Tom Finch – 4/30/06

This page was last updated on April 30, 2006.

Telling lies; Tom Finch; Beaver County Times; April 30, 2006.

Mr. Finch’s letters never disappoint. I wish he could get a regular column in the Times.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“On successive days last week, I was subjected to conservative propaganda from letter writers Joe Kaldon, Jr. and Bob Wakefield, respectively, lambasting Democrats and bemoaning that the mainstream media are biased; and stating that ‘conservative talk radio is the force that it is, because people were starving for substance.’

“Conservative Republicans have learned that if you tell people what they want to hear - even if it’s a lie - they’ll keep electing you. The present corrupt, right-wing, power structure controls the alleged biased media. They are masters of lies, misinformation, half-truths, intimidation, pay-offs and any means necessary to keep the money flowing in, and the public deluded.”

[RWC] Mr. Finch and Mr. David Matthews both live in Center Township and both believe there’s no liberal bias in the media. If they live in the same area, I wonder if there’s something in the water? <g> I live in Center and my water is OK.

“Anyone who regards the work of Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Fox News, etc. as ‘having substance’ has lost the ability to even recognize the truth. You might as well watch Comedy Central’s parody, ‘The Colbert Report’ and accept it as ‘Republican Gospel.’”

[RWC] I hate to break it to Mr. Finch, but Karl Rove doesn’t work for the media. Regarding “The Colbert Report,” the Times holds it up as a good example of reporting so it’s hard for me to see how the show can be considered “Republican Gospel,” unless you believe the Times has a Republican tilt.

“Republicans profess that all ‘Democrats equals abortions,’ but in the 18 out of the last 26 years they’ve been in power, how many aborted babies were saved by electing them? Nine.”

[RWC] Where have Republicans been in power for the last 26 years? It’s not Pennsylvania and it’s not at the federal level.

Where did the nine saved babies come from?

“They just tell lies to get the single-issue, (pro-life, pro-gun, etc.) voter to support them, then its business as usual - an administration with a sense of entitlement that caters to war-profiteering, big oil, selfishness, secrecy, disrespect of civil liberties and tolerates gold-collar criminals like Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, and Cheney’s ties to Halliburton. Are those ‘stupid issues?’”

[RWC] What are the lies, Mr. Finch? If you’re going to make accusations, you should be willing to provide details and credible supporting evidence.

I hate to break the news to Mr. Finch, but a Republican administration prosecuted Jack Abramoff, and Mr. Abramoff gave a lot of money to both Democrats and Republicans. How is prosecution and conviction an example of tolerance for criminals?

The rest of the paragraph is just ranting.

“Democrats need to promote their old philosophy of civic republicanism - citizens sacrificing for, and participating in, the creation of a common good - which will improve our country for everyone, not just the special interests who can afford to pay for it.”

[RWC] Using Mr. Finch’s definition of “citizens sacrificing for, and participating in, the creation of a common good,” so-called “civic republicanism” sure sounds a lot like liberalism. I’m likely displaying my ignorance, but is “civic republicanism” the new term for liberalism/progressivism/socialism/et cetera?