How many ways can a incident be reported?

What?

Much has been reported, and ignored at the same time, of an incident at the Augusta County Fair last week when a volunteer from the “Democrat” booth made a rude and unacceptable comment. The comment was directed towards Rhonda Winfield who was at a booth supporting the troops and was signing her book about her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer who was killed in action while serving his country in Iraq last year, for fair visitors purchasing the book.

I was in attendance at the time the comment was made when the volunteer from the “Democrat” booth said “Jim Webb is more of an American patriot than this man ever was.” and placed campaign literature for “Democrat” Jim Webb on top of the book that Rhonda was holding…

This story has been told and discussed for the past week or so in the Letter to the Editor section of the NewsVirginian and numerous blogs. The interesting thing is how the story has been reported by the NewsVirginian and comments made by the editor Todd Foster… After the incident I wrote a letter to the editor describing the incident with direct quotes and sources and submitted it to the NewsVirginian. Instead of my letter being printed in the normal format it appeared next to and after a Letter to the Editor from the chairman of the Augusta County Democrat party, Tom Long describing the incident, which he was not present at and providing no direct quotes, sources, or timeline. Foster stated that he did not contact Long but Long’s letter started with: “I am writing only because Mr. Steve Kijak wrote first, attacking Augusta County Democrats. The News Virginian graciously offered an opportunity to respond.” How did Long know of my letter that had not yet been printed? Long’s letter did not provide any direct quotes or sources of information.

I wrote a follow up Letter to the Editor in response to Long’s letter but it could not be published according to Foster due to many other letters from the “Democrats” that were submitted already. http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV%2FMGArticle%2FWNV_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190132416&path=!news!opinions One letter from a “Democrat” has been printed and that letter provides little facts or sources to what happened at the “Democrat” booth. The letter writer was also not present at the time of the comment at the Republican booth so Facts are limited here also… My response letter appeared today in the “Free for All” section of the NewsVirginian next to the “Reader photo of the week” of a hummingbird, and in a section that includes classified ads and the weather report. This response letter is no way near the “Opinion” section where Letter to the editor letters appear and are expected… Maybe next time it will be near the cooking section?

In contrast the Augusta Free Press has interviewed Rhonda Winfield on the incident for facts and has also contacted me to determine directly what happened. http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$40395 To this date the NewsVirginian has NOT contacted Rhonda for a description of the incident on a firsthand basis.

This post is to note the numerous way a story can be reported and the way “Facts” can be determined and\or ignored. Foster of the NewsVirginian stated that he never “Interviewed” Tichenor but called him just to determine that he was the person who made the comment. But in the NewsVirginian account of the incident the NewsVirginian reported:“Tichenor says he left immediately, but Republicans say he disrespected the mother of fallen Marine Jason Redifer, a Stuarts Draft native who was killed in Iraq. Redifer’s mother, Rhonda Winfield, was at the Republican booth signing copies of her new book, which is about her son. Tichenor allegedly pointed to the book cover and said “that man” [Redifer] wasn’t the hero that Webb was. Webb was Navy secretary under President Reagan and crossed party lines to run against Allen.”
Foster stated that he only determined that Tichenor was the person involved. But here he reports that “Tichenor says he left immediately”. The NewsVirginian also provided more information about Tichenor in their report stating: “Local Republicans ought to understand, too, that Tichenor will be 88 years old on Sept. 1. The retired DuPont chief chemist is a Ph.D. and Rhodes Scholar. On Thursday night, he was clearly confused.” Pretty good amount of information provided by Foster just asking if Tichenor was the person who made the comment as stated in the editor notes that appeared in todays paper following my response: “Editor’s response: No one from the Democratic side was interviewed. Mr. Tichenor was asked to confirm whether he was the volunteer in question.”

Many newspapers respond by claiming that there is no “bias” in the mainstream media and it is just a ploy used by the evil Republicans when the story is not reported their way. I am not claiming “Bias” in the way the NewsVirginian reported this story but I am questioning the tactics and procedures used by the editor to present the facts and the newspapers “Opinion” as it appeared on their opinion page…

Have to go now and cancel my subscription to the NewsVirginian. A subscription that I started and signed up for on the first day of the Augusta County Fair at the NewsVirginian booth…

The Augusta Free Press: http://www.augustafreepress.com/
The NewsVirginian Opinion page:
http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV/Page/WNV_SectionFront&c=Page&cid=1059969228147

The United Conservatives Blog: http://unitedconservatives.blogspot.com/2006/08/news-virginian-another-example-of.html

SwacGirl Blog: http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/todd-foster-gets-last-word.html

Troops pass on the "Support"...

Dixon

The "From Our Hearts" program that was created by the folks over at T-Bonetooter's in Churchville has just gotten some photos and a note from one of the squads they are supporting over in Iraq. Seems that the troops pass along some of the packages that they get from the Hearts program to the children and the families that they meet in Iraq while serving... Please visit the Hearts blog at www.fromrhearts.blogspot.com


Numerous members of the S.W.A.C. Republicans have volunteered to help send packages and assist the staff at T-Bonetooters which are now sending 160+ packages almost every week. The "Hearts" program was a great addition to the Republican booth at the Augusta County Fair this year and got many positive comments and support from the visitors to the booth.






Click on photos to enlarge...

"In the defense of a Fallen Hero"

August 2006

The recent incident at the Augusta County Fair where a Democrat Volunteer of the Jim Webb campaign made a insulting comment about the memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer to his mother, Rhonda Winfield has received much attention within the County Republicans. Unfortunately the local Waynesboro newspaper "elected" to voice their opinion as to what happened on their opinion page without interviewing Rhonda Winfield. But they did interview the Democrat Volunteer about the incident and published his comments...

"If you think all conservatives wear

suits you haven't met the United Conservatives of Virginia!

We go where wingtips fear to tread!"

Flora over at the "United Conservatives" blog read about the incident and took a ride over to Richmond to meet and interview Rhonda Winfield. She conducted a in depth interview and has been reporting on it for the past several days and it is exactly what the Waynesboro newspaper, The NewsVirginian should have done. Link to her post on this follows:

http://unitedconservatives.blogspot.com/2006/08/news-virginian-another-example-of.html

"I know Rhonda Winfield, & she is NO Cindy Sheehan"

Media

The local Waynesboro newspaper The Newsvirginian has turned a recent incident where a Democrat volunteer to the Jim Webb Senate campaign insulted the memory of a fallen U.S. Marine into a "Cindy Sheehan" issue.

The "NewsVirginian" stated on it's Opinion page: "However, Republicans have no compunction about attacking another mother who also lost her son in Iraq. The difference is Cindy Sheehan has joined the antiwar movement. That should not make her a target of neoconservative wrath. A mother is a mother, whether she’s a Democrat or Republican. Winfield is as far right as Sheehan is left. Both should be off limits to criticism."

As stated in the title of this post, I do know Rhonda Winfield and she is no Cindy Sheehan. Rhonda has continually supported the memory of her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer who was lost in Iraq fighting the war on terrorism. She wrote a book about her son and his sacrafice to our country and it's citizens. Sheehan on the other hand has taken the memory of her son and turned it into a politcal vehicle for her benefit while the media disregards the facts about her son, Casey Sheehan...

It is unfortunate, but not unexpected, that the local newspaper has turned this away from a attack on the memory of a fallen soldier and to a political issue.

Let me point out a few facts about Cindy Sheehan and her son:

Casey Sheehan volunteered for his service to the military...

Casey Sheehan re-enlisted in the military when he had the opportunity...

Casey Sheehan volunteered for the rescue mission which he was killed on while trying to rescue other military personnel and serving his country...

Cindy Sheehan has taken every opportunity to capitialize on the loss of her son and she has truely turned the issue into a political one...

Rhonda, is NO Cindy Sheehan....

Flora over at United Conservatives Blog has a novel idea but one that I doubt the local Democrat party will use...

http://unitedconservatives.blogspot.com/2006/08/webb-campaigner-insults-lcpl-jason.html

No need for facts, we have a "Opinion" page...

It seems that the NewsVirginian newspaper elected to present their "Opinion" on the incident that happened at the Augusta County Fair last week when a Democrat volunteer made an unacceptable comment to the Mother of a fallen soldier.
http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV%2FMGArticle%2FWNV_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149189998774&path=!news!opinions
The interesting thing is that the Waynesboro Newspaper the "NewsVirginian" wrote this piece without ever interviewing Rhonda Winfield or myself about what happened.

The incident has been described here on this blog as "Over the Line " as well as a follow up interview with Rhonda Winfield that appears on the United Conservatives blog done by a seperate person.
http://unitedconservatives.blogspot.com/2006/08/augusta-co-dems-insult-fallen-warrior.html


Another Augusta County resident and blogger describes the reception that he got from the Republican, Libertarian, and Democrat booth as well in this post in: http://augustafreepress.blogspot.com/2006/08/rude-political-awakening.html

It is sad to see that both the Democrats as well as the local media has decided to make this a political issue instead of the attack on the memory of a fallen hero. It appears to be evident that the Democrats feel this was a attack on their volunteers and had nothing to do with the comments made to Rhonda by their volunteer.

The Augusta County Democrats are obvious strong supporters of the troops as evident in the paper hand written sign that was displayed above their booth during the fair.

more to follow...

Over the line...

Augusta County Fair 2006

The 3rd day of the Augusta County Fair started off well with the Augusta County Republican booths ready for operation and looking forward to interacting with the people visiting the fair. This years booth consisted of several "themed" booths coordinated to promote Republican values and provide information and sources to the fair visitors...

The first booth supported the George Allen and Bob Goodlatte campaigns.
One booth represented the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta-County Republican Party.
Another booth supported the "From Our Hearts" www.fromrhearts.blogspot.com support the troops program.
There was a booth supporting the Marriage Amendment for marriage being between one Man and one Woman.
And another booth sold copies of the book written by Rhonda Winfield who lost her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer, who was killed in action in Iraq serving his country and his principles.

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and his wife Jean Ann also stopped by to visit the Republican Booths and talk to a gathering of the Augusta County Chamber of Commerce members. The Lt. Governor dedicates one week out of each month to spend time traveling the State of Virginia and meeting with the people of the Commonwealth...

The Republican Booths were enjoyed and visited by many of the fairgoers in attendance and were busy pretty much all of the time. The booths are staffed by numerous volunteers who enjoy working all aspects the "Republican Complex" and they did a great job at promoting the Republican values that they believe in.

The table selling Rhonda Winfields book "When Johnny Doesn't Come Marching Home" commanded much interest to the fairgoers and pretty much always was busy with people talking with the author, Rhonda Winfield.

During the afternoon a member of the Augusta County Democrat Party approached Rhonda Winfield with numerous pieces of literature and stickers promoting the Democrat Candidate Jim Webb. He stated that this is the man to vote for in this next election for Senator of Virginia. Rhonda replied that she was supporting Senator George Allen because he has strong Republican values and was admired by her son Jason who volunteered to defend his country and to preserve these same values. She then showed the member of the Augusta Democrat Party a copy of her book that she wrote describing these values.

The Democrat representative then stated "Jim Webb is more of a man then this man [Jason Redifer] ever was" and placed a copy of the Webb literature on top of the book she was holding. I was standing next to Rhonda during this entire conversation and have confirmed this quote with her and know that there was a third person at the table who heard this exchange.... The Democrat Representative was then asked to leave the table at which time he moved away from the table.

I found this statement by the Representative of the Augusta County Democrat Party way over the line and unacceptable. Unfortunately it is the type of statement that does not surprise me coming from this party. This local party as well as the Democrat national party has no true platform that they believe in and in fact now have determined that Joe Lieberman is not even "Liberal" enough for them so they voted him out.

To make an attack on the Mother of a proud American Marine who died serving his country and the citizens of that country in this manner is not acceptable by any means.

Ssgt. Harman stops by the booth...

Augusta County Fair

Ssgt. Herb Harman of Churchville stopped by with his family to the Republican booth at the Augusta County Fair on Wednesday. He is back from serving in Baghdad for a two week break before returning to his unit the "Four-One Element" Squad of the 654th MP Co.

Ssgt. Harman is a member of the S.W.A.C. "Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta-County" Republicans and has sent numerous letters describing the important work that our troops and military are doing in Iraq. He has described the conditions and the work he has done with local Iraq citizens and how they very much appreciate our efforts and work there...

Delegate Chris Saxman talked with Ssgt. Harman who is one of his constituents for a good 20 minutes about the work that we are doing over in Iraq. Numerous other people stopped by the booth to meet and talk with Herb and to thank him for his service to our country.

"What a treat it was to walk into our booth and see Herb there! There were tears in many sets of eyes as people came by to wish Sgt Harman well and to thank him for his service to our nation. Herb spoke about his duty in Iraq and actually how well things are going over there in Baghdad. He said that the media is so incredibly slanted that is makes the soldiers serving over there sick to their stomachs. He said the people of Iraq are very appreciative of the US and often thank the soldiers for their freedom. Herb is learning Arabic and told me that the Iraqis are great people who love to talk religion. They respect each other for their deep religious faith."

"Some stories, I guess, just never make it to the airwaves over here."

Chris Saxman

Ssgt. Harman also stated how welcomed the packages from home are when they get their shipments from the "From Our Hearts" program. www.fromrhearts.blogspot.com

Augusta County Fair Republican Booth...

ExpoLand

The Augusta County Fair opened last night at the ExpoLand in Fishersville and the Republican Booth was ready to meet and welcome the fair-goer's to the Allen & Goodlatte campaigns. NBC29 provided some good coverage of the campaigns at the fair this morning on their early morning show and mentioned that Attorney General Bob McDonnell will visit the fair tonight at 6pm.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Delegate Chris Saxman will be at the fair Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling will visit Thursday night. Congressman Bob Goodlatte will attend the fair on Saturday...

The Value of Blogs?

DrudgeReport

Saw this on Drudge today and it seems that the Blogs out there keeping an eye on the mainstream media is a very valuable tool...

Anybody remember when the blogs discovered when Dan Rather & CBS ran those fake documents against President Bush during the last election?

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3286966,00.html

"When Johnny Doesn't Come Marching Home"...

The story of when the War on Terrorism in Iraq hits close to home and what the impact is like to all involved. Unlike another Mother who has lost a Son in this war and has turned that lost into a political play, Rhonda Winfield describes what her Son believed and stood for. A tribute to Jason and all of those brave soldiers who are willing to make the ultimate sacrafice for their country and it's people...

“Marine Lance Corporal Jason Redifer was a young man who made the ultimate sacrifice on January 31, 2005 to secure freedom for others a half a world away. In her book, When Johnny Doesn’t Come Marching Home: A Mother’s Story of the Price for Freedom, Rhonda Winfield takes her readers on a journey that memorializes the life of a young man who was reared in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, raised to fight for the freedoms and values that all too many take for granted, and died ensuring those same freedoms survived. I am thankful to Jason for the life he lived and gave and I am indebted to Rhonda for this noble story which shares her loss with her readers. With this moving story, Rhonda and Jason teach us all that the impact of one’s life often doesn’t end with death.”- U.S. Senator George AllenFormer Governor of Virginia

"This book deals with the loss of one of our own and infuses our institution with a sense of humanity that is rooted in our history and nobility. It displays the naked truth of a family brought to its' knees by the sacrifice of a young Marine. The book is written with a tender honesty that rips straight to the core of anyone who has a friend or family member serving in the military. After reading this book, I am reminded of three things. First, families are forever changed after the loss of a loved one, Second, the Marine Corps takes care of their own, and Third, America will never lose her freedoms as long as men and women like Jason C. Redifer rise to defend her. Whoever reads this book will come away with a higher respect and understanding of what it means to be a United States Marine."- 2nd Lt Craig W. Thomas, USMCPublic Affairs, Headquarters and Support BattalionMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

More information and link to purchase this book at:

http://www.whenjohnnydoesntcomemarchinghome.com/getacopy.html