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  4.    <title>Newsbusters - Welcome to NewsBusters, a project of the Media Research Center (MRC), America’s leading media watchdog in documenting, exposing </title>
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  10.  <title>MSNBC Crickets As Jerry Nadler Flip-Flops On Providing Arms For Israel</title>
  11.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2024/05/18/msnbc-crickets-jerry-nadler-flip-flops-providing-arms-israel</link>
  12.  <description> Watching Rep. Jerry Nadler [D-NY] on Saturday's edition of MSNBC's The Weekend, I was struck by how relaxed and comfortable he looked. As well he should be, knowing that his hosts would never challenge their fellow liberal.
  13.  
  14. And so it was that there was not a peep out of Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, or Michael Steele when Nadler laid out his support for cutting off crucial military supplies to Israel should it go into Rafah. The hosting trio either didn't know or didn't care that Nadler's position is diametrically opposite to the one he passionately advocated when Donald Trump was president.
  15.  
  16. Here was Nadler explaining his vote against a bill proposed by Republicans to assure continuing military aid to Israel:
  17.  
  18.  
  19. "The president is, in my view quite properly, withholding certain very heavy ordinance--2000-pound bombs, etcetera, from Israel, if they go into Rafah. The only use of those weapons is to try to destroy tunnels deep underground. But in so doing, your destroying everything above ground. The kill radius of a 2000-pound bomb is 400 yards. And the president is quite properly withholding that.."
  20.  
  21.  
  22. So that is Nadler now. But here was Nadler in 2019, when Donald Trump was president [emphasis added]:
  23.  
  24.  
  25. Aid to Israel: Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) tells Jewish Insider’s Jacob Kornbluh that Democrats who have expressed support for leveraging aid to Israel are “wrong.” Nadler stressed that “We have a $38 billion committment over 10 years for military aid to Israel. The Israelis need it for defense. Whether we approve or disapprove of specific policies, we shouldn’t use military aid as a pressure point on specific policies — because Israel’s security is paramount.”
  26.  
  27.  
  28. So, Nadler used to adamantly oppose using military aid as a "pressure point" on Israel to coerce it on policy issues. But now, that is precisely what Nadler is proposing. Threaten Israel with withholding badly needed munitions should it go into Rafah.
  29.  
  30.  
  31.  
  32.  
  33.  
  34.  
  35.  
  36. Nadler condemned as "nonsense" Israel's plan to eliminate Hamas now, once and for all. Instead, Nadler expressed his support for Biden's fantasy-land solution in which Arab countries would send their military forces to occupy Gaza, and perhaps 12 years down the road, a representative Palestinian organization could be created. So Hamas would continue to exist, and Arabs would be fighting Arabs for 12 years in Gaza.  Now, that is true "nonsense!"
  37.  
  38. Before expressing his support for threatening to withhold military aid to Israel, Nadler went on a long-winded explanation of his vote against the Republican-sponsored Antisemitism Awareness Act. Indeed, Nadler bragged of having "led the opposition" to the bill.
  39.  
  40. So let's summarize. Nadler votes against a bill opposing antisemitism. He votes against a bill assuring continued military aid to Israel. He supports leaving Hamas in place in Rafah. He calls Netanyahu the worst Jewish leader in 2,000 years. And none of the show's liberal hosts say boo.
  41.  
  42. Here's a thought: perhaps Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ocasio-Cortez could make Jerry an honorary member of The Squad!
  43.  
  44. Here's the transcript.
  45.  
  46.  
  47. MSNBC
  48. The Weekend
  49. 6/18/24
  50. 8:54 am EDT
  51.  
  52. MICHAEL STEELE: Congressman, I want to broaden the scope a little bit, internationally. You voted no on two pieces of legislation this week. The Antisemitism Awareness Act, in which you put out a statement saying we need tangible solutions to this crisis, not political grandstanding and showmanship. That's why last week, I led the opposition to a bill that, despite it deceptive title, would chill constitutionally protected speech while do nothing to fund the programs that actually protect college campuses and houses of worship.
  53.  
  54. So you have that piece. And then you had also the, the weapons bill for Israel in which you noted, you voted against another cynical partisan attempt to politicize the U.S-Israeli relationship.
  55.  
  56. . . .
  57.  
  58. JERRY NADLER: The president is, in my view quite properly, withholding certain very heavy ordinance--2000-pound bombs, etcetera, from Israel, if they go into Rafah. And they say they're going to Rafah.
  59.  
  60. The only use of those weapons is to try to destroy tunnels deep underground. But in so doing, your destroying everything above ground. The kill radius of a 2000-pound bomb is 400 yards. 
  61.  
  62. STEELE: Right.
  63.  
  64. NADLER: Which means, if you're standing here and the bomb drops, it could be fatal to, I think, 36th Street.
  65.  
  66. SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND: Oh my goodness. 
  67.  
  68. NADLER: And the president is quite properly withholding that. Now, Netanyahu -- who I think is the worst Jewish leader since antiquity -- is saying that, well, there were 12 battalions, 12 Hamas battalions. We took care of eight of them up north. Now we have to take care of the other four.
  69.  
  70. That is nonsense. There may be 12, 12 battalions, but they're fighting up north again.The more you bomb them, you're just radicalizing more people --
  71.  
  72. STEELE: -- More and more people.
  73.  
  74. NADLER: -- and you're creating it. We should have learned that lesson in Mosul. 
  75.  
  76. And if you want to follow an intelligent policy, you have to do what the president suggested. Bring in various Arab countries. Have them -- you have them, have their military forces occupy the territory. They rebuild it, and you do that for maybe a dozen years, and then you stand up a, a representative organization that can represent the Palestinians.  
  77.  
  78. STEELE: All right. Congressman Jerry Nadler. Thank you so much. Really appreciate you bringing that to us. Really appreciate it very much. 
  79. </description>
  80.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 6:31 PM</pubDate>
  81.    <dc:creator>Mark Finkelstein</dc:creator>
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  84. <item>
  85.  <title>PBS NewsHour Wrecks Texas for Abbott Pardon, Pressured by 'White Right-Wing Conservatives'</title>
  86.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2024/05/18/pbs-newshour-wrecks-texas-abbott-pardon-pressured-white-right-wing</link>
  87.  <description>The PBS NewsHour on Friday questioned Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s pardon of “convicted killer Daniel Perry” as a sop to “white right-wing conservatives.” Host Geoff Bennett loaded his lead to tar Abbott’s decision right from the start.
  88.  
  89.  
  90. Geoff Bennett: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pardoned a man convicted of fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester in the summer of 2020. Abbott had faced pressure to issue the pardon from white right-wing conservatives, including then- Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
  91.  
  92.  
  93. Reporter Stephanie Sy also loaded her description, complete with an extraneous mention of the white victim’s “black fiancé,” but barely mentioning that the BLM-supporting victim, Garrett Foster, was also armed and allegedly raised his weapon at Perry. (An AK-47 rifle no less, a tool feared by the liberal media.)
  94.  
  95.  
  96. Sy: Yesterday, the Texas State Parole Board, whose members are appointed by the governor, unanimously recommended the release of convicted killer Daniel Perry and the restoration of his firearm rights. He walked free just hours after the pardon was issued. Perry was serving a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of Garrett Foster, an armed white man who was attending a racial justice protest with his black fiance. In court, Perry argued he shot Foster from his car in self-defense. Prosecutors argued he sought out the encounter, and the jury ultimately agreed.
  97.  
  98. For more on what led to Perry's pardon, we're joined by KVUE and Austin-American Statesman investigative reporter.
  99.  
  100. Tony Plohetski. Tony, welcome to the NewsHour. The board said it did a meticulous review of this case. But critics say this is politics, and you had right-wing pundits like Tucker Carlson calling for this for a year. What was the biggest justification Governor Abbott gave for this pardon?
  101.  
  102.  
  103. The pardon power was once strongly embraced by liberals, but no longer, at least when Republican presidents and governors use it.
  104.  
  105.  
  106.  
  107.  
  108. Tony Plohetski, Austin-American Statesman: Well, to your point, while the parole and pardons board issued this statement saying that they had done a meticulous review, what was absent from their statement was any sort of legal rationale, in terms of recommending that the governor issued this pardon. In a separate proclamation, the governor, however, says that Texas has a very strong, one of the strongest, in his words, self-defense, stand-your-ground laws here in Texas. And so he saw this as upholding that law, and that the conviction of Daniel Perry in this case were, in his words, a travesty of justice.
  109.  
  110.  
  111. Sy immediately suggested Abbott was guilty of hypocrisy: 
  112.  
  113.  
  114. Sy: How does this fit into Abbott's broader record on pardons? Is this a governor who has shown mercy to others who have been convicted of such serious crimes?
  115.  
  116. Plohetski: Well, certainly this adds fuel to the already burning fire between Republicans here in Texas and progressive district attorneys like district attorney Jose Garza here in Austin. There has been a lot of back-and-forth discussion about what crimes get prosecuted and what crimes don't get prosecuted here in Austin. But with regard to the governor's record with regard to pardons, over time, the governor has issued precious few of these pardons, usually doing so at the end of the year….
  117.  
  118.  
  119. Sy read from a hysterically strong letter from Foster’s fiancé, entering it into the media record:
  120.  
  121.  
  122. With this pardon, the governor has desecrated the life of a murdered Texan and U.S. Air Force veteran and impugned that jury's just verdict. He has declared that Texans who hold political views that are different from his and different from those in power can be killed in this state with impunity.
  123.  
  124.  
  125. Sy tried to make Plohetski say the pardon was out of bounds: "Pardons, as you know, Tony, are often political. Does this pardon go beyond a norm? Does it set a new precedent?"
  126.  
  127. Plohetski hinted agreement, citing concern among “the criminal justice community in Austin” that future similar moves would risk “further upending the criminal justice system.”
  128.  
  129. This segment was brought to you in part by Cunard.
  130.  
  131. A transcript is available, click “Expand.”
  132.  
  133.  
  134. PBS NewsHour
  135.  
  136. 5/17/24
  137.  
  138. 7:15:42 p.m. (ET)
  139.  
  140. Geoff Bennett: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pardoned a man convicted of fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester in the summer of 2020. Abbott had faced pressure to issue the pardon from white right-wing conservatives, including then FOX News host Tucker Carlson. Stephanie Sy has the story.
  141.  
  142. Stephanie Sy: Yesterday, the Texas State Parole Board, whose members are appointed by the governor, unanimously recommended the release of convicted killer Daniel Perry and the restoration of his firearm rights. He walked free just hours after the pardon was issued.
  143.  
  144. Perry was serving a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of Garrett Foster, an armed white man who was attending a racial justice protest with his Black fiance. In court, Perry argued he shot Foster from his car in self-defense. Prosecutors argued he sought out the encounter, and the jury ultimately agreed.
  145.  
  146. For more on what led to Perry's pardon, we're joined by KVUE and Austin-American Statesman investigative reporter Tony Plohetski.
  147.  
  148. Tony, welcome to the "NewsHour."
  149.  
  150. The board said it did a meticulous review of this case. But critics say this is politics, and you had right-wing pundits like Tucker Carlson calling for this for a year. What was the biggest justification Governor Abbott gave for this pardon?
  151.  
  152. Tony Plohetski, The Austin-American Statesman: Well, to your point, while the parole and pardons board issued this statement saying that they had done a meticulous review, what was absent from their statement was any sort of legal rationale, in terms of recommending that the governor issued this pardon.
  153.  
  154. In a separate proclamation, the governor, however, says that Texas has a very strong, one of the strongest, in his words, self-defense, stand-your-ground laws here in Texas. And so he saw this as upholding that law, and that the conviction of Daniel Perry in this case were, in his words, a travesty of justice.
  155.  
  156. Stephanie Sy: And he also had criticism for Travis County's DA's handling of the case, right?
  157.  
  158. But how does this fit into Abbott's broader record on pardons? Is this a governor who has shown mercy to others who have been convicted of such serious crimes?
  159.  
  160. Tony Plohetski: Well, certainly this adds fuel to the already burning fire between Republicans here in Texas and progressive district attorneys like district attorney Jose Garza here in Austin.
  161.  
  162. There has been a lot of back-and-forth discussion about what crimes get prosecuted and what crimes don't get prosecuted here in Austin. But with regard to the governor's record with regard to pardons, over time, the governor has issued precious few of these pardons, usually doing so at the end of the year.
  163.  
  164. We're talking, Stephanie, only about a handful per year, most of them nonviolent offenders who were convicted, some of them after serving years or in some cases even decades in prison. This pardon, however, stands very distinct from that, in that Daniel Perry has only been in prison a little more than a year.
  165.  
  166. Stephanie Sy: I want to read a statement from Whitney Mitchell, Garrett Foster's surviving fiancee. She was at the protest that night. She testified during the trial.
  167.  
  168. And she said through her attorney — quote — "With this pardon, the governor has desecrated the life of a murdered Texan and U.S. Air Force veteran and impugned that jury's just verdict. He has declared that Texans who hold political views that are different from his and different from those in power can be killed in this state with impunity."
  169.  
  170. Pardons, as you know, tony, are often political. Does this pardon go beyond a norm? Does it set a new precedent?
  171.  
  172. Tony Plohetski: I can tell you that that is certainly the concern, not only here in the criminal justice community in Austin, but really across the state, what this might lead to with regard to other cases that are on dockets, not only in Austin, but across the state, whether or not Governor Abbott may lend support to those offenders, should they be convicted sometime down the line, and, in the minds of some people here in Texas, further upending the criminal justice system.
  173.  
  174. Stephanie Sy: How else are you hearing reaction from this, particularly from the family and Black Lives Matter protesters?
  175.  
  176. Tony Plohetski: Well, I can assure you that the reaction of Whitney Mitchell is consistent to a lot of feelings here in Austin.
  177.  
  178. Austin has a very strong community with regard to activism and demonstrations. And so they were alarmed the night that Garrett Foster was killed. But let me assure you that, elsewhere in the state, a deeply conservative state, others view this, other loud voices, including, for example, the attorney general, view this as righting a wrong, that a miscarriage of justice occurred in this case.
  179.  
  180. And so they see this as the governor using his authority, legally using his partner authority to right that wrong. But, again, the reaction really does range, depending on who you talk to, not only in Austin, but across the state of Texas.
  181.  
  182. Stephanie Sy: Tony Plohetski with The Austin-American Statesman, thank you so much for joining the "NewsHour."
  183.  
  184. Tony Plohetski: Thanks for having me.
  185. </description>
  186.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 5:27 PM</pubDate>
  187.    <dc:creator>Clay Waters</dc:creator>
  188.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284229</guid>
  189.    </item>
  190. <item>
  191.  <title>The CNN Presidential Debate: A Trump Trap?</title>
  192.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jeffrey-lord/2024/05/18/cnn-presidential-debate-trump-trap</link>
  193.  <description> The inevitable quadrennial debate announcement has been made. There will be two presidential debates, and Donald Trump let Joe Biden set the rules. This time around CNN will host the first, and ABC the second.
  194.  
  195. And the CNN selection -- with the announcement of moderators as CNN’s own Jake Tapper and Dana Bash -- raises a curious question.
  196.  
  197. That would be: Is the selection of CNN a “Trump Trap”? A trap set by the former President himself?
  198.  
  199. To start, consider the lay of the political land right now.
  200.  
  201. As this is written, the former president is on trial in New York, the trial in the hands of decided Trump haters. The judge is on record as having contributed to President Biden’s re-election campaign. The judge’s daughter Loren Merchan is a left-wing activist actively involved with a digital marketing and fundraising agency that caters to Democrats. The Manhattan District Attorney who brought this case is an elected Democrat. So too the New York State Attorney General, the latter openly campaigning on a promise to get Trump.
  202.  
  203. This is all before we get to the Fulton County Democrat DA Fani Willis and the soap opera that is her prosecution of Trump. And not to be left out is the Biden Justice Department’s Special Counsel Jack Smith, prosecuting Trump over the storage of classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate discovered in a raid on the former President’s home. Notably, President Biden has been revealed to similarly have boxes of classified documents stored, haphazardly, in his Wilmington garage -- with, curiously, no surprise raid. He had time to er, "adjust."
  204.  
  205. Whatever the legal results are to be, without doubt all of this taken together has backfired, and backfired big time. Look no further than the crowd said to be 100,000 strong that turned out for Trump’s recent appearance in, of all places, the very blue state of New Jersey. 
  206.  
  207. Then there’s the lineup of Republican members of Congress showing up at the New York courthouse where Trump’s trial is taking place. Suffice to say, any given Member of Congress is a highly political being, and they would never in a blink show up to so obviously support Trump if they thought they would be losing votes by doing so.
  208.  
  209. All of which is to say, the former President has become the very symbol of a President being targeted by the American political and legal Establishment. And the attacks on him have backfired and backfired big time, politically speaking.
  210.  
  211. Along with the attacks from the political and legal establishments, so too, famously, has the liberal “mainstream” media targeted Trump. That would decidedly include CNN. And, safe to say, the American people get it and have reacted with a decidedly negative view.
  212.  
  213. CNN’s ratings have not been good. Leading, among other things, to this barb from the Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon, "Biden and Trump will meet on June 27 on CNN, and one of Biden's debate conditions was not having an audience, so that explains why it's on CNN."
  214.  
  215. Which brings us round to the “Trump Trap” that may be the CNN debate.
  216.  
  217. Full disclosure: CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the debate moderators, are former colleagues. I like and respect both.
  218.  
  219. But the point here is what is certainly obvious. There is one video clip after another here at NewsBusters of Jake deriding Trump, calling his presidency a “nightmare” and worse. Dana, plainly, is no Trump fan either. God Bless America -- I believe in free speech for Jake, Dana and every other American.
  220.  
  221. Yet the fact here is that this debate will quickly be seen by millions of Americans as Trump versus not just President Biden, but against two left-leaning, Trump-despising members of the Trump despising “mainstream” liberal media as well. 
  222.  
  223. In other words, this debate can be seen as being set up as a “Trump Trap.” Putting the former President on a debate stage with, as noted, not one opponent, but three.
  224.  
  225. And in the current, decidedly heated political environment where Trump’s antagonists at his New York trial as well as his other trials have ignited a tidal wave of support for the former President. His treatment at the hands of Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in this debate could easily do even more of the same.
  226.  
  227. For Trump, this might be similar to the CNN "town hall" with Kaitlan Collins constantly interrupting -- and you know how much CNN staffers and viewers were inflamed over that "platforming" of Trump.
  228.  
  229. Which means? This debate just may turn out to be a well-planned -- by the former President -- “Trump Trap”.  Snaring CNN’s anti-Trump moderators and letting them, in full view of millions of Americans, just be their anti-Trump selves. Only adding to the backfire of support for Trump that is already on display, as in New Jersey just the other day.
  230.  
  231. So prepare the popcorn. This debate will be a fun and instructive night.</description>
  232.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 4:00 PM</pubDate>
  233.    <dc:creator>Jeffrey Lord</dc:creator>
  234.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284222</guid>
  235.    </item>
  236. <item>
  237.  <title>PolitiFact Spins For Democrats On Late-Term Abortion</title>
  238.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/18/politifact-spins-democrats-late-term-abortion</link>
  239.  <description>There are three things certain in life: death, taxes, and self-styled fact-checkers defending Democrats on late-term abortion. The latest example came on Friday from D.L. Davis, who gave Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson a “false” label for claiming “Every Senate Democrat has voted to support unlimited abortions up to the moment of birth.”
  240.  
  241. Johnson’s office cited the Democrats’ 2022 Women’s Health Protection Act and Davis took exception to the use of the word “every,” writing “[Sen. Joe] Manchin, R-W.Va. [sic], voted no along with Republican senators on the measure. The vote was 49 Yes and 51 No."
  242.  
  243. It’s ironic that Davis tried to shame Johnson for saying “every” Democrat voted for it when the truth is everyone, but one did and Davis and his editors couldn’t even get Manchin’s party letter label correct.
  244.  
  245. Regardless, Davis also cited Johnson's office for claiming “the measure ‘would enshrine abortion into law up until the moment of birth and block state laws with protections against late-term abortions.’"
  246.  
  247. Davis simply replied, “That’s wrong.” He also added, “On the contrary, the measure — which has not become law — protects the right to an abortion up until the point of fetal viability, which is roughly reached at 24 weeks of pregnancy.”
  248.  
  249. He further writes, “After that point, the legislation protects the right to abortion only "when, in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating health care provider, continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the pregnant patient’s life or health," according to the bill's text.”
  250.  
  251. If one were to try to be as neutral as possible, as all good fact-checkers should, Davis could reasonably say the bill did not mandate the reversal of state laws banning late-term abortions, but to say the bill does not protect “abortion into law up until the moment of birth” is also wrong.
  252.  
  253. The bill allows blue states to permit it, which some do. For Davis, such concerns are not important, “‘Abortion ‘up to the moment of birth’ simply doesn’t happen.' [Washington Sen. Patty] Murray said in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin. ‘Abortions later in pregnancy are extraordinarily rare and occur essentially only when a pregnancy is nonviable and the mother risks severe injury or death by remaining pregnant.’”
  254.  
  255. Talking points about late-term abortion being rare do not refute claims that a bill permits it. If late-term abortions are so rare and only done for legitimate medical reasons, why is it so hard for national Democrats to write in a provision to their bills banning elective abortions after viability?</description>
  256.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 2:17 PM</pubDate>
  257.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  258.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284231</guid>
  259.    </item>
  260. <item>
  261.  <title>The War on Jerry Seinfeld, Explained</title>
  262.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/christian-toto/2024/05/18/war-jerry-seinfeld-explained</link>
  263.  <description>Some stars float on a bed of pure adulation.
  264.  
  265. Dolly Parton comes to mind, as do Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock and Betty White before her passing in 2021.
  266.  
  267. Jerry Seinfeld just got bumped from that list.
  268.  
  269. The 70-year-old comedian is best known for his self-titled sitcom, a sensation still felt in 2024 thanks to the streaming revolution. He’s worked sporadically since then, both on “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” and the stand-up circuit.
  270.  
  271. That all changed when he gave a blunt interview to The New Yorker’s podcast.
  272.  
  273.  
  274.  
  275.  
  276.  
  277.  
  278.  
  279.  
  280.  
  281. Seinfeld, now starring in the Netflix comedy “Unfrosted,” blasted the “extreme Left” for hurting comedy. The comments immediately drew the media’s ire, although the think pieces aimed at rebutting his charge fired blanks.
  282.  
  283. All his critics could do is say he’s too old, too white or too out of touch. Imagine lecturing Jerry Seinfeld on comedy.
  284.  
  285.  
  286. Bottom of Form
  287.  
  288.  
  289. Yes, there’s something wrong with that.
  290.  
  291. His statement changed the way media outlets viewed the New York-based comic. The press adulation faded. In its place, a brand “reassessment.”
  292.  
  293. The Hollywood Reporter fretted that Seinfeld’s new, outspoken mien could hurt his career, something John Nolte rightly noted is never mentioned when a star veers to the Left. CNN cranked out a think piece centered on the author’s “growing unease” over the clean comic.
  294.  
  295. Slate worried aloud with a piece dubbed, “What’s the Deal with Jerry Seinfeld?”
  296.  
  297.  
  298. …he’s even started embracing his Judaism more publicly, and in December traveled to Tel Aviv to visit the families of Hamas hostages. Who can fault a Jewish celebrity for calling attention to the dead and missing of Israel? Yet he’s notably not commented on the Netanyahu government, condemned the war, or discussed the suffering of Gazans…
  299.  
  300.  
  301. Funny, nearly every celebrity not named Rapaport, Heaton, Messing or Schumer continues to ignore the Israel hostages held by the terrorists in Hamas without any Slate-approved hand-wringing.
  302.  
  303. But we digress.
  304.  
  305. That Slate piece wouldn’t exist had the comedian not accurately mocked the “extreme Left” for hurting comedy.
  306.  
  307. The latest attack on the genial comic speaks volumes of today’s culture.
  308.  
  309. Roughly 30 pro-Palestinian students protested Seinfeld’s Duke University commencement address Sunday. The walkouts got plenty of media attention, but they didn’t stop Seinfeld from sharing some advice to those about to enter the “real world.”
  310.  
  311.  
  312. “Whatever you’re doing, I don’t care if it’s your job, your hobby, a relationship, getting a reservation at M Sushi,” the comedian said. “Make an effort. Just pure, stupid, no-real-idea-what-I’m-doing-here effort. Effort always yields a positive value, even if the outcome of the effort is absolute failure of the desired result. This is a rule of life. Just swing the bat and pray is not a bad approach to a lot of things.”
  313.  
  314.  
  315. Why protest Seinfeld?
  316.  
  317. The comedian is Jewish and he supports Israel’s right to defend itself against the worst terrorist attack in decades. The documentary “Screams Before Silence,” mostly ignored by film critics, captures the Oct. 7 atrocities by the Hamas terrorist group/government.
  318.  
  319. For that, select students felt Seinfeld wasn’t an appropriate choice to greet the graduates. And it’s not the first time Seinfeld endured heckling for his pro-Israeli views.
  320.  
  321. Protesters shouted at him when he left a New York event in February featuring The Free Press founder Bari Weiss.
  322.  
  323. Seinfeld remains a beloved figure to many. They’ll always appreciate the laughter “Seinfeld” brought into their lives. Others embrace a comedian who sticks to his squeaky-clean image in our troubled times.
  324.  
  325. Seinfeld still isn’t political by nature, and his off-screen life rarely intersects with the Beltway.
  326.  
  327. That doesn’t matter.
  328.  
  329. Like J.K. Rowling, he’ll never be viewed the same way by the hard Left and the press, two groups with sizable overlap.
  330.  
  331. For Rowling, defying the trans movement earned her a Scarlet Letter of sorts for her former defenders. Seinfeld’s willingness to pin comedy’s decline on the far-Left similarly stained him with that movement.
  332.  
  333. Rowling, once revered for her progressive views and positive impact on children’s reading habits, is now a pariah on the Left. That won’t change unless she attempts an extended apology and becomes an “ally” for the trans cause.
  334.  
  335. And the author isn’t budging.
  336.  
  337. Neither she nor Seinfeld will be treated as a beloved icon again, at least in certain quarters.
  338.  
  339. The Daily Beast dredges up an embarrassing chapter from Seinfeld’s past to keep the attacks. coming.
  340.  
  341. The comedian’s romance with a 17-year-old “resurfaced” on social media, and the far-Left Beast happily amplified the narrative. The comic was 38 at the time, and while the courtship fueled the gossip pages it wasn’t the worst attack on him.
  342.  
  343. That came courtesy of Howard Stern. The shock jock invited folk singer Janis Ian on his show to sing an updated version of her hit song “At Seventeen” to mock Seinfeld.</description>
  344.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 1:30 PM</pubDate>
  345.    <dc:creator>Christian Toto</dc:creator>
  346.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284215</guid>
  347.    </item>
  348. <item>
  349.  <title>ABC, Once Again, Helps The Left Smear Alito</title>
  350.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/18/abc-once-again-helps-left-smear-alito</link>
  351.  <description>After not-so cleverly trying and failing to get Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from important Supreme Court cases related to January 6, the left and the media have moved on to try to not-so cleverly get Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself based on a photo of an upside-down flag outside his home that was said to show support for the rioters. On Saturday’s Good Morning America, ABC White House correspondent MaryAlice Parks omitted key details from Alito’s side of the story as she also hyped that even the appearance of bias can undermine the Court’s credibility.
  352.  
  353. It was ABC’s second day in a row of echoing the smear and co-host Whit Johnson showed the picture and introduced Parks by noting, “This morning Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is under fire. The New York Times obtaining this photo of an American flag flying upside down reportedly at Alito's home in the days just after the January 6th riot. ABC's White House correspondent, MaryAlice Parks, joins us now from Washington with more. MaryAlice, good morning.”
  354.  
  355.  
  356.  
  357.  
  358.  
  359.  
  360.  
  361.  
  362.  
  363. For Parks, “The central question here is whether Justice Alito or someone from his family was trying to show solidarity with those who wanted to subvert the 2020 Election results or even with those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. Now, according to the New York Times, the American flag flew upside down for days at the Alito House right before President Biden's inauguration. Flags, of course, are never supposed to be flown upside down unless to signal great distress, but former President Trump’s supporters had adopted it as a symbol, some even carrying it as they stormed the Capitol.”
  364.  
  365. If it is really “the central question,” then some discussion on Alito’s record on the 2020 Election would be appropriate, but Parks wasn’t interested in that. Instead, she recalled, “Justice Alito did not reply to our request but blamed his wife in a comment to the Times and has downplayed the incident. Still, the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, is calling for Alito to recuse himself from all January 6th-related cases. The Court is expected to rule on two cases related to the attack on the Capitol in the next few weeks, including one about whether Trump has immunity for his actions.”
  366.  
  367. Parks completely misrepresented and omitted key details of Alito’s side of the story. He was not blaming his wife, he was simply explaining she was on the receiving end of abuse from nasty neighbors who blamed her for January 6 and used vile language, including the C-word.
  368.  
  369. For all the media complaints about Harrison Butker, the media sure seems to be upset that Alito and Thomas don’t sufficiently control their wives.
  370.  
  371. Still, Parks played the “people are saying” card, “Now, since the news broke, several legal scholars have been questioning whether Alito showed bias here and damaged his credibility. Of course, even the perception of a conflict of interest could be problematic and undermine faith in the courts. Janai.”
  372.  
  373. Co-host Janai Norman agreed, “And that is one of the concerns, MaryAlice. Thank you.”
  374.  
  375. What is the ideological bent of these “legal scholars?” Could it be that they have political axes to grind? Could they be ginning up controversy to pressure the Court to rule a certain way or delegitimize it if it rules another? Again, Parks wasn’t interested.
  376.  
  377. Here is a transcript for the May 18 show:
  378.  
  379.  
  380. ABC Good Morning America
  381.  
  382. 5/18/2024
  383.  
  384. 7:09 AM ET
  385.  
  386. WHIT JOHNSON: This morning Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is under fire. The New York Times obtaining this photo of an American flag flying upside down reportedly at Alito's home in the days just after the January 6th riot. ABC's White House correspondent, MaryAlice Parks, joins us now from Washington with more. MaryAlice, good morning.
  387.  
  388. MARYALICE PARKS: Yeah, Whit, good morning. The central question here is whether Justice Alito or someone from his family was trying to show solidarity with those who wanted to subvert the 2020 Election results or even with those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. Now, according to the New York Times, the American flag flew upside down for days at the Alito house right before President Biden's inauguration. Flags, of course, are never supposed to be flown upside down unless to signal great distress, but former President Trump’s supporters had adopted it as a symbol, some even carrying it as they stormed the Capitol.
  389.  
  390. Now, Justice Alito did not reply to our request but blamed his wife in a comment to the Times and has downplayed the incident. Still, the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, is calling for Alito to recuse himself from all January 6th-related cases. The Court is expected to rule on two cases related to the attack on the Capitol in the next few weeks, including one about whether Trump has immunity for his actions. 
  391.  
  392. Now, since the news broke, several legal scholars have been questioning whether Alito showed bias here and damaged his credibility. Of course, even the perception of a conflict of interest could be problematic and undermine faith in the courts. Janai.
  393.  
  394. JANAI NORMAN: And that is one of the concerns, MaryAlice. Thank you.
  395. </description>
  396.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 12:21 PM</pubDate>
  397.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  398.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284230</guid>
  399.    </item>
  400. <item>
  401.  <title>PBS 'News Judgment': Upside-Down Alito Flag Bigger Than Potential Kavanaugh Assassin</title>
  402.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2024/05/18/pbs-news-judgment-upside-down-alito-flag-bigger-potential-kavanaugh</link>
  403.  <description>On Friday’s PBS NewsHour, the Week in Review segment dove into the New York Times “scoop” that the flag flew upside down for a few days in January 2021 outside the home of Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito. This was Big News? Two years ago, when a man showed up outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house intending to assassinate him, the NewsHour didn’t find that worthy on Friday June 10, 2022.
  404.  
  405. Of course, the Big News then was slobbering over the Pelosi-picked January 6 Committee, just as this Alito story is a January 6 echo. 
  406.  
  407.  
  408.  
  409.  
  410.  
  411.  
  412. CAPEHART: This is outrageous. And it's outrageous because this is a Supreme Court justice who, at the time that flag was flown, was sitting in judgment of a particular case involving the — still, at that point, the sitting president.
  413.  
  414. The other thing is, could you imagine what would have happened if that flag was flying like that on the property of Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Ketanji Brown Jackson, someone from the liberal wing on the bench of the Supreme Court? They would have been impeached.
  415.  
  416. And so the idea that we're supposed to accept Justice Alito's rationale here that, oh, my wife did it, it's unacceptable. And I think it just feeds into the erosion of the trust and the standing of the Supreme Court with the American public.
  417.  
  418.  
  419. Capehart and PBS and all their leftist media colleagues are actively trying to erode trust in the Supreme Court, because they’re not in charge of it right now.
  420.  
  421. Washington Free Beacon editor Eliana Johnson subbed in for David Brooks, which means you get an actual conservative viewpoint for a change.
  422.  
  423.  
  424. JOHNSON: I don't think that the good liberal readers of The New York Times or viewers of this network would be willing to argue with a straight face that the views of a woman — and she has not come out to say that she didn't do this — are derivative of her husband's views.
  425.  
  426. My husband has nothing to do with the things I say on this network, and you can't have it both ways. You cannot say that women are strong and should be out and employed and have their own views and that their husbands are responsible for everything they then go and do.
  427.  
  428.  
  429. Capehart then repeated his point: "And if that had happened, again, to RBG, they would be raining thunder calling for her resignation. And I wouldn't — I would have a hard time arguing with them."
  430.  
  431. Earlier, Capehart made snippy points against Trump as he and the president agreed to debates: "Even though Donald Trump did agree to these two debates, I will believe it when I see it. I don't think he actually shows up."
  432.  
  433. When anchor Geoff Bennett asked why Trump would lower expectations of Biden's debating skills at this point, Capehart hissed: "But we're talking about Donald Trump, who never misses an opportunity to belittle someone he's afraid of, but just to belittle anyone."</description>
  434.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 11:57 AM</pubDate>
  435.    <dc:creator>Tim Graham</dc:creator>
  436.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284228</guid>
  437.    </item>
  438. <item>
  439.  <title>MSNBC Spews Fake News About Butker Speech To Warn About GOP 'Misogyny'</title>
  440.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/18/msnbc-spews-fake-news-about-butker-speech-warn-about-gop-misogyny</link>
  441.  <description>MSNBC’s Alex Wagner continued the media tradition of spreading fake news about what exactly Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told a Catholic college during a recent commencement address. Wagner falsely reported that Butker told the women graduates “their rightful place was in service to men” as her guest, law Prof. Leah Lithman, urged viewers to vote against GOP “misogyny.”
  442.  
  443. What makes Wagner’s falsehoods even worse is that she previously played the clip of Butker saying that while some of them may get fancy jobs and promotions, he ventured to guess they were mostly looking forward to the families they would raise. That someone would value their family more than their job is not exactly a radical position, but Wagner still lamented, “On Saturday, during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic school in Kansas, Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker railed against abortion and IVF, he called birth control ‘unnatural,’ diversity, equity and inclusion ‘tyranny’ and queer pride a ‘deadly sin.’ Then he addressed the women graduates directly telling them that their rightful place was in service to men.”
  444.  
  445.  
  446.  
  447.  
  448.  
  449.  
  450.  
  451.  
  452.  
  453. Wagner rolled on, “Butker verbalized a decades-long conservative project, one that has manifested into real life policy. Already there are 21 states with abortion bands, 31 states where anti-DEI measures have been either passed or introduced and 12 states with anti-LGBTQ laws. The anti-feminist Christian Nationalist agenda is alive and well and it is gaining ground.”
  454.  
  455. What do “anti-DEI” or “anti-LGBTQ laws” mean? Nobody knows because Wagner didn’t specify. Instead, she introduced Litman and asked, “just to put into perspective the things that Harrison Butker was talking about, I want to read this line from the inimitable Jessica Valenti, this is what she’s writing about, ‘Butker’s remarks weren't ‘fringe’ or radical’ she says ‘they're the law, he was simply saying out loud what Republicans have already codified, that women's role in this country is to bear children and support men who are the actual stars of the show.’ What do you make of that?”
  456.  
  457. Litman replied, “I think that is a really terrifying statement that captures the current political moment we are living in, the district judge in the case that ordered the nationwide ban on medication abortion, is a judge, who before he became a judge, railed against no fault divorce laws, that actually allow people to get divorced.”
  458.  
  459. She also lamented, “You have Republican political operatives ginning up theories that would allow them to revive an 1873 Victorian-era law, the Comstock Act, that would prohibit abortion nationwide. These theories are not fringe, they are being propounded by Republican politicians, at the state, local, and federal level and these are the stakes in the upcoming election and likely all future ones as long as the Republican Party leans into the movement for Christian nationalism and the misogyny that underlies it.”
  460.  
  461. If Wagner were to ask Butker if he viewed being a husband and a father as more important or satisfying than being a professional football player, he would almost certainly say yes, but asking it would upset the narrative.
  462.  
  463. Here is a transcript for the May 17 show:
  464.  
  465.  
  466. MSNBC Alex Wager Tonight
  467.  
  468. 5/17/2024
  469.  
  470. 9:55 PM ET
  471.  
  472. ALEX WAGNER: On Saturday, during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic school in Kansas, Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker railed against abortion and IVF, he called birth control "unnatural," diversity, equity and inclusion "tyranny" and queer pride a "deadly sin." Then he addressed the women graduates directly telling them that their rightful place was in service to men.
  473.  
  474. Butker verbalized a decades-long conservative project, one that has manifested into real life policy. Already there are 21 states with abortion bands, 31 states where anti-DEI measures have been either passed or introduced and 12 states with anti-LGBTQ laws. The anti-feminist Christian Nationalist agenda is alive and well and it is gaining ground.
  475.  
  476. Joining me now is Leah Litman, law professor at the University of Michigan and one of the co-hosts of the Strict Scrutiny podcast. Leah, thank you for joining me, just to put into perspective the things that Harrison Butker was talking about, I want to read this line from the inimitable Jessica Valenti, this is what she’s writing about, “Butker’s remarks weren't ‘fringe’ or radical” she says “they're the law, he was simply saying out loud what Republicans have already codified, that women's role in this country is to bear children and support men who are the actual stars of the show.” What do you make of that?
  477.  
  478. LEAH LITMAN: I think that is a really terrifying statement that captures the current political moment we are living in, the district judge in the case that ordered the nationwide ban on medication abortion, is a judge, who before he became a judge, railed against no fault divorce laws, that actually allow people to get divorced.
  479.  
  480. There are many states that now restrict divorces in cases where people are pregnant. You have Republican politicians on the Supreme Court debating whether states can prohibit abortion in cases where denying women an abortion would jeopardize their bodily organs and major bodily functions. 
  481.  
  482. You have Republican political operatives ginning up theories that would allow them to revive an 1873 Victorian-era law, the Comstock Act, that would prohibit abortion nationwide. These theories are not fringe, they are being propounded by Republican politicians, at the state, local, and federal level and these are the stakes in the upcoming election and likely all future ones as long as the Republican Party leans into the movement for Christian nationalism and the misogyny that underlies it.
  483. </description>
  484.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 10:41 AM</pubDate>
  485.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  486.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284227</guid>
  487.    </item>
  488. <item>
  489.  <title>EU Warns Media Platforms Can Be Fined for Slovakian PM Shooting 'Disinformation'</title>
  490.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/pj-gladnick/2024/05/18/eu-warns-media-platforms-can-be-fined-slovakian-pm-shooting</link>
  491.  <description> Are you posting about the shocking assassination attempt on Wednesday upon the Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico? Well, a warning. You and the Big Tech platform you are posting on can be punished for spreading "disinformation' if the European Commission, the increasingly authoritarian cabinet government of the European Union, has its way.
  492.  
  493. On Thursday, Bloomberg published the warning of impending EU censorship on this topic in an article by Peter Chapman and Samuel Stolton in "EU Monitoring ‘Spread of Disinformation’ on Fico Shooting."
  494.  
  495. The story subtitles also provide these ominous censorship warnings:
  496.  
  497. "Regulators can punish platforms that fail to stem fake news"
  498. "EU’s new Digital Services Act imposes tough rules on Big Tech"
  499. And please be warned that the European Commission could be actively "monitoring" YOU:
  500.  
  501.  
  502. The European Commission said it’s “actively monitoring” the spread of fake news about Wednesday’s shooting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and warned it can slap Big Tech platforms with fines for failing to tackle disinformation.
  503.  
  504.  
  505. Fake news aka disinformation is information that the mainstream media and censors in various countries do not want you to see. Do you remember when suggesting that there might have been a Wuhan lab leak was considered to be "disinformation?" Ditto the Hunter Biden laptop.
  506.  
  507.  
  508. The regulator “is equipped with wide-ranging investigatory and supervisory powers, including the power to impose sanctions and remedies,” it said in an emailed statement....Violations could be punished under the European Union’s tough new Digital Services Act, which forces online platforms to put into place measures to tackle illegal content and disinformation, uphold user rights, and protect user’s health and wellbeing.
  509.  
  510.  
  511. Oh please, please protect our health and wellbeing from dangerous Thoughtcrimes!
  512.  
  513.  
  514. Under the Digital Services Act, the bloc has singled out multiple online platforms and search engines last year as large entities worthy of scrutiny. That includes X, Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc. and others with more than 45 million monthly active users in Europe.
  515.  
  516.  
  517. Which of the Big Tech platforms will abide by the dictates of the Orwellian Digital Services Act? Looking at you, YouTube!
  518.  
  519.  
  520. Russian state media has claimed that the political motivation behind the shooting was Fico’s criticism of pro-Ukrainian aid.
  521.  
  522.  
  523. The alleged perp was recorded loudly protesting Fico's criticism of Ukraine aid, so does that mean the platforms carrying that video will be fined or otherwise punished by the self-styled arbiters of "truth?"</description>
  524.  <pubDate>May 18th, 2024 9:20 AM</pubDate>
  525.    <dc:creator>P.J. Gladnick</dc:creator>
  526.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284198</guid>
  527.    </item>
  528. <item>
  529.  <title>NewsBusters Podcast: Lawrence O'Donnell's Cheesy Trump Trial Diaries </title>
  530.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2024/05/17/newsbusters-podcast-lawrence-odonnells-cheesy-trump-trial-diaries</link>
  531.  <description> Part of the endless Trump trial coverage on MSNBC was The Last Word host Lawrence O'Donnell reading what sounded like bad diary entries on courtroom happenings. Porn star Stormy Daniels dressed loosely in black, which "suggested the modesty of a nun." How bizarre. 
  532.  
  533. Days later, O'Donnell mocked Trump's appearance in court. He "leaves his face, with his eyes closed, in tortured elderly shapes when he drifts off into his closed-eye space, his mouth shifts from its preferred scowl to the look of a collapsing old building." Ever have that feeling of "collapsing building mouth"?
  534.  
  535. On MSNBC, Brian Stelter told Ari Melber the GOP's in terrible shape, with all these Trump bootlickers showing up at his trial in Manhattan. "I’m just trying to imagine if any Democrats are going to show up at the trial of Bob Menendez, the senator, or or the trial of Joe Biden's son Hunter -- both of which are gonna happen in the next few weeks! And we’re not gonna see any of this, and that tells you everything you need to know about the differences between these two parties in 2024."
  536.  
  537. To which there is an obvious rejoinder: We’re just trying to imagine if any Democrat-servant networks are going to show up at the trials of Senator Menendez or Hunter Biden. No one expects they will be doing gavel-to-gavel coverage for those trials, and that tells you everything you need to know about the Democrat-servant networks.
  538.  
  539. Speaking of MSNBC, The New York Times devoted nearly 3,000 words by Jim Rutenberg and Michael Grynbaum to explain “How MSNBC’s Leftward Tilt Delivers Ratings, and Complications.” What's complicated? The unintentionally funny part is when NBC News suggested MSNBC was ruining its branding as "straight news." Who believes that any more? Lester Holt made it clear "fairness is overrated."
  540.  
  541. We were a little stunned at how angry the networks became over Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's commencement address at Benedictine College. It wasn't surprising: a Catholic speaker talked about Catholic issues to Catholic graduates. But the Butker critics who aren’t Catholics pulled out little snippets they could not abide. First, they hated that Butker paid tribute to his wife Isabelle for making him successful, for assuming “one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.” That is like a curse word to the feminists. They can’t allow the notion that children might benefit from having a parent in the home.
  542.  
  543. Lester Holt's NBC Nightly News featured a student who inaccurately summarized it: "Getting married and having kids is not my ideal situation right now. It definitely made graduation feel a little less special, knowing I had to sit through that and get told I'm nothing but a homemaker.'
  544.  
  545. Enjoy the podcast below, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 
  546.  
  547. </description>
  548.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 10:37 PM</pubDate>
  549.    <dc:creator>Tim Graham</dc:creator>
  550.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284225</guid>
  551.    </item>
  552. <item>
  553.  <title>PBS Takes Pro-Hamas Line on Israel, Nakba: 'Mass Expulsion' of Palestinians in 1948</title>
  554.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2024/05/17/pbs-takes-pro-hamas-line-israel-nakba-mass-expulsion-palestinians</link>
  555.  <description>Wednesday’s edition of the PBS NewsHour forwarded pro-Hamas historical talking points to paint Palestinians as endless victims of yet another war they launched against Israel, matching up with the network’s consistently slanted coverage of the current Israel-Hamas war.
  556.  
  557. It’s been 76 years since Arab countries attacked the fledgling state of Israel en masse in 1948 to strangle the Jewish homeland in its crib, but were repelled. PBS portrayed the al-Nakba, or “catastrophe,” using the Palestinian rhetoric of “mass expulsion,” with no caveats or actual historical explanation given.
  558.  
  559. Host Geoff Bennett stirred in the anniversary to portray Palestinians as endless victims of unjust Israel aggressions, based on two wars begun by Arab/Islamic entities. The full report:
  560.  
  561.  
  562. Bennett: In the Middle East, there's been intense fighting across the Gaza Strip, including in the southern city of Rafah. An Israeli government spokesperson said today that Israel will eliminate the four remaining Hamas battalions there, but not necessarily every Hamas fighter. Separately, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in the Jabalia refugee camp near Gaza City. Medics say at least three people were killed and 20 others injured. This all comes as Palestinians marked 76 years since the Nakba, or catastrophe, which refers to their mass expulsion from what today is Israel. Some displaced Gazans say the war now is even worse.
  563.  
  564. Faridah Abu Artema, Displaced Palestinian (translation): My mother and father told me about the Nakba, but this here is worse. This is destruction. What we have seen, no one else has seen. Every day is a catastrophe, the catastrophe of hunger, the catastrophe of illness. Every day, we move from place to place. The children are sick. I don't know what to say.
  565.  
  566. Bennett: The U.N. says more than 80 percent of Gaza's population have fled their homes since the start of the war. Many have relocated more than once.
  567.  
  568.  
  569.  
  570.  
  571. The historical reality: In 1948 Britain partitioned the Palestinian Mandate, cleaving out a Jewish state and an Arab state, with the Jews accepting statehood but the Arabs refusing to live alongside the Jews in the region. Several Arab countries then launched a failed war on Israel they day it declared independence.
  572.  
  573. PBS managed to out-do the slanted description from Wednesday’s CBS Evening News.
  574.  
  575. These pro-Hamas talking points were brought to you in part by Consumer Cellular.</description>
  576.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 10:11 PM</pubDate>
  577.    <dc:creator>Clay Waters</dc:creator>
  578.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284195</guid>
  579.    </item>
  580. <item>
  581.  <title>Genocide, Butker, Alito, &amp; Scheffler: The Best and Worst of This Week’s WH Briefing</title>
  582.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/17/genocide-butker-alito-scheffler-best-and-worst-weeks-wh-briefing</link>
  583.  <description>This week marked a rare occasion in which President Biden remained at the White House all five weekdays and thus allowed for five press briefings from the ever-inept press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre (and John Kirby only serving as a crutch on Friday).
  584.  
  585. The questions were, not surprisingly, all over the place given the lunacy of the week, ranging from accusing Jews of genocide to harassment at the FDIC to Biden’s unpopularity to fact-checking Biden to smearing Harrison Butker (one exchange we wrote about separately here), and Justice Samuel Alito.
  586.  
  587. Below are some of the smartest and dumbest questions of the briefing, presented in chronological order.
  588.  
  589.  
  590.  
  591. Of Course the Al-Jazeera Reporter Asks About Genocide in Israel
  592.  
  593. “I looked up Francesca Albanese, the Special U.N. Rapporteur on human rights in Palestine presented one in March. Her — she presented it in Geneva. The three criterion she used, citing international law, three acts: Israel’s intent to destroy national ethnic, racial, or religious groups; serious bodily or mental harm to a group; inflicting on a group conditions of life calculated to bring physical destruction, in whole or in part, with imposing measures intended to prevent birth within the group; process of erasure of the native Palestinians. So, those three things are happening.  How can you say genocide is not being committed?”
  594.  
  595. — Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, May 13, 3:10 p.m. Eastern.
  596.  
  597. A Question No Liberal Wants to Answer: Will You Stop Spending Money?
  598.  
  599. Fox Business’s Edward Lawrence: “So, Warren Buffett this month said that taxes will have to be raised to pay for the national debt. He said the government may want to decrease spending. So, with — we've had announcement after announcement of — of taxpayer money being doled out — we’ve seen almost weekly now. Is the federal government spending too much money?”
  600.  
  601. Jean-Pierre: “So, let me just say a couple things that Warren Buffett did say that we certainly agree with and I'll quote him: “The wealthy are definitely under taxed, relative to the general population,” which is why the President has a plan to make sure that wealthiest among us, the billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share and we've been very clear about that. They pair — the pay their fair share in order to pay for — for his investments in America and cut the deficit by $3 trillion and it — and Buffett also said it “doesn't matter bother him to pay taxes” and so it has been very clear — the President has said that he will not raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000. That is what the President has said. Warren Buffett pretty much agrees with us. We agree, obviously, with him, and this is very different than what Republicans want to do. They put out their plan. They put out what they want to do. They want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. We do not agree with this and what we want to do is continue to make sure that we're lowering cost for Americans for families, whether it is Big Pharma — fighting Big Pharma, lowering health care costs, making sure that we go after corporation as we — as we — you hear us talk about junk fees. Those are the ways that we want to move forward. That's what our focus is.”
  602.  
  603. — Q&amp;A on May 13, 3:18 p.m. Eastern.
  604.  
  605. Ducking Biden’s ‘Fire on Spot’ When It Comes to FDIC Harassment
  606.  
  607.  
  608.  
  609.  
  610.  
  611.  
  612.  
  613.  
  614.  
  615. Real Clear Politics’s Philip Wegmann: “There's new reporting in The Wall Street Journal found that the FD — FDIC director Martin Gruenberg, disrespected, disparaged and treated unfairly officials there and he was known to be someone who can control his temper. Obviously, President Biden said early on in his administration that he would fire on the spot anyone who bullied or unfairly belittled coworker. So, has the President seen those reports and — if those reports proved to be accurate. Will he take action?”
  616.  
  617. Jean-Pierre: “So I don't have any personal announcements to make at this time. The FDIC administrator — chairman to be exact — made, apologized, and spoke to this. And so, certainly I would — I would send you there. The FDIC is independent agency, so would refer you to them as to anything else coming out from the FDIC on this particular matter, but I just don't have any policy — personnel announcement to make at this time.”
  618.  
  619. — Q&amp;A on May 13, 3:22 p.m. Eastern.
  620.  
  621. Sorry, Folks, We Know This Is a Reelection Ploy for the Rust Belt
  622.  
  623.  
  624. Lawrence: “So, this is an election year. Why did it take three years to impose these tariffs?”
  625.  
  626. U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai: “So, this is where I put my lawyer hat back on. Under the 301 statue, in the fourth year of the tariffs, if there is a stakeholder that has benefiting from the tariffs, who asked us to keep them, we keep them. That is what happened in 2022 because the tariffs first went on in 2018. As a result of that, in the fall of 2022, we started a process. We opened up a portal that was open, I think, in the end of 22 to the very beginning of 23, notice and comment. We wanted to hear from all of our stakeholders, their views on the tariffs, the pros and the cons — please inform us. That — that elicited, I think, about 1,600 comments. So, that's at the beginning of 2023. And then, we started a whole of government, interagency review within the Biden administration. That process has taken us to today and the unveiling of this finalized package which the President approved.”
  627.  
  628. Lawrence: “So, it took three years to figure out the Chinese were flooding the market and stealing technology? I mean, it's pretty evident that they've been doing that all along.”
  629.  
  630. Tai: “No, it took — it took a year and a half for the course of the review. You will see the amount of care that we put into our investigation and our findings. Yes, there continue to be problems, but then the question is: What do you do about the tariffs? For this administration, it is extremely important that we approach a relationship like the one between the U.S. and China and these issues around the industries and the jobs of the future with discipline. That's what takes so long — is the design and the architecture of the tariff defense system that you will see.”
  631.  
  632.  
  633. — Back and forth on May 14, 1:29 p.m. Eastern.
  634.  
  635. Wow: NBC Reporter Calls Out Biden Flip-Flop on Tariffs
  636.  
  637. “You said that the President has been consistent on this issue, but back in 2019, when he was a candidate, he said that “any freshman economics student could tell you that the American people are paying his tariffs”, referring to his opponent at the time. And he also said that he would reverse what he called ,senseless policies’. Why’d he change his mind?...Previously, he called them “senseless”. They're no longer senseless?
  638.  
  639. — White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez’s questions to Tai, May 14, 1:33 p.m. Eastern.
  640.  
  641. Doocy Time Asks KJP Why Americans Have the Sads With Ole Joe
  642.  
  643. “Why do you think Americans are so down on President Biden right now?...I know you don't like to talk about polls, like, the five of six swing states that he is losing right now to somebody who is a criminal offender. But, more broadly, it doesn't seem like anything you guys are doing, is making him more popular. Why do you think that is?”
  644.  
  645. (....)
  646.  
  647. “So, more broadly then, have you considered in the White House that some of President Biden's recent policy positions could be a turn off to the people that used to like him?”
  648.  
  649. — Doocy, May 14, 1:55 p.m. Eastern.
  650.  
  651. FBN’s Lawrence SCHOOLS KJP on Biden’s Inflation Lies
  652.  
  653.  
  654. FBN’s @EdwardLawrence: “I wanna ask you about how the President talks about inflation. So, two times over the past two weeks, the President said inflation was nine percent when he came into office. Is the President misleading Americans on that? Or does it — just not realize that… pic.twitter.com/2XzQyUsBY3
  655. — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) May 15, 2024
  656. — Back and forth on May 15, 2:43 p.m. Eastern.
  657.  
  658. ABC, AP Throw Hardballs at KJP Over Biden Blocking Release of Hur Tapes
  659.  
  660. “President Biden decided to block the release of the audio interview with the special counsel. And, obviously, the letter from the White House counsel laid out the reasons about the concerns of being used for political purposes. But that seems to imply that the White House is concerned that these could be politically damaging. So why not just release that, especially with this White House’s commitment to transparency?...But does the White House feel that the recording — the audio could be politically harmful since that point was also raised in the letter?”
  661.  
  662. — AP’s Seung Min Kim, May 16, 2:20 p.m. Eastern.
  663.  
  664. “Just to follow up on what Seung Min was asking for. Speaker Mike Johnson said that President Biden is ‘apparently afraid for citizens to hear’ his interview with special counsel Robert Hur. How is the White House responding to that criticism?...You talked about transcripts being released, but as you know, hearing something and reading it is very different and if the transcript is already out there, why is it different to have the audio there?
  665.  
  666. — ABC senior White House correspondent Selina Wang, 2:22 p.m. Eastern.
  667.  
  668. Leftist Coordination: ABC, AP, CBS Team Up to Invite to Smear Justice Alito
  669.  
  670. “Does the President, who is a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, agreed with the current chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Justice Alito should recuse himself from 20 cases involving the 2020 election or January 6 because of the reporting of the upside down flag flown outside of this house?”
  671.  
  672. — AP’s Darlene Superville, May 17, 3:12 p.m. Eastern.
  673.  
  674. “So, given the flag incident, does President Biden believe that Justice Alito can rule in — with impartiality for all the cases involving January 6?”
  675.  
  676. — CBS’s Weijia Jiang, May 17,  3:15 p.m. Eastern.
  677.  
  678. “So the President concerned that having a Supreme Court justice who is it such a high position of power, displaying a flag in his house in such a way that that could fuel more extremism and division in this country?”
  679.  
  680. (....)
  681.  
  682. “[W]hat is the sense here about the wive’s role here? Whether it is a Supreme Court justice, whether the senator or president, should she be able and entitled have our own political opinions and views without having them tied to her husband or not?”
  683.  
  684. — Wang, May 17, 3:22 p.m. Eastern.
  685.  
  686. Doocy Steps Up to Ask KJP About Scheffler’s Shocking Arrest
  687.  
  688.  
  689.  
  690.  
  691.  
  692.  
  693.  
  694.  
  695.  
  696.  
  697. Doocy: “President Biden think about the world's number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, being cuffed and then hauled in for a mug shot for what appears to be a misunderstanding at a traffic stop?”
  698.  
  699. Jean-Pierre: “So I — I've seen the reports of — uh — Mr. Shuff — Scheffler’s arrest. I just want to say that our hearts go out to the individual that was killed.”
  700.  
  701. Doocy: “Unrelated.”
  702.  
  703. Jean-Pierre: “No, let me finish in the auto — in the auto accident that preceded his arrest. Obviously, someone did die. Someone was killed, preceded his arrest that, obviously, he was not involved in. Uh — so, I want to make sure that we share our condolences to that family and their loved ones. Anything else as specifics to his arrest, that would be something for local authorities to speak to.”
  704.  
  705. Doocy: “I think — just — I — you guys have spent a good chunk of this week —”
  706.  
  707. Jean-Pierre: “Yep.”
  708.  
  709. Doocy: “— talking about how you don't want anybody to ever go to jail again for possessing marijuana. Do you think that somebody who was involved in what appears to be a misunderstanding of a traffic stop should be facing 10 years in prison?”
  710.  
  711. Jean-Pierre: “There — we've seen the reports. There — there's a process there. We have to let the legal authorities do — go to their — you know — process and how this all works. I can't comment from here, from the lectern about something that's being looked into by local authorities. I got to be mindful about that, but let's not forget. Someone lost their lives [sic]. Not obviously — that preceded this, but there was an individual that was killed and there's a family that’s mourning a death of a loved one. And so, we want to be sensitive to that as well.”
  712.  
  713.  
  714. — Back and forth on Scheffler’s arrest, May 17, 3:19 p.m. Eastern.
  715.  
  716. CNN Reporter Tries to Get KJP to Have Butker Banned From WH
  717.  
  718. “Can we still assume that the Kansas City Chiefs will be visiting the White House this year celebration of their Super Bowl victory?”
  719.  
  720. (....)
  721.  
  722. “So, can you confirm — you said everyone on the team is obviously invited. Is the Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker welcome at this White House?”
  723.  
  724. (....)
  725.  
  726. “Given his recent comments, is he specifically welcome at this White House?”
  727.  
  728. — CNN’s MJ Lee, May 17, 3:31 p.m. Eastern.
  729.  
  730. Taxpayer-Funded Journo: Does Biden Know African-Americans See Themselves in Gazans?
  731.  
  732. “[I]s the President mindful of how black students were protesting in campus might see a parallel of their experience of injustice between themselves and the Palestinians? Has he [OTHER REPORTER COUGHS] input about this? Is he sympathetic to that?”
  733.  
  734. — Voice of America’s Patsy Widakuswara, May 17, 3:35 p.m. Eastern.
  735.  
  736.  
  737.  
  738. To see the relevant transcripts from this week’s briefings (including even more questions), click here (for May 13), here (for May 14), here (for May 15), here (for May 16) and here (for May 17).</description>
  739.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 6:04 PM</pubDate>
  740.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  741.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284226</guid>
  742.    </item>
  743. <item>
  744.  <title>No Evidence! Joe Scarborough Accuses Justice Alito of Leaking Dobbs Draft</title>
  745.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2024/05/17/no-evidence-joe-scarborough-accuses-justice-alito-leaking</link>
  746.  <description> Evidence? Joe Scarborough don't need no stinkin' evidence.
  747.  
  748. On today's Morning Joe, the Biden phone buddy and informal adviser felt entitled to make a very grave--and entirely evidence-free--accusation against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.
  749.  
  750. Thus it was that in a segment devoted to a New York Times story skewering Alito for permitting the flying at his home of an upside-down American flag, Scarborough accused Alito of having leaked the draft of the Dobbs opinion [which Alito wrote], overturning Roe v. Wade.
  751.  
  752. This flag defense was an odd take from this show -- which not too long ago let their contributor Mara Gay complain it was "disturbing" to see so many American flags (flown by Trump supporters) when she visited Long Island on D-Day. 
  753.  
  754. That wasn't his only slam of Sam Alito. As Scarborough—who went from having perfect pro-life ratings as a congressman from Florida's conservative panhandle to sounding like a Planned Parenthood fanboy now that he's at MSNBC—put it:
  755.  
  756.  
  757. "For a Supreme Court Justice, and I will say—my opinion only—but the guy most likely to have had something to do with the leaking of the Dobbs decision. Leaking it to the Wall Street Journal, or somebody connected to him leaking it to the Wall Street Journal, because he wanted to keep Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett frozen in place. I think history will show that."
  758.  
  759.  
  760. Scarborough later said that with respect to both Alito's explanation of the flag flying, and his denial of being responsible for the leak of the draft Dobbs decision, "nobody believes him."
  761.  
  762. Perhaps "nobody believes" Alito in the liberal cocoon of MSNBC, or amongst Scarborough's summering buddies on liberal-elitist Nantucket. But Joe, you need to get out more.
  763.  
  764.  
  765.  
  766.  
  767.  
  768. Let's play a thought game. Alito has said that he had no involvement in flying the flag, and that it was his wife who did so in response to objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs that a neighbor had put up. 
  769.  
  770. Now imagine that the wife of a conservative Justice is a liberal. In response to a pro-life sign put up by a conservative neighbor, she puts an "Our Bodies Our Choice--Hands Off Roe!" sign in their front yard -- only to have her husband order her to take it down. 
  771.  
  772. Which would be the more likely reaction from liberals?  Would they applaud the Justice for standing up for judicial independence? Or would they condemn the Justice for patriarchal infringement on his wife's freedom of expression and accuse the Justice of attempting to turn his wife into a Handmaid, and his home into a mini-Gilead [labels with which MSNBCers have slurred Justice Amy Coney Barrett]?
  773.  
  774. Note: Alito has said that he thinks he knows who leaked the Dobbs draft. But unlike Scarborough, given the lack of evidence, he didn't point a finger at any individual. Alito did make a good case, though, as to the motivation behind the leak:
  775.  
  776.  
  777. He said he was sure the leak “was a part of an effort to prevent the Dobbs draft … from becoming the decision of the court. And that’s how it was used for those six weeks by people on the outside — as part of the campaign to try to intimidate the court.” Alito said the theory that the draft was leaked by someone on the right to lock in the five votes necessary to overturn Roe “is infuriating to me.” “Look, this made us targets of assassination,” Alito told his interviewers. “Would I do that to myself? Would the five of us have done that to ourselves? It’s quite implausible.”
  778.  
  779.  
  780. Here's the transcript.
  781.  
  782.  
  783. MSNBC
  784. Morning Joe
  785. 5/17/24
  786. 6:03 am EDT
  787.  
  788. JOE SCARBOROUGH: I will tell you, growing up, one of my friend's fathers was a federal judge! I had no idea until I got older whether he was Republican or Democrat. And that was the case in northwest Florida, a very conservative place. The federal judges kept themselves beyond reproach. They never talked politics, ever. In the privacy of their homes, if you ask their opinion, they would just say, not my job, right? I'm a judge. They actually took their oaths seriously!
  789.  
  790. And for a Supreme Court Justice, and I will say—my opinion only—but the guy most likely to have had something to do with the leaking of the Dobbs decision.
  791.  
  792. MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Yeah.
  793.  
  794. SCARBOROUGH: Leaking it to the Wall Street Journal, or somebody connected to him leaking it to the Wall Street Journal, because he wanted to keep Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett frozen in place. I think history will show that. 
  795.  
  796. But that aside, for a guy who is a Supreme Court Justice, that let that happen at his own home, in one of the most fraught times in American history since, since the Civil War, it's just, it's just sad. And it shows how little respect he has for the institution. It shows how little respect he has for the law. It really does. It's disgusting.
  797.  
  798. . . .
  799.  
  800. WILLIE GEIST: I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag, Justice Alito said in an emailed statement to the Times. It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor's use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.
  801.  
  802. Joe, there you have it.
  803.  
  804. MIKA: Wait. Wait a minute.
  805.  
  806. SCARBOROUGH:  So you're going to hate on America because of something a neighbor did?
  807.  
  808. MIKA: You're going to blame your wife?
  809.  
  810. SCARBOROUGH:  Blame your wife?
  811.  
  812. MIKA: And make up that excuse?
  813.  
  814. SCARBOROUGH: What, what is this?
  815.  
  816. MIKA: My wife was mad at a neighbor.
  817.  
  818. SCARBOROUGH: Blaming wives. Anybody care to jump in here?
  819.  
  820. MIKA: Bu I want to know, what, what person, let alone woman, wife, would do that in response to a problem with a neighbor.
  821.  
  822. SCARBOROUGH: Eugene, a neighbor, a neighbor upsets me, comes outa, makes fun of me because the Rays beat the Red Sox last night. And the Red Sox really suck. And so, I'm mad. I'm not gonna hang my flag upside down.
  823.  
  824. EUGENE ROBINSON: Right. Right.
  825.  
  826. SCARBOROUGH: None of this -- this is dumb as what I heard about the Dobbs leak. Nobody believes him.
  827. </description>
  828.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 5:25 PM</pubDate>
  829.    <dc:creator>Mark Finkelstein</dc:creator>
  830.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284214</guid>
  831.    </item>
  832. <item>
  833.  <title>Biden Administration Wastes Time Celebrating Another Gay Holiday</title>
  834.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/17/biden-administration-wastes-time-celebrating</link>
  835.  <description> “Happy International Day Against homophobia, biphobia, &amp; transphobia” … said no right minded person ever.
  836.  
  837. Though May 17 may be a regular day for you and me, for the left, May 17 marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Since the gays apparently need ANOTHER made-up holiday, the left, our administration especially, celebrated the occasion on social media. 
  838.  
  839. On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided that homosexuality is no longer classified as one of the items on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Apparently now, the alphabet mafia has taken it over to celebrate themselves and fight back against anyone who disagrees with their delusional sense of identity.
  840.  
  841. Taking over Easter and celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility seemingly wasn't enough for the White House.
  842.  
  843. Starting off strong, our very own President Joe Biden said, “On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, my Administration stands in solidarity with LGBTQI+ people around the world as they seek to live lives free from hate-fueled violence and discrimination."
  844.  
  845. He also noted that "It’s a matter of human rights, plain and simple” on Friday afternoon.
  846.  
  847. Funnily enough, someone brought up Biden’s past statements where he indicated, using his “devout Catholic” beliefs, that “marriage is between a man and a woman.”
  848.  
  849.  
  850.  
  851.  
  852.  
  853.  
  854.  
  855. Vice President Kamala Harris, an alleged Christian, shared essentially the same thing as her boss adding, “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and accepted for who they are.”
  856.  
  857. The U.S. Department of State shared an image of the Pride flage and wrote, “LGBTQI+ persons deserve recognition of their universal human rights and human dignity. On #IDAHOBIT and every day, the United States stands with LGBTQI+ persons around the world."
  858.  
  859. The department's head, Secretary Antony Blinken, insisted that he supports “promoting the safety and dignity of LGBTQI+ persons” and noted that it’s a “key component of advancing our nation’s interested.”
  860.  
  861. Sure, sir, as long as the nation’s interests are to promote delusion and confusion and make the idea of a nuclear family cease to exist.
  862.  
  863. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security shared a graphic with a giant rainbow on it and wrote that it plans to defend “DHS employees and each one of our citizens, promoting equality, dignity, and respect for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
  864.  
  865. While I don’t think that any one of us wants to conduct any harm or have any malicious intent towards people who don’t agree with us, I can’t help but wonder what was not being done in our country while our administration was so heavily focused on a made up holiday for gender and sex? Don’t we have huge things to worry about, like the border, abortion and the economy to name a few? Not to mention two wars raging overseas?! 
  866.  
  867. Geez louise, our country’s gotta get our priorities (and our people) straight.</description>
  868.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 4:47 PM</pubDate>
  869.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  870.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284224</guid>
  871.    </item>
  872. <item>
  873.  <title>Not Okay: Biden’s Demonstrably False Claim in Softball Yahoo! Finance Interview</title>
  874.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/tom-olohan/2024/05/17/not-okay-bidens-demonstrably-false-claim-softball-yahoo</link>
  875.  <description>Despite receiving a flattering question from an interviewer, President Joe Biden still faceplanted in his response. 
  876.  
  877. During a May 14 interview with Yahoo! Finance, Biden falsely claimed that inflation had been wildly higher under his predecessor. His interviewer, who had promoted Bidenomics in his question, did not correct Biden. “I think inflation has gone slightly up. This was at 9% when I came in and it's now down about 3%,” Biden astonishingly said. 
  878.  
  879. But it was not.
  880.  
  881. In fact, inflation in January 2021 stood at only 1.4% but skyrocketed under Biden’s watch, reaching an average of 5.5% from February 2021 to April 2024.
  882.  
  883.  
  884.  
  885.  
  886.  
  887. To make matters more absurd, Biden made this demonstrably false statement in response to a misleading question flattering his economic record. 
  888.  
  889. The interviewer, Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi, entirely failed to mention the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns while giving Biden credit for creating 15 million jobs: “Mr. President, over 15 million jobs have been created under your watch, the unemployment rate under 4% for 27 straight months, the stock market at a record high. Why don't households feel wealthy right now?”
  890.  
  891. While Biden chose to lie about inflation in response to this easy question, the fibs didn’t stop there. 
  892.  
  893. The 81-year-old president also told Yahoo! Finance that wages were outpacing inflation, claiming, “But the fact is that I think people are just uncertain and that's why we got to be steady, stay the course and continue to produce these incredible jobs and the job—and by the way the pay for the jobs are, are outpacing the inflation rate they pay.”
  894.  
  895. Real wages have actually fallen under Biden. Americans’ median weekly real earnings have declined from $373 in the first quarter of 2021 to $365 in the first quarter of 2024.  
  896.  
  897. ICYMI: Bidenomics after 39 Months: Six Charts the Media Don’t Want You to See
  898.  
  899. The White House has struggled to spin the president’s ludicrous statements as more and more bad economic news comes in. 
  900.  
  901. During the May 16 edition of Your World with Neil Cavuto, White House Economic Adviser Jared Bernstein wildly ducked and dodged when confronted with Biden’s claims of taming 9% inflation. 
  902.  
  903. See More: White House Economic Adviser Jared Bernstein Can’t Defend Biden
  904.  
  905. Biden’s brief but disastrous Yahoo! Finance interview came the same day as the news that inflation had increased 0.5% in April, exceeding expectations.  
  906.  
  907. Conservatives are under attack. Contact ABC News at (818) 460-7477, CBS News at (212) 975-3247 and NBC News at (212) 664-6192 and demand they tell the truth about the Bidenomics disaster. </description>
  908.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 4:43 PM</pubDate>
  909.    <dc:creator>Tom Olohan</dc:creator>
  910.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284223</guid>
  911.    </item>
  912. <item>
  913.  <title>Oversight Board Member Admits Meta Doesn’t Prioritize First Amendment</title>
  914.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/catherine-salgado/2024/05/17/oversight-board-member-admits-meta-doesnt-prioritize</link>
  915.  <description>A Meta Oversight Board member recently confirmed the obvious: Meta might be an American company, but it certainly doesn't prioritize the First Amendment in its policy decisions. 
  916.  
  917. Kenji Yoshino, a New York University Constitutional law professor and member of the Meta Oversight Board, asserted that the U.S. Constitution is not the baseline for the tech company’s free speech policies. “Our baseline here is not the US Constitution and free speech, but rather international human rights norms,” he said at a National Constitution Center town hall event.   
  918.  
  919. Yoshino noted that America is an “outlier” when compared with other countries because it has such strong legal protections against censorship. He explained that as Meta became a global company “it could not simply default back to U.S. jurisprudence.”
  920.  
  921. The Meta Oversight Board member claimed that Meta looks at “striking a balance” between international values like “safety” and “dignity” and the U.S. Constitution. However, he admitted, “oftentimes that calculus comes out differently than it would if the baseline were First Amendment norms.” 
  922.  
  923. Yoshino contrasted the two different attitudes toward freedom of speech, explaining that in the U.S. “the [protecting] the speech we hate doctrine, is part of an expansionist and rigid vision that is intensely speech protective.” In Europe, however, the attitude is “much more tilted toward equality and dignity than it might be toward speech.” 
  924.  
  925. But the European standard is far from perfect. For example, multiple European countries, including Scotland, France and England, criminalize alleged “hate speech.” 
  926.  
  927. Applying European standards to Americans can lead to anti-First Amendment censorship. This is especially problematic as U.S. government agencies have reportedly resumed coordination with tech companies, indicating actions directly violative of the First Amendment.
  928.  
  929. Conservatives are under attack. Contact Facebook headquarters at (650) 308-7300 and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on “misinformation” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  930.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 3:41 PM</pubDate>
  931.    <dc:creator>Catherine Salgado</dc:creator>
  932.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284221</guid>
  933.    </item>
  934. <item>
  935.  <title>We ‘Need to Fix’ It: Behar Decries the Constitution as ‘Un-American’</title>
  936.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/17/we-need-fix-it-behar-decries-constitution-un-american</link>
  937.  <description> Joy Behar, the same co-host of ABC’s The View who thought the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was the military alliance that defeated Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, was back with more of her wisdom during Friday’s show. According to her, two elements of the U.S. Constitution – both present since the founding – were “un-American.”
  938.  
  939. “These lifetime assignments [to the U.S. Supreme Court] have got to stop and they need to fix the Electoral College also because that's un-American,” she shrieked.
  940.  
  941. Behar was triggered by newly released, years-old photos of an inverted American flag allegedly outside the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito several days AFTER the riot at the Capitol. The latest smear campaign against conservative justices suggested – without evidence – that it was to show solidarity with the rioters.
  942.  
  943. Ignoring or ignorant of the meaning of an inverted flag, Behar declared it was something wholly invented by “MAGA people”:
  944.  
  945.  
  946. Now, in case you don't know, this is something that the MAGA people have adopted as a stop the steal symbol. In other words, when you see that flag upside down, that means stop the steal, which they imagine happened even though Joe Biden did win legitimately. We all know it. Everybody who’s not crazy knows it.
  947.  
  948.  
  949.  
  950.  
  951.  
  952.  
  953.  
  954.  
  955.  
  956.  
  957. Faux-conservative Alyssa Farah Griffin contributed to the misinformation by misquoting the U.S. Flag Code. According to her: “…the American flag should not be flown upside down except in moments of national – dire national distress.”
  958.  
  959. The code actually says: “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” Historically, an inverted flag has been used my American ships to signal such distress.
  960.  
  961. Farah-Griffin added that what the Alito’s did was “un-American” and “disturbing” especially since it was allegedly done “days after a riot at the Capitol!” But her argument didn’t make much sense either since she, and many in the liberal media, had suggested that January 6 was a day of dire national distress; much like what she said was the only correct time to fly the flag inverted.
  962.  
  963. She and the rest of the cast played a round of whataboutism and pretended as though they would be equally upset if a liberal justice did it:
  964.  
  965.  
  966. FARAH GRIFFIN: But I would note this to my conservative friends defending this, let's just say if Justice Sotomayor had hung a flag upside down after Donald Trump was elected we would call for her resignation.
  967.  
  968. BEHAR: That’s right!
  969.  
  970. HOSTIN: We sure would!
  971.  
  972.  
  973. Since The View didn’t care to criticize Sotomayor when she refused to recuse herself and issued a ruling that directly involved her book publisher, it’s safe to say they wouldn’t have anything to say on the matter.
  974.  
  975. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  976.  
  977.  
  978. ABC’s The View
  979. May 17, 2024
  980. 11:15:42 a.m. Eastern
  981.  
  982. JOY BEHAR: So, the Supreme Court – very iffy these days – is getting ready to deal with cases involving presidential immunity and obstruction charges against Trump. Okay? The January 6th insurrectionists also, they're ready to deal with all those cases. But a photo has just emerged from days after the Capitol Riot on January 6th showing an upside down American flag flying outside – wait for it – Justice Alito's house.
  983.  
  984. Now, in case you don't know, this is something that the MAGA people have adopted as a stop the steal symbol. In other words, when you see that flag upside down, that means stop the steal which they imagine happened even though Joe Biden did win legitimately. We all know it. Everybody who’s not crazy knows it.
  985.  
  986. SUNNY HOSTIN: It was proven.
  987.  
  988. BEHAR: It was proven over and over and over again. Yet Justice Alito has this upside down flag. Now, he claims his wife did it. Thank you, Senator Menendez, another one. In a dispute with neighbors saying she did it because she was disputing with neighbors about their anti-Trump signs on their lawn, even that -- even that annoys me that the wife is worried about anti-Trump signs in her neighborhood.
  989.  
  990. Do you believe his answer to the thing that his wife did it and he has nothing to do with stop the steal?
  991.  
  992. HOSTIN: I do believe it. How about Clarence Thomas and Ginni Thomas. Ginni Thomas sent a bus to the January 6 insurrection and Clarence Thomas is sitting on that court listening to insurrection cases. He’s listening to election fraud cases. It's ridiculous!
  993.  
  994. You know, what upsets me so much about it as an attorney is that the Supreme Court has always been sort of the bastion of the law. Right? It’s where we look to for guidance and now 60 percent of Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court. Never has the Supreme Court been so -- and they do, right? 60 percent.
  995.  
  996. [Applause]
  997.  
  998. It hurts me to my core. And, you know, Justice Sotomayor has said over and over and over again, she said, “will this institution survive” – this is after the Mississippi abortion case – “Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts?” I don't see how it is possible. If you have a Supreme Court justice, even if his wife did it, for days and days and days having that sign there, that is a political expression that has no place!
  999.  
  1000. ANA NAVARRO: I think it's incredibly sad how -- how dysfunctional -- we've seen the dysfunction in Congress and now dysfunction in the Supreme Court. So, Americans have to be watching this and just having this crisis, existentialist crisis of faith in our most important institutions and, look, I think John Roberts has lost control of this court.
  1001.  
  1002. HOSTIN: Yeah.
  1003.  
  1004. BEHAR: Maybe he agrees with them.
  1005.  
  1006. NAVARRO: Well, I don't know if he does or not but he has a duty to the American people as chief justice to make sure that this Supreme Court is at a certain level of decorum and you have Ginni Thomas and Clarence Thomas accepting all sorts of gifts from billionaires and hearing some of the cases and you've got this. I mean, it’s an embarrassment.
  1007.  
  1008. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: I don't even know -- I don't buy this description. So the U.S. Flag Code states that the American flag should not be flown upside down except in moments of national – dire national distress. I think pointing the finger – If my husband put a flag upside down, I’d say, “what are you doing?!” This is un-American, it’s disturbing.
  1009.  
  1010. But I would note this to my conservative friends defending this, let's just say if Justice Sotomayor had hung a flag upside down after Donald Trump was elected we would call for her resignation.
  1011.  
  1012. BEHAR: That’s right!
  1013.  
  1014. HOSTIN: We sure would!
  1015.  
  1016. FARAH GRIFFIN: It’s so, un-American in days –
  1017.  
  1018. HOSITN: We sure would.
  1019.  
  1020. FARAH GRIFFIN: In days after a riot at the Capitol!
  1021.  
  1022. SARA HAINES: It also speaks to—When you’re married to a Supreme Court justice and you are well aware of that, elevate yourself. When responding to yard signs in your neighborhood, you're telling me you're triggered too easy. He's a Supreme Court justice. You're going to hear things. The fact that that was the act she took because she had to get her word in? It’s a really pathetic example –
  1023.  
  1024. NAVARRO: Sounds like she belongs in Congress.
  1025.  
  1026. HAINES: And your stat is worse, Sunny. It's worse. It's 44 percent of Americans support – have faith in the Supreme Court.
  1027.  
  1028. HOSTIN: Yeah.
  1029.  
  1030. BEHAR: These lifetime assignments have got to stop and they need to fix the Electoral College also because that's un-American.
  1031.  
  1032. FARAH GRIFFIN: They need a code of ethics.
  1033.  
  1034. (…)
  1035. </description>
  1036.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 3:10 PM</pubDate>
  1037.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  1038.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284220</guid>
  1039.    </item>
  1040. <item>
  1041.  <title>'Jesus Was Gay': CBS Yucks It Up With Anti-Jesus 'Comedy'</title>
  1042.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/17/jesus-was-gay-cbs-yucks-it-anti-jesus-comedy</link>
  1043.  <description>CBS’s late night comedy game show After Midnight went off rails on Thursday as host Taylor Tomlinson and her fellow comedian guests yucked it up with some cheap and flippant anti-Jesus and “Jesus was gay” laughs.
  1044.  
  1045. Tomlinson set up the round by introducing a TikTok video, “Life is full of surprises. As M. Night Shamalayan once said, 'Never let them know your next move.' This is exemplified in this TikTok from @julianprospers where he asks a stranger about his relationship status.”
  1046.  
  1047.  
  1048.  
  1049.  
  1050.  
  1051.  
  1052.  
  1053.  
  1054.  
  1055. The video showed the following discussion:
  1056.  
  1057.  
  1058. MAN: We've been on and off for, like, 10, 15 years, maybe, but got really serious the past few months.
  1059.  
  1060. JULIAN PROSPERS: So, is this a woman that you think that it’s not a—
  1061.  
  1062. MAN: It's not a woman.
  1063.  
  1064. PROSPERS: It’s not a woman.
  1065.  
  1066. MAN: No.
  1067.  
  1068. PROSPERS: It's a man. 
  1069.  
  1070. MAN: Yeah.
  1071.  
  1072. PROSPERS: So you're gay.
  1073.  
  1074. MAN: No, no, it's our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, brother.
  1075.  
  1076.  
  1077. Tomlinson replied, “I don't want to be cynical, but I was once in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and it didn't work out long-term. It's not Him, it's me. Let's save this TikTok guy some heartache. As Jesus, break up with this guy.”
  1078.  
  1079. Jay Jurden buzzed in first, “I'm sorry, my dad kind of hates gay people. Have you seen the signs?”
  1080.  
  1081. Next was Todd Barry, “I have to break out with you. You've never been really good about texting back.”
  1082.  
  1083. Finally, there was Bassem Youssef, who, when he’s not on After Midnight, is on CNN and PBS telling allegedly serious journalists that Israel needs “to go F itself.” Now, Youssef feigned political correctness, “I don't know if I can actually touch this because whatever I would say would be blasphemous. Also, I didn't know that Jesus was gay. Oh, [bleep].”
  1084.  
  1085. Jurden then returned to add, “Man shall not live by [bleep] alone. Was that too far?” and Youssef tacked on, “Oh, can I do one more? Can I do one more?”
  1086.  
  1087. While it got lost in Tomlinson’s many guffaws, Prospers appears to be someone who believes in using social media to spread his faith. As evident by his video description, the video was a skit about people refusing to commit to Christ, not a genuine man on the street interview with a stranger as Tomlinson portrayed. People can judge for themselves if it hit the comedic sweet spot or not, but After Midnight definitely didn’t.
  1088.  
  1089. Here is a transcript for the May 16-taped show:
  1090.  
  1091.  
  1092. CBS After Midnight
  1093.  
  1094. 5/17/2024
  1095.  
  1096. 12:41 AM ET
  1097.  
  1098. TAYLOR TOMLINSON: Life is full of surprises. As M. Night Shamalayan once said, "Never let them know your next move." This is exemplified in this TikTok from @julianprospers where he asks a stranger about his relationship status.
  1099.  
  1100. MAN: We've been on and off for, like, 10, 15 years, maybe, but got really serious the past few months.
  1101.  
  1102. JULIAN PROSPERS: So, is this a woman that you think that it’s not a—
  1103.  
  1104. MAN: It's not a woman.
  1105.  
  1106. PROSPERS: It’s not a woman.
  1107.  
  1108. MAN: No.
  1109.  
  1110. PROSPERS: It's a man. 
  1111.  
  1112. MAN: Yeah.
  1113.  
  1114. PROSPERS: So you're gay.
  1115.  
  1116. MAN: No, no, it's our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, brother.
  1117.  
  1118. TOMLINSON: I don't want to be cynical, but I was once in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and it didn't work out long-term. It's not Him, it's me. Let's save this TikTok guy some heartache. As Jesus, break up with this guy. Jay.
  1119.  
  1120. JAY JURDEN: I'm sorry, my dad kind of hates gay people. Have you seen the signs?
  1121.  
  1122. TOMLINSON: Todd.
  1123.  
  1124. TODD BARRY: I have to break out with you. You've never been really good about texting back.
  1125.  
  1126. TOMLINSON: Big texter, Jesus. Bassem?
  1127.  
  1128. BASSEM YOUSSEF: I don't know if I can actually touch this because whatever I would say would be blasphemous. Also, I didn't know that Jesus was gay. Oh, [bleep].
  1129.  
  1130. JURDEN: Oh, can I do one more? Can I do one more?
  1131.  
  1132. TOMLINSON: Sure, yeah, yeah.
  1133.  
  1134. JURDEN: Man shall not live by [bleep] alone. Was that too far?
  1135.  
  1136. TOMLINSON: Bassem.
  1137.  
  1138. YOUSSEF: We have a full trinity, we don’t need a fourth.
  1139. </description>
  1140.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 1:36 PM</pubDate>
  1141.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  1142.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284219</guid>
  1143.    </item>
  1144. <item>
  1145.  <title>Sex W/ Jesus, Foursomes &amp; Oral: Even A Board Member Protests 'Evil' Sexually Explicit Books</title>
  1146.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/17/sex-w-jesus-foursomes-oral-even-board-member</link>
  1147.  <description>A disgusted school board member read the contents of a book titled “Triangles,” which explained, in extremely graphic detail, a foursome. This book, along with other books like it, is available to students at middle and high school libraries in North East San Antonio, Texas.
  1148.  
  1149. The book by Ellen Hopkins talks about three different women’s sex lives. According to booklooks.org, a website dedicated to exposing these sexually explicit books given to children, the book “has sexually obscene sexual activities including sadomasochism; sexual nudity; profanity; alcohol abuse; drug use; controversial religious commentary; and alternate sexualities.”
  1150.  
  1151. GRAPHIC LANGUAGE WARNING:
  1152.  
  1153. Bonny Wallace, read page 368 from the book at the May 13 board meeting:
  1154.  
  1155.  
  1156. I move my mouth to taste her nipples. They are larger than mine. Luscious. My partner’s hands pull me backward to lie across the table. He kisses Lorraine as Micah’s tongue finds the sweet spot between my legs. It all becomes a heady mix of men. Tongues. Hands. Gingers. The unique brine of women. The heat of c**k. Condoms. Don’t forget those. And, God, orgasm. Mine. Hers. Theirs. I think other people are watching. Touching themselves because this foursome is amazing. Beautiful people doing incredibly sensual things. Segue to dirty, nasty things. 
  1157.  
  1158.  
  1159. At that point the woman left the podium to head back to her seat. Before she could make it all the way back to her chair, board member Diane Villareal interrupted saying: “I’m sorry, I’m gonna ask a question now because I was under the impression that these books had been removed from our schools. What the heck is going on?”
  1160.  
  1161. The audience erupted in applause at her shock. 
  1162.  
  1163. “This is revolting,” Villarreal continued, “I wouldn’t even expect to read this in Penthouse if they still published that trash and this is in our schools!?”
  1164.  
  1165. The video, posted originally by Sarah Fields, president for Coalition Texas, and shared by Libs of TikTok, has almost 800,000 views on X.
  1166.  
  1167.  
  1168.  
  1169.  
  1170.  
  1171. In the full video of the nearly two-hour long board meeting titled “Parental Advisory Explicit Content,” concerned parents acknowledged the disturbing content in books that are made accessible to students. 
  1172.  
  1173. One father talked about his daughters who go to Churchill High School in the school district. He noted that many “vulgar” books in the library are things he’d never want his daughters to be able to have access to, adding that there's nothing that has any “educational” value in them.
  1174.  
  1175. A woman who is the Texas ambassador for Moms for Liberty noted that the material is “harmful” for children. She read an excerpt from the book called “The Empire of Storms” which is available at every middle school in the district.
  1176.  
  1177. Related: Oral, Abortion, and Sex With Jesus: Mom Reads Shocking Excerpts From Book Found In a Local High School
  1178.  
  1179. “His teeth gazed over her nipple and her eyes drifted closed, a moaning slipping out of her, his tongue flipped against her nipple and her head tipped back, her fingers digging into his shoulders,” she read. The woman went on but I’ll spare you the details. All you need to know is that it was erotic content that is provided to young kids in school. 
  1180.  
  1181. A pastor read an excerpt from the book “What Girls are Made Of” which talked about giving “Jesus head” and “having sex with Jesus.” One more read an “evil” book that kids have access to which read “Daddy put his pee pee smelling thing in my mouth.”
  1182.  
  1183. Like one of the pastors said, these books have no place in schools. They belong in the “pits of hell.”
  1184.  
  1185. Follow us on Twitter/X:
  1186.  
  1187.  
  1188. MRCTV’s Eric Scheiner joins @AlisonOAN to talk about what the leftist media really means when they talk about “democracy.” pic.twitter.com/zZe9fUkCZo
  1189. — MRCTV (@mrctv) May 15, 2024</description>
  1190.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 1:13 PM</pubDate>
  1191.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  1192.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284218</guid>
  1193.    </item>
  1194. <item>
  1195.  <title>ABC, NBC Giddily Tout ANOTHER Far-Left Smear of Conservative Supreme Court Justice</title>
  1196.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/17/abc-nbc-giddily-tout-another-far-left-smear-conservative-supreme</link>
  1197.  <description>ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) and NBC’s Today eagerly touted in faux serious tones early Friday a new front in the left’s war to delegitimize, shame, and even attempt to remove conservative judges as The New York Times published a screeching story about an upside down flag flying at the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021.
  1198.  
  1199. Liberal journalist Jodi Kantor typed this up on behalf of the liberal Borg and even appeared in the GMA segment, arguing Alito signed with the flag he’s a far-right conspiracy theorist.
  1200.  
  1201.  
  1202.  
  1203.  
  1204.  
  1205.  
  1206.  
  1207.  
  1208.  
  1209. “We turn now to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito under fire after The New York Times published a picture of an upside down flag flown outside his home in 2021 just days after the January 6 riot,” fill-in co-host Rebecca Jarvis began.
  1210.  
  1211. Longtime Supreme Court correspondent Terry Moran was in need of a fainting couch as he huffed Alito’s been “no stranger to controversy” with this new story “stunning and unprecedented”.
  1212.  
  1213. “Flying the flag upside down is meant to be a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger, according to the U.S. flag code. It’s also been used as a symbol of protest...and, after the 2020 election, some of Donald Trump supporters adopted the upside down flag to object to Biden’s victory,” he added.
  1214.  
  1215. Moran also pointed to Kantor having obtained e-mails from fellow leftist quacks — aka Alito’s neighbors — whining “the flag was flying for multiple days” and were concerned about this “political statement”.
  1216.  
  1217. On-screen, Kantor made this seem like a national scandal: “They were incredulous because one of the bedrock rules of being a federal judge is that you’re not supposed to take part in politics.”
  1218.  
  1219. Moran only briefly focused on Alito’s denial to Kantor: “I had no involvement whatsoever. It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”
  1220.  
  1221. Earth to Terry and Jodi: What signs did Alito’s neighbors have? To what degree did they harass the Alitos? Heck, what’s the political stance of Alito’s neighborhood? And does Brett Kavanaugh and the man who wanted to assassinate him and his family Nicholas Roske jog your memories?
  1222.  
  1223. Moran also falsely accused Alito of being somehow unprecedented in being political and also lied about Alito “heckl[ing]” Barack Obama in 2010 (when he only mouthed displeasure and thus no Joe Wilson) (click “expand”):
  1224.  
  1225.  
  1226. MORAN: Justice Alito has a history of stirring political controversy, unusual for Supreme Court justices. The author of decisions that overturned Roe vs. Wade, he mocked criticism of the ruling that ended a federal right to abortion.
  1227.  
  1228. ALITO: I had the honor this term of writing, I think, the only Supreme Court decision in the history of that institution that has been lambasted by a whole string of foreign leaders. [CROWD LAUGHTER]
  1229.  
  1230. MORAN: And Alito famously heckled President Obama at the 2010 State of the Union when Obama criticized the court’s Citizens United campaign finance decision. Alito calling out, “not true,” at Obama. And one possible concern about that upside down flag at Alito’s house, there are still cases before this Court stemming from January 6, including former President Trump’s claims of absolute immunity for his actions at that time. And one more thing: There has been no statement from Mrs. Alito, whom Justice Alito blames for the incident. 
  1231.  
  1232.  
  1233. All told, that segment was a whopping three minutes and 30 seconds.
  1234.  
  1235. Meanwhile, NBC’s Today had a 52-second news brief via co-host Hoda Kotb that she too tried to make into an affront to humanity: “Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is responding this morning to a report in The New York Times that, in 2021, he had an American flag hanging upside down outside of his home.”
  1236.  
  1237. Kotb continued by noting “this was the photo taken on January 17, 2021” and “[t]he upside down flag was a symbol associated with former President Trump’s false claims of election fraud.”
  1238.  
  1239. Along with reading the statement Alito gave to The Times, Kotb proclaimed all this has “rais[ed] concerns” — by whom, she wouldn’t say — “about Alito’s impartiality”.
  1240.  
  1241. Like with Justice Clarence Thomas, the liberal media will stop at nothing to either force out or remove Alito, Thomas, and any other jurist who doesn’t kowtow to a certain ideology. As we’ve seen when leftist freaks have plopped themselves outside the homes of right-leaning justice, the liberal media have little regard for the children, spouses, and loved ones of the justices.
  1242.  
  1243. To see the relevant transcripts from May 17, click here (for ABC) and here (for NBC).</description>
  1244.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 12:58 PM</pubDate>
  1245.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  1246.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284216</guid>
  1247.    </item>
  1248. <item>
  1249.  <title>MRC UnCensored: Erik Prince Unveils Solution to Unplug Big Tech’s ‘Pervasive Surveillance’</title>
  1250.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/luis-cornelio/2024/05/17/mrc-uncensored-erik-prince-unveils-solution-unplug-big</link>
  1251.  <description> As Big Tech companies continue to expand their control over Americans’ cellphone data, one businessman has stepped up, providing an alternative and delivering a powerful message: enough!
  1252.  
  1253. This was the sentiment of Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, former NAVY Seal and owner of the Unplugged tech startup, during an exclusive interview on MRC UnCensored with host and MRC Free Speech America Vice President Dan Schneider.
  1254.  
  1255. In the interview, Prince touted his one-of-a-kind Unplugged Smartphone, which he said is designed to combat Big Tech’s censorship and what he described as the “pervasive surveillance of Big Brother."
  1256.  
  1257. Referring to the “enormous power” of Big Tech companies, Prince mentioned that Americans have become the “product” of Big Tech, as these companies control “everything you do digitally, every call you make, everywhere you go, what you browse, what you buy [and] who you interact with.”
  1258.  
  1259.  
  1260.  
  1261.  
  1262.  
  1263. He recounted witnessing the rampant censorship conducted by Big Tech during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, when censors “were canceling certain voices that they didn't like that were opposed to their big government narrative.”
  1264.  
  1265. But Prince had enough, he told Schneider, recalling the launch of UP Phone, which, unlike any other device, does not rely on Google software.
  1266.  
  1267. Similar: MRC President Bozell to Patrick Bet-David: Google Is Picking Winners and Losers
  1268.  
  1269. Taking matters into his own hands, Prince explained, “I basically had an angry phone call with a couple of friends of mine saying, ‘What the hell are we going to do? We're not going to change Big Tech by b****ing about it. We're only going to change it by competing.’”
  1270.  
  1271. Prince suggested that the smartphone, launched in 2022, is even more relevant nowadays after Congress re-authorized controversial portions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) Section 702.
  1272.  
  1273. “With Congress just a couple weeks ago passing not just a FISA extension, but a massive FISA enlargement, because what the federal government has been doing is have a very cozy relationship with Big Tech, all too cozy,” he said.
  1274.  
  1275. The infamous spying tool allows the federal government to collect a massive trove of emails from U.S. persons to foreign countries of interest without a warrant. 
  1276.  
  1277. “It basically allows the federal government, any agency can go to Big Tech and demand they turn over that data,” he continued. “Any messages, photos, anything they have without a warrant and without probable cause.”
  1278.  
  1279. Expanding on his remarks, Prince added, “Just one federal investigator … with a bone to pick wants to go on a fishing expedition to dig into your life. They have carte blanche to do it. This is the only thing that protects that kind of digital sovereignty.”
  1280.  
  1281. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  1282.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 12:53 PM</pubDate>
  1283.    <dc:creator>Luis Cornelio</dc:creator>
  1284.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284217</guid>
  1285.    </item>
  1286. <item>
  1287.  <title>'I'm Sorry, What?" Acosta Whines Butker Not 'Banned' Like Kaepernick</title>
  1288.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/17/im-sorry-what-acosta-whines-butker-not-banned-kaepernick</link>
  1289.  <description>CNN host and self-appointed guardian of truth Jim Acosta welcomed sports reporter Rachel Nichols to Friday’s CNN Newsroom for a factually-challenged segment about Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement address to Benedictine College, where he declared that female graduates may get more satisfaction from their family lives than their careers. For Acosta, it was obvious Butker is benefiting from a double standard that the ostracized Colin Kaepernick is not.
  1290.  
  1291. Acosta rambled, “Well, and is there a double standard here? I mean Colin Kaepernick. I mean, he takes a knee to protest police brutality and gets banned from the NFL, can't get a job in the NFL. Harrison Butker gives this speech, goes wide right so to speak and the NFL says, 'well, you know he was on his day off when he gave this speech, no big deal.' I'm sorry, what?”
  1292.  
  1293.  
  1294.  
  1295.  
  1296.  
  1297.  
  1298.  
  1299.  
  1300.  
  1301. Like Butker’s field goals, there are three points worth mentioning. First, Kaepernick didn’t just “protest police brutality.” He went to Miami, of all places, and praised Fidel Castro and compared getting paid millions of dollars for a voluntary job to slavery. Second, the NFL went out of its way to appease him. You can’t watch an NFL game today without seeing something like “It takes all of us” or “end racism” on the back of the end zones. Finally, Kaepernick began his refusal to stand for the national anthem in August 2016, but he was benched for poor play the previous season and later that same season.
  1302.  
  1303. As for Nichols, she was not much better, “The NFL will tell you that they didn't ban Colin Kaepernick and there's been no official ban on Colin Kaepernick. Of course, anyone paying attention would tell you that unofficially teams sort of feel that he cannot be touched and it is a double standard. There's no question about it.”
  1304.  
  1305. Nichols lamented, “Many times in professional sports and frankly, particularly in the NFL, if you deliver results, a lot is excused and in this case, Butker was a key part of winning that Super Bowl for them. He's got the longest kick in Super Bowl history. He's very good at his job and he does have some support.”
  1306.  
  1307. She also tried to undercut Butker’s message, “Of course, there's also voices on the other side who are pro-family, pro-religion, pro-God, who are making the point, you can still be all of those things and support women's rights. There are certainly plenty of men in this country who are equal partners in raising their children, some as single dads who would argue with his comments, even if they are dedicated church members.”
  1308.  
  1309. At this point, it should be noted what Butker actually said:
  1310.  
  1311.  
  1312. For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.
  1313.  
  1314.  
  1315. Butker never said men should be absent from their children’s lives, as Nichols suggested. He never told the women in the audience that they should stay in the kitchen. He affirmed their achievements, acknowledged that some of them will get fancy titles and promotions, but declared that they will feel “most excited” about their families. What’s so radical about that?
  1316.  
  1317. Here is a transcript for the May 17 show:
  1318.  
  1319.  
  1320. CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta
  1321.  
  1322. 5/17/2024
  1323.  
  1324. 10:31 AM ET
  1325.  
  1326. JIM ACOSTA: Well, and is there a double standard here? I mean Colin Kaepernick. I mean, he takes a knee to protest police brutality and gets banned from the NFL, can't get a job in the NFL. Harrison Butker gives this speech, goes wide right so to speak and the NFL says, “well, you know he was on his day off when he gave this speech, no big deal.” I'm sorry, what? Yeah.
  1327.  
  1328. RACHEL NICHOLS: The NFL will tell you that they didn't ban Colin Kaepernick and there's been no official ban on Colin Kaepernick. Of course--
  1329.  
  1330. ACOSTA: Yeah.
  1331.  
  1332. NICHOLS: -- anyone paying attention would tell you that unofficially teams sort of feel that he cannot be touched and it is a double standard. There's no question about it.
  1333.  
  1334. Many times in professional sports and frankly, particularly in the NFL, if you deliver results, a lot is excused and in this case, Butker was a key part of winning that Super Bowl for them. He's got the longest kick in Super Bowl history. He's very good at his job and he does have some support. Of course, there's also voices on the other side who are pro-family, pro-religion, pro-God, who are making the point, you can still be all of those things and support women's rights. There are certainly plenty of men in this country who are equal partners in raising their children, some as single dads who would argue with his comments, even if they are dedicated church members.
  1335. </description>
  1336.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 11:45 AM</pubDate>
  1337.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  1338.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284213</guid>
  1339.    </item>
  1340. <item>
  1341.  <title>Joe Biden as a Political Pinwheel</title>
  1342.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/ben-shapiro/2024/05/17/joe-biden-political-pinwheel</link>
  1343.  <description>Joe Biden is not a person of principle or character. He is a lifelong politician who has spent decades shifting his positions on nearly every major issue. If one had to define Biden's political worldview, it would be simply this: Follow the Democratic herd, and desperately attempt to place yourself dead center in the middle of it. Joe Biden is, in short, a political pinwheel, taking note of the prevailing winds in his own party and seeking to channel them in his favor.
  1344.  
  1345. This strategy made Biden a career also-ran. After all, who wants to follow a follower? Biden never achieved any level of national popularity on his own: His presidential runs imploded in embarrassing fashion in 1988 and 2008. His saving grace was, in fact, his blandness and inoffensiveness: Thanks to those peculiarly counterintuitive qualities, Barack Obama made him his vice president. There, Biden thrived as a vice president who presided over little actual policy but happily floated trial balloons for the administration and acted as a rah-rah cheerleader for his more popular boss.
  1346.  
  1347. Obama himself had so little faith in his vice president that he passed him over in 2016 in favor of the widely reviled Hillary Clinton. After Clinton lost, Biden threw his hat in the ring -- and thanks to the extraordinary incompetence of some of his opponents (Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar), the extraordinary dilettantism of others (Pete Buttigieg and Michael Bloomberg), and the befuddled racialism of still others (Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren) -- he prevailed by simply fulfilling two conditions: First, he was alive (barely); second, he wasn't any of the other clods.
  1348.  
  1349. So Joe Biden became president.
  1350.  
  1351. He posed as a political moderate. But there is a difference between principled moderation and simply bobbing, corklike, about the eddies of internal Democratic politics. Moderation sometimes requires a Sister Souljah moment -- a moment when you push away the radicals and embrace the mainstream. Acting as a political pinwheel encourages no such strength. In fact, it encourages the opposite: caving to every interest, at all times.
  1352.  
  1353. And thus, Joe Biden has tried to be everything to everyone -- and has ended up as no one to anyone. Biden has zero passionate fans, because his positions are all ersatz; he barely even has passionate enemies, since so few of his opponents believe that he believes anything he says in the moment. His constant waffling has earned him little loyalty and no victories of note (and no, spending trillions of dollars on wasteful boondoggles isn't a victory; it's just the way government is now done).
  1354.  
  1355. Biden's waffling has cost Americans dearly. Stuck between a Modern Monetary Theory left and more fiscally moderate liberals, Biden has halved the baby, opting for big spending and interest rate increases. Trapped between a post-American left and traditionally interventionist Wilsonian liberals, Biden has hedged between militaristic support for Ukraine and slow-walking aid. Caught between an Israel-hating left and Israel-supportive liberals, Biden has declared his support for Israel in its goals of extirpating Hamas and then pressured Israel to leave Hamas in place by promoting Hamas propaganda and embargoing critical weaponry.
  1356.  
  1357. It turns out that the presidency is a bad place for pinwheels. The closest thing to a pinwheel president we've had over the past few decades was Bill Clinton -- but even Clinton knew to pursue a course once the course had been charted. Biden flips radically between positions -- even from day to day -- leaving the rest of the world confused and discombobulated.
  1358.  
  1359. Americans don't like it. In fact, they don't like it so much that polls show that Joe Biden would be a one-term president if the election were held today -- and that he would lose to the man he declares a threat to democracy. Why? Because there is one character aspect on which Donald Trump outpolls Biden by leaps and bounds: leadership. As it turns out, there's no substitute for leadership.
  1360.  
  1361. And Joe Biden has never been a leader.</description>
  1362.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 11:44 AM</pubDate>
  1363.    <dc:creator>Ben Shapiro</dc:creator>
  1364.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284212</guid>
  1365.    </item>
  1366. <item>
  1367.  <title>New York Times Admits 'MSNBC's Leftward Tilt,' But Presents NBC News Shows as Neutral!</title>
  1368.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2024/05/17/new-york-times-admits-msnbcs-leftward-tilt-presents-nbc-news-shows</link>
  1369.  <description> The New York Times devoted nearly 3,000 words by writer-at-large Jim Rutenberg and media reporter Michael Grynbaum to a topic rarely acknowledged: Media bias from the left, in “How MSNBC’s Leftward Tilt Delivers Ratings, and Complications.” (Right-leaning Fox News, by contrast, is a constant target of the paper’s hostility.)
  1370.  
  1371. But what does it say about the paper’s own tilt when its reporters constantly appear on the left-wing airwaves of MSNBC? The story began:
  1372.  
  1373.  
  1374. MSNBC placed a big bet on becoming comfort TV for liberals. Then it doubled down.
  1375.  
  1376. Time slots on the cable network once devoted to news programming are now occupied by Trump-bashing opinion hosts. The channel has become a landing spot for high-profile alumni of President Biden’s administration like Jen Psaki, who went from hosting White House press briefings to hosting her own show. On Super Tuesday, when producers aired a portion of a live speech by former President Donald J. Trump, Rachel Maddow chastised her bosses on the air.
  1377.  
  1378. The moves have been a hit with viewers. MSNBC has leapfrogged past its erstwhile rival CNN in the ratings and has seen viewership rise over the past year, securing second place in cable news behind the perennial leader, Fox News.
  1379.  
  1380.  
  1381. The unintentionally funny part is when NBC News suggested MSNBC was ruining it branding as "straight news." Who believes that any more? 
  1382.  
  1383.  
  1384. But MSNBC’s success has had unintended consequences for its parent company, NBC, an original Big Three broadcaster that still strives to appeal to a mass American audience.
  1385.  
  1386. NBC’s traditional political journalists have cycled between rancor and resignation that the cable network’s partisanship — a regular target of Mr. Trump — will color perceptions of their straight news reporting. 
  1387.  
  1388.  
  1389. NBC faced "tensions" in an election year, on "how to maintain trust and present neutral, fact-based reporting in a fractionalized era when partisanship carries vast financial and cultural rewards."
  1390.  
  1391. The report talked about how they tried to take some of the hyperpartisan tone out in the last decade by moving Al Sharpton to weekends, bringing Greta Van Susteren over from Fox, and creating a daily version of Meet the Press. But then Donald Trump showed up, and even those cosmetic shifts were scuttled:
  1392.  
  1393.  
  1394. Then, Mr. Trump’s ascent shocked the Democratic base and spiked viewership of Ms. Maddow and other left-leaning hosts, whose programs became a kind of televised safe space. MSNBC’s ratings surged.
  1395.  
  1396.  
  1397. The story centered on NBC News boss Cesar Conde and how he's tried to bring Republican voices on NBC, including the brief Ronna McDaniel Debacle, and Kristen Welker's incredibly combative interview with Donald Trump on her debut at Meet the Press host. The Left has a fit any time NBC interviews Republicans, and so the interviewers end up sounding fiercely oppositional. 
  1398.  
  1399. At least, Rutenberg and Grynbaum acknowledged that MSNBC was “tightly embracing its partisan direction” by hiring Biden press secretary Jen Psaki and another Biden aide, Symone Sanders: “It was the kind of revolving-door hiring that liberal pundits used to criticize when it happened with Fox News and the Trump administration.”
  1400.  
  1401. Left out of the long story were any mentions of the myriad Times reporters (including authors Rutenberg and Grynbaum themselves) that have appeared as guest talent on the "comfort food for liberals" channel during the Trump era and beyond, presumably contributing to what the Times itself calls the network’s “leftward tilt.” some with contributor contracts.
  1402.  
  1403. A partial list of Times journalists who’ve appeared on MSNBC in recent years would include Susan Craig, Nicholas Kristof, Nicholas Confessore, Katie Benner, Jeremy Peters, Annie Karni, Carl Hulse, Michael Schmidt, Nicholas Confessore, Jeremy Peters, Mike Isaac, Megan Twohey, as well as the story’s authors Jim Rutenberg and Michael Grynbaum (the article contained no disclosure of their previous MSNBC appearances).
  1404.  
  1405. Appearances by Times scribes are much thinner on right-leaning Fox News, though ex-NYT staffer Nellie Bowles did appear on America’s Newsroom on Wednesday to promote her eyebrow-raising criticism of wokeness, including some bizarre anecdotes from her days at the Times.</description>
  1406.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 11:22 AM</pubDate>
  1407.    <dc:creator>Clay Waters</dc:creator>
  1408.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284187</guid>
  1409.    </item>
  1410. <item>
  1411.  <title>How Can Jake Tapper Moderate CNN Debate? He Trusts Hamas Propaganda</title>
  1412.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/17/how-can-jake-tapper-moderate-cnn-debate-he-trusts-hamas</link>
  1413.  <description> Alongside the concerning announcement, this week, that CNN would be hosting the first general presidential debate next month was the equally concerning announcement that Jake Tapper would be tapped to be one of the moderators. The expectation of moderators to fact-check the candidates made Tapper’s selection was particularly concerning. In addition to his left-wing bent, Tapper has exhibited a truly disturbing lack of discernment of who to trust for sourcing facts, including claiming that propaganda from Hamas was trustworthy.
  1414.  
  1415. As NewsBusters reported last year, just 10 days after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas against innocent Israeli civilians, Tapper openly suggested that “there’s no reason to doubt” Hamas figures about the death toll in Gaza.
  1416.  
  1417. “Let's go to a major story developing right now in Gaza, what the Palestinian government is calling a war crime, the government in Gaza says the Israeli Defense Forces struck a hospital in the center of Gaza City, the al-Ahli Baptist hospital,” he announced on October 17.
  1418.  
  1419. The purported attack was less than a few minutes old but Tapper was rushing to parrot Hamas claims that the number of people killed was “between 200 and 300” with “many more innocent people still trapped under the rubble.”
  1420.  
  1421. His colleague Anderson Cooper would later note that it could have been a Hamas rocket that fell short, but Tapper quickly shot back: “Yeah, I know. I mean, this is always a very difficult situation, because right now, we have reports of hundreds killed and there's no reason to doubt that.”
  1422.  
  1423.  
  1424.  
  1425.  
  1426.  
  1427.  
  1428.  
  1429.  
  1430.  
  1431. But in the light of day, it was clear we had every reason to doubt that. Not only was it a rocket that was fired from Gaza, it landed in the parking lock and only blew out the windows of the hospital, and the casualties were minuscule compared to upwards of 300 or more.
  1432.  
  1433. Tapper largely avoided accountability for his defense of the propaganda number put out by Hamas, but more recently (May 13) he did a segment on The Lead highlighting how “the United Nations quietly revised downward its numbers on fatalities for Palestinian women and children.”
  1434.  
  1435. Omitting the specific detail that the number was 50 percent lower, Tapper relied on correspondent Jeremy Diamond to spin the revelation as just some necessary bookkeeping (Click “expand”):
  1436.  
  1437.  
  1438. We'll Jake, this isn't about saying that fewer Palestinian women and children have been killed during this conflict. This all has to do with where the United Nations is pulling its data from.
  1439.  
  1440. The United Nations is now listing women and children who have been killed, but only those who have been whose identities have been fully documented. That means that they you know, the names, the dates of birth, the identity card numbers of those individuals. But that brings the United Nations to more than 7,000 children who have been killed, about 5,000 women. But there are thousands more women and children that the Palestinian Ministry of Health says have been killed in this conflict since October 7.
  1441.  
  1442. But in many of those cases, they don't have someone who has identified them by name with a specific date of birth, for example. That brings the Palestinian Ministry of Health to about 15,000 children, about 9,900 women who have been killed.
  1443.  
  1444.  
  1445. Diamond went on to defend the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health by arguing that “both U.S., as well as United Nations and other humanitarian aid agencies, these officials have all said that the Palestinian Ministry of Health figures have checked out in previous conflicts.”
  1446.  
  1447. “Right. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, obviously run by Hamas itself, and they don't distinguish between fighters and innocent civilians,” Tapper added, essentially suggesting the number was accurate and it just included Hamas fighters.
  1448.  
  1449. But the next day (May 14), Tapper struck a far more skeptical tone regarding reports from the Israeli Defense Forces that they had struck a Hamas “war room” in a U.N. school. “Israel says it killed more than ten terrorists, though CNN cannot independently confirm Israel's claim,” he declared.
  1450.  
  1451. Tapper was suspicious of IDF claims that Hamas was in U.N. school while we know multiple U.N. workers took part in the October 7 attack and accounts from former hostages show U.N. workers aided the terrorists.
  1452.  
  1453. Meanwhile, we’re supposed to believe Tapper is an honest broker of facts for a presidential debate?
  1454.  
  1455. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  1456.  
  1457.  
  1458. CNN’s The Lead
  1459. May 13, 2024
  1460. 5:38:32 p.m. Eastern
  1461.  
  1462. (…)
  1463.  
  1464. JAKE TAPPER: Jeremy, though, of course we can see the horror on the ground, clearly. It's been harder to get an accurate estimate of how many Palestinians have been killed since October 7 in Gaza. Last week, the United Nations quietly revised downward its numbers on fatalities for Palestinian women and children. Tell us more about that. What led to the change?
  1465.  
  1466. JEREMY DIAMOND: We'll Jake, this isn't about saying that fewer Palestinian women and children have been killed during this conflict. This all has to do with where the United Nations is pulling its data from.
  1467.  
  1468. The United Nations is now listing women and children who have been killed, but only those who have been whose identities have been fully documented. That means that they you know, the names, the dates of birth, the identity card numbers of those individuals. But that brings the United Nations to more than 7,000 children who have been killed, about 5,000 women. But there are thousands more women and children that the Palestinian Ministry of Health says have been killed in this conflict since October 7.
  1469.  
  1470. But in many of those cases, they don't have someone who has identified them by name with a specific date of birth, for example. That brings the Palestinian Ministry of Health to about 15,000 children, about 9,900 women who have been killed.
  1471.  
  1472. And it's important to note that both U.S., as well as United Nations and other humanitarian aid agencies, these officials have all said that the Palestinian Ministry of Health figures have checked out in previous conflicts.
  1473.  
  1474. But, of course, there is a difference between how the Palestinian Ministry of Health sees the casualty figures in Gaza and what the Israeli government is saying. We've heard from Israeli government officials, including the Israeli prime minister now saying they believe that about 14,000 plus militants have been killed and about 16,000 civilians. That's obviously a very big discrepancy with the numbers coming from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
  1475.  
  1476. TAPPER: Right. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, obviously run by Hamas itself, and they don't distinguish between fighters and innocent civilians.
  1477.  
  1478. (…)
  1479.  
  1480. May 14, 2024
  1481. 5:50:29 p.m. Eastern
  1482.  
  1483. TAPPER: And we’re back with our world lead. Israel's military claims that it struck a Hamas war room in central Gaza in its effort to root out the terrorists group following the October 7 attack on Israel. The war room, Israel says, was imbedded inside a school in Nuseirat. That's the town. And operated by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA. Israel says it killed more than ten terrorists, though CNN cannot independently confirm Israel's claim. It’s clear the IDF is pounding that area.
  1484.  
  1485. (…)
  1486. </description>
  1487.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 11:07 AM</pubDate>
  1488.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  1489.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284211</guid>
  1490.    </item>
  1491. <item>
  1492.  <title>ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' Says Texas Not 'Safe' for Trans Kids</title>
  1493.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/elise-ehrhard/2024/05/17/abcs-greys-anatomy-says-texas-not-safe-trans-kids</link>
  1494.  <description>Last night, ABC's Grey's Anatomy described the state of Texas as dangerous for its opposition to trans mutilation of minors.
  1495.  
  1496. In the episode, "Blood, Sweat and Tears," on Thursday, a "trans" child named "Caroline" flies all the way from Texas to Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle for neurosurgery on a tumor. She and her mother consider Texas too hostile to trust doctors there. Caroline's family knows Dr. Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales), one of Grey-Sloan's doctors, because Beltran previously practiced in Texas.
  1497.  
  1498. Caroline needs surgery on a neurofibroma, which is "a spontaneous growth in the nerve tissue" that can damage the nerve. The surgery itself does not relate to the child's trans identity, but the mother and child are uncomfortable with Texas doctors operating on her for anything at all.
  1499.  
  1500. Last year, Texas banned puberty blockers, hormone "therapy" and other medicalized transgender harm against minors.
  1501.  
  1502. During a conversation between Beltran and her colleague, Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), Beltran describes Texas as a place where transgender children fear for their lives.
  1503.  
  1504.  
  1505.  
  1506.  
  1507.  
  1508.  
  1509. Shepherd: They came a long way to see you. That must be flattering. 
  1510.  
  1511. Beltran: It's enraging. Caroline shouldn't have to travel to see a doctor who treats her with respect. 
  1512.  
  1513. Shepherd: You didn't want to stay in Texas, try to help more kids there? 
  1514.  
  1515. Beltran: You know, as much as I hate it, I think maybe it is safer for them to come see me here. I mean, it's just gotten so hostile. [ Sighs ] Forget the awkward stares and the micro-aggressions. One family was talking about putting a bulletproof vest on their son, just to come see me, because he's trans. 
  1516.  
  1517. Shepherd: That is... [ Sighs ] 
  1518.  
  1519. Beltran: Yeah, there's no words to describe it.
  1520.  
  1521.  
  1522. In reality, trans-identified radicals have been targeting the lives of those they oppose, with multiple shootings at Christian targets in particular. Hollywood consistently portrays opponents of the radical LGBTQUIA+ agenda as ticking time bombs when the reverse has been shown to be true.
  1523.  
  1524. Grey's Anatomy has been a far-left show throughout its almost twenty years on the air, fear-mongering about everything from pro-life state laws to climate change.
  1525.  
  1526. Apparently, there's an audience for such polarizing drama, because the series has had staying power for nearly two decades. Its hostile attitude towards political opponents will likely ramp up even more next season with an upcoming election. Inexplicably, audiences will also probably continue to watch.</description>
  1527.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 10:34 AM</pubDate>
  1528.    <dc:creator>Elise Ehrhard</dc:creator>
  1529.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284207</guid>
  1530.    </item>
  1531. <item>
  1532.  <title>MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough Gets Melty Over NYT Poll— MRC’s Hamill Reacts on Newsmax</title>
  1533.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/stephanie-hamill/2024/05/17/msnbcs-joe-scarborough-gets-melty-over-nyt-poll-mrcs</link>
  1534.  <description> MRC contributing writer Stephanie Hamill was a guest on Thursday’s The Balance on Newsmax with host Eric Bolling and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon where they discussed MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough’s latest tizzy over a New York Times/Siena poll showing former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden in five out of six swing states.
  1535.  
  1536. On Wednesday’s Morning Joe, Scarborough accused the Times of rigging the polls against Biden, so that they could generate more traffic with ‘clickbait stories.’ LOL.
  1537.  
  1538. "I'm young enough to remember when these same people would get really excited when conservatives or Trump would question polling, the 'fake news polls' if you will. It's hilarious to see them get their tinfoil hats out," Hamill said. "The New York Times isn't doing Trump any favors." 
  1539.  
  1540.  
  1541.  
  1542.  
  1543.  
  1544.  
  1545.  
  1546. WATCH: 
  1547.  
  1548.  
  1549.  
  1550.  
  1551.  
  1552.  
  1553.  
  1554.  
  1555. Heilemann: I'm not saying it's not close. I'm not going to carry water for the New York Times or the methodology of this poll. I would keep going back to the thing that I try to say every time we talk about these things. Which is, that I'm really interested in -- and I know you know this. What are the polls showing us directionally about the race?
  1556.  
  1557. Scarborough: I understand. There's a difference, though, with the New York Times/ Siena poll, and you know this. It's given disproportionate impact. This year, this cycle, it is skewed wildly in Donald Trump's direction. [Heilemann tries to speak.]
  1558.  
  1559. Hold on. And the New York Times feasts on it with clickbait stories, like, a dozen at a time.
  1560.  
  1561. Heilemann: And I, what I'm trying to focus on is what I think people should pay attention to [tries to continue]--
  1562.  
  1563. Scarborough: -- [Interrupting] But what I'm trying to focus on is, the New York Times right now is actively shaping the election cycles, where this poll comes out on a Sunday, and on Monday, people go, oh -- and I heard it! And I'm sitting there going, don't be so stupid.
  1564.  
  1565. That's why we're doing this. [Heilemann tries to respond. Scarborough shouts.] 
  1566.  
  1567. Hold on. No! No! Hold on a second. Hold on. No, no, no, no,. Hold on.
  1568. </description>
  1569.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 9:55 AM</pubDate>
  1570.    <dc:creator>Stephanie Hamill</dc:creator>
  1571.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284210</guid>
  1572.    </item>
  1573. <item>
  1574.  <title>ABC Reporter, KJP Team Up to Trash Butker for Pro-Life, Pro-Family Speech</title>
  1575.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/17/abc-reporter-kjp-team-trash-butker-pro-life-pro-family-speech</link>
  1576.  <description>ABC reporter Karen Travers used her round of Q&amp;A during Thursday’s White House press briefing to invite a willing accomplice in Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to join the liberal media mob against Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for his alleged crime of giving a pro-family, pro-life, pro-parenting commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
  1577.  
  1578. “I want to ask you about the topic that's getting a lot of attention,” Travers began, adding Butker’s “facing criticism for his recent commencement address where he told female graduates that the most important title a woman can hold is homemaker.”
  1579.  
  1580.  
  1581.  
  1582.  
  1583.  
  1584.  
  1585.  
  1586.  
  1587.  
  1588. Fact-check: Pants on fire. Butker did not, in fact, say that. Here’s a transcript of his full speech, but here’s a key line: “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
  1589.  
  1590. Travers’s softball wasn’t done: “He was critical about surrogacy, IVF, and Pride Month, and he also criticized the President for being a Catholic who supports abortion rights. Has the President seen those comments? Does he have a reaction to that?”
  1591.  
  1592. Jean-Pierre had the gall to initially bat it down by saying Biden’s “been pretty busy today, so I haven't had a chance to — to focus on this particular issue” and she herself had only seen “some reports on it.”
  1593.  
  1594. Nonetheless, Jean-Pierre pivoted to implicitly torching Butker and argued Biden won’t “back away from supporting women and reproductive rights, reproductive health care” because “it is important to fight for all of our freedoms”.
  1595.  
  1596. She obviously had to throw in the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade and argued pro-lifers support putting women “in a position to not get the health care that they need” and “causing chaos”.
  1597.  
  1598. Jean-Pierre’s rant dragged on, tying Butker to “extreme Republican” (click “expand”):
  1599.  
  1600.  
  1601. And then you have extreme Republicans that continue to talk about — to talk about how they want to put national abortion ban. It's causing chaos. It's causing chaos for women. It’s causing chaos for families. When you're saying that a family can't make a decision on IVF, that's not what this President is about. He wants to make sure that women have the right to make these incredibly difficult decisions about their health care, so families could make a decision about how they want to build and — and move forward with building a family. 
  1602.  
  1603. And so I can't — I can't speak to those direct comments, but what I can speak to is what the President has committed to, and he has shown that over and over again and you have a Vice President that has toured the country talking exactly about that, about how we have to protect our freedoms and freedoms of — of — obviously, reproductive health as — as we're speaking right now.
  1604.  
  1605.  
  1606. Travers offered a follow-up to further attack Butker and implicitly accuse him of being a partisan tool: “As the President gets ready to give his own commencement address, does he think a message like that is appropriate at a commencement address?”
  1607.  
  1608. Jean-Pierre stuck to the same pattern with this second answer, first insisting she hadn’t “heard this in context” other than seeing “some reporting” then tearing into Butker without saying his name by arguing Biden — unlike the Chiefs kicker — views “commencement day as such an important moment for not just the students, but for their families, obviously, their loved ones”
  1609.  
  1610. The press secretary gave a whopper of a garbled mess as she said in part that Biden wants “to talk about the future, to talk about how — how they — how in the world that we are in — that — in the world that we're in now, how do we move forward? And you’re [sic] hear with themes from this President on that particular message, and he understands how critical and important that have those messages — especially a message from the President of the United States, how much it matters.”
  1611.  
  1612. To see the relevant transcript of the May 16 briefing, click “expand.”
  1613.  
  1614.  
  1615. White House press briefing [via ABC News Live subfeed]
  1616. May 16, 2024
  1617. 2:32 p.m. Eastern
  1618.  
  1619. KAREN TRAVERS: I want to ask you about the topic that's getting a lot of attention. The Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is facing criticism for his recent commencement address where he told female graduates that the most important title a woman can hold is homemaker. He was critical about surrogacy, IVF, and Pride Month, and he also criticized the President for being a Catholic who supports abortion rights. Has the President seen those comments? Does he have a reaction to that?
  1620.  
  1621. KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: You know — ah — the President's been pretty busy today, so I haven't had a chance to — to focus on this particular issue. I think I've heard some reports on it. Look, the President is not going to back away from supporting women and reproductive rights, reproductive health care. It is important to do that. It is important to fight for all of our freedoms, and that's what you're seeing the President do. He's not going to back away from that and look, I can't speak to this specific thing because I haven't heard it in — in — in its entirety. But, look, you know, you have a former administration that — uh — that had said — a former President that said, over and over again that they were going to do everything they can to get rid of Roe v. Wade, was successful in doing that, by putting forward judges that made that happen. We saw the Dobbs decision in 2022 and what that caused is chaos. It caused women to — to have to — do — you know — to have — you know, be in a position to not get the health care that they need. I mean, that's — should not be where we are as a country. It should not be. And then you have extreme Republicans that continue to talk about — to talk about how they want to put national abortion ban. It's causing chaos. It's causing chaos for women. It’s causing chaos for families. When you're saying that a family can't make a decision on IVF, that's not what this President is about. He wants to make sure that women have the right to make these incredibly difficult decisions about their health care, so families could make a decision about how they want to build and — and move forward with building a family. And so I can't — I can't speak to those direct comments, but what I can speak to is what the President has committed to, and he has shown that over and over again and you have a Vice President that has toured the country talking exactly about that, about how we have to protect our freedoms and freedoms of — of — obviously, reproductive health as — as we're speaking right now.
  1622.  
  1623. TRAVERS: I know you said can't speak to the comments.
  1624.  
  1625. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.
  1626.  
  1627. TRAVERS: As the President gets ready to give his own commencement address, does he think a message like that is appropriate at a commencement address?
  1628.  
  1629. JEAN-PIERRE: From — from this particular —
  1630.  
  1631. TRAVERS: Yes. Mmhmm.
  1632.  
  1633. JEAN-PIERRE: — look again, I haven't heard — I haven't heard this in context. I — I saw some reporting, so want to be super mindful. Look, the — the President sees commencement day as such an important moment for not just the students, but for their families, obviously, their loved ones to talk about the future, to talk about how — how they — how in the world that we are in — that — in the world that we're in now, how do we move forward? And you’re [sic] hear with themes from this President on that particular message, and he understands how critical and important that have those messages — especially a message from the President of the United States, how much it matters. I don't want to get ahead of the President. He's going to, obviously, layout and speak to his commencement address on his own, but he's done this many times before. He's done — he's done this when — he's — given commencement address as a senator, has done it, obviously as Vice President, and now President, and this is an incredible important, impactful — impactful moment.
  1634. </description>
  1635.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 9:48 AM</pubDate>
  1636.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  1637.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284205</guid>
  1638.    </item>
  1639. <item>
  1640.  <title>Column: Boos and Hisses for the Kansas City Chiefs Kicker</title>
  1641.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2024/05/17/column-boos-and-hisses-kansas-city-chiefs-kicker</link>
  1642.  <description> On May 14, Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker gave the commencement address at Benedictine College, a Catholic school in Kansas. Within 48 hours, the media elites were ablaze with outrage. There’s a “growing uproar,” warned NBC’s Hoda Kotb.
  1643.  
  1644. A Catholic speaker talked about Catholic issues to Catholic graduates. But the Butker critics who aren’t Catholics pulled out little snippets they could not abide.
  1645.  
  1646. First, they hated that Butker paid tribute to his wife Isabelle for making him successful, for assuming “one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.” That is like a curse word to the feminists. They can’t allow the notion that children might benefit from having a parent in the home.
  1647.  
  1648. He said to the female graduates that “some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.” He didn’t say they shouldn’t have careers. He did suggest that many women – especially Catholic women – put motherhood first.
  1649.  
  1650. Butker also inflamed the Left with a brief allusion to “the deadly-sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it.” None of us should have pride in our sins, but the libertine left is allergic to the entire concept of sorrow for sin.
  1651.  
  1652. Personally, this was my favorite political passage: “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
  1653.  
  1654. Lapsed Catholics and non-Catholics have no grasp of how the Catholic Church defines “scandal.” Catholics like Joe Biden, who aggressively support the exact opposite of church teachings, confuse both religious and non-religious people about what Catholics are called to believe -- like abortion is by its nature a deadly sin.
  1655.  
  1656. But simplistic reporters don’t want anyone calling Biden a phony, any more than they want you to proclaim he's a divider, not a uniter.
  1657.  
  1658. Jonathan Beane, the chief “diversity” officer of the NFL, put out a statement that “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
  1659.  
  1660. It never stops being comical to tout “inclusion” when you’re telling a conservative Catholic to shut up about “Pride Month.” One can never dissent from the “diversity and inclusion” cops, who blatantly imply only the leftist side of the cultural debate defines their most precious words.
  1661.  
  1662. Bobby Burack at Outkick pointed out that the NFL had no public statement of objection for Butker’s Kansas City teammate Rashee Rice, who was recently arrested on eight felony charges concerning a hit-and-run accident “while drag-racing his Lamborghini at 119 mph on a Dallas highway.” Reckless Rice is also under investigation for allegedly punching a photographer at a nightclub in Dallas, “leaving the accuser with noticeable swelling in his face.” The NFL has no comment.  
  1663.  
  1664. Butker’s speech predictably prompted a Change.org petition calling for him to be fired by the Chiefs. Once again, it’s the Left that claims conservatives will “end democracy” and crush freedom of speech, while they demonstrate their absolute intolerance of an opposing point of view.  They can't achieve true "progress" until dissenters are heckled and banned.</description>
  1665.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 6:08 AM</pubDate>
  1666.    <dc:creator>Tim Graham</dc:creator>
  1667.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284206</guid>
  1668.    </item>
  1669. <item>
  1670.  <title>CBS Equates Illegal Immigration With Historic Civil Rights Struggle</title>
  1671.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/17/cbs-equates-illegal-immigration-historic-civil-rights-struggle</link>
  1672.  <description>CBS Evening News commemorated the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the historic Supreme Court opinion that reversed Plessy v. Ferguson and ended official segregation, by equating the historic struggles of black Americans to illegal immigration.
  1673.  
  1674. I couldn’t believe it myself either the first time I watched, but see for yourselves:
  1675.  
  1676.  
  1677. WATCH: CBS Evening News commemorates the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education by equating illegal immigration with the historic struggle for civil rights pic.twitter.com/4iMgeiFmVP
  1678. — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) May 17, 2024
  1679.  
  1680. JANET SHAMLIAN: The historic district is transforming once again. This time opening its doors to refugees and migrants.
  1681.  
  1682. PILAR MEJIA: Just because somebody doesn't speak English doesn't mean they are less valuable to a community.
  1683.  
  1684. SHAMLIAN: Students from more than 40 countries have enrolled.
  1685.  
  1686. MEJIA: We have clothing, we have…
  1687.  
  1688. SHAMLIAN: Director of Cultural Innovation Pilar Mejia welcomes each one. 
  1689.  
  1690. Without this program, where do you think some of these families would be right now?
  1691.  
  1692. MEJIA: It would be tragic. They might end up in either not being able to come, um- stay in situations in their countries that are dire.
  1693.  
  1694. SHAMLIAN: Is there any connection you can draw there between what’s happening now with these kids and the situation at the time?
  1695.  
  1696. ANDERSON: The connection is they are all looking for a better and brighter future. They’re all hoping for something better for their lives. We’re dealing with families who want more for their children.
  1697.  
  1698. SHAMLIAN: It’s that better, brighter future that was fought over 70 years ago in the schools of Topeka. Janet Shamlian, CBS News, Topeka, Kansas.
  1699.  
  1700.  
  1701. The report began innocuously enough, and initially appeared to have been a straight commemoration of Brown v. Board. There was the profile of the district’s first-ever black school superintendent, and a spotlight on some of the reforms she’s instituted in service of the community. 
  1702.  
  1703. But it is at that point that the report goes off the rails:
  1704.  
  1705. The hardships resulting from the choice to come into this country outside our lawful immigration system is not even within the same galaxy of comparability as enduring the horrors of slavery and/or the post-Reconstruction regimes endured by descendants of the formerly enslaved. The old Jim Crow regime is, in fact, nothing at all like illegal immigration, no matter how much the left or CBS correspondent Janet Shamlian would like to make it so. 
  1706.  
  1707. To suggest as much in a news report is a grievous insult, both to history and to human decency.
  1708.  
  1709. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on the CBS Evening News on Thursday, May 17th, 2024:
  1710.  
  1711.  
  1712. MAURICE DUBOIS: President Biden met today with two of the original plaintiffs in the Brown v. Board of Education case, decided 70 years ago tomorrow. It outlawed segregation in schools, an important step in the fight for racial equality. Tonight, Janet Shamlian introduces us to the woman now running the Topeka schools, guided by the legacy of that Supreme Court decision.
  1713.  
  1714. TIFFANY ANDERSON: I heard you had a birthday.
  1715.  
  1716. JANET SHAMLIAN: Home delivered birthday gifts and cake aren’t generally part of a school curriculum.
  1717.  
  1718. ANDERSON: Good morning!
  1719.  
  1720. SHAMLIAN: But Topeka schools superintendent Tiffany Anderson rarely sticks to a lesson plan when there is a child in need.
  1721.  
  1722. ANDERSON: If we don't do it, who will?
  1723.  
  1724. SHAMLIAN: The district at the center of the 1954 Brown v Board of Education ruling outlawing racial segregation in schools…
  1725.  
  1726. STUDENT: In the past, they had turned to "Separate but equal"...
  1727.  
  1728. SHAMLIAN: …is now helmed by its first black female superintendent. 
  1729.  
  1730. 70 years later, do you live with the burden of their hope and dreams?
  1731.  
  1732. ANDERSON: I think 70 years later, I live with the privilege to help their hopes and dreams come to life. I’m standing on their shoulders.
  1733.  
  1734. SHAMLIAN: High school graduation rates have skyrocketed from near 70% to 91% during her eight year tenure. She's established morale-boosting programs, like graduation ceremonies for students in the nearby state correctional facility.
  1735.  
  1736. ANDERSON: So have faith that you will make it through and be out of this space.
  1737.  
  1738. SHAMLIAN: In a district where almost half of students qualify for subsidized lunch, she put washers and dryers in schools, as well as food and clothing pantries.
  1739.  
  1740. ANDERSON: It's not really hard to get people on board when they know that you care and they know they can be part of something pretty incredible and transformational.
  1741.  
  1742. SHAMLIAN: Why isn't it happening somewhere else?
  1743.  
  1744. ANDERSON: Sometimes fear. Fear can make you choose not to accept other people. Fear can shut down systems in a way like nothing else can.
  1745.  
  1746. SHAMLIAN: The historic district is transforming once again. This time opening its doors to refugees and migrants.
  1747.  
  1748. PILAR MEJIA: Just because somebody doesn't speak English doesn't mean they are less valuable to a community.
  1749.  
  1750. SHAMLIAN: Students from more than 40 countries have enrolled.
  1751.  
  1752. MEJIA: We have clothing, we have…
  1753.  
  1754. SHAMLIAN: Director of Cultural Innovation Pilar Mejia welcomes each one. 
  1755.  
  1756. Without this program, where do you think some of these families would be right now?
  1757.  
  1758. MEJIA: It would be tragic. They might end up in either not being able to come, um- stay in situations in their countries that are dire.
  1759.  
  1760. SHAMLIAN: Is there any connection you can draw there between what’s happening now with these kids and the situation at the time?
  1761.  
  1762. ANDERSON: The connection is they are all looking for a better and brighter future. They’re all hoping for something better for their lives. We’re dealing with families who want more for their children.
  1763.  
  1764. SHAMLIAN: It’s that better, brighter future that was fought over 70 years ago in the schools of Topeka. Janet Shamlian, CBS News, Topeka, Kansas.
  1765.  
  1766.  
  1767.  </description>
  1768.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 1:19 AM</pubDate>
  1769.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  1770.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284209</guid>
  1771.    </item>
  1772. <item>
  1773.  <title>NBC Nightly News MELTS DOWN Over Harrison Butker’s Commencement Speech</title>
  1774.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/17/nbc-nightly-news-melts-down-over-harrison-butkers-commencement</link>
  1775.  <description>In fairness, the entire media are swirling in a meltdown vortex over the commencement address delivered by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College in Kansas. But NBC Nightly News’ report on the “controversy” was easily the most ridiculous.
  1776.  
  1777. Watch the report in its entirety, as aired on NBC Nightly News on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 (click “expand”):
  1778.  
  1779.  
  1780. NBC's dopey report on Harrison Butker's commencement speech pathetically attempts to bait Taylor Swift into reacting to this manufactured "controversy". pic.twitter.com/U31pRgLRZQ
  1781. — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) May 17, 2024
  1782.  
  1783. LESTER HOLT: We'll turn now to the growing controversy over a graduation speech at Catholic college given by a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. Some critics saying it was sexist and homophobic, and calling on the team to cut him loose. Here is Liz Kreutz.
  1784.  
  1785. LIZ KREUTZ: Tonight, the NFL on defense after growing backlash over that controversial graduation speech given by one of their star players, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
  1786.  
  1787. HARRISON BUTKER: I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.
  1788.  
  1789. KREUTZ: In this speech at Benedictine College, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champ criticizing LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, IVF and surrogacy, while encouraging the young women graduates to focus on being a homemaker.
  1790.  
  1791. BUTKER: Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.
  1792.  
  1793. KREUTZ: Despite a standing ovation from the crowd, many slamming the speech as homophobic and sexist.
  1794.  
  1795. STUDENT: Getting married and having kids is not my ideal situation right now. It definitely made graduation feel a little less special, knowing I had to sit through that and get told I'm nothing but a homemaker.
  1796.  
  1797. KREUTZ: The NFL, which is coming off a year of record female viewership amid hype over Taylor Swift's relationship with Butker's teammate, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, now distancing themselves from Butker. The league saying in a statement, Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL. And more than 140,000 people have now signed a petition calling on the NFL to remove Butker from the Chiefs. So far neither Benedictine College, the Chiefs, or Butker himself have commented. Lester.
  1798.  
  1799. HOLT: Liz Kreutz. Thank you.
  1800.  
  1801.  
  1802. Generally speaking, the media’s reaction to Butker’s speech is the verbal and audiovisual equivalent of the “Soyjak Pointing” meme. Case in point, Ali Vitali’s reaction to the address, which sought to gin the Swifties up into a cancellative fury- as did Liz Kreutz’ report.
  1803.  
  1804.  
  1805. Sure, NFL was stoked about all the new fans Taylor Swift brought to the game. Not sure how they’re gonna feel tho when Swifties start pushing back on some of the men that make up the league. Tip of the iceberg: https://t.co/jQzZFm8nCz
  1806. — Ali Vitali (@alivitali) May 16, 2024
  1807. Coverage of Butker’s address boils down to, literally, Acela Media types getting mad at a Catholic that went to a Catholic school and said Catholic things. And you know that this is so because what galls them the most is the fact that Butker’s speech was well received within Benedectine College, a point also made on ABC World News tonight:
  1808.  
  1809.  
  1810. STEPHANIE RAMOS: There is a change.org petition demanding the Chiefs release Butker. So far, no comment from the team. And despite the headlines surrounding this speech, Butker did receive a standing ovation, David.
  1811.  
  1812.  
  1813. The media’s coverage of the speech is, at best, misdirective. I know this to be true because there is no mention of Butker’s criticism of President Joe Biden at the outset of his address:
  1814.  
  1815.  
  1816. Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.
  1817.  
  1818.  
  1819. The media, ever protective of Biden, dared not address this criticism specifically- instead hiding it within the abortion catch-all. Nor is there mention of Butker’s calls to embrace such things as masculinity and tradition. 
  1820.  
  1821. One does not have to be an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church to see and understand what so enraged the media about Butker’s address, which is well worth reading in its entirety. The call to embrace faith, tradition (including traditional gender roles), and family over today’s toxic societal mores was enough to drive the left into a frenzy. 
  1822.  
  1823. Furthermore, Butker proves that if there is indeed such a thing as a culture war, it is the left who are the aggressors seeking to impose their values upon others. An exposed media lashes out.
  1824.  
  1825. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Thursday, May 16th, 2024:
  1826.  
  1827.  
  1828. DAVID MUIR: We turn to the controversial graduation speech. Tonight, the Super Bowl champion Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker under fire tonight, after what he said about women and their roles, and what he said about the LGBTQ community. And what he suggested to women graduates about their roles moving forward. Here's Stephanie Ramos.
  1829.  
  1830. STEPHANIE RAMOS: Tonight, the NFL responding to that commencement speech from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and his controversial comments about women, abortion, and the LGBTQ community.
  1831.  
  1832. HARRISON BUTKER: I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind.
  1833.  
  1834. RAMOS: The Super Bowl winner delivering the commencement address Saturday at Benedictine College, a conservative Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas. Butker addressing the female graduates, saying that while they may go on to have successful careers, he guesses the majority are most excited to be wives. Mothers.
  1835.  
  1836. BUTKER: I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.
  1837.  
  1838. RAMOS: Conservative sports commentator Clay Travis coming to his defense.
  1839.  
  1840. CLAY TRAVIS:  I saw people saying, "You got to cut him, how dare he say --" I didn't even see him say anything remotely controversial.
  1841.  
  1842. RAMOS: Butker then referring to Pride month as a deadly sin.
  1843.  
  1844. BUTKER:  …not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true, God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify Him.
  1845.  
  1846. RAMOS: The advocacy group GLAAD outraged.
  1847.  
  1848. SARAH KATE ELLIS: I couldn’t believe it was such an outdated, antiquated view on LGBTQ people and women- and using religion, in a way…
  1849.  
  1850. RAMOS: The NFL stating, "Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger." There is a change.org petition demanding the Chiefs release Butker. So far, no comment from the team. And despite the headlines surrounding this speech, Butker did receive a standing ovation, David.
  1851.  
  1852. MUIR: Stephanie Ramos on this tonight. Stephanie, thank you.
  1853.  
  1854.  
  1855.  </description>
  1856.  <pubDate>May 17th, 2024 12:10 AM</pubDate>
  1857.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  1858.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284208</guid>
  1859.    </item>
  1860. <item>
  1861.  <title>Biden Buddy Scarborough Brags: Campaign 'Supremely Confident, Holding Four Aces'</title>
  1862.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2024/05/16/biden-buddy-scarborough-brags-campaign-supremely-confident</link>
  1863.  <description> On Thursday's Morning Joe, not content to boast about his insider status with the Biden campaign, Joe Scarborough disparaged his panelists for their inferior sources.
  1864. Said Scarborough:
  1865.  
  1866. "Just for people at home, it's important for them to kind of see what's behind the scenes. I have, for six months, since people have been freaking out about Biden's team. I'm telling you, every time I go in and talk to anybody that's running the campaign, the big part of the campaign. I don't know what they're telling you and what they're telling other people. They're like, they act like people that are holding four aces.  . . . They're supremely confident."
  1867.  
  1868. Yes, Scarborough doesn't know what his colleagues are being told by the envelope lickers in the Biden campaign, but when Joe "goes in," he talks to the people running "the big part of the campaign." Impressive!
  1869. In addition to letting us know that the Biden people are "supremely confident," and act like they're holding "four aces," Scarborough confided that the top campaign people "know something that I think a lot of us don't know."
  1870.  
  1871.  
  1872. Joe Scarborough plays the super insider. Don't worry about Trump, folks, Team Biden is "supremely confident!" pic.twitter.com/JAokVcBmYg
  1873. — Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) May 17, 2024
  1874. This sounds a lot like Scarborough trying to buck up the morale of Biden voters -- and donors -- in light of the recent New York Times/Siena poll showing Biden losing in five out of six swing states. 
  1875.  
  1876. Yesterday, we noted Scarborough's frantic effort to tear down that poll, going so far as to claim that the Times intentionally rigged it against Biden in order to be able to write multiple clickbait stories on the results.
  1877.  
  1878. Bonus Coverage: Morning Joe Airs Jimmy Fallon Imagining Trump Having To Get Parole Officer's Permission For Debate
  1879.  
  1880. As is its wont, Morning Joe opened today's show with a clip from one of the liberal late-night hosts. In this case, it was Jimmy Fallon, imagining Trump accepting Biden's offer to debate "assuming it's okay with my parole officer." 
  1881.  
  1882. That won raucous laughter from Fallon's audience, and presumably as well from most Morning Joe viewers.  But it amounts to an admission that the multiple trials entangling Trump, led by Democrat prosecutors, do indeed make campaigning difficult for him. Fallon might find that hilarious. But it could well elicit sympathy for Trump from many voters. We'll see who has the last laugh, Jimmy.
  1883.  
  1884. Here's the transcript.
  1885.  
  1886.  
  1887. MSNBC
  1888. Morning Joe
  1889. 5/15/24
  1890. 6:09 am EDT
  1891.  
  1892. JOE SCARBOROUGH: It's a dead heat now. Again, my reaction's not so much to the Times. And I'm dead serious here. It's to people who freak out disproportionately on the Times, and then the Times doing 15 stories on their poll. Fox will not do 15 stories on their Fox poll [which shows Trump leading Biden by one point.] Morning Consult won't.
  1893.  
  1894. But it's become this cottage industry for people on the other side of the Chinese wall that Mara is not on. So she had nothing to do with this. Please, do not direct any comments or tweets to her.
  1895.  
  1896. Just for people at home, and I, I, it's important for them to kind of see what's behind the scenes. I have, for six months, since people have been freaking out about Biden's team. I'm telling you, every time I go in and talk to anybody that's running the campaign, the big part of the campaign. I don't know what they're telling you and what they're telling other people. They're like, they act like people that are holding four aces. 
  1897.  
  1898. [Imagining conversation between himself and confident Biden aides] Well what about this? Yeah, it's pretty bad. What about this? Yeah, yeah, well, that looks really tough. Yeah, boy, Trump. They really --
  1899.  
  1900. MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Is this a criticism or --
  1901.  
  1902. SCARBOROUGH: No! I'm telling you, they know something that I think a lot of us don't know. And they look at numbers and they see where things are going. They've had a theory of the case, that when people realize Donald Trump is going to be getting into the race, things are going to start gelling better for him. 
  1903.  
  1904. They understand that you win politics by raising money and organizing on the ground. They understand Donald Trump's numbers are way down in every way in fundraising. And they'll [the Trump campaign] say, oh, we're gonna -- No they're not. They're not gonna -- they're never going to catch Joe Biden. 
  1905.  
  1906. And as far as organization goes, we all know, anybody who's been involved in a political campaign, if you're tearing up, like, stakes in April and May, you're not gonna put them back down in July and August. Donald Trump is going to be pounded on the ground. The blocking and the tackling, the Biden people feel great about. And they have about a thousand clips of Donald Trump that, every day, they're like, which one are we going to use today? Boop. And it just makes him look horrible.
  1907.  
  1908. JONATHAN LEMIRE: The Biden campaign --
  1909.  
  1910. SCARBOROUGH: They're supremely confident.
  1911.  
  1912. LEMIRE: Yes. They are cognizant --
  1913.  
  1914. MIKA: Makes me nervous.
  1915.  
  1916. LEMIRE: That it will be very close. They're confident, but they know it's gonna be tight.
  1917. </description>
  1918.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 9:52 PM</pubDate>
  1919.    <dc:creator>Mark Finkelstein</dc:creator>
  1920.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284190</guid>
  1921.    </item>
  1922. <item>
  1923.  <title>ABC, NBC RAGE at Butker’s ‘Controversial’ Speech, Cheer ‘Growing’ ‘Backlash’</title>
  1924.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/16/abc-nbc-rage-butkers-controversial-speech-cheer-growing-backlash</link>
  1925.  <description>On Thursday, ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today seethed with disgust at Christians and anyone who values being a parent over their careers (or any other accomplishment or trait) in light of the Benedictine College commencement address by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, which they deemed “controversial” and worthy of “backlash” and “growing outrage” for going “too far” by stressing the inherent importance of parenting.
  1926.  
  1927. “Commencement controversy. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker under fire for his message to women during a graduation speech...Inside the growing uproar he sparked,” scoffed Today co-host Hoda Kotb in a tease in between a clip of Butker saying he’d “guess...the majority of” female graduates before him are “most excited about” marriage and parenting than “successful careers” they might lead.
  1928.  
  1929.  
  1930.  
  1931.  
  1932.  
  1933.  
  1934.  
  1935.  
  1936.  
  1937. Kotb — who’s had a long, public journey to parenthood and adoption — apparently was incensed by Butker’s remarks.
  1938.  
  1939. In a second tease, co-host (and best-selling Christian author) Savannah Guthrie boasted of “growing outrage” against Butker for the “controversial graduation speech” and correspondent Kaylee Hartung whined the kicker’s “remarks have stunned many”.
  1940.  
  1941. Early in her full report on the faux controversy, Hartung bragged that “many” saw his support for Catholicism and strong families as having gone “too far”.
  1942.  
  1943. Check out how Hartung was enraged by the notion that someone would argue being a parent is a high calling (click “expand”):
  1944.  
  1945.  
  1946. HARTUNG: In a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College over the weekend, three-time Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker railing against everything from President Biden to Pride Month to IVF and speaking directly to the women in the audience.
  1947.  
  1948. BUTKER [on 05/14/24]: Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring.
  1949.  
  1950. HARTUNG: Invoking his own family —
  1951.  
  1952. BUTKER [on 05/14/24]: My beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as mother. [SCREEN WIPE] That all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school — [CRIES] would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all, homemaker.
  1953.  
  1954. HARTUNG: — Butker also criticizing gay rights when telling the students to take pride in their school —
  1955.  
  1956. BUTKER [on 05/14/24]: Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has the entire month dedicated to it.
  1957.  
  1958. HARTUNG: — and had a message for the men.
  1959.  
  1960. BUTKER [on 05/14/24]: Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men
  1961.  
  1962. HARTUNG: The NFL responding saying “Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity” and “his views are not those of the league”.
  1963.  
  1964.  
  1965. Hartung snidely added that “[w]hile outrage builds online...some pointing out the Georgia native’s own mother is a physicist in the Department of Oncology at Emory.”
  1966.  
  1967. Of course, Butker said nothing of the sort about women being barred/discouraged from the workforce. Follow this link to read his full speech.
  1968.  
  1969. After melting down about Butker throwing in a Taylor Swift reference, she attempted to claim “some students” were “left hurt by the experience” based on a single TikTok video and lamented “Butker hasn’t responded to the firestorm” he “ignited.”
  1970.  
  1971. Hartung even seemed to voice support for this mob rule by gushing “the court of public opinion is in session.”
  1972.  
  1973. Co-host Craig Melvin reacted to this by kissing up to longtime liberal NBC journalist Maria Shriver: “I would encourage folks to check out the Maria Shriver rebuttal posted online.”
  1974.  
  1975. Kotb concurred: “[T]hat may be the — the best takedown if you’re looking for that.”
  1976.  
  1977. Irony alert: Melvin released a children’s book two weeks ago that focused on — yes — the joy of having children.
  1978.  
  1979. ABC’s Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts made her intentions clear in a tease: “Kansas City chiefs kicker facing backlash for his commencement speech remarks on gay rights, abortion and women’s role in society.”
  1980.  
  1981. With the chyrons “Chiefs Kicker Under Fire for Commencement Speech” and “Faces Backlash for Comments on Abortion, Gay Rights &amp; Women”, correspondent Stephanie Ramos kvetched that he made “headlines for remarks off the field” and “sound[ed] off about working women” and “referr[ed] to Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ community, as a deadly sin.”
  1982.  
  1983.  
  1984.  
  1985.  
  1986.  
  1987.  
  1988.  
  1989.  
  1990.  
  1991. Ramos even brought in Kate Ellis, the CEO and president of GLAAD — the far-left organization that believes biological men can be women if they feel like it — to denounce Butker for voicing “such an outdated antiquated view on LGBTQ women and women and using religion in a way.”
  1992.  
  1993. Ramos also pointed to the supposed outrage from Taylor Swift fans, but had the decency to concede Butker “did receive a standing ovation from the graduates — from many graduates and some attendees there.”
  1994.  
  1995. The almost always self-centered Roberts then had the gall to complain “usually, the commencement address is about the graduates, not about your personal views”. 
  1996.  
  1997. That’s interesting since Roberts talked about herself in 2015 when giving the Emerson College commencement address. Or that, later in the show, the team approved of Jennifer Coolidge talking about her career journey at the Washington State University commencement.
  1998.  
  1999. Since the joy and significance of parenthood should be at least downgraded behind, say, one’s career, then why did they have subsequent segments about Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner co-parenting despite no longer being together, Olivia Munn discussing freezing her eggs before a hysterectomy in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis, and gushing over David Beckham talking about how much his wife and children mean to him?
  2000.  
  2001. To see the relevant transcripts from May 16, click here (for ABC) and here (for NBC).</description>
  2002.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 5:22 PM</pubDate>
  2003.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  2004.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284204</guid>
  2005.    </item>
  2006. <item>
  2007.  <title>The Worst of Tapper and Bash: CNN Debate Moderators Lurch Left</title>
  2008.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/geoffrey-dickens/2024/05/16/worst-tapper-and-bash-cnn-debate-moderators-lurch-left</link>
  2009.  <description>[LANGUAGE WARNING]
  2010.  
  2011. On Wednesday it was announced that CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on June 27.  
  2012.  
  2013. Based on their reporting and analysis over the years at CNN, Republican supporters of Trump should expect Tapper and Bash to question not just his policy positions, but his judgment and even behavior. 
  2014.  
  2015. Both had harsh reviews for Trump’s performance after the first presidential debate in 2020. 
  2016.  
  2017. Tapper blasted Trump: “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck….worst debate I have ever seen….it’s primarily because of President Trump.” Bash agreed: “You just took the words out of my mouth. You used some high-minded language. I’m just going to say it like it is: that was a shitshow!”
  2018.  
  2019. On Election Night 2020, Tapper provided a nasty epitaph to Trump’s presidency: “For tens of millions of our fellow Americans, their long national nightmare is over.”
  2020.  
  2021. On the other hand, both have profusely praised Biden. 
  2022.  
  2023. After Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address, Tapper prompted his colleague: “Dana Bash, what did you think? You’ve been to a lot of State of the Union addresses. Do you think that President Biden met the moment?” Bash giddily affirmed: “He certainly met the moment….[Democrats] wanted him to be a fighter and….did he deliver.”
  2024.  
  2025. Bash can’t believe Biden isn’t trouncing Trump, even bringing Rep. Nancy Pelosi on her show to incredulously ask: “Inflation, it looks good when you look at the numbers….Wages are up….There’s a lot for President Biden to tout. So the question is about why Americans don’t seem to be giving him the credit?”
  2026.  
  2027. Here’s a brief montage by NewsBusters Media Editor Bill D’Agostino of Tapper and Bash at their worst: 
  2028.  
  2029.  
  2030.  
  2031.  
  2032.  
  2033.  
  2034.  
  2035.  
  2036.  
  2037. The following is a small sampling of the most liberal moments of Tapper and Bash’s time at CNN, via the MRC archives: 
  2038.  
  2039. DANA BASH
  2040.  
  2041.  
  2042.  
  2043. “Dumpster Fire” “Shitshow” Debate Was Trump’s Fault
  2044.  
  2045.  
  2046.  
  2047.  
  2048.  
  2049.  
  2050.  
  2051.  
  2052.  
  2053. CNN State of the Union host Jake Tapper: “That was a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck. That was the worst debate I have ever seen. In fact, it wasn’t even a debate. It was a disgrace. And it’s primarily because of President Trump, who spent the entire time interrupting not abiding by the rules he agreed to, lying, maliciously attacking the son of the Vice President.”…Correspondent Dana Bash: “You just took the words out of my mouth. You used some high-minded language. I’m just going to say it like it is: that was a shitshow!”...Tapper: “The President does not think he’s going to win this election. And he wants to bring the rest of us down with him.”— CNN’s Debate Night in America, September 29, 2020.
  2054.  
  2055.  
  2056.  
  2057. Biden “Met the Moment”
  2058.  
  2059.  
  2060.  
  2061.  
  2062.  
  2063.  
  2064.  
  2065.  
  2066.  
  2067. CNN anchor Jake Tapper: “Dana Bash, what did you think? You’ve been to a lot of State of the Union addresses. Do you think that President Biden met the moment?”CNN anchor Dana Bash: “He certainly met the moment that his members of his party, those who are really upset and worried about this coming election year and frankly, what would happen if he didn’t win another time because of their concerns about who’s on the other side of the ticket. They wanted him to be a fighter and — boy — fight, did he deliver.”— CNN’s live coverage of the State of the Union address, March 7, 2024.
  2068.  
  2069.  
  2070.  
  2071. Blaming Trump Rhetoric for New Zealand Shooting
  2072.  
  2073.  
  2074.  
  2075.  
  2076.  
  2077.  
  2078.  
  2079.  
  2080.  
  2081. “The question is can he [President Trump] and will he do more to bring together – try to bring together people. That’s the opposite of what we saw in Charlottesville and it is the opposite of what we see when the political calendar gets close to election day. When he knows what riles up his base and the problem is riling up the base using terms like ‘invaders’ in ads that he tweets out also reaches people who are nut jobs.”— Chief political correspondent Dana Bash discussing New Zealand shooting as aired on CNN New Day, March 15, 2019.
  2082.  
  2083.  
  2084.  
  2085. Taken Aback by Trump’s “Flip Comment” at Debate
  2086.  
  2087. “Not to sound too corny, but what makes this country different from countries with dictators in Africa or Stalin or Hitler or any of those countries with dictators and totalitarian leaders, is that when they took over, they put their opponents in jail. To hear one presidential candidate, say — even if it was a flip comment, which it was — ‘you’re going to be in jail’ to another presidential candidate on the debate stage in the United States of America, stunning, just stunning.”— Correspondent Dana Bash during post-presidential debate coverage on CNN, October 9, 2016.
  2088.  
  2089.  
  2090.  
  2091. Should Trump Receive Intelligence Briefings? 
  2092.  
  2093. “I want to ask about the idea that Donald Trump is now the presumptive Republican nominee for president. U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly preparing to share classified briefings with him. You’re, of course, a former ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, Speaker of the House. Should Donald Trump receive intelligence briefings?”— Host Dana Bash to Rep. Nancy Pelosi on CNN’s State of the Union, March 17, 2024.
  2094.  
  2095.  
  2096.  
  2097. Inflation “Looks Good,” Why Isn’t the Public Giving Biden Credit? 
  2098.  
  2099.  
  2100.  
  2101.  
  2102.  
  2103.  
  2104.  
  2105.  
  2106.  
  2107. “I want to ask about the economy. Inflation, it looks good when you look at the numbers. Inflation is down to just 3 percent. The labor market is steadily adding jobs. Wages are up. Consumer sentiment is the highest since September of 2021. So there’s, a lot for President Biden to tout. So the question is about why Americans don’t seem to be giving him the credit. A Quinnipiac poll this week found nearly six in 10 Americans still disapprove of his handling of the economy. Why is that? And what does he have to do to turn that around?”— Host Dana Bash to Rep. Nancy Pelosi on CNN’s State of the Union, July 23, 2023. 
  2108.  
  2109.  
  2110.  
  2111. Trying to Provoke a GOP Food Fight: Did Trump “Go Too Far?”
  2112.  
  2113. “Governor Bush, Mr. Trump has suggested that your views on immigration are influenced by your Mexican born wife. He said that, quote, ‘If my wife were from Mexico, I think I would have a soft spot for people from Mexico.’ Did Mr. Trump go too far in invoking your wife?”— CNN debate moderator Dana Bash to Gov. Jeb Bush at GOP Primary Debate, September 16, 2015
  2114.  
  2115.  
  2116.  
  2117. Bash to Ramaswamy: How Dare You Point Out Democratic Racism?
  2118.  
  2119.  
  2120.  
  2121.  
  2122.  
  2123.  
  2124.  
  2125.  
  2126.  
  2127. “You took issue with comments from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. She reportedly said, quote, ‘We don’t need any more brown faces that don’t want to be a brown voice.’ About that, you said, ‘These are the words of the modern grand wizards of the modern KKK.’ You know, I’m sure, the KKK was responsible for more than a century’s worth of horrific lynchings, rapes, murders of black people. How in any way are the views you’re talking about comparable to the views and atrocities committed by the KKK?”— Host Dana Bash to GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on CNN’s State of the Union, September 10, 2023.
  2128.  
  2129.  
  2130.  
  2131. Praising “Badass” Pelosi
  2132.  
  2133. “In many ways, Nancy Pelosi is the original Badass Woman of Washington.” — November 13, 2018 tweet (from CNN’s official Twitter account) promoting correspondent Dana Bash interview with Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
  2134.  
  2135.  
  2136.  
  2137. Adoring AOC
  2138.  
  2139.  
  2140.  
  2141.  
  2142.  
  2143.  
  2144.  
  2145.  
  2146.  
  2147. “Being Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez means being a celebrity and looking like one, red lips and all. She was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2020 and even shot this tutorial for Vogue on her beauty routine....You sometimes take heat for your celebrity status, for being glamorous....You embrace the power?...How do you use that power, the power of femininity, as you describe it?”— Host Dana Bash on CNN’s Being...AOC, August 9, 2021.
  2148.  
  2149.  
  2150.  
  2151. JAKE TAPPER
  2152.  
  2153.  
  2154.  
  2155. Trump Era of  “Cruelty” and “Meanness” Is “Coming to an End” 
  2156.  
  2157.  
  2158.  
  2159.  
  2160.  
  2161.  
  2162.  
  2163.  
  2164.  
  2165. “It has also been a time of extreme divisions. Many of the divisions caused and exacerbated by President Trump himself....It has been a time where truth and fact were treated with disdain. It is a time of cruelty where official inhumanities such as child separation became the official shameful policy of the United States. But now the Trump presidency is coming to an end, to an end, with so many squandered opportunities and ruined potential, but also an era of just plain meanness. It must be said to paraphrase President Ford, for tens of millions of our fellow Americans, their long national nightmare is over.”— Host Jake Tapper on CNN election coverage, November 7, 2020.
  2166.  
  2167.  
  2168.  
  2169. When Did Airing “Untrue Things” Stop CNN Before?
  2170.  
  2171. “We’re not carrying his [Donald Trump] remarks live because frankly he says a lot of things that are not true and sometimes potentially dangerous.”— Host Jake Tapper on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, June 13, 2023.
  2172.  
  2173.  
  2174.  
  2175. Boffo Review for Biden Convention Speech
  2176.  
  2177.  
  2178.  
  2179.  
  2180.  
  2181.  
  2182.  
  2183.  
  2184.  
  2185. “I’ve heard Joe Biden give, I don’t know, dozens, hundreds of speeches over the years. I have to say this was one of the best, if not the best performance I’ve ever seen.”— Host Jake Tapper on CNN’s live coverage of the Democratic National Convention, August 20, 2020.
  2186.  
  2187.  
  2188.  
  2189. Hailing a Republican (Jeff Flake) For Standing Up to Trump
  2190.  
  2191. “You know Joe McCarthy started in the late forties his crusade of indecency and smears and lies. And you know President Trump and Joe McCarthy are very different historical figures, but there is something similar....People are gonna look back at this era and say what were you doing with all – it’s not McCarthyism but it’s something else – all this indecency and all these lies, what did you do during that time?” — CNN host Jake Tapper discussing former Sen. Jeff Flake’s denunciations of Trump as aired on CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert, October 24, 2017.
  2192.  
  2193.  
  2194.  
  2195. Tapper Questions Disabled Vet’s “Commitment” After No Impeachment Vote
  2196.  
  2197.  
  2198.  
  2199.  
  2200.  
  2201.  
  2202.  
  2203.  
  2204.  
  2205. “Congressman Brian Mast, a Republican from Florida, who lost his legs, by the way, fighting for democracy abroad, although I don’t know what his — I don’t know about his commitment to it here in the United States.”— CNN anchor Jake Tapper during live impeachment coverage, January 13, 2021.</description>
  2206.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 5:22 PM</pubDate>
  2207.    <dc:creator>Geoffrey Dickens</dc:creator>
  2208.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284203</guid>
  2209.    </item>
  2210. <item>
  2211.  <title>Historic German Church Hosts Worship Service Ft. Taylor Swift Songs</title>
  2212.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/16/historic-german-church-hosts-worship-service-ft</link>
  2213.  <description>
  2214.  
  2215. That’s certainly an interesting way to get young people to church.
  2216.  
  2217. The Church of the Holy Spirit in Heidelberg, Germany, put on a service titled “Anti-Hero — Taylor Swift Church Service,” over the weekend in an attempt to get young people into church. According to Deutsche Welle, the pop singer tie-in resulted in bringing more than 1,200 people on Sunday to listen to Taylor Swift’s music.
  2218.  
  2219. The 600-year-old church, which is now a Protestant church, set up the event to “attract younger people, as well as to focus on the profound religious convictions expressed in many of Swift’s songs.”
  2220.  
  2221. Pastor Christof Ellsiepen said the following about his intentions with helping set up the service: “The Church of the Holy Spirit has always been a place of encounter and exchange. That's why a pop-music religious service fits so perfectly. With it, we are giving space to the questions and issues that occupy the younger generation."
  2222.  
  2223. The German congregation insisted that there were Christian themes in Swift’s music. 
  2224.  
  2225. Parish Pastor Vincenzo Petracca noted that for Taylor Swift, her “faith and action are inseparable” and said that “theologically speaking, she points to the justness of God.”
  2226.  
  2227. The church, which held two of these stupid services, also left out a gay sign on stage behind its musicians noting that “all sizes, all [colors], all cultures, all sexes, all beliefs, all religions, all ages, all types, all people” were welcome at the congregation. Naturally though, the services were mostly filled up with young females who likely came to the service for the T-Swift sing-a-long rather than to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
  2228.  
  2229. Among the six total Swift songs performed by Tine Weichmann, a singer from the area, was the song, “Soon You’ll Get Better,” written for Swift's mother who was battling cancer. In it, Swift notes “each night I pray to you / Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus, too.”
  2230.  
  2231. Related: WATCH: Taylor Swift, Social Media Slaves &amp; Entitled Invaders
  2232.  
  2233. Pastor Petracca noted that during that song, many in the congregation teared up. 
  2234.  
  2235. Yet, even in that line, Swift is implying that she only prayed to save her mom as if to say “desperate times call for desperate measures,” and that she doesn’t regularly pray like actual Christians do.
  2236.  
  2237. Of course, the performers also sang “Shake It Off,” which allegedly “brought the entire congregation to their feet, singing and dancing before breaking into furious applause.”
  2238.  
  2239. But remember, they weren't jumping with joy for the son of God but for Taylor Swift's song.
  2240.  
  2241. In another one of her songs, “Bigger Than the Whole Sky,” which many speculate is about a miscarriage, Swift sings the line, “Did some force take you because I didn't pray?” Where, if speculations are true, she’s insisting that some sort of higher being - God - took her baby away because she wasn’t praying.
  2242.  
  2243. While Taylor Swift may use lines that point out God or some sort of religious practice, they’re not worship songs and by no means a role model of accurate theology.
  2244.  
  2245. But, leave it to progressive “Christianity” to take Taylor Swift who arguably doesn’t practice religion that closely or at all, and use her as a role model for a religious leader for young girls.
  2246.  
  2247. Follow us on Twitter/X:
  2248.  
  2249.  
  2250. MRCTV’s Eric Scheiner joins @AlisonOAN to talk about what the leftist media really means when they talk about “democracy.” pic.twitter.com/zZe9fUkCZo
  2251. — MRCTV (@mrctv) May 15, 2024</description>
  2252.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 3:44 PM</pubDate>
  2253.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  2254.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284202</guid>
  2255.    </item>
  2256. <item>
  2257.  <title>Haines Smears Butker: Claims He's in an 'Extremist' 'Cult-Like' Religion</title>
  2258.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/16/haines-smears-butker-claims-hes-extremist-cult-religion</link>
  2259.  <description> ABC’s The View was pulsing with anti-Catholic bigotry during Thursday’s show, as pretend-moderate co-host Sara Haines lashed out and smeared Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and his Catholic faith as “extremists” and “cult-like.” His crime? Giving a commencement address at Catholic, Benedictine College where he talked about – among other things – how some women find fulfillment in being homemakers. In addition, “comedian” Joy Behar claimed he had “big mother issues.”
  2260.  
  2261. Haines’s bitter anti-Catholic hatred gushed like a firehose. She claimed that Butker was a member of “a very extreme religion” because he attended “the traditional Latin mass,” which she treated like a separate sect of Catholicism. Without evidence, she claimed he was practicing something “cult-like and extremist like some religions in the Middle East and Asia.”
  2262.  
  2263. She then proceeded to lecture Butker about how he doesn’t “walk with Jesus” and oppressed people:
  2264.  
  2265.  
  2266. So, what I can say to him, as a Christian, is if you're using this to oppress people or hold them down you're not walking with Jesus. If you are using the religion, if you're more obsessed with the religious rituals and practices than you are with the word of Jesus, you're not walking with Jesus. And if you’re using it for the judgment of others and as a weapon to beat people down you're also not walking with Jesus.
  2267.  
  2268.  
  2269. “So, I would really encourage him, really encourage him to find the best parts of faith and not diverge into extremist beliefs,” she chided.
  2270.  
  2271.  
  2272.  
  2273.  
  2274.  
  2275.  
  2276.  
  2277.  
  2278.  
  2279. Faux-conservative co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin got in on the Butker bashing (likely because he also made a joke about her idol Taylor Swift, referring to her as ‘my teammate’s girlfriend’). She chastised him for daring to talk about politics in his commencement address, as many speakers do. She decried how he called out President Biden, but then she turned around and whined that he didn’t say anything against former President Trump:
  2280.  
  2281.  
  2282. ...he steps further by wading into the political. He took a swipe at Joe Biden, he brought up DEI, which has nothing to do with anything I’ve ever read in scripture, and then he leaned really heavily into talking about, like, the ideal man and being a godly man, an example; missed the opportunity to talk about the man who might be the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, and his many shortcomings.
  2283.  
  2284.  
  2285. Behar chimed in to diagnose Butker with Freudian “mother issues.” Without evidence, she claimed he was big “angry” because his “super-duper,” “very accomplished physicist” mom was “probably” not home “because she was busy with her career.”
  2286.  
  2287. Also, without evidence, she claimed he had “nothing but disdain” for Swift because he told the joke. “So get a therapist!” she shouted.
  2288.  
  2289. Their cognitive dissonance was deafening. Later in the show, they brought on actor Nick Offerman and his female farmer friend. They praised how she went from working in the world of fine art to being a farmer and… a homemaker. “Her masterpieces are on the dinner table or in their kids' values rather than on a canvas," Offerman touted, after mocking Butker earlier in the interview.
  2290.  
  2291.  
  2292.  
  2293.  
  2294. Cognitive dissonance: After denouncing Butker for promoting women being homemakers, The View promotes a woman who studied fine art then became a farmer after she became a mom with four kids.
  2295. "Her masterpieces are on the dinner table or in their kids' values," Nick Offerman adds. pic.twitter.com/aGL1bQrx5D
  2296. — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) May 16, 2024
  2297.  
  2298.  
  2299. Shockingly, the only person making a lick of sense on the entire set was moderator Whoopi Goldberg. She pointed out the obvious that Butker was “at a Catholic College. He’s a staunch Catholic. These are his beliefs and he's welcome to them.”
  2300.  
  2301. Goldberg compared Butker with the saga of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “The same way we want respect when Colin Kaepernick takes a knee, we want to give respect to people whose ideas are different from ours,” she argued.
  2302.  
  2303. “So, I'm okay with him saying whatever he says and the women who were sitting there, if they take his advice, good for them, they'll be happy. If they don't, good for them, they'll be happy a different way. That's my attitude,” she declared.
  2304.  
  2305. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  2306.  
  2307.  
  2308. ABC’s The View
  2309. May 16, 2024
  2310. 11:04:58 a.m. Eastern
  2311.  
  2312. (…)
  2313.  
  2314. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: So, the NFL released a statement that he gave this speech in his personal capacity and they do not -- the NFL does not share his views.
  2315.  
  2316. So, you know, listen, I like when people say what they need to say. He’s at a Catholic College. He’s a staunch Catholic. These are his beliefs and he's welcome to them. I don't have to believe them. I don't have to accept them. The ladies that were sitting in that audience do not have to accept them.
  2317.  
  2318. The same way we want respect when Colin Kaepernick takes a knee, we want to give respect to people whose ideas are different from ours, because the man who says he wants to be president, you-know-who. He says the way to act is take away people's right to say how they feel.
  2319.  
  2320. We don't want to be that. We don't want to be those people. So, I'm okay with him saying whatever he says and the women who were sitting there, if they take his advice, good for them, they'll be happy. If they don't, good for them, they'll be happy a different way. That's my attitude.
  2321.  
  2322. [Applause]
  2323.  
  2324. SARA HAINES: I agree with you and I disagree with you.
  2325.  
  2326. GOLDBERG: That's okay.
  2327.  
  2328. HAINES: So, I agree with you that – in the spirit of freedom speech, I don't want people shut down or fired for things they’re willing to say. I will break with you on the comparison to Colin Kaepernick, for this reason: Colin Kaepernick was standing up for the rights of many and saying in a social justice moment, this is a reminder that we're not there yet.
  2329.  
  2330. What this man is doing is not just a devout Catholic, this is someone who’s practicing something called the traditional Latin mass, which is divergent to the majority of Catholics. It’s compared to being cult-like and extremist like some religions in the Middle East and Asia. So, this is a very extreme religion.
  2331.  
  2332. And what bothers me about that, as a Christian, is that when people abuse Christianity, they often not only cherry-pick from the Bible, they misinterpret and lie by omission, by taking out parts that would have explained something a little better.
  2333.  
  2334. So, what I can say to him, as a Christian, is if you're using this to oppress people or hold them down you're not walking with Jesus. If you are using the religion, if you're more obsessed with the religious rituals and practices than you are with the word of Jesus, you're not walking with Jesus. And if you’re using it for the judgment of others and as a weapon to beat people down you're also not walking with Jesus.
  2335.  
  2336. So, I would really encourage him, really encourage him to find the best parts of faith and not diverge into extremist beliefs.
  2337.  
  2338. [Applause]
  2339.  
  2340. GOLDBERG: But if this is -- if this is his belief system, there are many Catholics who are staunch this way.
  2341.  
  2342. HAINES: A small, small percentage go to the Latin mass.
  2343.  
  2344. GOLDBERG: I’m just telling you there are many people who believe this way and I'm simply saying rather than write a petition to get him fired because this is –
  2345.  
  2346. HAINES: Don't get him fired.
  2347.  
  2348. GOLDBERG: That's what I'm talking about.
  2349.  
  2350. HAINES: The Pope discourages it. Just so you know, In the Catholic Church the Pope diverges from this belief.
  2351.  
  2352. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: Just one thing, if I may. I don’t know if you guys now this, I went to a very religious college [Patrick Henry College] and a lot of what he was talking about here was largely Christian Catholic orthodoxy, but he steps further by wading into the political. He took a swipe at Joe Biden, he brought up DEI, which has nothing to do with anything I’ve ever read in scripture, and then he leaned really heavily into talking about, like, the ideal man and being a godly man, an example; missed the opportunity to talk about the man who might be the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, and his many shortcomings.
  2353.  
  2354. (…)
  2355.  
  2356. 11:11:14 a.m. Eastern
  2357.  
  2358. JOY BEHAR: I was going to say something completely out of the field. I don't think that this is a political issue. I think he has mother issues.
  2359.  
  2360. [Laughter]
  2361.  
  2362. HAINES: He may!
  2363.  
  2364. SUNNY HOSTIN: Yes! Yes! He Does!
  2365.  
  2366. BEHAR: Wait. His mother is a very accomplished physicist.
  2367.  
  2368. HAINES: Went to Smith College.
  2369.  
  2370. BEHAR: I mean super-duper accomplished woman. His mother, now he probably was left alone because she was busy with her career. He's angry.
  2371.  
  2372. HOSTIN: Do the therapy. Do the therapy.
  2373.  
  2374. BEHAR: This is my armchair therapist. I agree. I'm not a professional therapist but I play one on TV. And I think that's the real issue. He has big mother issues. He refers to Taylor Swift as that so-and-so. What did he say?
  2375.  
  2376. FARAH GRIFFIN: His teammate's girlfriend.
  2377.  
  2378. BEHAR: Another hugely accomplished woman he has nothing by disdain for, because of mommy! So get a therapist!
  2379.  
  2380. (…)
  2381. </description>
  2382.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 3:23 PM</pubDate>
  2383.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  2384.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284201</guid>
  2385.    </item>
  2386. <item>
  2387.  <title>Brian Stelter: So SAD the Trump Trial Shows the GOP Is a Cult That Repeats Fox Talking Points</title>
  2388.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2024/05/16/brian-stelter-so-sad-trump-trial-shows-gop-cult-repeats-fox-talking</link>
  2389.  <description>As part of MSNBC’s never-ending Trump trial coverage, former CNN host Brian Stelter arrived on The Beat with Ari Melber on Tuesday to mock all the politicians and Fox News hosts showing up at the courtroom. Brian tweeted out his proudest soundbite.
  2390.  
  2391.  
  2392. I'm just trying to imagine if any Democratic lawmakers are going to show up at the trial of Senator Bob Menendez – or the trial of Joe Biden's son Hunter. pic.twitter.com/zGjqRajjDv
  2393. — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 16, 2024
  2394.  
  2395. STELTER: I’m just trying to imagine if any Democrats are going to show up at the trial of Bob Menendez, the senator, or or the trial of Joe Biden's son Hunter -- both of which are gonna happen in the next few weeks! And we’re not gonna see any of this, and that tells you everything you need to know about the differences between these two parties in 2024.
  2396.  
  2397.  
  2398. To which there is an obvious rejoinder: We’re just trying to imagine if any Democrat-servant networks are going to show up at the trials of Senator Menendez or Hunter Biden. No one expects they will be doing gavel-to-gavel coverage for those trials, and that tells you everything you need to know about the Democrat-servant networks. 
  2399.  
  2400. Stelter is trying to argue that Trump has a "cult" of celebrity, but it's also true that the leftist media's obsessive coverage makes it a more high-profile event for Trump supporters to show up and be seen. No Democrats will want to add any sliver of news-worthiness to the Democrat trials. 
  2401.  
  2402. Trump has tried to turn these partisan prosecutions around, as he did with endless scandal probes while he was president. He doesn't have the luxury of a broad media establishment that will bury embarrassing stories. 
  2403.  
  2404. Stelter can’t wait for Showtime or HBO to do a Trump-trial movie: “I can't wait to see the actual real-life movie that's going to be made of this trial. Because today was the stuff of actual drama! And people should see it. It's a shame we don't have cameras!” Once again, Showtime and the rest aren’t making a Biden docudrama.
  2405.  
  2406.  
  2407.  
  2408.  
  2409.  
  2410. He continued:
  2411.  
  2412.  
  2413. STELTER: But I do think the Republicans suddenly belatedly showing up to support Trump is in some ways the most interesting thing that happened today. Where were they for the last three weeks? Where were Trump’s friends? People are focused on why isn't his family coming? None of his friends showed up until this week. Now all of a sudden, they're all popping up, whether it's for the veepstakes or because he's pressuring them to be there.
  2414.  
  2415. But it is so revealing and so sad about the state of the Republican party that they're all belatedly showing up. Did you see what Lisa Murkowski said today? One of these establishment Republican senators? She was asked why aren't you going to New York City to be at the trial. She said, don't we have something better to do around here than to watch stupid boring trials? And the reality is, Ari, no. The GOP lawmakers have nothing better to do, right? Than to sit around, and take their talking points from Fox.
  2416.  
  2417.  
  2418. Stelter added that "far right" networks like Fox News tried to ignore the trial, but the "big story" coverage of networks like MSNBC have forced them to acknowledge this is big. Once again, just like with the Pelosi-Picked Panel on January 6, Fox is going to carry some of the same "big stories" as the leftist press with a different spin. It's a little harder to skip stories that 37 national media outlets are obsessing over.
  2419.  
  2420. PS: 
  2421.  
  2422.  
  2423. MSNBC's Ari Melber really HATES anyone (accurately) saying the judge's daughter Loren Merchan is a Democrat fundraiser. He thinks Trump is Geppetto and all his GOP minions are Pinocchios. He wants the Gag Rule to extend to all Republicans for their "scurrilous" attacks on Loren. pic.twitter.com/kockYAYL30
  2424. — Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) May 16, 2024
  2425. </description>
  2426.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 2:34 PM</pubDate>
  2427.    <dc:creator>Tim Graham</dc:creator>
  2428.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284197</guid>
  2429.    </item>
  2430. <item>
  2431.  <title>Ruhle Shames Romney For Citing The Border as an Area Where Biden Has Failed</title>
  2432.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/16/ruhle-shames-romney-citing-border-area-where-biden-has-failed</link>
  2433.  <description>MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle once again assumed the role of President Biden’s top defender on Wednesday’s edition of The 11th Hour as she interviewed Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. The former GOP nominee did not exactly prove to be a hostile interview, but Ruhle still didn’t appreciate him condemning Biden’s record on the border or refusal to affirm that Biden is simply the greatest.
  2434.  
  2435. Ruhle wondered, “President Biden ran as a bipartisan president. He’s worked with you on a number of things and gotten a lot done. The infrastructure law, the CHIPS Act, lowered healthcare costs, the list goes on, but the country remains polarized and getting more divided. If he would have a second term, do you think there is something he could do to actually bring people back together? Because he's got a lot of policies under his belt that he has done for the country, and work with you.”
  2436.  
  2437.  
  2438.  
  2439.  
  2440.  
  2441.  
  2442.  
  2443.  
  2444.  
  2445. Romney could’ve pointed out that this supposedly great unifier once told a black audience that he was going to put them back in chains, but he didn’t. Instead, he simply declared that there is more to unifying people than giving speeches, leading Ruhle to complain, “But President Biden isn't just giving a good speech, infrastructure law is now the law. The CHIPS Act is bringing jobs back, is bringing manufacturing back. Those aren't speeches, those are policies.”
  2446.  
  2447. Romney replied by citing two big areas where Biden has failed, “Number one, the fact that things cost more than they did before. Inflation is still there. People somehow think the prices are going to go down. No, when you beat inflation, prices don’t go down, that would be deflation, they just stabilize, and they’re getting stabilized, but the fact that people are paying more is a real concern to them.”
  2448.  
  2449. The second is “the border. Look, people have been screaming about the border for all three-and-a-half years Joe Biden has been president and he has not done anything to solve the problem at the border. That’s a huge issue for President Trump. I can't understand why President Biden didn't tackle this from the very beginning.”
  2450.  
  2451. That didn’t sit well with Ruhle, “What has Congress done? Because it's Congress who sets the laws.”
  2452.  
  2453. Romney recalled, “Well, the Republicans have put forward our plan. The House put out a border plan, and that’s what Congress did. The president said no, that wasn't acceptable. Then they began working on a bipartisan basis. But you know what? This was not a problem when President Trump was president. The reality is—”
  2454.  
  2455. Ruhle interrupted to try to argue that Trump is actually the reason the border is such a mess, “The border has been a problem for years, sir, and a plan was just put together and it was Donald Trump, who is not currently in office, who blocked it.”
  2456.  
  2457. While not countering Ruhle’s assessment that Trump blocked the bipartisan bill a few months ago, Romney reiterated that the border is still worse under Biden than it was under Trump, “Yeah, he blocked the plan, in part, I'm sure, because he wants to keep this issue hot and alive for his election, but don't forget, when he was president, he did a lot of things that sounded really ugly, but we didn't have anywhere near the number of people that have come into the country illegally as we have under President Biden and that is something he should have done everything in his power.”
  2458.  
  2459. For Stephanie Ruhle, nothing is Joe Biden's fault, it's either Republicans or some foreign power that wants to elect Republicans that are to blame for the country's woes.
  2460.  
  2461. Here is a transcript for the May 15 show:
  2462.  
  2463.  
  2464. MSNBC The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle
  2465.  
  2466. 5/15/2024
  2467.  
  2468. 11:18 PM ET
  2469.  
  2470. STEPHANIE RUHLE: President Biden ran as a bipartisan president. He’s worked with you on a number of things and gotten a lot done. The infrastructure law, the CHIPS Act, lowered healthcare costs, the list goes on, but the country remains polarized and getting more divided. If he would have a second term, do you think there is something he could do to actually bring people back together? Because he's got a lot of policies under his belt that he has done for the country, and work with you.
  2471.  
  2472. MITT ROMNEY: Yeah, the way to bring people together is not just to give a good speech, nice as that is. The way to get people together is to tell the truth. To let them know what the real challenges are that you're concerned about, and how you are going to honestly deal with them.
  2473.  
  2474. RUHLE: But President Biden isn't just giving a good speech, infrastructure law is now the law. The CHIPS Act is bringing jobs back, is bringing manufacturing back. Those aren't speeches, those are policies.
  2475.  
  2476. ROMNEY: No, there’s no question that President Biden accomplished a number of things, but don't forget, in politics very few people care about what you’ve done, they care about what you're going to do, alright?
  2477.  
  2478. And right now there are a couple of things that are very much on people's mind. Number one, the fact that things cost more than they did before. Inflation is still there. People somehow think the prices are going to go down. 
  2479.  
  2480. RUHLE: That’s deflation.
  2481.  
  2482. ROMNEY: No, when you beat inflation, prices don’t go down, that would be deflation, they just stabilize and they’re getting stabilized, but the fact that people are paying more is a real concern to them and number two, the border. 
  2483.  
  2484. Look, people have been screaming about the border for all three-and-a-half years Joe Biden has been president and he has not done anything to solve the problem at the border. That’s a huge issue for President Trump. I can't understand why President Biden didn't tackle this from the very beginning.
  2485.  
  2486. RUHLE: What has Congress done? Because it's Congress who sets the laws.
  2487.  
  2488. ROMNEY: Well, the Republicans have put forward our plan. The House put out a border plan, and that’s what Congress did. The president said no, that wasn't acceptable. Then they began working on a bipartisan basis. But you know what? This was not a problem when President Trump was president. The reality is—
  2489.  
  2490. RUHLE: The border has been a problem for years, sir, and a plan was just put together and it was Donald Trump, who is not currently in office, who blocked it.
  2491.  
  2492. ROMNEY: Yeah, he blocked the plan, in part, I'm sure, because he wants to keep this issue hot and alive for his election, but don't forget, when he was president, he did a lot of things that sounded really ugly, but we didn't have anywhere near the number of people that have come into the country illegally as we have under President Biden and that is something he should have done everything in his power. Frankly, take some actions that maybe the courts would have stopped. They had a better argument saying hey, “Congress needed to act.” But he never did that. And as a result the American people are saying hey, I want something else.
  2493. </description>
  2494.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 2:16 PM</pubDate>
  2495.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  2496.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284200</guid>
  2497.    </item>
  2498. <item>
  2499.  <title>NBC Nightly News Cheers for Dems Filibustering for Missouri Abortion ‘Rights’</title>
  2500.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/16/nbc-nightly-news-cheers-dems-filibustering-missouri</link>
  2501.  <description>NBC Nightly News ran a segment celebrating the Missouri Democrats who held a more than 50 hour marathon filibuster trying to block a bill that would restrict abortion. The outlet praised the “supporters of abortion rights” who wanted to “protect” a woman’s “right” to kill her kid.
  2502.  
  2503. Presently in Missouri, Republicans are trying to pass a bill that would make it more challenging to amend the Missouri constitution. Democrats are fighting for the option to amend the state constitution, in order to eventually include abortion until fetal viability.
  2504.  
  2505. NBC loved this idea.
  2506.  
  2507.  
  2508.  
  2509.  
  2510.  
  2511.  
  2512.  
  2513. “Tonight, Democrats are fighting back,” against “one of the strictest” bans on abortion in the country, NBC News Washington Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor said. 
  2514.  
  2515. “Supporters of abortion rights say they’ve gathered enough signatures for a separate ballot measure in November that would protect access to abortions,” Alcindor said excitedly. “But if the Republican proposal is passed before November,” she added, “enacting the abortion amendment would not just require a simple statewide majority but also majorities from five of the state’s eight districts,” making it harder to pass certain things, especially for Democrats, given that Missouri is traditionally more red.
  2516.  
  2517. NBC then played a clip from State Senator Lauren Arthur (D-Mo.) who said, “The reason Republicans are so committed to silencing people’s voices at the ballot box is because they’re afraid that Missourians are going to come out in support of restoring their reproductive rights and their access to abortion in Missouri."
  2518.  
  2519. It’s extremely obvious which side of this debate NBC stands on with this puff piece. It’s just a shame that it's the side that celebrates and advocates for more baby death.</description>
  2520.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 1:54 PM</pubDate>
  2521.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  2522.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284199</guid>
  2523.    </item>
  2524. <item>
  2525.  <title>MRC’s Bozell Warns of Soros-Funded ‘Fascistic’ Plot Amid 2024 Election</title>
  2526.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/luis-cornelio/2024/05/16/mrcs-bozell-warns-soros-funded-fascistic-plot-amid-2024</link>
  2527.  <description> Leftist billionaire George Soros is “behind an all-out effort to shut down” free speech in the United States, MRC President Brent Bozell declared on Thursday.
  2528.  
  2529. Bozell’s scorching remarks came in response to an MRC report that exposed Soros as one of the financiers of an anti-free speech cartel beseeching Big Tech platforms to censor Americans ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
  2530.  
  2531. “I think Americans really need to be worried about this man,” Bozell said during an interview on Fox Business’s Varney &amp; Co. “I think he's the greatest threat to democracy — not just in this country, but worldwide — and the things he's doing are frightening.”
  2532.  
  2533.  
  2534.  
  2535.  
  2536.  
  2537. Read the Bombshell! George Soros Fueled $80M Into Groups Calling for Big Tech Censorship in Lead-Up to 2024 Elections
  2538.  
  2539. At the center of Bozell’s warning is a media group’s letter pressuring social media platforms to censor content under the auspice of “implement[ing] election-integrity policies to protect democracy worldwide.”
  2540.  
  2541. The letter, which Bozell lambasted for its “really fascistic attitude toward democracy,” was signed by over 200 groups and was led by the Soros-funded media group Free Press (not to be confused with journalist Bari Weiss’s The Free Press).
  2542.  
  2543. In it, these groups pressed for “swift action” to allegedly protect democracy by keeping a “safe and healthy” environment for users. That is, by suppressing content that goes against their ideologies.
  2544.  
  2545. But here’s the kicker: MRC research found that a large portion of these anti-free speech cartel non-profits have been bankrolled by none other than Soros. 
  2546.  
  2547. “Of those 200 organizations, 45 of them were funded by George Soros … to the tune of $80 million — 45 that we know of. It’s probably more than that,” Bozell declared. 
  2548.  
  2549. Reiterating the MRC’s findings, Bozell warned that these left-wing organizations “went to everybody in Big Tech whether it was Meta, TikTok, Google, YouTube” to call for the censorship of “conservatives, censor faith-based groups, censor Donald Trump yet again, shut down any, any debate over climate change.”
  2550.  
  2551. More on Soros: Is He Buying Universities’ Silence on Anti-Semitic Agitators?
  2552.  
  2553. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  2554.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 12:15 PM</pubDate>
  2555.    <dc:creator>Luis Cornelio</dc:creator>
  2556.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284196</guid>
  2557.    </item>
  2558. <item>
  2559.  <title>Colbert Is 'Surprised' Biden Will 'Dignify Trump' By Debating</title>
  2560.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/16/colbert-surprised-biden-will-dignify-trump-debating</link>
  2561.  <description>CBS’s Stephen Colbert had two distinct reactions to the news that former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have agreed to debate each other on Wednesday’s installment of The Late Show. On one hand, he adored Biden’s announcement video, going so far as to break out the “Damn! Cam.” On the other, he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos he “was surprised that Biden would dignify Trump by offering to meet him.”
  2562.  
  2563. Of course, Biden’s announcement didn’t come out of nowhere, as Colbert acknowledged when he introduced a clip of Biden, “Trump has been challenging President Biden for months now, and today, Biden accepted by releasing this video, where he took a swipe at Trump's court schedule.”
  2564.  
  2565.  
  2566.  
  2567.  
  2568.  
  2569.  
  2570.  
  2571.  
  2572.  
  2573. The video showed Biden telling viewers that, “Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020 and since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice. So, let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays.”
  2574.  
  2575. The two men have decided on Thursday, June 27, and Tuesday, September 10. Nevertheless, Colber reacted with glee, “For my reaction to that, join me over at the ‘Damn! Cam.’ Damn!”
  2576.  
  2577. Later, Stephanopoulos joined the show to hype his new book and Colbert started to ask, “Let’s talk about debates. Okay, you’ve moderated debates—”
  2578.  
  2579. Stephanopoulos interrupted to lament, “Yes, it did happen. I think because I’m being sued, I’m not going to be moderating this one this time around.”
  2580.  
  2581. Trump is suing Stephanopoulos for defamation, but even if that lawsuit didn’t exist, the former Clinton operative’s out of left field question to Mitt Romney about banning birth control is enough to disqualify him from moderating any future debate.
  2582.  
  2583. Regardless, Colbert continued, “Are you surprised? Because I was a little surprised they were going to happen. I was surprised that Biden would dignify Trump by offering to meet him.”
  2584.  
  2585. Stephanopoulos replied, “I was surprised, especially after you were talking about it before, that Chris Wallace debate four years ago, just the worst presidential debate in American history. I was surprised it's going to happen again. Interesting move by Biden, kind of a bold move by Biden. I do think the rules he's put in place could make a difference.”
  2586.  
  2587. Colbert interjected to add, “I love them. No audience. In studio. When your time is up, the mind goes off. That's a loss of power.”
  2588.  
  2589. Stephanopoulos agreed, “Yeah, and it will be interesting to see, I mean, I know both sides have accepted now. I wonder if at the end of the day, with those rules, if those rules are really in place, if the debate really happens, but I think those rules are essential.”
  2590.  
  2591. Many in the media are making a bigger deal of the agreed upon rules than they should. For instance, in every past presidential debate there has been an audience, but it has been required to remain silent and the cutting of mics could hurt the mumbling and rambling Biden just as much as Trump.
  2592.  
  2593. Here is a transcript for the May 15 show:
  2594.  
  2595.  
  2596. CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
  2597.  
  2598. 5/15/2024
  2599.  
  2600. 11:38 PM ET
  2601.  
  2602. STEPHEN COLBERT: Trump has been challenging President Biden for months now, and today, Biden accepted by releasing this video, where he took a swipe at Trump's court schedule.
  2603.  
  2604. JOE BIDEN: Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020 and since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice. So, let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays. 
  2605.  
  2606. COLBERT: For my reaction to that, join me over at the "Damn! Cam." Damn!
  2607.  
  2608. …
  2609.  
  2610. COLBERT: Let’s talk about debates. Okay, you’ve moderated debates—
  2611.  
  2612. STEPHANOPOULOS: Yes, it did happen. I think because I’m being sued, I’m not going to be moderating this one this time around.
  2613.  
  2614. COLBERT: Are you surprised? Because I was a little surprised they were going to happen. I was surprised that Biden would dignify Trump by offering to meet him.
  2615.  
  2616. STEPHANOPOULOS: I was surprised, especially after you were talking about it before, that Chris Wallace debate four years ago, just the worst presidential debate in American history. I was surprised it's going to happen again. Interesting move by Biden, kind of a bold move by Biden. I do think the rules he's put in place could make a difference.
  2617.  
  2618. COLBERT: I love them. No audience. In studio. 
  2619.  
  2620. STEPHANOPOULOS: The mic goes off.
  2621.  
  2622. COLBERT: When your time is up, the mind goes off. That's a loss of power.
  2623.  
  2624. STEPHANOPOULOS: Yeah, and it will be interesting to see, I mean, I know both sides have accepted now. I wonder if at the end of the day, with those rules, if those rules are really in place, if the debate really happens, but I think those rules are essential. 
  2625. </description>
  2626.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 10:00 AM</pubDate>
  2627.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  2628.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284193</guid>
  2629.    </item>
  2630. <item>
  2631.  <title>MRC’s Houck Reacts on FNC to Biden/Trump Debate Plans; ‘Watch Out for Shenanigans’</title>
  2632.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nb-staff/2024/05/16/mrcs-houck-reacts-fnc-bidentrump-debate-plans-watch-out-shenanigans</link>
  2633.  <description>NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck returned to the Fox News Channel Wednesday on Fox News @ Night to react to the sudden agreement between the Joe Biden and Donald Trump campaigns to hold presidential debates on June 27 with CNN and September 10 with ABC. Speaking to host Trace Gallagher, Houck urged caution on the part of the Trump team and be prepared for the debates to be rigged.
  2634.  
  2635. Asked by Gallagher to explain why he doesn’t “think that CNN moderators” Jake Tapper and Dana Bash “will give Trump a fair shake,” Houck explained “you got to watch out for shenanigans” and said it was reminiscent of what this site warned ahead of the “infamous CNBC debate back during the 2016 election cycle.”
  2636.  
  2637.  
  2638.  
  2639.  
  2640.  
  2641.  
  2642.  
  2643.  
  2644.  
  2645. “Jake Tapper, he received awards for pushing the fake Trump Russia collusion case. So, as you point out in your Common Sense [commentary], and Erin [Perrine] and Amber [Duke] pointed out as well [in the previous segment], you know, the demands that President Trump is willing to meet, yeah, you want to see these debates happen, but did you do that at the expense of a fair show for you,” he added.
  2646.  
  2647. Gallagher then went to former local TV anchor Dee Sarton with similar warning from a piece by our friend Eddie Scarry at The Federalist: “Trump, along with every other Republican should at least have a guarantee that there won’t be any more Chris Wallace or Candy Crowley moments where the moderator takes liberty to run interference for the Democrats.”
  2648.  
  2649. Sarton concurred with Houck and Scarry, saying her “stomached turned when I heard...who moderators were going to be” and Biden may “have turned the tables a little bit with” his goating video Wednesday morning.
  2650.  
  2651. “You got to really think about the Americans...who would really love to see these two men side by side, who maybe are still a little bit undecided in this. What do they need to hear? And try to cut through that...[T]he guy is pretty smart..But it’s going to take a lot of work to be ready for that night,” she argued.
  2652.  
  2653. Houck followed up with more concerns about this CNN debate, such as the possibility they’ll engage in “live fact-checking” with the sniveling Daniel Dale “and who knows about snarky chyrons.”
  2654.  
  2655. To remove the possibility of any nonsense being fed to the moderators, Houck also suggested “Dana Bash and Jake Tapper and then, Lindsey Davis and David Muir and ABC shouldn’t be wearing earpieces” in order to keep the debate as organic and “free flowing” as possible.
  2656.  
  2657. All they would need to keep things moving, Houck argued, would be clocks (which are standard below most camera rigs in TV studios).
  2658.  
  2659. “There is just so many factors, especially with CNN that we really, really got to watch out for. And just real quickly, on substance, Peter Doocy is exactly right, that — it’s very clear this is to distract away from the issues, considering Biden has been dragged on issue after issue,” Houck concluded.
  2660.  
  2661. Before the segment wrapped, Sarton spoke from experience of moderating debates about the dynamics between having an audience versus none at all:
  2662.  
  2663.  
  2664. I’ve heard some people say today, oh, well, Trump, you know, he feeds off the audience. He needs that audience. I’m not sure I agree with that. I think he can bring it without an audience, even though obviously, it helps. I’ve done debates when the room is empty, and it really does suck all the light out of the room...I don’t think the lack of an audience is going to be nearly as damaging to President Trump.
  2665.  
  2666.  
  2667. To see the relevant transcript from May 15, click “expand.”
  2668.  
  2669.  
  2670. FNC’s Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher
  2671. May 15, 2024
  2672. 11:09 p.m. Eastern
  2673.  
  2674. TRACE GALLAGHER: Let’s get media analysis from NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck, and the host of A Home That Heals podcast, the queen of Idaho Television, former TV news anchor Dee Sarton. Thank you both for coming on. To you first, Curtis, because you don’t think that CNN moderators will give Trump a fair shake. Explain that for us.
  2675.  
  2676. CURTIS HOUCK: Yeah, I think you got to watch out for shenanigans, Trace. We, at NewsBusters said this when there was that infamous CNBC debate back during the 2016 election cycle. Jake Tapper, he received awards —
  2677.  
  2678. GALLAGHER: Mmhmm.
  2679.  
  2680. HOUCK: — for pushing the fake Trump Russia collusion case. So, as you point out in your Common Sense, and Erin and Amber pointed out as well, you know, the demands that President Trump is willing to meet, yeah, you want to see these debates happen —
  2681.  
  2682. GALLAGHER: Right.
  2683.  
  2684. HOUCK: — but did you do that at the expense of a fair show for you?
  2685.  
  2686. GALLAGHER: Yeah. And Dee, Eddie Scarry at The Federalists, wrote the following here, quoting, “Trump, along with every other Republican should at least have a guarantee that there won’t be any more Chris Wallace or Candy Crowley moments where the moderator takes liberty to run interference for the Democrats.” I mean, we have learned that moderates can — moderators, rather, Dee, can really sway the jury. I mean, you have worked the debates. So, you know, what’s going on here. If you were advising Trump, about these debates, is there anything you would advise or add?
  2687.  
  2688. DEE SARTON: Oh, boy, I’ll tell you, my stomach turned when I heard, you know, who the moderators were going to be? And yeah, it’s a — it’s a tough situation. I feel like he came out so strong and said, any place any time.
  2689.  
  2690. GALLAGHER: Yeah.
  2691.  
  2692. SARTON: That was sort of his power play, and now they have turned the tables a little bit with this. And so, I am a little bit worried about that. And I guess my advice would be boy, you got to really think about the Americans — the Americans that — that I’m around all the time, who would really love to see these two men side by side, who maybe are still a little bit undecided in this. What do they need to hear? And try to cut through that. But that’s got to be tough, but I kind of can’t imagine when you’ve got the — all of that going against you, how that happens.
  2693.  
  2694. GALLAGHER: Yeah.
  2695.  
  2696. SARTON: But the guy is pretty smart, and I think he can figure it out. But it’s going to take a lot of work to be ready for that night and in a way that the underdecides will hear his message.
  2697.  
  2698. GALLAGHER: Yeah. It seems, Curtis that the Biden team wants this debate to be as controlled as possible. You know, that’s why you control as much as you can. And hopefully, you can contain any errors or any you know, bad looks.
  2699.  
  2700. HOUCK: Yeah, exactly. I mean, and then, there is the question, as you pointed out, as well about live fact-checking, is Daniel Dale going to be there?
  2701.  
  2702. GALLAGHER: Yeah.
  2703.  
  2704. HOUCK: I saw someone on X today argue that maybe, you know, the Dana Bash and Jake Tapper and then Lindsey Davis and David Muir and ABC shouldn’t be wearing earpieces, so they are not being fed things in their ear. You know, they can have clocks there like we do in our studios for keeping time. But other than that, I mean, it should just be free flowing.
  2705.  
  2706. GALLAGHER: Yeah.
  2707.  
  2708. HOUCK: And who knows about snarky chyrons? There is just so many factors, especially with CNN that we really, really got to watch out for. And just real quickly, on substance, Peter Doocy is exactly right, that — it’s very clear this is to distract away from the issues, considering Biden has been dragged on issue after issue.
  2709.  
  2710. GALLAGHER: Yeah, and it really is a big gamble, Dee, because you look at this and you think, okay, they can control this, they can cut the microphone to Donald Trump, and cut Biden’s microphone and, maybe even kind of limited the moderators, but the bottom line is, is that there’s no teleprompter. And if you’re an 81-year-old president, who is known to kind of speak out of turn, this is something that they cannot control and it’s not the State of the Union speech. I mean, you can do whatever you want to but you have to speak off the cuff for a lot of this.
  2711.  
  2712. SARTON: Right, you really do. And, you know, I was thinking about this earlier today. It’s a situation where people — I’ve heard some people say today, oh, well, Trump, you know, he feeds off the audience. He needs that audience. I’m not sure I agree with that. I think he can bring it without an audience, even though obviously, it helps. I’ve done debates when the room is empty, and it really does suck all the light out of the room. But I do you think it’s going to be tough. From what we have seen of President Biden, I just kind of can’t imagine what that’s going to be like.
  2713.  
  2714. GALLAGHER: Yeah.
  2715.  
  2716. SARTON: And not having those support systems in place for him, I think that’s going to be the Achilles heel for him. I don’t think the lack of an audience is going to be nearly as damaging to President Trump.
  2717.  
  2718. GALLAGHER: Yep, it is. I mean, you’re the President. You are alone and you are flying blind for a short time there. Dee Sarton, Curtis Houck, thank you both.
  2719.  
  2720. HOUCK: Thanks.
  2721. </description>
  2722.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 9:45 AM</pubDate>
  2723.    <dc:creator>NB Staff</dc:creator>
  2724.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284192</guid>
  2725.    </item>
  2726. <item>
  2727.  <title>CNN's Jennings Takes a Minute to Undo CNN's 24/7 Trump Trial Hype -- No Minds Will Change</title>
  2728.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2024/05/16/cnns-jennings-takes-minute-undo-cnns-247-trump-trial-hype-no</link>
  2729.  <description> Before we get to the substance of their dialogue, let's begin by observing that in introducing Scott Jennings on her CNN This Morning panel Tuesday, host Kasie Hunt described Jennings as a "conservative columnist." It said the same on screen. 
  2730. Question: when's the last time Hunt or any CNN host introduced someone as a "liberal" columnist? Yeah, I can't think of such a time, either.
  2731.  
  2732. Meanwhile, Kasie Hunt offered no identifiers for Elliot Williams (eight years serving President Obama), reporter Molly Ball (Nancy Pelosi apple-polisher) or "Republican" Sarah Matthews (who really wants Trump to lose).
  2733.  
  2734. Conservative people are fine with being called conservative. What's ridiculous is that everyone who agrees with CNN is presented as nonpartisan or objective.
  2735. Okay, on to the discussion. In the context of the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, Hunt challenged Jennings:
  2736.  
  2737. "It's reminding everyone of what we went through as a country when he was President of the United States. Uh, and: I'm just kind of curious. How do you feel about defending him with these allegations out there?"
  2738.  
  2739. Translation: aren't you ashamed of defending this reprobate? This, from the Clinton News Network that defended all of Bill's #MeToo antics.
  2740. Jennings, over the course of the discussion, made the obvious point: that this trial reveals nothing new about Trump, and is therefore unlikely to change many votes. As he facetiously put put it in conclusion:
  2741.  
  2742. "October of 2016. No one knew that Donald Trump had had sex with lots of women out there, some of whom were not his wife. No one could have possibly known!"
  2743.  
  2744.  
  2745.  
  2746.  
  2747.  
  2748.  
  2749. JENNINGS (on Republicans): But they would say things like, this case should have never been brought. This is a terrible court. This prosecutor is a partisan hack -- whatever.
  2750.  
  2751. And they would also say this: I don't care about sex paperwork, but I do care about that the president has driven as to an inflationary crisis and is going wobbly on our ally, Israel. You're going to see Republicans all over the country make that argument.
  2752.  
  2753. And I think whether he is convicted, whether the jury is on or whether he's acquitted, I think this will move the needle for virtually no one.
  2754.  
  2755.  
  2756. This amounted to a small dissent from the 24/7 Trump-trial hype on CNN, including the dramatic readings of court transcripts. 
  2757.  
  2758. Note: Jennings in turn challenged Hunt to describe what the crime is that Trump is alleged to have committed. Hunt had to admit, "I understand that you are technically correct," i.e., that no one can describe a crime other than a paperwork snafu.
  2759. Note: As to Hunt saying that the trial is "reminding everyone of what we went through as a country when he was President of the United States," millions of Americans are thinking, Yeah, reminds me that when Trump was president, I could afford to fill my gas tank and shop for groceries, and we weren't involved in foreign wars.
  2760.  
  2761. Here's the transcript.
  2762.  
  2763.  
  2764. CNN This Morning
  2765. 5/14/24
  2766. 6:03 am EDT
  2767.  
  2768. KASIE HUNT: Our panel's here: former federal prosecutor Elliot Williams, Molly Ball, senior political correspondent at at the Wall Street Journal, conservative columnist Scott Jennings, and Sarah Matthews, [disgruntled] former deputy White House press secretary under President Trump. Welcome all!
  2769.  
  2770. . . . 
  2771.  
  2772. Scott Jennings, this is a guy that, you know, he's the presumptive Republican nominee for president. It's [the Stormy Daniels hush money trial], it's reminding everyone of, kind of, what we went through as a country when he was President of the United States.
  2773.  
  2774. And I'm just kind curious: how do you feel about defending him with these allegations out there?
  2775.  
  2776. SCOTT JENNINGS: Well, nothing new has happened here. I think what you're seeing, such a muted reaction from people, is because it's already priced in, it's baked into his candidacy, it's baked into who he is. Nothing -- we know all of this. And I don't have to, no Republican really has to defend anyone's personal behavior to make this --
  2777.  
  2778. HUNT: Well, there are a bunch of Republicans standing up behind him.
  2779.  
  2780. JENNINGS: Well, but they're not necessarily defending his personal behavior. But they would say things like, this case should have never been brought. This is a terrible court. This prosecutor is a partisan hack: whatever.
  2781.  
  2782. And they would also say this: I don't care about sex paperwork, but I do care about that the president has driven as to an inflationary crisis and is going wobbly on our ally, Israel. You're going to see Republicans all over the country make that argument.
  2783.  
  2784. And I think whether he is convicted, whether the jury is on or whether he's acquitted, I think this will move the needle for virtually no one.
  2785.  
  2786. SARAH MATTHEWS: You don't think if he's convicted, it's not going to make a difference at at all? I mean, there was a CNN poll that showed that 24% of Trump backers said that if there is a conviction, that they would reconsider their support. I will admit, that doesn't mean that they are going to change their support, but they would reconsider. And I mean, on an election that's going to be on the margins, then, I think you would be worried about every vote.
  2787.  
  2788. JENNINGS: If you are someone who -- I'm trying to envision the voter who would go to the polls, say, you know, I was going to vote for Donald Trump, but then I found out he got the paperwork wrong because he had sex with somebody. I don't know who that person is. I don't know who that person is!
  2789.  
  2790. HUNT: I don't think that paperwork-wrong thing is, is. I mean, to Sarah's point, I mean, he would be convicted for -- the perception is not going to be paperwork.
  2791.  
  2792. JENNINGS: What's he being convicted for, then? If it's not a paperwork, what's he being --
  2793.  
  2794. HUNT: I understand that you are technically correct. I just think -- can anyone consume this -- it's like --
  2795.  
  2796. JENNINGS: The problem with this case is, no one can actually explain what he's being convicted for. It was obvious that the case was brought so they could put people on the stand to try to personally embarrass him. That's what it is.
  2797.  
  2798. HUNT: They were paying her to keep quiet so that voters, particularly women, wouldn't think badly of Trump before the election, right?
  2799.  
  2800. JENNINGS: [Facetiously] October, October of 2016: no one, no one IIknew that Donald Trump had had sex with lots of women out there, some of whom were not his wife. No one could have possibly known!
  2801. </description>
  2802.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 7:19 AM</pubDate>
  2803.    <dc:creator>Mark Finkelstein</dc:creator>
  2804.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284152</guid>
  2805.    </item>
  2806. <item>
  2807.  <title>BBC Runs Hit Piece on Slovakian Prime Minister Hours After He's SHOT in Assassination Attempt</title>
  2808.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/pj-gladnick/2024/05/16/bbc-runs-hit-piece-slovakian-prime-minister-hours-after-hes-shot</link>
  2809.  <description> There is a time and place to be critical of a political leader if you are a news organization. However, the time to be critical of such a person is most definitely NOT just hours after an assassination attempt in which such a person lies in a hospital in critical condition from multiple bullet wounds. And yet the BBC, with the soul of a ghoul, went ahead on Wednesday and did just that hours after the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot multiple times.
  2810.  
  2811. BBC Prague correspondent Rob Cameron somehow thought the very day of Fico being the gravely wounded victim of an assassination attempt would be a good time to write up this hit piece, "How Robert Fico rose to dominate Slovak politics."
  2812.  
  2813. First came the smear in Cameron's story followed by a medical description of the one he just smeared just a sentence earlier.
  2814.  
  2815.  
  2816. Robert Fico's ability to reinvent himself has kept him at the top of Slovakia’s politics despite repeated scandals.
  2817.  
  2818. Now surgeons are battling to save his life after an assassination attempt that followed a government meeting in a small town.
  2819.  
  2820.  
  2821. Class act, Rob. And true to form, Cameron reverted immediately to smear mode the very sentence after revealing his life threatening situation in the hospital.
  2822.  
  2823.  
  2824. His most recent fall from grace was in 2018, when mass protests forced his resignation in the wake of the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée.
  2825.  
  2826.  
  2827. What followed in the rest of the article was a cascade of slams directed at Fico fighting for his life in the hospital:
  2828.  
  2829.  
  2830. During the six months he has been in office this time, he and his coalition allies have taken a sledgehammer to Slovakia’s institutions.
  2831.  
  2832. Reform of the criminal justice system included abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, set up 20 years ago to investigation serious crime and corruption.
  2833.  
  2834. ...The national broadcaster – RTVS – is to be shut down in June and replaced with a new body with a new director.
  2835.  
  2836. Mr Fico says RTVS cannot be objective as it is in permanent conflict with his government, and this ‘unsustainable’ situation can only be rectified by replacing it.
  2837.  
  2838. Observers – including the opposition, the European Commission and the European Broadcasting Union – have warned the move would be a blow to media freedom in Slovakia.
  2839.  
  2840.  
  2841. "Public broadcasters" don't object when European governments dismantle "far-right public media," as NPR lauded Poland for well, "taking a sledgehammer" to the critical public broadcaster there. 
  2842.  
  2843.  
  2844. ...However if 59-year-old political veteran Mr Fico pulls through, he will likely draw new strength from this attempt on his life.
  2845.  
  2846. Amid the calls for calm and an end to the hateful rhetoric, his closest political allies are already laying the blame squarely on the liberal opposition and the media.
  2847.  
  2848. One coalition ally – deputy prime minister Andrej Danko – said the country was heading for "political war".
  2849.  
  2850. The political temperature has certainly risen in Slovakia since he formed what is his fourth administration in October.
  2851.  
  2852.  
  2853. Okay, BBC, we get that you have a great deal of antipathy towards Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who doesn't want to aid Ukraine. But on the very day of an assassination attempt upon him which left him critically wounded in a hospital, is it too much to expect you to give your hate a rest?</description>
  2854.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 5:51 AM</pubDate>
  2855.    <dc:creator>P.J. Gladnick</dc:creator>
  2856.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284186</guid>
  2857.    </item>
  2858. <item>
  2859.  <title>HAMAS MEDIA: CBS Evening News Observes ‘Nakba Day’</title>
  2860.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/16/hamas-media-cbs-evening-news-observes-nakba-day</link>
  2861.  <description>As pertains to the ongoing war in Gaza, CBS News continues to solidify its reputation as the most pro-Hamas among the networks. A brief report on the Biden administration’s request for new military assistance for Israel quickly turned into an opportunity to echo pro-Palestinian points and observe “al-Nakba”, which loosely translates to “Catastrophe Day”. 
  2862.  
  2863. Watch the aforementioned report in its entirety, as aired on the CBS Evening News on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024:
  2864.  
  2865.  
  2866.  
  2867.  
  2868.  
  2869.  
  2870. NORAH O’DONNELL: Turning now to the war in Gaza. The Biden administration is pushing Congress for a new billion-dollar weapons package for Israel, as so much humanitarian aid could be arriving within days for millions of Palestinians. A floating pier built by the U.S. military is now being moved into position off the Gaza coast. Food and supplies can't come soon enough for Palestinians, who today marked al-Nakba. That’s the Arabic term for the displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel 76 years ago.
  2871.  
  2872.  
  2873. There is a lot of actual information that was omitted from the report so that Norah O’Donnell could have the time to read the pro-Hamas talking points off of the teleprompter. For example, it is unclear when the billion-dollar military assistance package will actually arrive to Israel. But O’Donnell made sure to juxtapose that assistance with humanitarian aid due to arrive for displaced Palestinians.
  2874.  
  2875. Compare O’Donnell’s observance of al-Nakba with that of Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-The Squad). Their language is practically identical:
  2876.  
  2877.  
  2878. As we mark the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, we honor all the lives lost since the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians began, and the Palestinians who were forced from their homes and violently displaced from their land.
  2879. — Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) May 15, 2024
  2880. That is certainly one reading of history. The other is that when the British partitioned Mandatory Palestine, they created both a Jewish state and an Arab state, with the Jews accepting statehood and the Arabs refusing to live alongside the Jews. And that the real catastrophe (or nakba) happened when five Arab countries failed to expel Israel after they declared their independence a day before the start of what is now known as the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.
  2881.  
  2882. Whatever displacement happened, happened as the result of an eliminationist war waged against the Jewish state. Hamas’ barbaric October 7th attack has, unfortunately, triggered further needless displacement and death. This, unfortunately, is more nuance than can be crammed into a 30-second brief intended to elicit empathy for Palestine rather than to report facts.
  2883.  
  2884.  </description>
  2885.  <pubDate>May 16th, 2024 12:28 AM</pubDate>
  2886.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  2887.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284189</guid>
  2888.    </item>
  2889. <item>
  2890.  <title>2024 Presidential Debate Host ABC News Falsely Casts Biden As Issuing Debate Challenge</title>
  2891.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/15/2024-presidential-debate-host-abc-news-falsely-casts-biden</link>
  2892.  <description>The Regime Media kicked off their respective evening newscasts by hyping the upcoming presidential debates, which were just agreed to by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. But ABC News, aggressively Biden-servile and an announced debate host, chose to disinform the public by insisting on casting Biden as the one who challenged Trump to a debate, when the record reflects the exact opposite.
  2893.  
  2894. Watch as ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir, who will co-moderate the September 10th debate with Lindsey Davis, falsely depicts Biden as the aggressor before throwing over to Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce, who promptly does the same:
  2895.  
  2896.  
  2897.  
  2898.  
  2899.  
  2900.  
  2901. DAVID MUIR: Early today, president Biden issuing the challenge. Trump, who refused to debate his primary opponents, saying yes. And within hours, two debates were set, one in June, the other in September, right here on ABC. Our Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce leading us off at the White House tonight.
  2902.  
  2903. MARY BRUCE: Tonight, in a true campaign surprise, President Biden and Donald Trump agreeing to two one-on-one debates, the first just a few weeks from now, at the end of June, the earliest general election showdown in American history. Trump has been pushing for debates for months.
  2904.  
  2905. DONALD TRUMP: I'm trying to get him to debate.
  2906.  
  2907. BRUCE: This morning, Biden with this surprise challenge.
  2908.  
  2909. JOE BIDEN: Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice.
  2910.  
  2911. BRUCE: Biden then taunting Trump, referencing the one day a week that he's not tied up in court.
  2912.  
  2913. BIDEN: So let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays.
  2914.  
  2915.  
  2916. Note the sleight-of-word here: Right after Biden is said to have issued the challenge, Trump is depicted as “pushing for debates for months”. Biden is then again presented as the challenger.
  2917.  
  2918. Why insist on pushing such a blatant and easily refutable falsehood? Because it is the only way to cast Biden in a favorable light, as opposed to reporting that the incumbent President of the United States responded to his challenger after months of baiting. 
  2919.  
  2920. CBS’s Nancy Cordes took a less obvious but similar approach on the CBS Evening News:
  2921.  
  2922.  
  2923. NANCY CORDES: President Biden threw down the gauntlet at 8:00 A.M. Eastern, in a video posted online.
  2924.  
  2925. On the other hand, Cordes is more transparent about Biden doing the debate as a way to inject life into his flagging campaign:
  2926.  
  2927. CORDES: So why are these two debating in June, more than four months before the election? Well, the campaigns say it’s because so many people now vote early, but the Trump team is also looking for a way to turn the page after his criminal trial ends, while Biden, who is trailing in many polls, could use a strong head-to-head performance to remind voters why they went for him over Trump in 2020. 
  2928.  
  2929.  
  2930. NBC Nightly News was easily the most transparent of the three major networks:
  2931.  
  2932.  
  2933. PETER ALEXANDER: Tonight the stage is set for the first TV confrontation between President Biden and former President Trump in more than three years. The agreement punctuating a dizzying day of deal-making. The president posting this video responding to weeks of pressure from Mr. Trump for a debate.
  2934.  
  2935. …
  2936.  
  2937. Both sides bypassing the Commission on Presidential Debates' proposal for three fall showdowns. President Biden's decision comes after former President Trump repeatedly challenged him to debate.
  2938.  
  2939. DONALD TRUMP: You can see, we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That's for Joe Biden. I'm trying to get him to debate.
  2940.  
  2941.  
  2942. The clear and unequivocal truth is that Trump forced the issue on debates, and Biden accepted his challenge. Reporting the truth would not have changed much in the way of ABC’s report (and, to a lesser extent, CBS). But ABC insisted on casting Biden in the most favorable light, even at the expense of the truth.
  2943.  
  2944. If this is how ABC reports the debate announcement, how will they actually moderate the debate?  
  2945.  
  2946. Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned reports as aired on their respective evening newscasts on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024:
  2947.  
  2948. ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
  2949.  
  2950.  
  2951. DAVID MUIR: We do begin tonight with this presidential debate showdown now coming. President Biden and former President Trump both agreeing to two debates. The first in just a matter of weeks on CNN, before the conventions, the earliest debate ever for a general election. It will be the first debate stage faceoff, Biden versus Trump, since 2020, when they met twice. Early today, president Biden issuing the challenge. Trump, who refused to debate his primary opponents, saying yes. And within hours, two debates were set, one in June, the other in September, right here on ABC. Our Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce leading us off at the White House tonight.
  2952.  
  2953. MARY BRUCE: Tonight, in a true campaign surprise, President Biden and Donald Trump agreeing to two one-on-one debates, the first just a few weeks from now, at the end of June, the earliest general election showdown in American history. Trump has been pushing for debates for months.
  2954.  
  2955. DONALD TRUMP: I'm trying to get him to debate.
  2956.  
  2957. BRUCE: This morning, Biden with this surprise challenge.
  2958.  
  2959. JOE BIDEN: Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice.
  2960.  
  2961. BRUCE: Biden then taunting Trump, referencing the one day a week that he's not tied up in court.
  2962.  
  2963. BIDEN: So let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays.
  2964.  
  2965. BRUCE: Trump firing back, "Just tell me when. I'll be there. Let's get ready to rumble."
  2966.  
  2967. TRUMP: I really think he has to debate. He might as well get it over with. Probably should do it early so that he can -- you know, because -- he's not going to get any better.
  2968.  
  2969. BRUCE: A short time later, the debates were set, the first on June 27th hosted by CNN, before either candidate is declared the official nominee at their party's convention. And the second on September 10th hosted by ABC News, just weeks before voters head to the polls. There will be no live audience, just the moderators and the candidates themselves a television studio, face-to-face. 
  2970.  
  2971. And tonight, inside the campaigns, they are well aware the stakes are extremely high here. Both men confident that they can outperform the other. Donald Trump, of course, has been pushing for this for months. President Biden eager to show the stark differences between the two of them and jump-start this race. They both are now looking forward to this, of course, the first debate now coming, we know, June 27th on CNN. The second debate, at a key moment in the fall just weeks before the election, and ABC News will be having that debate on September 10th. And ABC News tonight is announcing the moderators of that debate, David Muir and Linsey Davis. David?
  2972.  
  2973. MUIR: We will all be very busy in the months ahead. Mary Bruce, among the team here covering this. Mary, thanks so much again. September 10th here on ABC.
  2974.  
  2975.  
  2976. CBS EVENING NEWS
  2977.  
  2978.  
  2979. NORAH O’DONNELL: The stage is set. The dates are picked, and President Biden and Donald Trump are already throwing jabs ahead of two presidential debates that are now on the calendar. Until today, it was unclear if there would be any general election debates, but that all changed this morning when the two men, who can't agree on anything, agreed in a matter of hours that they would face off on June 27th and September 10th. The first date, now just 43 days away, will be the earliest televised presidential debate in American history. CBS's Nancy Cordes starts us off tonight from the White House on how it all came together.
  2980.  
  2981. NANCY CORDES: President Biden threw down the gauntlet at 8:00 A.M. Eastern, in a video posted online.
  2982.  
  2983. JOE BIDEN: Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice.
  2984.  
  2985. CORDES: He even tossed it a dig at Trump's trial schedule, which currently keeps him in court four days a week.
  2986.  
  2987. BIDEN: So let’s pick the dates, Donald. I hear you’re free on Wednesdays.
  2988.  
  2989. CORDES: Nevertheless, within half an hour, Trump said he was in. 
  2990.  
  2991. DONALD TRUMP: I‘ve accepted the two, 100%.
  2992.  
  2993. CORDES: He added an insult of his own.
  2994.  
  2995. TRUMP: Probably should do it early so that he can, you know, he's not going to get any better.
  2996.  
  2997. CORDES: Just after 11:00 A.M., Trump's campaign upped the ante, calling for four debates over the next four months. By noon, both campaigns had accepted invitations for one debate in late June, and another in mid-September, though the Biden team appeared to turn down a third debate invitation that came from Fox News.
  2998.  
  2999. MICHAEL TYLER: The president has said he is willing to debate twice.
  3000.  
  3001. CORDES: Michael Tyler is communications director for the Biden campaign. 
  3002.  
  3003. CORDES: …think that President Trump wouldn't show up?
  3004.  
  3005. TYLER: Well, he certainly does have a history of complaining about debates, skipping out on debates.
  3006.  
  3007. CORDES: The two men squared off twice in 2020.
  3008.  
  3009. BIDEN: You are the worst president that America has ever had.
  3010.  
  3011. TRUMP: I’ve done more than you’ve done in 47 years, Joe.
  3012.  
  3013. CORDES: Those debates were so hostile, many wondered if there would be a sequel this year.
  3014.  
  3015. BIDEN: Will you shut up, man?
  3016.  
  3017. TRUMP: Listen, who is on your list, Joe?
  3018.  
  3019. BIDEN: This is so…
  3020.  
  3021. CHRIS WALLACE: Gentlemen 
  3022.  
  3023. BIDEN: This is so unpresidential.
  3024.  
  3025. CORDES: We asked voters in Philadelphia if they plan to watch this time.
  3026.  
  3027. VOTER: I might watch part of it. But I think it’ll just annoy me so much.
  3028.  
  3029. VOTER: I doubt it. I might, but I doubt it because I know what each one is going to say.
  3030.  
  3031. CORDES: So why are these two debating in June, more than four months before the election? Well, the campaigns say it’s because so many people now vote early, but the Trump team is also looking for a way to turn the page after his criminal trial ends, while Biden, who is trailing in many polls, could use a strong head-to-head performance to remind voters why they went for him over Trump in 2020. Norah.
  3032.  
  3033. O’DONNELL: Will be interesting. Nancy Cordes, thank you so much.
  3034.  
  3035.  
  3036. NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
  3037.  
  3038.  
  3039. LESTER HOLT: Good evening and welcome. Not one but two presidential debates are on the books tonight after an exchange of verbal taunts more akin to a prizefight promotion. President Biden and former President Trump have agreed to televised one-on-one debates, the first happening June 27th and notably without a live audience. The second one, September 10th. The arrangement first proposed by President Biden was quickly accepted by Mr. Trump, who refused to take part in this year's Republican primary debates. The first of the showdowns timed by the Biden campaign to take place before early voting begins. In the time being, the debate among pundits will likely be over which candidate has the most to gain or maybe lose. White Hhouse correspondent Peter Alexander now with how it all came together.
  3040.  
  3041. JOE BIDEN: Before I get started, I want to…
  3042.  
  3043. PETER ALEXANDER: Tonight the stage is set for the first TV confrontation between President Biden and former President Trump in more than three years. The agreement punctuating a dizzying day of deal-making. The president posting this video responding to weeks of pressure from Mr. Trump for a debate.
  3044.  
  3045. JOE BIDEN: Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then he hasn't shown up for debates. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.
  3046.  
  3047. ALEXANDER: The president taunting his rival over his Manhattan hush money trial that’s kept him in court four days a week.
  3048.  
  3049. BIDEN: So let's pick the dates, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays.
  3050.  
  3051. ALEXANDER: There are traditionally three debates. The president offering two. Mr. Trump, who refused all of the primary debates, quickly saying yes and pushing for more writing, “I am ready and willing to debate crooked Joe at the two proposed times. I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue. Just tell me when, I'll be there”. Within hours, a pair of debate dates were set- one in late June, another in September. Both sides bypassing the Commission on Presidential Debates' proposal for three fall showdowns. President Biden's decision comes after former President Trump repeatedly challenged him to debate.
  3052.  
  3053. DONALD TRUMP: You can see, we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That's for Joe Biden. I'm trying to get him to debate.
  3054.  
  3055. ALEXANDER: The June 27th face-off with no audience will come at a critical moment in the race, with recent polls showing Mr. Trump in a strong position in some key battleground states, and shortly after the former president's criminal trial is expected to wrap up. Today Senator Mitt Romney, a fierce Trump critic, arguing the president should have pardoned Mr. Trump.
  3056.  
  3057. MITT ROMNEY: I would have immediately pardoned him. I'd have pardoned President Trump. Why? Oh, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardon the little guy.
  3058.  
  3059. ALEXANDER: The debate is certain to be a bitter battle with the president and his predecessor trading insults.
  3060.  
  3061. TRUMP: The worst presidents-- take ‘em, give me the ten worst names. They haven't done the damage to our country that this total moron has done.
  3062.  
  3063. ALEXANDER: And from Mr. Biden just today:
  3064.  
  3065. BIDEN: The guy has sort of lost his mooring. He seems like the guy who just doesn't know what the hell he's doing anymore.
  3066.  
  3067. ALEXANDER: In an already unprecedented campaign, the first crucial clash now the earliest in modern history.
  3068.  
  3069. HOLT: ANd Peter, to be clear, this means this happens before the conventions?
  3070.  
  3071. ALEXANDER: That's right- likely even before Mr. Trump has picked his vice presidential nominee here. The former president is now saying that he accepted an offer for a third debate in October. The Biden campaign, though, they are brushing that off, Lester, telling me no more games, no more chaos and their words: President Biden will do TWO debates. 
  3072.  
  3073. HOLT: All right. Peter, thanks very much.
  3074.  
  3075.  
  3076.  </description>
  3077.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 11:24 PM</pubDate>
  3078.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  3079.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284188</guid>
  3080.    </item>
  3081. <item>
  3082.  <title>NewsBusters Podcast: Ad Nauseam Trump Trial, SHOCKING Debate Agreement</title>
  3083.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/15/newsbusters-podcast-ad-nauseam-trump-trial-shocking-debate</link>
  3084.  <description> The hush money trial of former President Trump is the only event happening in the world, according to the liberal cable news outlets perched outside the New York City courthouse like vultures. At least The View has their cracked courthouse correspondent inside the courtroom with a pair of binoculars trained on Trump. And just before Curtis Houck and I sat down to record; BREAKING NEWS across the wires: Presidential debates were announced!
  3085.  
  3086. I give the rundown on Sunny Hostin’s clownish and narcissistic coverage of the Trump trial. According to her, feverishly documenting every muscle twitch, eye glance, and whisper to counsel was not being don’t any other reporter in the room except for her.
  3087.  
  3088. And no, she wasn’t joking.
  3089.  
  3090. Curtis gives us an update on his tally of the network coverage of the trial and the embarrassing fact-check of former Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s new book proving that she lied about President Biden NOT looking at his watch during an inappropriate moment.
  3091.  
  3092. HINT: NewsBusters was on the bleeding edge of that story!
  3093.  
  3094. We also discuss the plans for the upcoming debates and how the coordinated icing out of the presidential commission on debates could have the democracy the liberal media purports to defend.
  3095.  
  3096. Enjoy the podcast below or wherever you listen to podcasts.
  3097.  
  3098. </description>
  3099.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 8:39 PM</pubDate>
  3100.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  3101.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284184</guid>
  3102.    </item>
  3103. <item>
  3104.  <title>PBS Drools Over Dem Success on Abortion Issue: 'Could You Ever Vote Republican Again?'</title>
  3105.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2024/05/15/pbs-drools-over-dem-success-abortion-issue-could-you-ever-vote</link>
  3106.  <description> The PBS NewsHour on Monday attempted to bolster the struggling Biden re-election campaign by focusing on a purported Democratic issue, abortion -- or as PBS labels it, “reproductive health care” -- in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in all 50 states. It’s a partisan tactic they’ve tried several times before both on weekdays and the weekend edition.
  3107.  
  3108. Monday’s story featured the program’s most biased reporter, political correspondent Laura Barron-Lopez, complete with labeling bias. Besides the euphemistic references to “reproductive health care” and the “right to choose” a "procedure," the reporter used the term "conservative" twice, but no liberal or even “progressive” ones.
  3109.  
  3110.  
  3111. Amna Nawaz: Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, Republicans have banned abortion in 14 states and restricted it in more. But, when given the chance, voters have overwhelmingly supported ballot initiatives to protect access to the procedure. This election year, abortion will again be a defining issue. Laura Barron-Lopez reports from the battleground of Michigan, where Democrats plan to keep reproductive health care front and center.
  3112.  
  3113. Annie Sharkus, Michigan Voter [to her child]: You got it? Great job.
  3114.  
  3115. Laura Barron-Lopez: Raised in a deeply religious and conservative household, Annie Sharkus stayed out of politics, until the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
  3116.  
  3117. Sharkus: I gathered signatures. We organized, like, a rally. I gave a speech at one, started going to, like, coffee hours and things like that with our local politicians, just getting more involved, because I didn't want my kids to look back at this point in time and say, like, OK, well, what did you do, and I couldn't tell them that I did nothing.
  3118.  
  3119.  
  3120. Sharkus told PBS she doesn’t “specifically identify as Democrat or Republican,” but if you can't ever imagine voting for Republicans again, you sound like a Democrat. 
  3121.  
  3122.  
  3123.  
  3124.  
  3125. Barron-Lopez: Do you think that you could ever vote Republican again?
  3126.  
  3127. Sharkus: I don't think that I would with the current direction that the Republican Party is going. I am so far from identifying with what they want to happen that I don't see it ever happening.
  3128.  
  3129. Barron-Lopez: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin wants to keep women like Annie squarely in the Democratic column. Her message to voters, abortion will always be on the ballot.
  3130.  
  3131. ...When voters turned out for abortion rights in Michigan in 2022, it was a victory for Democrats. In 2024, they're trying to replicate that success here and in states across the country. Slotkin, now running for the U.S. Senate, is one of many down-ballot Democratic candidates trying to maintain urgency.
  3132.  
  3133.  
  3134. Shanay Watson-Whittaker of Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) combined belief in God with the “right to choose” abortion. Slotkin has been endorsed by this abortion lobbying group, and boasts a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record. But neither Slotkin nor the abortion lobby are apparently "liberal" or "leftist."
  3135.  
  3136. Even the conservative in the story sounded liberal on the issue, not wanting to make it a federal issue.
  3137.  
  3138.  
  3139. Barron-Lopez: Nolan Finley is the conservative opinion editor at The Detroit News. What exactly would you like to see either the presidential nominee, Donald Trump, lay out or other Republicans across the board in terms of the specific policy towards abortion?
  3140.  
  3141.  
  3142. When asked by the reporter to pin down a time frame during the pregnancy, Finley was amenable to a ban after 20 weeks, far past the first trimester of pregnancy.
  3143.  
  3144.  
  3145. Finley: Fifteen, maybe twenty, wherever -- somewhere in that range where people can settle and say, this is fair. This allows people time to make their decision….
  3146.  
  3147.  
  3148. There were a couple of a Trump soundbites as well, so it wasn't completely one-sided. After soundbites from two other pro-abortion voters, Barron-Lopez huddled up again with Rep. Slotkin and gave her the last word, sounding the “wakeup call for Democrats” against the party’s previous “complacency” on the issue.
  3149.  
  3150. This pro-abortion, pro-Democratic segment was brought to you in part by Cunard.
  3151.  
  3152. A transcript is available, click “Expand.”
  3153.  
  3154.  
  3155. PBS NewsHour
  3156.  
  3157. 5/13/24
  3158.  
  3159. 7:24:01 p.m. (ET)
  3160.  
  3161. Amna Nawaz: Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, Republicans have banned abortion in 14 states and restricted it in more. But, when given the chance, voters have overwhelmingly supported ballot initiatives to protect access to the procedure.
  3162.  
  3163. This election year, abortion will again be a defining issue.
  3164.  
  3165. Laura Barron-Lopez reports from the battleground of Michigan, where Democrats plan to keep reproductive health care front and center.
  3166.  
  3167. Annie Sharkus, Michigan Voter: You got it? Great job.
  3168.  
  3169. Laura Barron-Lopez: Raised in a deeply religious and conservative household, Annie Sharkus stayed out of politics, until the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
  3170.  
  3171. Annie Sharkus: I gathered signatures. We organized, like, a rally. I gave a speech at one, started going to, like, coffee hours and things like that with our local politicians, just getting more involved, because I didn't want my kids to look back at this point in time and say, like, OK, well, what did you do, and I couldn't tell them that I did nothing.
  3172.  
  3173. Laura Barron-Lopez: Now abortion access is protected in Michigan, but voters are still thinking about it.
  3174.  
  3175. Even though it's not on the ballot in Michigan this time around, do you still think that it is a top issue for a lot of voters?
  3176.  
  3177. Annie Sharkus: Even if we're not worried about it in our state in particular, yes, it's definitely something that people are using to gauge how they're voting.
  3178.  
  3179. Laura Barron-Lopez: The stay-at-home mom of two, who lives in the suburbs of Detroit, isn't excited to vote for Joe Biden. But Annie thinks he will ultimately make access to abortion safer.
  3180.  
  3181. Annie Sharkus: With voting for Joe Biden, it is hard, because I'm not a single-issue voter. I don't specifically identify as Democrat or Republican. While I will vote for him, I wish that there was another option.
  3182.  
  3183. Laura Barron-Lopez: Do you think that you could ever vote Republican again?
  3184.  
  3185. Annie Sharkus: I don't think that I would with the current direction that the Republican Party is going. I am so far from identifying with what they want to happen that I don't see it ever happening.
  3186.  
  3187. Laura Barron-Lopez: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin wants to keep women like Annie squarely in the Democratic column. Her message to voters, abortion will always be on the ballot.
  3188.  
  3189. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI): The other side has made this a central issue for them for 50 years. Their actions speak louder than words. And their actions are currently, like, as we speak, trying to threaten a woman's right to choose, and people see that.
  3190.  
  3191. Laura Barron-Lopez: When voters turned out for abortion rights in Michigan in 2022, it was a victory for Democrats. In 2024, they're trying to replicate that success here and in states across the country.
  3192.  
  3193. Slotkin, now running for the U.S. Senate, is one of many downballot Democratic candidates trying to maintain urgency.
  3194.  
  3195. Rep. Elissa Slotkin: We have to understand that most people see this as a kitchen table issue. A decision about whether to have a child or not is the most profound kitchen table issue that we have. It's not separate from inflation. It's not separate from the economy.
  3196.  
  3197. It's like your whole family trajectory and whether you are going to be able to afford that life.
  3198.  
  3199. Laura Barron-Lopez: What happened in Michigan became a blueprint for how to organize around abortion effectively. Ohio followed suit in 2023. Now the right to an abortion will be on the ballot this November in three states, including Florida, which currently bans any kind of termination after six weeks of pregnancy.
  3200.  
  3201. And similar initiatives could end up on the ballot in up to nine other states this year, including the battlegrounds of Arizona and Nevada.
  3202.  
  3203. Shanay Watson-Whittaker, Reproductive Freedom for All: What happened in 2022 wasn't an anomaly.
  3204.  
  3205. Laura Barron-Lopez: Back in Michigan, state activists like Shanay Watson-Whittaker, who works for the nonprofit Reproductive Freedom for All, were instrumental in mobilizing voters in 2022. Two years later, she's sharing that strategy.
  3206.  
  3207. Shanay Watson-Whittaker: Michigan, for a lot of folks, has been like a North Star. We specifically and intentionally had conversations with Black clergy, with clergy from other denominations, sat them down and talked about reproductive freedom.
  3208.  
  3209. What people forget are that clergy are humans. They have experienced loss — miscarriage loss. They have had abortions. We believe in God and we believe in Jesus. And,at the same time, we believe that government should not interfere with a woman's right to choose.
  3210.  
  3211. Laura Barron-Lopez: Meanwhile, Republicans who cheered the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe are struggling to find their footing.
  3212.  
  3213. In March, the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump, spoke favorably of a national 15-week abortion ban.
  3214.  
  3215. Donald Trump, Former President of the United States (R) and Current U.S. Presidential Candidate: People are really — even hard-liners are agreeing, seems to be — 15 weeks seems to be a number that people are agreeing at.
  3216.  
  3217. Laura Barron-Lopez: Then, last month, he flip-flopped, saying states could decide for themselves.
  3218.  
  3219. Donald Trump: The states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state.
  3220.  
  3221. Laura Barron-Lopez: Still, some top Republicans in Congress support the national 15-week ban and measures that would make it a crime to transport minors across state lines for an abortion without parental consent.
  3222.  
  3223. Donald Trump: Thank you, Wisconsin.
  3224.  
  3225. Laura Barron-Lopez: More recently, Trump told "TIME" magazine he'd allow states to both monitor pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans.
  3226.  
  3227. Nolan Finley, Opinion Editor, The Detroit News: Republicans keep handing Democrats this issue every election cycle. It never seems to be out of the political picture.
  3228.  
  3229. Laura Barron-Lopez: Nolan Finley is the conservative opinion editor at The Detroit News.
  3230.  
  3231. What exactly would you like to see either the presidential nominee, Donald Trump, lay out or other Republicans across the board in terms of the specific policy towards abortion?
  3232.  
  3233. Nolan Finley: Well, I would like them to stay away from a federal policy. I think that's what's the point of the Dobbs ruling. But I think the Nikki Haley solution of let's all sit down and find out where we can agree in terms of a point in the pregnancy where were going to say you have had time to make your choice.
  3234.  
  3235. Laura Barron-Lopez: Whether it's six, 15 weeks?
  3236.  
  3237. Nolan Finley: Fifteen, maybe 20, wherever — somewhere in that range where people can settle and say, this is fair. This allows people time to make their decision. This allows you to deal with rape and incest, et cetera, but it also prevents something I think most people would be opposed to, and that is abortion in the last month or so of pregnancy.
  3238.  
  3239. Laura Barron-Lopez: For voters we spoke to in Lansing, they're heeding calls that abortion is an issue to turn out for in November.
  3240.  
  3241. Matt Allswede, Michigan Voter: Michigan voters, they recognize that this is an issue that goes beyond the borders of the state of Michigan.
  3242.  
  3243. Susan Anderson, Michigan Voter: I think we have all found out that we cannot rest on our laurels, that we must come out and vote for the right people.
  3244.  
  3245. Laura Barron-Lopez: Ultimately, Roe was a wakeup call for Democrats like Congresswoman Slotkin, one that she says exposed their party's complacency.
  3246.  
  3247. Rep. Elissa Slotkin: I think we let ourselves get comfortable, that we didn't believe the other side when they said, we're coming for Roe v. Wade and we want to overturn it. We saw all that happening, but we just had a failure of imagination.
  3248.  
  3249. What I want to do is say publicly to the whole country that we have a 10-year plan to get back to a federal right to an abortion. We're not going to let it just be a state issue. We're actually going to organize and mobilize to do the thing we didn't do for 50 years, which is pass a piece of federal legislation to codify Roe.
  3250.  
  3251. Laura Barron-Lopez: The results in November could determine if Slotkin's plans takes 10 years or another 50. For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Laura Barron-Lopez in Michigan.
  3252.  
  3253.  
  3254.  
  3255.  
  3256.  
  3257.  
  3258.  </description>
  3259.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 7:51 PM</pubDate>
  3260.    <dc:creator>Clay Waters</dc:creator>
  3261.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284174</guid>
  3262.    </item>
  3263. <item>
  3264.  <title>Deeply Disturbed Scarborough Accuses New York Times Of Rigging Polls AGAINST Biden!</title>
  3265.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2024/05/15/deeply-disturbed-scarborough-accuses-new-york-times-rigging</link>
  3266.  <description> As we've noted in the past, Mika Brzezinski has expressed concerns over the fragile psyche of her husband and co-host Joe Scarborough, at one point ordering him to take an extended break from the show. Mika might be inclined to give Joe another long time-out after his disturbed and disturbing performance on Wednesday's Morning Joe. Scarborough absolutely freaked out [see screencap and Mika's stone-faced reaction] over a New York Times/Siena poll showing Trump leading in five out of six swing states.
  3267.  
  3268. Note that the show never actually displayed the bad-for-Biden poll results in question on screen, no doubt not wanting to provide them any additional publicity.
  3269.  
  3270. Scarborough began by saying that he believed in conspiracy theories, and believed that the Times had entered into a conspiracy with psychiatrists in blue states to split the profits on psychiatric care in return for the Times using skewed methodology in Trump's favor.
  3271.  
  3272. Joe was - at least we hope - kidding about that.
  3273.  
  3274. But Scarborough was dead serious when he accused the Times of rigging the polls against Biden in order to write clickbait stories about them:
  3275.  
  3276.  
  3277. Maybe they're trying to make up for '20, when they skewed in Biden's direction by about four or five points? But every one of these New York Times/Siena polls have been wildly skewed when you compare them to other polls that come out at the same time. (...) And by the way, people are calling Mika, saying this is a just reaction to one poll. No. You can go back. You can look at the tape. We do this every time when the New York Times/Siena poll comes out. It's always an outlier, and the New York Times always gets 15 or 16 articles out of them that everybody rushes to, because it says, Earth ends at 5:00. Hit link at New York Times, 15 times, and they keep writing articles about it. 
  3278.  
  3279.  
  3280.  
  3281.  
  3282.  
  3283.  
  3284.  
  3285.  
  3286.  
  3287.  
  3288. At one point, an incredulous John Heilemann put it to Scarborough: "You're saying the New York Times is systematically putting these polls out in a way to try to amplify them to drive the news cycle?"
  3289.  
  3290. Responded Scarborough: "Yes. Yes, I am saying that."
  3291.  
  3292. Scarborough rudely shouted down Heilemann, who had very politely and cautiously tried to differ ever so slightly in his take (Click "expand"):
  3293.  
  3294.  
  3295. HEILEMANN: I'm not saying it's not close. I'm not going to carry water for the New York Times or the methodology of this poll. I would keep going back to the thing that I try to say every time we talk about these things. Which is, that I'm really interested in -- and I know you know this. What are the polls showing us directionally about the race?
  3296.  
  3297. SCARBOROUGH: I understand. There's a difference, though, with the New York Times/ Siena poll, and you know this. It's given disproportionate impact. This year, this cycle, it is skewed wildly in Donald Trump's direction. [Heilemann tries to speak.]
  3298.  
  3299. Hold on. And the New York Times feasts on it with clickbait stories, like, a dozen at a time.
  3300.  
  3301. HEILEMANN: And I, what I'm trying to focus on is what I think people should pay attention to [tries to continue]--
  3302.  
  3303. SCARBOROUGH: -- [Interrupting] But what I'm trying to focus on is, the New York Times right now is actively shaping the election cycles, where this poll comes out on a Sunday, and on Monday, people go, oh -- and I heard it! And I'm sitting there going, don't be so stupid.
  3304.  
  3305. That's why we're doing this. [Heilemann tries to respond. Scarborough shouts.] 
  3306.  
  3307. Hold on. No! No! Hold on a second. Hold on. No, no, no, no,. Hold on.
  3308.  
  3309.  
  3310. We recently noted evidence that wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski was getting fed up with Scarborough's insolent, incessant interruptions of her. Combine that with Scarborough's intemperate big-footing of Heilemann today, and his explicitly expressed belief that the New York Times—of all media outlets—was manipulating its polls against Biden, and serious questions arise about Scarborough's mental state.
  3311.  
  3312. Note: Scarborough mentioned that when NPR looked into some of the people quoted in Times articles saying they voted for Biden in 2020 but are now switching to Trump, it was found that they had never voted before. Could be. But ask yourself: when asked by a reporter or pollster about their presidential preference, who was the average person less likely to admit they prefer? Good Ol' Joe Biden, or Trump, whom the media consistently portrays as a monster who will end democracy forever?
  3313.  
  3314. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  3315.  
  3316.  
  3317. MSNBC
  3318. Morning Joe
  3319. 5/15/23
  3320. 6:11 am EDT
  3321.  
  3322. JOE SCARBOROUGH: I have said for the past couple of days, as I've said for the past couple of months, that -- and I believe now that there is a conspiracy. And I do believe in conspiracies. I think psychiatrists in blue states have conspired with the New York Times/Siena pollsters and said, listen: we'll split the profits on psychiatric care if you guys will, will, will have the craziest methodology, which they always have.
  3323.  
  3324. Maybe they're trying to make up for '20, when they skewed in Biden's direction by about four or five points? But every one of these New York Times/Siena polls have been wildly skewed when you compare them to other polls that come out at the same time.
  3325.  
  3326. . . . 
  3327.  
  3328. And by the way, people are calling Mika, saying this is a just reaction to one poll. No. You can go back. You can look at the tape. We do this every time when the New York Times/Siena poll comes out. It's always an outlier, and the New York Times always gets 15 or 16 articles out of them that everybody rushes to, because it says, Earth ends at 5:00. Hit link at New York Times, 15 times, and they keep writing articles about it. 
  3329.  
  3330. There are, and NPR has found some of these voters that said, well you know, I voted for Biden before. And they said, but wait. This guy, we checked the voting rolls. He has never voted.
  3331.  
  3332. Other news organizations offer three, four more examples. Not just of people in the surveys but people the New York Times quoted in their article: "Well, here's one of many people we interviewed who said he's disillusioned and is going to vote for Trump." No record of him voting.
  3333.  
  3334. JOHN HEILEMANN: Yeah.
  3335.  
  3336. MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Okay?
  3337.  
  3338. HEILEMANN: You know --
  3339.  
  3340. MIKA: Are you feeling something, John Heilemann, that you want to say?
  3341.  
  3342. HEILEMANN: I think sometimes as a general matter, there's maybe an overreliance on voters telling the truth about things in general. Hate to say it. Reporters find this occasionally that reporters lie.
  3343.  
  3344. Here is what I say about this poll. If I were to ask you this question, Joe: do you know anybody on either side who doesn't think that it's the case that of the battleground states, that Joe Biden is stronger in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin than he is in Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia?
  3345.  
  3346. SCARBOROUGH: It sounds about right. I've seen some polls that show Georgia's very close. Greg Bluestein actually had an article that says the CNN poll is wildly off.
  3347.  
  3348. HEILEMANN: I'm not saying it's not close. I'm not going to carry water for the New York Times or the methodology of this poll. I would keep going back to the thing that I try to say every time we talk about these things. Which is, that I'm really interested in -- and I know you know this. What are the polls showing us directionally about the race?
  3349.  
  3350. SCARBOROUGH: I understand. There's a difference, though, with the New York Times/ Siena poll, and you know this. It's given disproportionate impact. This year, this cycle, it is skewed wildly in Donald Trump's direction. [Heilemann tries to speak.]
  3351.  
  3352. Hold on. And the New York Times feasts on it with clickbait stories, like, a dozen at a time.
  3353.  
  3354. HEILEMANN: And I, what I'm trying to focus on is what I think people should pay attention to [tries to continue]--
  3355.  
  3356. SCARBOROUGH: -- [Interrupting] But what I'm trying to focus on is, the New York Times right now is actively shaping the election cycles, where this poll comes out on a Sunday, and on Monday, people go, oh -- and I heard it! And I'm sitting there going, don't be so stupid.
  3357.  
  3358. That's why we're doing this. [Heilemann tries to respond. Scarborough shouts.] 
  3359.  
  3360. Hold on. No! No! Hold on a second. Hold on. No, no, no, no,. Hold on. What I hear is after these Siena polls come out, every time: oh, well, everything that Joe Biden's done since the, since the State of the Union address, all these, all this money he has put out. All of the campaigning is for naught. 
  3361.  
  3362. No, it's not! No, it's not! There's one poll that's wildly skewed every time. And it does shape -- if it's a New York Times poll versus a Morning Consult poll and the New York Times then amplifies it 15, 16, 17, times, it, it, it warps reality and everybody responds to that in the media and in the political world.
  3363.  
  3364. HEILEMANN: So if you're -- all I'd say about this is that I agree with you. That the problem to me, unless you want to speculate, unless you want to suggest you think there is a conspiracy at the Times about this which you're --
  3365.  
  3366. SCARBOROUGH: Their methodology is bizarre and Larry Sabato said this, Wall Street [Journal] said that.
  3367.  
  3368. HEILEMANN: Joe, you're saying something more than that. You're saying the New York Times is systematically putting these polls out in a way to try to amplify them to drive the news cycle.
  3369.  
  3370. SCARBOROUGH: Yes. Yes, I am saying that.
  3371.  
  3372. HEILEMANN: And I'm  saying, I'm not, I'd like to know,  I'm curious, as somebody who understands your level of sophistication about reading the media, why you think that's true. What I'm trying to say is, I agree with you. The best bulwark against any polls, outliers or anything else, is for people who are actually consumers of this information, is to not let these -- any given news outlet, or any given poll, shape your perception of the race unduly.
  3373.  
  3374. SCARBOROUGH: But John, that's not realistic. And I'll tell you why it's not realistic. Because, and I'll say to you, I know people come up to you after every New York Times/Siena poll comes out. It completely changes the political battlefield out there for about a week, week-and-a-half. It distorts the questions that are asked of the White House. It distorts the questions that are asked of Donald Trump. It distorts all of the opinion. It distorts everything. 
  3375.  
  3376. And that keeps happening every month when this comes out. And then finally, about two weeks later, after the residue of the New York Times/Siena poll leaves, people go, I think Joe Biden's on a winning streak. And then two weeks later it comes out again, and it's garbage. It's an outlier.
  3377.  
  3378. And yes, the New York Times,  when they have all of these experts questioning the methodology. When they're calling about 20% of the people likely voters who have never voted before, or didn't vote in the last two primaries. When they're even quoting people who say they're switching their vote from Joe Biden, who have never voted before? I'm sorry! The New York Times has to know what they are doing!
  3379. </description>
  3380.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 6:46 PM</pubDate>
  3381.    <dc:creator>Mark Finkelstein</dc:creator>
  3382.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284175</guid>
  3383.    </item>
  3384. <item>
  3385.  <title>Dorsey Spills on Twitter’s ‘Problematic’ Collusion with Gov’t Censors </title>
  3386.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/christian-baldwin/2024/05/15/dorsey-spills-twitters-problematic-collusion-govt</link>
  3387.  <description>Jack Dorsey, the founder and former CEO of Twitter (now X), admitted that Twitter’s relationship with the government was (and potentially still is) “problematic.” 
  3388.  
  3389.  
  3390.  
  3391. Mike Solana, editor-in-chief of Pirate Wires, sat down for an interview with Dorsey, and the pair discussed some of the problems that arise from governments worldwide attempting to censor speech on social media.
  3392.  
  3393. Since the release of the Twitter Files, there has been much scrutiny surrounding the relationship between Big Tech and the Federal Government. Dorsey called the collusion between these entities “problematic.” However, he also claimed, unbeknownst to the public, that there was some pushback from Twitter employees to the government’s censorship instructions.
  3394.  
  3395. “I also don't think the people who got called out in the Twitter Files get enough credit for pushing back on government requests,” Dorsey said. “The U.S. is certainly one of them.”
  3396.  
  3397. The U.S. government was by no means the only government hounding Twitter and now X to censor.   
  3398.  
  3399. According to Dorsey, Twitter (now X) has traditionally complied with government censorship requests to some extent. However, he alleged that Musk is more willing to ban accounts at the request of foreign governments. 
  3400.  
  3401. There are certain loopholes, however. 
  3402.  
  3403. “You can take the content down within the country, but it's still available to the rest of the world,” said Dorsey. “But if someone in that country has a VPN, they can still see it. And I think governments are wise to this now, so today they're asking to take content down in every single market.” 
  3404.  
  3405. Dorsey cited the recently relevant example of Australia. “But what you saw with Australia recently, is the prime minister asked Twitter and Elon to take some content down everywhere, instead of just within the Australian market,” Dorsey said. “I think you'll see more and more of that stuff.”
  3406.  
  3407. When asked if there’s a chance social media companies will survive this effort, Dorsey said, “There’s absolutely no way.” He added, “You’ll have phases, but that doesn’t exist forever. Elon will fight in the way he fights, and I appreciate that, but he could certainly be compromised. Or something could happen to him, and then what happens to the whole platform?”
  3408.  
  3409. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  3410.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 5:01 PM</pubDate>
  3411.    <dc:creator>Christian Baldwin</dc:creator>
  3412.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284185</guid>
  3413.    </item>
  3414. <item>
  3415.  <title>The View Cheers Debate Limitations: Having an Audience ‘Doesn't Serve’ Biden</title>
  3416.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/15/view-cheers-debate-limitations-having-audience-doesnt-serve</link>
  3417.  <description> Shortly before ABC’s The View went to air, word was finally announced that both the Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to two debates; one with CNN in June and one in September with ABC. But it was two demands made by Team Biden that had captured most everyone’s interest: no audiences and mics would be cut off. Of course, the liberal ladies of The View cheered the rules with one saying the quiet part out loud and admitting that an audience would hurt President Biden.
  3418.  
  3419. After spending several minutes bragging about being at a Disney party the previous night, the cast finally got around to talking about the debate. And the first thing they did was share how relieved they were that Biden’s demands were agreed to:
  3420.  
  3421.  
  3422. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Here's what I really appreciate. Biden is saying, no audience.
  3423.  
  3424. JOY BEHAR: Good.
  3425.  
  3426. GOLDBERG: And that the mics must be cut once -
  3427.  
  3428. SARA HAINES: I love this.
  3429.  
  3430. GOLDBERG: -- the time to answer the question has expired.
  3431.  
  3432. SUNNY HOSTIN: Yes.
  3433.  
  3434. [Cheers and applause]
  3435.  
  3436.  
  3437. No one questioned the suspicious timing of the announce since it came shortly after the Biden campaign put out a highly edited video of the President challenging Trump to exactly two debates. But faux-conservative Alyssa Farah Griffin proclaimed, “It was smart of Biden to get ahead of this by challenging Trump and I think it's a recognition that they're neck and neck in the polls.”
  3438.  
  3439.  
  3440.  
  3441.  
  3442.  
  3443.  
  3444.  
  3445.  
  3446.  
  3447. Of course, she was completely ignoring the fact that Trump had challenged Biden to debate weeks ago after becoming the presumptive Republican nominee. But who’s counting?
  3448.  
  3449. Farah Griffin praised the “roadblocks” as “critical” and argued that “cutting off the mics is the most important or it can descend into absolute chaos.”
  3450.  
  3451. Staunchly racist and anti-Semitic co-host Sunny Hostin (the descendant of slave owners) proclaimed that “Biden clearly has the edge” because he could cite the charges brought against Trump by Democratic D.A.s and his Justice Department:
  3452.  
  3453.  
  3454. HOSTIN: Every answer starts with, “well, my opponent, who has been criminally convicted.”
  3455.  
  3456. BEHAR: That's right.
  3457.  
  3458. HOSTIN: Or, “Well, my opponent who’s facing--”
  3459.  
  3460. BEHAR: Impeached.
  3461.  
  3462. HOSTIN: “Who has been twice impeached.” “My opponent, who is facing three other criminal trials.” I mean, it's gold. It's very easy.
  3463.  
  3464.  
  3465. Co-host Joy Behar was confused and didn’t seem to understand that Trump had already agreed to the debates. “I don't think that Biden should have projected that he wants no audience and the mic should be cut off,” she fretted. “But it gives [Trump] a way to get out of it by saying ‘Look, I’m not doing it without an audience.’”
  3466.  
  3467.  
  3468.  
  3469.  
  3470. Here's 2 1/2 minutes of Joy Behar not understanding that there will not be an audience at the CNN debate and that Trump already agreed to it.
  3471. She declared Trump is "going to stack the audience with Trumpers."
  3472. The rest of the cast had to repeatedly tell her Trump already agreed to… pic.twitter.com/JSElATKAKl
  3473. — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) May 15, 2024
  3474.  
  3475.  
  3476. The rest of the cast had to repeatedly tell her Trump already agreed to it, but it didn’t sink in for a couple of minutes (Click “expand”):
  3477.  
  3478.  
  3479. BEHAR: We were talking about the debates and I wanted to say that I don't think that Biden should have projected that he wants no audience and the mic should be cut off.
  3480.  
  3481. HAINES: Oh, I do. I think so.
  3482.  
  3483. BEHAR: I think that CNN should have said to the two them, “this is the debate.”
  3484.  
  3485. GOLDBERG: You know they're not going to do that.
  3486.  
  3487. BEHAR: “We’re not telling you-” and also no audience. An audience distracts everybody.
  3488.  
  3489. GOLDBERG: Yes. Well, that's what Biden –
  3490.  
  3491. FARAH GRIFFIN: But Trump agreed to it, so that what’s happening.
  3492.  
  3493. GOLDBERG: So, it'll be interesting.
  3494.  
  3495. HAINES: But Biden needed to get out in front of it. I would actually disagree with Joy and say he had to project that, because if they arranged it for the best TV moment and all been in those times it doesn't serve him.
  3496.  
  3497. BEHAR: But it gives him a way to get out of it by saying “Look, I’m not doing it without an audience.”
  3498.  
  3499. FARAH GRIFFIN: He agreed to it.
  3500.  
  3501. HAINES: He agreed to it.
  3502.  
  3503. BEHAR: We'll see.
  3504.  
  3505.  
  3506. Despite the insistence from the rest of the cast that were would be no audience, Behar was still leery that Trump was "going to stack the audience with Trumpers."
  3507.  
  3508. “It’s like you have Bozo the Clown on one side and you’ve got a statesman on the other who has had years under his belt of being in the Senate. He knows what he's talking about,” she predicted.
  3509.  
  3510. Someone get Joy a mirror.
  3511.  
  3512. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  3513.  
  3514.  
  3515. ABC’s The View
  3516. May 15, 2024
  3517. 11:07:01 a.m. Eastern
  3518.  
  3519. (…)
  3520.  
  3521. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Here's what I really appreciate. Biden is saying, no audience.
  3522.  
  3523. JOY BEHAR: Good.
  3524.  
  3525. GOLDBERG: And that the mics must be cut once -
  3526.  
  3527. SARA HAINES: I love this.
  3528.  
  3529. GOLDBERG: -- the time to answer the question has expired.
  3530.  
  3531. SUNNY HOSTIN: Yes.
  3532.  
  3533. [Cheers and applause]
  3534.  
  3535. GOLDBERG: And I kind of -- I think it's fair and I don't -- I think it's at CNN.
  3536.  
  3537. SARA HAINES: It is.
  3538.  
  3539. BEHAR: CNN.
  3540.  
  3541. GOLDBERG: So it's CNN. And I'm hoping us because the last time -- I don't know if it was CNN that was moderating it but when they -- when the moderators allowed him to go behind Hillary Clinton --
  3542.  
  3543. HOSTIN: The stalking.
  3544.  
  3545. GOLDBERG: --and stalk her and they didn't say, “hey--
  3546.  
  3547. HOSTIN: “Get back to the podium.”
  3548.  
  3549. GOLDBERG: -- get back to the podium.” This is -- people always say, what was it -- what was the crowning thing where -- because I always said he's gonna. He's gonna win when he was running against Hillary. I always said it was never a doubt. I said, when I saw people recognize her getting stalked and didn't stop it.
  3550.  
  3551. BEHAR: Yeah.
  3552.  
  3553. HAINES: Yeah.
  3554.  
  3555. BEHAR: There were a lot of signposts.
  3556.  
  3557. GOLDBERG: There were a lot of signposts that for me said -- then there were the people who were saying, you know, I love him because he knows what he's doing. I watch his show.
  3558.  
  3559. BEHAR: Yeah, yeah.
  3560.  
  3561. GOLDBERG: There was a lot of that and so we're all -- I'm hoping this debate happens. I think it's a good idea. It's good for us, you know, and D.T. will have to get his poop together.
  3562.  
  3563. [Crosstalk]
  3564.  
  3565. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: It was smart of Biden to get ahead of this by challenging Trump and I think it's a recognition that they're neck and neck in the polls. And I think the Biden team is recognizing maybe the trial isn't breaking through in the way that having Donald Trump in every American living room answering tough policy questions head-to-head with him will remind them who he is, what his second term will look like.
  3566.  
  3567. I think it's critical that they do have these roadblocks in place, cutting offer the mics is the most important or it can descend into absolute chaos. And I remind folks, I've been for debates always. I understand he's ridiculously unfit for office but this is for the Americans whether we --
  3568.  
  3569. GOLDBERG: For us.
  3570.  
  3571. FARAH GRIFFIN: Who are undecided still. They need to see it. They need to hear it and need answers to questions. I think it's good for democracy.
  3572.  
  3573. HOSTIN: I think it's good for democracy. The only thing is, if you look at the statistics, you know, a lot of people don't watch the debates and a lot of people don't make their decision based on the debates so that's a little bit disappointing but I will say this, I mean, Biden clearly has the edge. Every answer starts with, “well, my opponent, who has been criminally convicted.”
  3574.  
  3575. BEHAR: That's right.
  3576.  
  3577. HOSTIN: Or, “Well, my opponent who’s facing--”
  3578.  
  3579. BEHAR: Impeached.
  3580.  
  3581. HOSTIN: “Who has been twice impeached.” “My opponent, who is facing three other criminal trials.” I mean, it's gold. It's very easy.
  3582.  
  3583. BEHAR: Yeah, but a lot of people out there feel like – that identify with him. They think he's a victim now. I was reading about this.
  3584.  
  3585. (…)
  3586.  
  3587. 11:15:19 a.m. Eastern
  3588.  
  3589. GOLDBERG: You, do you remember what you were talking about?
  3590.  
  3591. BEHAR: We were talking about the debates and I wanted to say that I don't think that Biden should have projected that he wants no audience and the mic should be cut off.
  3592.  
  3593. HAINES: Oh, I do. I think so.
  3594.  
  3595. BEHAR: I think that CNN should have said to the two them, “this is the debate.”
  3596.  
  3597. GOLDBERG: You know they're not going to do that.
  3598.  
  3599. BEHAR: “We’re not telling you-” and also no audience. An audience distracts everybody.
  3600.  
  3601. GOLDBERG: Yes. Well, that's what Biden –
  3602.  
  3603. FARAH GRIFFIN: But Trump agreed to it, so that what’s happening.
  3604.  
  3605. GOLDBERG: So, it'll be interesting.
  3606.  
  3607. HAINES: But Biden needed to get out in front of it. I would actually disagree with Joy and say he had to project that, because if they arranged it for the best TV moment and all been in those times it doesn't serve him.
  3608.  
  3609. BEHAR: But it gives him a way to get out of it by saying “Look, I’m not doing it without an audience.”
  3610.  
  3611. FARAH GRIFFIN: He agreed to it.
  3612.  
  3613. HAINES: He agreed to it.
  3614.  
  3615. BEHAR: We'll see.
  3616.  
  3617. [Crosstalk]
  3618.  
  3619. GOLDBERG: You're also right with this.
  3620.  
  3621. BEHAR: I think so.
  3622.  
  3623. HOSTIN: That he’ll back out.
  3624.  
  3625. GOLDBERG: You know, that -- he is a backer-outer anyway.
  3626.  
  3627. HOSITN: He is.
  3628.  
  3629. FARAH GRIFFIN: He said he would testify in the trial.
  3630.  
  3631. BEHAR: He’s going to come across as the low information candidate that he is!
  3632.  
  3633. HOSTIN: Yeah.
  3634.  
  3635. BEHAR: That is it. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
  3636.  
  3637. GOLDBERG: No.
  3638.  
  3639. BEHAR: Not for nothing, President Biden has been in the Senate.
  3640.  
  3641. GOLDBEGR: He's going to study. He's going to study. He's going to study and then he's going to get pissed and off the rails.
  3642.  
  3643. [Crosstalk]
  3644.  
  3645. BEHAR: It’s like you have Bozo the Clown on one side and you’ve got a statesman on the other who has had years under his belt of being in the Senate. He knows what he's talking about. So all this guy can do is stump it. Stump it. Like he did to poor Hillary that day.
  3646.  
  3647. (…)
  3648. </description>
  3649.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 4:12 PM</pubDate>
  3650.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  3651.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284183</guid>
  3652.    </item>
  3653. <item>
  3654.  <title>Peru Classifies Transgender People as ‘Mentally Ill’</title>
  3655.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/15/peru-classifies-transgender-people-mentally-ill</link>
  3656.  <description> America should take notes…
  3657.  
  3658. On Tuesday, the Peruvian government officially categorized both transgender and intersex people as “mentally ill.” 
  3659.  
  3660. The decree, signed by President Dina Boluarte, notes that “transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism” are now all recorded as mental illnesses in Peru, as Daily Mail reported.
  3661.  
  3662. The Peruvian government insisted that this will help make “psychological treatment” more freely available to those struggling with these identity and ideology disorders. Now in Peru, people who experience confusion when it comes to their body and identity can receive free health services for said confusion. The shift “categorically reaffirms respect for the dignity of the person and their free actions within the framework of human rights, providing health services for their benefit.”
  3663.  
  3664. The move, as Daily Mail indicated, came out just days before the 34th anniversary of when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed “homosexuality” from the list of International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Additionally, the word “transexuality” was removed from the list in 2019.
  3665.  
  3666. But to Peru, those identity terms are now considered mental health illnesses.
  3667.  
  3668. A report from Yahoo News included a quote from Percy Mayta-Tristán, a medical researcher at Lima’s Scientific University of the South.
  3669.  
  3670. “You can’t ignore the context that this is happening in a super-conservative society, where the LGBT community has no rights and where labeling them as mentally ill opens the door to conversion therapy,” he said.
  3671.  
  3672. Critics noted that this new policy would open the door to conversion therapy. But that begs the question, if you’re converting from a delusion, isn’t that good?
  3673.  
  3674. In response to the news, users on X seemed to be supportive of the move.
  3675.  
  3676. “I never thought I would see the day Peru was more advanced then the US,” a user wrote on X, while another wrote, “truth hurts.”
  3677.  
  3678. A different user noted that Peru is “making public what most people are thinking” and said “Good for Peru” Similarly, others said things like “they’re right” and “well done Peru.”
  3679.  
  3680. I wonder when, if ever, the United States will do the same.</description>
  3681.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 3:15 PM</pubDate>
  3682.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  3683.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284182</guid>
  3684.    </item>
  3685. <item>
  3686.  <title>PBS Repeats Debunked Hamas-Published Child Casualty Statistics</title>
  3687.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/15/pbs-repeats-debunked-hamas-published-child-casualty-statistics</link>
  3688.  <description>PBS/CNN host Christiane Amanpour likes to say that journalists should “be truthful, not neutral,” but when she welcomed author Reza Aslan to Wednesday’s Amanpour and Company to promote his new children’s book on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, she could not be bothered to fact-check his debunked casualty estimates from Gaza.
  3689.  
  3690. Ironically, the whole segment was a violation of Amanpour’s dictum, as the duo portrayed the conflict as a massive tragedy between two sides who refuse to understand that they both have legitimate aspirations and historical grievances against each other. Amanpour began, “So, you know, it just seems to be such a daring thing to do right now, to write a children's book about the hottest conflict, well, obviously Russia and Ukraine as well, but one of the most difficult ones to broach and to think about. So, just tell me why you did it and who actually you're targeting.”
  3691.  
  3692.  
  3693.  
  3694.  
  3695.  
  3696.  
  3697.  
  3698.  
  3699.  
  3700. Aslan began, “Well, as you know, over the last seven months of this conflict, since the attacks of October 7th, which led to the death of 1,300 Israelis, including 33 children, some 14,000 children have been killed in Gaza. That's more children than in all the other global conflicts around the world since 2019.”
  3701.  
  3702. Critics have long argued that Hamas’s numbers cannot be relied upon and recently they were proved correct as the U.N., which relies on Hamas for its reports, halved its estimates. Specifically, it revised the female casualty estimates from 9,500 to 4,959 and from 14,500 to 7,797 for children.
  3703.  
  3704. Amanpour didn’t step in to correct the record, nor did she point out the truth once Aslan was done speaking.
  3705.  
  3706. Instead, Aslan broadly summarized the book:
  3707.  
  3708.  
  3709. And when you're, you know, confronted with that kind of devastation, that kind of horror, I could understand why, as parents, we want to shield our children from it. But I truly do believe, as a parent of four children myself, that this conflict is actually an opportunity to teach our kids and give them the tools necessary to cultivate compassion and empathy, the critical thinking skills, because, yes, this war has been devastating for the children of Israel and Palestine, but children all around the world, including here in the United States, have also been impacted by this conflict. They're inundated with these images of destruction and despair. It's unavoidable, Christiane.
  3710.  
  3711. And as parents, I get it. Most of us feel like we ourselves barely understand this conflict. I do it for a living and I barely understand it. And so, what I wanted to do was provide a text that would allow caregivers, parents to have the meaningful conversations necessary with their children that could give them context, a sense of understanding about where we are in this conflict. And most importantly, to counter some of the stereotypes and the prejudices that are just flooding them from all sides.
  3712.  
  3713.  
  3714. If Aslan wants to portray the conflict as tremendously complicated and argue that starting the process of solving it requires both sides to look in the mirror, he cannot use the fake statistics that one side uses to hurl libelous charges of genocide.
  3715.  
  3716. Here is a transcript for the May 14 show:
  3717.  
  3718.  
  3719. PBS Amanpour and Company
  3720.  
  3721. 5/14/2024
  3722.  
  3723. CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: So, you know, it just seems to be such a daring thing to do right now, to write a children's book about the hottest conflict, well, obviously Russia and Ukraine as well, but one of the most difficult ones to broach and to think about. So, just tell me why you did it and who actually you're targeting.
  3724.  
  3725. REZA ASLAN: Well, as you know, over the last seven months of this conflict, since the attacks of October 7th, which led to the death of 1,300 Israelis, including 33 children, some 14,000 children have been killed in Gaza. That's more children than in all the other global conflicts around the world since 2019.
  3726.  
  3727. And when you're, you know, confronted with that kind of devastation, that kind of horror, I could understand why, as parents, we want to shield our children from it. But I truly do believe, as a parent of four children myself, that this conflict is actually an opportunity to teach our kids and give them the tools necessary to cultivate compassion and empathy, the critical thinking skills, because, yes, this war has been devastating for the children of Israel and Palestine, but children all around the world, including here in the United States, have also been impacted by this conflict. They're inundated with these images of destruction and despair. It's unavoidable, Christiane.
  3728.  
  3729. And as parents, I get it. Most of us feel like we ourselves barely understand this conflict. I do it for a living and I barely understand it. And so, what I wanted to do was provide a text that would allow caregivers, parents to have the meaningful conversations necessary with their children that could give them context, a sense of understanding about where we are in this conflict. And most importantly, to counter some of the stereotypes and the prejudices that are just flooding them from all sides.
  3730. </description>
  3731.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 2:05 PM</pubDate>
  3732.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  3733.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284181</guid>
  3734.    </item>
  3735. <item>
  3736.  <title>WATCH: MRC’s Dan Schneider Takes Blowtorch to Election-Interfering Big Tech Giants</title>
  3737.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/joseph-vazquez/2024/05/15/watch-mrcs-dan-schneider-takes-blowtorch-election</link>
  3738.  <description>MRC Free Speech America Vice President Dan Schneider blew the lid off the gargantuan election interference that leftist Big Tech platforms have been engaging in for years.
  3739.  
  3740. During the May 13 edition of The Unusual Suspects podcast, host Rob Garguilo asked Schneider which Big Tech companies are actively suppressing election-related speech. “Every single one of them,” replied Schneider. He added that the leftists in the C-Suites of these censorship-obsessed tech companies, “have the idea that anytime that we disagree with them, that that is disinformation or misinformation or mal-information and harmful to what they think is democracy so we have to be silenced.” Schneider concluded that the “biggest offender” was Google, which was shown through MRC Free Speech America research to have grossly interfered in US elections since 2008. 
  3741.  
  3742. Schneider broke down some of the MRC’s past findings illustrating specifically how Google has manipulated the U.S. election process to serve its own left-wing political ends. “For about three months we ran about the same two sets of search queries [Republican presidential campaign websites and Democrat presidential campaign websites], and we ran them before each one of the Republican presidential campaign debates.” The results damningly showed that Google actively suppressed President Joe Biden’s political opponents, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But of course, as Schneider analyzed, this is just one of the many glaring examples of Google’s malfeasance.
  3743.  
  3744. MRC Free Speech America counted no less than 41 times that Google has worked to ensure that its favored leftist candidates won their respective elections. 
  3745.  
  3746.  
  3747.  
  3748.  
  3749.  
  3750. Schneider stressed that there are “very practical things” citizens could do to fight against Google’s bias. “If you have to use Google, don’t bother with the first page of search results. Go to the second or third page of search results, if you actually want a balanced view.” Schneider also suggested other search engine platforms like Tusk and DuckDuckGo as viable alternatives to the Google monopoly.
  3751.  
  3752. Garguilo summarized MRC’s Big Tech research as “terrifying when you hear what’s going on with election interference.” He added that part of the problem is a lack of awareness of the issue. “We’ve traded freedoms for ease of convenience,” Garguilo said. “You know why people don’t use DuckDuckGo? It’s not as easy to use as Google. I never even knew Tusk existed. So I’m walking away knowing that now there is a different search engine.”  
  3753.  
  3754. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
  3755.  
  3756.  </description>
  3757.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 12:54 PM</pubDate>
  3758.    <dc:creator>Joseph Vazquez</dc:creator>
  3759.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284180</guid>
  3760.    </item>
  3761. <item>
  3762.  <title>Pro-Life Activist Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Protesting Abortion</title>
  3763.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/tierin-rose-mandelburg/2024/05/15/pro-life-activist-sentenced-57-months-prison</link>
  3764.  <description>
  3765.  
  3766. Lauren Handy, 30, was sentenced to 57 months in prison as well as three years probation on Tuesday for trying to save babies from abortion at an abortion facility back in 2020. The court however, deemed that Handy violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).
  3767.  
  3768. On October 22, 2020, Handy, along with a number of other pro-life activists, was arrested for allegedly blocking access to the Washington Surgi abortion clinic in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors insist that Handy instructed other pro-lifers at the scene to link themselves together with locks and chains while they sang hymns and prayed for the moms and babies who were set up for abortions. 
  3769.  
  3770.  
  3771. JUST IN: Pro-lifer Lauren Handy sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for "blockading" a Washington abortion clinic in 2020.
  3772. After she was indicted, police found 5 fetuses in her Washinton home.
  3773. According to prosecutors, Handy instructed co-defendants to chain themselves… pic.twitter.com/WMyeEVPxrz
  3774. — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 14, 2024
  3775.  
  3776.  
  3777.  
  3778. Handy’s already been in jail since August of 2023 when she was convicted of conspiracy against rights and for violating the FACE Act. She was the first of the pro-life group to be sentenced.
  3779.  
  3780. William Goodman received 27 months and John Hinshaw will have to serve 21 months. according to Tuesday's results. Heather Idoni and Herb Geraghty are waiting for their sentences after pleading not guilty. They face up to 11 years in prison.
  3781.  
  3782. This is the same clinic where Handy and another pro-life activist, Terrisa Bukovinac, found the bodies of five preemie babies as well as the parts of 115 aborted babies, that the clinic had planned to send to Maryland to be incinerated and used as renewable energy.
  3783.  
  3784. It’s also the same clinic where late-term abortionist Cesare Santangelo admitted that if a child was accidentally born alive from a botched abortion, he’d leave the child to die slowly and painfully rather than give him or her medical attention.
  3785.  
  3786. Other pro-life groups and individuals were dumbfounded that Handy will have such a harsh penalty for simply attempting to save babies from the evils of abortion.
  3787.  
  3788. “30-year-old pro-life activist Lauren Handy has just been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for handing roses and resources to women at an abortion facility, Meanwhile, abortionists who dismember and kill children walk free. A grave injustice,” LiveAction president Lila Rose said. 
  3789.  
  3790. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) wrote, “Protestors can block roads, airports, public transit, take over college campuses, and fight police without consequences, but if you pray, sing hymns, and try to convince women to not have their unborn babies killed then you go to prison for YEARS!!!"
  3791.  
  3792. “Three weeks ago a judge let a woman walk who smothered her child to death while on meth. Today a judge sentenced a pro life activist (Lauren Handy) to nearly 5 years in federal prison for a peaceful sit in at an abortion clinic,” a different user wrote on X.
  3793.  
  3794. One more user said, “Thanks to the weaponized DOJ, this woman will spend the next 5 years in prison! If she’d been an environmental activist, she’d have probably  gotten a misdemeanor! But, she’s a pro-life advocate, so this admin used the FACE Act to prosecute her."
  3795.  
  3796. The leftist media are describing Handy as some sort of villain and insist the 57 month jail sentenced isn’t sufficient. 
  3797.  
  3798. Daily Beast called Handy a “zealot” who “harassed and directly denied health care access to at least two women who were seeking medical care” (medical “care” being abortions).
  3799.  
  3800. Similarly The Associated Press called Handy an “anti-abortion activist who led a clinic blockade.”
  3801.  
  3802. Handy shared some words on the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising’s X page alluding to the fact that she doesn’t regret her decisions back in 2020 that led her to where she is now. “It has been close to 9 months since I was abruptly ripped from my community. This has led me to think long and hard on what to say about my sentencing today in federal court” she said in part one of a four part thread on X. “Yes, this time has been challenging but I refuse to be jaded. Why? Because life goes on … even in jail,” she wrote adding, “today I am at peace with myself and my future” before signing her note “Choose Courage Over Comfort.”
  3803. </description>
  3804.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 12:32 PM</pubDate>
  3805.    <dc:creator>Tierin-Rose Mandelburg</dc:creator>
  3806.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284179</guid>
  3807.    </item>
  3808. <item>
  3809.  <title>BREAKING: Biden, Trump Agree to Presidential Debates in June on CNN, September on ABC</title>
  3810.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/15/breaking-biden-trump-june-27-debate-fake-news-cnn</link>
  3811.  <description>UPDATE, 11:58 a.m. Eastern: In addition to the CNN debate on June 27, former President Donald Trump and President Biden revealed on their respective social media accounts that they’ve both agreed to a second presidential debate for Tuesday, September 10 on ABC. The move was also confirmed by ABC News.
  3812.  
  3813. In turn, this fulfills the two debates requested for June and September by the Biden campaign with moderators only to be selected from liberal media networks ABC, CBS, CNN, or Telemundo.
  3814.  
  3815. As of this update, no word on whether Team Biden will agree to the Trump campaign’s request for two additional debates in July and August.
  3816.  
  3817. The original post continues below.
  3818.  
  3819. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3820.  
  3821. Following a flurry of developments Wednesday morning that publicly began with the Biden campaign’s lengthy statement and cut-filled video of President Biden goating former President Donald Trump, the two sides agreed just before 11:00 a.m. Eastern to an audience-less presidential debate for Thursday, June 27 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern inside CNN’s newly-minted Atlanta, Georgia compound in Techwood.
  3822.  
  3823. CNN’s invitation came curiously not long after the Biden regime’s essay-lengthy demands, most notably calls for debates in June and September with the vice presidential debate in July and that moderators could only come from ABC, CBS, CNN, or Telemundo.
  3824.  
  3825. “CNN will host an election debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump on June 27, 2024 at 9pm ET from the crucial battleground state of Georgia. The debate will be held in CNN’s Atlanta studios. To ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, no audience will be present,” the network said in a press release.
  3826.  
  3827. It added that, in an important tidbit for this website and readership, “[m]oderators for the debate and additional details will be announced at a later date.”
  3828.  
  3829. Time to start taking bets. Fake News Jim? Jake Tapper? Anderson Cooper, who co-moderated one of the Trump-Hillary Clinton 2016 debates? Erin Burnett, who just conducted a softball interview with Biden? Late-night liberal hack Abby Phillip? Or do they run it back with Chris Wallace?
  3830.  
  3831. While it then alluded to requiring candidates fulfilling all constitutional qualifications, sufficient appearances on state ballots, and polling benchmarks, this arrangement as a result of informal talks between the two campaigns would appear to have been done to cut out the Presidential Commission on Debates and thus exclude third-party candidates, including the high-polling independent bid by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  3832.  
  3833. An on-air announcement came during Acosta’s hour of CNN Newsroom to coincide with a CNN Public Relations tweet.
  3834.  
  3835. “Alright, more on the breaking news right now, Former President Donald Trump has accepted CNN’s invitation for debate with President Biden. That is setting up a June showdown...[T]his is going to happen very quickly if — if all a plays out the way it’s happening right now,” Acosta proclaimed to CNN’s resident Biden apple polisher, Arlette Saenz.
  3836.  
  3837. Saenz then relayed what her side of the aisle wanted out of this debate, noting the lengthy Biden regime’s list of “very specific” demands “about what they want to see” such as “the microphones can only be on when each candidate is expected to speak, potentially eliminating some of that very intense back-and-forth that we saw in the very first debate between Biden and Trump back in 2020.”
  3838.  
  3839.  
  3840. #BREAKING: CNN announces that both President Biden and Donald Trump have accepted their invitation for a presidential debate on Thursday, June 27 at CNN's Atlanta studios at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, no studio audience. pic.twitter.com/YIaBwSDqSr
  3841. — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) May 15, 2024
  3842. Acosta and chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny then discussed more of the details, including how this will be a throwback to the first-ever presidential debate on TV in 1960 between future Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon (click “expand”):
  3843.  
  3844.  
  3845. ACOSTA: CNN will host and election debate between Biden and Trump on June 20, at. 9:00 p.m. in the Atlanta studios of CNN. Our new studios, not at the old building, but the new building.
  3846.  
  3847. ZELENY: The historical Techwood studios.
  3848.  
  3849. ACOSTA: The Techwoods campus and it says here, “to ensure candidates may maximize the time a lot in the debate, no audience will be present”.
  3850.  
  3851. ZELENY: Right.
  3852.  
  3853. ACOSTA: That’s interesting.
  3854.  
  3855. ZELENY: And that is — it really takes us back, Jim, to those first televised debates in 1960, of course, in CBS news and Chicago.
  3856.  
  3857. ACOSTA: Oh, yeah.
  3858.  
  3859. ZELENY: On ___ street clerk shirt at WBBM as you well know.
  3860.  
  3861. ACOSTA: My old stomping ground, yeah.
  3862.  
  3863. ZELENY: And it’s certainly is designed, at least the Biden campaign is hoping, that it will focus on the issues, on the candidates, and the contrast port. And also that it’s an Atlanta. Obviously, Georgia is a central battleground in this election. It’s some — state that has really been the subject of so much conversation. Donald Trump claimed he won it. He did not win it, of course court cases, et cetera, but it is a key battleground as well. But this is a fast moving development and the point is, you can tell I didn’t k-mean has been working on this for awhile.
  3864.  
  3865. ACOSTA: Oh yeah.
  3866.  
  3867. ZELENY: And clearly, they’ve been preparing for the idea of a debate, but it could just happen weeks after the first criminal trial’s in.
  3868.  
  3869. ACOSTA: That’s right.
  3870.  
  3871. ZELENY: So, certainly the outcome of that will also be hanging over this debate.
  3872.  
  3873.  
  3874. Minutes after this announcement, a Trump campaign memo was made public by campaign co-managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles arguing “there should be more than just two opportunities for the American people to hear more from the candidates themselves.”
  3875.  
  3876. In turn, they announced they agree to not only the Biden campaign’s proposals for the September showdown and the vice presidential candidate sparring session, but two additional debates in July and August because “[w]e believe the American people deserve more than what the Biden administration has to offer.”</description>
  3877.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 11:44 AM</pubDate>
  3878.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  3879.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284178</guid>
  3880.    </item>
  3881. <item>
  3882.  <title>'When Does The Stoning Begin?': Colbert Bizarrely Attacks Johnson's Faith</title>
  3883.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/15/when-does-stoning-begin-colbert-bizarrely-attacks-johnsons-faith</link>
  3884.  <description>Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to New York on Tuesday to support Donald Trump at his trial, which led CBS’s Stephen Colbert to accuse him of hypocrisy and launch a bizarre attack on his faith on The Late Show.
  3885.  
  3886. Colbert began by putting up a photo of a chagrin-looking Johnson, “Trump got some moral support today from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, seen here after accidentally thinking about the word ‘nipple.’"
  3887.  
  3888. Amidst the guffaws from the liberal audience, Colbert added, “Just the word, not even the image, just the word ‘nipple.’ It's too titillating and don't get him started on the word titillating.”
  3889.  
  3890.  
  3891.  
  3892.  
  3893.  
  3894.  
  3895.  
  3896.  
  3897.  
  3898. Finally getting to his substantive point, Colbert continued by portraying the 52-year old Johnson as some sex-confused weirdo, “Johnson is a hyper-conservative Biblical literalist, but today, he took a day off from performative holiness to attend Trump's hush money trial. Now, I'm no fan of Johnson, but no one should be subjected to 30 years of sex education in one day.”
  3899.  
  3900. Colbert also played a video of Johnson declaring, “I'm an attorney. I'm a former litigator myself. I am disgusted by what is happening here.”
  3901.  
  3902. Afterwards, Colbert returned to add, ‘“I've heard things today that disgust me! Woman layeth with man outside holy wedlock? When does the stoning begin? I brought my lucky rock.’”
  3903.  
  3904. Colbert is trying to paint Johnson as a hypocrite for citing the Bible as the basis for his political beliefs while supporting a candidate who allegedly paid hush money to cover up an affair with a porn actress, but that is not what Trump is on trial for and Colbert knows it. Besides, as a supposedly devout Catholic himself, Colbert also surely knows one can be a “hyper-conservative Biblical literalist” and opposed to stoning, but admitting these truths would ruin the joke, such as it is.
  3905.  
  3906. Here is a transcript for the May 14 show:
  3907.  
  3908.  
  3909. CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
  3910.  
  3911. 5/14/2024
  3912.  
  3913. 11:42 PM ET
  3914.  
  3915. STEPHEN COLBERT: Trump got some moral support today from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, seen here after accidentally thinking about the word "nipple." 
  3916.  
  3917. Just the word, not even the image, just the word "nipple." It's too titillating and don't get him started on the word titillating. Johnson is a hyper-conservative Biblical literalist, but today, he took a day off from performative holiness to attend Trump's hush money trial. Now, I'm no fan of Johnson, but no one should be subjected to 30 years of sex education in one day. 
  3918.  
  3919. That's like taking an Amish kid to Epcot. "Goodness, English. Mexico is beside France is beside space?" 
  3920.  
  3921. Now, outside the courtroom, Johnson made it clear what he won't stand for this charade.
  3922.  
  3923. MIKE JOHNSON: I'm an attorney. I'm a former litigator myself. I am disgusted by what is happening here.
  3924.  
  3925. COLBERT: "I've heard things today that disgust me! Woman layeth with man outside holy wedlock? When does the stoning begin? I brought my lucky rock.” 
  3926. </description>
  3927.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 10:00 AM</pubDate>
  3928.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  3929.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284177</guid>
  3930.    </item>
  3931. <item>
  3932.  <title>Fix Social Security With Ownership, Not More Government</title>
  3933.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/star-parker/2024/05/15/fix-social-security-ownership-not-more-government</link>
  3934.  <description>The trustees for Social Security have just issued their annual report. And, as we have learned annually over recent years, the system cannot meet its obligations.
  3935.  
  3936. According to this latest report, the Social Security system will not be able to meet its obligations to retirees by 2035. In 2035, the system will be adequate to meet just 83% of its obligations.
  3937.  
  3938. This is supposedly good news because the projected shortfall occurs one year later than reported last year.
  3939.  
  3940. But the change simply reflects the fact that the system is so massive -- it's the single largest government program, with annual expenditure of $1.2 trillion -- that small changes in assumptions in the planning model produce big changes in the projected results.
  3941.  
  3942. Young people today start working and immediately have 6.2% of their paycheck deducted in payroll tax for Social Security, with their employer matching this with another 6.2% -- all paid into a system that is bankrupt.
  3943.  
  3944. Our political leaders, to the extent they choose to speak about this issue, reiterate their commitment to “save the system.”
  3945.  
  3946. But “saving the system” means just taking a bad situation and making it worse. Who wants to “save the system” by raising taxes, raising the retirement age or cutting benefits?
  3947.  
  3948. Many still believe that Social Security is some kind of retirement investment program, but it's not. It is a government tax and spending program.
  3949.  
  3950. Individuals are forced to pay the payroll tax. And those payroll taxes are used to pay retirement benefits for those currently retired.
  3951.  
  3952. Even if you think this is a good idea, it no longer works. When the system began in the 1930s, there were over 40 working Americans per retiree. Today, because of longer life spans and declining birthrates, there are just a little over three working for each retiree. Worker's taxes soon won't be enough.
  3953.  
  3954. I have been writing for years that the system should not and cannot be saved, and I make this same declaration now.
  3955.  
  3956. It is quite reasonable for the government to insist that individuals take steps to secure their future in retirement. But it is not reasonable for government to step in and take away an individual freedom on how to take care of themselves.
  3957.  
  3958. Individuals should be allowed to take ownership of the payroll tax they are forced to pay and use these funds to invest in their own personal retirement account.
  3959.  
  3960. The benefits of giving individuals freedom to take ownership of their own earnings and invest are huge.
  3961.  
  3962. For one thing, putting funds into the equity markets over a 45-year working life yields far higher returns than Social Security provides.
  3963.  
  3964. In one study, done a number of years ago at the Cato Institute, they looked at a theoretical average-income couple that retired in 2009, one year after a huge crash in the stock market. Despite a 37% market decline in 2008, the cumulative returns they received since they started investing when they were 21 in 1965 yielded savings of $855,175. This is based on the actual market returns over those years, not theory. This is 75% more than what they would have gotten from Social Security, per the study.
  3965.  
  3966. Lack of ownership in stocks greatly accounts for the huge difference in household wealth between Black households and white households. Whereas, per the Federal Reserve, 65.6% of white households own stocks, only 39.2% of Black households do.
  3967.  
  3968. As a result, average household wealth in assets among white households is approximately $1.5 million compared to $297,000 among Black households.
  3969.  
  3970. Plus, investing gives everyone “skin in the game” to limit government and keep our American system of capitalism alive and healthy.
  3971.  
  3972. No move could do more to restoring economic vitality and individual freedom in our country than transforming our broken Social Security system into a nationwide personal investment program.</description>
  3973.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 10:00 AM</pubDate>
  3974.    <dc:creator>Star Parker</dc:creator>
  3975.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284176</guid>
  3976.    </item>
  3977. <item>
  3978.  <title>George Soros Fueled $80M Into Groups Calling for Big Tech Censorship in Lead-Up to 2024 Elections</title>
  3979.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/joseph-vazquez/2024/05/15/george-soros-fueled-80m-groups-calling-big-tech-censorship-before-2024-elections</link>
  3980.  <description>A massive effort spearheaded by a censorship-obsessed group financed by leftist billionaire George Soros is looking to incorporate global pressure to push Big Tech platforms to juice their censorship operations before the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
  3981.  
  3982. Free Press, a Soros-funded media group that claimed responsibility for helping get former President Donald Trump banned from Twitter, is at the helm of a new push to restrict free speech online. “More Than 200 Groups Urge Leading Tech Platforms to Implement Election-Integrity Policies to Protect Democracy Worldwide,” Free Press blared in its Apr. 9 press release on a new co-signed letter by groups around the world. 
  3983.  
  3984. In the letter, the anti-free speech groups raged at social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X) and YouTube for reducing “interventions necessary to keep online platforms” allegedly “safe and healthy” and demanded “swift action” to protect so-called democracy. MRC research unveiled that at least 45 of the signatories have had their coffers packed with Soros cash to the tune of a whopping $80,757,329 between 2016 and 2022 alone. 
  3985.  
  3986. The letter was distributed to top executives at Big Tech platforms at Discord, Google, Instagram, Meta, Pinterest, Reddit, Rumble, Snap, TikTok, Twitch, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
  3987.  
  3988. The document attempted to justify that it was written with reducing “real-world harms” and “the rise of extremism and violent attempts to overthrow democratic governments” in mind. However, it appears that its true design is to pressure Big Tech companies to silence speech the left despises as 60 countries across the globe gear up for their elections in 2024. But even more disturbing was the letter’s implication that its primary target is interfering in the 2024 U.S. election. This development is directly in line with Soros’ brand, who has dedicated millions of his ungodly fortune to groups looking to interfere in elections by stifling online speech. 
  3989.  
  3990. The first of six so-called “interventions” called for by the coalition involve investment “in greater platform integrity by reinstating election-integrity policies, inclusive of moderating content around the Big Lie,” which the Soros-funded co-signatory William J. Brennan Center for Justice defined as the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. The letter also condescended how in “2020, Black people and other people of color, women, and non-English speakers were — and continue to be — disproportionately targeted with online election lies.” The statement linked out to an Associated Press article pertaining specifically to so-called 2020 election “disinformation” in the U.S. election and how 2024 will be allegedly “worse.” 
  3991.  
  3992. Nora Benavidez, the senior counsel and director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights at Free Speech, railed in a statement, “‘The tech industry’s refusal to safeguard their platforms is already having a dangerous impact on democracies around the world.’” Her disingenuous pontificating ended in hyperbole: “‘Today, hundreds of civil-society groups are putting these companies on notice: Failure to uphold and enforce sound election-integrity policies and expand non-English staffing to monitor disinformation, political deepfakes and other harmful content will be catastrophic to free and fair elections worldwide.’” 
  3993.  
  3994. The explicit push for speech controls is especially disturbing in light of the stated vision of one of Free Press’s founders.
  3995.  
  3996. Leftist Free Press co-founder Robert W. McChesney once made a Marxist call to action in 2000 to “overhaul” the American press: “Our job is to make media reform part of our broader struggle for democracy, social justice, and, dare we say it, socialism.” He published his comments in the Monthly Review, a self-described “independent socialist magazine.” It appears Free Press is living up to its founder’s principles. 
  3997.  
  3998. The signatory that received the most Soros funding in MRC’s tally was none other than the climate change-obsessed Global Witness, which is already on record pressuring Facebook and TikTok to increase censorship operations before the 2022 midterm elections. The Soros empire funded the group with a massive $20,338,270 between 2016 and 2022. The group’s “digital threats” campaign, for example, is specifically focused on pressuring governments to regulate speech on social media. “The Big Tech companies are not too big to be made to change, and change does not rely on significant numbers of us having to stop using the digital products these companies provide,” Global Witness claimed.  
  3999.  
  4000. Another one of the more dangerous groups listed in the letter is the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), which received $3,149,863 from Soros between 2017 and 2022. The leftist group was recently exposed in a House Judiciary Committee investigation for co-authoring a “hate groups” blacklist with the Soros-funded Global Disinformation Index (GDI) targeting “conservative” and faith-based organizations. This list was later disseminated by law enforcement to several financial institutions. The discovery was part of a broader congressional investigation that uncovered federal law enforcement circulating documents to private financial institutions to jawbone them into giving up sensitive customer data. The customers caught up in the federal dragnet didn’t even necessarily have to be suspected of committing any crimes. ISD disturbingly lists the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security as funders.
  4001.  
  4002. The fact that Free Press is at the tip of this Soros-tied spear should concern every American. Free Press’s obsession with censorship and gaining control of the Internet cannot be overstated. This is the same group that boasted how it was “involved in direct talks that pressured Google and Amazon to boot the dangerous” pro-free speech platform Parler from their platforms because of so-called “election lies.” 
  4003.  
  4004. Free Press’s 2015 annual report celebrated how it was also responsible for influencing the Obama-era FCC into adopting draconian “Net Neutrality” rules that arbitrarily sanctioned massive government regulation of the Internet. Free Press praised how the FCC reportedly cited the Soros-funded organization “close to 70 times” in its final order on the matter.
  4005.  
  4006. The adopted FCC rules empowered government officials to review, approve or reject Internet service provider rates. What they actually did, according to the Cato Institute, was guarantee “ISPs government enforced market protection and profitability, in exchange for regulators ensuring that ISPs won’t be too profitable.” In other words, the FCC rules proposed by former President Barack Obama and Free Press in 2015 sought to regulate the Internet as a public utility. Then-FCC commissioner Ajit Pai stated that the move gave the agency “broad and unprecedented discretion to micromanage the Internet,” in a 2015 press release on the proposed rules.
  4007.  
  4008. Americans beware. The Soros network is coming after your free speech just in time for the U.S. elections — again.
  4009.  
  4010. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
  4011.  
  4012.  </description>
  4013.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 8:52 AM</pubDate>
  4014.    <dc:creator>Joseph Vazquez</dc:creator>
  4015.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284136</guid>
  4016.    </item>
  4017. <item>
  4018.  <title>Column: Hillary Clinton’s Conspiracy Privilege</title>
  4019.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2024/05/15/column-hillary-clintons-conspiracy-privilege</link>
  4020.  <description> It’s hard to watch the incessant gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Donald Trump trial in Manhattan without feeling like you’re traveling in a time warp back to 2016. We’re back reliving the “Access Hollywood” tape and talk of how Trump would have never been elected except porn star Stormy Daniels accepted a six-figure check to keep quiet.
  4021.  
  4022. The richest vein of hypocrisy on this adultery-mangles-electability question flows through the Clintons. Hillary Clinton appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" to denounce Trump for squashing the bimbo stories. It was typically shameless. She said: “I think the defendant, the former president, knew exactly what he was doing when he went to such great lengths to try to squash, bury, kill stories, pay off people, because he understood the electoral significance of them.”
  4023.  
  4024. The cast of “Morning Joe” treated Hillary Clinton as a therapist for their Trump angst, and no one interrupted and asked about all the squashing, burying, and killing of stories that Hillary Clinton engaged in when they first sought the White House in 1992. On the cusp of the Gennifer Flowers allegations breaking in January of that year, Hillary Clinton was telling Margaret Carlson of Time magazine “My marriage is solid, full of love and friendship, but it’s too profound to talk about glibly.”
  4025.  
  4026. But after Flowers asserted she had a 12-year affair with Bill Clinton, they appeared on “60 Minutes,” and Hillary Clinton claimed women being questioned about their relationship with Bill were her friends. “We reached out to them. I met with two of them to reassure them they knew they were friends of ours. I felt terrible about what was happening to them.”
  4027.  
  4028. In retrospect, one can smell what Hillary was cooking. She was pressuring potential accusers to stay quiet, but pitching it on national TV as just chatting things over with friends.
  4029.  
  4030. One can only imagine how Melania Trump processed the Stormy Daniels tale, but paying a non-disclosure agreement isn't exactly maintaining your innocence. That's why the Democratic prosecutors in New York are pumping this out on CNN and MSNBC, hour on the hour. The Left thinks those religious conservatives are bothered by this, and it should cause them to vote for someone else, preferably that "devout Catholic" Joe Biden.
  4031.  
  4032. But Hillary has always waged war on anyone who would seek to damage her and Bill's future in politics, and the media have always gushed over her warfare. At the end of the Year of Our Intern in 1998, Time magazine was aglow. Reporters Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty oozed that "as she pursued the private rescue of a marriage and the public rescue of a presidency, she was the one person who seemed to see the larger story and shaped its telling."
  4033.  
  4034. The "larger story" was the "vast right-wing conspiracy." In this election cycle, Democratic prosecutors lobbed 91 felony charges at Trump, and the networks largely refuse to even describe them as Democrats, let alone a vast left-wing conspiracy.
  4035.  
  4036. Time managing editor Walter Isaacson even wrote that they wanted to name her "Person of the Year" in 1998 for her, um, "dignity." That's how they describe Hillary lying for months that Bill didn't have sexual relations with That Woman. "Her strength and her almost surreal ability to assert her dignity were remarkable to some and mystifying to others."
  4037.  
  4038. This kind of copy is why most Americans don't trust the "mainstream media." They don't report stories as much as they "shape" them for the benefit of their political allies.</description>
  4039.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 7:02 AM</pubDate>
  4040.    <dc:creator>Tim Graham</dc:creator>
  4041.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284171</guid>
  4042.    </item>
  4043. <item>
  4044.  <title>We Regret To Inform You All That CNN Is Still Performing Dramatic Readings Of Trump Trial Transcripts</title>
  4045.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/15/we-regret-inform-you-all-cnn-still-performing-dramatic-readings</link>
  4046.  <description>Generally speaking, CNN’s coverage of the so-called Trump “hush money” trial has taken such an onanistic turn that reasonable people may question whether Jeffrey Toobin is now in charge of the once-revered Cable News Network. The most ridiculous iteration of this coverage? Dramatic readings of the trial transcripts.
  4047.  
  4048. Watch as yet another night of dramatic readings kicks off tonight’s episode of CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, as aired on CNN on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024:
  4049.  
  4050.  
  4051.  
  4052.  
  4053.  
  4054.  
  4055. ELLIOT WILLIAMS (AS TODD BLANCHE): You referred to President Trump as a “Dictator Douche Bag”, didn't you? 
  4056.  
  4057. MARCUS CHILDRESS (AS MICHAEL COHEN): Sounds like something I said.
  4058.  
  4059. WILLIAMS: And on that same TikTok, so again on April 23rd, you referred to President Trump when he left the courtroom, you said that he goes right into that little cage, which is where he belongs in an effing cage like an animal. Do you recall saying that? 
  4060.  
  4061. CHILDRESS: I recall saying that.
  4062.  
  4063. LAURA COATES: Mmm. That’s a dramatic reading, Abby.
  4064.  
  4065. ABBY PHILLIP: Yeah. I mean, that's kinda how it went down, intonation and all, Marcus. Thank you for that. Also with us… 
  4066.  
  4067. COATES: No New York accent, though! 
  4068.  
  4069. PHILLIP: No New York accent, but…
  4070.  
  4071. COATES: Where are the New York accents? What are you doin’?!
  4072.  
  4073. WILLIAMS: You guys know I can’t do that.
  4074.  
  4075. COATES: All right.
  4076.  
  4077. ALL: (laughter)
  4078.  
  4079.  
  4080. I can’t imagine the trajectory that leads these guys to law school, build careers, serve respectively in the Obama administration and on the House January 6th Committee, only to be brought on CNN and be made to read “Dictator Douche Bag” as well as Michael Cohen’s hangdog responses, and then be berated by Laura Coates for insufficiently performing these dopey readings in a comedic Noo Yawk accent. Nor can I imagine the galaxy-brain calculations that result in performing this schtick now for a second night in a row, thinking this is good television. Or journalism.
  4081.  
  4082. But here we are.
  4083.  
  4084. Were it not for the fact that this trial is the fruit of an ongoing effort to weaponize state and federal government against the leading opposition presidential candidate, it would almost seem wholly appropriate to cover this joke of a trial and underlying charges in a comedic manner. 
  4085.  
  4086. There are many words that come to mind with which to describe the nonsense running on CNN air (or MSNBC’s, for that matter), but journalism is not one such word. CNN’s creepy, cheerleady coverage of this trial is the furthest thing from journalism, and embodies the worst excesses of Regime Media.
  4087.  
  4088.  </description>
  4089.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 12:56 AM</pubDate>
  4090.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  4091.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284173</guid>
  4092.    </item>
  4093. <item>
  4094.  <title>Network PM Newscasts AVOID NYC Mayor Adams’ Racist ‘Swimmers’ Remarks</title>
  4095.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/jorge-bonilla/2024/05/15/network-pm-newscasts-avoid-nyc-mayor-adams-racist-swimmers</link>
  4096.  <description>The evening network newscasts leave us, once again, to imagine what coverage might have been had a Republican elected official attested to migrants making great lifeguards due to their being “excellent swimmers”, as did New York Mayor Eric Adams. The wild stereotyping and casual racism are all there for the taking but the networks took a pass, leaving reasonable individuals to conclude that there’s a (D)ifference in how such stories are covered.
  4097.  
  4098. Beyond the conservative media ecosystem, only NBC News Now has dared to cover the story. Here’s how Tom Llamas opened his report on his eponymous show:
  4099.  
  4100.  
  4101.  
  4102.  
  4103.  
  4104.  
  4105.  
  4106.  
  4107. TOM LLAMAS: Back here in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams sparking controversy over remarks he made about migrants, appearing to suggest they could fill the city's lifeguard shortage because they are, quote, “excellent swimmers”. Take a listen.
  4108.  
  4109. ERIC ADAMS: If we had a migrant and asylum seeker plan that states those jobs that we are in high demand, we could expedite. How do we have a large body of people in our city and country that are excellent swimmers and at the same time, we need lifeguards? And the only obstacle is that won’t give them the right to work to become a lifeguard? That just doesn't make sense.
  4110.  
  4111. LLAMAS: That quote really doesn't make sense. Adams’ administration has faced criticism over its handling of the estimated 180,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since 2022, many of them ending up in the city’s already overwhelmed shelter system.
  4112.  
  4113.  
  4114. Llamas would go on to interview a local migrant advocate who blasted Adams for his dual discourse when it comes to migrants, and for his view that the migrant crisis will destroy New York City. Llamas continued to blast Adams for his remarks, and questioned whether his factual basis for calling migrants “excellent swimmers” is the notion that they swam across the Rio Grande, or perhaps the Florida Strait- lamenting the lack of outrage over Adams’ remarks in a “progressive” city.
  4115.  
  4116.  
  4117. WATCH as Tom @LlamasNBC RIPS Mayor Adams over wildly racist "excellent swimmers" remark, decries lack of outrage in "progressive" NYC. No nightly network newscast covered this story- not ABCWNT, CBSEN, or NBCNN. There's clearly a (D)ifference in coverage versus if a GOP said it. pic.twitter.com/4HXjUpYDsn
  4118. — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) May 15, 2024
  4119.  
  4120. TOM LLAMAS: But I also want to talk about just sort of painting with a very broad brush that the migrants in New York are all great swimmers. Where would he get that from, unless it had something to do with crossing the Rio Grande, or because some of them may come from places like Cuba or Haiti, or another island? Regardless, it's incredibly racist and I am shocked and really upset that there hasn't been more sort of outrage in this city. A city that claims to be progressive, a city that claims to protect people from all nationalities and no one really cares about this.
  4121.  
  4122.  
  4123. It’s true, and the record will reflect that included within the “no one” that cares about Adams’ remarks: his own colleagues across the dial and including at his own network. None of the evening network newscasts reported on this story. 
  4124.  
  4125. And how could they, when reporting on the casual racism of the Mayor of New York would have surely forced them to cut their gushing stories on Caitlin Clark and the highly anticipated start of the WNBA season?
  4126.  
  4127. Shockingly, neither did “Latino advocate” networks Univision or Telemundo. This is a stark departure from their normal custom, which is to dedicate three minutes of A-block to the occasional TikTok of a random Karen screaming “speak English” to illegals at some indeterminate local retail establishment.
  4128.  
  4129. It goes without saying that had a prominent Republican said anything close to what Adams said, there would be a multi-day cycle and some enterprising White House correspondent would’ve already gotten President Joe Biden to mumble “something, something, Cesar Chávez.” 
  4130.  
  4131. But Tom Llamas learned the hard way, and on a personal issue, what we’ve already known: that there is a (D)ifference as to how these stories are covered.
  4132.  
  4133. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as streamed on NBC News Now’s Top Story With Tom Llamas, on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024:  
  4134.  
  4135.  
  4136. TOM LLAMAS: Back here in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams sparking controversy over remarks he made about migrants, appearing to suggest they could fill the city's lifeguard shortage because they are, quote, “excellent swimmers”. Take a listen.
  4137.  
  4138. ERIC ADAMS: If we had a migrant and asylum seeker plan that states those jobs that we are in high demand, we could expedite. How do we have a large body of people in our city and country that are excellent swimmers and at the same time, we need lifeguards? And the only obstacle is that won’t give them the right to work to become a lifeguard? That just doesn't make sense.
  4139.  
  4140. LLAMAS: That quote really doesn't make sense. Adams’ administration has faced criticism over its handling of the estimated 180,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since 2022, many of them ending up in the city’s already overwhelmed shelter system. For more on Adams’ remarks, the state of the migrant crisis in New York City, I'm joined now by Power Malu, he is the executive director of Artists, Athletes, and Activists, it’s a grassroots organization that connects migrants here in the city with key services including shelter, food, medical care and legal support. Power, I want to thank you for joining me. I want to start with the mayor's comments there. I know how I interpreted that- those comments, how did you interpret them?
  4141.  
  4142. POWER MALU: Once again, we have an administration that’s deflecting attention off of their incompetency and mismanagement, and pointing the finger at the migrants. At any given press conference, you’ll have this administration blame the migrants for the financial woes of the city and in the same breath, they’ll praise and say the migrants should be allowed to work because they can help us.
  4143.  
  4144. LLAMAS: Yeah, I get that, but I also want to talk about just sort of painting with a very broad brush that the migrants in New York are all great swimmers. Where would he get that from, unless it had something to do with crossing the Rio Grande, or because some of them may come from places like Cuba or Haiti, or another island? Regardless, it's incredibly racist and I am shocked and really upset that there hasn't been more sort of outrage in this city. A city that claims to be progressive, a city that claims to protect people from all nationalities and no one really cares about this.
  4145.  
  4146. MALU: Yeah, we have an administration that is constantly doing things like this and it gets brushed under the rug. Also, this mayor says that people attack him because he is black or African-American. So what we are having here is just excuse after excuse as to why you’re not dealing with the migrant crisis. And I want to say is that there are plenty of grassroots organizations that have been supporting since Day One, and this administration has constantly said that there is no resources, but they are abundant. There’s abundance of resources.
  4147.  
  4148. LLAMAS: Do you think a mayor who could make a comment like that has an understanding of who these people are and where they come from? ‘Cause they really come from all over the world.
  4149.  
  4150. MALU: Absolutely. This is stereotypes. This is, you know, a mayor that is not in touch with what's going on. We’ve been on the ground since Day One. There are people that cross from Africa, from Afghanistan, from Latin America, they are from all over the world. So to just say that people that are here are great swimmers, it's a poor comment. 
  4151.  
  4152. LLAMAS: Do you think it was literally connected to them crossing the Rio Grande? Do you think that’s where the logic came- I don't even know where the logic comes from.
  4153.  
  4154. MALU: So you’re talking about a mayor who said that these migrants are the issue that’s going to crush New York City. That's what he said at another townhall meeting. So you can't listen to the things that he says because this administration are spin masters. They always try to find a way to deflect attention. Where do you get migrants are great swimmers and they are going to save the situation with the pools and the beaches? You should've been thinking about this a year ago when that problem existed. Yes, of course they are skilled when they come here and they are looking for work and they deserve work but it doesn't happen by osmosis. Our organization has been helping them file for work authorization and asylum and they can't even get their mail because they're constantly being moved from shelter to shelter. Let's deal with the root of the problem.
  4155.  
  4156. LLAMAS: All right, Power Malu. I also want to say that we’ve- we reached out for comment to the City of New York and to Mayor Adams, I think we’re still waiting on that comment. But anyways, Power, we appreciate you.
  4157.  
  4158.  
  4159.  </description>
  4160.  <pubDate>May 15th, 2024 12:02 AM</pubDate>
  4161.    <dc:creator>Jorge Bonilla</dc:creator>
  4162.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284172</guid>
  4163.    </item>
  4164. <item>
  4165.  <title>See You In Court! New ‘Victory’ for AG Paxton’s Free Speech Lawsuit </title>
  4166.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/gabriela-pariseau/2024/05/14/see-you-court-new-victory-ag-paxtons-free-speech</link>
  4167.  <description>
  4168.  
  4169. A federal judge secured an “important victory” and denied the Biden censorship regime’s attempts to quash a free speech lawsuit.
  4170.  
  4171. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, The Daily Wire and The Federalist are jointly suing the State Department for weaponizing foreign counter-propaganda efforts to censor Americans. The Biden administration filed a motion to dismiss the case or move it to a likely more sympathetic Washington, D.C. court. But U.S. District Judge for Texas’s Eastern District Jeremy Kernodle denied the request. He also granted the plaintiffs’ request for an “expedited discovery” as they seek to “to determine the full scope” of the Biden administration’s nefarious actions.
  4172.  
  4173. The lawsuit centers on the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, which funded censorship projects like the Global Disinformation Index (GDI) and NewsGuard. Both projects blacklist media outlets–particularly right-leaning media–and use those blacklists to discourage potential advertisers from working with them.
  4174.  
  4175. Similar: Not So Fast: Biden Signs NDAA Calling Out NewsGuard … Then Issues Disclaimer 
  4176.  
  4177. Margot Cleveland, an attorney for the New Civil Liberties Alliance who is litigating the suit, noted in a statement just how nefarious the government’s actions truly are. “The State Department and its Global Engagement Center lost sight of the Constitution’s foundational principles, executing a secretive censorship scheme that funded, tested, and promoted technologies that demonetize American media outlets and silence the speech of ordinary Americans,” she said.
  4178.  
  4179. Paxton also tore into the State Department for its “reprehensible attempt to censor the American press with funding intended to monitor foreign propaganda, aiming to repress viewpoints the federal government disagreed with.” He added that “[a]busing taxpayer money, Biden repurposed a government agency into a censorship apparatus. It must stop, and I am proud to lead the Nation’s fight to save the First Amendment.” 
  4180.  
  4181. Both GDI and Newsguard have actively worked to dry up ad revenue streams for media plaintiffs The Daily Wire and The Federalist. 
  4182. GDI listed both The Daily Wire and The Federalist in its list of the “riskiest sites” for advertisers to show their products on in an October 2022 report. NewsGuard has similarly worked to discredit the two media sites. The ratings firm gave The Daily Wire a rating of 49.5 out of 100, indicating that users and advertisers should “proceed with caution.” NewsGuard similarly gave The Federalist one of its lowest ratings coming in with a 12.5 out of 100 and a warning to “proceed with maximum caution.”
  4183.  
  4184. This comes after the plaintiffs requested a preliminary injunction to halt GEC’s funding of NewsGuard and GDI during the course of the ongoing court proceedings. Late last year, MRC Free Speech America and the Free Speech Alliance also called for the two groups to be defunded through the National Defense Authorization Act.
  4185.  
  4186. Related: MRC, Pro-Free Speech Allies Call on Congress to Block NewsGuard Funding in NDAA
  4187.  
  4188. MRC Free Speech America Contributor Christian Baldwin contributed to this report.
  4189.  
  4190. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand government agencies and Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us at the Media Research Center contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
  4191.  
  4192. </description>
  4193.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 6:00 PM</pubDate>
  4194.    <dc:creator>Gabriela Pariseau</dc:creator>
  4195.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284169</guid>
  4196.    </item>
  4197. <item>
  4198.  <title>‘Shocked’: TV Host Blasts TikTok, Instagram for Blocking Pro-Israel Content</title>
  4199.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/catherine-salgado/2024/05/14/shocked-tv-host-blasts-tiktok-instagram-blocking-pro</link>
  4200.  <description>A NewsNation host slammed communist Chinese government-tied TikTok and Meta-owned Instagram for censoring content on one of the most hotly debated topics online.
  4201.  
  4202. On May 3, NewsNation founder and host Dan Abrams declared himself “shocked” by censorship of his pro-Israel content on two popular social media platforms. These are just the latest cases of bias and censorship related to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
  4203.  
  4204. Dan Abrams discussed the censorship of his content with his father Floyd Abrams during the Dan Abrams Live show. The NewsNation host played a clip of him challenging a pro-Palestinian professor on why anti-Israel protesters “call for a Hamas ceasefire proposal, if ceasefire was their true goal.” According to the host, this content was censored on Instagram for allegedly promoting a dangerous organization. 
  4205.  
  4206.  
  4207.  
  4208.  
  4209.  
  4210. Dan Abrams also touched on TikTok’s ties to the communist Chinese government and compared the differing standards he said the app used in censoring content challenging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu versus the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. 
  4211.  
  4212. “I mean, look, on TikTok, I guess I wasn’t as surprised, that they are, it’s owned by China, right? ... The content that they censored from me was when I was questioning the numbers from the Gaza Health Ministry, and I had an expert on who was saying that the numbers can’t make sense,” the NewsNation host said. “They wouldn’t let me share that. But then, when I asked tough questions of Netanyahu’s spokesperson, oh, that was fine to distribute.”
  4213.  
  4214. Dan Abrams’s father appeared to agree. “It is really unforgivable for an entity that relies on free speech, that purports to defend free speech, to engage in that sort of content-centric, ‘you have to be on our side’ censorship,” the lawyer slammed TikTok. 
  4215.  
  4216. TikTok is owned by Chinese ByteDance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) owns a board seat and maintains a financial stake in TikTok’s parent company ByteDance.
  4217.  
  4218. Previously, actor Nate Buzolic also accusedInstagram and TikTok of censoring his pro-Israel, anti-Hamas content. TikTok even openly bragged about removing over 500,000 pieces of content relative to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict.
  4219.  
  4220. Conservatives are under attack. Contact TikTok via email at communitymanager@tiktok.com and demand Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us at the Media Research Center contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  4221.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 5:27 PM</pubDate>
  4222.    <dc:creator>Catherine Salgado</dc:creator>
  4223.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284168</guid>
  4224.    </item>
  4225. <item>
  4226.  <title>De Niro Goes on Profanity-Laced Tirade, Claims Trump Is 'Already' Hitler/Mussolini</title>
  4227.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/14/de-niro-goes-profanity-laced-tirade-claims-trump-already</link>
  4228.  <description> Between co-host Sunny Hostin saying there were too many white people in Trump’s courtroom and George Stephanopoulos praising the Deep State, the Tuesday edition of ABC’s The View was already stacked with outrageous moments before Trump-hater and actor, Robert De Niro took the stage late in the show. The bitter aging actor went on an unhinged and profanity-filled tirade against the former President and asserted that he was “already” like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
  4229.  
  4230. “I don't understand why people are not taking him seriously [as a threat],” De Niro decried, “because you read about it historically in other countries that they didn't take the people seriously. Think of Hitler and Mussolini. They were fools and clowns. Well -- and I hear -- some people -- I mean, who does not think that this guy is going to do exactly what he says he's going to do? He's done it already.”
  4231.  
  4232. De Niro predicted that, if Trump got elected again, at some point he and other people against Trump would be able to say, “We told you so.” He then lashed out at Trump’s supporters with a deluge of profanity that caused executive producer Brian Teta to mute the entire show, not just De Niro:
  4233.  
  4234.  
  4235. DE NIRO: It's going to happen. If he gets elected it's going to change this country for everybody and they might think that it's going to make their life better or just want, excuse my French
  4236.  
  4237. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4238.  
  4239. [Cheers and applause]
  4240.  
  4241. Literally. Those people who support him with anger and hate because that's what he's about, they're going to see. I mean, I used to see these things -- I didn't understand how he and Rosie O’Donnell used to get – I didn’t really care. I see what a hateful, mean-spirited awful thing he is.
  4242.  
  4243.  
  4244.  
  4245.  
  4246.  
  4247.  
  4248.  
  4249.  
  4250.  
  4251.  
  4252. Wallowing in hypocrisy, De Niro argued that he wanted to punch Trump in the face because Trump once said he wanted to punch a person who was disrupting one of his rallies during the 2016 election:
  4253.  
  4254.  
  4255. And why will he not do that in this country? He's already done it. Why would he not -- when I say I want to punch him in the face, it’s cause what he said to a person, a bystander, or somebody in one of his rallies, he wants to punch him in the face. You don't talk that way to people.
  4256.  
  4257.  
  4258. “What kind of person does that?” De Niro asked. Well, Robert, you do. What does that say about you?
  4259.  
  4260. De Niro would go on a much longer profanity-filled tirade, causing the show’s audio to break in and out multiple times:
  4261.  
  4262.  
  4263. DE NIRO: He's done everything. What more do you need? It's almost like he wants to do the worst that he could possibly do to show this country
  4264.  
  4265. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4266.  
  4267. His Slau
  4268.  
  4269. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4270.  
  4271. I
  4272.  
  4273. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4274.  
  4275. [Cheers and applause]
  4276.  
  4277.  
  4278. As they were nearing the end of the segment, moderator Whoopi Goldberg chimed in to claim – without evidence – that Trump planned to take over the country and not relinquish power until he died. “Listen, he's not going to not stop being president! You understand this?! His idea is to stay in until he drops dead!” she screeched.
  4279.  
  4280. “That's it! He's not even conceding it now so imagine if he actually did win the election. It's over!” De Niro agreed. “We're going to have such civil strife. All the things he says because everybody is now on to him where he projects what he's saying. It's what he wants, what he envisions the world to be, which is chaos and craziness, total craziness.”
  4281.  
  4282. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  4283.  
  4284.  
  4285. ABC’s The View
  4286. May 14, 2024
  4287. 11:50:55 a.m. Eastern
  4288.  
  4289. (…)
  4290.  
  4291. ROBERT DE NIRO: I don't understand why people are not taking him seriously, because you read about it historically in other countries that they didn't take the people seriously. Think of Hitler and Mussolini. They were fools and clowns. Well -- and I hear -- some people -- I mean, who does not think that this guy is going to do exactly what he says he's going to do?
  4292.  
  4293. SUNNY HOSTIN: Right.
  4294.  
  4295. DE NIRO: He's done it already.
  4296.  
  4297. JOY BEHAR: Worse.
  4298.  
  4299. [Applause]
  4300.  
  4301. DE NIRO: And then what? We're going to sit around and say, “What? We told you so” or whoever, “I told you so?”
  4302.  
  4303. It's going to happen. If he gets elected it's going to change this country for everybody and they might think that it's going to make their life better or just want, excuse my French
  4304.  
  4305. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4306.  
  4307. [Cheers and applause]
  4308.  
  4309. Literally. Those people who support him with anger and hate because that's what he's about, they're going to see. I mean, I used to see these things -- I didn't understand how he and Rosie O’Donnell used to get – I didn’t really care. I see what a hateful, mean-spirited awful thing he is.
  4310.  
  4311. BEHAR: He was vicious to her.
  4312.  
  4313. DE NIRO: He's vicious.
  4314.  
  4315. BEHAR: Vicious.
  4316.  
  4317. DE NIRO: And why will he not do that in this country? He's already done it. Why would he not -- when I say I want to punch him in the face, it’s cause what he said to a person, a bystander or somebody in one of his rallies, he wants to punch him in the face. You don't talk that way to people. What kind of person does that?
  4318.  
  4319. [Applause]
  4320.  
  4321. BEHAR: Makes fun of the physically challenged. He makes fun of people who have physical challenges.
  4322.  
  4323. DE NIRO: He's done that too. He's done everything.
  4324.  
  4325. BEHAR: Trashes the military. He says people who go to war are losers. Wake up!
  4326.  
  4327. DE NIRO: He's done everything. What more do you need? It's almost like he wants to do the worst that he could possibly do to show this country
  4328.  
  4329. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4330.  
  4331. His Slau
  4332.  
  4333. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4334.  
  4335. I
  4336.  
  4337. [Show mutes as De Niro curses]
  4338.  
  4339. [Cheers and applause]
  4340.  
  4341. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: And the other thing is if he becomes president again, he is never -- listen, he's not going to not stop being president! You understand this?! His idea is to stay in until he drops dead!
  4342.  
  4343. DE NIRO: That's it. He's not even conceding it now so imagine if he actually did win the election. It's over. We're going to have such civil strife. All the things he says because everybody is now on to him where he projects what he's saying. It's what he wants, what he envisions the world to be, which is chaos and craziness, total craziness.
  4344.  
  4345. GOLDBERG: But what isn't crazy is the fact that we love when you come here.
  4346.  
  4347. (…)
  4348. </description>
  4349.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 5:15 PM</pubDate>
  4350.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  4351.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284167</guid>
  4352.    </item>
  4353. <item>
  4354.  <title>Go Figure: Liberal Media Lie Their Pants Off on Katie Britt’s Pro-Life Proposal</title>
  4355.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/14/go-figure-liberal-media-lie-their-pants-katie-britts-pro-life</link>
  4356.  <description> Last Thursday, Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) teamed up with fellow Republican Senators Kevin Cramer (ND) and Marco Rubio (FL) to unveil the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act aimed at giving pregnant women a federally-backed “clearinghouse” of resources — called Pregnancy.gov — for “expecting and postpartum moms, as well as those with young children,” and create grants for caregiving organizations helping women enter the world of parenting.
  4357.  
  4358. Along with expanding child support to include a woman’s pregnancy, a press release from the senators said the MOMS Act would “provide critical support to women during typically challenging phases of motherhood – prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development – and bolster access to resources and assistance to help mothers and their children thrive.”
  4359.  
  4360. Not surprisingly, the far-left, abortion-loving liberal media have decided to be as focused on defeating this pro-life bill with misinformation as they were about pushing women to murder their unborn children.
  4361.  
  4362. In story after story, the liberal media have claimed the bill would create a database of women currently pregnant for the federal government - in some liberal dystopia/twisted fantasy - to surveil women to prevent abortions. The problem? It’s all voluntary and shy from divulging one’s location.
  4363.  
  4364. The Guardian went full send with a headline beyond parody: “Katie Britt proposes federal database to collect data on pregnant people; Republican US senator from Alabama best known for delivering widely ridiculed State of the Union speech in March”.
  4365.  
  4366. Writer Léonie Chao-Fong doubled down with a disregard for biology, claiming without evidence the bill “create[s] a federal database to collect data on pregnant people” by having them “enter their personal data and contact information.”
  4367.  
  4368. Chao-Fong also whined: “[t]he bill specifically forbids any entity that ‘performs, induces, refers for, or counsels in favor of abortions’ from being listed in the database, which would in effect eliminate swaths of OB-GYN services and sexual health clinics across the country.”
  4369.  
  4370. Yes, Léonie, the point is to give women facing sudden pregnancies options beyond abortion.
  4371.  
  4372. NBCNews.com and longtime Rachel Maddow producer Steve Benen piled on in a story whining about the bill giving federal funds to pro-life pregnancy crisis centers and pedaled the lie about HHS becoming a surveillance agency (click “expand”):
  4373.  
  4374.  
  4375. This is, to be sure, standard GOP fare. Republican officials tend to be uncomfortable with the idea that the party’s sole focus in this area is imposing abortion restrictions, and the MOMS Act appears designed to package familiar GOP measures on the issue.
  4376.  
  4377. The fact that these senators intend to extend grants to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” is part of the conservative agenda, and a reminder of why the legislation doesn’t have — and won’t have — any Democratic support in the chamber.
  4378.  
  4379. But a HuffPost report noted that the Pregnancy.gov provisions in the bill are drawing additional scrutiny because they allegedly raise the prospect of “a federal database storing information on pregnant people.”
  4380.  
  4381. It was against this backdrop that Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington joined with 10 other Senate Democratic women to denounce Britt’s bill, saying it would, among other things, “create a new government-run website to collect data on pregnant women and direct them to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.”
  4382.  
  4383. To be sure, Britt’s office has thoroughly rejected the idea that the legislation is designed to create some kind of “registry,” but the press release from the 11 Senate Democratic women added that under the Pregnancy.gov plan, the website would “encourage users to provide their contact information, ‘which the Secretary may use to conduct outreach via phone or email to follow up with users’ — meaning that pregnant women would be encouraged to provide data to a potential Trump administration and potentially allow a government bureaucrat to follow up with them about the status of their pregnancy.”
  4384.  
  4385.  
  4386. The tools at HuffPost did the same in a piece with the headline “Critics Rip Sen. Katie Britt For Celebrating Moms With ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Like Proposal” and hilariously then referred to women as “pregnant people”.
  4387.  
  4388. Yahoo! News promptly cross-posted this under the same headline.
  4389.  
  4390. Salon and Raw Story weren’t going to be left out either. Cue the laugh tracks for the latter’s headline: “Katie Britt shredded for ‘Handmaid’s Tale’-type proposal to ‘register’ pregnant women”.
  4391.  
  4392. At Salon, they melted down at women even being told groups that support women and babies exit: “The bill also outlines the creation of a database of ‘pregnancy support centers,’ or crisis centers, which critics say provide women with misleading information in an effort to keep them from having abortions.”
  4393.  
  4394. Someone call GLAAD on HuffPost, NBC, Raw Story, and the like for using the term “pregnant women!”
  4395.  
  4396. Now, for the facts. Here was a piece from the (now digital-only) Alabama newspaper conglomerate AL.com:
  4397.  
  4398.  
  4399. Britt spokesman Sean Ross said users are not required to register or log in to the site to search for resources. The website will not ask for the user’s pregnancy status or for personally identifiable information.
  4400.  
  4401. “These social media posts are intentionally, flagrantly false,” Ross said.
  4402.  
  4403. Website users could voluntarily enter their contact information if they wanted personal follow up from a staff member at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those services would also be available to friends and family members who are not pregnant if an individual was worried about sharing her information with the website. The website would invite users to take an assessment and provide consent to be contacted.
  4404.  
  4405. The website would not require people to take the assessment to receive more information about local resources, Ross said.
  4406.  
  4407. “Through the website, anyone can view the relevant resources in a given locale without disclosing any personally identifiable information to the government,” Ross said.
  4408.  
  4409.  
  4410. The headline, however, only met Britt halfway with a scoffing headline: “Claims that bill would create registry of pregnant women ‘flagrantly false,’ says staff for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt.”</description>
  4411.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 4:27 PM</pubDate>
  4412.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  4413.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284166</guid>
  4414.    </item>
  4415. <item>
  4416.  <title>The Biden Lies the Liberal Media Want You to Forget</title>
  4417.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/bill-dagostino/2024/05/14/biden-lies-media-want-you-forget</link>
  4418.  <description>As the 2024 election approaches, the left-wing corporate media have lost all interest in President Biden’s frequent lies about his life and career. In the past, these journalists have paid brief attention to the one of President’s latest tall tales, but rarely have they ever bothered to revisit them when the moment has passed. No matter how frequently Biden may lie, the media refuse to see a pattern.
  4419.  
  4420. As NewsBusters executive editor Tim Graham has noted, prominent Biden fact-checkers spend a great deal of time disputing negative claims about Biden, yet they show little interest in fact-checking the man himself. Thanks to this favoritism, the President has gotten away with telling a host of utterly false or unproven stories about his own life.
  4421.  
  4422. Some of these stories are less than a month old, while others have popped up multiple times throughout Biden’s decades-long political career. See for yourself how many of these fibs the media would prefer we all conveniently forget:
  4423.  
  4424.  
  4425.  
  4426.  
  4427. </description>
  4428.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 3:50 PM</pubDate>
  4429.    <dc:creator>Bill D'Agostino</dc:creator>
  4430.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284165</guid>
  4431.    </item>
  4432. <item>
  4433.  <title>‘Packed With Patriots’: George Stephanopoulos Praises ‘the Deep State’</title>
  4434.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/14/packed-patriots-george-stephanopoulos-praises-deep-state</link>
  4435.  <description> Appearing on Tuesday’s edition of The View to hawk his new book The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis, ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos not only admitted to the existence of the Deep State, but he also praised them as “packed with patriots.” He went on to push a conspiracy theory against President Ronald Reagan which was debunked long ago by a congressional commission.
  4436.  
  4437. The former lackey to President Bill Clinton was teed up to praise the Deep State by faux-conservative co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin. She gushed about how the Deep State were the ones who make the history of America: “My favorite thing is that you interviewed Situation Room staff. I’ve always said that it's White House staff whose names you'll never know that are the writers of history. They’ll tell us so many details.”
  4438.  
  4439. Stephanopoulos went on to lionize the unelected, busybody bureaucrats who often injected themselves into matters of the nation to influence and control what happened in the country:
  4440.  
  4441.  
  4442. You know, that was my favorite part about doing the book. I interviewed about a hundred duty officers from the White House – and these are people that come – relatively young people who come from all over the government: the CIA, the DIA, Defense Department, military.
  4443.  
  4444. And, you know, some people like to call those people the Deep State.
  4445.  
  4446.  
  4447. He went on to declare “that the Deep State is packed with patriots” who supposedly “don't care about political parties” and were only “there to serve the presidency and institution” and not a particular president.
  4448.  
  4449.  
  4450.  
  4451.  
  4452.  
  4453.  
  4454.  
  4455.  
  4456.  
  4457. Quoting one member of the Deep State he spoke to, Stephanopoulos claimed they “serve in silence.” Meanwhile, he put a name to the quote: Mike Seelie.
  4458.  
  4459. So much for being silent.
  4460.  
  4461. In the second block of the interview, Stephanopoulos and moderator Whoopi Goldberg pushed a conspiracy theory against Reagan he tried to revive in his book.
  4462.  
  4463. Falsely claiming “there’s no question about it,” Stephanopoulos asserted – without evidence – that Reagan had worked with Iranian extremists to prolong the Iranian Hostage Crisis to help him win the election against President Jimmy Carter:
  4464.  
  4465.  
  4466. The Iranians decided to hold the hostages until after -- they waited until the moment that Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. You know, one of the things we also learned in the last year was there have always been questions about whether or not somehow the Reagan campaign had tried to influence the Iranians to hold; and the congressional commission said no, but last year it did turn out that John Connelly had gone to the Middle East and had meetings about it that at least suggested that something might have happened.
  4467.  
  4468.  
  4469. Even Stephanopoulos admitted that a congressional commission debunked what he was peddling; and yet, the ABC “journalist” was still pushing the lies anyway so that he could sell his book and make money.
  4470.  
  4471. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  4472.  
  4473.  
  4474. ABC’s The View
  4475. May 14, 2024
  4476. 11:19:58 a.m. Eastern
  4477.  
  4478. (…)
  4479.  
  4480. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: I also love – The book is so good! My favorite thing is that you interviewed Situation Room staff. I’ve always said that it's White House staff whose names you'll never know that are the writers of history. They’ll tell us so many details.
  4481.  
  4482. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You know, that was my favorite part about doing the book. I interviewed about a hundred duty officers from the White House – and these are people that come – relatively young people who come from all over the government: the CIA, the DIA, Defense Department, military.
  4483.  
  4484. And, you know, some people like to call those people the Deep State.
  4485.  
  4486. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: The Deep State.
  4487.  
  4488. STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, the big thing I learned doing this book is that the Deep State is packed with patriots.
  4489.  
  4490. FARAH GRIFFIN: Yes.
  4491.  
  4492. STEPHANOPOULOS: People who go to work every single day on the front lines of the most intense crises the country faces and go it to serve their country and serve the presidency, not the president. They don't care about political parties. They're there to serve the presidency and institution.
  4493.  
  4494. SUNNY HOSTIN: And they're doing it anonymously.
  4495.  
  4496. FARAH GRIFFIN: Exactly.
  4497.  
  4498. STEPHANOPOULOS: Absolutely. As one of them told me, Mike Seelie said, “we serve in silence.”
  4499.  
  4500. (…)
  4501.  
  4502. 11:28:42 a.m. Eastern
  4503.  
  4504. GOLDBERG: George, one of the things that I learned in the book was that Jimmy Carter initially thought that, you know, he was going and he had nothing to do with bringing the folks home, but in your book --
  4505.  
  4506. STEPHANOPOULOS: The hostage crisis.
  4507.  
  4508. GOLDBERG: You talk about the fact that he did find out the hostage crisis maybe went on a little longer to -- for him to get out of office so Reagan could take the—the – the glory.
  4509.  
  4510. STEPHANOPOULOS: There’s no question about it. The Iranians decided to hold the hostages until after -- they waited until the moment that Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. You know, one of the things we also learned in the last year was there have always been questions about whether or not somehow the Reagan campaign had tried to influence the Iranians to hold; and the congressional commission said no, but last year it did turn out that John Connelly had gone to the Middle East and had meetings about it that at least suggested that something might have happened.
  4511.  
  4512. (…)
  4513. </description>
  4514.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 3:30 PM</pubDate>
  4515.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  4516.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284164</guid>
  4517.    </item>
  4518. <item>
  4519.  <title>CNN Doc Claims There's No Evidence Transgender Athletes Have Advantage</title>
  4520.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/14/cnn-doc-claims-theres-no-evidence-transgender-athletes-have</link>
  4521.  <description>CNN aired a special documentary entitled The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: The Battle Over Transgender Athletes on Sunday that purported to be a nuanced look at the issue of transgenderism’s relationship with women’s sports. However, the program clearly had a preferred side, as it claimed there’s no evidence that men who think they are women have an athletic advantage despite showing examples of people climbing the leaderboard and setting records after their transition.
  4522.  
  4523. Despite his name being on the title, Cooper barely appeared during the show, instead, the documentary bounced around to various subjects who each said their own piece. In one clip, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was denouncing the movement in a speech, “A lot of world leaders, the message that they're sending is that we as women don't matter. Our safety doesn't matter. Privacy: forget it.”
  4524.  
  4525.  
  4526.  
  4527.  
  4528.  
  4529.  
  4530.  
  4531.  
  4532.  
  4533. Now, speaking directly to the camera, Gaines added, “When you have males who have gone through male puberty, it takes away that fairness. We can't neglect fairness and safety in hopes to be inclusive.”
  4534.  
  4535. CNN then put up text on the screen for viewers to read, “Research on whether transgender athletes have an advantage is limited. A 2017 Sports Medicine study concluded there is ‘no direct or consistent research’ showing that transgender people have an athletic advantage.”
  4536.  
  4537. But, we have real-world evidence. One of the sob stories CNN chose to highlight was that of Meghan Cortez-Fields, who, elsewhere in the documentary, claimed to be aware that he was really a she at age five. Cortez-Fields recalled switching from the men’s swim team to the women’s, “Once I'm in that race, it's just I got to go. My mom would be proud of me. So no matter what, I will always try my hardest. I'm just afraid for the reception that I will get if I try my hardest in six feet. And I was afraid that if I was able to win, all of my success would be discredited because I was trans.”
  4538.  
  4539. Again, CNN put up some graphics, “In February 2024, Meghan broke two school records and placed 2nd in the 100-yard butterfly at a championship meet, the last of her career.”
  4540.  
  4541. It then played a clip of Fox’s Gillian Turner and John Roberts with the former reporting, “After transferring from the men's team over to the women's, Meghan Cortez-Fields smashed Ramapo College's 100-yard butterfly record.”
  4542.  
  4543. Roberts added, “Like Lia Thomas, gets into the women's category and starts blowing records away.”
  4544.  
  4545. There are other examples as well, but CNN insists there is no evidence. Perhaps, Sports Medicine should update their study.
  4546.  
  4547. Here is a transcript for the May 12 show:
  4548.  
  4549.  
  4550. CNN The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: The Battle Over Transgender Athletes
  4551.  
  4552. 5/12/2024
  4553.  
  4554. 8:34 PM ET
  4555.  
  4556. RILEY GAINES: A lot of world leaders, the message that they're sending is that we as women don't matter. Our safety doesn't matter. Privacy: forget it.
  4557.  
  4558. When you have males who have gone through male puberty, it takes away that fairness. We can't neglect fairness and safety in hopes to be inclusive.
  4559.  
  4560. GRAPHICS: Research on whether transgender athletes have an advantage is limited. A 2017 Sports Medicine study concluded there is "no direct or consistent research" showing that transgender people have an athletic advantage.
  4561.  
  4562. …
  4563.  
  4564. MEGHAN CORTEZ-FIELDS: Once I'm in that race, it's just I got to go. My mom would be proud of me. So no matter what, I will always try my hardest. I'm just afraid for the reception that I will get if I try my hardest in six feet. And I was afraid that if I was able to win, all of my success would be discredited because I was trans.
  4565.  
  4566. GRAPHICS: In February 2024, Meghan broke two school records and placed 2nd in the 100-yard butterfly at a championship meet, the last of her career.
  4567.  
  4568. GILLIAN TURNER: After transferring from the men's team over to the women's Meghan Cortez-Fields, smashed Ramapo College's 100-yard butterfly record.
  4569.  
  4570. JOHN ROBERTS: Like Lia Thomas, gets into the women's category and starts blowing records away.
  4571.  
  4572. IRENEBRITUSA [YOUTUBE PERSONALITY]: And the woman who came second has to just accept it.
  4573.  
  4574. CORTEZ-FIELDS: Something has definitely become a battleground for this disagreement.
  4575. </description>
  4576.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 2:28 PM</pubDate>
  4577.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  4578.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284163</guid>
  4579.    </item>
  4580. <item>
  4581.  <title>Race-Obsessed Hostin: Too Many White People in Trump Trial Courtroom, Needs 'a Little Color'</title>
  4582.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/05/14/race-obsessed-hostin-too-many-white-people-trump-trial</link>
  4583.  <description> The staunchly racist and anti-Semitic co-host of ABC’s The View, Sunny Hostin (the descendant of slave owners) was again allowed into the New York courtroom for former President Trump’s hush money trial and reported back to the Cackling Coven her shocking findings. Last week, she was startled by Trump’s “radioactive orange” face. This time, she was rocking brand new “binoculars” with which she deduced that there were too many white people in the courtroom.
  4584.  
  4585. According to the race-obsessed co-host, there were too many white people and her job was to “give a little color to the courtroom.” Even moderator Whoopi Goldberg wanted her to walk it back:
  4586.  
  4587.  
  4588. HOSTIN: I was! I was in the courtroom again yesterday. Yes, thank you.
  4589.  
  4590. [Applause]
  4591.  
  4592. Thank you. What I want to do is give a little color to the courtroom, because a lot of people –
  4593.  
  4594. GOLDBERG: Oh, redo that.
  4595.  
  4596. HOSTIN: No, no, a little color. I mean that literally and figuratively.
  4597.  
  4598.  
  4599. It’s worth noting that Hostin took a lot of pride in having been in the courtroom; but when the audience didn’t clap for her, she cued them to do so by declaring “thank you” to a silent room.
  4600.  
  4601. Even though every major news outlet had multiple reporters in the courtroom reporting on every twitch, gesture, and eye movement from the former President, Hostin clownishly and narcissistically claimed "no one" had reported what was physically happening in the courtroom except for her.
  4602.  
  4603.  
  4604.  
  4605.  
  4606.  
  4607.  
  4608.  
  4609.  
  4610.  
  4611. "I now have access to binoculars," she bragged (pictured above). Hostin bloviated that “[w]hile other reporters are zooming in on the documents, I'm zooming in on [Trump]!” She even defended her clownish analysis when pressed by co-host Sara Haines:
  4612.  
  4613.  
  4614. HAINES: Is this your serious legal analysis?!
  4615.  
  4616. HOSTIN: Yes, it really is! It really is! Because people have been reporting that he is asleep. He is not asleep. He is enraged. And that’s why I think he’s so orange because it think it’s red underneath.
  4617.  
  4618.  
  4619. To justify her use of binoculars to watch a television screen watching Trump, she started mimicking some of the facial and body movements he exhibited while listening to the testimony of his former fixer, Michael Cohen.
  4620.  
  4621. Even though Cohen had been convicted for lying under oath and served time for it, Hostin insisted the jury found him to be a credible witness. The reason why? He spoke with a New York accent:
  4622.  
  4623.  
  4624. And I will tell you there were reporters falling asleep in the courtroom, not the jury. Not the lawyer with the legal pad. He is feverishly taking notes. I think Michael Cohen came off credibly. He was charming. [Puts on a New York accent] He’s a New Yorker. This is a New York jury. He speaks like a New Yorker.
  4625.  
  4626.  
  4627. Hostin also walked back her falsehood from last week when she erroneously suggested that there were “several” legal professionals on the jury, admitting there were only two. She didn’t correct her lie about there being more women than men.
  4628.  
  4629. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
  4630.  
  4631.  
  4632. ABC’s The View
  4633. May 14, 2024
  4634. 11:04:45 a.m. Eastern
  4635.  
  4636. (…)
  4637.  
  4638. WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Sunny was sitting there. So, what did you hear?
  4639.  
  4640. SUNNY HOSTIN: I was! I was in the courtroom again yesterday. Yes, thank you.
  4641.  
  4642. [Applause]
  4643.  
  4644. Thank you. What I want to do is give a little color to the courtroom, because a lot of people –
  4645.  
  4646. GOLDBERG: Oh, redo that.
  4647.  
  4648. HOSTIN: No, no, a little color. I mean that literally and figuratively.
  4649.  
  4650. Because a lot of people are reporting what was said in the courtroom, right? But no one has really reported about what you see when you're actually there. And I said the other day that he appeared orange, very -- in an unnatural way. I've never seen anyone that orange before. I now have access to binoculars in the courtroom. And so, I'm using the binoculars.
  4651.  
  4652. JOY BEHAR: Why? Is it such a big courtroom?
  4653.  
  4654. HOSTIN: Yes, it is a huge courtroom and they have a camera directly on Donald Trump because we are behind him, so we can't see his face, but we can see his face on the screen. So, while other reporters are zooming in on the documents, I'm zooming in on him.
  4655.  
  4656. SARA HAINES: Is this your serious legal analysis?
  4657.  
  4658. HOSTIN: Yes, it really is! It really is! Because people have been reporting that he is asleep. He is not asleep. He is enraged. And that’s why I think he’s so orange because it think it’s red underneath. I saw him during Michael Cohen’s testimony sort of going like this – [makes faces] – and I said, “oh, here he's sleeping” and he went – [makes faces and convulses]
  4659.  
  4660. [Laughter]
  4661.  
  4662. That is what's happening.
  4663.  
  4664. BEHAR: You know, my dog does that when he's sleeping.
  4665.  
  4666. HOSTIN: When he’s sleeping?
  4667.  
  4668. BEHAR: Yeah.
  4669.  
  4670. HOSITN: He’s not sleeping. So, that's one of my first observations.
  4671.  
  4672. The other observation is: I learned more about the jurors from some of my now-friends in the courtroom.
  4673.  
  4674. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: She’s going to be vacationing with these people.
  4675.  
  4676. HOSTIN: I basically am.
  4677.  
  4678. There are two lawyers on the jury. Two male lawyers, one is a civil litigator, the other one is a retired wealth manager. The foreperson is in sales. There's an investment banker, and a corporate attorney. What is so interesting about this jury is that – this is a documents case, let's all remember, it is not about an affair necessarily, it's about documents and payment to a porn star and the hiding of those business records. These guys understand documents.
  4679.  
  4680. And I will tell you there were reporters falling asleep in the courtroom, not the jury. Not the lawyer with the legal pad. He is feverishly taking notes. I think Michael Cohen came off credibly. He was charming. [Puts on a New York accent] He’s a New Yorker. This is a New York jury. He speaks like a New Yorker.
  4681.  
  4682. BEHAR: Yeah.
  4683.  
  4684. HOSTIN: And they were giggling at him a little bit. He also talked about his love for his daughter – and, Sara, you'll get into this. He has a text message – they showed a text message change with his daughter who’s at the University of Pennsylvania and she sort of – ‘you're going through this with Donald Trump?’ and he says “Don't worry, I'll take care of it. I love you” and she says “I love you” and he says, “I love you more.” What parent can't identify with that? So, they humanized him. He was very credible.
  4685.  
  4686. (…)
  4687. </description>
  4688.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 1:56 PM</pubDate>
  4689.    <dc:creator>Nicholas Fondacaro</dc:creator>
  4690.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284162</guid>
  4691.    </item>
  4692. <item>
  4693.  <title>CBS Hypes The Daily Show Giving 'People The Information They Need'</title>
  4694.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-christy/2024/05/14/cbs-hypes-daily-show-giving-people-information-they-need</link>
  4695.  <description>This week’s host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Desi Lydic, joined the cast of Monday’s CBS Mornings to promote her upcoming episodes. Throughout the segment, Lydic and her hosts would hype the fellow Paramount property as a place that people can go to get not only entertaining, but informed takes on politics, and also start conversations they wouldn’t otherwise have. It all sounded nice, but was completely disconnected from The Daily Show that exists in the real world.
  4696.  
  4697. Co-host and Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cover model Gayle King began the segment by introducing Lydic, “Viewers know her for her dry sense of humor and clever takes on politics and current events. She is hilarious. She joined the Emmy Award-winning show in 2015. Recently, she poked fun at Nebraska for being one of only two states that splits its electoral votes by congressional district rather than the winner takes all.”
  4698.  
  4699.  
  4700.  
  4701.  
  4702.  
  4703.  
  4704.  
  4705.  
  4706.  
  4707. In the clip that CBS showed, Lydic was actually arguing that Nebraska’s system is better than a winter-take-all and condemning those who sought to switch to such a system. Her main point, however, was that the Electoral College should be done away with and replaced with the popular vote, which King eagerly embraced, “I think she might be onto something.”
  4708.  
  4709. Later, co-host Nate Burleson asked Lydic, “When it comes to comedy, especially during these times, I feel like there's an appetite for intelligent, political comedy because it gives the people the information they need while making them feel comfortable about the chaos that they are currently living in. Not that this hasn’t always been here, but nowadays I feel like there is a bigger stage for entertainers like you. Do you feel like that's the case?”
  4710.  
  4711. Lydic claimed a special ability to build cross-aisle bridges:
  4712.  
  4713.  
  4714. Well, it does feel like things are so polarized and people are getting the news from the sources that reflect back their own opinions. You know, it feels like we're all kind in echo chambers and, you know, I personally am certainly more on the left-leaning side. The Daily Show tends to be a more progressive show, but I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. My parents are Republicans, have been Republicans for quite some time, so, you know, those conversations can be challenging, and humor at its best can be sort of disarming and maybe start conversations that wouldn't happen otherwise.
  4715.  
  4716.  
  4717. That sounds nice, but speaking of Kentucky, last year, Lydic took a field trip to the state with the Washington Post’s Perry Bacon Jr., who used the interview to urge people to harass Republicans at church and the grocery store. In the same interview, Lydic reveled in Sen. Rand Paul getting his “ass kicked” by his neighbor.
  4718.  
  4719. Regardless, Lydic did Jon Stewart’s classic clown nose on, clown nose off routine as she added “So, we want to entertain people. We’re not out to change the world.”
  4720.  
  4721. Burleson was not prepared to let Lydic sell herself short, “But that helps when you write, that you understand both perspectives.”
  4722.  
  4723. Lydic agreed, “I think it's important to get curious about what other people feel and if you're at odds, you know, ask questions. Have a little empathy. Try to have a meaningful conversation about it.”
  4724.  
  4725. Again, that sounds nice, but Lydic doesn’t put her money where her mouth is. She could interview a conservative, but that is not scheduled to happen. Instead, we’ll probably get more claims like “having a vagina does not make you a woman” or that Jesus would approve of Transgender Visibility Day.
  4726.  
  4727. Here is a transcript for the May 14 show:
  4728.  
  4729.  
  4730. CBS Mornings
  4731.  
  4732. 5/14/2024
  4733.  
  4734. 9:42 AM ET
  4735.  
  4736. GAYLE KING: Our next guest, Desi Lydic is hosting The Daily Show alongside Jon Stewart and The Daily Show news team. Viewers know her for her dry sense of humor and clever takes on politics and current events. She is hilarious. She joined the Emmy Award-winning show in 2015. Recently, she poked fun at Nebraska for being one of only two states that splits its electoral votes by congressional district rather than the winner takes all.
  4737.  
  4738. DESI LYDIC: Nebraska should really truly keep the system, though, because it's certainly a more fair way to divide up the votes than winner take off. What if everybody did that like Nebraska by district or maybe even by person, you know, then whoever whips the most persons would be president. That would be pretty popular. Oh, we could call it the popular vote. I don't know. I'm just spitballing.
  4739.  
  4740. KING: I think she might be onto something, that Desi Lydic joins us in the studio. Hello, Desi. We're so glad you're here today.
  4741.  
  4742. …
  4743.  
  4744. NATE BURLESON: You know, when it comes to comedy, especially during these times, I feel like there's an appetite for intelligent, political comedy because it gives the people the information they need while making them feel comfortable about the chaos that they are currently living in. Not that this hasn’t always been here, but nowadays I feel like there is a bigger stage for entertainers like you. Do you feel like that's the case?
  4745.  
  4746. LYDIC: Well, it does feel like things are so polarized and people—
  4747.  
  4748. BURLESON: Yeah.
  4749.  
  4750. LYDIC: -- are getting the news from the sources that reflect back their own opinions. You know, it feels like we're all kind in echo chambers and, you know, I personally am certainly more on the left-leaning side. The Daily Show tends to be a more progressive show, but I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. My parents are Republicans, have been Republicans for quite some time, so, you know, those conversations can be challenging, and humor at its best can be sort of disarming and maybe start conversations that wouldn't happen otherwise.
  4751.  
  4752. BURLESON: Yeah.
  4753.  
  4754. LYDIC: So, we want to entertain people. We’re not out to change the world.
  4755.  
  4756. BURLESON: But that helps when you write, that you understand both perspectives.
  4757.  
  4758. LYDIC: That's right.
  4759.  
  4760. KING: Which you do, which you do, yeah.
  4761.  
  4762. LYDIC: I think it's important to get curious about what other people feel—
  4763.  
  4764. BURLESON: Yeah.
  4765.  
  4766. LYDIC: -- and if you're at odds, you know, ask questions. Have a little empathy. Try to have a meaningful conversation about it.
  4767. </description>
  4768.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 12:53 PM</pubDate>
  4769.    <dc:creator>Alex Christy</dc:creator>
  4770.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284161</guid>
  4771.    </item>
  4772. <item>
  4773.  <title>MRC Backs Religious Lawsuit Against NPR-Favoring Government Rate Scheme</title>
  4774.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/luis-cornelio/2024/05/14/mrc-backs-religious-lawsuit-against-npr-favoring</link>
  4775.  <description>
  4776.  
  4777.  
  4778.  
  4779.  
  4780.  
  4781. The Media Research Center is calling on the federal government to stop discriminating against religious broadcasting companies and right-leaning talk radio.
  4782.  
  4783. On Monday, MRC filed an amicus brief this week in support of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)’s petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case pertaining to religious broadcasting companies challenging the Biden-led Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), which is a federal entity responsible for regulating royalties and copyright licenses.
  4784.  
  4785. In the brief, MRC argued that the CRB violated the First Amendment religious liberty and free speech rights by not providing the same deal to religious broadcasters it entered into with leftist National Public Radio (NPR).
  4786.  
  4787. The legal battle began in 2021 after the CRB inexplicably refused to extend a favorable NPR deal, including low fees, to the National Religious Broadcasters Noncommercial Music License Committee (NRB), a non-profit representing various religious communicators and broadcasting companies.
  4788.  
  4789. The ADF wrote in February that the CRB established a statutory license for companies, including NPR and NRB, to pay royalties to the copyright holders of songs played on their stations.
  4790.  
  4791. Instead of offering the same rates granted to NPR, the CRB demanded that religious broadcasting companies pay 18 times the royalty fees of NPR if they have over 200 listeners. This was in contrast to the CRB's deal with NPR, a secular, taxpayer-funded company at the center of controversy for bias.
  4792.  
  4793. Related: Here Are the Best &amp; Worst Moments From the House NPR Hearing with MRC’s Graham
  4794.  
  4795. “Here, the Board created a content-based, tiered rate structure that required religious broadcasters to pay far more than NPR stations to communicate with an audience above a mere 218 people,” the MRC brief read, alluding to the notable discrepancies in the deals offered to NPR and the NRB.
  4796.  
  4797. Further addressing the court, the MRC wrote that this discriminatory practice “forces religious broadcasters to pay royalty rates 18 times higher than those to which NPR will be subject.”
  4798.  
  4799. The religious broadcasting companies took the CRB to court in 2021. Regrettably, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of the federal government.
  4800.  
  4801. “This unlawful discrimination forces some noncommercial religious stations to stay small and restrict their listener reach so they can afford to stream online,” the ADF added. “The Copyright Royalty Board is violating federal law and the U.S. Constitution, and so we are urging the Supreme Court to take this important case and rule on the side of religious liberty and free speech.”
  4802.  
  4803. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.</description>
  4804.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 11:50 AM</pubDate>
  4805.    <dc:creator>Luis Cornelio</dc:creator>
  4806.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284160</guid>
  4807.    </item>
  4808. <item>
  4809.  <title>Michael Knowles Mauls Biden’s Ridiculous Defense of Bidenomics on CNN</title>
  4810.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/tom-olohan/2024/05/14/michael-knowles-mauls-bidens-ridiculous-defense-bidenomics-cnn</link>
  4811.  <description>The Daily Wire host Michael Knowles attacked President Joe Biden for his incoherent response to questions from a CNN anchor. 
  4812.  
  4813. During the May 10 edition of The Michael Knowles Show, Knowles responded to President Biden’s befuddled defense of Bidenomics, noting that Biden’s “failures on the economy were most likely to destroy Democrats in November.” To emphasize just how bad things are for Biden, Knowles played a clip of “Erin Burnett of CNN grilling Biden for his economic failures” during which Biden made a vain attempt to save face. 
  4814.  
  4815. On May 8, CNN Anchor Erin Burnett, to her credit, confronted President Biden with both his low polling on economic issues and bad economic statistics. “Voters by a wide margin, trust Trump more on the economy,” Burnett told Biden. She went on to cite polls and statistics that spell out Biden’s devastating failures: 
  4816.  
  4817. “The cost of buying a home in the United States is double what it was when you look at your monthly costs from before the pandemic. Real income, when you account for inflation is actually down since you took office, economic growth last week, far short of expectations. Consumer confidence, maybe no surprise, is near a two-year low. With less than six months to go to election day are you worried that you're running out of time to turn that around?”
  4818.  
  4819.  
  4820.  
  4821.  
  4822.  
  4823. Absurdly, Biden responded, “We’ve already turned it around.” Biden referenced a poll to support this point before veering off in a very different direction. “The polling data has been wrong all along. You guys do a poll at CNN, how many folks do you have to call to get one response?” 
  4824.  
  4825. Knowles roasted the president for his incoherent response. “Biden is not as swift as he used to be and he just gave two answers that contradict each other,” Knowles said.  He ripped Biden for simultaneously questioning the bias of unfavorable polls while also pointing to one solitary favorable poll.
  4826.  
  4827. Knowles pointed out the absurdity of anyone on the left arguing that the polls or the media are biased against them. 
  4828.  
  4829. “Democrats have the media on their side. So when a Republican says ‘the fake news coverage is slanted against us’, that’s different from the Democrats saying that because Republicans don't really have news outlets and Democrats have all of the news outlets, same goes for polling, same goes for any aspect of American political propaganda,” Knowles said. 
  4830.  
  4831. The Daily Wire host went on to say that when polls are actually wrong, they tend to overestimate Democrats rather than Republicans. “So when you’ve got polls coming out, economic indicators coming out, statistics from all the social scientists coming out that do not look good for Democrats and you hear this being reported by Democrat liberal news outlets, you know these people are really, really in trouble,” he said. He added that the media “have every single incentive to paint the Democrats in as good a light as possible and that’s just not going to cut it these days because everyone knows that the economy is in the doldrums.” 
  4832.  
  4833. The economy is in the doldrums. While the devastating statistics listed by Burnett proved too much for Biden to address, they aren’t the only bad numbers. Burnett also could have mentioned that Americans have dealt with 5.5% average monthly inflation under the Biden administration. She also could’ve addressed how gas prices have skyrocketed from $2.42 a gallon in Jan. 2021 (when Biden took office) to $3.54 in March.
  4834.  
  4835. Conservatives are under attack! Contact ABC News at (818) 460-7477, CBS News at (212) 975-3247 and NBC News at (212) 664-6192 and demand they tell the truth about the Bidenomics disaster.</description>
  4836.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 11:49 AM</pubDate>
  4837.    <dc:creator>Tom Olohan</dc:creator>
  4838.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284159</guid>
  4839.    </item>
  4840. <item>
  4841.  <title>Editor’s Pick: WashTimes Showcases Report on How Few of Today’s Immigrants Work</title>
  4842.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2024/05/14/editors-pick-washtimes-showcases-report-how-few-todays-immigrants</link>
  4843.  <description> In a front-page story for Tuesday’s print edition and published Monday online, The Washington Times’s intrepid reporter Stephen Dinan shared the findings of a new Center for Immigration Studies report that said only 46 percent of recent immigrant arrivals — both illegal and legal — are holding down jobs and contributing to the American economy.
  4844.  
  4845. “The Center for Immigration Studies, using Census Bureau numbers, calculates that 46% of immigrants who arrived over the past two years are employed. That challenges a key selling point from immigration advocates that the stream of newcomers is critical to the U.S. economy,” he explained, pointing out this means even though “[s]ome immigrants say they are looking for work...most...are out of the labor force.”
  4846.  
  4847. He cited this key quote from CIS officials Steven A. Camarota and Karen Zeigler: “Immigration clearly adds workers to the country, but it just as clearly adds non-workers who need to be supported by the labor of others.”
  4848.  
  4849. Dinan later went through the push and pull of whether mass, persistent immigration benefits an economy:
  4850.  
  4851.  
  4852. One persistent issue has been whether immigrants are a net benefit or a drain.
  4853.  
  4854. The Congressional Budget Office says that taken as a whole, the economy grows faster with more people. The reason is simple: More potential workers means a more productive total economy.
  4855.  
  4856. The CBO says the average worker is slightly worse off. Again, the reason is simple: The pie may be bigger, but it is divided by even more people.
  4857.  
  4858. The CBO says the population has a large range of outcomes. Those at the higher economic rungs come out better off with higher immigration levels, while those on the lower rungs, who are more likely to compete with less-educated newcomers, end up worse off.
  4859.  
  4860. (....)
  4861.  
  4862. The CIS said the unemployment rate among immigrants from Latin America, overlapping heavily with illegal immigrants, without a college education is 10%. That rate has held steady for several decades.
  4863.  
  4864. The Biden administration is trying to get official work permits for newly arrived illegal immigrants who are caught and released into the interior. Immigrant rights advocates say that will allow the migrants to support themselves and stop using government assistance.
  4865.  
  4866.  
  4867. To read Dinan’s story, click here.</description>
  4868.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 10:33 AM</pubDate>
  4869.    <dc:creator>Curtis Houck</dc:creator>
  4870.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284158</guid>
  4871.    </item>
  4872. <item>
  4873.  <title>Report: DHS Preparing to ‘Protect’ Democracy Ahead of 2024… Sounds Familiar?</title>
  4874.  <link>https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/free-speech/christian-baldwin/2024/05/14/report-dhs-preparing-protect-democracy-ahead-2024</link>
  4875.  <description>USA Today once again raised the specter of election interference to justify the Department of Homeland Security’s latest foray into election meddling in its latest sycophantic interview.
  4876.  
  4877.  
  4878.  
  4879. On May 8, USA Today’s Josh Meyer released a new “exclusive” interview with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The theme of the interview was how DHS was dealing with an “unprecedented array of election threats.” 
  4880.  
  4881. He opined, “The right to vote and the integrity of the right to vote – and therefore of the election itself – is a fundamental element of our democracy.”
  4882.  
  4883. Mayorkas was careful to stress, of course, that the effort was wholly “nonpartisan,” a label that was also applied to the anti-constitutional Disinformation Governance Board (DGB).
  4884.  
  4885. “This is a nonpartisan effort,” he claimed. “And, in fact, all our efforts across this department are nonpartisan.”
  4886.  
  4887. Despite Mayorkas’s assertions of nonpartisanship, the USA Today piece paints the initiative as primarily a response to anti-democratic forces on the right. 
  4888.  
  4889. “Democrats also fear violence from those who would reject election results showing Joe Biden being reelected,” the leftist newspaper reported.
  4890.  
  4891. Mayorkas stressed that DHS would use its power to combat the “threat of disinformation,” just like the short-lived DGB, infamously known as the Ministry of Truth.
  4892.  
  4893. According to USA Today, the coordination between the DHS and local election officials has been run out of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
  4894.  
  4895. “We’re providing best-practice security guidance to these stakeholders, and that’s where we unpack threats, but also and most importantly provide them with recommendations for what they can actually do to mitigate those threats,” said Cait Conley, senior advisor to CISA director Jen Easterly and leader of the initiative.
  4896.  
  4897. In order to fight these “threats,” characterized by USA Today as a result of “unsubstantiated claims of election fraud,” CISA launched Protect24, a new website that proliferates materials for local and state election officials.
  4898.  
  4899. The website has several pages related to “disinformation actors.” One page, titled “Tactics of Disinformation,” identifies common “tactics” used by supposed malactors.
  4900.  
  4901. “Disinformation actors capitalize on conspiracy theories by generating disinformation narratives that align with the conspiracy theory worldview,” the brochure reads. 
  4902.  
  4903. The brochure also targets “alternative platforms,” that is, platforms that don’t censor their user base, as tools of subversive elements.
  4904.  
  4905. “Disinformation actors may seek to take advantage of platforms with fewer user protections, less stringent content moderation policies, and fewer controls to detect and remove inauthentic content and accounts than other social media platforms,” the brochure says.
  4906.  
  4907. Another page, titled “Election Security Rumor vs. Reality,” tries to debunk concerns around expanded voting procedures like mail-in-balloting and unsupervised ballot drop boxes.
  4908.  
  4909. Before the 2020 election, CISA also used its power to quash skepticism regarding voting practices such as universal mail-in-ballots. CISA worked through the Election Integrity Partnership, run out of Stanford Internet Observatory, to nudge social media companies to censor accounts that questioned election procedures. 
  4910.  
  4911. According to Mike Benz, founder of Freedom for Freedom Online, the EIP flagged 27 million tweets to be deleted by social media companies and used DHS infrastructure to do so. 
  4912.  
  4913. In leaked emails, Alex Stamos, the leader of SIO, described the effort as a way for the federal government to coordinate censorship.
  4914.  
  4915. “The EIP’s true purpose was to act as a censorship conduit for the federal government,” wrote Stamos in a Nov. 2020 email. In another email to the social media app Nextdoor, Stamos described EIP as “a one-stop shop for local election officials, DHS, and voter protection organizations to report potential disinformation for us to investigate and to refer to the appropriate platforms if necessary.”
  4916.  
  4917. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable</description>
  4918.  <pubDate>May 14th, 2024 10:14 AM</pubDate>
  4919.    <dc:creator>Christian Baldwin</dc:creator>
  4920.    <guid isPermaLink="false">284157</guid>
  4921.    </item>
  4922.  
  4923.  </channel>
  4924. </rss>
  4925.  

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