This from Newser’s Caroline Moore in response to CNN’s hiring of Erick Erickson. The RedState blogger suffers from psoriasis but is best known for
calling Justice David Souter a "goat-fucking child molester" and Michelle Obama a "Marxist harpy." He'll soon join the news network’s new show, John King, USA.
The fact is that more and more of what passes as news is actually people saying offensive, shocking, ridiculous things just so that news outlets and bloggers and sharers and tweeters everywhere will propagate them. And we are more than happy to oblige. At Newser we spend many hours poring over pieces of journalism, high and low, and we have to confess that these instant soundbites, and the buzz they generate, are pretty hot.
I know we’re not alone. On a slow news day I picture news junkies everywhere sitting at their computers salivating in the hopes that Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck will shoot off a real stinker, a bald lie, a wacky broadside that will offend a whole religious or ethnic or political tribe. Something that will boost page views and set off a tidal wave of hand-wringing and shocked, shocked protests that we then get to write about, too.
Call me uptight and politically correct because I probably am, but I am increasingly agitated by people in the media who are just provocative for the sake of being shocking, provocative, and politically incorrect. I do not understand why it is a virtue or badge of honor to be hateful, offensive, rude, and to otherwise display incivility. And the right-wing boneheads bother me most because they wrap themselves in the flag and freedom (like "'Freedom' 570 KVI" **PUKE**!!!). Western Europe and Canada seem do to fine without a First Amendment. No, I don't want to criminalize their speech, but once in the while maybe a civil infraction or ticket or some incentive to tell the truth.
Posted by: Jason Andersen | March 18, 2010 at 07:43 PM
How about websites like MediaMatters, the Daily KOS or moveon.org that have shown to be hateful, offensive, rude, and to otherwise display incivility to those they disagree with ?
Posted by: KS | March 18, 2010 at 07:57 PM
How about right here on Blatherwatch. On occasion, Bla'M gets a little crass during his moments of clarity.
On rare occasion, I have been known to inspire Bla'M to reel me in. Joanie can be quite the #@&% when sucking down her box of Gallo. Curly Turd tries to keep up.
Does anybody have proof that Justice Souter is not a goat-fucking child molester? I have seen no proof of his innocence. As for Michelle Obama, I have no idea what kind of Marxist she may be, but would not use the term harpy.
Beyond that, it is nice to see CNN bring on a little diversity of thought. It certainly can't do anything to lower their ratings. They are as low, and lately lower than the bottom feeders at MSNBC, believe it or not.
Posted by: chucks | March 18, 2010 at 08:16 PM
How about MSLSD, CNN, the 3 major networks, Seattle Times. NY Times, Washington Post ....?
Posted by: Obama is a black man | March 18, 2010 at 08:17 PM
On a positive note, Classic Arms of Indian Trail, NC has a Romanian AK-47 with two mags and a bayonet on sale for $350.00 (no tax). Throw in an extra $50.00 and you get 2 more mags, a case and a sling. That is an outstanding deal!!!!!
(and Seattle is an open carry city)
Posted by: chucks | March 18, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Is "I know you are but what am I?" the only argument rightwingers have? God this is tedious.
KS, Media Matters presents facts and just the facts, no insults. Moveon doesn't call people "goat fuckers". Some commenters at DailyKOS have been known to be insulting, but they don't run (or host) the site.
Posted by: Tigsnort | March 18, 2010 at 09:14 PM
there's a new Real Estate Porn show on cable....the bratboys of Million Dollar Listing on Bravo need to slow down their 130,000 dollar Mercedes' and take note of Selling New York oon HGTV, with their opulent Park Avenue condos and quarter of a million dollar agent commissions for a single listing....i love real estate porn....
Posted by: Tommy008 | March 18, 2010 at 09:28 PM
"KS, Media Matters presents facts and just the facts, no insults. Moveon doesn't call people "goat fuckers".
The hell they are ! Media Matters are a bunch of serial liars and constantly take quotes out of context by conservatives or moderates to demonize them. It appears that you can't handle the truth. I can provide a number of examples if you'd like.
Suffice it to say that you are gullible and have your head where the sun don't shine if you honestly believe what you wrote - and why would you believe that Moveon.org is worse that Daily KOS and Media Matters ? You make no sense...
Posted by: KS | March 18, 2010 at 09:56 PM
The hell they are ! Media Matters are a bunch of serial liars and constantly take quotes out of context by conservatives or moderates to demonize them.
Straight from the lying mouth of Glenn Beck. BTW, show the examples. I'm interested.
Tigsnort, reason is not something these idiots understand. But good try.
Now, I think we should amend the Constitutional protection afforded the fourth estate. They haven't earned it. Ironic, isn't it, that the profession protected by the Constitution is the same profession trying to shred it.
Posted by: joanie | March 18, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Are you libs permanently offed? What health care is doing is destroying the United States of America as set forth by the constitution. Only those who don't want freedom support this Marxist act! We will be as bankrupt as is possible. The door to communism will be wide open. This is the goal of Obama and his openly communistic supporters. If you turn your head to this, then you support communism. We the people will overturn your desire for communism. By God or else!
Posted by: Paul Johnson | March 18, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Your going down Joanie! 70% of the people are against you now. What are you going to do? Act like Pelosi or Obama? Pretend that you can win no matter what the "people" want? We are coming for you. Teachers should look in the rear view mirror. As Yogi said, "don't look back someone might be gaining on you". Your pay will be frozen if not reduced in the future. Your benefits will be severely reduced and your ability to extort money from the public will be revoked. Thats your future government employee.
Posted by: Paul Johnson | March 18, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Why do you think anyone would take the word of a chronic whiner who never posts anything of merit or substance or even evidential but just spews unsupported hateful opinion?
Why?
You are immensely forgettable, PJ.
Posted by: joanie | March 18, 2010 at 10:43 PM
We have turned in Paul to the Secret Service.
Posted by: Coiler | March 18, 2010 at 10:45 PM
How's Rachel whats her name doing in the ratings Joanie? Now that's forgettable! Worried about your government job? You should be. The backlash on Gov workers is very near.
Posted by: Paul Johnson | March 18, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Woooooooooooo . . . Boo!
Posted by: joanie | March 18, 2010 at 10:50 PM
"goat-fucking child molestor"- and some people are upset over what I call Dori Monson!
Posted by: Tommy008 | March 18, 2010 at 11:38 PM
"70% of the people are against you now."
I love it when rightwingers bring up poll numbers showing a majority against the health care bill, because the truth is half of those who don't like it are liberals who feel it doesn't go far enough. Which means if the bill were more liberal, it would have majority support. Ironic, isn't it Paul?
Posted by: Tigsnort | March 19, 2010 at 12:16 AM
CNN (in foreign countries) is MUCH better.
Posted by: Duffman | March 19, 2010 at 07:30 AM
I agree, Blatherwatch should receive a civil infraction to encourage him to tone down some of his comments and regurgitate Joel Connelly's gut. Maybe a $500 fine or something to discourage reckless speech?
Also, what's up with Collinswood or whatever his name is and his obsession with rounding up conservatives to "concentration camps" [sic]? I'm really curious who is going to do the rounding up? The Army, the Police and the armed percentage of the general public are all unilaterally opposed to Obama. Are Collinswood and two elderly teachers going to come careening around the corner in their wheelchair van with a Jolly Roger flag flying beneath the Jack in the Box antenna ball, blasting Ride of the Valkyries and demanding "ze papers, please!" Go crawl back in your hole with your last issue of Torture Porn Monthly, Collinswood. You're a complete loon.
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 08:06 AM
I love it when rightwingers bring up poll numbers showing a majority against the health care bill, because the truth is half of those who don't like it are liberals who feel it doesn't go far enough. Which means if the bill were more liberal, it would have majority support. Ironic, isn't it Paul?
Like the teacher in R.I. who just did the despicable act of hanging Obama in effigy because he was grumpy that Obama is cracking down on the teacher union racket?
I do feel for Obama, though, he's getting a 12-incher down his throat from the right and a 6-incher in his butthole from the left. As long as he keeps cramming those tax breaks for Big Coal (ahem, er, "Clean Coal" in Gibbs-speak ... or "Greenwash Coal" in Kucinich's more accurate version of reality) into spending bills, though, all's okay.
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Western Europe and Canada seem do to fine without a First Amendment. No, I
Agree, Jason Anderson. That's the reason I never give money to the ACLU. Also, in my ideal world you would have a hood over your head and be sitting in a damp prison cell right now for the outrage of showing your flabby torso on the web. As soon as we can nix that First Amendment crap we'll be able to make all of Kylie's wildest fantasies a reality!
(BTW - you must have been educated in a welfare school. Canada has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, part of the Canadian constitution, that is an even stricter protector of free speech than our first amendment. Europe has the European Convention on Human Rights [not a stricter protector, but near similar].)
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Are you libs permanently offed? What health care is doing is destroying the United States of America as set forth by the constitution. Only those who don't want freedom support this Marxist act! We will be as bankrupt as is possible. The door to communism will be wide open. This is the goal of Obama and his openly communistic supporters. If you turn your head to this, then you support communism. We the people will overturn your desire for communism. By God or else!
PJ - you're even worse than Collinswood and his two pets.
The only thing worse than message board hero libs stinking up their basements in a Rascal scooter soaked in their own filth is a whacko, Alex Jones, moon-landing-was-a-hoax, Ron Paul-voting nutjob like you.
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 08:38 AM
Okay, since everyone is likely wondering but won't ask, I will.
What is the meaning of the connotation of 'the mattress' in your moniker ID? :)
Posted by: Duffman | March 19, 2010 at 08:45 AM
cum over here and I'll demonstrate
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Oh, I see...it connotes getting laid so much. Makes sense. W/you be bragging or complaining.
Posted by: Duffman | March 19, 2010 at 08:48 AM
stating facts
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 09:00 AM
Been stated ad nauseum - "All about the rating$$$" - but how do people feel about this? Sure this gives the other nets dick envy, but...
Does higher ratings = Most trustworthy news? Most informative news? or Most tabloid-celebutarded news?
((one hr of McNeil-Lehrer for me, thanks))
Obviously ratings drive profit. So what will it take to drive up news integrity, standards, information?
Posted by: mercifurious | March 19, 2010 at 09:13 AM
What is an example from Media Matters that is hateful, offensive, or untrue???? Sure, they are biased in the sense that they only target the right wing media, but don't they do it by using right wing blowhards' words against them, and also by occasionally using facts against prevarication?
I have never been to moveon.org, and I find Daily Kos to be kind of a bore. I much prefer to scroll the blogs at Free Republic. Try it! "Freepers" in their element beats the hell out of going to the zoo, but it also scares me, because unlike secured creatures at the zoo, I am reminded that there are people who really think that way roaming around out there. It's not really a surprise because I am a recovering gun nut, and in my teens-to-early-20's, I spent a lot of time at ranges, in easrern WA, northern Idaho, Index and Sultan, there were even some fringe crazies at the Seattle Police shooting range down on E. Marginal.
I know what right wing psychpaths are like because I've been among them and been trusted by them enough to hear what they really think about anyone not like them. They are dangerous, **espcially** when a little monotheistic fanatiscism is added into the mix.
Posted by: Jason Andersen | March 19, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Jason - What's good for the goose is good for the gander...
Most progressives/hardcore liberals are not interested in principles or rules or laws. They have only the way they think things should be at any given moment, and anything that gets in the way of that is bad.
No such person has ever had a problem with forcing people to do things, as long as that person believes the outcome is Right. They are the ultimate in the ends justifying the means.
Posted by: KS | March 19, 2010 at 01:17 PM
I think CNN just has to recognize that straight news will never rate as well as opinion. They're apples and oranges. There's no point in one expecting to perform like the other.
A comparison between FOXNEWS and MSNBC is more valid but all the evidence shows that conservatives are more emotionaly insecure than liberals on the whole and therefore will watch opinion TV like FOXNEWS in greater numbers to get the validation they crave, so there again it's not reasonable to expect liberal opinion to rate as well as conservative opinion.
MSNBC simply isn't that bad of a channel. All of the cable news networks are fairly competent at what they do.
Posted by: Andrew | March 19, 2010 at 01:38 PM
And, thusly incompetent at what they don't do, which is objectively report the news. :)
Posted by: Duffman | March 19, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Spot on, Duffman !
What I read is that the generic left (MSNBC watchers) projecting their emotional insecurity onto the generic right (FOX News watchers). The right was less apt to be activist than the left, but that appears to be changing.
Posted by: KS | March 19, 2010 at 02:06 PM
Jason, hon, I love ya but you really need to change your profile pick. If you don't got it, don't flaunt it. KTHXBAI
Posted by: Kylie "The Mattress" Bastel | March 19, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Debbie Schlussel,conservative political commentator, radio talk show host, columnist, and attorney says Hannity is scamming people with his "charity."
And tonight he is getting an award for this...
Posted by: sparky | March 19, 2010 at 05:29 PM
GG, I thought you would be on the beach in Florida this week.
Posted by: sparky | March 19, 2010 at 05:31 PM
...but all the evidence shows that conservatives are more emotionaly insecure than liberals on the whole and therefore will watch opinion TV like FOXNEWS in greater numbers to get the validation they crave, so there again it's not reasonable to expect liberal opinion to rate as well as conservative opinion.
MSNBC simply isn't that bad of a channel. All of the cable news networks are fairly competent at what they do.
Posted by: Andrew | March 19, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Gee Andrew, I thought you got out of the habit of making unsubstantiated claims pulled out of your piehole.
I hoped that Kylie Bastel had cured you of that intellectually lazy habit of yours.
Posted by: Puget Sound | March 19, 2010 at 06:22 PM
Sparky
I was starting to get a little steamed at that woman's blather, but have decided that it just may not be true.
If it is true, I will declare war on Hannity. But I really have my doubts.
http://www.freedomalliance.org/images/pdf_and_largepics/freedom_alliance_response.pdf
Posted by: chucks | March 19, 2010 at 07:21 PM
If she was a liberal blogger, I would agree with you chucks. But she is a respected conservative. If you look at the beginning of her article, you will see that she is responding to the link you posted.
If this is true, I hope Hannity burns. I would feel the same way if Randi or Malloy had done this.
Posted by: sparky | March 19, 2010 at 08:21 PM
In fact, chucks, the very liberal Media Matters is waiting to see if this is really true...
Unfortunately, Schlussel doesn't provide any documentation for the assertion that Freedom Alliance claimed in writing that 100 percent of donated funds would go to scholarships, so we don't know if it's true.
So the fact that she is a conservative making these allegations is interesting to me.
Posted by: sparky | March 19, 2010 at 08:32 PM
Interesting about Hannity.
A couple years ago Dennis Miller was repeatedly offering to perform on the Hannity Charity Shows but kept getting rebuffed. Miller went public about it on his show and couldn't figure it out as he does a lot of charity work, stand up comedy fits in well in that format, and the troops tend to love Dennis Miller.
Posted by: Puget Sound | March 19, 2010 at 09:32 PM
There appears to be smoke in the backyard of Hannity. It's up to him to refute these charges. Debbie does politics seems like a credible source. Seems like he was sloppy with funneling money from these concerts to the cause he was supposedly holding these concerts for. Not too swift - if this is true, Sean...
Media Matters is not a reliable source IMO, simply because they have a big axe to grind against any conservative and especially him. So, if you want to find the truth, wait for another source to confirm these allegations - that is taking a leap of faith for the usual suspects who roost at this blog (First name initials; J, S, A, C, Ti).
Posted by: KS | March 19, 2010 at 10:45 PM
"If she was a liberal blogger, I would agree with you chucks. But she is a respected conservative."
It is under suspicion how much of a respected conservative she is. The same can be said for Hannity, until he can clear himself of these allegations. One of them will eventually be more respected than the other when it is all said and done.
Posted by: KS | March 19, 2010 at 11:26 PM
KS's comment:
"Jason - What's good for the goose is good for the gander...
Most progressives/hardcore liberals are not interested in principles or rules or laws. They have only the way they think things should be at any given moment, and anything that gets in the way of that is bad.
No such person has ever had a problem with forcing people to do things, as long as that person believes the outcome is Right. They are the ultimate in the ends justifying the means."
KS, that's a very good and smart argument against total moral relativism and progressivism/liberalism in the extreme, because I can't say that I totally disagree with you.
It's so refreshing when people like you respond with ideas instead of ad hominen, junior high locker room polemics.
Posted by: Jason Andersen | March 20, 2010 at 11:26 AM
And to the gentleman or lady who is offended by the picture that appears with my posts, I agree with you at there is some flab on me; I need to lose about 10-15lbs of body fat; but more so, I apologize for using a personal picture on this web site. It's done not out of intention but rather laziness, because I use Facebook to log in here to make comments instead of setting up a proper account (Tyepad, I guess?). Anyway, I am a single guy and the flabby pic and another pic of me with my cat seem to work the best for me. But I am not using this web site for those purposes, so if it is seamless to create an account without using Facebook, I will do that. Please accept my apologies.
Having said all of that, you made some comments about the EU and Canada ad rem to some dry humor that I posted about the First Amendment (now, there is mostly always a little truth in jokes). But the point you were making seemed like a sentence that only had nouns or verbs, but not both, because you lost me. The point also could have been over my head. But to give us both the benefit of the doubt, you presented stuff that needs more text than is appropriate here to correctly articulate.
I did understand about you not giving money to the ACLU when they defend the rights of people like Fred Phelps as a real example, or Rush Limbaugh (I am *not* serious on this one; this is an example of dry humor, or using a big name for hyperbolic effect), but, anyway I agree with you in some aspects about the ACLU, though I still give them money when I can because, in the big picture, they do more good than bad, and they've been important in moving this country forward on issues critical to me.
Anyway to conclude this post: it's kind of awkward on here to get too drawn out with posts about obscure legalese, but I love that kind of debate with someone who knows their stuff, so please contact my email through facebook and present the point that you're trying to make about superiority of EU and Canadian code. It's a fascinating subject, and there is much room to both agree and disagree.
Posted by: Jason Andersen | March 20, 2010 at 12:00 PM
All the other signals below 92 MHz (KNHC, KGRG, KEXP, KSER, KBCS) don't cover the whole market.
Posted by: amerisleep | December 30, 2012 at 10:42 PM