Take the poll: "Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?"

[johnfunk]

... at American Politics Journal (home page, upper right).

And, of course, discuss amongst yourselves.

[jaxx]

1. 18 voters, 100% yes they are.

[John Q. Citizen]

2. Only if video games cause Columbine. And Playboy causes rape. Then, yeah.

Of course, i consider myself a liberal, not a knee jerk reactionary.

Before you get too upset, I do believe that ignoring the obviously violent anti social tendencies of certain racist and separatist groups is short sighted and puts people at risk.

And if anyone on the radio is calling for violence as a solution to political or social issues they should be prosecuted for incitememt to violence.

but I'm for free speech, even speech I don't like.

[YOY]

6. Apples and oranges...or so it seems.

RW radio seems a direct interface taking place of the "news". It calls itself "entertainment" when in hot water and it's listeners parrot that sentiment but none-the-less they get their opinions and "truths" from them.

Video games and Playboy are actual entertainment. Don't know of anyone who actually gets solid opinion masking iteself off as "truth" from them.

[KittyWampus]

12. Having violent video games and objectifying porn do condition us individually and socially.

The more the concepts are accepted culturally, the more likely it will become reality. ONE WAY OR OTHER.

[John Q. Citizen]

17. I nominate you to save us, then. You decide and if we don't go along you can throw us in jail. Sound

like Saudi Arabia, but what the heck.

Thanks for all you do!

[KittyWampus]

20. One would think Liberals would be able to find other forms of entertainment for themselves

[John Q. Citizen]

28. I like Harry Potter, even if you don't. Get over it.

[YOY]

39. One would think that not all liberals think as you do.

Do I need to even quote WIll Rogers?

[YOY]

33. No...I am afraid not. Sex and violence in the form of fantasy do not realize themselves.

at least not due to obviously unreal media. There is no widely accepted study showing so.

And PLEASE don't bring up that APA Study of 2001 on video game violence...it's had so many holes shot in it that it's commonly referred to as "swiss shit"...it's ludicrousness has even assisted in getting the craziest RW evangelical lawyer on a anti-video game crusade disbarred.

It doesn't work that way...just ask the old fogies who thought jazz music/rock-and-roll/comic books/literacy/etc would destroy society.

I kill a lot of shit in games...so do many others here. I also am a working and loving father and husband who wouldn't hurt a fly.

[John Q. Citizen]

13. It's against the law to call for violence on the radio. But saying abortion is a

sin or that liberals are wrecking the country, while stupid IMHO, is protected by the first amendment.

Your truth isn't necessarily someone else's truth.

And freedom of speech means nothing unless it protects speech you or i might find abhorrent.

[Sebastian Doyle]

18. But the reich wingers do cross that line.

You can argue whether or not Bill O'Reilly's obsession with Dr. Tiller played a part in the man's murder, but he also issued a direct invitation to Al Qaeda to bomb the Coit tower in San Francisco.

Michael Savage Weiner and Ann Coulter have often made direct suggestions that their opponents should be killed.

And what about when convicted felon G. Gordon Liddy told his audience of wingnuts that you had to shoot federal agents in the head, because they wear Kevlar vests.

[John Q. Citizen]

27. If there are laws against inciting violence why aren't they enforced? I don't listen

to right wing radio, and when we had leftwing radio here, they weren't exhorting people to violence.

But what of Thomas Jefferson's statement that the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots. Did he cross the line? Maybe so. He was a radical after all.

I'm not a lawyer and I'm not in law enforcement. So I'm not an expert. I do however object to the knee jerk reactions every time something happens. Because life is about things happening.

And it seems that what happens determines who is being knee jerk in any given event. That's all my point is.

[YOY]

32. I put "truth" in quotes as they are falsehoods played off for facts.

Truth is a relative term, this we know...but a falsehood cannot be made into a truth.

Yes, 1st amendment...but inciting a riot is illegal and threatening the life of the commander in chief is treason.

[KittyWampus]

11. At some point, maybe the Leftwing hypocrites who SAY they support peace and respect women

will realize that you have to BE the change you want to see in the world.

If you don't want violence in the world, then don't spend hours engaging in it virtually.

You want women to have respect and equality, don't treat them like objects in your fantasies.

Either we really are all connected, as Lefties like to say, or we aren't.

If we are connected, then why add to the negative energy pooling in our Collective Unconscious?

But then, when you are a Reductionist who clings to the illusion that the material world is all there is, the Collective Unconscious is just a woo-woo concept.

[John Q. Citizen]

24. If you would prefer to live under a Rightwing theocracy be my guest. Fortunatly we were founded by

Leftwing hypocrites who founded a constitutional democratic republic and who wrote and ratified a constitution.

Under the constitution, you are more than welcome to practice any religion you want; or no religion if you want. That was done to stop narrow minded absolutists from imposing their religion, or lack of religion on other people.

My children really like the Harry Potter series. They have friends who aren't allowed to read them because their parents have decided that they promote witch-craft which is contrary to their personal religious beliefs.

This is fine with me, because they should be able to choose what their children read.

But I disagree with you that they should be also able to decide what my children read. That's un-American in my view.


You either respect the US Constitution or you don't. But it is the highest and fundemental law of our land.

And we will enforce the law, even on those who hide behind bizarre ideologies. Make no mistake.

[duhneece]

42. My community made news burning Harry Potter books

Book Burnings

Alamogordo briefly made international news in late 2001 when Christ Community Church held a public book burning on December 30.

And I was there protesting.

But I recognize the difference between that and remaining silent when bullying and calls to violence (that are the same as crying 'fire' in a crowded theater) is happening right before our eyes...or ears!
Knowing what we NOW know about the part radio dj's had on the genocide in Rwanda, we cannot turn our heads and continue to protect and enable those who call for killing others, for whatever reason.

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia


It is only the mean, cruel, brutal bully who wants us to allow them to brutalize those less powerful...or so it seems to me.

[John Q. Citizen]

45. Look at the title of the poll. If the poll said; Does allowing media to call for the extermination

of an ethnic minority demand a forceful immediate response, my answer would be yes, absolutely.

What if the poll said; Is it Ok for radio stations to exhort there listeners to violence, I would say no, it's not. But the way the question is asked leaves me no choice. It may not be popular, but the first amendment often isn't and people who defend the first are often even less popular.

Let me ask you this; Is the Christ Community Church a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?

Are the Jefferson Airplane songs and the radio stations that played them a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism (think Symbioneese Liberation Army)

in Rwanada there was a plan between the dj's and with the ruling elite to commit genocide. Kind of like the plan here with the NYT and our ruling elite to commit war crimes in Iraq. Should we shut down the NYT and the WAPO? Perhaps. But it's a pretty slippery slope.

You can think me a bully if you wish. I don't listen to right wing radio and I don't even have cable and I get almost all my news from public radio and the internet. I have three lovely kids. And I stand up for the weak against the powerful on a regular basis.

I just don't think you can show that right wing radio is a more significant factor to domestic terrorism than anything else except stupidity, mental illness, poverty, intolerence. Everyone wishes we could pick one thing that's to blame and if we could just get rid of that, then everything would be better.

We are a violent people. I pay my taxes and the money is used to kill innocent people all around the world.

Have you stopped paying taxes? Would you tear down the transmitting towers of right wing radio to stop domestic terrorism? And if not, why not?

[John Q. Citizen]

48. One more thing. I happen to believe that the death penalty is a far more significant

cause of domestic terrorism than is rw radio. So all the Dems and all the Repo law makers, including all the presidents, who support the death penalty are far more significantly responsible for domestic terrorism than any radio.

It teaches people that violence is the way to fix their problem. If some one is bad, the answer is simple; Kill them.

Spanking kids is , in my mind, far more significant to domestic terrorism than rw radio. Might makes right, Violence is the best way to solve our problems.

I think those things are significantly responsible for RW radio. So I hope you can see where I'm coming from.

[LanternWaste]

34. I do not understand why accepting as true the original...

I do not understand why accepting as true the original posit that "talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism..." would preclude free speech as you imply. :shrug:

[John Q. Citizen]

49. I see your point. But don't you think the question is rather simplistic and in fact

actually impossible to quantify?

How significant?

When did it become a significant factor?

What is a significant contributing factor to R W Radio. Capitalism?

Let's run that poll and ask if capitalism is a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism. I would say yes. I think it's far easier to show a causal relationship.

[LanternWaste]

51. I think it can be objectively quantified-- but only after the fact.

I think it can be objectively quantified-- but most likely only after the fact, much like RTLM in March 1992 or Volksaufklärung (in 1933-38. I happen to think that RW radio is as much morally and specifically (but not as of yet legally) guilty of inciting to riot as was RTLM or Volksaufklärung.

Although I believe the question to lack relevant points I myself would have focused on, I certainly don't see it as simplistic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. Think Rwanda, and then compare Savage, or Glenny

to that... your answer is in there.

[jillan]

64. I completely understand what you are saying ---but-

when they say things like Obama is more dangerous to the US than OBL, you have to wonder.

Or when people who go see Palin at a campaign rally start yelling "Kill Him" everytime she invoked fear of what would happen if Obama got elected.


Sometimes there is a line you just don't cross.

[John Q. Citizen]

65. Absolutely. There are laws and they should be enforced. And people should

speak up and out against intimidation. And the press should have asked Palin about what was happening at her rallies daily and they kept after her on why she tolerated that crap.

But the poll question is well, poorly stated for one thing.

Did you see this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5829674&mesg_id=5829674

I'm perfectly happy with it. No one has the right to threaten another with death or bodily harm or to incite violence.

But i still can't see blaming right wing talk radio for domestic terrorism. I'm perfectly willing to condemn people for their actions, including radio people if and when they cross the line and advocate violence.

i happen to think bush was more dangerous that OBL. But I'm opposed to the death penalty. I think bush should be arrested charged and tried in a court of law for war crimes. Cheney too. Rummy too. They all were more dangerous, to us and others, than OBL.

I don't advocate vigilante action though. In fact I oppose it. I disagree that Obama is more dangerous to the the US than OBL. But I don't think that statement led to any domestic terrorism. ANd while people may not agree with it, and may dislike it, the person who expressed that has a right to their opinion, even if they are wrong. And freedom of speech is just about that.

[DesertRat]

3. Done. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

4. A whopping 42 votes thus far.

[johnfunk]

9. Poll was launched just before it was posted here and to a conservative forum...

and the consensus is that it is a contributing factor. what a shock.

[AngryOldDem]

5. Wow.

53 yes; 4 no.

[bdamomma]

7. done

[lamp_shade]

8. 94.3% yes 70 votes

[get the red out]

10. Yes, and hate speech isn't free

It is costing this country more and more every day.

[abluelady]

Absolutely

....words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think -- Lord Byron

[Sebastian Doyle]

14. Looks like the Freepers aren't awake yet

..or at least the ones who haven't been arrested yet.

[zbdent]

15. for the most part, "right wing" and "talk radio" are redundant ...

there are few leftie "talk stations"

[polmaven]

16. Sooks like people are catching on...

So far anyway....But it is early, yet.


Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?
Yes
108 94.7%

No
7 6.1%

[daninthemoon]

19. Thanks. I just wish the poll included tv.

Yes
134 92.4%

No
11 7.6%


Number of Voters : 145
First Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 09:01
Last Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 10:12

[Mz Pip]

21. RW hate radio

supplies validation to the paranoia and bigotry that feed on ignorant, disturbed people.

If a high profile radio/tv personality touts these beliefs then they must be true. IF Rush Limbaugh questions Obama's birth certificate then there must be something to it. If Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter tell them that they should be afraid that Obama will take away their guns, then it must be true. If Rush Limbaugh tells them that Obama is more dangerous than Al Qaeda then it must be true.

Feed the fear, feed the hate with lies and speculation and eventually someone will action. If anyone bothers to read some of the posts on the RW sites there are all kinds of calls to "Take Back America!" stocking up on guns and ammo and what threat Obama is to our freedoms. These people reinforce each other's paranoia and Rush and his ilk validate it.

[Sensible321]

61. Limbaugh Isn't Honest?

But I heard him flap a piece of paper in front of the microphone. He is reading from a piece of paper so it must be true. Only under-age kids are paid minimum wage, liberals are destroying the nation (not outsourcers) etc. /sarcasm off/

But really - that the whole 'birth certificate' bit was a topic of conversation while Zbigniew Brzezinski was his campaign's lead foreign policy advisor - it is dumbfounding. (FYI Z.B was the N.S. Advisor under Jimmy Carter who created the Taliban and sidelined nuclear non-proliferation in Pakistan to provide their base of operations).

[Mz Pip]

62. Wrong

but nice try.

Susan Rice was Obama's Senior Foreign Policy Advisor. Brzeninski was one of many people Obama consulted with - but lead? Nope.

What that has to to do with the birther bullshit perhaps you can explain at a later date.

[Sensible321]

67. Not senior - your are correct - just part of the 'team'

Background:
"The Harvard professor, Alan Dershowitz, has emerged as a chief critic of "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy," a new book in which authors John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt argue that a powerful coalition of individuals and organizations has pushed America into supporting Israel in ways that undermine its national interests."

"The book has drawn widespread scorn from the pro-Israel community, and it appears to have divided Mr. Obama and Mr. Brzezinski, a former national security adviser to President Carter who recently joined the Illinois senator's presidential campaign. Mr. Brzezinski will be with Mr. Obama as the candidate delivers a major policy address on Iraq today in Iowa."

http://www.nysun.com/national/dershowitz-obama-should-repudiate-brzezinski/62439/

This led to his dismissal of ZB from 'the team' in order to keep AIPAC from bolting; but why would any good person associate with BZ in the first place? He's Kissinger's blue twin.

My greater point was, that the entire 'birth certificate' non-issue was nothing but a huge distraction. There were plenty of really good reasons to support another Democrat in the Primary (not Hillary) and a 3rd party at the polls if that failed; could it be worse than throwing our votes away on a D or an R who are guaranteed to maintain the status quo? With the exception of the family planning / abortion issue, I can't think of what McCain would have done differently to date.

[bdamomma]

22. kick

these people (right wing radio) and also right wing sites spew their hatred constantly every day and pumping these people up to kill people.

[Liberal Gramma]

23. "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?"

Henry II disclaimed responsibility for the murder of Thomas Beckett after his words prompted some of his followers to grant his wish. Doesn't this footnote in history have some bearing on the issue? Historians implicate Henry II in the murder because of his words. Doesn't hate radio bear some of the blame for the violence they promote?

[PunkinPi]

25. Done & kick!

Yes
190 92.7%

No
15 7.3%


Number of Voters : 205
First Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 09:01
Last Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 10:27

[unpossibles]

26. yes and no. These hateful morons will always find a way to get together

it used to be pamphlets and home-printed books, then radio and now the net.

I almost prefer them to be in the light of day than hidden in meetings and pamphlets; at least this way I can know they're up to!

[Dawgs]

29. Done & Kick.

:hi:

[pleah]

30. 226 votes yes 93% 17 votes no 7% n/t

[Downtown Hound]

31. Done.

[Catshrink]

35. 68% yes, 412 votes

[johnfunk]

36. Wonder where the sudden uptick in No votes came from?

[Catshrink]

37. 423 now and up to about 69% Yes

I'd think the uptick in Nos is probably due to some RWer doing what DU does. Rush does have an loyal audience of drones to do his bidding.

[johnfunk]

41. This from APJ re the uptick

"... the referrals are almost all coming from DU. Which means either the latecomers are going no or someone has referred the DU URL to right wing eliminationism apologists."

[Sensible321]

38. Left Wing 'Anarchists' Are The Next Targets

Remember the WTO 'Battle in Seattle'? Savage, Limbaugh, etc make my stomach turn with their lies and distortions, but be careful what you wish for; what comes around goes around.

[johnfunk]

43. Current tally is 61.4%/38.6%

... yes, looks like a handful of dead-ender wingers are spamming the poll.

[Union Yes]

44. knr

[Echo In Light]

46. Yes. Because its listeners are dirt-fucking-dumb, and highly susceptible to the power of suggestion

[Soylent Brice]

47. done. and update:

Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?
Yes
400 63.9%

No
226 36.1%

[Vidar]

50. done 62.1 % yes.

[david13]

52. Yes.

[EFerrari]

53. Done

[Raffi Ella]

54. The fact that it's even a question

proves that it is.



Free speech blah blah blah but really, something's gotta give.

[Hekate]

55. 54% yes, and I agree. Words matter. Propaganda works.

Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?
Yes
478 54.1%

No
406 45.9%

[Sensible321]

56. So Does Propaganda About Propaganda

... just sayin'.

[Hekate]

60. 'Scuse me?

[DKRC]

57. Done!

Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?

Yes
489 54.6%

No
407 45.4%


Number of Voters : 896
First Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 09:01
Last Vote : Thursday, 11 June 2009 18:37

:kick:

[glinda]

58. Yes. Certain specific ones.

[IsItJustMe]

59. Done 54.8 percent yes.

[madokie]

63. Done

Is right wing talk radio a significant contributing factor to domestic terrorism?
Yes
582 58.7%

No
410 41.3%

[chknltl]

66. Done KnR