‘Legitimate’ Fox News reports on the economy
Let us now enter the fair and balanced, we-report-and-you-decide alternative universe that is Fox News. Check your skepticism at the door, please.
The screen grab to the right was taken from Fox News last March. At the time, the market was completing the collapse it had begun the previous spring, in April of 2008. (Overall, it fell from a high above 14,000 to barely 6,500 in early March, which turned out to be the market bottom.) The cause of that collapse was apparent to all who were fair and balanced. It was an Obama bear market, caused by the president who at that point had been in office less than two months.
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When we move forward to April 18, however, Fox News has a problem. The market has just experienced six weeks of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in its history. Obama still being president, an explanation had to be found. The hosts of the Fox show “Bulls & Bears” decided that the explanation was …. the tea parties. Bet you didn’t see that one coming!
“Call it a tea party rally,” host Brenda Buttner reported to the Fox audience waiting to be told what to decide. “Wall Street’s sure partying, up six weeks in a row. The bulls came out about the same time these guys started to shout, saying no to big government, big taxes, and big bailouts. Will that keep investors saying yes to stocks?” (Video available here.)
And then, of course, there was yesterday. The market had recovered to 10,000, where it had been 10 years earlier, in 1999. While that meant that the average investor had made no money at all in the market over a decade, but it also represented a significant improvement over the March bottom of 6,500. How oh how would that be reported to the Fox audience so they could decide for themselves how it had happened.
Like this, of course:
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401 comments Add your comment
Call it like it is.
October 15th, 2009
8:16 am
first
Call it like it is.
October 15th, 2009
8:19 am
Hmmmm. I guess if you can win the Nobel Peace Prize after 7 days in office, you can be responsible for the economy after 3 months.
Peadawg
October 15th, 2009
8:22 am
Jay, Cynthia, and the AJC can be biased…but Fox can’t? Can you say HYPOCRITE, Jay?
jt
October 15th, 2009
8:22 am
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:22 am
Headline: “Majority of Nobel jury ‘objected to Obama prize’… ”
I guess those who objected were filled with “underlying racism”.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:23 am
Headline: “Senate Dems seek higher doctor payments; Another quarter-trillion dollars to deficit? ”
Sounds good to me. After all, what’s another quarter TRILLION dollars?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: O Stands For Zero
October 15th, 2009
8:24 am
So when do we get to see the AJC reports about how awful the economy was back when Bush was president and the Dow was 10,000?
Do I have to show them to you again?
Brad Steel
October 15th, 2009
8:25 am
I’m just shocked that they are not trying to credit Reagan.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:26 am
Headline: “Power plants turning to wood to make electricity… ”
The tree huggers are sure to go ballistic over this.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:26 am
When was the last time we saw a “legitimate” article from Jay or Cindy?
W
October 15th, 2009
8:28 am
Actually, the Dow was once above 14,000 at one point during my administration. You do remember all the articles Jay and Cindy wrote about the great economy, don’t you?
Taxpayer
October 15th, 2009
8:28 am
Well, of course this is the Bush recovery. I mean, if he had not got TARP approved by Congress, we would all be doomed. Doomed! I say. Isn’t Bush just the greatest thing to ever happen to the US. Why, any day now, I expect history books, good books even, to be re-written to explain to the non-believers in our midsts how the visions of this great man led him to push for increased deficit spending and wars against Gog and tax cuts for all in preparation for the coming of TARP. It was all part of our destiny as manifested in the teachings of Ayn Rand. All hail Greenspan, and Reagan for having the vision to hire him.
There, Whiner. I saved you the trouble.
W
October 15th, 2009
8:29 am
Brad, you mean BLAME Reagan for the market collapse, right?
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:29 am
“When was the last time we saw a “legitimate” article from Jay or Cindy?
When will you realize this is an OPINION page, not a NEWS page?
#1 Foxy Lady
October 15th, 2009
8:30 am
sorry conservatives. this is another President Barack H. Obama project at work. He has brung the Dow Wall Street stock market back to life.
SUCK IT Fox News!
W
October 15th, 2009
8:34 am
Taxpayer – nah. History won’t be re-written for Bush. It will, however, be re-written to say that Obama single handedly brought the Olympics to Chicago, kept unemployment below 8%, closed Gitmo within the year, controlled the weather to limit the number of hurricanes in 2009, pulled out of Iraq within one year, and didn’t raise taxes on anyone making under $250K per year.
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2009
8:34 am
When will you realize this is an OPINION page, not a NEWS page?
Around the same time they realize that Fox News is not their own first born, and they don’t have to rally to its defense every time Jay takes a well-deserved shot at it.
Truthteller
October 15th, 2009
8:36 am
I know President Bush is responsible for the prosperity I am enjoying. He is such a brilliant man and he did exactly what was needed. I don’t care how many vacations he took, he still got the job done, and very well. I am appalled at the number of people who dislike him. It is a shame we could not keep him in office. He was the greatest, most knowledgeable president, and history will treat him as such.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:36 am
Please read again, Doggone/GA. I said “article”. I am quite versed about the difference between opinion and news. You, however, seem to lack a clear understanding of the concept “article”.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 15th, 2009
8:37 am
Well, I might of knowed Bookman would take out after Fox News. The only station that’s Fair and Balanced. I been watching it so long the channel changer won’t work no more. All of us that’s rednecks and alot that ain’t watch it.
Anyhow, it’s pretty simple. If it’s good news on the stock market it means what the Republicans done is finally kicking in. If it’s bad news it’s the librul Democrats fault. It don’t take a Norman Einstein to figure that out.
Have a good day everybody.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:38 am
sfd – wonder what jay thought about the “serious” news network, CNN, and their quick defense and counter points to the Obama/Saturday Night Live skit? Right, CNN is a reeaaaaall news network.
dip
October 15th, 2009
8:38 am
#1 Foxy Lady – don’t you have hash browns in the fryer or McMuffins to make.
ugaaccountant
October 15th, 2009
8:40 am
Sure it’s an opinion column, but it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on. Well I assume it gets printed, but nobody would know since nobody buys the AJC anymore.
AmVet
October 15th, 2009
8:40 am
Last night I posted a link with Ralph Nader saying what a big disappointment BHO has been. He forecasted this and I believed him.
He has very seldom been wrong on such matters. (Not that results and accuracy matter all that much to you R/D Party addicts.)
He also exposed and I excoriated the last administration for an nearly endless litany of bungles, failures, corruption and immense immorality.
My point is simply where were these “conservative” experts before Jan 2009?
You know the type. The no-skin-in-the-game, swift-boating chickenhawks and new found armchair experts on all matters socio-political.
Where was the “conservative” outrage when Bush/Cheney were shiiteing the bed non-stop?
Where were the “conservative” demonstrations to impeach these two head criminals?
Where was the “conservative” alarm at the OBVIOUSLY unfolding economic debacle that was to occur on their watch?
The firestorm that Mssrs. Bush and Cheney were throwing gasoline on?
Where was the “conservative” disgust while Bushie read a child’s book while Americans were being burned alive or forced to jump out of skyscrapers?
Where were the “conservative” demands for explanations as to how they slept while the evidence was OBVIOUS this attack was imminent?
Where was this “conservative” concern over deadly and botch military incursions?
The one that got nearly 4,500 Americans needlessly killed in an invasion of the WRONG country based on lies and OBVIOUS stupidity.
THERE WAS NONE. Not by the party faithful who put Republicanism before America at all costs and in all matters.
In fact there was NOTHING but cheerleading by these “conservative” quasi-traitors.
Why, you ask?
ONLY because the criminals and perpetrators at that point had an R after their name.
And if and when they get back into the Oval Office this same f&ck America mentality will be in place stronger then ever.
Until then the white closet racists will do everything in their power to further wreck this nation and it’s suffering middle-class…
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:40 am
Foxy – the only “project” Obama has had any impact on are the projects he has littered with ACORN reps. “SUCK IT” Foxy.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:41 am
dip – hahahahaha! Good one.
Greg
October 15th, 2009
8:41 am
Nice to see you’re not a part of the White House attack on Fox News. Nope, not you, Jay. You’re not taking your marching orders from the man who plans to “fundamentally transform the United States of America” and needs to a propaganda arm (oops, I mean the media) to accomplish his goals.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:41 am
ugaaccountant – truer words have not been spoken in quite some time.
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:42 am
“I am quite versed about the difference between opinion and news. You, however, seem to lack a clear understanding of the concept “article”.”
I am aware, as you do not seem to be, that the generally accepted terms are “new ARTICLE” and “opinion PIECE”
Mrs. Godzilla
October 15th, 2009
8:42 am
So when do we go after their license?
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm?sid=d1e640&id=d1e697
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:42 am
sorry…”news ARTICLE”
Normal
October 15th, 2009
8:44 am
TAXPAYER, Your 8:28…Loved it!
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2009
8:44 am
wonder what jay thought about the “serious” news network, CNN
I don’t know. Perhaps you should ask him.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:44 am
AmVet – I don’t even know where to begin with your last rant. You sure do have a lot of pent up anger. I hope you get some help before populating yourself with the general public.
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:45 am
“So when do we go after their license?”
Are you kidding? Heck, Fox “News” has a “license to lie” – right?
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:46 am
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:42 am
Hahahaha. Thanks for taking me to task about grammar. Hahahahahaha!
The Nerve
October 15th, 2009
8:47 am
Riiiiiiiiight….because CNN and MSNBC are the shining examples of fair and balanced. Good grief.
Love/Hate Bookman
October 15th, 2009
8:48 am
C’mon Jay, you are just being lazy today. You are a better journalist/commentator than this blog would indicate.
Normal
October 15th, 2009
8:48 am
When will you realize this is an OPINION page, not a NEWS page?
About the same time they realize that Fox News isn’t really news, and is entertainment, not really good.
Jan
October 15th, 2009
8:48 am
Kind of like “legitimate” Jay Bookman reports on anything substantial
LeeH1
October 15th, 2009
8:48 am
Another “non-accomplishment” by Obama. Sigh. Those white men and women who never win anything at all will do anything they can to sneer and degrade a black man who has won repeatedly.
So many racist losers out there.
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:49 am
“Thanks for taking me to task about grammar”
You’re welcome.
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:50 am
“Kind of like “legitimate” Jay Bookman reports on anything substantial”
This is not a “report” page…it’s an OPINION page. Have you read ANY of the previous posts?
All I'm Saying Is...
October 15th, 2009
8:51 am
The media entity that has never pretended to adhere to journalism principles (ethically sound, integrity, objective, etc.) known as Fox News has a bias? NO WAY! (That’s their whole schtick [sp] people and why they are so successful—its called marketing and selling your soap to a target audience while raising the hackles of people who disagree so they’ll mouth off and grant you more publicity).
People paid to express their unobjective point of view an editorial writer — in this case Jay Bookman — has an opinion giving their comments a bias? NO WAY! (That’s their whole schtick [sp] people and why they are so successful—its called marketing and selling your soap to a target audience while raising the hackles of people who disagree so they’ll mouth off and grant you more publicity).
I’m going to wander back to the sports sections of this site where people openly know and acknowledge that everyone has a bias (i.e. their team) and gladly comment on it.
Shawny
October 15th, 2009
8:52 am
I hope the Fox story included how the dollar’s value has plummeted and that 10,000 DOW is not to be celebrated, as it takes so many more dollars to buy anything now. And with spending like it will be under this administration, it will need to go to 14,000 to truly mean anything.
Jimmy Carter
October 15th, 2009
8:53 am
Doggone/GA
October 15th, 2009
8:42 am
Hahahahahaha. Still trying to correct other people? Hahahahahahaha,
WilliamG
October 15th, 2009
8:54 am
I think folks forget that being president – for any president – is an almost impossible job.
Most who reach that office – in my opinion – do their best. Very few of them – Bush included – were outright fools or scoundrels. I know it’s easy to disagree or to find ‘experts’ who will disagree.
But, start with the reality that a president has less power to change the world than some might think and couple that with the fact that any president is going to make some dreadful mistakes and you have a recipe for some public failures. I am not sure why people have a hard time seeing that – after all, the best football coaches have terrible season, fine pilots crash planes, why do we think that a president will somehow be immune to failure or bad decisions?
Then, to make things more confusing, we view the results through glasses that are tinted based on our own political beliefs.
All this sets up a president for some rough reviews and, to make things worse, they’re usually based on real failings and impossible expectations. We’re seeing that with Obama now – even some of his supporters are throwing rocks. And we sure saw it with Bush.
I’ve taken too many words to say all this – what I am trying to say is that the only reasonable way to judge a president is from maybe 100 or so years down the road. None of us will be around to check out that analysis but, to me, it’s the only one that makes sense.
William
October 15th, 2009
8:54 am
Wow, Bush has been gone for so long I can not remember his face but Jay sure remembers him. As the song says, ” How long will this keep going on!”
So you guys and gals think it is ok to attack Rush Limbaugh with false accusations and cost him the opportunity to own part of a NFL football team? I hope he sues everyone involved in anykind of statement. GO RUSH!
electrician
October 15th, 2009
8:55 am
a lot of people still buy the ajc, but most just want what is free.I have a subscrition,but I wonder ,how many of Jay’s groupies have one?
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
October 15th, 2009
8:55 am
All people of intellect and goodwill agree that the economy does not turn positive in a day, a week, or even months. Of course the is the Bush Recovery and, of course, the Obama depression will come when the chickens come home to roost on Obama’s profligate spending.