Corporately run Media continues to misrepresent The Hon. Dr. Ron Paul

A recent article from Jay Root of the Fort Worth(less) Star Telegram characterized The Hon. Ron Paul as an advocate of drug dealers and child pornographers.

Those of us familiar with Dr. Paul realize that this is a blatant and malicious misrepresentation. The article, though the majority of it seems to be accurate, is intended to form negative opinions in people of Dr. Paul. By placing Dr. Paul with items that people already have negative opinions, they tie those feelings to him. The sentence is placed at the head of the article so that few will continue to read the positive information about Congressman Paul.

I contacted Mr. Root in an email that read:

I am aghast at your portrayal of Ron Paul. Within the opening sentence of your article you state, "He spoke out against putting dope dealers in federal prison, opposed a bill to crack down on child pornography..." This egregious mis-characterization of The Hon. Dr. Ron Paul is breathtaking.

His opposition to the "War on Drugs" (which has been as successful as the war in Iraq) does not equate to being "against putting dope dealers in federal prison." It is as if I said, "Jay Root loves killing little babies," just because you wrote an unflattering article about some one that is against abortion. Now, Jay Root may like killing babies, but to attempt to reach that conclusion from reading an article (or a voting record on a bill) is misleading to say the least.

If you call yourself a "journalist" you throw the term around very loosely.

An Open Reply to Wonkette and Redstate.com

RULES, by the Observation of which, a Man of Wit and Learning may nevertheless make himself a disagreeable Companion.

Your Business is to shine; therefore you must by all means prevent the shining of others, for their Brightness may make yours the less distinguish'd. To this End,

1. If possible engross the whole Discourse; and when other Matter fails, talk much of your-self, your Education, your Knowledge, your Circumstances, your Successes in Business, your Victories in Disputes, your own wise Sayings and Observations on particular Occasions, &c. &c. &c.;

2. If when you are out of Breath, one of the Company should seize the Opportunity of saying something; watch his Words, and, if possible, find somewhat either in his Sentiment or Expression, immediately to contradict and raise a Dispute upon. Rather than fail, criticise even his Grammar.

3. If another should be saying an indisputably good Thing; either give no Attention to it; or interrupt him; or draw away the Attention of others; or, if you can guess what he would be at, be quick and say it before him; or, if he gets it said, and you perceive the Company pleas'd with it, own it to be a good Thing, and withal remark that it had been said by Bacon, Locke, Bayle, or some other eminent Writer; thus you deprive him of the Reputation he might have gain'd by it, and gain some yourself, as you hereby show your great Reading and Memory.

4. When modest Men have been thus treated by you a few times, they will chuse ever after to be silent in your Company; then you may shine on without Fear of a Rival; rallying them at the same time for their Dullness, which will be to you a new Fund of Wit.

Thus you will be sure to please yourself. The polite Man aims at pleasing others, but you shall go beyond him even in that. A Man can be present only in one Company, but may at the same time be absent in twenty. He can please only where he is, you where-ever you are not.

The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 15, 1750 Benjamin Franklin