Archive for the ‘media’ Category

Nothing like living under constantly changing rules

Posted: January 15, 2011 by datechguy in internet/free speech, media
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In his examiner column today Glenn Reynolds (tomorrow’s guest BTW) talks about how the rules concerning “patriotic dissent” apparently change as desired by the holders of the meme:

“Protest is patriotic!” “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism!”
These battle-cries were heard often, in a simpler America of long ago — that is, before last November. Back then, protests — even if they were organized by the usual leftist apparatchik-groups like ANSWER or ACORN — were seen – at least in the media – as proof of popular discontent.

Yes we remember those halcyon days of yesteryear, when one could call for the murder of a president and yet simply be expressing dissent, exercising the rights guaranteed under the constitution. Who cares if some group might have fronted it. However now that the tea party has become a source of such protest…

Funny how fast the worm — or maybe it’s the pitchfork — has turned. Now that we’re seeing genuine expressions of populist discontent, not put together by establishment packagers on behalf of an Officially Sanctioned Aggrieved Group, we’re suddenly hearing complaints of “mob rule” and demands for civility.

Civility is fine, but those who demand it should show it. The Obama administration — and its corps of willing supporters in the press and the punditry — has set the tone, and they are now in a poor position to complain.

That’s why a “living breathing Constitution” is in my opinion BS. That allows people to decide it says what they want it to say rather than what it actually says (a contract).

I guarantee we will be talking about this tomorrow.

It took all of one minute for Morning Joe to attack Sarah Palin today.

Posted: January 14, 2011 by datechguy in media
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John Meacham began with a blunt lie stating that Sarah Palin’s speech was “All about her” proving not only that he didn’t read or watch her statement but displaying the accuracy and wisdom that forced him to sell Newsweek for less than the price of a Whopper Jr. at Burger King.

After 4 minutes of this I finally decided that life is too short to waste it with this nonsense.

Instead I’ve put on the last CD of the Complete Three Stooges Collection that my youngest got for Christmas.

That’s how far Morning Joe has fallen into Palin Derangement Syndrome. The Joe Besser episodes of the Three Stooges from 54 years ago is a more sensible use of my time.

Like the Anchoress said:

Where Sarah Palin is concerned, the mainstream press and the political pundit class are like 14 year olds obsessing over the social order of the cafeteria, and especially that stupid new cootie girl, ewwww.

They are the spiteful, malevolent and immature teenagers in “Carrie,” armed with pig-blood and just looking for any opportunity to pour it.

They are repulsive in their clique; one wants to take them by their shoulders and shake them and say “grow up! GROW UP!”

The question is, will I turn it back on Monday Morning?

The Anchoress writes THE Arizona media post

Posted: January 13, 2011 by datechguy in media
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I’m in the process of writing a critique column for the Examiner on the media’s reaction events in Arizona but if spend the entire day working on it I suspect it will not compare to this post by Elizabeth Scalia the Anchoress.

“Today was supposed to be set-aside for the victims,” someone posted on twitter, “Palin decided she is one of them.”

No. Sarah Palin made a statement that was contextual, relevant and appropriate to the day. The press, if they really wanted to put the day aside for the victims, could have simply reported that Palin made a statement, and moved on. In truth, they could have utterly ignored Palin’s statement altogether, because she really is not part of this story.

But they did not, because they cannot. Where Sarah Palin is concerned, the mainstream press and the political pundit class are like 14 year olds obsessing over the social order of the cafeteria, and especially that stupid new cootie girl, ewwww.

They are the spiteful, malevolent and immature teenagers in “Carrie,” armed with pig-blood and just looking for any opportunity to pour it.

They are repulsive in their clique; one wants to take them by their shoulders and shake them and say “grow up! GROW UP!”

Read the whole thing, is it the best piece I’ve seen on the subject. Also not to be missed is NeoNeocon’s piece.

I believe that, like her or hate her (and I’ve gone on record saying I don’t think she’s a good candidate for the 2012 presidency), Palin chooses her phrases carefully and knows what she’s doing. And I would guess that, as a religious Christian and strong supporter of Israels and Jews, Palin knows exactly what the blood libel is and has an awareness of the history behind the use of the phrase.

I am wondering how it would feel to be reeling from hearing the dreadful news of the Tucson assassination/massacre, and then almost immediately to find oneself accused of inciting it by press and an opposition solemnly and sanctimoniously intoning the charge in transparently hypocritical hope of elevating the tone of political discourse while simultaneously pointing the finger of bloody guilt at their hated opponent. You know, the phrase “blood libel” might just come to mind.

I know I will add only a few hits after Glenn and Elizabeth but I can say that she as intelligent and delightful in person as she is online.

Update: More attempted scrubbing on the left, and makes the following point in a follow up post:

What is most remarkable about these death wishes is that they were done in the open and often with the identity of the person not hidden. The identities of the tweeters and the people who “liked” the Facebook pages were readily identifiable in many cases.

Why do these people, many of whom are professionals, feel no fear in expressing such death wishes in the open?

Because they know that the media will never call them out for death threats against Sarah Palin. I will be delighted in a show like Morning Joe proves me wrong.

The Palin Derangement Syndrome continues on Morning Joe

Posted: January 13, 2011 by datechguy in media
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Still collecting on my thoughts about Obama’s speech (read it, sounded good in my head) but on the air on Morning Joe after 15 minutes of praising the president it is all Sarah Palin.

Politico talks about the “contrast” between the speeches and Joe, Mika and Harold Ford are all going off on her saying she should be quiet (Likely the only woman pol that the media can say basically “shut up” to without being called sexist). Watching it I can’t believe the degree of Sullivan’s syndrome among the panel.

I’ve read the various commentaries on Instapundit and noticed a link to the Anchoress. Elizabeth Scalia is one of the most level-headed people out there and I trust her judgment:

She liked the president’s speech very much but had this to say about the media:

Will the speech change anything? Charles Krauthammer, in post-speech remarks, said he thought it would put a stop to the insane, Palin-heavy rhetoric of the past few days. I hope that is true but I have my doubts. On twitter, I watched a number of journalists (Andrea Mitchell, Dave Weigel and others) immediately begin either talking about or snarking about Palin, and I couldn’t help thinking, “the president–your president whom you love–just gave the speech of his presidency and not five minutes later you’re on Palin again? Conservatives are here praising the president, and instead of joining in, you’re obsessing on Sarah Palin? Does that seem like normal, rational, healthy behavior or sick obsession?All emphasis mine

Guys I like you, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Mike and Willie and they are regular guys. Joe, Mika I hope to meet you someday (at CPAC perhaps this year?) and suspect I will like you as well but guys you are really obsessed on Sarah Palin and it really makes you guys look ugly.

Don’t take my word for it, take Elizabeth’s word for it, she is a prayerful and steady woman and always means to help.

She also wrote THE piece on the subject of the media actions of the week. It is so good it deserves it’s own commentary post.

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