Nancy's Mouse? Oh, Really?

I am a self described news junkie. The television in my house is usually tuned to CNN, or MSNBC when I want some red meat. In the car, my Sirius satellite radio is tuned to CNN. My focus in this blog, is how partisans use propaganda and play with facts to sway public opinion.

Out in the blogosphere, the right is having a field day with the subject of this Washington Times story: "Pelosi's mouse slated for $30M slice of cheese"

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/12/earmark-less-bill-gives-pelosis-mouse-cookie/

The gist of the story, is that Nancy Pelosi has $30 million in the stimulus bill going for protection of the marsh mouse which resides somewhere near San Francisco.

A spokesman for Mrs. Pelosi said Republicans "fabricated" the claim.
"The speaker nor her staff have had any involvement in this initiative. This is yet another contrived partisan attack," Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said. "Restoration is key to economic activity, including farming, fisheries, recreation and clean water."

This Mercury News article also fleshes out the facts and concludes that the story of mouse protection money in the stimulus is false.

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11696283

Now, I'm no Nancy Pelosi apologist. I think she has done a terrible job by the president in how she crafted the stimulus legislation. I also believe she needs to have a smaller profile because she is so radioactive. But this story put out about her is false.

But the point of my blog is the partisan bloodsport of throwing out these false jabs and scoring hits with them.

The American people are busy and unfortunately, do not have the time to dig into these stories and separate fact from fiction. Add to that the polarization in our politics, and a willingless to run with whatever you hear negative about the opposition and you get a misinformed electorate.

From where I sat, Obama spent a great deal of time during his campaign deflecting negative stories and accusations about him. Pal around with any terrorists lately?

This game in our politics is shameful and juvenile.