GOP Candidate to Succeed Duke Cunningham Falsified Evidence of Media Bias Against Iraq War
Before he was disgraced today by liberal bloggers, you had probably never heard of Howard Kaloogian. But here in California he is a notorious GOP operative who made his mark in the 2003 campaign to unseat Gov. Gray Davis.
A one-time back-bencher in the Assembly, Kaloogian was a mastermind of the recall election that removed Davis from office and replaced him with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now, as a candidate in the special election in San Diego to replace former Rep. Duke Cunningham, who recently began serving time for bribery and corruption, Kaloogian has been nailed trying to defraud the public and with an attempt at classic Bushista disinformation meant to prop up support for the war:
[Kaloogian] posted on the official Web site for his campaign a picture [see above] taken in “downtown Baghdad,” he said, during his visit to the city, which supposedly indicated that the media was wrong about the level of violence in the city. “We took this photo of downtown Baghdad while we were in Iraq,” he wrote. “Iraq (including Baghdad) is much more calm and stable than what many people believe it to be. But, each day the news media finds any violence occurring in the country and screams and shouts about it – in part because many journalists are opposed to the U.S. effort to fight terrorism.“
The photo didn’t look right for Baghdad to some liberal bloggers. Women were seen in western clothing and people were holding hands:
In less than a day, it was over. “Jem6X” at the popular DailyKos blog confirmed the street scene was in Istanbul, not Baghdad.
Tipped off by someone who recognized the actual intersection in Istanbul, Jem went through online photo galleries and in a matter of minutes today found a snap taken by a “Faruk” that lined up with the “Baghdad” photo in numerous conclusive ways. Game, set, and match to the blogosphere.
Gray Davis was not a masterful politician but this fraud is more proof that his recall was just another needless and costly Republican sham.
- Topic: News & Comment
- Topics: California
busted!!!!! (yet again)
This web-site says that Howard’s participation was all show. I don’t know, but thought I would pass it along.
http://www.howardisaliar.com/
I am not at all suprised. It seems the entire party is corrupt to the core and will stop at nothing until we are ALL GOOD NAZIS…..don’t get your panties in a knot until you see how this administration exactly mirrors the Nazi party in 1930’s Germany.
GOP’ers always vapor lock when you call them what they are…..NAZI’s.
(How else do you explain the 800 concentration camps here in the USA and the $385 million contract Hell-a-burton got to build STILL MORE?)
I cannot believe that politicians nowadays think they can get away with this crap?!!
Instanbul was Constantinople, before that it was Byzantium. Before Byzantium, it was known as….Baghdad. Yeah, that’s the ticket! Who knows maybe he didn’t even go to Iraq…
Can you for one second imagine what would happen if an anti-war advocate was caught trying to make things look worse than they are?
So where did Mr. Kaloogian obtain the photo in question in the first place–some online stock-photo service?
Or did Mr. Kaloogian actually visit Istanbul (Not Constantinople) and take the photo in question, hoping to pass it off as a Baghdad scene so as to confuse and mislead the Great Booboisie as much as Faux News?
While it is obvious that Kaloogian is a prevaricator extraordinaire, the “howard is a liar” website at the link provided above is also suspect.
The information on the site appears to be more GOP disinformation, carefully crafted for truthiness.
The page provides no information about who is behind the site (and the whois record is deliberately oblique).
My guess is the webpage was put up by GOP enemies of Kaloogian — perhaps friends of Ted Costa — or maybe somebody’s ex-wife, or, since these are Republicans, an ex-mistress or boyfriend.
Opponents of Kaloogian in the primary for the special election, which is set for April 11, include Republicans state Bill Morrow, a state senator, and former congressman Brian Bilbray and Democrat Francine Busby.
His words appearing with the fake picture are more infuriating. “Any time the media finds any violence and the public screams and shouts…” Can you imagine how the public in say, downtown San Diego, would react if headless bodies were dumped in the streets, car bombs exploded daily, no driving was allowed and horrors unveiled daily and those in charge said it was the media’s fault? Architect of Davis recall indeed. That was the biggest scam ever perpetrated on the American public. (except when compared to all the bigger scams.)
Speaking as a 2nd generation American of Armenian-Asssyrian roots, I’m appalled by Kaloogian’s feeble attempt of putting a happy face on this Iraqi quagmire. He’s an embarrassment to his community and to his ethnic roots. I have stronger words, but I’ll omit them for now.
1) His attempt to pass on a picture of a Turkish city for an Iraqi city is an affront to Armenians period. The Armenian/Assyrian genocide of the early 20th century was orchestrated BY TURKS in the Middle East. Of all pictures to use…
2) His political activity (distortions of truth and “dirty” political warfare) speaks volumes of his character. Again, his indecent behavior is an affront to his Armenian community.
Here’s hoping that Francine Busby “shish-kabobs” Howie in the election.
Let’s hope Francine also stomps (Eric) Roach.
Actually, the Bush Administration doesn’t exactly mirror 1930’s Germany.
Back then, the legislative body equivilant of our Congrss passed a law giving Hitler and his thugs dictatorial powers. Bush and his thugs got their dictatorial powers because our Congress just passed out!
Howard Kaloogian makes a compelling example for bringing back the old school punishment of, “tar and feather!”
Anyone voting for Kookie Kaloogian should be required to register an a “known stupid offender” . . .
Typical Republican BS – LIE and hope no one says anything!
Great reporting! I’m astounded, still, over the Republican tenacity to win at any cost or lie.
What a great feeling to catch Kaloogian in this BIG LIE!
There really can be parity!
Congratulations!