Last week, Matthews got very upset when the NY Times ran the "Spy-story," which he felt mucked up the President's greatest day. Even Howard Fineman felt his wrath as he tried to jump in and defend Anne Kornbluth.
Chris: "Can I ask the questions Howard?"

Howard: " Please don't hurt me." (my own phony dialogue)

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Chris: So what do you think about your paper, running that story the very day of the President's greatest victory? You guys are raining on his parade, the best day of his life.

Anne: If only we were that organized...

Chris: ..if this gamble comes through and it's note clear yet. If this gamble that he can create a democracy in the middle of the Arab world, and he does it; he belongs on Mt. Rushmore....

Weren't the American people told that this was a six week operation and we would be showered with pastries and Krispy Kreme donuts while the Iraq oil would pay for the war? If there is success in Iraq-it is "despite" the President, and his advisors not "because" of their wonderful leadership skills.

I've been meaning to respond to this sooner, but on 8/16 Bill O'Reilly said:

"Two days ago, reporter Anne Kornblut wrote in The New York Times, "The FOX News television host Bill O'Reilly has called Cindy Sheehan treasonous." Of course, that's false. And Moday, The New York Times issued a correction admitting I did not put that label on Ms. Sheehan...

Here's what he said on 8/10:

" I think Mrs. Sheehan bears some responsibility for this [publicity] and also for the responsibility for the other American families who lost sons and daughters in Iraq who feel this kind of behavior borders on treasonous." This page has the video

He plays the semantics game here. It's a common trick used by smear merchants. Bill did not name one source for the "treasonous" allegations, but he made sure the word "treasonous" ended up in the discussion so that he could paint her that way. I will contact Ann Kornblut about O'Reilly's trick though she should have been able to stand up for herself.

As Think Progress notes: "Wednesday night, Fox News talking head Bill O’Reilly demanded retractions from newspapers which reported he’d implied American war veteran mother Cindy Sheehan was acting in a treasonous manner, indignantly saying: That is absolutely false. I never said or implied Ms. Sheehan was treasonous."...read on

Bill did imply it by using other grieving families to make his inference. That Bill sure is a cowardly fellow.

via MyDD

The Bush Administration has become notorious for its use of fake news reporters, paid pundits, and paid messages inserted in television shows and movies. In Administration is Warned about its 'News' Videos by Anne Kornblut, the NY Times reports today (2/19/05) on a recent letter released by the Comptroller General of the GAO. One line that stands out from the letter is this one: