W. Wilson Goode Jr. says the media doesn't care about his mission.
City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., speaking from his desk in Council's chambers this morning, defended the right of the media to tell stories as he bashed the same media for telling a story about his office. Of course it's this story here and here. What else would it be?
Goode said his oath of office meant he was required to defend the U.S. Constitution, which includes the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press. Goode said he would defend that right, even if the press told stories that were "inaccurate" or "misleading" or "simple petty politics." For good measure, he also bashed the local media for lacking diversity.
Goode's chief legislative aide, Latrice Bryant, was not in Council's chambers this morning. She drew widespread attention during last week's session for holding up signs accusing Fox 29 News of racism for investigating a story about her attending to personal business while logged in as working at her City Hall office. Goode repeated that he has corrected a problem with how his employees filled out their work time sheets. And he complained that reporters who have been covering the Bryant issue ignored this.
"The time sheet tipster doesn't care about my mission," Goode continued. "For the last week, it appears as if the press doesn't care about my mission either. But I care about my mission. I believe in freedom of the press, even with its lack of diversity. Many black elected officials would never admit it but the lack of diversity in the press is a major issue for us. In fact, many don't feel that the freedom of speech applies equally to them."
Goode made his speech as reporters from newspapers, radio stations and Fox 29 took notes and recorded his words. His final point:
"I took an oath of office. I will not betray it," Goode vowed. "But I also will not allow anyone else to judge me or impose their values on me or tell me what to do in my office."
Posted by Chris Brennan @ 1:32 PM
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62 comments
Al Sharpten is not as stupid as you may think. He has some brains left. He could see that there was NO defense. Now Michael Coarde, I am a little baffled as to why he is being called her Lawyer when, He couldn't have looked at all of the facts if he did indeed give her any kind of guidance regarding this. He needs to publicly state whether or not he is her attorney concernig this matter because if he is, then I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY CASE YOU TAKE. I know that everyone has a right to be represented, but African Americans need to "not be on the side of what seems to be injustice just because they are Black!!!!
These people were clearly wrong and I am sad because this whole situation could ruin lots of lives politically.
P.S.
I hope that you are reading this Blondell, Curtis and Darryl ad the others. DO THE RIGHT THING and ask the brother to fire the sister, she was wrong, she clearly was stealing time period, the proof is in the video. Maybe she is mad because a "white man caught her"but she was caught and something needs to be done to restore faith in the system. and Wilson, get your ducks in order and clear out your desk because you will not be in council the next election.
WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR NECK? Wilson Good you never look back! YOU did not know about the KKK signs now this she said you slap me you never turned around WOW if YOU do not see it, IT IS NOT THERE Oh I get it. I do NOT see my lover's time sheet but I see HER SEXY CLOTHES!
How in any way is anything involved in this whole mess racist? Why is it that people can't ever admit they're wrong, why does it always have to be other people's fault? The worst thing about this is that this guy is an elected official. He is the voice of his constituents, and yet he sounds like a bumbling fool. And how can his aide claim that Fox29 is racist by exposing her for cheating the taxpayers of Philadelphia? It is just unbelievable that things like this go on in a society. I haven't lived in Philadelphia for 6 years, and I will never live there again. Reading the Philadelphia newspapers is like a constant joke day after day, with the craziness that goes in the city.
Ok I am tired of the run around no one can fire this woman? Not the Mayor or no Council, wow she is good 90k and untouchable. I need a short skirt and blonde braids!
So if an employee has to swipe an electronic badge to get into city hall, why isn't that used as their timesheet record? It would seem to solve a lot of problems.
Fat Wilson and his fat gIRlfriend need to go get real jobs--like as if anybody in the corporate world would hire them--and stop feeding at the public trough. His strong arm man who slapped the reporter needs to be arrested, and HELLO MAYOR NUTTER. CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?????? Might as well abolish the Ethics Commission if you have dishonest, nepotistic, bullying clowns like this on it.
He can't fire her imagine the stuff she would have to say if he did!
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Watch out or his dad might bring the helicopter squad to go all "incendiary device" on your 'hood if you don't be stoppin' that racial sh---!!!
What a no-good. How many family members are still on the payroll??
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Here we go again: let's not blame the person who got caught, but blame the one's who caught 'em. Bet he's afraid that if he doesn't stand by her side and defend her, she'll rat him out. Where, oh where is Reverend Al when he's needed.
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If I was Fox29 I would get Jackie Chiles and Kramer and sue Wilson "coors light" Goode for aggrated assault and terroristic threats.
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Where is the Mayor? Seriously, take some initiative and get your house in order.
god am i glad i do not live near the toxic dump known as philly. good luck with leaders like this.
Wilson Goode Jr = Clay Davis ("The Wire")
Wilson - Great way to deal with a problem with your staff - have your henchman bully a local news reporter while avoiding her questions. Deal with the issue head-on, genius.
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how does race play into this? Seriously? He's the racist.
Goode has got to be held responsible for his behaviour. What do the citizens need to do to hold him accountable? This is appalling.
why doesn't this story also point out that Goode was present in the middle of the day when Bryant was "attending to personal business" (and by "personal business" the author means "Councilman Goode")?
How arrogant! This is getting old, crying racism when you are caught doing something wrong. What is really sad is that people will buy into his story about a racist newsmedia (sic) and reelect him. Philadelphia gets what it votes for, a band of thieves.
Coors Light? Where da Old E?
How does someone that passes laws and has a responsibility to uphold law insist no one else can judge him, impose values on him, or tell him what to do? Isn't that what laws do? He passes further beyond the realm of sense every year but he'll still get re-elected next time because the fine residents of Philly recognize his name.
Lack of diversity in the media - can you say Vernon Odom? Can you say Harry Hariston? No amount of spin is going to convince me that this legislative aide is doing the work of more than 1 person and hence gets $90,000 a year to work 30 hours or less per week. City Hall needs a new timekeeping system!
I agree "MESA"!! The city spent lots of time and money cleaning the "outside" of City Hall, they need to do the same to the "inside"! And to "Mack Daddy Goode" and "Hoochie Momma Bryant", YOU GOT CAUGHT, SO PLEASE STOP PLAYING THE "RACE CARD"!!
It's tough to cry racism in a city that is 43% black and and 45% white. At least it should be.
After viewing the video from 29 ( http://tinyurl.com/4kn5wl ) it is quite obvious that Goode approves disrespecting and manhandling of women.
sorry, should have read "high-priced..."
Goode needs to get the f*ck out of office and take his priced b*tch with him. I am not necessarily crazy about Claudia Gomez going after him the way she did, but the elusiveness shown towards Jeff Cole when story first broke said more than enough. Again, they need to take a hike. Nutter just said earlier this month that the city is looking at a $450MM deficit over the next five years. We do not need this sh*t in City Hall, plain and simple.
"Don't you ever disrespect a white reporter like that again."
Nutter's too busy blasting Sarah Palin to notice that Goode's making a fool of him & that Cops are being shot routinely.I had high hopes for Nutter but they're being dashed.
This guy is a complete disgrace, who votes for these people??
I spoke with Joey Vento and asked him what he thought about Latrice Bryant's signs. He explained to me that this is America when using the race card please make sure race is a factor. If the brothers and sisters who live in this city don't vote out the brothers and sisters
who are swilling beer and and doing personal business on the tax payers dime I may have to play the race card myself.
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Im a minority (Latino) and I can't blame the white folks here I definitely see your point. Most of you guys are giving constructive critism so that's good. I think city Hall needs an overhaul everyone except Nutter and Ramsey (for now).
Can somebody explain how these people get elected? Is his position an elected, appointed?
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Mr. Goode you were elected into office and I believe the office belongs to the citizens of Philadelphia not to you. Also what makes your aide any differne than any other person who works for the City of Philadelphia.
And by the way I am sure we can determine what you mission is when you Aide comes out of your house in her pajamas.
Grandstanding the way he did at the council meeting only adds fuel to the fire. This story would have gone away in a week or two but by righteosuly bashing the media he now puts more focus on himself and his office. This is the beginning of his political unraveling. If he truly cares about his job and the people he represents he will fire his staffer to make a statement that he is committed to the highest ethical standards.
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I use to respect Wilson Goode for his cause but I am losing it mighty fast. Does he look at everything through a racial prism. This from a guy who has had a pretty priveleged upbringing. it all comes back to personal responsibility and he has none. His latest comments about race are bizarre... black reporteres want to break a story to get headlines too.... enough already with skin color ... maybe he needs to see a psychiatrist to get over this persecution complex
What a joke, that racism thing just never gets old for certain people. That nubian godess is paid 90k a year!!?!?!?!?!! Unreal, but he will probably get re-elected.
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Chris: Here's an idea--ask the good councilman how he thinks the reporting of this story would have differed if a "more diverse" Fox 29 had handled it.
What really makes all of this rediculous is that a few weeks back, Jeff Cole did a story about a public works supervisor (looked pretty white to me, btw) doing the same exact things - lying about the time he was working, spending work hours at his residence, running errands including bringing beer back to the house... He was subsequently fired by the city - as for WWG Jr's lame excuse about inaccurate timekeeping - the only logical explanation is that Latrice's watch must have been stuck on West coast time - how else could she explain a 3 hour difference... On a side note, if WWG Jr wants, he can pay me $90k a year to come up with "plausible" explanations for the gaffes of his staff, and I'll even promise to work the hours I am supposed to...
So if Dave Huddleson broke this story, he would be cool with it??? I am sure he would be blaming the PD for sending him on this assignment or call him an Uncle Tom. I also dont know about you but I have been looking all over the City of Philadelphia employment site looking for 90K aide positions but they all seem to be much lower than that.
FOX 29 has video of Goode and an aid going after Claudia Gomez. http://tinyurl.com/4kn5wl
Who votes for these professional victims?
Can he share the names of the other black politicians who find Philly media racist? And you wonder why some are starting to prejudge black politicians.
Can he share the names of the other black politicians who find Philly media racist? And you wonder why some are starting to prejudge black politicians.
Does Wilson Goode Jr think everyone is stupid?
What he has done is wrong, there needs to be a city investigation into his office activities, and also federal investigation.
Latrice Bryant needs to be fired.
The rest of city council - wake up, W Goode Jr, is making you ALL look like corrupt "business as usual", and like mini-Chicago style politics.
AND THE TAXPAYERS - IF YOU VOTE FOR WILSON GOODE JR IN HIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION YOU ARE MORONS AS THIS CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUE UNDER HIM.
Wilson Goode Jr's political career in Philadelphia should be put to a stop, as to not waste all of our money
Goode loses credibility by continuing to defend the Bimbette. What does his father the minister have to say about stealing from the taxpayers by drinking beer at a pajama party with his ridiculous aide? Of course, the old man WAS the only mayor in US history to bomb his own citizens--what do you expect.
This guy just doesn't know when to shut up!! Clearly we have a racist sitting on City Council. An At-Large Councilman at that--who is supposed to represent the entire city: black, white, hispanic, etc.
It really sounds like he hates anyone who isn't black.
Caught with a case of beer and my assistant at my house. My employees doing personal business while on the clock for the city. Let me think....ummmmm.....I got it - racism!! Yeah its lack of blacks in the media. What a disgrace.
Diversity in the press, please. WG Jr. sounds like a child who just got caught stealing.....the tax payers money that is! Gotta run, I am meeting an associate for 1 PM beers at my house.
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