Fwd: MyHeritage.org: Offshore drilling ban kills jobs and weakens economy

July 15, 2010 | By Amanda J. Reinecker Offshore drilling ban kills jobs and weakens economy Banning offshore drilling will not clean up the Gulf spill. It will, however, kill jobs and further devastate our economy. That's why it's a good thing federal judge Martin Feldman ruled against the President's proposed deepwater drilling moratorium. And why it's a good thing a federal appeals court rightly upheld his decision to strike it down. But the President has introduced a new ban. On Monday, the Department of Interior issued a new moratorium on deepwater drilling that will last until November 30. Interior, along with the President, claims the moratorium on drilling will help prevent a future spill. But The Heritage Foundation's Nick Loris challenges this extraordinary claim. He argues: One accident, no matter how tragic, is not indicative of an evolving pattern. The explosion of one rig could have been caused by any number of isolated factors unique to the BP rig and cannot be assumed to carry over to all deepwater drilling...The moratorium would do nothing to address the oil spill. Instead, it would unnecessarily destroy jobs in a region struggling to manage an environmental and economic crisis—largely in part because of the federal government. This ban is salt in the Gulf states' wounds. Even the President's own oil spill commission recognizes the ban's adverse impacts. Heritage's Rob Bluey explains, "Commission co-chairman Bob Graham, a former Democratic senator from Florida, bluntly declared Tuesday that there's a 'disconnect between Washington and the Gulf region about the sense of urgency needed.'" And the Republican co-chairman on the commission, former Environmental Protection Agency chief William Reilly, was quoted as saying, "If there's a single point of consensus as we've been down here, it's that the moratorium is doing very significant economic damage to this area." A team of Heritage experts recently returned from the Gulf, where they saw firsthand the economic and environmental devastation the spill has caused. (Read their Live Reports from the Gulf series on the Foundry). They were able to break through the political and media blockades and speak one on one with the people of the Gulf Coast. Based on what they studied, they compiled a to-do list for the government. First on that list is "end the oil drilling moratorium…really." A drilling moratorium is not worth the national pain it is causing. - Stephen Congdon John Stossel showcases Heritage report Tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Heritage senior legal research fellow Brian Walsh will sit down with Fox Business Network's John Stossel to discuss his latest book, One Nation Under Arrest: How Crazy Laws, Rogue Prosecutors, and Activist Judges Threaten your Liberty. The book documents how over the past 50 years, the expansion and politicization of criminal law and practice have created traps for millions of innocent and unwary Americans. These developments threaten to make criminals out of those who are doing their best to be respectable, law-abiding citizens. Consider, for example, small-time inventor and entrepreneur Krister Evertson, whose story is recounted by Walsh and his Heritage colleague Hans von Spakovsky: In May 2004, FBI agents driving a black Suburban and wearing SWAT gear ran Evertson off the road near his mother's home in Wasilla, Alaska. When Evertson was face down on the pavement with automatic weapons trained on him, an FBI agent told him he was being arrested because he hadn't put a federally mandated sticker on a UPS package. A jury in federal court in Alaska acquitted Evertson, but the feds weren't finished. They reached into their bag of over 4,500 federal crimes and found another ridiculous crime they could use to prosecute him: supposedly "abandoning" hazardous waste (actually storing, in appropriate containers, valuable materials he was using for the clean-fuel technology he was developing). A second jury convicted him, and he spent 21 months in an Oregon federal prison. Since when is it a federal crime to put the wrong stamp on a package or to store your own property on your own land? There are currently over 4,000 federal criminal offenses. Legal experts estimate that the federal government could use the criminal process to enforce as many as 300,000 federal regulations. How can we stop this expansion? The first step is to spread awareness of Evertson's story and those of countless other victims of overreaching criminal laws in America. That's why we hope you'll tune in for Walsh's interview tonight with John Stossel. The interview will re-air on Fox Business at midnight Eastern tonight, at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, 9:00 p.m. and midnight on Saturday and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. > Other Heritage Work of Note Ending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts is not the way to end the multi-trillion dollar deficit. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Heritage budget expert Brian Riedl exposes the myth that these tax cuts eliminated the budget surplus of the late 1990s and left in place huge deficits. In fact, it was overspending that led to deficits, as Riedl demonstrates using numbers and statistics from the Congressional Budget Office. Most importantly, Riedl explains that rapidly increasing spending, particularly on social programs, will contribute to "100% of rising long-term deficits." If the Bush tax cuts are extended and out–of-control spending is minimized, we will begin to see the deficit fall. "Serious doubts surround President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which has been tasked to make recommendations to Congress to reduce the federal deficit," argues Heritage's Kathryn Nix. With Social Security set to run large and growing deficits, some sort of reform must be enacted to get the program back into the black. One proposal would raise the age of eligibility for benefits, while another would slow the growth of benefits for the more affluent. Ultimately, plans to fix overspending on programs like Social Security will do more to reduce the deficit than the tax hikes that could be proposed by the commission.Read all of Heritage's Social Security proposals on Heritage.org. Despite the recent discovery of a Russian spy ring here in America, the Obama administration is doing little to acknowledge the threat Russia poses. Why? President Obama is working to hit the "reset button" on Russian relations. Heritage Foundation expert Ariel Cohen argues that even with this "reset," Russia still views the U.S. as an adversary. The Obama administration can't keep sweeping threats to our national security under the rug. Join Heritage at the Family Research Council Action's Values Voter Summit 2010 in Washington, DC, from September 17-19. The event will feature prominent conservatives including Phyllis Schlafly, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), Bill Bennett, Star Parker, and many more. Heritage will hold a screening of Let Me Rise, our powerful documentary on education reform, and host a panel discussion about the connections between social and economic conservatism. Register at ValuesVoterSummit.org. » Watch the new video about the event > In Other News BP engineers hope a new cap will be able to contain the oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. A new TIME poll finds that most Americans disapprove of President Obama's liberal policies. Argentinean lawmakers have redefined marriage to include same-sex unions. According to a new Bloomberg poll, more than 7 out of 10 Americans say the economy is mired in recession, and more than half say the deficit is "dangerously out of control." Amanda Reinecker is a writer for MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. Nathaniel Ward, the Editor of MyHeritage.org, and Stephen Congdon, a Heritage intern, contributed to this report.  Donate    |   Heritage on Facebook View as HTML  |   Update Your Profile   |   Unsubscribe

Fwd: IRS and Businesses Unite Against Obamacare?

IRS and Businesses Unite Against Obamacare?   The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently unearthed yet another undesirable side effect of Obamacare—one that will hit the taxman as well as business owners. The Taxpayer Advocate Service, "an independent organization within the IRS whose employees assist taxpayers," reports that both the IRS and taxpayers will have trouble complying with the health care law's extensive new tax reporting regulations. The Scoop Where Did Rep. Rodriguez (D-TX) Get that $4.1 Trillion Number From?   Proposed CMS Rule for Medicare   What Americans Really Think about ObamaCare The regs will affect 40 million businesses, from international mega-corporations to mom-and-pop shops on Main Street. The Taxpayer Advocate Service says it "may propose administrative or legislative recommendations to modify the provision." Starting in 2012, Obamacare requires any business, tax-exempt organization, or government entity to file a 1099 form detailing purchases from all vendors that have sold over $600 of goods to the company. The Taxpayer Advocate gives the following example: "If a self-employed individual makes numerous small purchases from an office supply store during a calendar year that total at least $600, the individual must issue a Form 1099 to the vendor and the IRS showing the exact amount of total purchases." The National Federation of Independent Businesses says it would be a "crippling" burden for small business. The Taxpayer Advocate agrees that the new reporting scheme could have "distortionary effects" on taxpayer behavior, pushing businesses toward larger vendors at the expense of smaller local suppliers. The requirement would trigger a paperwork avalanche at the IRS. The report notes that the tax agency "currently is neither structured nor funded to do the job effectively." Nina Olson, head of advocate services, says, "If the IRS continues to ramp up enforcement while reducing taxpayer service programs, I would be concerned about its ability to administer the new health care credits and penalty taxes in a fair and compassionate way." The Taxpayer Advocate warns that this provision "could exacerbate underassessment of penalties in some cases and overassessment of penalties in others." Bottom line: "It is highly likely that the IRS will improperly assess penalties." Rather than increase the size and scope of the IRS, the better solution would be to get rid of this entirely unnecessary requirement. The Taxpayer Advocate reports that this 1099 provision was "likely intended to detect unreported income or gross proceeds." In other words, this provision was included to find new revenues to fund Obamacare. It's doubtful this provision will yield any significant tax revenue. But its costs to 40 million employers will be immense. That means less money available for pay raises, job creation… or even employee benefits—like health care! Attempts to repeal this provision of Obamacare are currently underway in Congress. Who knows, perhaps lawmakers won't stop there, but will continue to push for the repeal of the entire health care overhaul. forward message   or visit our website   The White House has launched a taxpayer-funded Web site to "reality check" credible criticisms and arguments. Problem is the Obama administration's videos "debunking" each "myth" are low on facts. Click here to see our response.   Facebook Twitter YouTube The Heritage Foundation - 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC Call us at 202-546-4400

Fwd: Budget Bulletin: Weak Economy, Failed Policies Keep Obama Jobs Deficit High at 7.4 Million

Budget Bulletin Your source for federal budget news and analysis Recent Updates Senate Finally Moves on the Death Tax Bigger Government and More Spending? America Isn't Buying It Commission Should Focus on Bipartisan Solutions to Social Security Reform Featured Research Weak Economy, Failed Policies Keep Obama Jobs Deficit High at 7.4 Million By J.D. Foster, Ph.D. Initial estimates from the Department of Labor (DOL) suggest the U.S. economy lost 125,000 jobs in June while the unemployment rate declined by 0.4 percent from May's highly elevated 9.9 percent. Over the last two months the economy averaged only 58,000 private sector jobs created, suggesting a faltering economic recovery. This data has two other important implications. First, it confirms once again that the $862 billion Obama stimulus legislation—as well as all the subsequent budget-busting legislation Congress has enacted under the rubric of "jobs" bills—has failed, as expected. Second, the weak jobs data means the Obama jobs deficit (the difference between current employment and the jobs Obama promised to create by the end of 2010) now stands at almost 7.4 million workers. A Faltering Recovery Creates Few Jobs The U.S. economy has now grown for three consecutive quarters, and total employment has grown six months in a row. At first glance, this data suggests a recovery with some traction. However, real concerns lurk below the surface. The four-week moving average for initial claims for unemployment insurance has increased steadily in recent weeks, reaching 466,500 in the latest reporting period, a level consistent with a trend growth rate in the economy of less than 1 percent. In fact, though topline Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the first quarter was 2.7 percent, inventory accumulation accounted for 1.9 percentage points, leaving a trend growth of less than 1 percent. Over the past three quarters of reported positive overall growth, trend growth aside from inventory buildup has averaged a paltry 1.4 percent. >> Click here to read J.D. Foster's full report Chart of the Week Get more charts with Heritage's Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400

Fwd: Public Hearing Would Have Made Obama?s ?Health Care Rationing Czar? Unconfirmable, GOP Senator Says

Today's Headlines Thursday, July 15, 2010

Public Hearing Would Have Made Obama's 'Health Care Rationing Czar' Unconfirmable, GOP Senator Says Washington (CNSNews.com) – President Obama recess-appointed his new Medicare and Medicaid chief because a Senate confirmation hearing for Dr. Donald Berwick would have made him "unconfirmable," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). "But now the president has what he wanted. What he wanted is a health care rationing czar. And that's what he has," Barrasso added. Berwick has openly advocated the redistribution of wealth as part of a health care plan. Obesity Rating for Every American Must Be Included in Stimulus-Mandated Electronic Health Records, Says HHS (CNSNews.com) – New federal regulations issued this week stipulate that the electronic health records, which all Americans are supposed to have by 2014 under the terms of the stimulus law that President Barack Obama signed last year, must record not only the traditional measures of height and weight, but also the Body Mass Index: a measure of obesity. The law also requires that these electronic health records be available--with appropriate security measures--on a national exchange. Step Right Up and Get Your Free Health Care... (CNSNews.com) - The Obama administration on Wednesday issued regulations requiring new, private health care plans to cover preventive services without charge -- no co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance. The free preventive services will include screenings and counseling for obese children; special, pregnancy-tailored counseling to help pregnant women quit smoking and avoid alcohol use; screening for obesity, and counseling to promote sustained weight loss; and tobacco cessation interventions, such as counseling or medication to help individuals quit. Democrat Accuses Pro-Life Groups of 'Politicizing' Abortion Issue to Undermine Health Care Reform (CNSNews.com) - Several Democrats say pro-life conservatives have it wrong: They say the $160 million taxpayer dollars going to fund Pennsylvania's new high-risk insurance pool will not fund abortion, except in cases of rape or incest, or where the "life of the woman would be endangered." But given the way the guidelines are written, under the Pennsylvania plan, "federal funds will subsidize coverage of abortion performed for any reason, except sex selection," says the National Right to Life Committee. Senators Turn Up the Heat on BP Over Claims of a Lockerbie Deal (CNSNews.com) – Four U.S. senators turned up the pressure on BP Wednesday, demanding that the oil giant release to Congress private and public communications relating to last year's early release by British authorities of the Libyan convicted in the Lockerbie bombing. The four Democrats also secured an agreement from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to "look into" allegations that Abdel Basset al-Megrahi's release was linked to a lucrative BP oil deal in Libya. Vietnam Publication Aims to Counter Human Rights Criticism From 'Hostile Forces' (CNSNews.com) - As the U.S. and Vietnam mark the 15th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, Hanoi has published its first "human rights magazine" at a time when some in the U.S. are demanding that concerns about human rights abuses in the communist-ruled state get greater attention. The publication released on Wednesday "also helps inform people about the plots of hostile forces who use democracy and human rights issues to sabotage national construction and development." CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Axelrod: 'No Administration Has Been Tougher' on Immigration Enforcement than Obama Administration (CNSNews.com) - When making the case for the Obama administration's legal challenge to Arizona's new law against illegal immigration, White House senior adviser David Axelrod said "no administration has been tougher" on immigration enforcement than the Obama administration. "We can't have - we can't have a patchwork of 50 states developing their own immigration policy," Axelrod told host Chris Wallace on the July 11 edition of "Fox News Sunday." "I understand the frustration of people in Arizona. They want the federal government to step up and deal with this problem once and for all, and that's what we want to do." OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES Nine States Join Legal Brief Backing Arizona's Immigration Law David Letterman Can't Resist More Bristol Palin Jokes 'Vacation Liberty School' Aims to Re-Teach Civics With Focus on Faith Revs. Sharpton and Jackson Downplay Tea Party 'Racism' Issue Rubio Calls Federal Oil Spill Response 'Abysmal' Obama, Criticized for Economy, to Promote Electric Vehicles in Michigan Obama Promises to Help House Democrats Helena School Board, Blasted Over Sex Ed Proposal for Young Children, May Reconsider Five Afghan Health Workers Kidnapped in Afghanistan Dick Cheney Recuperating After Surgery to Install Heart Pump 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 White House fiscal commission looks abroad for formula to curtail the nation's deficits Senate Republicans want a hearing on recess-appointee Berwick Senior Republicans aren't banking on Senate takeover; have no legislative strategy Obama's Justice Dept. won't go after sanctuary cities Companies pile up cash but remain hesitant to add jobs U.S. home foreclosures reach record high in second quarter House Democrats hit boiling point over perceived lack of White House support Panel urges federal probe following 'grave' testimony in Black Panther case State Dept. mulls terror designation for Turkish charity behind Gaza 'aid' ship The scary state of retirement savings Fund-raising lifts Romney's 2012 prospects Dems tiptoe around Bush tax cuts Senate GOP: Small businesses would suffer if tax cuts expire Karl Rove discusses his 'biggest mistake in the White House' Arizona officials warn of hot pavement dangers in triple-digit heat COMMENTARY Obama's Race War By Ben Shapiro The Obama administration is racist. They are using that racism to let black criminals off the hook, justify illegal immigration, hamstring law enforcement across the country, and push redistribution as a solution to supposed continuing discrimination against "people of color." A Failed Obama Hero By Walter E. Williams Between 1787 and 1930, our nation saw both mild and severe economic downturns that lasted from one to seven years. Back then, no one considered it to be the business of the federal government to try to get the economy out of a depression because there was no constitutional authority to do so. It took Herbert Hoover, FDR and a frightened and derelict U.S. Supreme Court to turn what might have been a three- or four-year sharp downturn into a 15-year meltdown.

Fwd: Morning Bell: Cap and Ban

07/14/2010 Cap and Ban The front page of USA Today claims: "President Obama's attempt to use the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to help propel comprehensive energy legislation has failed." Don't believe it for a second. On Monday the Obama administration reissued a ban on offshore oil drilling in the gulf after federal courts twice invalidated the first ban, calling it "arbitrary and capricious." The new ban is, if anything, more restrictive than the first, thus guaranteeing even more job losses for the already devastated Gulf region. Meanwhile, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is set to introduce a bill that will cap greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Taken together, the President's Cap and Ban approach to energy policy will accomplish exactly what he set out to do from the very first day he was sworn into office: decrease the amount of carbon the U.S. economy emits by drastically increasing the cost of energy. The mechanism Sen. Reid will use to cap carbon emissions is Sen. Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) renewable electricity standard (RES) legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act), which caps carbon from power plants by forcing them to produce a growing percentage of the electricity they produce from government-approved renewable energy sources every year. This is essentially cap and trade but without the trade. If these new renewable energy sources were actually cost effective, there would be no need to mandate them. Cost-minimizing firms would adopt the technology on their own to stay competitive. But renewable energy is not cost-effective. It is significantly more expensive than traditional fuels, hence the need for the government mandates which will raise everyone's energy costs. The ultimate victim of these higher energy prices will be you the consumer and the American economy.

Fwd: MRC Alert: ABC Hypes NAACP Indictment of Tea Party as Racist, a Smear the Network Stoked

 

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
Wednesday July 14, 2010 @ 09:42 AM EDT

1. ABC Hypes NAACP Indictment of Tea Party as Racist, a Smear the Network Stoked
Four months after ABC's World News spent a weekend defaming anti-ObamaCare Tea Party protesters as "very ugly" with "reports of racial and homophobic slurs," citing "protesters roaming Washington, some of them increasingly emotional, yelling slurs and epithets," Tuesday's newscast, unlike those on CBS and NBC, credentialed the NAACP's charge that the "Tea Party movement is a threat to the pursuit of human rights, justice and equality for all." Sans any ideological label, anchor Diane Sawyer set up the full July 13 story: "The nation's oldest civil rights organization, the NAACP, has just adopted a resolution this evening at its annual convention condemning quote, 'racist behavior by Tea Party members.'" Reporter Dan Harris relayed: "The NAACP points to the racial epithets allegedly hurled at black members of Congress by Tea Party members during the health care debate and to the racist signs that critics say they spotted at Tea Party events..."

2. ABC's George Stephanopoulos Touts Negative Poll Numbers for GOP, Spins for Obama
Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday spun a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, emphasizing problems for the Republican Party over dour news for Barack Obama. The co-host ignored a finding that likely voters want the GOP to take control of Congress by a margin of 56 to 41. He did, however, repeat the lower number of registered voters who prefer the Republicans, 51 percent. Stephanopoulos quizzed former McCain strategist Nicolle Wallace and Democrat James Carville on problems for the GOP: "[Voters] don't necessarily want Republicans...On the economy, voters, 42 to 34 still trust Democrats over Republicans on the economy."

3. As Laura Ingraham Sells New Book, NBC's Lauer Sells Idea That Dems, GOP Equally Hated
Laura Ingraham was invited on Tuesday's Today show, to plug her new book The Obama Diaries, and predict how the midterm elections will go but she couldn't get out of the segment without Today co-anchor Matt Lauer suggesting Republicans are just as unpopular as the Democrats. Lauer read from a Washington Post poll that stated 6 in 10 Americans don't have faith in President Obama and 7 in 10 don't have faith in congressional Democrats but then also pointed out that 7 in 10 Americans don't have much confidence in Republicans either as he asked Ingraham: "So what's the message here? A pox on all their houses." Ingraham agreed there's "a lot of cynicism out there," but went on to point out the folly of assuming Democrats are somehow safe as she retorted to Lauer: "I think that's a little facile to say, 'Oh everyone who's in power is just a disaster and no one trusts anyone.' I don't think that's true. I think what people are seeing, that the nation is in debt. We have a lack of focus on things like the Gulf Coast." In fact Lauer completely glossed over the fact that the Washington Post poll article he read from clearly stated that "those most likely to vote in the midterms prefer the GOP over continued Democratic rule by a sizable margin of 56 percent to 41 percent."

4. CBS Continues to Pressure Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits
On Saturday's CBS Evening News, anchor Jeff Glor decided what should be at the top of Congress's agenda as it returned from the July 4th recess: "Congress returns to Washington next week to face a big backlog of unfinished business, and topping the list is the future of unemployment benefits." In a report that followed, Bill Plante chided elected officials for going on vacation without resolving the issue: "It's been ten days since senators went home for their July 4th vacation without extending unemployment benefits....They've now run out for more than 1.3 million people and the Labor Department says that number could rise to 3 million by the end of this month."

5. CBS: 'Tough' Pennsylvania Immigration Law, Like 'Controversial' Arizona Law, Faces 'Fierce Opposition'
On Saturday's CBS Evening News, anchor Jeff Glor reported on an immigration protest in Boston: "...hundreds opposed to Arizona's controversial immigration law protested the presence of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer at a meeting there." One protestor held a sign that read: "Jan Brewer is a Bigot." Glor then turned to a report on a similar immigration law proposed in Pennsylvania. Elaine Quijano later declared: "In Pennsylvania, bipartisan measures to compel construction companies to check worker's status are moving swiftly through the legislature." She then warned: "Republican state representative Daryl Metcalfe wants to go further, introducing a tough measure modeled after Arizona's law." She went on to declare: "Metcalfe's proposal is already facing fierce opposition."

---

 

ABC Hypes NAACP Indictment of Tea Party as Racist, a Smear the Network Stoked

 

Four months after ABC's World News spent a weekend defaming anti-ObamaCare Tea Party protesters as "very ugly" with "reports of racial and homophobic slurs," citing "protesters roaming Washington, some of them increasingly emotional, yelling slurs and epithets," Tuesday's newscast, unlike those on CBS and NBC, credentialed the NAACP's charge that the "Tea Party movement is a threat to the pursuit of human rights, justice and equality for all."

Sans any ideological label, anchor Diane Sawyer set up the full July 13 story: "The nation's oldest civil rights organization, the NAACP, has just adopted a resolution this evening at its annual convention condemning quote, 'racist behavior by Tea Party members.'" Reporter Dan Harris relayed:

The NAACP points to the racial epithets allegedly hurled at black members of Congress by Tea Party members during the health care debate and to the racist signs that critics say they spotted at Tea Party events to support its conclusion that the "Tea Party movement is a threat to the pursuit of human rights, justice and equality for all."

Going to a Tea Party leader who is black, Harris pressed: "We've all seen the signs. There have been signs that compare Baarck Obama to a monkey, there have been signs that have had the 'n' word on them. When you see those signs, how do you feel?"

Harris, however, did at least quote Sarah Palin's tweet asking: "Are liberty-loving, equality-respecting patriots racist?" And, citing an ABC News/Washington Post survey, he noted "the biggest reasons people join the Tea Party are politics and ideology, rather than views on race."

Back in March, BiasAlert archive:

Saturday, March 20: "ABC: Anti-ObamaCare Protest 'Turned Very Ugly' with 'Racial and Homophobic Slurs'"

Sunday, March 21: "ABC's Sawyer: 'Protesters Roaming' DC, 'Increasingly Emotional, Yelling Slurs and Epithets'"

Plus, from March 21: "CBS: 'Mean from the Start' Health Debate 'Turned Even Nastier Yesterday' with 'Racial Epithets' and 'Sexual Slurs'"

From the Tuesday, July 13 ABC World News:

DIANE SAWYER: Also on politics, a controversy surrounding the Tea Party. The nation's oldest civil rights organization, the NAACP, has just adopted a resolution this evening at its annual convention condemning quote, "racist behavior by Tea Party members." Tonight, the   Tea Party is fighting back and here's Dan Harris.

DAN HARRIS: The NAACP points to the racial epithets allegedly hurled at black members of Congress by Tea Party members during the health care debate and to the racist signs that critics say they spotted at Tea Party events to support its conclusion that the "Tea Party movement is a threat to the pursuit of human rights, justice and equality for all." At the group's annual meeting in Kansas City, the resolution had plenty of support.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: When we turn on the television and see posters and fliers that send very frightening messages to our community, we have to address it.

HARRIS: Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin called the resolution "divisive," asking today on Twitter: "Are liberty-loving, equality-respecting patriots racist?" David Webb is the co-founder of the New York City Tea Party.

DAVID WEBB, TEA PARTY 365: I think the NAACP, in its march towards irrelevancy as an organization, needs an enemy to maintain its power base.

HARRIS, TO WEBB: Let me push you a little bit.

WEBB: Sure.

HARRIS, TO WEBB: We've all seen the signs. There have been signs that compare Baarck Obama to a monkey, there have been signs that have had the "n" word on them. When you see those signs, how do you feel?

WEBB: They're offensive. They don't belong there, but there will always be fringe elements.

HARRIS: The biggest reasons people join the Tea Party are politics and ideology, rather than views on race. But today, the NAACP rejected the charge that it's playing politics.

BENJAMIN TODD JEALOUS, PRESIDENT, NAACP: We have no problem with the Tea Party, we have a problem with the Tea Party tolerating racists in their ranks.

HARRIS: This race-based fight shows no signs of letting up. The NAACP is planning an anti-Tea Party march on Washington this fall. Dan Harris, ABC News, New York.

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

ABC's George Stephanopoulos Touts Negative Poll Numbers for GOP, Spins for Obama

 

Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday spun a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, emphasizing problems for the Republican Party over dour news for Barack Obama. The co-host ignored a finding that likely voters want the GOP to take control of Congress by a margin of 56 to 41.

He did, however, repeat the lower number of registered voters who prefer the Republicans, 51 percent. Stephanopoulos quizzed former McCain strategist Nicolle Wallace and Democrat James Carville on problems for the GOP: "[Voters] don't necessarily want Republicans...On the economy, voters, 42 to 34 still trust Democrats over Republicans on the economy."

What did Stephanopoulos leave out? The same poll found that 40 percent of likely voters trust Republicans, compared to 39 percent for the Democrats. But, the former Democratic operative persisted, "So, there's still, Nicolle, no- not a lot of confidence in the Republican Party."

Later, he prompted Wallace, "Is there anything else, right now, that Republicans can do, Nicolle, now, to address that number, that lack of confidence?"

It seems likely that if this poll were about President Bush, Stephanopoulos would be much more likely to emphasize the negatives, such as the fact that 90 percent of Americans think the economy is in bad shape. The poll's data can be found here.

A transcript of the segment, which aired at 7:06am EDT on July 13, follows:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We're going to turn now that ABC News/Washington Post poll. You know, the White House, for the first time over the weekend, admitted that Democrats could lose the control of Congress in November. And this poll shows why.

Starting out with this frustration index, which we first showed you last month. That tries to capture how people feel about government, the economy, Congress and the President. Back in June, it was at 67 percent, a very high level.

Right now in July, still stuck at 67 percent. We haven't seen numbers that high since the past two big change elections of the last 25 years. 1992, when President Clinton took office, 2008, when President Obama took office.

And it could have a direct impact on the congressional elections this fall. Another key number in the poll, we asked people who do you want to control Congress in November? Only 43 percent said they wanted to support Democrats to support [sic] President Obama's policies.

 51 percent said they wanted to give Congress to the Republicans, as a check on President Obama's policies. And this is all rooted in concern over the economy. 90 percent of the country right now thinks the economy's in bad shape.

And President Obama's approval ratings on the economy are dropping. Down to 43 percent. That's down seven points in one month. 54 percent now disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on the economy. Now, his overall approval ratings are holding up about 50 percent.

 That's a little bit down. But, they're being held up because his numbers on commander in chief, are a little higher. But, most of this is bad news for the Democrats. Let me bring in our strategists, James Carville for the Democrats, Nicolle Wallace, for the Republicans.

And, James, Robert Gibbs over the weekend, the White House press secretary, did say they're looking at similar numbers. He said that Democrats could lose control of the Congress. All the intensity is on the Republican side.

JAMES CARVILLE: You know, and Robert and I have had our problems in the past. And he went to Auburn, so, therefore, he's is a little limited. But, saying that, this was brilliant. This is a time to say-

STEPHANOPOULOS: To tell the truth?

CARVILLE: Look- to say, you're not casting- you're not just casting a protest vote here. These guys will actually take charge. And if you want this drug companies putting the faulty drugs out, that's fine. If you want BP, if you want Wall Street, these are the consequences of your vote. And I thought that was smart of Robert to do that. And I think Democrats-

STEPHANOPOULOS: Not to sugar-coat.

CARVILLE: Not to sugar-coat it. Every Democratic consultant is telling me they're coming out of a focus group and saying, "Yeah, but they're not going to do that if they go in there." Yeah, focus group here in Kentucky or Nevada, you say, "Yeah, they're crazy. But if they get to Washington, they won't do all the other stuff. I want to vote against a Democrats to send a message." At a point, you have to say, no. "You're actually going to be voting for a policy here."

NICOLLE WALLACE: Well, the truth is, 51 percent of Americans, as you just pointed out, want Republicans in control because they want to put the brakes on this agenda. I think it confirms what people long suspected, which is that while some people still like Obama personally, I think that's where the approval numbers come from, they want desperately now to put the brakes on his agenda.

STEPHANOPOULOS: They don't necessarily want Republicans. Another key number in the poll, we asked people who do you trust more, Democrats or Republicans on key issues? And let's show that: On the economy, voters, 42 to 34 still trust Democrats over Republicans on the economy. On who is going to make the right decisions for the country's future, same thing, 32, to 26. So, there's still, Nicolle, no- not a lot of confidence in the Republican Party.

WALLACE: Well, and that's the needle in the haystack in this otherwise very grim assessment of voter sentiment. And, certainly, that is what, when they pull themselves away from the bars this morning, the Democrats will be waving that statistic around. But, I think, you know, they're also going to point to the analogy of Reagan. But, what Reagan did when his numbers were down, was he crafted an agenda that appealed to independent voters who were running, not walking away, from Obama and his agenda.

CARVILLE: I think that the key word that 51 percent is a protest vote. This is not a protest vote. This may be a vote for a policy and policy change. It's much easier to say, I'm going to vote for somebody I don't like because I want to protest someone else I don't like.

WALLACE: Well, how do you think Obama won? I mean, you know, Obama ran as a protest vote candidate for President.

CARVILLE: I understand that people knew he was going to win. And they knew the policy he was running. My point is, right now, congressionally, people are saying "I just want to send the Democrats a message. And Republicans won't be able to do anything of the things they say." To some extent, you have to remind them there could be a policy involved in this.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Is there anything else, right now, that Republicans can do, Nicolle, now, to address that number, that lack of confidence?

WALLACE: Well, I think Republicans have to say laser-focused on what your poll shows is largest group of self-identified independents that most polls have seen. And I think that group is looking for common sense. They are looking for lower taxes. They're very wary about an expanded role, size and cost of the federal government. And they're worried about the deficit. I think that's the jam Obama finds himself in. To grow the economy, most measures expand the deficit.

STEPHANOPOULOS: You said Robert Gibbs was brilliant. What more should Democrats do to keep the House?

CARVILLE: To keep the House? Well, we have a three-prong strategy to keep the House. It's called the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. [Laughs]

WALLACE: We tried that.

STEPHANOPOULOS: You think that it's impossible?

CARVILLE: I think to keep the House- no. I think we can. Look, it's possible to keep the House. But I think first, that to remind people that there's consequences to this election. I think also, honestly, they need a few good months of decent job numbers and sort of make the case. And I felt the White House on this, they never say they have a strategy. There's a plan in place. It may not be working as fast as you want. The Republicans are blocking a lot of it. But this is what we're doing. And if they get a sense, they could do better than they are currently doing in this poll.

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

As Laura Ingraham Sells New Book, NBC's Lauer Sells Idea That Dems, GOP Equally Hated

 

View the Video Here

Laura Ingraham was invited on Tuesday's Today show, to plug her new book The Obama Diaries, and predict how the midterm elections will go but she couldn't get out of the segment without Today co-anchor Matt Lauer suggesting Republicans are just as unpopular as the Democrats. During the segment Lauer read from a Washington Post poll that stated 6 in 10 Americans don't have faith in President Obama and 7 in 10 don't have faith in congressional Democrats but then also pointed out that 7 in 10 Americans don't have much confidence in Republicans either as he asked Ingraham: "So what's the message here? A pox on all their houses."

Ingraham agreed there's "a lot of cynicism out there," but went on to point out the folly of assuming Democrats are somehow safe as she retorted to Lauer: "I think that's a little facile to say, 'Oh everyone who's in power is just a disaster and no one trusts anyone.' I don't think that's true. I think what people are seeing, that the nation is in debt. We have a lack of focus on things like the Gulf Coast." [audio available here]

In fact Lauer completely glossed over the fact that the Washington Post poll article he read from clearly stated that "Those most likely to vote in the midterms prefer the GOP over continued Democratic rule by a sizable margin of 56 percent to 41 percent."

After the poll question, Ingraham went on to poke fun at the First Lady's appearance in the Gulf Coast:

I mean I know the First Lady dropped by the Gulf Coast. That was a beautiful image. She went to an ice cream shop. I thought dessert was not a right. But she had a, you know, a chocolate hurricane yesterday. That was a nice image. But we're losing part of the country, Matt. We're losing the Gulf Coast day by day by day. I hope the cap works. We'll see if it does.

Ingraham actually had a lot of fun at not only the Obamas' expense, but also cheekily mocked Lauer's colleague Brian Williams as seen in the following interview as it was aired on the July 13 Today show:

MATT LAUER: Let me ask you about midterm elections. You heard in Chuck's piece that, that a lot of people are now talking about the possibility Republicans could regain control of the House and the Senate, likelihood of it happening is what?

INGRAHAM: Pretty likely in the House, not sure about the Senate. I should say that -- this is actually breaking news today – Barack Obama in his diaries actually predicts gaining seats in both the House and the Senate, the bravado is quite something.

LAUER: That's because you write them as fictional entries in his diary.

INGRAHAM: Well what's fiction? What do you mean fiction?

LAUER: Let, let me ask you this.

INGRAHAM: Fiction?!

LAUER: If they do, if Republicans do regain control of the House and make substantial gains in the Senate, will it be a general dissatisfaction voters are showing with Democrats in Congress or the administration or would you point to a specific tipping point?

INGRAHAM: Well, who's in charge? I mean we were promised hope and change. We were promised turning the page. A transparent White House. These are, are regular people but they have a new vision for America. Well a vision is unfolding and it's not working out so well. That, that's not political. That's not ideological. That's factual. I think people are seeing that jobs are not the focus. We're doing a lot of, you know, fun partying at the White House, which is also cataloged in The Obama Diaries. There's a lot of partying. A beautiful family, wonderful image. But the image for the country is not a comedy, Matt, it's a tragedy.

LAUER: If you look, if you look at the front page of the Washington Post there's a poll and it kind of tells two stories.

INGRAHAM: Yeah.

LAUER: One it says, about 6 in 10 Americans are, do not have faith in President Obama. Almost 7 in 10 Americans don't have faith in Democrats in Congress. But it also says-

INGRAHAM: But? What's the but?

LAUER: -it also says that just slightly more than 7 in 10 Americans don't have faith in Republicans in Congress. So what's the message here? A pox on all their houses?

INGRAHAM: Well I think there's, yeah, there's, there's a lot of cynicism out there. But I think that's a little facile to say, "Oh everyone who's in power is just a disaster and no one trusts anyone." I don't think that's true. I think what people are seeing, that the nation is in debt. We have a lack of focus on things like the Gulf Coast. I mean I know the First Lady dropped by the Gulf Coast. That was a beautiful image. She went to an ice cream shop. I thought dessert was not a right. But she had a, you know, a chocolate hurricane yesterday. That was a nice image. But we're losing part of the country, Matt. We're losing the Gulf Coast day by day by day. I hope the cap works. We'll see if it does.

LAUER: So, so-

INGRAHAM: There's been a failure in leadership. That's why the polls are where they are. A failure in leadership.

LAUER: Let me put you in charge. So if I put you in charge of the campaigns-

INGRAHAM: Oh gosh, that'd be fun.

LAUER: -campaigns of all the Republicans running in the midterm elections, what's your bumper sticker? Is it, "We're not Democrats" or is it something more?

INGRAHAM: Well it might be "America First." It might be focus on American families and American jobs. Period. America. Reignite a love affair with our country! We don't need someone apologizing for America. We don't need someone saying, "Well, American exceptionalism yes but there's also Greek exceptionalism and British exceptionalism." We need to reignite a love affair with America. That's what I write about in The Obama Diaries. That's the, that's the comedy, the tragedy that's kind of unfolding today.

...

LAUER: The Obama Diaries. Fictional entries in Obama's diary.

INGRAHAM: First of all is it fictional to say that the, the President with the burger runs. Remember last, last year Matt, last June when Brian Williams was in the backseat. Now that was funny. In the burger run with Obama? I love Brian Williams at that moment. You know, petting Bo the dog. That was comedy. The Obama Diaries? It's revealing.

LAUER: But, but what, four months or three-and-a-half months before midterm elections-

INGRAHAM: Yeah.

LAUER: -what do you want people to take away from this? Is this a fun romp? Is this?

INGRAHAM: The book is revealing arrogance, incompetence, horror, and, Matt, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. You didn't know this, they're two of the funniest people on the face of the planet. You add Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother? She is, this woman is one of the best people, funniest, common sense. And she wants those daughters to eat junk food when they want to eat it, okay?

LAUER: The book is The Obama Diaries. Laura it's nice to have you.

INGRAHAM: It's great to see you Matt, as always.

LAUER: Good to see you as well.

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

CBS Continues to Pressure Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits

 

On Saturday's CBS Evening News, anchor Jeff Glor decided what should be at the top of Congress's agenda as it returned from the July 4th recess: "Congress returns to Washington next week to face a big backlog of unfinished business, and topping the list is the future of unemployment benefits."

In a report that followed, senior White House correspondent Bill Plante chided elected officials for going on vacation without resolving the issue: "It's been ten days since senators went home for their July 4th vacation without extending unemployment benefits....They've now run out for more than 1.3 million people and the Labor Department says that number could rise to 3 million by the end of this month."  

Plante then touted Democrats blaming the GOP for the inaction: "As he campaigns for Democrats, the President paints the lack of new benefits as Republican heartlessness....There were protests this week from labor unions against some Senate Republicans. This one in Lexington, Kentucky directed at the GOP leader Mitch Mcconnell, calling for action when the Senate returns next week." Plante noted the Republican response to such claims: "But Mcconnell blames Democrats for refusing to cut spending to pay the $34 billion cost of the extension."

Saturday's broadcast was taking over where CBS had left off prior to the holiday. As Congress adjourned on July 1, fill-in Evening News anchor Scott Pelley proclaimed: "We have decided to start with the 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment benefits have run out, stopped cold, in the last 30 days. And we're starting there because the U.S. Senate went on vacation today without solving the problem." Correspondent Chip Reid then reported: "So who's fault is that? On the surface, it appears Senate Republicans are to blame. Led by Mitch McConnell, they killed the bill with a filibuster. But McConnell points the finger at Democrats, especially Leader Harry Reid, for refusing to pay for the bill in this age of sky-high deficits."

Unlike the July 1 coverage, Saturday's Evening News briefly highlighted the debate among economists over whether unemployment benefits even should be extended. Plante explained: "Some economists contend that unemployment benefits did not help that much in earlier recessions." A clip was played of University of Maryland Professor Peter Morici citing past abuse of such benefits. Plante then noted: "Others believe the time paid for unemployment benefits is when the economy improves. They argue that the extension is needed right now." A clip of Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi was played: "It's the most effective stimulus that can be provided....They get a check and they spend it and it helps the economy immediately."

Despite that back and forth, Plante concluded his piece by anticipating an extension of benefits: "When the Senate returns next week they will bring the benefit extension to another vote, but not until West Virginia's governor appoints someone to fill the Senate seat of the late Robert Byrd. That should give the Democrats enough votes to pass the extension."

Also on the economic front, on Tuesday's Early Show, Plante reported the results of a new CBS News poll, which "shows that the public, when it comes to the economy, has very little confidence in either Congress or the President." He described how 54% of respondents disapprove of the President's handling of the economy and that a majority believe the recession will last at least another two years. However, Plante tempered the bad news for the White House by noting: "He'll [Obama will] blame Republicans for the policies which led up to the recession. And it may be small comfort for Democrats, but the public has just as low an opinion of Republicans in Congress."

Here is a full transcript of Plante's July 10 Saturday Evening News report:

6:35PM ET

JEFF GLOR: Congress returns to Washington next week to face a big backlog of unfinished business, and topping the list is the future of unemployment benefits. Senior White House correspondent Bill Plante has more tonight.

BILL PLANTE: It's been ten days since senators went home for their July 4th vacation without extending unemployment benefits.

ROLAND BURRIS [SENATOR, D-ILLINOIS]: The motion is not agreed to.
                                
BILL PLANTE: They've now run out for more than 1.3 million people and the Labor Department says that number could rise to 3 million by the end of this month. As he campaigns for Democrats, the President paints the lack of new benefits as Republican heartlessness.

BARACK OBAMA: They said no to extended unemployment insurance for folks who desperately needed help.

PLANTE: There were protests this week from labor unions against some Senate Republicans. This one in Lexington, Kentucky directed at the GOP leader Mitch Mcconnell, calling for action when the Senate returns next week. But Mcconnell blames Democrats for refusing to cut spending to pay the $34 billion cost of the extension.

MITCH MCCONNELL: The only reason the unemployment extension hasn't passed is because our friends on the other side simply refuse to pass a bill that does not add to the debt.

PLANTE: Some economists contend that unemployment benefits did not help that much in earlier recessions.

PETER MORICI [UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND]: Unemployment was a terribly intractable problem and we had big benefits. And many folks abused those benefits to stay out of the labor force to do other things they were interested in doing.

PLANTE: Others believe the time paid for unemployment benefits is when the economy improves. They argue that the extension is needed right now.

MARK ZANDI [CHIEF ECONOMIST, MOODY'S ANALYTICS]: It's the most effective stimulus that can be provided. Many of these people are very hard pressed. They get a check and they spend it and it helps the economy immediately.

PLANTE: When the Senate returns next week they will bring the benefit extension to another vote, but not until West Virginia's governor appoints someone to fill the Senate seat of the late Robert Byrd. That should give the Democrats enough votes to pass the extension. Jeff.

GLOR: Bill Plante at the White House tonight. Bill, thank you. 

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

CBS: 'Tough' Pennsylvania Immigration Law, Like 'Controversial' Arizona Law, Faces 'Fierce Opposition'

 

On Saturday's CBS Evening News, anchor Jeff Glor reported on an immigration protest in Boston: "...hundreds opposed to Arizona's controversial immigration law protested the presence of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer at a meeting there." One protestor held a sign that read: "Jan Brewer is a Bigot." Glor then turned to a report on a similar immigration law proposed in Pennsylvania.  

Correspondent Elaine Quijano explained how a CBS News poll showed 52% of Americans support the Arizona's immigration law and that "other states are preparing to follow Arizona's lead": "In Pennsylvania, bipartisan measures to compel construction companies to check worker's status are moving swiftly through the legislature." She then warned: "Republican state representative Daryl Metcalfe wants to go further, introducing a tough measure modeled after Arizona's law." She went on to declare: "Metcalfe's proposal is already facing fierce opposition."

Quijano described one source of that "fierce opposition," the Democratic mayor of Philadelphia: "Michael Nutter says the solution lies with the federal government, not the states." Nutter repeated Obama administration talking points on the issue: "We should not have a patchwork of immigration policies for every state in the United States of America. That's insane." Quijano added: "Nutter believes the law could create problems for law enforcement, making illegal immigrants afraid to report crimes to police."

In addition to highlighting Nutter's objections to the proposal, Quijano began her report by describing the plight of one illegal immigrant from the state: "Every day 23 year-old Jose fears he could be deported. His parents brought him to America illegally from Mexico when he was two." Quijano lamented: "He grew up in Pennsylvania, feeling every bit American, but it wasn't until high school that he realized what it meant to be an illegal immigrant. That he could not pursue his dream of joining the Air Force."

While Quijano's report featured five sound bites from Nutter and Jose, it only included two from state representative Metcalfe. She described how "Metcalfe argues illegal immigrants strain city and state budgets by siphoning off health and social services that Americans pay for." In the clip that followed, Metcalfe argued: "For decades in the past the federal government has been AWOL in securing or borders and protecting American lives, liberty, and property, so we at the state level need to join together to do so."

Quijano concluded the segment by observing: "As politicians grapple with these issues, people like Jose wait and worry." Jose remarked: "I don't remember Mexico. To me this is my only home." Quijano added: "A country that continues to struggle with this divisive issue."

Here is a full transcript of the July 10 report:

6:38PM

JEFF GLOR: In Boston, hundreds opposed to Arizona's controversial immigration law protested the presence of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer at a meeting there. The law's facing legal challenges from the Justice Department. Arizona was the first, but likely will not be the last. Dozens of states right now are considering enacting similar immigration laws in the coming months. Elaine Quijano has this report from Pennsylvania.

JOSE: We want to come out of the shadows.

ELAINE QUIJANO: Every day 23 year-old Jose fears he could be deported. His parents brought him to America illegally from Mexico when he was two. He grew up in Pennsylvania, feeling every bit American, but it wasn't until high school that he realized what it meant to be an illegal immigrant. That he could not pursue his dream of joining the Air Force.

JOSE: I lost all hope. I said I can't join the armed forces, I can't get a good job. So basically I got pushed into the shadows like any other undocumented.
    
QUIJANO: Jose is one of the country's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, whose status is sparking heated debate. Debate and demonstrations have also interrupted over a new Arizona law allowing police to check the immigration of status of anyone suspected of being involved in crime. A recent CBS poll found a majority of Americans, 52%, support the law. Now other states are preparing to follow Arizona's lead. In Pennsylvania, bipartisan measures to compel construction companies to check worker's status are moving swiftly through the legislature. Republican state representative Daryl Metcalfe wants to go further, introducing a tough measure modeled after Arizona's law.

DARYL METCALFE: As a nation, we have to set a no amnesty policy and we have to be very black and white about that. That there's no reward for violating our border.

QUIJANO: Metcalfe's proposal is already facing fierce opposition. Here in Philadelphia, where more than half of the immigrant population is illegal, Mayor Michael Nutter says the solution lies with the federal government, not the states.

MICHAEL NUTTER: We should not have a patchwork of immigration policies for every state in the United States of America. That's insane.

QUIJANO: Nutter believes the law could create problems for law enforcement, making illegal immigrants afraid to report crimes to police.

NUTTER: We do not want to send the wrong message to victims or witnesses.

QUIJANO: But Representative Metcalfe argues illegal immigrants strain city and state budgets by siphoning off health and social services that Americans pay for.

METCALFE: For decades in the past the federal government has been AWOL in securing or borders and protecting American lives, liberty, and property, so we at the state level need to join together to do so.

QUIJANO: As politicians grapple with these issues, people like Jose wait and worry.

JOSE: I don't remember Mexico. To me this is my only home.

QUIJANO: A country that continues to struggle with this divisive issue. Elaine Quijano, CBS News, Philadelphia.

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

Fwd: Obama's Recess-Appointed Medicare Chief Speaks at HHS Press Conference But Doesn?t Stick Around for Questions

Today's Headlines Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Advertisement – NewsBusters.org, the website you trust to expose the liberal media's bias every day, is turning 5 years old in August!  Several activities are underway to celebrate this milestone, including a T-shirt giveaway. Every weekday between now and August 17, we will give away five NewsBusters t-shirts. Click here to sign up for a chance to win one. The sooner you sign up, the more chances you'll have to win!  Also, be sure to visit www.NewsBusters.org each Friday for more anniversary news and surprises. Obama's Recess-Appointed Medicare Chief Speaks at HHS Press Conference But Doesn't Stick Around for Questions Washington (CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama's controversial pick to run Medicare and Medicaid made his first public appearance since he was recess-appointed to the post by the White House, but he did not remain at Tuesday's press conference long enough to take any questions from the news media. Dr. Donald Berwick, who has openly advocated for a health care system that "must redistribute wealth," spoke to a crowd of about 200 people about new federal rules pertaining to electronic health records. Senate Republicans Demand Answers from Kagan on Whether She Must Recuse Herself from Constitutional Challenges to Obamacare (CNSNews.com) - All seven Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter Tuesday to Solicitor General Elena Kagan demanding to know whether she at any time, as a member of the Obama administration, discussed the lawsuits filed by Florida and other states challenging the constitutionality of the health-care law signed by President Barack Obama. If Kagan did express an opinion on the lawsuits, under federal law she could be required to recuse herself from the case if she is confirmed as a justice and the case comes before the Supreme Court. Plan to Entice Fighters to Leave Taliban Is 'Ready to Go,' Administration Says (CNSNews.com) – As Kabul prepares to host what has been called the biggest gathering of foreign representatives there since the 1970s, the Obama administration's point man for the region – Richard Holbrooke -- has again defended plans to lure Afghan fighters away from the Taliban – a central theme of next week's conference. On Tuesday Holbrooke reiterated the administration's position that the so-called "reintegration" program is "a key ingredient of a successful campaign in Afghanistan." Obama Administration Approves First Direct Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Through New High-Risk Insurance Pools (CNSNews.com) - If you want proof that President Obama's Executive Order on taxpayer-funded abortion was a sham, look no further than Pennsylvania, says House Republican Leader John Boehner. Boehner and other Republicans point to reports that the Health and Human Services Department is giving Pennsylvania $160 million to set up a new high-risk insurance pool that will cover any abortion that is legal in the state. U.S. Taxpayers to Subsidize New U.N. Agency Promoting Abortion (CNSNews.com) – The U.S. will be a top donor nation for a new $500-million United Nations agency that conservatives say will likely promote an abortion agenda. In what the United Nations has called a historic move, the U.N. General Assembly unanimously voted on July 2 to approve "U.N. Women," an agency intended to accelerate progress in achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. The administrative costs of running the agency will come from the U.N.'s core budget, of which the U.S. pays 22 percent. U.S. Spent $181,406 to See How Cocaine Enhances Sex Drive of Japanese Quail (CNSNews.com) – The National Institutes of Health has awarded $181,406 this year to a researcher at the University of Kentucky to study how cocaine enhances the sex drive of Japanese quail. The grant, "Enhancement of Sexual Motivation," was awarded as part of a program conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (a division of the NIH) that is intended to find ways to better treat or cure addiction in humans. EPA Issues Taxpayer Money to 'Enhance Environmental Education and Awareness' (CNSNews.com) – The Environmental Protection Agency is handing out a total of $190,000 in grants to enhance environmental education and awareness in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. Some of the grants will benefit "underserved communities." One will promote "sustainable gardening." And others will promote "carbon sequestration," the process of reducing carbon dioxide levels by transferring CO2 from the atmosphere into the soil through various farming and forestry practices. Court Decision Striking Down Broadcast Indecency Ban is 'Anti-Family,' Says FCC Commissioner (CNSNews.com) - Parental rights advocates, anti-pornography activists and at least one current member of the Federal Communications Commission joined forces Tuesday in condemning a federal appeals court ruling that declared the FCC policy's banning indecency during prime-time TV hours was unconstitutional. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps condemned the decision as "anti-family." Nearly 70 Members of Congress Go to Court to Defend The National Day of Prayer (CNSNews.com) - The American Center for Law and Justice filed a friend of the court brief last week on behalf of 63 House members and four senators -- Republicans and Democrats -- in a legal case defending the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer. On April 15, a federal judge in Wisconsin ruled in favor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation that the National Day of Prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. The Justice Department has appealed the case to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. Afghans Paid $1 Billion in Bribes Last Year, Survey Says (CNSNews.com) – Afghans paid $1 billion in bribes last year, most of which were paid for social services such as health and education, according to a National Corruption Survey compiled by the non-profit watchdog group Integrity Watch Afghanistan. The $1 billion in bribes paid in 2009 more than doubled the $466 million paid in 2006. CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Axelrod: 'No Administration Has Been Tougher' on Immigration Enforcement than Obama Administration (CNSNews.com) - When making the case for the Obama administration's legal challenge to Arizona's new law against illegal immigration, White House senior adviser David Axelrod said "no administration has been tougher" on immigration enforcement than the Obama administration. "We can't have - we can't have a patchwork of 50 states developing their own immigration policy," Axelrod told host Chris Wallace on the July 11 edition of "Fox News Sunday." "I understand the frustration of people in Arizona. They want the federal government to step up and deal with this problem once and for all, and that's what we want to do." Census 'Successfully Completed' Work to Date Despite 'Shaky' Computer Problems, Census Director Says (CNSNews.com) - The director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Dr. Robert Groves, told CNSNews.com there's no evidence that the IT problems had a "quality impact" on the accuracy of the population count, but he encouraged people to wait for a final report from the Commerce Department's inspector general to "see what he has to say." OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES New White House Report Claims Millions of Jobs 'Saved or Created' by Stimulus Bill Senate Hearing Finally Set for Intelligence Chief Republican Gubernatorial Candidate in Colorado Apologizes for Plagiarism U.N. Eyes Private Help in Funneling $100 Billion in Climate Aid to Developing Countries Small Banks That Took Bailout Money Doing Poorly, Watchdog Says China to Invest $10B in Argentina's Railways Four Police Officers Could Face Death Penalty for Post-Katrina Shootings 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 Both parties mull raising retirement age to lower cost of Social Security White House searching for a way to reconnect with voters over economy Coalition eases up on Afghan air strikes despite escalating combat U.S. may label Pakistan militants as terrorists Nancy Pelosi vents about Robert Gibbs Hoyer: Seats are 'in play,' but Dems will hold House majority Under Obama, Gitmo becomes playground for inmates In key contests, Democrats champion gun rights TSA using pizza boxes to recruit new workers Hoyer: Congress has broadband power Nebraska council OKs ban on hiring illegal immigrants TARP watchdog to audit housing program Poll: Toomey, Sestak are even in U.S. Senate race New guidelines seek to expand diagnosis of Alzheimer's Metro riders, hit by large fare hike, face escalator malfunctions Boehner warns Dems about lame-duck spending spree By dying in 2010, Steinbrenner saved family half-billion in taxes ACLU says California DNA law violates privacy Missouri Gov. Nixon faces decision on abortion bill Magnitude of Medicare fraud in South Florida grows COMMENTARY Will Kagan—and Recusal Law—Cost Obamacare a Vote? By Terence P. Jeffrey What are the odds that while serving as President Barack Obama's solicitor general, Elena Kagan never expressed her opinion about lawsuits that were filed challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare? If Kagan did express her opinion, federal law requires the she be disqualified from those cases if she is confirmed as a justice and they come before the Supreme Court. The National Association for the Advancement of Coddled People By Michelle Malkin The NAACP is a laughingstock. The group no longer represents the best interests of oppressed minorities, but the thin-skinned whims of the black elite and the ravenous appetite of the Nanny State. The NAACP uses the plight of poor black people as a fig leaf to hide its true agenda of promoting policies that benefit their dues-paying members, not black people in general or poor black people in particular." Heed the Call By Rich Galen The danger to the nation is not whether Republicans or Democrats control the House or Senate (or both); nor is it whether Obama wins a second term. The danger to the Republic is we have lost confidence in our political institutions to solve anything. Obama the Gipper? L. Brent Bozell III The Political Left is in a meltdown. There's no way to sugarcoat the calamity. It is falling apart. It sees the tide has turned and a possible tsunami is building, ready to crest and explode in November, washing all their dreams away. How could this be happening to them? Here's how…