Newspaper editors look back over the past year and give us a rehash of what they perceive to be the most important or most significant news stories of the year.

Lots of other organizations and news outlets do it, too. This time of year, we are pretty much bombarded with "Best of '97" lists.

Not to be outdone, the Media Research Center also puts out one of those "Best of" lists.

Media Research Center is a conservative media watchdog group. Its mission is "to bring political balance to the nation's news and entertainment media."

The MRC has more than 115,000 feet of videotape archived. MRC analysts track virtually everything in the national media. They plug the stuff into a custom computerized database and then "confront liberals in the press directly with evidence of their slanted reporting."

The MRC publishes two newsletters, "MediaWatch" and "Notable Quotables," which "document the leftist bias in the news media every month."

I love these guys. You can check out their website on the Internet at mrc.org.

Anyway, they came out recently with the "Tenth Annual Awards for the Year's Worst Reporting."

So here are a selected few of the best "Notable Quotables" of 1997.

Remember, these are journalists charged with bringing us unbiased news - not opinion.

The Clinton Camelot Award (for creating a Clinton-Gore mythology).

"His study jaw precedes him. He smiles from sea to shining sea. Is this President a candidate for Mt. Rushmore or what? ... In fact, when it comes to influencing the public, a single medley of expressions from Clinton may be worth much more, to much of America, than every ugly accusation Paula Jones can muster." - L.A. Times writer Howard Rosenberg reviewing Clinton's inaugural address.

I don't recall Clinton saying any of that stuff.

The Harold Ickes "System Made Me Do It" Award.

"In fact, Senator Specter, as Senator Torricelli mentioned, two votes have left campaign finance reform pretty much DOA. Do you think that prompts the American people to wonder about the sincerity of Congress to really enact change and suspect that perhaps this is an intentional effort to embarrass the Democratic Party?

"But it's so ridiculous, you know people watching this just think that reform is necessary. They can't understand why you guys can't get your acts together!"

- Katie Couric to Senator Arlen Specter on the "Today" show.

The Lanny Davis No Controlling Legal Authority Award (for Clinton scandal denial.

"So a couple of White House aides helped Webster Hubbell find work, and he did find work, some of it with Democratic donors. It may not look good, but is there any proof anything was done wrong? All right, similar kind of question about Jorge Cabrera, a convicted drug smuggler who gave $20,000 to the DNC, wound up at a fancy dinner with Al Gore, wound up at a White House Christmas party with Hillary Clinton. But they gave the money back when they found out about his background. It may not look good, but is there any proof that anything was done wrong?

- NBC weekend "Today" co-host Jodi Applegate to Tim Russert.

Evil Empire Award (for bashing Congressional Republicans)

"In fact, the Speaker will forever remain his own caricature - a Dennis the Menace meets Darth Vader kind of guy. A fellow who, for instance, wants to give all children in America laptops but take away their free school lunches."

- U.S. News And World Report Assistant Managing Editor Gloria Borger.

Satan of the South Award (for hating Jesse Helms)

Sam Donaldson: "I think Governor Weld has done this country a service, in a sense, even though I think that he's been shot down in the ocean now, and that is by allowing the country to see Senator Helms in action. Over the years I've run into him two or three times at reception here and he's the most gentlemanly, courtly, friendly, pleasant individual you would ever hope to meet. But, when you see him in action, you see beneath that courtliness beats the heart of a dictator and I think the country is appalled.

George Stephanopoulos: "Or a terrorist. The President is really, I think made a mistake because he's been negotiating with a terrorist here.

Exchange on ABC's "This Week."

If The Bias Fits We Won't Admit Award

"I don't think voting for Clinton makes you a liberal. I mean, Bill Clinton isn't even a liberal, and second, if you're a liberal, does that mean you can't be fair? What hypocrisy that we sit around and talk about the press like it's some sort of 'they.' It's us. Are we too liberal? N-O. ... The bias is in favor of bad news and you go after whoever is in power, and the name of the game is kill the king, which is why Bill Clinton does not get a free ride."

"Newsweek's" Eleanor Clift on "The McLaughlin Group.

And finally, the Which Way Is It? award for headlines.

"Nuns Tell of Panic About Fund-Raiser - Documents Destroyed or Altered to Conceal Temple's Role With DNC." Washington Post

"Nuns Say Temple Event With Gore Was Not A Fund-Raiser." Same-day headline - New York Times.

"CIA Agent Says He Gave Huang Classified Data." Los Angeles Times

"CIA Officer Says His Briefings with Huang Were Simply Routine." Same-day headline, New York Times.

"Dem Tells 'Of Contribution Swap' Scheme." USA Today

"DNC Ex-Aide Denies Teamster 'Swap' Plan. Same-day headline, Washington Post.

There were lots of other awards. I just scratched the surface. But it gives you a good idea of where the MRC is coming from.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and advertisers a Happy New Year. I hope 1998 is prosperous and fulfulling for all of you.

It can be tough working at a newspaper at times. Wacky hours, deadlines and all. Sometimes I wonder how we manage.

So to all the Times-Union employees who toil to get this newspaper on the street each day, thank you.

And a special thanks to the Times-Union newsroom staff for another year of hard work and dedication. [[In-content Ad]]