Fwd: Morning Bell: A Recovery Only Washington Could Love

05/07/2010 A Recovery Only Washington Could Love Today the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor and Statistics released its monthly jobs report showing that the nation's unemployment rose to 9.9% in April despite the addition of 290,000 jobs, 66,000 of which were temporary Census 2010 jobs. The rise in unemployment was driven by the entrance of 195,000 previously discouraged Americans reentering the workforce. In total, the U.S. economy has now lost a net of 2.6 million jobs since President Barack Obama signed his $862 billion stimulus plan. We are 7.6 million jobs short of the 137.8 million he promised the American economy would support by 2010. It is encouraging to see the American economy beginning to recover, but these numbers again indicate that the Obama administration's heavy government hand has retarded and deformed what otherwise would have been a more robust recovery. The White House may tout Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports showing their $862 billion stimulus created jobs, but the CBO has also admitted their computer simulation didn't take any actual new real world data into account. To the contrary, an independent study of real world stimulus facts found: 1) no statistical correlation between unemployment and how the $862 billion was spent; 2) that Democratic districts received one-and-a-half times as many awards as Republican ones; and 3) an average cost of $286,000 was awarded per job created. $286,000 per job created.

Fwd: MRC Alert: CBS's Bob Orr Despairs Shahzad 'Lived a Spartan and Seemingly Lonely Existence'

 

A daily compilation edited by Brent H. Baker, CyberAlert items are drawn from daily BiasAlert posts and distributed by the Media Research Center's News Analysis Division, the leader since 1987 in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias.

 

Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
Friday May 07, 2010 @ 11:26 AM EDT

1. CBS's Bob Orr Despairs Shahzad 'Lived a Spartan and Seemingly Lonely Existence'
A night after CBS's Bob Orr insisted botched terrorist bomber Faisal Shahzad's "motive also remains unclear" and fretted "he has not realized any American dream," Orr on Thursday night asserted "investigators say financial pressures may have helped fuel his rage" because "he defaulted on both his mortgage and another $65,000 equity loan." Orr highlighted Inside Edition video of Shahzad's Bridgeport, Connecticut apartment, empathetically describing how Shahzad "lived a spartan and seemingly lonely existence" as evidenced by "a weight bench that passed for furniture, a collection of art supplies, a largely empty kitchen with a solitary plant on the counter. And in the bedroom, a rumpled air mattress on the floor."

2. MSNBC's Tamron Hall Floats Conspiracy Theory That Arizona Deputy Shooting Was 'Staged' to Gain Support for Immigration Law
On Thursday's 11AM hour on MSNBC, anchor Tamron Hall described "growing controversy" surrounding the recent shooting of an Arizona sheriff's deputy by illegal immigrant drug smugglers and noted how: "The Pinal County sheriff released the 911 tapes the injured deputy made, in response to what he called 'growing speculation' that the shooting was staged." Hall spoke to Sheriff Paul Babeu: "The allegation here is that this shooting...was to supposed to help convince people that the tough Arizona law against immigration was needed, that this was the example that you could hold up as proof. What do you say to those claims that this was all staged?"

3. Matthews to Republican: 'Why Do You Keep Bitching?!'
Chris Matthews got into such a tizzy about Republicans criticizing Barack Obama on his terror policy that he flew off the handle, on Thursday's Hardball, as he yelled at his GOP guest: "What's your problem with the guy? Why do you keep bitching?!" During a segment with regular panelists, Democratic strategist Steve McMahon and Republican strategist Todd Harris, the MSNBC host directed, what seemed to be a pent-up frustration about the GOP at Harris, for his party's questioning of "one of the smartest presidents we've ever had."

4. Out of Touch Lauer Wonders if Wall St Glitch Caused by Someone Pushing Wrong 'Typewriter' Key
When was the last time any one used a typewriter? Well on Friday's Today show, in talking with CNBC's Jim Cramer and Maria Bartiromo, in what has to be a classic out of touch moment, Lauer flashed back to the '70s when he asked if yesterday's market drop was caused by someone hitting the "wrong key on a typewriter." Later on, after perhaps being informed by his producer that no one is using an IBM Selectric any more, Lauer used the more updated terminology of "keyboard."

5. MSNBC's Contessa Brewer Lauds 'Pivotal' Illegal Aliens for 'Making Our Country Work'
MSNBC's Contessa Brewer on Thursday didn't try and hide her opinion on illegal immigration, spinning such lawbreakers as having a "pivotal role in making our country work." The News Live host interviewed Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles and opined, "They do all kinds of jobs that keep our economy going, that keep us fed, our houses clean, our gardens tended and the like."

6. ABC Touts Tom Friedman to Lobby for Taxes on Oil and Carbon
Good Morning America on Thursday again brought on Tom Friedman to lobby for taxes on carbon and oil. Talking to host George Stephanopoulos, the New York Times columnist urged Barack Obama to "use" the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico and push "a bill through the Senate."

7. Actress Scarlett Johansson Gushes She's Drunk the 'Kool-Aid' of 'Amazing' Obama
Actress Scarlett Johansson, who campaigned for Barack Obama who mentioned getting e-mails from her, remains in the tank for him. She admitted on Wednesday night's Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson that she was amongst those who "drank the Kool-aid" at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last Saturday where she found him "amazing" and "hilarious."

---

 

CBS's Bob Orr Despairs Shahzad 'Lived a Spartan and Seemingly Lonely Existence'

 

A night after CBS's Bob Orr insisted botched terrorist bomber Faisal Shahzad's "motive also remains unclear" and fretted "he has not realized any American dream," Orr on Thursday night asserted "investigators say financial pressures may have helped fuel his rage" because "he defaulted on both his mortgage and another $65,000 equity loan."

Orr highlighted Inside Edition video of Shahzad's Bridgeport, Connecticut apartment, empathetically describing how Shahzad "lived a spartan and seemingly lonely existence" as evidenced by "a weight bench that passed for furniture, a collection of art supplies, a largely empty kitchen with a solitary plant on the counter. And in the bedroom, a rumpled air mattress on the floor."

ABC's Diane Sawyer saw "a bare kitchen" with Oreos, but she also showed "a shelf with the George Clooney movie in it – Up in the Air," as well as "professional paints on the table" he may have used to make a painting of "a mosque and a tree." Unmentioned by ABC and CBS? The Inside Edition's site reported their video "found a copy of the Koran written in English."Orr reported on the CBS Evening News:

...Shahzad claims he's angry about U.S. Predator attacks on Pakistan. But investigators say financial pressures may have helped his rage. Sources tell CBS News he defaulted on both his mortgage and another $65,000 equity loan.

In video taken just after the FBI's raid of Shahzad's Connecticut apartment, shows the 30-year-old Pakistani-American man lived a spartan and seemingly lonely existence. A weight bench that passed for furniture, a collection of art supplies, a largely empty kitchen with a solitary plant on the counter. And in the bedroom, a rumpled air mattress on the floor...

Sawyer narrated a short item on the May 6 World News:

We also had a look inside his life, thanks to photographer Robert Kalfus, who went into his apartment after police finished their search. You can see it's a spartan existence. A bare kitchen, there were Oreos there, a shelf with the George Clooney movie in it – Up in the Air -- and most surprisingly in a way, professional paints on the table. The FBI took away a painting apparently he may have made of a mosque and a tree.

From Wednesday night, with video: "Shahzad's Motive 'Unclear' to CBS, Cites Money Pressure Since He 'Hasn't Realized Any American Dream'"

—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

MSNBC's Tamron Hall Floats Conspiracy Theory That Arizona Deputy Shooting Was 'Staged' to Gain Support for Immigration Law

 

View the Video Here

On Thursday's 11AM hour on MSNBC, anchor Tamron Hall described "growing controversy" surrounding the recent shooting of an Arizona sheriff's deputy by illegal immigrant drug smugglers and noted how: "The Pinal County sheriff released the 911 tapes the injured deputy made, in response to what he called 'growing speculation' that the shooting was staged." [Audio available here]

Hall brought on Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu to respond and grilled him on the conspiracy theory put out by the left-leaning Phoenix NewTimes: "a report...comparing the deputy who received that wound...to another officer who had staged a gun battle. The allegation here is that this shooting...was to supposed to help convince people that the tough Arizona law against immigration was needed, that this was the example that you could hold up as proof. What do you say to those claims that this was all staged?"

Babeu replied: "Well, we in law enforcement operate in the realm of facts....We don't have the luxury to operate just with all these wild ideas that could be out there." He went on add: "So this news account, they didn't have the benefit of any of the facts. In fact, they didn't even talk to me or anybody from my agency."

In fact, the Phoenix NewTimes admitted the article was pure speculation on their part: "Again, we have no evidence at this point that suggests Deputy Puroll is anything but a stellar peace officer. But, as we say, questions quietly have arisen among some law-enforcement types about the bizarre incident in the desert last Friday afternoon."

Hall continued to press Babeu: "the article says that you've conceded that some of the early reports about the incident were confusing and sometimes incorrect. The incidents that they use is that a helicopter crew responding to the emergency mistakenly reported that it came under fire when it did not." Babeu acknowledged that inaccurate report, but pointed out that "oftentimes" may occur "in a crisis literally when an officer-involved shooting." He asserted: "this incident is not something that is made up. It is something that literally happened."  

Again hall suggested a conspiracy to pass the immigration law: "But sheriff, I know that you've been a prominent supporter of the new law in your state....So without a doubt are you – again, these folks who say this was staged or perhaps linking some of your beliefs to this....Do you say that they are lying, they are liars and are putting shameful things on the heads of your deputies who put their lives on the line?"

Hall concluded the segment by remarking: "Well Sheriff, thank you very much for coming on and responding to some of those allegations that are out there and some of the theories, I should say."

Here is a full transcript of the segment:

11:43AM

TAMRON HALL: We are learning new details today about the growing controversy surrounding a fierce gun battle in the Arizona desert between a deputy and a group of suspected drug smugglers. The Pinal County sheriff released the 911 tapes the injured deputy made, in response to what he called 'growing speculation' that the shooting was staged.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Arizona Gunbattle; AZ Sheriff Releases 911 Tape Amid Speculation Gunbattle Was Staged]

During part of the 911 call, you can actually hear what appears to be gunshots in the background.

[CLIP OF 911 CALL]

[GUN SHOTS]

DEPUTY LOUIE PUROLL: I've been hit, I've been hit, I've been hit.

DISPATCH: Are you okay?

PUROLL: Hell no, I'm not okay. I've been shot. Tell my wife I love her.

DISPATCH: Louie, don't talk like that, okay? How are you doing, buddy?

DISPATCH: Louie, I have deputies in the area looking for you.

[END OF CLIP]

HALL: Joining me live from Phoenix in Pinal County is Sheriff Paul Babeu. Sheriff, thank you for joining me. So there was a-

PAUL BABEU: Absolutely. Good morning.

HALL: Good morning. There was a report on a – Phoenix NewsTimes comparing the deputy who received that wound, I believe it was a surface wound, comparing him to another officer who had staged a gun battle. The allegation here is that this shooting with alleged drug smugglers was to supposed to help convince people that the tough Arizona law against immigration was needed, that this was – the example that you could hold up as proof. What do you say to those claims that this was all staged?

BABEU: Well, we in law enforcement operate in the realm of facts and actual, 'hey, what really happened?' We don't have the luxury to operate just with all these wild ideas that could be out there. And I can tell you that this area is a known corridor for smuggling, both the drugs and human trafficking. And you can see the intelligence photographs that we have taken have shown squads of paramilitary smugglers that have operated in this area that carry semi and automatic –  fully automatic weapons. And this is what we encountered.

So this news account, they didn't have the benefit of any of the facts. In fact, they didn't even talk to me or anybody from my agency. And what we wanted to do is be fully transparent, released all this information showing that we had not only shell casings in the areas where these people fired, we had separate and independent accounts from numerous other people that we had apprehended in the area who identified down to facial features, height, weight, clothing, and weapon description. And they had been robbed by these same people.
                                
HALL: Sheriff, let me ask you, though, because the article says that you've conceded that some of the early reports about the incident were confusing and sometimes incorrect. The incidents that they use is that a helicopter crew responding to the emergency mistakenly reported that it came under fire when it did not.

BABEU: Yes. That's correct. Oftentimes you'll find in a crisis literally when an officer-involved shooting – I myself was going at high speeds, code three to the scene when I heard one of my deputies was shot, was calling for help. We had 200 officers from all over that were responding to this call for help. And this is a remote area. It took me 45 minutes to get there. And so this incident is not something that is made up. It is something that literally happened.

HALL: But sheriff, I know that you've been a prominent supporter of the new law in your state which, of course, we know requires checking documents of people.

BABEU: Sure.

HALL: Who are reasonably suspected of being in the country illegally. So without a doubt are you – again, these folks who say this was staged or perhaps linking some of your beliefs to this, do you flat out –  I'm going to put it frankly. Do you say that they are lying, they are liars and are putting shameful things on the heads of your deputies who put their lives on the line?

BABEU: I can tell you every day, this is a dangerous job, and it's become more dangerous recently. And I'm not going to call people names. We have a job to do. We're honored and privileged to serve in this profession. Last month we had 64 pursuits. These are people who have failed to yield to law enforcement. And every single one of these pursuits, they weren't our citizens. They were illegal immigrants, smugglers of drugs or humans, and nearly all the time they're armed. So this isn't going to get better. It's going to get worse. And we're letting people know deep into the heart of Arizona, we have squads of paramilitary acting like soldiers and ambushing not only deputies but pose a great threat to our safety. And this has got to stop.

HALL: And how is your deputy, as I pointed out, he had a flesh wound, according to the article, how is he?

BABEU: He's doing well. In fact, he's back to work. Deputy Puroll is a 15-plus-year veteran. And he didn't want to talk to not only anybody in the media, he was restricted because of our investigation. Yet he's gung ho, very disciplined deputy. And I'm so proud of him and all of our law enforcement.

HALL: Well Sheriff, thank you very much for coming on and responding to some of those allegations that are out there and some of the theories, I should say.

BABEU: You bet.

HALL: Thank you very much.

BABEU: Yes. 

—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Matthews to Republican: 'Why Do You Keep Bitching?!'

 

View the Video Here

Chris Matthews got into such a tizzy about Republicans criticizing Barack Obama on his terror policy that he flew off the handle, on Thursday's Hardball, as he yelled at his GOP guest: "What's your problem with the guy? Why do you keep bitching?!" During a segment with regular panelists, Democratic strategist Steve McMahon and Republican strategist Todd Harris, the MSNBC host directed, what seemed to be a pent-up frustration about the GOP at Harris, for his party's questioning of "one of the smartest presidents we've ever had." [audio available here] 

The following outburst was aired on the May 6 edition of Hardball:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You know what I don't get. Let me get back to something I have better understanding. Because we've done so much thinking about terrorism since 9/11. Everybody has. The President has a regular meeting in a sit room -- we found out -- a situation room where he sits there and studies. He wants to be an expert on every aspect of what threatens us in the world. All the aspects of al Qaeda. Everything going on with Hezbollah and everybody else in the world. Trying to figure it out. Studying it constantly. And, and your crowd is making it out that he doesn't seem to get it. What doesn't he get? This the smartest, one of the smartest presidents we've ever had, whatever you think of his politics. He has tried to master this subject. They nabbed that guy in a few hours. They're doing the job. We're figuring out how to do the job in Afghanistan, Iraq. Modulating it, very carefully. No radical left wing swings or anything. What's your problem with the guy? Why do you keep bitching?!

TODD HARRIS, GOP STRATEGIST: Chris he could have a PhD in this if...

MATTHEWS: Well what's the problem?

HARRIS: It's not how many facts are in his head. It's a disagreement on his philosophy.

MATTHEWS: You got these guys saying, Boehner keeps saying he doesn't, he isn't rabid enough. He isn't sweating enough. He isn't sweating and, and snarling about terrorism all day and talking like Rudy Giuliani all day long. What's the problem?

—Geoffrey Dickens is the Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here

Out of Touch Lauer Wonders if Wall St Glitch Caused by Someone Pushing Wrong 'Typewriter' Key

 

View the Video Here

When was the last time any one used a typewriter? Well on Friday's Today show, in talking with CNBC's Jim Cramer and Maria Bartiromo, in what has to be a classic out of touch moment, Lauer flashed back to the '70s when he asked if yesterday's market drop was caused by someone hitting the "wrong key on a typewriter." Later on, after perhaps being informed by his producer that no one is using an IBM Selectric any more, Lauer used the more updated terminology of "keyboard." [video below the fold] [audio available here]

The following exchange was aired on the May 7 Today show:

MATT LAUER: I don't want this glitch go by because I still don't understand it to be quite honest. Was there a glitch or wasn't there a glitch? Did someone hit the wrong key on a typewriter?

JIM CRAMER: There was definitely a glitch. It's interesting. We've heard from the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange. You would think that, that would be the only place we would know things. There are exchanges all over the country. We are not able to pinpoint exactly what went wrong.

LAUER: But shouldn't there be a record of this? I mean if someone actually hit the wrong key on a keyboard it would be recorded somewhere and couldn't we go and check?

—Geoffrey Dickens is the Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here

MSNBC's Contessa Brewer Lauds 'Pivotal' Illegal Aliens for 'Making Our Country Work'

 

View the Video Here

MSNBC's Contessa Brewer on Thursday didn't try and hide her opinion on illegal immigration, spinning such lawbreakers as having a "pivotal role in making our country work." The News Live host interviewed Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles and opined, "They do all kinds of jobs that keep our economy going, that keep us fed, our houses clean, our gardens tended and the like." [Audio available here.]

Brewer appeared absolutely baffled by the fact that most Americans agree with Arizona's new immigration law: "When you're looking at removing those people from the system, it's odd to me that you would get so much support."

Continuing her rather lengthy assessment, the anchor offered this rather loaded question: "Why do you think there's so much support for this law when the consequences of removing those estimated 12 million illegal immigrants could devastate our economy?"

Brewer did press Villaraigosa with one tough question. She wondered, "So answer if you will for me, because here's the two critiques that I hear all the time. One, that it affects safety and security and two, they're taking jobs away from legal, U.S. citizens." But, this perfunctory effort came after making her own opinion very clear.

Just two days ago, Brewer weighed into another thorny issue, lamenting the fact that the failed Times Square bomber was a Muslim. Going on the Stephanie Miller radio show, she complained, "I get frustrated...There was part of me that was hoping this was not going to be anybody with ties to any kind of Islamic country."

A transcript of the May 6 segment, which aired at 12:15pm EDT, follows:

CONTESSA BREWER: President Obama pledged to start work this year on immigration reform, responding to the new Arizona law that cracks down on illegal immigrants. Here's what he said at the White House yesterday.

BARACK OBAMA: I want to say it again, just in case anybody's confused, the way to fix our broken immigration system is through common sense, comprehensive immigration reform. We need bipartisan support. But, it can be done and it needs to be done.

BREWER: At a march in Phoenix last night, reverend Al Sharpton led the crowd with candles. Critics believe the law will lead to racial profiling. The state's NBA basketball team is also getting involved. Last night, the team wore Los Suns on their jerseys to honor the Latino community. Antonio Villaraigosa is the Mayor of Los Angeles and joins me now. Mayor, I know you disagree with this law, but how else would you suggest dealing with the problem of illegal immigration?

ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA (Mayor, Los Angeles): Hello, Contessa. It's great to be on your show again. Look, what we've said is tht a federal responsibility under our U.S. Constitution. It should remain solely within the responsibility and the jurisdiction of the federal government to fix our borders. There's no question that we have a broken immigration system. As the President said, we have to fix that broken immigration system. We have every right to secure our borders in a post September 11 world. But, we need to do so in a rational way, in a way that respects the human rights and the democratic rights of the people in this country, whether they're legal or not.

BREWER: The people who are here illegally have a pivotal role in making our country work. They do all kinds of jobs that keep our economy going, that keep us fed, our houses clean, our gardens tended and the like. When you're looking at removing those people from the system, it's odd to me that you would get so much support. I mean, nationwide, the polls show more than half of the people think that the Arizona law just about gets it right. Why do you think there's so much support for this law when the consequences of removing those estimated 12 million illegal immigrants could really devastate our economy?

VILLARAIGOSA: Not only devastate our economy, the estimates are that it would cost the United States of America more than $280 billion to deport 12 million people. We would leave five million citizens, children, here in the United States. No country anywhere has ever deported that number of people. It boggles the mind. Yes, we need to fix our broken system, but that way is the wrong way to go. Now, 70 percent, according to the Pew study, which has done a study of attitudes of people about immigration, say they want a comprehensive immigration fix that secures our border, that addresses the fact that people can't just get citizenship automatically, they have to wait at the end of the line and have to have paid their taxes. They can't have committed serious crimes.

BREWER: So answer if you will for me, because here's the two critiques that I hear all the time. One, that it affects safety and security and two, they're taking jobs away from legal, U.S. citizens.

VILLARAIGOSA: Again, we have a right to address this issue, but we have to do so comprehensively. We can't do it state by state and we can't do it in a way that violates the constitutional rights of the people of Arizona. It just doesn't work that way. That's why the President is right in moving forward and saying that the Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration laws that respect our human and civil liberties, but also secure our borders.

BREWER: Yeah. Well, getting all those people with very different views on how best to tackle immigration could be the problem. Mayor, it's good to have you on the show. Thanks.

—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

ABC Touts Tom Friedman to Lobby for Taxes on Oil and Carbon

 

Good Morning America on Thursday again brought on Tom Friedman to lobby for taxes on carbon and oil. Talking to host George Stephanopoulos, the New York Times columnist urged Barack Obama to "use" the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico and push "a bill through the Senate."

Friedman discussed America getting off oil and argued, "Well, ultimately, it's going to require a price on carbon that will stimulate innovation in clean power technologies." He delicately mentioned forcing changes on businesses and taxpayers and touted that other countries "are putting in place, basically, these kind of carbon rules and taxes that give a very clear signal to business, where to invest."

Other than the occasional right-leaning point made by Bill O'Reilly, GMA's hosts don't often bring on conservative guests to promote lower taxes and less government regulation. Yet, Friedman is a favorite of the ABC program.

The columnist appeared on the September 8, 2008 GMA to make almost the exact same argument he made on Thursday. Talking to host Diane Sawyer, Friedman hyped, "But, you know, there's really no effective plan to make us energy independent without what I call a price signal, without either a carbon tax or a gasoline tax that's really going to shape the market in a different way."

Speaking of the then-presidential candidates, he enthused, "I'm looking for them to tell the truth, which is everywhere in the world, gasoline is taxed except us. You know, gasoline in Denmark is $10 a gallon."

Certainly, GMA's hosts and producers know what to expect when they have Tom Friedman on: Requests for yet more taxes on the American public.

A transcript of the May 6 segment, which aired at 7:08am EDT, follows:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: With so much going on, we wanted to bring in the men who make sense of a complicated better than just about anyone I know, Tom Friedman of the New York Times, who is also the author of Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How it Can Renew America. Tom, thanks for coming in today. And let's pick up where Bianna and Robin just left off. There's a headline in USA Today this morning. "Greek debt crisis offers a preview of what awaits the U.S." I think people do have a hard time wrapping their heads around the idea that that small country that far away can really make a difference here.

TOM FRIEDMAN: Well, George, you know, Greece is the General Motors of countries. Basically, like GM got in trouble by giving overly generous contracts to its unions, then finally paying the price because it couldn't sell enough cars to justify them. The Greeks really did the same with their workers. You know, if you were a Greek worker, if you were a woman, you could retire as early as age 50, if you were in hazardous work. Hazardous work included being a hairdresser, handling a lot of chemicals- or 55 as a man. And, ultimately, they just couldn't pay for it. The tooth fairy went away. And now you're seeing the Greek public, basically, coming to terms with that. And it's a very ugly scene.

STEPHANOPOULOS: And we're not there yet. But we're facing trends with our debts and deficits that could put us in a similar situation in a few years.

FRIEDMAN: You know, it's interesting, George. You'll appreciate this, as a former political hand. I was having a meeting this morning with one of the editors of the Economist. He said, the British election, I'm here in London, is really unique. He's never seen something like this before, that all of the parties running are actually running on pain. They're actually telling voters this time around, we're going to hit you. We're going to take something away from you. Now, they've been criticized for lying about how deep the pain is going to be. But this is a very interesting western election. All major parties are running on pain.

STEPHANOPOULOS: And that could be our future. I want to turn to the oil spill. Fascinating column yesterday, where you said, "The oil spill was what the sub-prime mortgages were to the markets, both a wake-up call and an opportunity." You said it could be President Obama's most important leadership test.

FRIEDMAN: Yeah. I really think this is an opportunity. The President has really got to decide how am I going to deal with this spill? Does he really just want to end the oil spill? Of course he wants to do that. Or does he actually want to give birth to a new energy system that will end our addiction to oil. I for one am hoping and urging that he'll do the latter, that he'll use this as a way of pushing a bill through the Senate, that will begin to finally to end our addiction to oil. So, over time, you know, we're not going to find ourselves dependent on these kind of dangerous technologies, that inevitably lead to these kinds of accidents.

STEPHANOPOULOS: And to pick up on your previous point, that could involve some pain, higher oil and gas prices.

FRIEDMAN: Well, ultimately, it's going to require a price on carbon that will stimulate innovation in clean power technologies. Now, really, if you look out at the American business communities today, American business leaders understand that, really, every country in the world, Europe, Japan, China, are putting in place, basically, these kind of carbon rules and taxes that give a very clear signal to business, where to invest. We're the only major country in the world, not doing that. And I think it's a real- it's a real disadvantage. I mean, China's getting ready to clean our clock. How do you say clean your clock in Mandarin, in the next great global industry, which will be clean technology.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Final question, here in Times Square, that attempted bombing here Saturday night really hit home. It's raising a new question. We're now seen more of these people acting alone or with a very small group of people. No longer going for mass destruction. But mayhem, instead. Is there any way to stop this?

FRIEDMAN: George, it's really hard. You look at this guy's bio. He came to America. He went to school in America. He became an American citizen. He really symbolized, I think, the new challenge for our age. Basically during the Cold War, we were fighting another superpower, with guns, tanks, planes and missiles like ours. And we could deter them. We're in an age of globalization, where our enemies are super empowered, angry people. I mean, that's right. We've gone from fighting superpowers to super empowered, angry individuals. And that is a very different struggle. It's a very different conflict. And I don't think we've gotten our minds around yet how does a superpower fight super empowered individuals?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Good question. It's a difficult one to answer. Tom Friedman, thanks very much.

—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

Actress Scarlett Johansson Gushes She's Drunk the 'Kool-Aid' of 'Amazing' Obama

 

Actress Scarlett Johansson, who campaigned for Barack Obama who mentioned getting e-mails from her, remains in the tank for him. She admitted on Wednesday night's Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson that she was amongst those who "drank the Kool-aid" at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last Saturday where she found him "amazing" and "hilarious."

Monday's USA Today, as I tweeted, quoted Johansson: "I thought (Obama) was hilarious. He has a really dry sense of humor."

When Ferguson's show returned from a commercial break, as the musical bumper ended viewers could hear Johansson telling Ferguson: "Obama was so amazing. He was hilarious, he was hilarious." Recognizing viewers caught what she said, "we're on the air now," Ferguson prompted her to explain, and so she gushed:

I was as the White House Correspondents' dinner and Obama was hilarious, actually. He really like, he, we all drank the Kool-aid. We were sold. It was amazing.

Johansson didn't explain who she meant by "we," but presumably many of journalists and celebrities in attendance.

She's making the media rounds to plug her role in Iron Man 2. Johansson's IMDb page.

— Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

Fwd: Pelosi: It?s Cheaper to Treat Teens for Drug Use Than Interdict Drugs at Border

Today's Headlines Friday, May 7, 2010

Pelosi: It's Cheaper to Treat Teens for Drug Use Than Interdict Drugs at Border (CNSNews.com) - While pointing out that it is the responsibility of the federal government to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) said Thursday it is cheaper to treat teens for drug abuse than it is to interdict drugs being smuggled across the border. She said she is "for reducing [drug] demand in the United States." House Speaker Pelosi Thanks Nuns for Supporting 'Life Affirming' Health Care Bill (CNSNews.com) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a Catholic, thanked American nuns who supported passage of the health care bill. "We believe that the health care initiative was respecting the dignity and worth of every person," Pelosi told the Catholic Community Conference on Thursday. 92 Percent of Americans Believe in God; Only 5 Percent Oppose National Day of Prayer (CNSNews.com) - Just two weeks after a federal judge in Madison, Wis., ruled that the annual National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, 92 percent of Americans told the USA Today/Gallup poll that they believe in God and only 5 percent said they oppose the National Day of Prayer. Sen. Shelby: Financial Reform Violates Privacy (CNSNews.com) – Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), senior Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, said that provisions in the new financial regulatory bill violate privacy rights by allowing the government to collect any financial information it wants from any financial institution it wants. Shelby said Republicans would offer amendments to "surgically strike" such objectionable provisions. Franklin Graham: 'God Used' Judge Who Ruled National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional 'to Accomplish His Purposes' (CNSNews.com) – A standing ovation greeted preacher Franklin Graham as he took the podium at the National Day of Prayer on Capitol Hill on Thursday to give the keynote address. Graham did not back down from criticism that he had disparaged Muslims, telling the crowd that he is a Christian minister who preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pakistan's Jihadists Form A Complex Web of Collaborating Groups (CNSNews.com) – JeM and HUJI, along with others like Lashkar-e-Toiba/Tayyiba (LeT), Hizb ul-Mujahideen and Harkat ul-Ansar are among the sometimes bewildering array of jihadist groups operating in South Asia. Most historically have focused on fighting Indian rule in disputed Kashmir, but they are also part of a broader jihad that views the United States as an enemy and target. Gibbs Can't Say If Obama Used Sexual Slur Against Tea Party Activists in Interview With Newsweek Editor (CNSNews.com) – White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he did not know and could not imagine asking President Barack Obama whether he used the vulgar sexual term "tea baggers" to describe Americans active in the Tea Party movement. But he added that he would check. CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Actress Kim Kardashian: Fox News 'Very Reputable,' The 'Only News in the House' (CNSNews.com) - Actress and model Kim Kardashian turned down CBS's invitation to attend the White House Correspondents Dinner, but told CNSNews.com that she decided to attend as a guest of Fox News' Greta Van Susteren. Kardashian said Fox News Channel, which is often criticized by liberals, is "the only news in the house" where she resides. NBC's Meredith Vieira: 'Real Shocker To Me' That Obama Hadn't Done National Press Conference for 7 Months (CNSNews.com) – Meredith Vieira, co-host of NBC's Today Show, also said that a president "should be available to the media as much as possible because that's the only way the public can get answers." OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES Jobless Rate Rises, Even Though Census Hiring Boosted Payroll Growth Arizona to Eliminate Speed Cameras on Highways Britain's Top Two Parties Locked in Election Standoff New Hampshire Bus Bomb Scare Was A Misunderstanding Investigators Looking for Money Courier in Times Square Bomb Plot Third Navy SEAL Not Guilty of Punching Iraqi Terrorist Oil Spill May Endanger Human Health, Government Officials Say Past Oil Spill Exercises Did Not Anticipate Scale of Current Disaster TV Academy Honors 'Television With A Conscience' Immigration Reform Will Require 'Act of Political Leadership,' Says Border Chief Shell Oil Ready to Drill in Arctic Ocean to Recoup Its Years-Long Investment Franklin Graham Prays at Pentagon, Says 'Islam Got a Pass' Illinois Democrats Moving Budget That Shorts Pensions Obama White House Reviving Russian Nuke Deal That Bush Scrapped World Stocks Slide on Dow Collapse, Debt Crisis Taylor Swift Donates $500,000 to Nashville Flood Relief Donate Today! Please help CNSNews.com keep bringing you 'The Right News - Right Now!' Make a contribution to CNSNews.com today. It's fast, simple and secure. Help CNSNews.com and Donate Today!  NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP: 'Hundreds' of drivers' licenses issued to illegal aliens, foreign residents in Philly Los Angeles DMV workers accused of illegally issuing driver's licenses, vehicle titles Violent movie trailer declares war on Arizona for immigration law Homosexual activists challenge federal Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional Republican lawmakers launch states' rights task force Day of Prayer observed in Denver, but lawsuit looms University of Utah seniors say goodbye with vulgar send off in student newspaper Interior Dept. defends raft trip taken by official during oil spill Michigan elementary school principal investigated for black-students-only class trip Boehner slams FCC for 'takeover of Internet' Senate Republicans delay controversial appellate court pick Goodwin Liu Ancient DNA shows interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthal Klamath farmers told to expect 30 percent of normal water supply California parole agency breaks up sex-offender encampment in Anaheim U.Va. president wants a law requiring police to report student arrests to the university Girl, 14, kicks 12-year-old out of car and steals it Miami airport screener teased after private parts viewed on body imaging machine COMMENTARY The End of La Dolce Vita By Patrick J. Buchanan The nations of Europe have made commitments beyond their capacity to keep, given their growing debts and aging populations. And America is not all that far behind. The ever-expanding European and American welfare states of the 20th century will contract in the 21st. A time of austerity is at hand. Indeed, what is about to be tested is democracy itself. The Go-Fly List for Terrorists By Michelle Malkin If America's homeland security policies were subject to truth-in-advertising laws, the "no-fly" list would be known around the world by its right and proper name: the "go-fly" list. As in: Go right ahead, jihadists, and fly our planes. While grandmas and grade-schoolers and war heroes patiently pass through a gauntlet of wands, checkpoints and screening obstacles, the nation's safety watchdogs are asleep at the wheel. And nearly nine years after Sept. 11, there is still no functional interoperability among U.S. national security and criminal databases. Fox Television's Dung Pile By L. Brent Bozell III Barack Obama's Federal Communications Commission seems to think the agency's mission of discouraging indecency is as outdated as Glenn Miller, even as the airwaves sound more like Ozzy Osbourne. When it comes to indecency, nobody's home at the FCC. Brownie's Chutzpah By Rich Galen Mike Brown, the former head of FEMA during the Hurricane Katrina fiasco, has been using the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to sell some book he's written and to promote his business. As some of you might remember, I was in Baton Rouge with your guy Brownie right after the hurricane hit. Even then, it was all about Mike Brown.