Rep. Lamar Smith: Greatest threat to US not terrorism, it's mean ol' liberal media

[CubanMustGo]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Liberal_media_is_greatest_threat_to_America_SA_law maker_says.html

WASHINGTON — Saying the greatest threat to the country is not a recession or terrorist attack but liberal media bias, Rep. Lamar Smith on Friday filed papers in the House to create the Media Fairness Caucus.

Smith said the caucus, consisting of roughly a dozen lawmakers, would point out liberal bias in mainstream media stories and pressure news organizations to be accurate, objective and fair.

In an interview on the Fox News Channel, Smith, R-San Antonio, said he didn’t want to “be radical, but to me, the greatest threat to America is not necessarily a recession or even another terrorist attack.”

“The greatest threat to America is a liberal media bias, and I think that because if the American people don’t know the facts, they can’t make good decisions and if the American people can’t make good decisions, then our democracy is threatened,” Smith said.

Smith also thanked the Fox network for being “the only balanced coverage out there, and it’s much appreciated by a lot of us.”

A liberal-leaning media watchdog group discounted Smith’s charges as unfounded.

“It seems to me there is more a conservative bent in mainstream media,” said Erikka Knuti with Media Matters for America, a non-profit liberal group that monitors the news media to correct conservative misinformation in stories and analysis.

She noted that the top three cable TV programs are on the Fox network, and the talk radio host with the largest audience is Rush Limbaugh.

A survey of 1,300 newspapers found more conservative syndicated columnists, with a larger audience reach, than progressive columnists, Knuti said.

“So as far as liberal bias, I don’t know where that is,” she said.

The journalism code of ethics as outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists says reporters and editors should avoid political involvement, which includes contributions to campaigns.

Analysis and commentary should also be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context, according to the code.

The Media Fairness Caucus’ charter membership are all Republican members of Congress :lol, though it is open to all lawmakers.

Smith said liberal media bias has cropped up in stories about Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court. He said no mainstream organization has reported that the Almanac of Federal Judges gave her its worst rating for courtroom demeanor.

Smith also pointed to an analysis of federal records in the American Thinker magazine that found 20 times as many reporters gave contributions to Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential race than those who gave to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

[elbamba]

I wish our politicians could find better ways to spend our money, which pays their salary. The problem is not any form of media bias the problem is that news agency gave up on the news years ago and have become nothing but the editorial page. We have gone back to federalist v. antifederalist media. This is not unique to the country or to our political system.

[boutons_deux]

Lamar Smith, old San Antonio big money, representin' the super wealthy.

[Bender]

A liberal-leaning media watchdog group discounted Smith’s charges as unfounded.
I'm shocked.

[George Gervin's Afro]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Liberal_media_is_greatest_threat_to_America_SA_law maker_says.html

WASHINGTON — Saying the greatest threat to the country is not a recession or terrorist attack but liberal media bias, Rep. Lamar Smith on Friday filed papers in the House to create the Media Fairness Caucus.

Smith said the caucus, consisting of roughly a dozen lawmakers, would point out liberal bias in mainstream media stories and pressure news organizations to be accurate, objective and fair.

In an interview on the Fox News Channel, Smith, R-San Antonio, said he didn’t want to “be radical, but to me, the greatest threat to America is not necessarily a recession or even another terrorist attack.”

“The greatest threat to America is a liberal media bias, and I think that because if the American people don’t know the facts, they can’t make good decisions and if the American people can’t make good decisions, then our democracy is threatened,” Smith said.

Smith also thanked the Fox network for being “the only balanced coverage out there, and it’s much appreciated by a lot of us.”

A liberal-leaning media watchdog group discounted Smith’s charges as unfounded.

“It seems to me there is more a conservative bent in mainstream media,” said Erikka Knuti with Media Matters for America, a non-profit liberal group that monitors the news media to correct conservative misinformation in stories and analysis.

She noted that the top three cable TV programs are on the Fox network, and the talk radio host with the largest audience is Rush Limbaugh.

A survey of 1,300 newspapers found more conservative syndicated columnists, with a larger audience reach, than progressive columnists, Knuti said.

“So as far as liberal bias, I don’t know where that is,” she said.

The journalism code of ethics as outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists says reporters and editors should avoid political involvement, which includes contributions to campaigns.

Analysis and commentary should also be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context, according to the code.

The Media Fairness Caucus’ charter membership are all Republican members of Congress :lol, though it is open to all lawmakers.

Smith said liberal media bias has cropped up in stories about Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court. He said no mainstream organization has reported that the Almanac of Federal Judges gave her its worst rating for courtroom demeanor.

Smith also pointed to an analysis of federal records in the American Thinker magazine that found 20 times as many reporters gave contributions to Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential race than those who gave to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

I think this is a winning issue for the GOP

[exstatic]

Smith is a total douche. When I was in his district, I used to lie when people asked me who my congresscritter was. I was ashamed to be repped by his xenophobic ass.

[Winehole23]

Liberal bias notwithstanding, the GOP is much better at gaming the refs and massaging the electorate than the Dems. The prevalence of incurious (and slightly curious) parrots like Darrin (and WC) -- among so many others --only reinforces the agenda.

Starting at 2:57 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc4vAqCWLiY).

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Liberal bias notwithstanding, the GOP is much better at gaming the refs and massaging the electorate than the Dems. The prevalence of incurious (and slightly curious) parrots like Darrin (and WC) -- among so many others --only reinforces the agenda.

Starting at 2:57 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc4vAqCWLiY).

No kidding, even when they are out of power they control the message.

[Bender]

he's my rep. I have voted for him in the past. Usually, on things I'm interested in (gun rights for one) he agrees with me.

[CubanMustGo]

he's my rep. I have voted for him in the past. Usually, on things I'm interested in (gun rights for one) he agrees with me.

I'm shocked.

[Bender]

I'm shocked.
I don't give a shit.

[Winehole23]

Mr. Smith at least seems to be intelligent and reasonable, however egregious his actual beliefs may be. I'd take the likes of him any day over a dunderhead like Sen. Cornyn.

[Bender]

welfare stuff, immigration stuff, gun stuff, I like his voting record - for the most part, that is.

[Winehole23]

welfare stuff, immigration stuff, gun stuff, I like his voting record - for the most part, that is.What's rubbing you the wrong way, Bender?

[Bender]

well, I checked his voting record on some things, before I posted in this thread. He voted to close the "gun show loophole" (require background checks) which is idiotic and something the dems have up their butts, but repubs don't...

most sellers at gun shows are INDIVIDUALS, not dealers. Individuals selling guns in paper classifieds don't have to do background checks... wtf is the difference when they rent a table at a gun show? Dealers at gun shows are subject to the SAME background check requirement as they are when they are in their normal place of business. When I buy a gun at a show (from a dealer) they ALWAYS do a background check on me...
He also voted to put tobacco under the FDA...

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=27097

Note: above page does not work properly, at least with my browser (firefox).

[jman3000]

well, I checked his voting record on some things, before I posted in this thread. He voted to close the "gun show loophole" (require background checks) which is idiotic and something the dems have up their butts, but repubs don't...

most sellers at gun shows are INDIVIDUALS, not dealers. Individuals selling guns in paper classifieds don't have to do background checks... wtf is the difference when they rent a table at a gun show? Dealers at gun shows are subject to the SAME background check requirement as they are when they are in their normal place of business. When I buy a gun at a show (from a dealer) they ALWAYS do a background check on me...
He also voted to put tobacco under the FDA...

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=27097

Note: above page does not work properly, at least with my browser (firefox).

What legally separates a dealer from being an individual seller? Is it the amount of guns they have to offer? Or is it something like belonging to a company?

If I went and tried to sell my 8 guns... I wouldn't expect to have to conduct background checks... but if I wanted to sell 100 guns and were still trying to pass off as an individual seller and not a dealer... that'd be kinda iffy.

I haven't been to a gun show since SAXET like 4 years ago.

[Winehole23]

FWIW, I'm inclined to agree with Rep. Lamar's opinion (albeit on somewhat different grounds) that the press is more of a danger to us than the terrorists.

[Winehole23]

Their victims survive to receive the next day's bombardment of gossip, self-coverage and bilge.

[Bender]

I don't know how many dems have described gun shows as "terrorist bazaars". I mean, c'mon, I go with my friends and in-laws to many shows, and we are aren't terrorists. What kind of terrorist is gonna pay $600+ for a pistol at a show? The people I see walking around shows are dads with kids, moms & dads & kids together, retired military guys, etc.

FFL dealers are licensed by the gov't to sell guns, and have to abide by all rules & regs...

Individual sellers just buy guns, get bored of some, and then sell them off. Personally, I sell my guns back to dealers (with the resulting paperwork). That way, if a gun I'm on record of buying is later used in a crime... I can say, hey, I sold it back to so & so dealer.

Personally, I wouldn't sell a gun to someone I didn't know.

[ElNono]

So, I take it Republicans are now for the reintroduction of the Fairness Doctrine?
So much for the bitching and moaning against the Dems for even mentioning it.

[Winehole23]

To allow the activism to run to the favor of the other side would be self-negating. Better to insist on the virtues of your own activism, than leave the gumption, the advantage or the tempo to the other side.

[Winehole23]

Fairness. For us, yes please; for you, that's questionable.