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Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:29 PM Jun 2017

Is it past time to stop trusting media sources funded via RT??

I was listening to the Friday replay of the Thom Hartman show this morning and I was somewhat shocked to hear the fill in host rant about the Russian ties to Trump and his people. Essentially, and I admittedly caught the rant after it had started, he was lambasting the number of articles online and in mainstream media that are trying to connect the Trump campaign and the current administration to Russia, suggesting that much of it was fake in order to generate outrage from the left. While I agree that some sources should be taken with a grain of salt, I think there's been pretty clear evidence of collusion. I let that pass, thinking perhaps I missed the start of the rant and therefore missed his point. Yet, minutes later, when discussing potential impeachment of Trump, there was ZERO mention of Russian collusion, in fact it seemed like he went out of his way to avoid mentioning that as a cause for impeachment!

I think we can all agree that several of the RT "liberal" commentators have been more keen to attack Democrats than pursuing the Russian allegations. Should we now begin to question the motivation of those media personalities on the RT payroll?

69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Is it past time to stop trusting media sources funded via RT?? (Original Post) Docreed2003 Jun 2017 OP
Stopped listening jehop61 Jun 2017 #1
It's way past time. nt jrthin Jun 2017 #2
Yes. Nt. Barack_America Jun 2017 #3
haven't been listening to RT for a long time marylandblue Jun 2017 #4
It certainly seems that way Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #5
Russia Today RT? Propanganda organ of Putin? sharedvalues Jun 2017 #57
I reached this conclusion a year ago, they and the Intercept lost me. Had a friend who repeated bettyellen Jun 2017 #6
I think I foolishly believed Thom was different... Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #7
Thom Hartmann is an asset to the Democratic party and cause... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #10
While I used to believe that... Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #11
I think it's easy to get sucked in and lose credibility by association- and that's RTs aim by bettyellen Jun 2017 #17
Totally wrong... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #19
You say you never watch RT, just Hartman... so you're lecturing me about RT why? bettyellen Jun 2017 #21
See my post on your comment. Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #23
You watched a few minutes.... got it. bettyellen Jun 2017 #26
How about you? Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #27
It doesn't matter.... Adrahil Jun 2017 #32
I've skimmed stories on RT almost a year back and could see how slanted they are- sorry they're bettyellen Jun 2017 #35
So, you have never watch Hartmann on RT, yet... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #36
He's taking Putin's paycheck. Adrahil Jun 2017 #30
Bullshit. Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #34
So only Putin will give him a paycheck and that is good? WOW that's fucked up. bettyellen Jun 2017 #37
Is he taking Russian money or not? Adrahil Jun 2017 #42
I question anybody who questions Thom Hartmann... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #44
Then you are doing it wrong. Adrahil Jun 2017 #46
Who's the fool? Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #47
Hartmann. Thought that was clear. NT Adrahil Jun 2017 #48
Hartmann could distribute on YouTube if he wished emulatorloo Jun 2017 #45
Thom use to talk up DemocraticUnderground until.... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #50
Hartmann fan here so give it a rest emulatorloo Jun 2017 #51
Beg your pardon? Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #53
"I question *anybody* who questions Hartmann" emulatorloo Jun 2017 #61
RT is Russian propaganda. sharedvalues Jun 2017 #56
Who was the 'fill in host'? Was it on the radio show or the TV show? Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #8
If you're as big of a fan as you purport to be... Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #12
Of course I knew who the fill in host was... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #15
Way to make a bunch of assumptions Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #16
No, I am not worried about Hartmann on RT...Why, because.... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #18
Ahh the RT expert doesn't even watch it, lectures others on credibility! Interesting, LOL.... bettyellen Jun 2017 #20
I listen to his radio show... And Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #22
Dude. RT hired Hartmann on purpose sharedvalues Jun 2017 #63
As usual, Hartmann is always one step ahead.... Trial_By_Fire Jun 2017 #64
RT hired him to court liberals sharedvalues Jun 2017 #66
Petty 'gotcha' games with your fellow DU'ers? emulatorloo Jun 2017 #49
The best stuff here is claiming RT is as legit as BBC, that's pure Putin right there.... bettyellen Jun 2017 #60
I never trusted them from the moment RT came on the air. hrmjustin Jun 2017 #9
Suddenly their bogus crap was all over FB last year... that was the time for people who cared about bettyellen Jun 2017 #25
Uhhhh.... ya think? Squinch Jun 2017 #13
Way way past time, anyone appearing on RT is on the Kremlin payroll Spider Jerusalem Jun 2017 #14
RT is the propaganda arm of the Kremlin. wildeyed Jun 2017 #24
Uhh, Thom Hartmann.. Else You Are Mad Jun 2017 #28
I'm neither insulting democrats or spreading lies... Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #29
Why I am concerned... Else You Are Mad Jun 2017 #31
That guest host was Hartmans long time producer who worked for Sputnik as well as RT.... bettyellen Jun 2017 #39
It definitely is surreal Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #55
Interesting you're be blamed for what RT does all day long.... and RT is compared to the BBC? bettyellen Jun 2017 #41
RT is propaganda from Putin sharedvalues Jun 2017 #58
What the hell? Quit trusting RT? You might as well say "let's quit looking... Bucky Jun 2017 #33
Lmao Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #38
No Bucky- just no. Please clean up this trash, hostility to one woman is hostility to us all. bettyellen Jun 2017 #40
I'm sorry. My hostility is toward the exploitation, not toward the exploitees Bucky Jun 2017 #43
Sorry Bucky- it's repulsive and it's not okay. bettyellen Jun 2017 #52
What??? RT is Russian propaganda. All of it. sharedvalues Jun 2017 #54
Just so you know, this was alerted for peddling right-wing talking points. OilemFirchen Jun 2017 #59
Wow...that's amazing Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #62
I KNEW that was coming w some of the slick framing here- "why you attack bettyellen Jun 2017 #65
I like Thom SHRED Jun 2017 #67
Agreed...I wish he would as well. Nt Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #68
I never trusted them. Pawns for putin.. Cha Jun 2017 #69

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
4. haven't been listening to RT for a long time
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:38 PM
Jun 2017

I used to like some of those hosts, but now they are sellouts.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
6. I reached this conclusion a year ago, they and the Intercept lost me. Had a friend who repeated
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:42 PM
Jun 2017

A lot of that crap and at some point I told him he was reading garbage.

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
7. I think I foolishly believed Thom was different...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:48 PM
Jun 2017

While this was a fill in host, Thom has not been much better on the issue...money beats principle I suppose

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
10. Thom Hartmann is an asset to the Democratic party and cause...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:53 PM
Jun 2017

Anybody who know anything about Thom Hartmann knows he is cool dude and a unbelievable patriot to America and Democratic issues and policies.

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
11. While I used to believe that...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:57 PM
Jun 2017

I have serious reservations when he tends to avoid discussing the Russian allegations and has a host that essentially calls out any allegations as being "fake news".

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
17. I think it's easy to get sucked in and lose credibility by association- and that's RTs aim by
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:20 PM
Jun 2017

Surrounding him with nutters and Russian propaganda.
He may himself be a good guy, but it seems his sub host is a shill, and the association hurts his reputation.
Just as Cenk lost credibility by associating with cretins.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
19. Totally wrong...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:28 PM
Jun 2017

Sax is a good guy from what I know, I did not hear anything from Sax that makes me
think he is a 'shill' except for the Dem causes...

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
32. It doesn't matter....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:55 PM
Jun 2017

Even if Hartmann is doing straight journalism, he is serving Putin's interests in disguising RT as a legitimate news source.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
35. I've skimmed stories on RT almost a year back and could see how slanted they are- sorry they're
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:01 PM
Jun 2017

Going to jack up Hatman's reputation but that is how things will likely work. I guess if he keeps his nose clean he can keep a lot of his fans, but I'm not supporting RT's network of reporters. Plenty of other sources that don't try to muddy the waters with DTs deep state bullshit. If Hartman was smart he'd get far away from them while he can.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
36. So, you have never watch Hartmann on RT, yet...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:07 PM
Jun 2017

you want to bad mouth him? W T F?

As I posted in this thread - 1) Solid real Democratic issues are discussed, and 2) where
are all the rich Dems supporting *ANY* fucking left-Dem radio and TV?

Right, there aren't any...

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
30. He's taking Putin's paycheck.
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:53 PM
Jun 2017

You can justify it however you like. He is serving Putin's interests. Even if he is doing honest journalism, he is just there to create the illusion that RT is a legitimate news source and now the propaganda network that it actually is.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
34. Bullshit.
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:00 PM
Jun 2017

Have the DU geniuses figured out that:

1) Hartmann is the Democratic patriot speaking on Dem values on RT? and
2) that, since nobody funds *true* Democratic talk and radio shows, he went on RT.

And, his radio show is broadcast thru-out the world?

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
37. So only Putin will give him a paycheck and that is good? WOW that's fucked up.
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:08 PM
Jun 2017

You don't think there's better people to work for? You've gone full fake news here. I gotta guess you trust Putin more than the American IC too? That would follow.

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
42. Is he taking Russian money or not?
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:17 PM
Jun 2017

Ask yourself why Vladimir Putin would employ him.

Hint: it's not because he wants to advance journalistic integrity or Democratic values.

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
46. Then you are doing it wrong.
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:21 PM
Jun 2017

I've listening to Thom, and have liked him. But if he has managed to convince himself that he isn't being used, then he is a fool.

emulatorloo

(43,979 posts)
45. Hartmann could distribute on YouTube if he wished
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:20 PM
Jun 2017

Similar to TYT.

He's got choices. Doesn't need to be associated w Putin's propaganda mashine.

I've suggested several decent options over the last several yrs to the intern who posts on DU under his name. Crickets...

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
50. Thom use to talk up DemocraticUnderground until....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:28 PM
Jun 2017

...after the election day hack (and subsequent hack(s)) and people here started to bad mouth
him.

I question *anybody* who questions Hartmann...

emulatorloo

(43,979 posts)
61. "I question *anybody* who questions Hartmann"
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:40 PM
Jun 2017

You wrote that in yr response to me.

So it Seemed like you were addressing me as someone on your untrustworthy 'enemies list'

If I misinterpreted then I misinterpreted

I don't question Thom's progressive bonafides.

I just don't know why he's still on RT. I believe it hurts his rep, I'd love for him to get off Putin Today.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
8. Who was the 'fill in host'? Was it on the radio show or the TV show?
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 08:51 PM
Jun 2017

I question your interpretation that resulted in "he was lambasting the number of articles online and in mainstream media that are trying to connect the Trump campaign and the current administration to Russia, suggesting that much of it was fake in order to generate outrage from the left.".

Hartmann, for sure, wants a compete investigation into the Russian-Trump issue. And, on the radio, I never heard a fill in host talk like you suggested.

It seems that all DUers do is to rag on people, even good/great Dems.

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
12. If you're as big of a fan as you purport to be...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:03 PM
Jun 2017

I would imagine you would know the answer your own question!

Friday, the radio fill in host was Sam Sacks.

As I said in the Op, I'm happy to be corrected in my interpretation and I admit that I caught the rant mid-way through.

I'm not trying to tear anyone down. I'm voicing sincere concerns, which I think are warranted considering the financing of the show.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
15. Of course I knew who the fill in host was...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:09 PM
Jun 2017

I was wondering if YOU knew who the host was.

Obviously, you have not listen to Hartmann for the last 13 years as I have. He is
as true blue as they come.

I imagine his only 'crime' in some people's mind is that he was a Sanders supporter until
the primaries were over and then was all in for clinton.

DUer's really need to stick with real issues and get off of the 'people smearing'.

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
16. Way to make a bunch of assumptions
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:16 PM
Jun 2017

If supporting Sanders is a crime, then I'm guilty as well! I would have you refer to my posts from the primaries for evidence because I was as big of a supporter of Sanders as anyone on here.

I realize Thom has been reliably blue, and I can assure you I've listened to most every program for the better part of 9 years, as long as I've had Sirius/XM.

My concern was the rant and the accusation, as well as the funding of the show for RT. I think that's a fair concern, do you not? And I think that's a real issue, considering Thom's program is a source of information for many liberals

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
18. No, I am not worried about Hartmann on RT...Why, because....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:25 PM
Jun 2017

...Hartmann has full and total control on his radio show. To be honest, I do not watch Hartmann on RT
except to say that the few times I channel surfed to RT, he was basically doing his radio show on the TV.

As an educated total FDR Democrat, Hartmann does nothing but GOOD for the Democratic causes and policies.

It's his track record - Hartmann is a true blue, very intelligent, gifted talker for all Democratic causes and policies.

If you have listen to Hartmann for 9 years, you should know his loyalties.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
22. I listen to his radio show... And
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:34 PM
Jun 2017

...a few times I did catch a minute or two on RT he was doing his radio show on the TV.

Have you actually listen to Hartmann on his radio show or his TV show? Tell me
when and what did he say that suggests that Hartmann is shilling for the goddamn Russians?

Or have you never watched RT too? And if you have, why are you watching RT?

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
63. Dude. RT hired Hartmann on purpose
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:48 PM
Jun 2017

To bring in liberals. Because then the liberals are likely to listen to stuff before and after, and RT can influence ads during the show.

The problem is the bosses at RT. Hartmann can't fix them. He was hired for show and will be kept only as long as he is useful for propaganda purposes.

 

Trial_By_Fire

(624 posts)
64. As usual, Hartmann is always one step ahead....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:54 PM
Jun 2017

His tv show is Progressive Liberal and Democratic... He works his
ass off delivering the Progressive Liberal Democratic message even
on RT. It is his way, I believe, to counteract any Russian propaganda.

Get it?

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
66. RT hired him to court liberals
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 11:21 PM
Jun 2017

Standard propaganda trick. Embrace. Extend. Extinguish.

Hartmann's motives can be as white as the fresh driven snow, and they probably are. But RT uses him as a tool to court liberals that they then try to persuade with their other shows and by shading coverage.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
60. The best stuff here is claiming RT is as legit as BBC, that's pure Putin right there....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:39 PM
Jun 2017

And TYT is akin to MSNBC. Waaaaah!

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
25. Suddenly their bogus crap was all over FB last year... that was the time for people who cared about
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:35 PM
Jun 2017

Their reputations to bail out. They're at best lenading the operation some credibility. Have people here comparing them to BBC now, LOL. And TYT w MSNBC! I wish I was making this up.

 

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)
14. Way way past time, anyone appearing on RT is on the Kremlin payroll
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:08 PM
Jun 2017

you may as well be getting your news from Tass or Pravda.

wildeyed

(11,240 posts)
24. RT is the propaganda arm of the Kremlin.
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:34 PM
Jun 2017

Anyone paid by RT is paid by the Kremlin. If you listen to anyone paid by RT, you are being manipulated by Russian propaganda. This is not a hard connection to make. Patriotic Americans just say no to Russian propaganda.

Good propaganda gently leads you down the trail by appealing to some of your innate bias and then nudging you in the direction they want you to go until you think that YOU thought of it yourself. It's insidious. I constructed a private Twitter list of RT and other Russian propaganda sources specifically to track what they are doing and sometime I find myself nodding along to an article that rings my bells in just the right way. They are very good at what they do. Beware.

Else You Are Mad

(3,040 posts)
28. Uhh, Thom Hartmann..
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:41 PM
Jun 2017

Steadfastly refuses to allow any discussion that insults Democrats. Please don't spread lies.

I really am wondering why certain and proven liberals have all of a sudden are being attacked? If you want to disregard Thom, then you are ignoring one of the only liberal radio hosts that is syndicated on terrestrial radio. Most talk show hosts on terrestrial radio are RWNJ hosts like Limbaugh, Savage, Levin, ad nauseum. That is interesting.

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
29. I'm neither insulting democrats or spreading lies...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:49 PM
Jun 2017

It was on the radio show on Friday!

Voicing a concern about content on his show does not equate to an attack

Else You Are Mad

(3,040 posts)
31. Why I am concerned...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:54 PM
Jun 2017

Is that Friday he had a guest host on his show. Thom was not on the air at all this week. So, he could not have said anything and you cannot accuse Thom of anything if it was a guest host.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
39. That guest host was Hartmans long time producer who worked for Sputnik as well as RT....
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:10 PM
Jun 2017

And we have a two people here comparing RT to BBC...
saying RT is better than American media groups.


Surreal, isn't it?

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
41. Interesting you're be blamed for what RT does all day long.... and RT is compared to the BBC?
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:15 PM
Jun 2017

This is all Putin propaganda.

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
58. RT is propaganda from Putin
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:38 PM
Jun 2017

This is an information war and one of Putin's strategies is to divide the left by appealing to some of them on RT.

Bucky

(53,795 posts)
33. What the hell? Quit trusting RT? You might as well say "let's quit looking...
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 09:58 PM
Jun 2017

...under the table during Fox 'news' shows for beaver shots"!!

Bucky

(53,795 posts)
43. I'm sorry. My hostility is toward the exploitation, not toward the exploitees
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 10:19 PM
Jun 2017

I plea the Frank Zappa defense. It's just words.

But yes, I agree we should denounce hostility to women. I think sarcasm is a fair way to do so.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
65. I KNEW that was coming w some of the slick framing here- "why you attack
Sun Jun 4, 2017, 11:05 PM
Jun 2017

"great Dem media" as presented by RT and TYT.

You can't make this shit up.

Cha

(295,909 posts)
69. I never trusted them. Pawns for putin..
Mon Jun 5, 2017, 12:18 AM
Jun 2017


"When I came to the event for our company, Russia Today, and sat down at the table, next to me there was a gentleman sitting on one side," Putin continued. "I made my speech. Then we talked about some other stuff. And I got up and left. And then afterwards I was told, 'You know there was an American gentleman. He was involved in some things. He used to be in the security services' ... that's it. I didn't even really talk to him... That's the extent of my acquaintance with Mr. Flynn."

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/vladimir-putin-dinner-michael-flynn-i-didn-t-even-really-n768016?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9157283
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