Chicago Tribune

Chicago Trib's Kass Explains Likely Reason Why GMA's Stephanopoulos Let Brian Ross's 'Jim Holmes' Tea Party Tie-in Stand
By Tom Blumer | July 21, 2012 | 8:46 AM EDT

Brian Ross is not the only blameworthy party in the irresponsible smear of a 52 year-old Tea Party activist as the possible perpetrator of the Aurora, Colorado theater massacre early Friday. Everyone on the set of ABC's Good Morning America could have said "wait, this is premature and irresponsible" -- and didn't.

GMA co-host and former Bill Clinton advisor George Stephanopoulos's response to Ross's identification of 52 year-old "Jim Holmes" as perhaps the same "James Holmes" who had been arrested earlier that morning arguably added legitimacy to Ross's speculation: "OK, we'll keep looking at that. Brian Ross, thanks very much." As if they would actually find more of a tie-in, which of course they didnt. In his column yesterday, the underappreciated John Kass at the Chicago Tribune succinctly described Stephanopoulos's likely mindset, as well as how ABC was originally hoping to blame "social media" for Ross's GMA team-assisted smear (bolds are mine):

Chicago Tribune Wrings Hands Over Plight of 'Undocumented Immigrants' Lacking Health Insurance
By Mike Bates | June 12, 2012 | 11:49 AM EDT

Appearing on the Chicago Tribune's Web site is "Undocumented immigrants fight for lifesaving liver transplants: Without insurance, brothers are denied care."  The story also appears in today's print edition with the title "Struggles for the sick and undocumented."

The story centers on two illegal immigrant brothers suffering from a deadly liver disease.  Contrary to the Web site's headline, however, it seems both of them are receiving care even though uninsured:

LA Times: 'Looking for Headlines, the House Committee on Un-American Activities Called a Host of Showbiz Talent'
By Mike Bates | June 10, 2012 | 9:43 PM EDT

This week the Los Angeles Times's Web site carries the story "Kirk Douglas on the blacklist: Why Hollywood showed so little courage," referencing  the actor's recently released memoir.  The article also appears in today's Chicago Tribune print edition, titled "How Douglas took on blacklist with 'Spartacus.'"  Author Patrick Goldstein reports Douglas is particularly proud of hiring former Communist and unrepentant member of the Hollywood Ten Dalton Trumbo to write the movie "Spartacus."

Eleanor Clift & Clarence Page Can't Simply Admit U.S. Done More for Global Peace & Prosperity Than Anyone Else
By Noel Sheppard | April 8, 2012 | 3:48 PM EDT

John McLaughlin on the PBS show bearing his name asked his guests this weekend, "Has America done more to spread peace and prosperity than any other power in human history, yes or no?"

The conservatives on the panel - syndicated columnist Pat Buchanan and the Washington Examiner's Tim Carney - were quick to say "Yes" as their liberal colleagues - Newsweek's Eleanor Clift and the Chicago Tribune's Clarence Page - both equivocated (video follows with transcript and commentary):

Chicago Tribune: 'Pricey Gas Seen as Good, in a Way'
By Mike Bates | March 24, 2012 | 7:22 PM EDT

Today on the Chicago Tribune's front page, above the fold, is the headline "Pricey gas seen as good, in a way."  The story also appears on the Los Angeles Times's Web site with the title "Gas prices' jump attests to upbeat economy."  Yes, happy days are here again and much of the mainstream media are feeling glad all over, hoping the purported much-improved economy will enhance President Barack Obama's re-election bid.  The article notes:

The U.S. recovery has solidified through the fall and so far this year, as shown by strong job reports and last week's news of 1.1% increase in retail sales in February.

Clarence Page Falsely Asserts Fluke Testified 'Before a Congressional Committee Hearing'
By Mike Bates | March 7, 2012 | 5:08 PM EST

On the Chicago Tribune's Web site and in its print edition today, columnist Clarence Page asks hopefully "Could this be the end of Limbaugh?"  

Seizing on the usual Democratic points regarding Rush Limbaugh's comments about law student Sandra Fluke, Page writes that Limbaugh wasn't suspended, "despite his breathtaking assault against a private citizen whose only crime, after all, was to testify before a congressional committee hearing in support of mandatory health insurance for contraception."

Pelosi Claims Obama 'Was About Getting the Job Done Rather Than Pointing Fingers'
By Mike Bates | March 4, 2012 | 1:21 AM EST

Saturday morning, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) appeared alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson on his weekly Rainbow PUSH program, prior to her endorsement of Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) in this month's Democratic primary.  The Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, WLS AM, and the local affiliates of NBC and ABC all covered the the event.

Moments after saying it's "a badge of honor" for President Barack Obama to be known as the food stamp president, Pelosi made an incredible assertion (video here):   

Clarence Page Tries to Make Bush 'Food Stamp President' But Numbers Don't Lie
By Mike Bates | January 25, 2012 | 5:00 PM EST

On the Chicago Tribune's Web site today, columnist Clarence Page writes of "The umbrage card trick."  Page lights into GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich for assorted misdeeds, one of which is calling Barack Obama a "food stamp president":

Name That Party: Choking a Pregnant Woman Edition
By Mike Bates | October 4, 2011 | 11:59 AM EDT

This morning the Chicago Tribune carries an Associated Press story headlined "Racine alderman is charged assaulting woman." 

The piece begins:

Chicago Tribune: 'Corruption Sentencing Delayed for Rezko, Fundraiser for Blagojevich'
By Mike Bates | October 3, 2011 | 5:52 PM EDT

On the Chicago Tribune's Web site today appears Breaking News with the headline "Corruption sentencing delayed for Rezko, fundraiser for Blagojevich."  Tony Rezko, convicted on corruption charges, did indeed raise money for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL).  More significantly, however, he also raised many dollars for President Barack Obama in Obama's earlier political contests.

From a March 15, 2008 Tribune article:

Trying to put his past with Antoin "Tony" Rezko behind him, presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday said he never thought the now indicted Chicago businessman would try to take advantage of him because his old friend had never asked for a political favor.

But in a 90-minute interview with Tribune reporters and editors, Obama disclosed that Rezko had raised more for Obama's earlier political campaigns than previously known, gathering as much as $250,000 for the first three offices he sought.

Chicago Tribune Chokes When Its Columnist Tells Obama to Step Aside
By Tim Graham | September 25, 2011 | 8:48 AM EDT

When Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman wrote for last Sunday's paper that Barack Obama "might do his party a big favor" and step aside and take the blame so "someone less reviled could replace him at the top of the ticket," the column went viral on the Drudge Report. It was also cited by Jay Leno in a monologue on NBC.

But the Tribune seemed huffy that anyone would think this opinon was an official nod of the Chicago Tribune, the president's hometown paper. That might carry more weight, since the Tribune aggressively smoothed out Obama's path to the Senate in 2004 by suing to acquire his opponents' divorce papers and reporting the tabloidish parts. Obama walked over former Democratic front-runner Blair Hull and Republican Jack Ryan dropped out, leaving as his Republican general-election opponent the carpet-bagging Alan Keyes. James Janega reported:

Chicago Tribune Blog: 'GOP Attacks Obama Bus, But Bush Did Same'
By Mike Bates | August 17, 2011 | 4:59 PM EDT

Posted today on the Chicago Tribune's Clout Street blog is the story "GOP attacks Obama bus, but Bush did same," written by Rick Pearson. It begins: