People just don't know how to fact check anymore these days. It further substantiates the need for real investigative journalism, besides the fact that it further proves that the media really isn't "liberal".
I didn't even hear of this (made up) story until today, but apparently President Obama is traveling to Southeast Asia costing the taxpayer $200mil per day.
My friend just sent me a link to a video on CNN, from Anderson Cooper, where he debunks the myth of Obama's upcoming trip:
http://www.cnn.com/...
This made up story is being parroted by the media, Beck, Limbaugh, Savage and Imus in particular (and I'm sure Hannity and the sort are not far behind). Apparently, President Obama is traveling to Southeast Asia with 1,300 people and it will cost us $200mil/day and 34 naval ships will be diverted to the area for protection.
As Anderson Cooper points out, President Clinton in 1998 took a trip to Africa which cost the taxpayer approximately $5.2 million per day (adjusted for inflation). It involved six countries and 1,100 people. Anderson points out that Obama is going to just four countries, and, according to the interview he had with Michelle Bachmann on his program which is replayed in his video, will be joined by over 2,000 people. The best part is when Cooper points out that the the $200mil/day figure would mean it would cost MORE to send Obama to Asia than the war is costing us.
Side point: Bachmann, in the video clip, as she did with Chris Matthews on election night, completely sidesteps the question at hand, in this case regarding the spending cuts with Medicare, to parrot her talking points.
Politifact has picked up on this and, like Cooper, debunks it entirely. The story originated from the Press Trust of India (which, according to Cooper, is akin to our AP or Reuters). You can read the story here.
My problem is not that this is a fake story that is made. People make up stories every day (balloon boy anyone?). My problem is that investigative journalism has gone by the wayside. Nobody fact checks anymore, which leaves us with the likes of people like Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh parroting any story that pops up on twitter, be it true or false.