Let me make this pellucidly clear

[malaise]

Both Cable TV and the networks have repeated Trump and ReTHUG lies over and over for the past four years.
Further it took years before they finally called them lies. It's not just social media.

[SheltieLover]

1. Correct!

[DownriverDem]

29. For many decades

repubs ruled. Many of them think the whole country was like them. Many of them still think that way. I watched in horror as election after election went to the repubs since Reagan. Dems fought back as best they could and did take corp money. Many young folks who attack the Dems have none of this history. They do not know how it went down. I kept waiting for the change to happen. It took a new generation of voters for the beginning of the change we so badly need. It won't be easy because I wish there were less repub crazies out there.

[vlyons]

34. A new generation of young people,

who after getting some college are crushed under thousands of $$$ of student loans, and yet can only get a $7.50/hr MacJob. Young people, who must hold down 2, 3 low-paying jobs to make ends meet.

[Solly Mack]

2. And the whole treating lies and ignorance-based opinions as just as valid as the facts or informed

reality-based opinions.

Pretending there are two sides to an established fact.

Telling the rest of us to look to where Trump cultists are coming from in their anger and to treat their ignorance, lies, and delusional realities as reasonable and a place for finding common ground. For us to reach out to them, walk in their shoes, see the world through their eyes.

Rarely, if ever, challenging their Conservative guests on their lies.

And they have been doing most of these things for years and years. Before Trump, but most certainly while Trump has been in office.

It took a republican president encouraging violence against them for them to start changing their tunes. And even then it took time.

But to their credit, they have gotten better.

But what happens when they revert to type?

[Locrian]

3. But to their credit, they have gotten better.

without changing the $$$ incentive, they'll be right back to the old ways asap.

[Solly Mack]

4. Exactly. And they will revert to type.

[Cosmocat]

25. YEP

this ...

[malaise]

6. Yep but instead of focusing on his unspeakable crimes and condemning him for his

violation of both his oath of office and the constitution, they continue to talk about his popularity among his base. Fuck that. Charlies Manson also had a base.

[Solly Mack]

10. Some do keep mentioning how popular he is with his fellow insurrectionists as if that

somehow justifies not taking action against him from fear they might not vote for republicans if they do.

Republican lawmakers are expressing the same thought.

So let's just appease the MAGA ring-leader to keep his terrorist army happy.

It's sickening.


If you fear your voters (because you fear their violence), then maybe you have the wrong kind of voters. Maybe, just maybe, there's something wrong with your ideology and the political party you support.

[OldBaldy1701E]

26. My favorite observation from a week ago

From Twitter:

It has not escaped my attention that the day social media companies decided there actually IS more they could do to police Trump’s destructive behavior was the same day they learned Democrats would chair all the congressional committees that oversee them." - Jennifer Palmieri

This applies to the MSM as well. They are not blind. Greedy and vicious, but not blind. They know what is (probably) coming...

[Solly Mack]

31. Yep.

[Roy Rolling]

5. With All Due Respect

For sure it isn’t just social media, it’s broadcast/cable media, too.

But lumping in legitimate journalists with media charlatans is one of the goals of the right—to discredit legitimate media.

The bad players like FoxNews, OAN, Limblow, and similar cretins all are “corporate-owned media” gone rogue when the Fairness Doctrine was abolished. They cashed-in for big bucks selling America angry bullshit.

There are legitimate journalists in the media, and ignoring that difference is the #1 propaganda goal of any campaign—to destroy the credibility of the press.

I humbly ask you to not accidentally touch this “third rail”.😁😁😁😁😁

[malaise]

7. You are correct but there still were and are persons

in legitimate media who have given way too much coverage of his lies and failed to all them what they were and are. And I agree there are legitimate journalists in the media - print, online and broadcast.

[gab13by13]

15. There are legitimate journalists

who knowingly or unknowingly, repeat right wing talking points, like comparing this attempted coup to bad actors who infiltrated peaceful BLM protests. I feel the need to post this once again, my example is way back from president Obama's time in office.

Fox says that Obama beats his wife
CNN says it needs more evidence to give an opinion.
MSNBC says no he doesn't.

All 3 networks are talking about Obama beating his wife, including MSNBC.

What would cable news be doing right now had Trump been a Democrat? Can you not see that cable news has always leaned to the right? There are several cable news anchors who "get it" but then again even many legitimate news anchors aren't going to do things like talk about the 3rd rail of there being possible collusion between the White House, members of Congress and the seditionists.

Legitimate cable news anchors should be pushing for every damn person who breached the Capitol grounds to be arrested.

[jaxexpat]

47. "Can you not see that cable news has always leaned to the right?"

That question hit a chord with me.

I happened to see a cut of a Walter Cronkite broadcast from the 60's recently when it hit me. He sounded like one of the proverbial "flaming liberals" we hear the loonies rave about. The realization was crushing. It's worth a moment or two of reflection on how we evolved into a nation where the comments of the "most trusted man in television" seem shockingly naive and alien to our 21st century ears.

The logical explanation is that since we are forced by the market to mistrust the motivation, the angle, of EVERY source in our environment, our smart phones, it's reasonable that our capacity for trusting, for empathy, for even caring about our neighbors at all has nearly evaporated. Every tribe but ours is evil. We've accepted this somehow. That acceptance is exacerbated by 24/7 "news" channels pushing their tribal take into the next lying segment of infomercial entertainment. The news has been made to pay for itself. How else could even the concept of 24 hour "news" exist at all?

Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, Reasoner, Koppel all worked for companies run by people who accepted that "the news" had little or no commercial value. They ran those departments from a sense of "obligation to the public" regardless of the profit sacrifice incurred. They died and were replaced by their competitors who sold out to Murdock and wannabe Murdocks. The demonizing and defunding of PBS, to provide a "fair" playing field, nailed the national info-coffin shut. We are, designed by profit-n-loss sheet logic, a profoundly ignorant society heading hellbent to self destruction and don't even see it because we're too wrapped up in our urgent need to fast-forward through the commercials.

As a kid, chopping out weeds with my grandfather, we'd come across a patch of poor soil where only weeds were growing, poorly, in an otherwise perfect crop. He'd say, "that's a place we should give back to the Indians". (Ignoring all the glaringly odious implications of that pre-PC statement), the point is, we may be in a place where all we have is ever-connective barren patches where even weeds don't grow.

[Wounded Bear]

8. K&R...for truth...nt

[Goodheart]

9. I'm wondering if "pellucidly clear" is redundant.

But I'm with you... the media whom these right wing whackos so despise are, ironically, responsible, by a lack of backbone, for trump's term in the first place. They validated him by not calling lies lies, by not calling lunacy lunacy, by not calling racism racism, by not calling corruption corruption, by not calling evil evil.

[malaise]

11. Deliberately so

Ask my union rep who used them together over and over for emphasis.
The phrase has also been used by judges in the US courts.

Here's a good link

http://www.newyorkcourtwatcher.com/2009/12/pellucidly-clear-at-supreme-court-ny.html

[Goodheart]

13. A sincere thanks for that link. Interesting that others have thought so.

[malaise]

20. I love that link

My idea of interesting nerdy research

[gab13by13]

21. It's the same as saying,

"could care less," or "couldn't care less." Couldn't care less is used for more emphasis and it is acceptable.

[mackdaddy]

43. Ok I will admit I had to google the word pellucidly.

I like to think I have a fairly good vocabulary, but that was a new word.

My ignorance has been diminished, if ever so slightly.

Thanks. (really)

[malaise]

44. I too learn lots of new stuff on DU

You're welcome

[Miles Archer]

12. Three words: Donny Fucking Detutsch

And YES, I know that part of the Morning Joe rationale was that Donnie was an "insider" who knew "THE REAL TRUMP," but many of his appearances were an extension of the Jimmy Fallon "let's tussel his hair and make him look more human" nonsense.

I think theres value in undestanding what makes bad guys tick, because if you hear that ticking coming from someone else, you can take steps, such as not electing that person president.

And no matter how "scathing" Scarborough and crew got on Trump, you could still feel the days hanging right above them when they were one og the most generous providers of free air time for then-candidate Trump.

Deutsch never seemed to be coming from a Lincoln Project angle...it was more like he mourned the "transformation" of the Donald he knew into the Donald we have right now. Part of what I felt was nostalgia for the "image," which was always a false facade, but he seemed to miss a guy who had the swagger, the rhinestone glow of a fake gem.

Add in Mika's solemn "yes" agreements as Scarborough showboated under the guise of "excoriating" Trump, but nothing takes away the fact that they share a distinction with "Apprentice" guru Mark Burnette...they were one of the major architects of the Trump voters were sold in 2015/2016.

[malaise]

14. Yep

They should play his early comments with those from yesterday/
Great post

[Cosmocat]

27. Scar - Scorpion and Frog

A few times a week he goes into a 3 minute diatribe about how 45 IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE, HE IS A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT WHO GAVE MONEY TO EVIL DEMOCRAT , EVIL DEMOCRAT 2, 3, 4, 5 ... Did it again today.

Sure, he has had record support from republicans and conservatives for half a decade now, but that is in on way a reflection on conservatism. FUCK OFF!

I nearly put something in my tv the day after the sacking of the capital that he was in one of his I TOLD YOU SO fits where he had to throw that it happened because they did not do anything about the protests in Portland.

Are you fucking kidding me, you think those crazed zombies would have not allowed themselves to get whipped into a frenzy and do that cause a bunch of their white supremist law enforcement brotheren would have kicked ass on a bunch of liberals on the west coast?

[peacebuzzard]

16. good thing I have not had cable TV for years.

I tune in during emergencies through a Sling limited access. For my needs, it works well. It also provides access to limited additional networks. I have to go through an internet browser, I set up this system years ago due to a heavy travel schedule. During this shelter- at-home period, I have not felt the need to ask for additional home service.

For my sanity and blood pressure, I just can't yell at a screen any longer.

[Vinca]

17. That's how Trump was elected in the first place. I remember he'd call into "Morning Joe"

nearly every day and they'd eagerly listen to his BS.

[Jetheels]

18. Many newspapers too tip toed around the lies and called them "untruths" until about last year.

Even the NYT dips into the right wing side of things, there was an article in the NYT front page, maybe 2 days ago, talking about someone talking about the possibility that antifa was involved in the January 6th attack. Like really, your going there? Don’t we have Fox News covering that?
The press love the Donald. I remember counting 15 articles with his name in the headline on front page, in the summer of 2016. Barely reported was Bernie (yeah I know everyone hates him here I get it but it was big news just using it as example) winning 5 states including Michigan.

[malaise]

22. Yep

I'd scream wake up Maggie way too many times

[AmBlue]

19. Talk radio & church pulpits also!!

I agree it is all the normalizing, false equivalency BS by the media. But it is also the 24/7 hate radio AND the bald-faced BS being preached from many- not all- pulpits all over the country, associating this dangerous movement with the "Christian" Right.

Just last night channel-surfing, I accidentally landed on CTN (Christian Television Network) and that lizard preacher was exhorting the "followers of Christ" to join the movement and take back the nation for our lord and savior!!!

Americans are being lied to from so many platforms it's sickening!

[malaise]

23. They are the worst but all the evangelical networks push lies 24/7

All they want is money and control.
By the way where is Paula White these days?

[AmBlue]

24. who knows? who cares?

After the Tammy Faye and Jim Baker shitshow I just avoid them all like the plague.

[nam78_two]

28. But surely they did not spread the qanon stuff?

I think the msm is lame. But I am starting to realize that even lame, annoying people who are at least part of some establishment bound by rules is better than a society where people think "random crazy person on youtube who says stuff I like to hear" or "facebook or social media crazy promoting qanon" are the real sources of news .

This is my bar for now...at least not promoting qanon and "stop the steal". Sure - more utopian ideals later. But right now as far as I can tell a coup is ongoing.....I am walking a balance between still disliking and blaming the GOP and their enablers as much as usual combined with a minimal amount of acceptance of just about anyone who will at least eschew conspiracy theory and violent insurrection- a temporary alliance if you will.

After all this is (violence, civil war, terrorist attacks, planned executions etc.) over, I will go back to disliking these people (Republican politicians, business leaders etc.) as per usual.

[malaise]

30. Good post

That's a good bar

[nam78_two]

32. Thanks

Last edited Sun Jan 17, 2021, 09:01 AM - Edit history (1)

This is such a crisis that one has to hold one's nose and pull together with those who pass basic sanity tests :-/. I have reluctantly come to tolerate Romney-at least he isn't for violent insurrection. Now please excuse me while I go and wash my mouth out with soap .

(Always good to see you malaise. I track (in no order) you, babylonsister, hatrack, NevilleDog, Judi Lynn, mahatmakanejeeves, TexasTowelie, rhiannon, eppur_se_muova, Duppers, appalachiablue, scarletwoman, NNadir, BumRushDaShow, Yo_Mamma_Been_Logging, douglas9, BComplex, TomRinaldo and too many others to list, in these lousy times. I am sure I have forgotten many other DU stalwarts I also track, but the post would become too long. These are the people I follow to figure out what news stories to pay attention to).

[malaise]

33. This is such a crisis that one has to hold one's nose and pull together with those who pass basic

sanity tests

Sad but true

[nam78_two]

35. Very True

[kairos12]

36. Bothsiderism destroys our country.

[nam78_two]

50. Very True.nt

[marble falls]

37. The news industry tried to Trump into their own reality show.

[marieo1]

38. Media part of Problem

Oh, I agree with you 110%..........They will never call out the liars and they just keep repeating the lies like they are honest to God legitimate news. If they would have called out DJT 3-4 years ago, we wouldn't have had the terrorists climbing all over the White House and we probably wouldn't have had DJT as our terroristic president.

[JohnnyRingo]

39. The NYT began calling him a liar the 1st year.

They normally use terms like "he misspoke" and "That's inaccurate", but their sudden loss of candor opened the door for others to do the same for the 1st time.

Unfortunately, The president has to be quoted word for word when he makes a statement. Censorship or correcting for facts is irresponsible journalism, and the stream of lies and mischaracterization poured out of the Oval Office like a Niagara, thanks to Twitter, FB, and his ideal iPhone sized hands.

There's so much we never heard unless we were tapped in to his account:
https://www.thetrumparchive.com/

[Blue Owl]

40. Makes me livid how they normalized this FPOS

[usaf-vet]

41. We "cut the cables" 8 years ago. We listen to NO MSM. Yes we have internet. Initially we.....

..... cut cables because of the repetitive entertainment storylines. From dead victim to capture of the "perp" in less than an hour, including annoying advertising.

With the internet, we subscribed to British streaming services (Acorn and Britbox). Living in a small town with no bookstores, we decided to use Amazon for our reading material. If possible, we buy used books via Amazon's used book dealer network.

For "Breaking News," We go to The Guardian online. And for news summaries, of course, we use DU.

In the early years of retirement and before we cut the cables, we had a TV on all day. Now it comes on around 17:30 with supper and off by 21:30. We both have hobbies, so we quilt, tie flies, and read while watching British programming. And see NO advertising.

We have never watched a Trump speech in realtime or from start to rambling. We rely on DU summaries, opinion pieces, and other posting.

[Hiawatha Pete]

42. +1.

...And all it took was years of lies, violent insurrection and 385,000 covid deaths for them to notice...

[liberal N proud]

45. While I have not watched cable news since 2000

I feel that they have been used and abused by this current criminal in the White House.

They have repeated his lies for years while he demonized them.

[PatrickforO]

46. Some still do repeat the lies. It took some time for the rest to turn on Trump, though.

Now the bottom is literally falling out under the whole Republican party.

- Members are scared for their lives if they vote to impeach.

- Republican member of Congress helped the insurrectionists scope out the Capitol by taking them on tours the days before.

- The debate is raging now towards a certain impeachment.

- Don Jr. is under criminal investigation in DC.

- Deutsch Bank has stopped doing business with Trump and wants its $300 million.

- The PGA has rejected having its tournament at Trump's course.

- Hawley, Cruz and others are facing increasing pressure to resign and may be expelled and charged for insurrection.

- McConnell is now OK with impeachment, and Schumer will be using the clause that allows he and Turtle to call the Senate back.

- McConnell has agreed, at the request of Joe Biden, to a split schedule to allow the Senate to do business while also trying Trump.

Trump and his brand will be forever destroyed, and his coup will drag them down into the sewer with him. There will be just a few still standing after this is over - Liz Cheney and a couple of the newer members.

So cheer up! I'm sure feeling better. I replied to this because I was tickled by the word 'pellucid.' Seems like I read a science fiction book decades ago with Pellucid in the title.

This attempted coup, as horrible as it has been, and as deadly, may do a great deal to put this republic back on track. Trump's psychotic break might prove the best thing that could have happened to shake us into lucidity about what has been happening. I'm watching the House debate as I post

[malaise]

49. Well said

Add the Chamber of Commerce to that list

[mcar]

48. And how many of them will take the bait during the Biden years?

Fall for Republican faux hysteria about Biden's "lawlessness," fall for Republican faux come to Jesus about the deficit, fall for and allow IMPOTUS II to call in for interviews.