AP Lingo: Republicans 'Hack Away Derisively' at Obama's 'Landmark' Hea

The media’s coverage of the incoming GOP-controlled House of Representatives could be called the March of the Mean Words. When Democrats ascend to power, they pass “historic” and “landmark reforms.” When Republicans do the same, the media argot is colorful and violent, sending unsubtle meat-axe messages of conservative “assaults” and “attacks.” See an Associated Press dispatch on plans for an…
Tim Graham
January 4th, 2011 5:00 PM

MSNBC's Brewer: 'GOP's Big, Fat Budget Ax Could Mean Real Pain For Man

During the 12PM ET hour on MSNBC on Tuesday, anchor Contessa Brewer condemned Republican plans to reign in government spending: "Republicans poised to take over the U.S. House tomorrow and they arrive with a big, fat budget ax. They're planning make good on a promise to curb spending and cut the federal deficit and their plan could mean real pain for many Americans." Brewer claimed the…
Kyle Drennen
January 4th, 2011 4:59 PM

Obama May Issue 'Signing Statement' On Bill Forbidding Gitmo Detainees

The "White House is constantly grabbing for more power, seeking to drive the people's branch of government to the sidelines," Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) thundered in June 2007 following a report on President Bush's use of "signing statements." "The administration is thumbing its nose at the law," Rep. John Conyers agreed, as noted at the time by the Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman.…
Ken Shepherd
January 4th, 2011 4:12 PM

John McLaughlin's New Year's Resolution? Kick It At Burning Man

It's perhaps the last place you'd expect to find the longtime host of the syndicated McLaughlin Group but on the year end episode of that show, aired over the weekend, John McLaughlin announced his New Year's resolution was to attend the Burning Man Festival. At the end of the show, when all the panelists were asked to reveal their individual New Year's resolutions, McLaughlin drew gasps and…
Geoffrey Dickens
January 4th, 2011 3:54 PM

Kathy Griffin Vows to Attack Willow Palin

The Hollywood Reporter was putty in the hands of left-wing "comedian" Kathy Griffin as she vowed to spend the new year attacking Sarah Palin's daughter in high school: The comic set a resolution for 2011 -- taking on a new Palin in the new year. "I've already gone for Sarah, Todd and Bristol obviously," Griffin tells The Hollywood Reporter. "But I think it's Willow's year to go down." "In…
Tim Graham
January 4th, 2011 1:53 PM

Newsweek's Adler: Journalists Don't Like Assange Because They 'Refuse

In his January 4 article, "Why Journalists Aren't Standing Up for WikiLeaks," Newsweek's Ben Adler offers three reasons, the first of which is quite risible given the media's persistent advocacy for ObamaCare in the year past: So why are American journalists hesitant to speak up for Assange? There are essentially three reasons.   1. Refusal to engage in advocacy: American…
Ken Shepherd
January 4th, 2011 11:55 AM

CBS's Plante: GOP 'Ready to Pounce' On Obama, 'Slammed' Him With Obama

On Tuesday's CBS Early Show, senior White House correspondent Bill Plante warned that as President Obama returns from vacation, " the new Republican majority in the House is ready to pounce." Plante went on to declare that the House GOP "slammed" Obama by scheduling a vote to repeal "his signature health care bill" on January 12. Plante parroted Democratic talking points denouncing the…
Kyle Drennen
January 4th, 2011 11:37 AM

ABC Knocks 'Weeping' Boehner as 'Harshly Partisan,' Gushed Over Pelosi

Good Morning America's Jon Karl on Tuesday derided the incoming Republican Speaker of the House as "harshly partisan." The ABC correspondent joked that John Boehner can look "like the weeper of the House." In contrast, then-GMA co-host Diane Sawyer in 2007 lauded Speaker Nancy Pelosi's ascension, praising, "But her fellow politicians say she's galvanized steel with a smile." While Karl…
Scott Whitlock
January 4th, 2011 11:35 AM

Open Thread: Accountability for Public Employee Unions

Today's starter topic: Is the gravy train for public employee unions finally grinding to a halt? On Wednesday, for example, New York’s new Democratic governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, is expected to call for a one-year salary freeze for state workers, a move that would save $200 million to $400 million and challenge labor’s traditional clout in Albany.  
NB Staff
January 4th, 2011 10:28 AM

New York Times Buries Admission of Self Interest in Chevron Story

The New York Times reported on Jan. 2 that Chevron has been using outtakes from the film "Crude," an anti-Chevron film in its legal battles. The Times called it "a cautionary tale for lawyers who invite in documentary filmmakers to tell the story of their legal fights." The footage was allowed in court after a New York federal judge ruled in May 2010 that Joe Berlinger, the filmmaker,…
Julia A. Seymour
January 4th, 2011 10:04 AM

NY Times Bids Fond Farewell to Inflammatory Alan Grayson, 'Liberal Fol

Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida, the fiery leftist and Republican hater whose offensive comments about Republicans may well have cost him his seat last November, gets a fairly fond send-off in Monday's New York Times. Reporter Michael Barbaro, previously known for his hostile coverage of Wal-Mart, called Grayson the “pugnaciously partisan, verbal-bomb-tossing, liberal folk hero of the…
Clay Waters
January 4th, 2011 9:59 AM

NBC Promotes ‘Princess Boy’ Propaganda

Any semblance of objectivity grew fairy wings and flew out the window on the January 3 broadcast of NBC’S “Today Show.” Host Meredith Vieira promoted a book by Cheryl Kilodavis, titled “My Princess Boy,” an illustrated children’s book that promotes the tolerance of cross-dressing boys. NBC’s “Today’s Family” segment featured Kilodavis and her son Dysonin an eight-minute story and interview.…
Erin R. Brown
January 4th, 2011 9:17 AM

Chicago Tribune: Dems Crash, Obama Team Says 'We Need More Biden

One way the national media demonstrate their ardor for Obama is a string of stories suggesting Vice President Joe Biden is not an embarrassment. His gaffes are forever being recast as misunderstood wisdom and honesty. The latest in this string came from the Chicago Tribune's Peter Nicholas in a story headlined "Biden is a linchpin of Obama's presidency," like that's a positive. He may be an old…
Tim Graham
January 4th, 2011 8:44 AM

Fox News Mocks Religious Right as So Gay

Despite the fact that liberals believe that Fox News Channel is a relentlessly conserative channel, when it comes to homosexuality, opponents are actually  mocked and told they're “out of touch.” The gay blog Truth Wins Out rejoiced that the December 30 edition of the FNC overnight show Red Eye was mocking “anti-gay wingnuts.” Host Greg Gutfeld generally tries to mix humor into his commentary,…
Tim Graham
January 4th, 2011 7:36 AM