Cable news is useless. TURN IT OFF - Lets do it.

[Jon8503]

Contributed by: Stranger Well, here we are. We're a little less than two months out from Election Day, and the corporate media is filling people's heads with misinformation and worthless, trivial matters that aren't worth the time spent thinking about them. Rather than talking about the fact that Bush plans to cut funding for Homeland Security if he's returned to office or talking about how Iraq is circling the drain at this very moment as a result of the Bush administration's utter incompetence, CNN and the rest give 5 hurricane reports an hour, when they're not (still!) talking about Laci Peterson or Martha Stewart.

The Republican party and corporate media have snuggled in together for the duration of the campaign. You could see it in the saturation coverage that the cable nets gave to the fatally flawed polls that Time and Newsweek reported in the days after the RNC convention in New York, which gave Bush an 11-point lead that was simply never there. You could see it in the wall-to-wall coverage they gave to the Swift Boat Liars for Bush - nearly two weeks' worth of repeating charges that were shaky to begin with and stood up to about five minutes of scrutiny.

You can see it in the debacle surrounding CBS' 60 Minutes II report on Bush's desertion from the Texas Air National Guard. Somehow, after claims of forgery were made, the story for the cable nets became the forged documents rather than the legitimiate and explosive story they contained. To this day, rumors run rampant and charges are hurled that somehow the Democrats and the Kerry campaign are behind the memos, and nary a word is whispered about the fact that Bush disobeyed a direct order from a superior officer, was busted down to flying trainer aircraft, and ultimately grounded from pilot duties. Nothing is said about the numerous gaps in Bush's record, which move him past AWOL status and firmly into deserter territory. These are facts - but for some reason, the cable news networks are more interested in talking about IBM Selectric typewriters and proportional spacing.

That the cable news nets have taken leave from the facts in order to prop up the Bush administration is, in the 3 years after the September 11 attacks, a given. Every utterance by Bush is given equal weight and treated like the Sermon on the Mount, while Kerry's blistering attacks on Bush and Cheney get mere seconds of coverage. The shrieking-head programs on Fox and MSNBC now don't even bother with the true liberal viewpoint, content with instead having a conservative and a certified right-wing loon provide the 'debate' - which in most instances consists of debating whether George W. Bush is great or really, really great.

http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/article.php?story=20040916070023934

[vi5]

1. O.K. but right after I tell you about how much of a shill Judy is being!!

On second thought maybe I'll turn it off after 3 hours of complaining about how Wolf Blitzer is carrying Bush's water. But then again Hannity is going to do some whoring later today and I just know you all couldn't go in life if you didn't have me to detail his every word on the internet for you.

And plus, how will I know which news anchors to send angry, indignant e-mails which they will promptly delete?

[LenaLush]

2. I cannot stomach that RW swill

I have not watched cable news for months now.

[no name no slogan]

3. The only thing cable is good for is high-speed internet

...and maybe a little "Queer Eye" or "Monster House" or "Bands Reunited" or "The Daily Show" or maybe even "Viva La Bam" or "South Park" if I'm feeling juvenile-- NEVER for news.

[AndyTiedye]

9. and CSPAN!

it's practically all I watch anymore.

[Anaxamander]

20. And ESPN (nt)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

4. I watch Crossfire and Lou Dobbs and am NOT going to stop.

Used to watch Capital Gang on Saturday but that has gone downhill in the last several months.

I also watch Olbermann.

I will watch Hardball when the "good" Chris is on.

I also watch all of the shows if there is a "good" news day - like when the CIA leak story was going on because EVERYONE beats up on Bush. In addition, I'll watch if there's a good guest on one of the shows (Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, Sy Hersh, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, etc.)

btw - you are only counted in the ratings if you have a Nielsen rating's box installed in your home or if you are surveyed by Nielsen.

[Jon8503]

6. Agree with who you watch, same ones I do. Think Olbermann is

one of the best and reliable. You never know which Chris is going to show up.

[Ishoutandscream]

5. Only thing worth watching is The Daily Show

I can no longer stomach the CNN's of the world. It's not good for my health.

[rndmprsn]

7. Corp News Still Sucks!

most of my "news" anymore comes from the web, certain newspapers and heated discussion i have with friends.

countdown, lou dobbs, and crossfire is about all i watch of corp cable news anymore.

and its sad...even public radio has lurched to the right, NPR and cokie disgust me more and more each day...i am NOT going to give them a cent anymore.

[Bleacher Creature]

8. Totally agree

Last night Tweety tried to counter Ted Kennedy's argument about Iraq being a diversion by noting a poll showing the 47% of people still think that Iraq had a role in the 9/11 attacks.

I really wish that Kennedy would have called him on that number. If 47% of the people still believe something that is NOT TRUE and is NOT OPINION, whose fault is that? Tweety, Wolf, and all of Fox News need to ask THEMSELVES that question -- and not try and turn it on people like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

[deutsey]

10. I stopped watching cable news back in 2000

and only tuned in during the 9/11 coverage because there were no alternatives where I lived.

[VOX]

11. The Daily Show, Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher and the BBC are it for me...

And I'm even spotty about catching those.

[Catfight]

12. I just saw Bill Maher for the first time last night, my friend was telling

me how much I'd love him, and I have to say, I really did like him a lot. Is he on every night or just Monday's at 8:30? I don't know who Keith Olbermann is, what's up with him?

[Jon8503]

13. Hey Catfight, Olbermann in on the nightly MSNBC news daily in

early evening. If you get a chance watch him. He does a great job.

[Borgnine]

14. Olbermann is awesome.

One of the only cable news personalities who actually calls * out on his bullshit on a nightly basis.

[Shopaholic]

18. I only watch Keith Olbermann these days--

if y'all haven't caught the show--do it now! He's on Monday-Friday at 8pm Eastern on MSNBC. The show repeats every night at Midnight Eastern.

[Catfight]

21. Thanks, I will catch him tonight then! n/t

[bullimiami]

15. i am almost cold turkey from corporate news.

my wife puts it on and i get so agitated im ready to spit nails.

its just air america and internet for me mostly. some local news.

[CityDem]

16. I will watch cable tv

Must keep up on what the enemy is doing.

[AspenRose]

17. Fortunately we don't have cable

So unless we're traveling (hotel) or at a relative's house, we're spared from the Cable News Nonsense.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. I have said that FOXCNNMSNBCCNBC is one big.....

Right Wing, Nazi Lovin' Echo Chamber.

:argh:

Call CBS, ABC, and PBS and get them to give us fair coverage. It's more doable than getting CNN/FOX to give us anything but crap!