... unless your name is Tilghman or Duvall.
Over the last few years I have been a vociferous critic of Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman. In addition to my disagreements with her policies, I have repeatedly pointed out her seeming inability to be honest with the voters of Salisbury. One reason that I have met with some success in my arguments has been my continual striving to put forward cogent arguments backed up by evidence. One of Tilghman's tools in sloughing off arguments by those of us in the blogosphere is by pointing to a few instances by other members of the online media that are simply not true.
While I in no way advocate the position that we don't have the right to say whatever we want online, I have pleaded that my online brethren show some responsibility in their claims. While I readily admit that my own rhetoric can be over the top at times, I am very careful to have sufficient evidence to back up any claim.
Recently, I have read more attacks by local blogger Bill Duvall on a variety of topics that are not only false, there is no evidence whatsoever to back them up.
One case in point is his attack on Maryland Sen. Andy Harris and the endorsement of his congressional candidacy by Dr. James Dobson. Duvall calls Dr. Dobson a "snake oil salesman" and a televangelist. Under normal circumstances I would simply admit that the term "snake oil salesman" is strictly subjective, yet by also calling Dr. Dobson a televangelist any who know Dobson can only attribute such attacks to ignorance. Personally I was dismayed when Dobson became politically active. I have disagreed with him on several key issues. However, as someone who can honestly state that I have listened to hundreds (if not thousands) of programs put out by Focus on the Family, Dobson is not a televangelist.
Webster's defines televangelist as "an evangelist who conducts regularly televised religious programs. Don't worry, I'm not going to argue a difference between radio (Dobson's medium of choice) and television. The simple fact is that Dobson doesn't preach. Televangelists do.
If Duvall had bothered to ever listen to a few of "Focus on the Family's" programs he would know this. Many, if not most, of their programs and publications are focused on children and teenagers. My all time favorite, "Adventures in Odyssey" uses radio plays to teach children about such dangerous concepts as honesty and responsibility. Dobson's own programs discuss family issues from a biblical perspective. If this makes him a televangelist, then I guess we would also have to include every individual who attempts to use the bible in guiding their lives.
More evidence of Duvall's ignorance regarding these matters is provided by this truly bizarre claim that Dobson's endorsement of Harris somehow explains the support of "Salisbury News" publisher Joe Albero for Harris. Duvall makes this claim in multiple posts such as here ... and here. While I don't usually get in discussions of religion with my friend and colleague Joe, I am under the distinct impression that he is not particularly devout, and as a Roman Catholic would not normally fall under the "evangelical" banner. Oddly enough, Harris is the candidate most in line with the views that Duvall has expressed over the years. While you can never prove what is in a man's head, it's a good bet that Duvall would be a Harris supporter if it wasn't for his buddy Joe's loud and unqualified support.
Duvall also ridicules Dobson for "playing the 'it is a matter of conscience' card". Perhaps Mr. Duvall does not have a conscience and is unable to relate. I'm also willing to bet that he voted for Gerald Ford in the 1976 GOP primary. I remember many like Duvall attacking us that year for being "crazies" and for being more concerned with some nebulous set of principles rather than winning elections. You're damn right! There are those of use who are (when it comes to politics) conservatives first, Republicans second. Those of us in the conservative movement may disagree with one another, but most of us try to respect the others' point of view. While I have, and will continue to, disagree with Dobson on issues and candidates I will continue to respect his views.
Back to some facts. Duvall recently posted that Harris would be "the first non-resident (of the Eastern Shore) in the history of the Republic" if elected to Congress. This is simply false. Roy Dyson represented the district and is from St. Mary's County. Let's face it. If it wasn't for a sexual scandal regarding an aide (not Dyson) he could still be representing the First District (with the possible exception of re-districting issues). I posted a comment on DuvaFiles correcting that mistake, but it was struck. Mr. Duvall doesn't seem to handle correction very well.
In the very same post he attacks candidate Harris for "voting to give the 'undocumenteds' college tuition breaks not available to legal residents of 49 states of the union." Again, this is simply not true. While I don't dispute that Harris made the vote, which I disagree with, most (if not all) states have this loophole. Residence for purposes of college tuition is usually based on just that, residence. Colleges don't attempt to determine the legality of that residence. Should they? YES! Do they? NO!
You've got a lot to say Bill. A great deal of it is good. Help yourself out, along with the rest of us, by sticking to the facts.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Maryland politics, Salisbury politics, blogging, Andy Harris, James Dobson, Bill Duvall
Over the last few years I have been a vociferous critic of Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman. In addition to my disagreements with her policies, I have repeatedly pointed out her seeming inability to be honest with the voters of Salisbury. One reason that I have met with some success in my arguments has been my continual striving to put forward cogent arguments backed up by evidence. One of Tilghman's tools in sloughing off arguments by those of us in the blogosphere is by pointing to a few instances by other members of the online media that are simply not true.
While I in no way advocate the position that we don't have the right to say whatever we want online, I have pleaded that my online brethren show some responsibility in their claims. While I readily admit that my own rhetoric can be over the top at times, I am very careful to have sufficient evidence to back up any claim.
Recently, I have read more attacks by local blogger Bill Duvall on a variety of topics that are not only false, there is no evidence whatsoever to back them up.
One case in point is his attack on Maryland Sen. Andy Harris and the endorsement of his congressional candidacy by Dr. James Dobson. Duvall calls Dr. Dobson a "snake oil salesman" and a televangelist. Under normal circumstances I would simply admit that the term "snake oil salesman" is strictly subjective, yet by also calling Dr. Dobson a televangelist any who know Dobson can only attribute such attacks to ignorance. Personally I was dismayed when Dobson became politically active. I have disagreed with him on several key issues. However, as someone who can honestly state that I have listened to hundreds (if not thousands) of programs put out by Focus on the Family, Dobson is not a televangelist.
Webster's defines televangelist as "an evangelist who conducts regularly televised religious programs. Don't worry, I'm not going to argue a difference between radio (Dobson's medium of choice) and television. The simple fact is that Dobson doesn't preach. Televangelists do.
If Duvall had bothered to ever listen to a few of "Focus on the Family's" programs he would know this. Many, if not most, of their programs and publications are focused on children and teenagers. My all time favorite, "Adventures in Odyssey" uses radio plays to teach children about such dangerous concepts as honesty and responsibility. Dobson's own programs discuss family issues from a biblical perspective. If this makes him a televangelist, then I guess we would also have to include every individual who attempts to use the bible in guiding their lives.
More evidence of Duvall's ignorance regarding these matters is provided by this truly bizarre claim that Dobson's endorsement of Harris somehow explains the support of "Salisbury News" publisher Joe Albero for Harris. Duvall makes this claim in multiple posts such as here ... and here. While I don't usually get in discussions of religion with my friend and colleague Joe, I am under the distinct impression that he is not particularly devout, and as a Roman Catholic would not normally fall under the "evangelical" banner. Oddly enough, Harris is the candidate most in line with the views that Duvall has expressed over the years. While you can never prove what is in a man's head, it's a good bet that Duvall would be a Harris supporter if it wasn't for his buddy Joe's loud and unqualified support.
Duvall also ridicules Dobson for "playing the 'it is a matter of conscience' card". Perhaps Mr. Duvall does not have a conscience and is unable to relate. I'm also willing to bet that he voted for Gerald Ford in the 1976 GOP primary. I remember many like Duvall attacking us that year for being "crazies" and for being more concerned with some nebulous set of principles rather than winning elections. You're damn right! There are those of use who are (when it comes to politics) conservatives first, Republicans second. Those of us in the conservative movement may disagree with one another, but most of us try to respect the others' point of view. While I have, and will continue to, disagree with Dobson on issues and candidates I will continue to respect his views.
Back to some facts. Duvall recently posted that Harris would be "the first non-resident (of the Eastern Shore) in the history of the Republic" if elected to Congress. This is simply false. Roy Dyson represented the district and is from St. Mary's County. Let's face it. If it wasn't for a sexual scandal regarding an aide (not Dyson) he could still be representing the First District (with the possible exception of re-districting issues). I posted a comment on DuvaFiles correcting that mistake, but it was struck. Mr. Duvall doesn't seem to handle correction very well.
In the very same post he attacks candidate Harris for "voting to give the 'undocumenteds' college tuition breaks not available to legal residents of 49 states of the union." Again, this is simply not true. While I don't dispute that Harris made the vote, which I disagree with, most (if not all) states have this loophole. Residence for purposes of college tuition is usually based on just that, residence. Colleges don't attempt to determine the legality of that residence. Should they? YES! Do they? NO!
You've got a lot to say Bill. A great deal of it is good. Help yourself out, along with the rest of us, by sticking to the facts.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Maryland politics, Salisbury politics, blogging, Andy Harris, James Dobson, Bill Duvall
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6 comments:
Roy Dyson owned and lived in a house on E. William St. here in Salisbury.
I have tried to post many comments regarding the fact that Mr. Duvall would rather not endorse the most "republican" candidate solely because of his association with Albero on many occasions--no comment that logically counters Mr. Duvalls opinion is ever posted. No comment regarding the competency or ethics of Paul Wilbur is ever posted. And what the heck is his gripe with SU mens lacrosse? He is absurdly obsessed with the "farce" of SU being D111-any idea of what it takes to become D1 Duvall?
Roy Dyson's family is from St. Mary's County. Roy Dyson lived in St. Mary's before, during, and after his tenure in the U. S. House.
Dyson represented District 29 (Charles and St. Mary's counties) in the House of Delegates prior to his election to Congress. In 1994 (three years after leaving Congress) he was elected to the Maryland Senate from District 29 (Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties).
Roy wasn't the first politician to have two homes in a geographically large district. He may have even changed his voter registration to Wicomico AFTER he was elected.
What is not in dispute is that he was a resident of St. Mary's County when he was elected to Congress.
I don't understand the fuss Mr. Harrison. Right here at "Salisbury News" respectful comments and questions are NOT posted if they happen to point out the true facts that the "publisher" of this site does not want posted. That is very hypocrital of you, Mr. Harrison.
I have many fond memories as a youngster of listing to "Adventures in Oydessy", actually still do like to listen when I get a chance.
Oh come on, don't pick on Duva, he is just a bitter & angry guy. Most of his ramblings don't make any sense, but they are quite entertaining.
If comments that don't include profanity et, al are censored I'm not aware of it.
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