Editors defend Jerk of the Year nominee
Hey, do you remember Bobby Caina Calvan, the arrogant newspaper reporter who blogged about his snit fit in Iraq when a soldier asked him for identification–earning himself a Jerk of the Year nomination?
Well, Calvan’s MSM friends and editors have again come to his defense. They’re as clueless and snotty as he is. Armando Acuna, public editor of the Sacramento Bee, chose Veterans’ Day to mount his blog-bashing campaign and apologia for Calvan:
A day after his Oct. 23 blog posting, Calvan woke up at 5 a.m. in his Baghdad hotel room and signed onto his computer.
“My e-mail started going crazy,” he recounted in a phone call several days ago while on a reporting trip along the Kurdistan border. “That’s when I started receiving all this hate mail.”
His private blog was now whizzing around the very public blogosphere, put there by right-wing critics breathlessly passing it around like the discovery of a deep, dark secret, a digital Rosetta stone deciphering the media’s true heart.
Even the mainstream media got into the act. On Oct. 25 USA Today’s “On Deadline” Web site wrote about the controversy, including running an excerpt from Calvan’s blog.
It’s as if the armchair critics were pointing a big, fat finger and saying, “Aha, we caught you!”
“Armchair critics?” Many of the bloggers calling out Calvan were military bloggers, active-duty troops, and yes, fellow journalists who have been in Iraq and followed the security rules without Calvan’s superiority complex.
Calvan’s cronies don’t like being held up as symbols of MSM elitism by meanie bloggers:
They then proceeded to use Calvan’s blog to blame The Bee, the McClatchy Washington Bureau (which supervises foreign coverage) and the mainstream media for every perceived journalistic sin known to man in Iraq.
“It was used by people with a political agenda,” said Mark Seibel, managing editor in charge of foreign coverage for McClatchy’s Washington Bureau. “They were trying to discredit our reporting coming out of Iraq.”
Quite the contrary, Mr. Seibel. Calvan’s arrogant, don’t-you-know-who-I-am attitude toward an American soldier and reasonable security precautions discredited his reporting all on its own. No help from us needed.
And Acuna’s downplaying of the incident underscore the very journalistic hubris bloggers saw in Calvan’s initial post:
What we’re talking about here is an escalating, ahem, urination competition between two men in a stressful situation. Just two guys making each other mad – doesn’t matter if you’re right-wing, left-wing, up or down.
Seibel doesn’t blame Calvan’s attitude. He blames the Internet:
“Bobby’s mistake was blogging about it and expressing his frustration.”
Acuna blames other bloggers for exposing Calvan and embarrassing him further when he tried to hide the evidence of his jerkiness by deleting his post:
…really what I think is that this matter is entirely overblown and what is needed is this: a time out.
Acuna ends on his high horse, wagging his own “big, fat finger” at bloggers who held Calvan accountable for his words:
The real shame, of course, is how this Internet conniption fit over something so minor overshadows the serious journalism from Iraq. There are legitimate reader questions about coverage and stories, their selection, tone, balance and accuracy.
By the way, I’m well aware today is Veterans Day. Today’s column has nothing to do with that, so please don’t go there. I’m proud of our men and women in uniform. I have family wearing that uniform now.
This isn’t about them. This is about politics and playing games.
Two weeks after the brouhaha died down, it’s Acuna who wants to take a turn in the urination competition by throwing his own little attention-getting tantrum on Veterans’ Day, of all days.
Who’s playing games?
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Exactly, coincidence, no the timing has been calculated.
If you are going to show that you are a pompose and arrogant baffoon, well you just have to take it when others call you on it.
Isnt this the same reporer who sent out an Iraq interpreter to do his job and then printed her impressions as fact all from the safety of his bunker ?
this was no pissing contest you freakin idiot Acuna….this was a member of the US Military who has probably been in Iraq for quite some time protecting the likes of your pisswilly reporter.
I am going to guess real men don’t work for your company or they would be out getting the real story “outside the wire” not parking their car “inside the wire”….real brave guy there you are defending you twit.
Oh and by the way Acuna you and the entire Mcclatchy paper club are rubes for the Democrat party and the all the states between the coast’s are very aware of it, pig. There now I have thrown my urine in it.
It is very clear all those “MSM snots” have an undeserved superiority complex. How dare we, the little people, question their motives or manners.
Mr. Acuna and Mr. Calvan are certified losers. They should be ashamed of themselves.
I still don’t care who Calvan is and guess what happened to me this morning when entering the Main Gate at Mountain Home AFB to use the Base Gym. Not only did I have to show my Retired Air Force ID I also won the vehicle search lotto. I had a great time joking with the young NCO and Airmen that checked my vehicle as part of their random security measures.
As far as the Sacramento Bee goes it used to be a pretty good paper back when I was a kid growing up in Rancho Cordova, CA after my Dad retired from the Air Force. Too bad it has gone the way most printed media has gone not fit for anything other than wrapping up fish guts and to line bird cages. I strongly agree that Armando Acuna calculated this response to slam the Military on Veteran’s Day. The reason I left California never to return is I just got tired of the tolerant citizens (on the left) looking down their noses at those of us in uniform. Too bad most folks in uniform are better educated, have done more, and seen more of the world then those who deride us will every experience in their lives.
He’s trying to say that a member of the military, who was doing his job, was in a pissing contest? I.don’t.think.so. He was doing exactly what he is supposed to to keep others safe. Calvan was the only one pissing in the wind that day.
And to do this on Veteran’s Day, point it out in the article and say “don’t go there”?! I have no words for that right now.
This “journalist” is so far off it’s insane. Even during EXERCISES here in the states, the highest ranking officer on base’s wife doesn’t get into HIS building if she doesn’t bring her correct ID, and this guy feels like the soldiers should have ignored protocol and allowed him through.
Oh wait, it was a real world scenario, one he probably would have used hearsay to report if he could. I’m sorry sir, but you don’t rate much with the average thinking American, let alone our boys in Iraq.
Acuna sounds like my five-year old; it’s always someone else’s fault. The difference is that my boy will learn how to accept responsibility for his actions. It seems to be too late for some.
Acuna and Calvan are no different than almost all the other so called jornalists who staff the MSM these days. They think they’re better than everyone else when in reality the opposite is true.
The only difference is they have a platform while we, the normal folks, don’t. Except of course for Michelle and the other bloggers who have grabbed this opportunity by the horns and made internet news the place to be.
I long for the day when the old time papers are a thing of the past.
One of the biggest differences between liberals and conservatives is the attitude toward personal responsibility. Liberals look for ways to excuse and tolerate bad behaviour. Conservatives expect people to take responsibility for their actions. I would never give someone a bye just because they’re on the same side of the aisle as I am.
I had the distinct pleasure of sending this little turd my opinion that night. Unfortunately my post never made it to his blog because he decided to cut and run rather than read other opinions as he expects us to read his.
On a more joyful note. I want to wish all of my fellow veterans in all branches of the service, and those civilians who love the military men and women like they are family members the happiest and most wonderful day they can possibly have.
Semper Fi my fellow Americans
Actually, this is a HUGE part of the problem. If reporters like little Bobby would show respect, all of the respect due to these men and women in uniform, the real stories would have come out BALANCED and ACCURATE months and months ago. That would have been a big victory for our soldiers right there and who knows how much MORE good could have been done.
Any wimp that tries to prove he’s a man by playing the narcissistic ‘holier than thou’ card and in doing so is insulting someone who is TRYING TO KEEP THE IDIOTS ARSE SAFE, has no right to be considered any part of “serious journalism”.
Acuna and Bobby along with their ilk will never again be considered “balanced” or “serious” or even accurate, as we now know their ’selections’ of importance, TONE and seriousness centers on themselves and their plans only.
.
I would say they could redeem themselves and possibly have a chance of being considered ’serious journalists’ in the future if they were to ask forgiveness, by admitting their wrong. But alas, we know that is impossible for the ‘holier than thou journalists’, so they will forever remain at the bottom of the media pile, and yet again at the end of the line… all lines, hopefully.
.
But I do want to thank them both, Bobby and Acuna, for showing my son WHAT NOT TO BE.
As I recall the original article, the intrepid whiner admitted he was bullying the soldier at the checkpoint with the “do you know who I am” routine. How that can be characterized as a pissing contest is beyond reason.
But, yes, Mr.Bobby Calvan, we do know who you are. I could go down the list, citing nitwit, moron, little girl, self important dolt, or crybaby. But I won’t. I can nicely summarize who you are in two words: flaming asshole.
That will probably give Bobby a good case of the vapors and cause him to faint onto his collection of silky pillows and stuffed animals. Maybe after he recovers and has a good cry, we’ll hear from him.
From us veterans - a well maincured reporter having a hissy fit does not win “pissing contests” with members of the US Military in a war zone. Now that may refer to the journalistic diva wetting his silk panties, at the sight of the mean man with a gun, but it certainly is not something the military engages in. Since we piss hot lead, there would have no question as to a contest winner in such an encounter.
As for Armando Acuna, either man up or shut up.
Seems to me that Mr. Acuna is jealous of Mr. Calvan being nominated “Jerk of the Year” and is trying to get be nominated as well. Bingo! You just got nominated.
It is beyond belief that he was trying to defend Mr. Calvan… and on Veteran’s Day… shameful.
Acuna is already a loser, and I don’t think being nominated for J.O.Y. will do anything to change that notion.
That family member needs to have a chat with Acuna. How would he feel if it was his family member wearing the uniform at that checkpoint; worrying every day about suicide bombers.
What if his family member let one smartass reporter through and it got himself and others killed?
From the Sacramento Bee:
(SNIP) ((((
.)))) (SNIP)
Have a nice day
You can tell they are far left liberals. They all want
special treatment and they only want to do things that
make them feel good about themselves. I believe that
the actions that made these two feel so good are
actions that my sons outgrew around three years old.
Our oldest son served in the military and I taught a
dance class on the base. Both of us had to have
extensive id to get onto the base and this was way
before 9/11. These jerks need to stay in CA and
hold hands with the other jerks like them while they
all sing kumbaya or measure the sizes of the
chocolate on top of their doughnuts to make sure
no one got any more than anyone else.
I nominate Acuna for “Off of the Year”. Then they can team up.
Acuna is a tree and I’m the dog. Get the picture?
Apologies to Bob dylan,
How many checkpoints must a clown drive through
Before you call him a reporter?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a whinning turd sail
Before he pulls his head out of the sand?
Yes,’n’ how many times must the“don’t you know who I am fly”
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is pissin’ in the wind,
The answer is pissin’ in the wind.
How many times must a blowhard look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear simple questions?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That he to may have died?
The answer, my friend, is pissin’ in the wind,
The answer is pissin’ in the wind.
How many years can these TB’s exist
Before they washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some morons exist
they only do because they are free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can clown throw a tantrum,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is pissin’ in the wind,
The answer is pissin contest’ in the wind.
That’s funny Wade. Bobby could wear his jerk t-shirt and Acuna could wear his off t-shirt and they could stand beside each other and it’d say “off jerk”.
Hm…it seems that someone is inventing a new country. Reminds me of the non-existent “Palestine”. So…Calvan was on a reporting trip along an imaginary place? That would explain a lot.
Yeah, Okey Dokey. Right. Sure.
Interesting coincidence….
His post was from October 23rd?
Hmmm… on October 23 1983 a Marine Guard, who was not ALLOWED to load his weapon, was powerless to stop an unexpected Garbage truck from entering the Marine Compound in Beirut Lebanon….
How… appropriate… that this A$$hat posted this on the anniversary of that day…
Nobody in McClatchy seems to know the first rule of holes. They all want to pick up the shovel and turn to digging
“This is about politics and playing games”.No,this is about a pissant so-called reporter making an a$$ out of himself and his pissant boss increasing the controversy.mngirl nailed it,what if one of Acunas relatives was the soldier that Calvan messed with? Pissing contest?What does Acuna think that soldier was guarding,the local Starbucks?I guess it is just coincidence that it took him this long to respond to a story that every one else was finished with a week ago.Real timely response.
Really, someone who calls himself a “Public Editor” explains to the public how another member of the public, a soldier, was just as much to blame for this as a reporter from his newspaper. Yeah, right, I can see how you are looking after the interests of the public - right after your employer’s of course.
Exactly how stupid do you think we are Mr. Public Editor? Do you even realize the utter contempt that most of us in the “public” feel for your self-serving lying? Why don’t you go cover some Hillary “public” meetings - maybe she’ll let you ask her one of her favorite questions… you have certainly proven that you are high quality shill material.
This soldier was given orders and he performed his duty.It doesnt matter if it is a limp wristed reporter or a 3 star general.He knew what the consquences would be if he didnt,he would be burning the shitters for a week.They are seldom impressed with who you are.
Reality check. These people need a reality check. Where do these little queers come from? Scarsdale?
HAHAHAHAHAH
What a tool.
People, point your questions to Mr. Acuna
HERE
Tell him, he earned A**hole of the year.
Sounds like he doesn’t realize what Veterans Day is, does it?
To find out that the Sacramento Bee is involved in this comes as no surprise to anyone who knows this paper. The Bee has become so Liberal and Left-Wing that it is hard to find anything to outdo it outside of a 1965 issue of Pravda.
The bee has a blatant hatred for anything that represents morality and goodness in careers. they have a personal vendetta against the military, the poliice department and the fire department in the area. So much so, that the firefighters union in Sacramento, covering several departments in the area, has asked it’s members to boycot the paper and cancel the subscriptions to their houses, if not their homes. They spit on anything patriotic, and goes out of it’s way to shine a dim light on any of those three organizations. McClatchy Media has turned a bad corner over the last few years. When a labor union calls for the boycotting of a Liberal rag, you know they have gone to far.
This really is not a surprise. the pompous nature of these print journalists shows just how far out of touch they are with the new media and how it works. Gone are the days when they can say or do anything they want to anymore. People no longer are silent about it nor do they take things at face value. there are too many sources and too many ways that ordinary people can fact check. Where once the TV personalities on the local news stations and small hometown columnists were treated as celebrities as if they were from Hollywood itself, they have been relegated to the corners of history and they don’t like it.
Truth is, this guy was treated just like he should have been by that alert soldier…just another jerk trying to throw his weight around, name dropping with names that no longer hold weight. He probably isn’t going to be getting any more free cups of coffee at Starbucks anymore either. god help that poor barrista when he retaliates in his unshaven college freshman face.
Bobby, quick word to the wise here. Fess up, admit you blew it by trying to bluff your way past a Soldier doing his job, and stop pointing a finger at everyone else. I use this same advice for my SEVEN YEAR OLD SON when he gets caught doing something he should not be doing. It’s not a political issue at all, it’s just calling out a jerk when seen.
Yes, 100% ID checks are in effect even in the USA. During Operation Joint Guard in 1996-97, the ID checks were done not only entering our LSA, but leaving as well!
Who am I? That seems to be the question. What have I done to distingush myself? I have seen how Mr. Calvin distinguishes himself. But let me demonstrate what a real man does. My dad is a Marine. He spent 30 years in his beloved corp. He enlisted when he was 17 to fight the Japanese in the pacific. He returned to battle against the North Koreans and Chinese and then two tours in Vietnam. He attained the highest rank an enlisted man can. One day I was with him going to Camp Pendelton and we were driving his new car. We were stoped at the gate and demanded to show our ID. My dad patiently got out his ID and complied with every request the guard made. He said that it was a Marine doing his duty and that was of the highest order. That is how a real man conducts himself.
Happy birthday Marines…
Not surprising that Acuna thought that deleting (read: hiding, attempting deniability, burying) was casually acceptable. Kinda like posting errors on page b32.
Happy Birthday Marines!!
Yesterday in church my pastor asked the veterans in our church to stand when they did, he summoned us to give them a round of applause. Of course we complied. It was a great way to start the service. He asked one of our vets he would like to go back. The vet replied, in a heart beat. Brought tears to my eyes.
Jim M, summed up my feelings in a nutshell. Irrational, crybaby McClatchy reporter versus United States Marine in a so-called pissing contest… I’m not a betting woman but I think it pretty clear whose side I’m on.
Morning all … hope all of you have a great day “officially” observing Veterans’ Day.
If you get a chance catch the Fox and Friends segments from the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. Brian Kilmeade is doing remote broadcasts from there this morning. It opened earlier this year and is an awesome place.
If you can’t catch it on F&F here is the website:
http://www.usmcmuseum.org/index.asp?
Thanks to all here who have served in any service and in any capacity.
A special Semper Fi to all my fellow Marines.
Suffice to say that I agree with all of the previous comments criticizing the lame protests of the MSM Public Editor. My take is this, the exchange between the guard and Bobby, was an exchange between a man and a child. The man here is obviously the guard. Bobby is one of the far too many offspring of liberal American parents who just could not say no to their little “darling”. Time to grow up sonny. You too Acuna.
Ah yes, the old conspiracy theory response.
Instead of placing blame where it belongs, throw a snit fit because FELLOW bloggers exposed this fool as a whiny, pompous, elistist who thought it wise to throw a fit because a soldier didn’t know who he was.
Here’s the deal, Acuna: the reason we were upset wasn’t because of anything but the blatant disrespect shown a member of our military by a man who obviously has disdain for the soldiers in the field. To him, they are no more than movie theater employees, tasked with tearing tickets. To him, the soldier was acting like a rent-a-cop, ego swollen with his new found authority.
Unlike him, most Americans (and everyone who took issue with is immature rantings) respect our troops.
And he launched his missive on Veterans day. He couldn’t speak about this on a date when the military wasn’t to be honored because he wanted to imply that the military are exactly as described by this child.
Shame on you Acuna. You tried to protect one of your own - a reporter invested in ridiculing our troops and tainting his reporting with his disdain.
Here is my post to Mr Acuna at the San Franciso Bee:
sfrvn wrote: pissing contest?
“Just two guys making each other mad – doesn’t matter if you’re right-wing, left-wing, up or down.”???
One guy is your reporter who, by his very presence, is making the the other guy’s job more difficult because he has to not only guard the gate but has to protect your guy. And your guy then wants to make the other guy’s already stressful, dangerous job even more difficult by giving the other guy a hard time rather than follow a simple, obviously well-known rule, just to amuse himself at the other guy’s expense? And you see this as a “pissing contest” between “Just two guys,” as if they are roughly equal in mission and substance?
Obviously, you and I have wildly differing understanding of the situation.
Happy Veterans Day - to your family member. I’m sure he or she is very proud of your Veterans Day column.
“His private blog”?
What part of internet blogging does this man not understand?
Nothing is private on the internet.
Just ask Deb Frisch.
Melanie Sill about to become editor of the Sacremento Bee. Could be the person to email about Acuna’s choice of time to defend the indefensible.
Sorry, couldn’t link to the story at News & Observer.
This was listed at bottom of article. Maybe MM can get a comment.
Until Nov. 16: melanie.sill@newsobserver.com, 919-829-8986
Serious journalism from Iraq? From the MSM? It must be freezing in Hell about now !!