Charles Barkley Puts The Verbal Smackdown On Tucker Carlson

This is how the website Crooks and Liars described Charles Barkley's words directed at Tucker Carlson who had harsh comments directed at Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (before he slightly walked back from those harsh words).

"There's some idiot on another station named Tucker Carlson, who called out Michael Vick," Barkley said during halftime of a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.

"Number one, Michael Vick, we're all pulling for you, man. Keep doing your thing, you paid your debt to society, good luck to y'all in the playoffs."

"Tucker Carlson, who's a nobody, he used to work for us over here, we fired him, because he sucked. Now he goes over there ... He said Michael Vick should be executed, which is total B.S.," he continued.

"TV is a very powerful thing, but you just can't get on here and say anything. He should have never said that. Michael Vick paid his debt to society and we're all pulling for him," Barkley added.

Here is the entire entry from Crooks and Liars:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/charles-barkley-tucker-carlson-idiot

Celebrating Diversity During The Holidays

Expect Diversity (Holiday) from FerrisState TV on Vimeo.

In this episode of Expect Diversity, show host David Pilgrim sits down with Scott Cohen, director of Instrumental Concert Ensembles; Michael Wade, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services; and Jonna Toivanen, an international student from Finland, to discuss some of the different religious traditions around the globe.

To commemorate the holiday season, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas are all topics of discussion on this episode of Expect Diversity.

Hopefully everyone had a happy holiday season.

ESPN Commentator's Reported Firing A Reminder You Don't Always Know Who You Think You Know

Ron Franklin

From deep in the files of WTF ...

Ron Franklin, for years, has been an announcer I've enjoyed listening to for football and basketball games on ESPN.

Of course, there are times you see or hear a different side of a cat, and such is the case with Franklin.

From Huffington Post:

ESPN reportedly fired announcer Ron Franklin on Tuesday after he was pulled from the Fiesta Bowl broadcast for making sexist comments to sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards.

According to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, an ESPN spokesman said "based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him."

Before Friday's Chick Fil-A Bowl, Franklin said to Edwards, "Listen to me sweet baby, let me tell you something."

After Edwards told him not to address her like that, Franklin responded by saying, "OK, then listen to me a-hole."

Franklin apologized for his remarks on Monday and said he deserved to be pulled from the Fiesta Bowl.

According to SportsByBrooks, Franklin was fired after he didn't apologize to Edwards personally.

Ron, Ron, Ron ... what are (were) you thinking big fella?

I guess it's no wonder ESPN told you to follow the trail on out of Bristol with that kind of behavior and that kind of mentality.

In The Case Of Vick, Fox News Commentator Seems To See A Black Man's Life Worth No More Than A Dog's Life

Tucker Carlson

We know that some right-wing commentators at Fox News have a clear disdain for President Barack Obama - a disdain that was illustrated most recently in the case of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who had a highly-publicized involvement in dog fighting. Recently, however, President Obama saluted the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance.

Obviously, there had to be at least one commentator at Fox News ready to take a shot at the president over this one.

This all leads me to a little excerpt I read from Dr. Boyce Watkins, who blogged about some very disturbing comments made by right-wing Fox News commentator (I know that is sort of redundant) Tucker Carlson regarding Vick, who has bounced back from his self-inflicted dog-fighting troubles, turned his life around and again is excelling on the football field (and presumably in life).

That's not good enough for some of the tighty righties at Fox News - like Tucker Carlson.

Here is a portion of what Watkins wrote in his blog regarding Carlson:

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale."

First of all, I think that most decent Christians would not believe that Tucker Carlson is a Christian. But then again, most of the original members of the KKK also considered themselves to be Christians, so perhaps Carlson's delusional behavior actually makes sense. I'd be curious to see if Carlson believes that the hundreds of thousands of deer hunters and members of the National Rifle Association should also be executed for killing animals themselves. After all, killing an animal is the same no matter what, right?

Secondly, Carlson's insinuation that the life of this black man is worth less than that of a dog is a telling reminder of how the Right Wing is nothing more than a modern-day manifestation of those who've profited from slavery and the execution of black men for the past 400 years (they continue to profit from slavery within the prison system - the only place where the United States Constitution allows slavery to take place). If this were 1840, Tucker Carlson would surely be part of the lynch mob that would have dragged Michael Vick out of jail in the middle of the night and murdered him in front of his family.

Like Watkins, I too am deeply disturbed that Carlson seems to suggest that the lives of dogs are sort of an even swap for the life of a black man.

Much like Sarah Palin, Carlson can seemingly resist no opportunity to take a shot at President Obama.

This incident, and the implication of Carlson's words, are different. This man is acting as if, were he so empowered, would hold himself up as judge, jury and executioner of Michael Vick.

It's almost Jim Crow-era justice: A black man's life for a dog's life.

It shows a dark part of Tucker Carlson's heart that is chilling. What's more disturbing is that he has a powerful platform at Fox News where he seems to fit in so well.

Fox News Bias ... Through The Eyes Of The Liberal Viewer

Hugh Hefner, 84, Marries Woman, 24, ... Player, Player

Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, is getting his marriage on, again.

This time, Hefner, 84, is marrying Crystal Harris, 24.

Who cares if she is young enough to be his granddaughter. Hey, let the players play.

So, don't hate the player.

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/26/crystal-harris-photos-playboy_n_801288.html#s215324

The Idiocy Of Fox News, In Its Needless Defense Of Christmas, Attacks The NBA

First off, note the famed Fox/Fox News/Fox Nation tactic ... the screaming and controversial headline with the question mark (designed to absolve them of blame because they're only throwing the question out there).

Media Matters for America picked up on the latest target of our friends at Fox, self-appointed defenders of Christmas and enemies of all who differ: The National Basketball Association.

In its latest effort to defend Christmas (which really needs no defense as it is fairly widely celebrated worldwide), Fox, through its hateful, racist, bigoted, homophobic Fox Nation blog, has targeted the NBA.

Apparently, those scholars over at Fox are unaware that the NBA has long been playing games on Christmas (as do other sports).

To make its case, Fox went to a somewhat bizarre and definitely whiny rant from Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson (known for both) about having to "play" and "entertain" on Christmas:

The Fox Nation post linked to a story about Los Angeles Lakers' coach Phil Jackson's displeasure at having to work on Christmas Day. Jackson reportedly stated: "It's like Christian holidays don't mean anything to them anymore. ... We just go out and play and entertain the TV. It's really weird." But as the original ESPN.com article noted, the Lakers game this year will mark the 13th time in 15 seasons the team has played on Christmas Day. The Lakers have played on Christmas every year since 1999, when Jackson took over as head coach, and 36 times in all; that record is eclipsed only by the Knicks' 45 game appearances on that day. Not only that, but NBA basketball games have been played on Christmas since the league's inception.

Moreover, five NBA games were played on Christmas in 2008 and 2009 as well. Three were played on Christmas Day 2007, and at least a couple have been played on Christmas since 1991. And guess what else? Sixty-six games were played during Hanukkah this year, from December 1-8, and 47 games during Passover, from March 30 to April 5. I'm sure Fox can do the math on how many games were played this year during Muslim holidays.

Oh, and incidentally, the 3D version of Jack Black's Gulliver's Travels hits theaters nationwide on Christmas Day. The movie will be released by 20th Century Fox (a News Corp. subsidiary, like Fox News). If the NBA is engaged in a "War on Christmas," isn't Fox?

This is yet another misguided effort on the part of the idiots at Fox, who obviously had to reach far to find some way to show Christmas being attacked.

Fox, in typical fashion, took Jackson's words and turned them into an all-out NBA attack sneak launched on Christmas and Christianity.

Is that an NBA attack on Christianity? No.

Is that an NBA attack on Christmas? No.

Is this another pathetic right-wing, made-up Fox story? Yes.

Juan Williams Takes A Rare Shot At Sarah Palin And ... GASP ... Does It On Fox

Juan Williams, for once, actually told it like it is: 1. President Obama does have some vulnerability looking ahead to 2012, 2. the Republicans have no one who captures the imagination other than Sarah Palin and 3. Sarah Palin is not on the intellectual level of Barack Obama.

Williams definitely hurt himself in the Fox News crowd. They probably spanked slapped his hand back stage.

I am sure he will do something to earn those points back.

Help Turn Of Fox News

Dear Sandy,

In the coming days, many of us will be spending time with family and close friends. You might find yourself in a house with Fox News on the TV, or you might find yourself in the company of a family member who likes to talk about the "truth" coming from Fox. You could also be with folks who understand the damage Fox does, but haven’t heard about this campaign. Any of these could be a great opportunity to talk about why you don’t watch Fox and why you’re part of the movement to get it turned off in public places. And if you have any good conversations, let us know.

There's no need to be confrontational. The person you’re talking with may not be receptive to what you have to say — and that’s ok. But you might be surprised. This is about sharing your concerns and beliefs, and hearing the thoughts of someone you love. When people are approached respectfully by someone they like and trust, it creates space for them to think and change.

Here are some pointers:

1. Remain calm. The point here isn't to start an argument — it's to share information. Even though some people may be hostile to what you have to say, keeping your cool can help defuse tense situations and make even skeptics receptive to what you have to say.

2. Just the facts. We’re often tempted to use inflammatory language when describing Fox News and their tactics — "evil" or "racist," for example. But think of the impact that this language might have on someone you’re trying to win over to your point of view. Does the fact that they watch Fox News make them "evil" or "racist"? Better to stick to the facts by describing what Fox News Channel does — stoking racial fear, helping to spread dangerous conspiracy theories, and distorting the truth. You can refer to our flyer "The Case Against Fox" for a few examples of what Fox News does, and the impact of their actions.

3. Listen to what others have to say. If you want to be listened to, then you should also be willing to listen to others' perspectives. If they state something untrue, you can and should offer facts to correct the record when you can — but not until after they've finished their thought. And remember, the point isn’t to get into an argument or even prove that you're correct. It's to share your point of view.

4. Offer more information. If the folks you talk to are interested in learning more about our campaign, just have them check out TurnOffFox.org. They can sign up for the campaign at that website.

The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to help more people understand what Fox is, how it poisons national discourse, and what role everyday people can play in stopping the damage.

After you have these conversations (even with those who already understand the issue), we would love to hear how they went.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the TurnOffFox.org team
December 22nd, 2010

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU — your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/contribute/

Misinformer Of The Year Is ... No Big Shock ... Sarah Palin

Dear Sandy,

This year, we've chosen Sarah Palin -- former half-term governor, current Fox News contributor and prolific Facebook user -- as our Misinformer of the Year.

It was a tough competition. On issues like health care, net neutrality, climate change and immigration, the conservative media offers an unprecedented flood of distortions, exaggerations and utter fabrications. We at Media Matters for America work around the clock to expose, fact-check and counter this non-stop flood of lies and attacks.

Click here to watch the "Misinformer of the Year" video and support Media Matters for America with a tax-deductible donation.

This year, Palin stood out for her sheer ability to dominate our national conversation and draw the attention of the entire news media to her factually challenged claims and vicious attacks. She has blurred the line completely between media figure and political activist.

When Glenn Beck's over-the-top rhetoric and conspiracy theories inspired unhinged gunman Byron Williams to target the Tides Foundation with violence, Palin could have stood up for responsibility and helped rein Beck in. Instead, she legitimized him and his attacks, saying "I stand with you, Glenn."

From spreading lies about "death panels" to cropping Obama's comments about "American exceptionalism," from her comfortable perch at Fox News to her self-promoting books and reality show, Palin has truly broken new ground in misinformation.

In the year to come, Palin is sure to keep up her efforts at dominating the headlines, influencing the political process and advancing falsehoods and distortions at every turn -- aided and abetted by millions in free airtime and glowing coverage from her friends at Fox News. We are prepared to fight back -- but we need your help.

Click here to watch the "Misinformer of the Year" video and support Media Matters for America with a tax-deductible donation.

Thank you for your support.

David Brock
Founder and CEO
Media Matters for America

When Fox News Wins Democracy Loses ... A Message From Media Matters For America

Dear Sandy,

Glenn Beck and Fox News have had a toxic effect on the political process, and they're only going to push harder now.

Over the past two years, Fox has gone from a conservative-leaning news source to an active player in politics -- and things have taken an even darker turn as Beck's nightly show on Fox has brought right-wing extremism into the mainstream. Beck routinely launches outlandish attacks painting his progressive targets as part of a sinister conspiracy to intentionally destroy the country.

When advertisers sponsor Fox News, they're not just buying commercial airtime. They're making an affirmative investment in a political game -- one that puts dishonest smears, fearmongering, and vicious attacks ahead of accuracy. Money that goes to Fox funds Beck's conspiracy theories, baseless political attacks, and outright promotion of right-wing candidates for office.

Companies that are considering advertising on Fox need to keep that in mind, and they need to hear from you.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Every day, we at Media Matters for America monitor Fox News and its allies in the conservative media, researching claims, exposing violent rhetoric, debunking misinformation and preventing falsehoods from spreading unchallenged.

We've had success in making sure others in the press know that Fox is a player in politics, not an observer. We need your help to keep up that fight and get the message out to potential Fox advertisers. Unless it hits them right in the bottom line, Fox News has made it clear it won't rein in Beck and other serial misinformers.

You can be part of that fight.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Thank you for your support.

David Brock
Founder and CEO
Media Matters for America

While Repeatedly Showing Shooting Video Clip, O'Reilly Asks Is It Appropriate To Show

Right-wing Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly does and says stuff that makes you shake your head in utter disbelief.

OK, while warning his viewers about the real violence in a video clip of a shooting scene in Florida during a school board meeting, O'Reilly repeatedly plays (teases) the footage.

Also, while repeatedly showing the footage of gunman Clay Duke's shooting rampage to his viewers, O'Reilly asks if the footage should be shown.

WTF?

Are U.S. Supreme Court Right Wingers Set To Show True Bias Against President Obama?

Rumors abound that some of the U.S. Supreme Court justices are considering not attending the President's upcoming State of the Union address.

It was a topic of discussion this past weekend on Fox News Sunday as U.S. Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer was interviewed.

Some of the justices apparently have their panties in a bunch because President Barack Obama was critical of one of their decisions.

If these justices are that weak, that they can't take that little bit of criticism, then that truly is disturbing.

BUT, if they are whining and pouting because they are upset with the politics of what President Obama said, then that is pathetic.

Aren't judges/justices supposed to be impartial? Would their protest (should it happen) be indicative of a U.S. Supreme Court that truly is political?

From Crooks and Liars:

During his 2010 State of the Union address, Obama criticized the court's Citizens United decision which said that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.

"With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests – including foreign corporations – to spend without limit in our elections," Obama said.

"Well, I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, and worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that’s why I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps corrects some of these problems," he added.

While Democratic lawmakers cheered for the president's remarks, Justice Samuel Alito could be seen mouthing the words "not true."

Weeks later, Chief Justice John Roberts said the address had "degenerated to a political pep rally."

"The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering, while the court -- according to the requirements of protocol -- has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling," Roberts said to University of Alabama law students.

It will be interesting to see what whiners like John Roberts, Sam Alito and high-court right wingers do.

Crooks and Liars:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/justice-breyer-very-important-attend-state-u

Sammon's Memo Is Latest Evidence Of System Bias In Favor Of Far Right On Fox News

Bill Sammon's memo to the Fox News staff fighting to shape the health care debate in a pro-Republican way is not really a big surprise.

Sammon, the biased Washington managing editor for Fox News, is a true right winger. As we know, Fox News has been almost 100-percent opposed to health care reform.

Beyond calling it "Obamacare," an effort to try and substitute the president's name for "health," there is the issue of "public option" vs. "government option" going on these days.

Sammon, who might as well be on the GOP payroll, has made his slant clear as reported by Media Matters for America:

At the height of the health care reform debate last fall, Bill Sammon, Fox News' controversial Washington managing editor, sent a memo directing his network's journalists not to use the phrase "public option."

Instead, Sammon wrote, Fox's reporters should use "government option" and similar phrases -- wording that a top Republican pollster had recommended in order to turn public opinion against the Democrats' reform efforts.

Journalists on the network's flagship news program, Special Report with Bret Baier, appear to have followed Sammon's directive in reporting on health care reform that evening.

Sources familiar with the situation in Fox's Washington bureau have told Media Matters that Sammon uses his position as managing editor to "slant" Fox's supposedly neutral news coverage to the right. Sammon's "government option" email is the clearest evidence yet that Sammon is aggressively pushing Fox's reporting to the right -- in this case by issuing written orders to his staff.

As far back as March 2009, Fox personalities had sporadically referred to the "government option."

To borrow the famous (some might say infamous) words of Dennis Green, "They are who we thought they were." He wasn't talking about Fox News, but it certainly fits.

This is why you can't trust a lot of what you hear from Fox News without checking it against other reputable and fair media outlets.

Sarah Palin's Own Words Describe Her Perfectly: Proudly Intolerant

Who knew that Sarah Palin's own words could describe her as well (or better than) her toughest critic.

From Fox News (Fox Nation), her media relations organizations:

In tonight's episode of "Sarah Palin's Alaska," the former governor showcases the Alaska tundra while caribou hunting with her father. Beyond proving she's a great shot, the episode is giving Palin an opportunity to "proudly" take aim at "anti-hunting hypocrisy."

"Tonight's hunting episode of Sarah Palin's Alaska ‘controversial'? Really? Unless you've never worn leather shoes, sat upon a leather couch or eaten a piece of meat, save your condemnation of tonight's episode. I remain proudly intolerant of anti-hunting hypocrisy. :)" Palin posted on Facebook and Twitter today.

Palin's pro-hunting posts began on Friday when she urged fans to tune in to "see how we fill our freezers and feed our families with home-grown tundra-roaming Alaskan wild game. We'll show you how Alaskans hunt. As my friend Sue says, ‘the tundra is the type of landscape that will make a man out of anybody.' And, PETA..." she wrote on Facebook.

When I think of Sarah Palin I think of proudly intolerant. She was speaking of hunting, but I see it as ideally descriptive of her as a person and as a politician.

Sarah Palin Clearly Wants To Be President ... If She Is Willing To Go To Haiti

Frankly, the fact that Fox News celebrity Sarah Palin was willing to go to Haiti, and spend that much time around that many black people, shows me that she is strongly considering running for president of the United States.

I can't see many other reasons why she would want to be around that many black folks (even if it was a controlled and made-for-television Fox News special).

Detroit News:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20101212/POLITICS03/12120313/1025/POLITICS03/Sarah-Palin-visits-Haiti-under-tight-guard

Bernie Goldberg's Slobbering Love Affair With The Rich Who Exploit The Poor

Bernard Goldberg, a right-wing analyst who makes frequent appearances on Fox News to spread his far-right messages, thinks the rich are not getting enough from the poor.

In Saddam Hussein-like fashion, Goldberg essentially suggests that the poor should build a monument to the rich as pointed out by News Hounds.

I suggest that we build a big bronze and granite monument, a statue to honor some truly American heroes, unsung American heroes… the rich… Try to imagine an America without rich people. Rich people pay the freight for a whole bunch of things that are good, like taking care of poor people who can’t afford to buy food and medicine and sending other kids to college… The top one percent of all wage earners pay almost 40 percent of all our federal income taxes. The top five percent pay 60 percent and the top 10 percent pay 70 percent. Now I’m not saying, Megyn, that these people are selfless philanthropists. I’m not even saying that they need a tax break. But I’ll tell you what they don’t need. They don’t need to be vilified by people like Bernie Sanders and a whole bunch of other liberal Democrats in Congress.

…I’m not defending anybody who’s crooked or anybody who sent this economy into a tailspin… There are a lot of people out there who worked hard for their money… Maybe they’re not making a million or a billion dollars but something over $250,000. These people deserve our gratitude. I mean, how many poor – by the way, the bottom 50 percent of taxpayers… pay a paltry 2.7 percent of all the federal income tax. So how many of those people, how many of those people do you think are helping the poor in this country. It’s the rich who are disproportionately paying taxes and disproportionately helping the poor.

We could write a book about Bernie Goldberg and call it, A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (And Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Fox News and the Rich Elitists Who Want to Preserve a Slave-Like Society.

The rich are rich on the backs of hard-working and oftentimes underpaid folks (not too unlike what happened during times of slavery and not too unlike what happens with those who exploit so-called illegal immigrants.

The O'Reilly Sucks Blog Highlights Bill O'Reilly Going Ape S--t Over A Cartoon

I am always amazed at how Bill O'Reilly obsesses about almost every slight (real or perceived) against his precious Fox News.

O'Reilly is like the parent of a serial killer, who says "he/she was such a good kid." Like that parent, O'Reilly will go to great lengths to take up for Fox News no matter how inaccurate, racist or biased.

These days, O'Reilly has been whining about some shots the hit Fox Broadcasting cartoon "The Simpsons" has been taking at Fox News (see the cartoons below from Steve of The O'Reilly Sucks Blog that I found).

Below is what Steve had:



But of course O'Reilly did not find it funny at all. The Fox News blowhard came to the defense of his network, labeling the cartoon characters as pinheads.

O'REILLY: Continuing to bite the hand that feeds part of it, Fox Broadcasting once again allows its cartoon characters to run wild.

VIDEO from The Simpsons featuring helicopter emblazoned with "Not Racist But #1 With Racists" slogan. As the helicopter lets one passenger off at the statue of liberty, it becomes unsteady and the pilot says, "We're unbalanced. Its not fair" before crashing.

Pinheads? I believe so.

Even though O'Reilly slammed them, the Simpsons was right back to needling Fox News on last Sunday's show in which the right-wing network was given yet another alternative slogan, this one reading "Unsuitable For Viewers Under 75."



Fox Broadcasting and the producers of the Simpsons are not living in fear of Papa Bear Bill O'Reilly.

Our Friends At Fox Try As They Might, But Can't Politicize High-School Player Who Prayed After TD And Was Flagged

Far-Right Nutty Racism On The Floor Of The House Of Representatives

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rep. Steve King and Rep. Michele Bachmann advancing the perception of racism from the far right.

King talks about "drug addicts" and "reparations" and a very "urban" senator (talking about President Barack Obama's support of compensation for black farmers who were the victims of discrimination) and advances the stereotype of blacks being lazy and looking for a handout.

Do we need to draw a racial map here.

This is racial politics at its most despicable, but not unexpected with King and Bachmann - to classic right-wing bigots.