(14:50 EDT) Video of Tim Russert misspelling "Iraq" at bottom of post.
When California homeschooler Evan O’Dorney, 13, won the National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, the nation’s press reacted with a yawn.
Instead of focusing on the winner, The New York Times ran a story about an immigrant from India who lost in the second round of the competition. That boy, Kunal Sah, 12, who is living in Utah, had hoped a victory would secure his family’s legal status in the United States. Thus, the Times managed to use the National Spelling Bee as one more forum for pushing the plight of immigrants.
Not until the middle of the story did The Times get around to announcing the winner, noting only his name and hometown and the fact that the AP reported his victory.
Meanwhile, USA Today and The Washington Post chalked up Evan’s triumph to his penchant for eating fish right before each round. The Post’s Elissa Silverman, in “The Sweet Spell of Success,” ignored completely the fact that Evan is homeschooled, and noted that Evan liked to eat tuna sandwiches from Subway. That’s right. The subheadline reads: “Fueled by Tuna Sandwiches, California Teen Tops 300 students.”
On CBS, "Early Show" host Russ Mitchell interviewed Evan and his parents, but home schooling never came up. Same with Al Roker’s and Meredith Vieira’s interview with the family on NBC’s "Today" show.
ABC's "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts, on the other hand, was right up front about Evan’s education during an interview this morning with him and his parents, introducing Evan’s mother as his “homeschool teacher and coach.”
More fish, anyone?
For a fuller item on this, check the MRC's Culture and Media Institute Web site.
Update (Ken Shepherd | 14:50 EDT): Seven years ago the National Spelling Bee winner was also homeschooled, but as NB editor Brent Baker noted, of the three major networks, only CBS ignored that fact in their coverage.
And on a lighter note, NBC's Tim Russert would have certainly met his match in Evan O'Dorney, as the video below shows:
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I've always suspected the MSM
June 1, 2007 - 12:44 ET by ThisnThatI've always suspected the MSM news stories were fishy -- now I'm convinced!
The media does not want to to
June 1, 2007 - 12:47 ET by bigtimerThe media does not want to touch the kudos that should be given to home-schooling because of what has happened to the public disgrace of our school system in this country a lot because of the teachers unions...all leftist controlled.
Leave it to the NYT's to do their usual leftist spin...I will be so glad when and if that piece of trash of a treasonous paper is flushed down the drain, burned a the stake, take your pick.
Great job young man...great job by your mom.
Leave it to newsbusters to
June 2, 2007 - 02:27 ET by treshanLeave it to newsbusters to provoke a string of conspiracy theorists over this. If the NYT didn't report the fact that he was home-schooled, THAT would warrant the outcry of leftist teacher's unions controlling the message of the article. The article covered several points of the competition that were interesting, including 2 other stories. Evan ate fish apparently as a superstition, which was a curious practice worthy of mention.
So this controversy has been about the article mentioning the winner to conclude instead of to begin. And there would have been more comments if it were the reverse. The article mentions his homeschooling as it mentions the details of other participants in the article. Let's concentrate on real media bias.
So it's ok for the Post to
June 2, 2007 - 02:32 ET by sarcasmoSo it's ok for the Post to TOTALLY ignore the fact that -- like most past winners this decade, at least -- he's homeschooled??? And that's not "real" mediabias????! Wow....Tell ya what, I bet $10 that next year's winner will be homeschooled, too. Any takers??
JMR
The fact that he was home-s
June 2, 2007 - 04:01 ET by treshanThe fact that he was home-schooled perfectly explains why he won-- that he and his mother could concentrate endlessly on preparing for such a competition. But to say that the fact that they didn't make some decade long anaylsis of home-schooled competitors as a reason for outcry of liberal media bias is more of a stretch than Newsbusters usually has to make.
JMR, I would also bet that next year's winner will be homeschooled, for the reason mentioned above. Home-schooling can be incredibly more effective than our current school system given the correct environment, i.e. good teacher and requisite social activity elsewhere.
I didn't read a newspaper that did make such an analysis, including Fox News.
monkandsharona Says: The f
June 2, 2007 - 06:12 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsmonkandsharona Says: The fact that he was home-schooled perfectly explains why he won-- that
he and his mother could concentrate endlessly on preparing for such a
competition.
There is absolutely zero proof that that is what happened. 'Could' and 'did' are two different concepts. Show us where they said that is what they did.
You are just making up 'facts' to suit your point of view.
Here's a real fact for you, more money thrown at the public school system has resulted in more failed students. What does that tell you?
D
A day without NewsBusters is like a day without sunshine.
It has told the "2 par
June 2, 2007 - 06:45 ET by sarcasmoIt has told the "2 party system" in Florida to spend even more money while "thanking God for Mississippi" just like the old days. Try to imagine schools under the political control of people like me teaching your children. I'd agree to teach only the truth, but because there's no way to teach "the whole truth" I'd need to decide -- like today's teachers get to -- what aspects of history, economics, etc. are important for kids to learn, and what aspects I'd like them to remain ignorant about -- so needless to say, in a sarcasmo-dictatorship I bet I could improve things. The fact that this guy not only won't take but agrees-with my proposed bet, but still doesn't see the Post's bias in leaving out the main fact behind said bet, speaks volumes without either of us saying anything more. But thanks.
JMR
On money and education. A simple question.
June 2, 2007 - 07:08 ET by UnsaneIndeed, if money solved everything in public schools, then why aren't the DC schools churning out vast armies of Salks, Shakespeares, Mozarts, Baarnards, and Einsteins every spring?
TWELVE DOWN, FOUR TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)
Why aren't they turning out
June 2, 2007 - 07:19 ET by sarcasmoWhy aren't they turning out more mediocre but at least employable students, nevermind the geniuses, with that kind of scratch from taxpayers?? But the bottom line this guy needs to remember is that busting the Post for hiding the homeschooling facts from a Washington, DC audience (not an important readership at all, when it comes to blatant political mediabias, no!) is a mediabias bust, like it or not, rail about it or not, etc. This was one of those times when someone steps in it and we noticed. Wiping it off the shoes won't be easy, so the best course will probably be the patented 'slink-away,' despite all of us taunting "smelly shoes" here...
JMR
I just like my comment as an
June 2, 2007 - 07:30 ET by UnsaneI just like my comment as an extreme example, by using extremes. DC routinely leads the nation in per-capita student spending, but normally finishes near the bottom or dead-last in student performance. My point being is that if money was the cure all...the states of the upper midwest and some in the south that routinely spend the lowest or close to average on education should be providing America's menial labor, while the schools in DC should be turning out the geniuses. And people wonder why evil Unsane just can't bring himself to vote FOR any bond issues in school districts he has lived in (it also has to do with my having been a public school student and knowing first-hand how much they suck...I ran into an old "progress report" from high school the other day, for instance, where an English teacher is whining to my parents that I read too much!!! Does THAT tell you anything?)...
TWELVE DOWN, FOUR TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)
You should frame it. I woul
June 2, 2007 - 07:34 ET by sarcasmoYou should frame it. I would.
JMR
Look what you're saying, he
June 2, 2007 - 07:32 ET by sarcasmoLook what you're saying, here. Something the Post -- with a Washington, DC audience that votes on money for the socialist school system -- totally ignored, and that's apparently ok with you, is at the same time according to your own words able to "perfectly" explain why the kid won, yet you manage not to see a mediabias problem with the behavior of a major newspaper in the very hometown of the spelling bee in question... How?? What sort of mushrooms were on last night's pizza, anyway???
JMR
I assume this is an example
June 1, 2007 - 12:56 ET by sarcasmoI assume this is an example of the "silence" of NB when we bust yet another example of blatant media bias? Dave Johnson & James Boyce are still free to come by and add to their already high unintentional-humor factor, my invitation from yesterday's still open!
JMR
So I guess they're attempting
June 1, 2007 - 13:25 ET by Hero SquadSo I guess they're attempting to imply that eating fish can salve the ills that homeschooling causes in a young student?
Homeschooling is only as good as the parents and their commitment to doing it well... much like a school is only good as its teachers. Apparently, Evan has some parents who know exactly what they are doing. Bravo!
How can any media outlet ignore the boy's homeschooling upbringing. The interesting factor on that alone should trump any preconceived notions about homeschoolers in this story. Easily the most interesting thing about it.
Of course, when a kid who was homeschooled commits a double homicide (as one did in my town), it's referenced every single time, as if it was a key factor in the murderous actions of the teen, suggesting that he wouldn't have gone on this rampage had he only been taught in school proper. Like those Columbine boys.
Sorry, I'm off on a tangent. Congratulations, Evan!
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Yuppers sure enough.Care to
June 1, 2007 - 13:27 ET by Right2thePointYuppers sure enough.
Care to guess how long it would take for Rosie to jump up and down if it was a lesbian?
Are Indian Mormons common?
June 1, 2007 - 13:32 ET by Roger the ShrubberAre Indian Mormons common?
The MSM are hiding information.
June 1, 2007 - 13:45 ET by c5thenIs it the responsibility of the media to keep secrets from their viewing public? imagine some people's response when they happen to be discussing the national spelling bee champ and they find out that he is homeschooled. The MSM are not informing their viewers they are trying to shape their opinions.
That is why they are losing viewership. More and more people are finding out that they are only getting some of the information and missing out on hearing about entier stories listening and watching the MSM.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
Tuna sandwiches make a more i
June 1, 2007 - 13:46 ET by balboaTuna sandwiches make a more interesting headline, pure and simple. And it's pretty commonplace for contestants to be home-schooled, so it's not that big a revelation anymore.
I eat a Hot Pocket for lunch
June 1, 2007 - 13:58 ET by Hero SquadI eat a Hot Pocket for lunch every day, along with a little applesauce and maybe some chips.
Thought I'd just share a tremendously fascinating headline-worthy fact about myself with all of you.
Where - or if - I went to school is of no consequence to the opinions I provide.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Yes, well, you didn't win t
June 1, 2007 - 14:01 ET by balboaYes, well, you didn't win the spelling bee, so nobody cares. :-)
Not this year. But now that I
June 1, 2007 - 14:45 ET by Hero SquadNot this year. But now that I know the tuna secret... look out!
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
talk to a liberal
June 1, 2007 - 14:49 ET by LionKingTalk to some liberals...especially in the media. They can help you get some forge documents to prove you are only 13 years-old.
No you really need to talk
June 1, 2007 - 14:54 ET by balboaNo you really need to talk to the baseball team that Danny Almonte kid was on.
Homeschooling = VRWC
June 1, 2007 - 14:25 ET by vrwc13Homeschooling getting credit? Nope. It happens every year, whether its the National Spelling Bee or the National Geography Bee or other. The first thing I do is read the articles and hardly ever do they mention if the winners are homeschooled. If they are from a public school it is mentioned.
BTW: over 2 million children are homeschooled which is about 2% of the total. Almost always 30 to 60 percent of the top ten every year are homeschooled.
Homeschooling parents are part of hillary's Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, she says it takes a village - maybe that's where the term "village idiot" comes from?
face piles of trials with smiles
Spelling things out loud alwa
June 1, 2007 - 14:54 ET by nnptcgradSpelling things out loud always amazes me. Personally I suck at it, and I read a lot. I can write out words and tell if they're wrong, but can't do the same out loud.
Mother nature is a bitch - Ninth Corollary of Murphy's Law
Hillary could use this kid'
June 1, 2007 - 16:56 ET by Jinx McHueHillary could use this kid's help:
http://news.yahoo.co...
Speaking of Hillary....
June 1, 2007 - 17:03 ET by bigtimerSpeaking of Hillary....
Russert is a pompous DNC ope
June 1, 2007 - 22:29 ET by stratmanRussert is a pompous DNC operative. Just listen to the tone of his voice, for instance: With conservatives he growls and grunts; with liberals he's all soft and cooing. No bias there.
I went to the same university as Russert and I shudder each time it is mentioned in the alumni news. I'd bet the Jesuit's would box his ears for such a dumbass spelling mistake.
During football season he signs off with a "Go Bills!". I wish he would go with them.
See Timmy when he was a growing liberal in college: http://rapidshare.com/files/34734835/IMG_0005.jpg
Be patient...maybe the DBM wi
June 2, 2007 - 09:48 ET by RightOfMostBe patient...maybe the DBM will get to the home-schooling aspect of this..."TOMMORROW"!
Again the MsM slaps an Americ
June 2, 2007 - 13:53 ET by QueenMumAgain the MsM slaps an American in the face in favor of creating a victim.
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria