CBO Report on ObamaCare Continues to be Misconstrued

Over the last couple of weeks, I'll admit to being a little less engaged than usual. I have paid a little less attention to the changing of the news cycle, having my attention pulled in other directions here at home. Even so, I caught that the CBO report on ObamaCare was initially (gleefully) reported by conservatives as a JOB KILLER!!! And almost immediately, the author of the thing said, no, Right Wing World had gotten it wrong. Again.

But here we were on Sunday morning, with the political shows all acting like the original storyline was the correct one. David Gregory used it in one of his "balanced" setups, as though the wrong conclusion was as equally likely as the real, intended one. Chris Wallace on FOX "News" Sunday lead with it, painting it as conclusively true, by the way he phrased it. I didn't have the stomach for the other networks' offerings.

But it looks like CNN may have gotten it right.

[Excerpt]

CNN breaks mold and tells truth about CBO report


 
It is a forgone conclusion that Fox News would misrepresent the latest CBO report. Sadly even Chuck Todd at MSNBC was less than clear in interpreting the report. He was more concerned with how it would be interpreted. He should have been more concerned with his free press journalistic duty. Inform the population objectively. . .

Read more at: DailyKos

FOX "News" Sunday Jumps the Shark

Despite the "liberal media" allegations, the Sunday political talk shows on network television are decidedly right-wing biased. Over and over again--no matter which party has more power in Washington, D.C.--studies have shown that guests and commentators are weighted heavily to the right. I don't really know why this is, if Republicans are just more apt to want to go on, or if Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain actually live in the green room.

So, when you start with the fact that the shows are canted to the right, you can only imagine what comes out of the likes of FOX "News" Sunday. This week, the main topic was the surprise nuclear weapons and sanctions reduction deal with Iran. Of course, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) thinks it's a bad thing, and unleashes quite a number of conservative talking points unrelated to the deal, to depict President Obama as weak, indecisive, etc. The counterpoint was fairly soft with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Who?) providing support for the president, but without swatting down Corkers corkers.

That was par for the course, something that you might see on Meet the Press, had it been on this morning. But then, the vaguely creepy Chris Wallace brought out former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Ostensibly, she was there to talk about current political controversies, though her depth of knowledge on the subject is. . .what exactly? She has no credibility on much of anything outside of her half-term as governor of a small, remote state. And she doesn't disappoint, with her shallow, fragmented, "pageant" answers to each question. She has nothing of value to say, and it is clear every time she opens her pretty (for nearly 50) mouth, and spews her patented word salad.



But the real reason Sister Sarah was there was to respond to the MSNBC/Martin Bashir "controversy." Bashir (who I suspect was looking for the viral video he ended up getting), had been outraged about Palin's earlier comparison of the budget to slavery of all things, and had given a particularly nasty lesson in slavery to his audience. He then (after a series of insults toward Palin, all of which were absolutely true), he insinuated that the punishment given to slaves in the story, maybe ought to be visited upon Mrs. Palin. Well, Right Wing World went wobbly on its axis!

Since the story had to do with urination and defecation, the implications were quite vivid, so I get it, sort of, why Palin (who made the original, offensive comments) might be PO'd. But who is she that she needs to be tippy-toed around anyway? So, Bashir was apparently called on the carpet, and ended up giving the most thorough, detailed, over-the-top with effusive apology I've ever seen. Way more than Palin deserved. And so, Palin was gussied up and put before the F"N"S cameras nine days later.

If Wallace had just had her on for that purpose alone (even so belatedly), I could forgive the appearance. But he asked her about the important issues of the day, and given her complete lace of gravitas, I find the notion idiotic that she'd be asked her opinion on much of anything. But that wasn't all! No, no! In the completely pointless, regular feature "Power Player of the Week," Wallace had a puff piece on Mitt and Ann Romney, having a folksy family breakfast! Just like back in the campaign, when they did the same thing.  The Romneys aren't even liked in Right Wing World, so I can't see how they're any more relevant than Palin.

In all, it was the most pathetic Sunday show I've seen in years. And in this bunch (Hello, David Gregory!), that's really saying something.

Ed Markey Retains Massachusetts Senate Seat for Democrats

I had to chuckle when I watched a portion (I can only take it in small doses) of FOX "News" Sunday, and saw Chris Wallace interviewing Gabriel Gomez. Of course he would, on the Sunday before the special election to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's Senate seat. You can say this for FOX "News," they always do their part for their team. Gomez had come off poorly in debates, and was trailing by 9 to 12 points in polls, but insisted he could pull out a win. Isn't that always the way?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It may have worked, slightly. It looks like the margin was 8 points, so Gomez may have picked up a tiny boost from the exposure. He was an unusual Republican, being pro-gay marriage, and soft on several Right Wing World issues. I guess you have to be in Massachusetts. But it wasn't enough, and Ed Markey is in! And he's one of the good guys, in my estimation, so kudos all around.

[Excerpt]

Democrats hold Kerry's Senate seat with Markey victory

Secretary of State John Kerry's former Senate seat will stay in Democratic hands as longtime Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey handily defeated Republican Gabriel Gomez in Tuesday’s special election. . .

Read more at: NBC News

Does Anybody take NewsBusters Seriously?

NewsBusters is an outlet of the "Media Research Council." Sounds legit.

When I scroll through the headlines at NewsBusters, I'm often a really bad audience for them. Far from being outraged, my response to most of them is, "Yeah. So?!?"

NewsBusters is a "media watchdog"-type website, but unlike a left-leaning counterpart like Media Matters for America, this right-leaning outfit is all about editorializing and faux outrage. They bristle at any perceived slight against conservatism, Republicans, or Christianity. And they get particularly riled if a news report is favorable to abortion rights, gay people or gun control. But it doesn't have to be from an actual news source. They get all up in the business of sex columnists like Dan Savage, talk show hosts like Stephanie Miller and Randi Rhodes, and virtually anyone who makes a big enough splash to get their notice.

Most liberals would consider a rip from NB to be a badge of honor. Because the write-ups are so drenched in right-wing-world bias, it's hilarious that the site is supposed to be ferreting out bias.

Just for fun, here are just a few headlines from this goofy site, with my comments.

Grammy Award-Winner Michael Bolton: 'I'd Walk Across the Country to Get Hillary Into Office'

This one shows the hilarity of what NewsBusters thinks is a news bias item. Michael Bolton is an entertainer. A largely non-influential entertainer at that. Who cares who Bolton supports politically, besides people interested in reading about it? What news was busted here?

Global Warming Skeptics Rebut Face the Nation Segment on Climate Change and Moore Tornado

In this item, NewsBusters provides a forum to "global warming skeptics"--known to most of us as crackpots--since Face the Nation didn't provide one for them. Which sounds a lot less like "news busting" to me, than trying to make your own news. And on this, they should be busted.

Brit Hume Hammers Juan Williams for Saying Eric Holder's the 'Exact Right Person' to Probe His Own Department

This is a weird one. NewsBusters is spending its "media watchdog" time to keep tabs on the opinion portion (not that it isn't all opinion) of FOX "News" Sunday, a decidedly conservative media outpost. This isn't news busting, it's highlighting the side of an argument they agree with! Talk about goofy.

NYT Feminists Still Giddy About Hillary's Chances In 2016: Any Gender Problems Have Been 'Wiped Out'

This is just one of those "yeah, so?" ones. Not at all controversial. Who cares?

NPR’s On the Media Show Mocks Glenn Beck and TheBlaze

First, On the Media sounds like less than a "hard news" show in the first place, but mocking Glenn Beck and his internet presence, The Blaze is the only rational thing you can do with the subject matter. It isn't just mock-worthy, it is itself a mockery.

So, I hereby prounonce NewsBusters busted. Their site is unworthy of notice.

Why are Lindsey Graham and John McCain on EVERY SUNDAY?

I watched--as I often do--a couple of the Sunday shows this weekend. My usual picks are Meet the Press with David Gregory and FOX "News" Sunday with Chris Wallace. Not because I like them, or think they're the best (heavens, no), probably mostly out of habit. FNS I only watch to see what they're up to, but MTP is just as likely to be from a rightward cant on any given Sunday. It has been shown through several studies that no matter which party is in control of the White House or either house of Congress, the Sunday shows tip rightward in their choice of guests.

It's no wonder, when you consider which of these guys apparently live to be on TV. Lindsey Graham and John McCain--seemingly closer than some married couples--will show up on any of these shows on any given week. Sometimes on multiple shows on the same day. It doesn't matter what the topic is, it doesn't matter if they've been absolutely wrong on many previous occasions. It doesn't matter that either is likely to sputter "BENGHAZI!!!" an any moment, regardless of what question they were asked. There they are, the failed presidential candidate who picked a moron running mate, and the fading Southern belle gentleman, every damned week.

I miss Tim Russert as infuriating as he himself could be. I even miss Tony Snow, who could snark without the vaguely creepy vibe Wallace always exudes. I'd appreciate it if Gregory, Wallace, Bob Schieffer and the rest would stop booking lobbyists and hate group leaders for their point/counterpoints. I'd like to see Karl Rove frog-marched out of one of the studios, and Peggy Noonan laughed off the stage for her loopy delivery. But mostly, I want to stop seeing McCain and his little buddy every single week.

NRA Head on FOX "News" Sunday. . .Why?

FOX "News" Sunday is the crown jewel of that "news" in the network's name, being the ultimate in newsiness, rather than opinion. After you finish laughing over that whopper, ponder this on: while it was great (and unusual) that host Chris Wallace used a semi-tough line of questioning on NRA head Wayne LaPierre. . .why was LaPierre on in the first place? He's not an elected official, he's not a policy maker, he's not a retired general or a scion of industry. He's a lobbyist. A lobbyist not for the 2nd amendment, or hobbyist (hobbyist lobbyist?) marksmen, or hunters or paranoid "preppers." He's a lobbyist for gun manufacturers. He's the "big guns" version of "big tobacco." And he's batshit crazy to boot! [Story continues below]



So, I don't really see why he's going around on the Sunday shows, or being trotted in front of Congressional panels.  I mean, sure, if the intent is to grill him that's one thing. But he's being used as the point to the Diane Feinstein counterpoint. And that's a false equivalence.

While we're at it, this false equivalence isn't just used in the gun argument, it's all over broadcast and cable news, and it's damned annoying. The one that grinds me the worst is whenever the topic of gay rights is discussed, they drag out somebody from a certified hate group for "balance." Peter Sprigg, Tony Perkins, somebody from a group with "family" in its name, or some ridiculous "ex-gay" closet case (not that any of those listed are mutually exclusive) is treated as though their "side" of the argument is equally valid. It's like booking the KKK Grand Wizard for "balance" when the subject is race relations.  And yet, they keep doing it. Fortunately, Wallace's competition is more consistently tough on them. That doesn't mitigate the fact that they book them in the first place.

Chris Wallace Apologizes for Calling Michele Bachmann a "Flake"

Actually, he asked her if she was a flake. You'd think it'd be better to be asked this question in the friendly territory of FOX "News." But it is not at all surprising that FOX "News" Sunday's host, Chris Wallace felt pressured to apologize before the day was even done! As I've said in the past, Michele Bachmann is only well known to anybody because of her sometimes bizarre, sometimes flat wrong pronouncements. This will be the mildest version of the question she gets, should she last very long into the contest. In fact, Mitt Romney--the guy who is just barely ahead of her in the polls--won't even have to look very far to find a treasure trove of material to use against her. Think he won't?

FOX "News" Edited Out Criticism of Exec from Jon Stewart Interview

The most truthful person ever on FOX "News."
Image from source, Media Matters

I watched the FOX "News" Sunday with Chris Wallace interview of Jon Stewart when it aired on Sunday morning. Later, when I posted the clip to the blog, I reviewed it. I did notice some edits--some of the awkward comedy that Wallace was trying to put on (what was the bit with the coffee cup about?)--but didn't think much of it. They have to cut that stuff down to fit in the time available. Well, usually it's live, I thought. But whatever.

Still, there seemed to be more in the online clip about Chris Wallace's "marching orders" from on high. When I heard the name "Bill Sammon," I knew what Stewart was talking about. But did that make air? No, it didn't. Now, I suppose you can give FOX "News" partial credit for putting the whole clip online. But the TV version was definitely edited to make FOX and Chris Wallace look better. And how many F"N"S viewers go back and review the unedited videos?

[Excerpt]

Fox News Sunday Edits Out Jon Stewart's Criticism Of Fox Exec

Yesterday, Jon Stewart appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss his sharp criticism of Fox News. But one uncomfortable reference to marching-order emails from a Fox News executive was cut from the program. . .

Read more at: Media Matters

Jon Stewart on FOX "News" Sunday

FOX "News" Sunday is easily the least of all the Sunday morning political chat fests, but due to is scheduling here in Las Vegas, usually is one of the two I regularly watch (along with NBC's Meet the Press). Chris Wallace is also the least of the hosts (narrowly edging out David Gregory), but when stacked up against the rest of the FOX "News" talent, is probably the best. Faint praise, I know. This point is made by Jon Stewart in the interview below. Stewart says--and I agree--that Wallace is most likely there to give the whole operation a sheen of respectibility, since without him, there wouldn't be any.

Stewart comes out swinging, gently, with humor. He punctuates that humor with some good solid points that FOX "News" viewers probably don't get to hear often.  And at times, he just plain comes out (justifiably) swinging. Wallace--even though probably the best reporter FOX has--tries to frame some "gotcha" questions, but Stewart comes up the winner. I think it's a great bit of video, and surely worth your time.

FOX "News" Sunday's Chris Wallace Whines About White House Shut Out

Want some cheese with that whine?
Image from source, Huffington Post

Awwwww!!! Poor little Chris Wallace, the vaguely creepy host of FOX "News" Sunday, was shut out by the Obama Administration when it tried to get Hillary Clinton or Bob Gates to talk about Libya on the program. Frankly, I wonder why any prominent Democrats would ever appear on the frightfully skewed channel. Every program--even their allegedly "hard news" programs--is infused with the primary goal of making liberals look bad. Why help them out?

Oh, and the whining Wallace also stated that his program regularly beats two out of the three other Sunday morning political programs. I'd very much like to see the data that backs up this dubious claim. I suppose if you add up all the reairings of F"N"S, and put it against the single airing of ABC's This Week, and CNN's State of the Union, he might be right. But the truth is, Wallace's show regularly trails CBS' Face the Nation, NBC's Meet the Press, as well as This Week.


[Excerpt]


Fox News' Chris Wallace Slams White House For Blocking Access To Clinton, Gates


Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made the talk show rounds on Sunday, appearing on ABC, CBS and NBC to discuss Libya. However, they did not go on Fox News--something which made Chris Wallace, host of "Fox News Sunday," very unhappy--and he let his viewers know it. . .


Read more at: Huffington Post

Right Wing World: FOX "News" Attacks Obama on Brazil Trip, Other Crap

By now, it is obvious that it doesn't matter what President Barack Obama does or says (or doesn't say or do) that will garner a positive response from a big chunk of right-wing world. It's also clear that talk radio and FOX "News" work in tandem to set the narrative, and let all their followers know the storyline: Obama's dithering. He's too slow to act. He's not a leader. He didn't ask Congress! He jumped in without permission! Often this leads to contradictory storylines, sometimes from the same talking head. But it doesn't matter. Cognitive dissonance is par for the course.

But it just sounds kind of desperate when they start whining about the first lady, the kids, the extended family. The very notion that if the President is in South America, he's just tra-la-la on vacation, and not doing anything else. Obama's itinerary is probably busier on any given day than most of us tackle in a very busy month. It is evident that Obama has finally clued in to the notion that the right is going to hate him--and gin up faux controversies--no matter what, and isn't caring as much anymore. Good for him.

The vaguely creepy Chris Wallace, host of
FOX "News" Sunday, Image from Media Matters

[Excerpt]

Fox Attacks Obama's Brazil Trip As A "Vacation" Then Refuses To Air His Speech



Today, President Obama spoke in Brazil, highlighting that country's rising economic power, growing middle class, and transition from military dictatorship to thriving democracy. The speech capped off a visit meant to promote the United States' economic relationship with Brazil and the entire South American region, with the stated purpose of encouraging job growth. . .
 
Read more at: Media Matters

FOX "News" Sunday Promotes O'Keefe as "Power Player"

FOX "News" Sunday with Chris Wallace is easily the least in every category for the Sunday morning political shows. It is also the easiest one to breeze through on the DVR, since it has the most commercials. The always vaguely creepy host is the most likely of the bunch to lob softballs at guests, and to set up perfect hits to his ludicrously named "Power Panel" of pundits (nearly always one-half of the show's running time). I always stop the DVR and erase right after the last of those segments, skipping the last segment.

At the end of each show, Wallace has a segment titled Power Player of the Week. I don't know who that title is supposed to impress, and I can't imagine ever anticipating with excitement just who it's going to be this week.  So I skip it. But not this week. This week, FOX inexplicably picked James O'Keefe, video hoaxster. O'Keefe is the one who "punks" organizations and individuals who are on the far right's hit list. O'Keefe's videos are nearly always creatively edited to make them far more incendiary than they otherwise would be.

The weird part of this is, even though these "exposés" are 95% hokum, they have an effect anyway. ACORN--which did nothing wrong--is now gone. NPR, another target, is shedding personnel and is in danger of losing funding, even though the "punk'd" executive merely told the truth. This punk's dodgy antics are effective, often even when he really doesn't expose anything. Wallace and FOX are apparently awarding this creep with their alleged weekly honor, and for what? Being a partisan asshole? 

FOX "News" is extremely good at injecting false or distorted narratives into political discourse. Do "death panels" ring a bell? ACORN itself would probably still be around were it not for the grossly inflated and embellished claims about them getting air on FOX. So I guess it makes sense after all that O'Keefe be given their big "honor." He's doing exactly what the network as a whole does. Fair and balanced, my ass. 

[Excerpt]



Chris Wallace Ignores James O’Keefe’s Dodgy Past While Promoting Him As The ‘Power Player Of The Week’



Right-wing activist James O’Keefe recently released a video showing how he deceived NPR fundraisers into thinking they were having a discussion with members of a Muslim non-profit organization. One of the fundraisers was caught criticizing Republicans and the Tea Party and NPR CEO Vivian Schiller subsequently resigned. . .
 
Read more at: ThinkProgress

ABC's This Week Covers "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

As I usually do on Sunday mornings--though much less enthusiastically than I used to--I watched some of the Sunday political shows. Meet the Press with David Gregory was frustrating as usual, because I've never liked Gregory's interviewing style. FOX "News" Sunday was, as always, a train wreck, this time foisting both Dana Perino and Liz Cheney on their viewing audience.  By far the most interesting of the shows I watched was This Week with Christianne Amanpour, with much of the show taken up with a discussion on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The discussion was interesting, but did nothing to convince me that there is any study needed, any implementation necessary or phasing in of a policy change called for. This is rather binary: either end the policy or don't. The "military readiness" claim is malarkey. Gay people exist in virtually every walk of life, and coexist quite well with others. This "homosexual panic" that homophobes like the two on the panel, Lt. Col. Bob McGuinness and Elaine Donnelly (who looks like her entire body is clenched) seem to think straight soldiers suffer from is ridiculous.  The argument is basically saying that the gays themselves aren't the problem, it's the straights who will somehow lose the ability to fight if there is a gay person in their ranks. Ludicrous. Anyway, General Wesley Clark and the rest of the "good guys" on the panel presented themselves well.

I'm liking Amampour's show more and more each time I watch it. Her level of intelligence is obvious, and her approach to political news and commentary is several notches above Gregory's or (obviously) Chris Wallace's.

Sunday Update: FOX "News" Sunday Biased as Ever

Image from FoxNews.com

Gee, I wonder if I've ever used that headline before. If not word-for-word, I've at least used the same sentiment, because they just keep doing it.  This morning, FOX "News" Sunday was my first choice to watch on the DVR, because for some reason the (increasingly boring) Meet the Press didn't record.  I store these shows up for a little while in the morning so that I can zip through them without all the BP commercials.

Anyway, the first guest was Ted Olson, George W. Bush's Solicitor General (a job until recently filled by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan).  Olson would not be an unusual guest to have on F"N"S were it not for the fact that he recently tried and won Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case that overturned California's Proposition 8 as un-Constitutional.  Prior to that, Olson was mostly known for holding the Bush side of Bush v. Gore, Citizens United and for being the widower of Conservative writer Barbra Olson.

Chris Wallace did his level best to push the presumed "typical" FOX viewers' viewpoint on the same-sex marriage case, repeatedly hammering Olson with questions right out of the right-wing playbook.  Question after question, time after time, Olson replied with cogent, logical, legal answers, not once falling into a trap or contradicting himself.  I was very impressed.  I'll admit to having had concerns when I'd originally heard that Olson was the lawyer trying Perry.  While I'm still extremely wary of the results of the  Citizens United case, it is clear that Olson is a brilliant legal mind, one that is capable of seeing logic and the law ahead of partisanship.  My hope from today's interview is that he may have put a seed of rational thought into the minds of FOX "News" viewers.

The second guest was apparently a Republican dude (Mitch Daniels it turns out, whoever that is) who has aspirations to be a presidential contender.  I have no idea who he was--as far as I know, I've never seen him before--because I was typing the stuff above!  But the reason I started writing this post is what Wallace said when he lead into second interview: (paraphrasing) "Up next, what can Republicans do to ensure big wins in the 2010 elections? Our next guest. . ."

Of course the show's last half is nearly always filled with the ludicrously named "Power Panel," their "fair and balanced" discussion group.  This week, the right is represented by extreme neocon William Kristol and Darth Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney.  The left--as usual--had Juan Williams and some lady I've never seen before.  Even when FOX has equal numbers of right vs. left-leaning pundits (if you pretend that Wallace is neutral), they stack the deck with heavy weights on the right and feather weights on the left.

Now, it would be a rare thing indeed for me to recommend watching a clip from this highly-skewed program.  But I'll make an exception for the Olson interview. It's kind of fun to see Wallace's tactics fail when he's up against someone who can outthink him.

Sigh. . .Sunday Political Babble, Again

I started my Sunday as I do most weeks. I woke up a little later than I meant to, got up, put on coffee, and then started the DVR recording of Meet the Press with David Gregory. His first interview was with General David Petraeus, and it didn't bother me too much. My coffee hadn't kicked in yet, and Petraeus' waffling on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" seemed a little tortured, but whatever.

Then, 2012 Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty, who is probably happy that President Obama broke the "weird name" barrier in 2008. Pawlenty is more pleasant than a lot of prominent Republicans, but he's also like Chatty Kathy talking points doll. And he sticks to them pretty hard. He lost what few points he had with me when he said that our rights as Americans come from God, not the government. I know that is a loose paraphrase of the Declaration of Independence (not a legally binding document, btw), but it skeeves me out in 2010.

Next up was a he said/he said panel of partisans mixed with a couple of journalist-pundits. Their names (except for sing-songy Peggy Noonan) are unimportant. But their babble was aggravating, to be sure. Here are the things that bugged me:

1) Right-wing partisan saying that there was no effort at "real" bipartisanship from Democrats.
- Bull pucky. The health care bills have been watered down and conservatived up the hoo-ha to try and get Republican votes. Nada. This talking point is BS.

2) President Obama is far-left, and governs as an ultra-liberal.
- Hahaha! MOUNTAINS of bull pucky! This is where my understanding of the tea baggers breaks down too. Obama isn't a communist, marxist, socialist, radical! He's upset liberals and progressives because he's been to milquetoasty.

3) Obama should have come in--with a rather large win in the 2008 election--by governing from the middle, even if it did irritate his "base."
- He did! Haven't you been paying attention, Miss Noonan???

4) To be bipartisan, Obama should scrap health care reform, and start again.
- Sure! That's exactly what Bush would do in the same position, right? Cave, and let the other guys have a shot? Riiiggght.

It went on like that. Me yelling at the teevee, and host David Gregory frickin' refusing to ask follow-ups or correct the record. It was ridiculous. And the thing I followed it up with? FOX "News" Sunday with Chris Wallace, with the lead interview being with Senate Minority Leader Mitch (Shelley the Constipated Turtle) McConnell. He's a deck of talking points cards, shuffled in a different order each week--and he does seem to turn up every week somewhere. And McConnell's denial of obstructionism with an all-time record of filibusters is flat-out dishonesty. You lie, Mitch McConnell!

Sarah Palin Finally Appears on a Sunday Morning Political Show

Image from Huffington Post

In what is sure to give the network airing it a huge ratings boost, Sarah Palin--after running for Vice President, and staying in the political public eye ever since--has finally appeared on one of the Sunday morning political shows. To nobody's surprise, it was FOX "News" Sunday (from the Tea Party Convention in Nashville!). Also to no one's surprise, a liberal like me found it nearly impossible to sit through.

Palin's speaking style (transcript here) has not improved one bit since the Katie Couric interview, though she's added a few more talking points and big words to her repertoire. She is still gesticulating wildly, while spewing overly long "word salad" replies that are a combination of "home spun" partisanship, colloquial English and "pageant answers." This morning, she seemed particularly over-caffeinated, and almost perturbed, which was odd given that she's in such friendly territory. And lest we forget, this appearance was taped, no doubt edited, and performed by a co-worker.

I still find myself in near disbelief that this woman inspires any kind of loyalty, inspiration, enthusiasm and respect from her legion of followers. Shes' very nearly insufferable to listen to. She's abrasive to me in so many ways--and has been since nearly day one--it is hard to conceive that people see her in a leadership role. Sorta like George W. Bush, though I will grudgingly admit, he was slightly more qualified.

[Excerpt]

Palin Considering 2012 Run, Defends Limbaugh's Use Of 'Retard' On Fox News Sunday

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin didn't cage her answer when pressed Sunday morning as to whether she would consider a run for president in 2012.

"I would, I would if I believe that is the right thing to do for our country and the Palin family. Certainly I would do so," she told "Fox News Sunday," in an interview that was taped before she addressed a Tea Party convention the night before. "I think that it would be absurd to not consider what it is that I could potentially do to help our country ... . I won't close a door that perhaps could be open for me in the future. . ."

Read more at: Huffington Post

Endings and Beginnings

Christmas (and all its attendant festivities, not to mention competing festivals) has come and gone. The week of holiday limbo that follows has likewise been crossed off the calendars. New Year's Day marked the end and beginning of a year and (kinda) a decade. And now most of us have seen an unusual new year's treat--not having to go back to work until the fourth of the month--sneak up on us, even if we've had the previous 8-11 days off.

Personally, I've been off work since Christmas Eve. I've managed to accomplish at least as much as my cat in that time, and in fact have picked up a habit or two from her. Sunbeams do make fun napping places! But there is a counter-inutuitive bit of time perception that happens on stay-at-home weeks of from work. Usually, if you waste time by doing nothing, time crawls. Actually trying to waste time seems to make it go on and on. But when you do this at home--rather than at your desk at work--time actually seems to accelerate. Here I am on day 11 of my break, staring at returning to work tomorrow morning, and I'm thinking, "already?!?"

So, I'm making my last leisurely brunch/late breakfast. I'm on the last day of my waist-expanding project. I'll resume my low-carb diet tomorrow, along with a slightly-better-than-halfhearted attempt at regular exercise. And, I'll try to return the blog to more than a post a day. But that project could be difficult if this morning's Sunday political yack-fests are any indication.

I actually had to check my DVR to make sure that I wasn't watching last week's Meet the Press with David Gregory. Seriously, did nothing happen in the past week? Nearly the entire program was taken up with the Christmas Day attempted underwear bombing. There was absolutely nothing new to be heard, with Gregory (who is turning out to be a piss-poor substitute for Tim Russert) asking the same batch of loaded questions he asked last week. Pathetic.

FOX "News" Sunday with Chris Wallace was no better (as though it ever is). The vaguely creepy host continued to embarass his father by dragging the allegedly "hard news" segment of FOX "News" into the partisan gutter as he does every other week. Wallace also seems to think it is last week, with--as I watch this--nothing that would let you know an entire week has gone by since they talked about the exact same thing. That's 9 days since the non-event "happened."

I may have to zip through the rest of the program with the remote, especially when they haul out the ludicrously named "Power Panel," the rag-tag (surely skeleton crew) group of arch-conservatives and milquetoasty moderates that constitute "fair and balanced" on this stupid program. Then, unless it is preempted by tennis or golf or girls' field hockey, it'll be time for This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Unless they've replaced him. At least he has the "Sunday Funnies" segment, which usually proves amusing. Except all the comics have been on vacation, so good luck with that, George. Maybe my New Year's resolution should be to stop watching these increasingly lame shows? Maybe. But habits are hard to break.

Keith Olbermann's Play-by-Play of FOX's Limbaugh Interview

I gave my own recap of the Rush Limbaugh puff-piece interview by Chris Wallace on FOX "News" Sunday. But I don't have nearly the platform, nor the panache of Countdown with Keith Olbermann, who did a fine job of pointing out the fawning, slobbery job done by Wallace. And when I say "job," I think you know what I mean. . .

Rush Limbaugh on FOX "News" Sunday

FOX "News" Sunday is often hard to stomach. I've usually got to be doing something else, like cooking bacon, blogging, something while it's on so that I don't gag on my coffee. Chris Wallace is himself vaguely creepy, and quite obviously biased in his role as interviewer/moderator. His regular (ludicrously named) "Power Panel" usually includes nearly intolerable pundits as Bill Kristol and Liz Cheney, and milquetoasty "liberals." It's tough to sit through, and proves weekly what the White House has been saying: FOX "News" is not a legitimate news organization.

But this is what it is like every week. What was different this week? Nearly the entire "news" portion of the program, before the second-half "commentary" segment, consisted of an interview by Wallace of far-right extremist radio host, Rush Limbaugh. There was a time when Rush's opinion had the credibility of Pat Robertson's or Morton Downey Jr.'s. No longer. Since the far-right's ascendancy in the Republican Party, Rush is now seen as a mainstream figure. But he's not, and anybody with eyes, ears and a brain can see that.

To make things worse, former fatty Limbaugh, newly (as well as mysteriously quickly) svelte, was showing off his gams today, with most of his lower (shudder) legs visible (gahhhhh. . .) to the camera. Blurg. Oh yeah, and as usual, Rush was a total douche. He said President Obama was in over his head, dithers, doesn't know how to run anything. He also implied that Obama manipulates the press, and uses the "troops" as photo ops in a way surpassing that of his predecessor, Chimpy McFlightsuit. Which is preposterous. Kudos to Wallace for giving a semblance of being a real reporter there.

[Excerpt]

Limbaugh: Obama Visit to Dover Base a 'Photo Op'

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Rush Limbaugh suggests President Obama went to Dover Air Force Base last week in order to dampen criticism over the amount of time it's taken him to overhaul the Afghanistan war strategy. . .

Read more at: FOX "News"

FOX "News" = FOX "Opinion"

Same difference. . .