Ethics Group Asks Soros to Repudiate Anti-Catholic MoveOn Ad
Saturday, 6 August 2005
nlpc.org
Peter Flaherty, President of the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), today asked George Soros to repudiate a new ad by MoveOn.org portraying Pope Benedict XVI holding a gavel in front of the doors of the Supreme Court. It is captioned, “God already has a job… He does not need one on the Supreme Court. Protect the Supreme Court rules.”
Flaherty wrote, “You have been one of MoveOn’s most generous and outspoken supporters. It is time for you to speak out and specifically repudiate this ad. The implication that a Senate rules change would give the Catholic Church undue influence over the Supreme Court plays to the worst of anti-Catholic bigotry. Mocking imagery of the Pope was a staple of anti-Catholic prejudice in the 19th and early 20th centuries. You should not be party to its return.”
Flaherty continued, “The crude simplemindedness of this attack would make the Know Nothings of the 1850s proud. The caption of the ad refers to ‘Supreme Court rules,’ but presumably the ad concerns a possible Senate rules change that would end the filibustering of judicial nominations.”
The ad was apparently placed on the MoveOn PAC website last week at moveonpac.org. It has apparently been removed.
According to MoveOn.org, “The MoveOn family of organizations consists of three entities. MoveOn.org, a 501(c)(4) organization, primarily focuses on education and advocacy on important national issues. MoveOn PAC, a federal PAC, primarily helps members elect candidates who reflect our values. And MoveOn.org Voter Fund, a 527 organization, primarily educates voters on the positions, records, views, and qualifications of candidates for public office.”
This is not the first MoveOn ad to generate controversy. In January 2004, MoveOn.org posted an entry in its “Bush in 30 Seconds” ad contest, which interspaced footage of Adolf Hitler and President Bush. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the ad “outrageous and highly offensive,” and stated it should never have been posted on the MoveOn.org website.
In September 2004, MoveOn aired a TV ad that portrayed an American soldier in Iraq sinking chest-deep into the desert. His arms were raised over his head in the universal “surrender” position. The ad said, “George Bush got us into this quagmire. It will take a new president to get us out.” In response to a wave of protest, MoveOn.org pulled the ad.
On October 19, 2004 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Soros was asked if he agreed with the commercial. He declined to criticize it, saying it is an “accurate representation” of the U.S. situation in Iraq and “I don’t see what is wrong with that.”
During October 2004, Soros undertook a media and speaking tour to swing states during which he called for Kerry’s election and the defeat of President Bush. His appearances coincided with two-page newspaper ads and mass mailings to voters with the same theme. NLPC sponsored the “Soros Truth Squad,” which had a presence at five Soros appearances.
Soros apparently failed to report significant expenditures related to his anti-Bush tour, as required. On January 18, NLPC filed a formal Complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), alleging extensive apparent violations by Soros of the Federal Election Campaign Act. (http://www.nlpc.org/pdfs/SorosFEC1-18-05.PDF)
NLPC promotes ethics in public life, and sponsors the Government Integrity Project.
nlpc.org
Contact: Peter Flaherty 703-237-1970
Website: www.nlpc.org |
