As I have said many times before, "turn that shit off!"

[Melodybe]

Give it up the media has not been on our side since Watergate, otherwise Reagan and Poppy would have never gotten away with Iran-Contra. If the media was on our side then we would not have gotten 8 years of Clinton bashing, Monicagate, and stupid shit like file gate, we would not have had the supreme fascist instaled as our president, and we would not be being told that Bush will win again, especially when he didn't win the first time.

Turn of Chris Matthews, turn off CNN, turn off MSGOP, quit expecting them to tell the truth they obviously want not part of that.

For the love of god and all that is holy, get off your ass and actually do something, register people to vote, volunteer at your local headquarter, tell everyone you know to watch the Daily Show and F9/11, and most importantly tell everyone you know to turn that shit off.

The polls do not represent any one that has a cell phone as their only number, the polls do no reflect any of the newly registered voters, which btw democratas are out registering republicans 2 to1, they do not tend to poll minorities, they do not tend to poll people on the bottom of the economic ladder, and if you look at the internals they are over polling republicans.

Who that voted for Gore will vote for Bush? I have talked to plenty of Bush 2000 voters that can not bring themselves to vote for Bush this time. How many black republicans are there? How many gay republicans are there? How many laid of 45 year olds are voting republican?

Honestly, people here love to jump on Kerry but then they ignore all the awesome things he says in his speeches and then they ignore his very good plans for the future. Some want to call themselves realistic, but they are doing nothing more than believing the bull shit media. If you believe a word that comes out of the mouth of anyone on CNN, FOX, or MSGOP, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

Fucking do something about it. Get off your ass, volunteer at you local Kerry/Edwards headquarters, I don't care if you are considering voting for Nader, fucking help or shut the fuck up and enjoy your fascist theocracy.

I am in MS and so many former republicans are pissed here, things are not that bad!!

But since so many of you give up the second you see something bad on CNN. I repeat, "TURN THAT SHIT OFF!"

Quit saying that Americans are too stupid to see through the Bush lies, if you expect the worst of people that is exactly what you will get. I am talking to plenty that see through the lies, I talked to an older black lady with a son in jail and she remembered Iran Contra and said that the media does nothing but lie. She is someone that I can bet a million dollars every white poster here would have assumed was too dumb to see through the truth, yet she was not.


Defeat starts with us not them.

[el_gato]

1. Amen

the t.v. babies can't give up thier addiction.

[nolabels]

6. It's okay, it's not an addiction

Nowhere below did I see anything about Tee Vee as being an addiction

What is an addiction?

Sante defines addiction as an unhealthy or pathological mood altering relationship with a substance and/or behavior that a person continues to do even in the face of negative consequences.
Characteristics also include:

* compulsivity which is a loss of ability to choose freely whether to stop or continue the behavior
* obsession with the activity
* increasing sense of uneasiness before beginning the activity
* there is pleasure or relief after engaging in the behavior
* engaging in the behavior instead of honoring work, family or social obligations
* need to heighten the intensity or increase the frequency of the activity in order to satisfy the craving
* withdrawal symptoms occur if the activity is stopped

Some Withdrawal Symptoms include:

* Anxiety/Panic
* Loss of Appetite
* Overeating
* Insomnia
* Oversleeping
* Feelings of Despair
* Suicidal Thoughts

A Person Can Be Addicted to:

* Alcohol and other Drugs
* Prescriptions and Nonprescription Drugs
* Nicotine
* Food
* Sex
* Work
* Love Relationships
* Computer Use
* Gambling
* Exercise
* Religion
(snip)
http://www.santecenter.com/whatisan.html

[el_gato]

11. Addicts always get defensive

when you criticize the addictive behavior.

[nolabels]

12. I agree

I hardly watch tv anymore. I Punched up the word addiction on a search and it was loaded with stuff about computer addiction as the most looked at (it seemed). So I am putting away the keyboard away for a week to see if it's true.

I'm sure DU will still be here when I come back, Peace out

[DemNoir]

2. I nominate this for post of the week!

That all needed to be said and should be repeated over and over. I hope people will take it to heart. But Sadly by 7:03 est tonight DU will be filled with posts like "Did you hear what Chris Matthews just said!"

[ursacorwin]

14. i second that

turn it off people....please. don't give them any more power over you than they already have.

[Beer Snob-50]

15. I was just telling a workmate

that i was getting pissed at the dialogue on talkradio and said i was turning it off. she laughed and said that love it or hate it, i am addicted to that shit. So while I agree with everyone here, come hell or high water, i will turn on tweety tonight (or at least between innings of the red sox game).

[vi5]

3. Thank you... I posted more or less the same thing Wednesday..

Again, the point needs to be made: On average these channels and shows on cable news get LESS THAN A MILLION VIEWERS!!! Yet people on here act as though they are influencing tens of millions of people.

Maybe instead of writing that useless e-mail to Tweety that he'll never read and is even less likely to do anything about, register a voter. Pass on to someone you know an accurate, informative article from the internet. Or just go out and try and educate people about what is going on rather than feeding into the echo chamber.

[DemNoir]

5. Yes right!

Less than million is generous when it comes to Matthews he is usually around 100 to 200 thousand on a good day. Yet DU elevates him to king maker status every evening.

[PATRICK]

30. WE repeat because

our gold nuggets disappear in the rushing river. We need a better archive guide to inform our people and present information to others.

[Beam Me Up]

4. THANK YOU!

I turned it ALL off years ago. NO MORE TV NEWS!!! Why should I subject myself to THE ILLUSION of being "informed" when all it really is is BRAIN WASHED!

The biggest piece of evidence supporting the theory of a right wing conspiracy is the existence of George W. Bush in the White House. That man doesn't have what it takes to be DOG CATCHER--except he has family and money and connections in the National Security State. He represents the END of our Republic and this is not an over statement or a joke. The man is a fascist, a traitor, a murderer -- and yet we are led to believe he is just a "Republican". Just a "Republican President". That is NOT what is going on here, folks.

[movie_girl99]

7. Amen bro/sister

I get all of my news from DU.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi movie_girl99!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[RandomKoolzip]

33. ALL news?!

No, that's just silly. I still read The Chicago Tribune, the Sun-Times, the NYT, YAhoo! News, and watch the BBC on PBS. I even read the WSJ sometimes to listen to the enemy's chatter. News is meaningless without context.

I'm sure even most DUers wouldn't claim they get ALL their news from DU.

However, Melodybe is right: TURN THAT SHIT OFF!!! Television is the media's big right tit and it's time to start drinking from a bottle instead like the big boys and girls we're becoming.

[hippiegranny]

8. testify, sistah!

way to spell it out!

[proud patriot]

9. Huzzah

The American People Are Not Dumb

They do not take kindly to Liars

[Zorra]

10. All television is usually RW spew, even in what seems to be innocent

programming.

It's all about marketing consumer normalization for societal control and consumer stimulus. Think about it: Almost everyone in the US has been watching television every single day since they were in the cradle. It is not just the news and talking head shows that are RW propaganda. Kill your television.

Pink Floyd - Brain Damage

The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more
snip
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me ’till I’m sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There’s someone in my head but it’s not me.

[WLKjr]

13. 10 4

I am already on top of it. Just volunteered the other day at my local Kerry Edwards HQ for canvassing and possibly some overnight data entry when I get home from school. Also calling my local elections office and volunteering to be a poll worker. Even got my yard signs up.

[grace0418]

17. Thanks

I needed that.

[yellowdawgdem]

18. thanks for saying that

If people stopped watching tv it would put comcast and other corporations out of business. I mean, in addition to the good that would come from being less brainwashed and depressed.

[NightTrain]

19. My TV set is boxed up in the basement.

Haven't watched a second of programming (what an appropriate name!) since I moved two-and-a-half months ago. And you know what? Except for "The Daily Show," I don't miss it a bit!

[citizen]

20. Engage the enemy!

For what it's worth, I'd offer some additional advice..

* explore and support independant media

This can be a big help in maintaining your perspective and seeing through the shit, which you will inevitably be bombarded with even if you turn your TV off. Certainly, radio is not any better. In my current city of residence, the six largest radio stations are all owned by Clear Channel!

But, don't let your exploration take you away from the fact that unless you get out and engaged the enemy, express your views, and talk to people face-to-face, you're a part of the problem.

http://www.civilthreat.com

[Carolina]

21. KICK

:kick: You are so right!!! I don't miss TV punditry at all. There are so many good anti-Bush books out and they are not on best-seller lists for nothing! People are hip to the bias of cable 'news'

I live in a red state where, for good reason, Kerry is wasting no money. When I hear Dems here say with resignation he's not fighting or he's not gonna win, my first response is: you must be listening to CNN. Sure enough, when I say TURN IT OFF, read, volunteer, or hell, talk to real people ... it's as if a light got turned on. I also remind them that we may not be seeing a fight in this stupid state filled with congenital repukes but if we lived in OH, PA, WVa, MI, etc., it would be a different story. When fighting the Bushbots and ALL their resources, you have to pick your battles.

BTW, Kitty Kelley's book is dynamite

[flpoljunkie]

22. CNN, MSNBC, FOX together average 2M viewers during day and 4M primetime!

Pretty small numbers of viewers, actually. Fox leads, of course with over 2.7 million primetime viewers on average compared to CNN's apprimately 1 million average and MSNBC's paltry 382,000 average viewers!

Let's see if we can reduce these numbers further.

[zanana]

23. If you want to know what kind of news the majority gets,

You have to watch cable news, Bill O'Reilly, and everybody else who makes you mad. This is what most people go by. People get up in the morning, go to work, come home, and watch television. Not many people curl up with a newspaper or a good book. For that matter, not many people go online to get the news, either. I think it's unrealistic to think that if you stop wathcing these programs, they'll go away.

[mhr]

24. TV Free Here For Over Three Years - Do Not Miss It Or The Stress It Causes

Each of you can do this - It is possible!

[lady lib]

25. Please help Kerry out

There's a lot of work to be done between now and Nov. 2nd. Turn off the TV/computer/whatever is eating up your time, and drive down to the local campaign field office and offer your services. You'll be offered phone banking, data entry, mailings, or canvassing(canvassing is actually fun, believe it or not). Thanks.

[jwirr]

26. Turned off the tube

in 1987 and have watched only disaster's like 9/11. I will not be turning it on until Nov. 2 because I want to see our victory. Join me in this commitment to use my time for Kerry and progressive media.

[Nlighten1]

27. "A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika"

Anyone ever read the lyrics to "A bullet in your head" by RATM?

[bobthedrummer]

28. Not only irritating shit, Melodybe, but through the modulation of waveform

at certain frequencies it's mind control.
It's literally sickening.
Destructive when abused by the private sector for big $$$.

[PATRICK]

29. Even for breaking news

the only outbreak of fair reporting is the first, usually live story that is edited and slanted after that in such a way that no sane person could NOT have their gut opinion of the truth as it happened modified according the filter.

I think we are in need of an altenrative METHOD of becoming informed. Archiving and presenting the original unfiltered reports, links to true journalism, foreign media and shared discussions as we have here. The only trouble here is a different kind of memory hole. OUR reporting gets lost in dupes, disappearing threads, and a huge variety of unruly postings. Buzzflash does a god job but maybe some more accessible list of evenet archives and direct sources so that "news" remains accessible besides the organic vibrance of discussion posts. Buzzflash has an LTTE page but no discussions. We have the reverse. Great links or no there is not the frontal confrontation to the established media that alternative media has.

Maybe someone could permanently board a selection of our best troves(data, recording of events, contributions)?

[V Lee]

31. Thank you!

Thanks for that inspirational post! I loved it!!!

[Diana52]

32. Thank YOU!

I am so delighted to see this post. I'm new here, but I have been lurking for months. I'm so encouraged to see this!

Thank you, again.

[bobthedrummer]

34. I see your hobby is music -welcome to DU, Diana52!

:hi:

[obiwan]

35. Still optimistic, but...

... packing my bags for Canada just in case.

Don't care to say "sieg heil!" Allergic to military uniforms. No desire to kill ethnic groups. Tired, very tired.

Not a Christian, but I have recently started praying again.

[Outside Chance]

36. YES!

:pals: Absolutely!

The media seems to be portraying Kerry & Edwards as losers even 6 weeks out!

How can we counter this impression? Since tis all conservatives that own the companies that own the papers and TV stations, I'm sure that Rove is pulling a lot of strings, but there's got to be something grass roots we can do to get our message out.

Can we plan a support demonstration of some sort?

:kick:BUSH OUT!

[Free2BMe]

38. If it is said enuf...does it become truth...

the darn trouble is....that the media can push the pedal to the medal and proclaim victory for Bush the strong...and loss for Kerry the flip flop...where can the people be who can put this garbage to rest where it belongs..in the dung heap...Unfortunately - I believe our culture is full of purple flavoraid drinking people who take this stuff as gospel...

[monchie]

37. Occasionally I've thought about locking out the propaganda networks...

...Faux, Conservative News Network (CNN), MSGOP...with the parental controls, but there's no real need to do that. I just avoid stopping on those channels, and have done so since January 2001 (with the exception of some CNN during the week immediately after 9/11).

With digital cable, I have about 200-300 channels to choose from, so I prefer sticking to Comedy Central, Sci Fi, Science Channel, VH1 Classic, HBO, Showtime, and those wonderfully sleazy true crime shows on A&E, Court TV, and Discovery. IIRC, Sci Fi's ratings are as high as Faux's, and I think Comedy Central's may be higher. I do remember reading that "The Daily Show" outdraws all three cable propaganda networks.

Plus, I've got a nice DVD collection. Just last night I watched "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein," and Mel Brooks' hysterical "Young Frankenstein."

Point is, you don't have to turn off your TV -- you just have to turn off the BS propaganda.

[phish420]

39. Wow...amen to that!!

first time in a while I went to the home page and saw this thread...wow...damn right, stop complaining and do something!! http://www.electionprotection2004.org is a great way to get involved! You can volunteer to help montitor the polls and in other ways. Also, anyone with the spare funds need to contribute, then contribute more. This is the party of the middle and lower classes, so those few that have that ability to save money here and there unlike most of us needs to financially help the campaign and supporting 527s.

[phish420]

40. About the media...

I still watch the media just to point out teir bias and hypocrisy. I have managed to convince quite a number of people of this. I also try to catch those rare 'good stories' that actually help us so I can record them and post them on my site, since I know they are rarely seen. When I watch, however, I am always aware of my perceived truth. I say perceived because I know many think I'm wacko in many of my views, and they have the right to that opinion, as I think the same of them. But, by being aware of what I feel to be truth, I see through the bullshit. I advise most not to watch the news, and yes Daily Show is much healtier watching than anything spewd out of CNN, FOX, or MSNBC. However, as CBS has shown, sometimes...rarely, but sometimes, a news org. will step out on a limb, take a chance and actually investigate something, instead of relying on what is told to them through the news wire from a pre-scripted press conference. Some of us have to catch these jewels on tape. lol.

[mrdmk]

41. Back in 1977, Los Angeles media area news turn to what I call

the "Mellow Yellow Affect", It was when supposedly the general public were complaining that the news was to depressing and needed a change. The newscasters were laughing and telling jokes in an attempt to lighten up. Print news was somewhat more telling and a good book on history was even better. To me the media news at that time was a joke, today it seems to be pure propaganda.

If people do stop watching the news, there could be a ripple effect on the content, but most people are not information nuts like us. Yes, writing to the people who do put out the news about their bias, the misinformation and the lack of information does have an effect. Turning to other news sources and letting it be known also has its merits. Being informed on the F.C.C. rulings and following up with a voice of protest will have more of an effect, that has all ready been proven.

Then there are the people who do not want an informed society. Arnold Schwarzenegger proved this at the G.O.P. convention a couple of weeks ago when he stated that "Girlie Men", worry about the economy and other things. Mr. Schwarzenegger just insulted over 80% of the population of the United States with that statement. Do we see anything in the mainstream media about this comment, very little if any. The only thing I have seen is a letter to the editor stating that the reader was insulted and what was so bad about being a women. Of course Mr. Schwarzenegger is the media darling and cannot do no wrong, but with a voice of protest this could change.

Does anybody remember in 1985 (?), when there was a rumor that Ronald Reagan had cancer and there were number of experts stating that this was not so. Mr. Reagan did have have cancer at the time, but the media was putting this out for national security reasons. At Mr. Reagan's age cancer will not take over the body as in an younger person. Still it was said that he did not have cancer. Is this something for a society that is not informed or national security?