THE LEFT IS DESPERATE FOR A HOAX

Michelle Malkin .com ^ | September 17, 2004 | Michelle Malkin

[swilhelm73]

Just got off the phone with Phil Parlock, who is amused by desperate liberal rumor-mongering that the man wearing an IUPAT t-shirt and holding a piece of his little girl's Bush/Cheney sign is his own son.

"That's ridiculous. This is a small town," Parlock told me from his home in Huntington, W. Virginia. "Everyone would recognize him."

Parlock and his daughter were surrounded by a group of about five or six nasty pro-Kerry folks, two or three of whom wore IUPAT shirts. He received a voice mail from the president of the IUPAT, whose apology (as noted below) is here. Am waiting for a call back from IUPAT president James Williams.

IUPAT members, by the way, were involved in a previous sign-tearing incident involving Parlock and his family, according to Parlock.

Meanwhile, Parlock's toddler is fine.

It's pathetic that lefty bloggers would smear Parlock and his children so quickly without bothering to check. Rathergate must be really getting to them.

Update: Captain Ed remains skeptical:

[T]he family history of victimization at Democratic rallies looks awfully suspicious, as does bringing a 3-year-old to an oppo rally. Good running commentary at Dislogue, including links to a Glenn Beck interview with Phil Parlock.

I talked with the press person for the IUPAT, who says its local shop in Huntington is currently conducting an investigation of the individuals involved. We will be keeping in touch. The union deserves praise for its strongly-worded statement condemning any act of violence/disruption committed in its name.

And let me state for the record: If the union or I or anyone else finds out that this was staged, I will be the loudest to condemn Parlock and will send an apology and a dozen roses to Attaturk at Rising Hegemon.

[theDentist]

THE LEFT IS DESPERATE FOR A HOAX

Don't they already have one as a Candidate for the Presidency?

[sauropod]

Attaturk is a flaming a**hole!

No apologies to him, no matter what.

[Hank All-American]

Somebody should post this for the DUmmies

[Southack]

Of course the Left is desperate for a hoax. You don't think that talking about abortions, tax increases, and banning guns is going to win, do you?!

If you are truly a Michelle Malkin fan, however, ask her what the *INTERNATIONAL* Union of Painters and Allied Trades is doing campaigning for an American Presidential candidate (or in this case, a VP candidate) in West Virginia.

Ask her to explain when it became legal for foreigners to campaign for American candidates...

The AWB Has Expired - Gun Owners Have Won Again For All Americans!

[wildwood]

it's pretty sad when unions have to trash a politically active guy who tries to inculcate in his kids (8 or 10??) an appreciation for the electoral process just for BEING AT THEIR EVENT!!! i heard this situation and interview on glenn beck, and thought the dad sounds concerned, cautious and patriotic....just for being there, his kid gets assaulted. pretty pathetic when we get to that point, i say.

[OSHA]

Karl Rove again!

[keat]

Ask her to explain when it became legal for foreigners to campaign for American candidates...

What does that have to do with MM?

[stockpirate]

I do not think they were foreigners. I think the union is international, as in locals in the UK maybe, but the members at the event are local.

[BlackRain]

The story is complete. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades has issued an apology for its members ripping up the sign.

We extend our apologies to the Parlock family, especially Sophia, for the distress one of our overzealous members caused them.

Link: http://www.ibpat.org/news/WVa.html

[TexasGreg]

While I understand the Captain's suspicions ... it DOES seem a little strange that THREE election in a row the same man and/or his family would attend opposing political events and be attacked each time. And I would agree with his conclusions ... except that ... I tend to go to opposing side's rallies too, and when I hold up a Bush sign I am usually accosted and physically handled by people standing next to me. I don't say a word ... I just hold up the sigh and BANG ... they attack like Borg trying to assimilate me. So, it doesn't take an agenda to make news in order for this to happen REPEATEDLY.

Looking at the photos, I can see why there is some thought that the guy is the fellow's son ... but upon close examination of both photos I think it's clear that it can't be the same guy. This wasn't staged ... not the attack, that is.

As for the man bringing his little daughter ... I agree, that's just stupid. Bring her to see our President, not a VP Wannabe.

[Southack]

"I do not think they were foreigners. I think the union is international, as in locals in the UK maybe, but the members at the event are local."

Why should we give them the benefit of the doubt? That *international* union has just been caught perpetrating one crime, why would they not commit other violations?

For instance, is that International Union illegally using union dues from its foreign members to purchase campaign materials (e.g. T-Shirts for rallies) or pay salaries or supply personnel for American elections?

Does it co-mingle its funds from its International operations with its American administration?

Was the so-far *UNNAMED* Union goon in the 3 year old sign incident a foreign union member?

It is an International union, after all, so these questions are quite valid.

That union is keeping the name of the perpetrator under wraps.

Why?

The AWB Has Expired - Gun Owners Have Won Again For All Americans!

[Southack]

c#12

[RobRoy]

Kirby Wilbur on KVI this morning in Seattle was warning about this very thing. The guy seems to go to these rallys looking for a fight.

I'm neutral on it though...

[lowbridge]

It's pathetic that lefty bloggers would smear Parlock and his children so quickly without bothering to check. Rathergate must be really getting to them

Bingo.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x830608

[Jalapeno]

You beat me to that one...my thoughts exactly.

[jpl]

At least back in the old days the pea-brained union thugs had the guts to take on grown men. If shows you how far they've fallen that they're now they're reduced to going after little toddlers.

[lowbridge]

I think it's clear that it can't be the same guy.

The little girls older sister (as well as her brother) has joined FR, and have gone on the record with their version of events:

I've already been on another thread defending my family and the legitimacy of this photo and the story that goes with it. In the picture of our family on the truck, I'm the one driving it. I'm the oldest and I feel compelled to defend my family. Many people have already said they don't believe I'm Sophia's sister. That's understandable considering how many whackos there are out there, but I am Sophia and Alex's sister. The picture is legit. THERE IS NO RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE THUG AND MY BROTHER. I will try to see if Dad will post a better family pic somewhere on here so you can all see for yourselves that the Democrats are ashamed of the union man but are trying to play it off as if it was staged. It is sad that they can't just say they're sorry for the actions of one or two thugs and move on. Instead they twist it around to shame my father and discredit our family. SHAME ON THEM!!! My sister is THREE YEARS OLD!!! How many kids that old can cry on cue????? She is one of the best-natured kids there are and she hardly ever cries. I just wanted to get on here and clarify that the picture is legit. The Democrats are just ashamed at what happened and are trying to put the blame elsewhere. Well, let me tell you what.... THAT THUG HAD NO RIGHT TO TEAR HER SIGN AND ANTAGONIZE MY FAMILY!!! HOW DARE HE MAKE HER CRY!!!! I just wished I could have been there. Dad is a better person than I and put her safety before revenge. He did not take any violent actions against the man. I'm not so sure I would have been able to be so patient.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1218914/posts?page=33#33

[RonDog]

For an alternative perspective, THIS appears to be from little Sophia's big sister:

Evidenced that the crying girl was staged (a summary) (DU Barf Alert)
	Posted by big_sis_10 to Ciexyz On Bloggers & Personal 09/17/2004 11:13:37 AM PDT · 32 of 36 To all: I've already been on another thread defending my family and the legitimacy of this photo and the story that goes with it. In the picture of our family on the truck, I'm the one driving it. I'm the oldest and I feel compelled to defend my family. Many people have already said they don't believe I'm Sophia's sister. That's understandable considering how many whackos there are out there, but I am Sophia and Alex's sister. The picture is legit. THERE IS NO RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE THUG AND MY BROTHER. I will try to see if Dad will post a better family pic somewhere on here so you can all see for yourselves that the Democrats are ashamed of the union man but are trying to play it off as if it was staged. It is sad that they can't just say they're sorry for the actions of one or two thugs and move on. Instead they twist it around to shame my father and discredit our family. SHAME ON THEM!!! My sister is THREE YEARS OLD!!! How many kids that old can cry on cue????? She is one of the best-natured kids there are and she hardly ever cries. I just wanted to get on here and clarify that the picture is legit. The Democrats are just ashamed at what happened and are trying to put the blame elsewhere. Well, let me tell you what.... THAT THUG HAD NO RIGHT TO TEAR HER SIGN AND ANTAGONIZE MY FAMILY!!! HOW DARE HE MAKE HER CRY!!!! I just wished I could have been there. Dad is a better person than I and put her safety before revenge. He did not take any violent actions against the man. I'm not so sure I would have been able to be so patient. Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies
Little girl has sign ripped up by anti-Bush protestor
	Posted by big_sis_10 to diamond6 On News/Activism 09/17/2004 10:52:28 AM PDT · 179 of 189 Wow! This is all very new to me (free republic). Thanks so much, all of you. I understand there are still many skeptics out there and that is understandable considering how many people have access to a computer these days. I wish I had a better family picture to post. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner. I will try to get Dad to perhaps post a better picture so that all of you will be able to see that there IS NO RESEMBLANCE between the thug and my brother. They are both white and that's about it. The picture that has been put up was from two years ago when I got deployed. Hopefully sometime soon we will get a better picture up. Once again thank you for your support. BTW, yes Dad has gone to other rallies in the past, but if you notice he never goes with intent to antagonize, only to try to peacefully change minds by passively holding up signs in support of his conservative ideals. In my opinion it is easy to show support when surrounded by supporters, but much braver to passively show support in the face of opposition. No matter how you feel about Dad and him taking his family with him to political rallies, I hope you agree that it is unfortunate this incident happened. It is even more unfortunate we have people out there like the union man who can't find someone his own size to pick on!!!! Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies
Little girl has sign ripped up by anti-Bush protestor
	Posted by big_sis_10 to babble-on On News/Activism 09/17/2004 8:46:20 AM PDT · 96 of 189 To everyone: I am the eldest of the Parlock clan. I am Sophia's older sister. To clarify for all of you, the photo WAS NOT A SET-UP. Perhaps it is hard for some of you to believe that Kerry supporters really can be that cruel. She is crying real tears, the thug in the picture is NOT one of our brothers, Dad really IS upset, and boy on the right is a brother and has fists clenched ready to fight. I am disappointed that some of you think a Bush supporter would actually set something like that up. One of my other brothers has been on some of the other threads clarifying other questions. I thought I should get on here and clarify before things got blown out of proportion. To the rest of you who have shown nothing but support THANK YOU! Dad had no intention of causing problems. He merely took my sister and brother out to show support of the President. It is a sad day when we cannot assemble peacefully in support of the President. Someone mentioned it was a shame Dad took a 3-year old with him in protest. There is a difference in protesting and supporting. He was not heckling, not chanting, yelling, nor antagonizing. He was merely standing there with signs. There is no crime against that. This is America, one should think that he would be able to take his young daughter out and show support without being concerned about her safety among fellow West Virginians. Also, I am disappointed with the WV comment. No, not everyone in WV is related. BTW My brothers look NOTHING like that thug in the photo! Zoom in and take a better look! Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies

[RonDog]

Graet minds think alike. :o)