New questions are now arising about George Forbes role in this. For 10 years, Forbes sat on a watchdog board supposed to track Bureau of Workers Compensation investments. His daughter works for a firm that lost $215 million. And the NAACP chapter here he runs is reaping donations and ads in the annul dinner program.Now, in the context of the story, you would think this guy is a Republican. He isn't. And that is a key problem with this scandal. Democrats are painting this as a Republican only scandal. It isn't. There is plenty of blame to go around. Let's be fair and sbojective about who gets caught up in it.
From many investment firms handling or seeking to get workers compensations business, Forbes has boasted of trying to get minorities more state business.
The question - why would out of town investment firms donate to a civil rights group here - it’s president on a panel … supposed to keep an eye on them.
I wrote to the reporter, Tom Beres:
Mr. Beres,His response:
In reference to the article found at the following link, I have a question.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=36869
You have identified the party affiliation of Taft and Montgomery, but not Forbes, why is that?
Are you aware of all the action taken by our Republican elected officials to investigate this matter? Are you aware of the action taken by our Republican elected officials to see that this sort of thing doesn't happen again? I do, but only because I'm active in alternative media and the blogosphere. It sure isn't because I'm relying on mainstream media outlets like yours.
I've been doing a series on CoinGate coverage on my blog and your story will be featured. I appreciate any input you might have.
Thanks...
MATT HURLEY
matt....thanks for your observations...you have a valid point on the failure to acknowledge mr. forbes democratic connection...an oversight...though thrust of story was to suggest coingate is creating problems for republican candidates as ms. montgomery acknowledged....i am aware of the multiple investigations initiated by republican officeholders....we will continue to cover this story...regards...tom beres channel 3 newsMr reply:
Mr. Beres,We must question these stories and call out the mistakes.
I appreciate your response and admission that the failure to identify the party affiliation of Mr. Forbes was an oversight. If the thrust of the story was to indicate that the scandal is causing problems for the Republicans running for governor, why isn't that the lede? The idea that the governor's race might be effected doesn't occur in your piece until near the end.
My concern is that stories like yours is going to negatively influence the perception of the citizenry. If yours was the only story I have seen in which oversights that make make Republicans look bad when in fact we are talking about a Democrat, I would be more willing to accept it and move on...however, I am finding this to be a trend rather than an aberration.
I am gratified to hear you say that you will continue your coverage of the story. My hope is that your coverage will not suffer more oversights of this variety. Citizens will rely on a fair and objective media, they will not trust a partisan agenda in the news.
MATT HURLEY
10:00AM Update
Allow me to extend my remarks...I'm not trying to pin this whole investment deal on Forbes. He is just one man. But he is involved. And that should be reported properly. To bury Forbes in an article critical of Republicans and not identify him as a Democrat is not acceptable in my judgement.
11:30 Update - Beres Replies
Received a response:mr. hurley...a final thought...my original lead stressed the governor's race impact....it was rewritten by a producer...for clarity.. they thought....the point here- things that appear to be part of a conspiracy or media agenda to those on the outside are very often just happenstance of the hurried on-deadline news cycle....regards...tom beresHe makes an excellent point about the editing, which did occur to me. Perhaps these pieces should carry the name of the editor as well...just a thought.
