The headline comes from the content of a piece the LA Times' newspaper wrote months ago titled "Allies of Palestinians see a friend in Barack Obama."
In that piece the LA Times described a farewell to PLO terrorist Rashid Khalidi, in which according to LA Times, Barack Obama spoke to the attending crowd and "reminisced about meals prepared by Khalidi's wife, Mona, and conversations that had challenged his thinking."
The Times also claimed in that article (page 2) that they had a video tape of the event, using that as their "proof" that their story was accurate.
The event was videotaped, and a copy of the tape was obtained by The Times.
The LA Times did not produce a direct transcript of that video, nor did they release the tape.
There is your background.
The John McCain campaign has demanded that the LA Times release that tape so people can see for themselves exactly what type of complimentary things Obama was saying about the PLO terrorist Rashid Khalidi.
"A major news organization is intentionally suppressing information that could provide a clearer link between Barack Obama and Rashid Khalidi," said McCain spokesman Michael Goldfarb, citing Obama's friendship with Khalidi, who is now a professor at Columbia University.
He said the video could, among other things, show how Obama responded to a poem recited at the party accusing Israel of "terrorism" and warning of consequences for U.S. support for Israel, which Goldfarb described as "hate speech."
"The election is one week away, and it's unfortunate that the press so obviously favors Barack Obama that this campaign must publicly request that the Los Angeles Times do its job — make information public," he said.
The LA Times has responded, claiming they promised their source who gave them the video, that they would not release it.
"The Los Angeles Times did not publish the videotape because it was provided to us by a confidential source who did so on the condition that we not release it," said the newspaper's editor, Russ Stanton. "The Times keeps its promises to sources."
Jamie Gold, the newspaper's readers' representative, said in a statement: "More than six months ago the Los Angeles Times published a detailed account of the events shown on the videotape. The Times is not suppressing anything. Just the opposite -- the L.A. Times brought the matter to light."
The original article said that Obama's friendships with Palestinian Americans in Chicago and his presence at Palestinian community events had led some to think he was sympathetic to the Palestinian viewpoint on Middle East politics. Obama publicly expresses a pro-Israel viewpoint that pleases many Jewish leaders.
So, the Times reports "portions" of what is on a video tape they "claim" to have and they also "allege" they promised the tape would not be released, but they do not provide a transcript of exactly what is on the tape either.
WOW... any doubt if this was a tape of McCain or Palin that they would have released it instead of continue to hide it?
If so, I have some kool-aid for you to drink.
Doug Ross has a Red Alert out from a source of his, which tells him a couple of the comments that Obama made, to which helps explain why the Times, who endorsed Barack Obama, is refusing to release the tape.
However, I received a tip from a person who has provided useful, accurate and unique data from LA before (e.g., "All six of CNN's 'undecided voters' were Democratic operatives"). Take it for what it's worth, but I believe this person is on target.Saw a clip from the tape. Reason we can't release it is because statements Obama said to rile audience up during toast. He congratulates Khalidi for his work saying "Israel has no God-given right to occupy Palestine" plus there's been "genocide against the Palestinian people by Israelis."
It would be really controversial if it got out. Tha's why they will not even let a transcript get out.
Hat Tip to Michelle Malkin, we see that this has grown to the point where now there is a number of rewards being offered for that tape.
see Newt Gingrich; Ace; Dirty Harry; and JWR.And another reward offer: $150,000.
The LA Times has started a mini war now, by claiming to have something, offering it as proof but only if readers will take their word that they have it without them having to prove they have it.
The LA Times is not even trying to pretend they are not biased at this point, because by hiding a potentially explosive tape of Obama himself speaking fondly of a PLO terrorist....the story itself is questionable enough, but to have his voice blasted across the world so people can hear it for themselves.... that could be the explosion heard around the world.
Do you think they should release the video and let the people decide for themselves whether or not Obama's words about Khalidi are relevant to them and how they decide to vote?
If you do think it should be released, here is the LA Times contact page.
Chop Chop....
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