Excerpt from:
Madonna interviewed by Harry Smith on The Rock Center with Brian Williams. She discussed being a single mother, selling records and MDNA. Madonna The Rock Center Interview With Harry Smith via Hard Candy . Tell us what you think on Twitter and Facebook . Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : HardCandyMusic.com Discovery Date : 19/04/2012 06:59 Number of articles : 2
Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hot Stuff, TV, Videos
Tagged center-interview, Facebook, harry smith, Hollywood, invalid, missing, single-mother, stars, video
On Friday's CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith discussed a potential deal between the Obama administration and House Republicans on maintaining current tax rates, declaring: “The Democrats are – their noses are out of joint about this.” Political analyst John Dickerson agreed: “Very much so, because they want the President to stand up and fight.” Dickerson went on to detail liberal efforts to put pressure on Obama: “There are ads that are going to be running this weekend saying, 'Don't Cave, Mr. President.' They want Barack Obama to make a stand and say Republicans want tax cuts for the wealthy…and Democrats want tax cuts for the middle-class.” He added: “But the President is making a deal and it doesn't look like it's going the way the liberals want and they are very angry.” read more
Go here to see the original:
CBS Frets Over Obama’s Liberal Base Being Upset By Possible Tax Deal
Comments Off on CBS Frets Over Obama’s Liberal Base Being Upset By Possible Tax Deal
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged Cbs, celeb news, detail-liberal, dickerson, harry smith, Hollywood, House, politics
At the top of Wednesday's CBS Early Show, fill-in co-host Erica Hill fretted over Republicans pledging to focus solely on economic issues in the lame duck session of Congress: “Gridlock alert. Just one day after promising to work together while meeting with President Obama, GOP leaders may now put a halt on cooperating with Democrats on Capitol Hill. So will Washington find itself at a standstill?” Moments later, co-host Harry Smith lamented how “the spirit of cooperation between Republicans and Democrats after yesterday's White House summit seemed to fade quickly.” In the report that followed, senior White House correspondent Bill Plante solely blamed the GOP for the division: “There are new questions this morning about just how sincere the spirit of cooperation in Washington really is. CBS News has confirmed that Senate Republicans have collected signatures on a letter which pledges to block everything unrelated to tax cuts and spending during the lame duck congress.” read more
Continued here:
CBS Issues ‘Gridlock Alert,’ Warns That GOP ‘Put A Halt on Cooperating’
Comments Off on CBS Issues ‘Gridlock Alert,’ Warns That GOP ‘Put A Halt on Cooperating’
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged Barack Obama, blamed-the-gop, Cbs, democrats, during-the-lame, early-show, harry smith, House, spirit, White House
Labeling the uproar over new TSA screening procedures as a “tempest-in-a-teapot,” Harry Smith avoided pressing TSA chief John Pistole on CBS' “Early Show” Wednesday about the controversies of the new methods. Rather, Smith deferred to asking Pistole to explain the process further and “de-mythify” false rumors. “There are so many myths about this, not the least of which is 'Well you know, the TSA guy, he's standing there, he can see your – you know what',” Smith told Pistole Wednesday on CBS' “The Early Show.” Smith asked Pistole to “De-mythify this process a moment” and clarify that “somebody is in another room looking at this stuff. They never see your face.” “That is misinformation,” Pistole responded to the “myths” Smith referred to.
Comments Off on CBS’ Smith Conducts Soft Interview of TSA Chief, Begs Him to ‘De-mythify’ Controversies of Screenings
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged Cbs, controversies, early-show, harry smith, john pistole, politics, stars, video
At the top of Tuesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith proclaimed: “Angry Americans. A new report declares the recession officially over. But many of us are not feeling it. Even taking on the President himself.” Later, he seemed to portray the President as a victim: “…a lot of Americans are still suffering its [the recession’s] effects, and are taking it out on President Obama.” In a report that followed, correspondent Bill Plante noted how “numbers may be going in the right direction” but touted “frustrated” Obama supporters speaking out at a Monday CNBC town hall. In between clips of those voters, Plante sympathetically remarked: “On the defensive, the President responded by outlining some of his administration’s accomplishments, but admitted that things aren’t where they need to be.” He concluded the report: “So the reality is that improving statistics aren’t very convincing to voters who are worried about jobs, and that is the reality the President and his party face going into the November elections.” Introducing a brief report on the stock market reaction, co-host Maggie Rodriguez looked for a silver lining: “The average American may be skeptical about an economic recovery, but the reaction on Wall Street to the end of the recession shows that investors are optimistic.” Business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis declared: “…yesterday, stocks responded positively to the news that it is now behind us. The Dow ended higher by 145 points, putting it on track for the best September in 71 years.” Smith later interviewed Obama economic advisor and new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, Elizabeth Warren. He lobbed softballs to her, starting with: “…you’ve spent a good time of your professional career studying the middle class, and quite frankly, worrying about the middle class. As we get this kind of news that we got yesterday that the recession was over, so many people in the middle class are saying, ‘it doesn’t feel like it at my house.’ When do you think it might feel like it at our house?” A headline on screen read: “Anger Over the Economy; Despite Recession’s End, Americans Frustrated.” Smith fretted over Warren not being able to enforce enough new regulations on business: “Can these industries really be regulated? But regulated in a way that – I mean, there will be so much pressure from them for you to do as little as possible. This will be a giant tug-of-war in the days going forward, to see who really does get control.” Warren replied that her job was “to start pushing back,” adding “I intend to do it as hard as I can.” Only at the end of the interview did Smith touch on Warren’s controversial nomination process: “By charging you with creating this agency, is this the best compromise possible? Because a lot of people wanted you to head the agency, and they said, ‘well, you’re not confirmable.'” Smith did not challenge Warren on whether her backdoor appointment broke the administration’s promises of transparency. Here is a full transcript of the September 21 segment: 7:00AM ET TEASE: HARRY SMITH: Angry Americans. A new report declares the recession officially over. But many of us are not feeling it. Even taking on the President himself. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I’m one of your middle-class Americans, and quite frankly, I’m exhausted. I’m exhausted of defending you, defending your administration. SMITH: We’ll talk live with one of President Obama’s closest economic advisers. 7:02AM ET SEGMENT: SMITH: Now to the economy. A new report says the ‘great recession’ is over. According to a nonprofit research group, the recession began in December of 2007, and ended in June of 2009. But a lot of Americans are still suffering its effects, and are taking it out on President Obama. Senior White House correspondent Bill Plante has more. Good morning, Bill. BILL PLANTE: Good morning, Harry. The numbers may be going in the right direction, but if there was any doubt that most of America doesn’t yet feel things improving, listen to what a frustrated voter had to say to President Obama at a CNBC town hall meeting. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Fed Up; Voters Confront Obama On Struggling Economy] UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I’m one of your middle-class Americans, and quite frankly, I’m exhausted. I’m exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for, and deeply disappointed with where we are right now. I have been told that I voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. I’m one of those people, and I’m waiting, sir. I’m waiting. I don’t feel it yet. PLANTE: On the defensive, the President responded by outlining some of his administration’s accomplishments, but admitted that things aren’t where they need to be. BARACK OBAMA: As I said before, times are tough for everybody right now. So, I understand your frustration. But what I am saying is, is that we’re moving in the right direction. PLANTE: But the President knows that the only real answer is providing jobs. And that saying the recovery takes time doesn’t play well with voters. UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And what I’m really hoping to hear from you is several concrete steps that you’re going to take, moving forward, that will be able to re-ignite my generation. Re-ignite the youth who are beset by student loans. And I really want to know, is the American dream dead for me? OBAMA: Absolutely not. PLANTE: But that disillusionment is echoed on main street, on both sides of the aisle. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN B: I’ve been disappointed. Unbelievably disappointed. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Yeah, in what? WOMAN B: From both sides. I feel like nothing changes. And so there’s no point, really. Everything will stay the same. No matter what I do, I could for or against and it’ll stay exactly the same. PLANTE: So the reality is that improving statistics aren’t very convincing to voters who are worried about jobs, and that is the reality the President and his party face going into the November elections. Harry. MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: I’ll take it here. Bill Plante, thank you very much. SMITH: Alright, Maggie. RODRIGUEZ: Thanks, Harry. The average American may be skeptical about an economic recovery, but the reaction on Wall Street to the end of the recession shows that investors are optimistic. Let’s go to CBS News business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, she’s at the New York Stock Exchange this morning. Good morning, Rebecca. REBECCA JARVIS: Good morning, Maggie. And we all know how much the ‘great recession’ battered down stocks. Well, yesterday, stocks responded positively to the news that it is now behind us. The Dow ended higher by 145 points, putting it on track for the best September in 71 years. But still, as we all know, the struggles on main street, they do persist, and we’re seeing that in the issues that the ‘great recession’ raised for all of us. It wiped out 7.3 million American jobs. 21% Of our net worth was wiped out between December of 2007, and June of 2009, the official end of the recession. And economists believe it will take significant amounts of time just to regain the pre-recession levels on the employment front. In fact, some economists believe it will take as long as 2013 just to get back to normal employment levels in this country. Another key in all of this is housing prices, and Wall Street will be watching a bunch of data this week on that. Maggie. RODRIGUEZ: Alright, Rebecca Jarvis at the stock exchange. Thank you, Rebecca. Back over to Harry. SMITH: Alright, Maggie. Joining us from Washington with more on how the White House plans to turn the economy around is the new head of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Agency, Elizabeth Warren. Good morning. ELIZABETH WARREN: Good morning. SMITH: Let me ask you, before we get to the particulars of your job and the creation of this agency, I just want to ask you a philosophical question. Because you’ve spent a good time of your professional career studying the middle class, and quite frankly, worrying about the middle class. As we get this kind of news that we got yesterday that the recession was over, so many people in the middle class are saying, ‘it doesn’t feel like it at my house.’ When do you think it might feel like it at our house? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Anger Over the Economy; Despite Recession’s End, Americans Frustrated] WARREN: Well, we have to remember that we have a problem in the middle class that didn’t just start in the fall of 2008. We have a problem that’s been under way for 30 years, of squeezing, chipping, hitting on the middle class. Flat wages, rising core expenses, families reached a point where they really couldn’t save, they turned to credit, and the credit industry has drained billions of dollars out of their pockets. So, it’s a – it’s going to take time to rebuild the middle class. I mean that – that really is part of the problem here. We’re starting now with this new credit, Consumer Credit Bureau, and that’s going to be one piece of it. I hope it’s going to patch a big hole in the bottom of the economic boat. But there’s still work to be done in a lot of areas. On wages, on housing, on student loans, on retirement security. It’s not just one thing that went wrong, and it’s not just one thing that’s going to fix it. SMITH: Can these industries really be regulated? But regulated in a way that – I mean, there will be so much pressure from them for you to do as little as possible. This will be a giant tug-of-war in the days going forward, to see who really does get control. WARREN: You know, I’m not a Washington person. I never really wanted a job here. I had this idea for this agency, and thought, that’s it, you know, other people will take care of it. The President asked me to come here, and to start to work immediately. Not to worry about titles, not to go through all that business, but to start to work to set up this agency, to start pushing back. And that’s exactly what I intend to do. And I intend to do it as hard as I can. SMITH: By charging you with creating this agency, is this the best compromise possible? Because a lot of people wanted you to head the agency, and they said, ‘well, you’re not confirmable.’ WARREN: You know, I don’t know the politics. But I don’t see this as a compromise at all. There was one option, and that was to go the confirmation route, and I’m told that would take about a year, during which I couldn’t do any work on the agency. And this is the part that amazes me, I wouldn’t be allowed to talk about it. Or, I could not have that title, and I could get to work right now. And so, I said to the President, I want to go to work right now. I don’t care what you call me. Let me go to work and let me try to help. And when I’m no longer any help, I’ll leave. SMITH: Elizabeth Warren, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us this morning. WARREN: Thank you. SMITH: Do appreciate it. RODRIGUEZ: So important to point out that the organization that deemed the recession officially over also was very careful to say, it may be over, but the economy is not recovering. That was a ‘by the way’ that’s important, as Americans are realizing. SMITH: A slow recovery. Yeah, right. RODRIGUEZ: A slow recovery and we could still dip into another recession. Which we all hope won’t happen.
Read the original here:
CBS: Americans ‘Angry’ Over Bad Economy, ‘Taking It Out On’ Obama
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged Cbs, culture/society, economy, financial, harry smith, homer-simpsons, House, maggie rodriguez, News, party, pontifications, president, recession, TMZ
Talking to Republican strategist Dan Bartlett on Wednesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith wondered if the electoral success of the tea party could harm the GOP: “Are all of these tea party victories good for the Republican Party?…I wonder if you’re making a miscalculation at your own peril at, you know, this perceived enthusiasm gap, these people are literally changing the face of a party.” Bartlett admitted difficultly in electing Christine O’Donnell, the winner of Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary in Delaware, but staunchly defended the overall impact of the movement: “…the intensity gap that we’re seeing between the two parties this election cycle is mainly being fed by the tea party movement on the Republican side….The prospect of taking over the House of Representatives would not happen without this vibrant activity within the tea party.” Smith turned to his other guest, Democratic strategist Tanya Acker, and continued to stress Republican difficulties: “…as Democrats are watching this all unfold, with the rancor and derision within the Republican Party , with the tea party really catching fire out there, how – how do you view it?” Acker ranted: “…I think that more Democrats are going to be motivated to go to the polls when you hear what some of these tea party candidates are saying. I don’t think most of the country wants to repeal the Civil Rights Act.” Only at the very end of the segment did Smith even acknowledge serious problems for Democrats in November: “And Tanya, very quickly, you have to confess, there really is a kind of a ‘throw the bums out’ mentality that has gotten some real traction.” Acker, who seemed to offer nothing but over-the-top sound bites, argued: “I think that what Democrats have to do is to demonstrate that they are interested in governing, not simply coming up with good sound bites for talk radio shows.” In a report prior to Smith’s discussion with Bartlett and Acker, correspondent Nancy Cordes proclaimed of O’Donnell’s primary win: “This is the most stunning victory yet for the tea party and crushing blow to the Republican Party leaders who thought that Vice President Biden’s former Senate seat would be an easy pick-up for them in the fall. Not anymore.” Cordes wrapped up her piece by declaring: “…if Republicans don’t win Delaware, their chances of winning back the Senate are almost nonexistent. Democrats are seizing on this upset to argue that the Republican Party has been taken over by the right wing, that moderates need not apply, that’s an argument they’re going to be taking into the fall.” Here is a full transcript of the September 15 segment: 7:00AM ET TEASE: HARRY SMITH: Tea party triumph. An upstart takes on the Republican establishment and walks away with a big upset on primary day. How will all this tea affect the GOP? 7:01AM ET SEGMENT: SMITH: We begin, though, this morning with politics as the Tea Party Express bowls over some more well-known Republican candidates in Tuesday’s primary election. The biggest surprise, the Senate primary in Delaware. CBS News congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes is in Washington with the latest. Nancy, good morning. NANCY CORDES: Good morning, Harry. This is the most stunning victory yet for the tea party and crushing blow to the Republican Party leaders who thought that Vice President Biden’s former Senate seat would be an easy pick-up for them in the fall. Not anymore. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Tea Party Triumph; Big Wins For Upstarts On Primary Day] CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: Ladies and gentlemen, the people of Delaware have spoken. No more politics as usual! CORDES: It is perhaps the biggest upset of the political season so far, newcomer Christine O’Donnell defeating veteran Congressman Mike Castle. O’DONNELL: And I also want to thank the Tea Party Express. CORDES: The chair of her own state party called O’Donnell, ‘a liar who could not be elected dog catcher,’ and yet, the tea party conservative easily defeated the well-known Mike Castle, 53 to 47%. O’Donnell, a former marketing consultant with a checkered financial record, was a dark horse until two weeks ago, when the Tea Party Express barreled into town bearing $250,000. An endorsement from Sarah Palin followed. The Republican Party scrambled, fearing the tea party would upset yet another GOP establishment Senate candidate as it already had in Utah, Alaska, Kentucky and Nevada. A last-minutes robocall recorded by her former campaign manager- ROBOCALL: O’Donnell just wanted to make a buck. CORDES: -wasn’t enough to turn the tide. MIKE CASTLE: The last several weeks have been spirited, shall we say. CORDES: In New Hampshire’s Senate primary, former attorney general Kelly Ayotte was slightly ahead of the tea party-backed Ovid LaMontagne in a race too close to call. A tea party newcomer did win in New York, defeating former Hillary Clinton opponent and well-known GOP candidate Rick Lazio, in New York’s primary for governor. CARL PALADINO: I want everybody in the Republican Party who opposed me to know this. You’re welcome to join the people’s crusade. CORDES: But it’s the defeat in Delaware that really stings for the GOP because the moderate Castle, who has won in the blue state of Delaware ten times, was considered a shoo-in to defeat the Democrat Chris Coons come fall. O’Donnell is a decided underdog. O’DONNELL: Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’re in for a fight. CORDES: And if Republicans don’t win Delaware, their chances of winning back the Senate are almost non existent. Democrats are seizing on this upset to argue that the Republican Party has been taken over by the right wing, that moderates need not apply, that’s an argument they’re going to be taking into the fall, Harry. SMITH: Nancy Cordes in Washington, thank you. Joining us now to talk about the primaries and what happens in November are Democratic strategist Tanya Acker in Los Angeles and Republican strategist Dan Bartlett in Austin, Texas. Good morning to you both. DAN BARTLETT: Morning, Harry. TANYA ACKER: Good morning. SMITH: Dan, let’s talk about this, you got Delaware, you got Kentucky, you got Alaska, you got Utah, one after another, after another. Are all of these tea party victories good for the Republican Party? DAN BARTLETT: Well, when you have a situation like with Mike Castle getting beat in Delaware, it obviously gives you pause because it’s going to be very difficult, if not impossible, for Republicans now to gain that seat in the United States Senate. Having said that, though, Harry, the intensity gap that we’re seeing between the two parties this election cycle is mainly being fed by the tea party movement on the Republican side. So, net/net, it’s still a gain. The prospect of taking over the House of Representatives would not happen without this vibrant activity within the tea party. So while you’re going to have these types of anomalies like we saw last night with Mike Castle going down, net-net, I still think this is going to be a positive thing with a lot of long-term consequences for government. SMITH: Yeah, because even Karl Rove came out and said last night this is – that’s not going to help us get the seat in the long run. Let’s talk about this from a Democratic perspective, Tanya, as Democrats are watching this all unfold, with the rancor and derision within the Republican Party, with the tea party really catching fire out there, how – how do you view it? TANYA ACKER: Well, I think it really presents Democrats an opportunity. I mean, I think that they do have to be very careful. It’s one thing simply to call a lot of these candidates extremists, which I happen to think they are, but I think that the Democratic message has to be bigger than that. The choice the country’s going to be presented with is that between one party that seems to be auditioning for a talk radio show host. You know you’ve got folks like Sharron Angle saying things like taking up arms against the government and whereas the Democrats want to talk about extending unemployment benefits and regulating Wall Street. So I think that the voters are going to have a very clear choice and I do think that, you know, Dan is right, there is something of an enthusiasm gap but I think that more Democrats are going to be motivated to go to the polls when you hear what some of these tea party candidates are saying. SMITH: Is it- ACKER: I don’t think most of the country wants to repeal the Civil Rights Act. SMITH: Dan, this is interesting, you listen to Tanya, because I wonder if you’re making a miscalculation at your own peril at, you know, this perceived enthusiasm gap, these people are literally changing the face of a party. Dan? BARTLETT: Well, look, I mean, it is the case in the United States Senate, with some of these candidate races, the candidate themselves is going to make a difference in whether there is a victory or a loss. But let’s not lose historical sight here, and that is the first midterm election of a new president is a referendum on that White House and on that leadership. And what we’re seeing right now is a rejection of how the governor – the governance by Democrats over the last 18 months has taken place, both in the White House and the United States Congress. And that’s why Republicans, while they’re going to have issues like they’re seeing in Delaware and there’s going to be other candidates that are not going to represent the entire Republican Party, the bottom line is that right now, things are shaping up for Democrats to be a very long night in November. SMITH: Alright. And Tanya, very quickly, you have to confess, there really is a kind of a ‘throw the bums out’ mentality that has gotten some real traction. ACKER: Well, I think that that, that movement, that mentality, seems to be relatively constant in Washington, but I think that what Democrats have to do is to demonstrate that they are interested in governing, not simply coming up with good sound bites for talk radio shows. SMITH: Well, we shall see. This is still unfolding, even as we speak. Tanya Acker and Dan Bartlett, we do appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. BARTLETT: Thanks, Harry. ACKER: Thanks.
See the original post here:
CBS’s Smith: Is GOP Making ‘Miscalculation’ At Their Own ‘Peril’ By Supporting Tea Party?
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged 2010 congressional, blue, Cbs, celeb news, country, democrats, government, governor, harry smith, hillary-clinton, House, nancy cordes, News, president, time
Filling in for anchor Katie Couric on Thursday’s CBS Evening News, Early Show co-host Harry Smith introduced a report on opposition to building mosques in some areas of the country: “…they feel like strangers in their own country, Muslims shocked by the growing opposition to new mosques ….building a mosque has suddenly become a hot-button issue in many communities.” Smith expounded on the cause of the protests: “The furor over plans to burn the Koran and the building of the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero has had ripple effects all across America.” Correspondent Seth Doane followed by focusing on opposition to a proposed mosque in Tennessee: “About 250 Muslim families live here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. For decades, they’ve lived in peace and have prayed at a small local mosque. But then trouble started brewing over this site, where they want to expand and build a bigger Islamic center.” Doane described the feelings of one Muslim resident: “[Saleh Sbenaty] says even after September 11th, he didn’t see hatred like this.” Doane added: “Nationwide, more than half a dozen proposed Islamic centers have run into roadblocks, from Temecula, California, to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to the high-profile one near Ground Zero.” He did not explain what those “roadblocks” were. Doane turned to the Sbenaty’s daughter: “Is this really about a building or is it about something bigger?” Dima Sbenaty replied: “It’s about the growing hatred, you know, against Muslims.” Doane warned: “Dima says for the first time she’s scared.” Near the end of the report, Doane cited more evidence of anti-Muslim sentiment in the form of grade school name-calling: “10-year-old Zaid Abuzahra probably had more on his mind than just school. Last week at recess, some bullies learned that he was Muslim.” Abuzahra explained: “This group comes, and starts calling me terrorist, ‘I hear you’re a Muslim. This is America.'” The report included only two brief sound bites of mosque opponents, with Doane portraying them as a radical fringe: “In June, residents packed meetings in protest….And what some call a vocal minority, got louder….A few weeks ago, construction equipment at the site was set on fire, and with that, the arsonists set nerves on edge, too.” Meanwhile, on Thursday’s NBC Nightly News, correspondent Ron Mott also reported on the building of a new mosque in Tennessee, but took a slightly different approach: Last night’s call to prayer outside Memphis was answered by the Muslim faithful as usual: shoes removed, rugs laid, all bowed east toward Mecca, singing Allah’s praises. But what makes this year’s Ramadan different is where they’re worshiping, a Christian church called Heartsong, a sort of ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ gift while a new mosque is built nearby….Neighbors ever since the Memphis Islamic Center bought 31 acres in the heart of the Bible Belt. Unlike other parts of the country, there have been no signs of protests. Doane left out any mention of that story of religious cooperation elsewhere in the state. Here is a full transcript of Doane’s September 9 report: 6:40PM ET TEASE: HARRY SMITH: Up next, they say they feel like strangers in their own country, Muslims shocked by the growing opposition to new mosques. 6:42PM ET SEGMENT: SMITH: The furor over plans to burn the Koran and the building of the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero has had ripple effects all across America. There are 2.5 million Muslims in this country, and about 1900 mosques, but building a mosque has suddenly become a hot-button issue in many communities. As Seth Doane reports, that’s just what happened in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. SETH DOANE: Like most 13-year-olds, he’s proud of his school, his soccer trophies, and his country. SALIM SBENATY [MURFREESBORO, TN. RESIDENT]: I’m as American as you get. I’m as patriotic as you get. I mean, I’m America all the way. DOANE: He’s also proud of his religion. Salim Sbenaty is Muslim, and nowadays, this Tennessee town that’s been his family’s home for nearly 20 years, doesn’t feel the same. SBENATY: I’m always afraid for my mom, because there are always a few stupid people out there. You never know what they’re going to do, and my mom wearing that scarf is a symbol saying, ‘hey, I’m Muslim.’ DOANE: About 250 Muslim families live here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. For decades, they’ve lived in peace and have prayed at a small local mosque. But then trouble started brewing over this site, where they want to expand and build a bigger Islamic center. In June, residents packed meetings in protest. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If construction does begin, I would also encourage contractors to boycott it. DOANE: And what some call a vocal minority, got louder. LARRY ANDERSON [MUFREESBORO, TN. RESIDENT]: They want to make this instead of one nation under God, America, they want to make this one nation under Islam. DOANE: A few weeks ago, construction equipment at the site was set on fire, and with that, the arsonists set nerves on edge, too. Salim’s dad says even after September 11th, he didn’t see hatred like this. SALEH SBENATY: It’s very hard for me to forget what I’ve heard directed toward me from people who don’t know me. DOANE: Nationwide, more than half a dozen proposed Islamic centers have run into roadblocks, from Temecula, California, to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to the high-profile one near Ground Zero. Is this really about a building or is it about something bigger? DIMA SBENATY [SISTER OF SALIM SBENATY]: It’s about the growing hatred, you know, against Muslims. DOANE: Salim’s 20-year-old sister Dima says for the first time she’s scared. SBENATY: It’s very disappointing. It really is, because this country was founded upon freedom of religion. DOANE: Across town this morning, 10-year-old Zaid Abuzahra probably had more on his mind than just school. Last week at recess, some bullies learned that he was Muslim. ZAID ABUZAHRA: This group comes, and starts calling me terrorist, ‘I hear you’re a Muslim. This is America.’ DOANE: How did it make you feel? ABUZAHRA: Awkward, sad, like, surprising. DOANE: A surprise to many here who watch the news and wonder. SBENATY: First Amendment, ever since I was little and had to memorize it, freedom of religion, it says it. DOANE: In that First Amendment, another right – freedom of speech, for some just harder to hear. Seth Doane, CBS News, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Read the rest here:
CBS: U.S. Muslims ‘Feel Like Strangers in Their Own Country’
In an interview with Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison on Thursday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith implied a link between Ground Zero mosque opposition and a pastor’s plan to burn the Koran: “…a line that can be drawn from the…anti-Muslim sentiment that seems to be growing in this country and seems to be festering in the Islamic cultural center….Do you see a line that connects here?” Ellison, the only Muslim member of Congress, defended the planned mosque: “…in my view, the cultural center in lower Manhattan, the purpose of it wasn’t to offend or insult anyone. The purpose was to try to build bridges of understanding…there’s no doubt that the people who pull this project together were not intending to insult anyone.” The Congressman then agreed with Smith’s characterization of the opposition: “…there does seem to be a certain wave of anti-Islamic sentiment.” In the 8AM ET hour, a news brief on the same topic featured a sound bite from an Islamic radical calling for a day of burning the American flag in retaliation. Correspondent Charlie D’Agata proclaimed: “The plan to burn the Koran has already sparked outrage among Muslims the world over….In Britain, a former leader of an Islamist hard line group told CBS News this morning, he plans to call on Muslims worldwide to make 9/11 a ‘burn the Stars and Stripes day.'” A clip was played of radical Islamic leader Anjem Choudary: “The burning of the Koran has united the Muslims around the world and has made them very angry. And I think that the Americans are really digging their own grave.” D’Agata acted as if such radicalism was solely in response to the planned Koran burning and not commonplace among Muslim extremists. In an interview with controversial Florida pastor Terry Jones on Wednesday , Smith questioned whether or not radical Islam was even a threat to America. Here is a full transcript of Smith’s September 9 segment on the controversy: 7:00AM TEASE: HARRY SMITH: Koran outrage. Concern grows for U.S. citizens around the world as a Florida pastor continues his plan to burn the holy Muslim book this weekend. We’ll have reaction from the only Muslim member of Congress. 7:06AM SEGMENT: HARRY SMITH: Now to the latest on the Florida pastor who says he will burn the Koran this Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. His demonstration is now causing safety concerns for people in his hometown as well as Americans in other countries. CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella is in Gainesville, Florida, and has the latest. Kelly, good morning. KELLY COBIELLA: Good morning, Harry. And this morning the President – President Obama – is stepping into this controversy, saying this protest would be a ‘recruitment bonanza’ for Al Qaeda. It is just one more in a chorus of voices warning about a possible violent backlash to this, but so far, the Florida pastor at the center of it all is standing firm. TERRY JONES: We are not convinced that backing down is the right thing. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Koran Controversy; Pastor Remains Steadfast As Opposition Mounts] COBIELLA: The protest of one man with less than 50 followers is having a ripple effect around the world. The State Department ordered U.S. embassies to assess their security and brace for possible protests. And the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan warned again that Jones could be putting U.S. lives in danger. DAVID PETRAEUS: We’re concerned that the images from the burning of a Koran would be used in the same way that extremists used images from Abu Ghraib. COBIELLA: Jones claims he has silent support from people who sent copies of the Koran to burn and others too afraid to speak publicly. Yet even members of his former church in Germany are distancing themselves from him. On her Facebook page, Sarah Palin urged Jones to back off, calling the protest ‘insensitive and an unnecessary provocation, much like the building of a mosque at Ground Zero.’ The man behind that project said on CNN Wednesday night he never meant to offend the victims of 9/11. FEISAL ABDUL RAUF [IMAM]: If I knew that this would happen, this would cause this kind of pain, I wouldn’t have done it. COBIELLA: In Florida, Jones’ neighbors packed a church to pray with imams, priests, and rabbis as a show of tolerance. UNIDENTIFIED MAN [IMAM]: I come in peace. COBIELLA: Religious leaders are trying to convince Jones to change his plans. MAN: I think the pastor as a Christian will follow in the footsteps of Christ and would do the right thing. COBIELLA: Anger at this protest is clearly growing. At least 100 counterprotesters are expected here on Saturday, probably many more than that. And some fairly intensive security measures are being put in place, including Gainesville police officers, the S.W.A.T. team, and the FBI. Harry. SMITH: Kelly Cobiella in Gainesville this morning, thank you. Joining us now from Minneapolis is Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress. And from Dallas, Dr. Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Good morning to you both. RICHARD LAND: Good morning. KEITH ELLISON: Good morning. Thank you. SMITH: Dr. Land, let me start with you. Numbers of ministers, evangelicals, pentecostals, you even have Billy Graham’s son, Franklin Graham, who is no fan of Islam, trying to reach out to this pastor. Does this pastor have a theological leg to stand on? RICHARD LAND: No, no. If you just ask the question, ‘what would Jesus do?’ Jesus would never do this. This is – this is odious. This is absolutely beyond the pale. It doesn’t follow the Golden Rule. It doesn’t follow the teachings of Jesus in any way, shape, or form. And he’s being urged by Christians from all spectrums and other religious leaders not to do this, out of respect for our Muslim citizens and also out of respect for the serious danger that it’s going to place American soldiers and American civilians in overseas. I mean, this is a – this is a needless, hurtful, and really, absolutely beyond-the-pale provocation. SMITH: Congressman, let me ask you this because you have the President speaking out on this issue now, saying that this burning of Korans is going to work as a recruitment tool for Al Qaeda. ‘A recruitment bonanza.’ Who does this hurt most? KEITH ELLISON: Well, I think it certainly has the potential to hurt Americans in uniform of our country. But I think it also damages our Constitution. It damages the fabric of our nation that is based on the idea of religious liberty, an ideal enshrined in our First Amendment. But the thing I’d like to say is that I urge people in congregations, Muslim and other, to urge restraint, to urge patience and to urge caution. You should not reward this provocation with a counterresponse, unless that is a loving response, unless that is an interfaith response. But I would ask religious leaders to speak to their congregations and say, ‘he’s trying to provoke you. Don’t be provoked.’ SMITH: One of the things that’s being talked about, Congressman, is that there is a line that can be drawn from the anti-Islamic – anti-Muslim sentiment that seems to be growing in this country and seems to be festering in the Islamic cultural center that’s being proposed to be built a couple of blocks away from Ground Zero. Do you see a line that connects here? ELLISON: Well, the – in my view, the cultural center in lower Manhattan, the purpose of it wasn’t to offend or insult anyone. The purpose was to try to build bridges of understanding. Now, people can have different interpretations as to what it means to them, but there’s no doubt that the people who pull this project together were not intending to insult anyone because there’s a mosque within four blocks and they’ve been in this place for a number of years before. This is a deliberate attempt to provoke people, so I think that there are real distinctions. Of course, the similarity is that there does seem to be a certain wave of anti-Islamic sentiment, but let me just add- SMITH: Quickly. ELLISON: While there is anti-Islamic sentiment, there are many, many more Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, who are standing in solidarity with their fellow Americans who are Muslim and I think that’s a good sign. People are rising to the occasion. SMITH: Very quickly, Dr. Land, what is the antidote for this? LAND: Oh, I think the antidote for this is, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. ELLISON: I agree. LAND: Take into consideration your fellow citizens and your neighbors’ feelings and let’s act as – toward others as we would want to be treated ourselves. SMITH: Dr. Land, Congressman Ellison, thank you both very much for taking the time to speak with us this morning. Do appreciate it. ELLISON: Thank you. SMITH: Alright. ELLISON: Thank you, Dr. Land. LAND: Thank you. SMITH: Take care. ERICA HILL: It continues to be a fascinating story. Here is a full transcript of D’Agata’s report: 8:01AM SEGMENT: JEFF GLOR: President Obama wants a Florida pastor to call off his plans to burn copies of the Koran on Saturday. Mr. Obama said this morning, quote, ‘this is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda’ and that it might cause serious violence in Pakistan or Afghanistan.’ He also says it might lure more individuals who would be willing to blow themselves up in American or European cities. CBS News correspondent Charlie D’Agata is in London this morning with more on this. Charlie, good morning. CHARLIE D’AGATA: Good morning to you, Jeff. The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to American embassies in Muslim countries to brace for an anti-American backlash, demonstrations, and the possibility of violence. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Koran Buring; President Obama: “Recruitment Bonanza For Al Qaeda”] The plan to burn the Koran has already sparked outrage among Muslims the world over. Protesters in India burned American flags this morning and chanted, ‘down with America.’ In Britain, a former leader of an Islamist hard line group told CBS News this morning, he plans to call on Muslims worldwide to make 9/11 a ‘burn the Stars and Stripes day.’ ANJEM CHOUDARY [RADICAL ISLAMIC LEADER]: The burning of the Koran has united the Muslims around the world and has made them very angry. And I think that the Americans are really digging their own grave. D’AGATA: In Afghanistan, Muslim leaders said the U.S. can’t afford to let the burning go ahead. [SPEAKING IN BACKGROUND, MULLAH HABIBULLAH, AFGHAN MUSLIM PREACHER] D’AGATA: ‘America must stop this,’ he says. ‘The Taliban will use it as proof they’re here to destroy Islam.’ During a trip to Pakistan, actress Angelina Jolie was appalled at the idea of burning the Koran. ANGELINA JOLIE: I have hardly the words to – that somebody would do that to somebody’s religious book. D’AGATA: Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, has sent a letter to President Obama asking him to step in and forbid the bonfire from taking place. Jeff. GLOR: Charlie D’Agata in London this morning. Charlie, thank you.
See the article here:
CBS’s Smith: Did Opposition to Ground Zero Mosque Lead to Koran Burning?
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged britain, culture/society, early-show, harry smith, Images, indonesia, muslim, pastor
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is putting some of the blame on both the Tea Party and the Republican Party for what it sees as a growing tide of anti-Muslim anger. CAIR officials said the rise in “Islamophobia” stems from the controversy surrounding the Islamic center and mosque that Muslims plan to build a few blocks from Ground Zero. “We’ve seen a really strong uptick in Islamophobia recently – primarily sparked by the controversy over the Manhattan Islamic center,” Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR’s chief spokesman, told reporters at a press conference Wednesday. “We’ve seen hate vandalism at mosques in California; in Tennessee, we had an arson attack; at a mosque in Arlington, Texas, we had an arson attack; and something that wasn’t even reported nationwide, in May we had a bomb attack at a mosque in Jacksonville, Florida,” he said. Hooper said the attacks could be driven by many factors: “The question is, why? Is it tied to the November elections? Is it tied to the rise of the Tea Party movement? Is it tied to the economy?” he asked. “I think it’s pretty clear that it’s been sparked…by these hate groups and their opposition to the Islamic community center in Manhattan.” CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad was even more direct, saying that the Tea Party and the GOP have given the “green light” to a nationwide campaign to deny Muslims their civil rights and ultimately expel them from the United States. “[W]e used to deal with individual cases of Islamophobia, harassments, and discrimination against Muslims,” Awad said. “Today, and in the past few months – almost maybe one year, we can say one year — we have seen an organized effort, we have seen organizations built to fight the presence of Muslims in the United States and to deny Muslims’ right to freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and even to be an elected official. “Unfortunately, this is done, we believe, for political convenience and reasons. The Pamela Gellers and Robert Spencers, they’re trying to spool religious hatred against Muslims for obvious reasons – because they do not want Muslims to be in the United States,” Awad said. (Geller, a blogger, is executive director of Stop Islamization of America; Spencer, a columnist, is director of Jihad Watch and has written a number of books critical of Islam.) Awad named the GOP and the Tea Party movement as the groups responsible for the anti-Muslim campaign. “Secondly, yes it is a mid-term election year, and unfortunately the Tea Party and the Republican Party have given the green light for these people to defame and stereotype Muslims, and unfortunately as we’ve said, these have led to violence against Muslims.” Awad called on local, state, and federal authorities “to provide extra protection for the Muslim community in the next days and weeks based on the kind of hysteria that we’re seeing.” Hooper said the nationwide anti-Muslim sentiment had drowned out any reasonable discussion of the Ground Zero mosque (the Park51 center). When CNSNews.com asked whether CAIR agreed with Park51 planner Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf that America was an “accessory to the crime” of 9/11 and that Osama bin Laden was “made in the USA,” Hooper said that a reasonable debate was no longer possible. He also called the Park51 project a “test case” for religious freedom. “It’s gone way beyond whether you think the project is wise, is a good project, whether you think the sponsors are the best sponsors or they’re not — it’s gone way beyond that,” he said. “It’s now a litmus test, a test case for religious freedom in America. Whatever questions you would have for the imam, those should be addressed to him – but again, it’s no longer limited to the imam or to the sponsors of the project. It’s now a test case.” Asked whether there is any legitimacy to the debate over Park51, Hooper repeated his assertion that anti-Muslim “hysteria” had turned the project into a test of religious freedom itself. Awad, however, called it a “false assumption” that Islam and 9/11 are connected. He said it really doesn’t matter where the Islamic center is built. “We’ve been asked this question several times, and unfortunately the whole nation has been consumed into this [question] about sensitivities and having a so-called mosque on Ground Zero,” he said. “Well, (a) it is not a mosque; it is not on Ground Zero, it is two blocks [away]. There are so many buildings between Ground Zero and that building…and second, we totally reject the false assumption that our faith, Islam, has to do anything with 9/11. So submitting to this false assumption is really condemning our own faith in the 9/11 attacks and this is really a collective guilt that we do not submit to.” Crossposted at NB sister site CNSNews.com
Go here to read the rest:
CAIR Suggests Tea Party, GOP Are Behind Nationwide Anti-Muslim Campaign
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged al gore, california, crime, deval patrick, environment, ground-zero, harry smith, Hollywood, muslims, party, president-bush, TMZ, United, usa
Wednesday’s CBS Evening News, without Katie Couric, uniquely amongst the broadcast network evening newscasts tied Discovery Channel hostage-taker/bomber James Lee to Al Gore and, even more miraculously, highlighted how Tony Blair, in his new book, describes George W. Bush as “intelligent.” Reporter Wyatt Andrews relayed in his story on the incident in suburban DC: In an anti-corporate protest two years ago, Lee was arrested while throwing cash outside of Discovery’s offices. He said in court he had been moved to save the planet, partly by Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Neither ABC nor NBC mentioned Gore’s inspiration. (ABC’s Pierre Thomas on World News: Lee “has protested at the Discovery Channel repeatedly, raising concerns about the environment and over-population.” NBC’s Tom Costello on Nightly News referred to Lee “handing out a rambling leaflet that called on Discovery to devote more programming to global warming and animal extinction.”) Later in the newscast, fill-in anchor Harry Smith squeezed in a short note about A Journey: My Political Life : “Tony Blair’s long-awaited memoir is out tonight and it includes the former British Prime Minister’s take on some of the famous and powerful. President Bush: ‘Intelligent,’ ‘knew exactly what he wanted’…” Washington, DC area viewers, however, didn’t learn who Gore inspired or Blair admired since WUSA-TV channel 9, CBS’s Gannett-owned DC affiliate, didn’t carry Wednesday’s CBS Evening News, electing to stay with local coverage of the Silver Spring, Maryland events.
Excerpt from:
Miracle on West 57th: CBS Ties Lee to Gore and Quotes Assessment of Bush as ‘Intelligent’
Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News
Tagged al gore, british-prime, crazy, crime, deval patrick, environment, global-warming, harry smith, Hollywood, open thread, pierre-thomas, president-bush, save-the-planet, silver-spring
Breaking Sports Video
Pac-12 NCAA Sports
Justin Bieber Fan Site Breaking News
