I just watched the Maddow interview of Jon Stewart.

[Matariki]

I've got to say, I really don't think I saw the same interview that a bunch of people here claim they did.

It was a thoughtful discussion between two smart people about the state of the media and it's effect on politics and the general welfare of the nation. Two smart people who obviously think a lot about media and who clearly respect each other. That's what I saw. I didn't agree with either of them 100%, but thought they both made good points.

[onehandle]

1. Agreed. nt

[Matariki]

2. Has this place gotten weird?

I might be imagining it.

[onehandle]

3. The most extreme voices are often the loudest.

Jon and Rachel know this well.

It colors DU, but it is not the majority of DU.

[Warpy]

7. It's always been weird

That's why I'm still here.

[LawnLover]

20. Not true

I've been lurking for years. It used to be a much more harmonious place. I suspect many people here are trolls.

[jberryhill]

4. Maddow is a SELLOUT - She said she is still a fan

Clearly, she's looking for a job at Fox News.

Jon Stewart is the greatest threat to human freedom in decades!

[MrMickeysMom]

10. You forgot this...

:sarcasm:

[jberryhill]

14. Did Mark Twain use smilies and sarcasm tags?

[MrMickeysMom]

21. No, he used humor, sturdy narrative and social criticism

... and would be fascinated to witness how we've atrophied in the attempt to deliver all three of those on Fox, and less disappointed on The RM Show and Countdown.

[Matariki]

27. lol

you got me w/ your subject line ;-)

[woo me with science]

5. Yup. nt

[pacalo]

6. Which parts did you diagree with?

[Matariki]

31. I don't think Jon Stewart was making a false equivalency between

MSNBC and FOX as people seem to think he did. He talked about the polarization between Red vs Blue, demonizing the other side and how the media feeds that division. He argued that that is a false division and hurts the dialog - that there are real problems that 'one side vs the other' distracts from. I agree with that and think it's evident here at DU for instance - calling Republicans 'repukes' for example. Believing that the motives of the other side are 100% corrupt. Rachael made good counter points to some of the things Stewart said. I'm feeling lazy and would have to rewatch the video to really answer your question well.

All in all I thought it was a good, thoughtful discussion of ideas. I saw the interview after reading so many posts here saying Jon Stewart majorly failed the interview, so I was surprised to find it to be such a compelling discussion.

[beforeyoureyes]

8. Who cares? We need to be organizing and taking to the streets

Media punditry and their banter is a distraction from our work.

[jberryhill]

16. You work in the street?

Just what is it that you expect to accomplish in these streets?

[slipslidingaway]

9. knr n/t

[An_Opened_Hand]

11. Yes, isn't it funny how someone just asks everyone to stop, look around, and ask why?

and everyone and his grandmother jumps on his ass.

You would think he water-boarded Mother Teresa.

There are more posts about this than Dubya's book.

I think what Jon's talking about is pulling back the curtain.

The real power behind all this can't let that happen.

So the disrupters are out in force.

[Tx4obama]

12. Did you watch the version that aired on TV or the uncut version?

Here's a link to the full UNCUT version:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/40141311#40141311

[jberryhill]

17. delete

[gblady]

26. thanks for this link......

I wish more people would watch the entire uncut interview...
as, at least for me, it put the whole conversation in a much clearer context.

Jon's points were actually much better articulated than what was shown on the cut version.

I like seeing two very bright and well spoken people having earnest and intelligent discourse.
Sure beats most of what one sees on the teevee machine, IMHO.

[MrMickeysMom]

13. It's okay if you didn't see the same interview as others may have

... including me.

I think Jon was uncomfortable with some of the backlash he's been getting, least of all, coming from Rachel Maddow. She and he are intelligent people. But he has his head up his arse if he thinks he needs to explain himself as to the state of where news and commentary are these days. He's as clueless about that as many others are.

There IS no news and commentary, unless you watch Maddow and to a less degree Keith (admitting that he is more aggressive and she is so whole-brained).

They both made some good points, but I definitely feel differently about JS than I ever did. That's because I think of him more as a satirist and less of a serious interviewer and certainly in commentary.

[fishwax]

15. yeah, that's pretty much what I saw

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. You know what was the problem with the interview

no, not Stewart nor Madow...

They used NUANCE and SHADES OF GRAY. People in this country cannot handle that anymore. It don't matter if this is the right, or the left... people just can't.

And I agree with you, I actually watched it twice... and no, it wasn't riveting tv either... not in the modern sense that is.

And like you, I enjoyed it.

[Matariki]

32. It's a discussion that is long overdue in our culture - the place of media.

And media definitely has had an impact on the general ability to get nuance and shades of grey.

[LawnLover]

19. That's pretty much what I saw

but I think that Stewart, after a shaky start, made a lot of sense.

[jberryhill]

22. The Glenn Beck Fans At DU Are Just Upset That "Restoring Sanity" Got A Bigger Crowd

And, really, since Becks event was "Restoring Honor", then the implication of "Restoring Sanity" is that Beck is insane.

So, of course, the Beckerheads want revenge.

[lumberjack_jeff]

23. It was a good interview.

Stewart was simply wrong. Unilateral introspection from the left isn't going to improve civility, and Roger Ailes' Fox News IS a partisan mouthpiece of the Republican party... by their own admission.

If the facts seem shrill? Sorry.

Stewart recognizes the problem, but he's wrong about the solution.

[Denzil_DC]

33. +1

It looked like Stewart's uncomfortable on the pedastal some have placed him on. He's allowed to be wrong, just like you and me. He runs a good show most of the time. That's all.

[saracat]

24. I guess I saw the one you did !LOL!

[Avalux]

25. I came away with the same opinion as you -

told my daughter we were observing two brilliant, sane minds having a thought-provoking conversation. Rare.

[malaise]

28. You're correct

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

29. Me, too. :) n/t

[Desertrose]

30. Ditto here. n/t

[johnaries]

34. I fully agree. nt