on his judgment"
And then he said this: ""It's likely to be damaging to the Governor's administration," said Senator Hollis French"
He will be branded a Democrat Ken Starr in the election year, the investigation will be interpreted as political vendetta against the reformist governor, Todd Palin will go on "Today's Show" and call it VAST LEFTWING CONSPIRACY and women and independents will RUN to the polls.
TrooperGate closed.
September 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, no! You mean they might fight back?
We better back off, then.
September 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bet they count on you NOT backing off, because they know you didn't learn anything from the bomb also known as The Vetting of Sarah Palin.
September 5, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny. I thought it was the press, not the Dems, who vetted Sarah Palin. Do you mean that voters are going to vote en masse for the person under investigation for wrongdoing and abuse of power just to get back at the press for reporting on it?
These scandals always work out so well for the person caught up in the scandal. I guess we should run John Edwards now since, according to you, voters would overwhelmingly support him because of his sex scandal. Worked out great for Gary Hart and Kwame Kilpatrick and Dan Rostenkowski and Bob Ney and Duke Cunningham.
September 5, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you really that stupid or are you just praying that's how things turn out? Either way, it's pretty lame.
And, FYI, in the middle of the Ken Starr investigation, Bill Clinton couldn't have gotten elected trash collector. It took more than a year for the public to view him as a victim of an unfair attack orchestrated by his political opponents. Palin doesn't have a year. Add to that the fact, that she's been caught in at least 10 lies about her governing background and has a reptuation for firing people. This won't be seen as piling on.
September 5, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see you've never met Lalo, our Concern-Troll-in-Residence before.
September 5, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
How dare you play that race card against the good troll people? Just because we don't look like all the other presidents on one dollar bills?
September 5, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would rather be called a concern troll than a blind worshipper.
September 5, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
There a difference?
September 5, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why are you trolling then?
September 5, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, you are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, your are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, you are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was describing, not proscribing, Lalo.
September 5, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ken Starr helped to improve Clinton's approval ratings. Revisionism isn't fact.
September 5, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I asked before. Can you please get me a source for this quote.
September 5, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I asked before. Can you please get me a source for this quote.
September 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Andrew Sullivan, the Friend of democrats:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/alaskans-are-in.html
ABC News, the insulted media:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5734511&page=1
September 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're taking the 'insulted media' bit a little too lightly, Lalo.
What's the old saying? 'Never get in a fight with people who by ink by the barrel?'
McCain's Boys might think they have a winner in running against the media, but I think Republicans have gone to that well too many times.
I don't think they're in much of a mood to be John McCain's whipping post this year.
September 5, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, the media won't lay down like they did before the lead up to the Iraq "War." They will hit hard - very hard - this time.
September 5, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
ABC is not exactly a unbiased source. They are barely one step above Faux News for pete's sake.
September 5, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The future has not yet been written.
Nothing Sarah Palin does or says will wave any magic wand and cause Obama's ground and money machine to evaoperate. Obama outraised McCain 8:1 over the convention.
Nor will nothing Sarah Palin says or does replicate Obama's machines for John McCain. Obama's offices have been around so long, they are now parts of their community. There simply isn't time left.
This is the People's election, not Sarah Palin.
And her hiding from the press flies in the face of an open society and open press. If she is not ready, that is for us to decide, not her.
September 5, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not 8:1 over the course of the convention... $8MM vs. $1MM during the ~24 hours after Palin's speech. The Repub. donors who would have given $$ post-Palin speech, already for the most part had done so just a few days earlier, when her pick was first announced. I remember reading that the GOP raked in $10MM in the day or so after her roll-out.
Palin will help McCain with fundraising, big time. But yes, she is mobilizing Dem. donors too.
September 5, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would love to see Todd Palin on the Today show, perhaps Matt can ask him about his registration in the AIP (America First?) While we are at it, any idea when Gov. Palin will be taking any standard interviews? Meet the Press seems a logical choice since all the candidates do appear there or will she just stay on script until the debate, hope not to be too obviously discredited and then do staged events until election day... If she answers policy questions only at the debate, does not appear on serious news shows or town hall meetings open to questions from the public I will consider her unqualified on the grounds of insufficient information...
September 5, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're dreaming.
Palin's on video walking back her claims of innocence. Strike 1.
Palin looks to have taken the revenge route with everyone from librarians to her own aides. Strike 2.
Palin won't talk to the media to straighten any of this out. If they don't do some damage control on this, and fast, the media will fill in the blanks for them.
Oh, and McCain's Boys have all but locked out the media. The media is not going out of its way to mask their annoyance with this. Strike 3.
But hey - keep on hoping that everything will end in a nice tidy little ending for the Moose Dresser. I'll watch.
September 5, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I told everyone who would listen that Sarah Vetting would blow up. I was right.
But hey we can try this again. I'm not running, so...
September 5, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry. Where is it blowing up?
September 5, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everywhere.
It will get worse for Palin as every news agency in the world heads to Alaska and starts talking to people up there. The Truth Will Out this time around. She is a nothing, she's just a product of GOPAC.
And that's not even counting tabloids who don't mind spending quite a big chunk of change to get exclusive stories.
September 5, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you misunderstood Lalo's point: As our resident concern troll, Lalo has been lecturing us that vetting Governor Palin is counterproductive because it will "blow up" and cause a massive backlash against all of us powerful commenters here at TPMEC and against the MSM. In short, it will be our fault that Obama loses. I was trying to point out, that I hadn't seen any "blowing up" going on. On the contrary, I've been seeing several of these stories hitting the MSM: troopergate on Nightline, Ebay-gate on MSNBC, etc.
September 5, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
eBay-gate? I missed that one!
September 6, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's blowing up so much that the campaign is locking her away from the press for at least a month.
Yeah, that'll really instill confidence in the voting public. They'll rush out to vote for a veep who's afraid of the press because they're "mean." The entire country will be convinced she's tough enough to stand up to Russia and Iran.
Yeah, Sarah Vetting is really blowing up . . . for Sarah!
September 5, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's funny when they think of Ken Starr as Bad.
September 5, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
"TrooperGate closed."
Even if that becomes true, which it will not, the State Trooper Union has also filed a formal complaint against soon to be ex-Governor Palin.
CFMA!!
September 5, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they did that yesterday.
September 5, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is a LIAR and HYPOCRITE. Her "Record" is full of transgressions and falsehoods THAT"S what will sink her.
September 5, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quit bogarting that joint, man and pass it on! I wanna taste of what yer smokin!
September 5, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't matter because...
POW!!
September 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
The school is a bunch of whiners. It's a public building, photographed from a public place. The principal has no right over how the image is used. Typical Hollywood attitude, the type who think copyright laws give them permission far beyond what is legally or morally acceptable.
September 5, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the Democrats had made the same mistake, you and your type would have been shrieking hysterically that it was proof that Democrats don't support our troops.
So how about you enjoy a nice, hot cup of Shut The Fuck Up and take your lumps.
In fact, make it a double.
September 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're a laugh riot! I'm a liberal Democrat who strongly believes in causes like Creative Commons, and think it's ridiculous when corporations & public institutions try to claim ownership over photographs of their property. The Hollywood sneer is apt, because Howard Berman is one of the leading proponents of a permission-based copyright regime, where every use of any copyrighted media must be paid for.
It's a public building. The photo was taken from a public street. The only person who has standing to complain is the photographer.
September 5, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The principal said nothing about it being actionable. He said,
Which is not only not whining, it's absolutely what the principal of a public school should say, since they do not and must not push one political party over the other.
This isn't about intellectual property and its fair or unfair use at all. It's about a public school being put into an untenable position by McCain's clueless staffers.
September 5, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fair enough.
September 5, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll add in my defense that the TPM headline & description are a bit over-the-top for what is a very neutral statement by the school, and that colored my perception of the statement when reading it.
Now the principal of the school is hammering McCain for using footage of the school during his convention speech without seeking the school's permission.
September 5, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely, it's the silly season.
September 5, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll add in my defense that the TPM headline & description are a bit over-the-top for what is a very neutral statement by the school, and that colored my perception of the statement when reading it.
And you are absolutely right! There is a lot of that going on. The blog headers, like here at TPM and RAWStory are beginning to screech a bit ... tabloiding up. Pity, that's so FOX/Republican.
September 5, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
That principal is just getting (what is no doubt long overdue) some nice publicity for his school.
It's really funny that they not only scrued up by putting the pic of Walter Reed Middle school instead of the hospitol that Bush farked up, but they picked a school run by an apparent Democrat!!
How do I know that? The school is in CA which will go about 99% for the good guys this year!
The incompetency of the McBush campaign rivals only the likely incompetency of a McBush Administration, although he would really have to work at it to meet the bar set by the current administration.
CFMA!!
September 5, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Her" school.
And Go! Howard Berman. He's as fine a local rep as they come. He does have a gazillion angles for revenue but they are legit as a rule and involve no bridges to the residents of Lake Hollywood or anything.
September 6, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Legal standing? Likely not.
Moral standing? Of course.
The image of the school, albeit in error, was appropriated for political purposes. I think they are well within their moral rights to question this misappropriation and to demand an explanation for the use of image.
If in error, the campaign should admit it and apologize. End of story. But these campaign managers are of the repugnant Republican ilk who think any admission of error is a base humiliation. This tiny blip shows, yet again, the total lack of character of these operatives.
September 5, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're a liberal Democrat, my ass. You're a poor point-mongering McCain lover with a poor grasp of debate and an even poorer sense of self.
In case you haven't bookmarked it, it's: www.foxnews.com, a-hole. Post your garbage there.
September 6, 2008 1:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Honestly, you're covering for your village idiot's minions who didn't know the fucking difference between a request for an image of Walter Reed medical center and Walter Reed middle school?
Typical "don't look at the man behind the curtain" misdirection. Your idiot is running a campaign of idiots and this is exhibit 1,427 of why this man not only SHOULDN'T be elected leader of the entire free world, but that he shouldn't be allowed to drive a fucking car.
September 6, 2008 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
"hot cup of shut the fuck up" that is funny!!!
September 5, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
"So how about you enjoy a nice, hot cup of Shut The Fuck Up"
I can't wait to use this line. I think I'll get it on a t-shirt.
Quality stuff. Love it.
September 5, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here you go.
September 6, 2008 6:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you knew anything about Los Angeles, you would know North Holloywood is really not anywhere near "Hollywood." It's located in the San Fernando Valley, and were you to drive down its streets, you would think you were in a midwest suburb. It has as much in common with "Hollywood" as Jackson, Michigan.
And, of course, no movies are made in "Hollywood" and haven't for a long time.
Do try to grow up. You have 60 days remaining.
September 5, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, but the attitude is pervasive throughout greater Los Angeles, as "Hollywood" is one of the big employers in the area, and probably the biggest industry source of financial contributions to politician in both parties. The permission-based copyright philosophy is pervasive among area politicians.
September 5, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooh, ooh! My Howard Berman comment was perfect, because he does represent North Hollywood!
September 5, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Berman's top contributors is full of entertainment industry titans.
September 5, 2008 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think anyone knows yet where the footage came from. If the copyright holder (usually the photographer or the stock footage agency) didn't license this particular public use in front of a crowd of thousands and broadcast to an audience of millions, then that would be a serious copyright violation.
But the RNC wouldn't be THAT stupid, would they?
September 5, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Personal pictures are one thing, but using a picture of a building for a commercial purpose without the consent of the owner is thief of intellectual property. But you would need an IQ above 80 to understand the concept.
September 5, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn Hollywood teachers! Just a bunch of $45,000/year celebrities!
September 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
what would this be called, waltergate, reedgate, schoolgate...we need a real name for this
Chris Matthews vs. Pat Buchanan
September 5, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Walter Reed-gate
September 5, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"hot cup of shut the fuck up" that is funny!!!
And from the Wash.post according to their info....That jet was not sold on Ebay but to a contributor to her campaign. So yet again another lie being told.
September 5, 2008 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
we can call it LimeGreenGate.
September 5, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have any of you heard what Palin said when she found out Obama beat Hillary?
http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/05/alaskans-speak-in-a-frightened-whisper-palin-is-%e2%80%9cracist-sexist-vindictive-and-mean%e2%80%9d/
September 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have any of you heard what Palin said when she found out Obama beat Hillary?
http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/05/alaskans-speak-in-a-frightened-whisper-palin-is-%e2%80%9cracist-sexist-vindictive-and-mean%e2%80%9d/
September 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You cant write shit like that unless it is absolutely positively true. If it is then you use the person's full name. You get some corroboration. She'd be done in 5 seconds flat.Crash.boom.bang.
I don't believe it for a second.
September 5, 2008 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll second that thought.
September 5, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's getting more like Bush by the minute.
September 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too funny. I think its better that the school brings this up.
What a boneheaded mistake to make. And it brought back the green, too!
Heckuva job, Johnnie!
September 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Real clear public relations staff that McCain & Co. has employed.
September 5, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
What morons..
September 5, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be morans.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-moran.htm
September 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I blame them. Easy!
September 5, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those chumps don't ask for permission to use anything, do they?
Mellencamp, Springsteen, Wayne's World, Frankie Valli, Fox News, Van Halen, Heart, Jackson Browne, and now Walter Reed Middle School have all had images, film or video footage, or audio used without their permission.
The attitude of Republican entitlement just gets more and more nauseating every day.
September 5, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only musician who I can think of who would support McCain is perhaps gun nut Ted Nugent, and how many times could we hear "Cat Scratch Fever" before we got tired of it, plus it would remind people of how many times McCain had to scratch that itch while already married.
But you know, I've always thought that there are some Thug Rappers who might be Republicans because of their shared hatred of Judges and their feeling that laws shouldn't apply to certain people (best selling musicians or Republican office holders, take your pick).
September 5, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only musician who I can think of who would support McCain is perhaps gun nut Ted Nugent, and how many times could we hear "Cat Scratch Fever" before we got tired of it, plus it would remind people of how many times McCain had to scratch that itch while already married.
But you know, I've always thought that there are some Thug Rappers who might be Republicans because of their shared hatred of Judges and their feeling that laws shouldn't apply to certain people (best selling musicians or Republican office holders, take your pick).
September 5, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=955Y3NJTRIE
September 5, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I'm not gonna give 'em hell. I'm gonna tell 'em the truth and they're gonna think it's hell!"
September 5, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hell Yeah!
September 5, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
thank you, that's awesome!
September 5, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is what ABC News has so far on Sarah Plain's investigation. Its not looking good for her.
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2224950/33128112
September 5, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
It looks even worse for democrats
September 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Explain how
September 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes Lalo, please explain your CONCERN CONCERN CONCERN.
We need to waste more seconds of our lives reading your troll BS.
September 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR SARAH PALIN!!!
September 5, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Other than rampant worry, you have yet to make a rational case for this statement.
September 5, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see a "POW POW POW" coming.
September 5, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"For 5 1/2 years, John McCain never even saw a school, let alone appropriate the image of one without asking permission first!"
September 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Curious...given the appalling conditions at Walter Reed Hospital under the republicans why on earth would the McCain people want to show it in the first place (if they had been lucky enough to put the correct image up)?
September 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Curious...given the appalling conditions at Walter Reed Hospital under the republicans why on earth would the McCain people want to show it in the first place (if they had been lucky enough to put the correct image up)?
September 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCainAideHasLameGoogleSkillsGate?
September 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope an attack ad comes out of this and plays in the Virginia market. Times like these, one wishes for a bit of creative skill -- I'd love to make such a video myself. Also, as long as I am fantasizing about campaign ads, I wish we'd start seeing some ads with hard numbers:
federal deficit in 2001
federal deficit in 2008
amount spent in/on Iraq war per month
amount left in highway trust fund: very little
[repeat]
federal deficit in 2008
September 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
A.B. Stoddard on MSNBC makes it pretty clear that Sarah Palin cannot dodge the press. Too many people - esp indepdendents - have too many questions.
WHERE IS SARAH PALIN?
How can a major candidate who is unknown to the country flip her middle finger at the press in a substanceless speech and then disappear? Has the press degenerated into THIS level of wussiness?
Ratings income for this Sunday's news shows is down the shitter because Sarah Palin does not believe she is "ready."
We do not have the time for her to "get ready."
Ask it from the rooftops: WHERE IS SARAH PALIN?
September 5, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
And WHO IS SARAH PALIN? How can we know who she is and whether or not to vote for her if she won't talk to the press which stands in for us - if only they would?
September 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
[did you know you have reply turned off?]
I agree. IF they want to make a point about Mclame's injuries, why didn't they stick with all those pics of him in hospital beds?
Otherwise, it just reminds people that Walter Reed Hosp is a scandal.
September 5, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is also the the fake troops in the RNC video that votevets.org pointed out...
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1843
September 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
So to make an ad based on the reader suggestion that Josh posted on the front page -- that the campaign treats vets as props -- the ad could use both the Walter Reed case and your example. These ads write themselves; I wish someone would make them!
September 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
how come matt santos can use it, but john mccain cant?
liberal, east coast elitists!
September 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
how come matt santos can use it, but john mccain cant?
liberal, east coast elitists!
September 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
freaktown,
The point is not about not being able to use it or its leagality.
Its the incompetence of McCain/RNC that it shows. They appear clueless about what Walter Reed Medical center looks like or were not bothered to check. Incompetence all the way.
September 5, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh it makes me feel safe...
Code pink uses borrowed credentials and gets on the convention floor... (and the GOP cares about its delagates ... the rest of the USA -- not so much).
The GOP can't tell Walter Reed Army Hospital from a middle school. (Republican investigative skills at their best)
Next thing you know they will be increasing security around the pentagram or Palin willbe applying for work in teh best little warehouse in texas. :)
September 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it's the madrassa that McCain went to as a child.
September 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Locate foot at end of leg.
Aim.
Fire.
POW POW POW
Ouch!
September 5, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
These people are clueless.
It's hit the point where I'm starting to feel bad for them.
They put their guy in front of a picture of a middle school. And now the middle school is protesting!
US Weekly is trumpeting "babies, lies, and scandal."
And Americans are just beginning to get a grasp on troopergate.
Meanwhile, they're seriously arguing that their VP pick shouldn't have to answer any questions from reporters.
I don't think they're actually trying to win the election anymore. They're just hoping to arrange a soft landing.
September 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yo...I live less than 5 miles from the "public School" in No. Hollywood!
It is a public school - paid with public tax dollars... so why is the principal making this statement? The LAUSD media department should be doing this. So, all calls should be routed to LAUSD headquarters in Los Angeles
http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/page?_pageid=33,47493&_dad=ptl&_schema=PTL_EP
September 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's your point? So it's a public school. The tax dollars that paid for it are local - property.
So what's your point?
September 5, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you really that stupid or are you just praying that's how things turn out? Either way, it's pretty lame.
And, FYI, in the middle of the Ken Starr investigation, Bill Clinton couldn't have gotten elected trash collector. It took more than a year for the public to view him as a victim of an unfair attack orchestrated by his political opponents. Palin doesn't have a year. Add to that the fact, that she's been caught in at least 10 lies about her governing background and has a reptuation for firing people. This won't be seen as piling on.
September 5, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shit, pile on! Why not? They're hiding her from the press.
Seems to me that if someone won't talk to the press, then any and all questions are perfectly justified.
September 5, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your history is wrong. Clinton remained very popular during Lewinsky period - above 50% the entire time. The GOP tried to impeach him because they could.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php
September 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Original Photo of Walter Reed... $xyz
Annual Budget of Walter Reed Middle School $X,...
Annual Budget of Water Reed Medical Center $Y,...
Having a hack in charge of your backdrop pictures during a national convention? Priceless.
September 5, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Er, if the principal is against the school being used as a prop, against the appearance of giving an endorsement, then why is he allowing the Dem. press conference?
Or will he be denouncing (and rejecting) that as well?
September 5, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Errrrrrrrr. Ever hear of a thing called "equal time"
September 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Er oops, principal = "she" ....
September 5, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my duties as Onion in Absentia ( with no actual association to that fine group ) I offer this fictional news release
The School picture mistake reveals one answer to the enduring mystery of last years GI patient care / negligence scandal...
Walter Reed Secondary School has an outstanding modern Prosthetics Limb Laboratory and absolutely no wait times for surgery and after care. Administration of the School were reported as saying " We don't know why all these excellent medical supplies keep arriving here , our students never even get to use any of them , it's a high school . We've told Washington repeatedly " We're not a Hospital for injured soldiers " but they keep sending us equipment..."
Meanwhile , Walter Reed Health Centre continues to be plagued by out of date equipment and crippling backlog.
After the last 8 years, I'm prepared to believe even this .
September 5, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my duties as Onion in Absentia ( with no actual association to that fine group ) I offer this fictional news release
The School picture mistake reveals one answer to the enduring mystery of last years GI patient care / negligence scandal...
Walter Reed Secondary School has an outstanding modern Prosthetics Limb Laboratory and absolutely no wait times for surgery and after care. Administration of the School were reported as saying " We don't know why all these excellent medical supplies keep arriving here , our students never even get to use any of them , it's a high school . We've told Washington repeatedly " We're not a Hospital for injured soldiers " but they keep sending us equipment..."
Meanwhile , Walter Reed Health Centre continues to be plagued by out of date equipment and crippling backlog.
After the last 8 years, I'm prepared to believe even this .
September 5, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
we've got 'em on the ropes now!
September 5, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does the McCain camp have any fucking regard to copyright law?
Just using songs, pictures, army funeral actors, 911, etc. They use them for their own gain.
Just goes to show the true character they have. If they are willing to cheat on that, cheat on their wives, lie to get gain in the past, what are they going to do in the future? Oh yeah, they are gonna change. Right. When have you ever taught and old dog new tricks?
That's like marrying someone trying to change who they are. Not gonna work. What they do now, they will do in the future. Stonewall, cheat, bumble, lie to get gain, etc.
My friends, that's not change we can believe in!
September 5, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my duties as Onion in Absentia ( with no actual association to that fine group ) I offer this fictional news release
The School picture mistake reveals one answer to the enduring mystery of last years GI patient care / negligence scandal...
Walter Reed Secondary School has an outstanding modern Prosthetics Limb Laboratory and absolutely no wait times for surgery and after care. Administration of the School were reported as saying " We don't know why all these excellent medical supplies keep arriving here , our students never even get to use any of them , it's a high school . We've told Washington repeatedly " We're not a Hospital for injured soldiers " but they keep sending us equipment..."
Meanwhile , Walter Reed Health Centre continues to be plagued by out of date equipment and crippling backlog.
After the last 8 years, I'm prepared to believe even this .
September 5, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain campaign actually got lucky on this backdrop snafu. Originally, there was a spelling error in the Google image search, and the minimum-waged, teen-aged technician loaded in an image of a Walter Reade Movie theater. After his supervisor discovered the spelling mistake a few minutes before the speech, they had to do a fast search on "Walter Reed M...", and unfortunately came up with the middle school picture.
It's all coming out in the next issue of Geeks Enquirer.
September 5, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fundamentally, it's about Competence, Stupid!
The McCain Campaign was not even competent enough to use the correct photograph during their shameless attempt to fake an image of supporting our disabled troops. How can we now believe that their competence will miraculously morph upwards should they ever gain full responsibility for caring for these same disabled veterans??
The fact-based community wants to know even if the faith-based community doesn't care about these veterans.
September 5, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember when the campaign released an ad that misspelled McLame's name?
They are scarily incompetent.
September 5, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does the McCain camp have any fucking regard to copyright law?
Just using songs, pictures, army funeral actors, 911, etc. They use them for their own gain.
Just goes to show the true character they have. If they are willing to cheat on that, cheat on their wives, lie to get gain in the past, what are they going to do in the future? Oh yeah, they are gonna change. Right. When have you ever taught and old dog new tricks?
That's like marrying someone trying to change who they are. Not gonna work. What they do now, they will do in the future. Stonewall, cheat, bumble, lie to get gain, etc.
My friends, that's not change we can believe in!
September 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a troll above noted, the school is a public building.
Legally it can be photographed. I think it can be used in the way we saw last night.
But the point the school is making is legit -- they aren't supporting any party, and are rightfully protesting the use of the school's image.
September 5, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I noted above, although the public building itself has no copyright on the image, the person who created the footage and/or the stock agency possesses a copyright. The questions is then:
Did the RNC obtain the necessary license to display the image in a public gathering of thousands and broadcast it to an audience of millions?
Normally, unless the RNC produced the footage themselves (and therefore own the copyright themselves), a very hefty reproduction fee could be demanded by the copyright holder.
September 5, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
In fact any building can be photographed, if you can get a shot from a public place. Any person in a public place can be photographed. You can't forbid people to take your picture any more than you can forbid them to look at you. If you don't like it, stay home.
September 5, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
but, but, but we support the troops -- whatever Walter Reed destination they head toward.
Did we mention our candidate is a P.O.W.?
For five and a half years, he didn't even have a screen to look at a picture of a middle school.
September 5, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny. I thought it was the press, not the Dems, who vetted Sarah Palin. Do you mean that voters are going to vote en masse for the person under investigation for wrongdoing and abuse of power just to get back at the press for reporting on it?
These scandals always work out so well for the person caught up in the scandal. I guess we should run John Edwards now since, according to you, voters would overwhelmingly support him because of his sex scandal. Worked out great for Gary Hart and Kwame Kilpatrick and Dan Rostenkowski and Bob Ney and Duke Cunningham.
September 5, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed. I hear O.J. is now thinking of running for office.
September 5, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the fact that they simply didn't say "it was a canned photo of a school to highlight John's school reforms he was going to speak on during his speech". I mean it's not hard to lie your way out of the situation if some lackey did mix up the "Walter Reeds"...
(now if somebody could get a script of the footage)
September 5, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
pardon the multiple post, godddamn PC!
September 5, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's funny when they think of Ken Starr as Bad.
September 5, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think there is also an issue that the school is in legal hot water, because it receives public funding, if it does participates in a political campaign or promotes a political candidate. It would be the similiar as if a 501(c)3 charity was perceived as promoting a particular candidate.
September 5, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It could have been worse; they could have accidentally used this as a backdrop:
http://yellowfever.lib.virginia.edu/reed/
September 5, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
School to John McCain:
Get off our lawn!!
September 5, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
and how s that relevant to the current scam that is being given: the pitbull scam?
Wake up America, when are you going to demand your justice back, and challenge your liars politicians to be accountable for?
September 5, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
email to my 82yr-old ma:
"oh, mommy, those mean teachers and librarians say i have to pass better legislation and ask permission before i use the wrong image for my national acceptance speech broadcast.
mean, mean, mean! i just won't talk to them--or anybody from the press--until they ask ME nice."
hi. john mccain is making us laugh while scaring the moose poop out of us with his pistol-packin' veep pick. yick! saddle me up a mule, mommy, i'm goin' to war!! dotz (laughing with the hiccups while sneezing...)
September 5, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain doesnt get it
Water Reed Medical Center?
(Screw them vets, whiners!!)
Shia or Sunni? So what they are all terrorist
How many houses? who knows
Is viagra funded by medicare?
Which Georgia was invaded?
(Check Wikipedia no one will ever know)
Who let the dogs out?
(Plain and simple)
September 5, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
In fact any building can be photographed, if you can get a shot from a public place. Any person in a public place can be photographed. You can't forbid people to take your picture any more than you can forbid them to look at you. If you don't like it, stay home.
September 5, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhhhh wrong.
You can be sued if you use someone's photograph for commercial purposes without their permission.
September 5, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to know the old place still looks good and that the administration is willing to stand up for what's right.
Walter Reed (it was called a Junior High then) Class of '66
GOD that's a long time ago :-)
September 5, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to know the old place still looks good and that the administration is willing to stand up for what's right.
Walter Reed (it was called a Junior High then) Class of '66
GOD that's a long time ago :-)
September 5, 2008 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, you are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
This was very appropriate given the educational level of the candidates in question.
September 5, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re Walter Reed
Just say it wasn't a mistake-but the art of deception?
What we saw last night-beautiful building, lush lawn-like a 4 star hotel-looks like the perfect place for rehabilitation.
Who says we are not taking care of vets?.
Those whining Democrats!
No-one at that level makes 'mistakes' of that order
September 5, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
This was very appropriate given the educational level of the candidates in question.
September 5, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, your are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
But you are a worshiper, Lalo, your are a worshiper.
September 5, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
That Alaskan Plane was not sold on Ebay.
A private broker sold it for a commission.
Sarah likes to deceive people, by telling half truths. Then McCain told a crowd that Palin sold the plane on Ebay. A complete lie.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/that-alaskan-jet-was-not-sold.php
Click it on up please.
September 5, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed... where is the cheerleader?
September 5, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed... where is the cheerleader?
September 5, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed... where is the cheerleader?
September 5, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Defeat the cheerleader, save the world.
September 5, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Add this to the stockphotos of African Americans they used at the RNC and the actors portraying a military funeral.
Stay Classy, GOP!
September 5, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Walter Reed Middle School '92 alum here, tremendously happy that my old school has delivered a mild zinger to John McCain.
Ye gods! McCain can't even get a prop photo right! He really hasn't come far from the 894th out of 899, skating by on his family credentials.
September 5, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Vetting, or careful checking, of personnel or of statements made by such people as McCain, Palin or any of the others is not a trait of the McCain campaign. If carefully vetted, or checked, McCain's flip flops would be all too evident and his outright lies would be right up there with Sarah Palin's lies (she was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, and held on to the money for it for unnamed projects; she put that plane on EBay but sold it through a private broker; she raised the sales tax as mayor; she won't testify in TrooperGate when she promised to originally). So don't expect anybody but the press and the opposition to fact-check the McCain Fabrication Machine.
September 6, 2008 12:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Vetting, or careful checking, of personnel or of statements made by such people as McCain, Palin or any of the others is not a trait of the McCain campaign. If carefully vetted, or checked, McCain's flip flops would be all too evident and his outright lies would be right up there with Sarah Palin's lies (she was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, and held on to the money for it for unnamed projects; she put that plane on EBay but sold it through a private broker; she raised the sales tax as mayor; she won't testify in TrooperGate when she promised to originally). So don't expect anybody but the press and the opposition to fact-check the McCain Fabrication Machine.
September 6, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ironic that McLame wanted to use Walter Reed Medical Center as the backdrop considering he voted in May 2006 against an amendment that would provide $20 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care facilities.
September 6, 2008 3:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Josh - Jake Tapper at ABC has started a "Sarah Palin Media Avoidance Watch" - now on Day 8. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/palin-media-a-1.html?cid=129390906#comment-129390906
Maybe TPM should have one too?
Pressure is pressure.
September 6, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I want to know is did anyone else notice that it's not a still shot but a video? And who is the person walking into the school? And did THEY give permission for their likeness to be used?
September 6, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink