If this is true, it’s pretty insane.
Police are investigating after a local woman working at a campaign call center says she was attacked by a suspect who became enraged after seeing a McCain bumper sticker on her car.
According to police, the 20-year-old woman said she was mugged at an ATM in the Bloomfield area around 9pm last night after leaving a Republican phone bank.
The woman told police that the suspect, described only as a dark-skinned African-American man about 6′4′, stole $60 from her and became enraged after seeing a bumper sticker supporting Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain on her car.
Why do I have doubts? Well, there’s a history. I’m not saying it isn’t true, just that this sort of thing needs verification.
Obama campaign in PA sent out this statement:
This is a horrendous act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
UPDATE: TMZ: “Politically Motivated” Mutilation – Real or Hoax?
ittsburgh law enforcement sources tell TMZ they have serious questions about the authenticity of the alleged victim who says she had her face cut by a politically-motivated attacker.
We’re told there are several things about the alleged attack that don’t add up. A Pittsburgh PD official says they are conducting a “thorough investigation” and have not determined if the alleged attack is real or a hoax. But we’re told there is definitely a level of skepticism.
UPDATE2: Begins to stink more…
Police planned to administer a polygraph test to Ashley Todd, 20, because her statements about the attack conflict with evidence from the Citizens Bank ATM where she claims the incident occurred, police said.
That is fucked up.
I am waiting to make a judgment. She refused treatment for her injuries and was always out of the camera view. If it was a political statement I would think an “O” would be carved not a “B”. Maybe the mugger figured she was a “B”. I am waiting for more facts to come out.
… with a knife, apparently.
Actually, I have some doubts about this story, but considering that Oliver’s still flogging the “kill him” at a McCain speech after the Secret Service said they investigated and it seems it never happened, I guess the new standard is that the accusation is sufficient.
J.
Yeah, Obama said people should talk to each other, McCain says Obama hangs out with terrorists. All the same. Idiot.
I give it until Sunday to figure out the real story. I have my doubts
1. Obligatory Scary “dark-skinned” black man….he’s dark enough so there is absolutely no doubt he is a black
2. The speed with which McCain and Palin personally jump in to get involved with this is amazing
3. Its in McCain’s favorite “battleground” state of Pennsylvania …coincidence….I think not
4. Its in western PA where Murtha just happened to make comments about race just 4 days prior
PLUS
Tongue in cheek:
Carving a “B” in her cheek….puh-leeze…anyone knows it would have been an “O” if it were a real Obama supporter
While I do take any acts of violence seriously..
I do NOT take the word of any McCain/GOP campaign operative at face value in light of years of overwhelmingly blatant deceitfulness and abject fabrication…
If the woman was truly attacked I wish her the best……but this reeks to high heaven
At worst it’s a desperate plea to gin up votes in a racially polarized area of a big battleground state 11 days out from election day
I have my own doubts about it, too… but as noted, the standard of proof in these cases has been tremendously lowered when the accused are McCain/Palin supporters, and I’m all for equal treatment.
Of course, this story is still fresh. The left-wing blogs haven’t had enough time to give this woman’s entire life the kind of scrutiny that Joe The Plumber got for asking his questions. I’m sure we’ll soon know her credit history, job history, sexual history, and anything else that will discredit her — AND avoid talking about the climate that probably provoked this woman’s attack and maiming.
J.
Sort of like Malkin(sp/) dose with the personal info of people that call her on bullshit?
Not familiar with that case, Grumpy. But I am familiar with the time she reprinted a press release put put by some young idiots calling themselves “Students Against War?” A release where they themselves put their own phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
Still waiting for the Obama campaign to condemn this hate crime, and dial back on the “get in their faces” rhetoric…
J.
Jay Tea is right. The story is still fresh so it’s still soon enough for right wingers to concoct all kinds of hypothetical scenarios about how liberals and the mainstream media will react all while arguing that their wild, inflammatory conjecture is perfectly legitimate because liberals did it first!
Jay, can we get a ruling on this?
Hmm, now should Obama send back any donations of $60 from Bloomfield?
Honestly, I don’t know how we should differentiate this from any other mugging. Some asswhole mugs a Republican, and it’s Obama’s fault?
Fafaroo, tell ya what: why don’t we look at how long the “kill him” bullshit went on, from the first unconfirmed report until the Secret Service said it never happened, and say that’s long enough.
I can think of two elements here that make me suspicious of the story right off the bat, but I’m going to withhold casting any doubt on it publicly until I see how things play out. I’m more interested in seeing how the Obama supporters and the campaign handle it at this point.
J.
Not familiar with that case, Grumpy.
Oh, PLEASE. Grahame Frost ring a fucking bell, you liar?
And nice try at turning this back on Obama with the “get in their faces” comment. You know Goddamned well what he meant by that, and yet you continue to distort it.
Joe the Plumber put himself in front of the cameras, so don’t give us this bullshit about “the Left” destroying him. He could go back inside his house and shut the door as easy as anyone else, but he’s an attention whore just like the rest of the GOP.
GOD, I’m sick of Republican shit. I can’t wait til your party is a footnote.
“GOD, I’m sick of Republican shit. I can’t wait til your party is a footnote.”
Amen, brother.
And it won’t be long, as the demographics are killing the Republican party.
Yes Jay that is what I meant.
Bullshit is bullshit.
I would hope you were man enough to admit when something was fucked up and move on with out snarky comment.
“I’m more interested in seeing how the Obama supporters and the campaign handle it at this point.”
So you’re interested in how the Obama campaign will handle a story that you yourself have suspicions about? How would you expect the Obama campaign to handle it, Jay Tea? Or maybe even more to the point, how do you think they should handle it?
That heinous woman, Michelle Malkin! How DARE she reprint a press release! How DARE she quote those people who sent out a release with their e-mails and phone numbers! What a grotesque violation of decency and privacy! She should have KNOWN that it was one thing for them to send out the release with their contact info, but utterly unacceptable for anyone else to quote them!
…and this has exactly what to do with someone “getting into the face” of a McCain supporter with a knife?
J.
This is not about tit for tat bullshit. If something is wrong I’ll call it wrong. (Most grownups will). If you do not have the same values that is your thing. BUT just to let you know I’m not your bitch I come here to discuss not get into a flame war. Treat me with respect and I will do the same to you treat me with disrespect I will respond in kind.
You can start shit with other posters as you will they can handle it how they do and I will how I do.
This is not meant as disrespect but a statement of fact. I hope we can have a respectful discussion.
I do not like this business of reflexively casting doubt on a crime victim’s account. While this story includes some spectacular claims, it’s best to take it at face value until there’s a reason not to.
That said, the carved letter on the face strikes me as just the sort of “evidence” that calls for caution and skepticism. It very conveniently proves the political motivations of an attacker. Tawana Brawley anyone?
Carving a “B” in her cheek….puh-leeze…anyone knows it would have been an “O” if it were a real Obama supporter
Not even that, the ‘B’ is backwards. Hmmm…
the ‘B’ is backwards.
Or upside down.
Still waiting for the Obama campaign to condemn this hate crime, and dial back on the “get in their faces” rhetoric…
1. Don’t think it classifies as a “hate crime.” More like a run-of-the-mill dumbass mugging.
2. What is there to “dial down”? Most, if not all Obama supporters know what that means. Be as respectful as you can, but refute the smears, lies and distortions whenever possible. That seems to be because Democrats are rational, Republicans are emotional.
Obama campaign in PA sent out this statement:
This is a horrendous act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
There you go. Satisfied?
“Still waiting for the Obama campaign to condemn this hate crime, and dial back on the “get in their faces” rhetoric…”
Based on this statement, Jay tea, I got a couple questions for you.
1. Did you click through to read the article that Oliver links to above?
2. If so, at what point did you stop reading it?
Because based on your statement above, I know you didn’t read it through to the end.
And as for the “Kill him” story, which time someone yelled “kill him” do you mean? The time in Pennsylvania or the time in Florida?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/06/in_fla_palin_goes_for_the_roug.html
And so it begins with Drudge and fans out to the rest of the idiotsphere, including the site Jay Tea contributes to.
So just comparing two sites, Oliver’s and Wizbang, one left, one right, we have this:
Oliver: If this is true, it’s pretty insane. … Why do I have doubts? Well, there’s a history. I’m not saying it isn’t true, just that this sort of thing needs verification.
Wizbang: These Obama cultists are dangerous and out of control. What the hell will these people do if the messiah loses on November 4th? Is this the new strategy to get Obama elected? Vote Obama or we’ll riot, mutilate people and destroy property?
One response was cautious but condemnatory. The other, well, I think insanely inflammatory is an understatement.
What were you saying, Jay tea, about “new standards”?
http://wizbangblog.com/content/2008/10/23/breaking-obama-supporter-attacks-and-mutilates-mccain-volunteer.php
Jeez, even Malkin doesn’t think this story sounds right.
Grumpymann: BUT just to let you know I’m not your bitch I come here to discuss not get into a flame war. Treat me with respect and I will do the same to you treat me with disrespect I will respond in kind.
Not that the “disrespect in kind” means you’re getting into a flame war. Clearly.
“I have my own doubts about it, too… but as noted, the standard of proof in these cases has been tremendously lowered when the accused are McCain/Palin supporters, and I’m all for equal treatment.”
I know Jay Tea is a disgusting lowlife scumsucking troll, but this takes the cake. Lies are all you’ve got and you know it as you watch the American people on the verge of rejecting your entire party and everything it stands for.
There are HOURS of video of the behavior from McCain-Palin supporters from rallies all over the country. It’s all over Youtube. And the issue there is not that those supporters represent ALL supporters, but that McCain and Palin have been inciting this hatred and bigotry by calling Obama a terrorist.
To somehow, in your fevered moronic brain, equate that with Obama getting people to engage in political arguments, and to twist that into him inciting a mugging is low even for you, which is saying something.
Even this IS true, it means nothing to the political discussion. It certainly says nothing about Obama. It’s a terrible isolated incident in which the perp should be found, arrested, and serve jail time.
And if it’s fake, then I’d be hard pressed to see any moral difference between the faker and someone like Jay, with his complete absence of integrity or honesty of any kind.
“Of course, this story is still fresh. The left-wing blogs haven’t had enough time to give this woman’s entire life the kind of scrutiny that Joe The Plumber got for asking his questions.”
You’re right. They still got to see what kind of counter tops she has.
Asshole.
“Jeez, even Malkin doesn’t think this story sounds right.”
If it’s fake, it’ll come out in due time. Until then, we shouldn’t assume that it is. It looks bad all around, and it’s unnecessary to question the story. Because even if it’s true, it doesn’t say anything about Obama or the campaign. Why would it?
The backwards B made me think of Morton Downey Junior and his Nazi symbol, but two possible explanations have come up:
1) The attacker was standing by her head, facing her feet, where he was not likely to be kicked, and scratched her that way — it would have been upright to him.
2) The victim could have taken the picture of herself in a mirror.
Let’s let it play out a bit longer, shall we? After all, it took a week or so for the Secret Service to determine the “kill him” accusation was bullshit.
J.
The modern Republican party since Nixon is a truly horrible thing. Just horrible. It’s nice to see people have awakened and the Republicans have been called out for what they are (they are who we thought they were!), but what a shame it couldn’t have happened in 2000. How much better this country and the world would have been. Things had to get this bad before we were allowed to vote for the smart guy. How unfortunate.
Here is the news story at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08297/922320-100.stm
The police sound a bit skeptical:
> “This is what she’s telling police,” police spokeswoman Diane
> Richard said. “We can’t substantiate it at this time.”
Doesn’t seem to add up to me.
“Let’s let it play out a bit longer, shall we? After all, it took a week or so for the Secret Service to determine the “kill him” accusation was bullshit.”
Naturally. Because if the story is true, we’ll already have the momentum up for accusing Obama of encouraging his supporters to “riot, mutilate people and destroy property” and if it isn’t true, it won’t matter because we all know that conservatives don’t need any actual evidence to believe that Obama supporters want to “riot, mutilate people and destroy property.”
And, of course, if it’s not true, a woman faking a politically motivated attack by a black man, would be exactly the same as a 30 year veteran reporter reporting what he says he heard at a Palin rally:
http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/10/16/news/sc_times_trib.20081016.a.pg11.tt16newsecret_s1.2018812_top8.txt
Which was also the same phrase that another long-time veteran reporter, Dana Milbank, heard shouted at another Palin rally, days before in another state. (link above)
“The modern Republican party since Nixon is a truly horrible thing. Just horrible.”
The party itself yes. And its kool-aid drinking enablers like Jay Tea, completely devoid of any principle or integrity don’t help.
I’d argue that the majority are simply hard-working people with a different point of view. People like Jay and SF give them a bad name.
It’s been really fascinating this year to watch them hurl the same crap that’s worked for 40 years, Dems are communists who hate America, and watch it fail so miserably. Is it the message? The messenger? Obama?
“After all, it took a week or so for the Secret Service to determine the “kill him” accusation was bullshit.”
You’ve repeated this so much now that I think that you think you’re making a point of some kind. I’m not sure what that point would be since these incidents seem entirely unrelated.
Or perhaps you could explain the equivalence of a McCain volunteer faking a violent mugging in order to slander OBAMA, vs a reporter mishearing (or maybe even inventing) a comment heard at a McCain rally.
I suppose you’re saying that both sides believes in false incidents about the other side too readily.
Maybe if that “kill him” remark were the ONLY incident of McCain-Palin supporters saying nasty, violent things, you’d have a point. But there are hours of documented examples that make the one incident moot. And it doesn’t help that college Republicans have a bit of history about faking violent attacks on themselves right before election day.
I understand your desperation at clinging to this point. You don’t have much else and the entire country is about to repudiate everything you believe in. That can’t be easy for you given the shallowness of your world view. But the incident you’re pimping so relentlessly is at best irrelevant.
Jay Tea’s got a good point. Watching all those videos of the Good Americans at the Palin-McCain rallies, and how they responded to “pallin’ around with terrorists” and “who is Barack Obama” and what have you, it’s absoutely impossible to believe that someone yelled “Kill Him” at one of those rallies. Impossible. Keep up the good work Mr. Tea. Oh, and thanks again for the Iraq Invasion and Deregulation and Wildly Regresive Tax Cuts and Monica Goodling and Alberto Gonzales. Thanks so much. They’re so awesome.
Um, I used to live there. That very same street, in fact. This is a street with people walking on it–loudly–up to 2 in the morning or later.
It is the main drag, well lit, and surrounded by bars.
It has a hospital about 2 blocks away.
This one is a total and utter lie folks, that’s Halloween makeup. Ever cut yourself on something? I have–it’s never looked that clean.
This is a pathetic attempt to scare that area’s Catholic voters back to McCain. Shameful. Utterly shameful.
The left-wing blogs haven’t had enough time to give this woman’s entire life the kind of scrutiny that Joe The Plumber got …”
Jay Tea, wanna take one guess as to who is linking to the woman’s twitter feed, facebook and myspace accounts?
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/23/why-that-mccain-volunteers-mutilation-story-smells-awfully-weird/
You really are a complete jackass.
Look, people grab signs away from you, yell stuff, etc. They do not, neither Republican nor Democrat Carve an initial in your face.
Ever since the idiots at McCain and Palin rallies were taped yelling threats or hilariously showing their Obama Monkey or telling McCain on a live tape that they are “mad” or that “Obama is an Arab”, Conservatives have wanted to play the victim card.
For whatever reason, college students make up hoaxes. Two different lesbians at my liberal college several years ago claimed to have been attacked, a kid at Princeton named Francisco Nava claimed liberals jumped him in December, and often the poor son of a bitch did the attacking to her/himself. For a day the kid is an important victim, then the cops, who always smell a dog dropping in the stupid story, get the kid to confess.
This is sad because sometimes people DO beat others because they hate them for what or who the person is.
But nobody gives a shit if you volunteer for McCain. Some people liked dying on The Titanic.
Threats and racial insults have been shouted at McCain/Palin rallies. Sorry for all those conservatives who want to be victims, and feel sorry for themselves, but this girl is lying.
If you want to feel sorry for yourself, and if I were a conservative I would, feel sorry for yourself because Palin is a liar and McCain sold his soul on e-Bay.
Sean D. Martin simple statement of fact. “Start none be none”.
I used that ATM/bank lobby for about 2 years as Citizen’s Bank was my personal bank for a while and I worked about 15 blocks away during that time. This is suspicious because unless Citizen’s did a massive downgrade to their local security, they have external cameras providing roughly 270 degrees of coverage (the building directly abuts another building on side), and there are two cameras across the street. There should be videotape of the incident.
Furthermore, Liberty Avenue, which is where the ATM is located, has decent foot traffic at 9:00pm on a week night. It is not Time Square, or even Murray Avenue, but there are people out and about going to the bars, going to the coffee shops, coming home from the grocery store etc. There should be witnesses as that piece of knife work was fairly well controlled and time consuming. The edges are rounded instead of sharp angles.
Is it jut me or does the description seem a bit stereotypical?
After looking at the pic of Ashley Todd, a few things come to mind:
1) The “assailant” is obviously dyslexic, left-handed, and on a first-name basis with Barack Obama.
2) Man, the Red Sox fans are having a hard time getting over the Rays…
3) If Ashley had been better, she would have had the letter “A” scratched into her cheek.
but the thing I thought of first when I saw Ashley Todd was, “yeah, I’d hit that.”
Trying? What, is it hard? Is it plugged in?
I’m sure the wingnuts are busy analyzing the kerning on the “B” in order to deduce it’s authenticity.
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