FOX "News" Uses Biased (Koch Brothers) Source in "Voter Fraud" Story

For years, conservatives have used George Soros, a liberal billionaire, as an all-purpose bogeyman, who is supposedly secretly funding myriad and varied progressive groups. Virtually every well-known liberal voice has been alleged to have Soros as a backer. But the right has a real sugar daddy. And if you follow the money, they really are behind a whole lot of seemingly "grass roots" and independent-sounding groups, like "Americans for Prosperity" and "FreedomWorks." The difference is, the Kochs--two of the richest people in the world--do all of this to further enrich themselves. And they don't stop with these groups, they've apparently inserted themselves into Right Wing World itself, at its hub: FOX "News."

[Excerpt]

Koch Brothers Front Group Feeds Fox News Phony Figures On Voter Fraud
 
A report by Fox News alleges that “Over 40,000 voters are registered in both Virginia and Maryland.” It’s a shocking statistic that stirs fears of massive election fraud that could sway the results of pivotal campaigns and upset the balance of power in Congress. . .

Read more at: NewsCorpse

Tea Party a Shadow of its Former Self

No, lady, you don't. If you even know where Benghazi
is, you just want it to be bad for the President.
Image from source, Salon.

 

I really like the story below for several reasons. The reminder that the Tea Party movement is only 4 years old, and that it pretty much flamed out fairly quickly. Now, I'm sure that actual tea baggers (yes, I will continue to use that phrase when I'm 90) would find much to squawk about in the article. But the Salon piece is actually fairly mild and respectful. For instance, they didn't use the phrase "tea baggers."

They also don't go into the astro-turfy, faux grass-roots nature of the Tea Party, the fact that as a group, they were just re-branded conservatives, or the inherent, barely concealed racism of the whole enterprise. Yeah, I said it. Tell me a group that rose up immediately after President Obama was inaugurated, wanting to "take their country back," were fighting the policies of a man who'd barely enacted any yet. Sure, what else've you got?

[Excerpt]

The Tea Party’s sad, nostalgic reunion tour 

Remember way back to 2010? When the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” was tearing up the charts and a hot new upstart political movement called the Tea Party was striking fear into socialists everywhere? What began on Tax Day in 2009 hit a high-water mark just 18 months later with a massive rally on the National Mall organized by Glenn Beck (which later proved to be the beginning of the end of the Tea Party’s purpose for existing: massive anti-government rallies of colorful, flag-waving patriots). There’s no question the conservative revival in the GOP has remade the party inside Washington, but the Gadsden flags were rolled up and the tricorn hats put away as the outsider movement honed its insider game. . .

Read more at: Salon

Maddow Clip #2: Rachel Responds to Criticism on Americans for Prosperity Coverage

In this clip, Rachel responds to criticisms of her reporting, and on her interview with Tim Phillips, head of the "grass roots-ish" group, Americans for Prosperity. Great stuff.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Maddow Clip #1: Rachel Takes on Americans for Prosperity Head

Rachel Maddow, long a fave of Greenlee Gazette was out sick for much of the last week or so, though I doubt it was the H1N1 swine flu, since she already had that once. Upon her return to The Rachel Maddow Show, she dove right in, croaky voice and all. In a contentious interview with faux grass roots organization "Americans for Prosperity" head, Tim Phillips, Rachel took the gloves off.

The thing I love about Rachel, and the thing that her detractors always get wrong, is that she's not simply the flip side to a Glenn Beck or a Bill O'Reilly. She doesn't turn all red and blustery, or scream ("Get off my phone!" anyone?). There's no Hannity-like ham-handedness or posturing. She's capable of keeping her composure, even when delivering a blistering dressing down of someone she feels deserves it. I believe she means what she says, and I don't ever get that from the FOX hen house. So score one point for the appearance of a non-like-minded guest. Score one more for conviction.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

If you can stomach it, take a gander at the right-wing world response to these clips at FreeRepublic. Ignore the sub-Jr. High School "humor" about Rachel being a lesbian, and see if any of their commentary comes anywhere near reality for you: FreeRepublic

More on Who's Behind the Plan to Kill Health Care Reform

Sorry, guys. I've been scrambling to find something interesting to post for the morning, and have come up empty. Well, not exactly empty. The clip below is very informative and interesting. But it's also from The Rachel Maddow Show, and though I love it, I really need to get some more diverse material. I'll try harder.

In the meantime, this installment of TRMS Investigates really is chock full of information, if you want to feed your brain. I'll try to find something silly this evening.

Rachel Maddow Dissects the Town Hall Disruptions

Today really seems to be video day here at Greenlee Gazette, doesn't it? I mean, more than usual. But sometimes, that's just where the good stuff is. This clip, from The Rachel Maddow Show, is an excellent primer for you on the puppet masters behind all of these "spontaneous" town hall disruptions that have sprung up in the last week. Would you be surprised to know that it's a bunch of rich white guys?

Oh, and the whole idea that the health care bill would kill old people? It's twisted from a living will section that was introduced by Republicans. Yeah, I know!

Fantastic New DNC Ad: Enough of the Mob

If you get nothing else from my blog, you should know that these "angry mobs" you've seen springing up at "town halls" across the country are about as genuine as the pitchfork-and-torch mobs you've seen in Frankenstein movies. Paid actors. Oh, some of them may be actually angry, but make no mistake, what makes them angriest is the current occupant of the White House. Sore losers.