Appease and Carrots
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Geoffrey Dunn: Tina Fey Disses Palin
Tina Fey received an Emmy Award on Saturday for her spot-on impersonation of Republican vice presidential contender Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live.

Obama Wall Street Speech To Focus On Regulation
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to use the first anniversary of Lehman Brothers’ collapse to talk about plans to wind down the government role…

Martha Burk: Paying for Health Care — Will Congress Have the Guts to Bust This Trust?
It’s a sweet deal – real sweet if you’re a big medical device manufacturer or hospital executive on the take. And it’s been flying under…

CNN’s King falsely equates Obama calling “death panel” claims a “lie” with Wilson’s outburst

CNN State of the Union host John King falsely equated President Obama’s statement during his September 9 speech before a joint session of Congress that it’s “a lie” that health reform proposals would “set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens” with Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelling “you lie” after Obama stated that reform “would not apply” to undocumented immigrants. But King ignored a crucial difference between Obama’s statement about “death panels” and Wilson’s interjection — their accuracy: CNN reporters repeatedly debunked former Gov. Sarah Palin’s “death panel” claim but concluded that Obama was “basically correct” in his statement regarding health care reform’s coverage of undocumented immigrants.

From the September 13 edition of CNN’s State of the Union:

KING: As you know, some conservatives say there’s a double standard. They say in his speech the president didn’t name anybody, but he mentioned the so-called death panels and the controversy about that. And he said prominent politicians — and we all know Governor Palin has been the leader in this effort — have talked about these so-called death panels, and the president said that’s a lie. He didn’t name anybody, but he said that’s a lie. I tried to ask the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs this morning, if that’s a lie, and Governor Palin said it, does that make her a liar?

[begin video clip]

GIBBS: I think that for whatever reason, despite many media outlets saying that what Governor — former Governor Palin was saying wasn’t true, she continued to say it. I’ll let Webster define how one — what one calls her. I think in the absence of fact what happens —

KING: If it’s not the truth, is she lying?

GIBBS: Well, in the absence of noble fact, sometimes what happens is we fill the void with stuff that quite frankly isn’t true.

[end video clip]

KING: So if it’s a lie from the floor is out of — “you lie” from the floor is out of bounds, what about what the president said?

King: “So if … ‘you lie’ from the floor is out of bounds, what about what the president said?”

King advances conservative claims of “double standard.” Following a discussion of Wilson’s interjection, King asserted that “some conservatives say there’s a double standard” because Obama “mentioned the so-called death panels and the controversy about that. And he said prominent politicians — and we all know Governor Palin has been the leader in this effort — have talked about these so-called death panels, and the president said that’s a lie.” King later asked, “So if it’s a lie from the floor is out of — ‘you lie’ from the floor is out of bounds, what about what the president said?”

But according to CNN reporters, “death panel” claims are “not true,” while Obama’s statement on undocumented immigrants is “basically correct”

CNN’s Levs reported Obama “basically correct” on undocumented immigrants claim. During a CNN “Truth Squad” segment, correspondent Josh Levs cited a PolitiFact.com article that called Wilson’s claim “[f]alse.” Levs reported: “This is PolitiFact.com right here, a reality-checking website. They take a look at it. They say that Joe Wilson was flat-out wrong. They give him a false on their ruling.” Levs also reported, “You do have President Obama basically correct when he says the package of reforms that he is putting out there are not designed to apply to illegal immigrants.” [CNN Newsroom, 9/10/09]

CNN reporters repeatedly debunked death panel falsehood. Numerous CNN figures debunked Palin’s claim — forwarded by the conservative media — that the House health reform bill would create a “death panel.” Correspondent Jessica Yellin said Palin’s claim was “not true”; correspondent Jim Acosta referred to it as a “false claim”; and host Rick Sanchez said the assertion was “obviously not true.”

Transcripts

From the September 13 edition of CNN’s State of the Union:

KING: As you know, some conservatives say there’s a double standard. They say in his speech the president didn’t name anybody, but he mentioned the so-called death panels and the controversy about that. And he said prominent politicians — and we all know Governor Palin has been the leader in this effort — have talked about these so-called death panels, and the president said that’s a lie. He didn’t name anybody, but he said that’s a lie. I tried to ask the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs this morning, if that’s a lie, and Governor Palin said it, does that make her a liar?

[begin video clip]

GIBBS: I think that for whatever reason, despite many media outlets saying that what Governor — former Governor Palin was saying wasn’t true, she continued to say it. I’ll let Webster define how one — what one calls her. I think in the absence of fact what happens —

KING: If it’s not the truth, is she lying?

GIBBS: Well, in the absence of noble fact, sometimes what happens is we fill the void with stuff that quite frankly isn’t true.

[end video clip]

KING: So if it’s a lie from the floor is out of — “you lie” from the floor is out of bounds, what about what the president said?

From the September 10 edition of CNN Newsroom:

HEIDI COLLINS (host): It’s the outburst that has people talking today. A Republican congressman calls the president a liar. The reason: President Obama in his speech last night said health care reforms would not cover illegal immigrants.

We’ve talked about the issue on our show here. So who’s right?

Let’s call in the “Truth Squad,” and CNN’s Josh Levs.

Good morning, Josh.

LEVS: Good morning to you, Heidi.

Yes, it was interesting to see that happen last night. And what I want to do now is talk to you through some of the basics of what everyone is taking a look at today.

This is PolitiFact.com right here, a reality-checking website. They take a look at it. They say that Joe Wilson was flat-out wrong. They give him a false on their ruling.

Now at the “Truth Squad,” we have looked at this issue in the past as well. And what I need to do here is kind of dig in to the weeds with you. Keep in mind there is no final bill. I can’t say that enough. But a lot of people concerned about this issue are pointing to this bill here in the House.

Now I want everyone to see something it says right here. It talks about subsidies to help people buy health insurance, and it specifically says nothing here shall allow federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

So when it comes to those subsidies, it specifically says, you know what? No, illegal immigrants cannot get that. But here’s something on the other side. Check this out.

The Congressional Research Service, which is nonpartisan, they did their own study, and they said, wait a second, this bill does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens participating in the exchange, whether they’re here legally or illegally.

Now, I want everyone to understand what I’m talking about here. So we have a pretty simple graphic. Let’s go to it.

The health insurance exchange is part of what President Obama is suggesting. It would be there for consumers to look at different plans and choose one. Illegal immigrants, the Congressional Research Service is saying, would be able to buy a plan under that exchange. However, millions already do. Millions of illegal immigrants are already buying plans out there, Heidi.

So what we’re not talking about it is the government coming along and insuring them. So put all that together. You do have President Obama basically correct when he says the package of reforms that he is putting out there are not designed to apply to illegal immigrants — Heidi.

Embattled Sanford Pleads To Tell His “Side Of The Story”
Mark Sanford accuses state lawmakers of not giving him a chance to tell his side of the story, as they begin an ethics inquiry into his abandonment of the state this summer to visit his mistress, and his use of state aircraft.

Duvall Won “Ethics In America” Award
Mike Duvall, who just resigned as a California lawmaker after a hot mic picked up the married conservative Republican bragging about his sexual exploits, won an ethics award in 2000.

GOP Playing with Teabag Racists Fire

Economy Still Worries Most Americans
“One year after Wall Street teetered on the brink of collapse, seven out of 10 Americans lack confidence the federal government has taken safeguards to prevent another financial industry meltdown,” according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.

“Even more — 80% — rate the condition of the economy as poor and a majority worry about their own ability to make ends meet.”

Intensity Gap Closing in Health Care Debate
After a summer of angry debate and protests, a new Washington Post/ABC News poll finds Americans remain almost deadlocked in their opinion of the Democrats’ health-care initiative, with 46% in favor of the proposed changes and 48% opposed. There is also a clean split on Obama’s handling of the issue, with 48% approving and the same number disapproving.

Key finding: “But since mid-August, the percentage ‘strongly’ behind the president on health care has risen to 32 percent, evening out the intensity gap that has plagued him on the subject.”

Though 55% say they like the idea of a public insurance option in the health care plan, if that single provision were removed, opposition to the overall package drops by six percentage points. Backing away from the provision might hurt Obama among his base, but not dramatically so, as 88% of liberal Democrats support the reform plan as is, 81% without the public option.

Priceless: How the Federal Reserve Bought the Economics Profession

The Federal Reserve so thoroughly dominates the field of economics that real criticism of the central bank has become a career liability for economists.

Priceless: How the Federal Reserve Bought the Economics Profession

The Federal Reserve so thoroughly dominates the field of economics that real criticism of the central bank has become a career liability for economists.

Michael Pollan: Health Reform Will Create a Dieting Revolution

Look out fast food; when insurance companies can't dump the sick, they will have to strongly support healthy diets, or lose money.

4 Deadly Delusions About Afghanistan Held by Obama’s Top Advisors

It's almost as if there is something about that hard-edged Central Asian country that deranges its occupiers.

Porn, Glenn Beck and Nudie Pics: Is Our Mass Culture Turning Kids Into Sex Crazed, Right-Wing Automotons?

Kids today are exposed to vast amounts of sleazy, pornified media at the same time that they are hammered with silly puritanism. The future doesn't look good.

Does Top Human Rights Watch Official Have a Nazi Problem?
I had thought the attacks on the bias of Human Rights Watch were invariably politically motivated. In fact, most of it is. The lobby opposes any and all mention of Israel’s violations of human rights, whether it comes from HRW…


Sponsored Topics: Israel – Human rights – Human Rights Watch – Middle East – Human Rights and Liberties

The Final Sprint for Health Care Has Now Begun, and Where the White House is Placing Its Bets
The real political race for health care has just begun. The significance of the President’s speech to Washington insiders was its signal about where the White House is placing its bets and its support. More on this in a moment….






Sponsored Topics: White House – Health care – Washington – Health – Medicare

Verizon Wireless tries to ‘set the record straight? on its sponsorship of climate denier rally.
In recent weeks, Verizon Wireless has come under intense criticism for its $1,000 sponsorship of the coal-powered “Friends of America Rally,” which was held in West Virginia on Labor Day. The point of the gathering was to rail against the Waxman-Markey clean energy legislation. Verizon executives refused to cancel the sponsorship, and even responded by […]

In recent weeks, Verizon Wireless has come under intense criticism for its $1,000 sponsorship of the coal-powered “Friends of America Rally,” which was held in West Virginia on Labor Day. The point of the gathering was to rail against the Waxman-Markey clean energy legislation. Verizon executives refused to cancel the sponsorship, and even responded by mocking environmental activists. Now, Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam has written a letter to the Center for Biological Diversity expressing regret at the “confusion” the sponsorship caused and distancing the company from the rally organizers’ positions:

First, let me be clear that the decision to $1,000 to the event was a local decision focused on promoting our products at the event. It was not a statement of our position on any public policy issue, and it certainly was not an expression of support for mountaintop removal coal mining or in opposition to climate legislation.

Verizon supports the goals of policy makers who are committed to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

(HT: Treehugger and NRDC Switchboard)

ABC: Sens. Landrieu, Rockefeller on the Public Option
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS (host): So what’s the problem with the public health option?

CNN: Gibbs on Whether Race Impacts Obama’s Detractors
JOHN KING (host): If you pick up Maureen Dowd’s column in The New York Times this morning, she goes through Congressman (Joe) Wilson’s statement, some of the other things, and she says in her — she has come to the conclusion, quote: “Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and wi…

Fox: Sens. Conrad, Graham, Hatch and McCaskill on Medicare
CHRIS WALLACE (host): Senator McCaskill, do you really believe that that’s possible, that you can take hundreds of billions of dollars out of Medicare without cutting services to seniors?