Over at The Corner, Kathryn Jean Lopez reported GOP Reps. Eric Cantor and Patrick McHenry have found there's a loophole in the new minimum-wage increase: no hike for American Samoa. Why? Star-Kist Tuna is a major employer there, with its headquarters in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district.
Will the media notice? FNC did. But so far, the rest of the political media have treated the minimum-wage as about as controversial as a post-office naming bill. But in 2005, we reported the media's Tom DeLay bashers had a fit about DeLay's Abramoff-lobbied coziness with low wages on the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. PBS's Bill Moyers show "Now" (handed off to the suitably smarmy David Brancaccio) devoted a show to how DeLay was supporting "virtual slavery" in the Pacific. The slavery charge came not only from Brancaccio, but from liberal Rep. George Miller -- Pelosi's across-the-bay neighbor. Where's the media asking: what about the children of Samoa? Will PBS and George Miller throw a fit about the "virtual slavery" left untouched in Tuna Land?
K-Lo passed along the Fox & Friends transcript that publicized the Star-Kist .
STEVE DOOCEY: We teased you with this a moment ago. On Wednesday the U.S. House passed a bill that says the minimum wage in this country will rise over time from $5.15 an hour to $7.25. Now, here's the thing. Included in the small print is the fact that the minimum wage will now include the islands of the northern marinas but it exempts American Samoa which is the only U.S. Territory not subject to minimum wage laws.
BRIAN KILMEADE: What's the big deal about that?
DOOCEY: It covers all islands except American Samoa. Why American Samoa?
GRETCHEN CARLSON: It just so happens Steve that Star Kist tuna employs 75% of the island's work force. They are making a lot of tuna there. Apparently then that is shipped off to San Francisco in a district where Nancy Pelosi is from. And now her people are saying that, you know, she has never been influenced by Star Kist at all but other people are saying, hey, this is a little bit of hypocrisy because how can this particular group of people benefit by not having to pay the new minimum wage which is almost $2 more an hour before.
KILMEADE: They have two major plants there and then all of a sudden they don't have to pay this money and this is a woman I'm going to fight corruption and things on the up and up and make things transparent. Reps. Eric Cantor and Patrick McHenry are beside themselves. Cantor says he is shocked. Now Patrick McHenry when he realizes this, hopped up on the Senate floor, says wait a second have you exempted the American Samoa you have included all these other regions and territories, everything else? When they started debating stem cell research, excuse me based on this is American Samoa going to be excluded from stem cell research? And Barney Frank went crazy said to him sit down essentially. Continue with your talk that had nothing to do with stem cell research in American Samoa.
DOOCEY: So in American Samoa they have a lot of tuna. It's processed by Star Kist, which is, their headquarters is actually in San Francisco because Star Kist is owned by the food conglomerate Del Monte which is in Nancy Pelosi's home district. Are you connecting the dots? Let's get this straight. Everybody has got to raise their minimum wage except American Samoa which, of course, has so many people who are pulling tuna out of the sea, shipping them off via Del Monte whose corporate headquarters in Nancy Pelosi's home district. I'm sure it's a coincidence. Don't you think?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center















Editor at Large

Comments Policy
Sad to say.... this will ne
January 12, 2007 - 11:53 ET by bobthemanSad to say.... this will never see the light of day from the MSM....
Anyone here ever visit Digg.c
January 12, 2007 - 12:55 ET by GordoAnyone here ever visit Digg.com?
Newsbusters should allow their posts to be "Dugg" - the process of people liking/disliking posts on Digg. Digg is overwhelmingly Liberal yet has a small group of rational minded people. This story is posted on Digg and needs more votes to get to the front page.
http://digg.com/politics/GOP_hits_Pelosi_s_hypocrisy_on_wage_bill
I'm not trying to spam here, I just think that this particular site could get some more readers by Digging posts and also spread the message of Newsbusters to the brainwashed zombies on Digg. I've seen other blogs that have a "Digg" button at the bottom of posts - just think Newsbusters should too!
"Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties." --John Milton
It is a noble cause gordo. Ho
January 12, 2007 - 13:28 ET by slaphappyIt is a noble cause gordo. However from what I´ve seen via Hotair and LGF, the moonbats bury the story quicker than Saddam sayin´, " what the hell did I do?". The problem with Digg is that it´s user rated or community ranked. That´s how the stories get buried so fast.
Digg is a great concept though. But, your dealing with professional Digger´s in their parents basement while the rest of us have jobs. Just sayin´
Maybe Charlie "Chuckles&
January 12, 2007 - 13:23 ET by DRM 23Maybe Charlie "Chuckles" Gibson, can tell us how she is taking care of these children.
http://washingtontimes.com/na
January 12, 2007 - 15:18 ET by dscotthttp://washingtontimes.com/national/20070112-120720-2734r.htm I guess they may not count.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
With a rule like this, we'd
January 12, 2007 - 11:56 ET by sarcasmoWith a rule like this, we'd be able to see who exactly put in the loophole...I like the fact that the new Dems are forcing this on the old ones & some Republicans, and it's VERY smart Presidential politics for Obama, IMO.
JMR
Is there anyone who believe
January 12, 2007 - 11:56 ET by dervishIs there anyone who believes this wouldn't have been front page news with a Republican Congress?
But they're not biased, you understand.
But.... isn't that... uneth
January 12, 2007 - 12:00 ET by heldmywBut.... isn't that... unethical?
Something smells fishy here.
January 12, 2007 - 12:02 ET by GothampcSomething smells fishy here. (Someone had to say it.)
if we had a free and open pr
January 12, 2007 - 12:06 ET by buddycif we had a free and open press this won't happen. we live in a dictatorship of the elite.
compare to delay? it is why the clintons could do what they did and get away with it. it is why ted kennedy continues to get re-elected. it is why we have the pelosi's and boxer's of this world.
what about the poor and needy of somoa?
democracy won't work without an impartial and independent press.
Since Starkist's corporate h
January 12, 2007 - 12:20 ET by dscottSince Starkist's corporate head quarters are in SF, one must also ask the question: Where do their campaign contributions go to? How much? Who's on the board of directors? Anyone of interest? At that point we will know if the Dems and Nancy Pelosi or Barbara Boxer in particular had a vested interest in the legislation. I smells a wiff of corruption!!!
The second issue is, there must be a reason for the exemption, if there is an agrument being put forth for American Somoa, then why doesn't that same argument apply to the rest of the US? Inquiring minds insist on knowing.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
IF, it were to become a news
January 12, 2007 - 12:25 ET by FastEdIF, it were to become a news item, palooney will just say, "They're making substantially more than anyone else!", as opposed to the old slogan. Proof here.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
One word: TUNAGATE.Chances th
January 12, 2007 - 12:31 ET by Dave ROne word: TUNAGATE.
Chances the DimLib MSM will report this? ZERO.
UPDATE: Neal Boortz has Tony Snow on his show at this very moment and just asked him about this. If Rush jumps on it (and you know he will) will the MSM still ignore this?
Like always, follow the money
January 12, 2007 - 12:41 ET by indianaconservativeLike always, follow the money. I found this in a freeper thread that pointed to http://asoiaf.westeros.org/lofiversion/index.php/t14242.html.
Billionaire owner of Snapple, Arby's, and TJ cinnimon, Nelson Peltz is currently locked into a proxy battle with H.J. Heinz Corporations board of directors. When Heinz sold StarKist to Del Monte, the terms resulted in Heinz stockholders becoming 74.5% owners of the new Del Monte. Peltz, H.J. Heinz' principle non-family shareholder, is attempting to increase his influence within the company by obtaining another proxy seat. To better his cause, Peltz has enlisted the help of business/real estate investor Paul Pelosi, Nancy's husband. Paul Pelosi's portfiolio includes 3 huge Napa Valley properties in addition to a 17 million dollar position in the H.J. Heinz corporation.
Which also means John Kerry i
January 12, 2007 - 13:27 ET by dscottPaul Pelosi's portfiolio includes 3 huge Napa Valley properties in addition to a 17 million dollar position in the H.J. Heinz corporation
Sounds like Nancy is going to financially benefit by increasing the labor cost on the competitors? I wonder what Bumble Bee Tuna and others have to say about that? The Heinz corp. also means John Kerry is involved as well via his wife. The fish is beginning to stink more. One thing about caught fish, the older they get, the stinkier they become. I think the eyes are already cloudy on this one.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Great find IC!!!!!!!....The w
January 12, 2007 - 13:43 ET by slaphappyGreat find IC!!!!!!!....The web they weave.
Could the Dummies not be more on shhhhedule...
January 12, 2007 - 13:37 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasCould these dummy Democrats not be more on shhhhedule to shoot themselves in the foot and then the head by the end of the next two years? Bravo idiots, your dummy train is on schedule to completely derail by '08. Congratulations and we thank you for a marvelous start.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Would that that were true.
January 14, 2007 - 10:40 ET by mytwocentsWould that that were true. When people like Ray Nagen and William Jefferson get re-elected it's a pretty safe bet that no matter what scandel is unearthed as long as they are Democrats, the MSM will either not report it, under-report it, or try to pass it off as normal and much ado about nothing.
This is the utmost in hypocri
January 12, 2007 - 14:02 ET by bigtimerThis is the utmost in hypocrisy, as far s I know Fox is the only one in the msm that has reported this, I am beyond furious, if the conservatives do not take this non-stop to the airwaves everywhere until the hypocrisy is blatantly repeated over and over then I am through with the Republican party...you cannot just state it on the floor, you have to make waves about this and other hypocrisies that have been going on, another example in the Senate with the ethics amendments and rules they are attempting and passing some, they are OMITTING rules when it comes to the lobbyists from the Indian tribes and their money.....hmmmm...seems like it was the Dem's screaming the loudest about all of this in regards to the Abrahamoff scandal...of course Harry Reid is involved with all of that, just to mention one democrat here, but hey, that doesn't matter he... is a democrat...
Btw...there is another omission on the ethics rules the House passed, it's alright for the lobbying/money to go on from the colleges, the dem's conveniently left that in....leftist colleges, perfect example of hypocrisy from the leftists.
Hypocrisy at it's finest, the leftist media ignoring it all for the most part, the republicans not taking it to the mat through the media until there is shame and it is corrected, and shown to be hypocrisy, plus naming names...typical is it not?
Outrageous!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Did Nancy Pelosi and John Ker
January 12, 2007 - 14:31 ET by dscottDid Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry disclose their interest to the House and Senate Ethics committees for comment? Who else knew? What did they know? When did they know it? We demand some answers.
Now we know why the Dems wanted to keep the Repubs from participating in the legislative process. They wanted to pull a fast one. So much for the cleanest Congress in history, business as usual!!!!!!
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
This is a NUKE...but will Drudge have the guts to report it?
January 12, 2007 - 16:30 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasDrudge, who personally I find somewhat pathetic anymore in his attempts to remain atop the social and political gossip heap, I wonder...will he have the guts to publish this information as a leading headline or simply accept something as mild as last week's four day work week as duty served on political gossip that might hurt the Democrats and libs? My guess is this...you will see a very minor headline and it won't last beyond two days.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Four minutes after posting this...
January 12, 2007 - 16:36 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasFour minutes after posting this...magically as I have monitored Drudge...presto it is a MINOR headline for now...Drudgewatch continues for now... (I am not suggesting I am the reason for the posting by Drudge but am watching to see if it stays a MINOR headline when it deserves MAJOR status) But for now gutless Drudge is not reporting the information available about the stock ownership, maybe Drudge's mommy is telling him he isn't allowed to report this information.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
This whole episode now gets m
January 12, 2007 - 17:44 ET by dscottThis whole episode now gets me to thinking about projection again. Here the Dems make a big deal out of corruption and oophs William Jefferson is caught with $90k in his freezer, Abscam Murtha almost gets put in charge of a committee and now Pelosi and Kerry got their hand in the cookie jar of minimum wage.
You would think by now we Repubs, conservatives and the public would take the automatic que that when a Dem pontificates on something especially corruption (Jefferson) or profiteering (Hillary Clinton & Michael Moore), the louder they yell it, the more likely it's them doing it. The whole point of projection is to keep the finger pointed away from the perp. who's actually guilty of the accusations they are making.
I'm thinking if these two can play the fast one with minimum wage, then what are they trying to get away with on all the other 100 hour legislative issues? Someone had better be reading all the fine print in every bill these crooks are trying pass. George W Bush, you need to veto every last one of these bills, these creeps have already shown they have no interest in leading the country, you're it dude so get out the pen and starting practicing the word - VETO.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
As I predicted...gutless Drudge kept it half a day...
January 14, 2007 - 09:50 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasAs I predicted, the gutless...nutless wonder named Drudge kept this story up for...half a day. I guess his mommy called and told him to take it down.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
At least he put it up!!
January 15, 2007 - 00:41 ET by florida_chadAt least he put it up!!
Tunagate
January 14, 2007 - 10:06 ET by Jack BauerOne other thing about Tunagate that need to be brought forth is this
It's also been reported that the multi-millionaire Pelosis also hold $17 million in Del Monte stock -- the owners of Star-Kist.
As well as using non-union illegals in their high-priced Winearies.
On what a tangled net we weave when first we practice to deceive.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
How's That Tuna, Nancy?
January 14, 2007 - 23:38 ET by emjem24Now, everyone together, repeat after me: "Gee, what a surprise?" How's that tuna, Nancy? If you were a tuna fan back from the beginning of time, I bet you aren't now. You can be kind to those underemployed folks in the US but in American Samoa it's just too hard. What happened, Feloozi? They're Americans too. What changed? Perhaps, it was that they work for a company your husband and you have a vested interest in and which lies in your district. Wow, that promise to keep earmarks, pork barrel spending, and exceptions not being the rule lasted about...wait for it....5 minutes. I wonder if the workers over in America Samoa are laughing as much as I am. Probably not. But then, I wouldn't if I were them. Government in action, my friends, and there will be more to come when the dims decide to defund the Iraq War in favor of more gifts to all those who got into office. But then, who'll be laughing by that point: me, us NB'ers, the military, or the American people? All I have to say is, my fellow Americans, what were you thinking? Do you really want these grandstanding twits to be your representatives? That is like saying that cartoon characters are the antidote to islamofascism but then they snuff happiness out wherever they go (the terrorists not the cartoon characters). I'll go hug my care bear/my little poney/cabbage patch kid now, if you don't mind...sniff, sniff....
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.