With Friends Like These: Fox & Friends' Epic Year Of Misinformation
The past year found Fox & Friends solidifying its position as part of the campaign arm of the Republican Party through a barrage of attacks on President Obama, Islam, immigrants, health care, climate change, and by relentlessly campaigning for the GOP leading up to the midterm elections. Media Matters offers a look back at some of Fox & Friends' most outrageous moments of 2010.
The Relentless Smear Campaign Against Obama
Doocy: "Could President Obama Be Running The Most Destructive Administration In Our History?" On the August 26 show, co-host Steve Doocy introduced David Limbaugh to promote his book by asking, "From health care to the billion dollar stimulus -- trillion dollar stimulus -- President Obama has been pushing through legislation despite public outcry against it. Still, he claims to be doing it for all of us, the people. ... But could President Obama be running the most destructive administration in our history?" [Fox & Friends, 8/26/10]
Varney: "You're Asking Me, Is [Obama] A Socialist, And The Answer Is: He Sure Looks Like One." On the February 25 edition of Fox & Friends, responding to President Obama's claim that he is "an ardent believer in the free market," co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Fox Business host Stuart Varney, "Does he have a right to be defensive, or does his track record say something different?" Varney responded:
VARNEY: Well, look, he has nationalized industries, from cars to housing to student loans, and maybe health care. He has demonized profitable industries, from oil to banks. He's expanded the role of government and vastly expanded the workforce of the government. He's redistributed wealth and income. Those are all the hallmarks of a very left-of-center administration which is making America look more and more like Europe. So the answer -- look, you're asking me, is he a socialist, and the answer is: He sure looks like one. [Fox News' Fox & Friends, 2/25/10]
Carlson: "Some Would Say" That Obama Is "Apologizing To These Muslim Terrorists ... Instead Of Taking Them Head On." On the January 7 edition of the show, co-host Gretchen Carlson responded to a story that counterterrorism official Michael Leiter stayed on vacation after the attempted 2009 Christmas Day attack by saying "that would be the microcosm of what some people say is the macrocosm of this administration's viewpoints on the war on terror. That, some would argue, that if it's not taken seriously or if you have a different ideology about apologizing to these Muslim terrorists, some would say, instead of actually taking them on, head on, then this is the kind of action that you get from your top people." [Fox & Friends, 1/7/10]
Kilmeade Asks, "If [Obama] Was Worried" About People Thinking He's Muslim, "Wouldn't He Have Kept His Name As Barry And Not Barack?" On the August 30 edition of the show, Kilmeade reacted to news that "24 percent of this country thinks the president is a Muslim" by asking, "If he was worried about that would he have changed -- kept his name as Barry and not Barack?" [Fox & Friends, 8/30/10]
Dobbs: Obama To Start Ruling "By Fiat" Because "This Has Been Too Complicated, This Democracy Thing." On the February 16 edition of the show, guest Lou Dobbs responded to a story about Obama's ability to communicate his message by falsely claiming, "What I find interesting, Steve, is now they're announcing that they're going to do things by executive order, by fiat" because "this has been too complicated, this democracy thing." [Fox & Friends, 2/16/10]
The Year-Long Campaign Against Islam
Kilmeade: "Not All Muslims Are Terrorists, But All Terrorists Are Muslims." On the October 15 edition of the show, Kilmeade defended Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's comments on the October 14 edition of ABC's The View by claiming the show's hosts "were outraged that somebody was saying there's a reason -- there was a certain group of people that attacked us on 9-11. It wasn't just one person. It was one religion. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims." Kilmeade later apologized, saying "I'm sorry about that, if I offended or hurt anybody's feelings. But that's it." [Fox & Friends, 10/15/10, 10/18/10]
Peter Johnson Jr.: New York Muslims Should "Give Up Their Rights" In Order To Be "Good Neighbors." Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. stated on the August 20 edition of the show that the issue of the Park51 Islamic center is "about neighbors becoming good neighbors." He added: "Any American can assert a right. Great Americans give up their rights to help those they share nothing else with but a love of this country." On September 3, Johnson repeated that those building the Islamic center should "give up their First Amendment rights." [Fox & Friends, 8/20/10, 9/3/10]
Fox & Friends Allows, Then Whitewashes, Franklin Graham's Incendiary Anti-Islam Rhetoric. Rev. Franklin Graham appeared on the April 22 edition of the show and expressed his desire to convert Muslims, adding that he wants Muslims "to know that they don't have to die in a car bomb; they don't have to die in some kind of holy war to be accepted by God" and that he's speaking "out for people that live under Islam, that are enslaved by Islam." Following his appearance, Carlson reported that the Army had rescinded Graham's invitation to speak at the Pentagon's Day of Prayer, saying that "so many people believe that the Army acquiesced" to Graham's opponents, while Johnson defended Graham's comments, saying, "Vindictiveness has won over redemption, has won over prayer," and asking whether "we have an America-lite now where we are embarrassed by our sons?" [Fox & Friends, 4/22/10, 4/23/10]
Kilmeade Reacts To Bloomberg's Park51 Support With Anti-Muslim Rant. On the August 25 edition of the show, Kilmeade played video of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's statement that "Islam did not attack the World Trade Center, Al Qaeda did. To implicate all of Islam for the actions of a few who twisted a great religion is unfair and un-American." Kilmeade responded:
KILMEADE: That's one way of looking at it, you could say just for a few. Those few have us bogged down really in two wars, one of which, I guess, is concluding. And then we have those few people in Yemen and those few people in Somalia and those few people that blew up in Madrid, and those few people that -- those bus bombings in London. Besides those few, I don't really see the problem. [Fox & Friends, 8/25/10]
Fox & Friends Shows Map Of 9-11 Victims' "Body Parts Found 348 Feet" From Proposed Islamic Center. On the September 10 edition of the show, Kilmeade reacted to a report that Donald Trump had offered to buy the site of the proposed Park51 community center by saying, "Let me just give you a reality check, because the [New York] Post did one -- and got this map, and it's a, to me, it's a very sad map, but a telling map, of the recovered body parts and remains of those who lost their lives on 9-11, almost nine years to the day." Fox & Friends then showed a map of Lower Manhattan with dots to represent recovered remains from the 9-11 attacks, with arrows pointing to them, emanating from the proposed Park51 building site. [Fox & Friends, 9/10/10]
A Year of Environment And Climate Change Distortions
Fox & Friends Suggests Oil Rig Was "Sabotage[d]" In Order To "Try And Pull Drilling." On the May 3 broadcast, Fox News contributor Dana Perino said of the BP oil spill: "I'm not trying to introduce a conspiracy theory, but was this deliberate? You know, you have to wonder ... if there was sabotage involved." Later, during the same broadcast, Fox Business host Eric Bolling said: "The question is ... why the delay in the response? You guys were pointing out, nine days before it was even addressed, 12 days before he made a formal comment. The question is: Did they let this thing leak? I mean, oh, BP said maybe a thousand barrels a day, it went to 5,000. Did they let it leak a little bit and say, boy, I don't know. The conspiracy theorists would say, 'Maybe they'd let it leak for a while, and then they addressed the issue.'" Bolling added: "It would be a humongous accusation, and probably the net result would be no different, but if they're going to try and pull drilling, that may be the way they do it." [Fox & Friends, 5/3/10, 5/3/10]
Fox & Friends: The Discovery Channel "Gunman's Extreme Environmentalist Views May Have Been Sparked By An Al Gore Documentary? Where's The Media Outrage There?" On the September 2 edition of the show, Kilmeade teased an segment by saying: "Now we know the gunman's extreme environmentalist views may have been sparked by an Al Gore documentary? Where's the media outrage there? Would they be silent if the tables were turned with a different documentary with a different point of view?" Later in the show, Carlson noted that "he apparently became some sort of an environmentalist junkie after he watched vice president -- former vice president's movie, Inconvenient Truth [sic], Al Gore's movie. He became a radical environmentalist." ["Fox & Friends, 9/2/10]
Fox & Friends Celebrate Earth Day By Spreading "Climategate" Misinformation. On the April 22 edition of the show, Carlson began a segment on Earth Day by saying, "Happy Earth Day, America. Today, we're taking a look back at how the mainstream media covered and didn't cover 'Climategate.' That was the release of all those emails exposing that scientists held back data that discredits theories on global warming." Fox & Friends also hosted Media Research Center's Brent Bozell to falsely claim "there were campaigns to manipulate the data in their favor. There was a campaign to destroy evidence that would go against them -- to manipulate that evidence. And there's a campaign to bully journalists to not listen to critics of this." Carlson claimed the allegations are "real" because "big chief people resigned as a result." [Fox & Friends, 4/22/10]
Kilmeade: Americans Wouldn't Be Upset About Lawmakers' Copenhagen Trip, If "We Believed" In "Global Warming." On the January 26 edition of the show, Carlson reacted to a story that lawmakers were attending the Copenhagen Climate Conference by claiming, "Americans wouldn't be so upset about it if they actually got something huge done," to which Kilmeade responded, "Or if we believed there was global warming." [Fox & Friends, 1/26/10]
Doocy: "How Can There Be Global Warming If It's Snowing And It's Bitterly Cold?" On the February 9 broadcast, Carlson said she wanted to talk about the "dichotomy" created by "big snowstorms" occurring while "the Obama administration [is] talking about creating a new federal office to study global warming." Doocy added: "It's interesting, though, given the fact that the weather is so rotten right now, and people are going, 'How can there be global warming if it's snowing and it's bitterly cold?' " [Fox & Friends, 2/9/10]
Fox & Friends' Relentless Campaigning for GOP Candidates
Doocy Attempts To Conceal Angle's Position On Social Security In "Softball" Interview. On the June 14 edition of the show, Fox & Friends hosted Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle. During the interview, Doocy asked Angle, "Perhaps it's misinformation or mischaracterization, but some have said that you are out to get rid of Social Security. That's not true, right?" Angle replied by calling the allegation "nonsense" despite the fact that her website advocated "transition[ing] out" Social Security. [Fox & Friends, 6/14/10]
Varney Roots For GOP To "Win Big," Says That Could Lead To "Significant Economic Expansion." On the October 29 broadcast, Carlson noted that Varney "believe[s] if Republicans take control of the House, that it could restore confidence in private enterprise." Varney agreed:
VARNEY: That's my opinion, OK? I'm freely expressing an opinion here. If the Republicans win big on Tuesday, you know there will be no big new spending program, there will be no cap and trade, there will be no card check, you could probably roll back some of these onerous regulations that are now being imposed on business. But above all, you may infuse confidence into the private sector. Private enterprise may be released from the shackles of the Obama administration and released to put to work all the money that they've got. You could see significant economic expansion. [Fox & Friends, 10/29/10]
Fox & Friends Aggressively Promotes GOP "Pledge To America." On the September 23 broadcast, Fox & Friends' coverage of the GOP's "Pledge to America" consisted almost entirely of supportive conservatives and Republicans. Fox & Friends provided a "point-counterpoint" which featured three Republicans who supported the pledge and featured an interview with Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) in which Carlson said, "I guess the Democrats can't say that the Republicans are the 'Party of No' anymore." [Fox & Friends, 9/23/10]
Carlson Advises McMahon To "Remind Voters, Starting Today," That Blumenthal "Lied About Vietnam." On the August 11 edition of Fox & Friends, Carlson said to GOP Senate candidate Linda McMahon: "Don't you have to remind voters, starting today," that Democratic candidate Richard Blumenthal "lied about Vietnam?" [Fox & Friends, 8/11/10]
After Parroting GOP Talking Points, Meek Tells Doocy He "Sounds Like" Rubio; Doocy Responds By Airing A Clip Of Rubio. During an interview with Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek, Doocy parroted GOP talking points on the Bush tax cuts and small businesses. Meek responded by saying, "You sound like [GOP Senate candidate] Marco Rubio there for a minute." Later in the segment, Doocy said to Meek, "You just mentioned a moment ago Rubio -- you said I sounded like him" before airing a clip of Rubio discussing job creation. [Fox & Friends, 10/7/10]
Fox & Friends' Attacks On Immigration
Kilmeade: "What We're Saying Is, 'Get Out. Stay Out.' " During a discussion of Arizona's immigration law on the April 28 edition of Fox & Friends, Kilmeade responded to guest Richard Florida's statement that the law "looks bad for our image internationally" by stating: "Does it really look bad for us? I mean, in Saudi Arabia, you cross into that country, you get in jail. Over in Iran, you're detained indefinitely. Over in Cuba, you're tossed into jail. What we're saying is, 'Get out. Stay Out.' " [Fox & Friends, 4/28/10]
Fox & Friends Runs With Absurd "Estimate" That "2,158 [Are] Killed By Illegals Every Year." On May 6, Fox & Friends displayed an on-screen graphic promoting a Family Security Matters estimate that "2,158 killed by illegals every year." But that statistic was derived from completely baseless assumptions about immigrants' crime rates. Actual studies have found that immigrants in general are less likely to be incarcerated and that there is no evidence that undocumented immigrants commit a disproportionate amount of crime. [Fox & Friends, 5/6/10]
Fox & Friends Calls Calderon's Criticism Of AZ Law "Insulting," A "Gigantic Lie," And An "Outrage To This Country." On the May 21 edition of Fox & Friends, Doocy accused Mexican President Felipe Calderón of telling "a gigantic lie" by saying that Arizona's new immigration law introduces racial profiling into law enforcement. However, law enforcement officers have also expressed this concern and legal experts have rejected the claim that modifications made to the law eliminate the risk of racial profiling. [Fox & Friends, 5/21/10]
Fox & Friends Dismisses The 14th Amendment As The "Anchor Baby Amendment." On the August 4 edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Clayton Morris stated: "Republicans want Congress to work on some other form of Constitutional control, that being the 14th Amendment to United States Constitution -- basically the anchor baby amendment." The term "anchor baby" was described by the Rocky Mountain News as "derogatory, even racist, because it implies that Hispanics are having children as a way to stay in the U.S." [Fox & Friends, 8/4/10; Media Matters, 2/17/10]
Fox & Friends Hosts Anti-Immigrant Leader To Claim That If DREAM Act Passes, Americans Will "Lose The Country." On November 30, Fox & Friends hosted William Gheen, president of the anti-immigrant Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, to attack the DREAM Act. During the segment, Gheen said, "The DREAM Act amnesty, or nightmare act amnesty, is a political teddy bear with a hand grenade in it." Gheen later claimed that if the bill passes, "You can kiss the borders of the United States good-bye," and that Americans will "lose the country." [Fox & Friends, 11/30/10]
Health Care Attacks, Distortions, And Misinformation
Johnson Exploits Bill Clinton's Heart Surgery To Stoke Fears About Health Care Rationing. On the February 12 Fox & Friends, Kilmeade asked, "So if the Democrats' health care reform had gone through, would President Clinton have received the stents?" Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. replied that "best practices" for medical procedures could be determined by government "comparative effectiveness" studies. Johnson further stated, "If the new standard is, save money, best practices, does President Clinton -- or you or I who needs it -- get the stent under that new regimen of health care effectiveness?" [Fox & Friends, 2/12/10]
Fox & Friends Asks: Could "Health Reform Create a Welfare State?" On the March 9 edition of Fox & Friends, on-screen text stated: "Medicaid Mayhem; Health Reform Create A Welfare State?" [Fox & Friends, 3/9/10]:
Johnson: Putting Sick Dogs Down "Sounds Like" Death Panels In Health Care Reform. On the March 12 Fox & Friends, Johnson stated during a discussion of pet health care: "You hear, oh, the dog got put down. At some point they say, well, we're going to put down the dog. We just -- we can't pay to keep the dog alive, or it's just not worth it to keep the dog going. Are we going to start applying that to humans? Are we going to start putting the dog down?" After a guest asked, "Are you talking about a death panel?" Johnson replied, "Well, it sounds like it, doesn't it? I mean, it sounds like, doesn't it?" [Fox & Friends, 3/12/10]
Kilmeade: "Almost Everyone Agrees" With Stupak That Senate Bill Allows For Federal Funding Of Abortion. On the March 16 edition of Fox & Friends, Kilmeade falsely stated that "almost everyone agrees" with Rep. Bart Stupak that the Senate health care bill allows for federal funding of abortions. [Fox & Friends, 3/16/10]
Fox & Friends: CBO "Lies" About The "Cost" Of Health Care Reform. On March 26, Doocy introduced a segment with Amity Shlaes by stating: "The president and Democratic leaders in Congress sold the $940 billion health care bill as legislation that will lower the deficit. But our next guest says it just doesn't add up, and it amounts to a bunch of lies." Carlson began the interview with Shlaes by asking: "Say it isn't so. The CBO is full of liars?" Shlaes went on to say that CBO "is like a codependent in an alcoholic household." [Fox & Friends, 3/26/10]
But, as I said, that's just my opinion.
Excellent work, as always.
An important correction to constantly repeat:
Disinformation not misinformation.
Disinformation is purposeful false and misleading. Misinformation is by accident or error.
At least get the facts right if you want to attempt to have a discussion.
Here is a hint for you: If Glenn Beck's lips are moving and sound is coming out, he is lying.
A classic for sure.
Your psychosis is showing.
So no sourcing for your "information" huh?
Sorry, I didn't mean to explode your head pointing out your psychosis earlier.
On the other hand, I like employing ad hominem attacks on wingers too dumb to know they are dumb. So in that spirit:
Hey, Extremist, I looked up crack-whore in the dictionary and there was a picture of your mom (no offense to women who give sexual favors in exchange for rock cocaine).
On the other hand, I like employing ad hominem attacks on wingers too dumb to know they are dumb. So in that spirit:
Hey, Extremist, I looked up crack-whore in the dictionary and there was a picture of your mom (no offense to women who give sexual favors in exchange for rock cocaine).
...since Bush?
Yes I agree that he's just looking to incite. How do you figure my post fed him anything nurishing?
Only New Yorkers would reelect the guy who sets the tax law but doesn't feel the need to pay the taxes.
But what can you expect from and area that gave us Wiener and Schumer.
They created more jobs in two years than Bush (he of the negligence that led to 9/11, two foolish wars, as well as prescription drug programs and tax cuts that weren't paid for) did in eight years. Two-thirds of the deficits were created by the GOP.
And yeah, Anthony Weiner -- or "Wiener," as Extremist calls him -- is a creep for sure. Standing up to corporations and demanding that they be held accountable is not what we want our elected representatives to do! I personally want to see all politicians just be like Mitch McConnell: get on their knees, bow, kiss the boots of and worship our corporate masters and give them everything they want: lax environmental standards, no oversight of the financial industry, tax breaks so I have to pay more, etc.
The laundry list of terrible things Weiner has done is long, but here are a few:
1) He wants the first 9/11 responders who risked their lives (after the worst terrorist attack in US history -- thanks again Bush and Cheney!) to get healthcare for their efforts. What a jerk! The only thing 9/11 should be used for is so Republicans like Rudy Giuliani can claim to be tough on terrorism and great leaders.
2) He wanted someone else other than BP to be in charge of paying claims from the oil spill. Pfffttt. If their fine stewardship of the wells doesn't give them credibility, I don't know what will. I agree with Joe Barton: We should all apologize to BP. All the affected marine life, fishermen and tourist industry people should just take some personal responsibility (which, by the way, should never apply to corporations) and get out of the way of the oil.
3) He questioned the wisdom of adding $800 billion to the deficit by extending tax cuts on the top 2 percent of earners that didn't create any economic stimulus in the first place. Fiscal responsibility only applies to the poor and disadvantaged. I can only imagine the heartache and suffering that reinstating the previous rates would have caused for those making over $250,000. I'm tearing up just thinking about it! Besides, if we all worked harder, we'd be rich!
4) He's repeatedly questioned the US healthcare industry. If having 45,000 people die every year from lack of healthcare and 1 million people declare bankruptcy from medical bills isn't the mark of a compassionate sector upholding the Hippocratic oath, I don't know what is. If you get cancer and can't afford treatment, you deserve to die and/or go bankrupt! Only the wealthy deserve good healthcare. Period.
He has some brain dead idea that the money you earn over your lifetime belongs to the government. Now there is a blinding flash of freedom and liberty. A bunch of failed social parasite in congress will decide what happens to the money you earn and save over your lifetime. What kind of failed fool agrees that the government can confiscate your lifetime of work.
Weeener is about a low a scum as I have ever seen.
He and Stalin should share space in history.
Fine with me! I was never for those stupid Bush tax cuts. They accomplished nothing -- and what the lower- and middle-income people got was negligible. Weiner probably just did that out of political reality.
In a civilized society, why shouldn't it? The purpose of government is to do what individuals can't do collectively. How else are you going to have roads, police, the fire department, trash pickup, regulations that ensure vehicle safety (with liberal lobbying, seatbelts wouldn't even be mandatory), laws against child labor, and on and on and on. Plus education. Funny how every country in the world (see Japan, Germany) that emphasizes education and doesn't try to continually underfund it (which one side of the political spectrum is attempting) has gotten way ahead of us in terms of commerce, innovation, and just about everything else other than the defense industry. Anyway, if you like public services and use them, you damn well should pay for them -- hence taxes.
A person sacrifices and saves and invests. Paying taxes on every dollar they earn only to have the social parasite claim they should get it when you die.
Why would anyone invest in business or save if the "collective" is just going to confiscate it.
You have hit the reason that a "collective" has never ever succeeded in the history of man kind. Its a really pretty theory that does not work.
Why do you value inherited wealth more than work?
Why do people insist on treating trolls as if they are intelligent forms of life who are honestly seeking answers?
Same thing crossed my mind ;-)
Now if jjamele starts calling folks "doofus" I'll figure he's DD or her intern. Ha!
He's also depressing.
And will complain if an underfunded state department of transportation, for example, can't afford to repair a bridge. Then when it collapses, it's all the government's fault and proves we need complete anarchy with corporations in charge.
Because my views are continually evolving based on facts, I have this naive worldview that others modify theirs with facts as well. And that people, for example, don't really wish suffering on those without health insurance or believe another race is inferior. But like I said, I'm naive. I'm beginning to think a lot of Americans are just morons and/or A-holes.
Agreed. At this point, the notion of an objective right-winger is about as realistic as a unicorn.
Funny thing, though, these trolls don't know that in reality, they're making complete fools of themselves with their chest-pumping and endless recitation of debunked talking points. Guess ignorance really is bliss.
The inheritance tax is a politician piggy bank.
Every few years the politicians mess with it as a campaign fund raising tool. Threaten to eliminate it and all the estate planners and tax accountants donate money to keep it. Threaten to increase it and the wealthy donate to campaigns. The inheritance tax is used strictly to raise campaign funds.
The funny thing is the social parasites think it is all about confiscating funds from the successful to give to them to offset their failure.
In the end it generates very little actual money for the government because everyone is forced to create trusts and other moves to keep the funds away from the government. Most of my estate will go to a charitable trust managed by my kids. It will do good things for people without feeding a corrupt government.
Same thing Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have done. The government will see no money from either one as they move it all into charitable structures.
First there was internet tough guy, now there's internet rich guy.
Please, extremist, regale us with your philanthropic plans.
Income taxes are lower than they've been in decades, and yet you're still crying. You're brainwashed.
If so you have responsibilties to the country...just like the government have responsibilties to you.
If you don't like those responsibilities....try another country. Again, America is very under taxed compared to most Western countries.
Strangely these are republican states.
Euro countries are no worse off overall than the US. Moody's is likely to drop US rating. We are in the same boat. Thanks AIG...Lehman..Goldman...Ohh wait companies never impact people. Also, Heritage fondation ranked Ireland as top "free market" country. even while it was collapsing. You go Coors!!!!
LMAO...you still go back to unions, eventhough they account for only 7% in US.
You conviently omit countries like :Canada...Germany...Japan.. that emerged better than US from collapse. Those countries have 4 to 5 times the level of unionization. And have far more oversight on their banks.
You also omit that the middle-class was based on the success of the unions. As unions have shrunk so has the middle-class.
You also failed to note that US derivative trading by private companies created the bubble. Again companies dramatically impact people. this collapse is a great reason not to privatize investments for social security.
Again, ideologues only want their myths reinforced.
I bet that short term memory loss is tough to live with. But, it does make it easier to buy the snake oil that Beck is selling you, I'm sure.
Uh, maybe they're retarded.
When I was in college in the 70's we were going to experience massive global colling as the pollution blocked out the sun.
In the 2000's my kids were taught that global climate change was going to wreak havoc on the world.
Wonder what the global threat will be for my grand kids in the 2030's.
On this one I have to ask: ARE YOU SMOKING CRACK?
Have you seen extremelycorporate's spelling and grammar? If he went to school past 5th grade, they failed him miserably.
Newsweek April 28, 1975
"There are ominous signs that the Earth’s weather patterns have begun to change dramatically and that these changes may portend a drastic decline in food production– with serious political implications for just about every nation on Earth. The drop in food output could begin quite soon, perhaps only 10 years from now. The regions destined to feel its impact are the great wheat-producing lands of Canada and the U.S.S.R. in the North, along with a number of marginally self-sufficient tropical areas – parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indochina and Indonesia – where the growing season is dependent upon the rains brought by the monsoon."
"Newsweek April 28, 1975 -
There are ominous signs that the Earth's weather patterns have begun to change dramatically and that these changes may portend a drastic decline in food production with serious political implications for just about every nation on Earth." - Extremist
Your statements dispute themselves. Your father learned from a college curriculum in the 50s that was based upon an article in Time magazine from 1975? You cannot possibly be this stupid. This is just another example of Beckerism. Even when you prove yourself wrong, you still feel vindicated. As always, I find it fascinating. You probably actually believe your own nonsense. In your fantasy world, you are a very successful person I am sure.
Our yield / per acre has risen by about 1000% in 60 years, not too mention we do not really rotate crops anymore. We blast fields with petrolium based fertilizers. not to mention GMOs have altered the crop yields.
I'm sure your taskmasters at the GOp and Fox will think of something to scare you. You do seem quite content with Islamophobia though.
So have you been to the Southern Rain forest? How About the Notrhern Raiforest? how about he north Polar Ice Cap ? Have you been to the expanding Sahara? How About Greenland?
What about the dwindling Polar bear levels? Or the wolf population?
The Ecosystem need bio-diversity and we are reducing most of it by: polluting ( corporations), over populating, wasting ( corporations), altering surface( corporations)..etc..
Science is not 100%, but the premise of Climate Change and our role is pretty solid.
The " Islamophobia" you are helping perpetuate is really rediculous. approximately 8% of News Corp is owned by a Saudi Muslim. Funny, Doucey wouldn;t name him for the longest time.
Fox wants you to be afraid..." Loose Nukes...Islamofascists...Obama making deals with Putin that weaken America... death panels...homophobia... China"
What about the rising air polution in alot of states?
What about the exploitation of workers?
What about homeless veterans with PTSD?
What about 9/11 responders what have dies or are dying?
What about Jane Brewer Death Panels in Arizona?
What about increased polutants in our drinking water?
Forget about national debt, take a peek at states debts.
What about the lower standard for military recreuitment?
What about the massive profits of health industry and oil in the last year ?
What about teh Private Prison Industrial Complex we ahve created?
What about US Chamber of Commerce outsourcing our jobs?
Etc...adinfinitum
Fox is not news it is simply Propatainment...
Has Fox won any legitimate journalism awards?
Has broke any real stories?
Has Fox actually done any investigative journalism?
Do people in real positions of power make any decision based on Fox?
Fox is drivel for the empty masses who seek to hear the memes and myths they were taught growing up.
Bill O'Riley is the " angry man" who is defending the average mans point of view.
Glenn Beck is the " teacher/ Prophet" who is going to share the esoteric knowledege he has dicovered.
Gretchen Carlson, who graduated from Stanford, is the "soccer mom" who is out to promote and protect the family.
Sarah Palin is the "momma grizzly". ready to attack. Or the "hockey mom" who is devoted to family and country.
Doucey is the " guy next door". Well meaning and always trying to help and inform.
It is like a mini van from hell...
Fox is not news it is Propatainment...they take orders from Darth Ailes and their overlords at the GOP.
If you have any further unsupported talking points I can do it again.
All I read is unbridled bitterness.
* yes, I've done, and am still doing, all of these.
Though you seem bent on trolling, reported
You must feel pretty disoriented then. Don't fret, it will get easier as you shed teh stoopid.
Not like ignorance, that washes off with a little reading. Stoopid is forever.
Thanks.
I'll have to be a conscientious objector on the flagging. It's a long boring comment with nothing to add to the conversation, at least not deliberately.
But Excremist accidentally provides a service. When the "nothing to see here" trolls comment that nobody takes Fox or Rush seriously, we have an example. Excremist ( assuming he's not a parody troll) believes these things, and I assume he votes.
By the way, Andy. Nothing to do with this or any thread here, but my wife wants to know if your avatar is Capt von Trapp.
Only about 7% of the private US work force is unionized. Their impact is so limited that they are essentially irrelvent to job creation/job loss.
-20 million illegal are the source of air pollution? Yeah not coal fired power plants? Weak enforcement of EPA under GOP? The two topics you are linking have no actual ties in reality.
-Labour is exploited by corporations daily. Shipbuilding industry allowed asbestos to be used well after they knew it was a source of cancer. Coal companies not enforcing proper regulation to ensure safety. Last mining explotion the company had been cited for 200 violation in less than 6 months. I can give examples all day long.
-Building an Islamic community center blocks from Ground Zero and passing a bill to help first responders is again UNRELATED. You are a fear monger. I am guessing you have a copy of the Turner Diaries under your pillow.
-Your statemnent that water is cleaner than ever before is incorrect. 31 majot US cities thus far are showing increased levels of pollutants. Water prior to industrialization was likely much cleaner and didn't have to be processed. Again who is polluting ....Coporations and who is cleaning it up ....governemnt.
-Education levels rose after the creation of the Dept of education. Illiteracy was widespread prior to formation. Also, education was not being funded evenly for various groups. In Alabama in the 1960's white schools received $200/ per student and black schools received $4/ per student. Every civilized western country has a Dept of Education to ensure a certain standard. Coulld it be better of course, but that doesn't mean the Dept is not useful. again you arguement is flawed. Canadian school system was rated 3rd in the world in 3 seperate survey
-Well the Private Prison Welfare Industry wants more laws and longer holding periods so they can charge you more. LOL you are such a racist. It has been shown how in some states a white persons get a lower sentence than a black person for the same crime.It was shown how in drug cases a white person often had the charges dropped or lowered and black people generally were convicted of felony drug possessions. You know why?? Insome states like Florida and Alabama you can not VOTE if you ahve been convicted of a felony.
-Profit=success, Again not always true..Lockheed Martin ...Haliburton...Gilead Sciences...etcc...Are all companies that have profited by making the playing field uneven. They profited by bribing...lobbying...etc...
You again are missing the idea that we live in global economy. Our steel industry didn't fail because of labour, it failed because the playing field has changed. Countries that are Primary resource based economies are limited to global demand. The Us is no longer a primary industries economy and hasn't been for a awhile. We are more like a tertiary economy. Our strength is in knowledge and tech.
-You harp about labour unions eventhough they represent such a miniscule segment of the labour force. though the labour unions are teh true source of the middle-class. Under Eisenhower, 33% ofthe US private work force was unionized.
-Government, states and local governemnt represent its citizens. We are not fiscally responislbe on an individual level but we somehow think our governemnts will be ? We all want services but we don't want to pay for them. And no, states mismanged their budgets on its own, you are so obsessed with blaming Fed...lmao...
Sorry we need effective governemnt....one that helps its citizens grow and presper. One that pays as it goes and manages its resources properly.
According to your stats private employer unions have gone from 33% to 7%. That's a pretty impressive record of job destruction. If unions worked and added value wouldn't the number grow. Seems you directly documented that unions kill jobs and fail.
I find it comical that you don't equate 20 million people with an equivalent amount of coal being burned to provide energy to service the extra twenty million. With the rapid growth of population from immigration or birth it is offsetting every gain we are making in conservation and efficiency.
You missed my point on the 911 responders. Why do the democrats put funding that below studying the source of pig manure smell. I am appalled that they do not give it a higher priority and take funds from lower priority areas. I guess it is only OK to fund it if you can borrow the money but if you actually have to make a tough decision and set priorities its not so important.
Companies profit by making the playing field uneven. And just how do they do that. Oh yea they use corrupt government and regulations to stifle competition. Can you say Net Neutrality. We have free and open competition but since the government wants to control it we will have corrupt Senators taking contributions to use the regulations to protect companies market share. I like the free and open system much more than a government corrupted crony system.
Your last sentence says it all.
"Sorry we need effective government....one that helps its citizens grow and prosper. One that pays as it goes and manages its resources properly."
You must be on my side because that is what I am screaming for. We currently have an out of control group of self serving criminals staffing our Federal Government. They can only continue if We The People allow them to continue to functions as a criminal enterprise with no accountability.
I'm calling "performance artist playing right wing zombie".
Applicable FST quote: "You're a dog Illuminaughty, and a pain to meet on the streets of this basicly Clean town."
Drying out in LA Andy?
Have a great Xmas if I don't bump into you again before..
:)
I have lived in a few countries and I have never seen such unbased " anti governemnt" sentiment. But many are indoctrinated that way...
You have some " idealized" concept of private industry. Again, Ayn Rand would be proud. All your language is from her work.
Yes you mean the hipsanic guys who ride their bikes to work cause they don't own multiple cars.
Also, all immigrant groups from less develloped countries tend to have higher birth rates. Within 2 generations they are typically down to the levels of teh country they have moved to; Irish and Italian levels were huge then they dropped
Yeah they suck up alot of energy. Sigh....
Cause we all know that they are paid so much they live in mansions and own 3 cars. sigh...
I think you really haven't thought this through again..
Already commented on the myth of the " Free Market"
Again, you really haven't thought this through. You seem to cling to the memes the GOP and Fox are selling you.
The Sourthern US is a giant dump, unless you live in a gated community. And wow let's talk about Heartland America, with all the mountain tops missing, or the polluted streams from mercury and lead. Also, the clear cut forests? Texas has the worst air qulaity in the country, great job Rick Perry!! Did I mention the expected $25 billion dollar budget short fall for Texas in 2011? Hmm he can't sell any more toll roads and not likely to get more stimulus money. Oh wait, he claims he never took any. Wait, the $1 billion dollar highway expantion outside DFW airport is stimulus.
I"ve lived in several countries, the US does not rank at the top. It is a great place, but there are many others that are as good and better in some instances.
Did I mention all the pollution is provided from private industry that is union free???
Not all miners are members of UMWA.
Also, there is no such thing as " clean coal". It is simply less polluting than the older style of consumption. It is still one the main cause of co2 emissions.
Also, the level of poverty among all coal miners i spretty high, not to mention the health issues that arise.
Again, here is a group of companies, an industry, that is negatively impacting its employees and the citizens of a country.
Funny...again with an attempt to insert a myth talking point!!!
It would rather explain why they were so gung-ho about attacking Iraq, though, wouldn't it.
Some people say.
Excellent summary. Didn't even scratch the surface, though.