Fox News Highlights Nazi, Hitler Signs in Wisconsin Pension Debate, Networks Skip Controversy
The network morning shows on Thursday failed to find any controversy in union protests from Wisconsin, ignoring the signs comparing Scott Walker, the state's Republican governor, to the Taliban, the Nazis and Hitler. Fox News, on the other hand, highlighted the attacks on "Mullah Walker."
Wisconsin radio talk show host Vicki McKenna appeared on Your World With Neil Cavuto to discuss the battle over whether state employees will have to pay more for their pension and health care. Citing the attacks by liberals, she informed, "I have been called the Taliban, Hitler...I mean, anything that involves dictator, tyrants or genocide, historical references to slavery."
In comparison, Good Morning News anchor Juju Chang spun the story: "Well, a bill seen as the most aggressive anti-union proposal in the country goes up for a vote in Wisconsin today." She simply claimed that state workers are "swarming the capitol in protest."
Early Show news anchor Jeff Glor defined the protest as "a dramatic showdown between state workers and the Governor." Yet, CBS didn't inform viewers that many of the marchers were holding signs with targets over the Governor or comparing him to Egypt's dictator Hosni Mubarak.
On the Today show, Ann Curry blandly explained, "Wisconsin lawmakers could vote today on a bill that drew thousands of protesters at their state house last night. The measure would strip government workers, except police and firefighters, of nearly all union bargaining rights and make them pay more for pensions and health coverage."
On Your World, McKenna told guest host Chris Cotter, "There is a different side out there you are not hearing because, you know, those folks are paid for, bought and paid for protesters."
As Fox News played clips of some of the more offensive signs, McKenna asserted that signs including swastikas have been "absolutely typical" during the ongoing debate.
Video of the hateful signs can be found here.
As this story continues to grow, will the same journalists who condemned the Tea Party for violent and hateful signs do the same for liberal, pro-union protesters?
A transcript of the February 17 Your World segment, which aired at 4:03pm EST, follows:
CHRIS COTTER: Vicki McKenna is a radio talk show host in Wisconsin and she has been hearing a side to the story that many are not hearing. Vicki, welcome to the show.
VICKI MCKENNA: Thanks for asking. Yeah, there is a different side out there you are not hearing because, you know, those folks are paid for, bought and paid for protesters. It's a rent-a-mob. Outside the rent a mob, people like this plan.
COTTER: How can they like a plan that, from point A to point B, essentially takes away compensation. It makes them pay more in for health care. It makes them pay more in for their pension. So, it essentially takes money out of their pocket.
MCKENNA: Well, because most of the people paying the bills are not government workers and understand we have made similar kinds of sacrifices. In fact, a lot of folks have made much ore substantial sacrifices. And, so, asking someone to pay 5.6 percent of their own pension or 12.6 percent of the cost of their own health care when that is not even half the national average, it really isn't making us feel the love for their, for their plight, particularly when they have pensions in the first place.
COTTER: Uh, Vicki, you want to listen to your some of your callers throughout the course of the last couple of days, if we can, just to get a flavor for what the feeling is up in Wisconsin.
[From the radio show.]
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I like the job so I stay at it. I do-
MCKENNA: You like the benefits, Jeff. Admit it. You like the benefits.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Well, yes. They're not bad, but I'm willing to pay into it because I do like the job and I have no problem paying into that. I have no problem whatever.
SECOND UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I'm also a union worker in Madison, construction, and I'm tired of the union trying to constantly push the Democratic agenda on their union workers.
COTTER: Well, Vicki, this brings up another point and we're going to speak with David Harswick, who is with the Wisconsin Education System, but I want to ask you, the feeling from the callers, to they really feel like the union callers, do they really feel like the union leadership is representing their best interests?
MCKENNA: Well, it depends on which union callers you are talking about. The private sector unions, they are not sympathetic here. Most of the public sector union members are probably going to be, you know, quite distressed that they are going to have to contribute some more to their pension or a little bit more to their health care but there is a substantial group of folks who to not feel compelled to speak who are public sector union employees who think this is a perfectly fair plan.
COTTER: Now, Vicki, here in New York, here in New York last year, the state legislature in Albany they turned the lights off, one group, when they disagreed with another group was saying. It's sort of like when you're in the second grade when the teacher turns the light off on you. I guess that is not as bad as leaving the state. What do the people there in Wisconsin feel like about their legislators literally hightailing it out of the state rather than voting?
MCKENNA: Well, in fact, the sentiment is moving very much against the public employees the longer this goes on. Even in some of the denser pro union areas like Milwaukee, you see two-to-one in favor of this bill against these kinds of protest. You've got 70 percent outside the denser union areas that support this bill. They do not like that the Democrats left. The Democrats, indeed, if I could correct the report, have violated article four of the Wisconsin Constitution of two sections and that makes people angry because they are there to do their jobs and they hightailed it to Illinois. We need to send out the bloodhounds, apparently.
COTTER: And one last thing here, Vicki: When you look around the country there seems to be a backlash against a lot of the supporters of the public unions there protesting in Madison. We have seen a lot of the signs "Walker equals Hitler." Some of these other signs- there you seen one there right there with the swastika. Do you think that's a few bad apples spoiling it for everyone?
MCKENNA: That is absolutely typical of the signs you're seeing there. I've got them posted up there on my website. We've have had our reporters down there since Monday. I have been called the Taliban, Hitler, Mullah Walker. I mean, anything that involves dictator, tyrants or genocide, historical references to slavery. That is, indeed, what we have been accused of for just simply wanting the public sector to get more if line with the private sector.
A transcript of the news briefs from the February 17 morning shows can be found below:
The Early Show
7:12AM
JEFF GLOR: In Wisconsin, a dramatic showdown between state workers and the Governor today, as nearly two dozen school districts are closed down. Workers held a sleep-in at the state house overnight, over a cost-cutting bill.
PROTESTORS: This is wrong! This is wrong!
GLOR: Thousands of teachers and other state workers are calling in sick and protesting a bill that would raise the cost of their health insurance and pensions, and eliminate collective bargaining. Yesterday, up to 20,000 gathered. Another massive rally and statewide strikes are planned for today. Those school districts are closing down preemptively today. Wisconsin's new Republican Governor, Scott Walker, says the state is at a point of financial crisis.
Good Morning America
7:37AM
JUJU CHANG: Well, a bill seen as the most aggressive anti-union proposal in the country goes up for a vote in Wisconsin today. And it appears lawmakers will pass it. State workers are swarming the capitol in protest. The bill would strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights and cut benefits. One teacher says it would cost her $1,200 per month. But the governor says the state is broke.
Today
8:02AM
ANN CURRY: Wisconsin lawmakers could vote today on a bill that drew thousands of protesters at their state house last night. The measure would strip government workers, except police and firefighters, of nearly all union bargaining rights and make them pay more for pensions and health coverage. Wisconsin's governor says it would save $300 million over two years and prevent layoffs.
— Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments
It's Greece not Cairo
Submitted by m1xram on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 7:16pm.
Check out the video at the JawaReport article.
Looks like the don't care about their debt just like Greece workers.
The opposite of Left is Freedom.
I saw some education official
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 7:22pm.
I saw some education official claiming if the governor succeeds it will affect the ability to educate children. What hogwash, it will affect the ability of teachers to retire at 55 with full pay so they can go on to substitute or work some other job since they are still relatively young.
There was a day when an American would be ashamed to not be productive and sit home on his butt at the taxpayers expense.
I heard someone make this
Submitted by Reaver on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:30pm.
I heard someone make this argument too, its not just hogwash it’s backwards. The governor has made it clear that if the teacher’s union won’t agree to wage and benefit concessions the only alternative is widespread layoffs to cut the budget. Which is more likely to impact a student’s education, increasing the number of students in a class because there are fewer teachers or your teacher collecting a smaller paycheck?
→ Don't know Reaver
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:35pm.
But Wisconsin teachers average 14.7 students per teacher.
Voters
Submitted by stan25 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 7:31pm.
Hope the voters of Wisconsin will remember that come November of 2012. That way they can vote those cowards out.
I'd fire every teacher who
Submitted by jkwtrading on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 7:43pm.
I'd fire every teacher who called in sick...bring your doctors report...to work..
We are getting very close to the liberals meltdown..
Dems who fled Wisc. are spending taxpayer money at spa hotel!
Submitted by Slyrr on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:05pm.
And the coward Dems who fled Wisconsin to escape responsibility for the vote were found doing what Dems do best - spending taxpayer money at a lavish, luxury resort.
Picture them smoking cigars, nibbling caviar and sipping champagne and laughing, 'Oh those silly voters! What fools they are for trusting US with their money!' That pretty much sums up Democrats.
Why would any parent pack their kids off to people like this...
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:10pm.
...to "educate" their children?
No wonder America is on it's death bed.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Malkin's site
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:21pm.
Over on Malkin's site there's a video in which a teacher's rep says teachers might strike because with this bill teachers have nothing to lose, they can't afford to stay in the profession. I think he's unaware that there are a lot of people who would be able to afford to live on those salaries.
Wisconsin Teacher Salaries
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:27pm.
30% of expenditures ($46k/teacher) is salary.
Maybe these teachers should be asking where the rest of the money goes.
Cool Arrow,
Submitted by Ashrak on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:52pm.
That is it exactly. The leftist dogma has just plain taken it too far up there and Cheeseheads are salty. Media is still presenting Wisconsin like it is the bluest of blue states but the leftist Democrats have proved they couldn't even plow the snow the last couple of years.
Sure there are some people at the Capital, but it is manufactured. The ultimate display proving all the TEA party projection. I am half surprised some in media haven't tried to say this IS TEA party activity. I know this, their little tantrum is making a gret many mad up there, a huge backfire is taking place right before our eyes.
And personally, I love it. It is about time.
Wis. Dems Who Fled Will Be Supported by MSM
Submitted by Boil It Down on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 8:56pm.
The Democrats who went to Rockford Illinois to avoid voting on an emergency budget measure to keep unions from further damage to the State's economy have been chased down by the Tea Party.
How will the MSM defend the most absurd statement of the day made by one of the Democrats?
Democratic Senator Chris J. Larson said “For those looking for us, we are right here, standing with the people of Wisconsin,”
Clearly, they are standing with the unions against the people of Wisconsin in the State of Illinois.
They’re sniveling, gutless supporters of the parasites who will eventually tear this nation down. They are also standing with these low life who have no regard for decency.
Apparently their stance is that it’s only fair for the rest of the nation to descend into the condition of Detroit.
HEY! was this a union protest, or those evil Tea Partiers.....
Submitted by merly1 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:27pm.
No way union people would ever misbehave ;o)
The Wisconsin Democratic Party
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:34pm.
is missing.
Cowards.
Very nice BK
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:43pm.
Good strategic move on their part. If things become violent (which is probably part of the plan), the dems can say they weren't part of it. When the state goes bankrupt if the governor gives in, they can say the GOP failed to control finances.
Snakes.
→ Radical
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:47pm.
The Democrat National Committee was busing protesters in today.
CA
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:51pm.
Yes, but the Wisconsin Dems will differentiate themselves from that. It wasn't their people that caused the riot, it was the ones from Illinois don't you know.
→ How silly of me
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:55pm.
Of course it's those zany Wisconsin Egyptians.
Rad
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 10:18pm.
From what I've read, Gov. Walker will have no problem dealing with this; the GOP is the majority in Wisconsin now and Dems will sooner or later have to return to face the vote. And they'll lose.
In fact, all the GOP has to do in the face of these new demonstrations springing up is wait it out and refrain from any kind of inflamatory rhetoric. "We understand your concerns, that's why we're voting on them." Blah, blah, blah. If things get ugly, it's only union thugs involved. If they show up at GOP politicians' homes, someone with a camera will capture it. If they destroy property or threaten harm, again, cameras will capture it. And unlike the made up Tea Party violence, this will be there for all to see.
Eventually, the union thugs will have to admit defeat and return home, or Obama's White House will have to speak up. They can't incite the mobs, so they'll have to ask them to disperse. They'll either heed that call, or they won't, in which case the Feds will have to get tougher. Nothing better could happen than Obama's people arresting union protestors.
I'd be willing to bet my right arm that the Administration hopes this stuff calms down rather quickly; they surely don't want to be in a position to have to make a real choice between union loyatly and good order and discipline. They lose in either instance. Look for Carney to say things like "we don't believe this is good for American workers, but we certainly don't want to see any more violence" and, "the President has been very clear on this, we support the teachers but we strongly call on them to return to work."
Huge loser for Dems.
BK
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 10:39pm.
I've heard there are already protesters at the home of some politicians, including the governor.
Teachers are saying the parents are on their side. I highly doubt it. To many people working for private companies are suffering to be sympathetic when all these employees are being asked to do is to contribute to their own retirement.
At least Obama...
Submitted by Prester John on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 9:55pm.
...voted "present" when he was a state senator.
I would hope there are 13 recall petitions getting spun up for the spineless weasel Dems. And I would hope that at least 2-3 of them are from reasonable competitive districts where there'd be enough people to get them recalled.
Meanwhile, does anyone care to bet that the MSM will use the rhetorical trick on Dem leaders that they always use on Republicans?
"Mr President, is it helpful that the teacher's unions call Governor Walker a Nazi?"
"Mr. President, in light of your comments on the Tuscon shooting for the need for civil polical discourse, do you denounce the rhetoric of the unions?"
"Mr. President, what does it say to the voters of Wisconsin when all of the Dem state senators go to another state rather than do the job the voters sent them to Madison to do?"
"Mr. President, don't you agree that all workers should have the right to choose NOT to join a union and not have union dues pulled from their pay checks without their consent?'
<crickets chirping>
This was a good test for the
Submitted by Reaver on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 10:13pm.
This was a good test for the media and no surprise, they failed. They’ve spent over a year accusing the tea party of hateful violent rhetoric, they went apoplectic over posters of Obama with a Hitler mustache and in the weeks since the Tucson shooting they’ve been on the theme of greater civility in our political discourse. Things like swastikas and Nazi references and crosshair imagery had no place in our political discourse. They had a golden opportunity to show some consistency by condemning these protesters for all of the above. Surprise, surprise they just ignored it and hoped no one would notice the blatant hypocrisy.
Kill the Bill vs Kill the Bill
Submitted by Gary Hall on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 11:04pm.
In Wisconsin, it's Kill the Bill
vrs.
Kill the Bill, last spring in Washinton
Any guess as to how the MSM covered the protestors any differently?
(;~/ gary
Nazi
Submitted by dmntd1 on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 1:00am.
Interestingly enough, NAZI was all about the union.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.