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. Perpetuating falsehood, Wall Street Journal's Fund claimed "AIG bonuses ... were in the stimulus bill" On Fox & Friends, John Fund advanced the Republican falsehood that Democrats created the right for AIG to pay bonuses by passing the economic recovery bill. In fact, the recovery bill did not create the right for AIG -- or any company -- to pay bonuses. Rather, AIG reportedly disclosed that it had entered into agreements to pay these bonuses more than a year ago, the Bush Treasury Department approved of the AIG bailout with this agreement in place, and the relevant provision in the recovery act actually restricted the ability of companies receiving money from TARP to award bonuses in the future. Read More Scarborough falsely claimed Orszag "admit[ted]" Obama budget "will create an unsustainable debt" Joe Scarborough falsely claimed that the president's "own OMB director admits" that his budget will "create an unsustainable debt." In fact, OMB director Peter Orszag recently said that deficits at the level estimated by CBO in scoring Obama's proposed budget "would ultimately not be sustainable," but also said: "I think that what you're going to see, again, under our assumptions, our policies lead to lower deficits than that." Orszag also recently asserted that "[t]he President's Budget," if enacted, would "put the nation on a sustainable fiscal path." Read More Wash. Times forwarded false GOP suggestion that Bush administration played no role in AIG bonus controversy A Washington Times article reported GOP criticism of Democrats over the AIG bonus issue and quoted a Republican strategist asserting: "This is not something [Democrats] can point to George Bush. ... They own the issue of giving bonuses to the AIG executives." But the article did not note that $53 million in AIG bonuses that the article mentioned were reportedly paid out under the Bush administration, or that a Bush-appointed special inspector general for TARP has stated that the Bush Treasury Department knew about the AIG bonus contracts and did not insist on their abrogation as a condition of AIG's receiving bailout money. Read More NY Times falsely claimed that Obama "campaigned as an antiwar candidate" In a New York Times article, Sheryl Gay Stolberg wrote that President Obama "never served in the military and campaigned as an antiwar candidate." In fact, Obama did not campaign as "an antiwar candidate"; Obama has repeatedly said that he doesn't "oppose all wars" but is opposed to "a dumb war" or "a rash war." Read More Politico published Bauer op-ed that advanced 61-detainee falsehood Politico published an op-ed by Gary Bauer that falsely claimed that "a January Pentagon report found that 61 former detainees [of the prison at Guantánamo Bay] had engaged in terrorist activities." In fact, according to the Pentagon, 18 former Guantánamo detainees have been "confirmed" to have "return[ed] to the fight," while an additional 43 former detainees are "suspected" of having done so. Even the Pentagon's "confirmed" figure has been questioned by analysts. Read More Wall Street Journal article omitted Bush Treasury Department's role from AIG bonus timeline A Wall Street Journal article about Tim Geithner and his aides' involvement in decisions about AIG's bonus payments did not note that it was the Bush administration that negotiated a November 2008 stock purchase agreement with AIG through which the Bush Treasury Department injected $40 billion into the company without requiring that the bonus contracts be nullified. Read More Following Politico's lead, media fixate on Obama's "awkward laughter" in 60 Minutes interview Echoing a March 22 Politico article that was hyped by the Drudge Report, the March 23 editions of Today, Morning Joe, MSNBC Live, and Fox & Friends all featured segments on President Obama's laughter during a 60 Minutes interview. The segments are reminiscent of the media's echoing Drudge by seizing on Hillary Clinton's laugh as a new subject of attention following Clinton's talk show appearances in September 2007. Read More Did O'Reilly violate his own ambush rules? According to the O'Reilly Factor website, Bill O'Reilly will address "why ... the far left, in cahoots with NBC News, hurt a rape victim and her family." The post appears to be a reference to an "ambush" interview of the Center for American Progress' Amanda Terkel reportedly conducted by Factor producer Jesse Watters. But O'Reilly has previously suggested that the "ambush journalism" conducted by his producers is limited to targeting "public servants" and stated that prior to those "ambush" interviews, subjects would either be asked on the program or asked "to issue a clear statement explaining their actions." Read More Memo to the media: Where's W? So how did we get to this point? Job losses in the hundreds of thousands every month, almost weekly bank failures, and 401(k)s at half their value from a year and a half ago. The media treat the question as a mystery that can be solved through scrutiny of the Obama administration's actions starting on January 20, 2009 -- an approach that is absurd on its face. The media's erasure of the Bush administration and its policies in their coverage of the economy has been so pervasive that they have given round-the-clock attention to the AIG bonus scandal for days on end with virtually no mention of the fact that it was the Bush administration that last fall approved billions of dollars in aid to AIG without requiring the company to nullify its bonus contracts. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.

Dow jumps as Obama admin. moves on bad bank assets

Dow jumps as Obama admin. moves on bad bank assets:

"The Obama administration aimed squarely at the crisis clogging the nation's credit system Monday with a plan to take over up to $1 trillion in sour mortgage securities with the help of private investors. For once, Wall Street cheered. The announcement, closely stage-managed throughout the day, filled in crucial blanks in the administration's financial rescue package and formed what President Barack Obama called 'one more critical element in our recovery.'"

Washington Post still reporting GOP attacks over bonuses while ignoring IG testimony implicating Bush administration

Media Matters - Wash. Post still reporting GOP attacks over bonuses while ignoring IG testimony implicating Bush administration

A Washington Post article reported that "Republicans have seized on the AIG issue in the belief that it has the potential to link Obama more closely to the widely unpopular $700 billion bailout legislation for the financial sector -- legislation that was crafted in the Bush administration." But the article did not note that a Bush-appointed special inspector general for TARP stated in congressional testimony that the Bush administration Treasury Department knew about the AIG bonus contracts and did not insist on their abrogation as a condition of AIG's receiving bailout money.

Obama defends Geithner, focuses on passing budget

Obama defends Geithner, focuses on passing budget

Gunman kills 3 officers, wounds 4th in Oakland

Gunman kills 3 officers, wounds 4th in Oakland:

"A police officer was battling for his life and three more were dead after a parolee with an 'extensive criminal history' opened fire at a routine traffic stop and hours later gunned down members of a SWAT team searching for him.

The gunman was also killed Saturday, capping a day of violence that the Oakland Police Department said was the worst in its history. Never before had three police officers died in the line of duty on the same day."

Obama refocuses on budget, wants priorities passed

Obama refocuses on budget, wants priorities passed:

"President Barack Obama demanded Saturday that any budget passed by Congress must cut the deficit, overhaul health care, invest in education and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

After a week dominated by outrage over enormous corporate bonuses at bailed-out companies, Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address to turn the focus back on his budget proposal and getting it through Congress."

Iran's supreme leader dismisses Obama overtures

Iran's supreme leader dismisses Obama overtures: "Iran's supreme leader rebuffed President Barack Obama's latest outreach on Saturday, saying Tehran was still waiting to see concrete changes in U.S. policy."

Connecticut seeks answers on AIG bonus documents

Connecticut seeks answers on AIG bonus documents:

"The attorney general of Connecticut said Saturday that he is asking American International Group Inc. why documents appear to show the company paid $53 million more in bonuses to its financial products division than previously reported.

Documents turned over late Friday show AIG paid $218 million in bonuses last weekend, higher than the $165 million that was previously disclosed, said the office of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who had issued a subpoena.

Bonuses were 'showered like confetti' on AIG employees, Blumenthal said."

Congressman Danny K. Davis Business Cluster Meeting

Congressman   Danny K. Davis   7th District of Illinois Business Cluster Advisory Committee Meeting The next scheduled monthly meeting is: Friday, March 27, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Speakers include: □       Gyata Kimmons, Director, Community Relations, Chicago2016 Olympics □       Velicia D. Woods, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) □       Representative from the City of Chicago to discuss the City's Economic Stimulus Plans at the office of Congressman Danny K. Davis,  3333 W. Arthington, Chicago, IL For additional information, please RSVP to Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff, at 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

Media Matters Week-in-Review

March 20, 2009 Media Matters Week-in-Review Special Note: If you are looking for Jamison Foser's weekly column, you can view this week's installment here or sign-up to receive them by email here. Weekly Wrap-Up Video Weekly Wrap-Up for Friday, March 20, 2009 (Watch Video) This Week's Top Stories AIG Bonus Controversy Dominates Media As if news that AIG was handing out bonuses to executives despite having been bailed out by the Federal government wasn't bad enough, reports on the controversy this week only made matters worse. You'd think President Bush had no blame for the situation if you read reports in publications like Politico, USA Today or the Los Angeles Times -- all of which omitted any mention of the Bush Treasury Department's work with the Federal Reserve in carrying out last year's bailouts and bought AIG stock notwithstanding the existence of these bonus contracts. Worse yet, in reporting on emails obtained by Fox Business Network, Fox News' Jon Scott at no point noted that the emails implicate the Bush administration in approving a $40 billion bailout for AIG without requiring AIG to nullify its employee bonus contracts. Additionally, conservative leader Rush Limbaugh and a host of other right-wing media players ratcheted up the rhetoric standing up for AIG against what they described as "mob rule" while also falsely claiming that no Republican voted for the TARP bailout or the bonuses. Others in the press corps falsely asserted that President Obama's recovery bill required the bonuses "to stay in place." Jim Cramer vs. Jon Stewart, Round 2? Think the dust-up between Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, and CNBC's Jim Cramer ended with Cramer's appearance on Stewart's show? Guess again. After acknowledging that CNBC's reporting deserved criticism during his interview with Stewart last week, Cramer appeared on NBC's Today show this week saying of Stewart that "it was a naïve and misleading thing to attack the media" for their coverage of the economic recession. (Read More) Death of Obama's Media "Honeymoon" Cliché Lives On This week, a Media Matters study found that since the day after President Obama's inauguration, broadcast and cable news figures have been declaring that Obama's "honeymoon" is "over" or questioning whether it is, in fact, over, rendering the cliché all but meaningless. Of course that hasn't stopped them from repeating it time and again. (Read More) Action of the Week Tell CNBC the Economy Isn't a Game: CNBC should publicly declare a drastic change of direction, committing to responsible journalism in an effort to hold Wall Street accountable. As a first step, it should bring new economic voices on the air with a focus on those who were right about this crisis in the first place. The stakes are too high for CNBC to continue acting as the unofficial mouthpiece of Wall Street. This is not a game. Together we can bring about the much-needed change we seek. That is why it is so important that you sign this petition today and then encourage your friends, family and co-workers to do the same. This Week's Media Columns Eric Boehlert: Rampage Nation: The press no longer cares about epic gun violence Last week, two breaking news events competed for attention from the national media. Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's guilty plea was pitted against a deranged 28-year-old, who armed with a pair of military-style assault weapons went on a killing spree. Which do you think garnered wall-to-wall media attention? (Read More)     Jamison Foser: Tucker Carlson's Jerk Store Tucker Carlson has been doing his best impersonation of Seinfeld's George Costanza ("the Jerk Store called, and they're running out of you!") for the past week, as he lashes out again and again at Jon Stewart, who humiliated Carlson on national television more than four years ago. (Read More)     Karl Frisch: An AIG of conservative enlightenment? Hardly. Angry at AIG for handing out executive bonuses to the very people who helped sink the company in the first place? Well, if conservative leader Rush Limbaugh is to be believed, you're now part of an angry "lynch mob" ginned up by the Obama administration. (Read More) Radio Active: The Week in Conservative Talk Radio Hannity falsely asserted Dems "voted for those bonuses," while GOP "did not" Limbaugh defense of AIG bonuses follows attacks on "insane benefits" of UAW sending Big Three "down the tubes" Limbaugh: Obama "has a chip on his shoulder, and his wife does too, and they are some angry people" Limbaugh expands upon his Frank-McCarthy comparison and the "popular myth that McCarthy falsely accused people of things" Beck says it is "absolutely wrong" that AIG bonuses are "wildly unpopular" Limbaugh finds it "hilarious" that "three dingbats ... are about to die" looking for proof of global warming Hannity on proposal to tax AIG bonuses at very high rate: "In other words, we're going to just steal their money" Limbaugh claims the "big point" of "this AIG business" is to "poison" minds "to capitalism and to corporate America. This is exactly the kind of thing Barack Obama and his team love" Ranting about his "fervent anti-ethnic holiday position," Dobbs asks if there is "an Asian ethnic holiday ... you know, St. Jin-Tao-Wow?" Savage claims "radical left," including Obama, "dream[s]" of "Maoist revolution" with "death camps" In Case You Missed It... Associated Press Liberal media watchdog begins anti-CNBC drive: Spearheaded by the new Progressive Change Campaign Committee and supported by the watchdog Media Matters and others, the group is asking CNBC to hire economic voices with a track record of being right on the current economic crisis, and do more to hold business leaders accountable. "You screwed up badly," the petition, posted online Monday, reads. "Don't apologize. Fix it." (Read More) Media Matters president Burns on MSNBC's Countdown: On Thursday, March 19, MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann hosted Media Matters president Eric Burns for a discussion on issues ranging from Bill O'Reilly's preoccupation his progressive critics to recent unfounded attacks on progressives by conservatives in the media. The appearance was part of Olbermann's "left-wing smear merchants week." (Watch Video) What Honeymoon? Have you noticed how the press has been trumpeting the end of President Obama's "honeymoon" nearly every day since he took office? Talk about a prolonged annulment. We're not even sure they ever made it to the alter in the first place as this great new video illustrates. If the last two months are the media's idea of a honeymoon, all we have to say is good riddance. (Watch Video) Three Things You May Not Know About Media Matters 1) Limbaugh Wire: We listen to Rush Limbaugh's radio show so you don't have to! Sign up to receive an hour-by-hour summary of The Rush Limbaugh Show including humorous highlights. (Monday-Friday three emails daily) or check them out online. 2) Media Matters Minute: For months now, radio shows and stations throughout the country have been carrying the Media Matters Minute, a daily minute-long recap of our work topped off with the "most outrageous comment" of the day. We encourage you to subscribe (iTunes / RSS) to the Minute's daily podcast hosted by Ben Fishel. 3) Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Digg: Media Matters maintains active online communities on the nation's leading social networking sites. Be sure to join us on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Digg and join in on the discussion. Forward This E-mail To A Friend Share your concern about conservative misinformation Sign up Did a friend forward you this email? Click here to sign up to receive Media Matters for America email alerts. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking here © 2008 Media Matters for America 1625 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036

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. NBC, ABC, Fox News advance false GOP accusation that recovery bill created right for AIG to pay bonuses Discussing the House vote to levy a 90-percent tax on executive bonuses, NBC, ABC, and Fox News all advanced the false Republican allegation that by passing the recovery bill, Democrats created the right for AIG to pay bonuses. In fact, the bill did not create the right for AIG -- or any company -- to pay bonuses; rather, it restricted the ability of companies receiving TARP money to award bonuses in the future. Read More Media crop Krzyzewski's comments on Obama's NCAA picks, leaving out his praise of Obama On Special Report, Bret Baier stated: "Following news Mr. Obama picked North Carolina to win the NCAA championship, rival coach [Mike] Krzyzewski responded: 'Somebody said that we're not in President Obama's Final Four, and as much as I respect what he's doing, really, the economy is something that he should focus on, probably more than the brackets.' " But Baier -- and other media figures -- did not report Krzyzewski's following comment in which he praised Obama, saying in part, "I love the guy, and I think he's gonna be great." Read More Fox News buries significance of its own scoop implicating Bush administration on AIG bonuses In reporting on emails obtained by Fox Business Network revealing discussions involving the Treasury Department about AIG bonuses, Fox News' Jon Scott at no point noted that the emails implicate the Bush administration in approving a $40 billion bailout for AIG without requiring AIG to nullify its employee bonus contracts. Read More Fox's Gallagher suggested Obama speech caused Dow to drop -- but Fox's own graphics show absurdity of suggestion On The Live Desk, Trace Gallagher cherry-picked numbers from the Dow Jones industrial average to suggest that President Obama's address to the National Conference of State Legislatures had caused the Dow to drop. But according to information posted on-screen on Fox News, the Dow actually went up slightly during Obama's speech. Read More Major media outlets yet to report IG testimony implicating Bush administration in AIG bonuses Despite jumping on -- and in some cases advancing -- false Republican claims that congressional Democrats are responsible for AIG executive bonuses, major media outlets have yet to report that a Bush-appointed special inspector general for TARP confirmed in congressional testimony that the Bush administration Treasury Department knew about the AIG bonus contracts and did not insist on their abrogation as a condition of AIG's receiving bailout money. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.

Dear Republican Friend, Unimaginable greed. Those two words are what we've seen over the past few days as we learn more about the $165 million in bonuses offered to AIG executives. Help me get that money back by signing the NRSC's "Take Back The Bonuses" petition.  And then support the NRSC with a secure online donation of just $5 or more. My constituents in Texas have been calling my office all week asking "what's going on up there?" The answer is two other words: liberal Democrats. They're the ones who are in charge and approved the money for the AIG bailout.  And a couple of weeks ago when conservatives and moderates began asking questions, we were told - in not so many words - to mind our own business. Well, the taxpayer's money is our business. Frankly, it's unthinkable to me that a company American taxpayers bailed out would hand out bonuses to their executives.  Where I come from - and pretty much everywhere except Washington, D.C. - you pay people to succeed - not to fail. But Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and the liberals who control the White House and Congress have received thousands in campaign contributions from AIG and other Big Money interests.  In fact, since 1989, Dodd himself has received over $281,000 - making him the largest recipient of AIG contributions in the Senate.  And he and others don't want to bite the hand that feeds them. We're hoping to generate over 100,000 signatures on our petition.  And once we have them, we will deliver them directly to Harry Reid's office to show that hardworking Americans like you think it's high time to Take Back The Bonuses. Please take a minute to sign the NRSC's petition right now.  Then help the NRSC fight to reestablish a conservative majority in Congress to prevent this type of embarrassing situation in the future. Americans have seen what "change" means to them.  More spending, higher taxes, and bonuses paid to greedy bankers and insurance companies for wrecking our economy. I've had enough, and I think you probably have too. Please take a moment to join me in working to Take Back The Bonuses by signing the NRSC's petition and making a contribution right now.  Thanks. Thanks again for your support, Senator John Cornyn Chairman National Republican Senatorial Committee P.S. Chris Dodd was the single largest recipient of money from AIG in the last 19 years, receiving over $281,000.  They knew they needed to buy a few favors, and they also knew Dodd would scratch their back when the time came.  It's time we demand our money back and send a message to Chris Dodd and other liberal Democrats who spend our money like it's water.  Sign our petition to take back the bonuses and make a secure online contribution of $5 or more right now.  Thanks again. Paid for by the National Republican Senatorial Committee Not Authorized By Any Candidate Or Candidate's Committee www.nrsc.org 425 2nd Street NE | Washington, DC 20002 | Phone: (202) 675-6000 Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Congressman Danny K. Davis's Business Cluster Meeting

Congressman Danny K. Davis 7th District of Illinois Business Cluster Advisory Committee Meeting The next scheduled monthly meeting is: Friday, March 27, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Speakers include: □       Gyata Kimmons, Director, Community Relations, Chicago2016 Olympics □       Velicia D. Woods, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) □       Representative from the City of Chicago to discuss the City's Economic Stimulus Plans at the office of Congressman Danny K. Davis,  3333 W. Arthington, Chicago, IL For additional information, please RSVP to Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff, at 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

ABC7 eNews

>>> Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as a webpage. Top Stories Friday, March 20, 2009 Fire erupts at Empress Casino in Joliet | VIDEO There is a fire burning at the Empress Casino in Joliet. An official at Joliet's city hall said the fire started as a part of the ongoing construction improvements that were taking place at the casino. Curry's son with Knicks star's family | VIDEO Pro basketball player Eddy Curry now has custody of his 3-year-old son. CPS students design shoes for Kobe Bryant On Saturday, during the Bulls-Lakers game, basketball player Kobe Bryant will be wearing sneakers designed by some Chicago Public Schools students. 4 critically hurt in Loop crash Four people are critically injured after a crash in the Loop overnight. It happened around 1:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Franklin and Madison. Crab cake dishes you'll want to check out ABC7 Chicago's Hungry Hound has found Chicago restaurants with crab cakes in two different styles. MORE STORIES Strange Freeway chase leaves behind trail of cash 28-year-old bald eagle returns to the wild Police: Naked teen with dog assaults woman Man claims firing from job over waistline NJ considers ban on bare-it-all 'Brazilian' wax Consumer Airline adds fee for baggage Cadillac offers wireless internet Auto suppliers to get $5 billion in aid Jaguar, Buick dethrone Lexus in reliability study Food industry safety inspections challenged Healthbeat Healthbeat Report: Shopping For Your Health | VIDEO Brain expert explains Richardson death | VIDEO Breathing exercise may help diabetics lower blood pressure Few look at calories before fast food meal Should men get prostate cancer screening? MOST POPULAR Fire erupts at Empress Casino in Joliet Fire erupts at Empress Casino in Joliet Man gets 6-year sentence for leaving friend Man in custody after chain of accidents Curry's son with Knicks star's family Advertisement TODAY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK 44°F 31°F Partly sunny Hour-by-Hour | 7 Day Forecast | Radar & Satellite TONIGHT ON ABC 7:00 PM Wife Swap 8:00 PM Supernanny 9:00 PM 20/20 10:00 PM ABC 7 News at 10PM 10:35 PM Nightline Lottery Results Your Daily Horoscope Healthbeat Report: Shopping For Your Health Have you ever thought about bargain shopping for health care? Obama apologizes for Special Olympics gaffe Appearing on "The Tonight Show," the president told host Jay Leno he'd been practicing at the White House's bowling alley but wasn't happy with his score of 129. The he rolled a gutter ball by quipping: "It was like the Special Olympics or something." SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS I'd like to receive the following newsletters from abc7chicago.com Daily Weather | Daily News | 190 North Sign up for news alerts

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. On MSNBC, Tucker Carlson rewrote history to blame Frank for mortgage crisis Tucker Carlson claimed that the mortgage crisis "emanated from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," and asserted that one of the "reasons this crisis began ... was federal pressure to increase homeownership, and Barney Frank was in an oversight position during that process and didn't do a lot to stop it." In fact, Frank did not become chairman of the House Financial Services Committee until 2007, and it was not until Democrats gained a majority in Congress that legislation strengthening oversight of Fannie and Freddie passed. Read More Limbaugh defense of AIG bonuses follows attacks on "insane benefits" of UAW sending Big Three "down the tubes" Rush Limbaugh has repeatedly defended AIG from criticism of its employee retention bonuses; by contrast, he criticized the UAW in December 2008 for the contracts it had negotiated with automakers. Limbaugh stated: "[T]he Big Three are going down the tubes in part because of both the insane benefits for current workers, and the crazy compensation for retirees." He also said: "You can't pay people who produce nothing for you. And you can't pay a whole bunch of them over and over again who don't do anything, even if they have in the past." Read More Fox's Hemmer did not challenge Inhofe's assertion that Obama cap-and-trade proposal is "the most regressive tax that you can have" On America's Newsroom, Bill Hemmer did not challenge Sen. James Inhofe's claim that President Obama's proposal to cap annual carbon emissions and auction the right to pollute is "the most regressive tax that you can have, because ... someone who is very poor spends a very high percentage of his or her income on ... energy that they have to buy." Hemmer did not point out that, in proposing a cap-and-trade program in his budget outline, Obama addressed the issue of higher energy costs impacting consumers differently by proposing to return "[t]he balance of the auction revenues ... to the people, especially vulnerable families, communities, and businesses." Read More After admitting culpability during Daily Show interview, Cramer now calls Stewart's criticism of CNBC "naïve and misleading" On Today, Jim Cramer asserted of Daily Show host Jon Stewart that "it was a naïve and misleading thing to attack the media" for their coverage of the economic recession, just one week after acknowledging that CNBC's reporting deserved criticism during an appearance on The Daily Show. Read More Fox News promo falsely claimed Obama "pushes a plan" requiring vets to pay for health insurance Fox News aired a promotion for a broadcast of Hannity that falsely claimed: "[President] Obama pushes a plan that could force vets to pay through the roof for health coverage." In fact, the White House has stated it does not support a provision previously under consideration that would have billed military veterans' private insurance companies for treatment of their combat-related injuries performed at Veterans Administration hospitals. Read More Fox News' Bream uncritically repeats conservative claim Obama judicial nominee "has ties" to ACORN Fox News reporter Shannon Bream said regarding appeals court nominee David Hamilton: "Critics say Hamilton has ties to the liberal activist group ACORN." Bream did not note that Hamilton's "ties" reportedly consist of "raising contributions door-to-door for the advocacy group ACORN for one month after college" in 1979. Read More "This is what's happening to our money": CNBC's Kudlow lights dollar bill on fire On CNBC's The Call, while purporting to describe "the value of our money," Larry Kudlow lit a U.S. dollar bill on fire, destroying part of the bill -- a possible violation of Title 18, Section 333, of the U.S. Code. Read More Hannity falsely asserted Dems "voted for those bonuses," while GOP "did not" On his radio show, Sean Hannity falsely claimed, "Every single Senate Democrat voted for those [AIG] bonuses. Every -- almost every Democrat in the House voted for those, because they voted for the stimulus bill. And by the way, Republicans did not." In fact, the economic recovery act did not require that AIG pay bonuses; rather, it restricted the ability of companies receiving money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to award bonuses in the future. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.

Obama asks patience, guarantees better days ahead

Obama asks patience, guarantees better days ahead:

"Obama looked every bit the campaigner as he sometimes mocked his GOP critics, and sometimes asked people to forgive his shortcomings. In general, his demeanor and message were more upbeat than in recent days when public fury over executive bonuses dominated Congress."

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 19, 2009 · Auto bailout may help Illinois-based suppliers · Discover cuts dividend after settlement boosts results · McDonald's asked to use cage-free eggs · Exelon's Rowe saw $12.2M in total comp. · Allstate sues pain clinic for alleged fraud · OfficeMax shares up as rival closes stores · Sales of Cat's heavy equipment fall 27% · MeadWestvaco to boost production at Melrose Park plant · Double whammy for 333 W. Wacker · 10 things to do this weekend  · City readies for Olympic visit – sans Obama: Hinz blog · Chicago tavern owner recalls Richardson: Taking Names blog · WGN's King; NCAA pools & Cubs sale: Biz of Sports blog  Final Markets Dow Jones 7,400.80 -85.78 -1.15% NASDAQ 1,483.48 -7.74 -0.52% Crain's Index 57.86 -0.80 -1.36% » View Other Top Headlines ADVERTISEMENT ChicagoBusiness.com the nation's premier local business Web site providing essential news, information and statistics about doing business in Chicago to more than 250,000 monthly unique visitors. For advertising opportunities visit www.chicagobusiness.com/adSplash/ or call (312) 280-3155 to speak with an Account Executive. OTHER HEADLINES · House passes tax on bonuses for rescued firms New York Times · FedEx profits down, market share up CNN Money · Cook County sales tax hike under state review Daily Herald Crain's Chicago Business | 360 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601 ADVERTISEMENT TODAY'S FEATURES Society - Anti-Defamation League More than 700 guests attended the Anti-Defamation League's annual Women of Achievement dinner last week. Marsha Serlin, with Gerald Sloan, was among five women honored for excellence in fields from business to fashion to philanthropy. See our photos. Read More · Chicago Business Today - March 19 · Homemade Pizza Co.: Grabbing a slice · 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.