The Ed Show Points Out Fox News Bias

Here is a sample of some right-wing Fox News bias as described on MSNBC. The attacks on President Obama are, indeed, only beginning.

The noise coming from Fox News, and the attacks, only will intensify as the election of 2012 creeps closer and closer.

The mission of Fox News is clear: tear down Barack Obama at all costs.

The Faces Of Hatred As Hosted By Fox News

This focus group conducted by Fox News is a chilling reminder of the hatred that President Barack Obama faces in many areas of this country ... not just in this portion of Iowa.

Look at some of the faces and listen to some of the answers ... you can see and hear the hatred of Barack Obama. It borders on being politically chilling.

One would expect Sean Hannity to be the puppet master behind something so hate driven and directed at President Obama.

Media Matters for America:
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201102070061

Color of Change Takes On For-Profit High Education Programs

It's a dangerous situation so many people find themselves trapped in as you will see described below by Color of Change:

Hundreds of thousands of people go into debt every year enrolling in for-profit higher education programs like DeVry and Argosy — sold on the idea that they’ll graduate with skills that will lead to opportunity and a better life. In reality, many come out with a mountain of debt they can’t pay back and no better prospects at employment.¹

Thankfully, the Obama administration is trying to rein in this industry, which preys on low-income Americans. Their plan is to stop federal financial aid from going to higher ed programs that don't actually help students get jobs and pay off their debt.² Not surprisingly, the industry is fighting back hard, despite its atrocious record: their students make up 10% of those in higher ed but 40% of students who stop making payments on their loans.³

The Department of Education will make a decision soon on how to regulate this industry — and they’re under huge pressure from industry lobbyists. Please join us in calling on Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Congress to stand strong and protect low-income students. It only takes a moment:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/studentdebt

Taking time away from work to get a traditional college education can feel like an impossible proposition for many Americans, and for-profit colleges seem like a quick, flexible way to get ahead. They promise low-income folks the job training it takes to escape poverty.

There’s a catch with these so-called career education programs. Recruiters say the certificates they offer will prepare students for good jobs if they’ll take on huge student loans to enroll. But the schools often leave people deep in debt and with credentials that employers don’t take seriously.⁴ Students think they’re doing what it takes to escape minimum wage jobs. They’re actually getting deeper into financial trouble.

It’s an issue that disproportionately affects cash-strapped Black folks who work long hours and for whom higher education at public universities or private, non-profit colleges feels impossible. A quarter of Black Americans with associate degrees get them from for-profit colleges, and 40% of these schools’ alumni are people of color.⁵

When Black folks decide to pursue post-secondary schooling, we’re often the first in our families to do so. And we typically have to navigate a complex process on our own and with limited information. For-profit colleges have been caught preying on this fact — misleading students, using deceptive practices, and even encouraging applicants to enter false information on their financial aid forms.⁶ Statistics show that people who enroll at for-profit schools are much less able to manage their debt than those who go to non-profit schools.⁷

The Obama administration’s proposed “gainful employment” rule would make sure that students who use federal financial aid to pay for school are able to get jobs after graduating that will allow them to repay their debt. In practice, it would force many for-profit institutions to either lower their tuition or improve their programs. But industry lobbyists are trying to kill the Obama administration’s proposed rule. They argue that for-profit colleges will be unfairly targeted by the regulation — a position that doesn’t hold water. The truth is that certificate programs at both for- and non-profit colleges will be subject to the rule.⁸

Some legislators, including several members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) who you'd expect to be protecting the interests of low-income Black folks, are backing up the industry’s claims.⁹ They put forth a blame-the-victim argument that says the problem isn’t the programs, its students’ impoverished backgrounds and inability to manage their finances. It’s infuriating, and thankfully that logic is being called out by CBC members Reps. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) and civil rights organizations including the NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, LULAC, National Council of La Raza and United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.¹⁰

You can help, too — with your voice. Can you take a moment to call on the Obama administration and Congress to resist industry pressures and regulate higher education programs that don’t serve our communities? After you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/studentdebt/

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
January 27th, 2011

References:

1. “Student Loan Default Rates Increase,” U.S. Department of Education press release, 9-13-10
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/686?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=7

2. Fact sheet, Coalition to Protect Students and Taxpayers
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/687?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=9

3. See reference 2.

4. “The Newest College Credential,” The New York Times, 1-7-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/688?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=11

5. “Minority Leaders Oppose “Gainful Employment” Rules for For-profit Colleges,” Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 9-20-10 (NB: Rainbow PUSH has reversed its position and now supports the DOE’s proposed rule)
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/689?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=13

6. “For-profit colleges fight negative federal report,” Chicago Tribune, 1-10-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/690?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=15

7. See reference 2.

8. Q&A on Gainful Employment, Coalition to Protect Students and Taxpayers
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/691?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=17

9. “For-Profit Schools Donate to Lawmakers Opposing New Financial Aid Rules,” ProPublica, 9-17-10
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/692?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=19

10. Comments in support of rules, Coalition to Protect Students and Taxpayers
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/693?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=21

Additional resources:

“For-Profit Schools File Lawsuit to Stave Off Regulations,” ColorLines, 1-24-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/694?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=23

“For-profit colleges spend big on lobbying,” Bloomberg News, 12-24-10
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/695?akid=1871.868165.IasvPT&t=25

O'Reilly Suggests President Obama Tried To Make Boehner Cry ... Aw

I must admit to being among those who are wondering what is going on with new Speaker of the House John Boehner's habitual crying.

But, I did find this passage (as quoted by The Huffington Post) a little interesting:

Bill O'Reilly expressed concern about Speaker of the House John Boehner's emotional stability on his Friday show, and said that international leaders were "laughing" at him and calling him a "sissy."

O'Reilly was speaking to Fox News colleague Chris Wallace, who will interview Boehner on Sunday. "He's got to get his emotions under control," O'Reilly said. He posited that President Obama may have been trying to make Boehner cry during the State of the Union address. He then compared him to two American icons.

"You've got your George Pattons, you've got your George Washingtons--stoic, tough," O'Reilly said. "A lot of Americans, you know, well if the guy's crying every two minutes, does that mean he's strong, does that impact on his credibility?"

So, O'Reilly thinks the president was attempting to make Boehner cry?

If President Obama can make John Boehner do anything then crying is the least of the things he should be trying to make him do.

Although it does remind me of...

"... these aren't the droids you're looking for."

Kelley Williams-Bolar Case A Disturbing One That Color Of Change Is Following

Here is a letter from ColorofChange:

Kelley Williams-Bolar wanted to give her children a better life by sending them to school in the nearby majority-White school district where her father lives — and she went to jail for it. Now, as a convicted felon, helping her children will be even harder — she had been studying to become a teacher, but that dream may have ended as well.

Real justice requires that the punishment fit the crime; by any measure, this is cruelly unjust.

Please join us calling on Governor Kasich to take a public stand and do everything he can to right this injustice (including making sure that Williams-Bolar has the opportunity to become a teacher in Ohio). And please ask your friends and family to add their voices as well — it takes just a moment:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/ohioschools

Kelley Williams-Bolar is a single mother of two daughters, and she is a teacher’s aide in Akron city schools who has been studying to become a teacher. According to Williams-Bolar, after their home in a housing project was burglarized, she decided to protect her daughters’ safety by sending them to school in neighboring Copley Township, where her father lives.¹

Williams-Bolar claims that she maintained a part-time residence at her father’s home, but the school district didn’t see it that way. Neither did County Prosecutor Sherri Walsh, who charged Williams-Bolar with grand theft and falsifying records — a third-degree felony. The judge presiding over the case recognized the harshness of the felony charge and encouraged Prosecutor Walsh to offer a plea bargain for a lighter charge — but Walsh flatly refused.²

Williams-Bolar was convicted on the felony charge, and sentenced to 5 years in prison. The judge suspended all but 10 days of the jail time, instead ordering 2 years of probation and 80 hours of community service. She’s out of jail now, but the repercussions could last a lifetime: unless the felony is eliminated from her record, Williams-Bolar may be unable to earn her teaching certificate under Ohio law. Williams-Bolar is only a few classes away from earning her teaching certificate.³

Any parent could understand why Kelley Williams-Bolar did what she did to try to give her children access to opportunity. It’s tragic that families around America must make choices like this every day in order to ensure their kids are safe and well-educated. And it’s tragic that this family’s opportunity to succeed stands to be limited because a single mom chose to put her kids first.

With just a moment of your time, you can make clear to Governor John Kasich that you expect him to lead in ensuring real justice that’s proportional to the facts of the case. By speaking out, you’re not just standing with Williams-Bolar — you’re standing with every parent who doesn’t have access to great schools, and who must make difficult choices.

Please join our call for justice for Kelley Williams-Bolar. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
January 28th, 2011

References:

1. "Ohio Mom Kelley Williams-Bolar Jailed for Sending Kids to Better School District," ABC News, 1-26-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/703?akid=1876.868165.A8JX3O&t=7

2. "Kelley Williams-Bolar leaves jail but public outcry escalates," The Beacon Journal, 1-26-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/704?akid=1876.868165.A8JX3O&t=9

3. See Reference 1

Prince Discusses Fox News Credibility In Journal-isms Column

The credibility of Fox News has generally been in question, but has gone in the toilet since the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States.

Since the election of President Obama, Fox News seemingly has gone "all in" as far as its support for conservative causes and Republican/Tea Party candidates.

This is reflected, to some extent, in a column entry written by Richard Prince (you may have to scroll down a bit):

"PPP's annual look at the public's trust in various TV news outlets finds that Fox News' credibility is on the decline, that the traditional networks are seeing an up tick in their numbers, and that PBS is at the top of the heap," the group Public Policy Polling reported Wednesday.

"A year ago a plurality of Americans said they trusted Fox News. Now a plurality of them don't. Conservatives haven't moved all that much — 75% said they trusted it last year and 72% still do this time around.

"But moderates and liberals have both had a strong increase in their level of distrust for the network — a 12 point gain from 48% to 60% for moderates and a 16 point gain from 66% to 82% for liberals. Voters between left and center tend to be more trusting of the media across the board, which is why a fair number of them were still rating Fox favorably even a year ago at this time. But it looks like with a lot of those folks it has finally crossed the line to being too political to trust."

Fox News has become largely untrustworthy. Conservatives find the trust as Fox News validates the right-wing opinions of Republicans/Tea Party folks.

Cantor Bows To Extremists In Refusal To Stand Strong Against Birthers On NBC's 'Meet The Press'

I watched a video clip of Republican House majority leader Eric Cantor being interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press" and thought he was largely evasive in his willingness to take on the birthers on his side of the political mainstream.

Sure, he laughed them off, but seemed unwilling to strongly denounce the crazy talk.

From Huffington Post:

The new Republican House majority leader says he doesn't think questions about President Barack Obama's citizenship should play a role in the discussion of policy matters.

Two years into the Obama administration, so-called birthers continue to argue that Obama isn't a natural-born citizen and that he hasn't proved he's constitutionally qualified to be president. Birth records in Hawaii haven't dissuaded them.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he believes Obama is a citizen and that most Americans are beyond that question.

Appearing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Cantor refused to call people who question Obama's citizenship "crazy," saying it's not nice to call anyone crazy.

This article makes it seem as though he was strongly against the birtherism on his side, but I thought he dodged the issue at times and hardly came across as a strong leader against such uncivil talk.

It may not be nice to call people crazy, but it's also not nice to call people socialist, communist, accuse them of wanting to kill grandma, accuse them of wanting to take over the government, etc.

Cantor had an opportunity to prove himself as a strong leader and instead bowed to the extremists on his wing.

Santorum Uses Fox News To Try And Bounce Back From Ridiculous Abortion/Obama/Race Comments

When conservatives make controversial racial comments they turn to Fox News for comfort and to attempt to clarify.

This is precisely what Rick Santorum did when he was welcomed by Greta Van Susteren.

Not even a nice try from a clueless extremist (Santorum) who doesn't get it.

Fox News:
http://nation.foxnews.com/abortion/2011/01/21/santorum-no-apologies-comments-obama-abortion-race

Santorum Makes Racially-Charged Attack On President Obama

Here are some highly controversial comments being made by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican who is being billed as a potential 2012 presidential contender, as quoted by The Huffington Post. Now, for a man like Santorum, this really is nothing new and is rather old hat in many respects.

Santorum, like many on the far right, are obsessed with controlling what women do relative to the issue of abortion, but this time he brought in President Obama and the issue of race:

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R), a potential 2012 presidential contender, is attempting to trudge out of the mess that he waded into Wednesday when he seemed to suggest that it was objectionable for Obama to be pro-choice because he was black.

That is certainly a paragraph that is going to grab some attention and for rather obvious reasons. Now back to The Huffington Post story:

Here is Santorum's original comment concerning his own pro-life views and why he disputes the president's belief that women should have a right to choose.

"The question is, and this is what Barack Obama didn't want to answer -- is that human life a person under the constitution?" he said. "And Barack Obama says no. Well if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say 'now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"

Does Santorum find it remarkable that he is trying to control a woman and tell her what she can and can not do with her own body? So, now that Santorum is attempting to put himself in the shoes of a black man, perhaps he should consider this thought: Might it be uncomfortable (following Rick Santorum's "logic") for a black man to want to be in the position of trying to control another person and force another person do to something against his/her will (such as abortion)?

How can he sit in judgment of a woman and make decisions for her?

You can read the full context of what Santorum said, here.

Fox News Leads Cheers Of Fascism, Socialism In Launching Attacks

Socialism, fascism seemingly merely is a part of how Fox News does business when attacking Democrats, in general, and President Obama, in specific.

More Proof She Just Doesn't Get It

Sarah Palin simply doesn't get it.

Powerful Words From Keith Olbermann

This is strong stuff in an increasingly toxic environment in our country.

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.