Soros Donates $1 Million to Media Matters

[Newsjock]

Source: New York Times

Media Matters, the liberal activist group that wages a rhetorical war against Fox News Channel and others in the conservative press, will announce on Wednesday the receipt of a $1 million donation from the philanthropist George Soros.

In a statement obtained by The Caucus, the organization says it plans to use the money to intensify its efforts to hold the Fox host Glenn Beck and others on the cable news channel accountable for their reporting.

“Fox has transformed itself into a 24-7 G.O.P. attack machine, dividing Americans through fear-mongering and falsehoods and undermining the legitimacy of our government for partisan political ends,” the group will say in the statement, to be released Wednesday afternoon.

In an accompanying statement, Mr. Soros, a billionaire who has a history of supporting liberal politicians and causes, accused Fox News hosts of “incendiary rhetoric” and said he hoped that his money would be used “in an effort to more widely publicize the challenge Fox News poses to civil and informed discourse in our democracy.”

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/soros-donates-1-million-to-media-matters/

[Critters2]

1. They'll love this over at Rimjob's place. nt

[savalez]

24. self delete.

[HopeHoops]

2. Well, at least we know what FOX will be fixated on today.

Lead story, filler stories, scrolling shit at the bottom: "TERRORIST LOVING SOROS DONATES MILLIONS TO DEMOCRATS"

[Rosa Luxemburg]

56. Why the heck can't he buy out News Corporation and ditch the Saudi and Murdoch?

[Blacksheep214]

63. Even though it was just ONE million!

But why let the truth get in the way of a good rant?

[stevedeshazer]

3. Right-wing lurkers: Prepare to bow to your new Overlord, the Master Soros!

[Jim__]

4. That proves Media Matters is part of the conspiracy to bring down western civilization.

Why aren't all these conspirators in jail?

And, sigh, :sarcasm:

[flamingdem]

5. More love for Soros from the wingers! nt

[ProSense]

6. Excellent. n/t

[AKing]

7. Wingnut Outrage Will Start in 3...2...1 NT

[babylonsister]

8. Couldn't happen to a better bunch of truth tellers! Yay! nt

[hlthe2b]

9. Good for Soros... who has to put up with so much shit...

it speaks even more to his sincerity. This will launch a whole new series of attacks from the RW, who are already frothing like rabid carnivores.

[AlbertCat]

12. This will launch a whole new series of attacks from the RW,

To which, Dems can say:

"Well, at least we know where the money is coming from. It's not a secret. Soros is not ashamed to let us know who gets his donations. Who's sponsoring your attack ads?"

And

"How much did the Chamber of Commerce spend on just lobbying in one quarter? 30-something million ... against one million?"


If used correctly, this could be helpful in more than monetary ways.

[butterfly77]

44. They're blaming him anyway..

F--k'em!:kick:

[jillan]

10. He might as well - after all he owns the Democratic Party - according to the pigs.

[MessiahRp]

11. I wish he'd use some of that money to do what Republicans do: Buy up every possible media outlet

Let's even the playing field here. Media Matters provides a decent service but we need a broader line of attack.

Rp

[No Elephants]

36. Exactly. RW pays no attention to Media Matters, and Dems don't pay attention to Fox.

[Grateful for Hope]

54. I think what he is doing is much more honorable.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

13. What an awesome use of a milion dollars!

:woohoo:

[elleng]

14. YES!

:applause:

[Democat]

15. Hasn't Fox donated more than that to Republicans already this election?

Didn't someone post that info here?

[ProSense]

18. Fox is supposed to be the media

Soros is not the media and Media Matters is not a political party.

[South End Liberal]

16. Global monetary market parasite, friend of liberals?

György Schwartz, better known to the world as George Soros, made his 1st billion in 1992 by shorting the British pound and almost bringing down their banks in the process. In 1999 he was involved in what became known as Russia-gate. In 1997 Soros nearly destroyed the economies of Thailand and Malaysia with his monetary manipulation. France fined him $2.9 million for felony insider trading.

So this is the savior of the liberals? Really? Talk about strange bedfellows....

[babylonsister]

21. Hey, buddy. Go do some research on the K-O-C-H brothers and

get back to us.

[stevedeshazer]

48. !

:rofl:

[Jim__]

26. Why don't you provide some details about how Soros nearly destroyed the economies of ...

... Thailand and Malaysia. Please don't link to a right wing site.

According to wikipedia, Soros was betting the other way when the Asian crisis hit - although they admit they are not sure:

The foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN countries believed that the well co-ordinated manipulation of their currencies was a deliberate attempt to destabilize the ASEAN economies. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused George Soros of ruining Malaysia's economy with "massive currency speculation." (Soros appeared to have had his bets in against the Asian currency devaluations, incurring a loss when the crisis hit.) At the 30th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, they issued a joint declaration on 25 July 1997 expressing serious concern and called for further intensification of ASEAN's cooperation to safeguard and promote ASEAN's interest in this regard.<11> Coincidentally, on that same day, the central bankers of most of the affected countries were at the EMEAP (Executive Meeting of East Asia Pacific) meeting in Shanghai, and they failed to make the 'New Arrangement to Borrow' operational. A year earlier, the finance ministers of these same countries had attended the 3rd APEC finance ministers meeting in Kyoto, Japan on 17 March 1996, and according to that joint declaration, they had been unable to double the amounts available under the 'General Agreement to Borrow' and the 'Emergency Finance Mechanism'. As such, the crisis could be seen as the failure to adequately build capacity in time to prevent Currency Manipulation. This hypothesis enjoyed little support among economists, however, who argue that no single investor could have had enough impact on the market to successfully manipulate the currencies' values. In addition, the level of organization necessary to coordinate a massive exodus of investors from Southeast Asian currencies in order to manipulate their values rendered this possibility remote.

more ...

So, wikipedia admits to uncertainty here. Glenn Beck is certain - and certain that wikipedia is wrong. Why don't you document your claim that Soros caused this crisis?

[South End Liberal]

39. Check out CNN.

From money.cnn.com
(FORTUNE Magazine) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was on vacation during the speculative attack on Southeast Asia's currencies in mid-July, returned to Kuala Lumpur in a combative mood. Mahathir remains certain he has identified what caused the currency assault, which wiped 15% off the value of the Malaysian ringgit in the past two months: namely, George Soros, American billionaire hedge-fund manager. Mahathir, who vociferously objects to the merest hint of Western meddling in Asian affairs, believes Soros' aim is to punish Malaysia for its support of Myanmar, or, specifically, its ruling junta, the State Law and Order Council (SLORC). Soros' Open Society Institute opposes the antidemocratic activities of SLORC but has repeatedly denied that this has influenced Soros' investment decisions.

from New York Times
Dec. 1998
In early 1997, Soros' funds were shorting Thailand's currency, the baht, and Malaysia's currency, the ringgit -- that is, betting that the value of both currencies would drop. In July, Thailand dropped its defenses, devaluing the baht. That set off the wave of devaluations in Malaysia and elsewhere that marked the beginning of the current global economic turmoil.

[AlbertCat]

50. no single investor could have had enough impact

this, with....

"Mahathir, who vociferously objects to the merest hint of Western meddling"

makes it all sound like, whatever Soro's role, it couldn't be all him.

I'm glad he's made his contributions, but I certainly don't think he's a democratic saviour.... and neither does anybody else... except people on the right.

As if Conservatives nonchalantly can be funded by 20 such businessmen, and of course Liberals have to explain themselves.

Not that "everybody does it" is any excuse. But for the huge, enormous, filled-to-the-brim pot calling the kettle.... sorry, you can just laugh at that!

And I'm shocked! ... shocked it tell you... that uber-wealthy men would be in on something shady!

Well, at least he not screwing his own countrymen.... that we know of...

[Jim__]

81. Yes, Mahatir Mohamad made an accusation.

That is documented in wikipedia. The NY Times says Soros was shorting the malaysian currency and wikipeida says that Soros was betting the other way. How do you decide? Is there any actual evidence which way Soros was betting? Or, do we just have to accept one set of claims and reject others?

It's well-known that Soros is a currency manipulator; he doesn't deny it. However, to claim that Soros caused the Southeast Asian crisis, we have to know more than that Soros was involved in attempting to manipulate some Southeast Asian currencies. Is there any indication that without Soros attempting to profit from the portending collapse of these currencies, they would not have collapsed?

You haven't really offered any evidence, e.g. what percentage of these currencies was Soros invested in, what percentage were other currency speculators invested in? All you've done is repeated assertions that he did it. But, assertions aren't evidence. Do you have any actual numbers? Can you disprove the assertion in wikipedia that he lost money because he was betting the other way when they collapsed?

[mcollier]

70. These days verification of information is simple...

We fail ourselves when we relinquish our responsibility to seek out the truth for ourselves and trust our judgement. When we transfer the responsibility of knowledge discovery to outward individuals we transfer the power of influence as well. We must balance the reliance of our own brain to analyze information with that of outside sources, otherwise we become parrots simply rambling off what our information deliverers have trained us to say.

[Quantess]

28. Tea Baggers are funded by the billionaire Koch Brothers,

so it's only fair that the left gets some funding.

At least Media Matters doesn't claim to be a "grassroots movement". Ha!

[NBachers]

73. Talking out of your South End, I see

[Enthusiast]

77. Freeper talking points?

Take it elsewhere.

[DumbBassRepublicans]

79. Whatever it takes, my man....

I'd take money from Hitler, if it was used against the republicans...!!!
:evilgrin:

[WatchWhatISay]

17. So it's our rich titan vs. their rich titan

Not that I don't see the need to fight back

[ProSense]

19. Not

at all

Also, Media Matters is not a polical campaign or party.

[EFerrari]

40. At bottom and right now, pretty much, yes. n/t

[Grassy Knoll]

20. Glenn Beck just crapped in his pants a little. n/t

[ProudDad]

58. Beck is just a symptom...

there are a hundred more disease vectors waiting in the wings to take his place...

We need a billion dollar media blitz of our own...

And a new amendment to the Constitution that make it clear that corporations are NOT People!

[Zen Democrat]

22. Ha Ha! The Reichwingers have NO problem with Murdoch buying up as much American media as possible!

And using his media to blatantly support even the most FRINGE candidates!

Now what exactly is their problem with Soros and Media Matters? Hypocrisy of the worst kind? Yeah, thought so.

[jillan]

23. Rush is all over this already - says Nov 2nd needs to be Obama's Katrina.

Fuck OFF Rush!

Edit to add - Oh the irony! Media Matters is the one reporting Rush's comments :P

[Beartracks]

43. Wait, what?! I thought Obama's Katrina already happened!

Or are they just going to keep trying to make that meme stick every time something important occurs?

:eyes:

-------------------------

[savalez]

25. Heck Yeah. Great News.

[alp227]

27. CONSERVATIVES' WORST NIGHTMARE YET!

And they thought incorrectly that Soros palled around with MM in the past even before this donation! But it's great to know that Media Matters can continue to get the truth out against the media behemoth Fox "News".

[Dawson Leery]

29. We need anything we can get to counter this list:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/20/beck-koch-chamber-meeting/

[democracy1st]

35. great post ty

[ProudDad]

60. Then we need another $Billion

to match what that murderer's row has already ponied up for this year alone!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. $70M to go....

:think:

[valerief]

46. Thinking the same thing!!!! nt

[ProudDad]

61. Try another $Billion to go

just to get even...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

83. All in!

[Uncle Joe]

31. I like both Media Matters and Soros but for some reason this; makes me happy and sad

at the same time.

It's like nuclear war with money.

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Newsjock.

[redirish28]

32. Good for Soros! Beck's followers will be flipping out and listening

to Beck for instructions.

[Jackpine Radical]

52. In other words, for them it's

Same Shit, Different Day.

[Historic NY]

33. Those poor FOX viewers being deprived will be shocked if the cable dispute is settled.

[SnakeEyes]

47. No one is being deprived of Fox News

The dispute with the cable company is about retransmission of fox network broadcast stations by the cable company. Fox News is under a different contract of cable channels.

[Historic NY]

68. Damn.

[democracy1st]

34. K & R

[jtuck004]

37. That's how you do it. You put your name on it. n/t

[AC_Mem]

38. Thank you Mr. Soros!

I'm sure Glenda's head is exploding right about now....

I post at MMFA all the time - it is a great website that does alot of good in exposing Faux for what it is.

:)

[KamaAina]

41. Does this mean they'll be hiring?

Pick me! Pick me! :bounce:

[spicegal]

42. Good move. Media Matters does what our so-called

MSM SHOULD be doing, but don't due to laziness, ineptitude, or corporate bias. Have been saying all along if we had a more competent and accountable media, perhaps we'd have a much better informed electorate. Unfortunately keeping tabs on Fox and correcting the record is a full time job. Thank you Mr. Soros.

[dotymed]

80. The Fairness Doctrine

was a (pre-Reagan) regulation that was (and still should be) an FCC regulation that did just that. We used to have a well informed electorate.
IMO. we also need publicly financed elections and mandatory voting.
Those things alone would put America on a progressive path. No matter how much propaganda Americans hear, I believe that if voting were mandatory, the majority would choose a progressive path (even if they did not realize their views were progressive).
People want (and need) Universal health care.
An end to outsourcing.
A stronger "safety net."
The top 2% to pay their share of taxes
Higher wages
Politicians that represent them, not corporations
A J O B...............

[fascisthunter]

45. there should be more of this

[stlsaxman]

49. suck on THAT, Chamber!

Thank you, George!

[coti]

51. This is money well spent. nt

[Overseas]

53. K&R. Thank you George. Media certainly does matter.

I hope many others will follow suit. The seething right wing hatred and mean propaganda has too much control over our civic life.

Most of our fellow citizens would like to work together to restore good balanced government. We know the ostrich approach hasn't solved a thing. People like us get crushed when our infrastructure crumbles; we'd love to get to work fixing it back up. We want our tax dollars to give us a floor of national health security-- basic compassionate Medicare for All is long overdue, especially in turbulent times like these. And we want our tax dollars to subsidize our national scramble to regain our place in the green technology market worldwide. Subsidies are long overdue for transfer from old fossil fuels to new sustainable renewable energy sources. Solar panels and wind turbines are waiting to be built and installed all across our country.

We voted D for Democratic change. That which helps the most of us regain some ground pulled from our quality of life by the endorsement of greed in the top 2%. Privatization has wrecked a lot in our country and we'd like our government to take it back.

Government jobs, shouted down as socialist by hate media, provide double bonus points for our tax dollars-- they constitute job training programs also. Ingenious people can move along to all kinds of creative invention and expression, after learning the ropes through serving the common good.

We The People have been Democrats for a long time now. New Democrats in a much larger sense, since the Republican Southern Racist Strategy got rolling. Dog whistling to white men. While we Democrats regrouped in all 50 states; multicultural but united around separation of church and state-- which has enabled profound religious freedom and diversity in this country. After years of Reagan union busting, we see how the unions elsewhere provided a bit of balance in the societies that tolerated them-- forced a democratic recognition of rewarding the value of labor just a bit more equitably. As in France these days, where workers are fighting for recognition that many are worn out by 60 and deserve support. Rather than pretending as we are here that workers at 67 will be hired by any other than Walmart, to work along through 67 or 8 years old.

Energy independence seems like a laudable national security strategy to many of us. We want to give it a try. We're ready willing and able to dive into an Apollo project for alternative energy in every state of our union. But the economy crushing GOP has defeated many of our efforts. With that filibuster. We really need to have them carry out full filibusters next time. Let them rant for hours in opposition to alternative energy projects in other states.

So I'm hoping the Democratic creative problem-solving majority will rush to the polls and vote D for Driving Forward once again. And that more millionaires will contribute to Media Matters in a big way. We have far too much wanton reckless propaganda in the USA today.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

66. Great post!

You should post it as an OP, or a thread, or whatever it's called.

I'd like to see more-- MANY more-- gazillionaires donate to Dems and MM and the cause for truth in journalism. The republikkkers' filth has poisoned the culture and we're in critical need of antidotes ... heh, broad-spectrum antibiotics, so to speak.

[Overseas]

71. Thanks! //nt

[Billsmile]

55. Good But Bad

Sucks that individuals can make enough money that it gives them such power.

The world would be far better if folks couldn't make enough money to rule by virtue of their wealth.

[ProudDad]

57. Thank you Mr. Soros...

There, I said it.

It's nice to know you're checking in on my posts...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9318241

It's a nice down payment.

Unfortunately the Coors', Scaife family, Bradleys, Olins, Koch brothers, etc. etc. etc. and, of course, King Rupert of Murdoch are about $5 Billion ahead of us...

I know you can't afford the whole Five Billion $$$ but if you hit up a few of your friends (ESPECIALLY BILL GATES!) to help you out, democracy may get a chance to actually exist here in USAmerica...

Thanks again. We're waiting for the next installment...

[AmandaMae]

59. That's good...

not enough to counter Fox news and all of the supporters of right-wing media, but still, good news.

[Catherine Vincent]

62. Good for Soros!

:thumbsup:

[Blacksheep214]

64. All the right needs to do

is show where the left, MM, MSNBC, etc. are spreading lies.

I watch Rachel and listen to Randi and most everything is backed up with references to fact check.

FoxPac cannot say the same!

[pinto]

65. Kudos...

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

[madmax]

67. Somebody has to level the playing field,.

Hey you, yeah you guys with the big bucks. Love your country start donating some big bucks to regain the Fourth Estate.

Paging Bill Gates, Warren Buffet - sorry but, you guys are the first to come to mind after GS.

[Skittles]

69. THANKING MR. SOROS

:thumbsup:

[MrMickeysMom]

72. Notice the transparency here...

Your turn, Chamber of Commerce...

All the Chamber of Commerce levels, right down to the local level are a bunch of fucking snakes who don't DARE disclose their accounts receivables. They have no honor and certainly no balls.

[NBachers]

74. Aaaahh Comrade Zoros comes through right on time, as usual

We will give him a large city to name for himself after we have eliminated all the patriots- He can do as he pleases with the population . . you know what I mean . . .

[earcandle]

75. Oh Yes! Oh Yes! Oh Yes! Thank you, sir. Dear Sir!

[laughingliberal]

76. K & R nt

[SemperEadem]

78. watch oleily's head explode today over the Soros donation

all of fux noose is going to self-immolate today.

[NewJeffCT]

82. This $1 million donation will get more publicity

and negativity - than the hundreds of millions RWers have donated to various Republican candidates and right-wing causes.

[ProudDad]

84. And it won't do ANYTHING about "Citizens United"... (n/t)