Maybe I am just in a bad mood, but I have had it up to my eyeballs with well known TV

[Atticus]

Last edited Sat May 8, 2021, 06:20 AM - Edit history (1)

commentators smiling and giggling as they tell us about state after Republican-dominated state that has passed transparent voter suppression laws.

After some serious self editing, I'll just say---THIS CRAP ISN'T FUNNY!

People have DIED to obtain and preserve and exercise the right to vote for those we choose to govern us.

Some citizens---mostly people of color---stood outside in line for HOURS in the last election.

Some of us risked assault and endured obscene threats in parking lots and at stoplights for daring to urge people to vote for OUR candidate, Joe Biden.

Plainly stated, it royally pisses me off to hear accounts of such patently offensive legislation delivered in a "shits and giggles" atmosphere. This slow-motion insurrection has the same goal as the traitorous sonsabitches who carried the "Stars and Bars" into our Capitol on January 6th.

This is not a game. If some combination of the courts and Congressional Democrats cannot stop the anti-democracy march of the GOP and their thug supporters, I fear "There Will Be Blood!"

I'm sure I've said "too much" already, so I'll stop here.

[gab13by13]

1. I have your back, I feel the same way.

It isn't fucking funny. The #1 issue that Democrats have right now is getting that voting rights bill passed, whatever it takes.

Imagine if Republicans control the House and Biden wins reelection, does anyone truly believe that a Republican controlled House will accept the results.

If we don't get that election bill passed I fear our democracy can be lost.

[triron]

5. Your fear is well founded. It will be lost.

[Enter stage left]

2. I agree...it's time for there to bl...

[peppertree]

3. Absolutely. They're seeding the ground for when they eventually worm back into the Oval Office

That accomplished, they'll end democracy as we know it - because "voter fraud."

[SharonClark]

17. The media will work their way back into office?

[peppertree]

22. Our friends the Repugs

[certainot]

33. they're all right handed masturbating authoritarians- consider the sex on the wrong brain paradigm

the sowb paradigm explains that what they all want is certitude to ease their fears, and that is a heritable old world masturbation problem. part of the Certainty Deficit Disorder

they worship his royal certitude, which cannot exist in a functioning human unless they are capable of massive denial of reality. sowb theory suggests sex energy going to the wrong side of the brain, along with mitigating factors and genetics is the problem

[peppertree]

35. Fascinating. Thank you for that.

I'm no doctor or physiologist - but I do believe there's still a lot about ourselves we don't yet fully grasp (no pun intended).

Thanks again.

[druidity33]

66. Yeah, that was a good one... best bit at the end...

"Disclaimer: the author is not a sex therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or neuroscientist, but once did some self-administered emergency dental work with a hobby grinder."

[iluvtennis]

4. K&R. n/t

[LAS14]

6. Who, specifically, are you talking about? The only talking head I can..

... imagine sort of laughing is Rachel, and it surely isn't because she thinks it's funny!

[PatSeg]

14. She does that a lot

and it has really gotten annoying. I know she doesn't do it because she thinks it is funny, but it is unprofessional. I think it might be a nervous reaction, but it is one of several reasons I don't watch her much anymore.

[progressoid]

27. I think it's a way to stay sane.

Day after day of researching and reporting awful news has to be emotionally trying. Every once in a while ya gotta laugh.

[PatSeg]

41. Yes, I can see how that can happen

and I think she does feel things intensely, but still she should be more professional than that. It does happen an awful lot, at least one or two times a night. The first time it hit me like a punch to the gut was during election coverage 2016, when the election was called for Donald Trump. Like so many, I was absolutely traumatized and she kept giggling like his win was some punch line to a really bad joke. I know some people react like that to something that is disturbing, but in her position, she should have that tendency under control when she is on camera.

I've watched Rachel almost every night since her show began. Some of her research was fascinating, but eventually I got tired of the late night talk show persona, the giggling, and the redundancy - I just quit. She was much more watchable in the beginning.

I still like her immensely, I just can't watch her anymore.

[CrispyQ]

47. I think sometimes they aren't aware of annoying things they do or say.

When Nichole first started she would talk so fast she would almost stutter, repeating a word over & over until she got her thoughts together. I was glad when she finally got a handle on that. Recently, Ari often says, "Hmmmm" after a guest has made a point. To me, that can be interpreted as "Hmm, I'll have to think on that," or "Hmm, I think you're full of shit." Every now & then, they should all watch themselves for annoying behavior or tics, like we had to do in speech class.

I've been really impressed with Alicia Menendez and Mehdi Hasan, both with weekend shows.

[PatSeg]

67. Yes and Joy Reid

says "Yeah" a lot when a guest is talking and it sounds dismissive, as if she really isn't listening. It comes across more as "Whatever", like she was waiting for them to finish so she can say what is on her mind. She talks so fast it sounds almost robotic. I found it so exhausting, I finally quit watching her. Most people don't think as fast as she talks. Hey, say less slower so people can actually absorb what you're saying. Ari's "hmm's" sometimes sounds dismissive and condescending as well.

Yes, they should watch themselves and actually study their presence on TV. So many of these TV personalities weren't ever really trained in the first place and may not know what a real journalist sounds like.

Nicolle Wallace has come a really long way - very watchable.

[CrispyQ]

70. Joy rushes the end of her segments, too.

She should sacrifice 15 seconds & do a proper acknowledgement of her guests contribution.

It was hard in speech class, watching yourself on video. Ouch! But it really made you aware of annoying speech habits or body twitches.

[PatSeg]

71. Yes, she does

Surely these people have producers and advisors who can help them with their presentations. AND to paraphrase A League of Their Own, "There's no giggling in the news". What is even worse is when Joy, Rachel, and Nicolle are together for some major news event and they all are chatty and giggly like they are at a sleepover, not on a news show in front of millions of people. Poor Brian Williams looks so uncomfortable and out of place. He makes a witty comment here and there, and he might smile at a joke, but he does not giggle.

The bottom line for me is one's personality, demeanor, and/or appearance should never distract from the news and commentary that you are delivering. If I'm noticing your delivery and not hearing what you are saying, you are doing it wrong.

[pazzyanne]

49. Have been having the same feelings about Rachel at this time.

I'm really disappointed with her because what she brings to the discussion is so important, and some of her recent delivery is distracting, and downright disgusting. I have also cut watching her because of it.

[PatSeg]

68. Yes, I miss some of her stories

though the repetition is annoying, but I found myself so irritated almost every night that I couldn't take it anymore. I'm not sure when she changed, but I know she wasn't always like this. I considered that one of her problems is she doesn't watch TV and didn't even own a TV when she got her own show. Her training was in radio, quite a different media.

[Steelrolled]

57. I have not watched a minute of cable news in the last 3 years

and one of the reasons is people like Maddow. My conclusion is she is more of an act then a serious commentator. Once you see that, it is very hard to not see it.

[PatSeg]

69. "More of an act than a serious commentator"

Yes, that describes it quite well. Too much like entertainment and performance than news and commentary. I don't mind a little personality and maybe some humor, but the giggling just doesn't cut it. It is a shame as she does some really fascinating and interesting research.

[Bobstandard]

7. You're right. It's not ok..

The sh*t going down is not funny. It’s the precursor to what happened in Nazi Germany. The comparison is not hyperbolic. It’s that bad. I get that describing events in this unfolding horror show ain’t easy, that one can look to ironic giggles to help you get through knowing, that the powers that be won let you tell the story step.

But that soft sell of the obvious consequences, those ironic giggles, that isn’t the call to arms we need. Those giggles imply ( unintentionally I’m sure) that all this crazy stuff isn’t an urgent threat.

So sto it already

[brooklynite]

8. Please point to a correspondent who was "smiling and giggling".

Last edited Fri May 7, 2021, 10:24 PM - Edit history (1)

You claim that the news media isn't taking this seriously. I haven't seen any sign of this.

[Mad_Machine76]

12. Maybe not literally

but OP is probably better suited to explain. I think that the reporting has been a little timid in how it's describing such bills. Of course, most of the people in the media are not the ones most likely to ever be disenfranchised.

[left-of-center2012]

13. I totally agree with you

I'm a news junkie and I've not seen "well known TV commentators smiling and giggling ..."

[Atticus]

18. You apparently haven't been watching Chris Hayes or Rachel Maddow. They and some of their guests

have "smiled and giggled" about several Republican outrages.

Both are very intelligent and competent in just about every way. I just find their laughter inappropriate when it is about an issue which adversely impacts so many of "us.

[PufPuf23]

9. Evil news clowns. nt

[left-of-center2012]

10. "well known TV commentators smiling and giggling ..."

Can you tell me who ?

I'm a 'news junkie' and I have not seen this.

[Atticus]

19. See #18 above. nt

[lees1975]

11. It's happening in states with majority Republican legislatures

They couldn't make their lies about voter fraud stick, so they are going to do whatever they can to shut down the vote. I think it will have the opposite effect. When they tried voter suppression in Georgia, it worked to elect their current idiot governor, but it backfired over time, motivating those who were most affected by it to make sure they got out and voted. There are movements springing up everywhere not only to combat this stuff on the legislative level, but as motivation to make sure people are registered to vote and headed to the polls.

As Sidney Powell has said, "no reasonable person could believe the lies about massive voter fraud." Reasonable people need to go vote.

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-show-is-over-case-is-closed-and.html

[SharonClark]

16. What has that got to do with the topic of the post

which is about the media giggling?

[SharonClark]

15. Care to share your evidence?

I haven’t seen it and would like to know who is giggling about such an important issue.

[Atticus]

21. See #18 above. nt

[pazzyanne]

50. Add to that #14 and #49.

[gab13by13]

20. Not speaking for Atticus,

but I assumed it was Rachel. The laughing and giggling isn't just annoying, it's dumb. She may think nothing of it and just thinks it's cute, but the topic isn't something to be laughed at.

I say this about her while conceding that I only watch Nicolle, Chris Wallace, and Rachel. She is a great cable news anchor but I don't like the presentation, again, it's not funny.

[left-of-center2012]

23. Rachel Maddow

it's her regular routine, and why I quit watching her a long time ago.

She rolls her eyes, shakes her head, smirks, uses facial expressions when 'giving the news'.

I guess it's 'news-entertainment'. I imagine her in front of a mirror before her show practicing her routine and suspect they are clued into her teleprompter.

'Roll eyes here'

'Shake head here'

'Make odd facial expression here'

'Smirk'
..........................................

It's 'news-entertainment'.

Yet many love her.

I'm old enough to remember Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite.
Just give me news !

[USALiberal]

25. Lol, ok! Nt

[pnwmom]

54. I didn't watch her in 2016 because she seemed to be making light of Trump.

It wasn't helpful, IMO.

[USALiberal]

24. Great, please stop watching any TV news!! No more posts needed! Nt

[Atticus]

26. ??? nt

[tirebiter]

28. Rachel was belittling the author of the Texas racist anti voting laws

She gave a thorough history of the original intent and meaning of the concept of the term, purity of the ballot box which mean whites only. Or were you out of the room when that part was being covered? The author who as sho noted looks like a 17 year old and professed to be totally ignorant of the original meaning and intent looked very proud that he resurrected the terms from the originals Texas constitution. I recommend you watch it again.

[Atticus]

40. I recommend you read the OP again. nt

[Treefrog]

52. Maybe watch the show again.

But best not. I’ve gathered you’re no fan of Rachel. She’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. Personally, I like an intelligent, informed host.

[Atticus]

53. I am a BIG fan of Rachel's---just not a fan of treating dead-serious issues in a

non-dead-serious manner.

I am also grateful that she dropped her "Friday cocktail recipe" segment.

If I was only allowed to watch one evening news source, Rachel would be my choice, but that doesn't mean I always agree with everything she says or does.

[Treefrog]

55. You know? I never saw that segment darn it! I remember hearing about it from a friend.

Did she really give cocktail recipes?

[Atticus]

61. She actually mixed a different cocktail each Friday---live on air. nt

[Treefrog]

63. Lol! I'm sorry I missed that actually!

Different times.

[speaknow]

29. Your right, what's happening is bad but lets

look at it for what it is and that is Where the hell are the
Democrats? Mot not even a peep! How can a minority have
control over the majority, wee because the Majority doesn't
scream enough only a few. Remember when HRC lost they
told the Dems to shut up and and that's it! Plus the Dems
get on TV and the Anchors only want to talk about Rudy
and Chaney, and they go along with it. So those Dems in
Congress are letting the everyday people scream, all the
while most of them are sitting back. All I can say is to the
Dems in Congress is, Stand up for the people that voted
and voted for you, if not then what the Hell are you doing
there!

[tirebiter]

30. Watch the segment again, Rachel was running tape of the Democrat who

Gave the context of racism to the geeky looking Republican. The question at this point is where are the good Texans? We’re coming to the point where not demonstrating because we might get covid is just not ok any more.. Is rank and file up for this? Time’s running out

[certainot]

31. if you really want to destroy repubs destroy their talk radio advantage. until then dems are farting

in a tornado. forget fox. the talk radio monopoly is an easy, vulnerable target with artificial intelligence and limbaugh dead.

ignoring it continues to be the biggest political mistake in history

[Snackshack]

32. Agreed 100%

None of this has been funny...it never was. This has been an undercurrent that has been detrimental in combating the issues and has gone on for far too long in the reporting of DT/GOP & their base. You would have never seen Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters treating these stories, these people, these issues like this.

People can and laugh and snicker at Greene or Boebert and the insane opinions they espouse but they are members of congress having a say in parts of how your life is managed.

[marybourg]

38. That was when we had "news programs".

Now we have “infotainment “. Not the same beast at all. I found the off button cure about 40 years ago. It continues to work.

[Snackshack]

39. You are exactly right.

It’s not news. I respect what Maddow, Acosta or Cooper try to do but even they are not “news” programs as they claim to be. It’s not necessarily their fault, when news departments got bought up by entertainment companies and were expected to make a profit real news died between that and having to find material to fill in 24hrs...everyday “Infotainment” is exactly right. It’s Entertainment Tonight on steroids.

Growing up, living w/ my Great Grandmother it was CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite for 30 minutes every night... ”and that’s the way it is” and when he said that you could trust it 100%. The off button works really good 🙂. I got so fed up with all the bull💩 on cable I got rid of it altogether.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

43. It's like we are living in...

the world of Sidney Lumet's Network with a large side of Mike Judge's Idiocracy.

[moonscape]

58. Back in the days when news was

non-profit at the 3 networks and there were actual reporters in the field. It was shocking at the time when news was moved to the profit center. I forget which network was first with that, maybe ABC under Arledge?

[PatSeg]

42. Yes

There is a wealth of entertainment to watch on TV. When I watch the news, I expect actual news and some informed commentary, not late night talk show gimmicks. Even local news tends to have these smiling, chummy broadcasters, who appear to be trying to be your best buddy, not the purveyor of the news. There is a lot of informal banter between them like we are watching a neighborhood social event. Just the guys and the gals hanging out every night and we get to feel a part of their party.

We have countless late night talk shows to watch for that sort of thing and they are actually better at it.

[uponit7771]

34. They think they're safe

[Treefrog]

44. Don't watch CNN either then.

Cuomo and Lemon regularly yuk it up about something or other.

[DownriverDem]

46. I watch

both MSNBC and CNN. I'm on Facebook too. I need to know what is going on.

[Treefrog]

48. Me too. I watch both, but laughing has never bothered me as it seems to bother op.

Facebook, for me, not so much. Actually, not at all.

[DownriverDem]

45. Totally agree &

I'm mad as hell at white racist repubs. WTH do they want? Do they want minorities and women to just go away?

[BobTheSubgenius]

51. Not '"too much"' at all!

Large swaths of the media are worse than useless, and others are actually counter-productive, whether by ill intent, incompetence or too ratings-hungry to be objective. Or patriotic, for that matter.

[Indykatie]

56. Who Are Some of The Well Known Commenters You've Seen Giggling Voter Suppression Laws Being Passed?

Unless you're talking about right wing Media, those videos probably would be posted at DU. Since I don't watch cable news I rely on video clips to see the interesting stuff at DU and from the politically active folks I follow on Twitter. If mainstream Media is behaving this way we need to call them out. Your rant is righteous but not actionable without some examples.

[left-of-center2012]

59. Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow are mentioned in post #18

That's MSNBC

[pwb]

60. Smiling while lying is one of their tricks.

When they speak they say "You Know" suggesting all agree with the lies.

[dianaredwing]

64. You nearly always echo

my thoughts completely.

As a former journalist, a current writer, and a lifelong Democrat, I am absolutely DISGUSTED and APPALLED. When I think of my journalism instructors; not a one of these idiots could have passed a class let alone gotten a degree in journalism.

Likewise, as a one-time actor, I cannot even given them good points for being successful nor entertaining on that score. They are THOROUGHLY disgusting, inept, and anti-American.

I agree with your assessment and add my name to your roster.