On Wednesday we discussed part one of CNN's AC360 report on whistleblowers at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Part Two was not presented on Thursday, as the Gulf oil spill was the focus of the entire program.
They showed it on Friday night. I was not able to catch it, but according to this CNN report, the second segment included an ATF manager the agent in part one blames for many of his retaliation problems, former deputy director Edgar Domenech, who "in an ironic twist...claims he was the victim of retaliation."
An additional story highlight:
CNN talked to dozens of ATF supervisors and agents who complain about being demoted
We also learn that the CleanUpATF website has been blocked from access by ATF computers (something we discussed here months ago) at the order of Acting Director Kenneth Melson.
Excuse me if I point out that the entire focus of CNN's "exposé" was on internal conflicts and alleged abuses by ATF against its own employees. None of it addressed ATF abuses against citizens.
I guess since CNN assigned an "investigative team" of "Authorized Journalists" to the story who didn't see fit to even raise those concerns, that must mean they never happen?
What other explanation could there be?
Also see:
If we can't trust ATF under oath, when can we trust them?
Comments
National media "stories" always follow the same old formula: report something sensational to get the viewers attention, then assure everyone that the people raising a fuss are really just a bunch of discontent loons! They do it to 2a supporters all the time!
"None of it addressed ATF abuses against citizens."
To reply from the evident CNN perspective:
Of course not. Citizens with guns are racist fascist hatemongers. By definition, there can be no abuses against such. They need to be stamped out, just like capitalists, and, not that we're racists or anything, but my gosh, the Jews, I mean, Zionist imperialists.
The Constitution was only meant to protect drug dealers, pornographers, socialists, oppressed Muslims, and other such champions of liberty. The founders might disagree, but hey, they were all slave owners, and none of them were women, so who cares what they thought? The Living Constitution means what we say it means in the context of the modern world we live in.
Internal conflicts, however, blunt the effectiveness of the effort to stamp out right wing radicals. This sort of incompetence and possible Nazi sabotage must be purged before the Glorious Revolution can succeed.
See? Perfectly consistent.
The only person raising any issue of ATF abuse against the citizen and the law was Cefalu himself. He did state that the retaliation started immediately upon his objection to a falsely obtained wiretap and search warrant. It was glaring that the "urinealists" did not follow that line, nor pursue with any of the others.
It's one thing to hammer the media for not doing a story about how BATF oppresses citizens. But it's probably unfair to expect that they should have introduced that aspect into this particular story, which was all about conflict/insurrection/disharmony inside BATF itself. It's like watching a story about union/management tension at an auto manufacturer, and saying, "Why didn't the reporters talk about the fact that those people also make lousy cars?"
They are in bed with each other as with every other gov' morons
CNN? Hmmm... Isn't that the network founded by Ted Turner? You know, "Hanoi" Jane Fonda's ex? The guy who wanted the anthem changed to "America the Beautiful" because "The Star Spangled Banner" was, in his words, "a war song"? I too hoped for more, but were we really especting Ted's network to do anything good for America's gun owners?
uh, sorry Henry, but when they reported that story they took every opportunity to note that they made lousy cars. It is not too much to expect that they would follow the issue to its source. That is their job. One which they refuse to do.
Their job is to also to put the issue in the proper context. They did not do that. They are remiss in their duty. Period!
It seems pretty easy to read between the lines. If BATFE doesn’t gives an obese rat’s rectum about its employees, We The People can’t really expect BATFE to have any consideration as far as we’re concerned. BATFE and their feddie prosecutors will tell you up front that they are the federal government, that they will do what-ever they like to you, and that there’s nothing you can do about it.
I wonder how many CNN viewers bothered to read between the lines? Sadly many people watch the so-called news for the same reason many people watch NASCAR races – the car wrecks – entertainment.
[W3]
I can assure you that the CNN report was 100% on the money. As an ATF Employee I have firsthand knowledge of the retalitory tactics of upper management. The "Special Agents" in upper management are only concerned with covering each other and passing the buck to the next supervisor, so they can say it was smooth sailing on their watch. I have seen this time and time again. CNN should continue to pursue this story!
Karen Kilpatrick has been booing ATF longer than anyone! She has been booing them since She became disabled from the fiasco at Waco by the ATF. Her, patner Henry McMahon testifyed at the 100th Congress on ATF abuses and National Security matters. She tetifyed at the murder Trial at San Antonio for the Branch Davidians. She recently was harranged by the ATF for driving around Pensacola with a sign written on her Van window that stated "Remember the Children of Waco" and "Boo-ATF". The 11th Circuit Court stated that "anyone that protest on a anniversary with anti-american sayings should expect to be questioned as long as it takes! Karen Kilpatrick and Henry McMahon should be the star witness at the Congressional Hearings about the most hated Agency in the History of America, that will surely follow.
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