August 20, 2006 at 01:19:59

Truth: The New Spin? Or Conrad Burns Takes A Nap

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By Steve Corrick (about the author) Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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TRUTH: The New Spin? -- Or Conrad Burns Takes a Nap

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/08/18/burns_takes_a_nap.html

When Montana's US Sen. Conrad Burns nodded off during a US Senate Farm Bill hearing in Great Falls, Montana, he didn't realize he'd be a movie star. Unfortunately for Burns, a Montana Democratic videographer was shooting video of the Senator, and the rest is YouTube history. Now Burns, who is locked in a fierce fight for his seat with farmer and Montana Senate President Jon Tester, can be seen nodding off during the hearings to the lovely strains of Happy Trails to You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_b0i2lukp4

A longer look at the use of YouTube videos can be found in the AP/Billings Gazette story, which also points out its use in memorializing the now infamous comment by Virginia Senator George Allen that the dark-skinned videographer for his rival's campaign was a "macaca."

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/08/19/news/state/60-youtube.txt

"By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - When Republican Sen. Conrad Burns briefly struggled to keep his eyes open at a Montana farm bill hearing Thursday, a state Democratic Party operative was right there filming it."

"Within hours, the tape of Burns was on YouTube.com, set to 'Happy Trails to You....'"

So the ultimate in political warfare may be, gasp, the ACTUAL actions and statements of one's political opponents, rather than a rival campaign's interpreted spin (or often intentionally misinterpreted spin) on an opponent's actions and positions.

TRUTH, the new political spin. What a concept...

Steve Corrick is an environmentalist and voting activist in Montana, formerly active in Illinois.

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
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