I heard Hugh Hewitt last night say that it's silly to accept their invitations, or even to give interviews to the obviously left-leaning papers........I wonder if that's true.
Should rightwingers even do interviews on leftwing venues anymore (that'd be any station but FOX)? Hugh Hewitt says 'no', and he's a true Conservative, and very, very smart and quite reasoned in his approaches. He says they should not because it makes no sense..."why bother?" He interviewed Congressman John Campbell who agrees with him. They both said that, if conservatives stop, it'll become obvious to thinking Americans that they're TRULY only getting one side and they might even (dare we hope?) hunger for some opposing ideas to what they're constantly hearing; something to remind themselves of fairness and weighing things; not just swallowing everything they hear.
What do you think? Have we come to that?
Z
58 comments:
Most Americans wouldn't notice the lack of conservative interviewees.
Nothing would be obvious to them.
Existing in a right wing bubble is no different than what the right claims the left does. You're also not likely to convert any to your cause, if you only preach [or screech] to the choir.
But then again, from my perspective, there's seldom only two sides to any issue [especially when they both work to sieze power for the State and the Party], so it's mostly political theater to me.
I'm finding that by engaging my nieces and nephews (who respect me for being there for them) via facebook, I am seeing them become aware and reposting thereby influencing their circle of friends.
We don't give a shit about fairness . We do not give the other guy a sporting chance. Their kind will shoot us in the back if they got the chance, No we don't need no Stinkin Hypocrites here. Liberals are a genuine heap of gutless, lying filth. A back-stabbing Judas goat.
Sure they should accept. It's great fun to watch our side make fools of Rachel Maddow or Piers Morgan.
Putin just keeps dominating us at every turn. Here we are trying to pay bills and Putin finds the world's largest asteroid in his backyard.
Z - I hope the rightwingers don't give up on going on leftist shows.
It is important for people to hear both sides - even if it appears that right opinions are not respected. Let's not stop having both sides shown.
Off.
Who cares.
You saw what happened to the so called right and their leader Ted Cruz. You don't seem to understand that the days of the tea party are over.
I would ask Ed and z what left wing sources they attend to?
For the right to complain about people who "swallow everything they hear" is truly ironic.
Why is it that the right feels no need to expand their views. I've read Buckley, yes I rejected him. How many right wingers who complain about Howard Zinn have read him?
Ed, that is probably true.
Good going with Facebook. A couple of my nephews are listening to Dennis Prager now and have started talking very differently than they did. A girlfriend who was a liberal isn't anymore after having allowed herself to finally listen to Prager on drive-in radio here in LA.
The problem is getting people to finally listen when the media and their profs have demeaned the Right so badly; but, when they do, even my Black friends admit they're more Republican. It's kind of fun but frustrating to see.
CI..."right wing bubble?" :) We should be so lucky.
And no, there are seldom only two sides...
I wonder if you all heard Reid again this morning...that tiny-voiced, nasty little prig who just doesn't understand that everybody can't believe as he does and they're not dirt because they don't.
Jim, does Rachel EVER have conservatives on? I know Piers does and I happened to catch about 15 minutes of Coulter on his show last night and she does stand up to him and, brother, do his eyebrows go up. It's a puzzlement to them when they're bested.
Sue...you're lucky you're liberal and don't feel the discouragement from this president and his minions in what they say. Believe me. It's also so scary for me to think my very life's pretty much in a man's hands who hasn't experience or a real love of this country.
Thersites..what do you think would happen?
DUcky..."so called right"?
Odd that the TEA PARTY moniker the left branded anybody not agreeing with them only came up thru the media. Who'd even thought about the tea parties until lately? Suddenly, it was a BIG NAME TO BANDY ABOUT by the left...hadn't been brought up in months.
Terrific Alinsky work....Label and Demean. it's working, I have to admit.
FUnny, Dershowitz says Cruz was the brightest, most intelligent student he had at Harvard.
Just because you don't agree with his passion and his articulate vigor doesn't make him quite the ass you like to portray him as :-)
Ducky, are you serious?
"expand our views" meaning agree with you?
How about your expanding your views?
You read this blog and you don't think we come prepared to discuss all viewpoints? We've talked about Zinn many times in the past. I know... a big hero for you. Congratulations.
WE DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU,DUCKY. And THAT'S OKAY in America.! I think it still is, anyway??
Q.E.D.
The only was conservatives should accept an interview with a leftist 'journalist' is if they are willing to be on the offensive. However, most 'media' outlets simply edit the interviews to put the spin they wasn't on it.
Liberals & Progressives are people who can't take responsibility for their own actions generally find someone else to blame, and hate who they've decided to peg, to make themselves feel better.
Personally, I don't understand progressives at all... why would a person want the government to run their lives, dictate what they can do and what they cant do, dictate what they can and cant eat, and eventually will dictate where they can and cannot go?
Before any of you Liberals start changing the subject and dodging my previous post, I would you to dispute my claim that "Socialism" and "Liberalism" are one of the same.
...answer that!
I disagree with Hewitt. The last thing Americans hunger for is understanding. That aside, I agree with CI that televised debate is theater poorly done and it is anything but proper debate. Guesting political strategists offers nothing to issues that confront the American people. Strategists are little more than certified liars. I would much rather listen to the opinions of people who actually know something.
@ Lib Buster: Progressive Party is Communist Party.
Thersites..what do you think would happen?
People would stop watching. Call it the MSNBC effect.
Constitutional Insurgent comes closest to expressing my own views on the matter.
You may nit like me for saying it, but most of what has been happening in the "conservative" blogosphere for a very long time amounts to little more than an endless series of Stitch and Bitch sessions -- minus the snacks and beverages that often accompany such gatherings in the real world.
If we face the truth -- something no one really likes to do -- most people are looking for nothing more than confirmation of their preconceived notions.
To deny that is purest hypocrisy.
NO FREE THINKE,, I Don't LIKE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. And I don't like being scolded by you. You are not a spokesperson for conservatives, so Don’t act like one and get the hell off of your High Horse.
YOU’RE the one who has been in bed with the Progressive's, not anyone else here. You advice is no needed here and is not acceptable. So don’t tell “US” about “hypocrisy”. Enough of your bickering, In fact I'm inclined to tell you where you can go.
ALSO:
To answer the question properly: We ought to look at it both ways.
Why would any leftist worth his salt want to subject himself to the likes of bullying Bill "Gasbag" O'Reilly, or Sean "Motormouth" Hannity -- or brass-voiced, charmless Laura Ingraham for that matter?
ALL those people EVER do when a representative of the Democrats appears on one of their programs is continually JUMP DOWN the THROAT of the leftist in question wearing hobnail boots -- a BARBARIC, frankly DISGUSTING spectacle.
O'Reilly and Hannity are two of the rudest, crudest, most boorish "interviewers" who ever lived, if one my dignify what they do with such a decorous term. Ingraham is just as bad -- possibly worse.
When was the last time you ever heard any one of those people let one of heir guests finish a sentence or develop a thought?
You are either a fool or a liar , if you say they did, because they DON'T.
The conservative movement has run aground, because OUR behavior is every bit as despicable as that of the leftists whose characteristic insolence, abrasiveness, palpable insincerity and hyper-aggressive behavior enraged and inspired "us" to revolt in the first place.
So, NO, there IS no point in anyone subjecting himself to interviews with ANY broadcast journalist of ANY stripe, till we learn once again the virtue of minding our manners.
Rx:
BOYCOTT ALL the BLETHERING BULLSHIT ARTISTS who seems to have a BULLHORN stuck in their THROATS.
ALL those people EVER do when a representative of the Democrats appears on one of their programs is continually JUMP DOWN the THROAT of the leftist in question wearing hobnail boots -- a BARBARIC, frankly DISGUSTING spectacle.
Oh. You mean like you are doing here and at other blogs?
Wouldn't that be comparable to someone like Charles Karuthammer appearing on an episode of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" ?
FROM Z (GEEEZ) AT WORK:
Thersites, you make a great point there. MSNBC is so low in ratings.
Jack, not sure what the strategists, or most of the others on any channel, have to offer.
Interesting that so many of you are more critical of the Right's media behavior on this issue than the Left in their amazing and all-encompassing bias.
FT..you're entitled to your opinions but, obviously, not everyone, including me, agrees with all you said.
OUR COUNTRY DID SO MUCH BETTER WITH NEWS AT 5, FILM AT 11.
WE WEREN'T CONSUMED WITH EVERY CHILD'S DISAPPEARANCE IN A SMALL TOWN IN ALABAMA OR A CO-ED DISAPPEARANCE FROM A CHICAGO BAR IN THOSE DAYS.
As sad as those things are, they're only fillers to get to the paid commercials.
But..we're stuck in this mess and nobody cares a rat's poop about this except to make money.
Why do you think CNN finally hired Gingrich?
O'Reilly has done amazing work in getting things done which wouldn't have been addressed otherwise...but other than that....we need to step back and maybe turn OFF our TV NEWS.
The liberal Yahoo homepage will highlight an article on what dress a celeb wore or when a couple I've never heard of are getting married ...when the world's falling apart.
THey tell us that's because that's what people want.
I suggest that most people don't know the world's falling apart.
"FT..you're entitled to your opinions but, obviously, not everyone, including me, agrees with all you said."
I know that I don't!
If part of our duty as citizens is to inform ourselves about issues that affect our country, then we must hold our nose and read the news services, or watch the news on television, even when we know that their reporting is biased. What we must do subsequently is vet the news reporting so that we know what actually happened, without the propaganda. We cannot afford to trust the news organizations, nor even the so-called Fact Check organizations (owned by leftist syndicates). We must do independent research to validate what is being said. In reality, how many of us can affort to spend that much time doing independent research? So, having been educated in American public schools and not understanding civic virtue or civic responsibility, we tend to go with whatever “News Corp.” is telling us. Or, I suppose we could pursue the Roman solution sixteen-hundred years ago and pretend that all is well. How did that work out, again?
Apocalyptic dreams are not new. Writing in the fourteenth century, Eustache Deschamps writes:
We are cowardly and weak,
Covetous, old, evil-tongued
Fools are all i see, in truth.
The end is near,
All goes ill...
~Trojan Horse
"Voice of Reason" is anything but in his above comment.
Voice of Reason:
The vehemence of your attack on Mr. FreeThinke was unwarranted.
Z, who is the epitome of style and intelligence, also disagreed with FreeThinke, but she did it with her usual urbanity and graciousness that you evidently lack.
Mr. Freiheit Wahrhe
This is STILL American as far as I know, And MY freedom of speecch is JUST as important as Free Thinke’s is, or yours!
To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in Limited to someone else’s.
Mr. Sinclair, please don't display your biting, sarcastic nature, and lack of comprehension so ostentatiously just because you've taken an intense dislike to me. It ill becomes you, and I don't care, so why waste you time?
There is no basis for comparison, whatsoever, in posting criticisms in answer to a question -- however boldly, colorfully and forthrightly -- in the blogosphere and hosting a TELEVISION SHOW broadcast to hundreds of millions for the primary purpose of bullying and badgering invited guests in order to sell more soap to an audience mostly comprised of halfwits.
Free Speech
If you are an American, this is one of the most valuable rights afforded to you a citizen of the United States. Freedom of speech. It has been throughout history tested and tried, but it stood the test of time. People say, "My government infringes on my right to freedom of speech!" well, I would count my blessings if I were you. China does not value that right, and will without hesitation take it from you. It is getting to that point here, with the NSA watching what you do on the internet and who you call on the phone. Our freedom of speech is now in danger, in China it's gone. A chilling reminder of our future if we allow it to happen.
I think what you have in mind more is equal speech — the practice known as isegoria; do you know that it was at the heart of a major "crisis" in the Democratic institutions of the Ancient Greece. Let me quote you a text ... it is taken from a satirical work, called Constitution of the Athenians:
Someone might say that they ought not to let everyone speak on equal terms and serve on the council, but rather just the cleverest and finest. Yet their policy is also excellent in this very point of allowing even the worst people to speak. For if the good men were to speak and make policy, it would be splendid for the likes of themselves but not so for the men of the people. But, as things are, any wretch who wants to can stand up and obtain what is good for him and the likes of himself.
~Trojan Horse
"FT..you're entitled to your opinions but, obviously, not everyone, including me, agrees with all you said."
Good heavens, Z! It never occurred to me that they would. No one -- including me -- likes to be told that what they're doing is largely a waste of time when it comes to making effective improvements in the social fabric.
The cyber-world is a world of ILLUSION.
After a good twelve years of sharing time on various sites together, you ought to realize by now that HARMONY and CONGRUENCE with MY opinions is the very LAST thing I ever have sought or ever intend to seek.
I have no desire to win any popularity contests, spearhead a movement, achieve fame or get my face on the cover of TIME. ;-).
My only purpose is to stand up for what-I-believe-to-be the truth in as articulate, amusing and varied a way as I can manage.
Apparently, this irritates quite a few people -- like dear Mr. Sinclair up there to whose gratuitous personal attacks I am indifferent.
Why this should be, I think I know, but it would be rude and unseemly to reveal the explanation.
Voice of Reason:
No one questioned your right to speak.
Are you often given to unhinged rantings?
From Z of GEEEZ:
FT, I'm sorry; I don't think you mean to sound like you so often do. I'm convinced you don't.
Thanks for your explanation.
Mustang. thanks very much.
I wish I had time to read and comment to you all.
Hope to, later.
Have a great day. I'll be back, but not for long
I'm not sure why anybody would try to label FT's posts as a 'tantrum'. He has posted his opinion like anyone else has here, and has done it tactfully as well...which is more that some have done.
Constitutional Insurgent said...
"I'm not sure why anybody would try to label FT's posts as a 'tantrum'. He has posted his opinion like anyone else has here, and has done it tactfully as well...which is more that some have done"
Hee, hee, hee, I guess you haven't visited AOW's blog today...
"Hee, hee, hee"
Are you a girl?
"I guess you haven't visited AOW's blog today...."
No, I haven't. And I don't carry themes from one blog to another.
Ok you asked I answered
I go both ways. NO to shoutfests and 'gangbangers.'
What about shows that disguise emotional editorials as questions? Then steam over guests to editorialize further and prevent an answer they never intended to allow in the first place.
Recent example: "journalist" asks guest "Congresswoman, do you hate Obamacare so much that you're willing to damage the nation to stop it?" Then he steamrollers over her attempts to complete one sentence of a coherent rebut, especially once she slams that ball back into his court.
Disguesting ... whoever does it. And where does this style predominate? Well, it's been a hallmark of the left since the steps of Sproul Hall in the 60's. Designed to raise adrenaline, not consciousness. Literally. To eviscerate thinking with emotive reflexes. Not surprising to find the MSM 'news' media saturated with it.
Show me a show that isn't and I'm happy to see a center right pundit take it on.
I agree with Hugh. It seems to me, the talking heads on 'the right' lean in just a little too far to try to entice the left to listen to them. "fair and balanced" is as diseased an idea as "no child left behind". That's a stupid strategy. It's as stupid as mcLame yapping about reaching across the aisle [to communist socialist fascists]. Even the left don't want or respect some blow in the wind moron.
The conservatives should speak only conservatism, rejecting all that is leftist. As you say, let them hunger for a different point of view, especially now, when leftist actions start to rain pebbles on to their unicorn powered roofs.
What? Healthcare ain't Free? I have to buy it or pay a fine ! What!
I said it back when the imbecile got elected for the 2nd time. The political opposition(there isn't any tho) should have stated they will not stand in the way of anything the dems want to do (except constitutional issues). You voted for it you get it. They want to spend 100 trillion, let them.
You don't get a trash pile cleaned up by trying to clean it a little here and there by yourself. You clean up a trash pile by letting it get so large it cannot be ignored anymore so that Everyone demands it be taken care of. Make the pile visible.
I agree with FT about Hannity and O'reilly.
I detest some of Hannity's lying while they're smiling liberal guests, but his robotic hectoring of them gets old.
O'Reilly is a bloviator.
Time to circle the wagons!
I don't have the energy to read thru all of these but a lot of them are really good stuff..thanks.
What I want to say is this:
TED CRUZ, who Dershowitz calls "one of his very smartest students EVER at Harvard" is exactly right about his 'fillibuster', etc... he got people listening/aware..even those libs with their heads in the wrong place.
I think it was important.
Also, let me add that I'm tired of a president who's got so little dignity that he's said what he has about the GOP.
I think all liberals with any dignity or American values would agree.
But they don't; which says a HELL of a lot.
see y'all later.
FT's presence in the blogosphere functions as an intelligence test. Anyone who doesn't appreciate his rare talent, great wit and abundant charm is mentally deficient. It's as simple as that.
Robert Sinclair's long suffering wife Selena
Z, You make very good points. Cruz, etc. I appreciate it. I'm very pessimistic, maybe too much. I appreciate the balance.
That fact that Everyone is trying to trash Cruz makes me give him some points.
The folks who are getting the FREE STUFF don't like the folks who are paying for the FREE STUFF, because the folks who are paying for the FREE STUFF can no longer afford to pay for both the FREE STUFF and their own stuff.
And the folks who are paying for the FREE STUFF want the FREE STUFF to stop.
And the folks who are getting the FREE STUFF want even more FREE STUFF on top
of the FREE STUFF they are already getting!
Now... the people who are forcing the people who pay for the FREE STUFF have told the people who are RECEIVING the FREE STUFF that the people who are PAYING for the FREE STUFF are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.
So... the people who are GETTING the FREE STUFF have been convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the FREE STUFF by the people who are forcing some people to pay for their FREE STUFF and giving them the FREE STUFF in the first place.
We have let the FREE STUFF giving go on for so long that there are now more people getting FREE STUFF than paying for the FREE STUFF.
G' night Harry..g'night Walt
IMP. NO QUESTION there is a song in that. I'm gonna forward that to the Temptations and see what goes on.
@Kid:
Seems it'd go wif "I heard it thru the Grapevine"...no?
I mean..it's a new Motown tribute.
Selena and Robert...Please take this to FT's site. I don't like or want these kinds of things said about any of my commenters.
I appreciate most of Robert's comments VERY much but I don't see why today's been quite so vicious or crude. It doesn't seem like him.
Imp and Kid...NO QUESTION there's a song in there is right! That cracked me up, Kid!
Good comment, Imp!
Maybe we can write a Motown song about the Free Stuff:
Free Stuff...who's gonna pay?
Free Stuff...I work all the day
Free Stuff...my neighbor's gonna take it.
The Free Stuff's gotta stop if I have my saaaay..
doo bop, doo bop :-)
@kid -- That fact that Everyone is trying to trash Cruz
------
Trying?
He's the new Allen West.
The entire party is disowning him.
Ducky; he was so right in what he did and nobody really cares what you think about it.
the whole party's going squishy because they're afraid of the media's disdain; I think they're all shell shocked over the despicable names they've been called by a sitting president and his minions. So undignified and degrading.
yes, Cruz is somewhat like West...we need more of them.
Go Sox !!!
Ducky's wrong again!
Go Tigers!
Z, Imp, I may accept the song challenge. Free Stuff.
Imp regards temptations I was thinking more Ball of Confusion.
Vote for Me and I'll Set Ya Free !
Could be, Ed. That Tiger starting staff is tough.
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