Tuesday, February 19, 2008
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It's Not Plagiarism, But It's Not Helpful, Either ...
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
7:55 AM
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Much is being made of accusations that Barack Obama plagiarized part of a speech from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
My take: As I noted yesterday, Obama and Patrick share a top advisor. Clearly, they know each other -- in fact, Obama says that Patrick recommended he use these lines to defend against the Clinton attack. In my estimation, that's the key point ...
Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as, the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.
If someone tells you that you can use something, then you didn't steal it. And if Patrick authorized Obama to use these lines, then it isn't plagiarism. I think the distinction depends on whether or not the originator of the words and ideas authorizes their use.
Mike Huckabee, for example, has lifted Newt Gingrich's line about Fed-Ex (without citing Newt). When I interviewed Newt, and mentioned it, he told me he was just happy the idea had gotten out.
... Of course, Clinton really had two reasons to make this attack. The first was a long-shot hope that this story would catch fire. (Remember, there is a history of this working: Sen. Joe Biden's presidential ambitions in 1988 took a major hit when he plagiarized a speech by Neil Kinnock, the British Labour Party leader.)
But the other, more realistic, goal of the Clintons was to poke a hole in Obama's strength. Even if one agrees with Obama's theory that words matter, the fact that he was using someone else's words seems to undermine his greatest strength. At the very least, it makes him un-original...
My guess is that this won't be a silver bullet for Hillary, but that it could slowly begin undermining Obama's image. Either way, there is no doubt that the YouTube video underscores the point that Obama "lifted" this line from Patrick, and having it on video makes the point unavoidable ...
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So what if there have been accusations from the Clinton campaign that Barrack Obama plagiarized some lines written by Governor Deval Patrick during one of his speeches. In the debate in Austin he made a claim that Deval allowed him to use those words, it proves that he didn’t plagiarize those lines because he was authorized to use them. While the opposing side may believe that the use of those lines will bring down Obama’s credibility, I believe that it is just a pitiful attack from the other side because they are having a hard time trying to get people to vote for Clinton. I believe that the accusations are absurd and that both democrats should be working together to overcome McCain and the Republican Party. |
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights such as Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
I have a dream.
Mr. Gorbechev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!!!
Since the above quotes are common knowledge, no one can plagiarize them by quoting them. This is true even if someone else uses them in the same order and for the same reason as a previous speaker.
However, the words are only words without action. The originator of every quote above had a long resume of acts before they made their speeches. And they continued to endeavour to great feats after their inspirational speeches.
Obama is severely lacking in the former and appears to want to change The USA into the USSA, United Socialist States of America.
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Didn't B. Hussein learn this in law school? He wanted americans to believe these were his words because they are great words. Also, his whole candidacy is based on "eloquence" and "great communication skills". Well then, his wife's words and his "borrowed lines" are a good example of why this is worst first couple ever! Vote for american pride at home and abroad, vote McCain!!! |
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who will be voting for McCain. B. Hussein's Hope Message is for people who believe that America is the worst place on earth and that it needs a communist savior to make it more like all other socialist countries where government lead by a guy who thinks he knows it all has ALL THE CITIZENS NEED TO LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE. I have faith americans know an unqualified commander in chief when they see one - B. Hussein will soon get his walking papers....in about 8 months. |
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Wow, I finally read a sane analysis of this bogus issue and its on this conservative web site. I am a lefty who finally sees the Clintons for who they are! petty, whinny and power hungry!
Someone but Hillary '08! |
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needs your help. Please stop voting for Senator Barack Obama!! Oh yes, vote for me....and dis-barred ex-president husband. |
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A recent discovery,reveals a pattern of plagerism exists with Obama.In the second grade he was confronted by his teacher,when he answered a test question, with " I dont know either" |
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IS Barack Obama COPYING Fidel Castro? That he has changes like making everyone the same, free medical, free school and even giving our freedom away. IN GOD WE TRUST is that the words he would like to change that WE ARE AMERICANS AND THE LAND OF THE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another Flag Issue for Obama: that is the national flag of Cuba hanging on the wall with none other than Che Guevara superimposed on it. And what's up with the words that he said Just words Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," Just words. I have a dream. Just words!" All men are created equal Just words. WHAT HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY WORDS? Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama already has an issue with wearing American Flag lapel pins, and even with putting his hand over his heart when the American National Anthem is playing. It will be interesting to see how he'll react (if at all) to the flag hanging in one of his new campaign offices in Houston, Texas. Yep, that's right -- that is the national flag of Cuba hanging on the wall with none other than Che Guevara superimposed on it. WEB SITE http://newsbusters.org/blogs/d-s-hube/2008/02... IS Barack Obama COPYING Fidel Castro, the dictator of Cuba, transformed his country into the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere.
JUST SEE THROUGH IT ALL, I THINK HE HAS CHANGES LIKE A COMMUNIST!!!!
I have been a Democrat for over 29 years and what is this guy thinking of? I guess I have to vote Republican to KEEP OUR COUNTRY FREE!!!!!!!
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Is it part of a pattern?
Senator Obama -- In your speech on Super Tuesday, perhaps by coincidence, you used key phrases from a 1984 speech by Jesse Jackson (“Our time has come. Our time has come” DNC), a poem by June Jordan (“we are the ones we have been waiting for” -- “Poem for South African Women”), and a song by Norman Hutchins (“a change is coming”) – but you did not credit any of them for the key lines in your speech. Isn’t this the kind of speechwriting that doomed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in the 1980s, and why should your speeches be held to a different standard? |
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This makes the Clinton camp look desperate. The Clintons are two of the most dishonest politicians off all time. Actually Chelsea has said and written some pretty dishonest things herself (remember her paper about where she was on 9/11). Had this come from John Edwards it might have had more of an impact. This just makes Hillary look even more foolish than she is. |
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Dem/libs don't think stealing is wrong, especially if it's for the right reasons and it makes 'em feel gooooooooood. |
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I think this whole thing reeks of desperation on the Clinton camp's part. I am no fan of Obama, whom I find to be a smooth-talking suit, and little more. But the man is a gifted orator. I think this backfires for two reasons: 1) it makes Clinton seem really petty; "Someone has said that, or something like that, in a speech before! Oh, the horror!", and 2) if people take the time to watch it, they see more of Obama. I think alot of folks like me who would never attend an Obama rally nevertheless come away from watching him speak quite impressed. Especially in contrast to the Cackler. |
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