He flounced

to engage in constructive problem solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day

I fail to see how nitherism does either of these things.

He quit.

Just not quit quit.

Wrapping oneself in the flag: a sure sign of charlatanry.

So what Dobbs really meant to say was "Klein some leaders in media...have been urging me to go".

Well, we have the name for Dobbs' next book: An objective lesson on how to flounce and influence people in one easy step.

I never watch Lou Dobbs so I won't miss him.

Man's gotta make hay while there's sun.

re: #8 Guanxi88

Man's gotta make hay while there's sun.

I'm glad he got to say what he wanted to say, even if I didn't (don't) agree with all his positions.

John King?
That's too bad. I wad hoping that we would get an hour a night of GPS instead of just Sunday.

In other words "It is my patriotic duty to not report the news objectively!"

who's Lou Dobbs?

Breaking:

Hasan to Be Charged With 13 Counts of Premeditated Murder in Fort Hood Massacre

DEVELOPING: Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan will be charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder in last week's Fort Hood mass shootings, a military source told Fox News Thursday.

He chose opinion. The Horror

Think maybe Robert Gibbs will get the post when he finally screws up enough to become sufficiently obvious in his incompetence? he could do no worse.

re: #7 NJDhockeyfan

I never watch Lou Dobbs so I won't miss him.

Lou who?

Months ago the president of CNN/U.S., Jonathan Klein, offered a choice to Lou Dobbs, the channel’s most outspoken anchor. Mr. Dobbs could vent his opinions on radio and anchor an objective newscast on television, or he could leave CNN.

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

re: #1 jdog29

He flounced

So, what's the line on a flounce on a thread about a flounce. I've got a 12-pack of Pepsi Throwback on comment #167.

re: #9 Walter L. Newton

I'm glad he got to say what he wanted to say, even if I didn't (don't) agree with all his positions.

The great consolation in life is to say precisely what one thinks.
-- Voltaire

re: #16 The Sanity Inspector

Lou who?

You know, little cindy-lou who!

re: #17 Sharmuta

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

Beck is not a news anchor.

re: #14 Haole

He chose opinion. The Horror

I know. Next it will be "He chose to speak out."

re: #17 Sharmuta

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

Beck is not an news anchor.

re: #17 Sharmuta

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

Why should they, he's got ratings?

I do not watch Lou Dobbs but it seems he made the right choice for himself. He got tired of just reporting news, apparently. I'd rather he leave reporting if he knows he'd rather opine. Makes sense to me. And at least he attempted to get back on track by toning down the rhetoric.

Palin/Dobbs 2012!
/Wingnut

re: #17 Sharmuta

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

It's not the same thing, Sharm. Glen Beck's show is marketed as opinion, not as a news program. Lou Dobbs direct competition on Fox was Brett Baer and Shepard Smith, the two who anchor Fox's hard news shows.

re: #17 Sharmuta

Kudos to cnn's Klein for doing this, BTW. It's the exact thing that the brass at fox should be saying to glenn beck, but their not.

Now, can you really picture Beck as a plain, objective newscaster? It's not a career option for him. He's a performer, not a journalist.

TV news is dead...RIP

re: #16 The Sanity Inspector

Lou who?

Cindy Lou Who?

re: #21 Guanxi88

re: #23 Ben Hur

re: #27 Dark_Falcon

GMTA

re: #21 Guanxi88

Beck is not a news anchor.

re: #23 Ben Hur

Beck is not an news anchor.

Hijacking each other's trains of thought. Whoa!

You make a good point, but I still think Beck goes to far and fox is doing nothing to restrain him. Regardless, CNN should be given some props from not tolerating dobb's crap.

re: #32 Sharmuta

Hijacking each other's trains of thought. Whoa!

You make a good point, but I still think Beck goes to far and fox is doing nothing to restrain him. Regardless, CNN should be given some props from not tolerating dobb's crap.

I liked his crap about securing the border...but that was years ago, before securing the border was considered bigoted extremism

re: #32 Sharmuta

Hijacking each other's trains of thought. Whoa!

You make a good point, but I still think Beck goes to far and fox is doing nothing to restrain him. Regardless, CNN should be given some props from not tolerating dobb's crap.

Of course Beck goes too far. That's his job, that's what he does. For me, it's all just a bit too much, but the wife finds him genuinely entertaining, and treats his program as Fox News answer to Stewart and Colbert. She views it as political performance art. I think most folk tune in for the entertainment value.

BTW - anyone see last night's South Park - Dances with Smurfs? Hilarious.

re: #28 The Sanity Inspector

Now, can you really picture Beck as a plain, objective newscaster? It's not a career option for him. He's a performer, not a journalist.

That said, it would be perfectly within bounds for Roger Ailes to tell Glen Beck that he needs to exercise better judgment in the stories he chooses to go after and and that he needs to present for supporting facts. Ailes probably won't do this, but he should.

re: #33 albusteve

I liked his crap about securing the border...but that was years ago, before securing the border was considered bigoted extremism

Yes, thankfully, advocacy of one of the most fundamental tasks of any national government is rightly recognized as evil and hateful by all right-thinking people.
//

“some leaders in media, (my boss) politics(my boss) and business (my boss) have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN (away from here at CNN) and to engage (with someone else) in constructive problem solving (or stirring shit up, whichever gets better ratings) as well as to contribute positively (but maybe negatively) to the great understanding of the issues of our day (to people other than CNN viewers).”

re: #34 Guanxi88

BTW - anyone see last night's South Park - Dances with Smurfs? Hilarious.

It was an affront to my people. Papa is meeting with lawyers now.

We will have justice!

Cafferty.

Has a job because of FoxNews.

And how many people did MSNBC go through?

The above are not journalists either.

They were hired because of FoxNews having an opinion commentator format like Murdoch and BBC have in Europe.

Fox is being attacked because of their ratings.

Otherwise, like a said yesterday, born-again free marketeer Kudlow would be next in line.

Funny thing about him leaving CNN. I imagine that the only way he could have been seen by fewer people would be if he'd gone into hiding in the woods of Montana. The time is ripe for a move such as this - opinion and advocacy sell, and Dobbs has bills like the rest of us.

re: #40 Guanxi88

Funny thing about him leaving CNN. I imagine that the only way he could have been seen by fewer people would be if he'd gone into hiding in the woods of Montana. The time is ripe for a move such as this - opinion and advocacy sell, and Dobbs has bills like the rest of us.

I could live out my days nicely on one year of his salary...who you kiddin?

re: #34 Guanxi88

BTW - anyone see last night's South Park - Dances with Smurfs? Hilarious.

I'm guessing I know who wiiill!

CNN is starting an objective newscast? Awesome. When?

re: #40 Guanxi88

Funny thing about him leaving CNN. I imagine that the only way he could have been seen by fewer people would be if he'd gone into hiding in the woods of Montana. The time is ripe for a move such as this - opinion and advocacy sell, and Dobbs has bills like the rest of us.

Indeed. Whatever you think of FoxNews, its kicking CNN's butt in the ratings. LouDobbs is leaving the losing team for the winning team if he moves to Fox.

Lou!...
Lou!...come back!

Two ways to view Klein's actions:

1) He wants ideological purity and kicking Dobbs to the side would rid the network of a voice that is out of sync with those of the other opinionists who remain on the network.
2) He wanted to get rid of an opinionist whose views include proffering conspiracy theories (birtherism).

Both could complement the other, but he was also giving an ultimatum to one of the few remaining shows on CNN that people watch (and even that is debatable since the ratings at the network have gone into the crapper).

Klein wants to turn things around, and thought Dobbs' was one who had to go. Well, CNN may not be better off for it - they may continue to hemorrhage viewers, which affects the bottom line, which is what these businesses are about. They aren't just providing news, but are supposed to be making money. If they aren't getting viewers, or making changes that will increase viewers, then this was just another attempt to rearrange deck chairs.

And I write this as someone who hasn't watched CNN (or Headline News) for years (except when nothing else is on tv at the occasional airport stop). In fact, I don't watch the cable news outlets, so Dobbs going from one outlet to another wouldn't affect my viewing habits at all.

re: #38 Sharmuta

It was an affront to my people. Papa is meeting with lawyers now.

We will have justice!

No, I saw the film. Wendy Testaburger killed all the smurfs to harvest their smurfberrys. Do you realize, a single smurberry can power the school for months? She tried to warn you to move, even sent Cartman in to learn your weaknesses and undermine your will to stay, but he went native and only strengthened your will to resist. And so, it came down to bulldozers.

re: #41 albusteve

I could live out my days nicely on one year of his salary...who you kiddin?

Well, me, too, but I imagine his bills are bigger than mine.

re: #38 Sharmuta

It was an affront to my people. Papa is meeting with lawyers now.

We will have justice!

But ONE smurf berry can power the school for months!

I trust we've all seen the Onion's timely piece?

[Link: www.theonion.com...]

After arriving in Texas in 1961, "Dobbs" is believed to have wandered around the American southeast making a meager living as a car thief, low-level drug dealer, and migrant farm laborer. At age 18, he reportedly delivered an ounce of marijuana to attendees at an Atlanta media conference, where his harsh, booming voice and fiery temper caught the attention of none other than Ted Turner. At the tycoon's urging, the young man shaved his long, drooping mustachios, applied for federal tuition waivers, and took advantage of affirmative-action policies to gain admittance to Harvard University. In 1980, Turner gave him a job at CNN that had previously been held by an American-born reporter.

re: #47 Guanxi88

Anti-Smurfist propaganda.

re: #47 Guanxi88

GMTA

Is Dobbs a Nirther?!?

re: #51 Sharmuta

Anti-Smurfist propaganda.

Don't smurf on my shoes and tell me it's raining!

re: #53 Ben Hur

Is Dobbs a Nirther?!?

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

So "objective reporting"---is that what CNN has been doing all of these years. It's really hard to tell. Weren't they involved in paying the Iraqi government so that they could stick around as long as they reported nice things?

re: #53 Ben Hur

Yup
Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call "total bull"

The man's a lunatic.

CNN's new strategy - training over the top conservative talk show hosts for Fox News Network in order to discredit them as a network.

Hows that workin out for ya CNN?

re: #54 Mad Al-Jaffee

Don't smurf on my shoes and tell me it's raining!

You can take your smurf and smurf it where the smurf doesn't smurf.

re: #57 Killgore Trout

Yup
Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call "total bull"

The man's a lunatic.

Is that a professional medical opinion?

re: #59 Sharmuta

Shut your smurfing face, uncle smurfer!

re: #55 Sharmuta

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

I can't believe CNN is into Nirtherism.

re: #60 Walter L. Newton

Is that a professional medical opinion?

No.

An attempt to add to the lexicon.

re: #58 DaddyG

CNN's new strategy - training over the top conservative talk show hosts for Fox News Network in order to discredit them as a network.

Hows that workin out for ya CNN?

Not too well. The O'Reilly Factor has more than double the audience of any CNN program. The only CNN program that wins its evening time slot is Larry King. All the rest lose to Fox by margins of 3-2 or worse.

re: #61 Mad Al-Jaffee

Shut your smurfing face, uncle smurfer!

That's be enough of that, Terrance. You too, Phillip.

I'm not sure why CNN is getting such a hard time here. All of the networks are about the same as far as doing a piss poor job at what they do. The Foot Hood tragedy showed they're all equally bad. Some folks think CNN is biased- I think the last few times I did catch CNN out in public they were much improved from years ago, but it's still cable news. I don't like any of them. I'll take the internet as my news tool over TV any day.

re: #56 2oldstroke

So "objective reporting"---is that what CNN has been doing all of these years. It's really hard to tell. Weren't they involved in paying the Iraqi government so that they could stick around as long as they reported nice things?

Access over Truth.

CNN doctrine from the beginning.

Unless you thought Brent Sadler didn't have a handler next to him while reporting from Beirut and Syria all those years.

re: #62 Ben Hur

I can't believe CNN is into Nirtherism.

Now you know why they gave him the ultimatum. They were right to do so.

Who put up the link yesterday show CNN losing out to TLC in the ratings? This might be a good place to repost that link.

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

God I hope Dobbs tries to transition his career into politics. The sheer entertainment value of his campaign would be well worth the risk that he could somehow get himself elected.

re: #63 Ben Hur

No.

An attempt to add to the lexicon.

What lexicon? I don't understand your comment. I was being serious. "Lunatic" is a harsh term, no more correct to use about someone any more than "retarded" is. I just found it disingenuous to call the gentleman by that term.

But, that's just me.

OT:
China cautions "Black" Obama over possibly meeting with Dali Lama:

China on Thursday invoked Abraham Lincoln’s anti-slavery philosophy to persuade US president Barack Obama from meeting the Dalai Lama.
Obama is due to visit China in mid-November but the local government is worried he might meet the Tibetan leader immediately after that.

"He is a black president, and he understands the slavery abolition movement and Lincoln's major significance for that movement," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

Qin pointed out the Chinese government had abolished slavery, which was widespread in Tibet during the regime of the Dalai Lama, in 1959. Obama should also realize that the Dalai Lama was trying to split China and was a serious challenge to its national unity.

"Lincoln played an incomparable role in protecting the national unity and territorial integrity of the United States," Qin said while referring to Obama’s admiration for Lincoln. China’s stance on the issue is similar to that of Lincoln, he said.

China regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous "splittist" out to divide the country while the Tibetan leader says he is only seeking true autonomy for Tibet.

re: #69 bosforus

By your command. Linky.

re: #70 DaddyG

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

I think it is appropriate.

Opinion vs News.

Of course, this would mean that Katie, and the rest should be given ultimatums as well.

re: #71 drcordell

God I hope Dobbs tries to transition his career into politics. The sheer entertainment value of his campaign would be well worth the risk that he could somehow get himself elected.

I hope no one "forces" him into a job in politics :)

re: #70 DaddyG

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

Wherever that point is, CNN passed when they deliberately downplay Hasan's religion, even after it was revealed he was screaming "Allahu Akbar!"

re: #74 lawhawk

By your command. Linky.

Thank you, lawhawk!

re: #70 DaddyG

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

Are they supposed to allow stories about ridiculous kookspiracy theories to be run on their network? Isn't that similar to what we criticized CBS for with the throbbing memo?

re: #72 Walter L. Newton

What lexicon? I don't understand your comment. I was being serious. "Lunatic" is a harsh term, no more correct to use about someone any more than "retarded" is. I just found it disingenuous to call the gentleman by that term.

But, that's just me.

The internet lexicon.

Moonbats=Left

Lunatics (or some variation) will be for the Right.

re: #58 DaddyG

CNN's new strategy - training over the top conservative talk show hosts for Fox News Network in order to discredit them as a network.

Hows that workin out for ya CNN?

It's like CNN has gone from being Fox's competition to being its farm team.

Some of Lou's opinions and reporting seemed useful in illustrating problems such as the illegal immigration issue rather well. But the Nirtherism did nothing to make him a credible source. So any useful service he may have performed was completely negated by the loonism.

re: #70 DaddyG

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

Because Lou Dobbs doesn't "report" on anything. He simply goes off on unhinged, completely inaccurate rants about Mexican immigrants causing the bubonic plague. Why is CNN obligated to give him a platform for his ignorance?

re: #79 Sharmuta

Are they supposed to allow stories about ridiculous kookspiracy theories to be run on their network? Isn't that similar to what we criticized CBS for with the throbbing memo?

Possibly- it depends on how kooky and how frequent I guess. If you filter the news down to everything that is noncontroversial or beyond debate you are left with the traffic report.

I am not familiar with Dobbs behavior other than the story about his home and family being shot at for his anti-illegal immigration stance however so I can't really make a good informed judgement about how over the top he was.

re: #83 drcordell

Because Lou Dobbs doesn't "report" on anything. He simply goes off on unhinged, completely inaccurate rants about Mexican immigrants causing the bubonic plague. Why is CNN obligated to give him a platform for his ignorance?

They are not obligated to give him anything, not even a job.

More reasons to be glad Dobbs is gone:

Dobbs used CNN to engage in wild conspiracy theories and legitimize hate groups. Dobbs' birth certificate obsession wasn't the first outrageous theory that he promoted on CNN. As Media Matters documented, Dobbs has repeatedly accused the U.S. government of secretly plotting with the governments of Mexico and Canada to merge the three countries into a "North American Union" -- a charge his own CNN colleagues labeled a "conspiracy theor[y]." Dobbs has promoted the smear that Mexican immigrants are conspiring to reclaim the U.S. Southwest for Mexico and at one point illustrated this theory by using a graphic sourced to the Council of Conservative Citizens, a hate group that "oppose[s] all efforts to mix the races of mankind." Dobbs famously aired a false report about a purported spike in leprosy cases linked to illegal immigration and repeatedly defended his show's reporting even after it had been proven wrong.

Dobbs has close ties to "hate group" FAIR. In September, Dobbs helped lead the annual "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" radio host rally organized by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) -- an organization the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated a "hate group." On August 28, Media Matters president Eric Burns wrote an open letter to CNN president Jonathan Klein urging him to prohibit Dobbs from participating in the FAIR event. Media Matters also documented that Dobbs used his CNN show to report on the FAIR rally without disclosing during those reports that he was helping lead it. A year earlier, Dobbs had broadcast his CNN show from the FAIR rally. In addition, the group has given Dobbs an award for "his continued efforts in leading the immigration reform movement through both his talk radio show and his television show." In the past year, Dobbs has cited FAIR as a credible source on immigration issues at least six times and has routinely failed to disclose his close association with the group.

Dobbs smeared U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as sympathetic to "Mexico's export of drugs and illegal aliens." On March 10, 2009, Dobbs criticized Obama for delivering a speech on education to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Dobbs accused Obama of "pandering to the pro-amnesty open-borders lobby" and aired a clip of a FAIR spokesman saying, "We don't want the president to make it appear as if he's favoring one particular group in the disposition of public benefits." Dobbs also said, "Making a decision to talk about a national initiative on education from the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is effectively an organization that is interested in the export of American capital and production to Mexico, and Mexico's export of drugs and illegal aliens to the United States. This is crazy stuff." On March 17, 2009, Dobbs said he "made a mistake," explaining, "I, of course, do not believe that the chamber supports or condones either drug or human trafficking. My apologies to the ... U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and I hope that they will forgive me for that misspeaking."

Report: CNN's Lou Dobbs problem and the immigration debate. In September, Media Matters released a report on the most egregious conspiracy theories, hate speech, and undisclosed conflicts of interest in Dobbs' immigration reporting. Among other things, Media Matters documented that Dobbs used his CNN show to report on and praise a Hazleton, Pennsylvania, ordinance targeting undocumented immigrants without disclosing that he had been helping to fundraise for the town's legal defense fund.

[Link: mediamatters.org...]

re: #74 lawhawk

By your command. Linky.

Ouch! FOX is beating CNN by more than 2-1 every night, and some night its like 3 or 4 to 1. CNN is circling the drain and getting rid of Lou Dobbs won't help. If they wanted ratings, they should have given him free reign.

re: #84 DaddyG

Possibly- it depends on how kooky and how frequent I guess. If you filter the news down to everything that is noncontroversial or beyond debate you are left with the traffic report.

I am not familiar with Dobbs behavior other than the story about his home and family being shot at for his anti-illegal immigration stance however so I can't really make a good informed judgement about how over the top he was.

There's no need to be unfamiliar. LGF has the scoop:

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

re: #85 Walter L. Newton

They are not obligated to give him anything, not even a job.

They must not have a union.
/kinda

re: #57 Killgore Trout

Yup
Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call "total bull"

The man's a lunatic.

Just an FYI- the search at that site for LGF isn't very complementary.

re: #81 The Sanity Inspector

It's like CNN has gone from being Fox's competition to being its farm team bitch.

fixed

re: #89 rwdflynavy

They must not have a union.
/kinda

That comment has special meaning for Dr. Cordell.

OT: Malkin is trying to whip up support for the idea that the race in the 23rd isn't yet decided, and that Hoffman may yet win when the tallies are certified. And, of course, if the tallies don't show a Hoffman win, well, there might be something wrong with the count...

Shit stirring idiot.

re: #34 Guanxi88

Of course Beck goes too far. That's his job, that's what he does. For me, it's all just a bit too much, but the wife finds him genuinely entertaining, and treats his program as Fox News answer to Stewart and Colbert. She views it as political performance art. I think most folk tune in for the entertainment value.

BTW - anyone see last night's South Park - Dances with Smurfs? Hilarious.

The problem is that I genuinely laugh at what Stewart does, Beck is scary. Stewart doesn't wind up angry, pitch-fork wielding mobs - he disarms with humor. I think it might be a Jewish thing. Mel Brooks once pointed out, when discussing the portrayal of Nazis in his movies, that the best thing he could do to discredit Hitler was to make him a punch line. Put him in tights and have him dance in a kick-line on stage. It eviscerates any power his memory has by making him into an evil fool, rather than an evil icon.

Also, and I don't mean this to be overly pro-Stewart, he seems capable of engaging in a conversation with people whose views differ from his. I've seen tons of conservatives on his show and, while disagreeing vehemently, he by and large, treats them respectfully. Something I would love to see the evening Fool's Brigade on Fox do.

*ahem" ILLEGAL immigration.

Report: Conservative guests outnumber progressives on Lou Dobbs Tonight. In May, Media Matters released a report documenting that in the first four months of 2009, 52 percent more Republicans and conservatives appeared as guests on Lou Dobbs Tonight than Democrats and progressives. These results were consistent with a 2006 Media Matters study on Dobbs' guest lineup.

Lou Dobbs' right-wing war on health care reform. In August, Media Matters released a report documenting Dobbs' repeated use of discredited right-wing smears about health care reform efforts, including the notions that end-of-life counseling could lead to "euthanasia" and that Obama said he "doesn't even know what's in" the House health care bill. Dobbs also touted GOP Sen. John Barrasso as "one of the leading experts on ... health care" and provided a forum for serial misinformer Betsy McCaughey to falsely claim that the economic recovery package would allow the federal government to eliminate "whatever" it deems to be "unnecessary" health care.

Dobbs declared, "Mexico has become our enemy." As Media Matters documented, Dobbs complained on his March 3, 2009, radio show that there are people "trying to control our political agendas" and "social agendas with political correctness, trying to control thought, and, of course, speech through political correctness." He added that while it may be "politically incorrect," it is "absolutely factually correct" that "Mexico has become our enemy."

[Link: mediamatters.org...]

victory dancing over there, attributing his departure at least smewhat to their "drop Dobbs" campaign.

re: #70 DaddyG

I do feel uneasy about a network executive giving a reporter the choice of reporting what they want him to or taking a hike. At what point does a network become guilty of filtering news vs. reporting it?

I think it's 100% fine for a head of network to insist that the anchors on news shows refrain from commentary. Why is that wrong?

re: #87 Dark_Falcon

Ouch! FOX is beating CNN by more than 2-1 every night, and some night its like 3 or 4 to 1. CNN is circling the drain and getting rid of Lou Dobbs won't help. If they wanted ratings, they should have given him free reign.

CNN's problem is that they simply don't have a niche. They used to be the only game in town for 24-hour news. Now that Fox has precipitated the rise of overtly partisan media outlets, they've found themselves stranded. Fox positioned themselves on the right, and MSNBC took the left (Although MSNBC seems to be able to distinguish between hard news and opinion programming).

Ostensibly CNN would like to position themselves as an ideologically "centrist" network, but that doesn't fly these days. The GOP has beaten the "librul media bias" drum so hard for the past 30 years that unless you are Fox News you are ideological by default.

re: #93 SixDegrees

There's pretty much no chance that Hoffman will overcome a 3k vote deficit to Owens. It might tighten further, but with 10k absentee votes, they'd have to break so strongly in Hoffman's favor so as to defy any rational explanation. Moreover, those absentee ballots were likely cast before Scozzafava left the race, leaving the most likely split on ballots to be about 30% to each of the three candidates (Owens, Scozzafava, and Hoffman). That would do nothing to gain Hoffman votes in his tallies.

re: #93 SixDegrees

OT: Malkin is trying to whip up support for the idea that the race in the 23rd isn't yet decided, and that Hoffman may yet win when the tallies are certified. And, of course, if the tallies don't show a Hoffman win, well, there might be something wrong with the count...

Shit stirring idiot.

Yeah - this is NY not Florida or Minnesota. /

re: #92 Walter L. Newton

That comment has special meaning for Dr. Cordell.

You still can't discern between the enforcement of existing labor laws and a union, can you?

I think Lou's situation show just how much President Obama's stimulus package is working. Who knows how many jobs were created or saved by this event at CNN? While possibly being a net loss for the Dobbs family specifically, this just might be the "turning of the corner" the Obama administration has been looking for. ///

re: #97 Cineaste

I think it's 100% fine for a head of network to insist that the anchors on news shows refrain from commentary. Why is that wrong?

Then why does everyone want Fox to shut Beck up? Isn't it fine that Fox's network honchos encourage Beck's commentary?

Of course it's not, because the left doesn't like Beck. Other than that, what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.

re: #98 drcordell

CNN's problem is that they simply don't have a niche. They used to be the only game in town for 24-hour news. Now that Fox has precipitated the rise of overtly partisan media outlets, they've found themselves stranded. Fox positioned themselves on the right, and MSNBC took the left (Although MSNBC seems to be able to distinguish between hard news and opinion programming).

Ostensibly CNN would like to position themselves as an ideologically "centrist" network, but that doesn't fly these days. The GOP has beaten the "librul media bias" drum so hard for the past 30 years that unless you are Fox News you are ideological by default.

Capitalism at work. Hurts, doesn't it?

re: #98 drcordell
I suspect the media had a little to do with the perception they are biased left without Fox doing all the work for them.

re: #98 drcordell

The GOP has beaten the "librul media bias" drum so hard for the past 30 years that unless you are Fox News you are ideological by default.

Yes, but you can't only blame the GOP and Fox. Blame the MSM itself too, which pretends to objectivity by insisting on posting 'both sides of the story' even when there genuinely is only one side-- truth v falsity. Sure, the drum was being beaten, but the media let themselves be beaten too.

Just a further expression of the radicalization of American politics. Really too bad all in all. (Reminds me also of writers who suddenly decide that they can forgo editors -- then look what happens to their writings...typically the author's work declines and makes his musings unreadable.)

re: #103 Walter L. Newton

Then why does everyone want Fox to shut Beck up? Isn't it fine that Fox's network honchos encourage Beck's commentary?

Of course it's not, because the left doesn't like Beck. Other than that, what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.

Well I think advocating revolution & secession and giving a platform to people asking citizens to break the law by not participating in the census is a reasonable thing for a network exec to do. That, and at least asking them not lie like Hannity did with his video stunt.

re: #99 lawhawk

There's pretty much no chance that Hoffman will overcome a 3k vote deficit to Owens. It might tighten further, but with 10k absentee votes, they'd have to break so strongly in Hoffman's favor so as to defy any rational explanation. Moreover, those absentee ballots were likely cast before Scozzafava left the race, leaving the most likely split on ballots to be about 30% to each of the three candidates (Owens, Scozzafava, and Hoffman). That would do nothing to gain Hoffman votes in his tallies.

Try explaining any of that over there.

re: #108 Cineaste

Well I think advocating revolution & secession and giving a platform to people asking citizens to break the law by not participating in the census is a reasonable thing for a network exec to do. That, and at least asking them not lie like Hannity did with his video stunt.

I wouldn't do that stuff, I don't/wouldn't advocate that stuff but they can do what they want, right?

re: #99 lawhawk

There's pretty much no chance that Hoffman will overcome a 3k vote deficit to Owens. It might tighten further, but with 10k absentee votes, they'd have to break so strongly in Hoffman's favor so as to defy any rational explanation.

Yeah... its not like she's a Democrat and can expect 3000 ballots to show up in the trunk of a campaign workers car next week.

re: #106 iceweasel

Yes, but you can't only blame the GOP and Fox. Blame the MSM itself too, which pretends to objectivity by insisting on posting 'both sides of the story' even when there genuinely is only one side-- truth v falsity. Sure, the drum was being beaten, but the media let themselves be beaten too.

Well, in my opinion that was a direct result of their inability to stand up to the constant charges of "liberal media bias." Instead of sticking up for journalistic integrity, they simply decided it was easier to put two talking heads on screen, one with an (R) and one with a (D).

re: #110 Walter L. Newton

I wouldn't do that stuff, I don't/wouldn't advocate that stuff but they can do what they want, right?

They can do whatever they like. I think it's something that, as a network chief of a so-called "news" network, one wouldn't want to tolerate.

re: #109 SixDegrees

Try explaining any of that over there.

He'll need this.

re: #113 Cineaste

They can do whatever they like. I think it's something that, as a network chief of a so-called "news" network, one wouldn't want to tolerate.

Good answer. Then we both support capitalism.

re: #110 Walter L. Newton

I wouldn't do that stuff, I don't/wouldn't advocate that stuff but they can do what they want, right?

And by the way, I haven't said anywhere that they should be taken off the air, though I'm perfectly happy to see sponsors walk away and force the decision.

re: #115 Walter L. Newton

Good answer. Then we both support capitalism.

Most definitely!

re: #104 Walter L. Newton

Capitalism at work. Hurts, doesn't it?

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

Who do you assorted Lizards consider a responsble media figure taking on the issue of illegal immigration?

re: #112 drcordell

Well, in my opinion that was a direct result of their inability to stand up to the constant charges of "liberal media bias." Instead of sticking up for journalistic integrity, they simply decided it was easier to put two talking heads on screen, one with an (R) and one with a (D).

Yes, exactly. They wet their pants at being called 'the liberal media', so there you go.

they simply decided it was easier to put two talking heads on screen, one with an (R) and one with a (D).

Unless the R was recently involved in a scandal. Then he gets a D next to his name! ;)

re: #109 SixDegrees

Well, I checked out Ace, and he's pretty much got the same take as me - no chance Hoffman wins. Too few votes to remain counted and too large a deficit.

re: #119 DaddyG

Who do you assorted Lizards consider a responsble media figure taking on the issue of illegal immigration?

I think The Newshour with Jim Lehrer has done a number of fine segments on immigration. They consistently do exceptional journalism in my book.

Yes yes, CNN isn't biased.

The whole "librul biased" thing started with FoxNews.

Not with Peter Arnett, Brett Sadler, pay to play in Cuba, Beirut, Iraq, Syria.

They broadcast CNN International in the US now.

OF course it's not biased if your a raging leftist.

I mean, Shalevet Pass could've been killed by someone other than a Pali sniper.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

Now you readminds too? Wow.

If I want to watch a network that plays exactly what I want to hear I'll tune into the food network BBQ special.

Methinks you may be engaging in projection if you applaud Dobbs "resignation" while castigating Fox for being populist.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

I think they should be allowed to be challenged under false or misleading advertising laws for claims like the one implying they were the only one's covering 9/12.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

You can't force people to challenge their pre-conceived views in a free society. They don't have to if they don't want to- end of discussion. Freedom has it's downsides, but I'll take them to the alternatives any day.

re: #119 DaddyG

Who do you assorted Lizards consider a responsble media figure taking on the issue of illegal immigration?

Anyone who isn't employed by a giant corporation that is directly benefiting from the surplus of cheap labor caused by illegal immigration. Sooo, yeah PBS seems to be about it.

re: #119 DaddyG

Who do you assorted Lizards consider a responsble media figure taking on the issue of illegal immigration?

There is no "illegal" immigration.

Lunch

re: #119 DaddyG

I'll get back to you when I find one.

I wish that was sarcasm, but there isn't any. Just as with health care, the name of the game has been obfuscation and ignoring basic facts. There are legal immigrants and illegal aliens. We should be doing all we can to make it easier for legal immigrants to come to the country and assimilate. We should be doing all we can to deter illegal immigration. A path to citizenship for illegal immigrants is just wrong, and it shortchanges those who came here legally.

Undocumented immigrants and other language obscures the fact that they are illegal aliens and have broken the law to get here or remain here. If they want to come to the states, do it legally.

re: #122 Cineaste

I think The Newshour with Jim Lehrer has done a number of fine segments on immigration. They consistently do exceptional journalism in my book.

Good choice (IMO) I'm a Lehrer fan. Frontline usually does a good job too. Not completely free from bias but much more so than the networks.

Thanks, Media Matters!

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

Yes I do. If that's their business model, and it works for the network, and they are making buckets of money, I would not expect less.

Most of the people I know are adult enough and smart enough to delve into subjects, find the facts and make their decisions.

I don't have to have socialist holding my hand, wiping my ass and feeding me position statement into my head, I can think for myself.

But of course, I understand that their are people who no nothing about sustainability, and have gone through there whole like being spoon fed and taken care of.

Those are the ones that need your help.

re: #133 Walter L. Newton

Terrible spelling in that post.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

How horrible! We must reintroduce a Fairness Doctrine so that the government can mandate what networks present. Only by government control can we achieve true freedom!

/dripping

re: #128 Ben Hur

There is no "illegal" immigration.

Please explain.

re: #135 Dark_Falcon

How horrible! We must reintroduce a Fairness Doctrine so that the government can mandate what networks present. Only by government control can we achieve true freedom!

/dripping

LOL.

BBIAB - got to get ready for work. Preview tonight.

re: #128 Ben Hur

There is no "illegal" immigration.

Sorry- I meant to say "expose on the Rio Grande swim team". /

re: #126 Sharmuta

You can't force people to challenge their pre-conceived views in a free society. They don't have to if they don't want to- end of discussion. Freedom has it's downsides, but I'll take them to the alternatives any day.

I'm not saying that I think anything should be "forced" on anyone. But I am not pleased that an increasing number of Americans rely solely on partisan media sources. Being able to turn on the news and only hearing exactly what you want to hear is not the hallmark of a free society.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

You mean like news services througout Europe, Asia and the rest of the world, and the way those in the United States openly operated for most of the nation's history. even while bleating hypocritically about fairness, balance and impartiality?

Thanks, but I prefer the days when news sources were openly partisan - like when the Atlanta Constitution would fire a cannon off the roof of their building when a candidate they were backing won. Better than than telling everyone you're presenting all sides of the story while presenting only one.

As astonishing as it may sound, people are smart enough to sort such things out all by themselves.

re: #133 Walter L. Newton

Most of the people I know are adult enough and smart enough to delve into subjects, find the facts and make their decisions.

I don't have to have socialist holding my hand, wiping my ass and feeding me position statement into my head, I can think for myself.

But of course, I understand that their are people who no nothing about sustainability, and have gone through there whole like being spoon fed and taken care of.

Those are the ones that need your help.

Well I don't think you know a whole lot of "real Americans" then. What percentage of Americans can't find Canada on a world map?

I think your description of people being spoon-fed covers a wide swath of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum, sadly. Nothing to do with socialism really.

re: #140 drcordell

I'm not saying that I think anything should be "forced" on anyone. But I am not pleased that an increasing number of Americans rely solely on partisan media sources. Being able to turn on the news and only hearing exactly what you want to hear is not the hallmark of a free society.

What, in your opinion, is the root source of this phenomenon?

re: #138 Walter L. Newton

BBIAB - got to get ready for work. Preview tonight.

Break a leg, Walter. I know it'll be a great show.

re: #134 Walter L. Newton

Terrible spelling in that post.

I don't respect a blogger who can't spell a word more than one way.

OT: this is some good news

Dog lost in Afghan battle returns

A sniffer dog lost in battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago has turned up safe and well and rejoined its Australian unit.

Defence officials said Sabi the dog was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base.

The dog returned to a celebrity welcome from visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US commander Gen Stanley McChrystal.

Sabi is being tested for disease before a possible return to Australia.

The black labrador bitch was with a joint Australian-Afghan patrol that was ambushed in Uruzgan province in September 2008.

Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi's trainer, were wounded in the exchange.

After the battle there was no sign of the dog, and months of searching failed to find her. Sabi was officially declared Missing In Action.

An Australian military spokesman said it would probably never be known exactly what had happened to Sabi in the 14 months she was missing, but the fact that she was in good condition indicated she had been cared for by someone.

re: #142 Cineaste

Well I don't think you know a whole lot of "real Americans" then. What percentage of Americans can't find Canada on a world map?

I think your description of people being spoon-fed covers a wide swath of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum, sadly. Nothing to do with socialism really.

Plus 1,000 updings. The majority of Americans are not smart enough to understand that they are being spoon-fed what is essentially corporate propaganda. To put it this way, fifty percent of America is of below-average intelligence.

re: #141 SixDegrees

As astonishing as it may sound, people are smart enough to sort such things out all by themselves.

Sadly, I just don't know that I believe that anymore. Think about the poll this summer that showed 57% of Republicans didn't believe or had doubts that Obama was an American citizen despite the fact that two seconds of research would provide a clear answer.

BBL - Lunch.

re: #57 Killgore Trout

Yup
Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call "total bull"

The man's a lunatic.

I don't like relying on Media Matters. It has its own agenda. It's supported by groups such as Moveon.org .
[Link: article.nationalreview.com...]

Having watched some of Dobbs during the time period. He usually prefaced all his shows by saying that he did not doubt that Obama was a citizen of the US. But he did run with it...because that's show business. And he was never hired by CNN as strictly a news reporter.
Their pretense over that is quite hollow. They simply did not like what he said.

re: #146 iceweasel

OT: this is some good news

Dog lost in Afghan battle returns

Puppy news always gets an upding from me.

re: #124 DaddyG

It's also contradictory -- if you really are willing to hear alternate points of view from a variety of people (not just staunch leftist or staunch rightists) then having a Lou Dobbs on CNN would have been one of those ways (ie, to create a diversity of viewpoints). If one the other hand, one is only happy if FOX broadcasts 24/7 rightwing politics and CNN broadcasts 24/7 only leftwing talking points...well, then, having Lou Dobbs shunted off to Fox would be interpreted as a "good thing." Personally, i don't consider it a "good thing." It's unfortunate.

re: #147 drcordell

Plus 1,000 updings. The majority of Americans are not smart enough to understand that they are being spoon-fed what is essentially corporate propaganda. To put it this way, fifty percent of America is of below-average intelligence.

...and we are still #1...

re: #153 Oh no...Sand People!

...and we are still #1...

At what, exactly?

re: #147 drcordell

Political apathy isn't the same thing as stupidity.

re: #151 bosforus

Puppy news always gets an upding from me.

Did you see this awesome compilation of videos showing soldiers returning from tours in Iraq & Afghanistan and their dogs greeting them. It'll break your heart...

re: #147 drcordell

Plus 1,000 updings. The majority of Americans are not smart enough to understand that they are being spoon-fed what is essentially corporate propaganda. To put it this way, fifty percent of America is of below-average intelligence.

In America I can have it my way, and I'm lovin' it! /

re: #147 drcordell

Plus 1,000 updings. The majority of Americans are not smart enough to understand that they are being spoon-fed what is essentially corporate propaganda. To put it this way, fifty percent of America is of below-average intelligence.

OK, then you just don't like the way America is set up. This is a nation founded on principles of individual freedom and free enterprise. If you've got a problem with that, you've got a problem with America.

re: #154 Cineaste

At what, exactly?

Ah...

American Exceptionalism

Thank you! Thank you...hold the applause...we'll be here for another 200 plus years...regardless what Obama thinks..

Americans are not stupid.

Is Dobbs departure likely to cost CNN money and spur further rating declines?

re: #154 Cineaste

At what, exactly?

Judging by our popular entertainment we're #1 at #2

re: #148 Cineaste

Sadly, I just don't know that I believe that anymore. Think about the poll this summer that showed 57% of Republicans didn't believe or had doubts that Obama was an American citizen despite the fact that two seconds of research would provide a clear answer.

Think of the number who believe that Alec Baldwin is qualified to dispense political advice. What's your point? This happened under a system that, supposedly, is largely fair, balanced and impartial - at least, that's what the system itself claims. This leads directly to the position, "It's on television, so it must be true." Better to simply be honest: people are partial, and when people present the news, the news is inevitably going to be colored by those predispositions. Instead of attempting to make the default to simply swallow whatever is presented, which is what the whole "fair and balanced" charade inevitably leads to.

re: #147 drcordell

You are right, most people eat it up when it comes to ideologically shaped news; they salivate after it, they must have their comfortable notions confirmed again and again.

I see it on the left, and I see it on the right.

Morons all.

re: #147 drcordell

Plus 1,000 updings. The majority of Americans are not smart enough to understand that they are being spoon-fed what is essentially corporate propaganda. To put it this way, fifty percent of America is of below-average intelligence.

Hi drcordell! Heh, just a minor quibble. Your point that the majority of Americans aren't smart is then clarified by noting that 50% of America is of below-average intelligence. Might have been a better clarification if you'd been able to say that 51% are below-average - but that would be a math error. Oh well.

(Just teasin'!)

re: #150 captdiggs

I don't like relying on Media Matters. It has its own agenda.

I can do no better than to quote our host:

Facts are facts. They don't get cooties on them because they come from Media Matters.

Sure, MMFA has an agenda. They were founded to identify instances of conservative bias in the media, and that's what they do. You're not likely to enjoy any of their opinion columns.

But they're right about Dobbs, and their sourced articles (which provide links, video, audio, and transcripts) are reliable.
BTW, Eric Boehlert used LGF as a source in his opinion column yesterday; nice.

re: #156 Cineaste

Did you see this awesome compilation of videos showing soldiers returning from tours in Iraq & Afghanistan and their dogs greeting them. It'll break your heart...

Saw the link to it here yesterday and watched it with my wife when I got home from work. Needless to say, it was a tear fest.

re: #160 Sharmuta

The poster was "projecting" (or looking into his mirror).

re: #162 DaddyG

Judging by our popular entertainment we're #1 at #2

Well depends how you count - we are only #3 in the number of films produced, behind Bollywood and Nollywood. :)

re: #130 lawhawk

Spot on, as usual, Lawhawk. My wife was an immigrant to the United States, and is now a citizen. Trust me, it was not a simple matter to obtain the alien registration card, and then full citizenship. She is even more firm regarding those that jumped the border illegally than I am. However, what to do about people who were brought across the border illegally by their parents when they were very young, and who are now adults, and who have become a part of their towns and neighborhoods? Simply sending these people back to their country of origin when they likely do not know the language or culture of their so-called "home" country is insanity.
This is not an easy issue.
One little policy that would help with both the illegal alien issue and the paying for health care issue would be to force employers of illegal aliens to pay the full cost for any injuries their illegal employees may incur.

re: #159 Oh no...Sand People!

Ah...

American Exceptionalism

Thank you! Thank you...hold the applause...we'll be here for another 200 plus years...regardless what Obama thinks..

Well that presupposes we live long enough to enjoy it. After all, we're only #50 on the life expectancy front.

re: #93 SixDegrees

OT: Malkin is trying to whip up support for the idea that the race in the 23rd isn't yet decided, and that Hoffman may yet win when the tallies are certified. And, of course, if the tallies don't show a Hoffman win, well, there might be something wrong with the count...

Shit stirring idiot.

Don't confuse the messenger with the message. The fact is that there was a significant error in a close race. Over 2000 votes were miscounted so the margin of victory is only about 3000 votes now, and there are around 10,000 absentee ballots still to be counted. Many from the military.

Very unlikely that the result will be over turned, but it is possible. In NY, even though Hoffman conceded, if the vote shows he won, he goes to congress.

re: #172 filetandrelease

Don't confuse the messenger with the message. The fact is that there was a significant error in a close race. Over 2000 votes were miscounted so the margin of victory is only about 3000 votes now, and there are around 10,000 absentee ballots still to be counted. Many from the military.

Very unlikely that the result will be over turned, but it is possible. In NY, even though Hoffman conceded, if the vote shows he won, he goes to congress.

FWIW the absentee ballots were likely mailed well before Scozzafaza dropped out.

re: #135 Dark_Falcon

How horrible! We must reintroduce a Fairness Doctrine so that the government can mandate what networks present. Only by government control can we achieve true freedom!

/dripping

Good grief! Don't give them any ideas!

re: #145 DaddyG

If you know how to spell a word two ways, use bolth ways.

Daddy G- We ARE #1

Why the World Still Loves America

The United States is the top desired destination country for the 700 million adults who would like to relocate permanently to another country. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of these respondents, which translates to more than 165 million adults worldwide, name the United States as their desired future residence. With an additional estimated 45 million saying they would like to move to Canada, Northern America is one of the two most desired regions.

/hat tip: Thanos

re: #163 SixDegrees

What's your point?

Well you said "people are smart enough to figure it out on their own" and I was saying that by and large they're not.

Just heard on the radio that the Army is going to pursue the death penalty for Nidal Hasan.

re: #178 NJDhockeyfan

OK good

re: #156 Cineaste

You have to scroll down to the bottom to see the kids greeting their parents who surprised them on their return. (Cineaste you owe me a box of tissues!) Thanks for posting that.

re: #176 Sharmuta

Daddy G- We ARE #1

Why the World Still Loves America

/hat tip: Thanos

And to celebrate:
Nelly: #1

'Immortal' jellyfish swarming across the world

The jellyfish are originally from the Caribbean but have spread all over the world.

Turritopsis Nutricula is technically known as a hydrozoan and is the only known animal that is capable of reverting completely to its younger self.

It does this through the cell development process of transdifferentiation.

Scientists believe the cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.

re: #177 Cineaste

Well you said "people are smart enough to figure it out on their own" and I was saying that by and large they're not.

How is having a press that hides behind a facade of balance and fairness that doesn't exist better, then, than having one that plainly announces it's biases?

re: #180 DaddyG

You have to scroll down to the bottom to see the kids greeting their parents who surprised them on their return. (Cineaste you owe me a box of tissues!) Thanks for posting that.

Oh I saw that. Killed me, just slayed me dead. Blubbering like a baby. Had dinner with my mother for her birthday and tried telling her about it and got misty.

re: #178 NJDhockeyfan

Just heard on the radio that the Army is going to pursue the death penalty for Nidal Hasan.

May the powers below eat him.

re: #179 Ojoe

OK good

Quite Concur. That piece of filth deserves the needle. Actually, he deserves the noose, but the needle will suffice.

re: #182 Killgore Trout

'Immortal' jellyfish swarming across the world

No; Time Lords can do that, too.

re: #118 drcordell

Yes, it's hurting our society. You seem to think its a good thing that an entire news network exists to simply tell people exactly what they want to hear, 24/7. That they can watch the "news" every day for a year and not be exposed to anything that challenges their pre-conceived views.

Well that is true, but so few watch CNN now days how much does it really hurt?

re: #183 SixDegrees

How is having a press that hides behind a facade of balance and fairness that doesn't exist better, then, than having one that plainly announces it's biases?

Well I would prefer the third option - that journalists do their job and report. Then let commentators blather on. My problem is the conflation of those roles and, frankly, that's exactly why CNN was right to toss Dobbs.

re: #186 Dark_Falcon

A noose, then a pike for his head.

We are out of touch with our inner barbarians in this country.

But sometimes we need them.

re: #173 Cineaste

So odds are slim to none?

Press conference on right now.

re: #191 filetandrelease

So odds are slim to none?

I'm not calling it either way as I am way too uninformed on this topic. I'm just guessing that you'll see more Scozzafaza votes in the absentee ballots than the 5% she got on day-of voting and that will likely hurt Owens, though I certainly could be wrong.

re: #192 NJDhockeyfan

link?

re: #190 Ojoe

A noose, then a pike for his head.

We are out of touch with our inner barbarians in this country.

But sometimes we need them.

Where's a good drawing & quartering when you need one?

/sarc

re: #190 Ojoe

A noose, then a pike for his head.

We are out of touch with our inner barbarians in this country.

But sometimes we need them.

The problem is that Hasan was very in touch with his inner barbarian as well as being in touch with a number of outer barbarians as well.

re: #193 Cineaste

I'm not calling it either way as I am way too uninformed on this topic. I'm just guessing that you'll see more Scozzafaza votes in the absentee ballots than the 5% she got on day-of voting and that will likely hurt Owens, though I certainly could be wrong.

It didn't occur to me, but you are probably right. Reducing Hoffmans almost non existant chances even further.

re: #176 Sharmuta

Daddy G- We ARE #1

Why the World Still Loves America

/hat tip: Thanos

In a word - Opportunity!

re: #196 Dark_Falcon

The problem is that Hasan was very in touch with his inner barbarian as well as being in touch with a number of outer barbarians as well.

7th Centuray Approved^tm

re: #194 Sharmuta

link?

It's on Foxnews right now.

re: #199 Oh no...Sand People!

PIMF Approved ^tm

/fail...

re: #189 Cineaste

Well I would prefer the third option - that journalists do their job and report. Then let commentators blather on. My problem is the conflation of those roles and, frankly, that's exactly why CNN was right to toss Dobbs.

But that's the way it's always been - reporters have never simply reported, they have always reported with their own particular slant inserted.

The media has pretended that there is such a thing as unbiased reporting that reporters at least strive for, but this is bullshit, pure and simple, and the claim is only made in modern America. In practice, however, even here it has never been more than a facade; the practice has always been just as biased as it was when Pulitzer and Hearst were duking it out in New York. And there's a real danger in that people tend to start believing that the press is fair and accurate at all times, and that anything reported it at least more or less true as a result.

Major Hassan needs to be tapped for his connections for all he's worth prior to sending him to his reward.

Someone(s) enabled this lunatic and helped him justify his actions.

re: #194 Sharmuta

link?

Sorry...went o the other room to watch.

re: #203 DaddyG

Major Hassan needs to be tapped for his connections for all he's worth prior to sending him to his reward.

Someone(s) enabled this lunatic and helped him justify his actions.

Water board the bastard!

The press conference announced that Hasan is being chared with 13 counts of premeditated murder. I hope is swiftly brought to trial, convicted, and executed. As my father says of him "He's another [epithet] who needs killing".

(my father describes Islamist terrorists with a possibly racial epithet that I will not use here.)

re: #142 Cineaste

Well I don't think you know a whole lot of "real Americans" then. What percentage of Americans can't find Canada on a world map?

I think your description of people being spoon-fed covers a wide swath of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum, sadly. Nothing to do with socialism really.

Typical cheap debating technique, inserting words I never used. I never use the term "real Americans" did I? But, you used it and then put it in quotes, making it appear that I may have used the term.

Not even worth replying to any more of your post.

Yawn.

re: #202 SixDegrees

But that's the way it's always been - reporters have never simply reported, they have always reported with their own particular slant inserted.

The media has pretended that there is such a thing as unbiased reporting that reporters at least strive for, but this is bullshit, pure and simple, and the claim is only made in modern America. In practice, however, even here it has never been more than a facade; the practice has always been just as biased as it was when Pulitzer and Hearst were duking it out in New York. And there's a real danger in that people tend to start believing that the press is fair and accurate at all times, and that anything reported it at least more or less true as a result.

Heisenberg ensured there is no such thing as pure reporting. I grant that. However when you look at the work the Newshour does it comes awfully close. They do a thorough, in depth piece that is quite dry and filled with a lot of facts and then they invite experts on both sides of the issue to come in and have a discussion, moderated by the anchor. It is civil and they bring in people who are generally equally matched in intellect and expertise (ie: not putting Colmes against Charles Krauthammer or something). That is quality journalism in my book.

re: #203 DaddyG

Major Hassan needs to be tapped for his connections for all he's worth prior to sending him to his reward.

Someone(s) enabled this lunatic and helped him justify his actions.

Most of the credit goes to Mohammed, in my opinion.

re: #205 filetandrelease

Water board the bastard!

Nah. Just threaten to cut off his lap dance priveledges at Starz. /

re: #208 Cineaste

Heisenberg ensured there is no such thing as pure reporting.

So, the cop says "Do you know how fast you were going?" And Heisenberg says "No, but I know exactly where I was."

re: #205 filetandrelease

Water board the bastard!

Justice for Hasan would be water-boarding till he gave up his connections, then put him back on the board and drown him for real. That will not happen, and I don't advocate drowning him, but he deserves it.

re: #210 DaddyG

Nah. Just threaten to cut off his lap dance priveledges at Starz. /

What ever works.

re: #212 Dark_Falcon

Justice for Hasan would be water-boarding till he gave up his connections, then put him back on the board and drown him for real. That will not happen, and I don't advocate drowning him, but he deserves it.

IIRC, the FBI was on his ass for 6 months.

re: #206 Dark_Falcon

The press conference announced that Hasan is being chared with 13 counts of premeditated murder. I hope is swiftly brought to trial, convicted, and executed. As my father says of him "He's another [epithet] who needs killing".

(my father describes Islamist terrorists with a possibly racial epithet that I will not use here.)

Here are some more facts about Major Hasan who was shaped and informed by radical Islam...

Both fellow students and faculty were deeply troubled by Hasan's behavior — which they variously called disconnected, aloof, paranoid, belligerent, and schizoid. The officials say he antagonized some students and faculty by espousing what they perceived to be extremist Islamic views. His supervisors at Walter Reed had even reprimanded him for telling at least one patient that "Islam can save your soul."

It seems that they were concerned about his radical Islamic beliefs...

One official involved in the conversations had reportedly told colleagues that he worried that if Hasan deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, he might leak secret military information to Islamic extremists. Another official reportedly wondered aloud to colleagues whether Hasan might be capable of committing fratricide, like the Muslim U.S. Army sergeant who, in 2003, killed two fellow soldiers and injured 14 others by setting off grenades at a base in Kuwait.

And, once again, a reference to his radical Islamic beliefs...

Second, some of Hasan's supervisors and instructors had told colleagues that they repeatedly bent over backward to support and encourage him, because they didn't have clear evidence that he was unstable, and they worried they might be "discriminating" against Hasan because of his seemingly extremist Islamic beliefs.

This wasn't a case of "Sudden Something Anything Syndrome." Hasan is the one who continually, inappropriately, and for an extended period of time threateningly brought his faith to everyones attention. This guy practically introduced himself as being infected with "Open Your Damn Eyes And You'd See the Train Coming Syndrome. (tm - Cato the Elder)"

Too bad we have so many people that suffer from "Open Your Damn Eyes And You'd See the Train Coming Syndrome. (tm - Cato the Elder)" It's going to get many people killed before a cure is found.

These quotes are taken from an article dated Nov. 12th, 2009 from that far right ultra-conservative news outlet NPR.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

re: #214 Cannadian Club Akbar

IIRC, the FBI was on his ass for 6 months.

I'm curious about his finances What'd he do with all the money he made?

re: #207 Walter L. Newton

Typical cheap debating technique, inserting words I never used. I never use the term "real Americans" did I? But, you used it and then put it in quotes, making it appear that I may have used the term.

Not even worth replying to any more of your post.

Yawn.

Your loss. I think the quotations were obviously not referring to something you said, I was using ironic quotations in reference the long-standing conservative talking point that they represent "real americans". You said:

Most of the people I know are adult enough and smart enough to delve into subjects, find the facts and make their decisions.

I said that you don't know many "real Americans". Perhaps I should have used single quotes 'real Americans' - or ironic capitalization (Real Americans) but you knew what I was doing. Though please, don't engage with what I was saying and sulk in your corner. Just don't take all the toys with you ok? The rest of the kids want to play...

re: #212 Dark_Falcon

Justice for Hasan would be water-boarding till he gave up his connections, then put him back on the board and drown him for real. That will not happen, and I don't advocate drowning him, but he deserves it.

Or you just turn him over to me and I will release him.

re: #217 Cineaste

I said that you don't know many "real Americans". Perhaps I should have used single quotes 'real Americans' - or ironic capitalization (Real Americans) but you knew what I was doing. Though please, don't engage with what I was saying and sulk in your corner. Just don't take all the toys with you ok? The rest of the kids want to play...

Very juvenile. Very juvenile, indeed. And this from one of the most immature people I know.

re: #208 Cineaste

Heisenberg ensured there is no such thing as pure reporting. I grant that. However when you look at the work the Newshour does it comes awfully close. They do a thorough, in depth piece that is quite dry and filled with a lot of facts and then they invite experts on both sides of the issue to come in and have a discussion, moderated by the anchor. It is civil and they bring in people who are generally equally matched in intellect and expertise (ie: not putting Colmes against Charles Krauthammer or something). That is quality journalism in my book.

Sorry, but that isn't the "pure reporting" demanded earlier; that's analysis and opinion, an entirely different topic.

re: #216 Guanxi88

I'm curious about his finances What'd he do with all the money he made?

I think the news said he was broke and couldn't get any women.

re: #216 Guanxi88

I'm curious about his finances What'd he do with all the money he made?

They are investigating possible money wires to Pakistan.

WASHINGTON – Authorities have been examining whether Fort Hood massacre suspect Nidal Malik Hasan wired money to Pakistan in recent months, an action that one senior lawmaker said would raise serious questions about Hasan's possible connections to militant Islamic groups.

re: #220 SixDegrees

Sorry, but that isn't the "pure reporting" demanded earlier; that's analysis and opinion, an entirely different topic.

I disagree. It is reporting followed by perspectives. But you are right, as I said, there is no such thing as completely impartial journalism.

I was kind of hoping to find out the FBI was using Major "Malfunction" Hassan to get to a larger group of terrorists. Given the commentary by Hassans former colleagues in arms it sadly looks like PC got in the way.

re: #196 Dark_Falcon

Yes, Hasan was, and we were not, and we missed the signals.

re: #221 Cannadian Club Akbar

I think the news said he was broke and couldn't get any women.

Guy pulled down a very nice salary, no kids, and lived in crap housing for enlisted men. He had a lot of disposable income that couldn't all have been spent at nudie bars.

re: #219 Guanxi88

Very juvenile. Very juvenile, indeed. And this from one of the most immature people I know.

Let's call Hannity up and ask him what a "Real American" is. I'm sure most of us would be disqualified right off the bat for no reason.

re: #224 DaddyG

I was kind of hoping to find out the FBI was using Major "Malfunction" Hassan to get to a larger group of terrorists. Given the commentary by Hassans former colleagues in arms it sadly looks like PC got in the way.

Perhaps...[Link: abcnews.go.com...]

re: #226 Guanxi88

Guy pulled down a very nice salary, no kids, and lived in crap housing for enlisted men. He had a lot of disposable income that couldn't all have been spent at nudie bars.

Have you looked at the price of arugala and lap dances lately? /

re: #229 DaddyG

Have you looked at the price of arugala and lap dances lately? /

I figure one goes up and the other...

re: #230 Guanxi88

I figure one goes up and the other...

Fig leaf inflation.

re: #220 SixDegrees

Sorry, but that isn't the "pure reporting" demanded earlier; that's analysis and opinion, an entirely different topic.

I don't mind a little analysis with the news broadcasts, so long as it's clearly defined as such. But this notion that the press is supposed to be unbiased is actually a recent phenomenon. I think perhaps instead of striving for impartiality, the msm should be more blatant in the slant they are selling.

re: #226 Guanxi88

Guy pulled down a very nice salary, no kids, and lived in crap housing for enlisted men. He had a lot of disposable income that couldn't all have been spent at nudie bars.

Maybe he was using it to fund jihad. That's something to look into.

Gotta go. BBL

re: #230 Guanxi88

I figure one goes up and the other...

Are you thinking "Champagne Room?"

re: #234 Cannadian Club Akbar

Are you thinking "Champagne Room?"

I'm sure I have no idea what you mean.

I would like a network to step forward and say their goal is to be the most reliable news source and back it up with actual statistics. I would watch them.

re: #236 Sharmuta

I would like a network to step forward and say their goal is to be the most reliable news source and back it up with actual statistics. I would watch them.

I like the idea. What sort of stats would prove it though?

re: #236 Sharmuta

I would like a network to step forward and say their goal is to be the most reliable news source and back it up with actual statistics. I would watch them.

LGF needs a network. We can call bullshit at the drop of a hat.

re: #237 Cineaste

Number of retractions, corrections, things like that. I wouldn't demand perfection, but if the goal was to be as accurate as possible, I would think it a worthy ideal.

re: #232 Sharmuta

I don't mind a little analysis with the news broadcasts, so long as it's clearly defined as such. But this notion that the press is supposed to be unbiased is actually a recent phenomenon. I think perhaps instead of striving for impartiality, the msm should be more blatant in the slant they are selling.

My point, exactly.

re: #132 SeaMonkey

Thanks, Media Matters!

Media Matters is a piece of shit. They've treated LGF very poorly in the past, and I'm not about to give them any kudos due to that. Fuck them.

re: #239 Sharmuta

Number of retractions, corrections, things like that. I wouldn't demand perfection, but if the goal was to be as accurate as possible, I would think it a worthy ideal.

Um, when was the last time Faux News issued a retraction? Heck, Hannity last night said the video screw up was an "inadvertent mistake" which is BS. You don't 'accidentally' splice file footage into a montage of clips from an event weeks later.

re: #98 drcordell

CNN's problem is that they simply don't have a niche. They used to be the only game in town for 24-hour news. [...]

Hard to be a gatekeeper once the wall comes down.

re: #242 Cineaste

Um, when was the last time Faux News issued a retraction? Heck, Hannity last night said the video screw up was an "inadvertent mistake" which is BS. You don't 'accidentally' splice file footage into a montage of clips from an event weeks later.

Hannity is not a newscaster; his program is not a news program. How hard is this to understand?

re: #238 Cannadian Club Akbar

LGF needs a network. We can call bullshit at the drop of a hat.

I have a great idea. LGF has a Comedy Central show, where we have "muppet" like puppets sitting around a dais, and the puppets are characters that represent certain Lizards (I'll volunteer my puss) and we read some of the more heated and humorous threads from LGF.

Royalties may be arranged through my agent.

We have outlets in place today that fact check media outlets. They themselves are accused of bias or frankly obviously biased.

Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are still the best policy- the American public is sophisticated enough to choose wisely when given a chance.

re: #244 Guanxi88

Hannity is not a newscaster; his program is not a news program. How hard is this to understand?

no, no - I get that - I completely agree with what you were saying. It was more that there is a systemic unwillingness to acknowledge mistakes. It pervades all sides.

re: #239 Sharmuta

Number of retractions, corrections, things like that. I wouldn't demand perfection, but if the goal was to be as accurate as possible, I would think it a worthy ideal.

Facts can be slanted.

Obama continues to waffle on sending troops to Afghanistan.

Obama continues to analyze options on sending troops to Afghanistan.

anyhow - I'm out of here - need to get some work done - thanks for the chat everyone!

re: #239 Sharmuta

CNN for a long time had as its motto: "The most trusted name in News". But the reality of that falls short...

re: #242 Cineaste

Um, when was the last time Faux News issued a retraction? Heck, Hannity last night said the video screw up was an "inadvertent mistake" which is BS. You don't 'accidentally' splice file footage into a montage of clips from an event weeks later.

Hmm, sounds an awful lot like a retraction to me.

re: #250 J.S.

CNN for a long time had as its motto: "The most trusted name in News". But the reality of that falls short...

I thought that was fox's motto.

re: #248 filetandrelease

Facts can be slanted.

Obama continues to waffle on sending troops to Afghanistan.

Obama continues to analyze options on sending troops to Afghanistan.

Obama decisive in moves to consider options on Afghanistan. /

re: #252 Sharmuta

I thought that was fox's motto.

Hey Sharm! Naw, it's CNN. And IIRC it's boomed out by James Earl Jones.

CNN - We decide what we report.
FOX - Real news for real Americuns!
MSNBC - We're still on the air... really.

re: #252 Sharmuta

No, I believe Fox is something along the lines of "Most powerful name in news." (I don't watch nor have access to FOX ...but from Wiki link on the right hand side you can look up the "slogans" -- wiki CNN; wiki FOX.