when are you finally going to accept the fact that the msm stenogs are complicit and not merely hapless tools.
the outlets that own msm, including publications and broadcast, have filled their ranks with cronys and sycophants, just as the Cheney administration has filled its ranks.
the only way out for America is to make a clean sweep, starting with impeachment of cheney and then bush, a flushing of the theocrats from within the branches and twigs of government; the return of the fairness doctrine; public financing of elections; the repeal of: The MCA; The Patriot Act; NCLB; tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy; the return of regulation to the "free" market; including legislation PROHIBITING individuals with industry ties; interests (legal or financial or otherwise consequential); activities; memberships or active involvement, from being appointed or hired to serve in a regulatory capacity over the industry in question; a concerted effort to make use of the fiery ball in the sky as an alternative source of energy. And that's just for starters.
Clean sweep, people.
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[Editor: ignore=off]Over the past 6 years, 5 months, I've watched as people on the left have slowly come to grips with what the modern right wing is about.
Back in the early days of the Bush administration, most liberals -- wanting to be reasonable -- bought into three myths: 1) That the Bush adminstration wasn't all bad; 2) That Bush supporters can be reasoned with, and 3) That there was no "conspiracy" in the media to be pro-Republican, it was just circumstance.
In terms of the Bush administration, it took time but eventually everyone on the left finally realized that Bush really IS as bad as us left wing extremists (and Paul Krugman) asserted back in 2001. People may forget, but there was a time not so long ago when a lot of prominent left-wingers (Drum, Cole, Marshall, etc) were still given Bush the benefit of the doubt on policy issues.
In terms of Bush's right wing followers, it wasn't that long ago that we on the left deceived ourselves that people like Instapundit could be reasoned with. Remember when Kos and Tacticus linked to each other? By now, however, almost all of the left understands the disease that is right-wing authoritarianism -- even if they haven't ready Altemeyer, they understand it instinctively -- and realize you can't reason with cultists.
However the last myth hasn't quite fallen yet. We still see left-wingers -- bending over backwards to appear "reasonable" -- pretending that the pro-Republican and pro-business bent of the media is just due to "sloppiness" or the attraction of the "kewl kidz club".
No folks, this didn't just happen. In 1986 and 1987 the Reagan administration began a coordinated effort to gut the media protections built into the laws and regulations -- from reviews to the Fairness Doctrine to limits on media consolidation. Shortly thereafter mergers started, and news divisions were given new bosses, highly sympathetic to the right wingers. Through 18 years of hiring and promoting, the mix of reporters in Washington now suits the Republican party perfectly.
Posted by anony at April 26, 2007 11:28 AMIt would be a good start, marblex.
Another truth with which the Corporate Media have been less than complete in their "coverage" is what's happening with the surge. Beachmom has a heartbreaking view of life on the Baghdad streets. It looks like Riverbend is leaving Iraq. Between her, possibly last blog and excerpts from another, we get a chilling idea of what's happening in the neighborhoods, rather the ghettos being created by our brilliant General Petraeus. Maybe John McCain should go for another walk in THAT neighborhood and see if we still need more time to "let it work".
Posted by DeminNewJ at April 26, 2007 11:41 AMNo mention of the investigating officer dismissing Mary Tillman's perseverance into the investigation because she was not a Christain, had no faith and thinks that Pat is merely "worm dirt"?
I guess fratricide is acceptable as long as you believe that there is life after death.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 26, 2007 11:56 AMTo see those remarks from a "Christian" chaplain made my blood boil.
Know this: that scumbag is no Christian. Jesus never, ever would have thought of Pat Tillman that way. Never.
Jesus--this country is full of quacks who go to church every Sunday and who are even Chaplains that don't know a thing about Christ. Nothing.
It's probably worse--they say they do and then do the exact opposite.
Posted by paradox at April 26, 2007 12:02 PManony- the Media Fix has been in for years, as you point out. It is, in fact, part of a Great Right Wing Conspiracy, the goal of which is a have/have not society. The Rich, and the rest. As many of have noted repeatedly..today's Media "reporters" are simply doing what their bosses tell them, as Moyer's program last night highlighted. The "Greenspan's Wife" style of blatant lies presented as facts and news is not accidental nor the product of dumb talent. It is the most key element in the bludgeoning of our rights and priviledges given by our Constitution and the Ugly Americanizing of our nation by these uber-corporate Media GOP conspirators.
Posted by T2 at April 26, 2007 12:41 PMIf Jesus were with us today he would be working as a carpenter and proudly drive an F-150.
Jessica is a nice looking blonde. I wonder if she was one of the one third of female veterans that responded in a survey that they had been raped or molested while in the military.
Our Phoenix local Fox Noise reported this today, and that our Governor Napolitano and the Governor of Kansas have asked the Pentagon to conduct an investigation into the allegations.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 26, 2007 12:54 PMIf Jesus were with us today he would be working as a carpenter and proudly drive an F-150.
I think he'd be a Chevy man.
Posted by snark at April 26, 2007 12:57 PManony - excellent comments.
The left needs to appreciate that there was never a leftwing media in America. For a while FDR liberals were employed in greater numbers, but very few of those spoke "truth to power." And not all of those did it regularly. That period ended by the late seventies. Was in full flower for the "Teflon President." A President suffering from early to middle stage Alzheimer's and an administration with a large number of corruption scandals; yet mostly overlooked by the MSM. (Just as they overlooked that Nixon was a drunk and not particularly intelligent.)
Posted by Marie at April 26, 2007 01:11 PM"I think he'd be a Chevy man."
...Hevenly ascension requires a supercharger. Clearly a Ford Lightning would be the logical choice for the dicearning ascensionist.
Would Jesus wear seatbelts?
Posted by TIKI AL at April 26, 2007 01:25 PMJesus was the ultimate in role modeling. He would have worn a seatbelt at least for that reason.
Posted by Sharon at April 26, 2007 02:40 PMAhh, but the real question is "what would Buddha drive?"
Posted by Trieatalot at April 26, 2007 02:50 PMThe left needs to appreciate that there was never a leftwing media in America.
It's a little more subtle than that.
In pre-radio days the printed press consisted of a variety of viewpoints. To my knowledge only NYC still has that variety today.
When radio took off in the early 1930s (aside -- radio is the fastest new technology every adopted, taking 18 months for one to be owned by most homes) the regulators quickly saw the unique problems radio presented. While new newspapers had low barriers to entry into a market, radio was limited by frequencies that, by their nature, had to be regulated by the government to prevent multiple stations from conflicting with each other.
So, the Fairness Doctrine (and other regulations) were introduced. The theory was that the airwaves were public property, so radio stations had to be for public benefit. PSA (Public Service Announcement) quotas were required. News had to be objective -- opinions were allowed but equal time for responsible opposing viewpoints was required.
Of course in early radio days journalism practices were lifted directly from print. Journalists were "average Joes" -- in background, outlook, and (VERY IMPORTANTLY) salary.
Not surprisingly, when the nation as a whole moved towards the economic liberal viewpoint in the 1930s, the journalists came along. Why not -- it was the centrist viewpoint.
The conflict with the conservatives became noticable post WW2. First, the presence of radio and of newsreels in movie theaters had exposed the reality of the Jim Crow south to the rest of the nation. The term "liberal press" dates to those days. The disgusting liberals -- can you believe this? -- were pushing for anti-lynching legislation. Naturally this pissed off the Jesse Helms conservatives.
But, the press people were hardly left wingers -- outside the south their viewpoint was a centrist viewpoint.
The next step in the demonization of the press by the conservatives happened in the 1960s. The press, by its nature, was inquistive and in a search for the truth. The government was in the business of hiding the truth -- especially with Vietnam. Many conservatives felt then -- and feel now -- that the news media should hide evidence of US govt wrongdoing (unless it implicates Clinton) and, if necessary, repeat government lies, rather than have the US look bad. The fact that some of the news media in the 1960s was exposing the problems with the US govt was interpreted by conservatives as the media being "liberal".
The other thing that the news media did in the 1960s that got it the "liberal" label was that it reported uncritically on things like the women's movement or the Beatles (remember conservatives literally did record burnings after Lennon made his stupid Jesus comment).
So, no, the media never was liberal, in that they never were left of center. But they used to be open and reasonably objective. And for that the conservatives could never forgive them.
Posted by anony at April 26, 2007 02:59 PMBoth Buddha and Jesus would pose a danger to fellow motorists due to the high incidence of sandals becoming lodged in the foot pedals.
Correct answer: no to seat belts, they impede heavenly ascension.
Like me, Buddha could only fit in an F-150.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 26, 2007 03:07 PMIf Jesus were with us today he would be working as a carpenter and proudly drive an F-150.
Heresy!
I think he'd be a Chevy man.
Blasphemy!
I warn you all very strongly. Following the false faith of the Fordists or believing in the central tenets of reformed Chevyism is as a sure a path to hell as the failure to accrue earnings above 9% in your portfilio! Our reading today is from the Bible, Book of St. Nomex, Chapter 25:3.
"And verily the Lord Jesus came unto the mall driving a Cadillac Escalade of pearl white. The peoples were blinded by the heavenly light of his projector beam headlamps. Unto them HE said, "Yea, verily, I say unto thee. My rims of crome are spinners, and they shalt smite the sinners and nonbelievers amongst thee, for they art 24s!"
Bow your heads. Oh Lord, you are as mighty as octane booster. We beseech thee, oh Lord! Validate our parking in heaven! Give is 30,000 mile synthetic lubes. We implore thee Lord, protect our clear coat as we protect our investments! Amen!
Posted by phidipides at April 26, 2007 05:46 PMYer right phiddy, He would drive a slade and head up a mega-fleece church.
Oh Lord, I am not worthy, as my Lightning sporteth mere 20's.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 26, 2007 10:05 PMright-wing uber-patriot cowards
Who are 'patriots' in the same way the religious right are 'Christian' -- scum who use it as an excuse for their bullying and greed.
Posted by Mike G at April 26, 2007 10:34 PMOh Lord, I am not worthy, as my Lightning sporteth mere 20's.
Repent, sinner!
Posted by phidipides at April 26, 2007 11:09 PMWho was the big guy in uniform, visible on camera over Kevin Tillman's right shoulder, giving Tillman the evil eye through out his testimony? It was very inappropriate for the Pentagon to send someone in uniform to smirk and sneer at Tillman as he described his brother's death and his family's betrayal.
Posted by Barry in MIA at April 27, 2007 08:31 AMJesus ChristJesus Christ was a man who traveled through the land
A hard-working man and brave
He said to the rich, "Give your money to the poor,"
But they laid Jesus Christ in His graveJesus was a man, a carpenter by hand
His followers true and brave
One dirty little coward called Judas Iscariot
Has laid Jesus Christ in His GraveHe went to the preacher, He went to the sheriff
He told them all the same
"Sell all of your jewelry and give it to the poor,"
And they laid Jesus Christ in His grave.When Jesus come to town, all the working folks around
Believed what he did say
But the bankers and the preachers, they nailed Him on the cross,
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave.And the people held their breath when they heard about his death
Everybody wondered why
It was the big landlord and the soldiers that they hired
To nail Jesus Christ in the skyThis song was written in New York City
Of rich man, preacher, and slave
If Jesus was to preach what He preached in Galilee,
They would lay poor Jesus in His grave.
©1940 Woody Guthrie