Media Matters' Funding Background...

GREAT DETECTIVE WORK, by Michael Savage. This post shows the tenticles of liberalism and communism to censor free speech. I was shocked that no link to Code Pink was found, I guess they are an independant group of traitors and communists. It happens...

The most prominent group involved in MM's funding is the Democracy Alliance (DA):

DA is a group formed in 2005 that "accredits" liberal causes and steers large donations to them. It does not make grants per se.

As of 2006, DA reportedly required that recipient organizations refuse to disclose identity of donors[i] although many are identifiable through media reports.

Major backers of DA include:

George Soros[ii]
DA is described as "George Soros's Democracy Alliance"[iii] although that might be an exaggeration.

Soros was one of several people instrumental in forming DA.[iv]
Peter Lewis[v]
A close associate of George Soros.

Mark and Susie Tomkins Buell[vi] ("major backers" of Hillary Clinton[vii] and donors to MM).
Other wealthy donors to liberal and left-wing causes.
DA has steered money to many left-wing groups, including:
$5mm to the Center for American Progress (CAP), described below.[viii]
People for the American Way.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a George Soros-funded group.

Reportedly received around $1mm from DA members in 2006.[ix]
Air America.[x]
At least one more Soros-funded group.[xi]
Please note that DA's funding recommendations are not public


The Democracy Alliance has funding and other links to MM:

MM has received funds directly from DA members,[xii] and has received in-kind help from other DA recipient organizations.
DA reportedly steered $7mm to MM as of January 2008.[xiii]

The Center for American Progress (CAP), which is a DA-accredited group, and MM have close links:

In 2004, John Podesta, former Clinton Chief of Staff, and founder of the CAP let MM use CAP office space.[xiv]

Other sources say MM was "developed with help from the newly formed Center for American Progress."[xv]

CAP described (apparently by an employee) as "the official Hillary Clinton think tank." [xvi]
George Soros reportedly gave CAP $3mm.[xvii]
In addition, MM's treasurer, Rachel Pritzker Hunter, is a board member of DA[xviii]

Who are the direct donors to Media Matters?

The following foundations and groups are documented as granting money to MM:
MM's IRS Form 990 does not list funding sources so the following is complied from credible media reporting and an initial review of foundation Form 990s.

A brief review of the websites and grantee lists of the following groups show they all support moderate-left to far-left-of-center organizations, including a number of environmental organizations, the ACLU, publishers of The Nation, People for the American Way, plus a number of pro-abortion groups.

Many of MM's funders donated to MM and other groups through the Tides Foundation, or donated to the Tides Foundation directly.

The Tides Foundation has been described as "a financial intermediary for left-wing non-profits and foundations."[xix]

The Tides Foundation funded the following groups (among others) according to media reports:
Tides Foundation set up a short-lived "Iraq Peace Foundation" which gave money to the pro-Castro groups United for Peace and Justice and Center for Constitutional Rights."[xx]
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (of Hussein Ibish Fame)

CAP
CAIR
Democracy Now!
Global Exchange
PETA

Plus a number of groups with "Peace" in their title which implies they support violence.[xxi]
MoveOn.org

A Media Matters spokesperson was quoted in a media report acknowledging that MM received unspecified "support" from Moveon.org.[xxii]

New Democrat Network[xxiii]

A self-described "Progressive Think Tank and Advocacy Organization."[xxiv]

Also acknowledged by an MM spokesman as providing unspecified "support" from Moveon.org.[xxv]

Schumann Center for Media and Democracy (2005; $500k)

Described on one website as "Rabidly anti-capitalist donor led by media icon Bill Moyers."[xxvi]
In 2005, donated $140,000 to Global Exchange, which "seems to be spearheading much of Venezuela's U.S. propaganda campaign"[xxvii] and much of whose funding comes from "organizing reality tours to Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and North Korea."[xxviii]

Gruber Family Foundation (2004/5 $500k)
Barbara Streisand Foundation (2004/5; $35k)
Arca Foundation (2004; $100k)
Grant recipients include:

The Culture Project, Inc ($3500 in 2004), for production of "Guantanamo," which dramatized alleged stories of false imprisonment in Guantanamo.[xxix]
Democracy Now Productions ($40k in 2004), a far-left talk show hosted by Amy Goodman, which hosts people like Noam Chomsky and Norman Finkelstein.
Mercy Corps – ($35k in undetermined year), for holding conferences on US relations with North Korea.

Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation (2005; $50k)
Bohemian Foundation (2004/5; $475,000)
Glaser Progress Foundation (2005; $100k) (gave through Tides Foundation)
Susie Tomkins Buell Foundation (2004; $200k) (gave through Tides Foundation at least once)

$100k direct grant in 2004, according to 2004 Form 990.
$200k through the Tides Foundation, in 2003, according to 2003 Form 990.
Furman Foundation:

The Furman Foundation gave to MM, Tides Foundation, CAP, and other left-wing organizations, according to 2006 Form 990.
The above is based on an initial review of media and IRS Form 990s.

The following wealthy individuals have donated to MM either through foundations or directly:
Reportedly, MM received over $2mm[xxx][xxxi] from:
Leo Hindrey Jr.[xxxii]
Considered running for DNC chairman in 2004.[xxxiii]
Susie Tompkins Buell (co founder of Esprit)[xxxiv]

"Buell contributed at least $1 million to the Joint Victory Campaign 2004, a 527 group also supported by financier George Soros."[xxxv]
Big donor to Democratic and liberal causes
James Hormel[xxxvi]

One significant controversy involving Hormel is described as follows: "A coalition of religious right groups, led by the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council, charged that some of Hormel's $500,000 donation to the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center of the San Francisco Public Library was used to obtain material from NAMBLA, a group widely condemned by gay activists as supporting pedophilia. (Hormel has said he has no control over the library collection and has denounced NAMBLA.)"[xxxvii]
Bren Simon[xxxviii]
Peter Lewis,[xxxix]an associate of George Soros
It is not clear how much Peter Lewis gave to MM.
Described by Washington Post as "close associate" of George Soros.[xl]
Donated to many groups supporting drug legalization.[xli]

The extent of George Soros' links to MM:

There was a controversy over George Soros funding links:
In late 2004, MM stated flatly that neither it nor David Brock received money from Soros or any Soros-linked organization.[xlii]

MM backtracked a bit and stated it "never received funding directly from George Soros."[xliii]
As noted above, Soros gave money to CAP which has close links with MM.
In addition, Soros has funded Moveon.org which was acknowledged by an MM spokesperson as giving "support" to MM.

Statements by MM employees:
Eric Boehlert – MM Senior Fellow[xliv]
Described (by Frontpage Magazine) as "among the most passionate defenders of Univerisity of South Florida Professor Sami Al-Arian."[xlv]

Did Hillary Clinton Found MM?
· At the 2007 YearlyKos foundation, Hillary Clinton referred to ""institutions that I helped to start and support like Media Matters and Center for American Progress."[xlvi]
o This is apparently poetic license on Clinton's part. One mainstream newspaper reports that Clinton "advised Brock on creating the group, encouraging the creation of a liberal equivalent of the Media Research Center."[xlvii]
o The same article continues: "Clinton's extended family of contributors, consultants, and friends has played a pivotal role in helping Media Matters grow from a $3.5 million start-up in 2004 to its current [as September 2006] $8.5 million budget."[xlviii]
· An analysis of media reports, financial disclosures, and several published investigations of MM does not reveal any evidence that Hillary Clinton was directly involved in MM's founding.
· A reasonable inference from the available data is that at most Clinton gave advice and possibly steered some donations that way, but there is scant documentary evidence to this effect.

…However, there is significant overlap between Bill and Hillary Clinton staffers and MM:
The following individuals have worked for both MM and the Clintons (or close to them):

Dennis Yedwab: MM's communications strategist (2004-2005[xlix]) and director of strategic resources at democratic congressional campaign committee.[l]
Mandy Vlasz: Brock's personal assistant, and "veteran consultant to Democratic campaigns" including Gore's 2000 campaign[li]

Neel Lattimore: MM Director of Special Projects and Senator Clinton's press secretary during the 90s.[lii]
Kelly Craighead – Top advisor to Brock during MM's formation, and close friend of Hillary. Also top advisor to DA. [liii]

Initial Summary and Assessment:
o An initial review of Media Matters' funding sources shows that many donors have given to a numerous, and overlapping group of left or far-left-leaning, or otherwise radical groups…
o Including one (CAIR) widely suspected of links to Hamas.
o One (Global Exchange) described as a propaganda arm of Venezuela, and whom research suggests sympathizes with designated terrorist sponsoring countries.
o The foundations and individuals donating to MM have strong ties to the Democratic Party and Democratic and liberal causes.
o No link with Code Pink was identified, although further research could uncover a link.
o George Soros has donated to groups who have received funds from MM donors, and the Soros-linked Democracy Alliance has steered funds to MM.

http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=1194

Judge Drops Michael Savage Lawsuit Against CAIR

The timing of this is no coincidence; I suspect that this decision was released this week, because of Savages comments about Autism last week. Why do I say this? There will be less criticism of the decision, because of the already negative press against Michael Savage. People will just say, "yeah he deserved it" instead of saying that "the decision was possibly unjust due to the judges possible connection with the Clinton's".

Savage suspects that Media Matters colluded with CAIR to damage his reputation and career by raising money to put pressure on advertisers and stations to drop his show. Savage was claiming that CAIR is a criminal enterprise due to connections with known terrorists in the past. He wanted this to go to trial, so he could try to expose who is really financing this Muslim group.

Savage is going to explode on Monday....

http://cbs5.com/local/Michael.Savage.lawsuit.2.780510.html

20 audio clips of Michael Savage's comments on Autism.

Michael Savage has explained his side of the Autism controversy over and over, but there is still an obvious agenda to fire him, not because of his Autism comments, but because of his daily assault on the liberals and their socialist agenda.

Does the liberal establishment want Michael Savage GONE before the November 2008 election? You bet they do and this is all being POLITICALLY MOTIVATED by the left.

You conservatives better open your mouths to the radio stations, because this is an assault on OUR RIGHTS and OUR VOICE. If they silence Michael Savage, they are silencing MY VOICE and YOURS TOO....

Talk Radio Network posted over 20 clips of Savage talking to experts on Autism and many of them verify what Savage was claiming. It would be wise for a parent of Autism to listen to these clips, so they can get further information on this tragic ailment.

http://www.talkradionetwork.com/pg/jsp/general/savageclips.jsp

Media Matters the New Free Speech Police?

Is this the country you want to live in folks? Who is funding this group Media Matters and what is their evil agenda? This is what we have come to in this Country? We are on the cusp of losing freedom of speech due to political correctness; it is near. You have to be blind if you can not see the political motivation behind Media Matters trying to get Michael Savage fired. Do you really think they give a damn about children? No, this is about manipulating the parents of Autistic children, so they can achieve the destruction of a very popular conservative talk show host.

Savage has had several non biased Autism experts on his show since this incident and he has more than adequately explained himself. One doctor even mentioned that there is a rate of 34% of kids that are MISDIAGNOSED with Autism. Others agreed that there is a financial motivation by parents, doctors, drug companies and schools to diagnose kids with autism. The more, the merrier.

I am asking you all to call your local radio stations that host the Michael Savage show and to show your support for freedom of speech and join us in the fight AGAINST FASCISTS that want to tell us how to live and what to say.

This reminds me of the attacks on FOX News (ironic that it is coming from the same usual suspects - Move on.org) because FOX has the guts to report the truth and the truth does not mix well with the socialist agenda that is being rammed down our throats today.

The other night I was talking with my neighbor, that was a prisoner for 4 years in a concentration camp in Austria. He said that towards the end of his captivity, he went 3 weeks without food. He also said that he was very lucky to escape with his life and that he knows that he would have been killed if Stalin was running the camps instead of Hitler. This goes to show you that a lot of the propaganda out there against fascism, is by OTHER FASCISTS to confuse, cause deception and divert attention away from their evil agenda.

I noticed that he was very anti-Bush right off the bat and I said to him, "do not trust what you hear in the media, because it is under the control of THE SOCIALISTS". His eyes opened wide up and that got his attention really fast and after another 20 minutes, he AGREED with EVERYTHING that I was saying.

Here is a video from FOX News where Juan Williams mentions the fascism involved with silencing freedon of speech if it is against what liberals want to hear or believe in.

Michael Savage Clears up Autism Controversy

I heard the entire show last week when Savage was talking about Autism and of course Media Matters slanted the statements to fit their left wing agenda. They seemed to forget to mention that Dr. Savage was criticizing the misdiagnosing of children by doctors, that are pushers for the drug companies these days.

Savage also claimed that some parents are claiming their child has a learning disability, so they could get extra public assistance.

I am sure the left wingers like that children are being medicated, because it is easier to brainwash them with their socialist ideologies and perversion.

Savage did lose his cool, but it was towards the corruption of the doctors and drug companies, not the Autistic children or their parents.

Nice try Media Matters. Have you ever heard of something called Freedom of Speech?

Progressives = Stalinists.......


Here is Michael Savage's response to The Autism Controversy

My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults as "autistic."

Just as some drug companies have overdiagnosed "ADD" and "ADHD" to peddle dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age, this cartel of doctors and drug companies is now creating a national panic by overdiagnosing "autism, for which there is no definitive medical diagnosis!

Many children are being victimized by being diagnosed with an "illness" which may not exist, in all cases. Just a few weeks ago doctors recommended dangerous anti-cholesterol drugs for children as young as 2 years of age! Without any scientific studies on the possible dangers of such drugs on children, corrupt doctors made this controversial, unscientific recommendation.

Increasingly, our children are being used as profit centers by a greedy, corrupt medical/pharmaceutical establishment. As the brother of a severely disabled person who suffered and died in a New York "snake-pit" of a "mental hospital," I know first-hand what true disability is.

To permit greedy doctors to include children in medical categories which may not be appropriate is a crime against that child and their family. Let the truly autistic be treated. Let the falsely diagnosed be free.

Michael Savage

http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=1126

Click here for clips on Michael Savage talking to experts on AUTISM.

http://deletefrance.multiply.com/journal/item/2098/Michael_Savage_Clears_up_Autism_Controversy_-_Part_2