UPDATE: 12-14-09 NOT ALL IS AT IT SEEMS TO BE?
The Sean Hannity piece featured Paul Rodriguez who appeared to be acting as a grass-roots "activist" -- and who appeared to be promoting the position that the government was the cause of this man-made drought which was severely affecting the local people and bringing potential risk to this nation's food supply. His apparent activist stance was in the image of Caesar Chavez who fought to bring some measure of dignity and compensation to those migrants and others who were being treated unfairly by powerful interests. I might say that even though the union had a strong pro-Marxist stance, they did fulfill their protective purpose in the union's early days. And considering my dislike for unions, this is probably the only time I felt that a union actually did something that was socially commendable.
But something appears to be wrong (or at least suspicious) with Paul Rodriguez and his Latino Water Coalition ...
I have just received a glossy 20-page pamphlet from the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), sent to my home address with the name and logo of my local water district on the back page. The pamphlet appears to be a publication titled "Water for Tomorrow) and is Volume One, Number Two. The front cover indicates that this is a custom publication prepared by the world-famous National Geographic. Among the cover titles are: "The Delta and the Path to Sustainability," "Farm Woes, Farm Solutions," and "A Word with Paul Rodriguez."
It is the "A Word with Paul Rodriguez" item that is most troubling. Since when does an industry advocacy group -- associated with a water vendor -- sponsor a full-page interview with a person who is portraying himself as a grass-roots activist fighting against the government? In the interests of full disclosure, Rodriguez does claim "I am a landowner with several farms in the Orosi, Dinuba, and Orange Grove areas."
My question: since when does any grass-roots activist actually have the support of a large group of major businesses fronted by a majoradvocacy group-- unless the activist is a sham -- something other than than what the public has been led to believe?
While I am all for the fight against the corrupt environmental protection agency, I am also wary of manipulation by big business using advocacy groups seeking to obtain public support using a public relations campaign fronted by a faux-activists -- especially with an actor/comedian who may be doing it for both commercial self-interest and as a means to jump-start a stagnant comedy career.
Just saying, I am not sure that Rodriguez and the California Latino Water Coalition are anything more than a carefully crafted public relations ploy by large landowners and water vendors seeking a commercial advantage. In any event, I am against the EPA and for the release of more water into the agricultural areas. But I am also for truth in advocacy campaigning. Like I said ... Something does not appear to be quite right with Rodriguez and the Latino Water Coalition ... As they say, "We report, you decide."
We should all be about water conservation and the good stewardship of our natural resources. But we need to take our directions from honest brokers who are telling us the truth. California has always been about the "fight over water" ... a fight that will continue between competing big interests representing agribusiness and the developers who are building even larger cities in what is technicaly a desert. We need to remain vigilant that our precious natural resources are not squandered and that we are not taxed for specious projects that benefit only those who hide behind single-issue advocacy or lobbying groups.
Sean Hannity is a liar who distorts the truth … seems to be the message of ABC affiliate KFSN-TV (Fresno) …
Hannity shagged by KFSN/ABC News …
“What was heard at the rally were repeated calls by the crowd to turn on the massive pumps that divert water out of the California Aqueduct into the farmers irrigation canals.”
“But Fresno Congressman Jim Costa, the only Democrat to address the event said there was some misinformation.”
"’The pumps have been turned on since July 1st. They are running at full capacity.’ Costa said.”
“Half a mile away from the event the California Aqueduct was brimming with water.”
"’That aqueduct wouldn't have water in it right now if the pumps weren't running.’ Costa said. Costa, who is a longtime advocate for the Valley's Agri-business in, was booed by the partisan crowd.”
“The pumps were slowed over part of the summer to protect fish. The endangered Delta Smelt and salmon. Many growers and their supporters blamed the fish for the reduction in their water supply.”
Hannity, in attempt to uphold Fox’s mantra of “fair and balanced” programming gave airtime to one of the environmentalists who defended the government’s position.
But the only environmentalist to speak, Zeke Grader, a Salmon Fisherman who addressed the crowd by satellite from Northern California was shouted down as he offered a different view.”
“Grader blamed the natural drought for the water shortfall, and claimed valley growers were busy selling their water to Southern California.”
Lending credibility to Grader's position, the reporter continues ...
“The State Department of Water Resources has stated that the reduction in water supplies to some growers in Western Fresno County was primarily the result of natural drought conditions. In July, Director Lester Snow said only about 25 per cent of the reduction was the result of environmental diversions for fish.”
“Statistics actually show it has been a near normal water use year for growers, but Hannity stood in a harvested tomato field and said the dry dirt was an example of dustbowl conditions. Not shown on camera were the acres of green, irrigated farm fields just 100 feet away.”
The reporter attempts to portray Hannity in a bad light and as a liar. Unfortunately for the station and its asshat reporter, I did some digging. Let’s continue on our search for the truth.
But the station concentrated on telling the story in anti-Obama terms bringing up the spectre of Marxism, socialism and communism …
“Sean Hannity Farm Show Attracts Anti-Obama Crowd”
“Fox News Commentator Sean Hannity brought his cable TV show to a remote area of Fresno County on Thursday. The event near Huron attracted thousands of people. Many were concerned about the perceived water shortage in Western Fresno County. Many others were just angry at the Federal Government and President Obama.”
Marxism? Socialism? Communism?
“A protestor who gave his name as ‘Walt’ was wearing a T-shirt which depicted President Barack Obama as Adolph Hitler. Walt said, ‘Yeah, he's a scary guy to me. He's a dyed in the wool Marxist.’"
“Republican Congressman Devin Nunes who represents portions of Fresno and Tulare Counties was among the elected officials who joined Hannity on his show. Nunes repeated his recent claims that environmentalists are communists.”
"’When you look at the radical environmental fringe there is no question they are tied closely to the communist party that is without question.’ Nunes said.”
The truth emerges …
“Sean Hannity said he brought his show here to simply tell the nation about the plight of Central Valley farmers.”
"’Honestly, when you hear a story like this where the government is not working for the people and environmental extremism is taken over to the point where literally farmers are denied the very water they need to feed the rest of the country it's about time the people in Washington get to hear from the hard working people.’ Hannity said.”
Did KFSN exhibit a lack of journalistic due dilligence in not fully identifying a person of authority?
Whoops … KFSN identifies Zeke Grader as a Salmon Fisherman and an environmentalist, but apparently leaves out a small piece of the story: Grader apparently is linked to a socialist or Marxist organization! Why might I be inclined to believe that?
It seems that there is a radical/activist socialist group that is presenting a program devoted to the socialist cause.
“We call upon socialists, environmental activists, and working class organizations to come together to study the science, share experiences on physical mitigation and the social fight back, and to discuss the likelihood that only a socialist transformation, an extreme concentration of people power, can stop capitalism from killing the planet.”
“West Coast Regional Conference
Climate Catastrophe and Social Change:
an Eco-Socialist Perspective”with some fairly radical/activist sponsors…
“Sponsors and participating organizations: Capitalism Nature Socialism, Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, Global Citizen Center, Green Party of Alameda County, International Socialist Organization, KPFA radio, Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, Socialist Action, Solidarity, West County Toxics Coalition, Women of Color Resource Center.”
and an interesting presentation speaker …
“William ‘Zeke’ Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, executive director of the non-profit Institute for Fisheries Resources; California advisor to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.”
Considering the fact that the far left socialists, Marxists, Communists and anarchists do not tolerate dissent, it is highly unlikely that they would invite even a neutral party to make a presentation before a highly radical audience.
See the KFSN (Fresno) hit piece for yourself …
Bottom line …
Here is Sean Hannity, one man with a microphone and a television camera, trying to show the entire nation the environmental extremism that now inhabits the White House and permeates all of its actions and programs.
I have long believed that the environmental movement has been infiltrated by those who do not wish America well, with both domestic and foreign agents using our own laws against us to destroy our nation’s infrastructure from within.
What better example of “domestic terrorism,” on an al Qaeda scale, could be shown by physically destroying the water, food, shelter of a large geographical area – with a nationwide impact on our food supplies. All courtesy of the Obama Administration who has sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. There is absolutely nothing in the United States Constitution which provides the federal government with the authority to decimate a state’s economy and agricultural base to protect any species of animal or plant life. It is just not there.
We need to take back our government now. And the best suggestion I can provide is to …
Here is an example of our fellow Americans being decimated by our own government – for what – a few special interests to build a wind or solar farm?
In the final analysis, to control water is to control life. And if you want to see the fireworks fly, I cannot think of a better issue or example.
Be well, be safe and take care of yourself and your family first.
-- steve
Reference Links:
Sean Hannity Farm Show Attracts Anti-Obama Crowd - 9/17/09 - Fresno News - abc30.com
THERE COMES A TIME TO TELL THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEFTISTS NO!|OneCitizenSpeaking
Schwarzenegger creates new endangered species: Californians!|OneCitizenSpeaking
“Every region of the earth needs to face the coming dislocations of our ecologies, our economies, and our public health that global climate change is bringing. The crisis provides the greatest evidence that capitalism has failed. A socialist perspective can provide a necessary analysis of the roots of the problem. We call upon socialists, environmental activists, and working class organizations to come together to study the science, share experiences on physical mitigation and the social fight back, and to discuss the likelihood that only a socialist transformation, an extreme concentration of people power, can stop capitalism from killing the planet.”
This article stated that Sean Hannity distorted the truth and lied. Somebody should ask what Valarie Stabb did when she was GM at KFSN-TV. She allowed Nick Ryan-the pedophile-to sexually harrass little boys on kids day at the station. When she and ABC president decided to let Nick go they would not press charges so he could go on to harass other little boys. Who is the guilty one here.
Posted by: Wayne Young | January 09, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Thanks for bringing writing about this issue, and specifically the false journalism of the Fresno t.v. station.
I have also written about this on my blog, http://thenationalreport.com/?p=302
Posted by: Jeff DiSario | September 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM