The Media's Insane Reaction to Ebola

Now that the very few actual cases of Ebola in the United States have run their course, and the incubation period for anyone else is past, can we talk about the media reaction?

Glenn Beck is Caught in a Conspiracy Theory Moebius Strip

So, according to Glenn Beck, there is a conspiracy afoot. See, his conspiracy theory is that the mainstream media is conspiring to make Beck out to be a conspiracy theorist. See, and the proof that this is happening, is that Beck--by revealing his conspiracy theory--is in fact a conspiracy theorist. But then, if Beck really is a conspiracy theorist, then. . .Oh, I'm lost now.

Epic suffering Beck image from NewsCorpse

[Excerpt]

Glenn Beck’s Latest Conspiracy Theory: The Media Is Conspiring To Label Him A Conspiracy Theorist

Before anyone asks — No, that headline is not from The Onion. And the best way to demonstrate the lunacy in Glenn Beck’s most recent harangue is to let Beck do it himself: “The media has a story line and an agenda, and they will get to it. And they certainly don’t want anybody to ever think that anything is ever planned. The media has their own agenda, and if the media has a storyline, it just writes it in. And currently the storyline is ‘conspiracy theorist. . .’"

Read the rest at: NewsCorpse

Meanwhile, on Facebook: The Media Hokey-Pokey

Brilliant.

And I love that it looks like Sean Hannity. . .

FOX "News" Barely Covers Big Hate Crime Story

All day on the radio, and later on TV, I heard about the sad, infuriating story about a kid who bought some Skittles and tea at the 7-Eleven, and was killed on the way back by a confused vigilante. While the story could ultimately change to show the killer in a less hideous light, it doesn't look like the killing was justified, or that self defense was even an issue. But the incident is still being investigated, and we'll know more later.

A part of the story that has much less weight, is how the media is covering it. Most of the reporting I heard on it was fairly straight ahead news. And all of the commentary I heard was negative on the killer, which--again, unless something revelatory comes out--is understandable. But everybody was talking about it today, except. . .FOX "News." Well, once. They covered it once.* Here's a brief snapshot:

CNN: 41
MSNBC: 13
Fox: 1

"What difference does it make?" you might ask. And ordinarily, I might agree. But FOX "News" is constantly making a big deal out of the mainstream media doesn't report the stories conservatives think are important. Whether it's the video hoaxster James O'Keefe's latest trumped-up story, or if a couple of surly dudes think they're the "New Black Panther Party," if FOX is covering it, they're also whining that other media outlets aren't. And nine times out of ten, the mainstream media falls for it, and begins covering the coverage of the faux outrage. At least this story is newsworthy.

*FOX may have aired more segments on it since the excerpted article came out, maybe even because it came out.

[Excerpt]

Fox News Not Really Interested In Reporting On Shooting Deaths Of Unarmed Black Teenagers

 Fox News can generally be relied upon for a steady stream of artlessly jingoistic vomit, spewing forth from helmet-headed hairspray sacks who move their lips while reading important reports on hurricanes and other outrages against Heartland (= white, irrespective of actual location) America. What Fox usually fails at, though, is reporting on outrages against Urban (= black, etc.) America. (Kenneth Gladney excepted!) The latest such outrage to receive Fox News’ patented bitchy silent treatment is the unprovoked shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a black teenager who found himself in the wrong Florida neighborhood (you know, where his father lived), being hunted like prey — ALLEGEDLY but also PROBABLY — by a local paranoiac vigilante known for being “fixated on crime and focused on young, black males.” Hmm, that description… kind of sounds like every Fox scare-segment ever? . . .

Read more at: Wonkette

Former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-Utah) Announces Presidential Bid

Image from source, New York Times

To read the excerpted piece below, you'd think that former Governor Jon Huntsman of Utah (Shhhh! He's not advertising that!) was a slick, ready-for-prime-time candidate. They acknowledge a certain lack of emotion (read: boring), but talk about stage craft, and polish. And maybe it was if you were on the ground, and ignored a few details. Like Huntsman's first name being spelled "John" on the press passes, or the framing used by most news cameras lopping off the top of the Statue of Liberty. Like a boat sitting right behind his head during the speech, to a breakdown of equipment, to almost sending the press corps to Saudi Arabia, to several other things.  First up, here is the official "mainstream media" account. Keep in mind, this is from the New York Times, allegedly as left-wing as FOX "News" is right-wing.

[Excerpt]

Huntsman Announces Run for President

JERSEY CITY – Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former governor of Utah, officially announced he was running for president on Tuesday, telling an audience of supporters and reporters gathered at a park facing the Statue of Liberty that he would be a better leader than President Obama, for whom he served as the ambassador to China until recently. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Seems pretty fair, if potentially a bit glossy, and not too deep. For the "lame stream media," it doesn't seem at all like they're tarring and feathering the guy. But then there is my favorite, The Rachel Maddow Show, which is--according to the right-- a) just like the rest of the left-biased media on ABCBSNBCNN, or b) a foaming at the mouth, far-leftist lesbian-hosted hour of venomous hatred of all that is good and American. Personally, I found it more informative, much deeper, and far more entertaining. Rachel paints a far more accurate-sounding picture. Sure, she's a little gleeful in her ribbing of Huntsman, but I'm not hearing anything nasty, and nothing that sounds untrue.

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

White House Press Secretary Calls Out Media on Sherrod Story

Image from CEOWorld.biz

The Obama Administration, the NAACP and the USDA have been harshly criticized over their initial treatment of Shirley Sherrod, and as well they should be.  There is a larger issue though, and that is the tactic of FOX "News", right-wing bloggers like Andrew Breitbart, and the way they successfully push bogus stories into the mainstream. 

For a blogger like me, who started this blog in the dog-days of the Bush Era, this all feels like deja-vu.  Back then, though the Karl Rove alternate reality machine was breaking down, the right-wing spin was still leading news cycles.  I sat here knowing that there stories were bogus, I could see what they were doing, but reality just refused to break through.  Now, here we sit, 18 months into the Obama Era.  And what has led the news cycles lately?  Big, blown-up faux outrage stories, sometimes only tangentially true, sometimes utterly false.  And the mainstream media and sometimes the Democratic elected politicians keep falling for it.

I'm glad that Robert Gibbs is calling on the mainstream press to do some soul searching on how they report on these things. I only hope that he and the rest of the Obama Administration are doing the same.

[Excerpt]

Gibbs calls on media to do soul searching about Sherrod mess

The Shirley Sherrod mess has ignited another national conversation about race, but if Robert Gibbs has his way, it will also spark some soul-searching by members of the media about their willingness to legitimize bogus stories, particularly ones pushed by the right. . .

Read more at:  The Plum Line

Olbermann's Quick Comment on Mainstream Media

I don't know how I missed this one. Countdown with Keith Olbermann's "Quick Comment" on the mainstream media's reaction to this week's Supreme Court decision on corporate personhood is good. More than that, it's very instructive, using an analogy that most of America will understand. A sports analogy. Good stuff.

Auto-Tune the News #9: Nobel. health care. United Nations.

Is it lazy blogging to post these things every time they come out? It would be, but I've skipped a couple! Anyway, they're always fun, so here you go.

Has Media Been Unfair to Sarah Palin? Too Nice to Obama?

Ask these questions to any group of people, and you will likely draw the crowd into two camps. A large section would likely say, "Not particularly." A smaller (but very vocal) group would say, "You betcha!" I'm in the first group, but I'd have to add (to quote Sarah Palin herself), In what respect, Charlie?"

See, at first, when we didn't know who Palin was, the media focused on what little dribs and drabs they could. Thus, when it came to light that there were sordid rumors about her coming from Alaska, the media and blogs and the like reported on that stuff. Much of it was personal and family related. Then, as more and more things were learned about the Palins, the media drew back on the more personal stuff.

It turned out that Palin had some questionable dealings in her state. And as she slowly allowed herself to be interviewed, we came to realize she was a dolt. A simpleton. A blithering idiot. She had learned the skill of the "pageant answer" quite well, an act of talking and talking without actually saying much of anything. I challenge you to try and diagram any of her sentences.

It became apparent that Palin had never been properly vetted by the McCain campaign. And as we got to know Palin, she began ratcheting up the rhetoric against Barack Obama, working her crowds into a lather by likening Obama to terrorists and worse. Through it all, most of the media reported upon her actions. And FOX "News" sang her praises.

Now that Palin has abdicated her responsibilities as Governor of Alaska, there is a growing meme in Right Wing World. The media done it. They viciously and unjustifiably pilloried this poor, capable woman, and now they've either a) run her out of town. . .er. . .state, or b) she's purposefully ditching the press by "going underground" to prepare for the 2012 presidential election.

At the same time, we're told that the mainstream traditional media (which includes everything except FOX "News", right-wing talk radio and right-wing blogs) absolutely adores Barack Obama to the point of carnal lust. His election was inevitable because the media greased the skids for him. Which is hogwash of course.

How many weeks did the Bill Ayers "pallin' around with terrorists" issue get batted around in the press? How long did the Reverand Jerimiah Wright issue get hung around his neck like a millstone? Doesn't anyone remember how ridiculous the issues were that would be talked about endlessly on cable news, with so many pundits on screen it looked like the opening of The Brady Bunch? Remember how they said he hadn't "passed the commander in chief test?"

Every negative ad run by McCain/Palin was discussed at length in the press. Democrats grumbled, "Why isn't Obama tougher? Why won't he hit back?" It turned out to be a winning strategy, but to claim that it was because the press went easy on him is revisionist history.

Is "Liberal Media" in the Tank for Republicans?

Image from source, BradBlog

That's kind of a strange headline, isn't it? I mean, conventional wisdom goes that the mainstream media is liberally biased. Of all the alphabets of letters (MSNBC, CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC, HLN, PBS, NPR), only FOX remains out of the vast left-wing conspiracy. This is bunk, and I can prove it to you.

When MSNBC started programming their prime-time schedule with the one-two punch of Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show, print media and the blogosphere were atwitter with stories about MSNBC's new liberal bias. Much was made of their lack of objectivity, the inappropriateness of Olbermann and Maddow anchoring "hard news" events, and just how unseemly it was to have openly left-wing stars on a news channel. The horror. But if the MSM is so all-fired liberal through-and-through, why did these two hosts garner so much attention? Wouldn't they just have been more of the same?

But people noticed, and that means something. And to me, it means that any news that isn't conservatively biased, is seen to be by default liberally biased by conservatives. Like George W. Bush's eight-year attitude, with conservatives "you're either with us, or against us." And to them, if you aren't tailoring the news to a conservative audience, you must be against them. My pet theory anyway.

And if the MSM was "in the tank" for Barack Obama, why--please tell me--are conservative voices still outmatching liberal ones in the news? NOTE: Yes, I'm aware this story is a couple of weeks old. I favorited it, and forgot to comment at the time. Better late than never!

[Excerpt]

Republican Lawmakers Still Dominate Cable News, Even in the Age of Obama, Democratic Majorities

The previous media excuse, during the last administration, for so many more Rs than Ds on television news, was that Republicans were in power of both the White House and Congress. Of course, now that Democrats control both, well, as ThinkProgress detailed last week the more things change. . .

Read more at: BradBlog

Rush Limbaugh Hopes Barack Obama Fails?

Photo from source, Think Progress

In my last few posts, I wrote about the feeling of joy that President Bush is gone, and that President Obama is now in the White House. I wrote about the lack of mean-spiritedness I feel toward Bush, though I still want him and his administration to be held accountable for their actions, where appropriate.

And, I've indulged in a little bit of knife-twisting probably, even if I didn't really set out to do it. But one thing I've never done, is to hope for George W. Bush's failure. He did that all on his own, so all I was wishing for was that he wouldn't screw anything else up. That he wouldn't invade yet another country, that he wouldn't cause more people to die. But I never rooted for the existing wars to fail. I never hoped that the economy would collapse so that Democrats would win. I never actively rooted against my country.

But Rush Limbaugh--that supposed defender of all that is America--wants our new President to fail. Before Barack Obama has even slept one night in the White House. That's just sick.

[Excerpt]

Limbaugh: ‘I Hope Obama Fails’

". . .So I’m thinking of replying to the guy, “Okay, I’ll send you a response, but I don’t need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.” (interruption) What are you laughing at? See, here’s the point. Everybody thinks it’s outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, “Oh, you can’t do that.” Why not? Why is it any different, what’s new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what’s gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don’t care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: “Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails.” Somebody’s gotta say it. . ."

Read more at: Think Progress

OK, there you go, Rush. I don't know if I qualify as a "drive by" (a stupid phrase for the mainstream media), but I'm more than willing to point out your lack of patriotism. And I don't think it is liberalism that has failed America. At least not right now, not for a while now. Get used to it. Conservatism, or at least the brand practiced for the last generation, has failed America.

Sarah Palin Yanks Football from Charlie Brown Press

Image from source, AmericaBlog

While I often link to stories on other sites, I try to put my own spin on things, especially when it comes to the snark. But this post at AmericaBlog, taking the press to task for going along with the McCain-Palin campaign's carrot and stick activities today, was simply too good to pass up.

Lucy, Charlie Brown and the football? It's one of the best--and funniest--analogies I've seen in a long time. Kudos, Mr. Aravosis!

[Excerpt]

McCain permits press to observe Palin meeting with Colombian president, for a whole 15 to 20 seconds, then kicks them out

Wow, brave media. After treating the press like dirt this morning and refusing to let anyone cover Palin's meetings with foreign leaders at the UN, leading CNN to cancel its camera coverage of Palin's phony photo opps, the Palin/McCain campaign promised the media that it was all a misunderstanding. So during the next event, the media was let in to cover it. All for a grand total of 15 to 20 seconds. Then they were told to get out. . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

The Elite Media Aplogizes to Sarah Palin. . .Not!

Photo from source, Politico

I was incredulous when I heard that John McCain and his campaign had issued an edict to the mainstream press: Stop digging up stuff about Sarah Palin! She's off limits! An unknown candidate for Vice President is off limits for investigation? A person seemingly unvetted by the Republican candidate for President is to just be left alone? Insane.

Of course, they pretended that the press was only after salacious stuff, and that it wasn't proper. Some may have been tabloid stuff, but it was only natural given the unknown quantity of Sarah Palin, and the very odd story that was being told. Many more of the stories were actual news.

Anyway, as a blogger, I do not and will not take orders from John McCain. The much more widely heard radio host, Randi Rhodes said much the same thing, with a throaty laugh I only wish I could muster. And we weren't the only ones feeling that way. . .

[Excerpt]

Why the media should apologize

On behalf of the elite media, I would like to say we are very sorry. We have asked questions this week that we should never have asked. We have asked pathetic questions like: Who is Sarah Palin? What is her record? Where does she stand on the issues? And is she is qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. . .

Read more at: Politico

The Great PUMA Fraud

Image from RiverDaughter

I had a hunch that the threat of "PUMA"s was overblown, and if the Democratic National Convention did anything, it took away any power they might have had. I'd be very surprised to see the mainstream media latch on to the PUMA train much, if at all after this.

And, if the wide proliferation of the piece below is any indication, this may be the PUMA's last call.

[Excerpt]

The Great Pundit Cable Republican PUMA Fraud (Brent Budowsky)

Yes, indeed, one of the pundits with the latest "Hillary supporters will vote Republican" words admitted she was repeating the GOP talking points, which indeed she was, along with the jib-jab of the cable talkies and the flim-flam of the so-called experts who treat smears as truth and talking points as news. . .

Read more at: The Hill

McCain's Negative Ads Not Playing Well in the Press

Image from Wall Street Journal

Good. The press has long been considered--by John McCain himself--his "base." A whole lot of gaffes that would have sunk Barack Obama have been brushed off as "McCain being McCain." But now, it would seem, some of the press is wondering, "Where did John McCain go?"

[Excerpt]

McCain negative ad strategy not playing well with key national and state media
Spring Hope (NC) Enterprise: “McCain ads petty and false” – August 6

“It is sad but telling that the presidential campaign of Republican Sen. John McCain has already slipped into the gutter before the nominating convention has even been held. It would be even sadder, considering the nation’s desperate desire and need for a change in political leadership and policy, if American voters fall for the inane, irrelevant, mean-spirited, and flatly false commercials now attacking Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama. . .”

Lots more at: AmericaBlog

George Bush Jokes About Drinking, Press Yuks it Up

One of the most insufferable things those of us with Bush Derangement Syndrome or BDS (believe me, I come by it honestly) have to put up with is George W. Bush when he's trying to be funny. Partly because he isn't funny, partly because he shouldn't be joking about serious matters. But mostly because the press eats it up, and laughs along with him.

Here, The Decider makes an alcoholic analogy when talking about the economy. "Wall Street has a hangover." I know how they feel. The whole country has had an eight-year-long hangover, caused by the alcoholic-in-chief.

Another McCain Misfire: Media Love Songs for Obama

I just got an email from the John McCain campaign. It's very nice of them to provide me with material! They may not think so, but I think this is a very strained misfire of an attempt to slam Barack Obama.

The email contains two videos, of the media lavishing love on Barack Obama, to two different Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons songs. Well, that's what it attempts to show. What I see is a media mostly talking about a media (they always talk like they're removed from it) that is in love with Barack Obama. To the tune of songs that were hits when Obama was a little kid. And McCain. . .well, McCain wasn't.

The other problem with this is that I have a memory--something politicians tend to forget that some people have. In 2000, the press adored John McCain. Even this year, while the Clinton/Obama fight was still going strong, McCain was canoodling with the press on his bus, living it up. Remember the donuts? McCain referring to the press as "his base?" As Rachel Maddow said, the press had their tongue in his ear.

So this attempt falls flat for me. Instead of coming off like a contender cracking wise, McCain comes off like a spurned lover. See what you think.

John McCain Gives Away. . .Flip Flops?

Image from Arkansas103

John McCain likes to call the press "his base," and they seem to like it a lot. They go to barbecues at his house, they get special treatment on his bus and plane. And they get little gifties from the candidate. But why would the McCain campaign give away little flip flops? I mean, come on.

[Excerpt]

Are beach flip-flops (the foot kind) from John McCain a smart idea?

This morning, aboard John McCain's Straight Talk Express jet, one of the Arizona senator's favorite traveling companions -- Steve Duprey, who co-chaired McCain's Republican primary effort in New Hampshire and has been hanging around ever since -- handed out little customized bottles of McCain sunscreen.

News reporters on the plane also received yellow-and-blue flip-flops printed with the message "McCain ... Another Day at the Beach. . ."

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Scandals in the News: Right vs. Left

Though it is mostly out of the news now (unless you watch FOX "News"), the Rev. Jeremiah Wright/Barack Obama "scandal" was fodder for weeks. It was one of those surreal moments: Hillary Clinton and John McCain supporters were insisting that Obama was getting a "free ride" from the press, while he was being assailed for something somebody else said.

Right around the same time, a story broke about something unsavory that John McCain had said to his wife. It was a multiple-sourced story, and to date, I don't think it has been debunked. The comment was incendiary to say the least, and would logically deter any of Clinton's disgruntled supporters from ever voting for the man. But, funny thing, the story never grew legs. Ask yourself seriously, if Obama was on record saying the same thing to Michelle, how many hours of cable news time would be spent eviscerating him?

This video puts it into perspective. Fair warning: This video uses a word from McCain's remark repeatedly. . .and it is most definitely not suitable for work, nor should it be played around any women who haven't been given the same warning. Or maybe not even then. You've been warned.

Murdoch Media Monopoly... Nope, not yet...

Photo of 'Murdoch in the bush' Courtesy of Satan
Well Mr. Moneybags was out smarted on this one. Good. That will be one less opportunity for a foreigner to control & destroy our (and I say this laughingly) freedom of press, assembly & speech.

Story courtesy of the AP via MSNBC
NEW YORK - News Corp., the media conglomerate controlled by Rupert Murdoch, has withdrawn its bid to purchase the Long Island daily paper Newsday, a News Corp. spokeswoman said Saturday.

The decision to revoke the offer came just days after Murdoch confidently predicted he would clinch a deal to buy the newspaper within a week.

...more at MSNBC