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Fox News, right-wing media promote anti-health care "Code Red" rally

December 15, 2009 4:15 pm ET — 120 Comments

Fox News personalities and its website, The Fox Nation, continued the network's pattern of right-wing advocacy by promoting the December 15 anti-health care reform "Code Red" rally, which featured a speech by Fox News contributor Laura Ingraham. Other right-wing radio hosts joined Ingraham in boosting the event, which was coordinated by several conservative political organizations and featured speeches from Republican senators.

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Fox News promotes "Code Red" rally on Capitol Hill

Laura Ingraham promotes rally on Fox News. According to her website, Ingraham is scheduled to speak at the rally. From the December 15 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:

STEVE DOOCY (co-host): Hey, before you go, tell us about -- we've heard of Code Pink rallies, different colored rallies --

INGRAHAM: Very different today.

DOOCY: Code -- what is the Code Red rally that you're running today?

INGRAHAM: Yeah, well, it's not my rally, but it's called the Code Red rally, and code red is emergency in medical terms, obviously, and we have an emergency right now with politics in the United States of America. The people don't feel represented, so on Capitol Hill today at 1:30 -- you can go to my website for information, or Americans for Prosperity, and find out all the details of how you can get there and what's going to happen. But it's a message to people like Joe Lieberman and Senator Jim Webb of Virginia and all of these so-called moderates to stand up for freedom in this country, so it's going to be fun -- 1:30 today.

During the segment, Fox News aired the caption, "CODE RED RALLY; Happening today, 1:30PM in Wash DC":

Fox News also aired an image of Ingraham's website -- which promoted the rally -- over the caption, "CODE RED RALLY TODAY; Thousands expected to protest health care":

Fox's Gallagher, Henneberg report on "thousands of demonstrators set to storm Capitol Hill" at rally. On The December 15 edition of The Live Desk, anchor Trace Gallagher introduced correspondent Molly Henneberg's live report from the rally by stating, "Tea party protest brewing in the nation's capital today, thousands of demonstrators set to storm Capitol Hill, opposed to what they call government control of health care and out-of-control spending." During the segment, Henneberg reported that "Every once in a while this crowd breaks into chants of 'Kill the bill' - they want this health care bill to go down."

Fox News website The Fox Nation repeatedly promotes rally. On December 15, Fox Nation posted a link to a Politico article about the rally under the headline, "DeMint, Ingraham Warn of 'Code Red Emergency Rally":

The same day, Fox Nation posted a link to a Newsmax.com article about the Dec. 15 rally under the headline, "Tea Party 'Die In' Today in D.C.":

Ingraham on her radio program: "This is really your last opportunity to make your voice heard." During the December 9 edition of her radio program, Ingraham said:

INGRAHAM: On December 15, we are converging on the Capitol. You haven't heard this announced before, and I think -- believe I'm the first national show to announce what's going to be happening on December 15. At 1 p.m., people from across this country are being called to stand up for their freedom, stand up to the integrity -- for the integrity of our medical decisions, stand up for our fiscal futures, and stand up for a true representative government.

This is really your last opportunity to make your voice heard. I'm calling it Code Red. A Code Red rally, because in code red, this is serious. When it goes code red, it is an emergency. And this is not hyperbole, this is not some stunt for ratings or media attention. I don't care about any of that. What I care about is that we do everything in our power now, so we don't look back a year from now, two years from now, saying, "Oh, I wish we just did one -- we could have made the time, we could have made the effort, we could have called more often. We could have sent more letters and emails."

LauraIngraham.com: "Momentum Building for Code Red Rally". Ingraham also has several posts on her website, LauraIngraham.com, promoting the rally and providing details on how people can "find affordable transportation" to the event.

Michelle Malkin promotes Code Red rally on her website. Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin also promoted the rally in a December 15 post on her website, writing: "With Demcare now in critical condition, Tea Party activists are turning up the heat today in Washington for the Code Red Rally on Capitol Hill." Malkin also stated that Laura Ingraham would be "hosting" the rally.

Conservative media also hypes Dec. 15 rally

Limbaugh: "Anger" over health care "is still percolating...There are all kinds of groups coming together to try and put up just a huge number of Americans in Washington on December 15 to stop this." On the December 9 broadcast of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: There is a -- there's another rally in Washington on the 15th of this month -- Tuesday, December 15 -- Code Red rally against Obamalosi-care and for freedom. The conservative grassroots are mobilizing. There is as much anger in America today over health care as there was in -- back in August during the tea parties. Now, the members of the House and members of the Senate are -- the Democrats -- are trying to act as though that anger has subsided, it has cooled down, and so forth. And it hasn't. It is still percolating,

And the frustration, the frustration over the lack of any strategy in the Senate to stop the Democrats is mobilizing the grassroots. There are -- I'm not going, I don't know who's going, I don't think there's a single name involved in this, it's just -- it's at 1:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday, December 15. There are all kinds of groups coming together to try and put up just a huge number of Americans in Washington on December 15 to stop this to illustrate in front of their eyes that only 38 percent of the American people support this; 52 percent, in some polls 60 percent, oppose it.

And the frustration, as I see, is born of the fact that leadership in Congress is not doing much to stop this at all. They're playing with it on the margins and this sort of thing. And there are some members of the Senate saying, "Hey, we need the help, we need these people to show up." Phone calls don't do it anymore, emails don't do it anymore. It's a massive effort that is being planned on December 15. The people that are informed on this know full well what an utter disaster for the United States of America the passage of this bill represents. It fundamentally remakes and reorients the kind of country we have always been into a country we were never intended to be.

Dobbs: Rally "could be the best chance we have to stop the health care takeover by the government." Lou Dobbs has also promoted the rally on his radio show. During his December 14 broadcast, Dobbs said:

DOBBS: We want to also tell you about big red -- the big Code Red rally tomorrow in Washington, D.C. All the information's up on LouDobbs.com. Tomorrow could be the best chance we have to stop the health care takeover by the government and by the Democratic Party, by the way. We're sponsoring -- we're among those sponsoring the Code Red rally on Capitol Hill tomorrow, December 15, 1:30 p.m. in the Upper Senate Park. We hope that you will check out -- check out the website, LouDobbs.com, Code Red rally, to help you find ways to get there and to make your voice heard and just to yell out, "can you feel this now?" because, I mean,  this thing is crazy.

Code Red rally is being coordinated by conservative organizations

Wash. Times reports numerous conservative groups are organizing Dec. 15 rally hosted by "talk radio godess Laura Ingraham." In a December 14 "Inside the Beltway" article, The Washington Times reported:

The American Conservative Union, the Susan B. Anthony List, 60 Plus and Americans for Prosperity are among the groups that will stage the early afternoon event in Upper Senate Park. Buses are rolling in from as far away as New York and North Carolina, organizers say. Republican Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint of South Carolina will speak, along with talk radio goddess Laura Ingraham and Rick Scott, chairman of Conservatives for Patients Rights.

"We can expose them and confront them in the classic American spirit - a public gathering on their doorstep," says Ms. Ingraham. "We will put every politician who supports this travesty on notice. Enjoy your remaining time in the U.S. Capitol because we're coming for your seat."

Speakers to include Republican senators. Also according to the Washington Times article, speakers at the rally will include Republican Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint.

Americans for Prosperity and other conservative groups coordinating the rally. According to the website for the protest, "High Noon for Healthcare," "coalition partners" include:

  • Americans for Prosperity
  • The American Conservative Union
  • Susan B. Anthony List
  • 60 Plus
  • Independent Women's Voice
  • The Center for Freedom and Prosperity
  • Let Freedom Ring
  • Small Business & Entrepreanurship Council
  • Citizens Against Government Waste
  • Patients' First
  • Catholic Families for America
  • Americans for Tax Reform
  • National Taxpayers Union
  • Physicians for Reform
  • Concerned Women for America
  • Eagle Forum
  • Life Coalition International
  • Hispanic Leadership Fund
  • Council for National Policy
  • The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest
  • American Principles in Action
  • Institute for Liberty
  • Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
  • Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
  • Take Back Medicine

Fox News has repeatedly engaged in conservative advocacy by promoting protests

Fox News promoted April 15 tea parties. In the lead-up to the April 15 tea parties, which the channel repeatedly described as "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties," Fox News frequently aired segments publicizing and encouraging viewers to get involved with the protests. A Media Matters for America study found that from April 6 to 13, Fox News featured at least 20 segments on the "tea party" protests. A subsequent Media Matters study found that from April 6 to 15, Fox News aired at least 107 commercial promotions for its coverage of the April 15 tea parties.

Fox News promoted health care disruptions. Fox News promoted disruptions of Democratic town hall events by protesters opposed to health care reform -- protests that are touted by Republican leaders and supported by conservative groups. Following the August 2 disruption of a town hall event hosted by Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Fox News personalities repeatedly lauded such protesters and urged viewers to take similar action.

Fox News promoted 9-12 protests. In the lead-up to the 9-12 protest, Beck's website worked with others organizing the September 12 "March on Washington," and he repeatedly encouraged viewers to attend the protest. Fox News also heavily promoted the Tea Party Express tour -- the final stop of which was the 9-12 protest -- on Fox News, Fox Business, the Fox Nation, and FoxNews.com.

Fox News promoted Bachmann's Nov. 5 protest against health care reform bill. Fox News and its personalities also repeatedly promoted Rep. Michelle Bachmann's (R-MN) November 5 anti-health care reform protest. In the days leading up to the protest, Bachmann made appearances on several Fox News programs including Glenn Beck, Hannity, and Fox & Friends, during which she promoted the protest. The protest was also promoted on Fox Nation, and both Sean Hannity's and Glenn Beck's radio programs.

— G.L.
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    • Author by Smagoo (December 15, 2009 4:21 pm ET)
      6 24
      Go Fox News! Let the free speech ring.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by marco21 (December 15, 2009 5:46 pm ET)
        14 1
        If you read the MMFA article and think this is a free speech issue, I feel bad for the teachers who schooled. you to this point.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Smagoo (December 15, 2009 6:26 pm ET)
          3 16
          Sorry that you don't like the message. Nobody ever said that everyone had to like what everyone else is saying. Liberals hate free speech. Besides, what's the big deal with a bunch of conservatives wanting to peacefully assemble? Do the liberals want to get rid of that pesky little clause out of the Constitution? Have you forgotten all of your protests against the MORON Bush? Yeah, the one's where you all made signs promoting the killing and death of Bush, likening him to a Nazi, etc., etc. How soon we forget?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by fairliberal (December 15, 2009 8:22 pm ET)
            2 12
            No you are wrong, liberals only hate free speech for conservatives.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by my4cents (December 15, 2009 9:52 pm ET)
              4  
              how?
              Report Abuse
            • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 10:04 pm ET)
              8 3
              No, we actually like it when you racist fascist fundies speak out. Whenever you open your yaps you prove us right, why would we want to prevent that from happening?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by howzmyazztaste (December 15, 2009 11:24 pm ET)
                  2
                Ah, yes. Whenever an argument can't be won on the merits, because you can't possibly sell this government takeover of 16% of the economy and purposefully destroying the best healthcare system in history on its merits.

                So it must be... Wait for it..... we're racists. LOLOLOLOL. Well Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are pasty white guys and don't try to tell me Pelosi ain't a white guy even though she sports something so unthinkable as a vayjayjay.

                Oh, and I only object to the white half of Obama. Come get me, nazi. I want the top bunk in the reeducation center you know I belong in.

                Really. You antiliberals hate dissent.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 16, 2009 5:27 pm ET)
                     
                  because you can't possibly sell this government takeover of 16% of the economy and purposefully destroying the best healthcare system in history on its merits.


                  VS

                  At a time when most parents are worried about their twelve year old's grades, or first forays with the opposite sex, or cell phone usage, Jessica's parents have a much more urgent goal: keeping Jessica alive and pain-free.

                  Jessica Bucher was diagnosed with a rare disease that is almost always fatal: juvenile onset Sandhoff Disease. Thankfully, Jessica has responded well to an experimental umbillical cord stem cell treatment, but not without saddling her parents with astronomic health care bills. Those bills are now threatening their home to foreclosure. It's every parent's Faustian nightmare: save your child and lose your home or save your home and watch your child die. Jessica's classmates have opted to run regular fundraisers to help offset these medical costs because we as a country offer no such safety net to the Buchers.


                  http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/holy-joe-wants-these-people-die-and-s

                  Yup - the BEST IN THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY!
                  Report Abuse
              • Author by fairliberal (December 16, 2009 1:42 am ET)
                1 7
                I'll ask you again since you have shown your stupidy once again, point out one instance of me displaying any racism what so ever. Can you do it? Put up or shut up. apparently you are just another lib who likes to cry racism when none is displayed. C'mon just one instance.

                You are so popular here, I guess that means that most agree with your hateful rantings.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by snoopy (December 16, 2009 7:40 am ET)
                  5  
                  You've been exposed so many times I can't keep track anymore. All the racist rants of Beck and Limbaugh where you agreed with them? That's called proof.

                  I'm sorry you hate my supposed popularity, I didn't know you were so jealeous of me. But hateful? I just call em like I see em, just because it's true doesn't make it a hateful rant. It only means you hate me for exposing the truth.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by fairliberal (December 16, 2009 1:41 pm ET)
                      3
                    Of course you can't keep up, you are an idiot who makes baseless claims that you cannot support. If I have been exposed as a racist so many times then you would have no problem pointing one out but you cannot even do that. The fact is that you are the one who constantly brings race into a conversation when it was not even a factor. You are a hypocrite, plain an simple. You decry nazi references and racism all the time then resort to the very same tactics you decry. Hypocrite.

                    And I don't hate your popularity nor am I jealous of it. I mention it to show the type of people who populate this site, your liberal pals. Many of them are just like you . You should practice what you preach, but instead since you have no argument you resort to cheap cries of racism. Typical of you. And unsupported by fact. Prove me wrong, go ahead. Or shut up. I'll wait.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by snoopy (December 16, 2009 2:56 pm ET)
                      1  
                      Looks like somebody's exposed support of racism is getting the better of her...
                      Report Abuse
                • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 1:21 am ET)
                    1
                  jim crow was written by democrats
                  Report Abuse
            • Author by hurricaneyankee52983 (December 16, 2009 12:51 am ET)
              9 1
              No unfairlib,what we hate is all the CONSERVATIVE lies and disinformation that are passed of as free speech.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 1:20 am ET)
                   
                lies are free speech. responsible journalism was overthrown many years ago
                Report Abuse
            • Author by worrierking (December 16, 2009 9:09 am ET)
              3  
              [http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2780/slide_2780_38640_large.jpg]
              Report Abuse
            • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 1:19 am ET)
                1
              that is called censorship and if you support it you do not support free speech. as above this assembly was protected especially as citizens are seeking redress in opposing a bill that overreaches and has goals which are not in the bill.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by foghornleghorn (December 17, 2009 3:26 pm ET)
                   
                Nobody here has said the teabaggers aren't allowed to parade their racism/stupidity/spelling issues around freely.

                Care to answer NY Rep. Weiner's question: What do the insurance companies bring to the table in regards to health care?

                Report Abuse
                • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:27 pm ET)
                     
                  "No you are wrong, liberals only hate free speech for conservatives. " by fairliberal (December 15, 2009 8:22 pm ET)

                  censorship is illegal
                  Report Abuse
                • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:28 pm ET)
                     
                  Experience, trained people, cost containment, actuaries, the inability to hemorrhage cash like medicare does.
                  Report Abuse
          • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 10:02 pm ET)
            8 1
            Sure liberals hate all that. That's why they are trying to purge their party of everyone who can't pass a purity test, they refuse to debate the other side on important issues, they refuse to engage in bi-partisan solutions in the senate, they actively denigrate minorities and women,...

            Oh wait, that's your side that does that...
            Report Abuse
          • Author by captfoster2 (December 15, 2009 11:05 pm ET)
            4 1
            Besides, what's the big deal with a bunch of conservatives wanting to peacefully assemble?

            Right-wingers and conservatives, and any other brainless twit can go and peacefully protest all day long... heck, all year long for all I care...

            What I am against are people protesting against things THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!! What a complete and total waste of time it was for those people to show up and protest against their own interests!

            As for people who threatened Bush with death at rallies... I admit I found a few pictures showing it (using Bing.com)... but for the one I found I easily found five which depicts some right-winger threatening the life of president Obama...

            The point being... it sadly, is not simply liberals (as you pathetically assert) but right-wingers as well who have a few among them who are mentally unstable to have threatened the president!
            Report Abuse
            • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 11:28 pm ET)
              4 1
              The point being... it sadly, is not simply liberals (as you pathetically assert) but right-wingers as well who have a few among them who are mentally unstable to have threatened the president!


              at a rate of 5 to 1 if I may be so bold as to point out! ;)
              Report Abuse
            • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:29 pm ET)
                 
              I have yet to fond anyone who understands insurance
              Report Abuse
          • Author by marco21 (December 16, 2009 3:57 am ET)
            2 1
            Yikes, was that a bore. Again, not a free speech issue. No one is arguing that wingnuts shouldn't be allowed to assemble and make fools of themselves.

            Of course no one has forgotten the protests of the moron Bush, and I am glad we agree he's a moron. Nazi comparisons were lazy then as they are now. But that's not the point of this MMFA piece either, I suggest re-reading the first paragraph and posting when you figure out the issue at hand.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by rtejon (December 15, 2009 7:16 pm ET)
        2 1
        You might want to take a look here at the fruits of what you call free speech:

        http://thinkprogress.org/2009/12/15/tea-bag-bunning/


        Report Abuse
        • Author by DellDolly (December 16, 2009 12:59 am ET)
          4  
          Well, one of the fruits of what he called 'free speech' (yet another doofus who doesn't understand that 'free speech' is a limitation on govt to restrict speech!) is that he gets to derail the first 10 posts or so on this topic by being the first poster and going off topic.

          The topic is how FoxNews is acting as an advocate for a partisan political rally. No "Fair and Balanced" legitimate news organization can do that kind of stuff! It's just not right and proper!
          Report Abuse
          • Author by rtejon (December 16, 2009 4:33 pm ET)
               
            I was thinking more about the exploitation of deliberately misinformed people but you're right about the promotion thing.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:32 pm ET)
               
            Sure it is "proper". Anything the owner of an outklet calls news is "proper", responsible journalism being a code for civil liable.

            In a country that supposedly wants universal health care, people protesting are "man bites dog" news.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by tj.baker (December 15, 2009 4:26 pm ET)
      7  
      Breaking: Fox news reports 100 million storm the captiol in Code Red rally, while Michele Backmann invokes the 'charge of the Light Brigade', signalling that she is sending all 100 million to their demise with knowing insurmountable odds against them ....
      Report Abuse
    • Author by dave (December 15, 2009 4:37 pm ET)
      3 23
      Dobbs and Ingraham obviously promoted it. Limbaugh, not so much. He mentioned it. But last time I checked, these were all radio talk show hosts, not news shows, who are allowed to say what they want, in compliance with the FCC. Once again MMFA, you fail your own mission statement.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by marco21 (December 15, 2009 4:47 pm ET)
        15 2
        Right Dave,

        Launched in May 2004, Media Matters for America put in place, for the first time, the means to systematically monitor a cross section of print, broadcast, cable, radio, and Internet media outlets for conservative misinformation — news or commentary that is not accurate, reliable, or credible and that forwards the conservative agenda — every day, in real time.

        From the About us section of this website. You know, MMFA.

        Plus, did you miss the Fox News video at the top?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by marco21 (December 15, 2009 4:49 pm ET)
          2  
          Oops, I meant Fox Video on the main page that leads to this post. My bad.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by doozerdave (December 15, 2009 5:28 pm ET)
          3 20
          What a crock. You libs "monitor" "right wing" media outlest? Why don't you monitor your own leftists? What lies come out of your mouths and the mouths of San Fran nan and Harry the killer. Obama lies all the time and you say nothing. What a bunch of fake slime you are
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 15, 2009 7:17 pm ET)
            4  
            Oh my! How did someone so clearly confused by very simple things make it onto the internets (or perhaps you prefer "tubes") and manage to navigate to this site AND post something? So you get my "thumbs up" and a BRAVO!
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 15, 2009 7:18 pm ET)
            4  
            What a bunch of fake slime you are


            And you would be real slime?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Samurai Cowboy (December 15, 2009 9:26 pm ET)
            4  
            Are you by any chance also known as superdave, the paid RNC hack that infests the message boards of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch like a raging cancer?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by jcelia (December 16, 2009 12:19 pm ET)
            1  
            Referring back to a comment above since you don't seem to understand the mission of MMFA, from the 'About Us' link above:

            Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.

            Note that the focus is on 'Conservative misinformation'. I'm sure if you look for it there is a website that looks for 'Liberal Misinformation'. Your time spent commenting at MMFA would be better spent if you provided information about why you believe the conservative point of view is correct instead of insulting liberals and calling them names.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:33 pm ET)
                 
              remove the beam from your own eye before criticizing the speck in another's
              Report Abuse
        • Author by fairliberal (December 15, 2009 9:28 pm ET)
            9
          Yeah , here is a good example of how they monitor conservative misinformation. Good job, dweebs,

          http://mediamatters.org/blog/200912150040
          Report Abuse
          • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 10:07 pm ET)
            3  
            Aww, somebody got their feelings hurt because MMFA pointed out how racist reichwhiners couldn't get enough of the tiger woods scandal! Wait till we find out that Tiger votes republican, that story will dry up real quick then!
            Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (December 16, 2009 1:01 am ET)
            3  
            They point out multiple things on their County Fair section, including errors and missteps by news organizations.

            What a dunce that you couldn't figure this out on your own, fool.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by fairliberal (December 16, 2009 1:46 am ET)
                8
              You are the fool once again, the post I was responding to directly quoted MMFA's mission to point out conservative misinformation. How is a story about Woods' situation, conservative misinformation? It seems that you are the dunce and quite the fool to not be able to follow such a simple progression of facts.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by betogrande (December 16, 2009 5:25 am ET)
                   
                fairliberal is correct that the Tiger story does not conform with MMFA's mission statement, but I have to ask... so what? As long as it doesn't hinder their mission to point out conservative b.s. it shouldn't matter if they point out other media issues. Did they miss any conservative misinformation because they also did a Tiger story? Please tell us if they did.
                DellDolly, I must say that calling people names and telling people to refrain from posting (as you did to me here) only serves to make you, and what you support, look bad. This bothers me because we seem to have similar political beliefs. Are you this rude in real life or just on the internet? Also, can you try to direct this anger at Lieberman next time? Thanks.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by betogrande (December 16, 2009 5:35 am ET)
                   
                fairliberal is correct that the Tiger story does not conform with MMFA's mission statement, but I have to ask... so what? As long as it doesn't hinder their mission to point out conservative b.s. it shouldn't matter if they point out other media issues. Did they miss any conservative misinformation because they also did a Tiger story? Please tell us if they did.
                DellDolly, I must say that calling people names and telling people to refrain from posting (as you did to me here) only serves to make you, and what you support, look bad. This bothers me because we seem to have similar political beliefs. Are you this rude in real life or just on the internet? Also, can you try to direct this anger at Lieberman next time? Thanks.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by Übermensch (December 16, 2009 8:53 am ET)
                1  
                How is a story about Woods' situation, conservative misinformation?


                Then why tell the people what the whole story and coverage is really about then?
                Report Abuse
              • Author by DellDolly (December 16, 2009 2:46 pm ET)
                1 1
                It's not my fault that you don't/won't understand that their mission statement covers some items and their County Fair items aren't always directly covered by their mission statement!

                You are the fool, yet again. A story about Woods' situation is not conservative misinformation, which is the exact reason WHY I posted and said

                "They point out multiple things on their County Fair section, including errors and missteps by news organizations."

                You're the one who couldn't figure this out. That makes you a dunce.

                Report Abuse
      • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (December 15, 2009 4:53 pm ET)
        14 1
        Dave,
        Last I checked, it was still called Fox "News".

        They are still trying to pass themselves off as a "news" channel, so they've once again disgraced themselves and the public trust.

        And doesn't Laura Ingraham frequently appear on Fox "News" as well as the radio?

        Looks like Media Matters is spot on again.




        Report Abuse
        • Author by doozerdave (December 15, 2009 5:30 pm ET)
          1 13
          Umm, who do you think is a "news Orgnaization", CNN? MSNBC? oh, they are not biased are they. What a bunch of self serving hacks you are. I grew up in the most liberal area in the US and it is sickening. Let me ask a question I heard. See if you can answer it. Which is worse, what Bush did for the Katrina victims or what the Democrats have done to Detroit? Lying scum
          Report Abuse
          • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 11:36 pm ET)
            8  
            Detroit was a victim of WW2 policies. All of our auto manufacturing was located there, so the government, having learned from the devestation wrought by bombing campaigns on Germany decided it was in the best interest of national security to ensure that America didn't have critical production resources centrally located in one area. The state of Michigan, which flips between dem and repub like a dog trying to get his belly scratched did not do enough to try and draw other businesses in to fill the void created by such a devestating loss to it's base, so to baselessly claim it was all the fault of liberals shows how ignorant you are of history.

            That was a policy started by Ike, a republican, BTW...
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Übermensch (December 16, 2009 12:05 am ET)
              2 1
              doozerdave must have sand in his vagina...poor guy
              Report Abuse
            • Author by RavenRog (December 16, 2009 10:05 am ET)
                 
              It wasn't Republicans that raised tax rates so high that all the productivity hit the bricks and went somewhere else. Detroit is now the nanny city liberals always wanted. Just like New Orleans.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:36 pm ET)
                 
              huh? a lousy job of decentralization that
              Report Abuse
          • Author by Lizinbklyn (December 16, 2009 2:45 pm ET)
            1  
            RWers are entitled to all the media they want . .

            "They are not entitled to their own FACTS."
            ~~~The Honorable Al Franken, Senator
            Report Abuse
      • Author by wzwriter (December 15, 2009 5:39 pm ET)
        5  
        And you fail at even basic thought processes, Dave.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by SpacePedestrian (December 15, 2009 4:41 pm ET)
      1 7
      They have no right to cover this event. They should ignore it like every other mainstream media outlet. Who cares that most Americans are not supportive of this reform? They don't know what's good for them.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (December 16, 2009 1:04 am ET)
        4 1
        Omigod, another fool that doesn't understand the difference between covering a partisan political event and publicizing and promoting it.

        I swear, if you can't even understand the irresponsibility of a supposed legit news organization promoting and publicizing a partisan political event, how do you manage to figure out where you left your computer the night before?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:37 pm ET)
             
          responsibility to whom? stockholders are happy.

          Were you promoting the civil libel statutes?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by foghornleghorn (December 16, 2009 1:23 pm ET)
        1 1
        Who cares that most Americans are not supportive of this reform?

        Who cares that this statement is an outright lie?

        Report Abuse
        • Author by jpeagle21 (December 16, 2009 2:38 pm ET)
          1 1
          When it comes to the president's key initiative, health care, a majority of 53 percent disapprove. And 52 percent disapprove of his handling of the economy.

          http://www.sphere.com/politics/article/obamas-approval-rating-hits-new-low-abc-newswashington-post-poll-finds/19283169?icid=main|search1|dl1|link7|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sphere.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Fobamas-approval-rating-hits-new-low-abc-newswashington-post-poll-finds%2F19283169

          Oops.....



          Report Abuse
    • Author by seahawks123 (December 15, 2009 4:47 pm ET)
      2 14
      If this was a Code Pink rally or other liberal rally there would be no problem would there? The liberal rallys are by people looking for a handout or a deviant cause and conservative ones are by people that want the government to stick to the constitution and stay out of their lives.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by rtejon (December 15, 2009 7:20 pm ET)
        1  
        You mean in the areas of regulating interstate commerce and providing for the general welfare of the republic?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:39 pm ET)
             
          Health insurance is not allowed across state lines, and the general welfare clause refers to creating situations capable of improving lives. That said, the constitution does not provide for forcing purchase of something someone neither wants nor needs.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by my4cents (December 15, 2009 9:58 pm ET)
        3  
        have you read and understand the Constitution? It is not just a word to be used whenever wherever you want.
        Was Iraq war necessitated by Constitution?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:41 pm ET)
             
          necessitated? No war is necessary according to the constitution. Congress and the c-in-c could allow the country to be taken over. On the other hand no one may take arms againt the union.

          For what it is worth, congress authorized force which is a declaration of war.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by snoopy (December 15, 2009 10:15 pm ET)
        5  
        If this were one of those liberal rallies it wouldn't be promoted period. Promoted being the key word here, not covered as you tried to deflect to. You do understand the difference, right?
        Report Abuse
      • Author by captfoster2 (December 16, 2009 10:24 am ET)
        3  
        seahawks123

        I take it you mean those same CONservatives who claim they want government out of their lives yet want the very same government to create laws and potentially change the Constitution itself to reflect their biased inhuman concepts and get into the lives of others with garbage like Gay Marriage amendments or abortion being made illegal for any reason.

        Those hypocritical conservatives... those are the ones you mean??

        Punk!!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by boulderhippy (December 15, 2009 5:12 pm ET)
      1 12
      I have seen many news shows in my life. I have seen many reports of rallys in those shows. Copenhagen is one example of a huge rally that was reported on beforehand.

      Just because you don't like the message, doesn't mean it isn't news.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (December 16, 2009 1:08 am ET)
        6  
        Covering it is vastly different than promoting a rally!

        GD, you guys are dumb as rocks!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by wzwriter (December 15, 2009 5:38 pm ET)
      10 1
      Right now, it'as 4:38 PM here in Texas. I just checked CNN, Faux News, and even did a search of Google News - no mention of the Code Red Rally. Even with all this publicity, the rally appears to have been a bust....
      Report Abuse
      • Author by marco21 (December 15, 2009 5:52 pm ET)
        2  
        On a related note, anyone ever watch the tea party movie that was released after thanksgiving?

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Aurien (December 15, 2009 6:02 pm ET)
      4  
      I find it funny. All these morons scream about now is the "government takeover of health care". Basically public option, expanding medicare, and government negotiating better rates. Where is the outrage over the rationing of health care in the new bill? Oh that right, as long as private industry is doing it, then it's ok.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:48 pm ET)
           
        If you mean the bill in congress the rationing sucks. If you mean the status quo, no rationing in place. I go to a doctor if I want to.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Samurai Cowboy (December 15, 2009 6:04 pm ET)
      8 1
      Ya know. Just once I would like to see a massive downpour happen at one of these rallies. Because you know what happens when a Tea Bag gets wet. Unless you drink the tea, it is useless. Like Tea Baggers.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by phatcracker2006 (December 16, 2009 11:47 am ET)
        2  
        I'm thinking, in the words of dubyuh, a "new-clar" downpour would be mighty ideal.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by edgewaterprog (December 15, 2009 6:39 pm ET)
      2  
      Rush Limbaugh made it sound like it was a spontaneous rally without any direction or leadership. Guess that says a lot about what he thinks about Laura Ingraham.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by blk-in-alabam (December 16, 2009 8:09 am ET)
        1  
        Laura Ingraham is toxic.Limbaugh,Hannity,beck have always kept their distance.They are afraid she may put on the leather suit and pick up the whip she uses to keep her job
        Report Abuse
    • Author by showme69 (December 15, 2009 6:42 pm ET)
        16
      Thank God someone is covering it. The overwhelming majority of the country opposes health control.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (December 15, 2009 7:38 pm ET)
        7  
        Good, then they are ready for a change from the corporate control of health care we have today then.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by didi (December 15, 2009 7:55 pm ET)
        8 1
        You mean of course the overwhelming MINORITY.

        Repeating information obtained by watching Faux Noise will eventually expose your total lack of understanding of the facts to all you know.

        SAVE YOURSELF!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jpeagle21 (December 16, 2009 2:42 pm ET)
            1
          When it comes to the president's key initiative, health care, a majority of 53 percent disapprove. And 52 percent disapprove of his handling of the economy.

          http://www.sphere.com/politics/article/obamas-approval-rating-hits-new-low-abc-newswashington-post-poll-finds/19283169?icid=main|search1|dl1|link7|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sphere.com%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Fobamas-approval-rating-hits-new-low-abc-newswashington-post-poll-finds%2F19283169

          Oops.....

          Report Abuse
          • Author by snoopy (December 16, 2009 3:32 pm ET)
            1  
            [http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/e7xuob1emkqsujv5srsnug.gif]

            Oops indeed! According to Gallup 21% are still undecided, so all that means is the debate hasn't decisively swung one way or the other yet...
            Report Abuse
      • Author by HardJustice (December 16, 2009 12:59 pm ET)
           
        Do you have hard poll numbers to back up this claim of an overwhelming majority? And how is providing a public option - as in not mandatory - equivalent to health control?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by ProgLib (December 15, 2009 7:11 pm ET)
      4  
      "Anger" over health care "is still percolating


      no, rush... youre percolating while raving over your precious little teabaggers.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 15, 2009 7:22 pm ET)
      7  
      For the love of dog!

      This happens all the time here - why can't conservatives tell the difference between reporting on an event and advocating it or inciting people at the event?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by SpacePedestrian (December 15, 2009 8:30 pm ET)
      2  
      "Anti Health Care" rally? That wouldn't be at all misrepresenting why the protesters were there would it, MMFA? Were they out there saying that no one should have health care? That we ought to let go and let God?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Diosnomeama (December 15, 2009 10:18 pm ET)
         
      Well, it looks like the Democrats are doing a good job ruining health care reform on their own. Way to wimp out when it matters, guys. I guess we should all take Mr. Grayson's advice of we get sick and die quickly.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by bluestate69 (December 16, 2009 12:19 am ET)
      3 1
      the tea baggers had a "die-in" at the capitol today, to protest against covering the uninsured. don't they know we have "die-ins" every day in america?? it's called the emergency room, and it's where uninsured people with pre-existing conditions go to die.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Rich Ahlgrim (December 16, 2009 7:25 am ET)
        1  
        Bluestate69,
        Not only are you insulting, you are lying.
        No one, by law, can be refused care in an emergency room. While I agree their are problems in the way our insurance industry is run, this bill is not the answer. It raises costs, and still fails to cover 24 million people.

        For you idiots it is all or nothing. We cant do it the correct way, we cannot have any debate, (oddly just like the climate, and other progressive issues) a really fix the problems.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 16, 2009 7:18 pm ET)
             
          No one, by law, can be refused care in an emergency room.


          And who said they could. I think the point is, the ER is the last rersort and if you have a chronic illness, I don't think they are obligated to provide ongoing treatment such as dialysis, chemotherapy, etc. I don't think women get regular pre-natal care through these hospitals. I may be wrong - but that is my understanding.
          I also understand that they will treat people at these hospitals, but don't they still try to collect money for the care they do provide?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by betogrande (December 17, 2009 2:00 am ET)
               
            You're correct. The ER is also much more costly than a trip to the family doc. It crowds the ER and overworks a system that was never designed to handle so many. Also, by waiting until it's so bad that a trip to the ER is necessary these patients are getting sicker than they would have if they had seen a family doctor sooner. This leads to higher mortality/morbidity rates for them and higher costs for all of us.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:53 pm ET)
                 
              So why wait? call your doc and make payment plans. If he wont do that keep calling. $80 is not a huge amount for my doc to charge.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by betogrande (December 18, 2009 12:07 am ET)
                   
                Going to the doc doesn't magically cure you. Usually a person needs some sort of treatment and that is an additional cost after the visit. All of these things require money and it's not usually a terrible cost if you have somewhat decent insurance. If you don't then it is a huge cost. We have a lot of poor people in this country who work very hard but still cannot afford a great quality of life. When you live from paycheck to paycheck you don't just have extra money laying around to pay for things like this or to start a payment plan. Do you know how much some of the medicines cost? If you did you wouldn't be making silly arguments like what you just said.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by bluestate69 (December 18, 2009 10:15 am ET)
                   
                are you kidding me? payment plans?? i'll go along with the 80$ for a check-up(although most doctors are charging 120? per visit), but if you have a chronic condition, then you will need regular check-ups and routine tests done, not to mention treatment procedures. kind of blows away your 80$ argument.
                Report Abuse
      • Author by Lizinbklyn (December 16, 2009 12:44 pm ET)
        1  
        I think their alleged 'die in' had NOTHING whatsoever to do with healthcare reform . .

        I heard the old people asking for Obama's birth certificate AGAIN . .
        Report Abuse
      • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:52 pm ET)
           
        ERs are where those with cadillac plans like UAW members go to die as well.

        In fact does not every one die?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by bluestate69 (December 18, 2009 10:21 am ET)
             
          you missed the point i was making. people who don't have insurance, and have a chronic condition, don't get treated early on(usually), and subsequently die in emergency rooms, or they are too sick to be treated properly and effectively. why did you bring up the cadillac plans?? i wish i could have a union job with decent health insurance. what's wrong with that?? are you against american workers getting decent health insurance through their employers??
          Report Abuse
    • Author by LIBERTY OR DEATH (December 16, 2009 12:39 am ET)
      3 5
      Where are the rallies in support of the health care reform that the dems are trying to push through?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (December 16, 2009 1:15 am ET)
        4  
        A search for, pro healthcare reform rallies, collected 1,330 links in a half a second.
        I suppose Faux Gnus decided you didn't need to know about any of them. As noted in on of the links on occasion the media studiously ignores such rallies.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (December 16, 2009 2:46 am ET)
          3  
          From HuffPo--"Pro-Reform Rally In Seattle Ignored By Media"

          "...an energetic, 3000-person strong pro-healthcare reform rally in Westlake Park,....I couldn't find even the tiniest mention of it in this morning's Seattle Times, so apparently, it never happened."
          Report Abuse
    • Author by cmj14300 (December 16, 2009 12:43 am ET)
      1  
      Emergency rooms are also places where I pay, as an honest tax payer, for illegal immigrants to get free medical care. And I love throwing money out the door that I work my tail off for so let’s have the government (who can’t run any type of intelligent business plan without f-ing it up and going into major debt) run my health. Then I won’t even get to go to a hospital to die. I will be on a waiting list unable to even get in and die trying. Great plan!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by bluestate69 (December 18, 2009 10:27 am ET)
           
        medicare seems to be working just fine. you seem to have a lot of faith in private industry running your life. the same private industries such as "enron", "exxon mobile", or how about "health south" that ripped off their customers for billions. how about health insurance companies that drop coverage at the first sign of serious illness.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Rich Ahlgrim (December 16, 2009 7:21 am ET)
         
      Media Matters is a Joke.
      Latest poll on MSNBC shows 53% of the people polled are against any form of health care reform. There has been no poll in the last 6 months that show a majority of the people what this.

      There is no provision in the constitution that states the government has the power to implement any health care reform.

      The plan as it exists now does not lower costs, it raises it.

      Then again what is any of this to a progressive?

      Secondly
      3000 people protesting is not news. 10000+ people protesting is.

      Most of the people here are blinded by their politics. You stand so far left with your head firmly planted up your asses. Come up for a breath of fresh air.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by RavenRog (December 16, 2009 10:01 am ET)
         
      Hate to burst your bubble, but this story is news.

      Especially when most Americans actually agree with this protest.

      Too bad Fox isn't supressing news that doesn't favor Obama like all the other networks.

      And Fox will keep pounding the other networks into the dirt in the ratings for it.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Lizinbklyn (December 16, 2009 12:42 pm ET)
      1  
      Mighty cold out today . .

      Old people don't do frigid weather rallies very well!!

      I hope they don't freeze their old, wrinkled butts off . .

      [tee, hee]
      Report Abuse
    • Author by yankeefan19252745 (December 16, 2009 3:12 pm ET)
         
      Dear Sirs,
      The Republicans have just launched a filibuster to stop healthcare.
      so much for government of the people!!
      Clifford Spencer
      Report Abuse
      • Author by drknowit_all (December 16, 2009 8:03 pm ET)
           
        news flash: not enough republicans to filibuster anything.....If dems want it they can pass it with out them.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by rrastro (December 17, 2009 11:57 pm ET)
           
        right..you dont like it so dick luger does not represent me...
        Report Abuse

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