Krusty Konservative at the National Conference for Media Reform

That’s right, this konservative has sent a trusted korrespondent into the belly of the beast armed with nothing more than a Pac-Man lunch box and a lap top. With the liberals hanging out in the Twin Cities talking about media reform, I figure someone needs to shine a little light on these wackos.

When rational people hear the words "media reform" they think of mainstream media stepping back from the liberal kool-aid and better representing the views of mainstream America, right?

Not in Minneapolis, where this morning the National Conference for Media Reform commenced, uniting around 2,000 attendees who believe the mainstream media is nothing more than an extension of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. The conference is presented by Free Press, "a national nonpartisan organization working to reform the media through education, organizing, and advocacy. . . promoting diverse media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications."

Does it surprise anyone, then, that the conference has the fingerprints of MoveOn.org all over it?

This humble korrespondent finds herself knee-deep in socialist propaganda in the middle of the Minneapolis Convention Center with the mission of spreading the truth about the people who'd have you believe CNN is an extension of our federal government.

First on the docket: Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress. To introduce Ellison, a clip of Glenn Beck interviewing him is shown in which Glenn Beck asks him to show he isn't a radical Muslim (starts at 0:52 of this clip). Ellison then begins his speech: "The fundamental block of democracy is informed citizens. . . and we can't be informed if all we have is that guy."

After mentioning how "sick" Reagan made him, and referring to talk radio as "hate radio," Ellison asks, "if you and I are not making more money, who is making it?" He calls on the upper class to subsidize universal healthcare; a claim which was repeated by almost all speakers at this media conference. Ellison, however, also calls for taxpayers to incentivize (which I'm guessing he thinks sounds better than "subsidize") community newspapers to encourage free speech. Interesting interpretation of the First Amendment, no?

I'm headed to the Mall of America tonight, hoping enough exposure to capitalism leaves me ready for tomorrow, which kicks off with Bill Moyers.

I’m afraid my trusted korrespondent will be sad when she finds out it’s not Kamp Snoopy anymore