Dallas Reporter Ambushes Crime Victim and Accuses Him Of Being Trigger Happy

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News Shooter said:
How are we going to involve ourselves in the big picture discussion after the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star Telegram print stories tomorrow morning about how gun-nut whack-jobs from around the world descended on the station and its advertisers?
I'd expect as much from the Dallas Morning News, not the Star Telegram. The Morning News is a worthless rag who considers anyone that owns a firearm to be a gun-nut whack-job. The Star Telegram is an actual newspaper that is still in touch with the residents of the D/FW Metroplex. Get this, they even actually have a hunting section.
 
We've silenced one reporter and perhaps one station. Where do we go next?

The news director who let this obscenity on air, of course...

Things like this do work in markets like DFW, esp. when the sponsors believe that they are losing business because of it. The 11th Commandment of broadcasting is "Thou Shalt Not Offend The Advertisers Who Payeth The Bills." Just ask Dan Rather how important THAT commandment relates to a reporter's career.... ;)
 
OK, you got your pound of flesh. She's an idiot and will probably get fired. Now what?

What's your strategy going forward besides name-calling and threats?

How are we going to involve ourselves in the big picture discussion after the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star Telegram print stories tomorrow morning about how gun-nut whack-jobs from around the world descended on the station and its advertisers?

We've silenced one reporter and perhaps one station. Where do we go next?

I know everyone means well, I was as outraged as anyone at what she did. But internet sieges like this can be counterproductive. I've been as guilty as anyone and have probably started a few of these myself, but I am re-evaluating this whole thing as of now.

You might be assuming too much with respect to the emails some of us sent.

My main point to them was that one's mistakes in the "information age" have taken on some aspects of immortality (included the youtube link). Good luck with damage control and an opinion that the reporter may have gone well past any reasonable definition of "journalism" or even "advocacy journalism" and that an apology would be in order.

If they can derive anything other than "pro-vet / pro-responsible journalism" from that it would take epic class conclusion jumping to do so. It was neither neccessary nor desirable to inject "gun" into the communication. They don't care about that sort of stuff - they probably do care if one of their reporters is making them look like a supermarket tabloid.

And by referencing youtube, commenting a day or two late is simply attributable to seeing it on youtube rather than reading it on a gun board.

It would appear you're making assumptions about how "we" comport ourselves in public in much the same manner that "they" are presumed to. There's probably irony in there somewhere.
 
OK, you got your pound of flesh. She's an idiot and will probably get fired. Now what?

This is not about getting a pound of flesh. God forbid I or my wife have to defend ourselfs with a gun. The last thing I want is to be followed around with news cameras, and ambushed in a parking lot.

What happended is WAY beyond what is acceptable. The woman's advocatcy groups would make sure there is NO way they would get away with it on a rape victim (as they should), and we better make sure they don't get away with it on crime victims who refuse to be victims.

And to me this not about getting the reporter fired so much as getting the Fox 4 management to take the issue seriously. Simply suspending a reporter is not taking the issue seriously.

You better belive the news industry in Texas is watching to see if the populace will end up rolling over on this, or stand up and say no.

I am standing up and saying no.
 
Personally, i'm happy to see her lose her job. She had absolutely no right to pull the crap that she did.

I agree that she had no right to pull the crap she did; but here is the problem with losing her job. She isn't going to disappear from the news profession. She is just going to go somewhere else and there are lots of places where being run out of town by "gun nuts" is a badge of honor. So we haven't eliminated out problem, we've just sent it somewhere else and arguably made it worse.

On the other hand, when your job is on the line, everybody gets that unpleasant sinking feeling and a lifeline from an unexpected place can seem like a great comfort. I know I certainly remember well all of the people who threw me a line when I was in trouble throughout my life. It gives us a great opportunity to speak to a more sympathetic ear.

Finally, while I think that the people who approved of the story are as culpable as Ms. Aguilar, there comes a point where the news directors at Fox4 are going to think "Wow, nothing we do is going to satisfy these whack jobs." When people make your life miserable and you try to appease them and they still make your life miserable, does that inspire you to want to help them more?

We've made the point that we aren't the right group to screw around with. They aren't likely to directly challenge victims of crime who defend themselves anytime soon. Now is the time to show that we make even better allies; because there are still lots of subtle, indirect ways they can take jabs at us if they come out of this bitter and angry at "gun nuts."
 
Did your post disappear?

Could it be because the content of it was completely unhelpful to the discussion at hand, and contained not one hint of actually speaking up in an activist role?

Hmmm...
 
OK, you got your pound of flesh. She's an idiot and will probably get fired. Now what?

What's your strategy going forward besides name-calling and threats?

How are we going to involve ourselves in the big picture discussion after the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star Telegram print stories tomorrow morning about how gun-nut whack-jobs from around the world descended on the station and its advertisers?

We've silenced one reporter and perhaps one station. Where do we go next?

I know everyone means well, I was as outraged as anyone at what she did. But internet sieges like this can be counterproductive. I've been as guilty as anyone and have probably started a few of these myself, but I am re-evaluating this whole thing as of now.


What we do is reinforce the schwerpunkt. EVERY time a newsie gets it wrong, acts like this, vilifies gun owners, etc, a torrent of emails, calls, and letters should follow. Worried about how this makes gunnies look? Don't. As long as letters are coherent, correct, and reasonably civil, flood the enemy with paper.

This is but a small victory in a much larger campaign. It's not the time to sit back and reflect and give them a chance to regroup. When you win the field, you then pursue.

Does anybody doubt that the Brady Bunch or George Soros' many fronts wouldn't do exactly as I have suggested?

So, I guess I disagree with Bartholomew Roberts. The nice guy approach hasn't worked too well for gun owners. It stinks of appeasement. The fight for RKBA is now, not in the future. There is no preseason. The weapons are emails, letters, and phone calls. To senators, representatives, news outlets, everybody that strays from the straight and narrow line of freedom spelled out in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
 
Bartholomew mentioned Aguilar's recent big award. Here it is. The bold face is what I have added to mark the ironic aspect of the award relative to the ambush interview...

KDFW Dallas' Rebecca Aguilar Hispanic Journalists award
TVNEWSDAY, Sep. 7, 3:09 PM ET
By Staff
Fox O&O KDFW Dallas reporter Rebecca Aguilar has been chosen by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists to receive one of the group’s 2007 ñ Broadcast Journalist of the Year awards.

Aguilar was cited for her “sound and consistent reporting that gives voices to people who usually don’t have voices on the air,” adding that her work showed she was “capable of separating yourself from the stories while maintaining integrity and credibility” brought together with strong writing, good delivery and good use of sound bites and natural sound.”
The awards will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 4, at NAHJ’s 22nd annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala in Washington.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2007 TV Newsday, Inc. All rights reserved.

This article can be found online at: http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/07/daily.5/.
Please visit http://www.tvnewsday.com/ for more on this and other breaking news concerning the TV broadcasting industry.
 
lol... maybe we should be contacting those who give out the award and making them aware of the type of journalist they are giving the award to?
 
I know I might attract some heat on this but, In reference to Bartholomew Roberts' post above (#61), is there a THR member in the Dallas area that would be willing to offer services as a technical consultant to the TV station? At least they may be able to get stories straight that way. We've all heard reports before that just don't make sense because they have the facts messed up. IF a reporting agency WANTS to report correctly they would be more than willing to accept an offer.

It would take someone who is obviously well versed in firearms, but also someone who is gifted in diplomatic arts.

This could help turn an enemy into an ali. Just a thought.
 
is there a THR member in the Dallas area that would be willing to offer services as a technical consultant to the TV station?

Won't happen in Dallas. If they want an "expert" they will call the Police.

Ft Worth maybe, but not Dallas. Dallas is not really part of Texas you know :)
 
So, I guess I disagree with Bartholomew Roberts. The nice guy approach hasn't worked too well for gun owners.

The nice guy approach is a practical necessity here unless we have the power to make Fox4 go off the air completely and stop anybody who works there from working in media again.

These people are going to be in a position to effect public opinion about firearms. They have already acknowledged that they are hearing us by suspending Aguilar - so what do we have to lose by extending an olive branch or inviting them to learn more about the subject?

Some have suggested that they won't change their ways regardless of what we do. To them I would reiterate my earlier point - these people will continue to be in media whether we get them fired or not. We can offer the olive branch because if they smack it out of our hands we are no worse off than we will be anyway. Fox4 is saying they heard us. Now is the time to start suggesting ways they can improve in the future instead of demanding more blood.
 
Bartholomew Roberts (Is Bart OK?)

Depends on the olive branch I s'pose. I'd like to take Aguilar to the range and let her try out various firearms and see that they are nothing but mechanical contraptions that can be practical and a heckuva lot of fun. That's all I can see doing olive branch wise. The antis purposely ignore the principles this nation was founded on. Limited government. Refreshing the tree of liberty. All those types of things that are now the butt of jokes at a Brady gathering.

My attitude on this is admittedly defeatist. I've reached a point where I believe that all we can do is slow the bleeding and that the writing on the wall is clear. Some say 'Look at all the CCW laws'! I say, yeah, look at the list of names they have now. A much better one than 4473s even.

I wish I was alive in the day where I could order a rifle from the MonkeyWard catalogue and have it dropped off at my house.
 
Bartholomew Roberts (Is Bart OK?)

It's a pseudonym, so anything that works for you (BR, Bart, Hey Chucklehead) is fine.

I'd like to take Aguilar to the range and let her try out various firearms and see that they are nothing but mechanical contraptions that can be practical and a heckuva lot of fun. That's all I can see doing olive branch wise.

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting we buy her dinner or anything. My point is that I bet that there are at least several people at Fox4 who are sweating their jobs right now who would be willing to hear us out and maybe learn a little bit more about firearms. Not only that; but they would likely consider it a favor from us.

However, I don't know that there is much that can be done to stop the freight train at this point if it is being picked up by Captain's Quarters, Instapundit, Michelle Malkin, etc. There is likely going to be blood on the floor whether I personally think that is a good idea or not.
 
E-mails sent. As for those of you advocating the "nice guy" approach, I agree there is no reason for obscene name-calling, etc. However, I don't think a big group hug with the anti's/news station is going to cure anything, either.

Most estimates would show the homosexual population of this country to be no more than 10%. Gun ownership (based on household %) is probably close to 50% or higher. When negative things are said in the media about homosexuals, they make sure to respond and they are NOT nice about it. They have been VERY effective in gaining rights/respect for thmselves. Only 10% and the stations/newspapers/advertisers run for cover. Why shouldn't they when we're talking about numbers close to 50%??? I'm not saying we should be rude, but we SHOULD make it a point to be LOUD (and persistant).
 
I want what any other group who is taken half way seriously gets. To this end, I have written my letter and am now ready to mail, email and fax it to anyone that advertizes on Fox 4:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Hello. I am writing this letter because you advertise on Fox 4 here in Dallas. Normally I would commend you on that decision.

Recently, however, FOX has decided to gain viewers by victimizing a man named James Walton. Mr. Walton is a 70 year old man and veteran here in Dallas. He lives above his business, and, unfortunately, two men attempted to rob him in separate incidents three weeks apart. Mr. Walton dealt with each of them using his shotgun.

A reporter for FOX 4 “ambushed” him in a parking lot, and blamed him for being robbed, and accused him of being trigger happy. You can see the segment in question at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnZd-5dYXfk

I consider this interview, and its subsequent airing, as absolutely shocking and disgusting. And quite frankly, unbelievable in Texas.

My wife and I are responsible gun and business owners, owning and operating XYZ in ABC. God forbid we are forced to defend ourselves and business, the last thing I would want is a reporter putting us on TV as the real villains, not the robbers.

We would never stand for a television station skewering a rape victim and we should not stand for FOX 4 skewering Mr. Walton. Currently all they have done is suspend the actual reporter. They have not fired the news director responsible for putting the ambush interview on the air, nor have they apologized to Mr. Walton. Again, we would not stand for such white washing if this was done to a rape victim.

Unfortunately, it seems only the people paying to keep FOX 4 on the air, its advertisers, are going to have the clout necessary to make them understand what they have done.

Normally I have no beef with your business. However unless FOX 4 fires the news director responsible, and publicly apologizes to Mr. Walton, or you stop advertising with them, I going to make a point of not buying from you or anyone else I see advertise with them.

I hope their actions equally shock you, and you voluntarily act independent of public pressure.

Sincerely,

Kindrox
 
Sent this Email Today...

Hello. I am not sure but I think that Ms. Barrs approves/disapproves what goes on the air.

I sent her this email today:

"Ms. Barrs,

The disgusting ambush of crime victim, Mr. James Walton, sickened my whole household. It would appear that many others feel the same way since public furor seems to have resulted in Ms. Aguilar being indefinitely suspended.

The biased “report” should never have been aired. Mr. Aguilar’s judgmental “trigger happy” comment was way out of line. If I understand correctly, Mr. Walton was in his own business (where he also lives) and the man shot was attempting a burglary. (If one is concerned about being shot, perhaps that person shouldn’t burglarize?)

Who allowed this to be shown and are they trying to push their own agenda rather than unbiased reporting of a news event? Does this fall under your responsibilities as news director?

This was simply wrong .

Beyond disgusting is the only way that I can describe it and my disdain for Aguilar’s “reporting” and KDFW allowing it to be aired has caused me to go elsewhere for news as well as contacting Fox4News’ sponsors explaining why I will not use their products or visit their businesses.

If I want personal opinions, I read editorials.

Sincerely,
Stephen A. Camp"

As of this time, no reply.

For those interested in contacting her:

[email protected]

Best.
 
Wow...they have retracted their video everywhere that I can find. They obviously filed a copyright violation claim with youtube. They had already previously removed it on their site before yesterday.

They have their damage control helmets strapped tight.

Good letter, Stephen.

ETA:

Well...imagine that...it did crop up on another site:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=088_1192711925
 
tydephan...

Thanks for that link, it worked for me. What a hatchet job that lady did!

It's amazing to me that Fox4 would air that video in a market of 3
million people, and the next day claim copyright laws to get it removed from
the web.

They'll be getting an E-mail from me.

Walter
 
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