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The Chicago Tribune needs to fix its dreadful kids-sing-for-Obama report. Now.

September 25, 2009 10:02 am ET by Eric Boehlert

We'll wait because this one's a whopper.

The Tribune's Mark Silva pretends the right-wing's jihad against a group of small school children who sang an Obama-inspired song is news. It's not, of course, which might be why the Tribune's Swamp blog did its best to improve the facts. I suggest the Tribune correct the false report immediately.

The blatant misinformation is found right in the headline [emphasis added]: 

It was the posting of the video on YouTube that brought a school apology.

Categorically false. The school where the children sang did not issue an apology in response to yesterday's hateful online crusade.  Why should it?

Here is the statement issued by the school, in its entirety. Good luck finding the "apology." Or maybe Tribune editors have special, Michelle Malkin-issued decoder glasses and can locate the mysterious apology:

Dear Burlington Township Families:

Today we became aware of a video that was placed on the internet which has been reported in the media. The video is of a class of students singing a song about President Obama. The activity took place during Black History Month in 2009, which is recognized each February to honor the contributions of African Americans to our country. Our curriculum studies, honors and recognizes those who serve our country. The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or Dr. King, Principal of B. Bernice Young School, directly.

Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher M. Manno,

UPDATED: Silva and the Tribune might also want to think about at least blurring the images of the second graders who appear on the Swamp blog, since this whole 'news' charade as been one massive invasion of their privacy.

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    • Author by terrapin53 (September 25, 2009 10:21 am ET)
      3  
      Seems to me it was the posting on Drudge and Fox that caused the problem, not youtube so much. It was also posted by an obvious Obama hater and I bet after he posted it, he let Drudge know exactly where to go to find it.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (September 25, 2009 10:25 am ET)
      5  
      Now, we get more of the story.

      This was during Black History month, which puts this into further perspective as well. As in, you know, Obama is black, and they were singing a silly little song about him being, you know, President.

      I'd almost be willing to bet, the song was not even repeated again after the "event" was videotaped.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by boohoo (September 25, 2009 10:43 am ET)
      1 4
      Eric, aren't you the moron who blamed JFK's death on right wingers? I have no idea how you can defend this obvious example of indoctrination... they took out Jesus and inserted Obama... at 59 seconds into the video there's a sign in the background that says "I am Barack Obama"...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by pete592 (September 25, 2009 5:36 pm ET)
        3  
        Flashback: Students Sang Bush's Praise Too (And For Katrina Response!)
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        • Author by jmille426471 (September 25, 2009 11:37 pm ET)
          1  
          Too bad the democrats don't the shamelessness neccessary to turn it into a national crisis.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (September 26, 2009 2:34 am ET)
        1  
        They did not "take out Jesus and insert Obama". They used a phrase from a children's song, "red, yellow, black and white" to emphasize that both Jesus and Obama think that the color of one's skin shouldn't matter.

        It's not comparing Obama directly with Jesus. It is simply explaining that both have that same characteristic.

        Or don't you think that the color of one's skin shouldn't matter?

        And the sign in the background? It's a picture of a woman's book who was speaking at the event apparently.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by themidnightreview.com (September 25, 2009 10:47 am ET)
      2  
      Since O'Keefe and Giles' illegal sting operation, I am certain you are going to see an increase of youtube copycat crusaders who are more then willing to try anything to bring the administration down...

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    • Author by Me2009 (September 25, 2009 11:02 am ET)
      1 3
      They should give an apology. There is a reason that we do not allow our kids to vote. THEY ARE TOO YOUNG.
      They do not understand politics. Why should we have our kids involved with this Obama crap at school? They hear enough about him on TV. God knows he has his face on every station possible. He is even on ESPN now. I do not know about the rest of you but I send my kids to school to learn so they can better their self not to sing or talk of Obama or any other President for that matter.

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      • Author by allanbrauer (September 25, 2009 6:24 pm ET)
           
        I hope your children learn better grammar at school as well. And you really want your children to grow up ignorant of the accomplishments of "any" President? I recommend home-schooling. That way you can ensure that they will turn out as pig-ignorant as you.
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      • Author by mrhebert74 (September 25, 2009 10:23 pm ET)
        1  
        Ah, yes. A shot of good-old-fascist "I should decide what goes on in public schools," chased by "TV is the reason people can't think (the same way I do) these days."

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    • Author by SLRTX (September 25, 2009 11:22 am ET)
      3  
      I tried the decoder glasses (I got them in a box of sugar-coated cereal).

      I found the apology in the period just after the word, "unauthorized". It's clearly there.

      Of course, it helps to take several Oxycontin just before you try out the glasses.
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    • Author by SMTDL (September 25, 2009 12:12 pm ET)
      2 1
      AAAH..Indoctrination is so easy..just sing a song one time and its lasts such a long time.....not the kids tho ..they probably had forgotten about the program long ago..But the indoctrination of right wing "adults" will probably make them harp on it for a long time stil!!More pitiable overreactions from the fringe!!!
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    • Author by pilotx (September 26, 2009 3:15 am ET)
      1  
      That does it, no government indoctrination of my kids. Home schooling. Next thing you know they'll be learning that nutty evolution crap and sciency stuff.
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