Chile Earthquake and Tsunami Open Thread

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Chile hit this morning by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake.As you likely know, many areas are under serious tsunami warnings, including Hawaii.Those interested can watch a live stream from Hawaii News Now which is broadcasting water views from different locations in anticipation of tsunami activity (more live stream links below the fold).
NB Staff

CNN's Sanchez Takes a Page From Democrats' Playbook

Unable to defend ObamaCare with reasoning or facts, many of the Democrats at Thursday's health care summit resorted to anecdotes or, as Rush Limbaugh appropriately characterized them, sob stories.  The recycling of a dead woman's dentures and a letter from a struggling farmer who just happens to be the brother of a staffer for the Democratic senator sent the letter were the order of the day.CNN…
Mike Bates

Obama Voters In Focus Group Like Family Guy's Attack On Palin

According to a focus group done by pollster Frank Luntz, folks that voted for Barack Obama liked the recent attack on Sarah Palin done by the cartoon series "Family Guy."As NewsBusters reported almost two weeks ago, the Valentine's Day episode of the Fox hit featured a Down Syndrome girl saying that her mother was the former governor of Alaska. This sparked a nationwide debate about whether this…
Noel Sheppard

Valerie Harper: ‘Sly’ 'Snide' Palin ‘Playing to the Worst in Us

On Friday’s Joy Behar Show on CNN Headline News, host Behar interviewed actress Valerie Harper, and, as the discussion turned to women in politics, the HLN host brought up Sarah Palin’s run for Vice President, prompting Harper to complain that Palin was "playing to that which is the worst in us, the divisive stuff," and to charge that "there’s a snide thing there that I don’t appreciate."After…
Brad Wilmouth

Al Gore Mocked At Apple Meeting: He's 'Become A Laughingstock

Nobel Laureate Al Gore was mocked Thursday at the Apple shareholders meeting in Cupertino, California.As the subject of whether or not he should be reelected to the tech giant's board of directors surfaced, one longtime shareholder stood up saying, "[Gore] has become a laughingstock. The glaciers have not melted."According to CNET, the gentleman then wisely said, "If his advice he gives to Apple…
Noel Sheppard

Pelosi Says She's Running Most Ethical Congress Ever, Media Mum

During a Friday press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she was running the most ethical Congress ever.CNSNews.com reported Friday: When a reporter prefaced a question about Rangel by noting that Pelosi had promised to run the "most ethical and honest Congress in history" she interrupted him to say: "And we are." Despite the absurdity of this remark, CNSNews.com and Fox News…
Noel Sheppard

Friday Debt Dump, Part 1: Shhh -- Fannie Mae Lost $72 Bil in 2009, Nee

After the closing bell on Friday, just in time for everyone to stop paying close attention, mortgage behemoth and ward of the state Fannie Mae ("Fan") released its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. Its press release (PDF) informs us that its $74.4 billion loss in 2009 (inclusive of dividends paid to the government) followed a $58.8 billion loss in 2008. For those keeping score at…
Tom Blumer

CNN Helps Van Jones With His Comeback Campaign

He left the White House in disgrace only fives months ago, but former Green Jobs Czar Van Jones is getting help from liberal media outlets with his comeback.On Friday, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux interviewed the controversial figure, and although she asked him some tough questions about his signature at a 9/11 truther website as well as calling Republicans a**holes, her concluding sentiments with "…
Noel Sheppard

Olympics Open Thread

Have you been enjoying the Olympics so far? What's been your favorite event? Least favorite? What do you think about the coverage? Too much curling? Did Apolo foul last night? What are you expecting in the closing days? Can USA beat Canada in hockey again to win gold?
NB Staff

Open Thread

NB Staff

Guilty Pleasure: Prank Caller Pretends To Be Team USA Goalie, Fools MS

Although yours truly emphatically does not approve of the stunt, I have to acknowledge that whoever pranked MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Willie Geist Friday by pretending to be Team USA hockey goalie Ryan Miller (pictured at right) did the nation two small favors: First, he embarrassed a network that seems incapable of being embarrassed by much of what its hosts and guests say on a daily basis…
Tom Blumer

Thomas Friedman Trashes Sen. Inhofe as Sellout, Says 'I'm a Dick Chene

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman was chewing the scenery in a Wednesday discussion of global warming on CNN’s Amanpour show. He trashed Sen. James Inhofe for demanding an investigation into U.N. climate science, suggesting Inhofe needs to be investigated: "I'd love to see all the e-mails between his office and various coal and oil companies over the last 20 years....we'll let citizens and…
Tim Graham

Move Along. No Outrage Here

I'm confused. If  major media allows/promotes the hatred of a group (tea partiers) they must think it's okay to be a racist now. right? 
Glenn Foden

Bozell Column: Replacing Simon Cowell With Stern? Or Perez

Fox is having its usual smash with "American Idol," with this season’s latest offering beating the Winter Olympics in the ratings. Paula Abdul walked off in a money dispute, Ellen De Generes is unexpectedly flat, and the show overall is starting to sag, but it’s still just about the best thing on TV. Now there’s a buzz about the best judge, Simon Cowell, leaving after this season.Cowell is…
Brent Bozell