Media's Gas Price Crystal Ball Is Murky

Journalists can't predict the future, but keep on trying anyhow.
Dan Gainor

Dear WSJ: People Won't Buy Cars from Bankrupt Companies

But a bailout 'postpones' competitiveness and lessens chance of Big Three survival.
Donald J. Boudreaux, Ph.D.

Dear NY Times: White House Bailout Logic is Flawed

In times of economic distress it is more important to use resources more carefully, not less.
Donald J. Boudreaux, Ph.D.

Open Thread

Suitable for the season, here's a starter topic. Crap Wrap: Have you ever thought your loved one’s perfectly wrapped gift bore the signs of a little professional help? Now Croydon-based Firebox.com has devised a wrapping service so deliberately shoddy, you’ll believe they spent all those precious seconds lovingly mummifying your presents themselves. The aptly named CrapWrap ensures your gifts…
NB Staff

ABC: Bush Shoe Attack is a 'Deep,' 'Embarrassing,' 'Huge Insult

"Good Morning America" hosts and reporters on Monday breathlessly reported the incident of President Bush having a shoe thrown at him during a press conference in Iraq as a "deep insult," an "embarrassing incident" and a "huge insult." Parroting the comparisons made on CBS's "Early Show," GMA news anchor Chris Cuomo reminded viewers of the 2003 toppling of a statue of Saddam Hussein: "You…
Scott Whitlock

CBS: Bush Shoe Attack Same As Iraqis Beating Saddam Statue With Shoes

According to CBS correspondent Richard Roth, in a report on Monday’s CBS Early about an Iraqi journalist throwing a shoe at President Bush during a Baghdad press conference, the incident was reminiscent of the toppling of a statue of Saddam Hussein five years earlier: "Mr. Bush's message of progress was eclipsed in Baghdad by a sign of his unpopularity...The symbolism wouldn't have been lost on…
Kyle Drennen

ABC Hails Obama’s ‘Green Team,’ Slams GOP Climate Change ‘Cens

Less than a week after a new report from the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee showcased hundreds of scientists who disagree with the United Nations' alarmist take on global climate change, ABC’s World News Sunday featured a report devoted solely to cheering Barack Obama’s new “green team” — the promotional term was embraced by ABC News — and laying the…
Rich Noyes

Pimp My Show: Shuster Replaces Gregory at

MSNBC has banished the last bastion of objectivity from its line-up of evening hosts. The network has announced that David Shuster [file photo] will be replacing David Gregory as host of '1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.' [H/t Mike Allen's Political Playbook.] Gregory, his pending Meet The Press appointment no doubt in mind, had been on his best behavior while hosting 1600. Shuster will be under no such…
Mark Finkelstein

Scientists Denounce AP For Hysterical Global Warming Article

Noel Sheppard

Newsweek Stomps On Bush with 'Conventional Wisdom' About Shoe-thrower

Ken Shepherd

Cafferty Slams ‘Gasbag’ Limbaugh, Reads E-mail Comparing Rush & Ha

On Friday’s The Situation Room on CNN, Jack Cafferty used his regular "Cafferty File" segment to attack Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives, citing Colin Powell’s recent words criticizing Limbaugh’s role in speaking for Republicans. After he quoted Powell’s remarks, Cafferty clarified that Powell was "talking about that gasbag Limbaugh," and posed the question for viewers: "Should Republicans…
Brad Wilmouth

WaPo: Bush Softens Up, But Look at How Many People Hate Him

Tim Graham

Kearns Goodwin: Bush Wouldn't Have Handled Shoe Incident So Well Two Y

Short of going full Ninja hero and snatching the shoes in mid-air, it's hard to see how Pres. Bush could have been any cooler in his handling of the Hush Puppy Hurler. I figure W's feeling pretty good about things this morning.  But that didn't stop ABC and NBC from declaring the incident "embarrassing" for President Bush.  For good measure, on Today, Doris Kearns Goodwin discounted Bush's blithe…
Mark Finkelstein

Newsweek Trashes 'American Idol' as Too Much Like George Bush

While President Bush concludes the lame-duck days of his presidency, Newsweek is still trying to look down its snobby nose with disdain. Arts writer Marc Peyser has found the television equivalent of Team Bush in this week's magazine: Start with the title: in England, the show was called "Pop Idol"—but when it migrated here in 2002, it apparently needed an infusion of patriotism. So, much like…
Tim Graham