On June 26, the House narrowly passed the controversial Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy & Security Act to limit carbon emissions, but USA Today readers can be forgiven for not knowing it. Instead of covering a hotly debated bill that could result in “the largest tax increase in history,” the newspaper devoted its’ coverage to the death of pop star Michael Jackson.
From June 26 to June 29, USA Today did manage two articles on cap and trade – “Analysis: Climate Change Bill Major Victory for Obama” and “Obama Urges Senate to Act on Climate Change Bill” – but they were only featured online.
Jackson, who passed away June 25, dominated USA Today. Nine articles were devoted to Jackson on June 26 and 29. The June 26 front page blared: “MICHAEL King of Pop dies” over a photo of Jackson that took up much of the remainder of the page. The top of USA Today advertised: “Faces of Jackson: Keepsake posters, 8-9D.” Jackson also was the headline on June 29: “Inside Michael’s Last Show.”
Just in case there wasn’t enough coverage of his death, USA Today advertised on June 29: “Coming Tuesday: 40-page Michael Jackson keepsake.” Although Jackson’s untimely death is certainly tragic and worth covering, a 40-page feature section on the costly effects the Waxman-Markey Bill will have if passed in the Senate would be more relevant to Americans. And, considering that the bill as written runs to 1,500 pages with amendments, 40 newspaper pages might be necessary to do it justice.
The Heritage Foundation reported the impact the Waxman-Markey Bill would have on Americans. Gas and energy prices would spike and it could cost American families an additional $3,000 per year. There would be job losses as some manufacturing jobs will be outsourced. And “it will not make a substantive impact on the environment.”
While USA Today was busy reporting “Jackson’s funeral plans unclear,” the newspaper failed to provide Americans with necessary information about legislation that will greatly affect them long after Jackson’s funeral is held.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Climate Bill
June 29, 2009 - 13:35 ET by JDWI did not know the legislation was written when voted on.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When government fears the people there is liberty.
I did not know that USA
June 29, 2009 - 14:36 ET by ThatDudeI did not know that USA Today was a newspaper. I've always thought of it as a tabloid. Go figure. That being said, I'm in no way surprised by this.
Verified
June 29, 2009 - 15:13 ET by JDWThere were 300 plus pages added/amended after 3:00AM. A lib who was interviewed would not admit to reading/not reading the bill. This legislation was voted on 'blindly'.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When government fears the people there is liberty.
Holy Crap!
June 29, 2009 - 13:41 ET by Another Dead KennedyMichael Jackson died? When did this happen???
Look closer
June 29, 2009 - 13:47 ET by wolfemanicActually I think I know why they have MJ instead. Their celebrating the death of the king of carbon foot prints.
You might be onto something
June 29, 2009 - 13:58 ET by Another Dead KennedyYou might be onto something there...
Was the USA Today Michael
June 29, 2009 - 14:06 ET by Chris NormanWas the USA Today Michael Jackson coverage full of colorful graphics like a chart showing how much "we love and miss Michael Jackson"?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
What a GREAT way to bring this tabloid Nation to it's Knees.
June 29, 2009 - 14:09 ET by upcountrywaterAnother unthinkable event;
Say for some reason a (man caused distaster group) has plans to pull off a big attack...
No better way to keep the Americans off the plot than killing a pop star, every 2 weeks...
Any easer way to cause a media white-out, ( black out)?
Pavlov's dogs all of the them. Hear OH Hear! The POP star, bell ringing?
Reagan VS Liberalism
Here in PA we are already
June 29, 2009 - 14:09 ET by motherbeltHere in PA we are already looking forward to a big hike in 2010 when the current price caps come off. A lot of us are doing the program that allows us to pre-pay a little more now to cushion the shock. That cushion will apparently be for nothing when the even bigger rates hit because of this bill! I don't even want to think about that!
Also, I just heard on Rush that another feature of this monstrosity is that before anyone can sell a house, they have to have the EPA do an "energy audit" on it...checking for air leaks, how old and efficient (or inefficient) appliances are; I would imagine heat system, etc. As if buyers are not smart enough to judge whether a new refrigerator would be more energy efficient than the 15-year-old one, or if the gas stove should be replaced with an electric, or vice versa. Would they even have a choice of gas vs. electric, or would the EPA rule on that too???
And one wonders who is going to pay for this "inspection."
Yes, we definitely need to start beating down the doors of the Senate!
You think I should call Sen. Specter???? <banging head on wall>
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
And one wonders who is going to pay for this "inspection."
June 29, 2009 - 14:39 ET by general companyWell you of course, and you get to pay for all of the upgrades they deem it needs.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Boehner highlighted those
June 29, 2009 - 14:44 ET by ThatDudeBoehner highlighted those points among many others during his floor speech. As Pelosi said in her response "this bill is all about jobs jobs jobs." It's all about robbing every single person in America in order to create pointless jobs and increase the already excessively bloated bureaucracy. We need to start referring to all these policies and the direction our country is taking by the right term. This is pure communism. It is the state taking measures to gain control of every activity(they already took care of public opinion, aka thought.) When every facet of life, including when to begin and end it, is a domain of the state, we are stuck in a communist country. This bill alone could do that. The small fraction of what is in it revealed by Boehner makes it obvious that this is the only intent.
Should also be noted
June 29, 2009 - 14:54 ET by general companyThat Boehner was only highlighting the 350 page ammendement that was installed at 3am the night before the vote. These folks are criminal, the phone calls to the House were running 20 to 1 against and these jerks still voted for it, who the hell do they think they are representing?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Forget the 2010 midterms...
June 29, 2009 - 14:28 ET by R D Helm...It's time for pitchforks and torches.
-Dave
Obama's health care "reform" plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof-Herman Cain
Enough is enough, tell
June 29, 2009 - 15:22 ET by George S PattonEnough is enough, tell congress you won't be voting for any of them and that you aren't going to pay your taxes.
Very Concerned
June 29, 2009 - 15:30 ET by JDWOur vacations are no longer in the states, we are exploring other countries. We sold out of the market in March and want to be prepared to move when necessary. We always believed our home would bring a strong return since it is located in a nice neighborhood next door to a hospital but health care could ruin us. Realize that if the climate bill, the health care bill, and increased taxes are passed how can any other country be worse than ours (obviously not Honduras, Iran, NK...)?
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When government fears the people there is liberty.
jessieH
June 29, 2009 - 15:50 ET by jessieHjessieH I am really getting tired of being treated like a mushroom by the MSM....................Feed em s--t & keep em in the dark.
Cap And Trade Realities
July 1, 2009 - 21:21 ET by PacificGatePostCAP and TRADE Will Create Companies TOO BIG TO FAIL So what’s the real scoop? Ignore the proselytizers and find out from those who “shaped” the Bill ….http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/07/dear-mr-president-thanks-again-for-cap.html