Media is allowing seniors to be sold down the river.....not mentioning it.

[madfloridian]

That is how it is done. CNN, MSNBC, et al, they just don't mention all the seniors who are rebelling and withdrawing from AARP, and that is how they do it.

They come up with issues like the MA court ruling and the Michael Jackson raid on the very same day that the AARP comes out in support of the stupid Medicare bill.

They simply do not mention it. That is how it is done.

[GainesT1958]

1. It's called "media whoring", and the sad thing is...

It's "done" thousands of times--and video pieces and articles--a day these days. It's also really sad that AARP has, on this one, joined the forces of whoredom, and not the seniors who pay their salaries and paid for their new HQ in D.C.! :mad:

If I were over 50 right now, I'D send it BACK!:grr:

B-)

[MuseRider]

5. We cancelled

our membership and are getting our money back for the rest of the year. We are not alone, they may be really sorry they did this. Nah, I forgot AARP-GOP.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. Ignore it and it will go away

or ignore it and it never really happened. THAT is the republican way and the media accommodates them. :(

[GregD]

3. Same with BBV

If their handlers wanted BBV resolved, it would be in the media like "cum on a blue dress".

It's going to take a serious revolution on the part of the people before things are going to generally change for the better - there needs to be huge public outcry for media reform.

[madrchsod]

4. yes karl called them

and told them to not report. the klan needs to pay off more supporters

[wtmusic]

6. All part of the dismantling of social security

RW spin machine trying very hard to make it look like seniors are a priority.

:-(

[tom_paine]

8. Like chicken is a priority for the fox...

fried and stuffed with greens, preferably...

[Chef]

7. Outcry

If there is an outcry, there isn't much coverage. PBS did an interview last night, but it could have been more in depth as to the effects. NPR had a piece on it this morning that hinted that there was some opposition as did today's Washington Post regard ing last night's Democratic debate. We need for a reporter to go over to the AARP and ask them about the responses they are getting to their support of the bill. AARP ran a full page ad in the Post today about the bill not being perfect, but we can't wait for perfect, etc.

Hopefully, someone is working on a piece about the impact of the bill. We need seniors in the street as happened when the congress tried catostrophic coverage a few years back. No film, no story.

[madfloridian]

9. This group is calling a rally at noon today.

http://www.retiredamericans.org

"Alliance to Hold November 19 Rally Against "Lemon" Medicare Bill—Join the Alliance, Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator Tom Daschle, Representative Nancy Pelosi and hundreds of activists in a rally against the "lemon" Medicare bill on Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 p.m. in the Russell Caucus Room, Russell Senate Bldg-3rd floor after gathering at Upper Senate Park, located at Delaware and Constitution Avenues. For more information, contact Ed Braman at [phone] or Keith Wallington at [phone].Distribute this flyer to your friends and family."

I posted it here yesterday, and so did several others. Not one word in the media. Nothing. There is an outcry, and there is not coverage.

Remember the war protests? They happened, but the news did not cover it. That is what is happening here.

[GinaMaria]

10. can't wait for perfect?

This not perfect bill they are willing to sell out seniors for does not go into effect until 2006. They apparently can wait for imperfect.

Saw the TV ads this AM. I'm disgusted and want to do something. Another DUer posted this site in another thread. I'm still checking it out. Anyone have an email addy for the AARP?

http://www.retiredamericans.org/

On edit

www.aarp.org

Their on line discussion boards have a thread about DU
http://community.aarp.org/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=rp-legislative&msg=1833.1&ctx=16384

and a long thread discussing how AAPR sold out.

[madfloridian]

11. The $11 million dollar picture...it says it all.

www.americanprogress.org

Click the picture, then in the article, click the link that says "$11 million dollar picture."

MEDICARE
Far From Over

Those wondering why Congress is on the verge of approving a Medicare bill that could privatize the program while paying the pharmaceutical industry billions for a less-than-adequate prescription drug benefit should look no further than this: the $11 Million Picture. That is the amount the HMOs and drug companies have given to the six lawmakers and the President to cement the deal – about $15,000 per day total, or about $250 each per hour (not bad even by Washington lobbyist standards). Despite that flood of cash, the bill faces resistance from rank-and-file Democrats and Republicans. The WP reports that "GOP Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (PA.) said outlook for passage was 'uncertain,' adding, 'No one is waving the banner.'" And Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH) said there is "'pretty strong' disappointment among Senate conservatives." Among those expressing hesitation is Rep. Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA), who wrote a letter stating, "I will be unable to support the current conference agreement as it has been described to me." That letter was also signed by Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL), saying, "I feel no obligation to vote for the bill at this point," and Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), who also said, "I'm a 'no' at this point." Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN.), announced his opposition to the bill on the House floor yesterday, "despite pressure from GOP leaders to keep his stance quiet." Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) "warned her caucus Tuesday that 'there will be no passes' for any Democrat who bolts the party and votes with the GOP on Medicare legislation...and told participants at her weekly leader's luncheon that she will not tolerate any defections on the vote."