Media & Politics (one section only today)
07-Oct-08
Permanent link to MTA daily media news
Berg Outraged: Obama & DNC file motion to delay discovery until after defendants motion to dismiss is decided (ObamaCrimes.com)
BERG IS “OUTRAGED” THAT OBAMA & DNC HIDE AGAIN BEHIND LEGAL ISSUES AS THEIR ATTORNEY FILES A MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER TO “NOT” ANSWER ADMISSIONS & PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS WHILE BETRAYING PUBLIC IN NOT PRODUCING DOCUMENTS PROVING OBAMA IS “QUALIFIED” TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT.
Why won’t Obama just provide the documents? We citizens have a right to know whether he’s qualified to serve as president.
Why does MSNBC call Bill Ayers “Willie”? (County Fair, Media Matters for America)
Earlier today, MSNBC ran this chyron:
“Race gets personal: Willie Ayers & Keating 5 are latest topics on trail.” But Ayers’ name isn’t “Willie” Ayers, it’s “William” Ayers. Or “Bill” Ayers. Nobody calls him “Willie.” So what’s with MSNBC’s chyron? Maybe they were just trying to save space? No, that can’t be it - “Willie Ayers” takes up more screen real estate than “Bill Ayers.” Strange. Strange enough that we can’t help recall another “William” who became “Willie” during an election year: William J. Horton.
The Party of Atwater (by Marie Cocco)
Just as Atwater in 1988 made Willie Horton into a household name, now the McCain campaign seeks to do the same for the Vietnam-era domestic terrorist William Ayers. Obama sought Ayers’ political support when he needed the help of Chicago liberals to launch his political career. The two have had a number of associations over the years — none that seemed particularly recent — but that may turn out to be of little import. By the time he ran for president, Dukakis already had ended the flawed Massachusetts prison furlough program under which Horton had been released. This did not soothe the fears evoked by the image of a black inmate having been freed to commit more violence.
Fear was Atwater’s stock in trade. If there was nothing to be legitimately feared, then he would conjure something up. We have, at the moment, a collision of fears so powerful it is probably not possible to predict how the election on Nov. 4 will turn out. As voters peer into the economic abyss, they see Obama as most capable of managing the financial crisis and of reversing the downward economic spiral. But they also see the first African-American poised to win the White House, and one with an unusual name, at that. What might Atwater concoct if he were running this race? I recoil at the thought.
Obama’s choice of associates speaks to his judgment, Marie, which is what he’s running on, seeing as he has so little experience. That’s what makes Ayers relevant. As to what Atwater might concoct today, maybe he’d tell lies about Hillary Clinton and about Sarah Palin. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it’s the Democratic Party that is the part of Atwater now.
Video: Obama didn’t know about Ayers? (Spin Cycle, New York Newsday, thanks to SusanUnPC at No Quarter)
[Monday], on CNN, Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod asserted that Obama didn’t even know about Ayers’ radical past as a founder of the Weathermen. On the surface, that is possible — Ayers was also the son of a former CEO of Commonwealth Edison, a member of a wealthy family, and a prominent education professor at the University of Illinois. But bringing it up seems to be a tactical error… All the McCain camp wants is for people to talk about Obama-Ayers, and Axelrod has provided fuel for the discussion.
Another nail in the coffin of the judgment argument.
unrepentant (by J –SOM at Liberal Rapture)
William Ayres is a repellent man. He always has been and he is now. Because the McCain campaign is now attacking Obama’s connection to Ayres the nation is finally hearing about it. Ayres has been in Obama’s career every step of the way. He launched it. He plucked him out of obscurity to lead a massive foundation. Doing Ayres bidding , this foundation doled out money to Ayres’ projects. Obama then used his “experience” as the head of the Annenberg foundation to become a state senator. This is now - or will shortly - be known by the population. What will also become known is that Ayres’s activities caused the death and maiming of innocents. Why does this matter?
Ayres is unrepentant. Ayres believes what he did in bombing the Capitol and the Pentagon was just and right. In fact, he believes he did not do enough bombing, maiming, and killing. He is not a “changed” man. He is the terrorist he was in the 60’s. Obama chose to associate and work with a terrorist. Ayres chose Obama. But let’s never forget: Obama CHOSE Ayres as well. He’s worked for Ayres, spoke with Ayres on panels, socialized with Ayres - knowing all along that this man killed. Ayres was only a free man for the last 20 years - after spending the 70’s on the lam - because of a technicality… Obama chose Ayres. Obama chose Rezko. Obama chose Wright. Who is this man Obama who cavorts with slumlords, and works with killers, and worships with hatemongers?
Obama, Bill Ayers, and FactCheck.Org: All Have Ties To Annenberg Foundation (Death by 1000 Papercuts)
How many people are aware that Senator Obama has ties to Factcheck.org, the “non-partisan” political “fact checking” site, vis-a-vis the Annenberg Foundation? Or that the controversies surrounding Obama, such as his ties to Bill Ayers, a former member of the violent Vietnam War era Weather Underground terrorist group, and the veracity of Obama’s “birth certificate” are both linked to Factcheck and Annenberg. There’s also news about the ongoing federal lawsuit involving Obama’s birth certificate: how a U.S District Judge has thrown out Obama’s attorney’s Motion to Dismiss and ordered them to “pony up” the certificate “post haste”.
McCain offers no response to supporter who yells out that Obama is a ‘terrorist.’ (by Ali at Think Progress)
This afternoon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) gave a “sharply worded” speech full of “verbal assaults” directed at Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). At one point, McCain asked, “Who is the real Barack Obama?” A member of the crowd yelled out, “a terrorist!” McCain paused while the audience laughed at the comment, and then continued with his attack — without condemning or admonishing the audience member.
Obviously, McCain should have said that Obama CONSORTED with a terrorist. We don’t really know if he himself is a terrorist.
An Unoriginal Question About William Ayers (by Jake Tapper at Political Punch, ABC News)
Chicago Tribune [conservative] columnist Steve Chapman in the New York Times said the following: “If John McCain had a long association with a guy who’d bombed abortion clinics, I don’t think people would say, ‘That’s ancient history.’ “
The low road to the White House (by Walter Shapiro)
As the gloves come off in the presidential race, John McCain seems ever more willing to dispense with past claims to personal honor.
Ditto Obama, Walt.
Fight Fire With Fire (by Steve Soto at The Left Coaster)
If the McCain/Palin ticket feel so desperate that they need to spread lies and smears about Obama and Bill Ayers, then may I suggest the Obama folks and their surrogates respond in kind?
What lie is McCain promoting about the Obama/Ayers connection, Steve? I’ve only seen facts reported, and even at that some facts are left out by Obama’s media fans, to make it not sound so bad for Obama.
Marc Ambinder’s selective outrage (County Fair at Media Matters for America)
Marc Ambinder: “It’s probably a little scuzzy for the Obama campaign to relitigate the Keating Five — after all, it happened seventeen years ago, McCain was never charged, and he’s acknowledged misjudgment — what more can some reasonably expect out of him?”… The Obama campaign’s Keating Five criticisms are factual statements about actions McCain took as a public servant - he met with regulators on behalf of his wife’s business partner, who had generously funded McCain’s campaigns and flew him to lavish vacations on his private jet.
Yes, and your outrage is pretty selective, as well, Media Matters. The statements about Obama’s association with Bill Ayers and others are also factual.
Obama’s Personal Relationships Are Subject of Program on Fox News Channel (New York Times)
During a weekend of Republican attacks on Senator Barack Obama’s personal associations, Fox News Channel ran a program Sunday that made provocative assertions about similar connections, called Obama & Friends: The History of Radicalism. The show raised unsubstantiated accusations that Obama’s work as a community organizer was “training for a radical overthrow of the government.”
Now, Fox News may be bending the truth. I don’t know, but there’s really no need to. The truth about Obama’s associations would have been enough to sink him before the nomination if he hadn’t been mollycoddled by the media.
CORROBORATED: Rezko Speaks, Prosecutors Interested in Obama Listen (by Truthteller at No Quarter)
We warned readers of No Quarter of the problems convicted slumlord and political fixer Antoin “Tony” Rezko would create for Obama during the final stretch of the Presidential campaign, and now we have confirmation. I quote the Associated Press: “CHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors have asked to delay the sentencing of convicted fundraiser Antoin ‘Tony’ Rezko indefinitely. The motion filed Monday afternoon signals the key fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Barack Obama and other Illinois Domocrats may be telling prosecutors what he knows about corruption in state government…” Obama was involved in Illinois state government in 2003 through 2005, the time during which Rezko was defrauding the Illinois State Teachers’ Pension fund and bankrolling certain politicians.
Click through for a list of No Quarter posts on Obama and Rezko.
Who do they think they are kidding? (by Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire)
To counter the unassailed fact that Obama LIED — just plain lied — about his associations with Rezko and Ayers, the O-team has launched an inane attempt to resurrect the Keating 5 scandal. As you may recall, McCain was exonerated at that time — by a Democratic investigator… I just received a flurry of comments from Obots — which may, in this case, have come from actual bots. These messages contained little or nothing except for links to videos and webpages assailing McCain on the “Keating 5″ charges. Keating is what they are bleating. A dead horse they are beating…
These messages revealed a lot more about Obama’s dirty campaign tactics than about anything McCain has done or is doing… How much of the online conversation we’ve experienced over this past year was fueled by forces directly employed by Barack Obama? If I am being bombarded, then it is easy to guess what is going on on sites friendly to Barack Obama… [N]ow we know who ordered the many political “hits” on Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Look for a lot more of this kind of crap:
McCain linked to private group in Iran-Contra case (AP)
WASHINGTON - GOP presidential nominee John McCain has past connections to a private group that supplied aid to guerrillas seeking to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair.
Abe Lincoln’s anger revealed in Civil War letter (MSNBC)
Abraham Lincoln’s emotions ran high during portions of the Civil War, suggests a newly documented letter, written by the former U.S. president, in which he harshly chastises a couple for disloyalty, at one point even suggesting their line of reasoning is insane.
I guess anger is not unheard of in a president—but it’s been deemed unworthy in a presidential candidate.
A Different Member of the Keating 5 Introduces the Boss at Obama Rally (by Jake Tapper at Political Punch, ABC News)
“You don’t get introduced by John Glenn every day,” Bruce Springsteen said yesterday at an Obama get-out-the-vote rally at Ohio State University, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch. Former Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, was — along with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. — one of the Keating Five, the handful of senators who met with federal regulators to urge them to ease up on the savings and loan owned by contributor Charles Keating. Hours after Glenn introduced the Boss at the Obama rally, the Obama campaign launched a campaign attacking McCain for his Keating Five activities. They made no mention of Mr. Glenn.
Tuesday debate: McCain, Obama paint the other as risky (McClatchy)
NASHVILLE — Who does America want at the helm in a time of crisis, an erratic gambler or a dangerous radical?
Kenya detains U.S. author of critical Obama book (Reuters)
NAIROBI, Oct 7 - Kenyan immigration authorities have arrested and plan to deport the U.S. author of a critical book about presidential candidate Barack Obama before a launch in Nairobi, witnesses and local media said on Tuesday. Jerome Corsi, who penned “The Obama Nation”, arrived at a Nairobi hotel to present his book in Kenya, but was quickly whisked away by immigration officials, witnesses said… Obama is revered in Kenya for his paternal roots here and as a flagbearer for Africa on the international stage.
Kansas teacher suspended for students’ Obama chants (McClatchy)
A teacher at a Kansas City charter school was suspended Monday after video of his public school students chanting in praise of Barack Obama became a national sensation on YouTube.
YouTube has apparently pulled the video.
Palin Wins ‘Spam Debate,’ As Does Obama (PC Magazine)
In a September study of spam by Secure Computing, Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Barack Obama top their rivals in the number of spam email messages making reference to them.
SNL Rides High On Campaign Satire (Wall Street Journal)
NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” drew another crush of viewers this weekend, with approximately 10 million tuning in to watch comedian Tina Fey’s latest sendup of GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Palin To Appear On SNL? (Horserace, CBS News)
As Saturday Night Live viewers well know, Tina Fey’s much-talked-about impression of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has not been kind to the Alaska governor. It may even have played a role in fixing the public perception of the candidate, which, at least until last week’s vice presidential debate, has largely been on the decline since she exploded onto the national scene. Now the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Palin may appear on Saturday Night Live herself, potentially to make fun of Fey’s American Express commercials.
Todd Palin will take written questions on ‘troopergate’ (McClatchy)
Todd Palin will answer a series of questions from a legislative investigator by mid-week — but only in writing, and with the answers funneled through his lawyer, the McCain-Palin campaign said Monday.
Boss is Not Amused After Columnist’s Humor Brings a Retort From Fox News
Heather Mallick, a columnist for the CBC’s Web site, is known for her use of humorous exaggeration. But last week after removing a column by Mallick, which said that Gov. Sarah Palin has “a toned-down version of the porn actress look” and suggested that Republican men were sexually inadequate, the CBC ruled that its opinion writers had to stick to the facts even when they were joking around.
FACT CHECK on Obama’s Recent Triangulation on Health Care in Ohio (by Truthteller at No Quarter)
Imagine the horror this progressive Democrat experienced when viewing this advertisement in a major media market in Ohio this weekend while recovering from the flu: [click through to watch the video]. According to Barack Obama, a truly universal health care plan is “government run health care,” and it will result in a tax increase… If we cannot obtain truly universal health care plan from the triangulator who demonizes truly universal health care with Republican tropes in 2008, we will ensure he loses in order to cast votes for someone who will defend truly universal health care in 2012…
Ohioans and other voters who desire consistency from their politicians should recall [that in 2003] he supported “government run,” “universal health care.” Then he demonized it during the primary in Ohio with Republican tropes and iconography. And now he is attempting to stake a position in the center in his newest television ad in major Ohio media markets.
Is it over already? (by Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire)
What if Obi wins and what if there is, once again, no Fitzmas [prosecution by Patrick Fitzgerald]? Well, I think the progs will sour on Obama very quickly. Right now, the major media have been given their directives: PUSH OBAMA. Very soon after he takes the vow, however, he’ll learn what it is like to be Bill Clinton — that is, he’ll be on the receiving end of nonstop smears and scandal stories. The media will march according to a very different tune. Worse, in Obi’s case, some of those scandals-n-smears will have a factual basis. If the economy does not turn in a favorable direction — and soon — a President Obama will quickly become one of the most hated human beings in history.
The same Obots who now gush for the candidate will suddenly turn on the Savior From Chicago — the moment the media turns against him. “Independent thinkers” are usually anything but. The pro-Obama fanatics will become anti-Obama fanatics.
Take The Progressive Pledge (by Big Tent Democrat at TalkLeft)
Digby points to the part of the progressive blogosphere I want to be a part of: “[O]nline progressives are organizing around this concept: ‘Anyone with common sense will vote for Barack Obama and Democratic congressional candidates this November. But it’s time for citizens to fight back and take this pledge — will you join in signing it? “In 2009 and beyond, I will be part of the movement that pushes Democrats to be bold progressives — and that helps pass a bold progressive agenda into law.”’” Sign the pledge, and then follow through with it.
Ridiculous. You have no leverage unless you refuse to vote for them. The entire so-called progressive blogosphere has already given up on that possibility.
Obama’s historic presidency (by vastleft at Corrente)
Has anyone ever had a failed administration before actually winning the election? Since the media and the superdelegates told us that Obama was The One, he’s presided over the dismantling of multiple amendments, stirred the pot in the Middle East, and pissed away nearly a trillion dollars of tax-payers’ money. Imagine what he can do once he has the job! I’m probably being too harsh. The Bush/Obama agenda is a smashing success for the 1% of Americans who matter.
U.S. stocks tumble as global crisis persists (MarketWatch)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as much as 800 points to trade below the 10,000 mark Monday as nervousness over the credit crisis spread after the U.S. government’s $700 billion bailout and interventions in Europe only seemed to add to investor anxiety. But hopes of a coordinated intervention to stop the bleeding in global markets helped the Dow recoup half of its losses, to close down 369 points, or 3.6%, to 9,955.
Infestment bankers might not take the Bush + Reid + Pelosi + Obama + Paulson bailout; their salaries might be cut! (by lambert at Corrente)
A silver lining on those golden parachutes: “Fears are mounting that many Wall Street banks and financial firms will refuse to participate in the US government’s $700bn bail-out package, leaving global markets and world economies in a perilous state for months to come… One of the least attractive elements is a section designed to curb executive pay at banks that participate in the bail-out package. These include limiting stock-related pay and banning ’golden parachutes’ for executives.”
A Sentiment I Share (by Susie at Suburban Guerrilla)
Mr. Megabank endorses Obama
Citing Barack Obama’s “intellect, fortitude and temperament,” Hugh McColl, the North Carolina banker who built a small regional bank into the powerhouse currently known as Bank of America, endorsed the senator from Illinois for president in the Charlotte Observer [Monday].
Fed Considers Plan to Buy Companies’ Unsecured Debt (New York Times)
The Fed could buy vast amounts of the unsecured short-term debt that companies rely on to finance their day-to-day activities. If this were to happen, the central bank would come closer than ever to lending directly to businesses.
The Fed Can Buy Commercial Paper Directly From Corporations: Who Knew? (by Dean Baker)
Remember way back to last week when it was going to be the end of the world if Congress didn’t pass the bailout package? Remember the Washington Post’s account in which Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson told President Bush, “there is no Plan B.” Well, it looks like the Fed has discovered a Plan B. It turns out that the Fed can buy commercial paper directly from non-financial corporations needing credit to maintain operations. This will keep the credit markets working even if the zombie banks aren’t up to the task. In other words, the threat of a complete meltdown in the absence of a bailout was nonsense and the media once again got taken for a ride by the Bush administration.
Splain it to me (by Jeff Jarvis)
Drop everything and go listen to the latest This American Life, a followup to its brilliant Giant Pool of Money show, which explains the bailout and the bigger mess we’re in better than I’ve heard or read anywhere. Alex Blumberg, Adam Davidson, and Ira Glass have done it again — brillliant once more. But first, you might want to lock away your belt, shoelaces, and for that matter, the cord to your iPhone headset. But you’ve probably taken those suicide-watch precautions already today given the apocalyptic, 10,000-busting day on Wall Street. Well, if you listen to the show you’ll at least understand better why we’re so fucked. It turns out that the problem isn’t the giant pool of money. It’s the giant pool of debt.
Q2 2008: Mortgage Equity Withdrawal Plunges to Near Zero (Calculated Risk)
Less equity extraction means less consumption over the next few quarters.
And that means a longer and deeper recession.
Loan-modification in Texas could help Countrywide customers avoid foreclosure (McClatchy)
Financially troubled North Texas homeowners with Countrywide loans could avoid foreclosure and refinance to lower mortgage payments under a deal struck with attorneys general in seven states.
The states just have to take over when the federal government doesn’t do its job.
Public Opinion Snapshot: Public Calls for More Help for Homeowners (by Ruy Teixeira, Center for American Progress)
The public wants measures to help homeowners, which are critical to reach the root of the issue, to be included in the congressional relief package.
Post Notices Media Role in Bubble Promotion (by Dean Baker)
It’s better late than never, but Howard Kurtz, the Post’s media columnist still misses some very fundamental points on the media’s reporting on the economy. First, reporters should recognize that people employed by an industry lobby have an ax to grind. They are not neutral observers… The second point is that it is reasonable to take into account experts’ past performance when assessing the quality of their analysis… In other words, when assessing the situation in the housing market, the Post should not have relied almost exclusively on experts who were wrong about the most important economic development in the 90s.
It’s a small world after all (by Paul Krugman)
One point I think is really important in understanding the crisis is that there has been a huge increase in financial globalization just in the last few years — basically since 1995… [T]he global financial system [is] a lot more tightly linked, so that big economies are now experiencing the kind of contagion previously associated with emerging markets caught up in the 1997-1998 crisis. We’re all Brazilians now.
Portuguese bank offers “McCain/Obama” rate deal (Reuters)
LISBON (Reuters) - A Portuguese online bank unveiled a novel interest rate deal Monday by letting clients bet on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
In A Switch, Hulu Will Stream Remaining Presidential Debates Live; Premiere A Film (Paid Content)
News Corp-NBCU JV Hulu is going live for the first time since its launch last year. The site will stream the remaining presidential debates, which air respectively on NBC Tuesday night and on Fox News Oct. 15… The debates also will be available in Hulu’s usual on-demand service. At the same time, Hulu, best known until now as a place to watch Tina Fey spoof Sarah Palin in legit SNL clips, is jumping on the bandwagon with an Election ‘08 hub. The result is an odd mix of debates, speeches, political humor, soundbites and commentary. Hulu is also trying to encourage political discussion through its forums. In another first, Hulu is premiering a film: documentary Crawford, about the effects of the George W. Bush presidency on his adopted hometown… A Hulu spokesperson says “live streaming is something we’re experimenting with initially as the presidential debates are highly relevant now.”
Hanky-panky distorts Obama iPhone app results
It looks like either somebody drinks a lot of coffee and talks really fast, or somebody diddled with the results of the phone recruitment feature in the Barack Obama campaign’s iPhone application.
THE FINE ART OF KISSING UP TO A MODERATOR: (by Bob Somerby at the Daily Howler)
Steve Benen was boo-hooing about the way Sarah Palin mistreated Gwen Ifill. (Steve’s headline: “The fine art of blowing off a moderator.”) It has rarely occurred to lads of this ilk to criticize Ifill herself, for letting herself get blown off that way—or, more primally, for exposing herself to massive criticism for moderating Thursday’s debate despite her forthcoming book. And yes, her book does give Gwen Ifill a significant stake in seeing Obama win. The lads would be screaming long and loud if the shoe were on some other foot.
Someone else should have handled Thursday’s debate—but Ifill power-blundered ahead. She then rolled over and thoroughly died as Palin “blew off” her questions. Did Ifill let Palin “blow her off” because she’d been pounded by so much conservative criticism? We don’t the slightest idea—and lads like Benen have little stomach for raising such obvious questions. On Friday, Emily Rooney seemed to raise that question, speaking to Howard Kurtz. But few of our fiery career liberal leaders went there. To our ear, Benen’s piece displayed the fine art of kissing up to a moderator.
Iraqi women fear going public in elections. (Think Progress)
“Under heavy U.S. pressure to promote gender equality,” Iraq has adopted rules requiring that women make up at least a quarter of provincial councils. However, rampant violence and lingering gender inequality has led to a shortage of women willing to run for public office in the Jan. 31 elections.
American women might want to think twice also before running for office. See below.
It is ok to be sexist as long as you pretend not to be racist. (by garychapelhill at The Confluence)
McClatchy has an article … suggesting that if Missouri goes to the Republicans this year it will be because of racism. Never mind the fact that Missouri has gone Republican in the last two elections. They are determined to make this all about race, just as they did in the primaries… The media, while it falls all over itself to see tinges of racism, openly engages in the worst kinds of misogyny. I found sixty cartoons about Palin at this site and not one of them was positive. Here is a sample:
If anyone dared draw a picture of Obama in such a condescending and thoroughly dismissive way just because of his race, I’d be the first to cry foul. So why can they do it to a woman? So here’s the deal the media is trying to sell you: If Obama loses it will be YOUR fault because YOU are a racist. If McCain/Palin lose, the fact that they used the most vile and misogynistic tactics against her is fair game because, well, you know she’s a stupid girl. 30% is all we need to stop this nonsense.
Click through for more cartoons.
Women Voters Prefer Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin in 2012 By a 2-to-1 Margin (PR Newswire, thanks to sm77 at The Confluence)
National Poll Finds Broad Support for Hillary On Politics, ‘Trust,’ ‘Role Model’ and Other Values
The Clinton Charisma (Political Wire)
In the mail: The Clinton Charisma by Donald T. Phillips, author of the bestselling Lincoln on Leadership. The book is “a fascinating, prescriptive guide that reveals the former president’s complex leadership techniques, including his attention to public opinion, his ability to take quick corrective action, and his efficient damage control in the face of political and personal difficulty. From diversity to decisiveness, from consensus to compromise, each chapter explores how Clinton employed important leadership principles and the ways in which they were — or were not — effective.”
The Green Collar Economy (Center for American Progress)
CAP Senior Fellow Van Jones’ new book explains how one solution can fix our two biggest problems—energy and the economy.
The Economy Is Stronger Now Than it Was In the 70s (by Dean Baker)
That’s what the NYT says. And we know that because all of the economists who missed the housing bubble say so.
Media Matters for America headlines
• Limbaugh monologue contains numerous Obama falsehoods
• Savage repeated false attack on Rep. Frank, smeared Biden’s son
• CNN’s Chetry did not challenge McCain adviser’s misleading attack on Obama’s Afghanistan comments
U.S. official says online drug videos threaten teens
The director of the White House war on drugs said on Monday that Internet videos that show people getting high pose a dangerous threat to teenagers by encouraging them to use drugs and alcohol.
CNN’s iReport Under Fire For Fake Jobs Health Report (Paid Content)
Friday morning, a number of people jumped on an unverified report that showed up on CNN’s cit j channel iReport.com claiming—erroneously, as it quickly turned out—that Steve Jobs had a heart attack. Never mind that the site clearly bills material as unedited and unfiltered. SAI, among others, connected the words CNN and news, instead, ignoring the unverified aspect in favor of an “it could be true” approach… People try to game systems whether its Yahoo message boards, automated press releases or upload sites, and some systems are easier to game than others. CNN and other media outlets providing space for unfettered contributions inevitably tied to their own reputations need to spend even more time thinking about how to handle what shows up there. But it’s up to us as journalists and sharers of information to decide how we make use of any unsubstantiated reports.
SEC launches probe into phony Jobs heart attack report
The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking for the person who falsely reported that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suffered a heart attack on Friday.
CNN hands over info on author of Steve Jobs rumor
SEATTLE - A CNN-owned Web site called iReport.com, which publishes reports written by ordinary citizens, said Friday it will give the Securities and Exchange Commission information about the author of an item that claimed Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suffered a heart attack.
The building block of journalism is no longer the article (by Jeff Jarvis)
The old building block of journalism — the article — is proving to be inadequate in the current onslaught of news. I’ll argue here that the new building block is the topic.
Replacing the article (by Jeff Jarvis)
Matt Thompson creates one part of what I suggested … should be the new fundamental unit of news coverage, replacing the article. MoneyMeltDown is a well-curated aggregation of links to the best coverage. To recap, I think the new unit of coverage needs to include:
1. Curated aggreagtion. Do what you do best, link to the rest. Here’s the best of the rest. See: MoneyMeltDown.
2. A blog that treats the story as a process, not a product, with continuing coverage and conversation, asking and answering questions, giving updates, filling in gaps: a reporter showing her work…
3. A wiki that give us a snapshot of current knowledge. Where else would we find that but Wikipedia?
4. Discussion. Where do you think the best - most intelligent and illuminating - discussion is going on?
Snots scream: ’snot fair!
Heh. A bunch of movie critics in the UK are whining that Disney used blurbs from real people in ads for the movie The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Welcome to the future critics: We’re all critics now. It’s particularly funny to me that critics consider blurbspace theirs. How dare a movie studio quote the people who actually buy the tickets and watch the movies? How dare they give respect to the audience?
How’s Media Doing?
James Brady: “This has been one of the worst down periods we’ve experienced in the magazine business,” said veteran magazine publishing executive Jack Kliger of Hachette Filipacchi. “I don’t want to beat up on newspapers, but if magazines have been bad, newspapers have been worse. I remember 1997 and ‘98 being pretty bad as well, and we got through that. TV isn’t having an easier time either.”
Deep New Cutbacks at L.A. Time
Newsroom staffers are being told today individually and in department meetings that as many as 75 editorial positions are being cut through voluntary departures and layoffs. Some staffers were approached last week about volunteering, “enticed” with the threat that this will be the absolute final time that editorial employees will receive two weeks severance for each year of service when they leave.
Wall Street Journal Lays Off More Online Staffers
News Corp’s Wall Street Journal today let go of at least two online staffers, insiders report. They are Cybele Weisser, the personal finance editor, and Laura Lorber, its small business editor. It’s not clear whether these cuts are isolated, or whether something larger is brewing at the Journal or even throughout Dow Jones.
‘NYT’ Drops Sports Section… — Day After Metro Disappears (by Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher)
NEW YORK To use a sports term: It is a twin killing. For regular New York Times readers in the metro area, Monday was a shocker, although long-planned: The end of the Metro section, now folded ingloriously into the end of the A-section. At least it had a Calvin Trillin gluttony story. Now Tuesday: goodbye Sports. It now comes at the end of Business (causing conflict in who knows how many households). And it’s only six pages long, even with baseball playoffs on and football seasons in full swing — more like the national edition than the local, or a mid-sized daily. The Times has said it is not cutting content with these moves.
Conservative Newsmax expects $25M in revenues this year
“Newsmax is the Fox News of online,” says the website’s founder, Chris Ruddy. (His partner is Richard Mellon Scaife.) “We are the 800-pound gorilla that tells the other side of the story. Our demographic is very high-end, affluent, well-educated … rich Republicans,” he says.
A Last Remaining Stand-Alone Book Review Tab Bites the Dust In Chicago
Last year, the Chicago Tribune kicked its stand-alone book review tabloid section out of the Sunday paper to the little-read Saturday edition. This weekend, the Trib killed the books tab altogether, replacing it with a broadsheet section that’s called “books & media,” but really is five pages in the Saturday entertainment section that includes comics, movie theater ads, and the weather page.
Economist Wins Ad Age Magazine of the Year
Advertising Age’s editor-in-chief Jonah Bloom announced his publication’s “A-List” awards andThe Economist won Magazine of the Year, beating out No. 2 Women’s Health and No. 3 Elle. The latter book didn’t go home empty-handed, however, as Carol Smith won Ad Age’s Publisher of the Year. Chris Jones, editor of National Geographic (No. 5), was awarded Editor of the Year.
Some Bright Spots in a Gloomy Year for Magazines
A-List Winners Show It’s Possible to Buck the Trends
Nancy Pelosi: ‘I’m an Addict of Magazines’
At the kick-off event for the 2008 American Magazine Conference in San Francisco, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi opened the proceedings by telling the 400 magazine executives in attendance that she’s a “addict of magazines.” “San Francisco is a magazine city,” the California resident added.
Playboy Looks for Bare Market on Wall Street
Playboy magazine is offering a new way to lose your shirt on Wall Street. The adult entertainment magazine, long famous for its photo spreads of nude women and lessons in living the urbane life of the well-heeled bachelor, is launching a search for models to pose for its upcoming feature, “Women of Wall Street.”
Musicians Band Together For More Control In Digital Age (Paid Content)
More than sixty well known musicians have launched the Featured Artists’ Coalition to fight for their rights in what they see as the rapidly changing “digital landscape.”… The artists, who include The Verve, Craig David, Robbie Williams and the Kaiser Chiefs among others, will campaign for changes to laws governing the music industry. Aside from trying to ensure that artists always retain ultimate ownerhip of their work, and that all agreements are conducted in a “fair and transparent” manner, they’re hoping that rights’ holders will agree to explain how any new deal will affect how the artist’s work is being exploited. Quite a tall order when you consider that many on the business side are still scratching their heads over how such deals as Nokia’s Come with Music will ultimately make money.
Judge halts sales of RealDVD
A judge has ordered RealNetworks to suspend the sale of RealDVD, the controversial software that hands users the ability to copy and store films to a hard drive, according to a report published by NewTeeVee.com, a technology-news blog.
DreamWorks Executives Sever Ties With Paramount to Form a New Company
The new venture is expected to have at least $1.3 billion in resources and will make about six films a year.
Hollywood gets a (tax) break
Since everyone appears to be getting a hand from the government these days, why leave Hollywood out of the picture? The proposed $700-billion bailout package includes some unexpected sweeteners for the movie and TV industry, which will get two tax breaks worth more than $450 million over the next decade for producers who shoot in the U.S. That’s not a lot of money given that the average studio movie costs $106.6 million to make and market, but it could keep some low-budget productions from going offshore.
Not All Networks Off to a Bad Fall TV Season
Magna: Returning Series, Not New Shows, Key to Broadcast Success
Seeking Broader Reach for Social Web Sites
As the Web becomes a more social place, media companies are trying to make it easier to share links, add comments to articles and extend online identities.
‘Anti-Social Network’ Promotes Toby Young Film
‘How to Lose Friends and Alienate People’ Application Lets Users Offend
Because there isn’t nearly enough purposeful offending in the world.
Did Toby Young Plagiarize Passages From the Times For How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
The movie How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, which opened in theaters on Friday, is based on Toby Young’s lively memoir about a British journalist’s cringingly disastrous stint at Vanity Fair. In a recent look back at the 2001 book, Justin Shubow noticed some passages that were strikingly similar to a June 16, 1996, New York Times story by John Tierney.
Tina Brown’s “smart and opinionated” The Daily Beast site launches
Tina Brown says of The Daily Beast: “I want this to be a speedy read that captures the zeitgeist. We’ll be smart and opinionated, looking to help cut through the volume with a keen sensibility.”
Ask revamps for faster Web search, better relevance
NEW YORK (Reuters) - IAC Corp’s Ask.com is overhauling its Web search engine to deliver faster results and improved relevance as it bids to win share from market leader Google Inc.
15+ Sites for Backyard Astronomers (Mashable)
The stars have always fascinated mankind. Telescopes aren’t exactly cheap though, so how do you know which ones are worth the money? Where do you find charts that show you which stars are which? How do you know when the weather will be best suited for viewing? Luckily there are numerous resources on the Web to help you find all the astronomy answers and recommendations that you need. We’ve gathered up over 15 that will help anyone become a backyard astronomer.
100+ Sites for Green Living (Mashable)
Last year we did a post on 80+ Green Living Sites. This is an update on that, with more than 100 new and/or improved sites for everything from decreasing your carbon footprint to finding green jobs, environmentally-friendly shopping, and more.
PermissionTV Provides Whitelabel Video Platform Services (Mashable)
PermissionTV lets companies create their own YouTube-style video service. Their list of clients includes MGM, Bob Villa and many more well-known names in the entertainment industry. They also serve corporations, agencies, special interest groups and publishing companies. The “PTV” platform with customizable flash-based SmartPlayer provides a flexible way to share and manage interactive video content. It also includes useful analytics so you can measure the performance and success of videos that you’ve shared online.
Google Deal With Yahoo Draws More Opposition
Resentment and fear of Google’s power is growing among some of the biggest players in the advertising industry.
Google-Yahoo Put Partnership On Hold; Talks With DOJ ‘Continuing’ (Paid Content)
Yahoo and Google will suspend working together in order to give the Department of Justice more time to determine whether or not their ad search pact runs afoul of anti-trust laws AllThingsD reports, citing sources close to the situation. Yahoo spokesman Adam Grossberg confirmed that report for paidContent, saying, “The companies have agreed to a brief delay in implementing this agreement to continue our ongoing discussions with the Department of Justice. We have had discussions with regulators and look forward to responding to their questions about this agreement.”
Mail Goggles Prevent You From Sending Drunken E-Mails (Mashable)
You know how it goes: it’s the weekend, all your friends are busy with their own affairs, you’re bored and slightly inebriated, and what do you do: you come home and start sending e-mails you’ll later probably regret. Actually, I’m more of an SMS sender with this regard, but regardless of the medium, we all know how bad it feels the morning after when you’re afraid to check out the “sent messages” folder. To fix this, there’s a funny new feature from Gmail Labs. Called Mail Goggles, it activates only late at night (you can, of course, set the time of activation as you please) and over the weekend, and gives you a couple of math problems to solve before your e-mail is sent.
Cuomo to Sue Radio Ratings Company, Claiming Minorities Are Underrepresented
The office of the [New York] attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, said it planned to file a lawsuit this week against Arbitron, the company that compiles the radio ratings data.
Using Video Games as Bait to Hook Readers
Publishers, authors and even libraries are embracing video games to promote books to young readers.
MomCentral Empowers Moms and Tests Products for Companies (Mashable)
MomCentral isn’t just another site for moms that want to share stories about their wonderful kids and annoying hubbies (al though they can do so if they choose). The difference with this site is the fact that they actually help companies test products and services and provide valuable feedback that can improve their brand and impact their bottom line.
It’s Not Always About Ad Pages for Some Magazine Publishers
Execs Discuss Nontraditional Revenue Streams, From Events to Digital
Brainy Brand Names Where They’re Least Expected
In seeking readers and advertisers, publications like The Atlantic and The Economist, known as thought-leader magazines, have long tried to make up in cleverness what they lack in wallet power. Their ranks also include magazines like Harper’s, Mother Jones, The Nation, The New Republic and The New Yorker.
Product Integration, 30 Rock, and the Trouble With Using Brands to Write TV
Long before Wall Street took a dive, the economic structure that had for so long supported television — SHOW, ad, SHOW, ad, SHOW, credits, AD, AD! — was dissolving in the heat of the new technologies. It was no wonder the products wanted in — into the scripts, into the hands of the characters, into the story.
Price of a 30-Second Spot Slumps 4.1%
Networks’ Prime-Time Ratings Last Year Brought Ad Costs Down With Them
Msnbc.com Launches Self-Service Ads
AdReady Delivers Simple and Cost-Effective Display Ads for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses and Local Advertisers
Sony Updates Its Reader: Built-In Light, Touchscreen But Still No Wireless (Paid Content)
We’re in e-book leapfrog mode … the third generation of *Sony’s* Reader Digital Book (PRS-700BC) offers a 6-inch touch screen with built-in LED lighting, a stylus, a virtual keyboard and a faster processor. Priced at $400, $50 higher than the Amazon Kindle, it should start shipping mid-November. Sony has filled in some of the Kindle gaps and looks sleeker (that’s not hard) but still lacks wireless.
Sony to Donate 15 Million eBooks to Schools
Sony has announced plans to donate 15 million eBook classic titles to schools throughout the U.S., according to The News Market. The report said that two-time Guinness world record holder Dave Farrow will sit and read in a Manhattan storefront for 30 days around the clock as part of its initiative, which takes place during National Book Month in October. For every page Farrow readers, Sony plans to provide an eBook library of 100 classic titles. (Remember that classic titles are in the public domain, at least those published before 1923). The report said that Farrow holds the record for memorizing the order of 52 decks of cards randomly shuffled together.
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