IStandwithRush.org is Gone Limbaugh Defense Web Site

Now you see it now you don't. Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center launched a campaign to downplay Rush Limbaugh's misogynistic attack on the law student Sandra Fluke. Now for some reason the website IStandWithRush.org now redirects to the MRC's "Tell the Truth!" website. A staffer at Newsbusters has addressed a different problem being that when you click sign it says "error". He says it should be working now, but now the website is gone.
Con Web Watch has details and the original website in Google Cache.

UPDATE Rush Limbaugh Apologist Brent Bozell is Embarassing Himself Over Sandra Fluke

Recently after Rush Limbaugh issued a non-apology, Media Research Center (MRC) President Brent Bozell finally spoke out about Limbaugh's attack on Sandra Fluke testifying on contraception.

How does he handle it? He says "Rush crossed the line" and launches a Limbaugh defense site called istandwithrush.org.

From About section:

As the organized left mobilizes to silence once of the most effective conservative voices of our generation, we are providing an opportunity for patriotic Americans to stand with Rush Limbaugh who has fought so hard for our first principles and commonsense conservatism!

Petition States:

I stand with Rush Limbaugh and appreciate the massive contribution that he has made to the conservative movement and our nation over the last 25 years. Rush has apologized. But the radical left will never accept it because they despise him and want him off the air. I condemn attempts by radical left-wing organizations and the media to censor Rush and his commonsense conservative message.

Once again, Bozell is contradicting himself with what he believes censorship is. Also what does patriotism have to do with this? ConWebWatch has pointed out the crucial difference between Sarah Palin and Fluke Bozell is missing when trying to put the same standard on Bill Maher with Sarah Palin. 

Palin is a nationally known political figure, while Fluke's testimony was her very first appearance in a major political forum. Also, Maher made his "c-word" attack on Palin in a stand-up comedy appearance in Dallas; Limbaugh ranted for three days about Fluke's sex life on a nationally syndicated radio show. [ConWebWatch 3/5/12]

MRC does not apply their belief of what censorship is with themselves.

MRC trys to fire Bill Maher and drop his advertisers in 2001.  

"It's not 'censorship' if ABC decides that Mr. Maher's regularly kooky left-wing remarks are too offensive to its audience or advertisers."- Brent Bozell

 Petitioning Against NBC’s Omission of 'Under God' from Pledge

Petition states: “I demand that NBC take immediate action by terminating the employees who used a Sunday sports broadcast to insult people of faith.”

"It's perfectly acceptable for an organization to lobby to cancel a program they think is inappropriate. I don't think there's anything wrong with that at all."- Brent Bozell Los Angeles Times 3/20/00

Asking Comedy Central Advertisers to Not Sponsor what his organization called Religious Bigotry (for Christianity only).

UPDATE 3/13/12
For some reason the website I Stand with Rush is gone.
Con Web Watch has details.

Attacks on Media Matters Backfire

The more I watched Fox News and the Daily Caller's endless campaign against Media Matters for American (MMFA), the more conservatives threw up all over each other.  In my last video and blog post, I only listed three myths the right wing throws against Media Matters. Now I'm going to go more in detail with the claims of illegality put on Media Matters by the right wing.

I was actually surprised to see Brent Bozell President of the Media Research Center (MRC) go on television to discuss to the recent stories the Daily Caller has put out about Media Matters.

During his interview with Sean Hannity, Bozell actually said he has a policy not to talk about MMFA “Well, let me first preface this by saying as a matter of policy I refuse to talk about this organization. I’m making an exception tonight because I do want to comment on it tonight,”Now that sounds similar to what happened nine months ago when the MRC dodged an appearance Roland Martin discussing the media's role in Obama releasing his long form birth certificate. Knowing MMFA would appear with them Martin said they declined saying "they don't debate Media Matters".

Now its important to know the difference between Media Matters and the Media Research Center  since both are considered to be counter parts of each other ideologically. MRC focuses on so called "liberal media bias" and MMFA focuses on conservative misinformation. In my last video and blog post I mentioned how MMFA played a role for me leaving the right wing. MRC also played a role when I compared the two organization. I realized accuracy in the news media is more important than the bias. I'll discuss more about the Media Research Center's propaganda model later.

Bozell made my point when he falsely claimed in order to make a case on MMFA's bias that MMFA took issue with Fox News' conservative commentators and found no bias in its "straight reporting," He said, “They (Media Matters) don’t talk about Bret Baier… they don’t talk about the news, they talk about the commentators.”  On the contrary, doing a simple search on their website, and you'll find hundreds of articles criticizing bias from “objective” hosts such as Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum, Megyn Kelly and others. So the word "research" in MRC's name must only be a brand name.

When Bozell was asked by Politico about the parallel between Media Matters and the Media Research Center given that they both criticize the media and they're both are tax exempt organizations, he said:

“Media Matters stands accused of violating its tax-deductible status, and I think that fact speaks for itself.” [Politico 7/1/11]

That was all Bozell had as a response. Apparently according to Bozell's logic until someone accuses his organization of violating its tax exempt status, then their is a parallel. Actually, you can find many parallels between the things the Media Research Center has been of doing and what the Media Matters is also doing that right wing claims is illegal.

Both are in full compliance with the law, but the right wing misinterpreting it much like they do the First Amendment is putting the Media Research Center in the rumble.

• Both organizations (MRC and MMFA) are 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations.
• Both are ideologically partisan with what with they write about.
• Both have pressured advertisers of to drop programs for certain content.
• Both have agreed or had agreed that pressuring advertisers to drop an offensive program is not being anti-free speech or pro-censorship which is the charge as of now being put on Media Matters. 

Despite the right wing pounding on the organization they can still  nothing illegal, unethical, deceptive, or political in promoting or training candidates for office. Their just shooting themselves in the foot over and over and over again. You'd think they'd learn checks from their tactics, but they don't.

Myths and Smears About the ACLU

Throughout right wing radio, the right wing  blogosphere, and the right wing cable network Fox News, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been demonized with falsehoods, distortions, and out right lies about their work. As a card carrying member of the ACLU, I'd thought it would be educational to give a brief history while debunking the smears put against the organization.

Which is Better? Media Research Center or Accuracy In Media?

In my last post I showed the difference between  Media Research Center and what could be considered it's liberal counterparts. "Media Matters For America" and "Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting" (FAIR) are the most infamous. The difference is simple: MRC is about bias not accuracy. The blog Left Hook explained this further. Is there a conservative media watchdog organization that cares about accuracy in journalism? Well... one has accuracy in it's name anyway: Accuracy in Media or (AIM). Is it a true counterpart to MMFA and FAIR unlike MRC? No, in fact its as far from them as MRC is.
AIM mainstreams and pushes a conspiratorial mindset engaging in speculation, distorted half-truths, and unproved assertions of fact. In their world facts are NOT irrefutable.

Since it's founding and especially in the election of Obama its legitimized the craziest conspiracy theories and has said the craziest things such as:.

Update on Tax Exempt Complaint Against Media Matters

There have been new developments since the phony tax-exemption complaint against Media Matters For America. For those who haven't heard, the Fox News Channel has ran several pieces and stories claiming Media Matters is in violation of it's 501(c) 3 tax-exemption status. Taxpayers' Subsidizing Media Matters' War on Fox News and even one on Special Report With Brett Baier. Fox Nation has launched a campaign for it's readers and viewers to file a complaint with the IRS. It will be interesting what the IRS will say after their inbox gets filled with the same complaint.

 

 

I posted a video explaining why this is a non story. To summarize it, I explained how Media Matters' criticism of  the misinformation on Fox News is no different than the Media Research Center trying to expose and combat Liberal media bias. The MRC also has a tax exemption under 501(c) 3. I've chatted in some forums with people who really believe this is a real story and really think MM is a different case than the MRC.
The excuse is not only pathetic, it's intellectually hilarious.

Phony Tax Exempt Complaint Against Media Matters

 

Last Tuesday (6/21/11),  an article in the  Washington Times alleged that Media Matters is improperly receiving tax-exempt status. I not going to pretend to be an expert in tax-exempt statuses as said Ellen at Newhounds when discussing this story. I'm just going to offer my observations about this complaint against Media Matters.

Is Media Matters legally tax exempt under 501(c)(3)? 

From the IRS

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes. None of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. It may not be an action organization- not attempt to influence legislation or participate in any campaign for or against political candidates. Organizations under 501(c)(3) are also known as charitable organizations. Organizations described in 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170. The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction. 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. See Political and Lobbying Activities, Lobbying Issues

So it seems to me that yes Media Matters is legally tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) as they say on their site.

So what's the complaint?