DUers should stop giving a shit what those on cable news are saying.

[Tony_FLADEM]

Everyone has their own agenda. If Chris Matthews is bi-polar a bit more than usual - who cares. If O'Reilly is committing more prostitution than usual - who cares. If Joe Scarborough is being a bigger dip shit than usual - let him. Stop worrying what these people say. They don't influence anyone.

[AX10]

1. Tweety is no longer bi-polar.

He is now on the Fox "news" team.
Remember, this demonization is what used to happen in the Third Reich. We have a serious problem.

[MazeRat7]

2. But then they would have no reason to "post"... *grin. n/t

[acmejack]

3. Some have!

[LynneSin]

4. Thanks! I figured that out about 5 years ago

Blood Pressure has dropped dramatically since!

[graywarrior]

5. They are all a joke

They are "entertainers," nothing more.

[JeffR]

6. Sorry

They do influence people. They are dangerous and what they say needs to be monitored, revolting as the process may be.

Again, I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with your viewpoint.

[ChiciB1]

9. DITTO To Your Point!

They ARE influencing far too many!! It's too sick. We here at DU are the "hard core" of politics, but we are outnumbered by those who don't actually follow the real story!

They hear the sound bites, form an opinion by that and go on their merry way. Granted many are hard working people just trying to get by, but the reality is that they don't take the time, or perhaps don't have the time to search very far.

I personally feel THEY should search more, but all I can do is try to correct far too many wrongs. And even then I get arguments from others who just are plain lazy and don't want to see it any other way!

[JeffR]

11. This is a huge problem

And no Democratic strategist or candidate (or activist) can afford not to try reaching some understanding of it.

Most people, liberal or conservative, don't go to any pains to follow the real story, of anything. End result: 5 years of fRepublican rule.

We must get a handle on this. This is the second most crucial issue Democrats face, after voting integrity.

Just my humble opinion...

[stillcool]

12. Sorry....

the only people cable news influences are the ones fool enough to watch it. If you want to pollute your brain with poppycock go right ahead, but please ...'need to be monitored'...NOT. What they sell is pure fiction. So, if you are entertained fine, but realize what you're buying. I try not to tune in to DU when the crap-fest is in full swing, so I can avoid those posts, describing blow-by-blow the drivel being regurgitated. This country is screwed as long as people focus on the alternate reality provided by cable news, rather than the reality of the runaway train we used to call the federal government.

[JuniperLea]

14. You are right...

it only influences the fools, mostly on the right. It can't pollute my brain because I see it all as lies. Better forarmed and forewarned by knowing what they are up to and being influenced by.

Stick your head in the sand if you want.

[stillcool]

16. Are you suggesting....

my head is in the sand because I choose to read credible sources...rather than tune in to propaganda? Is that logical?

[JuniperLea]

17. Nope

You are just leaving out one item in the equation. You have half of the story, even if the other half is all lies you should at least know what they are so you can show the lies as lies. If you only allow yourself half the story, you are no more informed than those RWNuts you hate so much.

[stillcool]

20. No...I don't 'hate' anyone...

and arming myself with a pack of lies is not what I would consider worthwhile...

[JuniperLea]

22. Oh, brother!

Fine. Don't watch. Don't listen or read about them either. Then you can be surprised by their lies when the come bite you in the ass.

Any military person worth their salt will tell you that the only way to win a war is to...


now listen up...


KNOW YOUR ENEMY!


That's right. I'm sure you've heard it before.


If you don't want to know him, fine. Just remember you won't recognize him when he's in your face. How fun will that be?

[stillcool]

25. Oh Brother is right...

I don't have any enemies...to bite me on the ass. I just have a life...to live or lose...and Tweety et.al, aren't going to do me any help with either. Have a nice night....

[JeffR]

15. I don't disagree

But if we don't know what crap the un- or semi-informed are being fed, how will we know just what we're up against?

It IS crap, absolutely. But we here in this little cyber-sinecure get an insight on things that our neighbors, acquaintances, friends and family may not be getting. How many stories do we hear from DU posters abut their encounters with such people in their lives.

In short, it's shit, I know it's shit, we all know it's shit, but how ya gonna deal with its effects on the our fellow citizens if ya don't know what they're being fed?

PS - If you can think of a way that would spare me watching any of this shit, I'd be in your debt.

[stillcool]

18. Well....

I have time at this place in my life to read, and search. Those people in my life benefit from that education. I do not have the talking points down, and the rebuttal at the ready. What I have is an understanding of current events...that I articulate to anyone interested. I turn people on to sites like this one. This is where it's at.

[JeffR]

21. It is

But it's only part of the process.

[JuniperLea]

23. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it

What is it that military peeps say is most important of all when you are at war?


KNOW YOUR ENEMY!!


You can't force the blind to see.

[JeffR]

24. Right on

But if you understand their perceptions, and the limits thereof, you can at least get some idea of how to help them.

[JuniperLea]

27. Exactly... perspective is absolutely everything

And no two people have exactly the same perspective. You can't hate people into submission either, yet how much hate are we seeing here today? Frankly, I'm disturbed, annoyed and disappointed in DU today. All the hate is disgusting and all the closed minds make me want to wretch.

[desi826]

19. though I agree with you

about what is the result of too much focus on cable news, it IS important to pay attention to.
This is the reason why 40% of the people in this country believe that Saddam has some sort of link to 9/11, and that the Abramhoff scandal affects both parties and not just the Repubs.
Des

[JeffR]

26. Yes

And while liberals have been scoffing at this crap for years, it eventually snuck up and pulled the country out from under us like a moth-eaten rug.

Apologies for the most inelegant metaphor posted on DU all day, if not longer.

[desi826]

28. You got that right and....Hey!!!

worst metaphor has nothing to do with it, the point was the....point.

problem is, dems don't seem to understand that actually fighting this thing will HELP them. It's gonna take a big "nudge" from us for them to get it.
Des

[Roland99]

29. Agreed. Look at the book sales of the Limbaughs, Hannitys, and O'Reillys

They reach millions of people each day and their words are broadcast to countless others in video clips on nightly news programs.

Shall we give up and go home? Shall we let them have their way on the airwaves? Shall we tell mediamatters.org to shut down their operations?


HELL NO!

[depakid]

7. Stop insulting bipolars!

Mathews is just another whore.... always has been- always will be. Obviously, edicts have come down from management at all the corporate media outlets- so the so called "journalists" and "pundits" are jumping to the tune, and lying for the money.

[punistation]

8. Too busy playing the Bush Text Adventure.

http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/001561.html

[madrchsod]

10. in the real world more people watch

abc,cbs,and nbc news in one night than all the cable shows combined for the week.

[Roland99]

30. Links to back that up? I believe you'll find you're quite off the mark.

Also, what do you think gets shown on nightly news? Oftentimes it's clips from the cable news programs.

[snowbear]

13. Shhhhhh....

Don't tell anyone.. but I kinda like that Keith guy!

(but you're right about the rest of them!)