Friday, May 06, 2011

WTF at WTC? Obama Has American Flag Removed From Ground Zero Site Moments Before Photo Shoot! [Updated: or Perhaps Tapper Just Confused All of Us]

ABC's Jake Tapper was on the scene. He disbelievingly tweeted:

Here's his photo of the take-down.

This administration and, by extension, the Democrat Party are now so thoroughly divorced from the history, traditions and morals of America that we might as well admit the Marxist left has executed a successful coup d'état on this Republic.


Update: The timing of Tapper's tweet is the subject of some discussion now on Twitter. @AllahPundit offers this photo of the wreath-laying, which depicts the flag in the background. So exactly what Tapper was talking about is a mystery to me.

Update II: Michelle Malkin gets to the bottom of it (hat tip: Tabitha Hale):

Earlier this morning, I tweeted a link to Doug Ross’s post highlighting a seemingly outrageous photo from ABC News White House reporter Jake Tapper showing the American flag being removed from Ground Zero.

Tapper wrote: “One minute to air and they decided to take the flag down from the live shot!”

Many, including me, jumped to the conclusion that the stage managers at the White House had the flag removed.

It’s not true... As Allahpundit points out, Tapper tweeted the photo at the end of the day yesterday after the Ground Zero event and the flag was visible during the ceremony.

As do I. But I'm sticking by my "Marxist coup d'état" comment.

Update III: Why the Leftists commenting here are idiots: (a) the next retraction one of the Left-leaning media sources makes will be their first (e.g., "Terror Wiretaps plus Invasion of Iraq plus Rendition plus Waterboarding Led to Bin Laden"); (b) Obama's on-again/off-again flag-pin patriotism; (c) and his well-documented failures to show respect to the flag -- all make it clear that Tapper's tweet would be utterly believable in the original context.

Don't let the blog's door hit you on the ass on the way out, drones.

Update IV: Flashback: 'Obama White House ordered coverup of religious symbols for Georgetown speech'


Hat tips: FireAndreaMitchell, via TrendingRight.

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bingo, Doug, you got it!

A coup is precisely what it was. The first thing he did upon election was rob the Fed and pass the money out to his political cronies.

Voting him out is going to be much harder than you imagine, because he is determined to stay. IHe doesn't have any intention of stepping down. Watch. You'll see I'm right.

Jim - PRS said...

I wish I could say I'm surprised.

Old Fan said...

Ouch...

That really hurts.

WTF indeed.

Destructive morons of the Democratic Party.

Anonymous said...

God, i surely hate these people.

FranklySpeaking said...

Why did they take it down? He doesn't own the property. If he ordered a flag removed from my house, he'd get the bird. If his goons tried to remove it, they'd get S&W.

Liberty Girl said...

https://twitter.com/#!/allahpundit/statuses/66512268665425921

Anonymous said...

President Obama did not remove the flag before the ceremony. The Flag was there until the end of the day.

Why wasn't there any Flags on the stage at the Fox's GOP debate on May 05, 2011?

Anonymous said...

I would say I guess you feel stupid about jumping to the ridiculous conclusion that President Obama would remove the american flag...after presiding as the Commander In Chief in the killing of America's worst enemy...but I realize that what should "feel stupid" to a commonsense human is the regular way of being for you haters...stupid, that is. Just one of the many byproducts of hate, I guess...rank stupidity.

Anonymous said...

If the right-wing wasn't so excited to destroy President Obama they would have noticed that the sun was setting by the shadows on the buildings. Lying about the President is your banner and you are proud of it.
Ask any third grader what time is it in the picture am or pm?
The right-wing is busy digging their own grave.

Anonymous said...

"But I'm sticking by my "Marxist coup d'état" comment."

Of course you are, dear. Because the events in your imagination are far more important than reality.

Anonymous said...

So...we can conclude that Tapper tweeted what he did to pinpoint the still ODS-possessed amongst us, yes?

Anonymous said...

Conclusion: Right-wing mission is to destroy the President with lies.
It's not working anymore. When a small child can look at the picture and tell by the shadows it was taken in the PM it is just to obvious their intentions.
Pretty sad how low the right-wing has gone. They are now in their own grave that they dig without any help from the left.

skh.pcola said...

There are shadows in the morning also, you dolt. Not everybody has a mental GPS that indicates where east and west are located in a picture.

Anonymous said...

to skn.pcola, I disagree. Some small children would also disagree. Shadows are an excellent and accurate way of determining time.
Plus, seconds before airtime? Nighttime news? Clue 2. Does it look like it's before or after the event that many people attended? Clue 3. Does the picture look like that start of a sunny day or the end of the day?

Anonymous said...

I have two words from an infamous Bush Jr photo - Mission Accomplished.

I am glad it was a President who is a Democrat to actually bring that vision to fruition.

Shayne said...

The difference between you libs (Anonymous) and us on the right is that when Doug realized the error, he made an immediate correction.

The left, however, would never stoop so low to actually apologize for anything wrong they do and would likely blame the VRW conspiracy for simply pointing it out.

Matthew W said...

@ Shane

The LEFT has never made a mistake.

Anonymous said...

to skn.pcola: I heard a second grader called you a dolt. Some kids just don't learn decent language but same at least learned about shadows.

Anonymous said...

I get it now. Tapper tweeted what he did because he was about to go on the air live without the flag as a backdrop and you morons promptly decided it was all Obama's fault. Comedy gold!

Anonymous said...

LMAO! So one of your excuses for spreading dumb lies about the President is I quote, his "on again off again flag pin?" You REALLY don't see how stupid you are do you?

Anonymous said...

Oh, I get it.

You take Tapper's ball and run with it, but the people who call you out on your nonsense are drones?

Fine chain of logic you got there. Pity it's broken.

Anonymous said...

Don't let your slobbering impotent rage ever get in the way of reality, contards.

It's hysterical to see you crybabies play with your own dirty diapers on a daily basis.

Oh well, you can always hang your hopes on Hermain Cain, the brother with the greasy pizzas and not much else.

Anonymous said...

ahaha! time to fade back into obscurity, numbnuts. I enjoy the other commentary on your other brilliant posts. Oh wait. There is none? Oh right. No one gives a shit about yet another rightwing douchebag.

Anonymous said...

Another right wing "moran" demonstrates his intellectual prowess...

OH WAIT! FLAG PINS!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO! You fuckhead...just give up already.

Anonymous said...

Amazing. Obama has avenged those he came to honor, but he is "anti-American" because the site apparently observes the flag code and takes it down at sunset. This is just pure deranged hatred looking for any excuse, or making them up when none are found.

Anonymous said...

Hey dumbshit Obama Obsesssors...you know the story isn't true right?

Of course you know this.

This is why you reported it. It's a lie and you figured 'what the hell, why not'?

This is why teabaggers are the laughingstock of the country.

Anonymous said...

wow. you people are stupid. Obama didnt order that they remove the flag - THEY REMOVE THE FLAG EVERY NIGHT WHEN THE WORKERS GO HOME!!! Even your fellow nut job/racist - Michelle Malkin - has apologized for making the false accusation.

Anonymous said...

The comment thread reminds me of one of my favorite Patriotic bands: "Sofa King We Todd Did." Well put, everyone. USA, USA, USA!

Sophist said...

"As do I. But I'm sticking by my "Marxist coup d'état" comment."

Yes, all the facts you asserted were in actuality no true, but this doesn't undermine your point. In fact, this is central to your point. And such as.

Sheesh. You were wrong. Unequivocally and totally wrong. Stop you pathetic, sputtering defensiveness and admit that you jumped all over something without even a cursory amount of digging because it jibed with what you already believed.

cleek said...

"all make it clear that Tapper's tweet would be utterly believable in the original context"

Shorter Doug Ross: facts be damned, I've got a narrative to maintain!

Angry Geometer said...

"America that we might as well admit the Marxist left has executed a successful coup d'état on this Republic."

Is that why America has a much higher level of income inequality between rich and poor than we did under Republican presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr.?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110408/ts_yblog_thelookout/off-the-charts-income-gains-for-super-rich

If Obama is a Marxist, what does that make Dwight Eisenhower?

Anonymous said...

They take it down every night you twat!

Anonymous said...

I love the updated title, yeah, it's TAPPER's fault that you're a hate-filled zealot.

Anonymous said...

Of course there won't be a retraction of something that is demonstrably false by folks of the right. Anything that is made up about Obama is OK because he is a Marxist. Thus the ends justify the means. Right?

Anonymous said...

"...so completely divorced..."

Projecting much?

Anonymous said...

Flag-pin patriotism?

I wonder where Abe Lincoln's flag pin is...or better yet, George Washington's...

You're an idiot.

Anonymous said...

More frightening is the electronic demi flag flying on giant screens behind the republican non-candidate debate covered with corporate sponsor logos.

Anonymous said...

LOL. You, sir, are a complete moron.

Anonymous said...

What a foolish group. Please don't procreate.

Anonymous said...

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA


you dumb

Anonymous said...

How could the right believe the story about the flag for a second?
Didn't you see the beautiful flag in the live show or posted even on Fox?
Didn't Tapper's picture look like the event was over, long over?
Isn't the American Flag taken down each night?
Ask a child. Ask yourself why you were so willing to believe a pile.

Anonymous said...

Frankspeaking: Don't you respect the American Flag and take it down each night?

Anonymous said...

No wonder the Fox viewers are so misinformed. You have Malkin's investigative skills to bring you the truth.

Anonymous said...

Reading the righteous indignation of reformed Anti-Establishment turned Big Government/Nanny Staters is comedy gold. Clearly, self awareness is a liberal deficiency.

Unknown said...

Epic fail, Ross.

Your sputtering non-denial at the end of the post notwithstanding, of course.

Recalibrate the tinfoil hat and move on to the next BS story, clown.

mr herbjr76 said...

Why is it that so many obumma lovers go as ANONYMOUS don't be afraid because you support a scumbag!!!!!!!!!!

Wisco said...

Typical rightwing blogger -- gullible and unable to comprehend the concept of "too bad to be true."

Anonymous said...

Wow... clear-cut case of what Bill O'Reilly was talking about the other day... letting ideology get in the way of the fact. Fine, you hate the president, I get that. But how dumb do you have to be to believe that a president of either party would really order down the U.S. flag at one of America's most sacred sites?

RosalindJ said...

Wow Doug..you must have hit a nerve or something. Probably linked by the daily cesspool. Imagine, this is the kind of treatment Palin gets on her best day.

There is no doubt in my mind that posting in error is a rarity for you, of not a one-off. You're a stand-up guy.

And it is sad that it's easy to believe, given iWon!'s track record (lefties, as it is said: you are entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts).

Poor drones..can't handle any criticism of your saviour without turning into toddlers in need of potty training. Can't take any jokes, either. Though from what I see on occasion out there in TV land, they're coming - you'd better grow some thicker skin. After eight years of unrelenting spittle-flecked hate, this is a walk in the park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrmtF1trv50

Marathon Pundit said...

Hey Doug: How many of your new visitors are posting from cubicles inside Prudential Building in Chicago? Oh, that's where Obama's campaign HQ is.

Some cretin called me a bigot on my blog because I posted about this story.

Anonymous said...

Did you hear Obama found bin Laden?

Seek professional help, is all I can say.

Anonymous said...

Why should anyone listen to people who are OBVIOUSLY motivated only by hatred of the president? What do you have to offer? Marxist conspiracy theories? Even the worst lefties don't act this crazy when they're out of power. You people are the radicals who want to fundamentally change this country. Just look at the policies you support. You are the usurpers.

Anonymous said...

Do the folks here still believe that President Obama had the American Flag taken down at Ground Zero? Be Honest do you feel a little slow buying that false story so fast. Don't you folks on the right fact-check anything? Don't try out for "Are you smarter than a Third Grader". Don't homeschool your children.

Anonymous said...

It must have been heartbreaking for you to discover this story was a fake.

Anonymous said...

I posted anonymous because it was the easiest. This is my first time here because I wanted to read the posts of the nuts that would believe the story about President Obama and the American Flag.
I'm not at all impressed with the buyers of the story. The person ready to shot someone over his flag. I sure hope he knows there are laws on how to treat the American Flag. I'm very impression with the posts that agreed with me.
Yes "he" won and "he" lives in the Whitehouse. I know some of you can't say his name or even type it.
Any bets on the electoral vote 2012?

Renfield said...

The worst thing about modern education is that nitwits now have self-esteem to spare, standing by their stupidity despite all the evidence.

Anonymous said...

It's fun to watch you thrash around looking for a plausible-sounding explanation of why it's everyone else's fault you made up a story about a tweet you didn't understand and failed to check out. Gee, if only twitter was an interactive medium -- maybe you could've asked Tapper to clarify.

Not so big on the personal responsibility thing there, I see. Ah well.

Anonymous said...

"Poor drones..can't handle any criticism of your saviour without turning into toddlers in need of potty training. Can't take any jokes, either."

What on earth do either of these statements have to do with Doug making a fool of himself by jumping to conclusions? No criticism or humor is present here, just outright fabrications.

Can't handle being caught out without blaming it on the lefties. Like I said, it's obvious you guys are not big on personal responsibility. Tell us more about how this is everyone's fault but Doug's.

Anonymous said...

Doug - you are an asshole

RosalindJ said...

"What on earth do either of these statements have to do with Doug making a fool of himself by jumping to conclusions? No criticism or humor is present here, just outright fabrications. "

What he did was react to the statement of a someone who is credible. Doug didn't make that tweet up. Everyone makes mistakes.

You guys? I'll take door number one: "the next retraction one of the Left-leaning media sources makes will be their first".

RosalindJ said...

"What on earth do either of these statements have to do with Doug making a fool of himself by jumping to conclusions? No criticism or humor is present here, just outright fabrications. "

What he did was react to the statement of a someone who is credible. Doug didn't make that tweet up. Everyone makes mistakes.

You guys? I'll take door number one: "the next retraction one of the Left-leaning media sources makes will be their first".

Anonymous said...

"What he did was react to the statement of a someone who is credible. Doug didn't make that tweet up. Everyone makes mistakes. "

I didn't say he made the tweet up; I said that he made up a story explaining the tweet then ran with it. If he was interested in the truth, he could have checked with Tapper, or at least paused for a moment to reflect. Tweets are timestamped -- all he had to do was look and he would have seen that Tapper tweeted this hours after the President's appearance.

Like I said, tell me more about how this is everyone's fault but Doug's. You guys have a serious problem with admitting fault, accepting personal responsiblity, etc -- I get it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Doug!

I know you're reading this, so let me start by saying:

Stop watching reruns of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and UNHAND YOUR PENIS. It never did anything mean to you to deserve treatment like that.

Second, I get that you're unhappy with the state of our union. You're not alone. But for the love of Mike (Huckabee), stop whining and DO something. If all you can concentrate on is flags and flag pins and the trappings of democracy, then you'll never be a real participant IN that democracy. You'll just be a marginalized figure, screaming your lungs out at the periphery of the real conversation.

Stop taking cues from people like Jake Tapper and do your own thinking for a change.

I dare you.

I DOUBLE DOG dare you. And no pass-backs. I know how you're a stickler for rules.

So, in conclusion, stop flopping on the ground and crying like that. It's unmanly.

RosalindJ said...

"Like I said, tell me more about how this is everyone's fault but Doug's. You guys have a serious problem with admitting fault, accepting personal responsiblity, etc -- I get it."

I never said it was everyone's fault but Doug's, though he's not the only one that made the same error. Accepting responsibility? There's that update bit. Reading and comprehension fail to you.

Dominion said...

Wow, the stupidity in evidence here is truly breathtaking! You can insult lefties all day long, but it hardly distracts from the total ignorance of this one post. Really you are to be congratulated. It's not often that a person puts his foot so far down his throat.

Anonymous said...

You are a fucking idiot.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning fans of Palin & Trump and other right-wing stars. I hope done of you ever thing you should be in the research field.
Next time a conservative blogger trips over his dog running to post a negative claim about the President try checking twice and posting once. Good luck.

RosalindJ said...

"I hope done of you ever thing you should be in the research field."

Call 911. Speaking like that is a bad sign. Intentionally writing like that indicates you may be beyond any kind of intervention.

Chris said...

You weirdos are a laugh riot. You post a stupid tin-foil-hat hateful blog based on what you now know to be a lie, but you stick by your story when you're proven wrong. To quote Bill Maher:

“How many Muslims does a black guy have to kill in one weekend before crackers climb down off his ass?”

With people like you running loose, Doug, we Democrats have nothing to worry about next November.

JOB WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT! THANK YOU FOR FINISHING THE JOB PRESIDENT BUSH WAS TO LAZY TO BOTHER WITH!!!

eDacktyl said...

If you don't know the first thing about flag etiquette, you might be a Republican.

Nunuv Yerbiznezz said...

The people who took down the flag were simply obeying Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1, SEC. 2(a): "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

My neighborhood is full of fake patriots who show disrespect to the flag by leaving it out all night without a light, and probably go to bed feeling smug about it.

Read the law, folks. We don't need no stinkin' constitutional amendment. Title 4 USC is all about how to display, respect and treat the flag, and when a flag is worn out, it is to be disposed of,"...preferably by burning." (according to subsection 4(k)). It also tells us:

(i): "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown".

(j): "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

So it's time to get rid of your flag t-shirts, paper plates, napkins and guest towels. Read the law and do the right thing - that is, unless you only believe in obeying the law when it suits you.

Anonymous said...

One thing I've learned, don't EVER try and separate a wingnut and his talking points. They get really really mad when you use this simple tactic by producing these things called FACTS. Because in wingnut world, facts don't matter. The ONLY thing that matters is their pathetic attempts at spin, usually bolstered by talk radio or Fox News.
Just be a man already and admit you were wrong, unless you have issues with admitting when you're wrong because you think someone will call you a pussy or something.

Anonymous said...

"Accepting responsibility? There's that update bit. Reading and comprehension fail to you."

He admitted the story he told was wrong, but he did not admit that he was responsible for making it up and running with it. He's still blaming Tapper for "confusing" him rather than admitting that he made no attempt to verify the story he dreamed up. Then he finishes off by saying he's still right about the coup thing anyway.

And as for other people making the same mistake, Doug is not them nor is this their blog, so what's your point?

Anonymous said...

everyone makes mistakes is the right's excuse.
1. tweet@6:30 pm hours after event is over.
2. Ground Zero event was live TV w/Flag in background.
3. Pictures of event w/Flag all over internet.
4. Shadows in picture points towards pm not am.
If you were in a car accident with this many mistakes your would lose your license. You are trying to political destroy President Obama aren't you?

Dean said...

LOL - Rightwingers are hilarious. Put up any picture of any kind and caption it with something negative about Obama and they will believe it.

Dress that line idiots. Straighten those tin foil hats.

Bud Micalizio said...

You people are a bunch of clowns.

Chuck said...

"Put up any picture of any kind and caption it with something negative about Obama and they will believe it."

Sadly, when you're country has been cursed with a 145 pound, bucktoothed bag of Marxist dogshit for a president, believing the worst is the most rational thing to do.

RosalindJ said...

What's that you say? Think[sic] Progress[sic] posted something? And so did Perez Hilton? And then Huff n' Spew?

http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=74745

Anonymous said...

Imagine someone who hated music so much that he became the president of Columbia Records only to destroy the industry from within! That's basically what you fools are saying. Please stop watching so much Fox "news." We miss you.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the last update..."religious symbols" and the flag are somehow equivalent to your way of thinking, eh? Don't look now, but you've shown part of your hand that you'd been meaning to keep hidden

Anonymous said...

Every Democrat is a traitor and should be executed.