Americablog

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AMERICAblog is a liberal American blog founded by John Aravosis, with several co-bloggers. The blog helped expose Jeff Gannon in 2005, and in 2006 helped make cell phone privacy an issue by obtaining Gen. Wesley Clark's call records. The blog focuses on issues including gay rights, the Iraq war, and Bush administration scandals.

1 Members
2 History
3 Criticism
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Members

John in DC - John Aravosis, activist and political consultant
Joe in DC - Joe Sudbay, antigun activist, formerly held staff positions with Violence Policy Center [1] and Handgun Control, Inc.[2]
AJ in DC - AJ, an anonymous former Department of Defense civilian employee who had decorated duty in Iraq
Chris in Paris - a "good friend" who lives in Paris, France
Cliff Schecter - political consultant, TV analyst, Huffington Post blogger[3]

[edit] History

AMERICAblog first received widespread media attention after it revealed that Jeff Gannon, a member of the White House press corps with a reputation for asking 'softball' questions at opportune moments for Press Secretary Scott McClellan, was actually James Guckert and had advertised his services as a gay male escort.^[1]^[2] The White House placed Gannon as a representative of a little known right wing news organization, forgoing a background check that is standard for members of the press corps.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, Aravosis was shocked to learn that anyone could buy someone else's cell phone records, as advertised by several websites. With permission, he purchased the call records of former Presidential candidate and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO General Wesley Clark for $89.95, bringing the issue widespread attention.^[3] In September 2006, California passed a state law banning the practice of pretexting, or pretending to be someone else, used by the websites, with the bill's sponsor specifically citing the AMERICAblog coverage.^[4] Clark became an advocate of cell record privacy bills in Congress.^[5] Within months, Congress passed a law restricting these records.

AMERICAblog has courted controversy within the gay community for its campaign to 'out' gay Republican Party workers who are seen as supporting anti-gay legislation and attempts to prevent same-sex marriage in particular. The blog has an adversarial relationship with the Washington Blade.^{[citation needed]}

AMERICAblog has also spearheaded successful campaigns against reductions of gay rights and protections from companies placating religious right organizations. Notable incidents include the successful elimination of employee protections at Microsoft^{[citation needed]}, and Ford's cessation of publishing in gay oriented publications^{[citation needed]}. Management at both companies reversed earlier anti-gay policy decisions. In January 2007, after Super Bowl XLI, AMERICAblog publicized a boycott effort aimed at a Snickers candy ad that aired during the game showing two men repulsed by an accidental kiss, calling it homophobic. The candymaker pulled the ad, one of a series they had intended to run.^[6]

[edit] Criticism

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On Friday, May 19, 2006 some visitors to Americablog objected to the blog's use of the term "big girl" in reference to Sen. Pat Roberts, complaining that the phrase constituted a slur and was offensive to women. [4] Other commenters, including several women,[5] [6] said that the entire affair was blown out of proportion by a few hypersensitive readers [7] [8], and noted Aravosis' history of activism and support for women's issues.[9]

The readers who dismissed the complaints about Americablog's usage seem to have been more concerned about Americablog's track record of attention to women's issues, including its post the previous day (Thursday, May 18, 2006) updating the status of a vaccine for cervical cancer [10], its report on the Vatican's possible change of policy regarding condom use [11], and its activism on making sure that emergency contraception remains available to women. Aravosis himself revealed that he has worked as a consultant for Planned Parenthood. [12] [13]

[edit] References

^ Howard Kurtz. "Online Nude Photos Are Latest Chapter In Jeff Gannon Saga", The Washington Post, February 16, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-12. "The latest developments were first reported by John Aravosis, a liberal political consultant and gay activist who has a Web site called americablog.org. 'What struck me initially was the hypocrisy angle,' Aravosis said. He said he was offended by what he called Gannon's 'antigay' writing."
^ Dan Froomkin. "Guckert Watch", The Washington Post, February 16, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-12. "Joe Strupp wrote in Editor & Publisher ... 'In addition, evidence emerged on the site Americablog yesterday suggesting that Guckert not only set up sex sites but also offered his services as a male prostitute. When asked by E&P today about such accusations, Gannon declined to confirm or deny. "I am not going to talk about that," he said.'"
^ Frank Main. "Blogger Buys Presidential Candidate's Call List", Chicago Sun-Times, January 13, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-12. Republished on the Common Dreams NewsCenter.
^ Don Thompson. "New law will ban 'pretexting' to obtain phone records", Associated Press, September 29, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-12. Published by the San Francisco Chronicle.
^ Kristina Dell. "The Spy in Your Pocket", TIME magazine, March 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
^ Dyana Bagby. "Many Not Snickering Over Super Bowl Ad", New York Blade Online, February 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.