In the wake of the Newtown massacre, media are talking about the Second Amendment. But are they getting it right? Also: The New York Times magazine covers fracking– but mostly the upside–and David Ignatius thinks Syria as mobile weapons labs. Tune in–and spread the word.
Dec
21
2012
Campbell Brown's Despicable Newtown Rant
By 21 Comments
"Both sides" made objectionable comments after the Newtown massacre, writes Campbell Brown. Right-wing bigots on the one hand, and on the other… Diane Ravitch? For praising heroic teachers? This is "false balance" of the most absurd kind.
Dec
20
2012
Syria's Mobile Weapons Labs: Where Have We Heard This Before?
By 13 Comments
If you were concerned that the Syria WMD stories didn't already feel enough like the Iraq WMD reports, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius had one just for you. It's not that Ignatius doesn't know that this story sounds, well, familiar–but it's important to recall more of the journalism from the Iraq invasion era.
Dec
19
2012
Journalists Back on the Chained Gang
By 10 Comments
Don't expect much help from corporate media on understanding the "Chained CPI," because selling the "grand bargain" requires citizens not really knowing what this part of the deal entails.
Dec
18
2012
Fracking: Too Much of a Good Thing, Says Planet Money Guy
By 20 Comments
There is no serious discussion of environmental costs borne by the public, and there is not one word about climate change–a pretty shocking oversight when one considers the potential ramifications of a massive new investment in a fossil fuel industry.
Dec
17
2012
Meet the Press's Uncharacteristic Enthusiasm for Balance
By 8 Comments
Meet the Press's David Gregory (12/16/12) seemed really proud of how hard his show worked to try to get a pro-gun viewpoint on the air to talk about the Newtown massacre. Funny, Gregory doesn't always make that much of an effort to balance his panels.
Dec
17
2012
What if Children Mattered No Matter Where They Lived–and Died?
By 26 Comments
When we draw comparisons between a particular event and other similar tragedies, it is not to say that they all matter equally, but to remind ourselves that we're conditioned to feel that some matter quite a bit more than others.
Dec
17
2012
John Boehner–Philosopher?
By 12 Comments
Are John Boehner's ideas about tax cuts evidence of his "philosophy"? Or are they just misleading?
Dec
17
2012
Does the Public Really Oppose Gun Restrictions?
By 8 Comments
One issue that comes up in much of the coverage of the Newtown massacre is the notion that the public's view on gun control has shifted towards the "pro-gun" side in recent years. It's important to look at that assumption.
Dec
14
2012
FAIR TV: ABC's Disney "Exclusive," Syria WMDs, Robin Hood Tax
By 4 Comments
Syria's chemical weapons threat– is it Iraq all over again? With all the talk about the budget, why won't media talk about taxing Wall Street? And ABC breaks big "news"… about a Disney theme park. All of that on FAIR TV this week.
Dec
13
2012
Does Hugo Chavez Keep Fooling Venezuelans?
By 55 Comments
The New York Times updates readers today (12/13/12) on the health status of left-wing Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, and the political implications for his country. But the paper starts out by suggesting that the people who keep electing him must have some kind of problem. According to the Times' William Neuman, life in Venezuela is pretty dismal. Christmas tree shipments were fouled up, a government ice cream factory closed down, and "all of this happened while the economy was growing — before the slowdown many predict next year." He writes: Such frustrations are typical in Venezuela, for rich and poor [...]
Dec
12
2012
Bill O'Reilly Has Had It With the Name-Calling
By 25 Comments
Fox host Bill O'Reilly has had with the incivility in public life. He's ready to name names, calling the "haters" on the left and right. Funny, his list doesn't include many on the right. Of course, he could start with himself….
Dec
12
2012
Politico Reveals Shocking Economic Truths
By 15 Comments
Politico has discovered the perfect fix for the American economy–a set of policies that would create a jobs boom,if our political leaders would summon the courage to act. What's the plan? Cut Social Security and Medicare, lower corporate taxes, and encourage more fracking.
