What To Do About The Right Wing Media?
By Thom Hartmann A...
The Republicans have the power to out-message Democrats almost every time.
You find a majority of the people who show up on television are Republicans, the majority of the pundits who are on television are Republican-leaning or conservative, even on MSNBC.
The airwaves of this country are almost exclusively right-wing. You've got Fox so-called News.
You've got a huge Internet infrastructure and you've got Drudge and all these things.
The New York Times a couple days ago, they turned their entire editorial page over to pro-Trump letters. I don't remember them ever doing that for Obama.
So the Democrats are fighting against the institutions of this country that have been captured by the billionaire class and that's going to be a challenge. It's always going to be a challenge.
And so what they're having to do is pick their fights.
Comments
#2
I dont mean to start this blogs post "off subject" but...
For all you right wing trolls who ALWAYS have a response to Thoms blogs... Where were you yesterday? Not a peep from even one of you!
I guess your silence... Says it all!
Hephaesius.
I posted a response to your question to me on your #9 post yesterday.
I explained and clarified what l meant in my earlier posts.
If you could, I'd really appreciate it if you would go back and read it.
And I'd welcome your input. Thanks.
#3
"Democratic Party is just a foil for the ruling class"
Hah...You merely prove Thom's point.
#4
lindsncal: Would you care to interpret that rather ambiguous comment?
#5
ABC, NBC, KRON, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, LINK TV, Google, Twitter, FaceBook, Mother Jones, KGO, Intercept, Rolling Stone, Greg Palast, Chris Hedges, Amy Goodman and many, many more.
as opposed to "Drudge and all these things"?????
Again Thom divide divide divide! And not very well thought out either!
#6
It's not just news. Look at what is passing for programming these days on cable channels like History, Discovery, TLC, A&E and National Geographic. Loaded up with militaristic, law & order shows focusing on crime and war, mostly with a strong conservative slant. All had been quality channels going back in the past. Maybe with its switch from Fox to Disney, National Geo will improve (it can't get much worse).
#7
Late night radio almost all stations are Coast 2 Coast...with something for everyone.
Nibiru anyone?
Many things to discuss and Thom misses them all.
#8
Jeffe
If you go back I posted after watching just how bored you were without us to B*tch at. Maybe they thought Thom shut down the Blog...it's so eratic.
#9
I vote democratic and I was a democrat since 1974. I left the party and the county democratic committee after the 2016 primaries. This attached story in The Intercept is the problem I have with today's Democratic Party. They continue to have their thumbs on the scales of who wins nominations. The establishment is out of touch if they are continuing to go after Republican "moderate' votes instead of letting small d democratic votes decide who gets the nomination in races. People are tired of the party controlling primaries and it does not get the base excited, enthused and motivated to get democrats elected. I would love to know what you th
ink about this article. https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/dccc-democratic-primaries-congress-progressives/
#10
Cepp
The intercept does really good articles in general, including the one you posted.
They put alot of thought into their blog. Unlike Thoms tired retoric.
It's my opinion that Hillary brought down the Democratic Party with a lot of help from her " friends ". Before Hillary, people were unaware of just how bad things were. Tulsi Gabbard spoke up and was promptly booted from her position by DWS.
I would vote for Tulsi in a heartbeat! Don't think Dems are interested in anyone that honest or intelligent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsi_Gabbard
snip
Gabbard is noted for her charisma and unorthodox political positions.[7] Gabbard supports abortion rights, opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, has called for a restoration of the Glass–Steagall Act, and has been in favor of same-sex marriage since 2012. She denounces regime change wars like those in Iraq, Libya, and Syria, and has opposed the U.S.-led removal of Bashar al-Assad from power, arguing that the country's civil war is a source of the Syrian refugee crisis. She has been mentioned as a potential candidate for President of the United States in 2020.[8][9]
Tulsi Gabbard (/ˈtʌlsi ˈɡæbərd/, born April 12, 1981) is an American politician of the Democratic Party serving as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district since 2013. She was also a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee until February 28, 2016, when she resigned to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.[2] Elected in 2012, she is the first Samoan American[3] and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress.[4]
#11
Wow. So much already.... I do see we have trolls now (again; apologies Jeflisse for last night's misinterpetation). HC in full form tonight.... I must digest. Hell; I Just got here.
#12
Ya but We got the commonsense and we're gaining on them because people are coming over to our side learning the truth. I'm going to call in some serious power Of Music they will never Stand a Chance.
All you guys on here I love and care about everyone. I'm trying to stomp out the Hatred one day at a time anymore if you want to follow me come on over at my Twitter @RobertSandera
We have to start calling out The Melenial Youth they have no opportunity like we had. Explain to them how great the late 70s were that we didnt have this Propaganda machine and hatred.
And Thom thanks for aways being well organized and doing a fantastic job.
I hope to have some major coin to donate to freespeech TV this year. All you other guys doing it for Progress Forward DM me your links to check out I want to UNITE US ALL AND WIN! #PresidentRob
My friends are telling me start raising money to customize a Motorhome to Blast accross America and meet you all with #RobRadio Cranking it live all the way. My services Web, Graphic, Cgi, Internet, Marketing are Free to all making a Difference.
I have been trying to tell my own best friends for 40 years they are not Republicans that those people hate their guts.
Some people would vote for them even if they had a machine gun ram down their mothers throat right in front of Them I just can't understand it.
At the very least this Country needs to Laugh and have some HOPE
False Messiah Headquarters are about to self implode Lol,
Rob @RobertSandera
#13
They are finally starting to realize they are wrong Jeff. We are losing our Govt to well organized Crime. 8 yrs of that and nothing will be left. If we're even alive the public will struggle for the next 50 yrs. Who would ever want to live in that?
#PresidentRob
#14
Eyeballed the latest Whitehouse fiasco with Drump citing Rosemary Woods. What a laughing stock of such a clown. Oath or no Oath he will still face the consequence of Mueller, having his head up his aXX. PERJURY!!! Can't wait for the interview.
#15
Thank you Oldskoold. I was thinking the same thing about the troll bull hooey.. Get your wading boots on! ..One example: They don't even realize that old folks vote for the party that SUPPORTS Medicare. And a lot don't drive any more.. They still need a driver's license as an official means of identification for voting. So they're blocked.. The regular NEWS won't tell you that.
#16
It is difficult for me to fathom why (at this point), anyone would defend this "Psychological Coup" that (Putin and preceedors's) in the KGB put in motion as far back as Krushev? Krushev said to the effect "Your Freedom Will Bury You". Well; look at how most have the same envoy of information and means of forwarding (blots. etc) from all the outlets HC was citing erlier on the assault on Thom. There's a PC in every home now (I'm being nice by not going further with that. Hell; I have lived in a mobile home and may again but I don't sit around and blame people of color for it). Were here looks like. I never thought though that the Republicans (the real ones) would be involved. Nunes? He be in deep shit. What a damn traitor! And the RNC? Yippie Kayo Kaye! They in deep shit too! Obvious who was in the inner circle now. Old saying but; guilty dog barks!
#18
Everything that you think the Democratic Party is multiply that by about 100,000 and you got the GOP. Because of the way our constitution is written we have to work with in the two-party system it's really a handful of bad up at the top.
Nomiki Konst busted them basically for stealing $900 million to a handful of consultants while screwing all rest of us She Whooped Butt ck it out https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh1EGReFg74
I'd like to steal Nomi for my Campaign Manager i'll be in the primaries this time but I'm going all way to November 2, 2020 no matter what we're not losing this time.
I will have every Law pre-written to just go in there and go BLAM problem fixed
Lets jail a few people too lol!
#PresidentRob
@RobertSandera
#19
OK.
#20
I said from the start it was all about "Moneylaundering" And to Practicing attorneys that didn't attend "Liberty University". Those mentioned attended Georgetown/Carolina/Wake Forrest. Im talking well over a year ago. The chickens a coming home to roost now but; we have had more than a year of the brainwashing and now the attacks on the FBI? We in deep shit cause the so called "Deep State" is doing it's best to save us from the most dangerous of all; a "Mob Boss" that the fools elected flipping President of my country!! Get ready.......
#21
They will never admit they were "incorrect"! I, at the very least, apologize when I mistake the intent of a comment here.
#22
Wally
First show us the missing texts from Strzok...and the FISA memos. Nothing to hide right?
Comey lawyers up.
#23
You must have watched "Wrestling (WWE/ Big Bill Ward, etc.) when young (last # 22). Ever see anybody throw "sand in the eyes" of the one they were "wrestling"? Sorry; but, that's all the direction/compass I can manage after that exchange. Good Night.
#24
#2 - jefflisse
Having read your post I empathise
You have, indeed, taken not little time to explain
I thank you for that
And, obviously, “import of the choice” means a lot to you
Sorry! But the human need to identify still mystifies me
No one has to pigeonhole or put themselves in a box(s)... do they?
Peace! Love! Joy!
#25
Right wing media is bought and paid for... this is quite clear
The sad thing is that the audience can not see this... just as you can not see under your nose
It is obviously very difficult to change the status quo by rational means
Historically, great change in the way humans accept being governed has only occured by revolution of some kind
And, revolution has had to require a leader
#26
Those who need to propagandize and lie in order to cling to power cannot do it without control of the message via the so called "free press." In fact the average consumer of mass media wouldn't even know that the Democratic Party exists.
I've tried to express this next thought a few times in the past and probably won't succeed with concise manner this time either..but here goes. If half of the voting population believes a lie that causes them to vote for the liar who ends up getting elected, then does that liar have a legitimate base?
So for example we know that the Foxaganda network or Russian bots can easily convince gullible citizens like Diane, Kend, Coffee, or Bachmann to vote for the candidate who obviously based on his past is not only a bankruptcy king being blacklisted by U.S. banks, but also a sex offender, racist/bigot, financial fraud criminal, pathological liar, wife abuser, etc. etc.......that instead of voting for the dedicated and proven to be qualified candidate who would keep expansionist dictators in check. ...no sex tapes to be blackmailed with.
More importantly, how can a Democratic Rep now say they are reaching across the aisle in a quest for bipartisan compromise when that reach only extends to a few billionaires? Those who vote Kochpublican actually desire what the dems are fighting for...not what the Kochs want.. lies caused them to screw up at the polls.
Without Corpse Media complicity the Kochbagger Party wouldn't exist. Heaven forbid Chuck Todd would allow Dems to speak truth to power. He is a good example of how asking seemingly sensible questions only allows the Kochbagger to lie with impunity and beat down the truth....no counter point of truth allowed.
#27
What To Do About The Right Wing Media?
Replace them with the personality and voice of the wise exquisite woman of color who called in late in Tuesday's program with specific suggestions for the Democratic Party regarding all constituents, and the original Dreamers, especially those dear to her (and the rest of us). She was the most amazing caller in a very long time. Thom should offer her a premier regular spot on his program as her call was extremely inspirational.
#28
Thom bemoans the fact that "The Establishment" expresses its agenda through a wholly owned subsiderary of "The Establishment". My claim is that there is no essential difference between the Republican Party, the Democratic Party and "The Establishment". In other words, it's a giant Kubuki Dance designed to distract us dimwits from what's really in play. Can anyone here point to a single significant act by either major political party since WW2, for example, to put the brakes on what Ike described as the advance of "the Military Industrial Complex". I think not. If we confine our discourse to "local political issues" ("you're a troll", "Trump's a jackass", etc.) the movers and shakers on this planet will continue to eat our lunch. We need to call these bastards out by whatever means necessary and stop carping at each other.
#29
Outback,
Well done.
#30
Vote with your wallet.
#31
Once the Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987..
And then the Telecommunications Act was passed in 1996..
All chances for fair, equal and relatively unbiased news ceased to exist on radio and television.
Now. With the recent repeal of Net Neutrality..
Im afraid the same fate is soon to befall the internet.
Obviously. The owners of these giant media conglomerates dont want an intelligent and well informed public... It's a threat to their existence!
#33
Thank you Legend for supplying links for my post.
I really should do that more. :-)
#34
Amazing, how 30 years of systematic deregulation has destroyed our news media. It enabled the super wealthy to buy up and consolidate all forms of our media.
#35
The 1% owns and operates the mainstream media. You hear what they want you to hear. You do not hear what they do not want you to hear. In the case ofFox News they also tell you the opinion that you should have. They own the vast majority of Networks, TV stations, Radio Stations, Newspapers and Magazines.
#36
HotCoffee, the leftie socialists have always operated under the principle of dividing people into small groups with the intent to gain voters. Their approach is to select words like, fascist, racist, misogynist, homophobe, and one of my particular favorites is Thom’s continual oblique references to Nazi’s, will go on and on so expecting a change in this behavior is a pipe dream. I find the all too often “I will never forgive my parents for being white” segments to be mystifying but entertaining on an odd sort of way.. Limbaugh actually makes far more salient points in his daily three hour tongue in cheek comedy show doing much the same thing. Thank God for channel options which leads me to the utterly stupid comments here that the media is all right wing. Obviously these idiots are sooooo far leftie/socialist they think Rachel Mancow, Don Lemmon, Wolf Blitzer, Chris Matthews, are Nazis. They appear to be oblivious to the fact President Trump gets virtually no positive press out of 90% of the mainstream media which is just fine with me as it may have been one of the primary reasons I voted for him.
Sorry I could not respond yesterday as I was touring most of the world’s largest cities for work and vacation. Soon, I will publish a post on how good it is to live elsewhere in a country where I do not have to worry about other people’s money. North Korea comes to mind.
#37
Even if you think that they are liberal, Their networks restrict what they can say.
#38
DianeR
I'll be interested in what you find out during your adventures!
It seems like our friends here were at a loss without us to bark at.
Too funny :)
I noticed they didn't even comment on Tulsi Gabbard.
#39
Individual candidates wink in and out of existence like fruit flies, some good, some bad, few in agreement on important issues, such as: money and religion in politics; extreme wealth disparity; the rise of modern-day fascism; elective wars for profit; and of course, Anthropogenic Climate Disruption.
Actors on the stage are merely following the billionaires' script, thanks to big-business right-wingers on the Supreme Court. It's our job as responsible citizens to pick the candidates who are willing to buck the fascists and protect the People's goverment and the Constitution's principles -- IOW, not to put party over country. At the moment, who are the real villains in the story?
#40
The Democrats are not going to outshout the elaborate and well organized Republican propaganda machine that has been in development for decades. The main fuel for that machine is fear. Sounds simple, but fear oriented decisions bypass the cortical functions necessary for critical thought because fear responses have to be quick as they are triggered by percieved threat patterns processed by the RAS (reticular -"reptillian"- action/activation system ) of the brain. You don't have time to contemplate de natura rerum when facing a sabertooth tiger. Propaganda science finds this system very handy. FDR defanged it by stating: "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." Unfortunately, history, art, and music programs were on Ronald Reagan's hitlist in terms of "worthless education." The rationale f was that, according to an official in Reagan administration at the time, these were the programs that gave people "ideas." Hence, such programs were de/underfunded in public schools. Math, science, technology, on the other hand, were very much desired. Result: a useful population smart enough to sustain the machine without the creativity or historical information to critique it. Brilliant in terms of propaganda.
Add to the neuroeconomics of fear, the mechanics of the "one voice" consolidation of media by the right wing (this comes out of the Goebbles/Hitler playbook), the seizure of the control powerful symbols (Sun Tzu, Goebbles/Hitler), and the economic instability/ desperation of the lower/middle class thanks to Alan Greenspan and you have the perfect recipe to cook up some serious fascism. Another little gem that the Right knows is while we were distracted after 9/11 and the destruction of New Orleans, I found out with the aid of some second order maxent correlated modeling of the gdp-- thanks toMatlab, Java, C++-- that forces that usually result in lower gdp (decrease fed revenue and middle class wages coupled with massive lending), set up the perfect Wiley Coyote Curve leading to the economic collapse of 2008. Trump leveraged, and is leveraging, this. And is doing a timing game in the expectation that the economy will crash when the Dems come into some power. Fear based strategies are wonderfully effective and highly scalable. Brilliant, in an evil genius sort of way.
The good news is that this makes the right strategically predictable. The bad news is that progressives are in "hemmed-in" headed for "desperate" land as Sun Tzu would say. The options at this point is the effective use of strategem. The goal is to nullify fear, and to increase investment in the commons (the Repubs have framed this as a cost to loss activity with the anti-tax "gubmint dumb" meme). Simple enough to get around this permitted you have the time. Good luck.
#41
And we're running out of time before the next great war in November -- a potential congressional victory provided that true-blue progressives and liberals can overcome their biggest obstacles on the battlefield: Republicans who vote; Democrats who don't.
Good read, norotoad!
#42
I am almost at the point where I hope you will win that November war so you leftie/socialists will stop your continual whining and bitching. I have never seen or heard such childish behavior. I can't imagine how many of you can get to sleep at night. Knowing approximately where some of you live, from the times you post, it is clear you just wander over to the keyboard in the middle of the night to spit out venom.
Jesus people, get a grip. Your counselling, medication, therapy, meditation, chanting, and safe space hugging your teddy bear is not working, smoke some weed and mellow out.
#43
You speak for yourself Diane.
#44
Incidentally, according to Dom Augustin Calmetv (Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits and on Vampires or Revenants), it was believed that the demons who tormented certain persons were nothing else than the souls of some wretches who took possession of the body of some mortal whom they tormented and endeavored.
Apparantly, true demonic or satanic possession has been characterized by certain charicatistcs: Manifestation of super strength, speaking in languages that the victim cannot know such as tounges, revelation of knowledge that the victim cannot know, and blasphemous rage, obscene hand gestures, using profanity and an aversion to holy symbols or relics.
#45
#40 - An astute helicopter view... thanks for that!
What is the antidote?
#46
#44 - Well... there is always hope though!
Regarding subject... I think there is a lot of it about
I'm not kidding either
Thanks!
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Pick their fights? Like Schumer rolling over after the weekend government shutdown in exchange for a promise from the Reps to talk DACA, then having Mitch (the turtle) McConnell smirk the next day and say "we'll see...."?
Jesus, give me a break. Your Democratic Party is just a foil for the ruling class, Thom. Stop evangelizing for this corrupt bunch of weaklings. Throw your shoulder behind something meaningful. I mean a third party. ANY third party at this point!