On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh mentioned an email he got about a Club for Growth report that Newt supported the “Fairness Doctrine” back in 1987. If that’s going to be thrown out there, let’s at least find out what the claim is and if Newt has a response. Here’s the relevant text from the Club for Growth “presidential white paper” on Newt Gingrich : POLITICAL FREE SPEECH Maximizing prosperity requires sound government policies. When government strays from these policies, citizens must be free to exercise their constitutional rights to petition and criticize those policies and the politicians responsible for them. Except for one large blemish, Gingrich has what seems to be a clear, strong, and positive stand on behalf of political free speech. In 1995, he countered calls for spending restrictions in campaigns by noting the 1992 presidential campaigns combined spent half of the major television networks’ news budgets. He said giving journalists free, unlimited access to the public while restricting campaign contributions represented “a nonsensical socialist analysis based on hatred of the free enterprise system.” Gingrich has rightly been a harsh critic of the McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, saying in 2006 that it ought to have been named the “McCain-Feingold censorship law” and compared it to the Sedition Act of 1798. According to Gingrich, “A truly functioning campaign system would take power out of Washington and return it to its owners—the American people. Such a system would allow individuals to make unlimited contributions to candidates for Congress in their district, so long as it is reported immediately on the Internet and is transparent and accessible.” Gingrich strongly supported Citizens United in their challenge against the constitutionality of the McCain Feingold bill, and recently appeared in a video produced by Citizen United commemorating the anniversary of the successful ruling. Nevertheless, Gingrich supported the “Fairness Doctrine” in 1987, a proposal that would force broadcasters to air all sides of a controversial issue. It obviously infringes 1st Amendment rights and it can only lead to bigger government as bureaucrats haggle over what’s controversial, what’s “fair”, and other details. Here’s the Newt campaign’s response to the charge from their website: Newt does not support the Fairness Doctrine and he has been vocally critical of the left’s efforts to reinstate the doctrine over the past decade, including supporting Mike Pence’s bill that prohibited government censorship in radio in 2007. In 1987, the three left-wing networks plus PBS/NPR dominated media, and talk-radio was still nascent; many of America’s most influential conservative activists, including the American Conservative Union and Phyllis Schlafly, supported the Fairness Doctrine at this time. The rapid growth of conservative viewpoints in the media in the last 25 years is a testament to the power and innovation of the conservative movement once power is taken out of the hands of the elite networks and put into the hands of consumers.
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Controversy over Newt’s support of Fairness Doctrine in 1987
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Smiley & West Show transcript | smileyandwest.com
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Radio Producer Explains Why Harry Belafonte’s Anti-Obama Remarks Were Cut From Show
Well, I did a lot of chauffeuring for the boys over the holidays (and they dominate the radio dial), so here’s some kids pop for you, until later:
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‘What Makes You Beautiful’
“Tax policy should be serious business carried out by serious politicians using real facts and figures. This is why we have the Library of Congress and the Congressional Budget Office, among other expert institutions,” writes Paul Roderick Gregory of Forbes . Indeed, given the current state of the U.S. economy, tax policy has become an increasingly important subject. And yet, some top-ranking politicians have been making “patently inaccurate, outrageous and bizarre” claims on tax-policy issues and they are doing it without repercussion. For instance, on Dec.12 , while proposing his 1.9 percent surtax on millionaires, Sen. Harry Reid said the following (via Forbes ): Millionaire job creators are like unicorns. They’re impossible to find, and they don’t exist…Only a tiny fraction of people making more than a million dollars, probably less than 1 percent, are small business owners. And only a tiny fraction of that tiny fraction are traditional job creators…Most of these businesses are hedge fund managers or wealthy lawyers. They don’t do much hiring and they don’t need tax breaks. His comments were based on a Dec. 9 National Public Radio report that claimed to have gone searching for the oft-touted “millionaire jobs creator.” They came back with this earthshattering discovery: “NPR requested help from numerous Republican congressional offices, including House and Senate leadership. They were unable to produce a single millionaire job creator for us to interview.” However, the NPR report and Sen. Reid’s subsequent claims did not sit well with Paul Roderick Gregory of Forbes . He decided to dig deeper than NPR and thoroughly scrutinized Sen. Reid “facts.” “Unlike Harry Reid’s office, I went to the IRS’s Table 1.4 ‘Sources of income, adjustments, and tax size of adjusted gross income, 2009’ to check things out,” writes Gregory . This is what he found: There are 236,883 tax filers with incomes of a million dollars or more. By Harry Reid’s count, only one percent, or 2,361 of them, are business owners, and a tiny fraction of them create jobs. I do not know what Harry means when he says “a tiny fraction of a tiny fraction.” If we let 5 percent represent Harry’s “tiny fraction,” we are left with 118 businesses owners who earn a million or more and create jobs. Yes, they are only slightly less rare than unicorns, if Harry is to be believed. This leaves 236,765 million-dollar-plus tax payers, most of whom are “hedge fund managers and wealthy lawyers” who “don’t create jobs and don’t need tax breaks…” Millionaire tax filers earn a total taxable income of $623 billion, on which they pay the highest average rate (30 percent) of any tax bracket…A 1.9 percent tax surcharge on million-dollar-earners would yield $11 billion, assuming those shifty millionaires take no evasive action to avoid the tax. Millionaire tax filers earn $221 billion – almost a quarter of a trillion — from business and professions, partnerships, and S-corporations. This is puzzling: If Harry Reid’s figure is correct (2,361 millionaire businesses), then the average millionaire-owned business earns almost a hundred million dollars, and all, except 118 of them, do this without hiring anyone. These super heroes do their own typing, selling, drafting. public relations, building, and manufacturing. They do not need employees. Remarkable! So what does this mean? “Millionaire tax filers earn almost a quarter trillion dollars from their businesses. They must hire hundreds of thousands of employees to do so,” Gregory concludes. If Gregory’s facts are correct, and it is simply the case that Sen. Reid– a top-ranking U.S. politician– is simply lobbing undisciplined and poorly researched “facts” while discussing issues critical to the fiscal health of the country, this does not bode well for the future of the U.S. economy. Unless those in charge start taking this conversation seriously, America will most likely continue its downward spiral into financial ruin. Furthermore, such “class warfare will be the anchor of the Democrat election playbook,” Gregory predicts. Indeed, it may not be unwarranted to expect more of this type of rhetoric as we approach the 2012 election. Read the full report here. Update : Since the original publication of this article, an update has been made. It was mistakenly reported that Sen. Reid’s comments were made on Dec. 6, before the NPR report. This is not true. His comments were based on a report that NPR produced on Dec. 9 and the Senator made his comments on Dec. 12. (h/t Ken Hansen).
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Fact Check: Harry Reid‘s Claim That ’Millionaire job Creators…Don’t Exist’ Thoroughly Debunked
As written about elsewhere on The Blaze, MSNBC personality Ed Schultz wrapped up his poorly-rated TV program “The Ed Show” Thursday night by declaring victory over the Tea Party. “Good to have you with us tonight, folks. Thanks for watching. The Tea Party’s mission to destroy this presidency and the economy–well, it`s failed for now…Tonight, they are the losers and the winners are the American people,” Shultz said in reference to the GOP leadership caving in during the battle over extending the payroll-tax cuts. However, before declaring victory for the American people on his television show, Shultz predicted on his radio program that GOP leadership would settle for nothing less than a stalemate with Democrats. Why would anyone want a stalemate? Because, according to Schultz, Tea Party Republicans are like “sewer rats.” Shultz in his own words (via News Busters) : What these tea partiers are going to do right now, and I’m going to label them tonight as sewer rats. They have a sewer rat mentality. You know what sewer rats do? They go down in the hole and they don’t come out. And they all hang out together. And they’re comfortable in their environment. And that’s what these Tea Partiers are doing right now behind closed doors. They’re just sewer rats. Listen to him explain why “sewer rats” seems like an appropriate description for the Tea Party: However , he goes on to say much more that’s not included in the video: And when they leave Washington from being a sewer rat, they’re gonna go home and they’re gonna have that human interaction with people and they’re gonna feel power. They’re going to talk with about three people that think the way they do, and say [in a nose-holding voice] ‘Well, that’s the way it is! We’re doing the right thing, and we’re going to beat this socialist/Marxist/communist pinko in the White House! I’ll say no to government spending. I don’t give a damn about the unemployed! In fact, I went home and didn’t see one person that was unemployed.’ That’s how they think. And perhaps because he was feeling a little cocksure from the brilliance of his political analysis, Schultz continued his verbal victory lap. He went on to reveal the results of a poll of his audience. Apparently, ninety-eight percent of the respondents believe House Speaker John Boehner is “the most ineffective Speaker in recent memory.” Wait, what? Ed Schultz’ audience thinks speaker is no good? Shocker. Now there’s nothing wrong with comparing a political movement to sewer rats. Depending on the how a certain group conducts itself, it could be a perfect analogy. As Schultz mentioned, rats climb into their holes, they stay together in their own groups, and they’re comfortable in their environments–common elements of a political movement corrupted by groupthink. However, Schultz forgot to mention two major characteristics of sewer rats: they spread filth and disease wherever they go and they’re a pain in the neck to get rid of. Therefore, if we take the three aforementioned descriptions of sewer rats that Shultz provides, and add “spreading filth” and “oain in the neck” to that list, we–wait. It doesn’t really sound much like the Tea Party at all. It sounds an awful lot like another group. Tea Party rallies from across the country. “Comfortable in their environment”? Check. Going “down in the hole”? Check. Spreading filth? Check. All “hanging out together”? Check. “Pain in the neck to get rid of”? Check. (h/t News Busters )
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Are your ratings that bad? Ed Schultz and ‘sewer rats’
Just days before Christmas and coming off what he described as a political defeat for the Tea Party, which he despises, you would think that MSNBC host and liberal radio personality Ed Schultz may have had a little more holiday cheer than the usual heavy flow of heated rhetoric spewing from his mouth . But Schultz just couldn’t resist letting loose on House Republicans during his radio show Thursday shortly before a deal was announced on the payroll-tax-cut extension. Take a listen to the MSNBC Host’s latest rant, where he likens Tea Party Republicans to “sewer rats:” “What these tea partiers are going to do right now, and I’m going to label them tonight as sewer rats. They have a sewer rat mentality. You know what sewer rats do? They go down in the hole and they don’t come out. And they all hang out together. And they’re comfortable in their environment. And that’s what these Tea Partiers are doing right now behind closed doors. They’re just sewer rats.” Tim Graham of NewsBusters reports on how Schultz followed-up the flustered radio performance : “Schultz wrapped up his TV show with ‘news’ from his viewers: ‘Ed Show survey tonight, I asked is John Boehner the most ineffective Speaker in recent memory? Ninety eight percent of you said yes; two percent of you said no.” Gee, how many liberals are in that sample?” Considering The Ed Show is continually crushed in ratings by programming on another cable news network in the same time slot, perhaps Schultz not the Tea Party is the one who will soon be hiding like a sewer rat.
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Happy Holidays from Ed Schultz: Tea Party Republicans Are Like ‘Sewer Rats’
We’ve already told you about the “Secret Santas” around the nation who have been randomly going into stores and discretely paying off peoples’ debts. The chain of serial giving started earlier this month when a Plainfield, Michigan, woman went into a Kmart and paid off $500 worth of layaway bills for customers in need. She also donated a shopping cart full of toys to the store. Now, another individual has picked up on the idea, as he recently dropped nearly $16,000 to pay off more than 1,000 peoples’ debts. CBS News refers to the man, David Wilson, as a “Layaway Angel,” rather than a “Secret Santa” (after all, since we know the guy’s name, we can’t really dub his actions “secretive”). Wilson apparently spent the massive sum of money to help Kmart shoppers out in Laguna Beach, Calif. The not-so-mysterious man apparently called the local store up and asked the staff to tally the total for all items on layaway that cost under $100. Then, he paid the sum ($15, 919.61) off. Wilson apparently inspired others to give at his local Kmart as well, as an additional $8,000 flowed in from donors who wish to make Christmas bright for their neighbors. Those individuals giving apparently didn’t appear to be wealthy either, proving that we can all do our part to help those in need this holiday season. On Dec. 15, Glenn Beck talked about the original mystery woman who kicked off the spirit of layaway giving on his radio show and encouraged listeners to join in on the generosity. During the segment, he shared a heart-felt story about his family’s own experience filling a jar with money throughout the year and then putting it on a random family’s doorstop (check out ” Christmas Jars ” for more information on where this idea comes from). “If there is a way for you to spend less this year on your family and more on others… If you don’t have the money, just pare back your Christmas in scale and replace it with something of real meaning and real tradition, it will be really, really well worth it,” Beck said, as he was clearly moved by the woman’s story. The chain reaction of giving continues to inspire individuals across America. (H/T: Consumerist )
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‘Layaway Angel’ Generously Picks Up Entire $16K Layaway Tab at California Kmart
Over the last 20 years, I’ve done thousands of radio interviews with hosts and anchors around the country. WBAL’s Ron Smith in Baltimore was one of the first who spent time in-depth discussing my early books and columns. Whether he agreed or disagreed (the former Marine opposed the Iraq war), he was always gracious, deeply informed, engaged, and engaging. He was not only a radio legend, but also a passionate supporter of the arts in his community and a media personality who truly cared about his listeners. I came to know of him initially through my brother-in-law, Daniel — one of Ron’s biggest fans and a cellist in Baltimore. When Daniel launched a local educational series called “Music In Common,” Ron volunteered to narrate the chamber music kick-off. Here’s an article from 1994 on their collaboration: Music in Common, a chamber music series, has quite an offering for its debut concert this weekend. Cellist Daniel Malkin, founder and director of Music in Common, has assembled top local talent from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Institute, Kennedy Center and WBAL radio. And while it might seem odd to find a news/talk radio personality in such company, talk show host Ron Smith, who will narrate the concert, loves classical music. Mr. Smith will join Mr. Malkin, of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, violinist Wonju Kim of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Amy Lin, a pianist and faculty member at the Peabody Institute. The four will perform classical works by Brahms and Tartini and contemporary pieces by Hindemith and Grant Beglarian Sunday afternoon at the 250-seat Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. Mr. Malkin said that Music in Common’s goal is “to have fun concerts and have an informal atmosphere where musicians speak to the audience. “It’s not really a children’s concert. But any kid who could appreciate a classical music concert could appreciate this.” Mr. Smith, who describes himself as a latecomer to classical music, said he supports the group “trying to show the accessibility of serious music.” “I’ve done these things before. I enjoy doing narration for serious music,” said Mr. Smith, who has worked in a similar capacity for the BSO and at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He also covered the BSO’s trip to the former Soviet Union for WBAL. Mr. Smith will introduce the classical pieces and narrate for the contemporary works. The first is Hindemith’s “A Frog He Went A-Courting” variations, in which each variation is one verse of a nursery rhyme that Mr. Smith will read. In April 1997 , Daniel died of melanoma at the age of 33. He was charismatic, brilliant, funny, and passionate about politics, but much more than that — a man of family and faith who embraced all life had to offer. I got in touch with Ron a few weeks ago to let him know how much he touched our family and to express thanks for his personal kindness both to Daniel and to me over the years. Amazingly — and true to his generous spirit — Ron took the time to respond: This is Ron. I have very little time left. A few days perhaps. I’m at peace. I’ve watched your career blossom over the years and have really enjoyed your strong points-of-view, even when not in agreement. Daniel was a transcendent spirit. Keep on truckin’ girl. Best, Ron Last night, Baltimore’s Voice of Reason succumbed to cancer at the age of 70: Ron died at his home in Shrewsbury, Pa., surrounded by his wife, June, and the rest of his family. He is survived by his wife, five children and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be private. A public memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In October, Smith announced on his WBAL 1090 AM radio show that he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. In November, he elected to stop his chemotherapy treatments at Johns Hopkins Hospital and announced his retirement from broadcasting. Ron had been a fixture on WBAL Radio and Television for nearly 40 years. Ron began his broadcasting career in Albany, N.Y., and arrived in Baltimore in 1973 as a reporter and anchor for WBAL-TV. He anchored television newscasts as part of WBAL-TV’s old “Action News” team between 1973 and 1980. Then, after a brief break from broadcasting to work as a stockbroker, Smith returned to WBAL Radio in 1985 to begin a whole new journey as a talk show host. Never a screamer, Smith succeeded by staying on top of local and national politics and standing firm on his principles — even if his listeners disagreed. My sadness today at Ron’s passing is mitigated by the joyous thought of Ron and Dan — two transcendent spirits — meeting again to share enlightened conversation and heavenly music.
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WBAL’s Ron Smith, R.I.P.
