The Arrogance of MSNBC

[penguin7]

MSNBC is appealing the decision to include Dennis

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22656153/

How is it that we allow GE such tremendous influence over an election?

[wtmusic]

1. The elephant in the room is a one-word question

why?

[rocktivity]

5. Coupled with the fact that MSNBC invited him, rewrote the rules, then disinvited him

Yes, the networks are private entities, but they work over the public airwaves--that is, they RENT them. As the judge suggested, that has to balanced against the public interest--an election IS a governmental process, after all.

:patriot:
rocknation

[dkf]

2. Edwards took a lot of Kucinich's people away.

I hardly see anyone giving him a chance here.

Sure JEDNE, but nobody protesting KEDNE.

[LakeSamish706]

3. I don't understand why we would allow any MSM (in this day and age)...

to decide any candidate that will be in the debates. We know what the MSM has become, so in that light who is giving them direction to try and prevent a candidate from debating? It would seem to me that they must be nervous of DK's standing with respect to ideas.

[denem]

4. 'Hillary v Obama is the debate people are really wanting to see'

so MSNBC decides it's going to be just those two? 'We think it's very important at this time for voters to inform their choice between the front runners'.

[rocktivity]

7. Unfortunately, MSNBC, you came to that conclusion AFTER you invited Dennis

BEFORE you invited him,you had no problem with their being four debaters!

:crazy:
rocknation

[Serial Mom]

6. How is it we allow any media outlet (CNN, Faux, etc) to host debates?

What ever happened to non-profits who hosted REAL DEBATES such as the League of Women Voters or Universities?

(on edit - typo)

[robbedvoter]

11. I remember the League of Women Voters used to set the ground rules for those

Whatever happened to them?

[Marie26]

17. They withdrew in protest in 1988

In 1987, the LWV withdrew from debate sponsorship, in protest of the major party candidates attempting to dictate nearly every aspect of how the debates were conducted. On October 2, 1988, the LWV's 14 trustees voted unanimously to pull out of the debates, and on October 3 they issued a dramatic press release:

"The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates ... because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election_debates

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

18. I know - we need a law requiring all the networks to give free air time to candidates

The air waves belong to the people and the networks borrow them as a privilege accorded to them by the people. The debates should be hosted by the party, with all the major networks required to simultaneously broadcast them.

[onenote]

23. what you think about newspapers sponsoring a debate

and opening it up to any media outlet that wanted to cover it as a news event?

[Rageneau]

8. There are certain things the oligarchs don't want said in public...

And Dennis has a bad habit of saying those very things. It isn't Dennis that MSNBC is censoring, it's his ideas.

[robbedvoter]

9. GE had a lot to do with moving Florida from Gore's win collumn in "undecided"

[AtomicKitten]

10. Too much exclusion going on in the election process for my taste.

That is never a good sign.

[killbotfactory]

12. Let Dennis Debate

What the hell is the problem, here?

[Hatchling]

15. They're afraid of his message.

When there were eight candidates on the stage, they could hide and drown, him out. But with just four on the stage, they have less control.

Even if he get less time that the others, he will be able to inject ideas into the debate that can't or shouldn't be ignored. His "meme" might get out there to more people who have never paid attention to him before.

Dennis has won polls after debates with larger fields. If he wins the debate polls now, it will be extremely embarrassing to the frontrunners.

It will be more obvious that his message is being shut down by M$M.

[Th1onein]

20. He pulls them farther to the left

AND letting him be in the debate would tend to LEGITIMIZE the left's viewpoint. THAT'S why they don't want him in. THEY want to set the entire agenda.

[Hatchling]

21. Exactly! nt

[Beacool]

13. Kucinich won't make it much further in the race, but he still has the right to be heard.

I hope that MSNBC loses its appeal.

[lumberjack_jeff]

24. There is more than one reason for debates

It not only helps voters select a candidate on the basis of their stand on the issues, it also helps voters understand the issues.

In the latter role, it is vitally important that Kucinich participate.

[Hydra]

14. K&R

The powers that be are getting remarkably unsubtle. It's hard to argue that we have some sort of free election process in play, right now.

[redqueen]

16. Too many US citizens worship corporations. Corporations are GOOD.

So they may do as they please.

See? Easy.

[question everything]

19. Where is Ronald Reagn who will thunder: I am paying for this microphone"?

[femrap]

22. K and R...let's get GE's

Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey R. Immelt. He is the one ultimately responsible for this decision.

Email GE Corporate HQ here:

https://www.ge.com/contact/contact_form.html

or call at 1-203-373-2211

Ask for Jeffrey Immelt.

Then ask him about his quote which is prominently displayed at the homepage of GE:

"I am out talking about this company seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with nothing to hide. We're a 129-year-old company that has a great record of high-quality leadership and a culture of integrity."

He said it, NOW CALL HIM ON IT!!!

Hit the phones and email as well....let's get GE's Immelt for destroying our DEMOCRACY!!!

Thank you!