Today Show's "Fair & Balanced" Reporting on Supreme Court Rulings - Only One Side Required

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The Today Show just aired segments on the two Supreme Court rulings on education that came down yesterday.

In the first segment, regarding the court's ruling that school's had the right to do random drug testing for kids involved in after-school activities, the only guests were the family of the school girl who brought the suit opposing the drug testing.

The second segment concerned the court's ruling that school vouchers, even if overwhelmingly used to send kids to religious schools, were constitutional. The only guest? The egregious Nina Totenberg, the NPR legal reporter, and famous anti-Clarence Thomas collaborator.

Such is balance at NBC.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

By the way, in introducing the voucher decision, Katie wore the glum and depressed face usually used to report plane crashes.

When Nina struggled to be reasonably balanced, Katie was liberal-girl-on-the-spot. So when Nina concluded by saying that the ruling would "spark a debate" on vouchers, Katie "helpfully" added: "yes, concerning the fact that vouchers will drain resources from already strained public schools."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Speaking of education, I hope my old English teacher didn't read my post. The headline should read Today Show's, not Today Shows, of course.

[Corporate Law]

Katie, where do YOUR kids attend skrool????

[demkicker]

Thanks for yet another glaring example of mainstream media left-wing bias.

Hope this stays bumped for all to read!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Great question! I'll guess it's the NYC equivalent of Sidwell Friends, where Chelsea went. More "do as I say, not as I do" liberalism. Private schools are for the little people, don't you know?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks. For some reason, this has become my little speciality. I suppose I'm finding a positive outlet for the masochistic habit I have of watching the network morning shows. Now if they would only bring back Bryant Gumbel - he was always the most fun to lampoon!

[ladtx]

Has anyone told these nincompoops (I love that word) that if the public school system was doing its job this would never have come up. It's obvious that public education has been in decline for years. Of course they would scream that they just need more money since they are afraid vouchers will drain money away from the public system. But obviously money is not the answer since the education budget has swelled from $14 mil in 1980 to $57 mil for 2003. It is clear that money is not the answer. The real answer is competition. If the the public school system wants to survive then they better concentrate on real learning rather than social experimentation. Personally I think the Dept of Education needs to be disposed of and education turned over to the states. Why is the federal government involved in education? I can't think of one good reason. It's clear it can't do a proper job. What have we gotten for our money except poor SAT scores and students who lag behind the rest of the world. But they do have high self-esteem. They feel good about being low man on the education totem pole. Whewww! Glad I got that of my chest. (/rant off)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You are so right. And perhaps you caught the posting yesterday about the "alternative" school in Ithaca at which the graduation featured a tape recorded address from convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu Jamal. Parents need "alternatives" to that kind of stuff!

[ladtx]

Correction on budget amounts. Should be $14 bil and $57 bil.

[ladtx]

You are so right. And perhaps you caught the posting yesterday about the "alternative" school in Ithaca at which the graduation featured a tape recorded address from convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu Jamal. Parents need "alternatives" to that kind of stuff!

For the life of me I can't figure out how parents can put up with that. They all must have oatmeal for brains. You say "alternative" school. Is that a private school or is it public funded? I didn't see the post.

[ladtx]

If anyone is interested here is the link for the education budget information.

(Education Budget News)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Here is the URL for the article and the thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705572/posts

The "alternative" school is a public school, paid for entirely by the taxpayers. As also reported, in order to graduate all seniors must do a project in which they "identify bias and do something to combat it"!!

[RightOnline]

Katie's colonoscopy resulted in brain damage. Pity her.

[demkicker]

Bump before going off to work!

[Lazamataz]

I never understood why she was called 'perky'.

'Lefty', sure. But 'perky'?!?!

[Lazamataz]

ROFL!

[alley cat]

Has anyone told these nincompoops (I love that word)

Pinheads is a good one too!

As you point out, the problem is lack of competition. As long as the govt schools maintain a monopoly or near-monopoly, there is no incentive for them to improve. No accountability.

[Skooz]

By the way, in introducing the voucher decision, Katie wore the glum and depressed face usually used to report plane crashes.

When Nina struggled to be reasonably balanced, Katie was liberal-girl-on-the-spot. So when Nina concluded by saying that the ruling would "spark a debate" on vouchers, Katie "helpfully" added: "yes, concerning the fact that vouchers will drain resources from already strained public schools."

This is one of the reasons I love FR. Before I came here, I thought I was the only one who noticed these things. I don't know how you can stand watching "Today" or the Perky One for 5 minutes. You are much tougher than I. Thanks for the report!

[Always Right]

All the spinning in the world won't overturn a Supreme Court decision. Sorry Katie, but the monopoly of the the public schools, which has helped condemn million of Americans in the inner-city to a life of poverty, will soon be over. What a sad day for liberals as their voting base dries up.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

What's "The Today Show"?