Tag Archives: Cbs

CBS’s Smith: Is GOP Making ‘Miscalculation’ At Their Own ‘Peril’ By Supporting Tea Party?

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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?

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WaPo Covers Obama Garden Party, Omits Attendee’s Firm Received Loans from Obama Administration

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Yesterday President Obama held court with a receptive suburban liberal audience in a backyard in Northern Virginia. Covering the story, the Washington Post assigned the article front-page real estate in the September 14 Metro section . While Theresa Vargas and Nia-Malika Henderson  noted that the group was a “partisan audience of about 30 people” which was ridiculed by Republican detractors as a “garden party,” the Post staffers failed to note a crucial piece of information regarding one Larry Poltavtsev, the CEO of Target Labs “a green-information technology firm based in Vienna [Virginia].” Poltavtsev was quoted heartily endorsing President Obama, gushing, “He really understands the needs of small business.” What’s more, that quote was emblazoned above the front-page picture accompanying the story. But while Henderson and Vargas noted that Poltavtsev had asked Obama “about easing lending for small businesses,” they failed to note that his firm has already benefited from a loan backed by Obama administration. As TheHill.com’s Gautham Nagesh reported yesterday morning: President Obama will meet with members of Northern Virginia’s technology community Monday as part of an event to discuss the state of the economy with small-business owners. Target Labs employs 51 people, 11 of whom were hired last year and 12 who have been added since July as a result of a loan backed by the Small Business Administration. Target Labs is hiring for five positions and hopes to add 15 more by the end of year, provided the firm has access to the needed capital. Another deficiency in the Post’s reporting is the way it characterized Target Labs as a “green-information technology firm,” labeling that brings to mind a firm that is working on developing alternative energy or implementing energy conservation strategies. In truth, Target Labs appears to be your garden variety e-commerce/database management/tech consulting firm that buys carbon offsets to pat itself on the back as a “green” company. Here’s the relevant portion of a October 2008 press release from the Target Labs website: Target Labs, Inc. has become the only IT Services provider in the Greater DC area to provide IT software development and networking resources with no carbon footprint. As a Green IT company, Target Labs has offset 100% of their electrical power consumption, and 100% of their employee’s carbon footprint, Further, they will be offsetting all Carbon emissions associated with any employees who commute to client work site locations. This effort will help their clients who are already undertaking many Green IT initiatives. Target Labs will be providing clients with Carbon Offset certification for all employees. Target Labs is providing this green benefit to their clients at no additional cost. According to Larry Poltavtsev, CEO, “We had been looking for ways to do our part to help reduce our Carbon Footprint. Thanks to Got Green Energy, we were able to take steps to become a sustainable business, and help our clients achieve their green IT goals. Got Green Energy not only helped us understand and offset our Carbon Footprint, they also helped communicate the change to our employees, and even designed a new logo for us. We are very proud of our efforts to reduce our environmental impact, and that of our employees.

Link:
WaPo Covers Obama Garden Party, Omits Attendee’s Firm Received Loans from Obama Administration

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , ,

CBS: Eric Holder ‘Ignoring Political Pressure;’ Given ‘Hero’s Welcome’ After Bush ‘Cronyism’

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

In a puff piece on Attorney General Eric Holder on CBS’s Sunday Morning, correspondent Rita Braver praised his professionalism: “…ignoring political pressure is Holder’s constant message as he talks to Justice Department lawyers…. Though he was a key advisor to the Obama campaign and considers the President a friend, Holder says he now keeps it purely professional.” [Audio available here ] Throughout the interview, Braver portrayed Holder as lacking any political agenda: “And when he took office last February, he got a hero’s welcome. It was in part, he believes, a reaction to cronyism and questionable policies advocated in the Bush-era Justice Department.” As Braver mentioned Bush “cronyism,” a photo of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales appeared on screen. Holder proclaimed: “Waterboarding, things like that, from my perspective, inconsistent with the great traditions of this department.” Braver began with some gentle criticism of Holder: “And with controversies over everything –  from his pushing to quickly close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo to his very public condemnation of the new Arizona law that cracks down on undocumented immigrants – even some Holder fans are saying, ‘he’s honest, he’s smart but sometimes he can be a little tone deaf about how things play out in public.'” That gave Holder the opportunity to declare: “I don’t have the same latitude that other politicians might have to put my finger up to the wind and figure out what’s going to be popular….So it’s not tone deafness. It’s a commitment to justice and a commitment to the law.” Braver then touted Holder “ignoring political pressure.” Near the end of the segment, Braver noted how “Holder raised a lot of eyebrows with his own comments on race last year.” After playing the clip of Holder calling America a “nation of cowards” on racial matters, Braver announced: “But he says he stands by those remarks.” Holder argued: “I mean that comment was really urging people to get out of what I call their – the safety of their cocoons.” Braver never questioned the offensive and unprofessional nature of the comment nor did she ever bring up the Justice Department’s refusal to prosecute members of the Black Panthers for voter intimidation during the 2008 election. Instead, she continued with a more sympathetic tone: “Because you’re the first African-American attorney general, do you put any extra pressure on yourself?” Braver concluded the interview by wondering: “And as for Eric Holder’s legacy? Is there one thing that you kind of keep in mind about how you see this job all the time?” Holder replied: “It’s what I tell the people in this department all the time. Do the right thing.” Here is a full transcript of Braver’s interview with Holder, aired on September 12: 9:33AM ET SEGMENT: CHARLES OSGOOD: This weekend’s anniversary of the 9/11 attacks focuses our attention once more on America’s war against terrorism. Attorney General Eric Holder plays a key role in that fight. And this past week he fielded questions from our Rita Braver. ERIC HOLDER: It’s something that I start my day with. It’s something that I end my day with. It’s the thing that I spend most of my time on. RITA BRAVER: For Attorney General Eric Holder, it’s not just ceremonies like this one- HOLDER: Today as we read the names of these fallen heros- BRAVER: Honoring law enforcement officials who died on September 11. Every day for him is a reminder of terrorist threats. So this is where you meet with your staff and what else here? HOLDER: We have a meeting every morning. BRAVER: But outside the confines of the Justice Department, Holder has been subject to criticism for his handling of trials of accused terrorists. JEFF SESSIONS: I believe this decision is dangerous. I believe it’s misguided. LINDSEY GRAHAM: I think you’ve made a fundamental mistake here. BRAVER: Especially for the decision he announced – and then had to retract after it provoked an outcry – that Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other alleged September 11 plotters would be tried in New York City. HOLDER: I’m not scared of what Khalid Sheik Mohammed has to say at trial. BRAVER: The trial date and place are now in limbo. And with controversies over everything –  from his pushing to quickly close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo to his very public condemnation of the new Arizona law that cracks down on undocumented immigrants – even some Holder fans are saying, ‘he’s honest, he’s smart but sometimes he can be a little tone deaf about how things play out in public.’ HOLDER: No, I’m not tone deaf. But I understand what the nature of being attorney general is. I don’t have the same latitude that other politicians might have to put my finger up to the wind and figure out what’s going to be popular. BRAVER: Does the criticism- HOLDER: So it’s not tone deafness. It’s a commitment to justice and a commitment to the law. It is not tone deafness. BRAVER: That got you. HOLDER: Yeah, it does. Because I think that is a criticism that is fundamentally unfair and is political in nature. We want to make sure that this department of justice is true to its great traditions. BRAVER: In fact, ignoring political pressure is Holder’s constant message as he talks to Justice Department lawyers in places like Mobile, Alabama. HOLDER: The only thing that I want you to do is to make sure that you do justice. BRAVER: At 59, Eric Himpton Holder Jr. is the first U.S. attorney general to spend most of his career at the Justice Department. Starting just out of Columbia Law School. HOLDER: I mean, this Department of Justice formed me as a lawyer. BRAVER: And when he took office last February, [cheering crowd] he got a hero’s welcome. It was in part, he believes, a reaction to cronyism and questionable policies advocated in the Bush-era Justice Department. [ON-SCREEN: PICTURES OF ALBERTO GONZALES] HOLDER: Waterboarding, things like that, from my perspective, inconsistent with the great traditions of this department. And when I say traditions, I really want to stress under Republican as well as Democratic attorneys general. Let’s go look. BRAVER: May we go see? So in Holder’s personal office- HOLDER: As you can see, it’s not very large. BRAVER: -there’s a portrait of Attorney General Janet Reno, the Democrat for whom he served as deputy. HOLDER: He is the ultimate symbol of independence. BRAVER: But in his conference room, Holder has a portrait of Republican Elliott Richardson, fired by President Nixon when he refused to stop the Watergate investigation.                                              HOLDER: There are times when you have to do what Elliott Richardson did, which is too simply to say, no. And resign. BRAVER: Though he was a key advisor to the Obama campaign and considers the President a friend, Holder says he now keeps it purely professional. Do you and the President ever get into it? HOLDER: Without characterizing what they are, I will say we have heated conversations. BRAVER: Holder says the person who keeps him on an even keel is his wife, Dr. Sharon Malone, an OBGYN. And he cheerfully admits that she made a lot more money than he did for many years. HOLDER: You know, I’m a 21st century guy, secure in who I am. And so I was more than happy to have these great government jobs while she was bringing in all the money that she made and was giving birth to three children. BRAVER: Holder says his sense of what is right comes from his parents, immigrants from Barbados. You have said that your father faced discrimination. How so? HOLDER: While he was in the service in the South and in Oklahoma, he was refused service at a couple of places where he was in uniform and was told that African-Americans, blacks, negros, were not served. And in spite of that, I have never known a man who loved this country more than my father did. BRAVER: Holder raised a lot of eyebrows with his own comments on race last year. HOLDER: In things racial, we have always been and we, I believe, continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards. BRAVER: But he says he stands by those remarks. HOLDER: I mean that comment was really urging people to get out of what I call their – the safety of their cocoons. BRAVER: Because you’re the first African-American attorney general, do you put any extra pressure on yourself? HOLDER: Yeah, I certainly feel that. I feel there’s a certain responsibility I have, a pressure that I feel that I think is not something that’s been imposed on me as much as it is internal. BRAVER: And as for Eric Holder’s legacy? Is there one thing that you kind of keep in mind about how you see this job all the time? HOLDER: It’s what I tell the people in this department all the time. Do the right thing.

See original here:
CBS: Eric Holder ‘Ignoring Political Pressure;’ Given ‘Hero’s Welcome’ After Bush ‘Cronyism’

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Amanpour Uses ABC’s This Week to Continue Her Crusade to Smear America as Islamophobic and Tout Rauf’s Cause

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

ABC’s Christiane Amanpour used Sunday’s This Week to again shame Americans for their presumed irrational intolerance and Islamophobia as she railed against the ignorance of too many Americans, provided a friendly forum to Iman Faisal Abdul Rauf, whom she prompted to ridicule Sarah Palin, and then brought aboard a group of three “leading thinkers on faith” to “discuss religious tolerance and Islamophobia in America.” That brings Amanpour’s show tally to six guests in favor of the Ground Zero mosque versus zero opposed (four today, two on the August 22 program). Unmentioned by Amanpour or her guests: A report presented Friday by former 9/11 Commission Co-Chairs Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton about, according to Reuters , a needed “wake-up call about the radicalization of Muslims in the United States.” The report warned: “The U.S. is arguably now little different from Europe in terms of having a domestic terrorist problem involving immigrant and indigenous Muslims as well as converts to Islam.” At the top of Sunday’s show, Amanpour noted the 9/11 anniversary and used it to frame her agenda: “Nine years later, the growing hostility towards American Muslims.” In a lengthy set-up piece leading into Rauf, Amanpour fretted that “the plans to build an Islamic center close to Ground Zero have whipped up anti-Muslim sentiment” and insisted: “Not since 9/11 has the country seen such anti-Muslim fervor.” She asserted “Muslim-Americans are feeling vulnerable, with attacks on mosques in California, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. And the latest fuel poured on the fire, a threat to burn Korans…” And “these tumultuous events have created a global backlash. From Washington, to the Vatican, to Afghanistan.” She cued up Rauf: “Sarah Palin made a famous tweet saying please reconsider, the feelings are too raw. What did you think about that?” Rauf rejected the advice as he regurgitated Amanpour’s spin: “I thought it was disingenuous to a certain extent. The fact of the matter is, this has been used for political purposes and there’s growing Islamophobia in this country.” Amanpour tried to portray a nefarious trend: “In the latest poll that ABC’s conducted, only 37 percent of those who were asked expressed a positive feeling about Islam. Do you think that Muslims, people such as yourself, others here, can actually have a place to practice their religion freely, to live freely as Americans, given that figure? It’s the lowest figure since 2001.” But, it’s “the lowest figure since 2001″ by “just two points,” within the margin or error, ABC’s polling chief, Gary Langer, pointed out on ABCNews.com . Nonetheless, she empathized: “Do you think Muslims feel more afraid today, here in America, than they did right after 9/11?” She next set up her panel of “leading thinkers on faith” to “discuss religious tolerance and Islamophobia in America,” namely: “ Eboo Patel , he serves as an inter-faith adviser to the President, by Irshad Manji , author of The Trouble with Islam Today, and by Richard Cizik, founder of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good.” Citing “this fervor that is being whipped up, this rising tide of anti-Islamic sentiment,” she highlighted a poll number that’s actually held steady since 2003: Eboo, you have done a lot in interfaith dialogue, trying to really build bridges here since the disaster of 9/11. What does this say to you, this fervor that is being whipped up, this rising tide of anti-Islamic sentiment in this country? Because let me read you, actually, some of the poll numbers which are interesting here. ‘Mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims.’ That was a question by ABC News and 31 percent of the respondents said yes. The next question, ‘do you have a good basic understanding of the teachings and beliefs of Islam?’ 55 percent of the respondents said no. So what has all your work done over the last nine years? Langer: “Just 54 percent call Islam a peaceful religion, while a substantial minority, 31 percent, thinks mainstream Islam encourages violence against non-Muslims. This view has held steady since 2003.” (Manji, while in favor of proceeding with Rauf’s project, is at least a critic of moderate Muslims for not doing more to denounce radical Islam.) From Thursday night: “ Amanpour Paints Rauf’s Protection Racket as ‘a Matter of Vital National Security ‘” My August 22 NB posting, “ Amanpour on One-Sided This Week: ‘Profound Questions About Religious Tolerance and Prejudice in the U.S .’” Amanpour’s set-up leading into the session with Rauf pre-recorded Thursday in New York City: CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: As much as the President wanted to talk about the economy this week, he also found himself having to speak to the country about religious tolerance. Yesterday, at Pentagon ceremonies to observe the 9/11 anniversary, the President reminded Americans that they’re not at war with Islam. The plans to build an Islamic center close to Ground Zero have whipped up anti-Muslim sentiment to the extent that a pastor with a handful of followers can cause an international incident. In an ABC News poll released this week, nearly 50 percent of Americans say they have an unfavorable view of Islam now. Not since 9/11 has the country seen such anti-Muslim fervor. President Obama is now calling for religious tolerance, just as President Bush did in 2001. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, SEPT 17, 2001: The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. JOHN ESPOSITO, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: America has a significant Muslim problem. And I think that what we’ve seen now really shows what is the tip of the iceberg. A reality that most people didn’t notice. Unleashed out of Manhattan, then becomes a series of acts, hates, protest. MAN: I feel like Islam has been under attack. WOMAN: I think there’s definitely an increased level of fear because it used to that we’d just walk around and be a normal citizen, a normal part of American society and now you get a lot more suspicion. PROTESTER: No mosque here! AMANPOUR: Muslim Americans are feeling vulnerable. With attacks on mosques in California, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. And the latest fuel poured on the fire, a threat to burn Korans by a fringe pastor with a flock of 30. I went to what’s become the flash point in this debate, the proposed Islamic center just blocks from Ground Zero where I found visitors from out of town. MAN: Certainly it’s a time to draw together, not do things that would divide us and make us more divisive. It sends the wrong message around the world. WOMAN: That is not America. That is not what Americans are about. AMANPOUR: And journalists from around the world. WOMAN: This whole thing is like a huge international issue. MAN, YELLING: We don’t have to agree with Islam. We have to agree on the constitution. WOMAN: I lost both my parents! AMANPOUR: These tumultuous events have created a global backlash. From Washington [Hillary Clinton], to the Vatican, to Afghanistan [Karzai]. ESPOSITO: We have two dangers right now. One is that the civil liberties of Muslim Americans will be even more eroded. Two, and more broadly, we will wake up one day and realize that the America we like to celebrate, you know the America we point to people around the world when we look down on them and say, we’re a democracy, we believe in pluralism, we believe in human rights. That, in fact, all of that, with the exception of this group. And that’s a very dangerous and slippery slope to go down. AMANPOUR: And in New York City yesterday, 9/11 ceremonies were marked by protests for and against plans to build that Islamic center nearby. The imam in charge of the project says that he has no intention of moving it right now, or of meeting with the controversial pastor who wants to burn Korans. I sat down for an exclusive interview with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.

See the article here:
Amanpour Uses ABC’s This Week to Continue Her Crusade to Smear America as Islamophobic and Tout Rauf’s Cause

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bob Schieffer Bashes Boehner for Smoking and Taking Tobacco Money

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

President Obama and the Democrats began a full court press this week smearing House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Oh.), and CBS’s Bob Schieffer made it crystal clear Sunday that he’s going to do his part to stop the Ohio Congressman from replacing Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as Speaker in January. In a hard-hitting interview about a variety of subjects on “Face the Nation,” Schieffer actually hammered his guest for smoking cigarettes and taking campaign contributions from the tobacco industry. “How do you square that with the fact that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in this country; 435,000 people — their deaths are linked to cancer. That`s one in five,” scolded Schieffer. “How do you justify that in your own mind?” (video follows with transcript and commentary):   BOB SCHIEFFER, HOST: Mr. Boehner, I`m going to ask you this question because I`m not objective about this. I`m — I`m a cancer survivor. I used to be a heavy smoker. Do you still smoke? JOHN BOEHNER, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER (R-OHIO): I do. SCHIEFFER: You have taken $340,000 from the tobacco industry. They`ve been the largest contributor to your political campaigns over the year. How do you square that with the fact that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in this country; 435,000 people — their deaths are linked to cancer. That`s one in five. How do you — how do you justify that in your own mind? BOEHNER: Bob, tobacco is a legal product in America. And the American people have the right to decide for themselves whether they want to partake or not. There are lots of things that we deal with and come in contact with every day, from alcohol to food to cigarettes, a lot of things that aren`t good for our health. But the American people ought to have the right to make those decisions on their own. SCHIEFFER: Well, I mean, they have a right to shoot themselves if they choose to. Actually, Bob, suicide is against the law in America. Nice try!  SCHIEFFER: But, I mean, shouldn`t we do something to try to encourage them not to? I mean, do you think that`s a good example? BOEHNER: Well, listen, I wish I didn`t have this bad habit. And it is a bad habit. You`ve had it. You`ve dealt with it. But it`s something that I choose to do. And, you know, at some point maybe I`ll decide I`ve had enough of it. SCHIEFFER: Well, I mean, if you should become speaker, you could set a good example for the country by saying, I`m going to try to stop smoking. Maybe you could get the president. I understand he smokes too. Maybe the two of you could find a way to try to stop smoking. That would be kind of a good thing, wouldn`t it? BOEHNER: Bob, I appreciate your suggestion. The hypocrisy on display here was astounding. After all, as Schieffer noted, Barack Obama is a cigarette smoker. But something Schieffer didn’t mention was that in 2008, Obama took more money from the tobacco industry than Boehner did . Yet, according to LexisNexis, Schieffer has never scolded Obama for his smoking or asked him to quit in order to “set a good example.”  Why might that be, Mr. Schieffer? Is this something else you’re not “objective about?” 

Read more:
Bob Schieffer Bashes Boehner for Smoking and Taking Tobacco Money

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Watch Justin Bieber Act in New CSI Promo

Posted on September 9, 2010 by | Leave a comment

It’s the guilty pleasure you won’t admit you’ve been waiting for! After almost two months of teasing , CBS has finally released the first evidence of Justin Bieber actually acting on the season premiere of CSI . If you’ll remember , the network initially described Bieber’s role as that of “a troubled teen who is faced with a terrible decision regarding his only brother — a decision that leads him into an explosive confrontation with the CSI s.” And how!

Originally posted here:
Watch Justin Bieber Act in New CSI Promo

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

CBS’s Smith Pressures GOP to Sign On to ‘Obama’s New Deal’

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On Tuesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith touted President Obama’s economic proposals and portrayed Republicans as obstructionist: “Obama’s new plan. The President proposes to spend $50 billion on roads, airports, and railways and offers businesses a $200 billion tax cut. But the GOP says not so fast.” Later, Smith introduced a report by senior White House correspondent Bill Plante: “With unemployment at 9.6% and the midterm elections just two months away, President Obama is out and about this week promoting new ideas to get the economy moving again.” Plante proclaimed: “Pumped up in full campaign mode before a crowd of union members in Milwaukee, Mr. Obama celebrated his administration’s accomplishments and announced a new project to repair the nation’s infrastructure.” A headline on screen read: “Obama’s New Deal; Announces $50 billion Infrastructure Plan.” Following Plante’s report, Smith spoke with CBS economics and business correspondent Rebecca Jarvis and political analyst John Dickerson about the President’s plans. As Jarvis promoted the idea that more spending would create jobs, Smith asked Dickerson about Republican opposition: “…almost anything that the White House talks about, say over the last couple months or so, has met – had been met with a raspberry, I suppose we should assume this will be met with the same kind of reaction?” Dickerson had earlier used the “raspberry” image to dismiss GOP criticism as pure politics: “Well, the resounding sound was a huge raspberry from all Republican corners to the President’s proposal. You know, they – it’s almost as if these press releases are pre-written.” In reply to Smith, Dickerson suggested a strategy for Obama: “So then does the President have an issue, can he take it on the stump and say, ‘look, I’m even trying to give Republicans things that they want, that they’ve said they’ve wanted, they’re still saying no,’ and that’s going to be his message for the next two months.” Smith followed up: “Is there any chance any of this stuff the White House is talking about is going to get any support from Republicans?” Dickerson remarked: “No….in the end, the President’s going to have to try to rally his troops around the idea that the Republicans are really trying to block anything that’s sensible.” On Sunday’s Face the Nation , Smith filled in for host Bob Schieffer and asked a panel of liberal economists: “was the stimulus big enough?” He also pushed for a “second stimulus,” questioned extending the Bush tax cuts, and proposed the creation of “something like a new WPA” to create jobs. Here is a full transcript of the September 7 segment: 7:00AM TEASE HARRY SMITH: Obama’s new plan. The President proposes to spend $50 billion on roads, airports, and railways and offers businesses a $200 billion tax cut. But the GOP says not so fast. 7:06AM SEGMENT SMITH: Now to the economy and politics. With unemployment at 9.6% and the midterm elections just two months away, President Obama is out and about this week promoting new ideas to get the economy moving again. CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante has the latest on that. Bill, good morning. BILL PLANTE: Good morning, Harry. The stalled economy has fueled voter discontent and Democrats fears of losing control of Congress. So the President will be on the campaign trail for much of the next two months trying to turn things around. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Obama’s New Deal; Announces $50 billion Infrastructure Plan] BARACK OBAMA: I am going to keep fighting every single day, every single hour, every single minute, to turn this economy around and put people back to work and renew the American dream. Not just for your family, not just for all our families, but for future generations. PLANTE: Pumped up in full campaign mode before a crowd of union members in Milwaukee, Mr. Obama celebrated his administration’s accomplishments and announced a new project to repair the nation’s infrastructure. The proposal would rebuild 150,000 miles of roads, construct 4,000 miles of rail, and reconstruct 150 miles of runway as well as modernizing the air traffic control system. Administration officials insist this isn’t another stimulus, but the President says it will be a big boost to the economy. OBAMA: This will not only create jobs immediately, it’s also going to make our economy hum over the long haul. PLANTE: House Minority Leader John Boehner shot back in a statement, saying ‘we don’t need more government stimulus spending. We need to end Washington Democrats’ out-of-control spending spree, stop their tax hikes, and create jobs.’ Administration officials propose to pay for the infrastructure rebuilding by eliminating some tax breaks for oil and gas production. And the President will soon propose another tax break for small business. He wants to eliminate taxes on capital investment for the coming year until the end of 2011. Harry. SMITH: Alright, Bill Plante at the White House this morning, thank you. Here now to talk – take a closer look at the President’s plans are CBS News business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis. And in Washington, CBS News political analyst John Dickerson. Good morning to you both. REBECCA JARVIS: Good morning. SMITH: Rebecca, let’s start with you, let’s go through these two plans. The $50 billion, sort of, stimulus junior, as it were, to all of this infrastructure work. JARVIS: Infrastructure- SMITH: This is supposed to be kind of a seed, really, for a much larger idea of addressing infrastructure needs across the country. JARVIS: Absolutely, and well we’ve had these infrastructure needs, obviously, in the very first stimulus, which was about $800 billion, some of the stimulus needs were supposed to be addressed. And if you look at those numbers, that original stimulus dollars, that original 800 billion or so stimulus dollars, that created – according to the Congressional Budget Office, which is a nonpartisan group – that created 1.4 to 3.3 million jobs. So if you think about this infrastructure plan which is $50 billion – that’s the proposal – that, if it’s an apples to apples comparison, it’s a 1/16 of the size of the original plan, could create about 88,000 to 206,000 jobs in a year. SMITH: That’s not a lot of jobs, although it is being welcomed, politically, in some corners and being shunned by – in other quarters. Let’s get John Dickerson on board here to just talk a little bit about the reaction to this. What was the resounding sound, especially from Republicans? JOHN DICKERSON: Well, the resounding sound was a huge raspberry from all Republican corners to the President’s proposal. You know, they – it’s almost as if these press releases are pre-written. They see this as a last-minute desperate attempt by the President. They say more big government spending going to balloon the deficit, this was right into their existing playbook. SMITH: Alright, and let’s talk about this two – this other- DICKERSON: The $200 billion. SMITH: Exactly. Which is a whole – kind of putting a different template on the way businesses sort of write down their own investment in their business. JARVIS: Yeah, as Bill Plante mentioned, it’s an original for two years businesses won’t have to wait to write down their investments in new things. Instead, they’ll get to take off their books, they’ll get to take the deductions in taxes. It’s a $200 billion plan. And some economists estimate it will help grow business investment by 5% to 10%, which could be a boost to some new businesses, as well as new jobs. SMITH: Alright. And John Dickerson, we haven’t heard so much reaction to that yet, but sort of overall, almost anything that the White House talks about, say over the last couple months or so, has met – had been met with a raspberry, I suppose we should assume this will be met with the same kind of reaction? DICKERSON: It will be. And the problem is the President’s got to get these things through Congress and particularly in the Senate, that requires Republican votes and his – the President’s allies in the Senate say that just isn’t going to happen. So then does the President have an issue, can he take it on the stump and say, ‘look, I’m even trying to give Republicans things that they want, that they’ve said they’ve wanted, they’re still saying no,’ and that’s going to be his message for the next two months. SMITH: Because that really ends up being the question. Is there any chance any of this stuff the White House is talking about is going to get any support from Republicans? DICKERSON: No. And though there may an tiny bit of support for this $30 billion small business bill, because small business is something everybody loves. But in the end, the President’s going to have to try to rally his troops around the idea that the Republicans are really trying to block anything that’s sensible. SMITH: Yeah, okay. And finally, last but not least, all through this then, the Bush tax cuts has become this sort of mantra of sorts that the Republicans say, ‘do not touch this. Do not touch this.’ What’s the news on that today? JARVIS: Well, this $200 billion tax credit for businesses throughout the country, some are viewing it as a potential alternative to the Bush tax cuts for the upper earning income earners. SMITH: Alright, thanks very much, Rebecca Jarivs, John Dickerson. Thank you very much for joining us and your insights this morning.

Visit link:
CBS’s Smith Pressures GOP to Sign On to ‘Obama’s New Deal’

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

TV Bites: YouTube Sensation Bo Burnham Gets an MTV Show, Immediately Shrinks His Audience by Millions

Posted on September 7, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Also in this morning’s TV Bites: CBS wants to be in the Robert Ludlum business… Billy Ray Cyrus becomes an alien hunter… a Scrubs veteran heads to Cougar Town … and more ahead.

Go here to read the rest:
TV Bites: YouTube Sensation Bo Burnham Gets an MTV Show, Immediately Shrinks His Audience by Millions

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CBS Early Show Promotes Palin-Bashing Vanity Fair Article

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On Thursday’s CBS Early Show, fill-in co-host Erica Hill interviewed Vanity Fair reporter Michael Joseph Gross about his article slamming Sarah Palin with outlandish accusations: “…we’ve watched Sarah Palin go from a small town hockey mom and the mayor to international celebrity….it certainly changed her, that’s according to a rather unflattering new article in Vanity Fair magazine. ” Talking to Gross, Hill noted how he “had a tough time…getting to people who are close to Sarah Palin,” but wondered: “…tell us about the people you did speak to who are around her….What kind of an impression did they give you of Sarah Palin?” Gross detailed some of the wild claims made by his questionable sources: “They’d tell stories about screaming fits, about throwing things….where Sarah and Todd will empty the pantry of canned goods, throwing them at each other until the front of the refrigerator looks like it’s been shot up by a shot gun.” Taken in by the story, Hill simply replied: “Wow.” Gross continued, alleging that Palin “tortured” former assistants, one of whom “had to quit the job, seek psychiatric counseling, and leave the state to escape Palin’s influence.” He asserted: “…[Palin] exacts retribution on people after they leave. They’re afraid that she’s going to get them fired from their job, try to ruin their reputations. That’s the modus operandi.” Earlier in the interview, he described Palin’s current political activity as an effort to exact “a kind of vengeance on the country for rejecting her” in the 2008 election. Hill seemed puzzled about Palin’s refusal to talk to Gross for the vicious hit piece: “These are all some pretty strong allegations. You tried to get in touch….with Sarah Palin, with her media people….Did they tell you why they wouldn’t speak with you?” Gross replied: “I tried everything. I tried sending messages through her father, through her hairdresser. I spent almost three weeks in Wasilla.” Hill wrapped up the segment by endorsing the smear: “It’s a fascinating article. It’s a fascinating read.” Prior to Hill’s interview with Gross, correspondent Nancy Cordes reported on the Vanity Fair attack: “The story portrays Palin as leading a life shrouded in secrecy, using fear to control those around her.” One accusation she highlighted: “The article gives new details about Palin’s heavily publicized campaign spending habits, saying she purchased over 400 items, including $3,000 on underwear and $20,000 on a new wardrobe for her husband, Todd.” A sound bite was featured from Politico’s Andrew Barr, who proclaimed: “…it seems like they’re [the Palins] going around, trying to, you know, bilk the RNC and others for as much money as they could get.” Cordes also noted: “Gross claims that before [Levi] Johnston issued a public apology to Palin, she met with him privately and demanded to know if he was wearing a wire.” She then touted how the Early Show provided a platform to Johnston yet again last week : “In an exclusive interview with the Early Show last Friday, Levi said he regretted making that statement [the apology].”    Here is a full transcript of the September 2 segment: 8:30AM TEASE ERICA HILL: Also ahead, we’ve watched Sarah Palin go from a small town hockey mom and the mayor to international celebrity. That kind of sudden fame can change anyone. And it certainly changed her, that’s according to a rather unflattering new article in Vanity Fair magazine. We’re going to speak with the author of that article, who followed Palin on the trail for months, spoke to dozens of people who know her. We’ll see the picture that he says emerged. 8:40AM SEGMENT ERICA HILL: For two years now, Sarah Palin has been in the national spotlight. Making a political impact that’s felt from Washington to Hollywood and, of course, in Alaska. Her life has changed and so has her family’s. And as CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes tells us, those changes, according to a new report, aren’t always flattering. SARAH PALIN: We must restore America- [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Inside Palin’s World; New Revelations About Fmr. Alaska Governor] NANCY CORDES: She’s the Republican Party’s top draw. And Sarah Palin’s influence appears to be growing. She’s backed 20 winning candidates in this year’s primaries. But in an article published in this month’s Vanity Fair, author Michael Joseph Gross claims Palin is not who she appears to be. The story portrays Palin as leading a life shrouded in secrecy, using fear to control those around her. ANDREW BARR [REPORTER, POLITICO.COM]: Everyone who was leaking, who was talking to the press has been cut out of her circle. CORDES: The article gives new details about Palin’s heavily publicized campaign spending habits, saying she purchased over 400 items, including $3,000 on underwear and $20,000 on a new wardrobe for her husband, Todd. BARR: If you look through the campaign e-mails, if you look through disclosures, it seems like they’re going around, trying to, you know, bilk the RNC and others for as much money as they could get. CORDES: The article also sheds light on Palin’s public feud with her daughter’s former fiancee, Levi Johnston. Gross claims that before Johnston issued a public apology to Palin, she met with him privately and demanded to know if he was wearing a wire. In an exclusive interview with the Early Show last Friday, Levi said he regretted making that statement. LEVI JOHNSTON: The only thing I wish I wouldn’t have done is put out that apology, because it kind of makes me sound like a liar. CORDES: Palin has not commented on the article. In two weeks she will headline a GOP event in Iowa, adding to the speculation about her political plans for 2012. Nancy Cordes, CBS News, Washington. HILL: Joining us now is Vanity Fair writer Michael Joseph Gross. His article, ‘Sarah Palin: The Sound and the Fury,’ is in the magazine’s upcoming issue. Good to have you with us this morning. MICHAEL JOSEPH GROSS: Thanks for having me. HILL: You said the most important quote in this article is, ‘we weren’t good enough for America.’ Why do you feel that’s the most important quote that you have there? GROSS: When Sarah Palin got back to Wasilla after the election, she was in her house. The people from the Republican Party were trying to collect the clothing that had been purchased for return. She was talking to one of her children and she was crying and she said, ‘we weren’t good enough for America. We’ll never be good enough for America.’ I think she felt so rejected by this election that what we’re seeing subsequently has been a kind of vengeance on the country for rejecting her. I think what she’s doing is plugging into a similar sense of rejection among millions of people out there who feel like they’re not good enough. HILL: You had a tough time, you say, getting to people who are close to Sarah Palin, let alone Sarah Palin. First, tell us about the people you did speak to who are around her, who had been close in her camps. What kind of an impression did they give you of Sarah Palin? GROSS: The people who’ve been closest to her describe a temper that at first I couldn’t even believe could be true. They’d tell stories about screaming fits, about throwing things. We’re talking about everybody from friends who’ve stayed with the Palins, who’ve witnessed events where Sarah and Todd will empty the pantry of canned goods, throwing them at each other until the front of the refrigerator looks like it’s been shot up by a shot gun. HILL: Wow. GROSS: Everything from that to former assistants who’ve been so tortured by Palin that, in one case, one had to quit the job, seek psychiatric counseling, and leave the state to escape Palin’s influence. Because everybody who’s worked with her has seen the way that she exacts retribution on people after they leave. They’re afraid that she’s going to get them fired from their job, try to ruin their reputations. That’s the modus operandi. HILL: These are all some pretty strong allegations. You tried to get in touch with the Palin – with Sarah Palin, with her media people. A) Were you successful? And B) Did they tell you why they wouldn’t speak with you? Because they didn’t for this article. GROSS: The only responses that I received from them were that my request was under consideration. There was never any resolution to the conversation. That message was sent multiple times. And I tried everything. I tried sending messages through her father, through her hairdresser. I spent almost three weeks in Wasilla. So- HILL: Good to have you with us. It’s a fascinating article. It’s a fascinating read. GROSS: Thank you. HILL: Thanks for being with us. Michael Joseph Gross joining us from Vanity Fair.

See original here:
CBS Early Show Promotes Palin-Bashing Vanity Fair Article

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Hollywood, Hot Stuff, News

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Letterman Extortionist Robert Halderman Released

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Filed under: David Letterman , Robert Halderman , Celebrity Justice David Letterman ‘s blackmailer Robert Halderman is out of a New York City jail after serving four months behind bars. The former CBS News producer got two months knocked off his sentence for good behavior. Halderman pled guilty to extortion after… Read more

Read the original here:
Letterman Extortionist Robert Halderman Released

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hot Stuff

Tagged , , , , , , , ,