How Long Will Fox News & Glen Beck Last?

[amicus]

Now, I did some pretty outrageous things in my talk radio daze of long ago…got a City Council Person recalled from Office, influenced laws being passed, drew coverage on Left Wing Anti Vietnam War protesters by marching in the opposite direction, got my picture on the front page in front of the Federal Court House calling Medicare, Socialized Medicine, got the Bishop of Honolulu to throw a bible at me, and more, like a bullet hole through the studio window and pickets outside; small things in the breadth of time, but still…

Glen Beck, and to a lesser degree, Sean Hannity, have taken on the Obama White House with a vengeance.

I heard that one in five people listen to Fox News and that their ratings top the list of most listened to on both Cable and Broadcast Media Outlets.

I was also one of those responsible for a Federal Law being passed, forbidding me to call a Politician and put them on the air, live, without informing them beforehand.

That was a long time ago.

But this Fox News thing is pushing the envelope far beyond what I ever considered in several ways.

Beck even has a Red Telephone that only the White House has the number to, that he dares them, the entire White House, to call him and explain their far left agenda.

President Obama and several members of his Cabinet, have openly criticized Fox News as not being, ‘News’, at all, just opinion. The White House will not permit anyone to appear on Fox News and criticized the Network for not carrying the Joint Session of Congress speech live.

This is big stuff, people, and I wonder just how long it will go on before something is done?

A Constitutional crisis over a free press?

Not in my 50 years of Broadcasting have I ever heard such criticism from the White House and my experience is confirmed by many in the business that say the same thing; this is unprecedented.

As was said often about my ‘Feminine Mistake’ thread, it’s like a train wreck, you can’t help but look. Ratings for the Fox News is increasing by leaps and bounds following the ACORN exposure that happened only on Fox and the resignation of an Obama Csar, also brought about by Fox News.

The ‘Tea Party’ marches and rallies, covered mainly by Fox and some say, ‘sponsored’ by Fox, Midterm elections a year away and Fox is already building a case, State by State, for Republicans retaking the House of Representatives…

Ahm happy as a clam about all of it, but…I sense the axe is about to fall and I wonder just how and when.

?

Amicus

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Obama will lose the fight with Beck and FOX. Obama will lose because he cant spend 24/7 tossing turds at FOX or Beck, and they can.

 

[slyc_willie]

You know, I voted for Obama, and still stand behind that vote. I think the man has the potential to become a great president. But then . . . .

First, he openly criticized Rush Limbaugh and told republicans they should stop listening to him. And now, he's made a declaration against Fox News, claiming they're the mouthpiece for the Republican Right.

It almost sounds like desperation.

I like Obama, I really do. But he makes too many speeches and puts his foot down when he doesn't need to. To me, that sounds like a man who isn't entirely sure about the success of his policies.

To be fair, however, our new President stares down at a very divided congress, which compromises the authority and respect of the office. The game of politics he mastered in Chicago are now working against him.

 

[amicus]

Obama will lose the fight with Beck and FOX. Obama will lose because he cant spend 24/7 tossing turds at FOX or Beck, and they can.

I wish I had your confidence, James, I really do. I forgot to mention that this coming Thursday, the 22nd of October, I think, the FCC will meet to discuss exercising control over the internet. This is scary stuff going on in the Nation's Capitol, in addition to the coerced 'volunteerism' and the projected drafting of all young people into public service of one kind or another.

All it would take is an emergency, even a manufactured one, for this administration to impose whatever controls they felt necessary.

Perhaps I have but become an alarmist in my waning years?

dunno....

regards...

ami

 

[amicus]

It is strange, Slyc, I feel we are kindred souls because of our mutual interests in other thngs and I have a hard time placing you as an Obama supporter, but, oh well...

To be fair, however, our new President stares down at a very divided congress, which compromises the authority and respect of the office. The game of politics he mastered in Chicago are now working against him.

I understand what you intend by a 'divided congress', yet both the House and the Senate have unstoppable Democrat majorities and could, in reality, pass any Legislation they wish.

I am not in a position to speculate with any 'insider' knowledge as I once might have had, but it seems to me that the far left agenda of Obama has ignored the basically center right position of the people.

I sense something else also, in the microcosm that this forum represents; that of a timid far left who remain uncertain as to just who they have supported and voted for?

The quietude and the attempt to squelch political conversations here also indicates to me an uncertainty as so few have come forth to defend this administration and the plans they have announced.

dunno...?

ami

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I wish I had your confidence, James, I really do. I forgot to mention that this coming Thursday, the 22nd of October, I think, the FCC will meet to discuss exercising control over the internet. This is scary stuff going on in the Nation's Capitol, in addition to the coerced 'volunteerism' and the projected drafting of all young people into public service of one kind or another.

All it would take is an emergency, even a manufactured one, for this administration to impose whatever controls they felt necessary.

Perhaps I have but become an alarmist in my waning years?

dunno....

regards...

ami

Whenever Obama attacks FOX the ratings increase. All the acrimony does is help FOX and hurt Obama's friends at the other networks. Beck has already forced a couple of people out of the White House. Obama needs an official enemy but FOX isnt it, and Obama got no where going after Limbaugh.

 

[Carnevil9]

.....To be fair, however, our new President stares down at a very divided congress, which compromises the authority and respect of the office. The game of politics he mastered in Chicago are now working against him.

A "divided Congress"? How do you figure? The Dems control the White House, the Senate, and the H of R. How is that divided?

If you ask me, Obama is just plain incompetent to enact his agenda, which is too radical even for the Dem-dominated establishment......Carney (wondering when the AH reforms will move these political discussions to a more appropriate venue)

 

[dr_mabeuse]

All it would take is an emergency, even a manufactured one, for this administration to impose whatever controls they felt necessary.

You mean like what Bush did with the Patriot Act?

 

[Boxlicker101]

You know, I voted for Obama, and still stand behind that vote. I think the man has the potential to become a great president. But then . . . .

First, he openly criticized Rush Limbaugh and told republicans they should stop listening to him. And now, he's made a declaration against Fox News, claiming they're the mouthpiece for the Republican Right.

It almost sounds like desperation.

I like Obama, I really do. But he makes too many speeches and puts his foot down when he doesn't need to. To me, that sounds like a man who isn't entirely sure about the success of his policies.

To be fair, however, our new President stares down at a very divided congress, which compromises the authority and respect of the office. The game of politics he mastered in Chicago are now working against him.

I wouldn't call the Congress all that divided. Obama's party has substantial majorities in both houses, even if not all of them will support him unequivocally. In this regard, he's better off than most presidents have been when taking office.

I have no animosity toward Obama, and I wish him success but I have some doubts about his willingness to make hard decisions and to do things he doesn't want to do.

 

[slyc_willie]

It is strange, Slyc, I feel we are kindred souls because of our mutual interests in other thngs and I have a hard time placing you as an Obama supporter, but, oh well...



I understand what you intend by a 'divided congress', yet both the House and the Senate have unstoppable Democrat majorities and could, in reality, pass any Legislation they wish.

I am not in a position to speculate with any 'insider' knowledge as I once might have had, but it seems to me that the far left agenda of Obama has ignored the basically center right position of the people.

I sense something else also, in the microcosm that this forum represents; that of a timid far left who remain uncertain as to just who they have supported and voted for?

The quietude and the attempt to squelch political conversations here also indicates to me an uncertainty as so few have come forth to defend this administration and the plans they have announced.

dunno...?

ami

Hell, Ami, it shouldn't surprise you that we share some interests. You might very well have been me if you had been born when I was, and vice-versa. We appreciate the same things for different reasons.

I like Obama because he has balls. He's willing to compromise future reelection for the sake of his beliefs. That, and I'm in favor of a universal health care. Say what you will about "Obamacare," but I believe it's a step in the right direction.

I'm not surprised by the dearth of hardline Obama supporters. The Far Right oppose him on principle, while the Far Left wish to see even bolder action than that which the Obama administration has proposed.

Our President has shown he is a dyed in the wool politician when it comes to most matters. I did not expect anything else from him. He will make deals and compromises as necessary, but he sticks to his guns on some issues. I admire his ability to play the game.

Obama isn't as far left as many suppose. He strives to walk a middle ground most of the time, but in the arena of American politics, that path is becoming more and more narrow.

 

[slyc_willie]

A "divided Congress"? How do you figure? The Dems control the White House, the Senate, and the H of R. How is that divided?

If you ask me, Obama is just plain incompetent to enact his agenda, which is too radical even for the Dem-dominated establishment......Carney (wondering when the AH reforms will move these political discussions to a more appropriate venue)

Obama's support is teetering. Congress is not exactly fully behind the President. Even some of his die-hard supporters question his administration's policies. Obama is only a couple of years away from no longer enjoying a partisan majority.

I wouldn't call the Congress all that divided. Obama's party has substantial majorities in both houses, even if not all of them will support him unequivocally. In this regard, he's better off than most presidents have been when taking office.

I have no animosity toward Obama, and I wish him success but I have some doubts about his willingness to make hard decisions and to do things he doesn't want to do.

Indeed.

 

[amicus]

Ahhh..Dr. Mab, in two part harmony with Pure about the Patriot Act.

The Far Left supporters of this administration have thus far been disappointed as Obama has kept many parts of the Patriot Act in effect.

It is wartime, Mab, like it or not, and the urgency following 9/11 prompted an era not seen since World War Two. I am old enough to remember 'black outs' and 'metal drives' during that time and history provides me with information of similar restrictions on citizens of the US and Britain that seemed necessary during a major conflict.

One of the effects of the Patriot Act was to insure a sharing of intelligence information between the many agencies of government that deals with such matters. I fear some of that may be lost as the Intelligence Community has been gutted and demoralized by this Administration.

In research for a book, I am amazed at just how many Agencies there are, way over 20, and the amount of, what I consider, sensitive information available on the web; like Carrier Battle Groups, where they are placed and the number of ships and men involved.

There is a line, but not a fine one, that divides National Security issues and personal freedoms under our Constitution. There are protections in place, as there well ought to be, to maintain individual rights and freedoms in wartime.

In my book, the, 'relaxing' of those measures leads to an eventual terrorist strike in the heartland of the Nation.

Not that anything I say will impress you and your firm stands, but others, more realistic may understand.

Amicus

 

[Huckleman2000]

Support for the "public option" in healthcare reform is growing. Republicans are eating their own, mired in a debate over whether to be an extremist or a lunatic conservative party.

Sarah Palin, the most high-profile R leader to hold public office [until she quit] is only welcome to campaign for the Texas Governor's primary battle - Republicans in a fight for the NJ Gov don't want her anywhere near them.

The number of people identifying themselves as R is at a 3-decade low.

75% of the R Senate caucus voted for gang-bang contractors, throwing their lot with war-profiteers against women enlistees.

The tea-bagger "movement" is simply astroturf organizations that have no control over the anger of the subscribers to their capricious targets. It could just as easily splinter into anti-Republican sentiments as anti-Democrat. Fomenting anti-government anger is dangerous business for a political party.

This "movement" exists only on the fringe, and you have a misguided sense of its influence if you think the "movement" has any coherence outside of the fear-mongering paid for by whomever wants to fear-monger.

The schtick is tired; those who fall for it aren't big enough in number to win legislative majorities.

 

[Liar]

You know, I voted for Obama, and still stand behind that vote. I think the man has the potential to become a great president. But then . . . .

First, he openly criticized Rush Limbaugh and told republicans they should stop listening to him. And now, he's made a declaration against Fox News, claiming they're the mouthpiece for the Republican Right.

It almost sounds like desperation.

I like Obama, I really do. But he makes too many speeches and puts his foot down when he doesn't need to. To me, that sounds like a man who isn't entirely sure about the success of his policies.

I agree, to a desgree. I don't see it as desperation and lack of confidence in his own policies. But I do see it as media incompetence. He is probably the most media savvy man in the world when he has the wind in his sails, but he makes constant miscalculations on how to handle extreme opposition, politically. He may dislike Fox all he want, but by calling them out, he is only making them relevant.

 

[Boota]

How is Obama subverting freedom of the press? He isn't banning Fox News or stifling them, simply refusing to talk to them. He's not legitimizing an illegitimate "news" organization. Anyone with common sense knows that Fox is a Republican mouthpiece. Why give comfort to your enemies? And yes, they are his enemies. It has nothing to do with free press. They want to use their freedom of the press to attack him and any administration officials who would speak to them. It's a lose/lose situation for someone with class. Fox doesn't have to worry about getting any dirtier.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

BOOTA

Most Americans watch FOX for the news, and plenty of Democrats appear on FOX....cuz FOX is where the audience is. Even Hillary has been on FOX. And the news-babes are hot.

Obama should be at war with Wall Street and the mega-corps sending jobs to China.

All Obama will do is make Glenn Beck look 10 feet tall and bullet-proof. And Beck will be fueled to dig up more Obama dirt. Al Capone had more class than Obama when it comes to handling the press.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Beck, by the way, was an afternoon funny guy on Tampa WFLA for a few years. He's funny as hell but flames everyone.

 

[Boota]

Nobody watches Fox for news. They watch it for the spin. No 24 hour news organization is watched for the news. There isn't 24 hours worth of news in a given day, so they fill those hours with insipid spin and opinion that the average moron takes for news. Real news, the important stuff, is lost in the shuffle of all of this useless distracting crap.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I disagree with you.

 

[Boota]

By the way, does anyone have a link to any Fox News coverage of the story where the Republicans voted to allow gang rape by major corporations? I haven't seen any, and I doubt it exists. It's kind of hard to spin that one. If they have, though, I'm sure it's laughable.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The story hasnt been featured in my local paper, and they'd jump on anything that harpoons the GOP. Frankly, I dont see Americans being excited about civilian contractors humping ragheads.

 

[Boota]

See? That's why you've got to quit watching Fox News. You don't even know the story. It wasn't a "raghead". It was an American woman working for the company of the same men who raped her. See the Republican gang rape thread for the story.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I get my news online and rarely watch tv.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

what I think is funny is that MSNBC [mainly Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman] have long been in a pissing match with FOX News. Where is Olberman? Chris Matthews is underground these days. Meanwhile, Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and Bill O'Reily are riding high. And the more the white house bitches and moans about them, the higher the ride.

It's obvious Obama can't take any close questioning of his personal life or policies. He has tried to change America in his own personal direction and it's backfiring on him. He should have asked America which way it wanted to go.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Youre right.

Notice how the Clintons are keeping away from Obama? She's almost invisible.

Prediction: If 2010 is bad for Obama at election time watch for Hillary to spur her horse forward for 2012.

The GOP has the same gelded ponies in its stable, and if Obama fucks up royally, as I expect he will, look for Hillary to kick his black ass.