Robert Novak’s Bullshit Stirs a Public Response

Conservative pundit Robert Novak said “bullshit” during a live discussion on CNN.

From The Smoking Gun via BuzzFlash:

Cable airwaves (are) not regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. But that didn’t stop about 100 concerned citizens from sending e-mails and letters to the FCC complaining about Novak’s August 4 CNN outburst. While facing off with Democratic strategist James Carville, the 74-year-old Novak responded to one Carville dig with, “Well, I think that’s bullshit, and I hate that.” He then walked off the “Inside Politics” set.

One letter

I am outraged at the behavior of Robert Novak on CNN. During an exchange with James Carville on 8-5-05, Novak objected to a line of questioning, yelled an expletive, and stormed off the stage. If Janet Jackson’s private parts can cause brain damage in children, what will it do to them to see a grown man have a temper tantrum, cursing and leaving in a huff?
Thank you for your time,

Another letter

On the CNN show Inside Politics yesterday, August 4th, Mr. Robert Novak used the “B” word. I was very offended, and my children have been corrupted as a result of hearing him use that word. They are now constantly using the “B” word and I can’t control them anymore. Please see to it that Mr. Novak and CNN are fined the appropriate $500,000 for corrupting the youth of America. Thank you.

The Justice Dept’s Privacy Prosecution

From PC World:

The creator of Loverspy, software to surreptitiously observe individuals’ online activities, has been indicted for allegedly violating U.S. federal computer privacy laws.

If convicted, Carlos Enrique Perez-Melara, could face a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison and fines of up to $8.75 million. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Four individuals who purchased Loverspy to illegally spy on others were also indicted.

“This federal indictment–one of the first in the country to target a manufacturer of “spyware” computer software–is particularly important because of the damage done to people’s privacy by these insidious programs,” John Richter, acting assistant attorney general of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, said in a statement. “Law enforcement must continue to take action against the manufacturers of these programs to protect unsuspecting victims and seek punishment for those responsible for wreaking havoc online.”

If there is one thing the Justice Dept can’t stand, it’s people tracking each others online activities.

Unless they’re the ones doing it.

Then no “probable cause” of a crime is even needed under the Patriot Act.

Former Broward “Diversity” Committee Member Compares Gay Activists to Malaria

Agape Press reports that Steve Kane, the conservative radio host who led the charge against the We Are Family video in Broward County, FL, has stepped down from his position on the school board’s diversity committee. The Miami Herald reported the same story two weeks ago, but never mind.

In the Herald story, Kane referred to gay activists as “devious, devious people.”

In the Agape report, he compares those devious, devious people to malaria.

Kane, a born-again Christian, says his decision to step down from the school district committee was a strategic move. He believes the liberal groups wanted to use his presence on the committee to shut it down.

“I compare these gay activists in the Broward County school system to malaria,” he says. “It’s like they lie dormant in your system for a couple of years; and then, every two or three years they make a big push to try to get in, and at that time you have to beat them back.”

And once again, he says, the activists were unsuccessful. “I mean, they didn’t accomplish anything they wanted to accomplish,” he points out.

The radio host says it is akin to a “chess game” when dealing with homosexual activists. “They were putting a tremendous amount of focus and hatred and vitriol into attacking me, and I knew their real objective was the Diversity Committee,” he explains. “And because I am a born-again Christian, I wasn’t getting that much support when the attack was on me.”

According to Kane, the Anti-Defamation League has become a “front group” for homosexual activists and groups like the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that want the “We Are Family” video in schools.

Agape Press does add one new element to the story: Steve Kane plans to return to the diversity committee this fall.

2004: Year of the Book Ban

From the LA Times:

Attempts to have library books removed from shelves increased by more than 20% in 2004 over the previous year, according to a new survey by the American Library Assn.

Three books with gay themes, including Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” were among the works most criticized.

“It all stems from a fearfulness of well-meaning people,” says Michael Gorman, president of the library association. “We believe in parental responsibility, and that you should take care of what your children are reading. But it’s not your responsibility to tell a whole class of kids what they should read.”

The number of books challenged last year jumped to 547, compared to 458 in 2003, with the library group estimating four to five unreported cases for each one documented. According to the ALA, a challenge is “a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.”

The ALA study was to be released today in anticipation of the 25th annual Banned Books Week, which runs Sept. 24 to Oct. 1 and is co-sponsored by the ALA, the American Booksellers Assn. and others. Gorman acknowledged that few books are actually banned, adding that Banned Books Week is a “catchy name.”

Read the rest.