Dems make me so angry! Why the hell can't they stand up to the media

[cantstandbush]

everytime the media spwes out the Republican talking point that Dems don't have any ideas on the Iraq war or that Dems have a responsiblity to not just criticse but to come up with a plan on their own? Damn it! I haven't heard one Dems say "Wait a minute! We do have suggestions. Everyone of us who has been interviewed has put forth a reasonable suggestion on how to get out of Iraq. But everytime we do, Bush says he doesn't agree." Or they could at least say that the administration is RESPONSIBLE for a plan, not the opposition. Last time I looked the Republicans were in control of the House and Senate and the WH. Why is it the Dems "responsibility" to come up with a plan on Iraq?

[snowbear]

1. What was it you were watching?

The one who seems to say that the most (from what I've seen anyway) is Chris Matthews.

Then again.. I don't watch Faux News ==EVER== ...but if Matthews is continuosly spewing that line on MSNBC, I can only imagine what the Fauxnoids must be saying!

[firefox]

2. Why don't the Dems call for busting up the 6 largest media companies? nt

[FrenchieCat]

6. Some have....

It's called Media Consolidation.....

http://www.soonerthought.com/archives/000280.html
WESLEY CLARK SLAMS MEDIA CONSOLIDATION

By Ira Teinowitz ADAge.com

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AdAge.com) -- The consolidation of American media companies should stop and rules that safeguard local media company independence need to be reinstated, Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark said.

Retired 4-star general and Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark stumped New Hampshire and thumped media conglomerates over the weekend.

BUT NOT MANY WERE LISTENING......

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. Ya think this has anything to do with why "Inside Politics" refused

to even mention Clark's name during a key stretch in January of 2004? You know, Judy Woodruff on CNN, who was oh so focused on covering the 2004 race in the weeks immediately preceding Iowa and New Hampshire, but who somehow managed to not mention Clark's name once for 20 some odd consecutive days? I can't remember the exact number of days Clark kept slipping her mind, but I know we were keeping a running tally at the time.

Nah, I'm sure it's unrelated. I'm just paranoid, right?

[blm]

10. Yep - media editted out ANY media criticism from Dem candidates, even when

the criticism was part of an official Senate Resolution drafted by the candidate.

Shortly after this respolution was submitted, the mediawhores kept to their official storyline that Kerry was aloof and Kerry campaign is dead.



Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"
Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval
Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. Another fine example. Thanks. n/t

[blm]

13. And why I focus on GOP control of media and voting machines.

Because they give Bush and the fascists the power they need to promote their agenda.

Alot of Democrats put up fight on important issues but it rarely gets heard in the corporate media.

[HardWorkingDem]

3. I am with you....

the other night I was watching some Dem politician on tv stating how lies were told to the American people, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. The host asked, "are you calling the President a liar."

Gosh, you should have heard this guy back peddle. It was sickening. He started blathering about being "misled" and the usual words inserted to avoid using any word other than "Liar". He should have said, "HELL YES I AM SAYING THE PRESIDENT IS A LIAR."

My point is, there are plenty of examples, both in video and written form, of Bush and his cronies lying and the Dems should use them and use them now.

All it will take is one prominent Dem (other than the wonderful members of the Congressional Black caucus) to call Bush a liar and then the floodgates will open. Sadly, this Dem is still sticking his or her thumb in the air to feel which direction that breeze is coming from.

[cantstandbush]

7. I think maybe all Dems in Congress should check in with DU/ n/t

[Cosmocat]

19. It is happening ...

More and more each day ...

Someone showed the clip from the Levin interview where some douchebag tried to cut a Bushco statement in thirds and left out the important third, and Levin was prepared with the transcripts and put it back on him ... The guy kept trying to stick to it, but Levin slammed him (in facts) ... Levin stuck to his guns bigtime ...

Also, I have been lukewarm on him, but Joe Biden just totally crushed John Warner on Meet the Press yesterday ... He was TOTALLY prepared and just totally killed Warner, who obviously was lying and backtracking ... Biden stuck to a previous comment that Cheney lied and Bush misled ... In fact, this was one of the few times I have seen a guy like Russert allow that the D had the high ground ... He, of course was a little soft on Warner given his weaseling, and tried to trip up Biden a little, but overall, he clearly took it too Warner ...

The fact is, the Ds have a HUGE advantage going on because they do in fact have the TRUTH on their side, while the Rs are now going to be hampered by having to toe the party line ... It helped them to this point, but the tide has turned and it is going to work against them ...

[blm]

22. Only now that they fear being seen as complicit with the White House -

PostKatrina and PostFitzgerald mode now.

[snowbear]

4. Welp...

First thing we need to do is regain a majority in the senate again and fire everyone at the FCC!

Then.. we need Warren Buffett (he supported Kerry last time around) to buy out Rupert Mudoch at Fox.

Per Forbes wealthiest for 2005.. Murdoch is worth 7 billion, Buffett is worth 44 BILLION !!!
http://eliteleague.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/duh!.gif

[leftstreet]

5. I would SO love to see a Buffett / Murdoch WWF smackdown

:hi:

[Loonman]

8. Tom Daschle Syndrome

The condition which makes you appear as a wishy-washy, effeminate worm.

[ProSense]

11. Because average Democrats spew the same BS as the media.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5461214&mesg_id=5461214

[blm]

14. Problem is the corporate media shapes perception even of those who

you expect would show greater immunity from their tired old lies.

The problem in the thread you refer to is one of hearing only one actual side to a story. It's hardly a two sided fight as it's being portrayed.

[Tom Rinaldo]

15. The field is slanted against us, absolutely

And we have to keep improving grass roots ways of getting our message out. This Bush Administration is imploding so badly now that we should be able to regain control of Congress and we must then use that opportunity to make media consolidation an issue once again.

But there are battles to be fought and won even in the current environment. I am proud of the efforts that many here on DU made to get Ed Schultz added to the Armed Forces Radio Network lineup, for one thing. It doesn't remotely begin to solve the problem, but every step forward helps.

[blm]

16. That's the kind of positive steps we need to make. Combat the media where

we can. Even in the smallest way we can.

That is democracy's last real hope. All other issues depend on media to be heard and the real facts around them to be discussed.

I think the big reason we are getting anywhere is the media is VERY NERVOUS about their own complicity being revealed in Iraq War buildup and the outing of an undercover agent and the covering up for a now obviously incompetent president.

They know they are now being seen as tools of the White House over the last 5 years, and they will give the left a greater opportunity to be heard at this time. Who knows how long it will last. We need to press for what changes we can.

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. "the media is VERY NERVOUS about their own complicity being revealed..."

I absolutely agree. With Bush seeming to go down in flames and more and more of his lies getting forced out into the open, increasing numbers of people are wondering "Why did I ever believe that shit in the first place?" and then they turn on the TV and see the faces of all the media whores who were peddling those lies to them day in and day out, while cooperating in the extensive coverups. They are nervous, but unless we press our advantage they will regroup under an updated and perhaps more subtle meme. They always do.

[ProSense]

18. Ed Schultz did

a great interview with Kerry. I know your post isn't about Kerry, but now that Schultz' program is on the Armed Forces Radio Network, it's an opportunity to amplify the other side of the story.

My problem with the media is the slant. For example, last Friday Countdown ran an NBC news interview with soldiers expressing a desire to "stay the course." The claim was that none of the soldiers they talked to were in favor of withdrawal. Well, here's a newsflash to balance that story: inject General Casey's argument.

Now one would think that if a high ranking officer is making the case for withdrawal, his assessment must be based on several factors, not the least of which is troop moral.

[cantstandbush]

20. If the Dems in Congress won't do it, maybe we can. Start e-mailing the

media on everything they lie and mislead about the Dems and the Iraq war.

[blm]

21. Some of us already do through Media Matters. Media rarely acknowledges

that we exist and ignores us for the most part.