Mon 11 Jan 2010
MONDAY MUSINGS
Posted by admin under politics
After yet one more cold Northern Illinois weekend, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings. There are plenty of news items to choose from today, but we will try to hit the most interesting ones. If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.
The first item that caught my eye over the weekend, was the news that Sarah Palin has signed with Fox News to be a contributor to the Fox News Channel. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/sarah-palin-to-contribute-to-fox-news/ I know you were probably as surprised as I was that Sarah Palin picked Fox News to sign with!! This signing by Fox News is just one more example of their alleged “Fair and Balanced” coverage of the news and politics. Now, if Fox News signed former President Bill Clinton to an equal contract and provided him with the same time as “I can see Russia from Alaska” Sarah Palin, then maybe Fox News could make their infamous claim. The good news is that we should get some more examples of Sarah Palin’s unique style of lying and an opportunity for us to witness even more evidence of her immense intelligence. I can hardly wait.
A new CBS Poll was released today that shows that 61% of the people polled agreed that the Health Care reform legislation either is “about right” or “not far enough”. http://rawstory.com/2010/01/public-health-care-bill-far-enough-poll/ The breakdown was 43% thought it did not go far enough while 18% agreed that the bill was just about right. I just wish that the Democratic leadership would read this poll and come to the realization that 43% of America wants the legislation to do even more than what has been passed by the House and by the Senate. I know I am probably asking a little too much of the Congressional leadership to actually listen to what actual Americans want out of the Health Care reform process. Call me optimistic!
The last news item that interested me was the news that the former Solicitor General during the Bush regime, Ted Olson, wrote an op-ed in Newsweek arguing in favor of same-sex marriages! That’s right. I said he argued in favor of gays demanding the equal right to marry whomever they want. http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957 Mr. Olson, along with his former Bush v. Gore adversary, David Boies, are representing the two gay people who are challenging the anti-gay marriage legislation in California. This article is a great brief outlining the legal and common sense reasons why anyone should be allowed to marry the person that they love, no matter what their sexual orientation is. Olson correctly considers it an equal rights matter and with credentials like his and Boies, their clients are in very good hands. “Legalizing same-sex marriage would also be a recognition of basic American principles, and would represent the culmination of our nation’s commitment to equal rights. It is, some have said, the last major civil-rights milestone yet to be surpassed in our two-century struggle to attain the goals we set for this nation at its formation.” http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957 After you read the article, let me know if you agree with Ted Olson. I haven’t agreed with Mr. Olson too often over the years, but he is absolutely right on this subject. I really like it when conservatives see the light.
What do you think? It is time for you to let us know what you think! Don’t be shy. I won’t bite! And if I do happen to bite, I don’t have enough teeth left to do too much damage! Let’s hear from everyone.
Speaking of Sarah Palin,I stumbled upon this article recently on the Nation online. http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/515137/fox_s_newest_star_sarah_palin_may_be_a_bit_dim?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNationEdPicks+(The+Nation%3A+Top+Stories)
The differences between McCain’s advisers and Palin have been well documented, but this article/book focuses more on the fact that these differences stem from sheer ignorance and stupidity on Palin’s part, rather than actual philosophical differences on the role of government. Is any of this surprising? Of course not, but it does suggest a few conclusions: (1) Palin will continue to embarrass herself on Fox News, (2) she may have to be fed her commentary by others at Fox, and (3) her supporters, who are undoubtedly equally ignorant of American history and politics, will probably continue to be enthralled by her folksy-unintelligible punch lines. Which, as you mention, is great for the Democratic party: keep enough people interested in her so that she gains momentum to run a 2012 campaign (that will ultimately have no chance of success), but forcing other Republicans to attack her, ultimately dividing the party.
I also wanted to respond to all this Fox News/MSNBC talk. I can’t really comment on whether these channels are trying to influence policy. What I do believe is, these stations are media/entertainment companies, competing with American Idol, Cold Case, and NCIS, not necessarily against each other.
I say this because if you are a Fox News watcher, you are not going to watch MSNBC, and vice versa. Fox realizes that it has a % of the market by being completely unfair and unbalanced, and the more it tugs at peoples’ emotions, the more they are likely to watch- thus explaining Glenn Beck. A real, calm, intellectual conversation concerning the details of the health care bills, for example, would not nearly draw as high of ratings as commentators using their own facts to frighten and anger the viewer. Ultimately, I think its more about ratings and $ than trying to affect policy (although I don’t rule it out).
I have heard a lot of people call MSNBC the Fox News of the Left. I agree to a certain extent: there is a lot of partisan bickering going on at MSNBC, and ultimately I think they realize that, by employing mostly center-left commentators, they will guarantee themselves a % of the market. I do believe, however, that MSNBC is more honest in their reporting, and demands more critical thinking from their viewers. Then again, I am biased myself…
Tom,
Thanks for checking in. I agree that the more publicity that Sarah Palin gets the better it is for Democrats. I would love to see her run for President because I think just about anyone could beat her. She is one of the most ignorant politicians that I have seen in my lifetime.
I understand your comparison of Fox and MSNBC, but I do have one addition. MSNBC is a progressive network but they actually care about facts. Fox News doesn’t care that Sarah Palin is a serial lier because the more controversial she is the better the ratings they get. If Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly are journalists, pigs can fly.
I watch Hardball on MSNBC and browse Oberman and Maddow. I listen to Brian and the Judge on Fox radio. Also, listen to lots of talk radio from Limbaugh, Dennis Miller, Stephanie Miller.
So, I am the rare consumer that follows the different spins.
They are all entertainers and the largest part of their act is politics.
That said, I watched a few minutes of Palin on her first commentary segment with O’Reilly. I predict that she will have to get her own show or do a pre-shot commentary segment. This woman cannot think on her feet. Her deal is performance and you will see that on Fox at some point.
They will get her out of the studio and mixing it up with the folks.
Don,
Thanks for checking in again. I think you are being too kind to Sarah Palin. She cannot think, period. The only folks that she can mix it up with are the teabaggers and birthers who don’t care about facts.