CNN's King asked Cheney several leading questions, inviting him to hammer Obama

Media Matters - CNN's King asked Cheney several leading questions, inviting him to hammer Obama

Interviewing former Vice President Dick Cheney, CNN's John King asked Cheney several leading questions, most premised on conservative or Republican talking points, that provided Cheney ample opportunities to attack President Obama. For instance, King asked Cheney whether he "believe[s] the president of the United States has made Americans less safe" by reversing several Bush administration's national security policies and whether he agrees with "the conservative weekly Human Events" that Obama is "trying to brazenly deceive the American people."

Cook County Republicans speak out about the politics in Illinois

Cook County GOP Lincoln Day Luncheon March 29, 2009 Join the Cook County Republican Party as we celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday for a Luncheon on March 29, 2009. Congressman Aaron Schock will be our Keynote Speaker, and there will also be a special address by Cook County Board President exploratory candidate Paul Vallas. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. Watch Keynote Speaker Congressman Aaron Schock profiled on NBC's Today Show: Democrats block Cook County tax rollback Daily Herald - 3/11/09 Suburban Republican efforts to force a vote on possibly rolling back Cook County's sales taxes were blocked Tuesday by Democrats in the Illinois House. State Rep. Sidney Mathias, a Buffalo Grove Republican, complained that his proposal to force public votes on such tax increases was bottled up in a House committee and hadn't been scheduled for a vote. Mathias pushed to have the plan released only to have Democratic leadership say his request was out of order...read more... Democratic Lawmakers to Cook County Residents: No Tax Relief Cook GOP News Release - 3/13/09 Republicans in Illinois want average citizens to make the ultimate decision about how their hard earned money is taxed by local governments. Unfortunately, Illinois' Democratic leaders disagree and are willing to fight to keep the citizens of Cook County the most heavily taxed in the nation....read more... Illinois Income Tax Rate may rise by 50 percent Chicago Tribune - 3/13/09 Gov. Pat Quinn is considering raising the Illinois income tax by 50 percent in a politically risky bid to address one of the biggest budget dilemmas in state history, sources said Thursday. An increase to 4.5 percent from the current 3 percent tax rate on individuals would include a corresponding hike in the corporate income tax on businesses, according to sources familiar with the new governor's preparations for his first budget address Wednesday.....read more... New Quid Pro Quo questions between Burris, Blagojevich Chicago Sun-Times - 3/6/09 On the same December day then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich named Roland Burris to fill President Obama's U.S. Senate vacancy, Burris' right-hand political man, Fred Lebed, phoned an associate and told him, "We'll have to do some things for the governor." That's the recollection of the associate, a health-care and political consultant named John Ruff, who went on to become one of Burris' co-plaintiffs on a January lawsuit that sought to help Burris claim his Senate sea...read more...

Millions in AIG bonuses draw chorus of outrage

Millions in AIG bonuses draw chorus of outrage

Leaders of the White House economic team and the Senate's top Republican bellowed about bonuses at a bailed-out insurance giant and pledged to prevent such payments in the future.

From one Sunday talk show to the next, they tore into the contracts that American International Group asserted had to be honored, to the tune of about $165 million and payable to executives by Sunday — part of a larger total payout reportedly valued at $450 million. The company has benefited from more than $170 billion in a federal rescue.

"Fundamentally" wrong: CNN's King twisted facts in linking Obama to McCain's "fundamentals of the economy are strong" comment

Media Matters - "Fundamentally" wrong: CNN's King twisted facts in linking Obama to McCain's "fundamentals of the economy are strong" comment

On Anderson Cooper 360, John King alleged: "The president today said there were fundamentally sound aspects of the economy. He says we'll get through this because of the innovative entrepreneurs, companies that are making good products, workers, American workers who are so productive. Almost exactly the same message he criticized John McCain for during the election." In fact, Obama criticized McCain for broadly stating that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong." Indeed, it was only after Obama criticized McCain that McCain revised his comments to assert that by "fundamentals," he had been referring to "the American worker, and their innovation, their entrepreneurship, the small business."

Newsmax.com - Breaking News, Politics, Commentary

Newsmax.com - Breaking News, Politics, Commentary

A Great Right Hope - Forbes.com

A Great Right Hope - Forbes.com

Christopher Ruddy's conservative media empire is booming. Now, can it save the Republican party?

G-20 pledge sustained action on financial crisis

G-20 pledge sustained action on financial crisis: "Finance officials from rich and developing countries pledged to boost the role of the International Monetary Fund and make a 'sustained effort' to restore global growth after a key conference that sought to bridge deep divisions on how to tackle the financial crisis."

Toolkit for SCA Reentry Demonstration Grant Applicants

March 13, 2009 Toolkit for Second Chance Act Reentry Demonstration Project Grant Applicants  The Council of State Governments Justice Center has developed a toolkit for state and local governments and Indian tribes interested in responding to the solicitation for state and local reentry demonstration projects released on February 27, 2009, by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice.  The toolkit, developed with support from the Public Welfare Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and Open Society Institute, includes materials that can help potential applicants think through the questions asked in the solicitation and design or enhance their reentry initiative.  Those that are currently available are: A checklist that will help state and local governments and Indian tribes meet  application requirements under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act (PDF) NOTE: The checklist is intended solely to assist applicants for state and local reentry demonstration project grants. A fact sheet on the grants for nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for mentoring and other transitional services is available here. A resource guide listing publications, reports, and tools that may be helpful in developing a successful reentry initiative (PDF) Additional resources are forthcoming. The toolkit is not part of the grant solicitation.  Potential applicants should carefully read the BJA solicitation, which describes forms that must be completed and all criteria that must be met to be eligible for Section 101 demonstration grant funding.  The toolkit materials, as well as other reentry resources and information on the Second Chance Act, are available on the Reentry Policy Council website.  The Justice Center will hold a webinar to help potential applicants understand the BJA solicitation for state and local reentry demonstration projects and get the most out of the resources in the toolkit.  The webinar will be held on March 19, 2009, at 2 P.M. Eastern Time.  The webinar is free, but only the first 1,000 people to register will be able to participate.  Click here to register for the webinar.  The webinar presentation, including audio, will be posted on the Reentry Policy Council website after March 19.      Coming Soon: Second Chance Act Grants for Youth Reentry Demonstration Projects and Nonprofit Organizations The solicitation released by BJA on February 27 requests applications from state and local governments and Indian tribes for reentry demonstration projects that focus on adult populations only.  The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, is expected to release a solicitation soon for demonstration projects targeting youth populations under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance is also expected to release the solicitation for grants to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for mentoring and other transitional services authorized by Section 211 of the Second Chance Act soon.  A fact sheet about the Section 211 grants is available here. To be notified when these solicitations are released and new Justice Center resources become available, subscribe to the Reentry Policy Council listserv.     FY09 Omnibus Includes $25 Million for Second Chance Act Programs in Fiscal Year 2009 On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 that provides $25 million for Second Chance Act programs, including $15 million for state and local reentry demonstration projects and $10 million for grants to nonprofit organizations for mentoring and other transitional services.  Congress will now turn its attention to appropriations for FY2010, which actually begins on October 1, 2009.  In the preliminary budget for FY2010 released in February, President Obama requested $109 million for prisoner reentry programs, including $75 million for Second Chance Act programs.  A national reentry working group is leading the effort to secure funding for the Second Chance Act for FY2010. The working group is circulating a sign-on letter asking Congress to provide at least $75 million for Second Chance Act programs in FY2010. "We have all worked so hard to get this legislation passed, but we know it will not accomplish what it is intended to do without sufficient funding. We must encourage policy makers to appropriate the needed funds," said working group member Jane Browning of the International Community Corrections Association. According to fellow working group member Gene Guerrero of the Open Society Policy Center, "it is important for organizations that support the Second Chance Act and federal funding for reentry programs to sign this letter of support." Organizations that want to sign the letters should email scainfo@csg.org by Monday, March 16 The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. It provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies—informed by available evidence—to increase public safety and strengthen communities. .   Our postal address is 100 Wall St 20th Floor New York, New York 10005 United States

Media Matters Daily Summary

Here are today's news items from Media Matters for America, click on the title or 'read more' to read the entirety of each story. Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations CNN's Wolf Blitzer did not challenge Ari Fleischer's false claim that President Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations and housing-related expenses. In fact, Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget proposal includes a provision to reduce to 28 percent the rate at which families earning more than $250,000 a year can take deductions for charitable donations, housing-related expenses, and other itemized deductions. Read More CNBC's Kernen, Bartiromo falsely claimed Obama promised to eliminate earmarks CNBC's Joe Kernen falsely claimed that President Obama "promised ... no more earmarks," while colleague Maria Bartiromo similarly asserted that "during the campaign, [Obama] said he would eliminate" earmarks. In fact, Obama promised to reform the earmark process and cut wasteful spending, not eliminate earmarks altogether. Read More Wash. Post contradicts prior reporting in purporting to contrast Clinton and Bush U.S. attorney dismissals Contradicting its own prior reporting, The Washington Post asserted that when Bill Clinton "took office, he fired all U.S. attorneys at once," while George W. Bush "took a different approach, slowly releasing several of the prosecutors." But the Post previously reported that "Bush and ... Clinton each dismissed nearly all U.S. attorneys upon taking office." Indeed, Bush moved to replace almost all of Clinton's U.S. attorneys within the first five months of his term in office, according to a 2001 Justice Department press release. Read More AP headline said "Christians optimistic but disappointed in Obama," but report was about conservative Christians The New York Times published an AP report on its website with the AP's headline, "Christians optimistic but disappointed in Obama." In fact, the report stated that "[c]onservative evangelical and Catholic leaders" and "some right-leaning Christian leaders" -- not Christians in general -- were "expressing feelings ranging from disappointment to optimism in their reaction to the president's decisions so far." Read More CNN's Willis falsely claimed "household net worth ... dropped by almost 18 percent since last year" On American Morning, Gerri Willis falsely claimed that "household net worth, according to the Federal Reserve, down almost 18 percent since last year." In fact, household net worth decreased by 18 percent in 2008 -- not 2009. Read More In puff piece on Newsmax, Forbes.com quoted Dick Morris without noting he writes for Newsmax A Forbes.com profile of Newsmax and its co-founder, Christopher Ruddy, quoted Dick Morris praising Newsmax without noting Morris' affiliation with the outlet. The profile also omitted key information on Ruddy, including his history of promoting unfounded conspiracy theories about the 1993 death of deputy White House counsel Vince Foster. Read More Fox News illustrates segments on serious issue of crime in Mexico with footage of bikini-clad women Fox News has once again engaged in its longstanding practice of airing gratuitous footage of scantily clad women -- this time in its coverage of the grim issue of drug cartel-related violence in Mexico. In segments raising the question of whether Mexico is no longer safe for college spring break trips -- a proposition challenged by some guests -- footage of young women in bikinis aired on Hannity, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, and The O'Reilly Factor. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.

WalMart Pharmacy: Are you getting the right prescriptions?

March 13, 2009

Mr. Lee Scott, President & CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

Mr. Scott:

I, Fred Nance Jr., write this letter in behalf of my wife, xxxxxxx xxxxxx-Nance. In August of 2008 my wife had her Thyroid glands removed. She was given a prescription for Levoxyl from Dr. David Sarne with specific instructions written on the prescription reporting that this medication should not be substituted. Your Wal-Mart Store pharmacy located at 16771 Torrence Ave., Lansing, Illinois, 60438, substituted this medication for the generic a called Levothyroxin.

On March 12, 2009, at approximately 1:00 pm (CST), when I took my wife’s prescription in to this Wal-Mart Pharmacy your manager Zuwena Shamver caught the mistake when she was entering the present prescription into your system. Ms. Shamver informed me that it was written on the prescription not to substitute. This is the first time Ms. Shamver took our prescriptions. Ms. Shamver informed me she would call Dr. Sarne to see if this medication can be substituted.

On March 12, 2009 Dr. Sarne called our home informing me he received a call from the Wal-Mart pharmacy about this prescription. Dr. Sarne informed me that his prescription was specific, and that it should not have been substituted for a generic brand. Dr. Sarne stated that my wife needed to take the name-brand prescription of Levoxyl because of her particular surgery and loss of the Thyroid glands.

On March 13, 2009 I went to this Wal-Mart Store to pick up our prescriptions. I arrived at 1:05 pm (CST). The pharmacy opening, lunch time and closing times are posted in the pharmacy area for customers to view. The posted lunch time is 1:30 pm (CST). The Hispanic female pharmacy worker, Ms. Allanna waited on me (I may have the name spelled wrong). This pharmacy worker informed me that my wife’s medication (Levoxyl) was not filled. I informed her that I brought this prescription in on March 12, 2009 at 1:00 pm (CST), and that Ms. Shamver informed me that it would ready on March 12, 2009.

The Hispanic female pharmacy worker said she would check to see what the status was on wife’s medication. She informed me that the medication was ordered and that I would have to come back later. I informed her that this response was unacceptable. I asked to speak to the manager. She informed me the manager was not working today. She informed me that she would look to see if it came in with the stock today. She returned telling me that it was in but I would have to come back around 3:00 pm (CST) because it was lunch time, and they would not be putting the stock up until that time. I informed her that it was 1:10 pm (CST) and that the pharmacy sign says lunch is 1:30 pm (CST). She looked at me. I asked her for the corporate office address and phone number. She gave me Mr. John Alex Sangueza’s business card and wrote 1-800-Walmart and Ms. Shamver’s name on the back on the card. I left the store.

As I thought about this incident, I went back in the store. It was 1:18 pm (CST). I talked to the pharmacist on duty. I think his name is Hiram Anderson. I asked Mr. Anderson for a copy of the prescription I gave Ms. Shamver on March 12, 2009. Mr. Anderson told me that it was lunch time. I informed him that his sign says 1:30 pm (CST), and that it was 1:20 pm. I informed Mr. Anderson of the above. Mr. Anderson told me that I should think about apologizing if I am wrong about the prescription stating “no substitute.” I said, What!!!

Mr. Anderson asked the white female pharmacy worker to get me a copy of the prescription. The white pharmacy worker looked for my wife’s medication. She found the medication in a box that was right next to her. She filled the prescription for my wife’s medication. She was about to give me the medication when Mr. Anderson told her to get me a copy of the prescription first. The white female pharmacy worker gave me a copy of the prescription. The Hispanic female processed my payment for my wife’s medication. The Hispanic female gave me my wife’s medication.

When I was leaving the counter a white female customer was trying to talk to the Hispanic female about her prescription(s). The Hispanic female started walking to the door, ignored her and closed the door behind, signifying that the pharmacy was closed. This is the daily operation of this pharmacy. I have threatened to write you many times, but your manager Zuwena Shamver has been so polite and courteous addressing my issues that I have not written. If not for Ms. Shamver I would have written you long ago. Mr. Anderson has always had a “stand-off” attitude whenever I addressed an issue.

Sir, what are you going to do about my issue, specifically, my wife receiving a generic medication when the prescription reports no substitute? It appears that Wal-Mart promotes such a low-price for prescription medications that the “generic” option is “best practice” for Wal-Mart. Please prove me wrong on this statement. On the customer relations issue, I do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This lack of appropriate “customer service” behavior is a training issue. I need to get a written response from you.

Respectfully submitted,


Fred Nance Jr.

cc: Ms. Zuwena Shamver
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
http://click.townhall.com/
http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/
http://www.frednance.newsvine.com/

Copy of prescription dated March 11, 2009 attached.

Illinois Fair Housing Initiative

Illinois Fair Housing Initiative: "Many have questioned why minorities appear to be over-represented in the subprime lending market. Studies reveal that even in upper-income African-American neighborhoods one is one-and-a-half times as likely to have a subprime loan than persons in low-income white neighborhoods. In neighborhoods where Hispanics comprise at least 80 percent of the population, they were 1.5 times as likely than the nation as a whole to have a subprime mortgage loan."

Crain's Daily News Alert prepared for Top Executives

CHICAGOBUSINESS — POWERED BY CRAIN'S — Daily Business Briefing CRAIN'S LISTS SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MULTIMEDIA WEEKLY JOB CHANGES TOP HEADLINES Friday, March 13, 2009 · Chicago-area unemployment rate hits 8.2% · Boeing CEO McNerney gets higher salary, lower bonus · Taxes heading higher: Gov Quinn · Allstate consolidating small-biz offices · Metra may have to borrow trains for Olympics · Sara Lee considering sale of European household biz · Chicago 2016 picks new Olympics bid motto · Boeing 777 gets OK from Euro regulator · Sidley Austin lays off 89 lawyers · 10 things to do this weekend  · State budget hole deepens to $11.5 billion: Hinz blog · Mr. Smith comes to Chicago for swanky signing: Taking Names blog · Hawks freeze ticket prices; round up: Biz of Sports blog  Final Markets Dow Jones 7,223.98 +53.92 +0.75% NASDAQ 1,431.50 +5.40 +0.38% Crain's Index 55.56 +0.21 +0.379% » View Other Top Headlines ADVERTISEMENT The info session for the Brennan School of Business is your opportunity to see everything we have to offer. The programs. The faculty. The convenient location. Come to Dominican University's Main Campus on Saturday, March 21st 10 a.m. till 12 noon. See for yourself. CLICK HERE Crain's Chicago Business | 360 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601 ADVERTISEMENT TODAY'S FEATURES Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner Ron Magers of WLS-TV/Channel 7 again was the emcee for the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner. The event raised $750,000 for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. See the photos.Read More · Chicago Business Today - March 13 · Homemade Pizza Co.: Grabbing a slice · Social Whirl 2009 - Chicago Shakespeare Theater · Check, Please! Wave — Scrumptious and hip SIGN UP FOR CUSTOM ALERTS Industries Companies Executives » Account Settings LISTEN LIVE: Traffic, weather and news from our news partner WBBM-AM.

Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations

Media Matters - Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations

CNN's Wolf Blitzer did not challenge Ari Fleischer's false claim that President Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations and housing-related expenses. In fact, Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget proposal includes a provision to reduce to 28 percent the rate at which families earning more than $250,000 a year can take deductions for charitable donations, housing-related expenses, and other itemized deductions.

Congressman Davis Housing Advisory Meeting

Reminder Congressman Danny K. Davis   7th District of Illinois Housing Cluster   Advisory Committee   Monday, March 16, 2009, at   10:00 a.m.   Roundtable Discussion and Update on Housing and Foreclosure provided by: □       Fannie Mae □       Freddie Mac □       City of Chicago, Department of Housing □       Cook County Department of Planning □       Lenders   at the office of Congressman Danny K. Davis, 3333 W. Arthington (parking on South Spaulding and Arthington) For additional information, please RSVP to Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff,  at 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

Live Vote: Give President Obama a grade - White House- msnbc.com

Live Vote: Give President Obama a grade - White House- msnbc.com: "If you were grading Barack Obama on his performance as president, what would he get?"

Crain's Daily News Alert prepared for Top Executives

CHICAGOBUSINESS — POWERED BY CRAIN'S — Daily Business Briefing CRAIN'S LISTS SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MULTIMEDIA WEEKLY JOB CHANGES TOP HEADLINES Thursday, March 12, 2009 · Sears Tower to be renamed for new tenant · Daley lays out $1 billion stimulus wish list · Illinois foreclosure filings up 62% in February · Nicor CEO compensation rises over last year · See photos of winners in last night's Food Depository awards · Deal avoids foreclosure on 500 W. Monroe · Rally continues as Dow closes above 7,000 · 10 things to do this weekend  · Mental guru blasts Woods' Nike ad; Ticket trigger for NU football: Biz of Sports blog · Maria Pinto doesn't need first lady to keep busy: Taking Names blog  Final Markets Dow Jones 7,170.06 +239.66 +3.46% NASDAQ 1,426.10 +54.46 +3.97% Crain's Index 55.35 +2.51 +4.75% » View Other Top Headlines ADVERTISEMENT The info session for the Brennan School of Business is your opportunity to see everything we have to offer. The programs. The faculty. The convenient location. Come to Dominican University's Main Campus on Saturday, March 21st 10 a.m. till 12 noon. See for yourself. CLICK HERE OTHER HEADLINES · Madoff's bail revoked after guilty pleas to all charges New York Times · Iraqi Who threw shoes at Bush sentenced to prison Washington Post · Household net worth plunges 18% in 2008 MarketWatch · GM says can survive March without new aid Reuters Crain's Chicago Business | 360 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601 ADVERTISEMENT TODAY'S FEATURES Chicago Business Today - March 12 A new name for Chicago's best-known building. We'll tell you what's shocking about this change. Plus, Six Flags is riding its own financial roller coaster.Read More · Homemade Pizza Co.: Grabbing a slice · Social Whirl 2009 - Chicago Shakespeare Theater · Check, Please! Wave — Scrumptious and hip · Which company is Chicago's #1? SIGN UP FOR CUSTOM ALERTS Industries Companies Executives » Account Settings LISTEN LIVE: Traffic, weather and news from our news partner WBBM-AM.

ABC7 eNews

>>> Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as a webpage. Top Stories Thursday, March 12, 2009 Sears Tower to be renamed Willis Tower | VIDEO Chicago's Sears Tower will be renamed Willis Tower after an incoming tenant, according to a press release from Willis Group Holdings of London. Ill. 7th in foreclosure rates | VIDEO New foreclosure numbers show Illinois now in the top ten among states. 26 CPS students killed this school year The heads of the Chicago school system and the police department addressed the problem of deadly violence among students. Former chairman denies prostitution report Former Cook County Republican chairman Gary Skoien is denying a Daily Herald report that he was with two prostitutes when his wife allegedly attacked him in their northwest suburban mansion. Dog killed after attack on couple A pit bull was shot and killed after attacking a pregnant woman and her boyfriend. MORE STORIES Strange Town elects surveyor as newbie police chief/ Delinquent taxpayer confronts mayor on TV 89-year-old in kid football flap drops lawsuit Not-guilty pleas in theft of mechanical ape head One-eyed filmmaker conceals camera in prosthetic Consumer Wal-Mart to enter electronic medical records arena Ways to Save Money on Vet Bills | VIDEO Tide of Twittering at Procter & Gamble Jobless claims rise as retail sales slip CDC: 16.5 pct. of Ill. households cell phone-only Healthbeat Tests could find ovarian cancer early Med schools grow as economy tanks Insomniacs' problem likely to persist Lack of vitamin D boosts heart risk in teens Neck fat may signal heart trouble MOST POPULAR Student stabbed at South Side school 3 girls charged in school beating Sears Tower to be renamed Willis Tower I-Team Report: Lunch with 'No Nose' Harry's Hot Dogs closes after 63 years Advertisement TODAY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK 25°F 14°F Cold with a blend of sun and clouds Hour-by-Hour | 7 Day Forecast | Radar & Satellite TONIGHT ON ABC 7:00 PM Ugly Betty 8:00 PM Grey's Anatomy 9:02 PM Private Practice 10:00 PM ABC 7 News at 10PM 10:35 PM Nightline Lottery Results Your Daily Horoscope Madoff denied bail and ordered to jail Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty Thursday to an epic fraud that robbed investors worldwide of billions of dollars, avoiding eye contact with swindled investors before he was led out of court with his hands cuffed behind his back. Who Bernard Madoff hurt and how I-Team Report: Lunch with 'No Nose' ABC7's Chuck Goudie reveals who's having lunch with John "No Nose" DiFronzo. SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS I'd like to receive the following newsletters from abc7chicago.com Daily Weather | Daily News | 190 North Sign up for news alerts

A 'sorry and ashamed' Bernard Madoff pleads guilty

A 'sorry and ashamed' Bernard Madoff pleads guilty:

"Saying he was 'deeply sorry and ashamed,' Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty Thursday to pulling off perhaps the biggest swindle in Wall Street history and was immediately led off to jail in handcuffs to the delight of his seething victims."

Employee Free Choice Act: "Fox Facts" vs. actual facts

Media Matters - Employee Free Choice Act: "Fox Facts" vs. actual facts

Fox News has run on-screen text, often billed as "Fox Facts," falsely claiming that the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would "kill workplace secret ballots," "kill workers' right to secret ballot" and "take away workers' right to have a secret ballot vote." In fact, as the Christian Science Monitor has noted, the legislation "gives workers a choice of forming a union through majority sign-up ('card check') or an election by secret ballot." Fox News has also aired on-screen text claiming that "current law requires workers to vote by secret ballot"; in fact, current law already allows a union that shows it has the support of a majority of workers to represent the workers if their employer voluntarily agrees to recognize the union.

Politico , Fox News advance McConnell's "fuzzy math" on cost of omnibus and stimulus bills

Media Matters - Politico , Fox News advance McConnell's "fuzzy math" on cost of omnibus and stimulus bills

The Politico uncritically reported Sen. Mitch McConnell's claim that the combined cost of the omnibus and recovery bills amounts to spending $1 billion an hour. Fox News' Sean Hannity and Brian Kilmeade also repeated McConnell's claim. But as Time's Michael Scherer explained, McConnell's figure is "fuzzy math that does not really mean what it seems to mean" because it is based on dividing the cost of the two bills over 50 days, when, in fact, the money will be spent over the course of many months.

Cavuto did not ID Lott as energy company lobbyist, even as Lott touted specific issues for which he lobbies

Media Matters - Cavuto did not ID Lott as energy company lobbyist, even as Lott touted specific issues for which he lobbies

On Your World, Neil Cavuto hosted Trent Lott to discuss energy policy but failed to disclose that Lott is now a lobbyist for major energy companies. During the segment, Lott touted specific issues for which he lobbies, including "Algae to Ethanol technology" and offshore drilling.

ABC's Gibson repeated myth as fact that "some 60 former [Guantánamo] detainees ... have reappeared on foreign battlefields"

Media Matters - ABC's Gibson repeated myth as fact that "some 60 former [Guantánamo] detainees ... have reappeared on foreign battlefields"

ABC's Charles Gibson baselessly claimed that "some 60 former detainees ... have reappeared on foreign battlefields." In fact, according to the Pentagon, 18 former Guantánamo detainees have been "confirmed" to have "return[ed] to the fight."

Hannity misquoted Obama to falsely accuse him of breaking promise

Media Matters - Hannity misquoted Obama to falsely accuse him of breaking promise

On his Fox News program, Sean Hannity misquoted President Obama in falsely claiming that Obama, "in the [presidential] debate with [Sen.] John McCain, said, 'I'm going to go line by line. I'm going to eliminate all the earmarks.' " In fact, during the second presidential debate, Obama said that he wanted "to go line by line through every item in the federal budget and eliminate programs that don't work and make sure that those that do work, work better and cheaper." Indeed, during his presidential campaign, Obama actually promised to reform the earmark process and cut wasteful spending, not eliminate earmarks altogether.