If the White House could persuade moderates that any story originating with Fox is politically motivated and hence suspect, it might reduce the initial impact of Fox-generated content. What the White House appears to be trying to do is reduce the migration of stories from Fox to other cable, broadcast, and print.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson • The director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, describing why the Obama administration seems to be so quick to go after Fox News, even though it’s a fairly controversial tactic. Maybe it’s self-preservation, since they seem to be going after Obama administration officials. Maybe it’s pushing for the moderates, not the far right. There has to be some upside here. • source
We get the feeling that the summer of socialism allegations has permanently damaged the president’s ability to rise above political name-calling like this. Come on, Obama, don’t stoop to their level! Don’t trash on the GOP!source
Let’s look at The AP’s actual claim. They’re saying that you can’t create ANYTHING that uses their content as mere reference material without paying them. They’ve done similar things with bloggers in the past, and their policies are, in a word, nuts.
True/Slant blogger Justin Gardner • On the nature of Shepard Fairey’s fair use claims against the Associated Press for creating the Obama “Hope” poster. Regarding Fairey’s end of the bargain, he says, “Yes, Fairey lying about this was wrong, stupid, etc. Shame on him for that.” Even so, “that doesn’t make his use of the photo copyright infringement.” Gardner goes further to point out that the AP sent the photographer there to shoot GEORGE CLOONEY, not Barack Obama. Because, at the time, Obama wasn’t this iconic political superhero that he is now (or he was in January). • source
[Yasser Arafat] got the Nobel Peace Prize. Excuse me, a terrorist got the Nobel Peace Prize. Some people deservedly so. You know who else deserved it? Ronald Reagan. And frankly, I would’ve given it to George Bush.
Sean Hannity • Making an argument in favor of George W. Bush getting the Nobel Peace Prize. We … we … don’t know what to say. Bravo Sean, you just left us unable to type. • source
He is, so to speak, the son Alfred Nobel never had (minus the dynamite fortune), the best and most significant spokesman for everything the Peace Prize has stood for these 108 years.
Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens • Describing why Barack Obama may, in fact, be worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. Stephens notes that the award, minus a few oddball exceptions (Yasser Arafat) and obvious winners (Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr.), has largely been given to “Goodists,” people who have made an effort to be seen as good and to see problems as solvable misunderstandings between well-intentioned people. An interesting perspective, for sure, written by someone who knows what he’s talking about. • source
I think the great danger now is a half-measure, sort of a – you know, try to please all ends of the political spectrum. And, again, I have great sympathy for the president, making the toughest decisions that presidents have to make, but I think he needs to use deliberate speed.
Sen. John McCain • Doing what he always does – sounding brilliant when the stakes are low for him. Regarding Afghanistan (but really relevant for every part of his presidency), he tells Obama that it’s alright now, as long as he learns his lesson well. You see, he can’t please everyone, so he’s got to please himself. And he needs to do it fast. So, why didn’t we elect this guy for president? Oh yeah, because he fell victim to the very indecisiveness and political gaming that’s muddling Obama’s presidency. McCain speaks from experience, Barack. • source
The president plans to end the controversial Clinton-era policy. Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign tonight, Obama renewed his pledge to the gay community. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach,” he said. Many were supportive, but others noted that, while warm and fuzzy, he didn’t bring up specifics in the speech. source