Folkenflik, Beck’s Blaze Say NPR Executive Was Taken Out of Context

Portions of the James O’Keefe-produced video that showed an NPR executive making disparaging remarks about conservatives were taken out of context. That’s the conclusion of at least two sources–NPR and the Glenn Beck-owned The Blaze.

Andrew Sullivan reported on the misquoting, and said this:

Despite the fact that O’Keefe is a known liar, and that his past video stings have been edited in misleading ways, much of the mainstream media ran with his latest. Will those outlets now inform their viewers and readers about the deceptions uncovered by The Blaze?

Mitch Albom raised similar questions in the Detroit Free Press, calling O’Keefe’s videos Punk’d-style journalism. He then says that anyone hoping to prove bias in NPR reporting should do a real study, not hide a camera.

Ira Glass of This American Life made a similar challenge over the weekend. He asked Bob Garfield and Brooke Gladstone of On the Media to find bias in NPR’s reporting. He says they won’t. Glass’s challenge came during a larger conversation on why no one has come forward with documented evidence of subjective news. A fundraising executive may share private opinions over lunch, but Glass insists that doesn’t affect the newsrooms at all.

Indiana State Treasurer May Challenge Lugar For Senate

Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock may declare his candidacy for the U.S. Senate later this month, drawing incumbent Republican Richard Lugar into a primary next year.

According to an e-mail sent by a Republican Party official and obtained by the Washington Post, Mourdock is planning to announce his candidacy on the 22nd.

Even More On Rhetoric

Former Congressmen Lee Hamilton and Ron Mazzoli discussed statesmanship on State of Affairs Tuesday. The conversation touched on the roles the media and the two-party system play in encouraging divisive politics and heated rhetoric.

Current Congressman John Yarmuth, outgoing Secretary of State Trey Grayson and U of L professor Jasmine Farrier discussed similar issues Monday, and had slightly different takes on a few of the points made on State of Affairs.

Grayson Resigning For Harvard Post

Kentucky Secretary of State (and former Senate candidate) Trey Grayson is resigning to become director of the Harvard Institute for Politics. Governor Steve Beshear has appointed Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker to replace Grayson.

Here are the details.

JCPS Board Votes To Replace Berman

The Jefferson County Board of Education has voted 5-2 to not renew superintendent Sheldon Berman‘s contract.

Board members Linda Duncan and Steve Imhoff were the two votes in favor.

WFPL will have more on this story as it develops.

Election Wrap-Up

Here are the election stories from the WFPL and Kentucky Public Radio newsroom:

• Paul Defeats Conway In Senate Race
• Yarmuth Wins Third Term In Congress — Yarmuth Re-Elected, Says Next Two Years Will Be “Odd” In Washington
• JCPS Board Incumbents Hold Off Challengers
• Vote Buying Complaints Investigated
• Heiner Falls Short In Mayoral Bid—Fischer Says Transition Begins Wednesday
• Yates Unseats Hawkins
• Young Defeats Hill In Indiana Congressional Race
• GOP Retains Control Of Kentucky Senate
• Democrats Retain Kentucky House Majority, But GOP Gains

A Guide To Election Guides

The primary is tomorrow (haven’t you heard?), and there’s no shortage of information on the candidates for various races.

If you’re looking to learn about Metro Government races, you can start with WFPL’s Next Louisville coverage. The coverage includes feature stories, short articles and hour-long State of Affairs discussions about the mayor’s race and the Metro Council primaries.

The staff at LEO says if you haven’t been paying attention to the race, it’s time to start cramming, and you can add their guide to the mayor’s race to your reading list. After that, check out their guide to the Metro Council races.

To complete the information overload, click over to the Courier-Journal’s election guide, which has information on every race in the state and lets you customize a ballot for your precinct.

Mayoral Candidate Comments On Kentucky Kingdom

Democrat Shannon White‘s campaign sent out this statement about the theme park’s possible demise:

Shannon White, says “As a past seasonal employee of Kentucky Kingdom, and manager of the Games Department for two years, I know the vital importance of these jobs for our economy. I encourage The Kentucky State Fair Board and Kentucky Kingdom to get to the negotiation table and compromise to avoid losing crucial employment opportunities in Louisville.”

Cash For Blenders

Okay, this headline is misleading. You won’t get cash for your Osterizer, but next year, Kentuckians can receive the federal rebate for replacing old appliances with energy efficient models.

You can get $40 to $400 for the replacement. You don’t have to haul that hold fridge to the store, but the government asks you to properly recycle it.

Business First has some details. No word on how this might help Louisville’s GE Appliance Park plant.

The $300 million program was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Allotments were based on each state’s population, according to a news release.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development last week said that it will use the $6 million it is receiving from the federal government to offer rebates of $500 per heating, ventilation and air conditioning system purchased. It also will offer rebates of as much as $1,000 for the purchase of geothermal heat pumps.

When the program begins in Kentucky in spring 2010, Kentucky residents who buy an eligible Energy Star-rated appliance from a Kentucky retailer might be eligible for a rebate.

Kentucky will offer rebates on washing machines, dish washers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, water heaters, central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, gas furnaces and gas boilers.

[edit]

Unlike the popular “cash for clunkers” program that offered rebates for trading in gas guzzlers for fuel-efficient vehicles, the appliance program doesn’t require consumers to trade in their older appliances, although consumers are “strongly encouraged” to recycle the older units, the release said.

The Year In Protest Signs

While you wait for Charlie Strong to come to town or for the Galt House to be blown to Lexington, why not take a moment to reminisce?

Starting with the inauguration and continuing through multiple tea parties, 2009 was  an exciting year for posterboard on sticks. Buzzfeed has a (mildly NSFW) gallery of the year’s 50 best protest signs.

I’m simply an observer and reporter in political matters like this, but I have to agree with this young man’s sentiment: