In episode 39 of our podcast, we look at misleading statements about the pay of federal workers versus private sector workers. Plus, we debunk a talking point about the Bush tax cuts and tell you the story of an old (and now reincarnated) chain e-mail about Jane Fonda.
For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Are Federal Workers Overpaid? Dec. 1
Tax Cuts and Americans: It’s Complicated Nov. 20
Blame Jane Falsehoods Nov.
President Barack Obama’s recent announcement to freeze the pay of federal civilian workers did little to ice the debate over whether federal workers are overpaid or underpaid. … Both sides are armed with official government statistics, but neither side is right. …
This week, readers sent us comments about health care premiums, earmarks and other people’s letters.
In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah tweeted Nov. 21 that an airport security officer strip-searched a young boy. Chaffetz linked to a YouTube video that showed a shirtless boy being searched at a Utah airport. But the lawmaker jumped to a false conclusion. Both the Transportation Security Administration and the person who videotaped the incident say the boy’s father removed his son’s shirt, not TSA officers.
Chaffetz’s mis-tweet is just one example of the recent outcry against the TSA’s new imaging machines and pat-down techniques.
This week, readers sent us comments about economic projections, health insurance premiums and the dollar value of earmarks.
In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
December 16, 2010
We have now posted video of the conference. All four parts can also be found here.
Brooks Jackson’s opening remarks, Ilyse Hogue of MoveOn.org and Khalid Pitts of the Service Employees International Union.
Khalid Pitts of SEIU, Art Pulaski of the California Labor Federation and questions from the audience.
Carl Forti of American Crossroads, Brad Todd of OnMessage Inc. and Rob Collins of American Action Network.
Rob Collins of American Action Network, questions from the audience and closing remarks from Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
8:45-9:00 am Coffee and pastries
9:00-9:15 am Opening Remarks – Brooks Jackson, FactCheck.org
9:15-10:30 am Democratic/liberal panel
• Ilyse Hogue, director of political advocacy and communications, MoveOn.org
• Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer, California Labor Federation
• Khalid Pitts, director of strategic campaigns, Service Employees International Union
10:30-10:45 am Break
10:45-12:00 pm Republican/conservative panel
• Carl Forti, political director, American Crossroads
• Brad Todd, media consultant and top advisor to the NRCC
• Rob Collins, president, American Action Network
12:00-12:15 pm Closing Remarks –
We found a relative dearth of misleading comments uttered by the politicians and others appearing on the Nov. 21 talk shows. We can’t be sure why, but we would note that most members of Congress seem to have fled town. Any connection? Not for us to say!
Happy Turkey Day.
Social Security: It’s Not Dead Yet
On "Fox News Sunday," Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas exaggerated the financial plight of the Social Security system.
Rob Collins
President, American Action Network
Click to expand/collapse the Bio
Rob Collins has spent the last seven years as Congressman Eric Cantor’s (VA-07) Chief of Staff. Prior to his tenure with Cantor, Collins worked for Senator John Thune, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senator Chuck Hagel, The Republican National Committee, Congressman David McIntosh and Congressman Frank Riggs. Collins, a Syracuse, NY native, is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and has been named to three consecutive Roll Call’s “Fab 50”
Q: Is President Obama honoring Jane Fonda as one of the women of the century?
A: No. That was done 11 years ago by Barbara Walters of ABC News.