Why Are We Back In Iraq?

February 6, 2005: Fake Ass Talon News

A few days ago I blogged about Jeff Gannon, the White House correspondent for the two-year-old Talon News.com which is affiliated with the extremely conservative GOPUSA.com: Jeff Gannon Is No Jeff Gannon. At the Daily Kos blog, a number of diarists, such as Susan G., Spiderleaf, and Baltimoretim, have done some fine work while attempting to unravel the mystery that has been dubbed "PropaGannon."

On January 31st, David Brock of Media Matters wrote a letter to Scott McClellan, the White House Press Secretary, asking him to revoke Mr. Gannon's press credentials because "Mr. Gannon and Talon News appear to be political activists rather than actual journalists, and as such should not be presented to the public as an independent news agency." Mr. Brock also brought up the fact that a few of Mr. Gannon's "articles are frequently little more than reprints of White House press releases and fact sheets...I understand that your office issues press releases with the hope that reporters quote them. But surely you understand that when Mr. Gannon's "articles" lift heavily from President Bush's statements without directly disclosing that the words are the president's, not Mr. Gannon's, he is working not as a journalist but as an agent of the White House."

According to the About page at the fake ass Website, "Talon News is a news company which covers political, national, and world news. Talon News focuses on those stories often overlooked by other media outlets."

Bobby Eberle - an engineer and Republican activist/delegate from Houston, Texas - is the head honcho for this "news company" as well as the GOPUSA "empire." Message to Bobby: You might want to change that last sentence on the About page to Talon News filches stories from other media outlets. Mr. Gannon is not the only plagiarist on the staff of the Talon News. And it's not just the White House who's words are being lifted. Talon News also cribs from The New York Times and Fox News.

Just after the 2004 election "results" were officially certified late Thursday afternoon on January 6, 2005, a report by Carl Cameron, Julie Asher and Jim Mills appeared on the Fox News Website: link On January 7, 2005, the article - "Congress Ratifies Bush Victory After a Rare Challenge" written by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and James Dao - was published in The New York Times (excerpted at this cache link), although it most probably was available at The New York Times Website sometime late Thursday evening. On Friday, Steve Roeder, a "correspondent" for Talon News "wrote" a practically identical "article" called "Dems Fail in Ohio Electoral Vote Challenge" which is (how do you delicately put it?) practically stolen (Steve Roeder from Talon News is a plagiarist):

Roeder - "A joint session of Congress resumed proceedings Thursday evening and quickly ratified President George W. Bush's November election victory."

Cameron, Asher & Mills: "A joint session of Congress resumed meeting Thursday evening and quickly finalized certification of President Bush's 286 Electoral College votes to Democrat John Kerry's 251.

Roeder - Certification was halted for the majority of the afternoon when Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) stopped the formal declaration process.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - The certification was delayed for several hours after Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, stopped the formal declaration of Bush's second term to protest voting irregularities.

Roeder - Boxer said on the Senate floor that she and Jones wanted to "shed some light" on issues of reported voting irregularities in Ohio and nationwide election reform.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Boxer said on the floor of the Senate that she joined with Jones to "shed some light" about the issues of reported voting irregularities in Ohio as well as election reform throughout the nation.

Roeder - Lawmakers were forced to retreat to their separate chambers for two hours of debate and a vote on the challenge.

Stolberg & Dao - Instead of holding a courteous joint session to certify the election, lawmakers were forced to retreat to their separate chambers for two hours of debate and a vote on the challenge.

Roeder - Earlier in the day, Boxer and Jones acknowledged at a news conference that they did not expect to overturn the results.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Earlier on Thursday, Boxer and Jones held a news conference and acknowledged they are not expecting to overturn the November election results.

Roeder - It was only the second such challenge since Rutherford B. Hayes won in 1876.

Stolberg & Dao - It was only the second such challenge to a presidential race since 1877.

Roeder - In 2001, more than two-dozen Democrats objected to the certification of Florida's disputed election won by President Bush. However, since no senator also objected then, as is required to cause a recess of the joint session of Congress, the objection was ignored.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - In 2001, more than two-dozen Democrats objected to the certification of Florida's disputed election, but because no senator objected, as is required to trigger a recess of the joint session, the objection was ignored.

Roeder - Boxer said she regrets that she didn't object to the certification four years ago.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Boxer also said she regrets that she didn't object to the certification four years ago when the controversial election put Bush over Al Gore.

Roeder - Debate in the House on Thursday was lively. In contrast, the Senate debate included only the two Republicans from Ohio: Sen. Mike DeWine and Sen. George V. Voinovich. The Democrats filled the remaining time with reasons why the voting system needs improvement.

Stolberg & Dao - Although debate in the House was vigorous, in the Senate only two Republicans – Mike DeWine and George V. Voinovich of Ohio – joined in, leaving Democrats to fill the time with relatively subdued speeches about why the voting system needs to be improved.

Roeder - Most Democrats concluded Bush was the rightful winner and said the move cast a needed spotlight on voting rights. Republicans called it a waste of time.

Stolberg & Dao - Democrats, nearly all of whom conceded that Mr. Bush was the rightful winner, said the move cast a needed spotlight on voting rights. Republicans called it a waste of time.

Roeder - "This is a travesty," said Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), who forced a formal roll call vote in the Senate to spotlight lawmakers' positions. "[Democrats] are still not over the 2000 election, let alone the 2004 election."

Stolberg & Dao - “This is a travesty,” said Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a member of the Republican leadership, who forced a formal roll call vote in the Senate to spotlight lawmakers’ positions. Of Democrats, he said, “They’re still not over the 2000 election, let alone the 2004 election.”

Roeder - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) characterized the Democrats' move as a "quadrennial crying wolf."

Stolberg & Dao - Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the House majority leader, drew applause on the House floor when he denounced the Democrats’ move as a “quadrennial crying wolf.

Roeder - The challenge divided Democrats. Party leaders and many rank-and-file distanced themselves. Black and liberal lawmakers embraced it.

Stolberg & Dao - –The challenge cast a spotlight on divisions among Democrats, with party leaders and many in the rank and file distancing themselves from the effort, while black and liberal lawmakers embraced it.

Roeder - Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who lost the election to Bush, said in a letter sent to supporters Wednesday he would not take part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors because, despite widespread reports of voting irregularities, his legal team had "found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election." Kerry said he planned to introduce election-reform legislation and request congressional hearings on the voting irregularities.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Kerry, who lost the election to Bush and is currently overseas, said in a letter sent to supporters Wednesday he would not take part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors because, despite widespread reports of voting irregularities, his legal team had "found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election." Kerry said he planned to introduce election-reform legislation and push for congressional hearings on the voting irregularities.

Roeder - Democratic officials in Ohio said that, while they desire improved election practices, they worry that the party was wasting time and money.

Stolberg & Dao - But even Democratic officials in Ohio said that while they wanted improved election practices, they worried that the party was wasting time and money refighting the last election.

Roeder - Likewise, Republicans from Ohio were not pleased by the Democrats' objection. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) called the procedural challenge an effort by "certain extreme elements of Sen. Kerry's own party" to mock an election that Kerry himself conceded.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Republicans from Ohio were not pleased by the Democrats' objection. Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, called the challenge an effort by "certain extreme elements of Senator Kerry's own party" to mock an election that Kerry himself conceded.

Roeder - Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) concurred. Charges made about Ohio's election are "wild, incoherent and completely unsubstantiated," he said. On the Senate floor, Dewine added that he found it "almost impossible to believe" that the Senate was debating the matter when the official results showed that Bush won his state with more 118,000 votes.

Cameron, Asher & Mills - Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, said charges made about Ohio’s election are “wild, incoherent and completely unsubstantiated. He delivered a statement on the Senate floor saying he found it "almost impossible to believe" that the Senate was debating the matter when the official results showed that Bush won his state with more 118,000 votes.

The following line appears on the Talon News Website: "Copyright © 2005 Talon News -- All rights reserved." Tell that to Fox News: "This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright 2005 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved."

February 8, 2005: Steve Roeder: Serial Plagiarist For Talon News

UPDATE - As the whole blogosphere knows by now, Jeff Gannon (aka JD Guckert) quit Talon News and halted his blog late last night "because of the attention paid to" him over the last few days by nearly every left-leaning blog on the net. Talon News & GOPUSA have also removed many of the stories from their archives, including the purloined stories copy-and-pasted by Steve Roeder which I've been blogging about. No problem, it was easy enough to replace the links with caches. So there. The other big change at Talon News concerns the bylines. Of the four "articles" that appear on the Website today, two carry Bobby's name as the author while the other two are nameless. I wonder if Steve Roeder's voice went silent as well. We'll see.

Steve Roeder, a "correspondent" for the bogus Talon News, "wrote" an article entitled "Heinz Kerry Says Laura Bush Never Had 'Real Job'" on October 21, 2004 (cache link). Fortunately for Mr. Roeder, Fox News posted a story on this the day before (link), that ran without a byline, but with the following note: "The Associated Press contributed to this report." Yet for some reason, Mr. Roeder's story doesn't mention the contributions from the Fox News Website nor from this Reuters story: link to cache.

Roeder: "Laura Bush taught in public schools in Texas from 1968 to 1973, then earned a master's degree in library sciences and worked for the following four years as a school librarian. In 1977, she married George W. Bush."

Fox News: "Laura Bush taught in public schools in Texas from 1968 to 1973, then got her library sciences master's degree and worked as a school librarian until 1977, the year she married George W. Bush."

Roeder: "Heinz Kerry, a philanthropist and heiress to the Heinz ketchup fortune valued in excess of $500 million..."

Reuters: "Heinz Kerry, a philanthropist and heiress to a Heinz ketchup fortune of more than $500 million..."

Roeder: "In the newspaper interview, Heinz Kerry, 66, said she sees her age as a benefit."

Fox News: "In the newspaper interview, Heinz Kerry said she sees her age as a benefit — she is 66."

Roeder: "Heinz Kerry drew the ire of the Republicans when USA Today asked her how she would be different from Mrs. Bush if John Kerry won the November 2 election..."

Reuters: "Asked how she would be different from Mrs. Bush if John Kerry won the November 2 election, Heinz Kerry told USA Today..."

Roeder: "Earlier Wednesday, prior to Heinz Kerry's apology, Hughes criticized Heinz Kerry's remarks as "indicative of an unfortunate mind-set that seeks to divide women based on who works at home and who works outside the home."

Fox News: "Prior to Heinz Kerry's apology, Karen Hughes, an adviser to President Bush, criticized Heinz Kerry's remarks as "indicative of an unfortunate mindset that seeks to divide women based on who works at home and who works outside the home."

On December 17, 2004, Mr. Roeder "wrote" a story (link) about Bush's diabolical plans for Social Security which is nearly verbatim to comments made at Press Secretary Scott McClennan's briefing the day before (link):

Roeder: "As the current Social Security system stands, without significant changes, younger workers will face massive tax increases or massive benefit cuts."

McClennan: "If we do nothing, John, our younger workers will face massive tax increases or massive benefit cuts. That's under the current system."

Roeder: "The Social Security trustees state that the system goes insolvent in 2042. In 2018, the annual spending on Social Security will exceed the system's tax revenue."

McClennan: "The Social Security trustees state that it goes insolvent in 2042...the annual spending on Social Security will exceed the system's tax revenue in 2018."

Roeder: "Democratic congressional leaders recently issued a statement saying that they're asking President Bush to come forward with a Social Security proposal that does not reduce Social Security funding, harm the middle class, or cut guaranteed benefits."

Question for McClennan: "Scott, the Democratic congressional leaders issued a statement today, saying that they're asking the President to come forward with a Social Security proposal that does not reduce Social Security funding, harm the middle class or cut guaranteed benefits."

Roeder: "However, the guarantee or expectation of a certain amount in retirement benefits is an empty promise, as younger workers will not have the benefits that they are owed under the current, unsustainable Social Security system."

McClennan: "There are no guaranteed benefits right now. That's an empty promise. Younger workers will not have the benefits that they are owed under the current Social Security system. The current Social Security system is unsustainable."

Roeder: "Many experts say addressing and fixing the sustainability of Social Security will involve either a tax increase, raising the retirement age, cutting benefits, or means testing."

Question for McClennan: "...which a lot of experts are saying would have to involve either a tax increase, raising the retirement age, cutting benefits or means testing."

Roeder: "Addressing the long-term sustainability of Social Security and other long-term debts would be viewed favorably by the financial markets."

McClennan: "And as I pointed out last week, I believe, markets will look favorably on a plan that addresses the long-term sustainability of Social Security."

Roeder: "All three approaches vary in the amount that would be contributed from payroll taxes. Because of the higher rate of return that a younger worker might have, their benefits either would be reduced, or they might have to retire at a higher age. There would be a reduction of benefits as an offset to the higher rate of return."

Question for McClennan: "Well, my question then is, I believe all three approaches -- even though they vary in the amount that would be contributed from payroll taxes do say that because of the higher rate of return that a younger worker might have, the price they would have to pay for that higher return is that their benefits either would be reduced, or they might have to retire at a higher age, but that there would be a reduction of benefits as an offset to the higher rate of return."

On January 31, 2005 Mr. Roeder's "Iraqi Voters Turn Out in Droves" (link) is a combination of nearly identical quotes from Bush's radio address which was broadcast two days earlier (link), and an article that ran on UN.org the day before (link): Roeder: "On Sunday, the world witnessed crucial milestones in the advancement of freedom and the war on terror. Despite intimidating threats, Iraqis made their way to polling centers in droves throughout their nation to choose from more than 100 different slates with 19,000 candidates competing for seats in the Transitional National Assembly, the country's 18 provincial councils, and the Kurdistan National Assembly." Bush: "Tomorrow the world will witness a turning point in the history of Iraq, a milestone in the advance of freedom, and a crucial advance in the war on terror. The Iraqi people will make their way to polling centers across their nation. On the national ballot alone, voters will choose from nearly 19,000 candidates competing for seats in the Transitional National Assembly, in the country's 18 provincial councils, and in the Kurdistan National Assembly."

Roeder: "Overseen by the Independent Election Commission of Iraq, the first genuine, nationwide election in generations was deemed a major success."

Bush: "This historic event will be overseen by the Independent Election Commission of Iraq, and will mark the first genuine, nationwide elections in generations."

Roeder: "United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan lauded the bravery of the large numbers of Iraqis who exercised their right to vote, as well as those who supported the process."

UN.org: "Mr. Annan lauded the bravery of the large numbers of Iraqis who exercised their right to vote despite significant attempts at violent disruption, as well as those who supported the process."

Roeder: "Annan also congratulated the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) staff who, with other international electoral experts, worked to support the election."

UN.org: "He also congratulated the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) staff who, with other international electoral experts, worked to support the election."

Roeder: "Sunday's balloting is the latest step in Iraq's journey to permanent democracy and freedom. Those elected to the transitional 275-member National Assembly will help appoint a new government to represent the diversity of the Iraqi people. This assembly will also be charged with drafting a permanent constitution that will be put to a referendum of the Iraqi people this fall. If approved, a new nationwide election will follow in December that will choose a new government under this constitution."

Bush: "Tomorrow's vote will be the latest step in Iraq's journey to permanent democracy and freedom. Those elected to the transitional National Assembly will help appoint a new government that will fully and fairly represent the diversity of the Iraqi people. This assembly will also be charged with drafting a permanent constitution that will be put to a vote of the Iraqi people this fall. If approved, a new nationwide election will follow in December that will choose a new government under this constitution."

Roeder: "With past actions of assassination, brutal violence, and calculated intimidation..."

Bush: "In the face of assassination, brutal violence and calculated intimidation..."

Just like Jeff Gannon, Mr. Roeder's journalism roots seem to be shrouded in mystery. But - unlike Mr. Gannon - there doesn't seem to be any trace of his biographical background or a picture to show what he looks like. Perhaps - like Mr. Gannon - Steve Roeder writes using an alias. Of course, there's always the possibility that Steve Roeder doesn't exist at all, since there is no trace of any original writing by the "man" either.

February 16, 2005: Bobby Eberle Rewrites Reuters For Freepers

Too bad Bobby Eberle doesn't have Jeff Gannon around anymore in the GOPUSA "newsroom." The majority of the "articles" that have appeared at Talon News (only the first few lines appear there...if you want to "read more"...you're redirected to GOPUSA.com where the stories are actually located) since Jeff quit shilling bear Bobby's name as the "writer."

Bobby's latest top story - "Bush Sends Judicial Nominees Back To Senate" (link) - might read a little familiar to Thomas Ferraro, a scribe for the Reuters news service ("Bush Renominates 20 Failed Judicial Nominees" boston.com) . You see, the Talon News style of journalism consists of plagiarizing from the work of real journalists and mixing it up with exact quotes from administration speeches and official government press releases. Bobby steals lines and quotes from the mainstream media, removing any "liberal" slant, and sends it out to his Websites and subscribers so that they can read only "good news":

Bobby Eberle - "President George W. Bush figuratively threw down the gauntlet to Senate Democrats on Monday by resubmitting the names of 20 judicial nominees to the Senate Judiciary Committee."

Thomas Ferraro - "President Bush set up a showdown with Senate Democrats on Monday by renominating 20 failed judicial nominees, many of whom had been denounced by critics as "right-wing extremists.""

Bobby Eberle - "New Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is on record as being willing to take a stand against controversial nominees and said in a statement on Monday, "The president is at it again with the extremist judges.""

Thomas Ferraro - "Reid, in a statement of his own, said, "The president is at it again with the extremist judges.""

Bobby Eberle - "Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) expressed his support for the nominees on Monday saying he is "pleased that the president has renominated these excellent women and men to serve on the federal bench." Frist expressed hope that Democrats will work with him to "get up-or-down votes on each nominee.""

Thomas Ferraro - "In a statement on Monday, Frist said, "I'm pleased that the president has renominated these excellent women and men ... I'm hopeful that Democrats will work with me to get up-or-down votes on each nominee." "

Bobby Eberle - "Frist is thought to be considering forcing a rule change if Democrats insist on continuing to obstruct judicial nominations this session."

Thomas Ferraro - "Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, has threatened to change the Senate's rules to prevent any more procedural hurdles known as filibusters against judicial nominees."

Bobby Eberle - ""The American people sent a strong message on November 2 against the obstructionist tactics that, unfortunately, we saw all too often in the past four years," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)."

Thomas Ferraro - "Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said, "The American people sent a strong message on November 2 against the obstructionist tactics that, unfortunately, we saw all too often in the past four years.""

Bobby Eberle - "A simple majority of 51 votes is needed to the change the rules while 60 is necessary to end a filibuster..."

Thomas Ferraro - "A simple majority of 51 votes would be needed in the 100-member Senate to change the rules and end filibusters."

Not satisfied with just re-using words from Reuters, the second page of Bobby's cut-and-paste-job is just about completely lifted from the last few paragraphs of an article by the Associated Press (Jesse J. Holland "Bush Sends Senate 20 Judicial Nominees" cache link). Bobby does mention the A.P. as a source for the Ted Kennedy quotes (ummm I don't think there's any chance that Teddy would be taking calls from Talon News), but it might have been a little smarter to at least switch the order of the list of judicial nominees that the A.P. provided (yes, the nominees are listed in alphabetical order by state, but the courts are also listed in the same order).

Where did Bobby first read the Reuters article and why did he decide to "re-write" it?

Perhaps he saw this thread at the Free Republic Website yesterday: cache link. It was listed as a "Reuter's Bias Alert."

A freeper using the handle "GW and Twins Pawpaw" noted, "Senator Harry better watch out. He might get Daschled next time.."

Bobby Eberle's "article" included this line: "Then Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle led the Democratic minority in blocking some high-profile nominations in the last congressional session, a role that some say led to his defeat last fall at the hands of new Republican Sen. John Thune."

Some say, indeed.

My Talon News/GOPUSA Archives

February 25, 2005: How To "Write" Like Jeff Gannon: Example #1

Google, cut-and-paste, switch a word or two, then put your name on top and claim authorship of it.

Example #1.

Jeff Gannon's "Liberal Journalists Lambaste Fox News at South Dakota Event" appeared on Talon News on September 29, 2003 (cache link). Perhaps a more accurate title would have been "Liberal Journalists Lambaste Fox News at South Dakota Event According to an Article I Read By Randy Dockendorf Who Actually Attended the Event Although I'm Neglecting to Mention That" (The Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan) by Jeff Gannon:

Dockendorf: "a two-day celebration of the $5 million renovation of the Al Neuharth Media Center on the USD campus."

Gannon: "the $5 million Al Neuharth Media Center on the USD campus. A two-day celebration"

Dockendorf: "Neuharth, a 1950 USD graduate, founded USA TODAY, the nation's largest daily newspaper. He also founded the Freedom Forum"

Gannon: "Neuharth, a 1950 USD graduate, founded USA TODAY, the nation's largest daily newspaper...He also established the Freedom Forum"

Gannon breaks to Google:

Arcspace.com : "The Freedom Forum was established in 1991 under the direction of Founder Allen H. Neuharth as successor to a foundation started in 1935 by newspaper publisher Frank E. Gannett."

Gannon: "Freedom Forum in 1991 as successor to a foundation started in 1935 by newspaper publisher Frank E. Gannett."

Gannon Googles some more:

Newsquest: "Gannett is the USA's largest newspaper group in terms of circulation. The company's 101 U.S. daily newspapers have a combined daily paid circulation of 7.7 million."

Gannon: "Gannett is the America's largest newspaper group in terms of circulation. The company's 100 daily newspapers in the U.S. have a combined daily paid circulation of 7.7 million"

Gannon goes back to Dockendorf:

Dockendorf: "Louis Boccardi, the former chief executive officer, and Tom Curley, the chief executive officer, of the Associated Press; Robert MacNeil, former host of "The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour"; John Siegenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center; and Judy Woodruff, anchor for the Cable News Network."

Gannon: "Robert MacNeil, former host of Public Broadcasting's "The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour", John Siegenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center, Louis Boccardi and Tom Curley of the Associated Press, and Judy Woodruff, CNN anchor."

Dockendorf: "MacNeil criticized the motto as misleading. "The Fox claim is a con on the public ... The network is blatantly unbalanced," he said, adding that the network has used patriotism to promote the right wing and Bush administration.

Gannon: "MacNeil criticized the most-watched cable news network's motto as misleading. "The Fox claim is a con on the public. ... The network is blatantly unbalanced," MacNeil said. MacNeil accused the network of using patriotism to promote the right wing and Bush administration.

Dockendorf: "Sen. George McGovern, who was in the audience, asked the panelists about the definition of "patriotism" and the increasing unpopularity of those who spoke out against the Iraq war."

Gannon: "George McGovern asked the panel about the definition of "patriotism" and the increasing unpopularity of those who spoke out against the Iraq war."

Dockendorf: "Woodruff said, noting the "deep attacks" felt by Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., when he criticized President Bush heading into the Iraq war."

Gannon: "Woodruff noted the "deep attacks" felt by Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) when he criticized President Bush prior to the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom."

(Message to Randy Dockendorf: Instead of suing Jeff Gannon, Talon News/GOPUSA and owner Bobby Eberle for stealing your work, perhaps they can call Scott McClellan and get him to issue you a White House Press Pass.)

February 27, 2005: How To "Write" Like Jeff Gannon: Example #2

Does Bob Allen of the Associate Baptist Press know that significant portions of an article that he wrote and published a year-and-a-half ago later appeared as a Talon News/GOPUSA exclusive credited to the poor-poor-persecuted propagandist and plagiarist - Jeff Gannon? Bob Allen's story "Christian Coalition divided over Alabama tax reform" (August 12, 2003: ABP Press) only got so much play, but Jeff Gannon's "Conservative, Christians Battle Alabama Governor on Tax Hike" (August 22, 2003: cache link) travelled all across the Internet, appearing here, here, here, and was even cited in this Reverend's sermon).

Allen: "The $1.2 billion tax package, aimed at erasing budget deficits and reforming an antiquated tax structure"

Gannon: "Riley's tax package, aimed at erasing budget deficits and reforming an antiquated tax structure"

Allen: "Religious leaders led opposition to the previous governor's plan to raise funds for education through a statewide lottery."

Gannon: "They had previously defeated another governor's attempt to fund education with a statewide lottery."

Allen: "The Christian Coalition of Alabama passed a resolution in May opposing the raising of taxes and blaming the state's budget woes on "years of poor stewardship and fiscal irresponsibility.""

Gannon: "The Alabama Christian Coalition passed a resolution in May opposing the raising of taxes and blaming the state's budget woes on "years of poor stewardship and fiscal irresponsibility.""

Allen: "Roberta Combs, national Christian Coalition president, made unannounced visits in cities across Alabama Aug. 6 to tout the Republican governor's tax plan, according to a story by EthicsDaily.com."

Gannon: "The national Christian Coalition broke with the state organization when its president, Roberta Combs made unannounced visits in four cities across Alabama on August 6 to speak in favor of Riley's plan."

Jeff Gannon "journalism" students, as you can see from that last example, the Jeff Gannon style of "journalism" means that when you steal from a source you don't have to even cite the source that the source that you stole from cited.

Which brings me back to the Reverend. The line the Reverend attibuted to Jeff Gannon appeared this way in the Associated Baptist Press article:

Allen: "According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor," he told USA Today."

But in Talon News/GOPUSA it simply ran this way:

Gannon: "Riley, a Southern Baptist who took office in January said, "According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other, and help take care of the poor.""

I guess that way no one could easily figure out that Jeff Gannon stole a couple more lines from that same USA Today story attributed to the Associated Press (link to a cache of "Alabama governor calls tax hike Christian duty"):

USATODAY/AP: "The state is facing a $675 million deficit, and without new revenue, Riley says, it will have to release prisoners, cut medicine for the mentally ill and end Medicaid payments for many nursing home residents."

Gannon: "The state is facing a $675 million deficit, and without new revenue, Riley has threatened to release prisoners, cut medicine for the mentally ill, and end Medicaid payments for many nursing home residents."

USATODAY/AP: "Two of the governor's cabinet members who resigned after Riley made the proposal."

Gannon: "Two of the governor's cabinet members resigned after the governor announced his proposal."

Shame on you, Mr. Gannon. And shame on any right-wing pundit who still thinks that Talon News is worthy of being defended as a legitimate news organization.

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