Do you consume right-wing media?

[More Than A Feeling]

Someone on DU once said that a person who doesn't read arguments they disagree with is intellectually worthless (paraphrasing). Today, Pharyngula claims that reading creationist stuff instead of good solid science is not required to be intellectually honest, merely to prepare for the crazy arguments. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/

My question to you is do you think that to be intellectually honest, a liberal person has to read right-wing and/or conservative media? How much of that media do you consume? If you do, what do you read/watch/listen to?

(note: for the purposes of this post, right-wing/conservative media is different from the Mainstream Media in general (ie.NYTimes/WaPo/CNN/etc.), although specific reporters/columnists do qualify.)

[Squatch]

1. Don't have the time to waste...

on RW publications.

[amitten]

2. I'm like Bolton...don't have time to read fiction. n/t

[applegrove]

3. I'll read the local RW media, simply to keep on top of their "thinking".

Try to only read the NYTimes articles from columnists - or posted here on the DU.

DU a good filter!!

[Sammy Pepys]

4. I'll read National Review...

...but that's it.

[Initech]

5. I use Mediamatters to keep track of RW talking points

I refuse to watch cable news or read the editorial section of the LA Times (which I have come to call Fox News in print form).

[spag68]

6. old arabic saying

Keep your friends close and your enemy's closer

[Finder]

7. I do...

and cannot see how one can debate or disagree with a position if one does not understand the position. The MSM never gets either side right. IMO

I read and review progressive as well as conservative books. You would be surprised how many conservatives do not understand our position either.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. No, and no.

I do not consume RW media, and I do not think one needs to in order to be intellectually honest. I used to read some, just to try and be "open minded", but I eventually realized that just wasted my time and raised my blood pressure.

There was a time, when conservative thought had not degenerated into insanity, when it actually made sense to read their opinions. They might actually be thought provoking, or contain something of value. Those times are long past. I pretty much know what they're going to say before even reading or listening to it. There is nothing useful in it. It's just an attempt to be as outrageous as possible.

There is so much information out there now that you have to be somewhat selective. If you wasted time on every crackpot opinion out there, you would have no time for consuming information that's actually useful.

I don't need to read Nazi arguements or Stalinist arguements or Scientology screeds in order to be intellectually honest. I don't need to listen to Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter either.

I did spend some time listening to RW Christian radio a few years ago. I think I was just trying to get a handle on how their minds worked. I saw it more as an exercise in anthropology than an attempt to give an honest hearing to their opinions.

[ComerPerro]

9. I do consume right wing media, but only because it cracks me up

Its some of the most hilarious stuff out there...

[mmonk]

10. No, it consumes me.

None of it is worth watching for any excuse. All you have to do is discuss something with someone from rightwing world and know you can out debate them on fact.

[Rocknrule]

11. If I wanted to kill brain cells, I'd get drunk and watch Beavis & Butthead

[Johonny]

12. consumed

The person is probably right there is merit to reading the other sides opinions. The current RW think tanks are very similar to the creationist in that 99.9 % of their arguements haven't change in say 30 years. They weren't right then and they are right now. Even if they are repackaged in neat new slogans. So a little consuming goes a long way.