Pope Francis just issued a policy statement that was radically different from the theology of his recent dogma obsessed predecessors. In his "Joy of the Gospel" statement, he seemed to draw a line between his views and those of the wealthy, conservative American bishops who focus almost exclusively on abortion, same sex marriage, and electing Republicans. In addition to addressing income inequality, the Pope castigated the belief system of those who "continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world." In other words the very foundation of Fox News and the people for whom and to whom they serve. So it was interesting to see that the Fox News website conveniently avoided any mention of that nasty socialist talk which was mentioned on other websites. Is there any question as to why Fox followers are uninformed!?

Here's wishing our extended NewsHounds family a very happy Thanksgiving. I feel so very thankful for having the platform from which we can share our observations and comments on so many subjects. Your thoughtful and informed responses have enriched our blog and meant more to me than I can express. And a happy Hannukah to our Jewish friends and family.

In addition to the cross of Jesus, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the American Flag, Fox & Friends worships the national anthem, even when it's played loudly enough to be a disturbance in a neighborhood. As the morning chums noted, this morning, they are "up in arms" because a NJ Naval Weapons Station has agreed, after complaints from nearby residents, to lower the volume of the National Anthem played over base loudspeakers during the 8AM flag raising. Ah, don't ya love the smell of patriotism in the morning!

Greta Van Susteren posted a poll "just asking" if her Fox News blog readers are "appalled" that the U.S. Postal Service excludes the word "Christmas" from stamps. Or "is the gingerbread house enough?" she asked, as an (obviously less attractive) alternative. There's just one catch. Christmas was not excluded. (H/T reader Stan)

Surprise! Surprise! That family of four whose “Christmas list” was made up of Scroogey scrimping thanks to the Affordable Care Act should be able to have a happy holiday after all. No thanks to Fox News, however. The "fair and balanced" network was too busy concern-trolling ObamaCare to report on the better health insurance deals almost certainly available under the ACA. Again.

In addition to being Fox News' "champion for anti-LGBT discrimination," Liberty University's Shannon Bream is also a conduit for anti-choice propaganda and lies. Back in July, Bream validated right wing opposition to Cornelia Pillard who is one of Pres. Obama's picks for the DC Circuit Court. Ms. Pillard, an eminently qualified former CT Attorney General and Georgetown law professor, has earned the ire of the anti-choice movement because she has strong views about women's reproductive rights. During the segment, Bream took Pillard out of context in order to push the propaganda. When Bream's guest lied about Pillard, Bream validated it. Flash forward to the post-filibuster world of late November, now that the GOP no longer has a choke hold on judicial nominees, and Bream - aided and abetted by alleged "news" host Martha MacCallum - is still pimping the same old anti-choice propaganda and lies.

The New Republic has a fascinating article about how the Heritage Foundation has moved away from its think-tank roots into a political activism machine. Not surprisingly, these folks helped fuel the futile "defund ObamaCare" demands that led to the government shutdown. It's hard to think of any organization that could be less "fair and balanced." But at least, unlike Fox News, Heritage does not pretend to be. Yet, when Heritage blogged about a California couple who claim their premiums are skyrocketing thanks to ObamaCare, the Kelly File regurgitated the post and presented it as a news report. UPDATED

On today's America's Newsroom, host Martha MacCallum compared the Affordable Care Act ("ObamaCare") to Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq War. Guess which one she thought was more damaging to a presidency?

First it was Miss Kansas who declined Bill O'Reilly's invitation to appear on his show. Then it was Chris Christie who had the temerity to refuse to "submit" to an O'Reilly interview. And now it looks like somebody else has made it to O'Reilly's Christmas naughty list and it's none other than his fellow Christmas warrior, Sarah Palin herself. Last week, Bill told Howard Kurtz that Palin, who would have had Kurtz's timeslot, had rebuffed the great and powerful O'Reilly. 

Fox & Friends and Fox & Friends First were in lockstep with Republican leaders in sneering at President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran. Each show suggested this morning that the deal with Iran was an effort to distract from his Affordable Care Act ("ObamaCare") woes. Even though just yesterday, Fox's own Chris Wallace and Republican guest Senator Bob Corker, noted that diplomatic efforts have been underway for months.