NPR Publicizes 'Rascally' Joe McGinniss; Insisted 'We Know' Corsi Was

In 2008, NPR's All Things Considered tried to take apart the "swift-booking" of Barack Obama by conservative author Jerome Corsi, insisting in several places "we know" Corsi's reporting wasn't factual. On Friday's All Things Considered, NPR media reporter David Folkenflik took a looser standard in publicizing the Palin-bashing book by liberal author Joe McGinniss. Folkenflik eventually found…
Tim Graham
September 24th, 2011 2:42 PM

Bill Maher: Sarah Palin Would 'F--k' Rick Perry If He Was Black

For the second week in a row since returning from his summer hiatus, it didn't take HBO's Bill Maher long to begin attacking conservatives. Roughly one minute into his opening monolog on Friday's "Real Time," the host mocked Texas governor Rick Perry's performance at Thursday's presidential debate and disgustingly quipped, "Sarah Palin was watching and she said, 'If only he was black, I'd f--…
Noel Sheppard
September 24th, 2011 11:33 AM

Former Congresswoman Smacks Down Bill Maher for Calling Fox's Megyn Ke

Former Congresswoman Jane Harman called out Bill Maher Friday evening for saying Fox News's Megyn Kelly was a "blonde twink" who's "not bright." Appearing on HBO's "Real Time," Harman responded by noting that Maher had just minutes before discussed with author Ron Suskind the sexist treatment of women in the Obama White House, and then said, "I want to point out that the last time I was on…
Noel Sheppard
September 24th, 2011 10:34 AM

Name That Party: WaPo Leaves Out the D In Maryland Scandal

"Gay marriage" advocates are probably delighted, but The Washington Post once again can't find any place to put a troublesome "D" next to the name of a Maryland state delegate charged with theft. Aaron Davis reported: A young Prince George's [County] politician who seemed to embody Maryland's crisis of conscience over approving same-sex marriage was charged Friday with stealing campaign funds…
Tim Graham
September 24th, 2011 10:04 AM

Weekend Open Thread

For general discussion and debate about politics, economics, sports, and whatever else tickles your fancy.
NB Staff
September 24th, 2011 9:29 AM

Bozell Column: Charlie Sheen Roasts and Boasts

It’s easy to get nostalgic for those classic Dean Martin TV celebrity roasts. Just watch a Comedy Central Friars Club roast. This is not comedy; they are unremittingly vicious. When they announced they were going to roast Charlie Sheen, a disgraceful human being if ever there was one, there was a sense of karmic comeuppance. Then the show aired. Only someone as deranged as Sheen would find it…
Brent Bozell
September 24th, 2011 9:05 AM

Was Obama's 'Intercontinental Railroad' Reference Lifted from Previous

It's probably not much of a stretch to believe that Barack Obama and his speechwriters frequently peruse the New York Times in print or online. Their likely affinity for the Times may explain why the President referred to the "intercontinental railroad" in his speech yesterday in Cincinnati near the Brent Spence Bridge:
Tom Blumer
September 23rd, 2011 11:56 PM

Admitted: Katie Couric Played 'Out of Position' at CBS

Broadcasting & Cable magazine's cover story this week was on Katie Couric and her new afternoon talk show (not arriving until next autumn). Her longtime NBC producer and friend Jeff Zucker, axed by NBC in the Comcast merger, is now helping her put the show together. But when asked if Couric was destined to be a failure in the evening news, where the gummy smiles and perky trills aren't in…
Tim Graham
September 23rd, 2011 11:27 PM

NPR Uses Joplin's Tea Party Congressman to Gush Over Obama Disaster Re

On Thursday, NPR's Morning Edition used a Republican mayor to boost Obama's push for infrastructure spending. On Friday, the same show displayed a new Tea Party Republican House member representing tornado-ravaged Joplin, Missouri to gush over the effectiveness of the Obama disaster relief team, as if to say "No Katrinas here, America." Janet Napolitano told NPR Long would give them a "12" out…
Tim Graham
September 23rd, 2011 11:05 PM

Crazy Larry: Perry Is GOP's 'Favorite Killer, Favorite State-Sanctione

It's going to be a long campaign . . . Republicans haven't come close to choosing their presidential candidate yet, but already a proud member of the MSM is calling a leading GOP contender a "killer." On his MSNBC show this evening, Crazy Larry O'Donnell accused Rick Perry of being--for his record of enforcing the Texas law on capital punishment--the Republicans' "favorite killer, favorite…
Mark Finkelstein
September 23rd, 2011 10:13 PM

CNN's Foreman: Romney's Assault on Texas Dream Act 'a Little Mislead

In recent years, various media outlets have established self-styled truth squads to "fact check"  politicians.  Today on CNN Newsroom anchored by Brooke Baldwin, correspondent Tom Foreman examined statements made at last night's GOP presidential candidate debate.  One was former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's criticism of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s support for a law allowing children of illegal…
Mike Bates
September 23rd, 2011 7:02 PM

CBS's Hill Lobbies Bachmann For DREAM Act-Type Amnesty

On Friday's Early Show, CBS's Erica Hill advocated for a liberal pet cause, urging Michele Bachmann to allow children of illegal aliens to receive in-state college tuition. Hill also spotlighted Gov. Rick Perry's attack on his competitors in the GOP presidential race on this issue: "Basically, [Perry is] saying to the other eight folks on the stage there, including yourself, that you don't have…
Matthew Balan
September 23rd, 2011 5:05 PM

Where's the Outrage at 'X-Factor' Flasher

Popular British reality singing competition "The X Factor" aired in the U.S. Sept. 21 to a TV audience of roughly 12 million, all tuning in to hear the raw pipes of undiscovered talent. But the studio audience, judges and Fox TV viewers got more than they bargained for, when an unassuming contestant let it all out on stage. Much in the vein of American Idol, "The X Factor" show is a reality…
Erin R. Brown
September 23rd, 2011 4:41 PM

Will Media Report Teenager Suspended From School for Expressing Belief

While the media have been keen on pushing anti-bullying campaigns, there is a flip side to the coin: students can become the victims of over-sensitive school administrators who confuse legitimate free speech with bullying. A prime example comes to our attention out of Fort Worth, Texas, as Dakota Ary recently served a suspension from school for telling a classmate in a classroom discussion…
Ken Shepherd
September 23rd, 2011 4:33 PM