I don't really care much about, or for, 'Joe the Plumber.'
John McCain's repeated references to him in last night's debate were grating, to say the very least.
Nonetheless, today's media assault on this individual's privacy is offensive and dangerous.
We have learned that he is unlicensed as a plumber and has owed back taxes. His political party registration has been publicized. Racism has been intimated. His family tree has been connected to Charles Keating (of Keating Five fame). We have even heard charges of inaccuracies on his Facebook page.
I am sure there will be more to come.
For goodness sake - all this average, Ohio man did was ask one tough question of Barack Obama. He is a private citizen who was entitled to do so - without any fear of reprisal or harm.
Instead, he's getting the Valerie Plame treatment.
Talk about a chilling effect on freedom of speech.
(Not that Joe has figured this out, mind you - he's happily riding his fifteen minutes of fame, so it seems)
Thumbs down to the various media sources and leading blogs who have run with this ill-conceived story.
- Garry J. Wise, Toronto
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4 comments:
Actually it turns out that this average Ohio man was a Republican stooge related to one of the Keating Five.
Oops. I read your post too quickly and didn't notice you mentioned that.
Bingo...I just found your site by googling 'leave joe the plumber alone' after seeing all the stuff about his taxes in article headlines. Not only is he himself a nonissue, but it's just intrusive, silly, kind of demeaning, unprofessional, and childish. Get to work media and spend your efforts elsewhere
Hey Joe the plumber if you read this... forget about the plumbing career, I think you could sell enough T shirts right now that say {I agree with Joe the Plumber} I think you'll make enough money to retire. I want one if ya decide to do it. Good Luck with the new spotlight. smiles...Then I hope you write a book about your life, I'd buy that too.. smiles...
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