top
|
1. ABC: High Gas Prices Cancels Church, Christmas and Doctor Visits In one of the more hyperbolic segments to air on Good Morning America, ABC reporter Bianna Golodryga fretted that November's unusually high gas prices could lead to poor health, less church and no Christmas. On Monday's program, Golodryga warned viewers that unnamed "reports" allege that "some people are foregoing routine visits to the doctor and are opting for cheaper foods, like pasta and peanut butter, as opposed to protein, fruits and vegetables, in order that they can save as much money as possible" at the pump. The ABC reporter also managed to find an extreme example and introduced America to Juan Martinez of Phoenix, Arizona. According to Golodryga, the spike in prices has taken "a toll on the family's relationship with God." It seems as though the Martinez clan is cutting back on religious attendance due to the 40 mile journey trek to their church. (Are there no closer places to worship in the Phoenix area?) Additionally, GMA featured footage of Golodryga shopping with Martinez as Golodryga lamented: "Even holiday gift shopping won't be the same." 2. Only CBS Notes Fewest Rocket and Mortar Attacks in Two Years Of the broadcast network evening newscasts on Monday night, only the CBS Evening News devoted a few seconds to some more good news from Iraq: How rocket and mortar attacks on U.S. forces fell to in October to the lowest level since February of 2006. Anchor Katie Couric read this short item on her November 12 broadcast: "Turning to Iraq now and another sign that violence there is decreasing. In October, insurgent rocket and mortar attacks fell to their lowest level in nearly two years. The U.S. military reported today there were 369 of those attacks last month. Rocket and mortar attacks peaked in June when there were more than a thousand." 3. Hillary's Planted Question Scandal Recalls ABC's Friendly Forum On Sunday's Good Morning America, ABC co-host Kate Snow reported on the growing controversy over the Clinton campaign's planting of friendly questions at political events. At the same time, she ignored her own network's role in creating a similar cozy setting for the 2008 Democrat. In March of this year, GMA hosted a town hall event where Doctor Steve Eckstat, who was on Hillary Clinton's 1993 health care task force, just happened to be in the audience for the ABC event. Co-anchor Robin Roberts, who hosted the March 26 event, spun it this way: "Somebody that was there, and wants to ask you what is different now, between what happened then, and he is Dr. Steve Eckstat. He is, he works at the free clinic of Iowa. Doctor?" Eckstat's challenging question to the Democratic front-runner? He wanted to know if the former First Lady would be "willing to try again to provide universal health care coverage for all Americans and make that at priority for your administration?" 4. Whoopi Goldberg: U.S. 'Not as Free as it Was When I Was a Kid' View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, an African American woman who grew up in the "Jim Crow" era of the 1950s and 1960s, claimed on Monday's show that America is "not as free as it was when I was a kid." When guest panelist Laura Ingraham called that "a disconnect," Joy Behar quipped: "Nobody was tapping into my phone when I was watching Howdy Doody." The November 12 program featured the noted conservative radio talk show host and author of Power to the People. Ingraham also put veteran journalist Barbara Walters on the defensive on the "do you want to win in Iraq" question. 5. MRC's Bozell Launches Hillary Book Tour on Hannity & Colmes Brent Bozell, President of the MRC, appeared Monday night on FNC's Hannity & Colmes to discuss his new book published by Crown Forum, Whitewash: What the Media Won't Tell You About Hillary Clinton, But Conservatives Will. Sean Hannity called the book "timely," hailed how he "loved" it and admired how it "weaves together a story about Hillary that the media won't tell." Hannity and Alan Colmes also asked for Bozell's reaction to the low box office numbers for Robert Redford's anti-Iraq war movie, Lions for Lambs. Bozell suggested: "People don't want to go to a movie to see America's military trashed." 6. Bored of Late Night Re-Runs? 'NewsBusted' Comedy New This Week The strike by writers means this is the second week of late night comedy show re-runs. But the MRC's "NewsBusted" comedy video show is not on strike! A new episode, in fact, was just posted this morning (Tuesday). While Leno, Stewart, Letterman, O'Brien, Ferguson, Kimmel and Colbert are all in re-runs because of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, the MRC's NewsBusted comedy video show -- with jokes about politics, Hollywood and media bias -- is fresh again this week. Check out the latest two-and-a-half-minute comedy show now at the top of the MRC's NewsBusters blog: http://newsbusters.org/ 7. 'Top Ten Ways Hillary Clinton Is Trying to Improve Her Image' Late Show's "Top Ten Contest" winners for the "Top Ten Ways Hillary Clinton Is Trying to Improve Her Image." ABC: High Gas Prices Cancels Church, Christmas and Doctor Visits In one of the more hyperbolic segments to air on Good Morning America, ABC reporter Bianna Golodryga fretted that November's unusually high gas prices could lead to poor health, less church and no Christmas. On Monday's program, Golodryga warned viewers that unnamed "reports" allege that "some people are foregoing routine visits to the doctor and are opting for cheaper foods, like pasta and peanut butter, as opposed to protein, fruits and vegetables, in order that they can save as much money as possible" at the pump. The ABC reporter also managed to find an extreme example and introduced America to Juan Martinez of Phoenix, Arizona. According to Golodryga, the spike in prices has taken "a toll on the family's relationship with God." It seems as though the Martinez clan is cutting back on religious attendance due to the 40 mile journey trek to their church. (Are there no closer places to worship in the Phoenix area?) Additionally, GMA featured footage of Golodryga shopping with Martinez as Golodryga lamented: "Even holiday gift shopping won't be the same." Apparently, there will be fewer Christmas presents this year. Now, gas prices are certainly high for this time of year. (The average price in mid-November 2006 was $2.23.) However, Golodryga has a propensity for over-the-top rhetoric. The extreme nature of Martinez's $538 November gas bill is an example of selecting a worst case scenario. But this kind of dialogue isn't new for Golodryga. In October, the Business and Media Institute noted her odd assertion that slow sweater sales signaled an impending economic crisis. See the Business and Media Institute for more: www.businessandmedia.org On Monday, she began the segment in front of a New York City gas station that seemed to be doing reasonable, if somewhat slow, business. The GMA correspondent ominously intoned, "I want you to take a look at this practically empty gas station behind me, shocking because it's usually packed with cars this time of morning." According to Golodryga, this was "another example" of Americans altering their routines in the face of high gas prices. Of course, she seemed to ignore the fact that many Americans had November 12 off in honor of Veterans Day. [This item, by Scott Whitlock, was posted Monday afternoon on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ] The ABC network also helped out in the panic department. A graphic gloomily asked, "Can you Survive $4 a Gallon?" Perhaps in an attempt to conjure up images of bread lines, co-host Diane Sawyer teased the piece by promising to investigate what "your fellow Americans are doing to get by." At that point, another GMA graphic declared that the gas situation is going "from bad to worse." When gas prices inevitably correct downwards, can viewers expect GMA to report on all the Americans who will be rolling in money, ramping up their church attendance and splurging on gifts? A transcript of the segment, which aired at 7:11am on November 12:
DIANE SAWYER: And gas prices have just gone up 30 cents a gallon in 30 days. The average family now paying $300 a month. What your fellow Americans are doing to get by. [ABC Graphic: From Bad to Worse]
CHRIS CUOMO: File this under the category of sad but true. We can expect another new record for November gasoline prices when the government releases the latest numbers this week. Gas prices usually spike in the summer. Take a look at last year's price chart. You can see then they're supposed to go down during the winter months, but not anymore. Look what is happening this year. The national average for regular unleaded is now $3.08 a gallon. An all-time high record is expected for Thanksgiving weekend. Bianna Golodryga is out in New York City with more about this situation. Good morning, Bianna.
Only CBS Notes Fewest Rocket and Mortar Attacks in Two Years Of the broadcast network evening newscasts on Monday night, only the CBS Evening News devoted a few seconds to some more good news from Iraq: How rocket and mortar attacks on U.S. forces fell to in October to the lowest level since February of 2006. Anchor Katie Couric read this short item on her November 12 broadcast: "Turning to Iraq now and another sign that violence there is decreasing. In October, insurgent rocket and mortar attacks fell to their lowest level in nearly two years. The U.S. military reported today there were 369 of those attacks last month. Rocket and mortar attacks peaked in June when there were more than a thousand." [This item was posted late Monday night on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ] A Monday AP dispatch from Lauren Frayer in Baghdad, "Iraq rocket, mortar fire at 21-month low," reported: Rocket and mortar attacks in Iraq have decreased to their lowest levels in more than 21 months, the U.S. military said Monday. In the capital, Iraqi officials said a taxi driver was shot dead by a private security guard hired to protect U.S. convoys. Last month saw 369 "indirect fire" attacks -- the lowest number since February 2006. October's total was half of what it was in the same month a year ago. And it marked the third month in a row of sharply reduced insurgent activity, the military said. The U.S. command issued the tallies a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said suicide attacks and other bombings in Baghdad also have dropped dramatically, calling it an end of sectarian violence.... END of Excerpt For the AP story in full: news.yahoo.com
Hillary's Planted Question Scandal Recalls ABC's Friendly Forum On Sunday's Good Morning America, ABC co-host Kate Snow reported on the growing controversy over the Clinton campaign's planting of friendly questions at political events. At the same time, she ignored her own network's role in creating a similar cozy setting for the 2008 Democrat. In March of this year, GMA hosted a town hall event where Doctor Steve Eckstat, who was on Hillary Clinton's 1993 health care task force, just happened to be in the audience for the ABC event. Co-anchor Robin Roberts, who hosted the March 26 event, spun it this way: "Somebody that was there, and wants to ask you what is different now, between what happened then, and he is Dr. Steve Eckstat. He is, he works at the free clinic of Iowa. Doctor?" Eckstat's challenging question to the Democratic front-runner? He wanted to know if the former First Lady would be "willing to try again to provide universal health care coverage for all Americans and make that at priority for your administration?" [This item, by Scott Whitlock, was posted Monday afternoon on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ] At one point, it should be noted, Eckstat could be seen reading his lengthy "question." During the March event, Roberts admitted that the ABC program had allowed Clinton to pack the audience. She announced: "We have over 200 people, Iowans, that are here this morning to talk to the Senator. And we should say that 45 of the group, invited by the Clinton campaign to be here." During the segment on Sunday, Snow acknowledged that Clinton's campaign had directed a college student to ask a question on global warming earlier this month and the correspondent mentioned a second such occurrence at another event. However, she made sure to stress that these types of incidents play into the "stereotypes of Clinton as a tightly controlled machine." After several such examples, would ABC give the Bush administration the benefit of the doubt and still call them "stereotypes?" For more on the town hall event, see the March 27 CyberAlert: www.mrc.org A transcript of the March 26 exchange, as well as the November 11 GMA segment, follow: # March 26: ROBIN ROBERTS: What you said then in, in '93, many people felt it was just, in some ways, ahead of its, ahead of its time. Somebody that was there, and wants to ask you what is different now, between what happened then, and he is Dr. Steve Eckstat. He is, he works at the free clinic of Iowa. Doctor?
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON: Hello, doctor. # Sunday, November 11:
KATE SNOW: Marysol, just after New Year's Eve on January 3rd, Iowa voters will be the first to cast their votes for the presidential candidates. Well, last night in Des Moines, the Democrats were in full sales pitch mode, and Hillary Clinton's team was defending her against the kind of charges that play right into stereotypes of Clinton as a tightly controlled machine. At the Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Des Moines last night, 9,000 Democratic party faithful.
Whoopi Goldberg: U.S. 'Not as Free as it Was When I Was a Kid' View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, an African American woman who grew up in the "Jim Crow" era of the 1950s and 1960s, claimed on Monday's show that America is "not as free as it was when I was a kid." When guest panelist Laura Ingraham called that "a disconnect," Joy Behar quipped: "Nobody was tapping into my phone when I was watching Howdy Doody." The November 12 program featured the noted conservative radio talk show host and author of Power to the People. Ingraham also put veteran journalist Barbara Walters on the defensive on the "do you want to win in Iraq" question. [This item is based on a posting, by the MRC's Justin McCarthy, posted Monday on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ] The relevant exchanges:
INGRAHAM: It's a free country though right? Laura Ingraham also called out the co-hosts on The View, and in the elite media in general, on not reporting all of the good news that is currently coming out of Iraq. Barbara Walters jumped in to say that some things are going well and some are not. Laura Ingraham asked Barbara Walters if she wanted America to win, and Walters immediately grew defensive.
INGRAHAM: We have, right now, in Iraq, really good news coming out of Baghdad. On Veterans' Day, I think we should talk about that. We have violence down, sectarian violence down, the Al Qaeda is being pushed out and the insurgents by the people of Iraq. And you can sit here, and you can stay with your narrative that we're big losers and that we're going to lose in Iraq. But the truth of the matter is things are turning around for the better, and we should recognize it right now. [...] WALTERS: The only thing that I was saying before I was shut off is that we all want things to be better in Iraq. Some things are. Some things are not. But if there are still things that you criticize about the way certain things are being handled, that does not mean that you do not support the troops, and that you do not pray that it all turns out okay.
MRC's Bozell Launches Hillary Book Tour on Hannity & Colmes Brent Bozell, President of the MRC, appeared Monday night on FNC's Hannity & Colmes to discuss his new book published by Crown Forum, Whitewash: What the Media Won't Tell You About Hillary Clinton, But Conservatives Will. Sean Hannity called the book "timely," hailed how he "loved" it and admired how it "weaves together a story about Hillary that the media won't tell." Hannity and Alan Colmes also asked for Bozell's reaction to the low box office numbers for Robert Redford's anti-Iraq war movie, Lions for Lambs. Bozell suggested: "People don't want to go to a movie to see America's military trashed." For Flash video on You Tube of the segment with Bozell, as well as downloadable Real video, Windows Media video and MP3 audio, go to this page on the MRC's blog: newsbusters.org Bozell is scheduled to appear Tuesday morning at about 7:40 AM EST on FNC's Fox & Friends and later in the day on CNBC's 7 PM EST Kudlow & Company. He's also doing a lot of radio interviews over the next few days. Bozell's book: Uncovering a Fifteen Year Love Affair How could America's presidential front-runner be a woman who has held only one elective office and had staggering numbers of personal, political, and financial scandals? How did the First Lady to a disgraced, impeached president become a presidential front-runner despite never having held elective office before 2001? And how did this happen given her staggering number of personal, political, and financial scandals -- and her leftist political agenda? Authors L. Brent Bozell and Tim Graham peel back the layers of Hillary Clinton's success to expose the real shocker -- not Travelgate or Whitewater -- but a fifteen year love affair by the liberal media, starting with Time magazine, who first introduced Hillary Clinton to the country as an "amalgam of Betty Crocker, Mother Teresa and Oliver Wendell Holmes." The elite media's continued and unprecedented favoritism is the key to Hillary's mythic political standing. They have downplayed or ignored her every scandal and recast her ultra-liberalism as being in the political center. What's even more stunning is the incredible number of stories that have been under-reported, excused and buried. To expose the truth, the authors interviewed dozens of leading conservatives who want Americans to hear the whole story, including Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Laura Ingraham, Cal Thomas, Newt Gingrich and many others. Whitewash: What the Media Won't Tell You About Hillary Clinton, But Conservatives Will Order your copy today! Go to: www.mrc.org Tuesday, November 13 is the official release date.
Bored of Late Night Re-Runs? 'NewsBusted' Comedy New This Week The strike by writers means this is the second week of late night comedy show re-runs. But the MRC's "NewsBusted" comedy video show is not on strike! A new episode, in fact, was just posted this morning (Tuesday). While Leno, Stewart, Letterman, O'Brien, Ferguson, Kimmel and Colbert are all in re-runs because of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, the MRC's NewsBusted comedy video show -- with jokes about politics, Hollywood and media bias -- is fresh again this week. Check out the latest two-and-a-half-minute comedy show now at the top of the MRC's NewsBusters blog: newsbusters.org And enjoy the archive of past shows: www.youtube.com
'Top Ten Ways Hillary Clinton Is Trying to Improve Her Image' CBS's Late Show with David Letterman is in re-runs again this week because of the strike by writers, but that hasn't stopped Late Show viewers from submitting "Top Ten" entries to the show's Web site which is still updated daily. So, here are the winning entries posted on Saturday for last week's "Top Ten Contest," the "Top Ten Ways Hillary Clinton Is Trying to Improve Her Image." Late Show home page: www.cbs.com 10. She announced a new line of designer pantsuits (Jon E, San Diego, CA) 9. Promises to appoint Judge Judy to the Supreme Court (Gerardo G, Houston, TX) 8. Strongly endorses both sides of every issue (Jeff M, Middletown, NJ) 7. Apologizes and checks into rehab for no apparent reason (Paul L, Eagle River, WI) 6. Borrowing John Edwards' conditioner (Richard O, Crosby, TX) 5. Promises pudding for all Americans. Everyone loves pudding! (Mark M, Apopka, FL) 4. After two weeks of practice, can now sustain a 4-second smile (Ross B, New London, WI) 3. Helping Dennis Kucinich return to his home planet (Gary B, Hagerstown, MD) 2. Showing she's tough on drugs by throwing out Bill's Viagra (Mike H, Mount Tabor, NJ) 1. Offering to use her frigidity to combat global warming (Dave O, Ottawa, ON)
-- Brent Baker
Home | News Division
| Bozell Columns | CyberAlerts |
|