Republican Investigation of Media Matters Would Be a Huge Waste of Taxpayers’ Money

on February 15, 2012 at 11:47 AM

media matters Well it looks like Republicans in Congress are zeroing in on a very important project. Passing the transportation bill? Nope. And as usual, it has nothing whatsoever to do with job creation or any other important matters that would actually improve our lives. Apparently a few members of Congress want to investigate Media Matters for violating their 501c3 status.

And why not? They have time on their hands (apparently?) now that the investigation into Planned Parenthood has been revealed as totally bogus -- oh no wait, I think that's still going on. But anyway, as part of their ongoing demonstration of what government waste looks like, they would like to yank the rug out from under a liberal watch-dog organization so the elections go just a little bit smoother for them. Yes, yes, they should definitely do this. But let's cast the net a little wider, shall we?

I know a number of other 501c3 organizations that should be investigated as well. You know, just so it doesn't look like Congress is carrying out a partisan grudge match on behalf of its loyal boy, Tucker. I mean, that would erode the few shreds of credibility Congress has left.

Cato Institute
Heritage Foundation
Citizens Against Government Waste
Media Research Center
American Enterprise Institute

Are you ready to dig into that bag of worms? Think these guys are all squeaky clean? They have access to the same kinds of lawyers who work to keep MM out of trouble. Which means an investigation into any ideologically-based think tank is going to turn into a never-ending wormhole. Oh -- now I get it! This is a jobs creation project for lawyers! Right.

Anyway, so far this whole brouhaha is built upon the word of one MM staffer, one former MM staffer, and one "in the know" looky-loo -- none of whom will go on record. So there's that. But what I really want to know is, what is this a smokescreen for? In paying attention to this circus, what are we NOT paying attention to?

Here's what I'm seeing: Republicans marching in lock-step behind this campaign while everyone else does all the heavy lifting in the real world of governing. And now that I've said this, I feel like I need to go wash my hands for having wasted this much time writing about this fake controversy. I have more important things to write about, like the personalized M&M's Kim Kardashian got for Valentine's Day.

What would you rather see Congress do?

Image via Media Matters for America

About the author Adriana Velez

is a staff writer who dabbles in food, parenting, news, entertainment, molecular biology, and anything else that that pops into her head. She lives with her husband and elementary school-aged son in Brooklyn, land of urban farms and artisan everything.

Filed Under: in the news, media

Comments (7)

billsfan1104

on Feb 15, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Only those organizations dont have private access to Obama like Media Matters does. Those organizations are not using tax payer dollars to do private investigation on FoxNews hosts like Media Matters is. You are not comparing apples to apples.

Report this comment

i.heart.nerds

on Feb 15, 2012 at 11:55 AM

Your bias is showing OP. The Stir is obviously incapable of keeping their political affiliation out of their posts.

butterflymkm

on Feb 15, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Thank you! Someone actually writes the obvious on this matter! Remove nonprofit status for one? Remove it for all. Investigate on? Investigate the others for the same issues. I don't think any of them need nonprofit status. Perhaps truly nonpartisan sources such as Nat Geo or Consumer Reports, but not these guys.

texasmamma777

on Feb 15, 2012 at 4:27 PM

"What is this smokescreen for?"

Oh please, Adriana Velez -- your article is a smokescreen, designed to keep readers misinformed. Try again.

Nonmember comment from FormerDemNowInd

on Feb 15, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Wow, it sounds like a stretch on your part Adriana. Media matter has direct access to the White House, and apparently has a lot of influence. If they are not completely on the up-and-up, they should be investigated... quickly, before any other potential, manipulated damage can occur.

hoticedcoffee

on Feb 15, 2012 at 4:41 PM

Oh, see, you apparently didn't get the memo that Obama isn't really planning on doing much of anything between now and the election, so he can blame his failures on Congress. Thanks to him, Congress DOES have time on their hands.

From what I've heard reported, and I fully admit to only hearing about it on Fox, is there are these emails supporting some really, really bad behavior on the part of MM. Hiring private investigators to target Fox employees with the intent of intimidating and smearing them. Organizing email attacks on reporters. Trying to convince Michael Moore to do a hate piece on Fox. Placing a mole inside Fox. Lots of really unsavory shit, aimed at getting Fox 'out of the way so the Progressive movement can continue on, unfettered by people with a different opinion. You know - stuff that losers do in order to take out an opponent, because they know that on a level playing ground, they ain't got game?

I would think that Liberals would love to have the investigation if they knew MM's hands were clean, because wouldn't that just put your nemesis in a tailspin? I mean, to NOT investigate is really, really bad for Liberals, don't you think? Don't you want to know that your party would NEVER be so intolerant, despicable, jeuvenile, hateful, and sneaky?

Eve.Gem

on Feb 16, 2012 at 9:19 AM

This article is laughable at best filled with hypocritical and biased opinion. If your really for all American's your article would surely read differently.

The fact is that Media Matters has a vendetta against Fox and all it's employee's. It's only more proof that when Facts can't be argued, personal attacks are a standard liberal tactic. When a media organization that receives taxpayer funded money has direct access to the White House for their talking points and to push an agenda, that is wrong, no matter how you wish to spin it. Yet you think it is a waste of taxpayer money to investigate a fraud to stop wasting our money. Priceless.....

I stop wondering why we are in such a mess with articles like these.