Daily Howler offers an incomparable counterpunch to Cryin' Nick Kristof

[BurtWorm]

http://www.dailyhowler.com/


Is it true? Are modern journalists “arrogant, out of touch and untrustworthy?” For the moment, just consider a few examples we have reported at THE HOWLER. How do Kristof’s colleagues behave? They go to a birthday bash for John McCain, where they disgracefully sing “Happy Birthday”—to a future White House hopeful, one they will all be covering. They brag about their dinners with Condi, then fail to ask her obvious questions about her apparent misconduct. They perform at a testimonial dinner for Colin Powell—then rush off to the TV studio, unprepared for a crucial interview. They even create tearful religious ties with the Big Pols they allegedly cover. And of course, they say that it is just too “frightening” to ask tough questions of President Bush. They tell Larry King that it “hurts their head” to get straight on the facts on our basic debates. And when Powell presents fake facts at the UN, they stampede to swear that his statements are true—just as they stampeded fives years earlier, when they swore that Kathleen Willey’s attacks on Clinton were true. And oh yeah! When the Independent Counsel ended up calling Willey a liar, they all knew that they just mustn’t tell.

“Arrogant, out of touch, untrustworthy?” Why shouldn’t our scribes be seen this way? Why shouldn’t they suffer from “dwindling credibility?” Specific critiques may be misguided, driven by the gang of “demagogues” Kristof and his trembling colleagues are too uncaring to confront. But there’s nothing “unfair” about such criticism. Keep reading—such critiques are too soft.

[bryant69]

1. Daily Howler is about as good as it gets

ALthough they've also been slamming Josh Marshell lately, who I also like. Wonder what's going on there.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[KC21304]

2. Thanks. One miscue though.

Horowitz was previously on the left and now is on the right.

[Debaser]

3. very good article

Kristof seems to think there should be an equal balance in the media between truth and right wing propaganda; as the article points out, he's just a panderer.

Counterpunch publised a good article about Kristof last year: http://counterpunch.org/tripp06302004.html

'O Nicholas, what a supplicant, mewling, lickspittle Polonius thou art, spineless and vile...'

[BurtWorm]

4. Talk about an excellent article!

The one you linked to is hilarious and dead on! (Welcome to DU, by the way. :toast: )


<<As part of an experiment to see if anybody can read the New York Times more than three times a month without developing brain cancer, I occasionally read the column of Nicholas D. Kristof. I should know better. Modest, learned, and brimming with virtue, a man whose words and accomplishments unblushingly suggest the Christ on one of His better days, Kristof makes me sick. I shouldn't have been shocked by his column of June 30, 2004, entitled "Calling Bush A Liar". Kristof is the kind of guy who goes off to do a story on prostitution in Cambodia and just can't help himself, he has to buy a couple of girls and set them free while a Times photographer discreetly records the event. What a noble thing to do! How human, yet how godlike! I'm sure he sent the girls through college, too. Or maybe they were stoned to death as soon as he got on his plane. He doesn't say. The point is, here's a guy who knows in his heart that he's really virtuous, and seeing as moderation is one of his many strengths, he's going to moderate his readers senseless. He never scolds, mind you. Just gently sets a better example, a sad, slightly patronizing smile on his lips. Did you ever rescue a Cambodian prostitute? Speaking of which, back to "Calling Bush A Liar".>>

[Debaser]

5. I love that bit about the Cambodian girls-

-It really illustrates Kristof's problem: he's obsessed with appearing to do good, but doesn't really care if he actually does any. So he'll happily act as an apologist/enabler for the right, as long it makes him look like a fair, broad minded chap.:puke:

And thanks for the welcome!

[wookie294]

8. Great counterpunch article, LOL

The article ends with "Nicholas D. Kristof, go make love to yourself." LOL! Couldn't agree more!

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Debaser!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Debaser]

7. thanks!

Your sig is indeed correct!:)