MJM Pushes A Favorite Fake Story
By Greg L | 15 November 2007 | Prince William County | 50 Comments
Oh, this is rich. The Manassas Urinal Massager takes a second-hand story about supposed voter intimidation related by Betty Weimer, who didn’t observe any such behavior, and then asks Prince William County Supervisors to comment on it as if this story has actually been substantiated? Meanwhile, there’s not a single mention of the questionable behavior by “translators” who voted for some voters at the polls, and for which there are multiple eyewitnesses.
This is pathetic. I can’t wait to see these folks get their well-deserved thumping when the investigation on this matter is completed and these allegations are demonstrated to be false.
Or maybe this supposedly happened in Czechoslovakia.
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I was at Stonewall for about an hour election day. I witnessed the “translator” go up to two Hispanic women, who were speaking English, and engaged them in a conversation in Spanish. He then proceeded to walk them in and go to the polling booth with them. I do not know what transpired there.
The “translator” was questioned about this when he came back out of the polling place, by a campaign manager of one of the candidates. These women did not solicit the help of this man. He insinuated himself onto these women without them asking for help. So why wouldn’t someone question the practices of this man?
Way to go MJM. If someone at the MJM would answer the phone I would cancel my subscription to the paper.
I was there for about an hour as well. I saw the “translator” in question. He was chatting away on his cell phone, and kept walking in and out of the building.
I did not hear any yelling, see any voter intimidation, or witness any volunteers acting any way but courteous.
Curious - since the majority of bloggers detest MJM so much, how come you’re quoting its writings almost every day? If it’s so terrible, why not just ignore it? Maybe it’ll go away, but then you wouldn’t have anything to gripe about, would you, and where would you find anything equally detestable to quote?
Referring to it as Urinal is sooo petty!
Would like to amend your last statement:
“referring it to the Urinal is soooooo CRASS”
But even more noticeable was Nohe insisting that the immigration issue wasn’t really that important to citizens. That sounds familiar, oh wait, now I remember…that is what the democrats said.
Krusty,
Do you live in PWC or the two cities? This is the only local paper we have and it’s always been that way.
We use the IGNORE BUTTON on here, but it doesn’t make the problem go away. Oh, there’s plenty to gripe without the MJM/Potmac News. Look at my story below, and you can bet you won’t be reading that in our local paper.
One Voice,
Excellent word choice.
BTW-There was NO voter intimidation at Stonewall Middle.
I would say all voters there were not considered at all. The voting took place in the limited space of the library. The cafeteria has much more room. However, they chose to think about the teacher’s and there breakfast first and foremost. We have many seniors at that precicnt, and they had to walk a fair distance further also to vote in the library. Also, one teacher on her way to work that day felt the need to yell across the bus loop to a smoker. This teacher was RUDE and mouthy. There were no kids at school that day. This happen about 200 ft from school entrance.
I say shame on Stonewall Administration for their treatment of all voters, and Mrs. Bosse the teacher for her treatment of a poll worker.
corr
THEIR breakfast..
Anon@ 8:21,
Looks like maybe nobody told Marty what to say. Maybe, he was trying some “independent thinking”.
By continuing to point out the gaffs of the MJM, BVBL is demonstrating how out-of-touch the MJM Editorial staff is with the community it serves. Furthermore, since this blog’s very beginnings, Greg has shown that the paper is often remiss in informing the public of stories it should be running. The superficial coverage of various elections, crimes that occur, abuse of power by elected officials, etc. provided by the MJM/PN has created a void that is being filled by blogs. If the paper was doing it’s job, reporting news in a straight-forward and unbiased manner, and exercising basic journalistic principles, there would be no place for blogs. The fact that BVBL has a huge readership, and not only reports on news but actually DRIVES some stories is a testament to this blog’s effectiveness. Love BVBL or hate BVBL, you can’t ignore BVBL’s impact on the community. I have sources in Richmond that have told me that several elected officials read this blog (as well as others) to get a feel for what is going on in PWC. If something of note is happening, they say they usually hear about it on the blogs first, and wait for it to be confirmed in the local press. Then they go back to the blog for the details that the papers leave out. This is telling.
Maureen, They stopped answering because many people have canceled their subscription. I stopped mine. Here is a list of the phone numbers. You may have tried to call one or all, but incase you haven’t here they are:
Customer Service Department 703-369-5556
Circulation Office Manager Laura Cirillo 703-369-6341
Woodbridge Office Coordinator Lisa Abrams 703-878-8021
Circulation Sales & Marketing Manager and Newspapers-In-Education Coordinator Michael Kitis 703-369-5335
Regional Circulation Director Charles Winans 703-878-8030
I canceled mine because of their one sided slant on the news!!
Krusty,
It seems you do not live in this area OR you work for the MJM. We are seeing the false reporting being done, not only by MJM but the main stream media in general. It is no different than the Philippine worker’s strike ini 1987. I was there, people were dying and the news back home was not reporting this. I stopped believing what the news printed or reported after I found that out. I am skeptical of the printed news and broadcast news. Recently CNN was caught with their pants down when they reported a story which lead people to believe that John Cena used steroids. They re-edited the story to play the ENTIRE interview instead of the edited one at a later broadcast. The man denied using steroids and the reporter kept trying to push it and with some fancy editing, made it sound like he did. I have to wonder how many other stories got this fancy editing.
Krusty, you have to admit, the JM is somewhat of an unreliable
daily piece of reading material. I, for one, gave up my
subscription a while back on advice of my friends here at bvbl
and instead, pick and choose the articles I wish to peruse (if
any) on line.
Maureen, suggest you cancel your subscription in writing rather
than calling that office. That’s how I did it.
3Dic 64 (I don’t know how to make those tents) - I know very well about false reporting. Statements quoted which were never stated in that particular way, a word left out giving a totally different meaning, rumors that prove untrue, etc.
However, I just wish Greg would stop referring to MJM ar URINAL. It puts him at a really low level. I mean, it isn’t funny or amusing at all! - Secondly, what do you gain by canceling your subscriptions? Do you really think MJM will change because of it, or what? Of course, you can read it on-line.
Here are a couple links for the John Cena interview:
http://www.gnewsworld.com/CenaInterview
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/17352554.html
Just to show Krusty the kind of reporting done in main stream media and why we are all over the MJM and PotNews
Write a letter to the Editor and cancel your subscription that way. Josh did. He wrote a great letter, and closed with please cancel my subscription.
The “tents” are the slash marks (c: /\/\
I canceled because my subscription supported the printing press that spits out their crap. If enough people stop their subscriptions, maybe they will get a clue. I do not read it online. I have no desire to read that bird cage crap catching, dog poo training rag!!
The MJM is a business just like Wal-Mart and such. Don’t you think customers drive businesses to make decisions? If something is priced too high for the customer, they do not buy it! If enough subscriptions are dropped, they will look into why this is. The print media is having a hard enough time keeping up with the online media as it is. They can not afford to alienate their subscribers. It would be in MJM’s best interest to start printing the news as it happens not how they think it should happen just so they can fill pages. Their editorial staff needs to show some of the letters I am sure that have been written about how they slant the editorials and the news. Once they can prove they are willing to report the news FAIR AND BALANCED, I will give consideration to supporting them again with my subscription.
People are tired of illegal aliens force feeding us with their mantra they deserve to be here and we should just get over it and let them be. When they return as LEGAL citizens, then I will open my arms to a fellow citizen!!!
Lafeyette, I have already called and canceled it. (c: I wish I had the thought to do as he did.
Ohh and BTW Laf, I do not think they would print more than one letter that cancels a subscription. It is bad publicity (c:
We stopped our subscription to Pot News over 15 years ago when they put a large color photo of a women being led away from a bridge -she had attempted suicide and emergency folks stopped it. I still can see the photo to this day and never got over them thinking that putting that anywhere in the paper was a responsible act.
Wanna-be’s.
Cancel my subscription does not necessarily cancel your subscription unless the correct department gets the notice. That doesn’t work all the time either.
Most newspapers today make their bucks from advertising, not from reader subscriptions. I seriously doubt if cancelling your subscription will make much of an impact.
I believe the term ‘urinal’ grosses out women much more than men. I guess we are stuck with it. I agree, its crass and my standards aren’t real high in that department. I grew up with 2 brothers which toughens you up for most things.
the reason I put “cancel my subscription” in the paper was to make a statement. I dont put up with poor customer service and I consider the paper to be poor in that regard. My only regret was that the delivery person is awesome and timely and since I’m a big customer service proponent that scores points with me.
However, cancelling the subscription was the only thing as a consumer that I actually had the power to do. I end up reading it online anyway and the paper usually collects in a pile by my landing until I get enough to throw away so It’s also an environmental decision as well.
If I’m going to spend my money, It should be spent wisely and I dont think giving them my money is very wise
Dolph, you are correct and businesses want to know the circulation before putting precious advertising dollars into an ad campaign in a newspaper. BTW, I have not had a paper on my doorstep since I canceled it. I also took the name of the person canceling my subscription and asked when the balance of my subscription payment would be credited to my credit card. I am pretty sure it has been properly canceled. (c:
Josh, you probably need to call the subscription desk to get your name off the books. I seriously doubt if the help there reads the opinion page. In the old days, you used to just tell your paper girl or boy. I don’t know if that works nowadays. Too many layers.
I still read the local paper. Perhaps glance is a more accurate word. If I don’t, I have no idea what is going on in my own community. I read online, my husband steals the paper copy and takes it to work. Actually, both MJM and Washington Post deliverers somehow manage to get the papers up under my car, so no one reads anything until I move the car. GRRRRRRRRRRR!
So, ^^3Dic 64, what do you put in the bottom of your bird cage now? Hope you have trained your dog, so you don’t need a rag for him to poo (?) any more. An aside: You say you don’t read it on-line and you don’t subscribe to it. How, then, do you know what they write?
Nohe is my representative on the BOCS and I think his comments in the article are reflective of our area. Illegal immigration isn’t high priority for most mid-county residents. Transportation and schools definitely rate higher and are where most of us would prefer to see our taxes spent.
I haven’t had a subscription to the MJM in over ten years. I thought my chump change was better spent on the WP when I was buying an actual paper. I now read both online instead.
BTW, there were some mid county folks at the BOCS meeting supporting John Stirrup’s resolution. Mr. Nohe better get in touch with his constituents. Just an observation.
Translation is an art. You don’t just translate word-for-word, but word-for-word-with-concept.
Not to comment on the article itself, but on a related topic:
I am a little confused as to the need for translators at polling places, as several members of my family are, in fact, naturalized American citizens. They all had to demonstrate some minimal competency in English as part of the citizenship process. I believe the test they all took was given in English. They took the oath in English. They now speak English as their predominant language. (If you want to succeed in America, you learn to speak English well.)
I find it hard to believe that there are actually people eligible to vote who cannot read names on a ballot in English, since English is the predominant (although not official) language of the country!
I can understand needing someone to translate occasional items like proposed bonds or proposed Constitutional amendments. These items are often written in run-on, dragged-out, comma-laden form and are not easily understood even by those of us for whom English is our first language.
How common are translators at the polls? I admit, I have never seen one in 15 years of voting in Virginia!
Patty, I think Supervisor Nohe is in touch with his constituents. The demographics in our zipcodes are different. I’ll see if I can find that zipcode site for you that compares a number of factors.
BTW, I know that a couple people who are considered pariahs by most of their neighbors are vociferously in favor of cracking down on illegal immigrants. Believe me, these tire-slashing, threat-making nutjobs are not a positive addition to your group.
Red Woman,
I’ve voted 21 years at Stonewall, and this was the first time I’ve ever seen translators. I agree with you comments above completely. Check out this letter to the Editor. “A Citizen Wouldn’t Need a Translator”. I think you will love it. I sure did!
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353484385&path=!opinion
Patty, here’s the site. It’s set for my zip.
http://zipskinny.com/index.php?zip=20112&x=28&y=16
anonymoustoo,
Marty might be elected by his District. However, he took an oath to serve the ENTIRE county! All Supervisors need to look at the big picture, and needs of the citizens countywide. I can see further than my front door, and I would like to think a Supervisor could too. Think about it for just a minute.
I would think that the same could be said for Supervisors Stewart and Stirrup. They need to be fiscally responsible for the sake of all county citizens.
Human nature prevents some folks from seeing outside their little world. I agree with both of you. I will say that fiscal management needs to move up in some folks books as a real high priority next to immigration. You are both making the same point.
Our spending per student is just a tad higher than Prince George’s County. Not a good reputation. Although, spending is not always a good indicator of quality, I think per pupil may be a good one when it comes to education. (except Washington DC!)
So if the spending is low per pupil and we are spending $37 million on ESOL and our revenues are dropping due to multiple issues in the lending market and the schools will take a hit - it’s really all the same problem don’t you think?
One issue may be more visual to each of us, but it’s all tied together.
Krusty, (/
Krusty, (slash under the ? mark and slash over the enter key x 2) (c: /\/\
I let the bird go and the dog is properly trained. (c: I just canceled my subscription Monday of this week. I am also going on what I see here giving it the proper weight it deserves.
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anonmousee…The mid county residents probably do not have to deal with the illegal issue like the rest of us do. They need to wake up because this is like a plague and WILL spread to their little part of the county.
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Exactly Lafayette….The entire county needs to be considered
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Good point One Voice!
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LaFayette,
Unfortunately for the residents of your community, you’re going to have to work very hard individually and as a neighborhood in order to turn things around. My glance at LandRover reveals that a large portion of the homes on your street are owned by people with Hispanic surnames. You’ll have to include these neighbors if you want to make lasting changes, not vilify them. There isn’t enough money in the county’s coffers to fix all the problems in Westgate. You and your neighbors will have to do most of the work.
When problems arise in Independent Hill, I expect zoning, building, and police resolution of those problems too. (And there have been isolated problems.) But…the main problem here is not one with illegal immigration, but instead with individual infractions of zoning and building codes. Most of our scofflaws have been white.
Just as you don’t want to see your tax dollars going to pay for services for illegal immigrants, I don’t want to see a disparate amount of my tax dollar going to one or two neighborhoods…particularly when the burden of turning those neighborhoods around will fall on the residents. I don’t mind funding more zoning inspectors or neighborhood services employees to address legitimate problems but I’m not interested in spending money to harrass one segment of the population based on how they look or whether they speak English.
anonyomoustoo,
I and many other neighbors have been working very hard with Zoning, Building Code, Police Dept., and our Supervisor too. We have had actually seen improvements over the last few months. We have been and will continue to work hard. We have less overcrowding as the banks foreclose too.Did you have to see the number of homes own by the banks? They don’t maintain the properties very well themselves. I would suggest going back and reading my posts. I have seen improvements, and I’m proud to say I had a large part in the ongoing improvements of WestGate.
I want are tax dollar to work hard for us. However, we will save money as the we have less illegal aliens to support. That will be a big savings to us all.
Red Woman: Nor have I in 23 years of voting. You said what I was thinking - who needs a translator to translate names??? Sometimes on the bonds, though, I would like a lawyer in there with me - lol
Concerning John Cena from an earlier post above, what the WWE did RIGHT was put BOTH videos (the CNN edited and the non-edited) side-by-side on the webpage EXPOSING CNN for the liars that they are.
And I agree with Lafayette, though Nohe represents one segment of the Prince William County population, his votes (as do all of theirs) affect ALL of Prince William County, just like Ted Kennedy’s votes affect me and I don’t even live in his state nor have any intention to.
IMHO, I do not think one particular neighborhood deserves anymore services than the next one does. I feel that an increase in housing inspectors to enforce code and ticket violators will be beneficial for ALL neighborhoods. I agree with anonyomoustoo on this one.
I also agree with Lafayette in regards to the votes. The individual supervisors can try to cater to their specific areas, but their vote does affect ALL of the county. I think they need to be fully aware of all of the situations throughout the county not just their own little section. What is one sections problem today, will be yours tomorrow.
Krusty said on 15 Nov 2007 at 10:42 am:
3Dic 64 (I don’t know how to make those tents)
KRUSTY, KRUSTY, KRUSTY…. You make those tents by using forward backslash and backward backslash/
/\/\
You’re welcome
Lafayette - You continue to grossly downplay your time and accomplishments!!!!!
Medic64,
I don’t disagree with anonymoustoo completely. I feel all neighborhoods deserve equal services. For months I’ve been saying we need stiffer Zoning LAWS, FINES, AND ENFORECEMENT. A fine should be imposed when a 30day follow up visit happens and the violation has not been taken care of. I would like to see one PCE Inspector in particular go to the right address, and do his job. We always have pictures of the violations that we call in here in WestGate. I’m not trying to be smart here. I just want my opinions clarified a little.
To those that have not had to deal with some of the problems we have, be thankful. It will land on your door step too. However, now with the resolution passed the “red carpet” is getting rolled up, hopefully you won’t be plagued like we have.
Lafayette said on 15 Nov 2007 at 12:54 pm:
Red Woman,
I’ve voted 21 years at Stonewall, and this was the first time I’ve ever seen translators.
Does anyone know who “paid” for these translators to be at the poll or who sponsored them if they were not paid? I would think that would be in the job description of the poll workers and not have just anyone running around the machines. Who authorized them to be inside the voting area and approach people. Can just anyone approach a voter going into the booth and offer to assist them to make their vote. Again, this should be the responsibility of the staff appointed by the voting commisssion and not just any “Joe or Jose.”
Anyone can do this, although these “translators” clearly were there on behalf of Mexicans Without Borders.
The last thing I want to see is the taxpayers on the hook for providing translators at the polls, for however many new citizens can’t be bothered to bring someone to assist them on their own. How many different languages would we then have to support at the polls?
I still have a really hard time accepting that there are “new citizens” who cannot read enough English to vote…
anonymoustoo: “Illegal immigration isn’t high priority for most mid-county residents.”
I’m just curious as to how you came to that conclusion. I live in mid-county as well, and through talks with folks in my neighborhood I would come to the opposite conclusion.
True, we don’t have the problems that Manassas City or MP does (yet), but the issue is gaining ground. And Marty should take heed.
The supervisors will vote the interests of their constituents or they will not be re-elected. Sure they should look out for the best interests of the entire county but the reality is, they need to respond to those who elect them first; the rest of the county second.
Dolph: “The supervisors will vote the interests of their constituents or they will not be re-elected.”
Nohe ran unopposed. It’s hard to get rid of them in that situation.
es_la_ley,
Apparently many people were satisfied with the job he was doing or someone would have run against him. Either that, or no one gave a damn…..
From the article:
“Covington and Nohe agree that the high emotions regarding illegal immigration are more prevalent in some areas of the county such as the Gainesville District and parts of the Woodbridge District.
“I don’t believe that it’s a county-wide problem,” Covington said.
Nohe said he believes transportation and education top the list.
“The majority of people in this county don’t view immigration as their main issue,” Nohe said.”
And yet today’s WashPo poll says that 50% of Prince William residents feel that immigration and illegal immigration is the NUMBER ONE problem.
Obviously Covington and Nohe are way out of touch with the citizens of this county.
Is Betty Weimer related to Carrol Weimer a lawyer in PWC/Man City that specialises in defense law? I don’t know…just asking.