In the past five years, I've given up npr, cnn, cbs

[catmandu57]

mostly because they slanted too far to the right for my tastes. Before that I gave up a local radio station, they used to play old time radio at night, from the days before television, unfortunately, they also picked up the pigboy and let everyone know it during every commercial break.
So they went away, I've given up family members and friends who no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't reach.
I ceased to be suprised or shocked at anything that these bastards have done, it does amaze me that people can be shocked over a consenual sex act between adults and turn a blind eye and deaf ear to each fresh outrage that are visited upon us.
Along with my sense of outrage, my sense of compassion has been dulled over the years, a causal relation perhaps?
Now, we're entering what may very well be the death rattle, either for these criminal sons of bitches or the final nail in the coffin of what was America.
I'm hoping it's the former.
So, what have you given up?

[WCGreen]

1. Local TV news.....

Corporate TV News...

Far Left News because it can be just as looney as the mainstream news...

A hole of lot of friends and relatives...

Now I depend on all the stuff on the internet, the Daily Show, the New Yorker and listen to internet radio for music....

[catmandu57]

3. You're right about extremes

I tend to avoid them, where we can find a happy medium I don't know.

[mmonk]

2. I watch no network news as it's just not good sourcing

and worse, many times not credible. I do watch KO but that's about it. If the dems retake the congress, one of the first items ought to be to re-establish some type of credibility to the networks through a return to the fairness doctrine or something similar because an uninformed, highly propagandized public is unsafe for democracy.

[catmandu57]

6. I still watch nbc

often though it's just to see how far ahead of the curve we are here on DU, they tend to cover issues we've discussed and moved on from, mostly their coverage is okay, but often they don't dk anywhere near as good a job as we do here.
I get the bulk of my news right here.

[mmonk]

15. I get alot from

LBN as well.

[ramapo]

4. Most everything

CNN, MSNBC, Faux, CBS, NBC, ABC "News"

Newsweek (replaced w/Economist (conservative but somewhat truthful)

NPR

Anything with Bush in it except the Daily Show

[Bozita]

5. I rely on BBC and CBC news operations

Next to Democracy Now, the CBC is the best in north America.

[lebkuchen]

23. Both BBC and CBC are excellent

CBC was the most refreshing, if not stunning, aspect about my trip across the border this summer. What a different between it and the shoddy biased "news coverage" in the US.

[lectrobyte]

7. I'm with you on NPR, CNN, and most network news. Also MSNBC,

but I still like CSPAN. I used to listen to Clark Howard on AM on my drive home every night, but they replaced him with Hannity. I can't really get AAR, although it is broadcast out of Chapel Hill.

[catmandu57]

9. I watch cspan

not all the time, but I find myself stopping there more these days.

[ixion]

8. Friends, Family and cable TV, over the last 5+ years

Not many friends and family, and really it's more of a chill in the relationship. But not only could I no longer watch any broadcast 'news' media outlet, I could not watch the commercials in the context of the reality in front of me. All those shiny, happy, vapid people peddling a bunch of petroleum-based chemicals procured at the cost of the blood of thousands.


But for some reason, people only seem outraged by sex. Wanton carnage, packaged at 'liberation', only makes them break out in song. :crazy:

[William769]

10. Not a damn thing!

I refuse to let them dictate to me.

[hippiechick]

11. pretty much all media ....

... aside from The Food Network (tv) and xpn.org (public webstream w/ awesome tunes).

:(

[catmandu57]

21. We watch a lot of food network here

When there is nothing on we want to see the tv seems to automatically go to food network.

[The2ndWheel]

12. Hope

But it's a good thing. Without hope, I've actually made changes to my own life.

That, and I don't try and convince anyone of anything. If there's a discussion, sure, I'll participate. If someone is interested in why I think the way I do, I'll point them to the reasons why. Outside of that, time to just let everyone do what they do. We're all part of this freakshow circling around a star with no destination. We're long past the point where we could change the way we live as a societal entity, so I just sit back and watch the thing collapse. We all have our pet issues. Mine would be the environment. But I know we won't fundamentally change the way we treat it. So I do what I can, and that's as far as I go.

[warrens]

13. The constant ranking on NPR around here is irritating

Yeah, they have a couple of annoying reporters, but the NPR I hear in Chicago has some of the best world issues programs going, BBC news in the morning and afternoon, CBC programming in the evening, the killer On The Media, etc. etc. etc.

I think it has become trendy to just call everything right wing and be done with it. NPR is better than it has ever been, at least in my neighborhood.

[TreasonousBastard]

19. I agree...

right now I'm listening to Diane Riehm talking about voting machines with a few acadmeics, activists, and Rush Holt, who has introduced a verified voting bill.

No news media is perfect, but NPR still tries to maintain its integrity and has the ability to give a half hour or so to stories everyone else give 30 seconds to.

And I like Car Talk, so sue me.

[peacetalksforall]

14. I don't turn on NPR Monday through Friday. I also followed it with a

letter and a donation that was 2/7ths of what I sent in the past as I only listen on weekends. Even Daniel Shorr seems to be turning. But to be fair, I didn't drop radio, I switched to Air America. However, even without AAR I would have turned NPR off rather than be hurt knowing that they double-crossed us by going right. They are delivering propaganda with calm voices - but it's the same propaganda as deivered in hot style on Fox, CNN, which I also gave up. I can't bear the court jester commentators and the outright pimping.

I gave up trying to find fairness and true journalism in the NYT, Wash Post, LA Times.

I gave up on about 90% of the journalists in this country. I believe their parents (or their scholarship providers) wasted their money on people who were going to end up acting as WH pimps.

I have tried to break through the news wall built around our country by our leaders by listening to Link and FSTV and reading foeign newspapers as time permits. I especially need to understand Israel. I am feeling intense anger and contempt at their policies and I've got to see if I'm wrong knowing that I detest their policies against Palestinians, their manipulation/partnership/meddling in our government, and the total, utterly useless and purposeless, evil destruction of Lebanon. This pursuit and position has NOTHING to do with being anti-Jewish, far from it. I gave up providing blind support to Israel, not the little people who want peace.

I gave up hoping that their were some good Republican leaders in Washington.

I gave up hope that this WH would stop tormenting and torturing human beings and trying to own everyone.

[catmandu57]

20. I really loved Saturday mornings when Dan gave his commentary

I've attended two of his lectures, I valued his opinion and insight, he and cartalk was the hardest part of giving up npr, things change.
I feel the same way about the recent events in the ME, the only thing I know is that the neocons who have taken over here have done the same there.
I take heart knowing that there is a peace faction there as well, just like here they aren't being heard. i have to wonder that if they had steam rolled over any opposition if we wouldn't be at war in Syria and Iran right now.

[davekriss]

16. I've given up on the MSM long ago...

...ever since "they hate us for our freedoms" and Paula Zahn slamming Scott Ritter on the cutaway with something like "obviously he's been drinking Saddam's Koolaid". All I watch now is the occasional CSPAN BookTV or similar and things like The Corporation or The Revolution Will Not Be Televised when they're shown on IFC.

I recommend that everyone turn off the TV and, beside places like here (with its "Latest Breaking News"), stream Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! daily news program. All that you get from the MSM is artful state propaganda.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Mostly TV save the Daily show

and Keith oberman from time to time, which is good, did not miss his Murrow Moment, life. my hubby and I just looked at each other for we KNEW we were watching history.

Oh the food channel, can be entertaining, and mythbusters...

Only reason why I still do radio is locally we do have a good AAR affiliate... before it was stream only

Friends, yep there are people I don't talk to because we don't see eye to eye

Family, I am fortunate my family is either not in the country or liberal, and far away... so we don't speak much. And my parents, yep I concluded if they were in the US they would vote Republican... and you know what, I think it is the nature of being in the seventies and eighties and NOT WANTING to believe that we still need to fight this fight... but they don't vote HERE... and for the most part unless THEY bring it up, these days I don't up the subject. They won't here for long, no reason to sour anything at this stage.

As to the US... it was on life support up to 2000... the death certificate should properly say, 1782 (ratification of the Constitution), December 12, 2000... RIP

Why? September 12 was a pretty good indicator... just how full were the recruiting offices for all armed forces after that one? In fact, did they turn anybody away? Nope... unlike December 8th, 1941... that should tell you all you ever wanted to know... people talk a good game, but we are just waiting for whatever to fill the place of what was the US to take its place. It may be the police state we know is here, but truly not fully functioning yet. Trust me, they haven't tightened the screws yet.

It could also be anywhere from three to five successor states... after a war... would not shock me, or utterly surprise me if the country breaks apart.

Hell, the fact we are in less than talking terms to people, and this country has not been this divided since the 1850s, I would not be shocked if a hot civil war starts tomorrow. And we have had several moments when I truly feared that, shciavo anyone>

[catmandu57]

26. I'm afraid that it would be easy to slip into a hot war

and in the end the ones who would win are the very bastards who are making out like bandits now, I'm fond of the eat the rich phrase, but they're the only ones who can sit this out somewhere safe.
The only time my television is on is when my wife is home, or, when someone recommends turning on Cspan.
I've returned to my roots listening to bbc scotland for the most part.

[madrchsod]

18. what`s wrong with diane reem?

i have been listening to her for the last several months and i find nothing objectionable in her program. it is national public radio where all side must be heard whether we agree or not.

i gave up on cnn and all the others years ago , if i watch the news it`s bbc america, link tv , and freespeach.

[mike_c]

22. TV completely-- I don't own one-- plus political talk radio...

...which has become too toxic for my tastes. But TV is the big one-- my life is richer for regaining the hours I used to sit starring at the box.

[KansDem]

24. I know what you mean...I know EXACTLY what you mean...(long rant)

So they went away, I've given up family members and friends who no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't reach.
I'm afraid there has been a whole lotta people who'll be getting a simple sympathy card from me instead of a personal visit to a funeral in the coming couple of decades...

I've given up npr, cnn, cbs
I gave up on these entities since Election2000 when it became evident they were whoring for the Bush campaign and subsequently the Bushistas. I'll never forget Cokie Roberts on NPR reporting on Bush's "charm offensive" during the 2000 campaign. I thought "what?" "Charm offensive?" And when I heard NPR give campaign news about Bush and Gore, it would play a soundbite from a Bush speech followed by thunderous applause--something like "And if elected, I'll put FOOD ON YOUR FAMILY!!!"--applause!!applause!!applause!! But it would "report" on a Gore campaign stop by summarizing something Gore had said as related by third party. It sounded something like, "...And Al Gore appeared in Hoboken today. Joe Schmo, a Gore campaign spokesman, said that Gore's speech included a need to do something to help the enviroment...." I mean, really, even a moron like Bush can sound presidential under these carefully-controlled conditions.
And I've never forgave the numerous passes CNN gave Bush when he said or did something controversial or stupid. I gradually gave up CBS when it became apparent to me it was no longer the "hard hitting" news network it once was... I gave up on the news media in general, again during Campaign 2000 when the "top news story" was something like "Bush campaigns in Wisconsin." I thought "why is this a 'top news story?"' (not that I have anything against Wisconsin), both Bush and Gore were campaigning all over the place so why was this non-story a "story."

Along with my sense of outrage, my sense of compassion has been dulled over the years, a causal relation perhaps?
I find I'm a lot less tolerant of people who just plain annoy me... I used to be more easy going and let others have the benefit of the doubt. Not anymore, for example:

I have a new neighbor to the back of me. She's lived there for only a few years now. One day during the final days of winter earlier this year, I noticed the fence that separates us was slightly damaged. There were two planks that were broken off about a foot down from the top. I thought perhaps my eight-year-old son and a friend might have done it playing on our woodpile (which I've told them not to do), so I went over to ask the lady if this were the case. She said no that it was her "yardman" who got "over anxious" in trimming a bush there and broke off the planks (there "was" a bush there--more on that later). I really didn't know who the bush it belonged to. It had been there for years, right at the point where hers and my properties meet the other two. So I said I'd be doing some yard projects in the spring/summer and I would replace the planks since it would be easier for me to do so. She agreed--no problem. Well, about two months ago I come home one afternoon and the bush is gone. I thought, "Hmmm, I wonder who took that out...?" I surmised that the power company did it since it was on an easement and there was a power pole there with a guidewire. The power company is very adamant about it's power poles, lines, and such, and brush/trees. So I didn't think much of it. After all, who would have ripped out the bush? Well, shortly after that (a few weeks or so) the lady comes pulling up in front of my house and says I need to sigh a contract. Whaaaa...??? was my reply, for what? She said she had paid her "yardman" $100 to have the bush removed and she wanted him to spread some kind of chemical down to kill the roots. But the city advised her to have me sign a "contract" before doing so. I was still dumbfounded about her coming onto my property to rip out a bush without telling me. I said that I didn't know who owned the bush, and she replied "Oh, you did!" I said is there any other way to take out the roots (my wife and I are against the use of chemicals on our yard) and she said, "Oh, no. We have to use chemicals." By now, my wife comes out of the house and hears the word "chemicals" and wants to know what's going on. She tells her that we have a small boy who likes to play back there. The neighbor says, "Well, I have a small dog..." as if we were to equate the safety of our child with her dog, and if it's o.k. with her that it should be o.k. with us. By this time I'm beginning to fume. She she says that she is having a "witness" come over to observe our signing her "contract." I say what for? She says the city advises it. I say I'm not signing any "contract" with a "witness" present on Sunday (I was on my way to work when she pulled up). So I leave and she continues her tirades with my wife.

The "contract" and "witness" are called off for that day. Before leaving, I told her that if she'd come to me in the first place, we could have worked out an agreement about the bush. I would have been willing to share the cost. But, noooooo...she has to pull this shit. I told her I didn't appreciate her coming onto my property without my knowledge to have her "yardman" rip put a bush that (apparently) belonged to me. I told her I felt that was trespassing, vandalism, and theft. Needless to say, nothing was settled that day.

A week or so later, I was in the backyard mowing and my wife comes out to talk to me. The lady sees us and comes out of her house and over to the broken part of the fence and says to me, "You did this!" Well, --and this gets to the crux of you thread--feeling like I've been lied to and deceived by the Bushitas, the "Gang Of hyProcrites, and the Corporate Media the past 6-12 years, I had had enough with civility, compromise, and "trying to get along." There was a time I'd stepped back and said something like, "Whoa...let's try to work this out amiably." But not this time...not any more. I looked at her and said, "You're a goddamn liar!" "I asked you several months ago if my son had done this, and you said no, that it was your "yardman." You told me he got "over anxious" in trimming a bush. She then said that I had promised to fix it and I reminded her that I said I would fix it in the spring or summer when I worked on other yard projects. But I now told her that since her "yardman" apparently doesn't mind coming on to other people's property without permission, that he could fix it. I turned to go back to mowing and I could hear her saying something to my wife, so I yelled over my shoulder, "Don't pay any attention to her, she lies like a Republican! That's all they do...that's all they know how to do... lie, lie, lie." I then started up my mower and since it's in need of a tune-up or a new muffler, it made a huge racket that drowned her out and ended the "conversation." But I had had it. No more "Mr. Nice Guy." No more tolerance for liars and bullshit artists. No more compromise with people who twist the truth. No more trying to understand people who hurl wild-assed accusations. No more "walking a mile in the shoes" of arrogance, stupidity, and willful ignorance. No more "trying to work it out." F*ck 'em. I've had it with them. F*ck these people and the horse they rode in on. I just don't have the time or patience to be civil anymore to these people. I don't know if she was a Republican but since I live in an area that's 2:1 Republican over Democrat, I figured I had a 67% chance of being right. Besides, even if she wasn't one, she was sure as hell acting like one...

:grr::mad::grr::mad::grr:

[catmandu57]

25. Great rant there neighbor

I live next door in mysery, it's a bitch when you find your compassion meter on empty, that's happening to many of us here.
It's easier to cut people out if after all this time they can't see, or are unwilling to concede they were fools, I just don't have time for them.

[ComerPerro]

27. it sounds extreme, but

even stations like NPR and CBS that sometimes try to be neutral piss me off.

They think they are being fair by giving time to each side.

But I contend that if they were truly fair, they wouldn't even waste airtime on the obvious lies that come streaming from the right wing.


At some point, the media decided that it was no longer their job to factcheck Republicans, and instead just print what they are given without question.