A Pennsylvania woman says that she was attacked at an ATM in Pittsburgh by a robber, who proceeded to carve a “B” in her face when he saw her McCain bumper sticker. It turns out to be a lie and Ashley Todd, 20, of College Park, Texas, will be charged with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor, and may face more charges.
The 20-year-old woman reported that a man approached her Wednesday night at an ATM, put a knife to her throat, and demanded money. She said that after she gave him $60 he stepped away but then became angry when he saw her McCain sticker. He punched and kicked her before cutting her face, according to her report. She described him as African-American, 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair, wearing dark clothing and shiny shoes.
The story unleashed an array of skepticism and speculation on the Internet as to whether this is a fabricated account. Police now say that it was a hoax — as many of our regulars on this blog thought from the outset.
For the full story, click here.
Some sympathy is in order for this young woman. However, some mild skepticism might also be appropriate, given the latest press reports about the police response. I hate to do it, but I’ll paste this link to *MICHELLE MALKIN* who is also skeptical about the authenticity of this story:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/23/why-that-mccain-volunteers-mutilation-story-smells-awfully-weird/
Who knows.
The police are questioning whether this is true or not. She refused medical treatment (who would do that?), the “attack” happened right by the ATM but not where cameras could get it (weird) and the B looks like it was carved with a dull object and not a knife as she said. This is very bogus.
It might also be worth noting that Ashley Todd is a Texas woman. She is enrolled at Texas A&M. She is visiting Pennsylvania to work on the McCain campaign.
And the alleged attacker’s “B” was backwards, as if it was done in the mirror – hmmm……
Sounds alot like ROSEWOOD
This is a hoax.
-The B is backwards.
-It’s in PA, where the polling is close.
-The B doesn’t appear to have been made by a knife.
-The black eye isn’t swollen at all.
-It’s a few days before Halloween, you can buy fake black eye kits in the “impulse buy” section of any store.
-The story plays to racist stereotypes.
-McCain and Palin *both* exploited this story for a media opportunity.
-No ATM videotape.
-No police corroboration.
-Declined medical attention.
-The blog that provided this photo to CNN has a sidebar “prediction” that Obama will be assassinated after inauguration.
Can there be any question?
This is a Hoax and why CNN is making this big new on the front page. You know that this does not sound right.
Get the fact before you release the Hoaxs. Seem to me that CNN what to shake things up.
I agree that this is probably fake, but either way whats the B supposed to before? I mean if your going to the effort of carving a letter into someones face, then why not carve your initials?
Hilarious. Backwards “B” scratched on her own face by a backwards, racist, Republitard. But, hey, don’t bad-mouth Texas. Go Longhorns!!!!!
This whole story is bullsh@t. The woman is a McCain campaign staffer and that is the reason she is in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh police have said she changed her story several times and initially refused medical attention. Plus, the backwards “B” carved perfectly into her face does not fit how she described what happened. What is so disturbing is that – once again – someone is trying to use the “scary black man” racist stereotype to get what they want.
False: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iidrMKZwVNDDlEtkssY6t1xxhg9QD940VEM01
and if you were struggling, the B wouldn’t be quite so perfect you think?
Thanks Michael…..for that post, what these McCain won’t say and do to get elected
Officially a hoax now:
http://kdka.com/local/attack.McCain.Bloomfield.2.847628.html
Why do Republicans think the rest of the population are idiots?
OKAY CNN YOU PUT THIS HOAX ON FRONT PAGE , NOW LET EVERYONE KNOW IT WAS A HOAX WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
OFFICIALLY A HOAX
Her cell mates will get a good laugh out of her story.
Ok – I’m in Pittsburgh – and the breaking news is:
this was a HOAX !!!!!!! (which any nitwit could figure out!)….please put THAT on NATIONAL NEWS…
Np, Babs.
Sadly, the truth is unlikely to be reported with nearly the fervor as the original fable.
I’m curious as to whether the woman involved will be prosecuted – and if so, how? It seems conceivable to me that this could be pursued as a hate crime. I know nothing about the prosecutor in Allegheny County, but does anyone know if it meets the requirements?
This does seem to be a bit on the dramatic side, doesn’t it?
Of course she’s white and the “attacker” was black. It makes the story better.
Why would they carve a backwards “B” in her face? Why is it a pretty decent looking “B”? Wouldn’t she have struggled so that she would have had more “knife” marks on her face? Why is her eye black, but not red or swollen looking?
Sounds made up to me
Susan Smith called…she wants her hoax story back.
OK… I have to admit that, at this stage of my life, I’ve begun to see some humor in these occasional false black-man-mugged-me reports, BUT… On the serious side, I now think that these people should be charged with more than the normal “making a false report”; If there are extenuating circumstances —such as trying to incite hate or fear by blaming it on someone of another race/religion/ethnic group— the charge should be elevated in the same manner that other charges are labeled “hate crimes”.
“Thank-you” to all the folks who received this story with a healthy measure of skepticism. And to all the McCain/Palin cheerleaders who road this hate vehicle… This is not the first time you got duped by a total BS story. You probably believed Bush and the WMD story. Will you not EVER learn in your lifetime? Sadly, you’re too stupid to realize that, in Barack Hussein Obama, you will be benefitting from the best available candidate. Jerks…
The positive side of this report is that this sick little twerp will have the honor of having the first initial of the next President of the United States emblazoned on her fat face! (She, of course, could also take it to mean Biden, Black, or Bullsh*t.) What a loser…
…and of course I meant “rode”, not “road”…
the “B” was backwards and also it looked like it was done with a lipstick…now thats mysterious…lol now she knows she lied lol
Dirty bitch should be thrown in jail. The Republicans will stoop to any level. Racist bastards!
Glad to see that CNN has put this retraction on the home page, top link. Unfortunately it will be hard to contain the rumor. I’m sure we’ll be seeing this in ALL CAPS emails from our credulous relatives until election day. Go Snopes!
Straight Talk:
PITTSBURGH — A 20-year-old John McCain campaign volunteer has admitted to lying about being mugged and attacked by a man who carved a “B” into her cheek after seeing a McCain bumper sticker on her car, Pittsburgh police announced Friday
Ashley Todd, 20, will face charges for filing a false police report. Police said they had found several “inconsistencies” in her statements in which she claimed she was robbed at knifepoint at a Citizens Bank ATM in Bloomfield.
Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard would not say whether police doubted the story alleged by Todd, but bank surveillance footage did not show Todd at the ATM where she claims the assault took place.
Richard told FOX News that Todd had been staying with a male friend who lives down the street from the ATM.
A woman named Liz who answered the door at the residence where Todd arrived after her alleged attack told FOXNews.com that her roommate is friend’s with Todd, and he told Liz not to discuss any details about the incident. A Ford Taurus with a Texas license plate and a McCain-Palin sticker was parked outside.
Todd, from College Station, Texas, told police that on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET, a 6′4″ black male in dark jeans and a black tank top held her up at the ATM. According to a police report, Todd said the robber put a knife to her neck and demanded money. She said she gave him $60.
Todd, who is white, also told police that the robber then noticed the McCain bumper sticker on her car, punched her in the back of the head, knocked her down, and continued to punch and kick her while threatening to teach her a lesson.
“You are going to be a Barack supporter,” she recalled the robber saying before he sat on her chest, pinning both her hands down with his knees and scratched the letter “B” on the right side of her face using what she believed to be a very dull knife. Then the robber fled, she said in the police report.
Richard said Todd later added to her tale, saying she was groped by the robber and lost consciousness during the assault. Neither of those details was in the original report.
Richard said after a second interview, Todd also was not as definitive about the assault or the motives behind it, nor could she say for certain whether the robber took $60 from her as she initially reported but maintains is missing.
Todd took a polygraph test late Thursday or early Friday after police heard the inconsistencies, Richard said.
‘There were major changes in her story” before and after the polygraph test, Richard said. As for the wound on her cheek, “it’s very shallow, it’s more of a scratch.”
Maurita Bryant, the assistant chief of the police department’s investigations division, said Todd can’t explain why she invented the story or explain how the “B” was scratched onto her face.
Before Todd’s admission, Richard said the police department was taking the report “very seriously” and considered Todd a “victim” while the investigation was ongoing. She noted that victims often tend to forget details of situations that happen to them under duress.
The area at Liberty Avenue and Pearl Street where the attack had been alleged to have occurred is heavily traveled in the daytime, full of traffic, pedestrians, restaurants and stores. On Friday, Pittsburgh detectives were canvassing the area looking for witnesses. Before the police announcement, a detective told FOXNews.com that investigators had talked to a few people but had “nothing solid.”
Doug Graham, a neighbor of the residence where Todd’s friend lives, told FOXNews.com it’s unlikely an assault at the bank would go unnoticed.
“There ain’t no way nobody saw that,” Graham, whose home — where he has lived for a decade — sports a Barack Obama sign. “It’s always hopping up there. Something fishy, I knew the first second I saw (her story. Something fishy.”
Ethan Eilon, executive director of the College Republicans National Committee, told FOX News Todd was volunteering as a field representative through his organization and that she had taken a year off from her studies at Blinn College to work on the campaign.
Todd received a call from the Republican presidential nominee and has spoken with her family. Barack Obama’s local campaign team also issued well-wishes to the Texas resident.
FOX News’ Judson Berger and Carl Cameron and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
So “Asley the victim” wanted a place in history as ‘Joe the plumber’ did.you can’t blame her for trying, it worked before.
It turned out that she was a fraud, butwe should cut her some slack since ‘Joe the plumber’ was not quite Joe, not a licensed plumber but an Ohio tax dodger and a registered republican.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/24/politics/main4543065.shtml?tag=lowerContent;homeSectionBlock250#Post
Quote from article:”the campaign paid $22,800 to Palin’s traveling stylist, Amy Strozzi, an acclaimed celebrity makeup artist. In contrast, McCain’s foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid $12,500, the report showed.”
O my god, McCain spends more for lipstick on a pig (and a lot more for clothing) than he spends on the foreign policy adviser….’Country first!’ Senator!….and good luck handling the economy!
We had a famous case of another crazy girl like this hear in Atlanta a few ying wears back–The Runaway Bride aka Jennifer Wilbanks. She ran away because she still had feelings for some old boyfriend and then claimed she was kidnapped by a hispanic man and white woman. I have a feeling this girl also did it for a guy–maybe the guy she was up there stay with who was a McCain worker. I think she had some fatal attraction for this guy and that is why she went up to Pennsylvania and pulled this stunt in some twisted way to get his attention. Remember that Smith woman who drowned her kids and made up the story about the carjacker just because she wanted to bring her husband back to her. It usually has to do with a guy and I think she just latched on to something that was important to him and used this election as a means to an end. I feel sorry for the people on BOTH sides who have really had scary incidents like shooting at their house or pushing and being cursed/spat at. Their stories are not covered but the one that everyone knew was fake from the get-go is the one the media covers, it figures, because sensationalism sells better than reality!!!
People who are voting for Barack Obama are as respectful and smooth as he is. Our campaign has been the most efficient and professionally run campaign in US history. We are community organizers, and we are very good at it. We are respectful of all cultures, all ethnicities, and all Americans and their cultural values within their respective communities. We are good.
Given the fact that this person is using Obama organizers as a scapegoat, is the lowest form of unhealthy sickness I can think of. Politics before concern for health and safety? This is absurd.
It may have been an irrational, judgmental, prejudicial error made on her part to assume that someone would have been an Obama supporter jsut because he was black… but not all Obama supporters are black.
Any attempts to claim that those black people are uncivilized, have a real long lesson to learn. Black people have been in a very successful non-violent struggle here in this country, and are deserved of the same respect as anyone else in this country. Barack Obama is going to win this election… perhaps once all the racists witness how well he is doing as president, they will realize that egg is on their faces.
I pretty much figured this was a false accusation. But then again, it’s the Republican thing to do. Fear mongering and lies. Go figure. I hope that America can figure this out. It’s time for change!
I think we need to put this down as some mentally unbalanced person seeking attention. Until we see any evidence that she was “under orders” to do this, I don’t feel we can attribute her actions to anyone else.
The McCain campaign messes up enough on their own, without having to be held accountable for a lone individual.
I think the more important question is why did this make the national news?
This girl thought that the recent allegations of racism would make this a probable story. What she didn’t know is that our racism, here in Pittsburgh and Western Pa is all covert. We could tell this from a mile away. The ‘incident’ took place like 5 minutes from where I live. The ATM is in a very visible area with a lot of bars and restaurants around it.
The girl stated it ‘may have been politically motivated.’
I want to feel bad b/c of the history of mental illness, but…
I know it’s too soon, but…Now we know why the McCain campaign is acting like a crazy person. They’re hir…I’m sorry.
I think it went national b/c of the media’s attraction to the stereotypical white girl attacked my black man thing, but also b/c of the political implications.
my=by
It’s not rational to think that Obama’s workers are all saints. A Hoffstra grad tried to commit voter fraud while staying with a host family for a few days in Ohio and when the family got his voter registration card in that mail last week they notified the police. He may do time because he already early voted and may have absenteed voted in his home state too. Obama is NOT responsible for this and he is not responsible for the house with the McCain sign getting shot up or the destruction of property and vandalism done to a republican headquarter office in south carolina. Crazy people are everywhere and they exist on the left and right and probably in the middle. But don’t act like the Republicans vandalized their own offices and shot their own houses up and steal their own signs to get free pizzas because that is ABSURD. Obama is just one man and so is McCain and they cannot be held responsible for the crazy things that happen. It would be like blaming Jodie Foster because that guy that was obsessed with her shot Reagan for her. It is only the responsibility of the person who did the misdeed.
god, i just hope beck and savage get on the air tonight and appologise, but i doubt it.
why pgh, god, and we used to complain that pa. was ignored at election time!
http://kdka.com/local/attack.McCain.Bloomfield.2.847628.html
She confessed to lying about the incident.
As a black male. I’am glad the story, has proven to be un-true…..Now, let’s get on with, trying, to elect the best person. To be our next President.
I agree paybac, let’s elect the best person, regardless of race, color, or creed. Vote for Ditka, go Bears!
This ill young lady was so stupid she even had eye makeup on to try to fake a black eye. It is possible that McCain’s campaign did not know anything about this campaign worker, but campaign did try to take advantage of it early on. So even if they weren’t involved in planning the fake story, they tried to use it without being sure of what really happened or didn’t happen. So at least they are guilty of being stupid, again.
rafflaw -
Exactly. I doubt anyone put her up to it. She’s no different than the Bachmann’s and Pfotenhauer’s and Blakeman’s of the crazy-right. She just hasn’t gotten regular air-time …
Mojo,
She may not have been “put up to it” by the McCain Campaign, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was planned. The McCain camp is as crazy as Nixon was in bugging the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate complex.
I am not suggesting anything more than what I am saying and I say it because I have first hand experience with the mentally unstable.
Some disorders make people highly suggestible.
She may not have been “put up to it”. Probably wasn’t except by her personal demons.
It may have only taken overhearing the wrong thing, whether purposely said in her presence or not. Like human baking soda in the fridge.
Buddha,
I hope it wasn’t anything intentiontal on the campaigns part to use her in her highly suggestible state, but as I said earlier, there are just too many of these desperate things happening lately. I hope she gets some help.
Buddha Is Laughing 1, October 24, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I am not suggesting anything more than what I am saying and I say it because I have first hand experience with the mentally unstable.
Some disorders make people highly suggestible.
She may not have been “put up to it”. Probably wasn’t except by her personal demons.
It may have only taken overhearing the wrong thing, whether purposely said in her presence or not. Like human baking soda in the fridge.
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Other considerations aside, and unlike you, BIL, I am making a strong suggestion and my sincere hope is that people here are indeed highly suggestible when it comes to good food!
If you don’t know what to do for dinner tonight, take a look at the low price of Maine lobster in your local stores and consider boiling some up at home yourself. Or, alternatively, send a ‘Lobster Gram’ to some deserving family members (yourselves?) or some friends.
p.s We and some friends had some lobsters last night with steamed clams in beer (Sam Adams Boston Ale is what I keep around) AND mussels in wine (Yellowtail Chardonnay, and similar grade white wines, I always have on hand for dependable cooking AND drinking, too) and herbs on the side, roasted olive oil-garlic-rosemary-lemony red potatoes that we could just stab, sauteed asparagus in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a fresh homegrown mesclun green salad tossed with my raspberry vinaigrette, chopped smoked almonds, apples, red pears, mandarin oranges, with scallions, and a sprinkle of gorgonzola cheese, ground pepper and sea salt- yum!
I recommend viogniers like Peltier Station or a chardonnay/viognier mix like Soqualamie – if you have never tried them.
Just ‘nice’ white wines all around with a little ‘je ne sai quoi’ added. Something a little different…
—–
novanewsnow . com
Article online since October 20th 2008, 10:37
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Governor addresses concerns of Maine lobstermen
Fisheries news from south of the border
Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has expressed his concern about the impact of rapidly falling lobster prices on lobstermen, dealers and processors and Maine’s coastal communities. He has directed members of his administration to take measures that can alleviate credit and other issues that have significantly threatened the viability of this important industry to the state.
“Prices have fallen below the level needed to maintain the economic viability of the Maine lobster industry, caused by reduced demand and the lack of short term business credit that are part of the global economic crisis,” Governor Baldacci said.
“Maine’s hard-working lobster families and businesses have been jolted by the world economic situation. While most of these issues are beyond our control, there are a few things that can be done to help, and it’s critical that we take actions now to avert further harm to this vital industry.”
Among immediate steps to alleviate the current financial situation of the industry, Governor Baldacci has directed the Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Marine Resources, and the Finance Authority of Maine to meet with financial institutions and agencies to expedite measures to help families in tough financial straits.
“This crisis involves thousands of families spread along the coast,” said the Governor. “We’re talking about the very life-blood of many small towns. I expect the group I’ve called together to think outside the box and provide lobster families and businesses with options to help with their tough financial positions.”
Governor Baldacci reiterated the importance of continuing efforts that have been underway to increase Maine lobster processing, sustainability, branding and certification. Such actions, he said, help build the already stellar reputation of Maine lobsters and the industry as a whole.
“The Maine lobster brand is known the world over for its quality and high value,” Governor Baldacci said, “and we know that the lobster resource is sustainable thanks to the efforts of Maine lobstermen. Obtaining certification is an essential step in protecting and enhancing our brand and making sure that Maine lobsters can compete in markets around the world. Additionally, expanding processing of lobster here in Maine will help the industry greatly.”
Governor Baldacci is encouraging Mainers to participate in lobster specials being run at many seafood dealers. He praised the efforts of Hannaford Brothers, Shaw’s Supermarket, Weathervane Restaurants and many independent businesses to promote Maine lobster locally.
“Buying locally harvested lobsters now is an important way that we can show support for Maine’s lobster industry and families as they go through this very difficult period,” said the Governor. “Helping our neighbors is something Mainers are known for, almost as much as we are known for our lobsters.
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Personally, I wish one of the ‘live’ shippers IN Maine would pick up the ball on the internet or short of that FIND someone who will support them in that effort locally!
There is some guy, David Wanacki, in Chicago (!!!) who does ‘Lobster Grams’ and has cut his prices in half as a promotional lobster ‘bailout blowout’, which is GREAT for him, but one needs to be sure what you are getting are genuine Maine Lobsters or his continued $1 per order support for The University of Maine’s ‘Lobster Institute’, touted on his website, falls a tad short – in my view…
http://www.livelob-corporate.com/
“…We can design a gift certificate for any dollar amount. Since the
Lobsters arrive alive, gift certificates allow your recipients to
choose the special delivery day for their feast. If you wish, we can
ship the actual feast instead of a gift certificate. We offer the finest Lobster from Maine and Canada and Lobster Tails from around the world…
SNOQUALMIE, WA
very affordable and enjoyable chardonnay/viognier mix
http://www.snoqualmie.com/wines.cfm
BWAHAHAHAHA!
That is all I have to say.
Maybe the B was for bitch! Trying to form a racial conflict out of a lie, shame on her!