Hardball: Making Shouters Accountable!

[3113]

Hardball: On the Topic of "Appeasement."

Some of you might have already seen this. I honestly don't care which side has the right of it in this particular debate, what I care about is that FINALLY someone in news is demanding that people who shout finally account for themselves. That they know what the fuck they're talking about before they're allowed to yell and scream their message.

I know shouting works, and that's why so many talk radio and talk show people use it, but I'm so SICK of commentators who do nothing but bellow and yell. The idea is to shout your point repeatedly. Shout it so no other message gets heard, shout it so that it scares people to your side, shout it so that you seem more powerful and therefore right (boy, we are back in the cave!), and, most importantly, shout it so that no real discussion can take place and possibly prove you wrong.

I know Hardball is only one show in a thousand, but I'm so amazed and delighted that finally, someone is showing us that these shouters only have this one tactic to win the argument; one trick pony.

Warning, this runs 9 minutes--4 of which are the guy doing is best to shout out his opinion in the hopes of drowning out the commentator and not answer the one question he's being asked--but the nine minutes gives you the context, and it presents what I see as the usual two sides, one side using scare tactics that depend on no one knowing their facts, and the other guy who is trying to reasonably discuss the issue. I suppose those watching this show are already converts, but one hopes that someone had their eyes opened, and now maybe thinks, "I don't want to listen to any more shouting. I want to hear a real discussion."

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The difference between "debate" and "argue" is the volume? At least partially, that is. And it's a cruel blow to those of us who are just naturally loud, I say.

 

[3113]

The difference between "debate" and "argue" is the volume? At least partially, that is. And it's a cruel blow to those of us who are just naturally loud, I say.

Why, V.M. I thought you won arguments by fluttering your pretty eyelashes and offering a sweet dimpled smile

 

[jomar]

Thank you for reminding me why I don't watch these shows.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Why, V.M. I thought you won arguments by fluttering your pretty eyelashes and offering a sweet dimpled smile

Only on the net where I can't loom over my opponent and growl.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Only on the net where I can't loom over my opponent and growl.

I have to remind The Old Man, every once in a while, that he doesn't win an argument just because he has drowned out my voice...

 

[voluptuary_manque]

And I don't win arguments by turning my back and walking out of the room . . . but at least it keeps me from shouting. I'm really loud.

It's the "Parade Ground Roar". I can be heard by some miscreant child clear across the playground.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm so glad I never watch TV.

Twenty seconds of exposure to that shrill penis head made me quite ill.

Shrugs. Shouting people down always worked for the communists. No reason why their direct philosophical descendants shouldn't use it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

And I don't win arguments by turning my back and walking out of the room . . . but at least it keeps me from shouting. I'm really loud.

It's the "Parade Ground Roar". I can be heard by some miscreant child clear across the playground.

I do not mind the shouting, as long as it conveys something-- emotion or information-- and as long as it stops long enough for me to respond-- with a moment of quiet to marshal my wits after the noise...

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've just watched the whole thing, and it occurs to me...

Now we know exactly what ami's voice sounds like.

 

[Belegon]

I have center field volume... which is built from needing to call out defensive signals so that my outfielders can hear them... it is also useful for calling out offensive plays from midcourt despite crowd noise or at concerts.

I need to watch the link, although I suspect it is the guy who is trying to attack the democrats with a Neville Chamberlain comment following Bush's lead, only to get nailed by a moderator who demonstrates that the dude doesn't actually even know what he did...

 

[TE999]

More often than not there's a direct corollary between a specious point in an argument and the volume at which it is delivered.

In simpler terms: If you can't convince 'em, out shout 'em.

Why does anyone waste their time watching this drivel?

 

[Belegon]

More often than not there's a direct corollary between a specious point in an argument and the volume at which it is delivered.

In simpler terms: If you can't convince 'em, out shout 'em.

Why does anyone waste their time watching this drivel?

More important, who listens to Kevin James enough that he actually was well-know enough to get on the program?

How freakin' sad is it that someone who may actually be influencing people out there due to his status as a "political commentator" doesn't actually know the history he is trying to claim will be repeated? I mean, if he doesn't know it, how the fuck can he say it is coming again?

Ya know, when a rock star or a celebrity shoots his mouth off and then gets caught, it's like we did it. We all have other things to do. But when it is your freakin' job????

 

[Stella_Omega]

I simply cannot believe that there was no one on hand to provide Kevin James with a prompt.

Does that mean that he was alone in the broadcast room-- or that none of his staff knew either?

 

[S-Des]

I know shouting works, and that's why so many talk radio and talk show people use it, but I'm so SICK of commentators who do nothing but bellow and yell.... know Hardball is only one show in a thousand, but I'm so amazed and delighted that finally, someone is showing us that these shouters only have this one tactic to win the argument; one trick pony.

Try watching Britt Hume sometime. All discussion, no shouting.

That's why I prefer listening to Dennis Praeger. He's probably the single calmest, most polite voice in radio talk shows (him and To The Point). He also has guests who completely disagree with him, but always leave on very good terms due to the intellectual level of the discourse (there was a really interesting interview with Madeline Albright last week that was especially fascinating). You can find the people who don't scream if you look for them, although it doesn't guarantee any more honesty in the discussion (Left, Right, & Center is as dishonest as any talk show you'll hear, although they're very polite towards each other).

 

[DeeZire]

That's why I prefer listening to Dennis Praeger. He's probably the single calmest, most polite voice in radio talk shows.... You can find the people who don't scream if you look for them, although it doesn't guarantee any more honesty in the discussion ....

After reading a Dennis Praeger piece, your point is proven - that politeness does not guarantee honesty, although it does make right wing propaganda much more palatable. Dennis sounds like Ami on Prozac - not a pretty picture.