I'm hoping RickyMonet sees this, but here's some background for everyone else.
Remember the attack ad on the AARP put out by USANext, showing a red "X" through a picture of an American soldier and a green "check-mark" over the picture of two very happy gay men in tuxedos kissing? Well the wedding picture was purloined from an Oregon newspaper's website, spurring a nascent lawsuit by the outraged couple.
Now, the current issue of TIME Magazine has a little squib on the ad and the dkos and TPM role in getting it pulled, but makes no mention of the "hot" photo.
The story after the jump--
TIME says:
The debate over Social Security reform got nasty last week when this ad from conservative lobbying group USA Next appeared on the American Spectator website. Blogs such as DAILY KOS and TALKING POINTS MEMO (TPM) challenged the implication that the AARP, which opposes Bush's privatization plan, is antitroop and pro--gay marriage. The ad was removed hours later, but TPM continues to ask whether USA Next, whose assault on the AARP is run in part by the people who created last year's Swift Boat ads, is connected to the Administration. USA Next denies it.
Nice to see the perfidy of the ad addressed in TIME, and with kudos to kos no less, but the theft of the picture is not only part of the story but a nice handle for ripping open USANext's innards.
First I think RickyMonet and Steven should pen a letter to the editor of TIME, noting TIME's omission of the theft. I betcha they publish it!
Second, I hope they go after USANext in discovery rather than settling. Just so you know Ricky and Steven, USANext has been the subject of some very -- special -- scrutiny and speculation that your lawyers might want to know more about. Discovery can be a wonderful thing, and if the Republican National Party is behind this, well how rich would THAT be?!
[Update] The Portland Tribune just printed an article detailing how the pic was purloined. Jarvis of USANext claims ignorance and says there will be "severe beatings". Right.