Beck uses blatant distortions to smear SEIU as violent organization of "thugs"

[Omaha Steve]

http://mediamatters.org/research/200911170018

November 17, 2009 12:57 pm ET — 21 Comments

During the November 16 edition of his Fox News program, Glenn Beck repeatedly launched false, misleading, or unfounded attacks against the Service Employees International Union, its president Andy Stern, and President Obama to claim that SEIU members are "thugs" who "beat down" opponents and command elected officials.

Video at link.

Beck falsely attributes quote to Rep. Michaud to suggest he was "bribe" or "scare" by Obama and SEIU

After claiming Michaud said "personal coaxing" from Obama secured his vote for health care, Beck suggests Michaud was bribed or bullied by SEIU. From the November 16 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: Michael Michaud -- he's from Maine -- he was won over with -- what did he say it was? -- "personal coaxing" from the president. Could I show the purple shirt people again? Personal coaxing. I believe my grandfather would have called it bribes or scare tactics. You see, these people don't care about what their constituents want. Do you remember the polls? We don't want this. We're consistent on it. They're on the take. And guess who they're taking from? You. And the biggest winner in the health care sweepstakes, here it is, the unions. SEIU.

After stating, "Could I show the purple shirt people again?" Beck showed two men wearing SEIU shirts:

Photo at link.

In fact, the words "personal coaxing" came from Wall Street Journal writers, not Michaud, and the Journal article did not mention SEIU. In a November 9 article, Journal writers Jonathan Weisman and Naftali Bendavid wrote that "it was personal coaxing from President Barack Obama" that secured Michaud's vote for health care reform. The article quoted Michaud's statement that "I am pleased that understood my concerns as they relate to Maine and pledged to work with me to address them." From the November 9 Journal article:

For Rep. Dennis Cardoza, it was an assurance from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the drought afflicting California's Central Valley would get high-level attention. For Rep. Michael Michaud, a liberal from Maine, it was personal coaxing from President Barack Obama Saturday morning. For Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the lone Republican vote, it was multiple conversations with Obama administration officials, topped with new promises of support for his Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

FULL story at link too. :-)

[Cha]

1. So I have this fantasy scenario

in which these Union "thugs" go teach bech a lesson on why it's not nice to lie.

[rfranklin]

2. Yes Glenn, and they are going to beat you into a pulp....

watch your back, you piece of human manure.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. Glenn Beck repeatedly launched false, misleading, or unfounded attacks...

In other news, water still wet, Sun still rises in east and Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.