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Extremist Media Steps Up Attacks on Workers, Unions Tula Connell Aug 11, 2010 http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/08/11/extremist-media-steps-up-attacks-on-workers-unions/ In their attack on the union movement, extremist reactionary media outlets increasingly are depicting unions and workers as thugs, Communists and destroyers of free enterprise. Media Matters has compiled these recent attacks and we're cross-posting some of the watchdog group's findings here. We urge all unionists to take a minute from pinko thuggery to check it out. The Blame Game: Conservative Media Try to Pin Problems on Unions Beck says unions have "raped" police and firefighters. On the August 4 edition of his radio program, Glenn Beck said of unions: "Look what they've done to the police and firemen. They've raped these guys. Along with politicians. Along with politicians--raped them. The bravest among us." Beck went on to ask, "What, do you think the politicians are not in bed with the unions?" Beck blames unions for woes of local governments and industries. On the February 25 edition of "The Glenn Beck Program," Beck blamed unions for the financial woes of local governments, the auto industry, airlines, schools, the steel industry, and the textile industry. He continued: "Mr. President, until you get the unions out of this business, I don't think we have anything to talk about." Carlson blames cost of living in NYC on "union pensions" and "raising taxes" for "schools." On the August 5 edition of Fox News' "Fox & Friends," co-host Gretchen Carlson asserted that the cost of living in New York City, California, and Honolulu is "so expensive" "because of union pensions; because of raising costs for other things; for raising taxes along the way for schools." Carlson concluded: "If you go back in history and look at who incorporated a lot of that, maybe the blame comes right back to the same party. Or maybe it doesn't." Root: "Unions destroy capitalism and free enterprise." On the May 27, 2009, edition of Fox News' "Glenn Beck," guest Wayne Allyn Root stated that a "point we all agree on" is that "unions destroy capitalism and free enterprise." As examples, Root cited the public school system, the auto industry, and the steel industry. Beck pushed back slightly, stating that he's "against unions, but not all unions" and explaining that "the way to success is to be a decent person, treat other people with dignity, give them a good fair living wage because if you're good to your people they're going to make a better product, everybody wins." Bernard: "[A] lot of labor unions are what holds America back and keeps us from being as good as we can be." On the August 19, 2009, edition of MSNBC's "Morning Meeting," Independent Women's Forum CEO Michelle Bernard stated: The labor unions right now simply exist for one reason: To self-perpetuate, receiving union dues, and having political influence. I think it's absolutely amazing to watch that clip from "The Rachel Maddow Show" last night where this guy is, he's saying to President Obama, "I'm strong arming you, buddy." And my answer to this would be they are showing themselves to be as ridiculous as many members of the American public think they are. What happened to pragmatism, what happened to competition, and what actually happened to winning? Maybe it would be great for the Democratic Party to lose the support of labor unions because quite honestly, a lot of labor unions are what holds America back and keeps us from being as good as we can be. Conservatives Smear Unions as Violent 'Thugs' Limbaugh accuses unions of resorting to violence. On the May 18, 2009, broadcast of his radio show, Rush Limbaugh attempted to smear unions as violent, declaring that the Employee Free Choice Act should be titled "The Union Brass Knuckles Busting On Your Knees Act." Beck warns of "possible super-union" of "out-and-out thugs" that will have "extraordinary power." On the April 14 edition of his radio show, Beck warned listeners of "a possible super-union coming" with "extraordinary power." He added: "And they're thugs. Out-and-out thugs. Not the members, the unions." Beck says violence is a "self-fulfilling prophecy" of labor unions. During the May 3 edition of his Fox News show, Beck said, "The unions are in bed with Washington and special interests and they are not in your or this nation's best interest anymore. They are following the playbooks from Europe." Beck went on to spell out the "playbooks from Europe," concluding that the process ends with "violence. ... This is a self-fulfilling prophecy." Beck suggests unions are prone to violence. On the April 12 broadcast of his radio show, suggesting that unions are prone to violence, Beck asked of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: "How long does that guy live? Seriously, how long does that guy survive? He's in New Jersey. He's got to break up the union pensions." Beck further said, "If I do my job and I don't get paid, I'm angry too." Trace Gallagher: "With the 1930s came ... the labor movement -- organization by way of strikes, votes, violence." During the January 15, 2008, edition of "The Fox Report with Shepard Smith," in a segment discussing Michigan history and the issues pertinent to voters there, chief correspondent Trace Gallagher asserted: "With the 1930s came men like Jimmy Hoffa and the labor movement--organization by way of strikes, votes, violence." However, Gallagher did not mention the positive effects of the 1930s labor movement for workers in Michigan, which included banning "oppressive child labor" and federal laws "which strengthened unions' rights to organize and negotiate with employers." Beck pushes Obama "civilian army" conspiracy theory: "The unions are his enforcers." On the April 12 edition of "The Glenn Beck Program," Beck told listeners, "People say, 'Oh, Barack Obama's building a civilian defense force--a civilian army.' He has one. It's called the unions. The unions are his enforcers." Cavuto tells union spokesman: "You politely do your Tony Soprano thing, albeit in your little sweater vest there." During the January 11 edition of Fox News' "Your World with Neil Cavuto," Stewart Acuff of the Utility Workers Union of America appeared to discuss union opposition to a tax on health care plans backed by President Obama. Cavuto told Acuff: "You politely do your Tony Soprano thing, albeit in your little sweater vest there, 'cause you're such a decent guy, but you're saying 'Mr. President, may I remind you that you are sitting in this room because of us.' Which is a very nice way of saying, 'Tread slowly, big guy.' " PortsideLabor aims to provide material of interest to people on the left that will help them to interpret the world and to change it. 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