60 Minutes Story About Amazing Homeless Girl Raises $1 Million for Cha

A few weeks ago, NewsBusters introduced readers to an amazing homeless girl in Florida with a truly inspiring view of life. Her story, first told by CBS's 60 Minutes, touched so many Americans that Scott Pelley announced at the end of Sunday's program more than $1 million had been sent to various charities in Florida, and colleges have offered full scholarships to the main characters (video…
Noel Sheppard
December 12th, 2011 9:54 PM

Union Election Requires Photo ID; Politico Fails to Note Irony

On Wednesday, the Politico ran a story about the International Association of Machinists Union at Boeing agreeing to approve a contract extension, the result of which ultimately led to the National Labor Relations Board dropping its controversial decision to prevent the company from beginning to operate a mostly-constructed plant in South Carolina. Though it deserves separate commentary, that…
Tom Blumer
December 12th, 2011 8:59 PM

Wrong Again, Maddow - Ohio Law Doesn't 'Kill' Early Voting

Those working at MSNBC probably believe they are providing a valuable public service. The network might actually have a chance of doing that if its executives hired an ombudsdman. Should this unlikely scenario ever occur, the person hired for the job would inevitably focus on Rachel Maddow. (audio clip after page break)
Jack Coleman
December 12th, 2011 8:41 PM

In Kansas, Obama Emulates Dorothy: Lions, Tigers and Capitalists, Oh M

President Obama's much-ballyhooed speech in Osawatomie, Kan., was his best effort to put a happy face on class warfare. Though some were elated, fantasizing that he might be getting his messianic mojo back, even his reliable cheerleaders recognize there's no substance beneath the hot air rising. Liberals get all dewy-eyed when Obama reverts to idealistic tones, as they are saps for perfect-…
David Limbaugh
December 12th, 2011 7:00 PM

Unhinged Chris Matthews Shrieks: 'Deadly,' Satanic Newt Gingrich Is a

Hardball's Chris Matthews on Monday spewed hatred for Newt Gingrich, excoriating him as voicing "deadly" contempt for Barack Obama. Matthews trashed, "He's a political killer, a gun for hire." The unhinged Matthews compared Republicans who support the former Speaker to those who would make a deal with the devil. Using violent rhetoric, the MSNBC anchor constructed reasons why conservatives…
Scott Whitlock
December 12th, 2011 6:39 PM

FLASHBACK | USCourts.gov: 2nd Amendment 'Discusses' Right to Bear Arms

Editor's Note on reposting (December 15, 2015): Today is the 224th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, so I thought I'd repost this item from December 12, 2011. I checked the website in question at USCourts.gov, and the quiz and its offending question have since been removed. A screen capture of the original can be seen in the blog post.
Ken Shepherd
December 12th, 2011 6:34 PM

MSNBC's O'Donnell Hails Obama's 'Organized Exit' From Iraq

The media never let President Bush live down the so-called "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003 when the then-president declared an end of major combat operations in Iraq, even though Bush pointedly noted "Our mission continues. Al-Qaida is wounded, not destroyed....The war on terror is not over."  But now that President Obama is earnestly trying to…
Ken Shepherd
December 12th, 2011 4:54 PM

NYTimes Rips Gingrich's 'Doomsday' Nuclear Scenario, But Takes Enviro

The New York Times devoted a front-page story Monday to casting doubt on a theoretical nuclear threat publicized (among his many, many other ideas) by Newt Gingrich -- what scientists call electromagnetic pulse (EMP), a burst of electromagnetic radiation released by a nuclear explosion that could damage or destroy electrical service. Science reporter William Broad filed “Among Gingrich’s…
Clay Waters
December 12th, 2011 3:32 PM

NBC: 'God's Quarterback' Tebow Introduced to Americans in 'Controversi

In a report for Monday's NBC Today, correspondent Peter Alexander described the rise of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, noting how the NFL player's devout Christian faith has earned him the nickname of "God's Quarterback." Alexander went on to declare: "Many Americans were first introduced to Tebow during this controversial anti-abortion ad that aired during the 2010 Super Bowl." While…
Kyle Drennen
December 12th, 2011 3:28 PM

Nets Play Up Lowe's 'Outrage' For Pulling Ads From 'All-American Musli

ABC, CBS, and NBC's morning shows on Monday all used news briefs to highlight how home improvement giant Lowe's is "facing a backlash" after it pulled its ads from TLC's "All-American Muslim" reality TV series. All three noted that the company reacted to a complaint from a "conservative" or "Christian" group who threatened a boycott. CBS's Early Show played up how Lowe's "critics call that…
Matthew Balan
December 12th, 2011 2:56 PM

George Stephanopoulos Wonders Just How 'Damaging' Romney's 'Bad Bet' I

All three morning shows on Monday hyped Mitt Romney's $10,000 wager from Saturday's Republican debate. "Good Morning America's" George Stephanopoulos wondered just how "damaging" Romney's "bad bet" would be. Stephanopoulos, who previously gloated over whether his interview would "spell the end" of Herman Cain, offered a similar take, Monday. He teased, "How damaging was Mitt Romney's $10,000…
Scott Whitlock
December 12th, 2011 12:55 PM

NBC's Lauer and Koppel Discuss 'Very Controversial' and 'Reckless' New

On Monday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer asked new NBC special correspondent Ted Koppel about the success of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign: "He has said some very controversial things over the last month....Is being outspoken – and some would even say a little bit reckless – necessarily a bad thing in this election cycle?" Koppel lamented how Gingrich had not been damaged by scandal…

Kyle Drennen
December 12th, 2011 12:27 PM

In Santa Claus Song, NPR's Garrison Keillor Mocks Gingrich for Adulter

On the popular radio show A Prairie Home Companion this weekend, NPR star Garrison Keillor sang a different version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." It had a slightly different melody, and mocked Newt Gingrich, without naming him. Keillor sang: "Don’t think a sense of style conceals your escapades / Don’t vote to impeach Bill Clinton while shacking up with Congressional aides." Gingrich was…
Tim Graham
December 12th, 2011 12:17 PM

WaPo Hits Obama Administration Decision on Plan B From the Left

Let it not be said that the Washington Post are toadies for the Obama administration. They sometimes chastise the White House for not being left-wing enough.  For example, on Saturday the Washington Post editorial board weighed in to the left of the Obama administration on the recent call by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's move to block the FDA's recommendation to allow birth control pill…
Ken Shepherd
December 12th, 2011 11:50 AM