Co-authored by David

The Glenn Beck show which aired on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 mostly consisted of “greatest hits” of clips from previous Beck shows. Predictably, there was a segment with Beck attacking Woodrow Wilson. Beck called Woodrow Wilson a racist. Beck said, “We were never taught about Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow Wilson was a racist of the first order. This guy was a spooky, spooky dude.” But later Beck made a point of likening Wilson to President Barack Obama. Was this a backdoor way of calling President Obama a racist again? Despite his recent recantation, Beck told Katie Couric a year earlier that his only regret was in how he phrased his original accusation that Obama is a “racist” with a “deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture.” Or was Wednesday's show just an inadvertent – but revealing – juxtaposition on the part of Napolitano and/or the Beck producers?

In one of the old clips Napolitano revisited, Beck was shown saying Wilson “subverted the Constitution” and “invented propaganda.” Beck went so far as to say that “He (Wilson) was the man that Goebbels learned it from.” Beck never explained how or what Goebbels learned from Wilson. Napolitano’s historian guest, Burton Folsom, Jr., merely told us that Wilson subverted the Constitution by “put(ting) people in jail for disagreeing with him… newspapers were shut down, some never reopened. We had people in jail who never were allowed out of jail, even after the war was over… fundamentally interfering with the liberty of contract that the Constitution gives us.” Apparently, being told some heinous things that Wilson did were reason enough to believe any and all accusations. Never mind that Folsom’s work has been repudiated by mainstream historians. So much for “we report, you decide.”

Later, in another clip supposedly comparing Obama to FDR, Beck was shown saying, “I think (Obama) is more like Woodrow Wilson.” He referred to both Obama and Wilson as “spooky.” Using “Beck Logic,” he was suggesting that Obama is a racist who is bent on destroying the Constitution and a master of state-sponsored propaganda.

By Brian

On today’s Your World, Neil Cavuto talked about running into a heckler yesterday outside Fox News who attacked Cavuto for supporting the extension of tax cuts for the rich.

Cavuto relayed, "'They don't need it,’ he shouts. ‘They're punks. You're a punk!’ Then he calls me something that rhymes with 'mother smucker' and says 'it's time to stop the free ride.'"

Cavuto said that “Given the late hour, I actually engaged this guy which may have been a bad idea. ‘So they're getting a free ride?’ I ask him."

"’Damn right,’ he snaps. ‘And you're their pimp patron saint.’"

Cavuto, who can be witty, said he admired that turn-of-phrase. But, Back to this menacing, no doubt MSNBC-watching chap. I continue. "Those top two-per-centers paying over half the taxes in this country. Those guys? I asked.

"One and the same, melon head!"

(Hurtful, I’m thinking to myself but I just remained focused) "You're all going to burn in hell," he says. "And I want a front row seat to watch it."
The man left before Cavuto had the chance to note that if the man had that front row seat, he’d be in hell, too.

Cavuto continued, "You'd almost think the rich weren't paying any taxes. They're paying the most taxes and at the highest rate now, right now. And even when that rate was cut, their share of the total tax pie went up. That's right, up. The rich pay more in total taxes now than ever before, ever. It’s true.”

Maybe more in total taxes – and if that’s true, it’s because they’re earning more than ever before. Because as Cavuto almost certainly knows, Obama is proposing not to raise taxes but to allow the George W. Bush tax cuts to sunset. Meaning that they’ll be back at the same levels as during the Clinton administration – when the economy did just fine, thank you.

Cavuto went on to talk about small businesses. "Take out the guy selling stuff on eBay at home or the woman making crafts in her basement for some extra income and then just focus on businesses employing 20 or more workers, trying to make serious income, and now - now you're talking 48% of all viable small businesses paying that top income rate.” Hmm, according to the New York Times, “Analyses from the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research organization, show that less than 3 percent of filers with small-business income pay at the top two income tax rates, and many of those are doctors and lawyers in partnerships.”

Comment: It's about time someone stood up to Cavuto for his love of the rich.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

On September 1, 2010, the New York Times reported on a widespread phone-hacking scheme perpetrated by reporters from one of News Corp's British tabloid newspapers. Some of the hacking victims were the British royal family but Scotland Yard was reluctant to investigate further, the Times noted, because of its close relationship with the News Corp. publication. (H/T Eric J.)

In a similar story, Wired wrote:
Most of the victims are only now learning that their phone voicemail accounts may have been accessed by reporters, four years after the investigation first launched. One young woman, who had previously been the victim in a high-profile sexual-assault case when she was 19, only recently received a letter confirming that her phone number was on a list of potential hack targets kept by News of the World employees.

Scotland Yard is being accused of violating the rights of victims by failing to inform them earlier that they were targeted and of purposely narrowing the investigation to a single reporter and private investigator in order to preserve a special information-sharing relationship law enforcement agents had with the tabloid. The investigation focused only on Clive Goodman, a veteran reporter who covered the royal family, and Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator who worked for the tabloid.

Stay classy, News Corp!

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John Bolton, a solid conservative if there ever was one and a Fox News contributor, appeared on America Live today ostensibly to discuss his appearance at a 9/11 rally protesting the so-called ground zero mosque. But before long, host Megyn Kelly asked Bolton about his rumored aspirations to run for president. When Bolton acknowledged he was considering such a move, Kelly lit into him with the kind of treatment she usually reserves for liberals.

At about the 2:20 mark in the interview, Kelly, with a sly smile, said to Bolton, “Ambassador, I heard you express some political aspirations recently. Confirm or deny you are potentially interested in running for president of the United States.”

Bolton told her, “I am thinking about it” because he wants national security to have a bigger place in the “national political discourse.” But, he stressed, “I have not made any decision at all” and would not do so until after the midterm elections.

Kelly said the following in a joking voice but it was clear she meant what she was saying. “Now, how could you do it, Ambassador? You, you, the polarizing U.N. guy, the guy that the Democrats wouldn’t even approve, you had to be a recess appointment, they said you were so awful. (GOP Senator George) Voinovich, wasn’t he the one who cried on the floor over you? How are YOU gonna get Democrats to vote for you for president?”

Bolton laughed as though Kelly had been flirting with him. “Well, we’ll just have to see how it goes. I’m certainly not a politician… I’ve never run for elective office but I think the importance of national security has not been given the attention that it deserves in this administration.”

By which Bolton likely means that Obama is not bellicose enough. Bolton has been salivating for war with Iran for years.

It's entirely possible Kelly was just in a mood or playing at being a balanced, tough interviewer. But she's nothing if not calculating and I find it hard to believe she would not have had some ulterior motive for this unusual, rather cheeky behavior.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Bill O’Reilly was the epitome of the ugly American last night during his Talking Points Memo as he essentially blamed Muslims for U.S. antagonism toward the so-called Ground Zero mosque. If Muslims weren’t so intolerant themselves, so hostile to America in a religious kind of way, O’Reilly’s argument went, then we wouldn’t have to be suspicious and resentful of an Islamic cultural center that’s two blocks from Ground Zero. And until Muslims become more tolerant of Americans – by which O’Reilly seemed to mean they should completely accept everything America dishes out to them without objection – O’Reilly sees no reason Americans should be any more tolerant of them. In other words, Muslims not only deserve the mistrust constantly meted out on Fox News, they caused it.

O’Reilly began, “Right now, there are more than 100 mosques in New York City so there’s no religious tolerance issue here or in most other parts of America.” Well, except for that Koran-burning pastor or the arson at a Tennessee mosque or the New York City cabdriver stabbed after telling a passenger he was Muslim.

O’Reilly continued, “There is, however, a big religious tolerance problem in most Muslim countries as they don’t accept ANY other religion. By placing the proposed mosque within yards of the 9/11 attack, with no stated purpose for that, the imam has created a controversy. He did it! There’s simply no reason for the mosque to be there.”

There’s really no reason for the “mosque,” which is really an Islamic cultural center, not to be there, other than the fact that some Islamophobic hate mongers got into bed with Fox News and other right wing media and whipped up public animosity. And really, Bill, saying it’s “within yards of the 9/11 attack” is what you must surely know is a distortion, given that the building is two blocks away from Ground Zero. As for the purpose of the mosque’s location, the imam said in December, 2009, back when Fox News was for the project (before turning against it), that he wanted to “push back against the extremists” and send “the opposite statement to what happened on 9/11." As the old saying goes, you're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.

O’Reilly continued with a lecture for Muslims. “Sincere Muslims should respect (the objections of 9/11 families). Talking Points believes that tolerance deal swings both ways, right?” O’Reilly swung his finger back and forth for emphasis. “Seems every two minutes some Muslims are offended by America. Yeah! We have some kooks here who are disrespectful to Islam. But every nation has them. It is long past time for the Muslim world to show a little respect and tolerance to America!”

Personally, I think Muslims have shown a lot of respect and tolerance considering that we invaded one country based on faulty information and we’re killing civilians all over the place in another. The number of dead Iraqi civilians alone, is many times more than the number of Americans killed on 9/11. That’s not counting all the other destruction wreaked on the country because of a previous right-wing hysteria: Saddam Hussein’s (non-existent) weapons of mass destruction. Where's O'Reilly's sensitivity for the families of those innocent victims? I've never heard it.

Conveniently overlooking any and all American missteps, O’Reilly continued attacking Muslims for their lack of understanding. “After all, Muslims attacked us in the name of Allah! Until the imam and other Muslims understand the impact of that mass murder, many Americans will remain resentful…. Violent conflict generated by MUSLIMS (his emphasis) are raging all over the world while Muslim Americans here live in peace and relative prosperity. As well intentioned as Imam Rauf may be, the truth is that Americans are not seeing much tolerance in the Muslim world overseas. Respect and acceptance must be earned.”

Right. Must be earned – unless you’re an American or, more likely (because liberals probably don’t count here), someone O’Reilly thinks gets a permanent pass on blame.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

President Theodore Roosevelt (R), whose desire to preserve America’s great outdoors led to the creation of America’s National Parks, must be rolling in his grave. The man who foresaw that, without government intervention, America’s environment would be pillaged by those for whom profit is the only motive, would be appalled at today’s Republicans whose idea of beauty is a forest of oil drills replacing our natural forests. Recently, the Obama administration, concerned about conserving our precious resources, established the “Great Outdoors Initiative.” This, among other things, promotes “community based recreation and conservation,” “advances “job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and outdoor recreation,” builds upon State, local, private, and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, historic, and cultural resources, creating corridors and connectivity across these outdoor spaces” and “uses science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and waters for future generation.” Not surprisingly, the anti-science right wing, who subscribe to the notion that God will take care of whatever damage man does to the environment (see Rush Limbaugh on the oil spill), are seizing on this initiative to promote the idea that this is a vast left wing Obama conspiracy to steal land from honest industries who just want to help the American economy. Not surprisingly, Fox's and America’s favorite right wing “anchor baby,” Michelle Malkin, is on it. Her column, promoting this newest faux outrage about an Obama “land grab,” was recently published in Murdoch’s NY Post and this morning she was interviewed by very simpatico Fox & Friends. Steve Doocy must have read her column because his summary of the “problem” was taken straight from it. But that's not surprising because Steve Doocy is a mouthpiece for the right wing and as such, he parrots his lines very well!

Doocy did his patented “explanation” of the issue which is actually the requisite right wing talking point to be reinforced by the guest. “It sounds like the federal government is targeting 17 energy rich areas in 11 different states. Their going to designate them monuments” (he did air quotes”) “so that they can control them. Effectively what’s going to happen is prairie dogs, some coyotes, are going to have more rights than some states trying to generate jobs.” Obviously, Steve did not read the administration’s memo because his “explanation” is bogus. But wait, that’s what Malkin (who has developed a strange southern/western accent) says: “According to an internal, 21-page Obama administration memo, 17 energy-rich areas in 11 states have been targeted as potential federal "monuments." The lives of coyotes, deer and prairie dogs would be elevated above states' needs to generate jobs, tourism business and energy solutions.” According to a real “news” network, CBS, the “administration was considering the potential for presidential monument declarations in nine western states.” However, according to the CBS report, “leading Democrats said the monument declarations are not part of the agenda. Montana Senator Max Baucus states, "I am opposed to the administration creating monuments. This is bottom up, that was top down." The CBS report was done in June, so if Doocy had done some research, he might have been able to offer this piece of counterpoint – Nah, can’t cut the agitprop buzz, can we!

Naturally, because she wrote this, Malkin agreed and said that “this is a war on the West, war on the American way of life, a power grab…” blah, blah, right wing talking point, blah. She claimed that “much of this has gone on under the radar screen…” But thanks to the great reporting on Fox & Friends, America now knows the truth, oh praise Michelle Malkin!!! She added that there internal documents have been leaked by “whistle blowers.” (Hmmm, the Foxies didn’t like the NSA “whistleblowing...oh, right. That was during the Bush administration!) Spit out the coffee time when she said that Jim DeMint (yeah, now he’s a voice of reason) “has been good.” The agitprop chyron: “Extending Their Reach, Government May Acquire Public & Private land.” She talked about “appointees” who are “meeting with environmental groups” and “not meeting with state and local officials…” Fact Check – “In Montana, the administration officials were joined by the state's governor and U.S. senators.” Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack met with “landowners, timber industry representatives, conservationists and state officials.” So it looks like Michelle’s pants are on fire with this, dare I say, lie?! Malkin says that she has “flagged” the Great Outdoor Initiative so that people can pay attention. Agitprop chyron: “Great Outdoors” Initiative, Conservation Plan or Private Land Grab?” She claimed that this policy is “destroying jobs.” Gretchen Carslon’s concluding comment was another right wing lesson for the day about “how much property the US owns in the United States, people would be shocked.” Course, Gretch didn’t mention that the land includes tribal reservation, military installations, National Parks, and National Forests.

Comment: When Malkin talks, Fox listens. I know that Fox & Friends is an opinion show; but isn’t there a responsibility to provide some kind of balance to information that is clearly partisan and, in this case, clearly a misrepresentation of the facts?

Instead of attacking President Obama’s speech about the economy in Parma, Ohio with any substance and actual, you know, facts, Sean Hannity cherry-picked two pieces of information (or had an assistant cherry-pick them for him) about the speech and then repeatedly distorted them in order to smear Obama. To make sure no potential smear went unsaid, Hannity’s sole guest for the discussion was Karl Rove. And as if all that were not unfair and imbalanced enough, Fox News producers thoughtfully provided a moving banner over Rove’s head saying, “The Obama Recession.”

Early in the segment last night (9/8/10), Hannity announced, “Not many people turned up to hear Obama. Now, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that event organizers were scrambling to fill seats just an hour before the speech and they asked students at the community college where the event took place to fill the empty seats at the last minute.”

In reality, the speech was an invitation-only event from the get-go. The paper reported that about 75 seats out of about 1,300 were left unfilled. In other words, about 5% of the invitees were no shows and about 95% of the seats were taken. That’s hardly “not many people” turning up. The paper did report that many students declined the last-minute invitations. But the fact that a bunch of students didn't drop whatever else they were doing to accept a sudden invitation to a speech that had nothing to do with their schoolwork is not an absolute indicator of Obama's popularity. More importantly, Hannity made it sound as though the general public had shunned Obama.

Then Hannity moved on to offer an even bigger distortion, this time of Obama’s words. Hannity said, “Now the president did have a rare moment of honesty during his speech and I hope voters around the country are watching this.” He played a clip of Obama saying, “Taxes are scheduled to go up substantially next year. For everybody.”

Hannity sneered, “I know the anointed one will make sure that that happens.”

But what Hannity didn’t tell his viewers is that Obama was talking about how Republicans scheduled that tax increase and how he wants to avoid it for the middle class. What Obama said was:

Now, I believe we ought to make the tax cuts for the middle class permanent. (Applause.) For the middle class, permanent. These families are the ones who saw their wages and incomes flat-line over the last decade -– you deserve a break.

Did Hannity bother to read or view the speech or was he just too afraid to discuss what Obama had actually said? Obama took some good swipes at GOP Minority Leader John Boehner. Or was Hannity just too lazy and arrogant and relied on an incompetent assistant to give him a CliffsNotes version?

If Rove knew more than Hannity about the speech, he kept it to himself. Rove said he thought a lot of Democrats were gnashing their teeth and “crying themselves to sleep” as a result of the speech. He called Obama’s words about the tax increase “a refreshing bit of candor but if I were a Democrat, I would not be happy with my president.”

I hate to rain on Hannity and Rove’s Obama-bashing parade but I read about a zillion emails, blog posts, tweets, comments, etc. in the liberal blogosphere, many of which are not shy about criticizing Obama, and I have yet to read one complaint about that line in his speech. Maybe that’s because liberals actually read or saw more than that one sentence.

Perhaps out of ideas on how to attack Obama, Hannity repeated the two distortions. “A long way we’ve come in 20 short months where they have to now recruit a crowd ‘cause they can’t fill the room an hour before the speech.” And then, “(Obama) did say one thing… a rare moment of honesty, he said, ‘Everybody’s taxes are gonna go up.’ And I thought that was refreshing – obviously interspersed with all the class warfare.”

Hannity ought to have a moment of honesty himself and debate what Obama really said and discuss what actually happened.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

By Aria

This morning, Think Progress and the Huffington Post both reported that Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are planning to hold a 9/11 event in Alaska. It's supposedly a commemoration of the victims that you can attend for the low, low price of $73.75-$225 a ticket. To make things even better, there's no indication where the proceeds will go although the event was previously rumoured to be a political platform for Palin to announce her bid for the 2012 presidency. So much for Palin's high and mighty sensitivity to 9/11 victims...

I'd wonder what FOX NEWS has to say about this, but they seem to be too busy attacking Obama's 9/11 plans.

Brian Kilmeade and the Fox & Friends producers were evidently caught off guard when a guest, Kymberleigh Richards, turned out to be obviously transgendered. Kilmeade introduced her by saying, “He, uh, she is a public and legislative affairs director for Southern California transit advocates.” Richards was there to discuss governmental waste in the LA transit system. Governmental waste is always a favorite on Fox – unless you’ve got a transgendered guest. Every time Richards began talking, the producers went to B-roll footage. Although Richards was clearly knowledgeable and well-spoken about the subject, Kilmeade hurried her through her talking points, apparently hoping to end the interview as soon as possible without looking like something was wrong. (H/T Marlowe C.)

Video via Mediaite:

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What a coincidence! Arizona governor Jan Brewer made a huge fool of herself during a gubernatorial debate last week, was forced to admit she was wrong when she had previously claimed that illegal immigrants were beheading people in the desert and then chickened out of doing any more debates. So just like Alaska Senate candidate Joe Miller did when he felt the harsh glare of media attention, Brewer appeared last night (9/7/10) on Fox News’ Hannity show where she and Sean Hannity pretended not just that she has always been on top of her game, but that she’s a tenacious fighter who won’t give up.

Fox News’ “we report, you decide” motto notwithstanding, there was no mention of Brewer’s very embarrassing debate performance (second video below) in which she seemed to lose her train of thought completely when discussing her accomplishments. Then, after the debate, Brewer fled reporters, rather than answer their questions about why she would not recant her statements about beheadings (third video below). A few days later, in an interview with Associated Press, Brewer admitted, “I misspoke.” She also announced she'd do no more debating. None of that came up in the Hannity interview, either.

Instead, Hannity introduced Brewer as, “the woman who refuses to back down.”

After a series of attacks on the federal government, Brewer announced to Hannity and his audience, “I won’t give up! Arizona won’t give up… We’re gonna keep Arizona safe!”

Sure she will. Just so long as she doesn’t have to debate or face any tough questions.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

The following two videos found via Huffington Post.

According to Bloomberg News, two mobile-phone video games developed by programmers from North Korea's General Federation of Science and Technology are raising cash for the impoverished dictatorship - thanks to a division of News Corp which publishes games for mobile phones.

News Corp is not just doing business with and helping to make money for a country that is part of Fox News' axis of evil, it may be compromising the interests of the United States. Bloomberg reports: Better trained programmers may also bolster the regime’s cyberwarfare capabilities, said Kim Heung Kwang, who taught computer science at universities in the north for 19 years before defecting to South Korea in 2004. South Korea’s presidential office said July 28 the nation had received intelligence that North Korea may plan an Internet-based attack.

North Korea’s information technology push began in the 1980s as the government sought to bolster the faltering economy, said defector Kim. That drive also led to the creation of a cyber-military unit in the late 1990s, he said. He runs North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, a group composed of defectors who have graduated from North Korean universities.

So let's see... Fox News' self-described patriots such as Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck work for a company in bed with both a radical-imam-and-mosque-funding, America-dissing Saudi prince and North Korea. Can we expect any big resignations coming soon? Don't hold your breath.

What's next? News Corp doing business with Iran?

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The News Hounds' mail bag of misdirected emails is filling up again. Here, to give you an idea of the kind of feedback Fox News gets, is another batch of mail that people unintentionally sent to us. As usual, names and other identifying information are withheld to protect the clueless.

Received 4/12/10

I want to send a package of mail of documents detailing the abuse that has occurred over at least 30 years to my family because authorities ignored truthful testimony in the cases brought to their attention. Please contact me at...

Thank You Very Much,

This one, received 5/25/10, tugged at my heartstrings and prompted me to write back immediately to let her know that she had not reached the right party.

The past year I have been through the worst in trying to get my children help. I tried the legal route and was told by the Judge "I hate mothers
who file against fathers" and not allow due process. To DFS workers were there are errors on their reports, DFS telling me that I need to go pick up my son from their fathers house in order to get him medical attention because his father would not take him for medical treatment, to DFS telling they only offer counseling they don't take children away. There are 15 calls placed with DFS and not a single action was taken to ensure the safety of either child while they are with their father. However, because of the demands placed on me from DFS, it cost me my job. Attach is my story. At this point I am very disappointed and feel discriminated against.

I just don't know how to help my children any more and would like the right to be hear.(sic)

This one, received 5/26/10 is a personal favorite:

Dear Fox News:
It has become increasingly difficult to understand some of the lovely ladies who read the news for us. I have no difficulty with most male voices but increasingly the female, seemingly used more and more, is another matter. I strain to understand, my wife who has no hearing problems, says the same thing. It could be our T.V., just 6 months old. or my ability to translate what I hear. I think if Greta Van Susterin would slow down a bit and pronounce her words more carefully she would not be the problem I find now...almost impossible to understand.Since I get all our news from Fox this is a big issue for us. Thank you for all you do in such a wonderful way. Our county would be the poorer without you.
Sincerely yours,
The Rt. Rev'd...
Retired Episcopal Bishop of...

Received 5/30/10

Bill O’reilly:

End of meeting.

Now this one, received 6/15/10, I can't be sure is for Fox but since it's not about the kind of thing we usually write about and it is the kind of subject Fox News would cover, my guess is that it was meant for them.

Well this administration's got another scam going, or at least letting the IRS do one in order to hold up millions of taxpayer returns.

If you owe the IRS then don't worry you won't have to deal with it, but if they owe you then it may be a long time before you see your return. That is if they own you a fairly good amount of money.

Hello, My name it Robert V. Criss and my wife and I filed our taxes with Blood tax service like we have been doing for ten years. We never had a serious problem till now. According to our account there hasn't been an update informing any tax service that the IRS was going to require an Schedule L for this year.

A long story short, we were never sent a letter until I called. Even our on-line status showed possessing. After I called they told me they sent out a letter 5 days ago and I should get it anytime. Liars, the letter was send out after I called them. So our Tax service faxed the form and it's been a month so I called. I was informed today that my return is in error and corrections and then it will go to suspension. Mr. Mays at the IRS said they're telling everyone if they don't get it by July 23rd to call back in. Funny thing is I was told it would only be another 6-8 weeks after I sent in the Schedule L form.
They never notified any tax service that a schedule L or M was required this year so why do I and many others have to be placed in suspension?

"Here's the Deal" I decided to see how many people this is going through this as well. I discovered a whole lot, but only if they owe you and not the other way around. Some are Schedule L and Many are Schedule M. (L is a form on housing tax and M is a form on soc sec) However NOT ONE TAX SERVICE THAT I CAN FIND WAS NOTIFIED THIS YEAR IT WOULD BE REQUIRED!!. Hmmm! So why then? Because the IRS is trying to hold up as many tax returns as it can and for as long as it can. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, just GOOGLE it and see for yourself.

Also when I Google it I notice that next year all tax services that file more than 10 returns will be required to use the IRS E-file system. I'm sure that won't be cheap.

So I was wondering if you guys herd anything on this?
I believe it has merit to show just how low this new government system we have, just loves to turn the knife after they've wounded the American people.

Thank you for your time,

Today was Labor Day, the holiday dedicated to the working men and women of the trade and labor movements. Labor Day was declared a federal holiday in 1894 after the deaths of workers at the hands of US marshals during the infamous Pullman Strike. The original proposal for Labor Day suggested parades to honor "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by picnics and other celebrations by and for the workers and their families. While most parades have pretty much fallen by the wayside, Labor Day is still a day for picnics and barbecues – but more importantly, it still retains much of its original character in the form of speeches and addresses by trade union officials and others, saluting the ordinary American worker.

So who did Fox and Friends interview today, in honor of those who struggled or died so that workers would have the right to safe working conditions, reasonable hours, and a decent living wage? Janie Johnson, a rightwing dimwit who wrote a book celebrating the wonders of free market capitalism and the virtue of instilling its principles in the minds of our young children, that’s who.

It was wall-to-wall blondes in red in the Fox studio this morning as Courtney Friel introduced us to the author of Don’t Take My Lemonade Stand: an American Philosophy,a paean to free market capitalism aimed at parents and their children. Janie’s bio suggests that she is well placed indeed to sing its praises: white, blonde (the curtains, anyway); a former junior tennis champion and later top-100 professional who traveled extensively; a college graduate; married to a man she describes as “an entrepreneur, a real estate investor, a turnaround specialist, and a former Fortune 500 company President” and author of “a best selling business book, CEO Logic.” Although she comes from a family of 9 kids, I haven’t run across anything to suggest that they were anything other than comfortable (listen here, for example).

It is from the vantage point of this life of good fortune and well-being – and dare I say it, privilege (has she ever held down an ordinary job?)– that Janie considers herself qualified to preach about how capitalism is just dandy, how it’s “time to take back our country” (yawn) and how “Common Sense Conservatism” hold the key to achieving that. But it’s all good, because Janie admits she’s “not an expert. I am just an informed American citizen (who has done her homework) [sic] who is not satisfied with the direction of our country or the way in which it is currently being governed,” and who was “not particularly politically motivated (other than to cast an informed vote) until I saw the current level of out-of-control government spending, excessive regulation, unimaginable debt, private company bailouts by the government, attempt to take over healthcare by the federal government, and weakness on defense and terrorism.” Oh, and she says she’s not a Tea Party member. I say, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…

One of her press releases (recognize the PR lady's name?) tells us that Don't Take My Lemonade Stand: An American Philosophy teaches parents how to protect children from Liberals and their Progressive policies. The book includes 51 captioned illustrations by veteran Disney artist Roy Wilson and Questions for Kids at the end of each section.Wait a minute… doesn’t Janie’s website say that she wants kids to learn to think for themselves? Sure it does…oh, but wait! There’s more!:
Don't Take My Lemonade Stand - An American Philosophy has special sections to help parents teach their kids to think for themselves. Use it to take control of who teaches our kids and what they are being taught. Yep, that’s the way to do it! CONTROL who teaches our kids and what they’re being taught, and don’t let them countenance Libruls and their evul Progressive policies! That’ll make independent thinkers of ‘em, all right!

This is pretty much what she spouted today on Fox and Friends – along with the facile claim that capitalism was given to us by the Founders, the hilarious one that capitalism is a force for social justice, and “when my son asked me how you know who to vote for, I told him ‘you vote for whoever gives the government less money’” - so let’s move along, nothing new to see here.

Let’s return to Labor Day and the trade union movement. As I mentioned at the beginning this post, Labor Day was established in the wake of anti-worker violence by American marshals and military. This is a story worth telling.

The late 1800’s were a time of social upheaval and economic crisis. In 1894, following decades of violence across America against men and women who tried to organize for better conditions, and in the face of the crippling economic depression which began in 1893, the factory workers of Pullman, Illinois’ Pullman Car Company walked out in protest over wage reductions by the very company that controlled – and refused to reduce – the rents and utility charges in the company-owned tenement development that housed those workers. This was a situation that was common across America during the rapid rise of industrialized capitalism; many workers lived in near-feudal conditions, in “company towns” not unlike some contemporary arrangements in China that leave us gasping in horror over our morning coffee.

Pullman had already cut his workforce drastically, leaving the unemployed to the charity of alms-givers and poorhouses. From the workers he allowed to remain, he demanded a wage cut of 25% while still paying hefty dividends to his shareholders and big fat salaries to the top executives. In desperation, after negotiations failed, the workers initiated a strike.

The Pullman strike was the spark that lit the wildfire of a massive railway boycott, involving 250,000 workers across 27 states, that almost brought American industry to its knees. Not only could goods not be transported, but neither could the mail. The result was a Federal writ that prohibited any action that advocated, aided or abetted the strike, since it constituted, in the eyes of anti-union Federal judges, "conspiracy to interfere with passage of U.S. mails." 12,000 troops and marshals were involved in putting down the strike, with 13 deaths and 57 casualties among the workers. (Read more here and here).

1894 was an election year, and President Grover Cleveland had a big problem on his hands, with growing protests against the harsh putdown of the strike. So, in order to appease the unions and calm public criticism, President Cleveland rushed a bill through Congress declaring Labor Day a federal holiday, six days after the Pullman strike was broken.

So here we are, 116 years after the first "official" Labor Day, a holiday born of the literal blood, sweat and tears of ordinary laborers, and Fox trots out a cookie-cutter rightwing Mom to tell us why free market (read “unregulated”) capitalism is The Bizness.

Message to Fox and Friends, and Janie: This is not the day for your “I’ve-got-mine” propaganda. This is a day to remember the many unfortunate men, women and children who died under the yoke of 16-hour workdays in suffocating, boiling or freezing conditions, their bodies dwarfed or warped by malnutrition, or poisoned by noxious fumes and toxic dusts. It’s a day to be thankful that some Americans who came before us struggled - some dying - for justice, and that our system, flawed as it is, allowed for legislation to bring such practices on a wide scale to an end. Yep, it’s a day to be grateful for the existence of men and women with social justice or (God forbid!) Socialist sensibilities, who clamored for and won government interference in the practices of free market capitalism. Thanks to them, millions of us, who might otherwise be toiling under horrendous conditions, have the health and opportunity to enjoy end-of-summer picnics and barbecues.

But you won’t hear that on Fox News, who spent the week running up to Labor Day dissing organized labor at every opportunity.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

In attempting to rebut a Huffington Post slide show of "Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally: The Most Ridiculous Messages," Beck, on his nightly Fox "News" network show, provided shots of heart warming patriotic couture. Beck showed, twice, a shot of a T-Shirt with a quote from George Washington. Trouble is, the quote has never been verified. Even Beck's bogus historian, David Barton, has this listed as an "unconfirmed quotation" on his website where he tells his readers to "refrain from using" this quote (and others) until a source can be found. But interestingly, Barton didn't correct rapture ready, multi millionaire snake oil salesman (whoops, Christian pastor) John Hagee when he used it on Glenn Beck's stage shared by Barton and other "patriot pastors." Don't know much about history...

H/T Right Wing Watch

T-Shirt under the fold

Unlike the evil, secular, librul networks, Fox News is proud to stand up for Jesus. Fox & Friends, your morning bible T&A show, has provided a sympathetic venue for anti-atheist billboards and billboards that admonish you to say “Merry Christmas” because Jesus gets upset when you say “happy holidays.” (two years in a row!). Steve Doocy recently provided warm affirmation for a great big cross (even bigger than good Catholic Laura Ingraham’s great big cross bling!) which is being opposed by Satanic forces in Vermont. And as Jesus’ BFF’s, the good Christians on Fox & Friends engage in activism and a bit of community organizing. They promoted Bill Donohue’s petition to force the Empire State building to light up for the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birthday. Unfortunately for those who signed on to the petition, the building stayed dim. And now Fox & Friends has gone from soliciting signatures to soliciting land. This morning, Fox & Friends week-end host Dave Briggs interviewed a Jesus freak (whoops, devout Christian) who is running into some zoning problems over his plans for lighted “Signs4Jesus.” Fox “News” thinks that there’s a shady and ungodly motive, on the part of Chichester NH, which would seem to suggest a little “bearing false witness;” but it’s all in the service of the Lord, so it’s all good. But don’t worry Jesus, Fox & Friends has your back as it’s spreading the good word about these signs and how your other BFF’s can help out.

Briggs introduced his guest, Fab Cusson, who discussed how the town of Chischester NH claims that his electric sign violates town zoning law. What neither he nor Dave mentioned was that the town allowed him to put up a non electric sign. Briggs said that Cusson wants to put up signs all over the country and asked him why. Cusson preached about “the power of God to transform life, evidence of what God can do", yadda yadda. Briggs said that Cusson wants folks across the country to put up signs on their property and tossed to Cusson who cited his website where folks can get more information and follow up with land donations for more signs.

The chyrons were the usual agitprop full of that beloved Christian “battle” rhetoric: “Fighting for Jesus, NH Town Refuses To Allow Biblical Sign.” (No, just not an electronic one!) “Signs for Jesus Fights for Debut, Plans To Build Signs All Over the Country.” “Freedom of Faith, Signs4Jesus Not Backing Down From Fight.” But this one was the money chyron. As with Steve Doocy’s suggestion of anti-Christian sentiment regarding the Vermont cross, this chyron suggests a further, nefarious agenda: “Taking Issue With The Message? Town’s Reason Against Biblical Sign Suspect." So there you have it. A patented Fox “Cavuto Marked” question which is really a statement of Fox “fact.” Whereas the “message” has nothing to do with the issue, Fox makes it so with its “question” which is followed by a Fox “fact” asserting that the reasons behind the zoning conflict are “suspect.”

Comment: Wonder if Fox “News” would provide publicity for those seeking to put up signs endorsing Islam?

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

It was all for charity. But could Brian Kilmeade possibly fawn any more over former President George W. Bush in this verrryyyy lengthy clip?

Fox Nation didn't just post the video, they made it one of their five top stories.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

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Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, is presumably one of Fox News' "objective" news hosts. Earlier today, "unbiased" Wallace just so happened to echo Republican talking points when, complaining about President Obama discussing the economy in his speech about Iraq earlier in the week, he "asked" the Fox News Sunday panel, "Is it unfair to say that this is a president whose heart doesn't seem to be in winning the war on terror, no matter what it costs?"

As Think Progress noted, it's laughable that Wallace should have asked this question of Stephen Hayes, of the Weekly Standard, considering that Hayes has made a career out of pretending Saddam and Al Qaeda were in league to attack the United States.

Think Progress also noted, "What conservatives like Hayes and Wallace apparently don’t get is that without a strong economy, America’s ability to project power and achieve its international goals is seriously diminished. America’s economic health isn’t peripheral to America’s national security, it’s central to it."

Video via Media Matters.

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Co-authored by Brian

In honor of Labor Day, a special Cost of Freedom “business block” on Fox News made a special effort to attack unions. Actually, substitute host Stuart Varney didn’t just attack unions, he accused Bruce Raynor, of Workers United, of siding with “our enemies.” Why? Because Raynor supported the Obama administration’s report to the United Nations “equating the difficulty of organizing a union here in America to a human rights offense.” That must mean that Varney thinks President Obama and hs administration side with our enemies, too, though he did not say so.

"I've got to say, sir,” Varney began with Raynor, “I was shocked and angered by the idea that my government in America would link our behavior in America, vis-à-vis unions, and link it to some kind of human rights abuse. Say it ain't so, Bruce, you can't be serious?"

Raynor, who seemed to have nothing directly to do with the filing of the report, said, "It's true that that’s the position in the report to the United Nations. It’s also true in fact. Millions of American workers, Stuart, today have no right to organize a union." He went on to say that, "Public employees in the State of North Carolina, for instance, have no right to organize unions. South Carolina, Georgia. All throughout the south."

Varney, who was argumentative throughout, interrupted. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. That's a human rights abuse?"

Yes it is," Raynor told him.

"…You will take to the United Nations, and embarrass this great country, and put us in the same league as North Korea?" Varney asked incredulously.

"No, not put us in the same league as North Korea," Raynor answered.

"You are!" Varney insisted.

That was a bit of sleight of hand on Varney’s part. Earlier in the segment, he had interviewed the conservative Barbara Comstock on this same subject. When he made the same outraged objection (claiming the report had linked America to North Korea and Saudi Arabia), she made it clear that the report had not done so. Comstock said that the U.S. had said in the report, “We’re not necessarily equating our behavior with other huge, you know, violating countries.”

Raynor continued, "But when the United States, the greatest democracy in the history of the world, we must defend our democratic principles. The right to free association."

Varney said pugnaciously, "That's it? That's all you've got? You say that it's restricted in North Carolina so we’re human rights abusers?"

Raynor answered, "There are over 20 states where public employees have no right to free association. FedEx drivers have no right to form a union because the company says under some technicality that they’re contracters when UPS drivers are workers and have a right to form a union."

"You have picked tiny little examples," Varney accused, "… and you now say that this great democracy abuses human rights? That's embarrassing."

Raynor replied, "Over a million domestic workers in America have no right to organize. Agricultural workers. There are millions of Americans that have no right to free association."

"Are you telling me that they cannot get a secret ballot and vote to unionize? There's a law which says so?" Varney asked.

Yes that was exactly what Raynor was saying. He added, "In over 20 states, public employees can’t organize, which is millions of public employees."

"You're saying every industry should be completely all the same? Police officers, military?" Varney pushed.

"Except for the military," Raynor said. "… (which) is a different institution." He went on to say that the United States is the “hardest country in the free world” to organize unions.

It's hard to believe Varney didn't have this next line pre-prepared and ready for use at the end of the segment, sort of as a coup de grace. "So you report us to the United Nations… a den of thieves… You have sided with our enemies. You are in the same camp as our enemies.”

Co-authored by Brian

When is Neil Cavuto dismissive of a conservative candidate for the U.S. Senate? When she’s a tea party candidate the Republican Party very much wants to ensure does not win. Christine O’Donnell, the tea party-backed candidate for the U.S. Senate in Delaware has more than a little baggage. But while Cavuto’s brusque coolness toward her seemed at first blush to be a concern for her ethics, his concern just so happens to coincide with the Republican Party which sees Delaware as a potential pick up state – so long as their preferred candidate, Mike Castle, is running.

Cavuto was polite enough in his introduction. “It was sort of like you became like an overnight, emerging force and I don’t know whether it had to do (with) what was going on in Alaska (with the upset victory of Tea Party candidate Joe Miller) but bottom line, the Tea Party saw something in you, galvanized its efforts and away we go.”

O’Donnell had not finished answering what she thought her appeal was before Cavuto interrupted to get down to brass tacks or, as he put it, “kicking the tires.” He said, “I’m sure you’re familiar with (the dirt): that you owe back taxes, that (you) had a home foreclosed on, that you never received a diploma because you didn't pay your tuition."

O’Donnell interrupted, "None of that is true… We've addressed that on our website Christine2010.com."

Cavuto sounded hostile. Rather than offering any independent investigation for the "we report, you decide" network's viewers, he snapped, "No. I don't have time to go to your website. Do you owe back taxes?"

"No. I don't owe back taxes," O’Donnell told him.

"Did you ever foreclose on a home?" Cavuto asked.

"No. I sold my home," O’Donnell answered.

Cavuto interrupted. "That's fine… You didn't receive a diploma because you couldn't pay your tuition. Is that true?"

"Yes and no,” O’Donnell answered. “It took me 12 years to pay off my student loans. When I did the cap and gown ceremony in 1993, I got handed a leather portfolio, but inside was a bursar’s bill."

As soon as she finished explaining, Cavuto ended the interview by saying curtly, “Alright. Well, it’s out there. You responded to it… Thank you, Ms O’Donnell. Very good having you.” But there was no warmth to his words. There was also no independent investigation to verify anything O'Donnell had said.

There seems to be plenty of truth to the accusations about O’Donnell’s finances. But these opening paragraphs from a Huffington Post article about the race sheds another possible motive for Cavuto’s gruffness:
Delaware Republicans call Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell a liar who "could not be elected dog catcher" in a fierce attack that underscores GOP fears of the tea party-backed candidate knocking off top recruit Rep. Mike Castle and winning the nomination.

Stunned by tea partier Joe Miller's upset of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republicans are taking no chances in Delaware, which holds its primary Sept. 14. The party sees Castle, the state's lone congressman since 1993, as the best candidate for the seat long held by Vice President Joe Biden.

By Auntie Em

Ever since Glenn Beck brought his rodeo clown show to the Fox News Channel, News Hounds has been illuminating one lie after another spoken by the most mendacious tee vee personality ever. While Beck claims he will correct any mistakes he makes, we have waited anxiously (No. Not really.) for him to take up some of these falsehoods. Good thing we’re not holding our breath. That’s why it was stunning to hear him admit on his radio show that he lied to the 89,000—or is it 500,000?—Beckerheads who gathered at his “Restoring Honor” rally on the mall in Washington D.C. last weekend. To make matters worse, he admitted he did so because the lie was easier than simply telling the truth. Maybe that should be the motto of his show instead of “Faith, Hope, and Charity.”

At one point, while standing in front of the glorious Lincoln Memorial in his bullet-proof vest, he claimed to have held the original copy of George “Cannot tell a lie” Washington’s Inauguration address in his very own hands while on a very special V.I.P. tour of the National Archives. It didn’t very take long for people to start calling “bullshit.”

Mother Jones asked the National Archives whether it was true that they would allow such a precious and irreplaceable document from one of the Founding Fathers to be handled by a former-alcoholic, or anyone else for that matter.

Figure of speech. Lie. What’s the difference?

It wasn’t long before the citizens of Blogopolis, followed by Keith Olbermann and Ed Schultz, started making fun of this tall tale.

Obviously some damage control was called for, so Beck told his radio audience:

A little clumsy? We all know how clumsy the truth can be and how much easier it is to lie to the American people because we’ve all done that, right? [snark off]. Lying is a pathology, more importantly, it is one telling sign of a sociopath:

While the above definition comes from the Exit and Support Network, a group dedicated to “aiding those spiritually abused by Worldwide Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, and all offshoots,” curiously its list of the sociopathic signs of a cult leader seems to be the dictionary definition of Glenn Beck. In fact, of the 15 main points listed, there is only one that can’t be ascribed to The Beckinator: “Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity,” because no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. The other 14 have all been demonstrated by Cult Leader Beck at one time or another, including:

• Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises. Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from the followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.

• Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.

The question needs to be asked: Is Glenn Beck a textbook sociopath?

h/t Huffington Post