American Media (or, Where's the Rage?)

[The Redneck]

I think we must run in very different circles because the vast majority of ex and retired soldiers that I have talked too these last few years actually had MORE respect for Kerry because of what he did when he returned from Vietnam.

It must be, because I've yet to meet a soldier or ex-soldier I've talked to (and with three years in I've certainly had the chance to talk with many) who enjoyed being dishonestly accused of some of the most vicious crimes imaginable--poisoning wells, rape, shooting people for fun, razing the countryside "in a manner reminiscent of Genghis Kahn", etc.

Protesting the war is one thing; some people protested it because they hated America, some protested it because they supported Communism, and many others protested it for good and valid reasons. Outright, vicious slander is another thing entirely.

And while telling us what he or she would do for the economy (whether that's manage, replace, or just get the hell out of the way) is indeed part of a politician's job, I was referring to the irony involved in a man who made 600 million by marrying rich widows making comments on how to earn money.

[lordblazer]

sas and redneck you guys are idiots im sorry but i had to say it mainly because you probaly didn't read it.IT read what the media did in the past and they still do it.In crime reports its a half assed description of a black male with faded hair or a black male with dread locks.Witht he gay marriage thing.Fox News was all over that.The Media in america preys onthe fears of white america and dont tell me what i just said is BS because it isn't!Thats what he meant and yes the media has done this and many other things like how everyone said Gore won florida then Fox News comes out and says Bush won florida.That put everything in a uproar and Fox News purposely said that to caused confusion so Bush would get elected.Why you ask?Because Fox News most likely help fund Bush's campaign.

In crime reports, suspects are described as the reports are handed up to them--if a six-foot tall young black male with faded hair is suspected of something, that's the description they give. Just like if it was a 5'10" white male, 30 years old with brown hair, that's the description they would give out. You can't be in your right mind and say that somebody is racist because they describe a suspected criminal as that suspected criminal was described to them.

Every news source was "all over" the "gay marriage thing", because it was news. As far as I recall, none of them mentioned how "this is a tragic day for American morality" or anything of the sort, or said anything disrespectful concerning hoomosexuals. They reported the story.

By the way. Bush did win Florida. Would any news agency be wrong to report the truth?

I don't expect everything to be handed to me on a silver platter. I do, however, expect that when a particular argument is used, that the people who use that argument have the sources to back it up. As I have sources to back up my argument, I would expect any opponent to be equally prepared. If you don't have a reference to fall back on, it has already been shown that you don't know what you're talking about, and you refuse to make any attempt to learn about what you're talking about, and thus your arguments are entirely baseless and should be disregarded. I, however, still read your posts and reply to them, as if they were somewhat credible.

Captain -- I've seen at least one Fox News show where they interviewed supporters of Kerry that served with him, so it was far from one-sided. (By the way, if half the soldiers you served with respect you and half don't, you've got some big problems.)

How and when was "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" "discredited" by the Bush administration? The Bush administration refused having anything to do with the Swift Boat Vets, but that's as much as I had heard. And as far as I recall, though Swift Boat Vets may or may not have been in planning earlier, they only got more media attention after Kerry brought up his "service" in Vietnam. They might have made him direct more of his campaign towards his time in Vietnam, but they weren't the first to bring up his disgraceful record.

Ahh but you see its rarely a white guy ..Rarely and when someone who is arrested that fits the description.rather they did it or not they'll rot in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them.

[The Redneck]

Ahh but you see its rarely a white guy ..Rarely and when someone who is arrested that fits the description.rather they did it or not they'll rot in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them.

I'm probably gonna hate myself for this when I check again after work tomorrow, and Sasquatch is probably gonna laugh at me, but what the hell--I'll bite.

Which African-American person has rotted in jail until they got a bogus confession out of him/her?

Let the hilarity ensue.....

[The Captain]

"And while telling us what he or she would do for the economy (whether that's manage, replace, or just get the hell out of the way) is indeed part of a politician's job, I was referring to the irony involved in a man who made 600 million by marrying rich widows making comments on how to earn money."

To be fair, ALL major politicians, including the current occupant of the White House, live in a financial bubble that most of us can only dream of. A recent report found that in order to actually run for President, you need at least 100 million dollars, which makes sense when you factor in all the expenses of campaigning.

"Protesting the war is one thing; some people protested it because they hated America, some protested it because they supported Communism, and many others protested it for good and valid reasons. Outright, vicious slander is another thing entirely."

See that's where the difference was in the opinion of the folks I've had the honor of talking to. They felt that Kerry said what they couldn't and said that many soldiers, deep down, felt the same way, though due to their duty and oaths sworn, they'd never bring themselves to say much of anything for fear of being labeled a traitor, or slanderer, as Kerry was. It would seem that their fears were justified.

Take care all.

[lordblazer]

Ahh but you see its rarely a white guy ..Rarely and when someone who is arrested that fits the description.rather they did it or not they'll rot in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them.

I'm probably gonna hate myself for this when I check again after work tomorrow, and Sasquatch is probably gonna laugh at me, but what the hell--I'll bite.

Which African-American person has rotted in jail until they got a bogus confession out of him/her?

Let the hilarity ensue.....

throughout the history of this country a heafty number and it really isn't just african americans its any young male..

also that thing on what fox news duirng the 2000 election.WEll when fox news said that.They created a whole domino effect and they knew this would happen.They knew a lot of BS would be created and the supreme court will most likely call in favor for bush to be president.

[edczxcvbnm]

"Okay Sasquatch...People have given why they feel Fox Slants GREAAAAATLY to the right. Now lets see if you can do the same for the "liberal" stations. Lets just narrow it down to CNN"

Exactly. People have said why "they feel" things. That doesn't matter a bit. Is there any evidence that Fox News supports one political party moreso than another? That's what I'm looking for. When I get that, I'll post evidence of liberal bias in other media sources.

Thank you for proving my point that it is the same on the other side.

[Sasquatch]

"I think we must run in very different circles because the vast majority of ex and retired soldiers that I have talked too these last few years actually had MORE respect for Kerry because of what he did when he returned from Vietnam. The fact that he threw away his career to stand up and speak out against what he thought was an unjust war took guts and a great deal of integrity. His fatal flaw was that he backed down over the years and became just another politician from Washington as he tried to appear as if he was a War hero when in reality, he was very much against the war."

As The Redneck said, there's a difference between speaking out against a war you disagree with and slandering the brave soldiers who fought that war. And I've been in the military for the better part of three years now, I would also agree with The Redneck when I say that I've never met a fellow soldier who enjoys being slandered, especially with so vicious of accusations.

"Ahh but you see its rarely a white guy ..Rarely and when someone who is arrested that fits the description.rather they did it or not they'll rot in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them."

I doubt I can say this without you thinking I'm "racist", so what the hell. THAT'S BECAUSE THE CRIMINAL IS RARELY A WHITE GUY. And point us in the direction of more than one instance (in recent history) in which somebody, who was not involved at all, has "[rotted] in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them," would you please?

"also that thing on what fox news duirng the 2000 election.WEll when fox news said that.They created a whole domino effect and they knew this would happen.They knew a lot of BS would be created and the supreme court will most likely call in favor for bush to be president."

The Supreme Court didn't call for anybody to be President, they simply said "alright, that's enough of the damn recounts, count the whole state or stop counting entirely." Bush won Florida. That was more than five years ago, get over it already. Be comforted in the knowledge that the Democrats will most likely try to cheat out a win in the next election, too, if they don't really earn it. Hell, it's happened two elections in a row, why not make it three?

"Thank you for proving my point that it is the same on the other side."

Proving your point? You have yet to provide a shred of evidence that Fox News is biased. If and when (mainly IF) that evidence is provided, I will gladly provide evidence against the "balance" of other news outlets. In fact, after multiple requests for such evidence, you have yet to deny accusations that most media outlets are slanted to the left. So, thank you for helping me to prove my point.

[eestlinc]

"Thank you for proving my point that it is the same on the other side."

Proving your point? You have yet to provide a shred of evidence that Fox News is biased. If and when (mainly IF) that evidence is provided, I will gladly provide evidence against the "balance" of other news outlets. In fact, after multiple requests for such evidence, you have yet to deny accusations that most media outlets are slanted to the left. So, thank you for helping me to prove my point.

I believe ed is saying that you proved his point that those who claim the mainstream media has a liberal bias are also unable to base this assertion on anything other than feelings and opinions. Ed is saying that you calling CNN liberally biased is just as valid as him calling FOX News conservatively biased.

[edczxcvbnm]

When I said same on the other side, I meant not bias at all and it is the view that wants to believe it is bias. Also you are being one sided on this. You expect others to prove that Fox is bias as they claim but appearantly you don't have to prove that other new outlets such as CNN is bias. There is always going to be a bit of bias everywhere here and there but for the most part I believe the news is pretty fair. I may end up seeing it that way because I mainly read news and don't really watch the news.

Also what eestlinc said. He said what I meant, in ways, better than I did.

[AkiraMakie]

I doubt I can say this without you thinking I'm "racist", so what the hell. THAT'S BECAUSE THE CRIMINAL IS RARELY A WHITE GUY. And point us in the direction of more than one instance (in recent history) in which somebody, who was not involved at all, has "[rotted] in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them," would you please?

Thats got to be the biggest pile of BS ive ever heard. We've debated on this before. Now, while i DONT agree with what lordblazer said, your statement is equally false. The crime always being reported is usually a black guy, but you cant say that a white guy is rarely the criminal. Thats stupid. Sheer numbers will tell you that there should be more white guys as criminals than black guys. Its just that, when black guys commit crimes, its easier to point the finger. Why? Because when a black guy commits a crime, its usually in a black neighborhood against another black person. But when a white guy commits a crime, its harder to tell. Also, to me, and this is just what i see, whenever they dont give a criminal description, its usually a white guy who commited the crime. But, when they do give a description its always a black guy. Now i wont say that its like that everywhere, but thats definately how it is in DC.

Now as for the News stations being biased. Who cares if news stations biased. Its nothing wrong with that. Every orginazation has the right to take up a side on issues. I dont see the problem.

[DMKA]

Haha, lordblazer. I'm also in Oklahellma, and the Daily Oklahoman and the Gaylords are such crap.

DMKA -- As The Redneck pointed out, your post has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Umm...it couldn't have more to do with it. o_O

[The Captain]

"As The Redneck said, there's a difference between speaking out against a war you disagree with and slandering the brave soldiers who fought that war. And I've been in the military for the better part of three years now, I would also agree with The Redneck when I say that I've never met a fellow soldier who enjoys being slandered, especially with so vicious of accusations."

Once again, I think that we must run in very different circles, as the folks I talked to didn't view what was being said as slander, but viewed it as something that they wanted to forget, but had happened and were surprised someone was actually speaking about it and in turn, welcoming the slander onto himself.

Take care all.

[lordblazer]

I doubt I can say this without you thinking I'm "racist", so what the hell. THAT'S BECAUSE THE CRIMINAL IS RARELY A WHITE GUY. And point us in the direction of more than one instance (in recent history) in which somebody, who was not involved at all, has "[rotted] in jail until they get a bogus confession out of them," would you please?

Thats got to be the biggest pile of BS ive ever heard. We've debated on this before. Now, while i DONT agree with what lordblazer said, your statement is equally false. The crime always being reported is usually a black guy, but you cant say that a white guy is rarely the criminal. Thats stupid. Sheer numbers will tell you that there should be more white guys as criminals than black guys. Its just that, when black guys commit crimes, its easier to point the finger. Why? Because when a black guy commits a crime, its usually in a black neighborhood against another black person. But when a white guy commits a crime, its harder to tell. Also, to me, and this is just what i see, whenever they dont give a criminal description, its usually a white guy who commited the crime. But, when they do give a description its always a black guy. Now i wont say that its like that everywhere, but thats definately how it is in DC.

Now as for the News stations being biased. Who cares if news stations biased. Its nothing wrong with that. Every orginazation has the right to take up a side on issues. I dont see the problem.

arrggh!!! i meant the white guy is rarely reported on a criminal description on the news.

[CloudSquallandZidane]

Watch the (edit:Leftist) documentary Outfoxed if u want evidence of Fox's slant to the right. Anyone with cable t.v. and a political view can see it, can we produce documentation, or hidden microphone recordings, of course not. But we can see it.

I too am tired of politcal bias, btw CNN is in NO way shape or form bias, only bias ive ever seen is Paul Begala and Robert Novak on the crossfire. CBS is lightly left so ive noticed.

I hate it when i hear someone try and blame the soldiers, like what happened after Vietnam. But i dont think we should just pretend like the crimes committed over there never happened. There were good soldiers, but there were also ALOT of disgulted teens drafted into war they wanted no part of, and they took out their anger on the fellow soldiers, subordinates, drugs, and the Vietnamese people occasionally. When it comes to a draft not everyone feels the desire to fight for the flag and defend it.

[Sasquatch]

eestlinc/ed -- I have said many times over that I will gladly post evidence of liberal media bias as soon as those claiming that Fox News is oh-so biased towards the right, and I have yet to see anything remotely close to a valid point that claims such against Fox News. And I maintain that. If you believe so strongly that Fox News is leaning towards the right, it should be no problem finding statistics and examples of their bias, should it? And, once I see that, I will post examples of liberal bias in the rest of the media.

"Thats got to be the biggest pile of BS ive ever heard. We've debated on this before. ... Sheer numbers will tell you that there should be more white guys as criminals than black guys. Its just that, when black guys commit crimes, its easier to point the finger. ... Also, to me, and this is just what i see, whenever they dont give a criminal description, its usually a white guy who commited the crime. But, when they do give a description its always a black guy. Now i wont say that its like that everywhere, but thats definately how it is in DC."

First of all, you live in DC, where there's a high population of black people, and a high crime rate. That having been said, we haven't "debated" on this before, I believe most of your "debate" tactic was calling me racist and saying I don't understand anything about black people because I'm not white. Sheer numbers DO tell us that there SHOULD BE more white criminals than black criminals, because there is a higher population of white people in this country than black people, but that's not always the case. If black people commit more crimes in a certain area, you can't whine that criminal reports are more often black people than anybody else. And I don't watch local news, I only watch national news, but most of the descriptions of criminals that I see are for major crimes, like murder, rape, kidnapping, etc., and most of those are *gasp* white people! Amazing, ain't it? It would make perfect sense that criminal reports in which black people are suspected are reported as a report in which black people are suspected. That's not "racist", that's normal. I don't apologize if you think more criminals should be described as white people. Or should Affirmative Action extend to crime reports as well? Why don't we just publicly broadcast every crime report that comes by? We could make a "crime report" channel, where all the crime reports are broadcast. That way, somebody could call home and say "Mom! I'm gonna be on the Crime Report Network at 7:30 tonight, be sure to TIVO it so I can watch it when I make bail!"

DMKA -- "Umm...it couldn't have more to do with it. o_O"

You posted in a thread about the presence of absence of media bias. Your post concerned the oppression of black people and the "persecution" of homosexuals, and blamed it on...what was it? "Racist, narrowminded, redneck bastards", or something like that, wasn't it? Extremely relevant, to something, I'm sure.

CloudSquallZidane -- While it's right to acknowledge that things did happen in Vietnam that Americans are not proud of, usually it's a small minority of soldiers that participated in those actions, and they're blown out of proportion in all aspects when they're reported back Stateside.