The problem with the media's so-called 'fact checkers' is that instead of researching the actual facts, they rely too much on what candidates are trying to spin - which means we're not getting an accurate representation of what really happened.
Basically, the 'fact checkers' (and a lot of the media) are getting played by the candidates and their campaigns for political expediency - AND YOU are getting played, too, if you believe their findings without question.
For example, various media outlets have called McCain's education ad referring to Obama's Sex Ed legislation false, because they have relied on what Obama and his campaign have stated about the Sex Ed bill Obama supported instead of looking at the actual facts.
The spin from Obama when questioned on the Sex Ed bill in 2004:
"Now, I'll give you an example, because I have a six-year-old daughter and a three-year-old daughter, and one of the things my wife and I talked to our daughter about is the possibility of somebody touching them inappropriately, and what that might mean. And that was included specifically in the law, so that kindergarteners are able to exercise some possible protection against abuse"
The current spin from Obama spokesperson Bill Burton:"It is shameful and downright perverse for the McCain campaign to use a bill that was written to protect young children from sexual predators"
The actual facts:
The bill was not written to protect young children from sexual predators.
Obama and his campaign distorted the truth then (debate with Keyes in 2004), and now (rebutting McCain's ad), to justify the Sex Ed bill by giving the example of his daughters needing to learn about inappropriate touching. The Illinois School Code already had a section for teaching kindergarten and elementary students about the dangers of abuse, inappropriate touching, predators, etc. - Sec. 27.13-2. The bill Obama supported was not for the purpose of teaching young children about abuse, inappropriate touching, and the dangers of predators because
that law already existed.
What
was new in the bill is the mandate for STD education in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 to be added to the already existing mandate for STD education in grades 6-12. Other topics that were originally intended for students in grades 6-12 are pushed down to K-12, as well.
What the bill did was take the sex education section of the Illinois School Code that was originally legislated for students in grades 6-12 and pushed it down to grades
K-12.
If the bill was intended to keep sex education age-appropriate, as also claimed, it should have been applied to the correct section of the Illinois School Code - Section 27-13.2 - which addresses the sexual and safety issues of younger students.
Furthermore the bill Obama supported omitted schools' obligation to give not less than 5 days written notice to the parents or guardians of pupils before commencing sex education classes or courses so that they may opt their students out if they so choose.
--------------
Bottom line - there's been a lot of sloppy journalism going on. The media would rather call for a quick quote than actually do the research leg work when they claim to be 'checking the facts'.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
