Political Quotes

“as a journalism student at the University of Alabama in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists. Sigma Delta Chi is the gold standard upon which the journalism profession is based. Among other ideals, Sigma Delta Chi, in its mission statement, encourages excellence among journalists and the need to stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism. Sadly, Madam Speaker, ABC News, both last night and again this morning, is guilty of throwing high standards and ethical behavior out the window. Their report that our Speaker, Denny Hastert of Illinois, is being investigated by the Justice Department lacks one essential element to a good news story: the facts. Even after the Justice Department issued a 10-word statement that said ``Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department,'' ABC refuses to retract this story. Instead, they cite an unnamed source in the Justice Department as the only evidence they need to throw trash into the mainstream. Freedom of the press is a precious liberty. It should never be taken for granted, nor, my friends, should it be trampled on by people who stand behind this ideal instead of standing on the bedrock principle of getting the facts right and reporting the truth. ____________________”