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. Conservative media backtrack, alter thoroughly debunked claim that Jennings failed to report "statutory rape" After falsely accusing Department of Education official Kevin Jennings of violating the law for failing to report the "statutory rape" or "child molestation" of a "15-year-old boy" in 1988, several conservative media figures have backtracked from that thoroughly debunked allegation, acknowledging that the student was, in fact, 16 years old and of legal age at the time. These media figures have since altered their attacks on Jennings to argue that the student's actual age is irrelevant, asserting instead -- in the words of The Washington Times -- that a 16-year-old student's involvement with an older man still should have "raised alarm," and advancing the baseless claim that -- as The American Spectator's Jeffrey Lord stated -- Jennings "thought" the student was 15 at the time of their conversation. Read More Fox Nation falsely attributes entire FY09 deficit to Obama The Fox Nation falsely attributed the entire fiscal year 2009 deficit to President Obama, using the headline "Obama Triples Budget Deficit to $1.4 Trillion" to link to an Associated Press article reporting on the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) most recent budget review estimate. In fact, only a small portion of the fiscal year 2009 deficit is due to Obama's policies; in January, before he took office or signed any legislation, CBO projected that, based on policies set under President Bush and economic conditions at the time, the deficit for fiscal year 2009 would reach $1.2 trillion. Read More Still rooting against America: Right-wing media use Nobel Prize announcement as excuse to attack Obama Numerous conservative media figures have seized on the Nobel Committee's decision to award President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize as an excuse to attack Obama or his policies. Media conservatives previously rooted against Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, similarly using the bid as an excuse to attack Obama, and celebrated when the games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro. Read More Media figures call on Obama to turn down the Nobel Peace Prize Following the news that President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, numerous media figures have called for him to "turn it down" or "give it back," often asserting that he has not accomplished enough to deserve the prize. On his radio show, Glenn Beck said Obama "has to turn it down. ... [I]t's the only way for him to make a win out of this"; Internet gossip Matt Drudge asked on his website, "Will he turn it down?"; and Michelle Malkin said, "[I]f Obama had an ounce of real humility, he'd refuse to accept the award." Read More Yet another falsehood-based smear of Jennings on Hannity: Jennings "indoctrinat[ing]" kids about homosexuality Continuing the smear campaign against Education Department official Kevin Jennings, Sean Hannity claimed that Jennings is in favor of "indoctrinat[ing]" schoolchildren about homosexuality, and radio talk show host Sandy Rios said of Jennings, "[W]e're talking about raping the innocence of our children." To support her claim, Rios falsely claimed that a passage in a book for which Jennings wrote the foreword describes a mother telling her 8-year-old daughter she was "attracted sexually" to the same girl her daughter liked. Read More NY Post uses false premise to dispute CBO score of Baucus health plan A New York Post editorial claimed that the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) determination that the current version of Sen. Max Baucus' health care plan would reduce federal deficits is deceptive because the bill begins creating tax revenues three years before it begins increasing spending, "[w]hich makes it pretty easy for revenue to top spending if you're looking at the balance sheets through just 2019, which is what the CBO does." In fact, in addition to finding that the legislation "would result in a net reduction in federal budget deficits of $81 billion over the 2010-2019 period," CBO also determined that "[i]n subsequent years, the collective effect of those provisions would probably be continued reductions in federal budget deficits." Read More Smears of "sick and immoral" "pervert" Jennings: the worst of the worst In recent weeks, the right-wing media have embarked on a witch hunt against Department of Education official Kevin Jennings, often advancing the repeatedly debunked falsehood that Jennings failed to report or even encouraged a 15-year-old student's relationship with an adult or the baseless smear that Jennings has "advocate[d]" for the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA). Media Matters for America has compiled some of the most egregious attacks on Jennings that conservative media figures have made based on these smears, including calling Jennings "sick and immoral," a "pervert," someone who "facilitated" statutory rape, and "a zealous advocate of NAMBLA." Read More No apology When it became clear that Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke fabricated the story for which she and the paper were honored, Washington Post executive editor Benjamin Bradlee apologized to the Pulitzer advisory board, and the prize was withdrawn. Read More The Friday Rush: Sizing up Rush's Rams Rush Limbaugh made a splash in the news this week when he released a statement confirming that he and business partner Dave Checketts had made a bid to buy the NFL's St. Louis Rams. While thinking about the ramifications of Rush co-owning an NFL franchise, we imagined how Limbaugh might throw his weight around in the owner's box, and came up with a few suggestions for Rush on how he might be able to cut some corners and gain a competitive advantage in the league. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.

A call to action

From: President Barack Obama Subject: A call to action To: "Fred Nance Jr." Date: Friday, October 9, 2009, 4:12 PM Fred -- This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace. But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone. This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better. So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come. Thank you, President Barack Obama   Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Crain's Daily News Alert prepared for Top Executives

Viewing on a PDA? Click here.   To view this email in a web browser click here. CHICAGOBUSINESS — POWERED BY CRAIN'S — Daily Business Briefing CRAIN'S LISTS SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MULTIMEDIA WEEKLY JOB CHANGES TOP HEADLINES Friday, October 9, 2009 · Video: Sun-Times sale · Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize · Sam's Wines succumbs to rival Binny's · Key ShoreBank executive leaves lender · Little Company of Mary proceeds with overhaul · Citadel rivals called 'pirate ship of illegal activity' · CTA makes Peterson its new chairman · Jewish Federation buys suburban site for retirement home · In brief: Chicago 2016 HQ | Law firm move | Turtle Wax · Playboy goes blue with Marge Simpson · 10 things to do this weekend  CRAIN'S BLOGS · Spanish royalty visits Chicago -- with elephant in the room; Emerald Ball entertainer faces a tough crowd: Taking Names · Consumers still spend on small indulgences: Enterprise City · Nobel's nice — now, back to work, Barack: Greg Hinz · Golf is Olympic; weekly winners & losers: Biz of Sports  As of 2:30 p.m. Dow Jones 9,851.79 +64.92 +0.66% NASDAQ 2,137.89 +13.96 +0.66% Crain's Index 83.53 +0.760 +0.918% » View Other Top Headlines ADVERTISEMENT Crain's 2010 Book of Lists. This is the issue you'll see on every decision-maker's desk in the city, starting with the 1500 companies featured inside. Place an ad to put you in the right place at the right time all year round. Contact Kate Van Etten at kvanetten@crain.com or 312-649-5492. Delivers Dec 28. Ad Close Nov 3. OTHER HEADLINES · No casino on Michael Reese hospital site, Mayor Daley says Chicago Sun-Times · U.S. trade deficit narrows unexpectedly in August New York Times · Jewel-Osco parent see shares fall on downgrade Forbes · Former Moto exec seeks $12 million from Nortel The Street.com Crain's Chicago Business | 360 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601 ADVERTISEMENT TODAY'S FEATURES Chicago Business Today — Oct. 9 A look at how banker James Tyree plans to turn a profit at Sun-Times Media, and whether Chicago will ultimately remain a two-newspaper town.Read More · Enterprise City — a small-business blog · Society: Chicago Symphony Orchestra · Boardroom barometer · Is your company the best? SIGN UP FOR CUSTOM ALERTS Industries Companies » Account Settings LISTEN LIVE: Traffic, weather and news from our news partner WBBM-AM.

Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

Viewing on a PDA? Click here. CHICAGOBUSINESS — POWERED BY CRAIN'S — Breaking News CRAIN'S LISTS MARKETS GO TO MY ACCOUNT GO TO CHICAGOBUSINESS.COM Friday October 9, 2009 6:12 AM Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize (Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a surprise award that drew criticism as well as praise.    Read More » View Other Top Headlines » Read This Week's Crain's CRAIN'S DAILY FEATURE Chicago Business Today — Oct. 8 While retailers struggle with dismal sales and excess merchandise, one arm of the industry is all too happy to purchase the unsold goods: Liquidators.Read More MORE FEATURES • Enterprise City — a small-business blog • Society: Chicago Symphony Orchestra • Boardroom barometer • Is your company the best? SIGN UP FOR CUSTOM ALERTS Industries Companies Executives   Crain's Chicago Business 360 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENTCrain's 2010 Book of Lists. This is the issue you'll see on every decision-maker's desk in the city, starting with the 1500 companies featured inside. Place an ad to put you in the right place at the right time all year round. Contact Kate Van Etten at kvanetten@crain.com or 312-649-5492. Delivers Dec 28. Ad Close Nov 3.

Politics, Political News - POLITICO.com

Politics, Political News - POLITICO.com

The Norwegian Nobel Committee says U.S. President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a surprise, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize - Yahoo! News

In a surprise, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize - Yahoo! News

President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to encourage his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.