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February 14, 2006
Very Important Story
Critics Say Perdue Education Budget Hurts Old, Disabled.
There are so many things wrong with that headline. Critics in this case would be THE FACTS. Perdue promises to do a number of things in his budget, like provide at home care for needy seniors which could keep them out of expensive nursing homes (which the state would pick up the tab).
The only problem is that he only funds the at-home care for six months in what is a twelve month budget. Six months ends before January, when the legislature would reconvene, so an expensive special session could be required to fix this political ploy, especially if tax receipts don't come in at the amount the governor's office assumes will be available.
Somehow, the editors of the AJC let Dan McLagan get away with saying whatever he wants again and again. In this case, responding to Dubose Porter's point that Perdue has fully funded election year gimmicks aimed at getting him re-elected -- like $100 gift cards for Georgia teachers who wouldn't have to buy classroom supplies with their own money if Perdue fully funded QBE (which he doesn't, despite the AJC's glowing coverage of his education budget), McLagan says "Some of these folks [Porter] don't understand how things work as well as our folks do."
That is just utter b.s. It wouldn't go over if the AJC were a serious paper, if the editors weren't so in favor of Perdue's re-election, and if they had the balls to publish critical stories of the incumbent governor even though their own internal polling shows he is likely to win.
James Salzer is a serious reporter, and time and again he has done quality objective reporting that just so happens to show Perdue in what is not the most favorable light. And his editors have rewritten his stories and in this case buried it -- it isn't linked anywhere, I had to search for his name to find it.
Salzer has uncovered a case where Perdue is blatantly playing budgetary games to curry favor in an election year. But Salzer is just one reporter, and I can only wonder how much Perdue's budget would stink if the paper devoted an entire investigative staff to combing through it making sure it adds up.
Instead, the AJC buries real stories, labels people that point out facts "partisan critics" and prints whatever smart ass quote Dan McLagan cooked up playing poker with his housemates the night before. Serious journalism in this state takes a further hit, because if you don't think the lesson Democrats (or future Republicans) have learned for when they return to power is to try and get away with whatever they can from a cowed press, you're fooling yourself.
Posted by Chris at February 14, 2006 02:40 AM
Comments
Great post. The AJC management seems to think that they will get coveted upscale "exurban" readers by sucking up to Republicans. Reporters have told people working in for Democrats politics that the marching orders from the editors is to be twice as careful about anything they print criticizing Republicans as they are with things criticizing Democrats.
That paper's circulation won't go up until they get serious about news again. The people who read and are willing to subscribe to a newspaper want real news, regardless of their political persuasion. Insightful, sometimes controversial, coverage sells papers, not sucking up. The people who repeat the right wing spin about the "liberal media" wouldn't pay for an AJC subscription even if they complete their metamorphosis into a right wing rag.
Posted by: GetReal ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.chrisishardcore.com//nav-commenters.gif)
at February 14, 2006 03:50 PM
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