Why Are People Still Falling For the Fox News Pundits?
 

glenn_beck_jacket

It sticks in the craw of any liberal: If Fox News is so ridiculous and biased, why do they consistently have the #1 rated news programs in their time slots? Either you take the line that this proves that the majority of people in America are largely pro-O'Reilly and pro-Hannity (in which case you might as well hop over the border…any border…), or you believe that Murdoch/Ailes/etc have created the perfect monster: tabloid journalism spun as a 24-hour cable network. And if you choose that second option, Glenn Beck's meteoric rise to fame doesn't seem that strange after all.

His hook, for the age of economic anxiety: whereas O'Reilly embodies anger and Hannity brashness, Beck embraces fear…Fear that the U.S. is on a long march to fascism. (As evidence, Beck cited — on April Fools' Day but apparently seriously — the inclusion of fasces on the Mercury dime in 1916.) That fat cats and bureaucratic "bloodsuckers" are plundering your future. That Mexico will collapse and chaos will pour over the border. That America believes too little in God and too much in global warming.

Good god, all we need now is a fourth horseman and Fox News can clearly usher in a new wave of apocalyptic terror. Which naturally, is great for the ratings. Does Murdoch et. all feel in the slightest bit responsible for this media juggernaut they've created, especially with Murdoch hedging back and forth between his wife's liberal tendencies and his own tepid endorsement of Barack Obama? Probably. But at this point Frankenstein's monster is too big — and making Dow Jones too much money — to reign in. Rumors abound that even Roger Ailes hates O'Reilly, but what are you going to do, fire him? It's all really ironic that the most egregious example of capitalism working in America becomes really, the biggest media regret.

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Comments (85)

No. 1 · Regis

He's like a strange Capt'n Kangaroo but with a dead bunny rabbit in his pocket.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 12:52 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 2 · Tuck Chodd

Fox is no more biased than MSDNC, CNN, ABC, CBS, PBS, NBC, BBC, etc…

Why is it that one network is considered the devil for leaning to the right, and literally almost all the other networks lean to the left (in MSNBC's case the FAR left) and they are considered bastions of nonpartisan journalism?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 12:57 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 3 · Rhonda

to each their own. You enjoy Jon Stewert, others enjoy Glenn Beck. Some people enjoy both. This is America, it's not either or, IT's TO EACH THEIR OWN. You don't hear conservatives wanting to silence Stewert or Letterman, so don't bother trying to silence Rush or Beck. Fair enough?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:14 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 4 · Sean Smith

You should consider the possibility that MSNBC is just as bad as Fox. I don't like Beck, but at least he's willing to have people on his show who might disagree with him, unlike Olbermann.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:23 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 5 · Stefano

Why is FOX News rated #1? I have no idea, but one interesting fact is that FOX News is usually located in the basic tier of cable services, where as CNN, MNNBC is located on expanded basic level. This contributes to higher viewership.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:31 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 6 · getreal

Fox news is not the same as CNN. I was on another site and they had a clip of Bill O'Reilly's show from a few days agowhere he did a story because one of the American Idol kids was gay and was concerned people would vote for him. There was a picture of the kid and his boyfriend kissing and he put a red censor band across the picture as if it was obscene. He then underlined how embarrassing this was and could this kid REALLY win American Idol.He also asked if illegal aliens were allowed to vote and make some comments under his breath. They would have thrown him off CNN like they did Glenn Beck on Fox they eat the hate up with a spoon. This would not be a story on CNN there were no pundits lamenting that this kid as a gay person should not be able to win like… anyone else oh what a scandal. It goes right along with Fox news and conservatives in general persecuting gay americans and treating them as second class citizens.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:35 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 7 · Matt

With insightful programming like this, no wonder Fox is #1:
http://gotchamedia.blogspot.co.....-cake.html

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:37 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 8 · Delilah

@Getreal……..you don't have it straight as to what happened on Bill's show the other night. He wasn't afraid/concerned that someone might vote for this kid because he WAS a homosexual and seen kissing. What he asked the panelist was "do you think the fact that someone put this video/picture of him on the internet might hurt his chances because some people might be disinclined to vote for him"? He was implying that there could be a slight against him as a result NOT that he thought there should be.
Once again, people slandering, lying and misrepresenting what is said on the FNC.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:50 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 9 · spottsy

@Rhonda: Stewart and Letterman's careers are not simply "reporting the facts" like a news network should be doing, they are comedians and satirists. The fact that when you think of the opposite of FOX NEWS you automatically think comedy and satire kind of makes the point of why liberals loathe FOX. FOX News really should be a program on Comedy Central highlighting and exaggerating the right-wing agenda in the same fashion Jon Stewart presents the left-view. That being said, it hardly deserves to be called "fair and balanced."

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:51 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 10 · Delilah

@ Stefano - how in the world would you know that Fox is offered on most basic cable channels and not the expanded? Do you have homes/access to all cities across the U.S.? Your premise is totally flawed.
However, I do have some experience in the matter as Delilah has 3 home's! Main, Lake and Mountain…..like all hardworking Conservative's who bust their ass and don't look for government handouts…but, I do digress. What I do know from my 3 homes in 3 different cities/states is that Fox is NOT offered on any of the basic cable formats….only on expanded cable. CNN is however offered as basic cable on two of them and MSLSD or MSDNC is expanded as well.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 1:56 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 11 · DONT TREAD ON ME

@getreal: Do you watch Fox or do you just watch clips on other media outlets and comment?

There is an old proverb that says, " A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinion."

Understanding requires going beyond the edited clips of a disassociated source to the actual source. Opinions based on the later produce irrational thought. Your posting bears that out.

DTOM - unqualified to serve in public office, I paid my taxes.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 12 · Delilah

@ Spottsy……..well, you need correcting as well.
The Pew Research Center (non partisan) did a study of all the cable news channels and did report that Fox was (to use their term) the most "fair and balanced" of them all. The gist of the study indicated the other cable news shows reported in very high percentages positive news about Democrats and in very high percentages negative news about Republicans. Fox was the only news channel that was pretty much "even" in their positive/negative's on both sides.
Here's a little fun example for you. On the Today Show at NBC and all of MSNBC's shows Newsbusters.org has found that when reporting a negative story about a Democrat politician they have always left out the fact the person was a Democrat; however, on the flip side if they have a negative story about a Republican they have ALWAYS lead the story with the fact that this person was a Republican. Fox never does that. CNN has done it as well. The hypocrisy and bias is so huge on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, LA TIMES, NEW YORK TIMES that for many people it's a breath of fresh air to hear a story being told much more fairly.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:05 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 13 · --

I always assumed that Fox was #1 rated because it was the only channel for right-biased news, whereas those of us who prefer our news biased to the left have more options and are therefore are more spread out, meaning that no one station is able to beat Fox. I haven't thought a lot about it… but does that not make sense?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:06 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 14 · --

Apologies for the extra "are" in my post. Now I can't feel superior to people with bad grammar. I hate that.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:08 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 15 · getreal

@DONT TREAD ON ME: Yes I watch Fox news, CNN, and BBC news I also read the New York Times, The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. I think it is important to get news from varied sources. I challenged a friend of mine watch BBC news only for a week then watch Fox news you will be shocked by how clear the agenda is. I watched a documentary about Fox news it was made entirely up of people who had worked at Fox news and it is basically run like a entertainment channel more than it is run as a news channel.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:10 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 16 · Delilah

And Jon Stewart is being very disingenuous when he calls himself "just a comedian". He is taking himself very seriously and tries every day to direct his young impressionable audience along his very idealogical lines. In fact I would go so far to say that he's the leader of the Democrat Party! It's so sad to see people form their ideas off his pathetic, snarky attempts at humor. He's very close to jumping the shark! He's been invited many times to go on Fox, Rush, etc….but like the little pansy ass he is (needs his writers around him to come up with all those quick witted off the cuff zingers!) he declines. He's totally irrelevant to more than 50% of us.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:10 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 17 · Sean Smith

I wouldn't call MSNBC real news either. Unless constant updates about the relationship between Sarah Palin and Levi are what you consider news. Also, Olberamann screaming that the Clinton's are like nazis or klansman is hardly serious commentary. And yet he's some kind of hero to many on the left.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:12 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 18 · DONT TREAD ON ME

@getreal: BBC?? I hardly find that a plausible source on American issues. If you are looking for bias you'll find it whether it exists or not.

Will you admit that MSNBC and NBC are as equally biased towards the left as your pretension of FOX to be towards the right?

DTOM - unqualified to serve in public office, I paid my taxes!

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:19 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 19 · Rhonda

@Stefano: that is bs, and you know it!

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:23 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 20 · Rhonda

@Stefano: Let me be the first to correct myself; Fox has a network channel, which has news, the Fox News cable is on expanded cable along with CNN etc. Sorry, my bad

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:27 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 21 · getreal

@DONT TREAD ON ME: BBC news is a great source for world news and they report on American news with zero slant to the right or left.When you travel the world you turn on the TV and your choices regardless of where (Beijing or Dubai or Antwerp)you are are invariably BBC or CNN. BBC is probably the most respected news source world wide. I don't watch MSNBC so I won't pronounce an opinion on it.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:29 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 22 · gray hunt

BBC not slanted ? Only a leftie/socialist would believe that. Thank God for Glenn Beck, Fox New (all of them and # 1 ) so the truth can still get out there. Humm…why do so many millions (and growing by the day) listen and view ? Maybe we know something the obama tax cheat team of thugs dont know…we like the US just as is.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:49 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 23 · Rhonda

@:

I think your exactly right. Also, conservatives just don't get shows on network tv or the comedy channel to much.
so fox puts a little commentary and humor "red eye" they even tried a little SNL type show on the news channel that didn't work out. Liberals OWN the media and they still complain about the little bit conservatives get.

I remember the day Fox News came on, family and friends were all calling each other, wow, there are people on tv expressing our opinions, liberals have no idea what that is like. They only thing they remember is before FOX NEWS and TALK RADIO, everyone agreed with them.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:51 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 24 · Rhonda

#13

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 2:52 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 25 · getreal

(NEW YORK) A new survey of 1,502 adults released Sunday by Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that despite the mass appeal of the Internet and cable news since a previous poll in 1989, Americans' knowledge of national affairs has slipped a little. For example, only 69% know that Dick Cheney is vice president, while 74% could identify Dan Quayle in that post in 1989.

Other details are equally eye-opening. Pew judged the levels of knowledgeability (correct answers) among those surveyed and found that those who scored the highest were regular watchers of Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Colbert Report. They tied with regular readers of major newspapers in the top spot — with 54% of them getting 2 out of 3 questions correct. Watchers of the Lehrer News Hour on PBS followed just behind.

Virtually bringing up the rear were regular watchers of Fox News. Only 1 in 3 could answer 2 out of 3 questions correctly. Fox topped only network morning show viewers.

Told that Shia was one group of Muslims struggling in Iraq, only 32% of the total sample could name "Sunni" as the other key group.

The percentage of those who knew their state's governor dropped to 2 in 3. Almost half know that Rep. Nancy Pelosi is Speaker of the House and 2 in 3 know that Condi Rice is secretary of state. But just 29% can identify Scooter Libby, 21% know Robert Gates and 15% can name Sen. Harry Reid.

But nearly 9 in 10 knew about President Bush's troop escalation in Iraq.

Men scored higher than women, and older Americans did better than younger, on average. Democrats and Republicans were about equally represented in the most knowledgeable group but there were more Republicans in the least aware group.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:01 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 26 · Jen

@gray hunt: "so the truth can still get out there". Huh? Why do you consider your political OPINION the truth? Since when is anyone's opinion TRUTH? Watch whatever you want to watch, but preaching the word about a news channel is just plain nonsense.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:02 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 27 · getreal

I have nothing against Fox news or the people who watch it exclusively (I watch it along with CNN and BBC for a different perspective. But in every poll people who watch Fox news exclusively score the lowest in general and political knowledge and they are statistically less educated. It is not an insult just a fact. Look at how often Rhonda gets called out for using made up facts and statistics and when presented with proof she has no response.The fact that people seem to get so heated and emotional when these threads discuss Fox news underlines that fact there are some people on here whose ideology is based more fear and divisiveness than on values.It seems that people who are huge fans of Fox news spend 10 times more energy complaining and blaming as they do trying to come up with solutions.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 28 · Sean Smith

@Rhonda:

Ronda, that is exactly right. I'm old enough to remember what the ABC/CBS/NBC/NYTIMES/LATIMES/WashPost/PBS monopoly was like. I grew up in a far-left household in the San Fran Bay Area. I'm still liberal for the most part. And I supported Hillary in the primaries and even ended up trepidantly voting for Obama. I think MSNBC-watching Hillary supporters got a little bit of a sense of what it's like being a Republican during the primaries. MSNBC would not give Hillary a break.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 29 · brew50

Gleck Beck is a douche…and his audience is primarily people who live in places like Mississippi, South Carolina, and Alaska (all the states with governors who didn't want to take federal stimulus dollars) and think it's okay for counsins to marry and 15-year-olds to get pregnant by "Daddy."

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:32 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 30 · bam-a-lam

@brew50: Dude, really. Talk about perpetuating stereotypes. You call yourself a liberal? Please. Your statements tell a different story.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:36 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 31 · Jen

@bam-a-lam: I agree, but Beck does look like a douche in that suit he is wearing in the pic above…just sayin.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:41 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 32 · bam-a-lam

@Jen: I can't even watch the guy. He just grates on my nerves.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:44 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 33 · getreal

@brew50: Notice how you never called yourself a liberal but certain people feel the need to brand everyone. Glen Beck had a show on CNN but was wildly unpopular and was daily having to voice retractions for his false statistics and skewered facts which CNN watchers would catch and report. Eventually they fired him now he is on FOX were audiences never actually check the facts of the pundits they just accept them as gospel. Seems like a better fit. It is unfortunate that republican governors of some of the most economically depressed states who cclaim to care about the everyday American will be turning money down that will improve every facet of those people's lives to make a political statement.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:47 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 34 · Rhonda

@Sean Smith:

I'm really grateful that you shared that. Hillary Clinton did get the republican treatment. you just don't hear to many liberals admit it. Thanks

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:49 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 35 · Rhonda

I don't know why liberals get so worked up, just turn the channel, we conservatives have been using the off-on button for years and you liberals own the rest of stations, so why complain so much?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 36 · bam-a-lam

@getreal: SOAP BOX! Get your SOAP BOX here! I have no idea if Brew is liberal or not. I don't even give a f**k. I live in the South and it gets really old hearing slams from jackasses who don't live here. Like you.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:01 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 37 · brew50

I am amazed by the number of people posting to this site who try to "fool" everybody into thinking that they are current or "former" liberals and democrats. Then you read their posts on other stories…and you see they are clearly rabid republicans. Sean Smith give me a f**king break…you're a douche-bag republican. Man-up, fess-up and own it!!!

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:03 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 38 · getreal

As someone who was born and raised in the south it does sadden me that people judge a large varied group of people by the stereotypes of an ignorant few. I don't dislike Glenn Beck he had a hard life he struggled with drug addiction and professional failure, he has the challenge of having a disabled child. My issue with him is that he has a single mindedness of vision his views are based on his experience only and he seems to have little empathy for other points of view. I do think that it is important to have all different perspectives on the airwaves and clearly he speaks to people. Some people's challenges color their world view he is a great example of that.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:06 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 39 · brew50

@getreal: I think you're giving Beck to much credit. His "act" isn't authentic…it's profitable. If liberal talk radio and cable television programs were as profitable as conservative talk radio and tv shows…Glenn Beck would surely change his tune. Why do you think I call him a douche!?!? He's just like those rappers who try to portray themselves as coming from the "hood" when they know damn well they grew up in the suburbs. They–and Beck–peddle their views as if they are authentic…but when the "red light" goes off…you see it's all just an act.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:10 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 40 · getreal

@brew50: Well he is an entertainer who makes some disenfranchised people feel powerful and intelligent. I say what's the harm.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:15 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 41 · dan1984

@Rhonda: 'I don't know why liberals get so worked up, just turn the channel'
….oh you mean unlike you rationally-thinking chilled-out republicans? please, every comment you and your like ever seem to make on any of these sites are some sort 'doomsday' cry-baby rant at how Obama's gonna bring about the destruction of the US with his super powered middle name and the signal sending bows to his decipels in the arab world. And how the evil liberals in the media are secretly vowed to aid him perpetrate this apocalypse….all, that is, except for the heroes/true americans at Fox News.

Beck/O'Reilly/etc are popular because 47% of americans didn't vote for Obama, and of those 47% a good % probably hate his guts for political/racial/religious/stupid/smart reasons and they need a tv show that beats on the man and everything he does (even of it contradicts their whole 'stand by the president and the office always' notion they tried to bash any criticism of Bush with for 8 years); because this is the only release they have in this changing world. That's why they (fox news) are so popular. with the exception of MSNBC, you can argue that none of the other mentioned networks really have up-their-own-ass blowhards with more opinions than news/ fact ruling their stations, so they aren't catering to the extreme left, the way Fox does to the extreme right.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:24 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 42 · getreal

@dan1984: I think she is gone she got one her profanity laced tantrums removed so she slunk off to lick her wounds. Why is it that people on this site who champion the party of values so rarely display any themselves?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:28 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 43 · brew50

@getreal: The harm is he–and Fox News–have a considerable amount of influence over their viewers…who apparently don't read or check the facts. There was a study done recently of Fox News viewers and it found most of them believe Saddam Hussein was behind the World Trade Center bombings. The harm is these are the people who will take Beck at his word…and act on it…when Beck is just being as he described himself…a "Rodeo Clown." His views foster an "us" against "them" attitude which could be extremely dangerous–especially if you fall into the "them" catagory. Bottomline–I think he fosters hate. That's the harm.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:32 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 44 · getreal

@brew50: You are preaching to the choir. I agree but he has a first amendment right and it frankly gives him too much power to demand his removal.It only gives conservatives the feeling that they must be on to something when we give credence to their uninformed Fox entertainers. That is why I take Beck, O'Reilly, and Limbaugh with a grain of salt. They want to inflame the people who know they are passing along specious facts. They don't even respect their listeners/watchers.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:38 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 45 · brew50

@getreal: You didn't ask about his first amendment rights…you stated…"what's the harm." And I just told you.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:43 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 46 · weezy

@dan1984:

right on. well said.

i am still shocked that Fox has sounded the 'fear' drumbeat so loudly, so quickly. esp. after all the things we've needed to fear the past 8 years. of course then we were silenced by the threat of being 'unamerican' if we voiced concerns. yes, FOX is conservative and MSNBC is liberal (except for Morning Joe and a few others) i'd say the other stations are pretty non-partisan. i don't watch FOX, only clips on youtube so i can only judge 15 minute soundbites. but 15 minutes is enough. if i actually listened to that station longer than that i'd be to frightened to ever leave the house!

on an interesting note though, if you fact check FOX shows like Beck and O'Reilly against MSNBC show Rachel Maddow, the 'fair and balanced' boys are consistently omitting and stretching the truth, and Rachel is right on the money.

mediamatters.com

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:46 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 47 · getreal

@brew50: Look you seem to want to argue and you have the misfortune of dialoguing with someone who essentially agrees with you. If you want to just argue and insult buzz off.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:47 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 48 · weezy

@ brew50 and getreal:

"Bottomline–I think he fosters hate. That's the harm."

i agree that's the problem with all of them. there was an interesting article in (Time, Newsweek?) this week about the aging demographic of the Foxnews junkies. they are mostly over 55, without internet savvy to fact check and are easily led by slurs and slander. most people can quickly debunk what these jokers are saying with a stroke of google. if they want to attract younger viewers they will have to change their operation, so there's hope yet. the 'angry old man that shakes fist at cloud' will only work so much longer.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 4:53 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 49 · getreal

@weezy: Co-sign. Well put Weezy.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 5:03 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 50 · Tuck Chodd

Citing mediamatters.com, that's a hoot.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 8:08 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 51 · gigantor

C'mon… Everybody knows why they watch Fox News…Its Because of all of the curvaceous blond tender vittle info babes that showcase each newscast….DUH!

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 8:12 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 52 · Sean Smith

@gigantor:

The news actresses at MSNBC are more attractive.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 8:46 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 53 · weezy

@Tuck Chodd:

and of course you don't like mediamatters.org, because it exposes FOXnews for the daily lies they tell. the truth hurts!

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 9:55 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 54 · getreal

@Sean Smith: Because that is what is important to people who are rabid about Fox news how hot their anchors are not what they are saying.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:01 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 55 · DP

Name me one News Channel that isn't biased one way or the other.
Even CSPAN cherry picks what it's going to tape.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:02 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 56 · Sean Smith

@getreal:

Well for some sure. But I think it's secondary to the ideological attraction. I used to watch Morning Joe just for the few minute glimpe I'd get of the weather gal Jackie Meretzsky (who is STILL on maternity leave!). And Mika ain't so bad either.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:08 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 57 · getreal

@DP: To some extent I agree but I challenge anyone to get your news exclusively from BBC news for a week and then watch any other 24 hour news channel it is jarring. The first few times I watched BBC news it was almost how unnerving how they seemed to report the news with very little commentary. As Americans we are used to a lot of commentary with our news and with the more obviously partisan channels 60% commentary 40% news.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:08 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 58 · Sean Smith

@getreal:

I admire the BBC's seriousness. I DVR BBC World News everyday. I also used to pay for access to their high quality online video service but I didn't think the quality was terribly high. All that said, the BBC does reflect the typical lefty biases of its producers, reporters, presenters etc. I remember when Yasir Arafat was dying, one of their female reporters was actually crying on air.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:26 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 59 · getreal

@Sean Smith: I disagree it's seems you have a pretty big bias against anyone you perceive as not being clearly right wing.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:30 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 60 · fanofgrendel

The BBC is been heavily criticized by their own ombudsman for bias.

As usual GETREAl is full of it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t.....942948.ece

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:32 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 61 · fanofgrendel

Fox News — Swimming Alone is a Sea of Obama Ass Kissers.

s-FAIR-BALANCED-large.jpg

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:35 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 62 · getreal

A link to the most partisan paper in england good link.

Here is a link to a documentary staffed by ex-Fox news staffers who all reported that they were instructed to deliver biased news reports.
http://www.outfoxed.org/

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:36 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 63 · fanofgrendel

@getreal: the BBC commissioned the study that reported their own bias. That story was widely reported in dozens of sources, you ignorant dip.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:43 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 64 · getreal

@Sean Smith: I get my news from a variety of sources and have found that most people who exclusively get their news from Fox news tend to be angry and fearful people. The news is delivered and slanted to accomplish that it is deliberately inflammatory. If you look at the responses of a lot of the people on this site who defend Fox news they are usually laced with profanity,insults, and childish pictures and antics. I think it comes from watching stuff like this.It hardly encourages calm thoughtful discourse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:44 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 65 · Sean Smith

@getreal:

Yeah, I'm one of those right wingers who's pro-choice, pro-national healthcare, pro-union, anti-christian fundamentalism, pro-hand gun control, ending the war in Iraq ASAP, and pro-gay marriage. But I admit I'm kind of weird. I'm not an ideologue. I used to be, but I'm not angry anymore, to quote Elvis Costello. Well about some things. I don't like the smart-alecky left that looks down at, say, working-class white people who don't think like they do.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:45 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 66 · Sean Smith

@getreal: @getreal:

You ever read the comments at sites like DailyKos? Those people are insufferably snotty. And I was watching Rachel Maddow's show this evening and she and Anne Marie Cox (aka Wonkette) spent five minutes on a ball-in-the-mouth joke (i.e. tea bagging) giggling back and forth. Try to be objective.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:52 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 67 · getreal

@Sean Smith: You proved most of us have distinct points of view based on our values. I just have a problem when people talk about a typical right wing or a typical left wing. You and I agree on a lot of issues why does it have to be so partisan. I find that a lot of right wing people fall back on a stereotype that all left leaning people feel a certain way. There are some uninformed small minded people out there not liking their views does not make someone snobby or elite.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:56 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 68 · getreal

Maybe I'm missing it but what is snobby about tea bagging? I have read some genocidal horrific things on Fox threads that should not be a basis for judge a huge very diverse group of people.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 10:58 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 69 · Sean Smith

@getreal:

They're making fun of a nascent right-wing tax revolt, the conceit behind which is the idea of the Boston Tea Party. That's the historical precedent they've attached to the idea. Google it. Maddow and Cox spent ten minutes calling them "tea baggers" and tittering about how funny they were. So I was speaking to your point about the immaturity of certain right-wing commentors. I don't like that sort of snarky aren't-they-a-bunch-of-rubes-and-aren't-we-so-clever-for-laughing-at-them humor. This is fucking epidemic on the internet; but MSNBC has made it prime-time news commentary.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:08 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 70 · getreal

@Sean Smith: I think it goes both ways I was watching a clip from Bill O'Reilly's show where he was nervously giggling at the "embarrassing!!" photos of of a gay American Idol contestant kissing his boyfriend. He was concerned that there could be a GAY American Idol. I felt like I was watching a 12 year old. Two men kissing big deal why freak ut seems childish to me.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:17 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 71 · getreal

Maybe it is a generational thing maybe they were laughing because tea bagging has another widely know and very funny (and dirty) meaning. I know some people of a different age bracket would not necessarily understand the reference.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:19 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 72 · Sean Smith

@getreal:

Well, sure, that's why they were laughing. But it's not that funny, even if you are in on the joke. Basically what they are laughing at is how funny they think they are. I tired of that sort of humor around the time Letterman moved over to CBS. As for O'Reilly. He's a buffoon.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:33 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 73 · Sean Smith

By the way, I should clarify that I like Rachel Maddow. We grew up in the same town, though I am a bit older. I thought she was better on Air America, and that she's changed her persona a bit to conform to MSNBC's new shtick. Non-stop ridicule of Republicans ala Olbermann. But Maddow is much better than Olbermann.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:41 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 74 · getreal

@Sean Smith: I think they were laughing because dirty jokes particularly when in a serious form are doubly funny. You assumed that they were denigrating the right when it had nothing to do with that. I just think we should all on both sides not jump to conclusions about what everyone on the left or everyone on the right think.

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:50 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 75 · Rhonda

@getreal:

Getreal,

Slunk away to lick my wounds? What the heck you talking about now? I went out to dinner with friends, did I get I get beat up?

Posted: Apr 9, 2009 at 11:59 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 76 · getreal

@getreal: I do appreciate your example of how important it is to keep it about issues be they gun control, gay marriage, healthcare etc. In my experience it is the people who cannot debate the issues who fall back into insults and childishness. I agree I'm also tired of that kind of humor whichever side it comes from.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 12:03 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 77 · getreal

@Sean Smith: Oops that last post was meant for you.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 12:04 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 78 · Real Man

Rhonda? You got that shit straight. Now be a good subservient bitch, cause that's all you good for, and fix me a sammich. Leave the politics to the men. We all know that's the world you want. She yo pie hole and start servin"

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 1:44 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 79 · Real Man

Oh. I want you to scrub that floor and fix those kids breakfast in the morning. You know you got a big assed whippen in store for you if you don't do what your Master says. Get to servin"

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 1:46 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 80 · Real Man

Getreal? He is an asshole opportunist that thanks god every day he has a special needs child that he can pander to further his career. he probably has nothing to do with that kid in real life, or his wife, for that matter. I would type "his cause", but assholes like him don't have one. If he existed during the times of Saddam and Gomorrah, and there was no threat of god's wrath, he would be wife swapping and butt fucking with the best of them.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 1:54 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 81 · getreal

@Real Man: I'm not sure what your agenda is but no "real man" would ever talk to a woman the way you talked to Rhonda. If you think you are in any way superior to Glen Beck you are not. I may think he is a moron but at least he observes a modicum of self respect of which you seem completely lacking.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 2:33 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 82 · fanofgrendel

Meanwhile Fox, up 25% in total primetime viewership in the first quarter, and trailing only USA Network for the entire basic-cable kingdom!

fox-news-logo.jpg

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 7:44 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 83 · dan1984

@fanofgrendel: what's your point? if it's that more people are watching Fox now then they did before or that more are watching it than the other networks, what does this prove? that it's a great network? great programming? informative? englightening?
NO, none of these things, all that your point says is that there are more people on the right who didn't vote for Obama and feel disenfranchised and want to hear anchors not relaying actual news to them, but opinionated talking heads that reflect their own viewpoints.
It's what happens in the aftermath of a failed election- hearts are broken, ideas crushed and a need arises to vent ones spleen- liberals/the left did it in 2000 and now it's the rights turn. So keep watching Fox, and believe everything they say; Obama's a muslim (look he's bowing to a Saudi, toldyaso!!!); hate every policy the government backs cos it's Socia…(i can't finish the word, it's too dirty); hold onto your guns (infact buy some more; financially it may be tough, but you'll need them when Obama decides to lauch 'operation repossess magnums'); Pray to god that every thing Obama proposes fails. It maybe illogical and downright 'cut-your-nose-to-spite-your-face' tactics, but at least it leaves the possibilty of an idealogue war/revolution and the rise from the ashes of the neo-cons/republicans, whose great ideals of the last years of course led to prosperity for the majority, a stable economy, an accountable wall street, greater education and health care, and most rewarding, a safer world and therefore a safer America.

Oh, and on a side point why did you put the Fox sign on your post? Now you not only remind me of a brainwashed politcal pawn but it seems you are to fox news what tweenie boppers are to the Jonas Brothers.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 9:18 am · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 84 · fanofgrendel

@dan1984: Oh shut up, but Happy Easter to you!

easter_bunny_hates_you.GIF

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 12:22 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
No. 85 · dan1984

@fanofgrendel: i'm sorry, did i upset you? ahh that's real cute, you're echoing the tweenie- bopper characteristics more and more.
Happy easter to you too, my fear-entrenched friend.

Posted: Apr 10, 2009 at 12:56 pm · @Reply · [Flag?]
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