Valin Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Power Line: Steven Hayward 1/19/13 One of the wonderful things about Fox News is how it drives the Left out of their minds. Talk about having no sense of proportion: even though Fox kills CNN and MSNBC in the ratings, Fox News’s viewership is still just a fraction of audience for the nightly news broadcasts of the Big Three legacy networks, which I confess I still watch for the pure schadenfreude of seeing the unstoppable decay of these self-important media institutions. The Left openly pines for a revival of the “fairness doctrine,” initially to clamp down on Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk radio, but now the big target is clearly Fox News. It’s another great example of William F Buckley’s remark that while the Left says it is open to other points of view, it always shocks them to discover that there are other points of view. To which I’ll add that conservative dissent eventually brings out the Left’s desire to censor or limit opposing views. The Fox-induced agony of the Left is why it is difficult, then, to criticize Fox News or raise the question of whether it does a disservice to conservatives in some respects. One needn’t be a highbrow critic of “populism” to ponder this. It’s bad enough that Fox continues to feature the egregious Dick Morris, the person who confidently predicted not just a Romney landslide, but, back in 2007, that the 2008 race would be Condi Rice against Hillary Clinton, and who is now peddling an unserious book about the UN. (Just to clarify: it’s not that the UN is unworthy of a hard smackdown; rather, Morris isn’t the person to do this.) Now comes the announcement that Fox has hired Dennis Kucinich to be a commentator, chiefly, it appears, on the O’Reilly Factor. As the teens like to say, “really?” Fox already has Joe Trippi, Kirsten Powers, and Juan Williams from the center-left, though they play the role of analyst more than advocate most of the time. But if you want someone to play a more open liberal advocate role on Fox, there are lots of serious and articulate liberals—I’ll just suggest Michael Tomasky of the Daily Beast for one example—who would give O’Reilly or other Fox hosts a run for their money. Kucinich is a clown, and he makes the O’Reilly Factor more of a clown show than it already is. But maybe that’s the point; it is not for nothing that Rush Limbaugh, a serious man who nonetheless understands showmanship at the same time, refers to Bill O’Reilly as “Ted Baxter.” (Snip) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks for the post, @Valin. It echoes my opinions on O’Reilly....I've always liked Morris [still get his newsletter] but he blew it on the 2012 election & have to question his credibility on everything. Rove may be knowledgeable, but he's become a one trick pony. Rarely watch FNC in the evenings. [The Five & Red Eye, excepted] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks for the post, @Valin. It echoes my opinions on O’Reilly....I've always liked Morris [still get his newsletter] but he blew it on the 2012 election & have to question his credibility on everything. Rove may be knowledgeable, but he's become a one trick pony. Rarely watch FNC in the evenings. [The Five & Red Eye, excepted] Not having a TV ( ) it's not an issue with me. I catch replays of Watter's World and Dennis Miller from O’Reilly on the net. I do like the idea that Fox drives the left nuts...not that it takes much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I always thought that the left had to be pulled from the "crazy train," in order to drive them anywhere..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 He forgot Alan Colmes Fox consistently for years has had the top 6 cables show monthly on TV with O'Reilly always #1. I can't imagine why so many people watch him but this month for the first time Amish Mafia was #2 - sigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 He forgot Alan Colmes Fox consistently for years has had the top 6 cables show monthly on TV with O'Reilly always #1. I can't imagine why so many people watch him but this month for the first time Amish Mafia was #2 - sigh. Amish Mafia? Do I want to know or will it make my head hurt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Bulgarian opposition leader survives assassination attempt.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VMXZpZ1jU&feature=player_embedded H/T:WeaselZippers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 He forgot Alan Colmes Fox consistently for years has had the top 6 cables show monthly on TV with O'Reilly always #1. I can't imagine why so many people watch him but this month for the first time Amish Mafia was #2 - sigh. Amish Mafia? Do I want to know or will it make my head hurt? I've never watched it - but one doesn't have to watch most of this garbage to know how dumb it is. Part of the dumbing down of our country. Mind numbing stupidity as entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Bulgarian opposition leader survives assassination attempt.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VMXZpZ1jU&feature=player_embedded H/T:WeaselZippers You sure it just wasn't a teleprompter assasanation attempt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 He forgot Alan Colmes Fox consistently for years has had the top 6 cables show monthly on TV with O'Reilly always #1. I can't imagine why so many people watch him but this month for the first time Amish Mafia was #2 - sigh. Amish Mafia? Do I want to know or will it make my head hurt? I've never watched it - but one doesn't have to watch most of this garbage to know how dumb it is. Part of the dumbing down of our country. Mind numbing stupidity as entertainment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 @Valin. I've seen Dr. Michio on Fox and like him. He is a smart guy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 @Valin. I've seen Dr. Michio on Fox and like him. He is a smart guy!! Inside the narrow parameters of his expertise, agree. The problem comes when he (and other scientists) step outside....see Norm Chomsky. That said our whole educational system is failing. Far to often we see kids that feel real good about themselves, but don't know a damn thing....and apparently have no interest in really doing the hard (often boring) work it takes to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 @Valin. I've seen Dr. Michio on Fox and like him. He is a smart guy!! Inside the narrow parameters of his expertise, agree. The problem comes when he (and other scientists) step outside....see Norm Chomsky. That said our whole educational system is failing. Far to often we see kids that feel real good about themselves, but don't know a damn thing....and apparently have no interest in really doing the hard (often boring) work it takes to learn. I actually am often taken back when I am in a conversation with a young person and something comes up that they are clueless about that was common to know 'back in the day'. There are so many thing they don't teach anymore. It has been a gradual couple of decades process of decay and would be the same to bring it back. I think it has to start with concerned parents, school boards etc. From the bottom up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollyannaish Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 And here is an interesting social impact: we have raised our kids to be very aware of the world, focused on learning and observant. Both of them find dating extremely frustrating because while there are plenty of kids who get good grades, it is very rare to find kids who are culturally, historically and socially aware of things outside their own narrow interests. It's been interesting to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 And here is an interesting social impact: we have raised our kids to be very aware of the world, focused on learning and observant. Both of them find dating extremely frustrating because while there are plenty of kids who get good grades, it is very rare to find kids who are culturally, historically and socially aware of things outside their own narrow interests. It's been interesting to watch. Common sense is also a rarity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Which is why....they're willing to give socialism another try.....it isn't what you know....because it isn't your time anymore....it's what they [think] they know....only this time, it'll succeed. We get to go along for the ride.....letting them learn their lessons....and letting us learn our lessons. When we abdicate our shared responsibility to instruct our children properly....they pick up what is convenient & comfortable. Who knew that "liberty" was such a hard thing to hold? That it required constant vigilance & hard work? Well....besides all those old white dead guys that have their pictures on money. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Which is why....they're willing to give socialism another try.....it isn't what you know....because it isn't your time anymore....it's what they [think] they know....only this time, it'll succeed. That is always what they say....going back to 1917 We get to go along for the ride.....letting them learn their lessons....and letting us learn our lessons. When we abdicate our shared responsibility to instruct our children properly....they pick up what is convenient & comfortable. Who knew that "liberty" was such a hard thing to hold? That it required constant vigilance & hard work? Well....besides all those old white dead guys that have their pictures on money. The People have spoken....now they must be punished. Get ready to say "I Told You So!" Often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Which is why....they're willing to give socialism another try.....it isn't what you know....because it isn't your time anymore....it's what they [think] they know....only this time, it'll succeed. That is always what they say....going back to 1917 We get to go along for the ride.....letting them learn their lessons....and letting us learn our lessons. When we abdicate our shared responsibility to instruct our children properly....they pick up what is convenient & comfortable. Who knew that "liberty" was such a hard thing to hold? That it required constant vigilance & hard work? Well....besides all those old white dead guys that have their pictures on money. The People have spoken....now they must be punished. Get ready to say "I Told You So!" Often I think it'll be more fun to just point & laugh....but inside, I'll be crying..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 @SrWoodchuck Something to remember today Barack Obama has as much political power as he is ever going to have. This time next week it will be less. And every day that passes it will lessen. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Which is why....they're willing to give socialism another try.....it isn't what you know....because it isn't your time anymore....it's what they [think] they know....only this time, it'll succeed. That is always what they say....going back to 1917 We get to go along for the ride.....letting them learn their lessons....and letting us learn our lessons. When we abdicate our shared responsibility to instruct our children properly....they pick up what is convenient & comfortable. Who knew that "liberty" was such a hard thing to hold? That it required constant vigilance & hard work? Well....besides all those old white dead guys that have their pictures on money. The People have spoken....now they must be punished. Get ready to say "I Told You So!" Often Would feel so much better to say it if they were the only ones to pay for their actions 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 @SrWoodchuck Something to remember today Barack Obama has as much political power as he is ever going to have. This time next week it will be less. And every day that passes it will lessen. Thanks @Valin! I found a new icon to give me some peace: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 @SrWoodchuck Something to remember today Barack Obama has as much political power as he is ever going to have. This time next week it will be less. And every day that passes it will lessen. Thanks @Valin! I found a new icon to give me some peace: Is that from the outside looking in, or the inside looking out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Which is why....they're willing to give socialism another try.....it isn't what you know....because it isn't your time anymore....it's what they [think] they know....only this time, it'll succeed. That is always what they say....going back to 1917 We get to go along for the ride.....letting them learn their lessons....and letting us learn our lessons. When we abdicate our shared responsibility to instruct our children properly....they pick up what is convenient & comfortable. Who knew that "liberty" was such a hard thing to hold? That it required constant vigilance & hard work? Well....besides all those old white dead guys that have their pictures on money. The People have spoken....now they must be punished. Get ready to say "I Told You So!" Often Would feel so much better to say it if they were the only ones to pay for their actions The Really Bad Part is He May Get Two Supreme Court Justices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 @SrWoodchuck Something to remember today Barack Obama has as much political power as he is ever going to have. This time next week it will be less. And every day that passes it will lessen. Thanks @Valin! I found a new icon to give me some peace: Is that from the outside looking in, or the inside looking out Good question Sweet @Geee! In my heart, I want it to be Obungle looking out from a 35 year sentence....my fears say it could be me looking at him in a couple years.....after being declared fit for a senior re-education cell....[Just kidding. It'd never come to that....would it?] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 @SrWoodchuck Something to remember today Barack Obama has as much political power as he is ever going to have. This time next week it will be less. And every day that passes it will lessen. Well, I hat to depress everyone further but we could go from Old King O to Queen Hillary. Looking up the proper spot to slit my wrist on google now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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