Or maybe report on Economic Growth over 3 %, or maybe the fact that over 190,000 New Jobs created!

Yep, thats the ticket, huh, Spank?

True that Rick - so you all [libbies in libbie land] now agree Boehner really is coming through with the jobs? Cool.

But again Rick, and I assume you were around back in 1979 and 1980. Inflation is a bad mofo. and it's hitting the roof.

Hey Rick, do you have any idea why the government's inflation indicators omit food and energy prices? Seems kinda silly to omit the two biggest factors if you really wanted to get an accurate picture, right?

They do want an accurate picture, don't they Rick?

Hey First Read - what you got on this? Oh sorry, ok, what's Bachmann up to today?

You really think Boehner did anything, doya Spank? If so, send some of that Cali stuff yall smoke out there, into Rural Ky.

Must be some good stuff, huh Spank?

I don't know much about that other stuff, but i'm sure ifya ask 1st Reads resident economist, & see'r of all things President Obama's done wrong, NJNB from jersey, probably can giveya the answer you seek.

Good point Rick - let's all thank Boehner and Obama for those "tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% that will destroy the middle class."

Looks like those boys knew what they were doing, right Rick

Again: Obama=Bush-haircut. And as soon as he adopts a decent energy policy [you know like he just did in Brazil] we'll be all right. Well except the hardcore Liberals, like at Kos and Firedog, cause they are pissed at poor old Obama.

But not us, right Rick?

Those 'magic' tax cuts, you mean?. They sit dormant for 8 whole years, then 'magically' create jobs the next 2? Those tax cuts? Man, I need to lay off 'Weeper' Boehner- he's so much better than I give him credit for.

Why is it so hard for you to give Obama credit, Drive By?

He signed the "cuts" into law. He knew what he was doing. Jobs are being created.

It that so hard for you to admit? Stop all the Obama bashing.

And come on it's tax time - those "cuts" are great, right?

newdayDAWNING10

great question!

I can't wait to get to the library after work today to hear this video as First Read in an important part of my day. It's nice to have at least one news source I can trust, and a dedicated bunch of co-readers who add insight to the mix.

I don't want anythign to do with any of 'em. That's why I decided to keep on living here.

Here is a question that First Read should ask, Since Syria is now shooting its citizens, Is the USA going to firce a vote in the UN to establish a No Fly Zone and protect citizens ofSyria?

He signed the "cuts" into law. He knew what he was doing. Jobs are being created.

I thought he just extended them. The cuts are permanent, then? Didn't know that. You sitll haven't explained the mechanics of them, though, as to how they only work for 2 out of 10 years.

And he'll extend them again. He kinda has to now that they are working so well, right Drive By?

Let's hide and watch, shall we? IF he DOES extend them again because unemployment is declining SO MUCH, you DO realize he's a shoe-in for a 2nd term, right? But you are ok with that, I assume, knowing the alternative would be somone even more inept at governing than some community organizer, right?

Glad to see you admit that he is inept at governing DBO. There is hope for you yet!

I'd be ok, but again you are ignoring energy prices.

I don't care what he does about taxes - if gas hits $4.50, he's toast.

Now I know he knows that so I expect he's going to start doing things to really, really piss off ALGORE and friends. :)

Gotta go - it's triple double time.

This is fun, if only First Read would play along.

And let's not forget about that pesky debt thing-y. K?

Spanky-

Why is it so hard for you to give Obama credit, Drive By?

Hey Spankster we give all the credit to Mr Obama and none to Boner cause he has done nothing but you keep drinking that kool aid son.

Also don't be so lazy and ask dumb questions but here's the answer to your question:

Inflation can affect different parts of the economy at different times. For example, oil prices move up and down rapidly, because they are driven by the bids on the price of oil futures contracts. As a result, gas prices are also very volatile. This can drive up the price of food, which is usually transported long distances. For this reason, the price of food and energy is left out of the core inflation rate. This is used by the Federal Reserve as a better indicator of true inflation.

Thanks for the info rc.

Too bad my wallet is directly effected by gas and food. Too bad O's reelection bid is directly tied to those things as well. I bet you remember 1979 - it sucked, right?

Oh and I'll be as lazy and dumb as I want to be. But thanks for you concern. Mayhaps you should focus on, oh I don't know Drive By, Feisty of Bev.?

But really rc, are you saying the tax "cuts" were Obama's idea? That's a good one.

Oh and I'm sure Drive By thanks you for the assist. I suspect economics are not his strong suit.

So is my wallet but hey big shooter we can afford it right, at least I can. I don't have to focus on those folks as they do a great job on their own defending themselves from the fear over fact crowd that you are.

The president had to so he could get the UE for people and again he negotiated that and the 2% cut in SS.

PS......I guarantee you that when he's re elected he will not renew those cuts.

Wow, having just gotten a chance to hear the audio of this (at the library), I must say I am amazed to learn (after all these years) the breadth of roles First Read encompasses. I am impressed and awed by the size of the task you guys do. I had no idea this blog was a kind of memo, communicating news, analysis and stories internally, as well as to blog readers. It's cool to think us readers are getting the same scoop that the NBC employees are, in their different departments. I love it!

Did you ask them about the Muslim Brotherhood taking over the govt in Egypt? At least that is what the NYT thinks is happening. Seems to be a fairly serious development.

Here's a bit:

Islamist Group Is Rising Force in a New Egypt

By MICHAEL SLACKMAN [sic]
March 24, 2011

CAIRO — In post-revolutionary Egypt, where hope and confusion collide in the daily struggle to build a new nation, religion has emerged as a powerful political force, following an uprising that was based on secular ideals. The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group once banned by the state, is at the forefront, transformed into a tacit partner with the military government that many fear will thwart fundamental changes.

It is also clear that the young, educated secular activists who initially propelled the nonideological revolution are no longer the driving political force — at least not at the moment

Another oops! from the Obama Administration. How can we trust his judgement concerning Libya when his decisions are not based on a coherent and cohesive foreign policy?

Where is FR on this story? Seems as if they are too busy analyzing other people's work to give them much credence as serious "journalist".

Damn, not again. Another Muslim country run by Muslims! Where will it all end??

All right Drive By - down with the Brotherhood.

How forwardthinking of you. Although I do have to say it does fit your comment the other day about the Tel Aviv bombing being justified by "illegal" settlements.

Oh and I suppose there is you answer - it ends in more acts of terrorism, but I suspect you know that, right Drive By?

Oh my!

How quickly the apologists forget the words of Obama and the claims the Muslim Brotherhood made as Mubarak was being ousted.

But here's what we can expect from the "new regime".

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1369259/Egypt-protests-Women-forced-virginity-checks-arrests-Tahir-Square.html

So Drive By - since you are good with the Brotherhood, you equally good with the Libyan rebels?

You know the guys who are chopping up Black Africans?

These guys are totally worth all the Tomahawks, right?

Congrats NDD!

An EXCELLENT question, deserves an EXCELLENT answer! ;o)

Nice job Mark & Domenico! Chuck Todd may have joined the group, but, as far as I'm concerned, FR will always be Mark's 'baby'! lol

Maybe this will shut the NJ nut job UP once & for all...

Ooops! Guess I spoke to soon!!! For someone who has as much disdain as she does for FR, she sure spends an awful lot of time here doing nothing but b!tching!

Thanks, Feisty: I appreciated the detailed answer.

Straight up Drive By - too bad GE's taxes are not fictitious, right. Kinda going to be an issue when Immelt, as Obama's economic liaison starts talking about corporate tax rates. You know, like having Rangel writing tax law.

But hey Drive By, as Immelt would no doubt tell you - it ain't stealing if they give it to you. So since Immelt's Obama's pick you all will stop complaining about those evil corporations not paying their "fair share" of taxes, right?

I mean for you to continue to complain about that would be an affront to Obama, right? Oh Yeah.

Hey Drive-by---it is a birthday party today to celebrate the anniversary of HCR. I've heard rumors of special entertainment, a cake and I'm buying champagne for all!

From the New York Times:

The [tax] shelters are so crucial to G.E.'s bottom line that when Congress threatened to let the most lucrative one expire in 2008, the company came out in full force. G.E. officials worked with dozens of financial companies to send letters to Congress and hired a bevy of outside lobbyists.

The head of its [GEs] tax team, Mr. Samuels, met with Representative Charles B. Rangel, then chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which would decide the fate of the tax break. As he sat with the committee's staff members outside Mr. Rangel's office, Mr. Samuels dropped to his knee and pretended to beg for the provision to be extended — a flourish made in jest, he said through a spokeswoman.

That day, Mr. Rangel reversed his opposition to the tax break, according to other Democrats on the committee.

The following month, Mr. Rangel and Mr. Immelt stood together at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem as G.E. announced that its foundation had awarded $30 million to New York City schools, including $11 million to benefit various schools in Mr. Rangel's district. Joel I. Klein, then the schools chancellor, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg who presided, said it was the largest gift ever to the city's schools

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/business/economy/25tax.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp

My, my. Mr Rangel certainly knows how to work the perks. And I don't doubt that the Republicans will pull off the same kind of deals, but maybe at least try to be somewhat slightly less blatant about it. You'd think this nonsense would somehow be illegal, but it is obvious that Washington DC is nothing more than a great big giant piggy bank, and if you learn to work the system, you get access to the piggy bank.

It's time to get the money out of one place, Washington DC, and back to the states and communities. Corruption like this needs to be stopped. Washington DC is too easy one-stop-shopping for lobbyists. If the money isn't there, in DC, the lobbyists will go away.

Will there be 'socialist' party hats and noise-makers, Steeler Fan??

Spanks- "It ain't stealing if they give it to you". I like that. Wonder if the recipients of health-care, or food-stamps, or un-employment have heard this good news?

Say, you going to the HCR birthday party? Hell, man- it IS Friday, and you need to take some time off and have some fun!

Isn't it great DBO? But really what do you all expect when Rangel and Co. write the tax laws?

Funniest part is you all don't get it. All this crap about corporations paying more in taxes - the tax laws are written by idiots, and enforced by people who are even dumb-er. Of course how many of you have ever read the actual IRC?

It ain't stealing. They literally give it to you. As I have said before it really pays to hire a good tax attorney. Not a CPA, get you an atty. It's money in the bank. :)

But hey DBO - you all have fun at you little party. And do celebrate the HCR, it will not be around too much longer. :(

Thanks, Paul, I admit I have long been curious about how they see First Read.

We do.

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

I TOLD you they were absent that day from Journalism 101.

By the way, while we are on "stories MBC missed"- besides the GE tax story, and the fact that Immelt is now not only top fundraisers, but top tax advisor to Obama, ( on a voluntary basis, of course- he gets remunerated in "other "ways- wink wink),

How about a story on Obama committed American tax dollars to drilling for oil in Brazil?!?

Given that, ya know, you guys set the agenda for NBC's reporting, and all, don't you think that maybe you should have some reference to this little item? Considering the jobs that could be created here- not to mention that, rather than spending money to drill, the government would be GETTING money in the form of royalties and tax receipts?

Geez.

I don't know guys, what do you think? Is nojo the only possible person on the face of the earth that does not recognize a fee for service membership organization when she sees one? Do you think she knows that there are MORE organizations than that one that recruit journalists as members? Will she EVER learn what a proper citation is?

I can only assume this is what Dominico and Mark had in mind when they made the video.

And it would be sad if this were where I went for news. But thankfully it's all about the comedy gold around here. Now where the heck is Feisty and Bev.?

How about a story on Obama committed American tax dollars to drilling for oil in Brazil?!?

This is what we call 'short-sighted'.

MAYBE if there were more opportunities in South America, the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS would STOP COMING HERE? That would solve the problem, wouldn't it? No more (OK, a greatly reduced amount of) money being spent on immigration enforcement.

MAYBE if there was oil production in South America, we could PURCHASE OIL FROM THERE instead of the Middle East, you know, where they HATE AMERICANS? I find it interesting that the same people who HATE the president have no problem GIVING their MONEY to the people who cannot stand us and want to see the 'infidels' killed. How does THAT make any sort of sense?

MAYBE if we partnered with South America to produce oil, we would get a BETTER PRICE than in the Middle East? That would mean that we could get what we needed imported for LESS money than what we pay now. Have you seen oil/gas prices lately?

Again, it is exceedingly obvious that many on here do not think long-term (especialyl the one I am referencing). The President was looking out for OUR - AMERICA's - interest and you want to bash him more?

Good luck with that.

Or we could drill here. Cause I hate giving money to the middle east. I would way rather it go to American companies drilling here. You know like n the Gulf and Alaska.

Say, how much is Sorros going to make out of the Brazil offshore oil drilling that our money is facilitating?

Pietro is Brazilian oil better for us than US oil? What is the "lon-term" thought process there?

But I agree Pietro - Obama's plan is short-sighted.

I'm with Spanky. Let's drill HERE, and use up ALL of our reserves ASAP. It's OURS, by damn, and like that one commercial says - 'we want it NOW!" Who cares how much we have to pay other countries for it once it's gone? Hell, we're tough- we can take 'em! Buncha pansies, anyway.

Spanky - But I agree Pietro - Obama's plan is short-sighted.

The Greens, another major source of Obama/Democrats funding as well as the Unions, are probably delighted about Obama farming out oil drilling to Brazil. No way those oil slicks mess up our beaches if something goes wrong down there. The campaign checks started rolling off the presses (on recycled paper with bio-degradable ink) once Obama said the words the Greens told him to say about Brazil.

And as for illegal immigrants heading for Brazil, and not the US, well, that's kind of doubtful. With everyone else in the world building high speed trains, these illegals will be able to move around both north and south very quickly. Well, at least until they get to our border, then they'll have to take a '92 Buick the rest of the way.

That's right DBO - and by then maybe there will be some viable alternatives, cause right now the old fairy dust and unicorn horns just don't power the RV.

Oh and DBO didn't you hear - t done found 22 MORE years worth of reserves. Surely [can I call you that?] the greenies will have it all dialed in by then.

And how 'bout those Volt sales?

"...maybe there will be some viable alternatives .......And how 'bout those Volt sales?"

Volts? Are they like 'Viable Alternatives" (once they are 'dialed in', of course)?

Why, if we have jounalism schools, do we not have a code of ethics for jounalism?

This might be a more complicated question than you think, Paul. Some of the networks have moved news into their entertainment divisions, indicating that they are not interested in traditional journalistic reporting standards. Whether this is for ratings and ad revenue reasons is not entirely clear. It may also have at least something to do with the fact that reporters and copywriters have sometimes been declared to be non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means they have to be paid overtime for hours over 40 in a week. "Entertainers" are exempt from these laws, as well as from the obvious ethical standards that might be applied to journalists. WIN-WIN.

I always love it when someone argues that journalists shouldn't have to tell the truth. It reminds me of the worst closing argument I've ever heard in court -- a well-respected (until that moment) attorney stood up and said: "This is not a case about liars and truthtellers." Everyone in the courtroom, including the jury, immediately knew which one of the parties was the "truthteller" and which was not. It took the jury less than 30 minutes to decide against that attorney's client.

You can pretty much tell the same thing about those who declare that truth is not a requirement for news reporting.

A Federal court judge in Florida ruled exactly that: News agencies are free to knowingly LIE to the public.

And who was advocating that position, if you know? Was it Fox, by any chance?

DING,ding,ding,ding,ding......right again. It was over a story about carcinogenic lactose hormones being used in dairy milk production. Scary that a News organization could knowingly lie about that to the public.

Just a little contribution here:

Many individual news organizations as well as professional reporters' and editors' associations proclaim a code of ethics and they actually enforce them. For example, in most of these codes, reporters are no longer allowed to trvel for free on sports teams' planes, and buses. Reporters are no longer allowed to accept gifts, free meals, or outside work as paid spokespersons. There are many other examples - and they include standards for verifying content of their stories.

So many changes have been made in the past 13 years, since the last time I worked as a daily news journalist, that the ways we used to do things in the newsroom may have changed dramatically. But we used to have copy editors and fact-checkers review all articles, and then other editors above them review for tone, accuracy, and when about a controversial subject, fairness as well as potential libel, then finally the headlines were written and the placement made. All of this was in print journalism, but in both radio and TV I encountered similar processes.

It was and still is common for a news organization to have its own "slant" - leaning Republican, leaning Democrat, independent, or some other outlook. While a few egregious examples such as the Freedom Newspapers chain out of Orange County, CA, took this very deeply into their news pages, usually this was expresed mainly on the editorial page. And I might add, every time somone talks about the "liberal media," I laugh my head off. Republican to wild-eyed crazy right wing "slant" by far dominates all media today. As far as I can tell, CNN is the closest to neutral of any of the major media.

Editors used to, and still do, exercise a lot of influence over how stories are chosen, how much attention they get, and how they are presented. Editors always influence story assignments. I can tell you that for every piece that made the day's news, two dozen or more off the wires and from stringers were "spiked."

The basic principle underlying story selection and presentation also underlay the codes of ethics: Be honest, disclose conflicts when they come up, address your audeince's concerns, and by golly get there first. That's how the news organizations are able to stay in business.

Nowadays things are different. It's a wild parody that Fox refers to itself as "news" when they really have no code of ethics and willingly lie and distort almost everything, pandering to their audience. MSNBC TV sometimes crosses the line, too, but generally they aren't offering "news" as much as opinion and commentary. The cuts in newsroom personnell in all media and changes to the process of preparing and presenting stories seems to have eliminated many of the checkpoints we used to employ. And !@#$#@!! spell-check has allowed younger people coming up to ignore spelling and rules of usage.

Thanks, Pat, wouldn't we miss the dialog if we didn't have FR? Your questions on Libya would be fascinating if they can answer them.

I have noticed as well that articles posted on First Read show up all across the internets. I think this site is read by an awful lot of people all across the country.

Didnt you know Pat, the book is already out..."Momentous Decisionmaking" by Rachel Maddow..

The answer is on page 78..

"After days of intense argument and debate, the die was cast...Obama went with Duke in his bracket."

Pat - I'd love to hear how you came to that conclusion. Care to elaborate?

Bob-1887910

Didnt you know Pat, the book is already out..."Momentous Decisionmaking" by Rachel Maddow..

The answer is on page 78..

"After days of intense argument and debate, the die was cast...Obama went with Duke in his bracket."

Ha Ha very funny Booby,

It least it was brackets and NOT rackets. I hear Boehner is good with the rackets like that time he was passing out checks on the House floor from the Tobacco Lobby.

Allow me to pull a Sheila Jackson-Lee and reference myself to offer a pov as to FR's journalistic skills. Which suck at best.

Where is FR on this story? Seems as if they are too busy analyzing other people's work to give them much credence as serious "journalist".

That sums up their skills rather nicely. Piggyback if you can't walk.

Bev. I think Chilled had an excellent response to that very question yesterday. Perhaps you missed it, but it's worth noting.

Thanks Beverly, but your question is a good one!

You're welcome newday

I love learning. I'm glad we have people like you to ask relevant intelligent questions instead of asking obnoxious questions just to be stupid. It's good we have Mark and Domenico to teach us and the FR crew to keep us informed.

I wonder what do they think when some questions get intentionally too silly and mock FR staff?

Maybe they just LOL at them.

Big Brother guilt by association.

Tom - if someone has a job, you know one they can go on strike against, why are they on food stamps?

And golly if I were on food stamps the last thing I'd ever consider doing is going on strike.

Kinda seems like poor planning.

And you know who's watching Big Eddy at 10:00? This guy.

Hate to burst your bubble Tom, but who was watching "Big Eddie" before his time slot switch? LOLOLOL

Spanky.... dont change the subject or muddy the waters! The fact is that language in the bill removes food stamp eligibility if ANY member of the family goes on strike! And THAT is OUTRAGEOUS and union busting pure and simple. Americans are getting the message. It is what it is and nothing to do can chage that!

Hi Steeler Fan-380417

Mark & Domenico---thanks for your thoughtful answers.

You take a lot of flak from people with more graciousness than I could manage. Thanks for everything you do to make this site so great.

I'll drink to that.

Hi Bev---first round at the Dew Drop Inn is on me--hope to see you there!!

News, "real jounalism" isn't supposed to be about ratings. It is supposed to be about the public service of the fourth estate. Your values have been skewed.

And yet you are STILL here, Steve, spouting whatever it is you've posted.

If you hate MSNBC that much, why don't you just TUNE OUT?

Hey,

the post was the ROLE of first Read, When the Role of First read is putting MSNBC and NBC at the Bottom of the Ratings table for major Cable News networks. It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure out that the Role they are Playing is Dragging the Network down. I mean afterall. it had to be Sold to AOL

Again, Steve, that is THEIR business. Who CARES who it is sold to? You make such a stink about the 'ratings'. If low ratings are that important to you, why not go somewhere where there are higher ratings? MSNBC doesn't seem to be bothered by their 'ratings' as much as you are.

Pietro,

Why is it you are so worried about me Posting here, What you dont like to hear the truth about what people think about MSNBC, I understand that you wish to Silence opposing Voices. People that dont agree with you. but you see i will post where i want. and you dont have the power over me to tell me where to post.

do you work for them? is that why you are so upset with my post? do you think i am attacking you? really dont take it so personal.

My post was Clearly pointed at the host here at MSNBC, you see whether you think so or not.. THEY are worried about Ratings because they know it has a Direct effect on thier Employment in the End.

Pietro, Columbus, Ohio

Isn't funny some think they are being silenced?

Let's break it up a bit to show them who Hendrix dealt with it.

Freedom by Jemi Hendrix

Freedom, give it to me
That's what I want now
Freedom, that's what I need now
Freedom to live
Freedom, so I can give

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qezM-Ly5dYM&feature=related

I'm a Jemi Hendrix fiend. I rocked during those turbulent times, platform shoes, bell bottoms and psychedelic lights. I think we're about to repeat history with this GOP.

They can't touch us

Why is it you are so worried about me Posting here, What you dont like to hear the truth about what people think about MSNBC, I understand that you wish to Silence opposing Voices. People that dont agree with you. but you see i will post where i want. and you dont have the power over me to tell me where to post.

Steve - I am not telling you anything. Do I care where you post? No. If your voice was opposing something or ANY relevance, then I would want to see what you are posting. You are droning on an on about MSNBC's ratings. What RELEVANCE does that have with anything?

Moving on, nothing to see here...

Pietro,

If you can't see the ROLE OF FIRST READ and them setting the Agenda for what MSNBC and NBC concider to be Important and the Effects on the Ratings of the Channel then thats your Fault not mine.

"I'd love to hear the conservatives out here chime in with how they believe these attempts to limit the traditional authority of local governments square with their espoused conservative values. Substance only, please."

When 'local governments' are under the iron grip of corrupt public employee unions, then the state government can and should draft laws which revert authority to the citizens, not the unions.

No doubt. But they'll charge you a fee to post and throw you out if you disagree. At least, as I recall it, Bill O'Reilly does that.

First Lie?

First lie and Fairly Unbalanced