Just because Right-Wing talk show folks 'get away with it' doesn't mean it's ok for us too.

[LynneSin]

Look, I'm just happy we have a network out there that is showcasing progressive talk show hosts. Ten years ago there was NOTHING out there, maybe a few independent voices but overall there were cable news channels filled with right-wing and right-wing leaning crazies trying to force their opinions on us that Bush and the GOP was good, democrats and progressives were bad.

Throughout those 10 years and then some, some of those right-wing talk show screeds have said some awfully vile things - they've used some of the most sexist, racist, homophobic impromptu words that should never EVER be used by anyone who claims to be a professional. But they do it and we slam them for it, a day later they may apologize for it but they still go on with hardly a slap on the wrist.

So now one of our guys has done it. I've watched Big Ed's show, I think he's a great guy who tells it like it is. I can understand the fact that he doesn't like Laura Ingraham, I sure as heck done - she's another right-wing suck-up just like the rest of them. She's not a professional Journalist but a cheerleader for the right. But Ed had to go there and use a word that personally should not be used on the air by any professional. It's sad that he had to go there, I'm sure he was just impassioned about something and words just got in the way. But he said it and he should be held accountable for it.

Sure, we can rant about the double-standards the 'They get away with it why is our guy being punished for it' attitude but the thing is this - just because they get away with it doesn't mean it's ok to do it. I'd like to think as progressives, we're better than that. We are the politically correct ones that avoid using misogynistic terms to insult someone one. And I'd like to think that when one of our own does go there, that we hold them accountable. It's the right thing to do and yes, right-wingers should also be suspended by most of them are working for much less scrupulous organizations like Fox News.

And let's face it, the fact that Fox News and others have not held these people accountable for their poor choices of words is starting to take a toll on them. Glenn Beck has no viable sponsors, probably one of the reasons why his show is coming to an end. In the last 6 months, it was reporting that Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have each loss 30% of their listeners. And although Fox News primetime shows still get higher ratings than MSNBC's shows, over the past years you can see the ratings are going down for Fox whereas, MSNBC's is getting better.

The point is this - Ed Schultz may be suspended for a week but he'll be back. He'll make is apologizes and get on with his show where he has solid sponsors for the show and an increasing audience. In 10 years this country as evolved - civil discussion is what the people want and slimey rantings along with mis-information will hopefully be a thing of the past.

[LetTimmySmoke]

1. I agree nearly 100% with Ed's positions

But to be honest, I don't like his delivery. It's too bombastic. It's too Limbaugh-ey. I much prefer Rachel Maddow as a speaker for progressive issues.

[LynneSin]

3. I maybe watch the MSNBC shows about 3-4 times a month

depending on the news.

Honestly, I personally would rather watch news that has no opinion either way - just tell me the facts and let me make my own decision on what I think. But until we can get some sort of fairness doctrine back into play or Faux News abandons their current agenda, we still need MSNBC's primetime lineup.

[rbnyc]

9. I agree. (nt)

[Dawson Leery]

2. EVERY DAY right wing hate radio spreads hate and incited violence.

Ed makes a few "improper" comments over a spread of several years and is suspended.
I have problems with Ed. The principle is what is important here. There is a clear double standard. Those on the political right are not required to "behave".

Recall, Keith was suspended, came back in a few days, then left a few months later. Don't be surprised to see this happen to Ed. Eventually it could happen to Rachel and Larry too. Comcast cannot be trusted nor can any other large corporation.

[LynneSin]

4. Keith had nothing to do with vile languages and if you read what I wrote...

Just because they do it doesn't mean it's ok we do it.

Because they do it, they are losing this game - They are losing quality sponsors and their ratings are tanking big time. People are turned off by their language and what they do. MSNBC's shows have great sponsors and although they aren't ahead of Fox yet in the ratings they are gaining.

What happened with Keith was completely different

[Dawson Leery]

5. Dead Intern Joe also donated to political campaigns.

He was suspended only after we made a big deal of MSNBC's double standard.

[LynneSin]

6. Again, this has nothing to do with using sexist words against a woman

and you're right, MSNBC did finally act when we said something.

But last time I heard, Joe S. has not used any wretched words these past couple of years but I would suspect if he does he'll get suspended a week too.

MSNBC did the right thing when it came to Ed Schultz. To be honest if they didn't even I would have been pissed. Ed should have known better. The fact that he said the word a second time clarifying it as 'talk slut' was his way of trying to fix what he already knew was a bad situation.

[Dawson Leery]

7. When the right wingers are held accountable, then come back and discuss this matter.

I say this as someone who is not enthralled with Ed.
My problem is the double standard.

[LynneSin]

8. You don't get it do you - they ARE being held accountable

Their ratings are tanking
Their sponsors are leaving
Their shows are bleeding money

We know that Faux News will never hold them accountable. Instead the people are doing it instead. If MSNBC allowed Ed Schultz to just rant on and use whatever sexist, homophobic, racist word he wanted to use - he too would lose sponsors and viewers. That's why what MSNBC did was the right thing and why they are gaining ground of Fox. They showed that they are above the cretins and they want to have shows that respect the view and not insult them.

[Dawson Leery]

10. I do get it. They have been spewing this garbage since FDR's time.

Remember the demographics of the nation are shifting, the audience for Fox and hate radio is dying off.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1173793&mesg_id=1174338

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1171706#1172104

Be careful when using the term "you don't get it" towards a member of this forum.

[LynneSin]

12. This member isn't too keen you think it's ok that Ed would use a sexist term like that

even if it was a right-wing talk show host. I find the term extremely insensitive and so do many other DUers.

[emilyg]

13. Thank you.

[saras]

11. I think the left needs one loud offensive character to make the rest seem more reasonable

The technique works great for the right wing - put the wildest, most fanatical propositions out there completely seriously, and then back off to something like what you hoped to get in the first place.

[DainBramaged]

14. And Democrats prove once again that purity is more important than policy...

:puke:

[AsahinaKimi]

15. Agree with you LinneSin

Despite what others have said here. USE OF A derogatory SEXIST TERM IS UNACCEPTABLE. Period.

[EFerrari]

16. You make a good point. The public is sick of ugly language.

The right's ratings show that clearly. This is no time to start sounding like them.

[steve2470]

17. I agree with you.

We should only apologize for things like Ed did, but nothing else. If they don't apologize, it just demonstrates our superiority once again. I think we can win hearts and minds better, long term, the halfway classy way.

[lonestarnot]

18. Oh fuck that. Sound like more groveling. Fuck groveling. Leave that for grovelbot.

[HipChick]

19. Disagree..sometimes you have to fight fire with fire..

I'm tired of Dems being held to a different standard..

[Dawson Leery]

21. I Agree!

[WCGreen]

20. My problem with Ed is that he is trying to make himself into a left

version of Talk Radio and I just don't get it.

He is my least favorite host on MS NBC because he uses the same tools to frame his argument that others do.

Rachel Maddow is the best host because she starts off thinking her audience is smart and savvy enough to explore the nuance that separates liberals from conservative.

I get it, there is definitely a need for "Big Ed".

But that doesn't mean I have to like him or support him.

I gave this post a rec because you spell out what you like about Ed and also that he stepped way over the line...