Saturday, August 09, 2008

Is the Oakland Press in the bag for Joe Knollenberg?

This piece from the Oakland Press editorial board is amazing. Joe Knollenberg and his staff insulted Asian Americans, and they're making excuses for Joe and his staff. Politically incorrect phrases are campaign issues, just ask George Allen, former senator from Virginia who referred to an opponent's employee as macacca, when it was discovered that macacca was a racial slur.

Do I think Joe wrote the offending blog entry himself, of course not. But here's the problem, I do think in order for a staffer to write such an thing and post it on the Internet for even one second reveals a lot about Knollenberg and his campaign. In order to create a title that includes the words "Asian Invaders" referring to a group of Americans tells me that there is pervasive racism within the heart of the candidate and his staff for the person that wrote the title of the blog to even think it would be allowed to go forward. Then for the Oakland Press to defend Knollenberg is an egregious violation of journalistic ethics, especially when I have been taken to task by the Oakland Press for my criticism of Knollenberg and his hypocrisy on his health care voting record. It's time for the Oakland Press to come clean and reveal any relationship they have with Joe Knollenberg or anyone on his staff and why they continue to defend a U.S. Congressman who is clearly out of touch with his constituents and refuses to answer questions about his record in public.

It makes me wonder what would have happened if a Democrat had made a similar comment, whether written or orally.

I think a real apology from Joe Knollenberg himself, not his spokesperson, in front of the media answering questions about how this happened and how this racist blog headline made it to the Internet in the first place is in order. But I know Joe Knollenberg will never answer questions from the media about this incident. He thinks he's above answering questions for his constituents, at least any that disagree with him.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Well, well, well, Joe, Over $92,000 in oil company holdings

Now this explains a lot.

This chart shows stock holdings in the leading oil companies by members of the House of Representatives. If you aren’t familiar with personal financial disclosures, they require lawmakers to list assets in a range (i.e.: $15,001-$50,000). In the chart you will see a low estimate, a high estimate, and an average. In some cases, lawmakers list the actual value - not a range - and that is listed in this color.

So, who’s going to make money if Congress passes pro-oil industry legislation:

Top 25 Congressmen with Holdings in Leading Oil Companies
Congressman Low Estimate Average/Actual High Estimate
Hayes, Robin (R-NC) $3,645,012 $8,572,506 $13,500,000
Carter, John (R-TX) $1,000,001 $3,000,001 $5,000,000
Freylinghuysen, Rodney (R-NJ) $950,008 $1,500,004 $2,050,000
Sensenbrenner, James (R-WI) $1,133,985 $1,458,984 $1,783,983
Marchant, Kenny (R-TX) NA 429,148 NA
Sessions, Pete (R-TX) $215,003 $382,502 $550,000
Whitfield, Ed (R-KY) $200,002 $350,001 $500,000
Upton, Fred (R-MI) $195,005 $347,503 $500,000
Maloney, Carolyn (D-NY) $151,003 $258,002 $365,000
Price, David (D-NC) $130,003 $240,002 $350,000
Doggett, Lloyd (D-TX) $116,003 $215,502 $315,000
Berkley, Shelley (D-NV) NA $165,751 NA
Goode, Virgil (R-VA) $100,002 $150,001 $200,000
Buchanan, Vern (R-FL) $81,014 $148,007 $215,000
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) $66,003 $115,502 $165,000
Cohen, Steve (D-TN) $65,002 $107,501 $150,000
McCaul, Michael (R-TX) $46,004 $105,502 $165,000
Knollenberg, Joe (R-MI) NA $92,500 NA
Bono Mack, Mary (R-CA) $22,008 $88,504 $155,000
Moran, Jerry (R-KS) $51,002 $83,001 $115,000
Camp, Dave (R-MI) $32,004 $81,002 $130,000
Oberstar, James (D-MN) $50,001 $75,001 $100,000
Duncan, Jimmy (R-TN) $30,002 $65,001 $100,000

(Source: Open Secrets)

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Joe Votes No On Pay Equity for Women

So, let me see if I have this straight. Yesterday we learned that Joe is a racist, as his Congressional Blog touted the words "Asian Invaders." Today's chapter, Joe voted against Paycheck Fairness Act for Women. Why would Joe be against women being paid the same as men for the same job? I guess he thinks it's okay that companies discriminate against women and Asian Americans. So, he just dissed about 50% of the electorate by voting against paycheck fairness, and another large group of Americans by calling Asian Americans "invaders." Seems like Joe doesn't like too many people.

Of course, his staff apologized if his blog entry offended anyone. But did he himself come out in public and apologize? Of course not.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Knollenberg Has to Apologize for Racial Slur on Asian Community


Joe Knollenberg's racist title on his blog regarding "Asian Invaders" made it into the Oakland Press today. I guess Joe learned the hard way, being a racist makes some people very upset. Help Gary Peters kick this guy out of Congress. Click here to contribute to Gary's campaign. Thanks.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Detroit News Blogger Reports on Knollenberg's Racist Blog Entry


From the Weblog Archive

Mako Yamakura


Category: Idiots
Posted by Mako Yamakura on Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Protecting Our Families from Asian Invaders...

I could understand that just a simple JPG could've been "doctored", etc., especially people who support Joe Knollenberg...

Here's a cache that Google has for people who are curious if this idiot really posted "Asian Invaders".

For those who want to google it for themselves, make sure you include the words "Knollenberg Asian Invaders"...

Trust me. In accordance with Detroit News blogging policies, I can't link what would happen if you just left "Knollenberg" out.

But you know what? You're all adults, right? Just google it. Kids who read these politics blogs, ask your parents to look it up with you, especially all y'all in Farmington Hills...

Enjoy the laughter I shared with my friends. In hiding, Mako out.