Hey, the 12-year-old started it

[Lanya]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/08/attacking-graeme-frost/


Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP

Two weeks ago, the Democratic radio address was delivered by a 12-year old Maryland boy named Graeme Frost. Graeme told his story of being involved in a severe car accident three years ago, and having received access to medical care because of the Children?s Health Insurance Program. He said:

    If it weren?t for CHIP, I might not be here today. ? We got the help we needed because we had health insurance for us through the CHIP program. But there are millions of kids out there who don?t have CHIP, and they wouldn?t get the care that my sister and I did if they got hurt. ? I just hope the President will listen to my story and help other kids to be as lucky as me.

The right-wing immediately condemned Democrats for daring to put a human face on the SCHIP program at a time when Bush was proposing a ?diminishment of the number of children covered.? Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) ? who has posed with children to advance his own political agenda ? claimed Graeme was being used ?as a human shield.?

Conservatives have more recently turned their targets on young Graeme Frost himself. A poster at the Free Republic propagated information alleging that Frost was actually a rich kid being pampered by the government. Among other bits of information, the post by the Freeper ?icwhatudo? asserts that Graeme and his sister Gemma attend wealthy schools that cost ?nearly $40,000 per year for tuition? and live in a well-off home.

The smear attack against Graeme has taken firm hold in the right-wing blogosphere. The National Review, Michelle Malkin, Wizbang, Powerline, and the Weekly Standard blog have all launched assaults on the Frost family. The story is slowly working its way into traditional media outlets as well.

Here are the facts that the right-wing distorted in order to attack young Graeme:

    1) Graeme has a scholarship to a private school. The school costs $15K a year, but the family only pays $500 a year.

    2) His sister Gemma attends another private school to help her with the brain injuries that occurred due to her accident. The school costs $23,000 a year, but the state pays the entire cost.

    3) They bought their ?lavish house? sixteen years ago for $55,000 at a time when the neighborhood was less than safe.

    4) Last year, the Frost?s made $45,000 combined. Over the past few years they have made no more than $50,000 combined.

    5) The state of Maryland has found them eligible to participate in the CHIP program.

Desperate to defend Bush?s decision to cut off millions of children from health care, the right wing has stooped to launching baseless and uninformed attacks against a 12 year old child and his family.

Right wing bloggers have been harassing the Frosts, calling their home numerous times to get information about their private lives. Compassionate conservatism indeed.

UPDATE: TP commenter Mr. Ed notes that Malkin visited the Frost?s home and business today. A coworker of Mr. Frost tells Malkin that the family is ?struggling,? but she refuses to believe it.

[sirs]

The "Right Wing" wasn't attacking this boy, the Right Wing is attacking what' it's always attacked, the Left Wing placing someone in front of the cameras that dare not be criticized, otherwise you're by design attacking (insert- boy, or poor person, or homeless, or disabled person, or military veteren, or family member that lost a loved one to the war, etc., etc., etc)

 

[BT]

On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, a bipartisan bill passed by Congress that would have expanded the program by $35 billion.[8] The veto was the fourth of his administration.[2] This proposal would have increased coverage to over 4 million more participants by 2012, and also would have phased out most state expansions in the program that include any adults other than pregnant women. It also would have increased the eligibility from couples earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level to couples earning 300% of the federal poverty level, approximately $62,000 for a family of four.[9] [10]. The expansion of the SCHIP program was to have been funded by an over one hundred percent increases in cigarette and cigar taxes, coming to an increase of 61 cents per pack of cigarettes nationwide. [11] While the original Democratic proposal has been already compromised by cutting the program originally proposed in order to get the Republican votes to pass it, Bush has asked for further compromise on the program. Senator Reid, the Senate majority leader, has indicated that there will be no further compromise. President Bush vetoed the bill because he believed the bill would "federalize health care", expanding the scope of SCHIP much farther than its original intent.[2][12] After his veto, Bush said he was open to a compromise that would entail more than the $5 billion he originally budgeted, but would not drastically expand the number of children eligible for coverage.[13] Democratic leaders have delayed a vote to override the veto until October 18, in hopes that grassroots, television, and radio publicity will persuade fifteen Republicans to cross party lines to override the veto.[2]


Bush was corrrect to veto this bill. The program was designed to cover kids over the medicaid threshhold, a family of four earning 37500.00 which is 200% of the poverty level was covered . States can raise that to 250 or 300% if they wish.

If Maryland wants to raise eligibility levels they are free to do so. If the Frosts have a beef they should take it up with the state of MD.

[Michael Tee]

The attack on the boy consisted of publishing lies or half-truths that made him look like a fraud.   

As usual sirs mischaracterizes the issue.  Of course the boy can be criticized, but criticism is not what is happening here.  The right wing is publishing lies or half-truths about him, to create an impression that he is receiving something to which he is not entitled.  That qualifies as an attack, and a very sleazy and dishonest one too.

Examples:

<<Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)   . . . claimed Graeme was being used as a human shield.>>
LIE.  He was being used as a simple example taken from real life of how the program helps kids like him.

<<the Freeper icwhatudo asserts that Graeme and his sister Gemma attend wealthy schools that cost nearly $40,000 per year for tuition.>>

LIE -  - Graeme is a scholarship student paying only $500 per year - - less than 2% of what these lying bastards would have you believe he or his family is paying.

LIE - - Graeme's sister Gemma pays nothing for her schooling, the State picks up the full cost.

<<the Freeper . . . [claims Graeme and Gemma] <<live in a well-off home.>>

LIE - - they live in a home purchased in a bad neighbourhood 16 years ago for $55K.

Hilarious - - the bastards just can't stop lying, but each time they lower their sights.  Now they attack children personally in order to smash programs which aid children generally.  There's no bottom that these scum won't break through in their efforts to plumb new depths.  And of course their ever-loyal defender sirs is always ready to come to their aid - - an attack is not an attack, it's criticism.  Even when it's based on lies and fabrications, it's still criticism.
 

[sirs]

And as ususal, Tee's versions of "lies" are complete misrepresentations of the facts and pure rabid left opinion on his part.

[BT]

LIE - - they live in a home purchased in a bad neighbourhood 16 years ago for $55K.

The neighborhood has changed:
Multiple Listed Homes for Sale/Rent in Butchers Hill as of August 7, 2007

Address List Price BRs FBs HBs Lvls Fpls Bsmt Broker's Phone
105 CHAPEL ST S  $159,900 0 0 0 2 0 No 410-252-1800
2229 LAMLEY ST  $184,900 2 1 0 2 0 Yes 410-675-7653
114 COLLINGTON AVE N  $192,000 2 1 0 2 0 Yes 443-573-9200
23 CHAPEL ST S  $249,900 2 2 0 2 0 No 410-814-2400
39 PATTERSON PARK AVE N  $249,900 2 2 0 2 0 Yes 410-327-2200
130 CASTLE ST S  $259,900 2 2 0 3 0 Yes 410-675-1550
2110 FAIRMOUNT AVE E  $265,000 4 1 1 3 0 Yes 410-814-2400
27 CASTLE ST S  $289,900 2 2 0 2 0 Yes 410-327-2200
10 WASHINGTON ST S  $299,900 2 2 1 3 0 Yes 410-675-1244
26 WASHINGTON ST  $299,900 3 2 1 3 0 Yes 410-243-7520
20 COLLINGTON AVE S  $299,999 2 1 1 2 0 Yes 410-327-2200
132 COLLINGTON AVE N  $300,000 2 2 1 2 1 Yes 410-675-1550
116 CASTLE ST S  $309,900 2 2 0 2 0 Yes 410-675-1550
10 CASTLE ST S  $315,000 2 2 1 2 0 Yes 410-814-2400
107 CHESTER ST N  $319,000 3 2 0 4 0 Yes 410-721-1500
111 CHESTER ST  $325,000 2 2 1 3 1 No 443-627-2900
2212 BOYER ST  $329,900 2 2 0 2 0 No 410-814-2400
15 WASHINGTON ST N  $340,000 3 2 1 4 0 Yes 301-474-2400
23 DUNCAN S  $359,900 2 2 0 2 0 No 410-889-9800
12 DUNCAN ST  $365,000 2 2 0 2 1 No 410-889-9800
17 WASHINGTON ST N  $365,000 3 2 1 3 0 Yes 410-576-8522
2007 LOMBARD ST  $374,900 3 3 1 3 0 Yes 410-766-9000
2204 LOMBARD ST E  $384,900 3 2 1 4 0 Yes 410-821-1700
2201 LOMBARD ST  $389,900 3 2 1 4 0 Yes 410-814-2400
2220 LOMBARD ST E  $419,980 3 2 1 3 3 Yes 410-515-0100
106 WASHINGTON ST S  $469,900 5 3 1 4 0 Yes 410-433-7800
13 DUNCAN ST S  $499,900 3 2 1 2 1 No 410-889-9800
2033 PRATT ST E  $499,900 4 3 0 4 2 Yes 410-730-6100
2003 LOMBARD ST  $579,900 4 3 2 4 0 Yes 410-814-2400
2010 PRATT ST E  $599,900 3 3 1 2 4 Yes 410-327-2200
2223 GOUGH  $619,900 3 2 1 4 0 Yes 410-814-2400
29 PATTERSON PARK AVE  $675,000 3 4 1 4 1 Yes 410-721-9600
2203 PRATT ST E  $799,000 3 2 1 4 5 Yes 800-974-6657
1919 PRATT ST  $999,999 6 5 1 4 0 Yes 800-225-5947
2223 PRATT ST E  $1,150,000 4 3 3 4 7 Yes 410-675-5500



BTW MD covers famililies up to 60k in annual income. The Frosts are safe. Remember Bush vetoed an increase, not a cut.

[yellow_crane]

One of thes principle of federal government is that it strives to provide a level playing field for all of its children.  

When a child is errant, a parent does not give that child equal anything--to do so would negate the process of maturation.  It is the duty of the parent to instruct the child, and not to ignore its wrongful behavior.

New York is not Mississippi.

When Mississippi is New York, and much farther along in its Cromagnon evolution than it currently is, then we can give the states the right and wherewithall to conduct business responsibly, especially if that responsibility refers to the health of its citizens.  You don't put that kind of power in a cracker Caligula's hands.

When you see, in the same week,  George W. twist left while Hillary twists right, you have a clue to follow the money numbers--what will rule but be invisible is the pharmeceutical and AMA tweaking of both nipples to put the biggest possible profits in their bag.  Part of Hillary's major success in blowing away real Democrat promise has been through the influence of pharmeceuticals and their money.  John Edwards speaks of reforming the system, but Hillary does not.  So Hillary smiles but has to say nothing derogatory about John, while paid spin mills are covering the tube 24/7 talking ONLY about his haircuts, thereby convincing America that there is nothing more to be said about John.  We have been conditioned by the spinnsters to put John and people like John up on the fool shelf, along Nader and  numerous untold crucified whistle blowers.  Before Joe Lieberman was taking pharm money, he was taking it from the mob.  Every Democrat in Washington is a buddy of Joe Lieberman.  dot to dot to dot to do
  

I will admit, though, that "waiting for those l5 votes . . ." is consistent victim stance mo for the Democrats.  They still are assuming that standing mute under critical barrages is the only idea they can come with that suggests victory.  The newly elected Democrats were the only sliver of light they had,  and now they all look like slapped-down head-hanging beat cops in Chicago under Capone.  

The Democrats in Washington have learned that to get any money at all, they are going to have to throw the fight convincingly.  

I feel not the slightest sorrow for the Dems, though Bush's chutzpah in vetoing healthcare for chillen sets a new standard for eltist crass.  No escaping that.

[BT]

Bush's chutzpah in vetoing healthcare for chillen

Except Bush didn't veto healthcare for chillen.

I know it and any honest member of this forum knows it.

[Michael Tee]

<<And as ususal, Tee's versions of "lies" are complete misrepresentations of the facts and pure rabid left opinion on his part.>>

The facts remain as I posted them:  the so-called lavish home cost $55K and the up-scale schools are attended at a TOTAL annual cost of $500 to the family for BOTH children.

Watch the right-wing nuts run around like chickens without heads, squawking complete misrepresentations and pure rabid left opinion but offering absolutely nothing of substance when their lies are exposed for what they are. 

It's low comedy, alright, but we could all be entertained by it, were it not for the tragedy.

The tragedy  is how these lying buffoons are sapping the health of poor children, leaving them to suffer and die from otherwise treatable conditions for the benefit of their wealthy campaign donors.

[sirs]

<<And as ususal, Tee's versions of "lies" are complete misrepresentations of the facts and pure rabid left opinion on his part.>>

The facts remain as I posted them

Yes, a distortion of the facts, as Bt has demonstrated, and pure unadulterated Tee opinion of what constitutes a lie.  Let's also add on top of that the current LIE that Bush vetoed healthcare for chidren  He vetoed an increase in current spending, which wasn't even a cut.  Another SOP disotortion of the left

[Brassmask]

The "Right Wing" wasn't attacking this boy, the Right Wing is attacking what' it's always attacked, the Left Wing placing someone in front of the cameras that dare not be criticized, otherwise you're by design attacking (insert- boy, or poor person, or homeless, or disabled person, or military veteren, or family member that lost a loved one to the war, etc., etc., etc)

 

In the end, you're attacking a kid and attacking giving poor kids health care while whining like crybaby bitches because some of us don't want to poor another $200 billion into Bush's Iraqi money pit.

You're morally corrupt and reprehensible, live with it.  WWJD, dumbass?

[Michael Tee]

<<Yes, a distortion of the facts, as Bt has demonstrated>>

BT demonstrated no such thing.  He pointed out that house prices have risen over sixteen years in Graeme's neighbourhood.  The basic lie of the right-wing nutjobs, that the family must have had big bucks to afford an expensive home remains a big lie.  BT did not even touch the other lies related to the cost of private schooling for the kids - - the story implied they were paying $80K annually for the two kids and in fact $500 annually covered it all.  Those lies remain totally uncontradicted.

<<  and pure unadulterated Tee opinion of what constitutes a lie. >>

A lie is basically painting a family of very modest means as a wealthy family which spends $40K annually on its education when in fact it spends only $500 and lives in an expensive home when in fact it bought the place for $55K at a time when the neigbbourhood was unsafe.  That is basically my pure unadulterated Tee opinion of what constitutes a lie.

<<Let's also add on top of that the current LIE that Bush vetoed healthcare for chidren  He vetoed an increase in current spending, which wasn't even a cut.  Another SOP disotortion of the left>>

Whatever Bush vetoed, it would have given more money for more kids for health care than they are going to be receiving after the veto.  So the net effect was to cut benefits for somebody, and that somebody was a whole lotta kids.

[sirs]

The "Right Wing" wasn't attacking this boy, the Right Wing is attacking what' it's always attacked, the Left Wing placing someone in front of the cameras that dare not be criticized, otherwise you're by design attacking (insert- boy, or poor person, or homeless, or disabled person, or military veteren, or family member that lost a loved one to the war, etc., etc., etc)

 

In the end, you're attacking a kid and attacking giving poor kids health care while whining like crybaby bitches because some of us don't want to poor another $200 billion into Bush's Iraqi money pit.

No, in the end, the effort is to continually try and shield any criticism of leftist POV's with emotional trump cards, when postulated by a vietnam veteren, a mother of a fallen soldier in combat, or a 10yr old boy

You're morally corrupt and reprehensible, live with it.  WWJD, dumbass?

Well, he wouldn't cuss at me & call me names, that's for sure.  Boy, you sure do have a twisted vision of the 1st amendment

[Brassmask]

The "Right Wing" wasn't attacking this boy, the Right Wing is attacking what' it's always attacked, the Left Wing placing someone in front of the cameras that dare not be criticized, otherwise you're by design attacking (insert- boy, or poor person, or homeless, or disabled person, or military veteren, or family member that lost a loved one to the war, etc., etc., etc)

 

In the end, you're attacking a kid and attacking giving poor kids health care while whining like crybaby bitches because some of us don't want to poor another $200 billion into Bush's Iraqi money pit.

No, in the end, the effort is to continually try and shield any criticism of leftist POV's with emotional trump cards, when postulated by a vietnam veteren, a mother of a fallen soldier in combat, or a 10yr old boy

You're morally corrupt and reprehensible, live with it.  WWJD, dumbass?

Well, he wouldn't cuss at me & call me names, that's for sure.  Boy, you sure do have a twisted vision of the 1st amendment

Yeah, they're called trump cards because they trump all other arguments.  They win because of what they are.  Health care for poor kids is health care for poor kids.  Health care for poor kids wins over billions to cronies and death and destruction?  Right?  What kind of a human being are you?  Right is right, wrong is wrong.  Surely, even in your demented twisted leanings healing the poor and sick is right and kill the innocent in their home is wrong.

I would be willing to bet that Jesus was not the altogether benevolent and chaste and cartoonishly polite type of person your myths have made him out to be.  I'd be willing to bet that Jesus had to do some cussing and name-calling in order to get to the ripe old age of 30 and his wisdom.

Besides anyone who is against poor people getting a little help in order to keep their kids alive and anyone who is for trying to smear the kid who got that assistance DESERVES to, at the very fucking least, be called names.

[sirs]

<<Yes, a distortion of the facts, as Bt has demonstrated>>

BT demonstrated no such thing. 

Then you're not paying attention 

Those lies remain totally uncontradicted.

You mean the OPINION you have (in the same vane as those that has concluded Bush as a moronic version of Hitler, our troops are a bunch of low hanging raping fruit, it's all for the oil, stolen election, imminent threat) of what was supposedly lied about.  Yea, I got that the 1st time around as well

<<Let's also add on top of that the current LIE that Bush vetoed healthcare for chidren  He vetoed an increase in current spending, which wasn't even a cut.  Another SOP disotortion of the left>>

Whatever Bush vetoed, it would have given more money for more kids for health care than they are going to be receiving after the veto.  So the net effect was to cut benefits for somebody, and that somebody was a whole lotta kids.

And has Bt has demonstrated, was appropriately vetoed, despite your effort to paint distortion & emotion all over the issue