Truemors
Who is Phillip Anschutz?
As readers and writers at NowPublic know, gazillionaire Philip Anschutz owns NowPublic citizen journalism site. That's news!
But who is he? There are oodles of threads that link this oil and gas tycoon to deep policy and financial involvement with Christian conservatives, the Republican party, Geroge W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and denial through big oil lobbying against the Kyoto Protocol and climate change.
I have found one NowPublic photographer objecting to the use of photos published on NowPublic as showing up on another Philip Anschutz news portal, without consent, and plenty of consternation.
It is true that NowPublic has a rather neo-conservative core. Many liberal activists have been summarily banned from posting to NowPublic, without appeal, especially during the Israeli massacre in Gaza last year. Still, there is always a glimmer of hope that citizen journalism can leverage its new believability. Philip Anschutz has denied reporters access, granting only 2 interviews in 30 years, and remains tight-lipped concerning his latest postmortem rush to get a film out and make a buck on Michael Jackson at the time of his premature passing, or lose his investment in the AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) tour, having to redeem $85 million in fans' concert tickets.
Is Philip Anschutz a paragon for leading the future of citizen journalism and one of its brightest constellations of citizen journalists at NowPublic? Or could this be a moniker that CJ is dead or dieing, and consumers consuming consumers is now big business - $25 million reaped by NowPublic. How much is that for each of us to date per posted word? Perhaps the database admin at NowPublic can do that calculation and post it here as a comment?
Here, Philip Anschutz campaign contribution history. Solid George Bush believer both times around. Anschutz puts his money where his mouth is concerning everything W. and Republican to the hilt, the largest checks by far were for George W. Bush, a second term.
Philip Anschutz and fellow board members of the American Petroleum Industry in Washington are credited by Bush's energy secretary for the Oval Office decision to kill the Kyoto Protocol in 2001. Have you ever We Call It Life to get a sense for the pandering denial to the public that the media arms of the oil lobbies supported by Philip Anschutz promote?
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is granted major funding from the American Petroleum Institute board, with film producing Philip Anschutz as a full board member, to pursue a campaign of confusing and twisted science to spread denial of the real causes for our current climate dilemma.
Philip Anschutz' latest entertainment coup was to recoup his investment lost in the Michael Jackson tour 2009, where the event was to take place under AEG at its London venue. AEG is Anschutz Entertainment Group. A blogger writes:
"Now, AEG Live is partnering with Jackson's estate to release a movie culled from more than 100 hours of footage of Jackson preparing for the concerts. This Is It, which hits theaters October 30, was shot (per a Sony release) "in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound" at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the site of Jackson's July memorial service, an event that helped rehabilitate the singer's reputation and led to an outpouring of good will for him and his family. AEG, not so incidentally, owns the Staples Center. Two AEG Live executives, Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware, are listed as producers on the film as well." Is this it?
As owner of NowPublic, Philip Anschutz and his examiner.com reveals the same-old-shit media diat on their screens that America (Oh, my Canada!) has grown used to like foxes do rabbit on their menus. Here from www.examiner.com - National > Politics 09.23.2009 (around the time the purchase of NowPublic by examiner.com was made public): That examiner.com headline reads: The most left-wing President ever Obama policies undermine democracy security and the rule of law
That's your boss, and perhpas, the pay-off for all citizen journalists who have shared an ideal that could well be but a pipe dream. Is NowPublic cashing in on the 'believability' that citizen journalists were trying to bring back into public media? And what do the citizen journalists at NowPublic use to pay health care and education, heat and transportation, if not a fair per-word payment from the purchase price (an buy back NowPublic.com)!
Philip Anschutz, called by The New York Times 'a conservative billionaire' bought Dick Cheney's favorite magazine, The Weekly Standard, in June 2009: The New York Times writes:
“On foreign policy, The Weekly Standard had a lot of influence with the Bush administration,” said David Frum, the conservative writer and former speechwriter for Mr. Bush. “It was among the most consistent defenders of the broad outlines of Bush policy.
Staff members say Mr. Anschutz, who has visited the magazine’s Washington offices once since buying it, did not meet with the staff as a whole. He instructed the two top editors — William Kristol, who last year was also a columnist for The New York Times, and Fred Barnes — not to alter the publication’s ideological complexion.”
Source: nytimes.com
It seems as though this sale is a sign that the 'divide and conquer' military maxim that propelled mass media, keeping readers isolated in front of their news screens and sheets, has given way to a 'unite and conquer' maxim that does the same thing. And in so doing, redefines citizen journalism as just one more channel for certain news in certain forms to get the same old message out. That is NotPublic. Don't we want it Now, Public?
at 16:58 on November 5th, 2009
Hi, I generally don’t wade into these debates but thought it might be helpful if people here heard the perspective from NowPublic Management.
Firstly, I think it is important to note that we are leaving this post as is and are not attempting to stifle any discussion on this subject. That said, the place for this discussion is in the forums. Our policy on the issue was articulated a year ago and is well understood.
As our veteran members know, we have always been strong defenders of people’s right to express their point of view and we hope that people continue to do so. Whether you are critical or supportive of NowPublic, it is very important to us that you feel you can speak freely. As long as you are are fair and civil we welcome your views.
As for the substance of this post, I won’t address all the issues, but a couple stand out as things I definitely don’t agree with. Those members who have watched our site over the years know that historically NowPublic has been accused of being at every end of every spectrum. But it not is fair to say that NowPublic has a political bias.
We are, in fact, a platform that has been designed to be transparent and apolitical. We have continually striven to defend the rights of those who would otherwise have no voice. There are plenty of posts that I read that I personally disagree with but we allow them to stand because we believe that in the exercise of free speech the truth will emerge. This standard will continue to be upheld at NowPublic.
So with that we will let this article stand but I encourage anyone who is interested in the people behind NowPublic to do your own research.
Yours respectfully,
Michael, co-founder, NowPublic.
at 08:23 on November 5th, 2009
Reposting comments:
Paschen
at 05:57 on November 5th, 2009
Like any investor that wants to make money, one does not cut the wings of a flying bird and NP has some rather important benefits to it self that Anschutz needs or wants. why NP is still called NP and not the Examiner or NPE.
I think the fact that you can write this and have it published proves with out a doubt that NP is still NP, even though Anschutz may have bot it.
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divestor (not verified)
at 06:19 on November 5th, 2009
That flying bird, could it be a vulture?Does NP not have a bit of a reputation for banning writers it deems radically in opposition to a conservative audience, although content was there, for example during the Isreali IDF massacre of children in Gaza last year? Did you not politely note and object to that practise then?Clearly the record of media acquisitions made by Philip Anschutz shows that he has an agenda. If his record is reviewed, that agenda is clearly to manipulate public opinion toward an American Christian and fundamentalist foreign and domestic policy with money, mega-bucks, made from fossil fuel and agro-business, as well as commercial real estate speculation and development,
Your recommendation is registered. 33
tikun
at 06:15 on November 5th, 2009
Cjist said: "It is true that NowPublic has a rather neo-conservative core. Many liberal activists have been summarily banned from posting to NowPublic, without appeal, especially during the Israeli massacre in Gaza last year."
I think the fact that you can say these false accusations only shows that NP is still NP. I do think that this is an opinion piece. Certainly your assumptions as to why some people have left NP is just conjecture on your part.. The only massacre that is being perpetrated here is the destruction of truth and honesty by some of your comments..
Your recommendation is registered. 22
Paschen
at 06:24 on November 5th, 2009
I do agree Tikun, it is an OPINION post and should be marked as such, actually both of them should be since it is a post in two parts.
Further, As far as I recall it should also be posted in the forum and not here on the site.
but that would be up for staff to decide. I just recall the rules and agreements we made in the past and by those this should be in the forum.
However, I am not certain if we had any changes to that regard lately. Why Staff should make that call.
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CJ_ist (not verified)
at 07:34 on November 5th, 2009
What criteria are you accessing to call for an all caps OPINION rating? The post(s) in question by you are journalistic biographical and informative concerning a real news story - NP in the hands of Philip Anschutz. That is not an opinion, but a fact. Researching the story is not opinion but news. Please specify your opinion here? Thanks.
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divestor (not verified)
at 06:32 on November 5th, 2009
Perhaps tikun, NP has learned from its mistakes. I make no accusations, as you accuse me of, with text before you and no reason to be belligerent toward my post. Perhaps, tikun, you equate accusation with journalistic writing you don't agree with.And I stand by the recorded massacre of the IDF in Gaza, which your NP posting record shows you deny, and any other facts brought by other citizen journalists you try to equate with mere accusations, even worse words at times.Question: Do you log in and instantly search for the keyword Gaza? How did you find this small article in such a short time? Do you work for any organization directly or indirectly that might shed light on your lightning speed of reply?I wish you well. And I hope NP will not bump me for researching news for online readers and speaking up. If CJist disappears, along with other readers, the reason will be clear, and my worst journalistic discoveries about Philip Anschutz closer to becoming a reality.
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CJ seen (not verified)
at 06:34 on November 5th, 2009
Perhaps tikun, NP has learned from its mistakes. I make no accusations, as you accuse me of, with text before you and no reason to be belligerent toward my post. Perhaps, tikun, you equate accusation with journalistic writing you don't agree with.And I stand by the recorded massacre of the IDF in Gaza, which your NP posting record shows you deny, and any other facts brought by other citizen journalists you try to equate with mere accusations, even worse words at times.Question: Do you log in and instantly search for the keyword Gaza? How did you find this small article in such a short time? Do you work for any organization directly or indirectly that might shed light on your lightning speed of reply?I wish you well. And I hope NP will not bump me for researching news for online readers and speaking up. If CJist disappears, along with other readers, the reason will be clear, and my worst journalistic discoveries about Philip Anschutz closer to becoming a reality.
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CJ_seen (not verified)
at 06:35 on November 5th, 2009
Perhaps tikun, NP has learned from its mistakes. I make no accusations, as you accuse me of, with text before you and no reason to be belligerent toward my post. Perhaps, tikun, you equate accusation with journalistic writing you don't agree with.And I stand by the recorded massacre of the IDF in Gaza, which your NP posting record shows you deny, and any other facts brought by other citizen journalists you try to equate with mere accusations, even worse words at times.Question: Do you log in and instantly search for the keyword Gaza? How did you find this small article in such a short time? Do you work for any organization directly or indirectly that might shed light on your lightning speed of reply?I wish you well. And I hope NP will not bump me for researching news for online readers and speaking up. If CJist disappears, along with other readers, the reason will be clear, and my worst journalistic discoveries about Philip Anschutz closer to becoming a reality.
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CJ_ist (not verified)
at 07:40 on November 5th, 2009
There is no conjecture here. And no mention of journalists leaving NP as you assert? Please read the piece more closely and note there is a big difference between your metaphorical usse of the horror word 'massacre' and the real massacres evidenced by the UN in Gaza at the hands of the IDF.I expect an apology or a warning by the staff for your belittling remark concerning my honesty. That is uncalled for. If you intend to continue that line of comment I would request the staff look into your comments and perhaps convince you to stay on course. Ty.
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CJ_seen (not verified)
at 06:38 on November 5th, 2009
browserr problem and database problem caused this user to try another name, and all caused the above simple reply to appear 3 times. Please, sys admin, delete 2 of them. thanks. sorry for that.
Your recommendation is registered. 11
jordan
at 08:01 on November 5th, 2009
This should be in the forum, for sure. I'll delete the duplicate comments (caused because you're signed out; user error is not a sysadmin issue), but don't be surprised if this gets moved to the forum.
at 03:52 on November 6th, 2009
In reply to #1 amyjudd at 08:23 on November 5th, 2009
You said " Do you log in and instantly search for the keyword Gaza? How did you find this small article in such a short time? Do you work for any organization directly or indirectly that might shed light on your lightning speed of reply?I wish you well. And I hope NP will not bump me for researching news for online readers and speaking up."
No to all of your questions.
I just search what is new today and respond if so inclined. I have been here a while now and have seen all kinds of statements and accusations present themselves in a variety of different ways. If I know first hand by living in this tiny State that the comments or article is not true to the facts, then I will share my opinions and "truth" as I experience it. No party line.
It really ultimately makes no difference what you say about Israel and its people. But since this is a place to share our views then I will continue to do so. I am passionate about the truth. There appears to be a constant onslaught, or almost an inordinate amount of time creating fiction and exaggeration about Israeli action regarding the Palestinians. We are no saints but we are also not butchers either. Nothing is at it appears in this part of the world.
This is not an exercise in boredom. Our lives are at stake here. Any miscalculation can cause terrible deaths by Terrorists. This is not a game for us but our lives. We all have our feelings about a variety of global issues but any slight mistake and we are toast here. So I am not here to just lie and defend blindly but much of what is stated as fact is cleverly manufactured for that affect by our enemies. It works very well just look around.