The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
CNN’s Velshi recognizes companies that helped out during California wildfires; NBC goes to ‘ends of the earth’ to cause/report climate change; CNN “American Morning” calls Rangel’s $3.5-trillion tax hike ‘reform.’

October 31, 2007

The Good
     It’s been a difficult struggle for people affected by the wildfires in southern California over the last couple of weeks, but it is refreshing to see CNN Business Correspondent Ali Velshi recognize large corporations for their charitable efforts.

     “[S]o, we've seen a number of major companies – Home Depot is donating warehouse space, MasterCard is giving out free fuel cards, Verizon and Sprint are offering phone services and batteries for cell phones and Wells Fargo is offering emergency loans and they’re offering services to people who having problems with their mortgage as a result of this sort of situation,” Velshi said on the October 26 “American Morning.”

     Also, on October 24, Bank of America donated $1 million to help victims and first responders of the Southern California wildfires, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

The Bad
     Hypocrisy is acceptable when reporting global-warming alarmism stories if you’re NBC’s “Today.”

     As part of NBC Universal’s “Green is Universal” initiative, three “Today” show cast members are traveling across the planet to cover – and, according to prevailing left-wing wisdom, cause – global warming.

     Members of the “Today” crew – Matt Lauer, Ann Curry and Al Roker – will emit 24.9 tons of carbon going to the ends of the earth to show viewers climate is affecting the planet. That number is more than three times what a typical American emits in a whole year.

     “Well, the journey has begun,” Lauer said on the October 29 broadcast. “‘Today’ is going to the ends of the earth to report on the changing climate and examine the limits of human exploration in an unprecedented simultaneous broadcast from the top, the bottom and the middle of the world.”

     Curry will be making her way to Antarctica – an 11,686-mile trip. That round-trip will emit 12.9 tons of carbon, 2.15 tons each way – New York to McMurdo Station, Antarctica and back counting three people.

     Lauer’s trip to the Arctic Circle in Greenland – from New York, N.Y., to Thule A.F.B., Greenland (airport closest to the Arctic Circle) is 2,487 miles. Assuming a crew of at least two will be embarking on the trip with Lauer – that’s six tons of carbon emissions (one ton each way – New York to Thule A.F.B and back with three people).

     Roker’s trip to the Equator in Ecuador – from New York, N.Y., to Quito, Ecuador (airport closest to the Equator) is 2,822 miles – that’s also six tons of carbon emissions (one ton each way – New York to Quito, Ecuador, and back with three people).

     For Curry, Lauer and Roker to pull off this one assignment, that’s at minimum 24.9 tons of carbon emissions combined.

     The national average for one person is 7.5 tons per year, according to Al Gore’s Web site.

The Ugly
     Despite CNN “American Morning” anchor John Roberts asking the tough questions about tax increases from liberal Democrat Rep. Charles Rangel’s tax bill, an onscreen graphic read “Major Tax Reform,” suggesting the network viewed it differently.

     Rangel appeared on the October 26 “American Morning” to defend his so-called “tax reform proposal,” but he dodged questions when pressured to admit it was a tax increase.

     “But, some people’s taxes will increase?” asked Roberts.

     “If you are receiving a preferential tax treatment that you don’t deserve, you can call it what you want – a tax increase. We will be calling it a loophole …” Rangel responded.

     Another CNN reporter, Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash, described Rangel’s bill by saying it “would give tax breaks to low and middle-income Americans and pay for it with a tax hike on high-income earners.” That was on the October 25 “Situation Room.”

     However, once again, CNN wasn’t telling viewers the whole story.

     According to the National Taxpayers Union, the bill includes an enormous giveaway to people who already don’t pay taxes: “Rangel claims that ‘91 million families’ will benefit from the scheme, but that includes a spending giveaway to millions receiving the ‘Earned Income Credit’ -- households that don't pay taxes anyway.”

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly tracks the best and worst media coverage of business and economics. Readers are invited to submit suggestions or news tips to Staff Writer Jeff Poor at jpoor@mediaresearch.org.