WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
Flashback Video: Carter referred to Obama as 'this black boy'
Former President Jimmy Carter is throwing his two cents in on Congressman Joe Wilson's (R-S.C.) outburst on the House floor last week.
Interesting email from Michael Skolnik about the NEA call
The Washington Times obtained a partial list of participants for the August 10 teleconference call hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House, and United We Serve. The list was apparently sent out by Russell Simmons's political director Michael Skolnik.
Bloggers accuse Human Rights Watch of online 'sock puppetry'
A number of bloggers are alleging that Human Rights Watch has been using fake names to seed the Internet with supposedly independent defenses of the organization. The "offense" called "sock puppetry" by bloggers is among the most reviled tactics in the online spin wars.
Disturbing quote from teen in AP article on Michigan slaying
An overlooked quote by a Michigan teenager picked up by the Associated Press regarding the murder of pro-life activist James Pouillon illustrates why many in the media are ignoring this story.
Editorial: NEA's artful dodgers
Last month, a top NEA official gathered artists and arts organizations in a conference call that also included a White House official and clearly asked the arts community to get behind the administration's agenda, including the current top priority health care. A mere 48 hours after the request, 21 art organizations led by an arts lobbying organization, Americans for the Arts, released the first of two public statements endorsing health care reform and urging Congress to act.
Myrick critical of NEA conference call
Since the controversial August 10th teleconference call led by the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House Office of Public Engagement, and United We Serve, Rep. Sue Myrick's (R-N.C) spoke out on the August 10th conference call
(UPDATE: NARAL Responds to Mich. Shooting)National Right to Life Committee withholds attack, unlike NARAL
Following the murder of Doctor George Tiller, a Wichita abortionist, NARAL Pro-Choice America released a statement that was not only heavily political but also attacked pro-life activists as well. Today in Owosso, Michigan, pro-life activist James Pouillon was shot several times in front of Owosso High School and died. The National Right to Life Committee's response did not attack their opponents on the issue of abortion but rather emphasized their mission.
Updated: Arts lobby pulls an online houdini
Last night, the Water Cooler pointed out that the Americans for the Art removed audio of Bob Lynch discussing a meeting with new National Endowment for the Arts Chair, Rocco Landesman. This morning, audio suddenly reappeared.
$2 million behind National Endowment for the Arts politics push
On August 12, a group of 21 arts organizations endorsed President Barack Obama's health reform plan only 48 hours after a conference call in which a top National Endowment for the Arts official asked arts groups for help in advancing the administration's policy agenda, including health care.
Path to political propaganda at the National Endowment for the Arts
Day by day how the National Endowment for the Arts transformed from arts funder to political powerhouse.
Audio: Arts coalition chief on NEA artists' grants and health care reform
On August 28, Bob Lynch, President & CEO of Americans for the Arts, talked about a recent meeting he had with new National Endowment for the Arts Chair Rocco Landesman. A podcast of the topic was previously posted on the arts blog but was later removed. The Washington Times downloaded a copy of the podcast.
The NEA lies again
Yosi Sergant may not be the National Endowment for the Arts Director of Communication, but his spirit lives on in the misinformation released by the NEA.
UPDATE: Yosi Sergant re-assigned at NEA not resigned
The National Endowment for the Arts Public Affairs Specialist Sally Gifford contacted The Washington Times and clarified that Mr. Seragnt is still an employee at the NEA but is no longer Director of Communications.
Who is Yosi Sergant?
Yosi Sergant, Director of Communications at the NEA, is a 32-year old publicist who made headlines himself after promoting Sheperd Fairey, the artist behind the iconic Obama "Hope" poster during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Who is Kalpen Modi?
Before entering the White House Office of Public Engagement, Kalpen Modi was better known to many Americans as Hollywood actor Kal Penn.
