Fox's "Straight News" Desperately Attempts To Label OWS Protesters As Top 1 Percent

 by Andy Newbold/Media Matters

On today's edition of Special Report -- billed as one of Fox's "straight news" programs -- host Bret Baier highlighted an article by the investment site The Motley Fool in an attempt to place Occupy Wall Street protesters in the top one percent of earners. The article, titled "Attention, Protesters: You're Probably Part of the 1%," explains that a person making $34,000 annually is among the top one percent of income earners worldwide. Baier quoted the article as saying, "Americans we consider poor are among some of the world's most well-off.... Many of those protesting the one percent are, ironically, the top one percent."

But in mocking the Occupy Wall Street protesters, Fox ignored that the very same article notes that "[i]n America, the top 1% earn more than $380,000 per year."

Furthermore, the Congressional Budget Office showed in a recent report that the top one percent of income earners in the United States more than doubled their share of after-tax household income between 1979 and 2007, while those in the lowest and middle three income quintiles saw "their shares of after-tax income decline" during that period. From the report:

The share of after-tax household income for the 1 percent of the population with the highest income more than doubled, climbing from nearly 8 percent in 1979 to 17 percent in 2007.

The population in the lowest income quintile received about 7 percent of after-tax income in 1979; by 2007, their share of after-tax income had fallen to about 5 percent. The middle three income quintiles all saw their shares of after-tax income decline by 2 to 3 percentage points between 1979 and 2007.

The report included the following graph showing increased disparity in income (after transfers and federal taxes) between the top one percent and the rest of the population between 1979 and 2007:

This is nothing more than Fox's latest attempt to mock, smear, and deflate the efforts of the Occupy Wall Street protesters.  

Inevitable: Right-Wing Media Freak Out Over Nonexistent "ACORN" Tie To Occupy Wall Street

From Media Matters

Led by Fox News, right-wing media have claimed that ACORN is playing a "behind [the] scenes role" in Occupy Wall Street, alleging that the group New York Communities for Change (NYCC) -- which is led by a former ACORN official -- is paying people to join protests and collecting money to fund OWS activities. But NYCC has flatly denied these claims, and ACORN -- which has been a right-wing media bogeyman for years -- disbanded in November 2010.

Led By Fox, Right-Wing Media Claim Nonexistent ACORN Is Paying Protesters To Join Occupy Wall Street Movement

Fox News: "ACORN Playing Behind Scenes Role in 'Occupy' Movement." An October 26 FoxNews.com article cited unnamed sources who claimed that "[w]hat people don't understand is that ACORN is behind" the Occupy Wall Street movement. The article also claimed:

The former New York office for ACORN, the disbanded community activist group, is playing a key role in the self-proclaimed "leaderless" Occupy Wall Street movement, organizing "guerrilla" protest events and hiring door-to-door canvassers to collect money under the banner of various causes while spending it on protest-related activities, sources tell FoxNews.com.

The former director of New York ACORN, Jon Kest, and his top aides are now busy working at protest events for New York Communities for Change (NYCC). That organization was created in late 2009 when some ACORN offices disbanded and reorganized under new names after undercover video exposes prompted Congress to cut off federal funds. 

[...]

Sources said NYCC has hired about 100 former ACORN-affiliated staff members from other cities -- paying some of them $100 a day -- to attend and support Occupy Wall Street. Dozens of New York homeless people recruited from shelters are also being paid to support the protests, at the rate of $10 an hour, the sources said.

At least some of those hired are being used as door-to-door canvassers to collect money that's used to support the protests.

Sources said cash donations collected by NYCC on behalf of some unions and various causes are being pooled and spent on Occupy Wall Street. The money is used to buy supplies, pay staff and cover travel expenses for the ex-ACORN members brought to New York for the protests.

Fox News claimed that NYCC ignored "repeated email and telephone requests for comment" but posted NYCC's denial of the story. However, the article went on to claim again that "[s]ources said NYCC was a key player behind a series of recent Occupy Wall Street events." [FoxNews.com, 10/26/11]

NY Post: "ACORN'S Back -- And It's Occupying Wall Street." An October 27 New York Post article cited Fox News and claimed:

ACORN'S back -- and it's occupying Wall Street.

[...]

ACORN disbanded in 2010 after the release of embarrassing videos showing the group's workers coaching conservative activists who were posing as clients how to fraudulently obtain benefits and use them to open a brothel.

Fox News reported yesterday that NYCC has been paying "dozens" of homeless people $10 an hour to sit in Zuccotti Park. The report also said NYCC canvassers go door-to-door asking for money for other causes like PCB relief in schools -- with the money funneled back to OWS.

The New York Post article included a statement from "Jonathan Westin, NYCC's organizing director and a former ACORN organizer" who "denied the reports." [New York Post, 10/27/11]

Carlson: "ACORN Is Now Operating Under A Different Name" And Is "Organizing 'Guerilla Protests.' " On the October 27 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson cited the FoxNews.com article to claim "ACORN is -- is now operating under a different name, New York Communities for Change ... and that they're organizing quote, 'guerilla protests' and hiring door-to-door canvassers to collect money under the banner of various causes... while spending it on the protests." Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. claimed that "ACORN is in it, according to FoxNews.com ... through its successor organization." Johnson acknowledged that NYCC "den[ies] any paying of the homeless or any other untoward fundraising activities." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/27/11, via Media Matters]

Hoft: "ACORN Working Behind The Scenes To Prop Up Occupy Movement." In an October 26 post on Gateway Pundit, Jim Hoft wrote:

One of Barack Obama's first big "community organizer" jobs involved ACORN in 1992. He worked along side ACORN before he became an elected official. Obama also trained ACORN employees. He represented ACORN in court. Obama worked with and protested with ACORN. His campaign donated $800,000 to ACORN in 2008 for voter registration efforts.

[...]

In 2009 Congress voted to defund ACORN and its affiliates. But that didn't stop the Obama Administration from giving $560,000 to ACORN affiliates in 2010.

So it really comes as no surprise that ACORN is working behind the scenes in the Obama-endorsed Occupy movement. [Gateway Pundit, 10/26/11]

The Blaze: "ACORN Is Secretly Helping Organize & Fund The 'Occupy' Movement." An October 26 post on Glenn Beck's website The Blaze cited the Fox News report and claimed that "the former New York office for ACORN is heavily involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement." From The Blaze:

Remember ACORN? If not, try and stretch your memory back to the 2008 presidential campaign and the months that followed.

The controversial community organizing group -- which is now defunct -- came under fire for purportedly engaging in voter fraud.

Now, Fox News is reporting that the former New York office for ACORN is heavily involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement -- so much so, that former members are apparently organizing door-to-door canvassing, events, and other related activities. Considering that this is supposedly a "leaderless" movement, these allegations are curious. [The Blaze, 10/26/11]

But NYCC Has Denied The Accusation That It Is Paying Protesters ...

NYCC: "We Don't Pay Protesters ... Period." In a statement released on October 26, NYCC board member Linnette Ebanks responded to the Fox News report, noting that they "don't pay protesters." From the statement:

Fox News is trying to discredit Occupy Wall Street. New York Communities for Change is a new organization that fights for low- and moderate-income families. We don't pay protesters and any monies raised by NYCC's canvass are used in support of our ongoing issue campaigns. Period.

The reality is that Occupy Wall Street is an organic movement of the 99% outraged at the ability of the 1% to corrupt America's political and financial systems for personal gain while middle class families lose their jobs, their homes, and see their economic future devastated. We call on Fox News to stop its unseemly attacks and to respect the views of the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe that our nation needs a more equitable distribution of wealth. [NYCC, 10/26/11, emphasis added]

... And, As Fox News Admits, It's Hardly A Secret That NYCC Supports The Goals Of Occupy Wall Street

NYCC Executive Director On Sept. 30: "I'm Excited To Announce That New York Communities For Change ... Will Be Showing Our Support For #Occupywallstreet." As Fox News noted in its report, NYCC executive director Jon Kest "publicly threw his organization's support behind the movement in a Sept. 30 opinion piece on HuffingtonPost.com." Indeed, in his Huffington Post piece, Kest wrote, "I'm excited to announce that New York Communities for Change ... will be showing our support for #OccupyWallStreet." [FoxNews.com, 10/26/11; The Huffington Post, 9/30/11]

Moreover, Despite Claims That "ACORN" Is "Secretly Helping" Occupy Wall Street, ACORN No Longer Exists

CNN: "Chapter 7 Means Liquidating And Selling Off All Remaining Assets And Closing Up Shop." From a November 2, 2010, post on the CNN blog Political Ticker:

ACORN, the community group from which a mighty oak of political controversy grew, announced it is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy by the close of business Tuesday. In March, it began bringing its national operations to a close.

"For over 40 years ACORN has fought the good fight," said CEO Bertha Lewis, today, in a statement on the group's website. "The ongoing political onslaught caused irreparable harm."

[...]

Filing for Chapter 7 means liquidating and selling off all remaining assets and closing up shop. [Political Ticker, CNN.com, 11/2/10]

ACORN Has Long Been A Right-Wing Bogeyman

Right-Wing Media Claimed Defunct ACORN Was Funded Through AHCOA. In July, right-wing media claimed that, after filing for bankruptcy, ACORN was being funded through the Affordable Housing Centers of America. [Media Matters, 7/7/11]

For the truth about AHCOA, SEE HERE.

Right-Wing Media Claimed O'Keefe Undercover Videos Showed "Illegal Activity." Following a series of undercover videos by conservative filmmaker James O'Keefe, the right-wing media repeatedly claimed ACORN and its employees had engaged in "illegal activity." [Media Matters, 12/18/09]

For the truth about the actions of ACORN and its employees in O'Keefe's videos, SEE HERE.

Right-Wing Media Claimed ACORN Received Federal Funding In Financial Bailout Bill.Following the passage of the financial bailout legislation in 2008, the right-wing media repeatedly claimed the bill gave ACORN a "slush fund." [Media Matters, 10/10/08]

For the truth about ACORN and the financial bailout legislation, SEE HERE.

Right-Wing Media Claimed ACORN Received Funding From The Economic Recovery Bill. The right-wing media further claimed that provisions of the 2009 stimulus bill meant "there could be money in there for such organizations as ACORN." [Media Matters, 2/13/09]

For the truth about ACORN and the stimulus bill, SEE HERE.

Right-Wing Media Claimed "ACORN Qualifies For Funding In Senate Health Care Bill." The right-wing media also claimed that the Senate version of the 2010 health care reform bill would provide funding to ACORN. [Media Matters, 12/22/09]

For the truth about ACORN and the Senate health care bill, SEE HERE.

Fox News Claimed ACORN "May Stand To Benefit" From Obama's 2011 Budget. Fox News claimed ACORN could receive federal funding under President Obama's 2011 budget. [Media Matters,2/3/10]

For the truth about ACORN and Obama's 2011 Budget, SEE HERE.

And This Is Just The Latest Attack In The Right-Wing's Smear Campaign Against Occupy Wall Street

Right-Wing Media Have Waged A Relentless Smear Campaign Against Occupy Wall Street Movement. Right-wing media have engaged in a relentless smear campaign against the Occupy Wall Street movement, including calling the protesters socialists and Marxists, saying they represent the "fringe of the fringe of the fringe," and claiming they "sound like the Unabomber," among other attacks. [Media Matters, 10/18/11]

For a guide to the right-wing media's smear campaign against OWS, SEE HERE

Conservative blogger gives out free bongs to embarrass protesters

By David Edwards/Raw Story

James O’Keefe would be proud.

A conservative blogger has been accused of trying to give out marijuana bongs and Che Guevara rolling papers in Zuccotti Park in order to make Occupy Wall Street protesters look criminal.

New York City resident Joey Boots captured video of Evan Coyne Maloney being confronted by protesters after he allegedly tried to pass out the paraphernalia. At one point, Maloney is seen trying to hand a protester a pack of rolling papers with the image of Che Guevara.

One protester who got a peek at Maloney’s prepared questions noted that they were all “anti-liberal.”

“Is Bill Clinton the bad guy?” the protester observed. “Is Barack Obama? Democrats are the bad guy? He’s doing this because he’s going to sell it.”

“I wish I could sell it,” Maloney replied.

“You’re a Fox News guy trying to make us all look bad with your anti-liberal — He just gave out — He’s trying to give people bongs to make us look bad!” the protester shouted. “Over there they gave out bongs. He’s like, ‘You answer, here’s a bong.’ Trying to get that one shot… All [Maloney's assistant] had was bongs, peace signs with marijuana and Che Guevara rolling papers. Three things when Fox News gets it, they’ll just clip that then it’s just like protesters accept it.”

“Do you have bongs and marijuana leaf pictures and stickers and Che Guevara?” Boots asked. “Are you giving it out? Do you have it in that backpack?”

“We got ourselves some Che Guevara rolling papers,” Maloney admitted as he tried to hand a pack to a protester. “We’re giving these away.”

“Are we going to expect to see those pictures on Fox News?” Boots wondered.

“I don’t know if they’ll pick it up,” Maloney replied. “Maybe you’ll see it on CNN.”

“Why don’t you give us some thermals?” the protester demanded. “We’re staying through the winter. Not bongs.”

“How about a blanket?” Boots pressed. “People need blankets. You could give away a blanket. You could give away a sandwich, some free pizza.”

Fox News first noticed Maloney’s work in 2003 when Brit Hume featured clips of his Protesting the Protesters documentary that cast a negative light on anti-war demonstrators.

Since then, Fox News’ Sean Hannity has also interviewed Maloney about Indoctrinate U, a film that tries to expose censorship of conservatives on college campuses.

Watch this video from Joey Boots, uploaded to YouTube Oct. 25, 2011.

A Guide To The Smear Campaign Against Occupy Wall Street

From Media Matters:

The right-wing media have engaged in a relentless smear campaign against the Occupy Wall Street movement, including calling the protesters socialists and Marxists, saying they represent the "fringe of the fringe of the fringe," and claiming they "sound like the Unabomber," among other attacks.

The Protesters Are "The Fringe" And "Lunatics"

OWS Website Reads Like "The Ravings Of ... The Unabomber"

They're Only "Little Rascals" And "Petulant Little Children" ...

... Who Don't Know What They Want ...

... But We Know They're Socialists, Marxists, And Anarchists Bent On "Destroy[ing] Capitalism" ...

... And They Don't Even Pay Taxes!

They're Not Diverse Enough (Maybe) ...

... But They Sure Are Anti-Semitic

Their Protests Are Astroturfed

Iran And Chavez Support The Protests ...

... And So Do Nazis!

The Protesters Don't Shower Enough

So Don't Support The 99% -- Support The 53%

The Protesters Are "The Fringe" And "Lunatics"

Fox's Doug Schoen Claims The Occupy Wall Street Movement "Reflects Values That Are Dangerously Out Of Touch With The Broad Mass Of The American People." In an October 18Wall Street Journal article, Fox News contributor Doug Schoen claimed, based on in-person interviews his polling firm conducted at Zuccotti Park, that the Occupy Wall Street movement "reflects values that are dangerously out of touch with the broad mass of the American people." [The Wall Street Journal,10/18/11, via Media Matters]

For more on Schoen's flawed poll, SEE HERE

Varney: Demonstrators Are The "Fringe Of The Fringe Of The Fringe." On the October 14 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, Fox Business host Stuart Varney claimed:

VARNEY: I think the numbers [of protesters] start to fade away. Rain and cold will do that to demonstrators. I -- they haven't got the numbers. This is not a movement, certainly not in New York, that's numbered in the thousands. It's a few hundred, mostly. And let's not forget, it's the fringe of the fringe of the fringe. That's who is down there demonstrating. And the rest, those who are not fringe, fringe, fringe people, they're flat-out socialists. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/14/11, via Media Matters]

Hannity Graphic Labels Protesters "Lunatics Of The Left Wing." During the September 30 edition of Fox News' Hannity, an on-screen graphic aired while the co-hosts discussed the protests, reading, "Lunatics of the left wing":

[Fox News, Hannity, 9/30/11, via Media Matters]

OWS Website Reads Like "The Ravings Of ... The Unabomber"

Fox's Trotta On Occupy Wall Street Website: "What You Will Read Is The Ravings Of What Sounds Like The Unabomber." On the October 8 edition of Fox News' America's News HQ, Fox News contributor Liz Trotta claimed, "I advise anybody who has a sense of humor left about this to go to OccupyWallStreet.com, and what you will read is the ravings of what sounds like the Unabomber ... it's certainly better going down there and carrying signs than going out and hitting the pavement for a job." [Fox News, America's News HQ, 10/8/11, via Media Matters]

They're Only "Little Rascals" And "Petulant Little Children" ...

Doocy Quotes NY Post To Claim "Number One Reason" People Attend The Protest Is "Free Food." On the October 11 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson claimed she "wanted to give you a flavor of some of the people who are" at the protests. Fox & Friends then showed a picture of an alleged "fugitive" who they said "needs some methadone every day." Carlson then showed an image of a man who was allegedly teaching protesters "how to pick a set of handcuffs with a bobby pin." Co-host Steve Doocy concluded the segment by citing a New York Post article to claim that the "number one reason people are -- you know the crowd is growing -- number one reason people are going to this thing: food, there is free food for everybody." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/10/11, via Media Matters]

Bolling: Occupy Wall Street Protesters "Do Seem Like Petulant Little Children." On the October 10 edition of Fox News' Your World, guest host Eric Bolling hosted syndicated columnist Star Parker to attack the Occupy Wall Street protests. Bolling introduced the segment by claiming that the protesters "do seem like petulant little children ... how about going out and trying to find a job instead?" [Fox News,Your World, 10/10/11, via Media Matters]

Limbaugh Derides Occupy Wall Street Protesters As "Pure, Genuine Parasites," Says Many Are "Bored Trust Fund Kids." On the October 10 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show, Rush Limbaugh called the protesters "pure, genuine parasites" and said many are "bored trust fund kids." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/10/11, via Media Matters]

Fox's Johnson: Wall Street Protesters Are "The Little Rascals Gone Camping Down In Downtown Manhattan." On the October 6 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. said of the Occupy Wall Street protesters, "We basically have the Little Rascals gone camping down in downtown Manhattan." Johnson later claimed the protesters have become the "unintentional dupes of the 2012 election." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/6/11, via Media Matters]

Fox's Stephen Hayes On Occupy Wall Street: "This Is Not Going To Amount Of Any Kind Of A Serious Movement." During the October 4 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom, Stephen Hayes, a Fox News contributor and senior writer for The Weekly Standard, said of the Occupy Wall Street protests, "This is not going to amount to any kind of a serious movement." [Fox News, America's Newsroom, 10/4/11, via Media Matters]

... Who Don't Know What They Want ...

Johnson: "I Would Think" Wall Street Protesters "Are Deluded In A Lot Of Ways." On the October 3 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson Jr. attacked the Occupy Wall Street protesters, claiming, "Clearly, I would think these folks are deluded in a lot of ways and probably provide the best argument for national service for 18-year-olds that we have ever seen." Johnson later said of the protests: "I don't know what it is. I don't think they know what it is. But it's costing Americans millions of dollars in tax dollars in order to arrest them." [Fox News, Fox & Friends,10/3/11, via Media Matters]

Fox's Watters: Wall Street Protesters Are "The Sludge" Of "Every Left-Wing Cause." On the September 30 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, Fox News producer Jesse Watters said of the protests: "I think if you put every single left-wing cause into a blender and hit power this is the sludge you'd get. And it's basically anti-capitalism. And they want to redistribute the wealth. But if you eliminate capitalism, there is no wealth to redistribute." [Fox News, The O'Reilly Factor, 9/30/11, viaMedia Matters]

Guilfoyle: Protesters Have "Absolutely No Purpose Or Focus" And Are "Just Looking To ... Dirty The Streets." On the September 30 edition of Fox News' Hannity, Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle said of the protests: "It's like Woodstock meets Burning Man meets people with absolutely no purpose or focus in life. No wonder, they have nothing but free time to be down there. They make up a slogan or a cause as they go along. And they are just looking to, like, go out there and dirty the streets. And they really don't have any, like, idea about what they are doing there." [Fox News, Hannity, 9/30/11, via Media Matters]

... But We Know They're Socialists, Marxists, And Anarchists Bent On "Destroy[ing] Capitalism" ...

On Fox, NY Post's Goodwin Says OWS Is A "Socialist Movement Designed To Destroy Capitalism." On the October 18 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin said that Occupy Wall Street is a "socialist movement designed to destroy capitalism." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/18/11, via Media Matters]

Fox's Charles Gasparino: Occupy Wall Street Is A "Marxist Epicenter" That's Becoming "Increasingly Violent." On the October 17 edition of Fox News' Happening Now, co-host Jenna Lee quoted her guest, Fox Business correspondent Charles Gasparino, as calling the protests a "Marxist epicenter." Gasparino went on to repeatedly call the protesters "Marxist" and later called them "anti-American" and said the protests are becoming "increasingly violent." [Fox News, Happening Now,10/17/11, via Media Matters]

WSJ's Bret Stephens: Occupy Wall Street Protests Are "Not Populism -- This Is, Maybe, Anarchism." On the October 16 edition of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, Wall Street Journal columnist and editor Bret Stephens said the Occupy Wall Street protests are "not populism -- this is, maybe, anarchism or something entirely different." [CNN, Fareed Zakaria GPS, 10/16/11, via Media Matters]

Nugent: "Occupy Wall Street Is Nothing More Than Anti-American Socialism On Parade." In his October 14 Washington Times column, Ted Nugent derided the Occupy Wall Street protesters as "useful idiots" and "softheaded numskulls," and claimed that the movement is "nothing more than anti-American socialism on parade." [The Washington Times, 10/14/11, via Media Matters]

... And They Don't Even Pay Taxes!

Kilmeade: "Taxpayers [Are] Launching A Counter Protest, Saying ... 'We Are the 53 Percent That Actually Pay Our Taxes.' " During the October 11 broadcast of Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade hyped conservative commentator Erick Erickson's counter protest, "We Are The 53 Percent," by saying:

KILMEADE: All right, Occupy Wall Street getting some competition. Taxpayers launching a counter protest, saying, quote, "We are the 53 percent that actually pay our taxes and the protests are costing us millions." All true. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/11/11, via Media Matters]

Crowley: Protesters Are "Useful Idiots Who Probably Haven't Paid Much In Taxes Their Whole Life." On the October 10 edition of Fox News' Your World, Fox News contributor Monica Crowley called the protesters "useful idiots who probably haven't paid much in taxes their whole life, have no concept -- and all they know is, 'Oh, profit is a four-letter word, corporations and rich folks -- millionaires and billionaires are evil, they need to be taxed more.' As if they don't pay enough." [Fox News, Your World,10/10/11, via Media Matters]

They're Not Diverse Enough (Maybe) ...

Daily Caller, Malkin Claim Occupy Wall Street Protests Suffer From "A Serious Lack Of Diversity" And Are "99 Percent Non-Diverse." On October 4, The Daily Caller published an article titled, "99% what? 'Occupy Wall Street' organizers look for minorities." The article claimed "photos and videos" of protesters "indicate they suffer from a serious lack of diversity." It went on to quote right-wing pundit Michelle Malkin as saying, "When Occupy Wall Street activists call themselves the '99 percent,' it turns out they mean 99 percent non-diverse (by their own politically correct measurements)." [The Daily Caller, 10/4/11]

Fox Nation Links To Daily Caller Article Under Photo Of Diverse Crowd. On October 5, Fox Nation linked to the Daily Caller story under a picture of a racially diverse crowd of protesters:

[Fox Nation, 10/5/11]

... But They Sure Are Anti-Semitic

Limbaugh Speculates About "Anti-Semitic Code" In Phrases Like "We Are The 99 Percent" And "Occupy Wall Street." From the October 11 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show: 

LIMBAUGH: Now, there's something interesting, too, about the protests. We've talked to you before, last week, week before that, I think, about this group, this magazine called Adbusters. You know, Adbusters is also very much involved in the Occupy Wall Street Now movement. And David Brooks, you know, a clock is right twice a day. David Brooks has a column in The New York Times today with an interesting implication. He writes that the impetus for Occupy Wall Street was sparked by Adbusters magazine. 

Now, Adbusters magazine is known for -- you may not have heard of them, but within certain circles Adbusters magazine is known for quite a lot, and one of the things that they did that stands out was an essay in 2004 entitled "Why Won't They Say They Are Jewish?" David Brooks says that that 2004 essay in Adbusters outed influential Jews as a tiny elite with a nefarious grip on America. The old Jewish power brokers, the movies, the bankers, that stereotype, that conspiracy theory. Well, not just the neocons. This was an attack on -- neocons included in it -- but this was an attack on all Jews, this was an anti-Semitic bunch. The -- and some people no doubt are gonna think that Brooks is on to something here. The one percent line -- these people are running around saying, "I'm the 99 percent." These signs I just shared with you in the first half hour of these people writing, "I am the 99 percent" is how each of them ends. That's the last line in each of these signs, or messages, that these people are writing. But they are touting themselves as the 99 percent. 

Now, some people think the 99 percent's also the 99 weeks of unemployment compensation because that group also calls themselves the 99ers, but the 99 percent versus the 1 percent is another angle that the group is talking about here. And Wall Street and bankers, those two terms have been anti-Semitic code for Jews in this country for a long time. Occupier, Occupy Wall Street Now. I mean that's -- I've often said, I said last week he who controls the definition of words, the meaning of words, controls the debate. He who controls the language controls the debate. There's a lot of interesting stuff here. Occupy Wall Street Now, 99 percent, that leaves 1 percent, roughly the percentage of Jews in the population, too. And Wall Street and bankers have been anti-Semitic code for Jews in this country going back quite a while. 

Now, what's happening here is that the Democrats -- this is where Brooks may be on to something. It's too early to tell. But the Democrats are embracing this group of people. They are embracing them big time. The Democrats -- Jan Schakowsky in Illinois, members of Congress -- cannot help themselves. They are embracing this group and encouraging this group. Celebrities are showing up now. Kanye West shows up with Russell Simmons, and he was wearing his big gold chains, and he hung around for a while. He did a little -- he did a perp walk, signed some autographs and had to get out of there because he was mobbed by these people. But this Adbusters bunch has a history of anti-Semitism, proud anti-Semitism. The article about Jewish "neocons" was just one of their pieces, Snerdley, that you mentioned here, along those lines. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show,10/11/11, via Media Matters]

Ace Of Spades Labels Occupy Wall Street Movement "Anti-Semitic." From an Ace of Spades HQ post titled "Obama to Embrace Anti-Semitic 'Occupy' Movement":

After waiting three weeks for glowing MBM reports and biased polls to give the Occupy movement some heft, the White House is ready affiliate itself with the raging hipsters.

In a call previewing Obama's upcoming bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama "will continue to acknowledge the frustration that he himself shares," about Washington's laggard response to the financial crisis. 

Earnest added that while on the trip, Obama will make it clear that he is fighting to make certain that the "interests of 99 percent of Americans are well represented" -- the first time the White House has used the term to differentiate the vast majority of Americans from the wealthy.

The media worked night and day to make the Tea Party out to be a racist, violent group of astroturfed malcontents without any legitimate goal, an impression the Democrats were happy to abet. This time around, the make-believe media is delighted to look the other way while the Occupiers demonstrate casual anti-Semitism. [Ace of Spades, 10/17/11]

The Protests Are Astroturfed

Daily Caller Publishes Story Claiming One Organizer "Admit[ted] To Paying Some 'Occupy DC' Protesters." On October 7, The Daily Caller published a story claiming to show that "a liberal organizer" said he "paid some Hispanics to attend 'Occupy DC' protests." [The Daily Caller, 10/7/11, via Media Matters]

Fox & Friends Hypes Daily Caller Story: It's "The Paid-To-Protest Scandal You Got To Hear To Believe." On the October 7 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Steve Doocy said, "And those Wall Street protests spreading again, this time to Washington, D.C. Hundreds showing up to occupy our nation's capital. But hey -- I'd show up, too, if I was getting paid. That's right -- the paid-to-protest scandal you got to hear to believe." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/7/11, via Media Matters]

For the truth about the Daily Caller's story, SEE HERE.

Iran And Chavez Support The Protests ...

Fox's Baier Claimed Occupy Wall Street Protests "Elicit[ed] Support" From Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei. On the October 12 edition of Fox News' Special Report, host Bret Baier claimed that the protests had "elicit[ed] support" from Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei. [Fox News, Special Report, 10/12/11, via Media Matters]

Baier Previously Claimed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "Threw His Support Behind Protesters." On the October 11 edition of Special Report, Baier claimed that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "threw his support behind protesters" at Occupy Wall Street. [Fox News, Special Report,10/11/11, via Media Matters]

For the truth about Chavez's and Khamenei's statements, SEE HERE.

... And So Do Nazis!

Fox, Jim Hoft, And The Blaze Hype American Nazi Party's Endorsement Of Occupy Wall Street Protests. On October 15, Fox Nation, blogger Jim Hoft, and Glenn Beck's site The Blaze all hyped the American Nazi Party's announcement of support for the Occupy Wall Street movement. On the October 17 edition of Special Report, Baier said that the Occupy Wall Street protests were "getting support from some out-of-the-mainstream groups," including the "American Nazi Party." [Media Matters, 10/18/11]

For more on the right-wing's hyping of the American Nazi Party's endorsement, SEE HERE.

The Protesters Don't Shower Enough

Nugent: Wall Street Protesters Are "Hygiene-Challenged" "Stinky Hippies." In an October 14Washington Times column, Ted Nugent called the Occupy Wall Street protesters "hygiene-challenged, uber-lefty America-haters" and "[s]tinky hippies." [Washington Times, 10/14/11]

Erickson: Protesters Are "Unwashed Hippies" And "Most Of The Common Ground With Most Of These Damn Dirty Communists Is Superficial." In an October 14 post on RedState, Erick Erickson wrote: "We shouldn't let unwashed hippies be the only people [the unemployed] hear speaking to their concerns. ... Most of the common ground with most of these damn dirty communists is superficial." [RedState, 10/14/11]

RedState: Wall Street Protesters Are "A Slothful And Dirty Bunch." From an October 14 RedState post:

Apparently, the  protesters holed up in lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park are a slothful and dirty bunch. Or, to put it in more PC terms, as the owners of the park, Brookfield Partners, stated in a flyer:

"The manner in which Zuccotti Park has been used for the past several weeks has created unsanitary conditions."

As a result, the park that has housed the Neo-Com protesters for the last several weeks is scheduled to get a badly-needed cleaning on Friday morning.

[...]

Unsurprisingly, the squatters of Zuccotti Park are upset at the fact that their hovel needs a bath, insisting, according to CNN, that they will not be moving for the clean up.

"Come tomorrow morning, we will passively resist and make it as difficult a process to remove us as possible," said Occupy Wall Street spokesman Tyler Combelic. "It's not an occupation if you can't occupy the park."

Of course not. You can't be a squatter if you can't squat. [RedState, 10/14/11]

Kilmeade: Protesters "Sit In Their Own Squalor All Day." On the October 11 edition of Fox News'Fox & Friends, Kilmeade claimed Occupy Wall Street protesters "sit in their own squalor all day." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/11/11, via Media Matters]

Kilmeade: Wall Street Protesters "Choose Not To Shower Much." On the October 4 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, Kilmeade mocked the Wall Street protesters, claiming:

KILMEADE: Do you remember during the Bush years around 2004, 2005, the anarchists would just show up at all the G7 meetings? Lot of young people, mostly European, they would show up. This looks [like] the same thing and the same group of people who have one thing in common, they choose not to shower much. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/4/11 viaMedia Matters]

So Don't Support The 99% -- Support The 53%

Erickson: "I'm One Of The 53% ... Subsidizing These People So They Can Go Hang Out On Wall Street To Complain." In an October 5 post on RedState, CNN contributor Erick Erickson wrote:

Well, these people apparently forgot that life is not fair and are demanding the government intervene to legislate that life suddenly become fair. They are claiming to be the "99%" against the evil 1% of rich people who work on Wall Street. They are posting pictures to a website holding up their sob stories. Some are terribly tragic, but most? Boo-freakin'-hoo. Life is not, never has been, and never will be fair.

I would like to point out to these people that I work three jobs, can't sell my house in this economy, still am paying massive student loans, and somehow or another do not blame Wall Street for my situation. In fact, I'm one of the 53% -- the 53% of Americans subsidizing these people so they can go hang out on Wall Street to complain.

Get a job hippies! [RedState, 10/5/11]

Doocy: "The Message [Of The 53 Percent Site] Is The Protesters Have Failed To Take Personal Responsibility ... They Say, 'Suck It Up, You Whiners.' " On the October 11 edition of Fox News'Fox & Friends, the co-hosts hyped Erickson's "53 percent" site. Kilmeade claimed the people posting to the 53 percent site "have jobs, and they're trying to earn a living," in contrast to the Occupy Wall Street protesters, who "sit in their own squalor all day." From the broadcast:

CARLSON: In the meantime, you know how this Occupy Wall Street stuff has continued into its fourth week? Well, now some conservatives are launching a counterattack to that, and they are calling this "We are the 53 percent." What does that mean? That means that they say that they are the 53 percent that are paying the taxes that the 47 percent who don't pay federal income taxes -- they're the other group in America who is actually paying federal income taxes. 

DOOCY: Yeah, this is the brainchild of Erick Erickson, who runs the RedState.com website. And the message is the protesters have failed to take personal responsibility for blaming their economic problems on other -- on others. They say, quote, "Suck it up, you whiners. I am the 53 percent subsidizing you so you can hang out on Wall Street and complain." He's taking aim at those people right there, holding the signs.

KILMEADE: And people also -- that's the picture that they have and that's their daily (unclear) -- and some of the people that write, I don't have health insurance, but I don't blame Wall Street. Stop whining, suck it up, and God bless the U.S.A.  I don't blame Wall Street, it doesn't matter what Wall Street or anyone else does, I'm responsible for my own destiny, is another one of the messages. And in the big picture, I think it's interesting that they put pictures and explanations, because they have jobs, and they're trying to earn a living. And they cannot sit in - sit in their own squalor all day. [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/11/11, via Media Matters]

Kilmeade: "The 53 Percent" Are "The People Who Actually Pay Their Taxes" And "Want You To Pay Your Fair Share." Later during the show, Kilmeade said:

KILMEADE: All right. Wall Street occupiers meet their match. The people who actually pay their taxes are on their way. They call themselves the 53 percent. And they want you to pay your fair share. I'm optimistic that will be a good segment.

During the tease, the following text was aired on-screen:

[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 10/11/11, via Media Matters]

The Blaze: "Could The 53%-ers Be The New Silent Majority In America?" An October 13 post on The Blaze promoted "a budding movement called 'I am the 53%' " whose followers, it claimed, "are not 'wealthy' people ... but they do not blame 'Wall Street.' " The post went on to claim that the "53%-ers feel a common bond with other responsible/self-sufficient citizens. They also wear their successes and failures with honor." From The Blaze:

Less than a week ago we reported on a budding movement called "I am the 53%." These folks call themselves the 53% because they claim to be part of the 53% of the American people who actually pay Federal Income Taxes, meaning they are ones who support the 47% that pay nothing in Federal taxes.

These are not "wealthy" people. Many are struggling to make ends meet or even to hold on to their homes, but they do not blame "Wall Street." In fact, most feel as if the politicians in Washington, DC are at the core of the problem and do not have the solutions to the troubles plaguing our economy.

[...]

The 53%-ers feel a common bond with other responsible/self-sufficient citizens. They also wear their successes and failures with honor. This informal, but growing group of citizens that do not identify with the "Occupy Wall Street" crowd must be of concern for the Left and those who are endorsing the "occupiers" because the Left has started attacking and mocking the 53% movement.

[...]

And yet, the growth and momentum of this fledgling movement seems to be building.

Could the 53%-ers be the new silent majority in America? [The Blaze, 10/13/11]