Media Matters for America

Economists – Bearded or Not – So Totally Given the Shaft

On February 15, 2009, in Media, by Mary Mancini

Pay no attention to the man behind the beard.

No one yet has satisfactorily answered the question, why do all high-profile economists have beards? I know they’re hiding something under those whiskers. I just know it. There’s the nobel prize-winning Dr. Beardy. And Beardy, Jr.. And friend of the show, Dean Beardy. One of these days I’ll get to the bottom of all that facial hair but in the meantime, I’d be satisfied with simply hearing what these men have to say about our economy.

Too bad for me, because it seems that the beards are also keeping the fiscally erudite off the TV.

Maybe they can’t quite get the lighting right, but according to a new report by Media Matters for America economists have made scant appearances on television to talk about the economic recovery plan. Studying the Sunday talk shows as well as 12 cable news programs from January 25 through February 8, MMFA found that:

During 139 1/2 hours of programming in which the economic recovery legislation was discussed, economists made 25 guest appearances out of a total of 460 — only 5 percent.

There’s no doubt that opinion, whether follicly-gifted or not, has its place. But a healthier balance of ideologically-driven opinion and learned opinion would better serve the public’s interest. If you’re going to flood your congressperson’s office with calls, shouldn’t they be about something more than a manufactured story about the forbidden love of a house speaker and a harvest mouse?

Liberadio(!) Podcast February 2, 2009 Feed the Pig, Don’t Eat the Pork

On February 3, 2009, in Podcasts, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include Congressman Jim Cooper, (TN, D-The Fightin’ 5th!), Eleanor Smeal, and Elbert Ventura, research fellow for Media Matters for America.

Part 1 – Kitty Half Time Show – Show intro, Super Bowl Sunday, news and to do list. [37.3 MB 23:16 download MP3]

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Independence Day – Martina McBride
Cannonball – The Breeders
People Get Ready – Curtis Mayfield

Part 2 – Interview with Congressman Jim Cooper – Congressman Cooper ( (TN, D-The Fightin’ 5th!)) answers questions about fiscal responsibility, his recent NO vote on the economic stimulus plan, the TVA, Change-Congress.org, and FISA. [49.3 MB 30:45 download MP3]

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Brimful of Asha – Cornershop (Norman Cook Mix)
Philadelphia Freedom – Sir Elton John

Part 3 – Say it, Barney!. We agree with Barney Frank – why has fiscal responsibility all of a sudden become an issue with our conservative friends? Plus, the world famous Dave Cloud asks us a very interesting question. [14.7 MB 9:09 download MP3]

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We’re in Yr Corner – Cornershop

Part 4 – Interview with Eleanor Smeal – Eleanor Smeal is the President of the Feminist Majority Foundation, which is dedicated to women’s equality, reproductive health, and non-violence, and the publisher of Ms. Magazine. We talk to her about the Global Gag Rule – how it has affected womenâ€™s health around the world and what will happen now that President Obama signed an executive order reversing it. Plus, the United Nations Population Fund, the anti-choice movement, Sarah Palin, and the Family Planning Provisions in the Stimulus Bill. [20MB 12:30 download MP3]

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The Step and The Walk – The Duke Spirit

Part 5 – Senate Bill Hey! What are You Guys Doing in There? – A new bill (SB0078) introduced into the Tennessee General Assembly by Senator Paul Stanley, wants to make it impossible for unmarried co-habitants (*wink, wink*) to adopt children. Yeah, like the guy from KISS should be judging anybody [14.3MB 8:54 download MP3]

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Lloyd, I’m Ready to be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura

Part 6 – The Media Matters for America Smackdown – Media Matters for America research fellow Elbert Ventura takes on the Republican Leadership – Rush Limbaugh. [21.7MB 13:31 download MP3]

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Wipe Out – The Ventures

Part 7 – Talk Radio Represent! – A caller wants to know when right-wing talk radio will go away. Plus, an appropriate clip from The Daily Show.[6.9MB 4:18 download MP3]

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Pure – Lightening Seeds

Tagged with: Elbert Ventura • Eleanor Smeal • Jim Cooper • Media Matters for America

Liberadio(!) Podcast: January 26, 2009 Last One Out Lock the Door

On January 26, 2009, in Liberate Your Radio from The Right, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include Rep. Mike Turner, (D-The Fightin’ 51st!), author Clay Risen, and Elbert Ventura, research fellow for Media Matters for America.

Part 1 – We’re Done Now – MLK, Jr. day of service? Check. Inauguration of a Democratic President? Check. English Only defeated? Check. New TNDP chair elected? Check. Alright, we’re done here! Turn out the lights and the last one out lock the door! Oh wait….it seems that Freddie wants to do something about education. And we were SO CLOSE to margaritas and a beach. [41.8 MB 26:05 download MP3]

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Part 2 – Interview with Rep. Mike Turner – Rep. Turner (D-The Fightin’ 51st!) was recently elected Democratic House Caucus chair. Despite facing many obstacles – sexual harassment charges against the Republican Speaker he helped elect, a vengeful majority leader, rabid State Republican Party operatives, a potentially fractured State Democratic Party, candidate recruitment, a looming and potentially disastrous redistricting scenario, and a Governor’s race that’s already starting to heat up – Mr. Turner assures us that the House Dems are more united then ever and are ready to move forward with the people’s business. Now, if we can only keep him from commenting on the blogs. Oh, and Rep. Campfield’s girlfriend? Call me! [39.1 MB 24:22 download MP3]

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Part 3 – A Birdseye View from the Vote for TNDP Chair. We’ve heard the stories of all the political arm-twisting surrounding the election of the TNDP chair over the weekend, but what did it look like on the ground? [18.9 MB 11:48 download MP3]

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Part 4 – Interview with Clay Risen – Clay is the founding managing editor of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas and the author of the fascinating new book, A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination. The book studies in detail the week following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and discusses both the immediate and long-range impact of the events, including a persuasive argument that those events were the catalyst for the urban decay that followed in many of America’s large cities. [40.4MB 25:11 download MP3]

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Part 5 – The Media Matters for America Smackdown – Media Matters research fellow Elbert Ventura thought he was done too but then he realized that although the administration has changed, the media has most definitely not. So, it’s back to airing out the misrepresentations – he does the lies about President Obama’s economic stimulus plan and we squeeze in the lies about closing Guantanamo Bay. [26.2MB 25:11 download MP3]

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Tagged with: Clay Risen • Elbert Ventura • Media Matters for America • Podcast • Rep. Mike Turner

Liberadio(!) Podcast: December 08, 2008 It’s (the Day Before) Freddie’s Birthday Episode

On December 9, 2008, in Liberate Your Radio from The Right, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include Rev. James Lawson, civil rights icon and Distinguished Vanderbilt Professor; Elbert Ventura, research fellow for Media Matters for America.

Part 1 – Get Your French On – Freddie shows off his french to make a point, this week’s news droppings, and Tennessee Republicans commend Bush’s legacy. Really? [43.2 MB 26:58 download MP3]

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Part 2 – Interview with Rev. Jim Lawson – Rev. Lawson, civil rights icon, Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt, and a most thoughtful human being, weighs in on the need to continue to teach the principles of nonviolence; the similarities and differences between the civil rights struggles of various communities (women, African-Americans, gays, etc.); and Nashville’s English Only referendum. He called the election of Barack Obama a gift to the American people. We think his being a guest on our show is a gift, and not just because it’s (almost) Freddie’s birthday. [35 MB 21:52 download MP3]

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Part 3 – It’s a NKOTB Birthday – The English-Only discussion continues. Nashville for all of us v. Making Nashville difficult for all of us. [40.8MB 25:27 download MP3]

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Part 4 – Media Matters for America Smackdown – It’s the “It’s (Almost but not Quite) Freddie’s Birthday” edition of the Media Matters for America Smackdown with Elbert Ventura. NBC has their fingers in their ears about General Barry McCaffrey’s war profiteering. But don’t worry, they have a good excuse. [18.4MB 11:29 download MP3]

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Part 5 – Against/Against Again – There is not a lot of good that comes out of English-only – and our callers agree. [27.8MB 17:20 download MP3]

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Tagged with: Elbert Ventura • English Only • General Barry McCaffrey • Liberadio • Media Matters for America • Podcast • Reverend Jim Lawson • Tennessee Republican Party

Liberadio(!) Podcast: November 24, 2008 – We Are Thankful

On November 25, 2008, in Liberate Your Radio from The Right, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include State Senator Andy Berke, Councilman at large Jerry Maynard, Jennifer Buck Wallace, and Elbert Ventura.

Part 1 – We Are Thankful For… – Freddie gets a crazy idea for us to say, out loud and on the radio, what we are thankful for. Bet you can guess one of them.

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Part 2 – Interview with Senator Andy Berke – No! Not the Chattanooga Choo-Choo! Tweetin’ State Senator Berke represents the 10th District of Tennessee (the Fightin’ 10th!), which includes parts of Hamilton and Marion counties. He’s a Democrat and proud of it. We find out why.

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Part 3 – Nothing Says “Thanksgiving” Like The West Wing – The turkeys from Jasper Farms are back, and more relevant than either Phil Valentine or Rush Limbaugh.

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Part 4 – Interview with Councilman at large Jerry Maynard – Councilman at large Jerry Maynard is the former deputy chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party and he gives us his take on why these are the best of times and the worst of times in Tennessee.

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Part 5 – Interview with Jennifer Buck Wallace – Ms. Wallace is a CMT producer turned community organizer who quit her job last year to volunteer as the principle organizer for the Obama campaign in Tennessee. We talk to her about how, as a white female, she was not compelled to do service to her gender and support Hillary Clinton, her experience as an Obama campaign organizer, and her very, very bright future.

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Part 6 – Media Matters for America Smackdown – Media Matters Research Fellow Elbert Ventura talks to us abut the history of how the media treats presidential transitions. Guess who gets the shaft?

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Tagged with: Andy Berke • Elbert Ventura • Jennifer Buck Wallace • Jerry Maynard • Liberadio • Media Matters for America • Podcast • Thanksgiving

Liberadio(!) Podcast: November 10, 2008 – The Post-Election Hangover Edition

On November 11, 2008, in Liberate Your Radio from The Right, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include Gray Sasser, John McFadden, Chris Ford, and Elbert Ventura.

Part 1 – You Have 60 Seconds to Celebrate…Good! Now Back to Work. – What’s an election day wrap-up without a call from Remo, Mary’s Independent Dad. Plus, confusion and disenfranchisement on Election Day for Vanderbilt Students, a healthy and appropriate response from the media to voter problems, and Nell Levin from the Tennessee Alliance for Progress calls in to ask, “What’s next?” (19:09 30.7MB)

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Part 2 – Interview with Gray Sasser – The Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party breaks Election Day down for us – the good, the bad, and the ugly. What does it mean for Tennesseans? For Nashvillians? Who’s to blame? Where do we go from here? And although Gray’s “blame me and let’s move on” attitude is honorable, a solid understanding of what happened is absolutely necessary – lest we be condemned to repeat history. (33:46 54.1MB)

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Part 3 – Media Matters for America Smackdown – Media Matters Research Fellow Elbert Ventura smacks down the advancing narrative that “America is a center-right nation” while explaining how certain media folk can label President-elect Barack Obama a Socialist one week and a Reagan Democrat the next. Was it something he won? (09:25 15MB)

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Part 4 – Tennessee Lives in Infamy – Tennesseans, get ready to spend the next two years fighting the last remaining gasps of the culture war on both a state and local level. First up, defeating Councilman Eric Crafton’s out of state funded “English Only” bill. (05:53 9.4MB)

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Part 5 – Interview with John McFadden and Chris Ford – John McFadden, Executive Director of the Tennessee Environmental Council, and Chris Ford, Executive Director of Tennessee Conservation Voters,, give us the scoop on the Second Annual Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee, happening this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. What is sustainability and what does it mean for all Tennesseans? Plus, what can we do to move a sustainable agenda forward. (19:42 31.6MB)

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Tagged with: Barack Obama • chris ford • Elbert Ventura • Gray Sasser • john mcfadden • Liberadio • Media Matters for America • Podcast • Tennessee Conservation Voters • Tennessee Democratic Party • tennessee environmental council

They Tell Us the Truth

On November 2, 2008, in Uncategorized, by Mary Mancini

In yesterday’s NY Times profile of media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, Republican pollster Frank Luntz said that Democrats should tell Media Matters to “shut up.” “They are vicious,” he continued, “They only understand one thing: attack, attack, attack.”

Congrats, Media Matters and friend of the show, Media Matters research fellow, Elbert Ventura*, for the article in the Times and for raising the blood pressure of Republican operatives everywhere! For too long they’ve spread their smears, half-truths, and lies, without any accountbility. But thanks to you and your colleagues, not anymore! No wonder Luntz is pissed.

The weekly Media Matters updates we get from Elbert are an indispensable source and help us wade through the manufactured reality that makes its way onto our airwaves. But Media Matters does not editorialize, they simply use the words of hyper-partisans as evidence of, well, The Crazy. If any viciousness exists, it’s in the words that Media Matters transcribes.

Take a look at today’s headlines, Cincinnati-based radio show, Bill Cunningham allegding that “Obama wants to gas the Jews” and Michael Savage saying that “If you’re insane, hate the family, hate man and woman, hate your mother and father, hate the Bible, hate the church, and hate the synagogue, of course you’re in favor of ‘no’ on Proposition 8.”

Luntz is right, that is vicious.

Talk to you tomorrow, Elbert!

*Elbert Ventura has worked as a writer, editor, and researcher for various publications. His work has appeared in The New Republic Online, The American Prospect Online, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among other outlets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and political science from Brown University and a master’s degree in media and public affairs from George Washington University. He is a Research Fellow at Media Matters for America.

Tagged with: Elbert Ventura • Frank Luntz • Media Matters for America

Liberadio(!) Podcast: October 13, 2006

On October 19, 2008, in Uncategorized, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include Christopher Sanders, Connie Smith, and Elbert Ventura

Part 1 Get Your Vote On – Early voting has begun and the turnout should frighten those people who thought that slinging mud and stoking fear would change this election’s momentum. (16:13 26MB)
Part 2 Interview with Christopher Sanders – President and founding board member of the Tennessee Equality Project. National Coming Out Day and the 10th Anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard coincide with the Connecticut decision to allow same-sex marriage. (16:34 26.5MB)
Part 3 Interview with Connie Smith, Tennessee’s Assistant Commissioner of Accountability, Teaching, and Learning at the Tennessee Department of Education. (14:54 23.9MB)
Part 4 Liberadio(!) Guests and Listeners are Smarty Boots – FOL* Paul Krugman wins a big prize, Debate ‘08 breakdown, Governor Palin hearts the Alaska Independence Party, and we get a very nice phone call. (25:40 41.1MB)
Part 5 Media Matters for America Smackdown – Media Matters Research Fellow, Elbert Ventura, learned this week that ACORN makes conservative pundit a little nutty. (12:53 20.06MB)
Part 6 The False Narrative of “Voter Fraud” – Election fraud and voter suppression is a very real problem. Voter fraud? Not so much. (15:36 25MB)

*Friend of Liberadio(!)

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Tagged with: ACORN • Alaska Independence Party • Christopher Sanders • Connie Smith • Elbert Ventura • Liberadio • Media Matters for America • Podcast • Tennessee Department of Education • Tennessee Equality Project • Voter Suppression

Liberadio(!) Podcast: September 30, 2008 & October 6, 2006

On October 12, 2008, in Uncategorized, by Mary Mancini

Summary: Guests include John Seigenthaler, David Earnhardt, Congressman Jim Cooper, Naomi Wolf, Elbert Ventura, and Mary’s Dad

Part 1 with John Seigenthaler – With Nashville in the spotlight last week, we were honored to have John Seigenthaler, one of the most important witnesses to Nashville and American history, join us to discuss the debates and the presidential race. And, of course, the First Amendment. (20:23 32.7MB)
Part 2 with David Earnhardt – On the near eve of another big election, we welcome back documentarian David Earnhardt for an update on Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections and the impact it has had on our electoral system. (22:57 36.8MB)
Part 3 Media Matters for America with Elbert Ventura – Elbert is, unsurprisingly, disappointed in the media’s coverage of the debates thus far. Will it change in Nashville? (13:05 21MB)
Why So Blue, Dog? with Congressman Jim Cooper – Residents of the fightin’ fifth hear from our congressman, Jim Cooper, about the bailout, how helpful McCain’s intervention was, and why this might not even be the biggest deal. (07:05 11.4MB)
Taking Liberty with Naomi Wolf – We speak with Ms. Wolf about her new book, Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries, a guide to participatory democracy, a subject dear to our hearts. Get Up! Stand Up! (21:35 34.6MB)
We Don’t Want to Talk About It – There are some things you have to talk about even though they are painful to discuss. And then there are other things that you can get away with sweeping under an imploded stadium. Mary’s Dad calls in with one of the above…. (21:19 34.2MB)

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Tagged with: David Earnhardt • Elbert Ventura • Jim Cooper • John Seigenthaler • Liberadio • Media Matters for America • Naomi Wolf • Podcast • Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections

Liberadio(!) Podcast: August 18 & 25, 2008

On August 31, 2008, in Uncategorized, by Liberadio(!)

Summary: Guests include Nashville attorney and civil rights activist Gregg Ramos, Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser, Elbert Ventura, research fellow, Media Matters for America.

Interview with Gregg Ramos (Part 1) Gregg, a past president of the Nashville Bar Association and a member of North, Pursell, Ramos, and Jameson, is one of the early opponents of Councilman Eric Crafton’s English Only referendum. He’s also a very loyal friend as we get him to almost dish on law partner and pal Councilman Mike Jameson (of The Fightin’ 6th!) (27:40 44.34MB)
August 25, 2008 Part 1 – Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce! Bideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen! (15:45 25.3MB)
August 25, 2008 Part 2 The part where we ask, “What’s the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s damage?” and wonder, along with our listeners, why political protest and dissent in this country has been marginalized. (26:58 43.2MB)
August 25, 2008 Interview with Gray Sasser The sassiest political party leader in Tennessee (take THAT Robin Smith!) is back and live from Denver and the Democratic National Convention. (26:58 43.2MB)
Media Matters for America Smackdown (Part 4) – John McCain doesn’t know how many houses he owns. Can you believe how out of touch that makes Barack Obama!?! Time Magazine’s Mark Halperin can, and says so out loud on the TV. (20:32 32.9MB)

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Tagged with: Elbert Ventura • English Only Bill • Gray Sasser • Gregg Ramos • Joe Biden • Media Matters for America • Tennessee Democratic Party

LIBERADIO(!)

with Mary Mancini & Freddie O'Connell

Economists – Bearded or Not – So Totally Given the Shaft

Liberadio(!) Podcast February 2, 2009 Feed the Pig, Don’t Eat the Pork

Liberadio(!) Podcast: January 26, 2009 Last One Out Lock the Door

Liberadio(!) Podcast: December 08, 2008 It’s (the Day Before) Freddie’s Birthday Episode

Liberadio(!) Podcast: November 24, 2008 – We Are Thankful

Liberadio(!) Podcast: November 10, 2008 – The Post-Election Hangover Edition

They Tell Us the Truth

Liberadio(!) Podcast: October 13, 2006

Liberadio(!) Podcast: September 30, 2008 & October 6, 2006

Liberadio(!) Podcast: August 18 & 25, 2008

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