Why. Do. You. People. Watch. These. Television. Assheads??!!

[WilliamPitt]

OMG, Tweety is bashing Bush!!!111

(wait 24 hours)

OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!11

OMG, Hannity is bashing Republicans!!!11

(wait 12 seconds)

OMG, Hannity is bashing liberals!!!11

OMG Scarborough!!!11

OMG!!!1111

Jesus...

Anyone who watches that crap deserves the stomach knots such viewing inevitably brings about. I watched all the Tweety love last week and said to myself, "3...2...1..." and boom, yup, he's back to his full-time asshattery, and three hundred posts on DU are shocked, shocked! that gambling is going on here. Speaking of gambling, I wish I'd made a bet on this happening; I could buy myself a new car with my winnings.

Why do you do it? I'm legitimately asking.

[SoCalDem]

1. And to think that you once did it FOR us..

:evilgrin:

re: your Fox-a-thon many moons ago :)

[WilliamPitt]

9. I still have the scars

:)

Here's the text for the uninitiated:

http://www.legitgov.org/library_running_diary.html

[SoCalDem]

21. The ones I love are ,....TURN ON CNN...NOW!!!

UM..NOW?? now when?? when I log on FIVE HOURS LATER??

At least put a date/time in the header, please!

CNN-2pm est 2-28 or something like that..:)

They always remind me of the dumb "Back in 15 minutes" signs that shopkeepers put in their doors.. Did I arrive at the door at minute-13 or minute-1?? Can the shopkeeper tell time? Has the sign been there for a week and no one's noticed it? Is that why there are no customers?

[0007]

72. Ain't that the truth?

[pacalo]

45. Especially interesting diary because it was done one month before 9/11.

Talk about hard up for news!

[treestar]

49. Just read it - witty running commentary. Must have been torture to do.

[mdmc]

99. hey now! welcome to du!

peace and low stress!:kick:

[Clark2008]

94. Wow - took me hours between chores to read - but wow.

I did the same thing. I was a stay-at-home Mom during the time frame you referenced. I'm a former reporter. I got hooked on Faux for a short time during the Columbine shootings (I had JUST quit work and was awaiting the birth of my baby - I was lucky enough to be able to do that). I thought them scrappy and not so stodgy as CNN. Hell, I even used to think O'Reilly was an Independent!! :wow:

Well... over the next two years, leading up to the time frame you watched, the hairs on the back of my neck kept standing up in revolt to the sheer LACK of news on that station. I hadn't even begun to consider how biased they were. I don't know when my revelation was, but it was about at the point you viewed - certainly around 9/11, I know. All I remember thinking was that if I wanted dish or tabloid, Faux is where I should turn. And, keep this in mind, I have never, ever, never, ever purchased a tabloid in my life. Have I seen them? Yes. Have I had Enquirer reporters follow me around because I actually had access to Dolly Parton, well, then, yes. Have I purchased their trash, foddered their coffers? Nope.

Interesting read. Wish I had seen it sooner.

[renate]

121. You had access to Dolly Parton?

I saw her on Craig Ferguson's show the other night and she was GREAT. What a lovely woman.

I also remember you knew Steve from Blue's Clues--so this is another chance for me to give mad props to his CD "Songs for Dustmites." It is VERY good.

[underpants]

2. It's like RASSLIN'

As Stimpy once said "Can we PLEASE listen to the loud angry words Ren? PUUUHLLEASE?!?!?"

I have weened myself off of it for the most part but I caught some this morning ( a toe headed asshat on NBC) and posted about it.

[Bigmack]

73. Only on DU can a person quote Ren & Stimpy!

Thank god! R & S make a lot more sense than a lot of what's happening in this country.

[leftstreet]

3. OMG!!!1111111 Will Pitt is bashing DUers!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Dr.Phool]

4. I don't watch any of those idiots.

I turn on KO every now and then, but I find much better news and views on FSTV, Link, and UCTV.

[tnlefty]

34. So there is someone who watches the same channels that I do!

UCTV - Did you happen to catch Reich, from the Clinton Cabinet, doing his talk about the state of the economy and the gap between the haves and have nots? The gist being that whenever we've been in similar circumstances we seem to snap back from the brink of disaster. His concern was whether this time we'll SNAP as a society and all hell breaks loose within the country, or if we'll snap back to a saner society.

[shanti]

89. me neither, never have, never will

i'm not into masochism. :eyes:

[Arkansas Granny]

5. An older Democratic gentleman I know listens to Rush every day.

I honestly worry about him having a heart attack or a stroke someday because he gets so worked up over it. It's like political soap opera.

[insane_cratic_gal]

35. You can't listen in your car, it causes road rage!

Like a train wreck waiting to happen.

[400Years]

6. I've been asking this for years

[still_one]

7. I couldn't agree with you more Will

I stopped watching after the 2004 election because it was unproductive, and frankly not good for my health

[terip64]

8. I watch hardball because it is all politics and i am a political junkie

there, you made me say it.

[WilliamPitt]

15. It isn't politics

Politics is something else. That shit is just that: shit. Spin, General Electric slobbering on the White House, nonsense, canned lines, bullshit and one blond man who needs meds.

[terip64]

25. I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, you sound like my husband

but I get sucked in. I gave up Sunday mornings years ago, so I know what you mean, but Hardball does occasionally suck me in. Thank God for Countdown. Maybe his ratings will encourage someone to do another good show. We can hope.

[barb162]

71. I think it's important to watch the spin, the propaganda

[info being]

125. Just like it is important to eat that sugar, right? To know how it tastes

It is bad for you, don't put it into your body and don't put it into your mind.

[Blue_Roses]

95. yes, indeed he does need meds...

his spittin' and spewing while he talks over his guests is enough in itself to make me run for the remote.

[Ksec]

10. OMG who cares?

Seriously, its human nature . People wanna spy on the enemy.

I make an effort not to watch or listen to wingerspew, but occasionally Ill listen in if theres nothing else on.

[helderheid]

11. I personally cannot watch those shows. I've tried. Makes me literally

physically ill. Don't understand why anyone wastes their time with it. :shrug: I watch c-span, Jon Stewart, and many "reality" shows (yes, I know... but I loves me some reality shows).

[eleny]

12. It's fun to watch them lost in their revolving door these days

But really - you might just ignore those threads. How you feel about our getting stundeens in our innards is irrelevant.

Btw, Scarborough got an education from Bill Maher last night. You would have enjoyed watching Bill saying "Haminna...haminna...haminna..."

[NMDemDist2]

32. Maher was on Scarbrough?? does liveoak have the video? n/t

[eleny]

76. I don't know

It was a pretty long segment. I can't find a video anywhere. :(

[Catherine Vincent]

13. Simply, because they're there.

[acmejack]

14. C-span & ESPN only.

March Madness & DC daffiness which is year round.

[bridgit]

16. bwahaha, you got it...

[dogday]

17. Like it or not, it is these TV Assheads that are influencing

the American Public. I for one like to keep up with their propaganda of politics..

[converted_democrat]

Me too.. I like being ahead of the propaganda.. I also like the

interviews with the politicians..

[Coexist]

38. well, ignoring and laughing at the religious right didn't work very well

for us. They speechified and spun and wove their little webs. Having an moronic theory pounded into your head by rational-looking, intelligent-sounding people "in the know" every day, makes some people believe it is true.

Many people figured that Americans would never be taken in by that idiocy.

We were wrong.

Media Matters is one of the greatest things to come along in a long time.

By watching them, and calling them on their bullshit and spin, they will have to reign themselves in and go back to reporting the news - not pushing an agenda.

Will Fox ever change, probably not, but I for one, like to see what the rest of America sees, to monitor it - to applaud what is right, to damn what is wrong.

You don't have to if you don't want to.

[Initech]

18. Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert >>>>> all the asshats on network news

[LynneSin]

19. I haven't watched this stuff in years

I figured you folks do it for me so why should I bother. I get my news from Salon and NPR

[Deb]

20. Cuz sometimes he spits on his Republican guests

:-)

[Zinfandel]

68. So that's enough to contribute to the assholes ratings...

which translates to money in their pockets?

Talk about manipulation...Keep the ratings high trashing Dem's and lying, but trash a republican a few times a year and you'll watch and continue to keeping these lying assholes ratings high?

Doesn't make any sense what so ever!

[Kurovski]

118. I think that unless you have a Nielson box hooked to your set,

it doesn't matter all that much. But I'm not certain of that.

At any rate, corporations will always pour ad revenue into any news outlet that spreads the message they want. It wouldn't matter what the viewership is.

It's like Randi Rhodes says: ask yourself why an oil company would run an ad about an oil platform. When will you be in the market for one?

It buys the story they want told, or the story they DON'T.

[AX10]

22. You are wrong about Tweety. These days it's....

OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!
(wait 24 hours)
OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!
(wait 24 hours)
OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!
(wait 24 hours)
OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!
(wait 24 hours)
OMG, Tweety doesn't understand why Americans don't like Bush!!!
(wait 24 hours)..................

get the point?

[philosophie_en_rose]

23. Some people are optimistic.

Some people are waiting for the tide to roll in and wash out the corruption. They believe that even the worst human beings can change or that things are now so bad that even Fox News "journalists" are noticing.

They are disappointed when it turns out that the redemption of the asshats is not nigh. Rather, even hurricanes, bribery, and death can't shake the humanity out of the little lock boxes in their so-called souls.

I'm not really a person of faith, so I take any turnarounds with a cup of salt. However, there are people with a kinder outlook and I don't blame them for trying to find a silver lining. It's just too bad that the silver is lining the pockets of Republicans.

[Zinfandel]

61. Some people are blind to the absolute corruption of money!

[ewagner]

24. Will..I'm reminded of

the story about the guy who played poker every friday night and complained every Saturday morning that the poker game was crooked. When asked why he continued to go, he replied, "Well, Hell, it's the only game in town!"

If you want to get news from TV, you don't really have much choice...it's crooked, but it's the only game in town...

[terip64]

28. that's exactly right

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

33. NOT The Only Game In Town!!!!

With Democratic Underground, and Many other liberal websites, how in the world can you say the Corporate TV Media is the Only game in town? They may be the only Televised game in town, but if you can figure out how to find DU, you can certainly figure out where else to get your news of what's really going on in the world.

So, perhaps it's easier to get sucked into attending that "Crooked" poker game that's on your block, but you can also get in your car and drive a couple of miles to locate a game that is honest and legitimate.

It takes a little effort to push that Off button on the tv remote though. I'd rather go through every CD in my collection, and listen to music for days and days, than turn on, and tune out, by being brainwashed with garbage and lies on the Corporate Media.

[terip64]

47. I don't think I am getting news. I know that I am not,

and I am getting a headache. I will try to be stronger, for my own sake.

[ewagner]

56. In case you missed it....

the post was aimed only at TV....if you choose to watch tv..then bush-loving synchopants are pretty much your only choice. It's a commentary on the sad state of TV news/opinion shows.

Please don't take offense. :hi:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. I don't bother with news produced domestically.

With occasional lapses for McNeil. Otherwise, there's so much real news and opinion available on the internet that's not tainted with corporate dollars that I fail to understand why any thinking person bothers.

Just one example:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

[mike_c]

27. not me-- television is an utter waste of good technology....

Don't own one. Never will.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

29. I Don't Understand Either...

The only Corporate News Media I watch is Countdown. I think that anybody who watches the other garbage and spin, is just enabling them to continue spouting lies.

Seeing the constant, "I can't believe Tweety said so and so" posts, gets me sick. How anybody at DU can be surprised with anything these bozos, or their guests say, is beyond my comprehension.

[greenbriar]

30. its like a bad wreck

you know it is grotesque, but you just can't help but crane your neck to see it

[Penndems]

31. We're waiting for them to wise up, Will, LOL

Maybe - just MAYBE - one day they'll have an epiphany and blurt out on national television, "My God, this SOB is worse than Nixon, and we've been shilling for him and misleading the American people for FIVE YEARS!" But, alas, that may never happen. It's no using switching channels, either. The lemmings are all over the place, spouting the RNC's talking points.

In all honesty, though, I was asking myself the very same thing (see Post #44), in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=546133&mesg_id=549225

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

37. And Waiting....And Waiting....And Waiting....And Waiting....And Waiting...

So, when do you plan to give up? They're not going to, and since you continue watching them not giving up, why should they bother?

If you get bad service at a restaurant 5 weeks in a row, would you go back there a 6th, in hopes that it's going to be different?

[Penndems]

52. Give up? Nah.

I've dealt with quite a few print and electronic journalists during my government career (I was one of Mike McCurry's secretaries when he was spokesman at the State Department). They've got a job to do; I understand that, even though I vehemently disagree with the apologetic attitude towards Bush they seem to have taken, there are actually some journalists who have gone up against Bush and Company - like Dan Froomkin of The Washington Post, whose column and Wednesday afternoon chat I never miss. While I was working at State, every office had CNN on, so tuning in during the day became a habit for me.

Since my parents raised me to take an interest in current events, I watch cable and network news, and read blogs, as well as every major daily online (well, as many as my schedule allows). The only electronic news outlet I DON'T watch is Fox (which makes shit up and sells it as news - kind of like The Washington Times, the RNC and Drudge). I also don't consider Chris Matthews a bona fide journalist - "personality" would be a more apt description.

Besides, screaming at my TV can be VERY therapeutic. ;)

[warrens]

36. I. Don't.

[wryter2000]

39. You're right

But why do you read the threads if they bug you so much? :evilgrin:

[WilliamPitt]

48. I don't

But I see them while scrolling GD.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

40. Only TVLand, Lifetime, BET & E! for me.

[benburch]

41. I only watch the Weather Channel...

:P

[IsItJustMe]

42. CSPAN, KO, LOU, Democracy Now

and never never never FUAX

[Texasgal]

43. Ummm... who's TWEETY?

:shrug:

[TomInTib]

46. Chris Matthews (MSNBC) the resemblance is striking...n/t

[OhioChick]

44. Simple..........

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." :)

[Shakespeare]

50. OMG WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Makes about as much sense, huh?

http://www.threebrain.com/weeeeee.shtml

[zippy890]

51. ok ok, they are asshats we all agree --

but it gives us something to discuss, a point of reference if you would, for the
insane political environment right now.

we here at DU are scattered all over the country. Everyone has different circumstances, but we live in a TV personality culture, and these shows are part of our cultural landscape - they provide a backdrop and a focus at the same time, - where we can express our outrage, discuss current issues and kind of feel connected to each other doing that.

Is there something so terribly wrong about that? They give us something to bash besides bush, and the discussions here can be very entertaining, what with tweety's spittle, russert being a pumpkinhead, etc.

Its fun sometimes, and it gets out collective blood going sometimes, and I don't see that there's anything wrong with it.

Personally I haven't watched tweety in a month or so. But when I see a thread about him that funny, or angry, its fun to check him out and see what stupid things he's saying.

:smoke:

[marions ghost]

80. right, these asshats

Tweety, Russert, Hannity, Scarborough, etc-- have become so influential...

By studying how they catapult the propaganda you get a real feel for how this country is being controlled. These media whores deserve a jeering section.

I understand why many liberals have an aversion to watching these media creeps. But it doesn't bother me particularly to watch these talk shows. It's like watching political roller derby. I find it fascinating how they manipulate every topic that comes up, and some of us need to be witnesses to that lying and spinning. I also follow a lot of other 'truth-oriented' media to counterract it.

I have much more trouble stomaching the footage on C-Span showing our Congress in action.

[davidwparker]

53. I keep it FSTV and Link TV. I do laugh when I read posters complain

about what they see, though.

And, I downgraded my satellite package for the purpose of removing Faux and MSRNC from the lineup.

[lectrobyte]

54. Just say no. Never watched Hannity or Scarb, Tweety ever now

and then while channel surfing. To paraphrase Repo Man, the more TV you watch, the stupider you become.

[fishnfla]

55. since you asked

Some DUers are like most Americans. Their heads are up their asses and(when) the remote control is in their hands. All the time

Its a chronic disease. Its called ignorance

[Obamarama]

57. ROFLMAO

[Zinfandel]

58. Only the stupid watch!! I quit watching those cocksuckers...

3 years ago...I'm saner and much better informed than I was when I was watching those talking head cocksuckers and helping them with their ratings as these idiots who watch do now...

I watch Jon Stewart and Bill Maher...Occasionally, I may glance at Keith Olbermann...that's absouley it! No network or cable "news" EVER!!!!

[Cha]

59. At one point on DU,

not so long ago, there was going to be a massive ban of the tweety show because he was spewing propoganda and slobbering over bush and the repukians so much that it was questioned why his ratings should be helped by DUers.

[Solomon]

60. I watch sometimes for the entertainment, like "how are they going to

spin this one". Sometimes they make me laugh they are so pathetic. Mostly I have to turn it off though. Sometimes it makes me want to break my tv.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

62. It's kind of like driving past a bad car wreck - you can't help looking at

the carnage. But if you feel compelled to stare at the wreck, don't be surprised if it grosses you out. And please don't tell us how surprised you are; it shouldn't be a shock that a horrible collision will produced mangled bodies, and so it is with dumbass talking head cable TV.

I pretty much stopped gawking awhile ago, and I feel a lot better for it.

[Oeditpus Rex]

63. First rule of war: Know thine enemy

Someone has to do it, and I'm grateful to them.

[spag68]

64. rupert murdock

Some of you don't get it. remember keep your friends close your enemys888888 anyway you can't tell me that there are not times when you just bust out laughing, isn't that worth it? remember stress is the enemy

[left is right]

65. I don't watch, don't quote

I figure watching gives them rating points and quoting gives credibility. They deserve neither.

[Armstead]

66. REl simple -- That's what Ameria relies on for its perception of reality

Even though the actual viewership of teh cable news networks is relatiuvely small, they have a lot to do with shaping the perceptions of the zeitgeist.

So they ought to be kept track of.

[JitterbugPerfume]

67. I watch Olberman on MSNBC and

Democracy Now on Link tv (Amy Goodman) The others can go suck eggs




oh yeah---The Daily Show and The Colbert Report:loveya:

[SaveAmerica]

69. I. don't. have. time. for. any. news. shows. I'm. too. busy. trying. to

get. Hayes. out. of. office. in. our. district. I don't even have time for my favorite Boo Keith Olbermann. God Bless Nothing Without Hope who wraps as many pertinent posts about one issue as possible in one post making it easier to stay informed when you don't have the time to wade through the Hugh!11! posts. I was going to pass this one up as another time wasting-goober post until I saw 'the' Will Pitt was the author. Considering that you ARE only human, I'll allow this as your 1 time-wasting goober post of the year.
;-)

I just realized, I'm only human too.

[WilliamPitt]

70. I only get one?

Damn. The Lounge Lizards will be *so* disappointed.

;)

[KoKo]

81. They. will. be. so. disappointed. n.t.

[Bigmack]

74. It's like having a loose tooth as a kid...

You wiggle it... it kinda hurts... but you just can't stop wiggling it.

[w8liftinglady]

75. I like Cafferty's smart-assedness(is that a word?)

I normally don't watch cnn,but i will watch situation room to see jack's sneer of the day.He reminds me a lot of some of my friends:)
Otherwise,I am strictly CSPAN and the local news.(plus air america)

[KoKo]

77. Because it's our way of not becoming an "isolated/echo chamber" for our

views. Many of us DO NOT WATCH...but PEEK!

So don't get your feathers in a ruffle over it... Some of us need to know how the "Media Whores" are "seeing us" and "IF" we are making a difference.

Reading "TruthOut" 7 days a week just isn't going to give us a view of whether our views are getting out there in "Media Whoredom."

I know...I hate the "MSM" Emphasis too...especially since our "flavor of the month" always seems to "blow back" on us. leaving us in the Ditch...

But...it IS WHAT IT IS...

Why do you always trash the "Peasants of DU" when you get in a bad mood about something. :shrug:

[symbolman]

78. Because there's not

a 24 hour Will Pitt cable network :)

get started on that would you? are you or are you not in the process of creating a media Empire, sir?

[tlsmith1963]

79. I Stopped Watching the News Channels

So I don't have to put up with all the annoying anchors anymore. I only have to put up with the Today Show on NBC because they have it on at work every morning.:puke:This morning, Chris Matthews was on & I said "Oh, look! There's Tweety!" I don't think anyone knew what I was talking about...heh.

Tammy

[Batgirl]

82. maybe if we ignore the rightwing echo chamber

it will go away. And even if it doesn't, at least we won't have to worry our beautiful minds about it!

[misternormal]

83. It's all about ratings and money...

The more they turn things around, the more they will confuse the poor neo-con bastards, the more they'll watch, the higher the ratings, the more they can charge for commercial time, the more money they make turning things around, and confusing the neo---.... well you get the idea.

[meisje]

84. They are addicted and tweety knows it

[David Zephyr]

85. I've asked the same question for years. We have the DU Cable News Cult.

For God's sake, subscribe to The Nation.

Read William Pitt's TruthOut.

Read the Texas Observer.

Read Common Dreams.

Spend that time e-mailing friends LBN from the DU.

Turn off the goddamned television sets.

This has been a message from Howard Beale.

[Nikki Stone 1]

86. Recommended, but what's an "asshead"?

Just curious.

[WCGreen]

87. Well put.....

Each and every night, a city the size of Cleveland watches Tweety....

Ten times as many people watch wrestling.....

[UTUSN]

88. Same reason 88 people click into these threads and 2 recommend'em n/t

[jus_the_facts]

90. Why. Even. Ask. Why?

....jesus christ on the halfshell...how DARE you question their perception of reality with a thought of your own that's different....you MUST be in serious need of some psychiatric HELP...at least that's what I've been told today HEH! :banghead:

...oh and Will...it's better to just go along lock-step accordingly or else there's something WRONG with YOU.

[dorkulon]

91. I can only speak for myself

but I watch--occasionally, not religiously--to keep an eye on the propaganda feed...to see what we're up against, and also for the sheer exhilarating astonishment at the sci-fi futureworld I live in.

But I can't bring myself to watch Hannity & Colmes...that's just too much to tolerate.

[LaPera]

130. I will never watch any of it.

[sendero]

92. Given..

.... my excitable nature, it is a no brainer for me to never tune in to those shows. Ever once in a while I'll watch a few minutes of the Sunday Morning crap, and I find myself shouting at the TV, wishing "our" guy could hold his own, wanting to call the "host" on his factually incorrect bullshit.

I could no more watch Tweety or O-Really than I could take a nap in an ant bed. Fuck those idiots.

[mdmc]

93. YES! Sanity!

Every time I see one of those posts, I think to myself, "why would DU'ers watch this tripe?"

bookmarking so I can post to all tweety threads. And who the fuck is tweety (I really don't care... he is some asshole tv hack, right?).

ps- most du'ers tell me they watch to "know thy enemy".

[OneBlueSky]

96. I don't . . . haven't in over three years . . .

don't watch network news, don't watch cable "news", don't watch talking heads of any ilk . . . even liberal ones . . . for me, television is strictly for entertainment (mainly The Sopranos, Boston Legal, and the Food Network), not for information . . .

[Nutmegger]

97. I only watch PBS

They have some very informative programming that I enjoy.

It's all crap outside of that.

[Swamp Rat]

98. .

[upi402]

100. LOL!

I'll match your *why* and raise you 2 *WTF*s
:wtf: :wtf:

[newspeak]

101. We're divided in our family

my father-in-law and I stay away from the screaming cons on TV in order to preserve the TV--we might put our foot through it. However, my hubby and mother-in-law watch them to know thy enemy. We all watch Keith O., Bill Maher, the Daily Show and C-Span. My hubby watches Bush's speeches with pen and paper to see how many key words are used and how many times he says it in a speech. I, on the other hand, go into another room so that I don't become infected with cooties.

[upi402]

112. nice

family to be in
:toast:
mine are liberals too!

[FrenchieCat]

102. I watch rarely and only in small doses.....But I think that it is

important that some do watch and report back to those who don't....to let us know what's going on.

There are not enough bloggers NOT watching to make a difference to these media assholes....and if none of us politically astutely wired watched, I'm afraid that we wouldn't understand the extent of the damage being done to Middle America on a daily basis.

You see, back earlier than 2000, many of us didn't even know the extend to the fucking propaganda we were truly being subjected to. That's why they got away with nearly impeaching a perfectly good President due to a blow job. Now that we are all much more aware, it has become more difficult for them to get away with the same stuff....and they have to be more cautious and try harder to give the appearance that they are providing the news.

If we close our eyes, as you recommend, they may then be able to continue fooling a lot of the people most of the time.....

and you know what? Many of those "fooled" people vote.

If we don't know the damage being done to the ignorants and the innocents, aka, the Sheeples....then we can't come up with the combat plans needed to defeat the propaganda machine EVER!

[Mythsaje]

103. I hear enough about the talking heads here

I don't need to subject myself to them. I gave up on the network news YEARS ago, and won't even torture myself by watching 60 Minutes, 20/20 or any other of those aggraving shows. They sensationalize the trivial and trivialize the sensational.

I've got better things to watch. Hell, it's more fun to watch my hair grow.

[kineneb]

104. OMG my TV fell on the floor and broke

and the extra expense of having cable TV on the computer wasn't worth it, soooo,
we don't watch any of that crap. I wouldn't even know what those goons you mention look like.

I love my computers, and streaming internet radio. (listening to BBC right now)

Besides, I prefer to watch my pet chicken rather than the tube.

[Katherine Brengle]

105. I have to agree--not only is it a waste of time, but I got rid of cable

when I realized how ridiculous the news programming had become, and I don't watch the network talking head shows, so I never have any idea what everyone is talking about.

I guess it probably isn't possible to get everyone to give up their daily doses of Tweety and Bowtie Boy and Hannity, but it is a noble goal.

(Don't like the term "you people" though, lol.)

[Mike Niendorff]

106. Agreed, 100%.

Fox = CNN = MSNBC = ABC = NBC = CBS

Just different faces within a singular propaganda system.


MDN

[tandot]

107. Hannity, Scarborough, Tweety...they are all the same

I watch Tweety every now and then...but just to confirm my opinion of him as a Bush shill.

I think some of us watch those idiots to see if they finally do their job and are trying to find the truth. But we all know that some of those people are just hopelessly lost.

You wont get real news from them. They are doing as good as a job as most of our elected officials.

[troubleinwinter]

108. Worse than the watching of them....

is it gets dragged in here to dirty our carpet.

[DanCa]

109. Hannity exploited a woman on her death bed. Damn it.

He interrupted a hospice for the sake of ratings. Why are people listening to and spreading this evil? I don't know the answer because whenever i see the Hermaphrodites name my skin starts to crawl.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

110. Why do you care?

I don't get the appeal of watching cheap talentless actors pretending they're reporting either, but I don't get my panties in a twist when others find it entertaining. I feel it's akin to "reality" TV, that's something else I've never understood.

Whatever the reason they find it entertaining, try not to let it get to you. It's just that some people have a different idea of what they choose to do with their spare time.

[Beausoir]

111. Because. We. Are. Desperately. Hoping. That. Will. Pitt. will. appear. and

. save. us. all. from. our. pathetic. lives.
Will.Pitt.is.the. only.smart.one.left.on.the.entire.planet.

OMG!!!!111

[RJRoss]

113. Norman Mailer

kicked Hannity's asshead tonight. 52% of Americans are stupid!

[chalky]

114. Truth is, I don't. But I do read the threads. Nice to get a heads up

on what garbage the sheep will be tossing at me the next day.

It's like watching the weather--I'll know to wear a sweater, carry an umbrella, and have the 600 links prepared refuting the trademark Sean Hannity New Orleans bus argument.

[Kurovski]

115. There. Are. Many. Reasons.

Media Matters will have different reasons from those on the staff of The Daily Show.

Actors who work in improv, writers working on relevant projects, psychologists, historians, playwrights, artists, political science majors.

Me? another reason why I'll occasionally tune in is that I think it's important that they not get away with their bullshit.

They're as responsible for Bush being in the White House as, well, Diebold. They passed out the lies BushCo came up with.

I like to see them being called out. I like to see perception brought into the realm of reality. I like to see the unearned respect given to some of them for merely appearing on the TEEVEE shattered.

I think it's important. You yourself may know the score on the broadcast bullshitters, but it's still a whole new
idea to some others.

[nonconformist]

116. I hear what you're saying and I agree, but on the other side of the coin

Because I don't watch that drivel, I'm often grateful that I can find out what the "mood" is in media hack land quickly on DU without having to expose myself to the horror of actually watching.

But when I see those posts, the first thought always in my head is "why are you even listening to that scumsucking asswipe?"

[Gelliebeans]

117. A couple of things

I believe that we think if people only knew the truth about Bush he would be out on his ear. I think many of us hope everyday that one more detail will be revealed to the world and it will be the proverbial straw.

It might also be some validation for all the things we warned these people about day after day and they laughed at us and called us sore losers. Yea it's immature but as long as I am filling out the petitions and calling the congress critters if I indulge and sneak a peek at the talking heads, please don't flog me as I promise not to be surprised at their continued vichy behavior. Ok? ;)

[Bluebear]

119. Because. Joe. Sixpack. Watches. Them.

When I try to shed some light to people I work with, for example, I would like to hear what kind of crap they have been digesting.

[6000eliot]

120. I hate these shows.

If I wanted to hear people screaming, I'd go home and visit my family. They're all too loud and too smug for my taste.

[rucky]

122. Outrage Addiction:

the blood gets pumping and the adrenaline starts to flow.

[donheld]

123. Why. Do. You. People. Post. Pictures. Of. Bush??!!

I think some DUers really love looking at that Baboon face Idiot, and think we should join them in there passion.

[Trajan]

124. FUCK Tweety ....

I havent watched His silly arse since BEFORE November 2004 ....

In fact: CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, etc. will NEVER be welcome in my home; my life, my family's lives, ever again ...

They have lied and cheated us just as nefariously and completely as the idiot-in-chief and his ilk have ...

The media ARE 'his ilk' ...

FUCK'm ...

[Wheezy]

126. Maybe because we are surrounded by real-life assheads

and like to be prepared to respond to the latest propaganda.

Be Aware and Prepare -- that's why I watch.

I don't speak for anyone else, but I live in a red state, have 'red' friends, and I'm the only one in my family who is a Dem. The way I see it, I have two choices. I can either wait until my family spews talking points, be shocked by them and react with exasperation and disbelief at the lies, or I can be aware and prepare so that I can reply with sound reasoning and counter their bullshit with a clear, consise, and unheated response. Which one seems more effective when dealing with friends and family? Well, they find it awfully amusing if they can manage to fluster me.

Arguing is not a strong point of mine. I'm a writer, not a speaker. So if I ever want to win an oral debate, or even come across as informed, I need to do my homework.

I no longer freak out or let the MSM get my blood pressure up--gave that up for lent a few years ago. Watching an occasional crap news show is my way of doing research. Sometimes I'll have CNN on (muted) if C-Span is boring. As I work, I may glance up and catch the occasional 'breaking news' headline and listen for a few minutes. Make a cup of tea. Take the meat out of the freezer for dinner (no, that's not code for anything). Stretch my aching back and rest my computer-strained eyes. Think about having a cigarette, knowing full well I won't. (*sigh*)

Maybe your question should be, "Why do you people get so worked up watching these assheads?" If that is your point, we agree. But your premise that stomach knots are inevitable is false. It doesn't have to be that way.

May I respond to your legitimate question by asking you, respectfully, "How else can I be effective at showing my friends and family the truth if I don't understand their starting point?"


(edited to properly punctuate and/or clarify a word or two)

[LWolf]

127. I never have.

Really. I've never seen "Tweety," "Hannity," or anyone else. I don't have a clue who they are or what channel I'd have to surf to find them.

Don't tell me; I don't see the point. There are so many better ways to spend my time.

[Gregorian]

128. WORLDLINK TV.

It's channel 375 on Directv. Watch it. Donate. They showed Manufacturing Consent. They run Democracy Now with Amy Goodman, every day.

I stopped watching corporate news around 1981. End of subject.



If you're watching their reality, you are reacting. If you are learning the truth, you are making your future.


And thank you Will for getting their attention. I've been yelling this, and people just don't hear me.

[4_TN_TITANS]

129. Amen to that.....

I have no use for the talking heads! I wonder the same thing myself Will.....

[jeffrey_X]

131. Thanks for Dish Network --> Free Speech TV

and Link.

I'd be lost without them.

[ChiciB1]

133. I'm Right There With You!!

Thanks for Dish... FSTV & LINK!

But I do watch Keith! LMZ has a poll out and O'Leiley is in 2nd place as favorite cable guy!!

What is LMZ and WHY are they asking??

[ChiciB1]

134. Made A Mistake... It's TMZ Not LMZ!

I still haven't ever heard of them.

Everyone needs to vote in the poll... only 580 so far! I didn't vote for which cable station I watched, obviously I couldn't. I would have said MSNBC, but that's NOT true... can't STAND Tweety and Tucker and all those other idiots!

[Iris]

132. I don't. I've deleted all cable news stations from my remote control

I just get the recaps here!

:evilgrin:

[SammyWinstonJack]

135. I don't watch them. I watch Olberman and the Daily Show and that's it.

[Vinca]

136. Actually, Tweety is relaxing after watching Congress in action.

I had to turn the Senate off when Olympia Snowe's plea for more money for heat was generating remarks such as, "We have to get the budget under control. Our children and our children's children will be paying for this." I found myself screaming that the children might want to know grandma who's turning into a block of ice at this very moment. Jesus Freaking Christ - where was this plea for caution when tax cuts were being passed and big oil was getting a subsidy? (I'm now going to close my eyes and find a happy place.)

[LaPera]

138. Tweety I'm sure is given BIG bucks from The White House propaganda fund

as we all now know, does exist and we tax payers fund it...

I'm sure its much more and better hidden than before and Tweety (and many other TV talking heads) are making a bundle to say what Rove wants...

[DancingBear]

137. One time I watched Neil Cavuto,

and my left ear fell off.

Do you think it was pure coincidence?

WHAT?????????