Media Matters Daily Summary

Here are today's news items from Media Matters for America, click on the title or 'read more' to read the entirety of each story. Quick Fact: Perkins advances myth that DADT repeal could hurt morale, unit cohesion, readiness On Fox & Friends Sunday, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins advanced the falsehood that repealing "don't ask, don't tell" would undermine unit cohesion and morale in the military. Studies of other countries show that allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly does not affect unit cohesion, morale, and readiness. Read More Fox hosts GOP-backed Tea Party Express to deny that tea party is "Astroturf" Fox & Friends hosted Amy Kremer of the Tea Party Express to rebut charges that some of the tea party movement is orchestrated by the Republican Party. Kremer insisted that "this is a true, genuine, grassroots movement," but, in fact, the Tea Party Express was launched by Republican consultants and has been criticized by other conservative activists for its partisan ties to Republicans. Read More Right-wing media outraged by labor representation on deficit commission Right-wing media figures have asserted that SEIU president Andy Stern's appointment to President Obama's bipartisan deficit reduction commission is a "mockery," a "joke," and a "cover to raise taxes and soak the rich." However, Stern is the only labor representative on the panel; Obama also appointed two business leaders and members of both parties, including former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY), who will serve as co-chair of the commission. Read More Beck inflates Stern quote to mislead about deficit reduction panel agenda Glenn Beck re-aired a clip of SEIU president Andy Stern saying "workers of the world unite; it's not just a slogan anymore" to mislead about Stern's agenda as one of President Obama's appointees to a deficit reduction panel. In fact, in discussing his use of the "workers of the world unite" slogan, Stern has said that "the good news is communism's dead." Read More Quick Fact: Rove falsely claims Dems are "changing the rules midstream" by using reconciliation Asking if the Democrats using the "changing, shifting term" reconciliation will "help," Sean Hannity prompted former Bush aide Karl Rove to falsely claim that Democrats are "changing the rules midstream" by using reconciliation to pass health care reform legislation. In fact, reconciliation is a process that has repeatedly been used to pass legislation, including several major tax cuts under Bush. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.