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Media Distorts for McCain - AGAIN
Steve Benen at The Carpetbagger Report (TCBR) had an interesting post today about how the Washington Post ran an article, by Jonathan Weisman, who reports that during a closed door meeting, Barack Obama said "I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions." This was “according to a witness.” The media, along with the GOP, are pushing the “presumptuous” and “arrogant” memes, for all they are worth, onto Obama with all their might.
Unfortunately, and especially in this case, a half truth is a blatant lie.
A Democratic leadership aide — who, unlike the media, was in the room during Obama’s remarks — has been emailing reporters this morning:Read Steve’s post.
“His entire point of that riff was that the campaign IS NOT about him. The Post left out the important first half of the sentence, which was something along the lines of: ‘It has become increasingly clear in my travel, the campaign, that the crowds, the enthusiasm, 200,000 people in Berlin, is not about me at all. It’s about America. I have just become a symbol….”
In other words, this wasn’t an example of Obama being “arrogant” or “presumptuous”; it’s an example of humility. He was saying all of this excitement isn’t about him personally, because he’s just a symbol of something larger.
In a different post at TCBR, addressing the media’s adoration of McCain, one of the commenter’s, who is from Denmark, said:
As a person who lives in another country, one with an actual free press that is not beholding to Corporations and, thus, a media who whose obvious bias and agendas are for those Corporations, including ‘polls’, I find your media an absolute farce at best, and a criminal enterprise at worst.Bravo!
The job of any media in any country is to objectively report facts so that the people living in whatever country can them make choices and determinations based on those facts. When you have a media who primary agenda is to make ‘profits’ for the Corporations themselves you then create a media that lies, deceives, manipulates, and creates propaganda in order to serve the interests of the Corporations themselves. The ‘end justifies the means’ mentality.
This is why your country went from being one of the most admired in the world for many, many years to one of the most hated and feared: a laughingstock of stupidity. And that happened once Bush was installed as your president. Once that happened you country became a fascist state: the melding of the Corporations with the government in which the government does the bidding of the Corporations themselves. This is what Hitler did, and it is what Mussolini did. It is what Putin is doing now. China is the most gross example of course. This is the company that your country now keeps.
The whole world wants Obama to be the President of your country .. the whole world because of what he represents, of who he is. This is why there were 200,000 people in Berlin. He wants to make American what is always has been starting with a social system that is fair for all. And yet in your own country you have a Corporate media that is doing all that it can to defeat him because of their own interests: money/ profits equaling millionaire ‘journalists’ themselves.
You pay these idiots enough and they will all become ‘dancing monkeys’ at the end of a line attached to the organ machine, the Corporations themselves playing the music. As a result, sadly and pathetically, you have something like McCain , who is the very embodiment of Corporate interests, a man who should actually be in DEPENDS and given given memory pills to help him keep one sentence actually connected to another in a rationale way , being protected by your Corporate media so that they can do all they can to get him installed as your next president.
This is what the once great country called America has come too: a fascist state who wants to dominate the world for it’s own interests, a country in which the rich get richer, the poor ever more poor, the middle class subsidizing each and dying as a result, and a Corporate media that lies to you in order to make it all happen.
And if you haven’t read up on Sudden Citizens' Action Against Media Distortion (SCAAMD), do so. It’s time we try to take back the media.
And come on by TheZoo for our daily doing.
Should you enjoy this post, please feel free to Recommend it.
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Comments (48)
Wow, what kind of blogwhore am I where I don't even include the link to our site. Bad, bad blogwhore (me!)
Visit TheZoo for great political news, commentary and cartoons. With a slice of life thrown in.
And contact the SCAAMD people. We need to do something. Get involved. Or, as Robert Greenwald says:
Psssst...DO SOMETHING!
July 30, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmmm... so if I recommend your site or link to it, is that blogwhore-mongering? LOL!
Rec'd !
This story got me out of bed at 4 in the morning -- when Moron Joe and Mika comes on in my timezone -- when I first heard he flacking this story... at that point the details hadn't come to light yet. Yet Joe was running off at the mouth... by the time the show ended the details were just starting to come to light. The all important (apparently not) "context."
By the by, Dana Milbank's piece in today's WaPo is what amounted to the gasoline on the fire. Give him a piece of your mind, too!
July 30, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just had a conversation with some friends about who was the whore and who was the pimp. Either way, do stop by our site (and Steve Benen's TCBR! His is my favorite blog!) and enjoy.
I cannot stand Morning Joe. I read a disturbing piece on him about one of his interns being killed and it being completely buried - just before he resigned his newly minted Congressional reelection seat. If it is in fact true, nice that he left his congressional seat (under a swept under the rug cloud) to make millions on the tee vees.
I could probably stomach sitting through morning Joe (no promise of screaming at them) but I simply can't tolerate that twit Tucker Carlson for more than about .0001 seconds. He makes my skin crawl. (Kudos to Jon Stewart for giving Carlson a dose of FU!!)
Brad Blakeman is rapidly approaching my instantly-turn-the-channel point, too. I think he manages to spit out a single lie before I turn Verdict off. Shame that, I kinda like Dan Abrams.
July 30, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whore mongering? I think it may be more like solicitation? In any case it doesn't seem to hurt anybody so, as a whiny leftist, I say regulated it and tax it. What was I talking about? Sorry, John McCain moment. Also, what's with the new picture? I liked the old one but I am a sentimentalist past his time and a giant rubber duck.
July 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, this is the year of change, right? :-D
July 31, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since the Obamabot urbanamerican posted the following spam on my diary, I'll return the favor on a pro-Obama post:
Fall is coming, so its time to work on those winter knits!
Men's Pullover Irish Knit
These directions are for small size (36-38). Changes for medium size (40-42) and large size (44-46) are in parentheses.
MATERIALS
BERNAT BLARNEYSPUN (50 g balls) -- 16(18-21)
OR ANY EQUIVALENT KNITTING WORSTED WEIGHT YARN THAT WILL GIVE THE SPECIFIED STITCH GAUGE
1 pair each BERNAT-Aero straight knitting needles Nos. 5 and 8 (3.75 mm and 5.00 mm) OR ANY SIZE NEEDLES THAT WILL GIVE THE SPECIFIED STITCH GAUGE
1 set BERNAT-Aero dp needles No. 5 (3.75 mm)
1 BERNAT-Aero cable stitch needle
GAUGE
9sts = 2inches
6 rows = 1 inch in broken seed st
NOTE: The abbreviations used in the following directions are preceded by the explanation the first time they appear.
PATTERN STITCH FOR BACK AND FRONT
Row 1: K 23 (27-31), p 6, k in BACK loop of next st (k lB), p 5, k lB, p 1, k 12, p 1, k lB, p 5, k 1 B, p 6, k 23 (27-31).
Row 2: K 28(32-36); skip next st, p in BACK loop of next st, k skipped st (T L 2); k 4, T L 2, k 1, p 12, k 1; skip next st, k next st, p skipped st (T R 2); k 4, T R 2, k 28 (32-36).
Row 3: K 1, (p 1, k 1) 11(13-15) times, (p 5, k 1 B) twice, p 2, k 12, p 2, (k 1 B, p 5) twice, k 1, (p 1, k 1) 11(13-15) times.
Row 4: P 1, (k 1, p 1) 11 (13-15) times, (k 4, T L 2) twice, k 2, p 12, k 2, (T R 2, k 4) twice,
p1, (k 1, p 1) 11 (13-15) times.
Row 5: K 23(27-31), p 4, k lB, p 5, k lB, p 3; sl next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in BACK of work, k next 3 sts, k 3 sts from cable needle (C B 6), sl next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in FRONT of work, k next 3 sts, k 3 sts from cable needle (C F 6); p 3, k lB, p 5, k lB, p 4, k 23 (27-31).
Row 6: K 26(30-34), T L 2, k 4, T L 2, k 3, p 12, k 3, T R 2, k 4, T R 2, k 26130-34).
Row 7: K t., (p 1, k 1) 11(13-15) times, p 3, k lB, p 5, k lB, p 4, k 12, p 4, k lB, P 5, k lB, p 3, k 1, (p 1, k 1) 11(13-15) times.
Row 8: P 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times, k 2, (T L 2, k 4) twice, p 12, (k 4, T R 2) twice, k 2, p 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times.
Row 9: K 23(27-31), p 2, (k 1 B, p 5) twice, k 12, (p 5, k 1 B) twice, p 2, k 23(27-31).
Row 10: K 24(28-32), T L 2, k 4, T L 2, k 5, p 12, k 5, T R 2, k 4, T R 2, k 24(28-32).
Row 11: (K 1, p 1) 12(14-16) times, k lB, p 5, k lB, p6, k 12, p6, k lB, p5, k lB, (p 1, k 1) 12(14-16) times.
Row 12: (P 1 k 1) 12(14-16) times, T R 2, k 4, T R 2, k 5, p ~12, k 5, T L 2, k 4, T L 2, (k 1, p 1) 12(14-16) times.
Row 13: Repeat Row 9.
Row 14: K 25(29-33), (T R 2, k 4) twice, p 12,
k4, T L 2) twice, k 25(29-33).
Row 15: K 1,_(p 1, k 11(13-15) times, p 3, klB, p5, kl~, p4, C)B6, CF6, p4, klB, p 5, k lB, p 3, k 1, (p 1, k 1) 11(13-15) times.
Row 16: P 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times, k 3, T R 2, k4, T R 2, k 3, p 12, k 3, T L 2, k 4,
T L 2, k 3, p 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times.
Row 17: K 23(27-31), p 4, k lB, p 5, k lB, p 3, k 12, p 3, k lB, p 5, k lB, p 4, k 23(27-31).
Row 18: K 23(27-31), (k 4, TR 2) twice, k 2, p 12, k 2, (T L 2, k 4) twice, k 23(27-31).
Row 19: Repeat Row 3.
Row 20: P 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times, k 5, T R 2, k4, T R 2, k 1, p 12, k 1, T L 2, k4, T L 2, k 5, p 1, (k 1, p 1) 11(13-15) times.
Repeat these 20 rows for pattern stitch for back and front.
BACK: Using smaller straight needles, cast on 86 (94-102) sts. K in BACK of next st (K 1 B), p 1 in ribbing for 1_ inches. Change to larger needles and work even in pattern st for back until piece measures 16_ inches, ending with a wrong side Row.
SHAPE FULL-FASHIONED RAGLAN ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 2(4-6) sts. Row 3: K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, work to last 4 sts, k 2 tog, k 2. Row 4: P 3, work to last 3 sts, p 3. Repeat the last 2 rows 26 (28-29) times more. Sl remaining 28 (28-30) sts onto a holder.
FRONT: Work to correspond to back until there are 38 (38-40)sts on needle, ending with Row 3.
SHAPE NECK: Work 12 sts, sl center 14(14-16) sts onto a holder, join another ball of yarn and work last 12 sts. Working on both sides at once, continue to dec 1 st at each arm edge every other Row in same manner as before 5 times more, and AT THE SAME TIME, at each neck edge bind off 3 sts once and dec 1 st at same edge every other Row 4 times. Fasten off.
PATTERN STITCH FOR SLEEVES
Row 1: K 15(19-19), p 1, k 12, p 1, k 15(19-19).
Row 2: K 16(20-20), p 12, k 16(20-20).
Row 3: (K 1, p 1) 8(10-10) times, k 12, (p 1, k 1) 8(10-10) times.
Row 4: (P 1, k 1) 8(10-10) times; p 12, (k 1, p 1) 8(10-10) times.
Row 5: K 15(19-19), p 1, C B 6, C F 6, p 1, k 15(19-19).
Row 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: Repeat Row 4.
Row 9: Repeat Row 1.
Row 10: Repeat Row 2.
Row 11: Repeat Row 3.
Row 12: Repeat Row 4.
Row 13: Repeat Row 1.
Row 14: Repeat Row 2.
Row 15: (K 1, p 1) 8(10-10) times, C B 6, C F 6, (p 1, k 1) 6(10-10) times.
Row 16: Repeat Row 4.
Row 17: Repeat Row 1.
Row 18: Repeat Row 2.
Row 19: Repeat Row 3.
Row 20: Repeat Row 4.
Repeat these 20 rows for pattern stitch for sleeves.
SLEEVES: Using smaller straight needles, cast on 44(52-52) sts. K lB, p I in ribbing for 2 inches.
Change to larger needles and work in pattern st for sleeves until piece measures 4_ inches. On the next Row inc 1 st each end of needle and repeat this inc every 6th Row 13 (11-13) times more, forming new patterns as sts are inc. Work even in pattern as established on 72 (76-80) sts until piece measures 19 (19_, 19_) inches, ending with a wrong side Row.
SHAPE FULL-FASHIONED RAGLAN CAP: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 2 (4-6) sts. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 of back shaping 25 (28-28) times, ending with Row 4.
FOR SMALL SIZE ONLY:
Row 1: K 2, sl 1, k 2 tog, psso, work to last 5 sts, k 3 tog, k 2.
Row 2: P 3, work to last 3 sts, p 3. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 once more.
FOR MEDIUM SIZE ONLY: Row 1: K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, work to last 4 sts, k 2 tog, k 2.
Row 2: P 3, work to last 3 sts, p 3.
LARGE SIZE ONLY: Row 1: K 3, work to last 3 sts, k 3.
Rows 2 and 4: P 3, work to last 3 sts, p 3.
Row 3: K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, work to last 4 sts, k 2 tog, k 2.
FOR ALL SIZES: Sl remaining 10 sts onto a holder.
FINISHING: Sew sleeves to back and front armholes.
Sew underarm and sleeve seams.
NECKBAND: With right side facing you, using dp needles, pick up and k 90(90-94) sts around neck edge, including sts from holders. K lB, p 1 in ribbing for 3 inches. Bind off loosely in ribbing. Fold neckband in half and hem to wrong side.
Men's Irish Cardigan
These directions are for small Size (36-38). Changes for medium Size (40-42) and large Size (44-46) are in parentheses.
MATERIALS BERNAT BLARNEYSPUN (50 g balls) -- 17(18-19)
OR ANY EQUIVALENT KNITTING WORSTED WEIGHT YARN THAT WILL GIVE THE SPECIFIED STITCH GAUGE
1 pair each BERNAT-Aero straight knitting needles Nos. 6 and 8 (4.25 mm and 5.00 mm) OR ANY SIZE NEEDLES THAT WILL GIVE THE SPECIFIED STITCH
GAUGE
1 29-inch BERNAT-Aero circular knitting needle No. 6 (4.25 mm)
5 buttons
GAUGE:5sts = 1 inch 6rows = 1 inch
NOTE: The abbreviations used in the following directions are preceded by the explanation the first time they appear.
PATTERN STITCH
Row 1: P 2; * skip next st, k in BACK LOOP of next st, k skipped st (TWIST ST); k 3, p 2, repeat from * across Row.
Row 2 and all even rows: K 2, * p 5, k 2, repeat from * across Row.
Row 3: P 2, * k 1, work TWIST ST on next 2 sts, k 2, p 2, repeat from * across Row.
Row 5: P 2, * k 2, work TWIST ST on next 2 sts, k 1, p 2, repeat from * across Row.
Row 7: P 2, * k 3, work TWIST ST on next 2 sts, p 2, repeat from * across Row.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Repeat these 8 rows for pattern stitch.
BACK: Using smaller straight needles, cast on 100 (106-114) sts. K 1, p 1 in ribbing for 2 inches, inc 0 (1-0) st at end of last Row.
Change to larger needles and work even in pattern st on 100 (107-114) sts until piece measures 16_ (17-17) inches.
SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 6 (6-7) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other Row 4 (5-5) times. Work even in pattern as established on 80 (85-90) sts until armholes measure 9 (9_, 10) inches.
SHAPE SHOULDERS: At the beg of each of the next 4 rows bind off 8 (9-10) sts. At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 9 sts. Bind off loosely remaining 30 (31-32) sts.
POCKET LINING: Make 2. Using larger needles, cast on 23 sts. Work even in pattern st for 4 inches, ending with a right side Row. SL sts onto a holder.
LEFT FRONT: Using smaller straight needles, cast on 44 (50-58) sts. K 1, p 1 in ribbing for 2 inches, inc 0 (1-0) st at end of last Row. Change to larger needles and work Row 1 of pattern st across Row -- 44 (51-58) sts. Continue in pattern as established until piece measures 6 inches, ending with a wrong Side Row.
POCKET OPENING: Starting at arm edge, work 37 sts, Sl last 23 sts just worked onto a holder, work to end of Row.
INSERT POCKET: Work to pocket opening, work 23 sts of one pocket lining onto same needle, work to end of Row. Continue in pattern as established on 44 (51-58) sts until piece measures 16_ (17-17)inches, ending with a wrong Side Row.
SHAPE ARMHOLE AND NECK:
Row 1: At arm edge bind off 6(6-7) sts, work to last 4 sts, Sl 1, k 1, psso (neck dec), k 2.
Row 2: P 3, work in pattern as established to end of Row. Dec 1 st at arm edge every other Row 4 (5-5) times, and AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at neck edge in same manner as before every 4th Row 8 (9-13) times more and then every other Row 0 (3-3) times. When all neck decs have been completed, work even on 25 (27-29) sts until armhole measures 9 (9_ -10) inches.
SHAPE SHOULDER: At arm edge bind off 8 (9-10) sts twice and 9 sts once.
RIGHT FRONT: Work to correspond to left front, reversing all shaping and placing of pattern st and pocket. TO DEC AT NECK EDGE: K 2, k 2 tog, work to end of Row.
SLEEVES: Using smaller straight needles, cast on 44 (50-50) sts. K 1, p I in ribbing for 2_ inches, inc 0(1-1) st at end of last Row -- 44 (51, 51) sts. Change to larger needles and work in pattern st, inc 1 st each end of needle every _ (1-_) inch 16 (15-17) times, forming new patterns as sts are inc'ed. Work even in pattern as established on 76 (81-85) sts until piece measures 18_ (19_-19_) inches, ending with a wrong Side Row.
SHAPE CAP: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 6(6-7) sts.
Row 3: K 2, k 2 tog, work in pattern as established to last 4 sts, Sl 1, k 1, psso, k 2.
Row 4: P 2, work in pattern as established to last 2 sts, p 2. Repeat the last 2 rows 17 (19-20) times more. At the beg of each of the next 6 rows bind off 3 sts. Bind off remaining sts.
FINISHING: Sew underarm, shoulder and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves.
FRONTBAND: With right Side facing you, using circular needle and starting at lower right front edge, pick up and k 80 (82-82) sts along right front edge to start of neck shaping, 137 (145-153) sts around neck to start of left front neck shaping and 80 (82-82) sts along left front edge -- 297 (309-317) sts. K the next Row. K 1, p 1 in ribbing for 5 rows.
BUTTONHOLES: Starting at lower left front edge, work 3 sts, * bind off the next 4 sts, work until there are 14 (15-15) sts on needle after last bound-off st, repeat from * 3 times more, bind off the next 4 sts, work in ribbing as established to end of Row. On the next Row cast on 4 sts over each group of 4 sts bound off previous Row.
Work in ribbing for 3 rows more. Bind off in ribbing.
POCKETBAND: With right Side facing you, using smaller straight needles, pick up and k 23 sts across pocket opening. K 1, p 1 in ribbing for 1 inch, ending with a right Side Row. Bind off as if to k.
Sew pocket bands and pocket linings in place. Finish buttonholes. Sew on buttons
July 31, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I assume you realze that you are an asshole, right?
July 31, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're a fucking dick. Grow the fuck up.
July 31, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking of a variant on the old saying:
People Get the Media They Deserve
We really have to keep after government and media to keep them honest. Eternal vigilance, etc. ...
July 30, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really couldn't care less what some whiny leftist from Denmark thinks about America. The press in Denmark is also 'corporate' owned (as opposed to those paragons of truth, state owned media)
July 30, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I read it, Bulldog, I read it not as something from Denmark as much as just, does it ring true. Unfortunately, a lot of it does. Calling someone a "whiny leftist" doesn't do much for your cred. Name calling is generally something I find from angry people, and it's always more interesting to me to find the source of their anger than to take their angry statements too seriously.
What are you so angry about?
July 30, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
As usual, no answer from the bullies when you ask them a real question.
July 31, 2008 2:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oooh...scary leftists! Rotten liberal hypocrites! Damned liberal media!
YAWN!
July 30, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joanne, thank you for keeping the pressure on and the truth out. Every day there are dozens of these atrocious hack jobs, lies and propaganda. And if we don't do anything - or at least try to counter it - are we any better than a Congress who didn't stop Bush when they had the chance? If we sit by and watch this happen, again and again, who do we hve to blame?
Donal's right. We will get the media we deserve if we don't fight back.
July 30, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least I feel I am doing something. And if I can do more, I shall.
We are having our country stolen out from under us with shady election results and all the bullshit that this corrupt administration has pulled in the last eight years.
Starting with Iraq (at least what we know was the start) and up to this second, and it goes unnoticed and untouched.
You both are right...we get what we deserve.
But if McCain steals the election, it's not what we voted for. The polls are all total bullshit. I posted this yesterday and I hope everyone reads it:
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/why-report-news-when-creating-it-is-so-much-more-fulfilling/
For I fear that this is the setup to saying why the election turns out as it might. Rove's tactics are still in play. Votes are being caged (read Greg Palast), people are not being allowed to have their say - if they MIGHT vote for Dems.
Someone had an idea I liked: should you register, mark Republican on your form. They won't cage that vote! And you can vote for whomever you would like in the upcoming election.
It is a shame that we have come to this. Apparently, we are going to have to fight dirty tricks with other dirty tricks (Operation Chaos anyone)
July 30, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
A number of our involved readers jumped quickly on this issue this morning and contacted WaPo with their perspective on the issue (http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/account_of_presumptious_obama.php#comments). Weisman updated his article in short order (looks like he had an update in less than 30 minutes providing the full context of Obama's remarks).
However, that still leaves Milbank's portrait hanging out there, doesn't it? Trickier to address, as it's all about perception. I decided to send another email to Jeff Zeleny, the reporter from NYT, who took the trouble to publish a follow up to the story about Obama's cancelled trip to the troops in Germany. I pointed him to Milbank's story and shared my thoughts about what Milbank is doing here. I told him that I see this as a distraction from a larger issue that is being very carefully ignored by the press - why WAS Obama so enthusiastically received overseas during this tour? We've done some examination about what his "change" might mean to Americans - what does it mean from the perspective of someone from outside of the U.S. and why? What's to be gained and what are the risks? The bigger story here is about what it will mean globally to have Obama leading this country. That's a story worth pursuing. Clearly, WaPo isn't interested. Perhaps, NYT is. I'd be interested in reading about that.
July 30, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, you're right. Will see Milbank on all the pundit shows correcting himself? Or will he become another O'Reilly in that he never admits to being wrong.
Alas, I fear for the latter.
July 30, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Milbank will not correct himself, because what he did in his article was intentional. He is painting a portrait of Obama as being someone that the public shouldn't trust to lead our country. Question is - why would someone like Milbank be invested in propagating that image? Why is the prospect of Obama in the Presidency such a threat, so unpalatable, to someone like Milbank?
July 30, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I keep asking myself the same thing.
We talk about corporations owning the media and driving the message. And then there are corporations advertising through the media. So, basically, you have money going from one corporation to another. Online, corporate dollars are based on traffic and clicks. That's how they charge for advertising.
The thing I don't understand is, eventually, someone has to notice that the people who actually buy stuff, can't any longer. So, while someone might click, click, click, the actual dollars will not be moved anywhere but from one corporation to another.
Someone once said that the uber rich in America might buy 10 cars. If you take (a VERY gracious) 10% of the population (which is roughly 300 million, that's 30 million and 300 million cars. That leaves roughly 270 million people. Let's again take (a gracious) 15% of those as being too poor to own a car. That's roughly 40 million. That leaves you with 230 million people.
So, roughly 230 million people are (were) middle class. Let's further say that each of those middle class families buys two cars. That is now 460 million cars sold or roughly half more than if just the uber rich buy (and 10% as uber rich is a high estimate).
And if you take that same thing and apply it across everything, companies are only screwing themselves by screwing the middle class.
None of it makes sense to me. Just like trickle down, trickle up economics, whatever voo doo you care to apply.
But that is what the corporate media is doing. Perhaps they are happy with revenue that they get (from other companies) but eventually, that too, is nothing but a bubble - which will eventually burst.
Someone else needs to explain this to me because I do not get it.
It used to be that media reported facts. Now, they report opinions as facts. Sure, everyone has their own opinions. But it used to be a badge of honor for reporters when other people couldn't tell what those opinions are.
Now? Not so much. No, not at all.
July 30, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Carol, your email to the NYT's Jeff Zeleny sounds outstanding. You made an incredibly insightful point about how the media isn't even bothering to address the "why" of Obama's popularity overseas (let alone here). Without serious prodding, the media buttheads will never dig any deeper than their tired old saw that Obama's crowds are just expressions of Bush hatred.
Well done, Carol.
And fine post, MsJoanne.
July 30, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Rip. I vacillate between thinking that the MSM does this stuff just because they're too lazy to look any deeper and believing that there's an actual agenda w/ real intent going on here. It seems pretty clear to me that Milbank's article is intended to discredit Obama - take him down a peg or two. It does seem to me that MSM has made a substantial effort to avoid having to look too closely at what transpired during Obama's trip overseas and the implications of that trip for this country and for how America's role will like shift globally if he does in fact become our next President. The fact that this topic hasn't had some very serious consideration in the press just defies explanation for me.
Thinking about SCAAMD - I know that there's talk of the mission. I've been thinking about it largely in terms of correcting blatant misreporting of factual information - when something is just plain wrong, that should be corrected. Easy to call them on that stuff. But, it would be good to think about how to push for better quality reporting too, eh?
July 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another example of the msm pushing the arrogance meme:
On Monday, Mike Barnicle was sitting in for Chris Matthews on Hardball. Howard Fineman started talking about how Obama has to watch out with his arrogance. Here is a link to see the video. I wouldnt be surprised if its the topic of his next article in Newsweek.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/07/28/he-has-little-bit-arrogant-streak-him-he-does
July 30, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and the site I listed (conservative, pro-McCain) is a good place to link to where all of this BS is coming from.
July 30, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
That meme has been floating around for a few days now. Even on Countdown last night (with Milbank!) but even Keith had a tone about him. I was disappointed.
On Hardball just now, it was being pushed again, along with the inexperience, et al. As they say, all the usual suspects.
While the Dem "strategist" (read: talking head) was very good (he had a very soft, easy going demeanor, which is unusual these days *cough* that asshole Brad Blakeman *cough*, he didn't push back against what Obama has done.
I mean, honestly.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/21/164117/783?new=true
Someone send this to those talking heads!
July 30, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
We should all bookmark that post and send it out generously to all media outlets and reporters.
July 30, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
MsJoanne, this was a great post and the link is fantastic - thank you. I have bookmarked it. Thank you so much. I don't have a TV by choice but I listen to NPR and read the NYT on-line. I have gotten just sick and tired of the crap that gets put out by the media. I am starting to email NPR and NYT when I see some untruth and I get a lot of my leads from this site. I do hope SCAAMD gets a home soon.
July 30, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't help it. What do you expect from someone named Barnicle?
July 30, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Touche!
(Which differs from Voila! I wonder if that makes me a French supporting leftist scum in the mind of the puppy dog troll?)
July 30, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just cannot understand it. Obama was being portrayed as naive and inexperienced by McCain.
Now, he is being portrayed as cocky, arrogant (code words for uppity). Is McCain using the age factor in his favour against Obama? Isn't it therefore fair game for Barack to attack his age and link recent frequent gaffes to it?
Is it a negative for ANY Presidential candidate to look "Presidential" especially while overseas among world leaders? Is Mccain and the media bordering on "racism" with the use of such words as cocky, presumptious (uppity) etc. when nothing like this was seen when McCain travelled overseas?
July 30, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
There does appear to be some undercurrent of that to it, doesn't there?
July 31, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since John McCain is talking about Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears, time to turn the tables on him.
Start calling him:
JOAN RIVERS McCAIN.
Keep on repeating it. Make it stick. Since the old jerk wants to play the celebrity smear game, then he certainly has earned the name: Joan Rivers McCain. Make him own it.
July 30, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
And other old, out of date and washed up celebrities? Interesting idea.
July 30, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that he's acting more like:
Don Rickles McCain
or Rickle's female counterpart:
Pudgy McCain
(Boy, do I like the sound of that one! If you don't know Pudgy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypfomfPUZII )
July 30, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jackie Mason McCain?
Andrew Dice Clay McCain?
July 30, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I still like the Joan Rivers McCain comparison.
Senator Joan Rivers McCain spouts off about Paris and Brittany, while standing on The Redneck Carpet.
July 30, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, liam, when you put it like that, I defer to you.
Joan Rivers McCain (John McRivers?) on the red carpet with Brit and Paris (oh god, the thought of McCain and the celeb teenee boppers just brought dinner up) it is.
July 30, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of the media not doing its job, what about the fact that McCain's latest strategy (besides his wild swings at Obama) is to say that he "knows" everything. I posted about it separately, but the point is, this is something that the media simply reports and never asks the important journalistic questions that are the basis of their profession:
Who
What
Where
When
How
Why
(as in why should we believe you?)
Another media failure and one that costs us in the long run.
July 30, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that the expectation that journalists in this country actually had any, gasp! journalism training (where that who, what, where, when, how, and why? came from), is a leap in these times.
What we find in the media are people who are often more ill informed than the people they cover.
Point: John McCain allowed journalists to spend two hours fondling his medical records (on a Friday afternoon). No pictures. No notes. No phones. That two hours was to let them go through more than 1200 pages of medical documents.
Now, I don't expect most journalists to know about medical stuff. I wouldn't. That said, I do know phrases that would trigger questions, which leads to my point: Why were there no questions? Why was the media not screaming to the heavens that McCain allowed them to fondle his records but not really analyze them? Why did they not bring up the "what are you hiding?" meme?
Those are Why's which need to be looked at. Whether someone has the skills to tear into something or not, I will set that aside. Why are they not asking why they are being played like that? Why are they not doing what is the most basic of any journalistic exercise?
If you look at this whole Goodling thing that broke yesterday. This was the biggest thing since Watergate (a blow job does not equate to American government). Had this taken place 10 or 20 years ago, there would have been the old Woodward's of the world digging into this stuff like a terrier and a rat. What about the Downing Street memo? What about Sibel Edmonds? Every one of those issues ALONE is enough to keep real investigative journalists going UNTIL THE DAY THEY DIE!
And what do we get?
** crickets **
July 30, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, BURN - and on the money too. Rec'd and thanks for that. It really is frightening what has happened to our country.
July 30, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, if you care so little, why are you posting here?
July 30, 2008 11:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously, this was to theCleverBulldog further upthread.
July 30, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was my thought on the Sick Puppy.
(Hiaasen ROCKS!)
July 31, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
On PBS's "News Hour" tonight, Judy Woodruff flatly dismissed the McCain ad asserting Obama declined to visited troops because he couldn't bring press. She said it was "wrong" and explained why. Stunningly good journalism. Wish the rest of the press was as good as she is.
July 31, 2008 12:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
More than Judy Woodruff has come out against the McCain troop visit lie. MSNBC, NYT and the Washington Post (although that b.s. today by Dana Milbank more than crapped thing up for that paper-shameful!).
Fox News naturally made a lot out of this out-of-context quote from Senator Obama. I always hate myself for watching even a few minutes of Faux News. Sean Hannity's opening to his show was something like "...You'll never guess what Barack Obama said now. Get this..." then read the misquote. Of course they made a big deal out of the stupid new McCain ad too.
Hey they at Fox know McCain needs help, I guess and is leading the rest of the media in giving his ads all the free play and attention they can. Old Grampa Munster is probably rocking in his chair at warp speed with happiness and enjoying his massage from his base.
July 31, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
And check this post for another turd from Jake Tapper at ABC:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/07/and-the-press-defends-mccain-y.php
July 31, 2008 2:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Mainstream media and McCain's handlers have focused on selling Americans on imagery of the "War Hero...Maverick...Naval Aviator" while hiding the disturbing side of McCain, that he is in fact mentally unstable, suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), alzheimers and the onset of senility.Evidence is clear that McCain was tortured so severely in Vietnam that he tried to commit suicide. Nine out of 10 POW's who returned from Vietnam were diagnosed with PTSD. Perhaps McCain's "Straight Talk" Campaign of 2000 vs. Bush combined with his hosting Media BBQ's at his country homes has so endeared him to those in the Corporate Media that they choose to downplay, disregard or rationalize his consistent inability to recall basic facts, put together coherent responses or randomly lashing out in anger and singing strange songs like "Bomb Bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beachboys Barbara Ann. Furthermore, despite McCain regularly wearing Navy ballcaps, posing as a TOP GUN ala Tom Cruise, all evidence illustrates that McCain was a terrible pilot, destroyed numerous military aircraft, nearly flunked out of the Naval Academy where he spent more of his time behind a bar stool than studying and preparing to become a proficient pilot. McCain was unprepared for Vietnam and is admittedly unprepared now. He has stated that "the economy is not my strong suit" and "I need my assistants to log me on to the internet. I have no use for email." ----Is this the type of Maverick America needs right now...or a crazy old coot and ignorant schmuck who is the TROJAN HORSE of the NEOCON'S in the GOP?
July 31, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, not to worry people. The MSM and GOP are calling Obama elite, arrogant, presumptuous and uppity because that is their agenda. But I would remind you that Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods, Pele, and other superstar atheletes also suffer from an overabundance of confidence and swagger. There' a reason why we forgive them for it -- because they earn it.
If Obama was an empty suit, people would not respond to what he is saying. There is a reason it resonates. And its not Jim Jones kool aid, or some massive international halluicination. It's because his life, how he has lived it, what he has learned from it and the great sense of intelligence and judgment that flows from that, are very compelling. I would take that over 26 years of doing nothing in the Senate any day.
July 31, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about Wilford Brimley McCain or Lillian Gish McCain. That times out for him.
July 31, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
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