Fox News Takeover In Businesses & Public Locations - forcing us to hear or see their 'journalism'

[Divine Discontent]

My brother got back from his hospital run doctor's office Friday and once again, he told me he tried to turn the TV from Fox News Channel (aka Faux Noise Channel) and the lady nearly yelled at him, "YOU AREN'T PERMITTED TO CHANGE IT FROM THAT CHANNEL". This is amazingly BIZARRE to me.

Since he's too polite to constructively argue, or risk his ability to go to see his favorite doc in that building, I decided to go in and act like I was waiting on someone, and while reading a magazine I got up slowly and turned the channel to MSNBC, the next channel up, and within 30 seconds, she asked me if I turned the channel I said, "yes, I wanted to watch news even if watered down, rather than a Republican talking points channel", she turned a bit red and said, I understand if you don't like it, but we are ordered to have it on that channel from our boss."

I didn't want to take it out on her, so I just smiled and said, "thanks!".

A sweet and joyful heavy set lady sitting near me started chuckling. I said, "you hear that? we have to hear this lying network while we sit here!". She said, "Lord yes, I hear ya. I can't stand Bush or that channel!". Made me laugh but the fact remains, they're either being brainwashed into being so defensive and protective of this President even when he's incredibly misguided (at best) or just plainly telling me the majority of people in the Republican party base are bottom feeders who adhere to whatever they're told by their great leader.

A fellow DU'er said in one of his posts on a different subject, that, "Fox News is everywhere. Recently I have had several occasions to travel and visit airports, and Fox News is on TVs in terminals. One of the newest banks here in town has tiny TV sets by each of the driveup kiosks, and every one is turned to Fox News - and can't be changed. This is frightening, but it also makes it easy to see the mindset of those in charge of these facilities. This is more than the continuation of disinformation; it is the beginning of brainwashing, in my opinion.", and I had to immediately write this and get some type of groundwork laid as to what we can do, because they're literally taking over a la Nazism. It's not just enough to, "ignore that channel".

We must take action against them. Any ideas, anyone working on this already?


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- check it out, top '08 stuff

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. You're right.

Recently, I had to gain a second bank account. The company that I work for is so backwards, that we don't have f'ing direct deposit. So we signed up at a Wells Fargo that was located in our nearby grocery store.

We're in the grocery store all the time anyway, and it was convenient. At the end of January, they moved OUT of the grocery location into a free-standing location. When I asked someone at the location WHY, they actually lied to me and told me that the store needed the space for "offices".

When I later casually said something to one of the cashiers, he told me that they lied to me-- he says that grocery stores LOVE having banks in them because it brings in extra business. No grocery wants to lose a bank branch; that they would never do that. So the Wells Fargo assholes LIED to me.

NOW, not only is the freestanding location in the WORST FUCKING LOCATION IN TOWN (every street around it is under construction, and you take your life in your hands getting into or out of it), but they force you to watch Fux News in line!

I asked the girl at the new location the other day who makes this decision, and she said the Wells Fargo Management, and she hates it too.

They have started building a new bank in the parking lot of the grocery store. When it is finished, I am unceremoniously pulling every cent out of Wells Fargo, and writing them the snotties letter in the world telling them what a lying, piece of shit company they are and how they can kiss my ass.

[Divine Discontent]

4. OK, that's disturbing ALONG with what my other brother just told me

he's a veteran of Iraq, and he said the VA hospital about a 100 mi. from here ALWAYS has Fox News...

If we can't get them to turn this apparently attempt at hypnotizing the American public off public areas, then Democratic/Independent businesses need to put on Air America Radio in their waiting rooms... This is out of control, b/c it sure sounds like it's happening in a large scale all across the country. :mad:

[flyarm]

2. do as i do..when i walk into a doc's office or business and faux is on

i am very very loud and say i will not stay in this office if that garbage is on tv here..if you want my business wither change the channel or turn it off..or i leave..and i am adament about it and very firm!

i will not bend on it!

and they usually turn on a soap opera...

none have allowed me to leave yet..some just turn the tv off..

but i am very very firm about it and very loud about it..

they tend to want to shut me up..quick


fly

[Divine Discontent]

6. I can see that...

working in small locations like doc offices or tire changing places, but like with the Bank and giant buildings (airports), I guess we have to take our business elsewhere, and complain to the Airports, butttttt, the fact is and remains, Fox News and the Republican powers that be are pushing propoganda as news, and getting it pushed into mainstream locations through their millionaire/billionaire owners... shouldn't the FCC be on Fox's ass anyhow, since they're not news and twist the facts, and MISTAKENLY put the wrong info up repeatedly, like the Democrat Mark Foley laugher, and the Obama Osama mispellings and Madrassa crap... But I LOVE what you do! :) ha!

[spooky3]

23. there is another approach that sometimes works

if it is the physician or dentist's policy, I speak directly to him (it has in my experience always a male physician/dentist who has it on Faux). I very politely ask if the channel can be changed, without giving a reason. They have always changed it without getting upset. It makes it a bit easier, though, that I live in a blue community (in a purplish red state); they know they are in the minority in this community. I think it is extremely rude for them to have Faux on in the first place, not just because it is so right wing and people shouldn't be forced to listen to ANY political views that may differ from their own when they are a captive audiece and/or paying customer, but because Faux lies. The more people who speak up, the more these physicians etc. will get it that their clients are not happy.

[TankLV]

26. Me too - did it at my eye doctor and my cardiologist...

They changed it everytime...

I will NOT permit the LIES to go unchecked anymore...

I will NOT go to a McDonalds by my home because they have that fucking channel on...

[depakid]

30. If I were at a doctors office and Fox "news" was on like that

I'd get find another doctor- FAST.

Anyone who is STUPID or brainwashed enough to have that trash on in their office isn't coming anywhere near my heart or eyes.

Seriously. I'm not joking. That speaks both to poor character and limited intelligence.

[Cobalt-60]

3. Spray Paint

just a dab will do ya

[lady lib]

5. If I'm in a restaurant and I see Faux, I ask

the server to change it to any sports station. Not that I want to watch sports either, but it's neutral and generally acceptable to everyone.

I know that's not the situation you're describing, though, and I find the idea of forced propaganda extremely disturbing.

[Divine Discontent]

8. still...

good ideas, I can ask for Discovery Channel or ESPN when they want something on, or maybe they'll change it to another real news channel, but yeah, the forced propaganda in banks, at airports, hospitals is chilling...

[rfranklin]

7. I always carry a brick with me and I use it as a remote control...

Works every time.

[Divine Discontent]

18. that's hilarious! n/t

[ThoughtCriminal]

9. Dentist Office

"Is it safe"?

[Blue_Tires]

29. i never need to hear THAT again!

:scared: :scared: :nuke:

[juno jones]

10. I'm with you guys

but I would take it one step further. Get rid of all of it. Personally, I'm sick of the fact that you cannot go anywhere in this country anymore without encountering a blaring TV or crappy radio in every public space. I don't need to read the news crawlers in the bank line. I don't need talk radio while I'm waiting to get my teeth drilled. I don't need endless, unescapable 'entertainment' everywhere I go. Hell, I wouldn't impose my musical tastes on others (although I'd LOVE to make people listen to Nina Hagen...:evilgrin:). I wish others wouldn't impose whatever lame-ass stuff that they find amusing on me. Especially when I am a captive audience.

I refuse to patronize businesses that insist on fux news playing in the background.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. The gym I go to has 12 teevees in a row .....

... we can change them at will, but as a courtesy ask everyone appearing to watch them if its okay.

When I get there, Faux is on a bout a third of them. Before I even warm up, I go up and down the line asking if it is okay to change them. If no one's watching, it goes to MSNBC. by the time I leave, they're all on ESPN, CNBC, Bravo, or MSNBC.

[eppur_se_muova]

12. You could have added, "I don't work for your boss".

If her boss ragged her about it, she'd have a message to pass on to him, and she'd be (sort of) covered.

[SharonAnn]

16. Further, "Your boss works for me!" After all, you're paying him, right?

[Divine Discontent]

19. ooh, I like that!

telling them, "well the TV is OUT here for US to watch, not you, I don't work for your bosses - so I, who am alone in here right now, want the TV turned to another channel I'd like to watch"... good stuff!

[eppur_se_muova]

31. Rat own! nt

[IChing]

13. You will now be reported to the thinkpol

[colorado_ufo]

14. Thank you so much for your follow-up on this!

I wrote the comment quoted in themartyred's post.

Beyond airports and banks, having televisions in hospitals force-fed Fox News is much worse. This defines a captive audience.

I do like the comment about requesting that the TV be turned off, if it cannot be switched. Even if an employee is not empowered to switch channels, if the presence of a television is disturbing a patient - especially one in pain or nauseous (which applies to most of us watching Fox) - then a doctor's office or hospital is obligated to put the welfare of the patient first.

The most disturbing concept to me is what we will find, should we peel back the layers of the onion in any company with such a "no switch" policy: Who is the boss? Who influences the boss (or intimidates him or her)? Who controls the BOD? Who is ON the BOD? Whom do they report to? Do they have lobbying power and/or connections to state government? Federal government? WHERE does the money come from?

I quit a job a few years ago when a community newspaper I had worked for, for years, was purchased. Suddenly, this little paper that could barely support itself (in spite of a long history in the community) could afford TWO full pages of editorial, center-spread. This is highly unusual content for any paper of this type. Do I need to mention that the right-wing leanings of the editorials and cartoons were more than obvious? This continued with no increase in advertising to support it (the additional pages). I discovered that the purchasers owned community newspapers in several places, some in communities vastly more affluent than this one. The truth was evident: The owners did not care whether or not this paper made any money. Not only was it (and two others they purchased in close-by areas) a tax write-off, but it was a conduit for far-right bias and influence, allowing them a subtle yet extremely powerful reach into far-reaching areas of Colorado.

However, of all the appalling changes I have been witness to over the past six years, somehow having Fox News blaring in my face in public places - with no escape - has chilled me most of all. It brings home to me the reality of what we are dealing with. It is not a supposition; it is not a conspiracy theory; it is not a "what if." Like the melting glaciers in Greenland and the drowning people in New Orleans, it is, indeed, real.

[Divine Discontent]

17. you're well spoken. I used to live around Pueblo btw, go Colo! n/t

[colorado_ufo]

36. Thanks for your kind words.

I've been in Colorado long enough to feel like a native, but my roots will always be in NOLA.

[Divine Discontent]

22. ps

my bro and I were talking about the community paper story you referred to in your post, it is incredibly disturbing to think they wouldn't CARE about no additional advertising, and that it's all about feeding propaganda to millions of people across this country----
SERIOUSLY-- if we were independently wealthy we could spend all of our time putting this all together and finding out who's behind all these decisions... I'm very confident that Rove has spoken with the RNC discussing how to get their word out to the masses on radio, schools, paper, community groups, TV, etc...

[colorado_ufo]

35. This is a small paper

and overall a small network of papers. However, the principle is the important thing: large papers are in some ways more vulnerable than small ones to such manipulation, due to their financial and power structures. And the effect can be devastating.

[guruoo]

15. One of those universal remote controls would

fix 'em.

[Divine Discontent]

21. that's clever!

and just say, "I didn't do it!" lol..

[meldroc]

38. I recommend the TV-B-Gone

http://www.tvbgone.com/cfe_tvbg_main.php

It's a keychain-sized device with a single button, that will emit the "Power off" signals for almost all televisions in existence.

[progressoid]

20. I switched dentists after the 04 election after hearing him gloat about

getting rid of "that jerk Daschle".

Prick.

[bonito]

24. It's the PR machine no doubt in my mind

I hope your post is expanded on by people with direct info.
:hi:

[Gelliebeans]

25. I am lucky to have a liberal doctor

who would never have FAUX on and since I am in there every four weeks it makes the whole thing more bearable.

I like going to his one office that services the geriatric patients because they tend to spend the whole wait time bitching about bush and how he wants to mess with their social security. It gives me such a chuckle to listen to them rake him over the coals.

I have been in the hospital situation where I had to share a room with a FAUX fan and because there was only one TV and I refused to watch it she asked to be moved out. The charge nurse came in with a last ditch effort to satisfy all concerned and asked me if I would allow her to have the FAUX channel on during certain times of the day but I stayed firm and said no.

She got her wish, she was moved to another room with a woman who was heavily sedated so that they could passively watch Bill-o together.

[LiberalFighter]

27. Ninja Remote

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[Divine Discontent]

28. what will they think of next! lol n/t

[underpants]

42. Oh that is awesome

thanks

[kwolf68]

32. Up next...

Bread and circusus, with a little American Idol tossed in.

[Roland99]

33. DirectTV has FOX Noise in its basic pkg but MSNBC and CNN are upgrades

The opposite at DISH Network, though!

[rinsd]

34. That is not accurate at all. Directv either has none of them or all of them

Heres' the absolute basic package - http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfoOffer.jsp?productId=prod700024

No news channels except Bloomberg

Here's the next step up - http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfoOffer.jsp?productId=prod700028

Every news channel.

[rodeodance]

40. Dish sat Tv --lots of areas in WI---you get Fox and cnn but pay extra for Msnbc

[rinsd]

41. Really? That stinks.

I could see it for CNBC and some other news channels but MSNBC is fairly big.

[Roland99]

45. Hmm...I'll have to follow up on what I was told by someone else.

[marlakay]

37. This is why we have to get dem pres in 08

The FCC is ruled by them, the justice dept no duh ruled by them...there is NO ONE to complain to. We can write to advertisers but if the right is giving them lots of money, they don't give a shit.

Like most of you have said, I ask politely but firmly to change and most do. If it is in a bar or restaurant and they won't change I leave. My doc's office (i am in 60/40 area...60 red) tv was off when I went for yearly check up the other day.

No tv in dentist waiting room. Since I travel to SeaTac to fly (about 3 hr drive) most tv's there are CNN since that is a liberal area.

I love the remote idea...would it work on a airport tv?? It was only $9...we should all kept them in our purses or pockets at airport.

[rodeodance]

39. in my area Fox with first Tier programs-have to pay extra for MSNBC

[Catherine Vincent]

43. I'm not very good at switching the channel at a public place.

My former optometrist must have been a major Bush supporter. A couple of years ago, I was in the waiting room and one of their mags had Bush's mug on it and of course it was on top. I quietly pretended to look at the magazine and then I returned it at the bottom face down. That made me feel good. Then last year I was talking with the doc and this was during the time when B&L had to recall a lot of their disinfecting solution and he asked me if I heard on Fox about the recall. He didn't say, did you hear on the news but he said FOX. I told him no, but I heard on the local news about it. I decided not to go to this doctor anymore for other reasons but the Fox comment sealed the deal.:)

[Divine Discontent]

49. love the magazine thing you did

and I commend you for not going back! :)

[ShortnFiery]

44. FOX Cable news is LOCKED-ON at our Post Office ... we are held captive if we must stand in line.

I asked an employee why FOX news is always on and if she liked it. She said that she hates it but "the boss" controls the channel and he loves FOX. :puke:

[mnhtnbb]

46. I complained to the CEO of BB& T (regional NC bank) about

the TV being tuned in to FOX in Chapel Hill--which is a liberal oasis
in NC. I received a nice letter in return, that said the local branch is responsible for setting the channel. I have NEVER seen it on FOX again
since I've been in there, although I know they have Bushie employees
since an SUV with Bush stickers is always in the lot.

Score one for the good guys!

[Divine Discontent]

48. wtg!!!! n/t

[KansDem]

47. When I was in cardiac rehab, the fitness center had TeeVees with Fox/CNN on...

One could "watch" these programs while working out on the treadmill or bicycle. Fortunately the sound was turned off (guess we were to watch the blathering bimbos while reading the written "news" scrolling across the screen), so I just took off my glasses and Fox/CNN turned into a blur, just like the accuracy of their reports.

Anyway, Fox and CNN aren't the kinds of programs you want cardiac patients exposed to...