CNN first reports then removes story from website about anti-media demonstration outside Atlanta offices.

More info at Blah3 and Atlanta Indymedia.

Edited to add .pdf link for cached google page: Link.

Sounds like somebody at CNN got in trouble for reporting news.

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Gore has taken the gloves off against the conservative press.

"The media is kind of weird these days on politics, and there are some major institutional voices that are, truthfully speaking, part and parcel of the Republican Party," said Mr. Gore in an interview with The Observer. "Fox News Network, The Washington Times, Rush Limbaugh-there's a bunch of them, and some of them are financed by wealthy ultra-conservative billionaires who make political deals with Republican administrations and the rest of the media .... Most of the media [has] been slow to recognize the pervasive impact of this fifth column in their ranks-that is, day after day, injecting the daily Republican talking points into the definition of what's objective as stated by the news media as a whole."

"Something will start at the Republican National Committee, inside the building, and it will explode the next day on the right-wing talk-show network and on Fox News and in the newspapers that play this game, The Washington Times and the others. And then they'll create a little echo chamber, and pretty soon they'll start baiting the mainstream media for allegedly ignoring the story they've pushed into the zeitgeist. And then pretty soon the mainstream media goes out and disingenuously takes a so-called objective sampling, and lo and behold, these R.N.C. talking points are woven into the fabric of the zeitgeist."

The myth of the "liberal" media has finally been dying. There has never really been a liberal media. However, with the emergence of Fox News, the continued conservative slant of papers like the Washington Times, and conservative lapdogs pundits like Rush, the media has lurched strongly to the right. The 2000 election is one of the best examples. The press continued to carry the Republican's misrepresentations and lies about Gore, even after they were proven to be incorrect. Gore was absolutely hammered by the press. Meanwhile, stories about Bush deserting the National Guard, his drug and alcohol abuse, and his frequent shows of pure stupidity were all but ignored.

The reporting of the resulting recount battle continued to be slanted. Gore's residence was surrounded by hordes of bussed in Republican thugs hollering obscenities 24 hours a day, and the press barely mentioned it. Republican thugs rushed the building where Florida officials were performing a recount of ballots, in an illegal effort to prevent government officials from performing their elected duties. The press never batted an eye. Anything the Republican's did became good, and anything the Democrats did became evil. Any unproven allegation the Republican's made became "fact." There was definite conservative bias.

Our press, whose job it is to present impartial news stories and facts, choose to misrepresent a person they disliked. They used their "Sword of Truth" to maim somebody for personal reasons, and alter the course of a presidential election. They have chosen which course our country's government should take by slanting the information our people receive.

Freedom of the press is one of the most important institutions our founding fathers left us. They knew its value; they saw the printing presses destroyed by the English. Freedom of the press is the most important right we have as a country. This allows for the honest distribution of information. No people or portion of government is supposed to be able to corrupt or control this system. Freedom of the press is always what has separated us from communists, fascists, and other non-democratic forms of government. People in America died for this right, just as people in other countries continue to.

Now, thanks to the Republican's deregulation of media ownership, our free press has been bought and paid for by big business. Media conglomerates continue to buy up all forms of the media they can get their hands on. "Ultra-conservative billionaires" now decide what news we hear, and how it will be presented. Be wary of what you hear, and where you hear it from.

Gore is doing American's a favor when he attacks the conservative media. Not only to we deserve fair and impartial reporting, but we should demand it! When the attacks against Gore start again, and he is labeled as unpatriotic for questioning our press and government, do not be swayed. Remember that freedom of the press is our country's most important right. It is what we need to be watchdogs to out elected officials and government. Demand your press to be unbiased. Use the phone, use a typewriter, use your email. Demand the truth. Stand behind Gore in this battle.

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Sign Avenger may retire.

Joe Chao started his campaign against the illegal practice of putting small temporary signs at intersections and on right of ways in 1997. He has torn down, or spray painted the ads for five and a half years. He briefly retired in 1999, only to be encouraged by Cherokee County residents to continue. The effort and expense have taken its toll, however. His vigilante methods have him waiting for his second court battle. He feels it is time for somebody else to take over.

The signs are there for a new superhero to emerge. One who relentless against evil doers, and illegal sign placers. Preferably a hero with a law degree, so they don't have to pay legal fees when they are dragged into court. Having a truck to haul off the signs would help. Actually, good gloves to avoid splinters would be advisable. Available time on weekend mornings should also be mentioned. So....... any new superhero out there?

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