Note: We received this open letter from Woodcreek resident Ann Merritt. We are not surprised by Commissioner Barton's "gross misrepresentations," a persistent MO of his. We prefer to call them lies, but hey, we also understand that all's fair in love, war and politics. Just a reminder that some politicians are more prone to lying than others and that alert voters can always to do a little fact checking of their own.Send your comments and news tips to online.editor@valleyspringcomm.net or click on the "comments" button at the bottom of the story
Letter to the Editor:
Recently, Hays County Commissioner J. Barton issued misleading statements in his campaign announcement, most of them directed against County Judge Liz Sumter.
In an article printed by the Austin American Statesman on January 4th that was titled "Hays Commissioner Jeff Barton to Run for Judge," reporter Patrick George quoted Barton as follows: "In his speech, Barton criticized Hays for being the lowest-paying county in the region for law enforcement officers and said he'd restore budget cuts to the county library fund and to emergency medical services."
J. Barton said he will restore budget cuts to county libraries.
Fact: There were no library budget cuts. Libraries in Hays County enjoyed a 23% increase in funding since Judge Sumter took office.
J. Barton said he will restore budget cuts to EMS.
Fact: There were no EMS budget cuts. EMS experienced a 29% increase in funding since Judge Sumter took office.
J. Barton said Hays County law enforcement officers are the lowest paid in the region.
Fact: Hays County law enforcement officers are some of the highest paid in the region. Only Austin and Kyle pay more.
J. Barton said Judge Sumter voted to increase county commissioners' pay.
Fact: J. Barton voted for his own 14% pay raise. Then he announced that he was not going to take the pay raise. He subsequently reversed his position, for unknown reasons, and he took the pay raise.
J. Barton's statements contain inaccurate claims, many of which fall into the category of gross misrepresentations. One would hope that those who rise to the level of Hays County commissioners would adopt a higher ethical standard, one that promotes the Public Good and incorporates reality in pursuit of that goal.
I am going to stick with the facts. In fact, I am going to stick with Judge Sumter.
Ann F. Merritt
Woodcreek, TX 78676
11 comments:
So has this site just become a propaganda tool for the Sumter campaign? Shame as I was coming here for real information that was, most of the time, fair.
Voters need to stop acting indignant when politicians lie. Most politicians are pathological liars; that is how they survive.
But what about the responsbility of the media. Including the Statesman, these passive puppets of the special interest politicans ask insipid questions and then are just too stupid or ill prepared to follow up the response with anything substantial. The political media have become human tape recorders for campaign lies. If the media did their job with professional ethics and competence, Barton and the special interest politicians (which almost all are) couldn't get away with the "misrepresentations."
But then again, we can be thankful the Fox News cable people work from a much higher standard. Allah praise Rupert Murdoch.
Hey, this is one of the best sources of uncut political news and info inside Hays County. Thank you Hays County Roundup. You just keep on keepin' on. Don't mind the "misrepresenters" like Anonymous 1. As for lightweight Barton, I wouldn't vote for him, no matter what comes out of his big mouth. Begs the question, how many voters actually fact check, or worse, will fall for his lies?
Oh Al-Anon 1, stop acting like a baby. You think the Statesman interview was "fair and balanced?"
Read the Hays County Free Press if you want a Barton propoganda rag.
You feign disappointment and surprise over the Roundup's "bias". I see it more as confronting hypocrisy. Get a life!
Hell, I like the pictures here - the one with liar liar looks like he just ate at his favorite Mexican food place and got some stuff that was too hot to handle! Light a match and poof!
Apparently, "Left the Right Behind" needs to wear his glasses and hearing aid when viewing and listening to Fox News.
There is no shortage of propaganda from Democrats AND Republicans.
I try to get a "real" view of the news by viewing Fox News, The New York Times, the Washington Post, MSN and some Alternative news media, e.g., TruthOut, Capitol Hill Blue and a few others.
I also review what newspapers overseas state about our nation.
In this manner I can get a more reality-based perspective on "how we are doing."
Anonymous #1 should do the same and quit complaining about how one site provides commentaries.
Last Al-Anonymous, you must be kidding. You say you are getting "real" news watching Fox. That is just plain silly. With Fox you are getting Republican Party talking points and mindless liberal trashing. MSNBC does the same on the opposite political spectrum, but at least they use some facts and not just opinions disguised as news.
But then you go on to say you read the NY Times and foreign press. Great! Let me also suggest the Economist and the Financial Times. These Brit economic and political news rags have already experienced with England the failed imperialist state thing, so they can accurately see and understand what the US is now dealing with.
Albert Einstein once said: "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
It is time Texas and angry conservatives take heed.
Read what I wrote, will you, "Leave Your Mind Behind"? I never said I get "real" news from Fox.
I said that after reading news from several opposite and divergent news media on one topic, I get a better perspective on what the "real" news is.
Your own obscure agenda is blinding you.
This last Anonymous guy thinks he is somehow superior because he says he reads and listens to a diversity of media. Yet he admits to the insipidness of watching Fox News. Then he reacts defensively when confronted by it. I wonder if he can even understand international perspectives. Left the Right Behind is exactly correct. Fox News is not news, it is opinion sold as news. And it is the type of media that would fit the issue of Barton's campaign: Promote misrepresentations.
I don't get that feeling that the person thinks he is "superior".
I believe he is simple stating that the more perspectives you can get from various media the better your comprehension of a particular issue.
Simply put, Barton can NOT be trusted. Period.
I will vote for whomever runs against him.
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