Comments on: The Free Ride http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/ Firedoglake weblog Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:14:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: That American Chap http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1046041 That American Chap Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:19:33 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1046041 <p><i>Can anyone think of a plausible explanation that doesn’t involve being bought off or scared off? I sure can’t.</i></p> <p>The “media” is owned and operated by corporations that are controlled by GOP cronies. As they control the hiring and firing of “commentators” and news readers, they chose those that are sympathetic to the GOP mindset and antagonistic to the Democratic worldview. It’s really quite simple, and it’s easy to understand.</p> <p>This really began in earnest when Reagan did away with the Fairness Doctrine, which then allowed networks to become fully-fledged political organs. You probably know the example of Jack Welch, the former head of NBC, in effect, calling the 2000 election in favor of Bush? On the other hand, you probably don’t know that he fired NBC’s President (in 1998) because he’d spoken of the news as being “a public trust”. You see, Jack was ultimately pretty open about using his news division as a propaganda tool to increase revenues to NBC and to reduce it’s expenses via taxes (that is, to espouse the Republican line).</p> <p>Take a look at Rupert Murdoch’s politics and then his media empire. Is there any doubt that the management teams of these organizations are chosen for their political outlook and their ability to manifest that outlook in the media organ that they manage? Or that “reporters” (perhaps we should say “transcribers of GOP talking points”) that are hired and moved up the ranks are elevated based on their record of trashing the Dems?</p> <p>There’s only ONE way to change all of this, and that is to reinstitute the Fairness Act. It’s really a significant indicator of just what a failure the entire philosophy of the Right has been when they’ve been given every aid and assistance by the media and still, the American people despise them. We, as Americans, deserve a truly unbiased media, in order to make educated decisions about important issues. Contact your Congresspeople and demand a reinstitution of the Fairness Act, so that we can finally begin to see truth in our “news”.</p> Can anyone think of a plausible explanation that doesn’t involve being bought off or scared off? I sure can’t.

The “media” is owned and operated by corporations that are controlled by GOP cronies. As they control the hiring and firing of “commentators” and news readers, they chose those that are sympathetic to the GOP mindset and antagonistic to the Democratic worldview. It’s really quite simple, and it’s easy to understand.

This really began in earnest when Reagan did away with the Fairness Doctrine, which then allowed networks to become fully-fledged political organs. You probably know the example of Jack Welch, the former head of NBC, in effect, calling the 2000 election in favor of Bush? On the other hand, you probably don’t know that he fired NBC’s President (in 1998) because he’d spoken of the news as being “a public trust”. You see, Jack was ultimately pretty open about using his news division as a propaganda tool to increase revenues to NBC and to reduce it’s expenses via taxes (that is, to espouse the Republican line).

Take a look at Rupert Murdoch’s politics and then his media empire. Is there any doubt that the management teams of these organizations are chosen for their political outlook and their ability to manifest that outlook in the media organ that they manage? Or that “reporters” (perhaps we should say “transcribers of GOP talking points”) that are hired and moved up the ranks are elevated based on their record of trashing the Dems?

There’s only ONE way to change all of this, and that is to reinstitute the Fairness Act. It’s really a significant indicator of just what a failure the entire philosophy of the Right has been when they’ve been given every aid and assistance by the media and still, the American people despise them. We, as Americans, deserve a truly unbiased media, in order to make educated decisions about important issues. Contact your Congresspeople and demand a reinstitution of the Fairness Act, so that we can finally begin to see truth in our “news”.

]]> By: IncandenzaH http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045984 IncandenzaH Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:21:43 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045984 <p>The political press (by and large, I hasten to add, *not* in toto… but just nearby) is:<br /> 1) More fond of ease than toil; and,<br /> 2) Of generally average intelligence<br /> A killer combination that does not involve fear or being bought off. The Right’s mission is to feed reporters a steady diet of invective and gossip. Two things that are easy to write up licketysplit, and two things that both sides (left and right) have an opinion on. So lazy reporters don’t have to work as hard, and the intellectually challenged stenographers needn’t read in-depth about policy (ew!) or that kinda boring journalism stuff. When Democrats get off their asses and respond in their inimitable fashion, the dutiful scribblers print the response a few paragraphs farther down (that’s how the New Journalism works, though… the Dems MUST respond, or the criticism/lie goes unanswered, because it’s no longer a reporter’s job to seek the truth behind the story).<br /> So they just sit back and write about the silly things that sells papers — whether true, or not. And the folks bringing them the trash are –unfortunately for us on the Left — the Right.<br /> And what really bothers me is that I’m not sure whether it would be better or worse for the Left to get down there in the muck & do the same. Or if it would even work, now that the die has been cast w/ this current cast of media mediocrities. Or if they even have the chutzpah in the first place.</p> The political press (by and large, I hasten to add, *not* in toto… but just nearby) is:
1) More fond of ease than toil; and,
2) Of generally average intelligence
A killer combination that does not involve fear or being bought off. The Right’s mission is to feed reporters a steady diet of invective and gossip. Two things that are easy to write up licketysplit, and two things that both sides (left and right) have an opinion on. So lazy reporters don’t have to work as hard, and the intellectually challenged stenographers needn’t read in-depth about policy (ew!) or that kinda boring journalism stuff. When Democrats get off their asses and respond in their inimitable fashion, the dutiful scribblers print the response a few paragraphs farther down (that’s how the New Journalism works, though… the Dems MUST respond, or the criticism/lie goes unanswered, because it’s no longer a reporter’s job to seek the truth behind the story).
So they just sit back and write about the silly things that sells papers — whether true, or not. And the folks bringing them the trash are –unfortunately for us on the Left — the Right.
And what really bothers me is that I’m not sure whether it would be better or worse for the Left to get down there in the muck & do the same. Or if it would even work, now that the die has been cast w/ this current cast of media mediocrities. Or if they even have the chutzpah in the first place.

]]> By: MarkH http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045074 MarkH Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:55:52 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045074 <p>I think it’s possible the Republicans/Conservatives/fascists want the government to be completely owned by one wing or the other and to do away completely with bipartisanship. What they would do with the government if they once again owned all 3 branches is hard to imagine (how do they top this one?), but it’s something I think we should avoid at all costs.</p> I think it’s possible the Republicans/Conservatives/fascists want the government to be completely owned by one wing or the other and to do away completely with bipartisanship. What they would do with the government if they once again owned all 3 branches is hard to imagine (how do they top this one?), but it’s something I think we should avoid at all costs.

]]> By: Anothergreenbus http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045018 Anothergreenbus Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:38:11 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1045018 <p>Phoenix Woman,<br /> Why is the StarTribune doing this? Check into the sale of the newspaper from McClatchy to a group of Houston oil men, about a year ago. I think the paper is being ‘reoriented’ for the up-coming GOP convention. It looks fishy.</p> Phoenix Woman,
Why is the StarTribune doing this? Check into the sale of the newspaper from McClatchy to a group of Houston oil men, about a year ago. I think the paper is being ‘reoriented’ for the up-coming GOP convention. It looks fishy.

]]> By: MarkC http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044863 MarkC Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:45:08 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044863 <p><a href="#comment-1044533"><em>Phoenix Woman @ 112</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>She’s upset because she thinks that Stark stepped all over her and Reid’s SCHIP Thang. Geez Louise, Nancy — if the Republicans weren’t having hissy kabuku over Stark, they’d be having it over something else. Quit cowering when they sniffle at you, woman!</p></blockquote> <p>Yes, when are they going to clue into that? There is always something they can pick out of the evening news feed, or the daily cable news, to get irate and indignant about. They will pull several things out if there has been an event that they need maximum distraction from. They’ll even have one of their stable of shock celebs immolate themselves verbally to control the news cycle. </p> <p>And there are our apologists-in-chief, still thinking the old rules apply, acting as if the other side were operating in good faith.</p> <p>Some clues, people, some clues!</p> Phoenix Woman @ 112

She’s upset because she thinks that Stark stepped all over her and Reid’s SCHIP Thang. Geez Louise, Nancy — if the Republicans weren’t having hissy kabuku over Stark, they’d be having it over something else. Quit cowering when they sniffle at you, woman!

Yes, when are they going to clue into that? There is always something they can pick out of the evening news feed, or the daily cable news, to get irate and indignant about. They will pull several things out if there has been an event that they need maximum distraction from. They’ll even have one of their stable of shock celebs immolate themselves verbally to control the news cycle.

And there are our apologists-in-chief, still thinking the old rules apply, acting as if the other side were operating in good faith.

Some clues, people, some clues!

]]> By: caradoc http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044810 caradoc Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:24:03 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044810 <p>Bought off. No doubt about it.</p> Bought off. No doubt about it.

]]> By: alank http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044757 alank Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:08:19 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044757 <p>Uh, no money? Even the Beeb is gutting it’s far-flung operations. In these difficult times, financially, all the hard news and solid commentary has had to go. Only essential services such as entertainment and bread and circuses are being provided until further notice.</p> <p>Besides, there are no opportunities for the parent companies to do any cross marketing in investigative journalism and news reporting.</p> Uh, no money? Even the Beeb is gutting it’s far-flung operations. In these difficult times, financially, all the hard news and solid commentary has had to go. Only essential services such as entertainment and bread and circuses are being provided until further notice.

Besides, there are no opportunities for the parent companies to do any cross marketing in investigative journalism and news reporting.

]]> By: Mary Racine http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044683 Mary Racine Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:38:19 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044683 <p>Critical Mass are really bad news. They make<br /> PETA look reasonable, effective, and non-confrontational. Don’t know about elsewhere, but in Boston they have well over a hundred riders. They fill up the entire street, during rush hour, riding at barely walking speed. They yell, whoop, blow whistles, and heckle drivers in their cars, weaving back and forth to make sure no cars can get by them. They string the “parade” out as far as they can, not letting pedestrians cross the street either. I know that if I cross paths with Critical Mass, I won’t be catching my bus, and will be home at least half an hour late. And they fucking ride on Fridays, too. </p> <p>I’m sympathetic to their cause and they make my blood boil. I can’t even imagine what someone who didn’t like cyclists to begin with would think. Their tactics seem geared to lower support for bicycle commuting.</p> <p>Someone is going to get hurt at one of these things. I have a feeling that’s what Critical Mass wants. They sure act like it.</p> Critical Mass are really bad news. They make
PETA look reasonable, effective, and non-confrontational. Don’t know about elsewhere, but in Boston they have well over a hundred riders. They fill up the entire street, during rush hour, riding at barely walking speed. They yell, whoop, blow whistles, and heckle drivers in their cars, weaving back and forth to make sure no cars can get by them. They string the “parade” out as far as they can, not letting pedestrians cross the street either. I know that if I cross paths with Critical Mass, I won’t be catching my bus, and will be home at least half an hour late. And they fucking ride on Fridays, too.

I’m sympathetic to their cause and they make my blood boil. I can’t even imagine what someone who didn’t like cyclists to begin with would think. Their tactics seem geared to lower support for bicycle commuting.

Someone is going to get hurt at one of these things. I have a feeling that’s what Critical Mass wants. They sure act like it.

]]> By: MarktheSpark http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044625 MarktheSpark Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:13:33 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044625 <p>Nancy’s sniffling is reprehensible, like all the corporate & war-shilling she does to protect the RePuke’s and their endless parade of war, hate, lies & corruption.<br /> The Demos need two-hundred more representatives with the honesty & integrity of Stark. Resign, Nancy, you’ll soon be as beloved of your fellow Americans as the Chimperator (24%) if you haven’t fallen below that level.</p> Nancy’s sniffling is reprehensible, like all the corporate & war-shilling she does to protect the RePuke’s and their endless parade of war, hate, lies & corruption.
The Demos need two-hundred more representatives with the honesty & integrity of Stark. Resign, Nancy, you’ll soon be as beloved of your fellow Americans as the Chimperator (24%) if you haven’t fallen below that level.

]]> By: Marilyn In Texas http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044604 Marilyn In Texas Sat, 20 Oct 2007 01:54:05 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/19/the-free-ride/#comment-1044604 <p><a href="#comment-1044383"><em>Twisted Martini @ 92</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>no dancing on the bar unless we all take our tops off!</p></blockquote> <p>I’ll take a vodka martini with two big olives, thank you.</p> Twisted Martini @ 92

no dancing on the bar unless we all take our tops off!

I’ll take a vodka martini with two big olives, thank you.

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