Difference between revisions of "Media Matters for America"

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'''Media Matters for America''' is a far-left activist organization with strong [[Democratic Party]] ties founded by [[David Brock]], created to censor conservative media through blacklisting and intimidation of advertisers.<ref>[http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/pages/static/media_matters_facts Media Matters Facts], RushLimbaugh.com, Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>  Brock also works for [[American Bridge 21st Century]], which he co-founded with [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]], a former lt. governor of Maryland and eldest child of former US Attorney General and US Senator [[Robert F. Kennedy]].  Media Matters claims its goal is to highlight what it considers [[conservative]] misinformation in mass media organizations. Primarily, they target prominent conservative public officials, public television personalities, [[Fox News]], and [[conservative talk radio]].
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A non-biased Media Group that holds Right-Wing extremists accountable.
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Within the 90 page 3-year strategic plan Media Matters distributed to its donor base and potential conributors, the document reveals that the non-profit entity has an enemies list which includes organizations like [[Fox News]], [[Cato Institute]], and [[Heritage Foundation]].  The list also targets numerous individuals and executives such as [[Rupert Murdoch]], [[Roger Ailes]], [[Peter Theil]], and [[Richard Mellon Scaife]].<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MMFA-2012-full.pdf Media Matters' Strategic Plan]</ref> 
 
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Further deviating from its tax exempt status, a recently discovered internal strategy memo from Media Matters Senior Fellow Karl Frisch to David Brock and Eric Burns, suggests that Media Matters "hire private investigators to look into the personal lives of Fox News anchors, hosts, reporters, prominent contributors, senior network and corporate staff,” as well as "look into contracting with a major law firm to study any available legal actions that can be taken against Fox News, from a class action law suit to defamation claims for those wronged by the network. I imagine this would be difficult but the right law firm is bound to find some legal ground for us to take action against the network.”<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/13/media-matters-memo-called-for-hiring-private-investigators-to-look-into-the-personal-lives-of-fox-employees/ Media Matters memo called for hiring private investigators ‘to look into the personal lives’ of Fox employees]</ref>
 
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Some claim Media Matters was instrumental in lobbying for the firing of [[Don Imus]],<ref>[http://www.aim.org/special_report/5390_0_8_0_C/ How Hillary's Hit Man Got Imus], Cliff Kincaid, April 17, 2007.</ref> whom they considered a moderate for endorsing [[John Kerry]] for [[United States presidential election, 2004|president in 2004]].<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2007/04/17/video-tammy-bruce-exposes-far-left-outlets-hit-list-on-everyone-to-their-right/ Video: Tammy Bruce exposes far-left outlets’ hit list on everyone to their right,] ''FOX News'', April 17, 2007.</ref> Imus was targeted by the liberal left for criticizing Senator [[Charles Schumer]] and most notably, the constant rebuke of former First Lady and at the time Senator [[Hillary Clinton]].
 
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Fox News host [[Bill O'Reilly]] took aim at Media Matters in March 2012 for their attack on Rush Limbaugh, calling their work "very [[fascist]]". <ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/23/oreilly-media-matters-anti-limbaugh-campaign-very-fascist/ O’Reilly: Media Matters anti-Limbaugh campaign ‘very fascist’, March 23, 2012]</ref>
 
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==Founding==
 
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Since 2004, Media Matters has monitored conservative media and attacked high-profile conservatives with provocative language.  In addition, it is often accused of using out-of-context [[quote mining]]. It is headed by [[David Brock]], a former conservative who claims he made up stories about such people as [[Anita Hill]], who charged Supreme Court Justice [[Clarence Thomas]] with sexual harassment during Thomas’s confirmation hearings. Brock developed a relationship in the 1990s with then-First Lady [[Hillary Clinton]]'s press aide, [[Neel Lattimore]], and came out of the closet, announcing he was a [[homosexual]] and joining the [[liberal]] cause. Brock later hired Lattimore at Media Matters as director of "special projects."
 
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Brock is a self-proclaimed fabricator of lies who strong-armed sources that didn’t agree with him.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=20711 Media Matters: Defaming Journalists, Getting Sued], by Catherine Moy, ''Human Events'', 05/15/2007.</ref> While writing ''Blinded by the Right'',<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_23_119/ai_94639741/pg_1 Slime-master: inside the `vast right-wing conspiracy' - Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative] - Book Review, Christian Century, Nov 6, 2002 by Gary Dorrien.</ref> Brock was hospitalized in a mental facility where he spent time in a "quiet room" and "had delusions, he thought people were trying to kill him," according to the Drudge Report.<ref>http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2002/05/22/20020522_143906_brockb.htm</ref> 
 
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In February 2012, The Daily Caller ran a story outlining Brock's "erratic behavior" based on sources within his organization and Media Matters' close coordination with the [[President Barack Obama]] White House and liberal news organizations.<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/12/inside-media-matters-sources-memos-reveal-erratic-behavior-close-coordination-with-white-house-and-news-organizations/ Inside Media Matters: Sources, memos reveal erratic behavior, close coordination with White House and news organizations]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/13/reports-media-matters-head-coordinates-with-white-house-builds-super-pac/ Reports: Media Matters head coordinates with White House, builds super PAC]</ref>
 
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Brock outlined his lies and conversion to liberalism in his 2002 book, ''Blinded By The Right.'' He launched Media Matters in 2004 after conferring with [[Hillary Clinton]].
 
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“David Brock has invented a new form of political organization: a tax-exempt group that is subsidized by taxpayers while Brock gets to spew his hate/smears,” said Anthony “Andy” Martin, a journalist suing Brock & Media Matters for defamation.
 
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[[Jamison Foser]] is described on the Media Matters website as having "served as Research Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ([[DCCC]]) for the 2002 cycle" and is one of several staffers with connections to the faction of Democratic Party linked to the Clintons.
 
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Glenn Thrush of ''Newsday'' has reported very close ties between Brock and the [[Hillary Clinton]] campaign, noting that Hillary "advised Brock" on creating his organization. He added, "For her part, 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 $8.5 million budget."<ref>[http://www.aim.org/aim_report/5541_0_4_0_C/ AIM Report: Hillary's Hit Man Strikes Again], Accuracy in Media, June 19, 2007.</ref> While speaking at a [[Daily Kos]] event; Hillary Clinton bragged about her role regarding <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/node/16046/print Hillary Clinton Told YearlyKos Convention She Helped Start Media Matters]" News Busters, October 1st, 2007</ref>
 
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{{cquote|institutions that I helped to start and support like '''Media Matters''' and '''Center for American Progress'''.}}
 
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==Media Matters and Israel==
 
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Media Matters has come under attack by the influential [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] for supporting bloggers who promote "dangerous political libels" and "toxic anti-Jewish prejudices".  According to the Center, Media Matters Senior Foreign Policy Fellow [[MJ Rosenberg]] "has repeatedly smeared Jewish groups such the [[Anti-Defamation League]], the [[American Jewish Committee]], and the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]] as “Israel Firsters.”"<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/simon-wiesenthal-center-time-to-clean-up-the-discourse/2011/12/13/gIQAThG6rO_blog.html Simon Wiesenthal Center: Time to clean up the discourse]</ref><ref>[http://biggovernment.com/tag/mj-rosenberg/ Democrats' 'Brain Trust' Hit by Antisemitism Accusations]</ref>
 
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In a Twitter post by MJ Rosenberg, he called Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "terrorist".<ref>[http://biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2011/05/20/media-matters-honcho-attacks-israel-aipac-calls-netanyahu-terrorist/ Media Matter's MJ Rosenberg tweets, calls Israel PM Netanyahu a "terrorist"]</ref>
 
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At a gathering of pro-Israel supporters held at the University of Pennsylvania in early February 2012, noted liberal Democrat and high-profile lawyer Alan Dershowitz was quoted as saying that Media Matters could cost President Barack Obama the 2012 presidential election.<ref>[http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/m-alan_dershowitz_says_media_matters_could_cost_obama_the_election.html Alan Dershowitz Says Media Matters Could Cost Obama the Election]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/13/reports-media-matters-head-coordinates-with-white-house-builds-super-pac/ Reports: Media Matters head coordinates with White House, builds super PAC]</ref>
 
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==Media Matters and Gun Control==
 
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Media Matters is a staunch supporter of anti-gun legislation over the years and writes frequently on the subject on its website.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/ MediaMatters.org]</ref>  In fact, Media Matters has taken $400,000 in donations from The Joyce Foundation specifically for the purpose "to support a gun and public safety issue initiative"<ref>[http://www2.guidestar.org/ The Joyce Foundation 990 Tax Filing for 2010 - Page 130]</ref>  Over the years The [[Joyce Foundation]] has actively supported gun control programs and has donated tens of millions of dollars to numerous anti-gun initiatives.<ref>[http://www.joycefdn.org/content.cfm/program-grants-list-3?rr=1&OrderBy=Amount&OrderAsc=0 Joyce Foundation Program Grants: Gun Violence]</ref>  [[President Barack Obama]] served on the board of Joyce Foundation from 1994 to 2002.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/25/obama-years-ago-helped-fund-carbon-program-pushing-congress/ Obama Years Ago Helped Fund Carbon Program He Is Now Pushing Through Congress,] By Ed Barnes, March 25, 2009. FoxNews.com.  See also [[Enron scandal]] for information on carbon trading.</ref>
 
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Ironically, recent reports have revealed that the personal assistant to Media Matters founder and Chairman David Brock carries a concealed Glock handgun when Brock goes out in public, so as to protect Brock.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2012/02/15/media-matters-took-600k-for-gun-control-while-carrying/ Media Matters took $600K for gun control while carrying?]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/16/brock-and-glock-armed-men-guarded-media-matters-boss-as-took-400000-gun-control/ Brock and the Glock: Armed men guarded Media Matters boss as he took $400,000 gun control donation]</ref>  Washington DC is known as having some of the strictest gun carrying laws in the United States, so carrying a legally concealed weapon within that city would be extremely rare for a private citizen.
 
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==The MSNBC – Media Matters Connection==
 
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Media Matters for America is a very popular source of information within MSNBC’s prime time lineup.  Some might argue [[MSNBC]] is a defacto mouth piece for the organization.<ref>[http://bigjournalism.com/sright/2011/07/12/media-matters-propaganda-watch-the-tax-exempt-research-department-of-msnbc-martin-bashir-edition/ Media Matters Propaganda Watch: The Tax-Exempt Research Department of MSNBC, Martin Bashir Edition]</ref><ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/12/inside-media-matters-sources-memos-reveal-erratic-behavior-close-coordination-with-white-house-and-news-organizations/ Inside Media Matters: Sources, memos reveal erratic behavior, close coordination with White House and news organizations]</ref>
 
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In prime time alone, since 2005 Media Matters has either been booked as a guest and/or mentioned on the network nearly 200 times.    Media Matters has been particularly popular with MSNBC’s producers during the last 2 years.
 
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Below are some interesting tid bits about Media Matters and its growing relationship with MSNBC’s prime time programming:
 
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* 197 guest appearances and/or on-air mentions on MSNBC’s prime time since January 2005
 
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* Of the roughly 390 broadcast evenings on MSNBC since July 2010, Media Matters has either been booked as a guest and/or mentioned on air 26% of the possible broadcast evenings (1 out of every 4 days).
 
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* In 2011, on average, a Media Matters representative appeared on MSNBC at least once per week
 
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* [[Eric Boehlert]] has been the most popular Media Matters representative on MSNBC, accounting for 43% of all Media Matters appearances on the cable network
 
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* [[The Ed Show]] is the most popular show for Media Matters representatives, accounting for 72 Media Matters guest appearances since 2009<ref>[http://www.nexis.com Search and analysis on MSNBC's primetime transcripts via Nexis.com]</ref>
 
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In another connection, MSNBC and NBC News Presidential Historian [[Michael Beschloss]] is married to [[Afsaneh M. Beschloss]], a  [[Ford Foundation]] Trustee and Media Matters supporter.<ref>[http://biggovernment.com/dwohl/2012/01/31/morris-beschloss-george-soros-the-most-dangerous-man-in-america/ It's Father Versus Son as Morris Beschloss Declares George Soros 'The Most Dangerous Man in America']</ref>
 
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==Financial information==
 
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In 2010, Media Matters for America raised $10,682,649 in contribution through its fundraising consultant [[Bonner Group]], who also raises money for several George Soros-backed organizations such as The [[Center for American Progress]], [[Center for Responsibilty and Ethics]], [[People for the American Way]], and [[American Foundation for Equal Rights]].  Media Matters total revenues for 2010 were $13,237,875.<ref>California Attorney General [http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications/2010cfr/cfr2010.pdf Summary of Results of Charitable Solicitation by Commerical Fundraisers for Year Ending 2010]</ref><ref>[http://www2.guidestar.org/ Media Matters 990 IRS Tax filing via Guidestar]</ref>  For 2009, Media Matters of America showed assets of $2,774,565 and income of $6,711,993.<ref>[http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/b/47-0928008/media-matters-america.aspx Media Matters 990 tax filings, 2003 - 2009]</ref>
 
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Since its inception, they've received over $50 million dollars in contributions from several sources including wealthy liberal activists such as [[George Soros]]<ref>[http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/1010/Soros_gives_1_million_to_Media_Matters.html "Soros gives $1 million to Media Matters"], Politico.com October 20, 2010</ref> and hedge funds<ref>[http://nymag.com/news/media/david-brock-media-matters-2011-5/index3.html "If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?"], By Jason Zengerle, ''New York Magazine'', May 22, 2011</ref>.  Left-wing foundations have also been a rich source of funding as well, accounting for over $17 million in donations.  Below are the list of foundations who've helped to fund Media Matters over the years.  The data is culled from publicly available tax filings made by these foundations as of October 25, 2011.
 
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'''Top Foundations Donating Funds to Media Matters for America Operations''' (> $50,000):<ref>[http://www2.guidestar.org/ Guidestar database of IRS filings filed by non-profit organizations]</ref>
 
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{| class="wikitable"
 
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!Foundation
 
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!Amount Donated to Media Matters
 
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|-
 
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|1. [[Bohemian Foundation]]
 
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| $2,325,000
 
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|-
 
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|2. [[Ford Foundation]]
 
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|  $1,945,000
 
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|-
 
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|3. [[Dyson Foundation]]
 
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|  $1,450,000
 
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|-
 
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|4. [[Gill Foundation]]
 
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|  $1,150,000
 
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|-
 
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|5. [[Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation ]]
 
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|    $1,125,000
 
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|-
 
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|6. [[Tides Foundation]]
 
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|    $946,276
 
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|-
 
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|7. [[Bauman Familly Foundation]]
 
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|      $600,000
 
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|-
 
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|8. [[Schumann Center for Media and Democracy]]
 
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|      $600,000
 
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|-
 
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|9. [[Leland Fikes Foundation ]]
 
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|      $500,000
 
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|-
 
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|10. [[Silicon Valley Community Foundation]]
 
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|        $428,000
 
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|-
 
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|11. [[Gruber Family Foundation]]
 
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|        $400,000
 
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|-
 
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|12. [[Joyce Foundation]]
 
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|        $400,000
 
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|-
 
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|13. [[Marisla Foundation]]
 
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|        $370,000
 
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|-
 
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|14. [[Boston Foundation (aka TBF)]]
 
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|        $305,000
 
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|-
 
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|15. [[Lewis B. & Dorothy Cullman Foundation]]
 
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|          $300,000
 
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|-
 
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|16. [[Glaser Progress Foundation]]
 
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|          $300,000
 
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|-
 
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|17. [[Marin Community Foundation]]
 
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|          $300,000
 
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|-
 
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|18. [[Lotus Foundation]]
 
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|          $280,000
 
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|-
 
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|19. [[Dallas Foundation]]
 
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|          $250,000
 
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|-
 
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|20. [[Schooner Foundation]]
 
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|          $234,717
 
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|-
 
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|21. [[Mai Family Foundation]]
 
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|          $225,000
 
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|-
 
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|22. [[McKay Foundation]]
 
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|          $225,000
 
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|-
 
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|23. [[Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation ]]
 
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|          $175,000
 
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|-
 
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|24. [[Johnson Family Foundation]]
 
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|          $155,000
 
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|-
 
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|25. [[Goatie Foundation]]
 
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|          $150,000
 
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|-
 
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|26. [[Pritzker Family Foundation ]]
 
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|          $150,000
 
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|-
 
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|27. [[Wasserman Foundation]]
 
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|          $150,000
 
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|-
 
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|28. [[BayTree  Fund]]
 
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|          $110,000
 
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|-
 
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|29 [[Kanter Family Foundation]]
 
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|          $108,000
 
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|-
 
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|30. [[Proteus Fund]]
 
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|          $95,000
 
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|-
 
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|31. [[Dwoskin Family Foundation]]
 
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|            $87,500
 
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|-
 
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|32. [[Barbara Lee Family Foundation]]
 
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|            $80,000
 
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|-
 
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|33. [[J.M. Kaplan Fund]]
 
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|            $77,500
 
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|-
 
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|34. [[Furman Foundation]]
 
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|            $75,000
 
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|-
 
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|35. [[Murphy Family Foundation]]
 
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|          $75,000
 
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|-
 
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|36. [[Sagner Family Foundation]]
 
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|            $65,000
 
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|-
 
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|37. [[Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (aka RPA)]]
 
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|            $60,000
 
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|-
 
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|38. [[Wallace Global Fund]]
 
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|            $60,000
 
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|-
 
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|39. [[AG Foundation (aka Agnes Gund Foundation)]]
 
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|            $55,000
 
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|-
 
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|40. [[Lear Family Foundation ]]
 
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|            $55,000
 
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|-
 
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|41. [[Barbra Streisand Foundation]]
 
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|            $55,000
 
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|-
 
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|42. [[Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (aka GKCCF)]]
 
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|            $51,000
 
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|-
 
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|43. [[Carnegie Corporation]]
 
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|            $50,000
 
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|-
 
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|44. [[Daniel Neidich & Brooke Gerber Foundation]]
 
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|            $50,000
 
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|-
 
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|45. [[Park Foundation]]
 
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|            $50,000
 
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|}
 
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==References==
 
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<references/>
 
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==External links==
 
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*[http://www.mediamatters.org Media Matters For America Website]
 
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*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/06/AR2005080600848_pf.html Rich Liberals Vow to Fund Think Tanks], By Thomas B. Edsall, ''Washington Post'',  August 7, 2005.
 
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*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/articles/readarticle.asp?ID=15409&p=1 The Shadow Party: Part II Continued ], By David Horowitz and Ben Johnson, ''FrontPageMagazine.com'', October 7, 2004.
 
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*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=19564 David Brock: Media Liar], By Jacob Laksin, ''FrontPageMagazine.com'', September 21, 2005.
 
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*[http://www.therealitycheck.org/StaffWriter/bparks061507.htm Misleading Matters], by Bob Parks, ''TheRealityCheck.org'', retrieved 15/06/07.
 
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*[http://www.firedems.com/members/david_brock/ David Brock bio]
 
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[[Category:Liberal Organizations]]
 
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[[Category:Foundations]]
 
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[[Category:United States Political Organizations]]
 
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[[Category:Anti-Semitism]]
 
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[[Category:Hate Groups]]
 

Revision as of 03:13, December 12, 2015

A non-biased Media Group that holds Right-Wing extremists accountable.

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