Chris Matthews accuses Sen. Kennedy of molesting Judge Alito's wife

Yes, it's that bad. After his on-the-air gay-bashing, his creepy stereotyping of Latinos, his incredibly offensive comparisons of peaceful Americans to Osama bin Laden, and his ever-growing right-wing bias, MSNBC's Chris Matthews has gone off the deep end.

Crooks and Liars has the video. On tonight's "Hardball," Matthews discusses US Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's wife, and how she'll likely be featured during the State of the Union:

MATTHEWS: ...won't they say something up beat and (bucking up)... isn't she a great woman, didn't she stand up-and then they'll put the camera right on Ted Kennedy and show how he was the guy that molested her basically-that's the way they'll play it...

This is journalism? Making light of the sexual abuse of women on national TV? And accusing a sitting US Senator of the offense, to boot (and no suprise it was a Democratic Senator).

TurboTax, Toyota, Verizon, Bayer, Pearl Vision, Office Depot and all the rest: Are you listening?

This is what your ads are paying to support - a guy who thinks nothing of accusing Ted Kennedy of molesting Alito's wife. A guy who thinks sexual abuse and gay bashing is funny. Think about that, then think about why you continue to associate your brand with this man and his show.

This issue here is accountability and journalism. I don't like what partisans say on TV, but they are at least honest enough to admit their partisanship. Chris Matthews, on the other hand, calls himself a journalist, yet he is nothing of the kind. I have talked to lots of journalists about this - they say "oh he's an entertainer, he doesn't represent journalism." Yet, sadly, to those who watch him, he does. Chris Matthews calls himself neutral, but really, he's just unaccountable. Thus, the smears pass unnoticed, into the void. Just like this "Kennedy molested Alito's wife" remark. The thing is, Chris Matthews really said this. He actually did. And we've got the tape.

Advertisers need to stop supporting this kind of dishonest, shrill, and increasingly intolerant programming. Chris Matthews must be held accountable for the sinking and biased standards he sets for our national discourse.

Please use the links in the left-hand column, newly updated, and ask the advertisers why they continue to support this smut.