Rachel Maddow and I have two things in common. From time to time we both screw up. When we do, we admit it, and correct the mistake. That, however is not enough some of the Republican Party’s richest secret donors. David and Charles Koch demanded that Rachel apologize and read a script to that effect, when she was telling the truth.
So David and Charles Koch want Rachel Maddow to read their prepared script on the air admitting her "error" and apologizing for it?
Excuse me while I clean the spewed coffee off my screen.
Here’s how this whole thing started. In late December, Rachel did a segment on how the Kochs buy their economic studies reinforcing conservative ideas. They do this by donating huge sums to universities and demanding the right to hire faculty who think like they do. That report is here.
Apparently the Kochs didn’t appreciate her reporting, because for some bizarre reason they don’t mind throwing billions around the political universe but shy away from receiving credit for it. So they had their lawyers send Rachel a letter, and boy was it a doozy, as you’ll see in the segment. It included a demand that she read a prepared script by the lawyers retracting her report and apologizing for it… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Crooks and Liars>
Here’s that video:
Major kudos to Rachel Maddow. She is one of far too few journalists who tells the truth and refuses to become a Koch sucker when threatened, This also highlights the need to make it impossible for the 0.1% to fund Republican extremism in secret.
37 Responses to “Did Rachel Apologize?”
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The Koch brothers are a cancer in this country. As a big believer in Karma, I look forward to the day when Charles and David become the girlfriends of a whole host of prison elites. I think they'll look great in stripes.
I love it! Lol
Angie, only the most depraved prisoners would have such poor taste!
Haha! I am certain you're right, Tom! That's okay. I'm not fussy. They can be the darlings of the most extreme depraved prisoner elites.
You do have to admit the Koch brothers have a couple sets of big brass ones, or are they solid gold. Bless Rachel for being an excellent and honest journalist. she is one of a few. I hope their numbers continue to grow.
We need more like her. She better watch her back though because I don't trust them at all.
Gold ones that need to be removed!
Rachel, Stand your ground!
De-link the Kochs and their influence in the US, and unfortunately, Canada.
I'd even take Cruz if you would keep them!
Not a bloody chance!
I heard recently that Cruz is still a Canadian . . . some administrative hang up or Cruz has not applied, despite what he says. Maybe he is holding out to see if he can ruin Canadian politics like he has US. Harper and his harlots don't need any help in that department, that is for sure!
Had to try!!
Wooo Hooo!! 😉
To get really exact, at this point in time not one but two courts have struck down the drug testing; this is a short excerpt from that decision in the NY Times:
Judge Mary S. Scriven of the United States District Court in Orlando held that the testing requirement, the signature legislation of Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who campaigned on the issue, violated the protection against unreasonable searches.
“The court finds there is no set of circumstances under which the warrantless, suspicionless drug testing at issue in this case could be constitutionally applied,” she wrote. The ruling made permanent an earlier, temporary ban by the judge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/us/florida-law-on-drug-testing-for-welfare-is-struck-down.html?_r=0
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I also wonder why it was not reported that Rick Scott owns the largest drug testing company in the state of Florida? Those who were forced to take these tests proved to using drugs in exactly the same amount or less than the general public (almost all were marijuana). All of this feeds into the very old and I think despicable thinking that those who need a helping hand, must be spending their days lying in a drug induced haze, when the truth is most of them are working or actively trying to find work. That pittance of government aid is far from being some happy bonus that will mean a spending spree of any kind, but might – help with food, rent or clothing.
Thanks to ALEC, and the group knew this was not legal, the drug testing has spread to many other states.
Rachel did offer an apology for the single meaningless mistake, and of all the commentators on the air, I believe she puts forward the effort to get her facts before speaking. She misspoke one word, she did not make a huge mistake, the body of the story was correct.
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Just so you know I didn't cherry pick one article:
(Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Tuesday struck down a Florida law requiring drug screening for welfare recipients, saying that it violated the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches.
Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican who campaigned on a promise to expand drug testing, said he would appeal the ruling.
The law took effect in July 2011 and required parents to undergo and pay for urine tests for illegal drugs when they applied for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal-state program that helps poor people with children pay for food, shelter and necessities.
The testing fee of $25 to $45 was to be repaid by the state if the test came back negative, but applicants who tested positive would have been barred from receiving benefits for a year.
[….] Generally, the courts have allowed suspicion-less drug testing only when public safety is at risk, such as for armed officers or railroad workers who operate heavy equipment.
The case is 6:11-CV-01473-MSS-DAB.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/31/us-usa-drugs-florida-idUSBRE9BU0LW20131231
Bravo. I resent being asked to pay for drug testing to line these toad's pockets rather than education and food for kids.
Thanks for the links, Kitty. The more courts knock it down, the harder it will be for the Fascict Five to screew us and the Constitution.
This is not really about abortion, or welfare it is a device used for distraction. You have seen the magician put a quarter in one hand then deftly remove the quarter from your ear. Distraction of one hand while your eye is diverted, the other is doing some thing else. This is about fighting for the supremacy of the old white guys against women, and all minorities.
Distraction, Diversion and Division – The three D's don't be a sucker for this.
That's why I often refer to the Republican War on __________.
misskitty ~ You have 'hit the nail on the head'. This is definitely, about white male superiority. They see their power and control dwindling and can't 'stand it'. Religion and abortion are excuses for female subordination. Naturally, it also applies to homosexuals, people of color and anyone who is not an old white male.
Thank goodness, we have REAL, liberal men, who have grown-up and don't have ego problems.
Moyers is honest. I was just awway from the computer for an hour watching his show. Mostly on McCrorystan today. So sad! And so scary!
Republicans tried like hell to get him off PBS.
The Kochs are, in my opinion two of the vilest plutocrats to sully and compromise the American dream. May they pay us and karma back with their very DNA. May their lines and name disappear from history.
DNA for sure. Names we need to keep to teach future generations what to guard against.
Maybe Rachel and the Koch brothers can reach a compromise:
They'll stop funding ALL their LIES, and she'll stop telling the TRUTH about ALL their EVIL
(Not sure that's a fair exchange – but I'm pretty sure they'd never stop telling LIES)
I like that idea!
Some how, I thing they might reject that deal. 😉
Good for Rachel. I am glad she stood her ground with the Koch brothers. However, MSNBC parted company with another reporter not too long ago for remarks he made about Palin. I hope the Kochs don't have enough influence to affect her job.
I don't think so, Edie.
Of-course not. Why should Rachel apologize for telling the truth??? Besides I don't think she's very fond of the Koch Bros..!!! I did love the closing of that night's show……It was simply beautiful.!
Karen, I agree!
MissKitty……you are so right about the "Three D's".!
Raren, if you click the reply link right under the comment she made, it will nest your reply under that comment.
So the Koch bros. are agains Freedom af speech AND the TRUTH? quite a twosome!. TOO BAD that they got called out!. Keep up the great work Rachel.
I do hope that msnbc grows a set.and tells them to Go F— themselves.
Opposition to both is a standard Republican Trait. 🙂
I watched the Rachel Maddow regarding the Koch Brothers (Koch Suckers) and she handled it the way I knew she would….
misskitty – Thanks for sharing the story about Governor Rick Scott drug testing the poor… Time to send him packing and I still am amazed how he was elected in the first place (Medicare Thief)…
Amen Richard!!
Rachel Maddow should consider this correspondence, a highly praised conpliment.
She is a breath of fresh air, in an otherwise stale climate of journalism.
What a heavenly politician she would make.
Welcome Charlene! 🙂
Amen!
Hooray for the gutsy Rachel Maddow! Hang the Koch brothers by their moldy balls!