That’s all you need to know.

Comment by gummitch

Errr, actually it does…

http://www.projectcensored.org/publications/2005/11.html

In February 2003, a Florida Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with an assertion by FOX News that there is no rule against distorting or falsifying the news in the United States.

Back in December of 1996, Jane Akre and her husband, Steve Wilson, were hired by FOX as a part of the Fox “Investigators” team at WTVT in Tampa Bay, Florida. In 1997 the team began work on a story about bovine growth hormone (BGH), a controversial substance manufactured by Monsanto Corporation. The couple produced a four-part series revealing that there were many health risks related to BGH and that Florida supermarket chains did little to avoid selling milk from cows treated with the hormone, despite assuring customers otherwise.

According to Akre and Wilson, the station was initially very excited about the series. But within a week, Fox executives and their attorneys wanted the reporters to use statements from Monsanto representatives that the reporters knew were false and to make other revisions to the story that were in direct conflict with the facts. Fox editors then tried to force Akre and Wilson to continue to produce the distorted story. When they refused and threatened to report Fox’s actions to the FCC, they were both fired.(Project Censored #12 1997)

Akre and Wilson sued the Fox station and on August 18, 2000, a Florida jury unanimously decided that Akre was wrongfully fired by Fox Television when she refused to broadcast (in the jury’s words) “a false, distorted or slanted story” about the widespread use of BGH in dairy cows. They further maintained that she deserved protection under Florida’s whistle blower law. Akre was awarded a $425,000 settlement. Inexplicably, however, the court decided that Steve Wilson, her partner in the case, was ruled not wronged by the same actions taken by FOX.

FOX appealed the case, and on February 14, 2003 the Florida Second District Court of Appeals unanimously overturned the settlement awarded to Akre. The Court held that Akre’s threat to report the station’s actions to the FCC did not deserve protection under Florida’s whistle blower statute, because Florida’s whistle blower law states that an employer must violate an adopted “law, rule, or regulation.” In a stunningly narrow interpretation of FCC rules, the Florida Appeals court claimed that the FCC policy against falsification of the news does not rise to the level of a “law, rule, or regulation,” it was simply a “policy.” Therefore, it is up to the station whether or not it wants to report honestly.

During their appeal, FOX asserted that there are no written rules against distorting news in the media. They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves. Fox attorneys did not dispute Akre’s claim that they pressured her to broadcast a false story, they simply maintained that it was their right to do so. After the appeal verdict WTVT general manager Bob Linger commented, “It’s vindication for WTVT, and we’re very pleased… It’s the case we’ve been making for two years. She never had a legal claim.”

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Sounds to me like someone has a case of sour grapes. “Gore was awarded the Nobel Prize and I don’t like it — so that must mean that the Nobel Committee must be collectively smeared and the entire process condemned as punishment because they did something I don’t like.” Ye gods…would Savage like some cheese to go with his whine?

Seriously, though…Savage had better make certain that he has a good lawyer, because it seems to me that what he said could potentially be considered grounds for a slander suit unless he can provide something to back up these claims (which I seriously doubt he can). If he has nothing upon which to base these claims, then how can it really be doubted that he said these things purely out of the desire to damage the reputation of the Nobel Committee?

“You say you don’t like Huckabee? What are you, gay, or something?”

reported on countdown minutes ago

He’s not the Country but the Country is his as is the Government. He often refers to “his country” and “his government” like he owns them.

Bush, too, is certifiable.

http://nobelpeaceprize.org/eng_com_five.html

I’m sure Frank M will counter by saying that the website is not reputable because their a bunch of pedophiles.

Comment by Nevar — December 13, 2007 @ 7:04

It’s nice when somebody shares my vision.

Perhaps we should recommend Brock’s book, “The Republican Noise Machine” for CWIAD’s reading list?

Ann Coulter’s well-thought out response to 9-11: “We should invade their countries and convert them to christianity or kill them all.”

Ann Coulter’s highly intelligent appraisal of John Edwards: “He’s a fag.”

Like I said, Crazy Clinton-hater, just your style.

Comment by Shayne

Goats love to find an elevated perch from which to survey their domain. From what I gather of this poster, I imagine his trailer perched on a barren dirt hillside, where every last shred of vegetation has long since been eaten, and even the junk cars have had the tires gnawed down to the steel belting.

Comment by ClintonWasImpeachedAndDisbarred — December 13, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

Sure anybody who agrees with your myopic vision is informed. Anybody who disagrees is an idiot. Got it, jackass. Come back when you get a clue.