Archive for the 'media' Category

The real news

Published
by
alice
on November 19, 2009
in media and stewart
. 6 Comments

Jerry Garcia is famously credited with saying, “Somebody has to do something, and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.” The Grateful Dead stepped up to the plate a number of times, and did things one wouldn’t necessarily expect from a bunch of goofy musicians.

The same can be often said about Jon Stewart. Somebody has to say something and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be Jon Stewart. He’s a comedian doing a journalist’s job. There is a huge gaping void in the land of American journalism, and at this point, there is no newsperson with the stones to fill it. And until someone does, thank goodness for Jon & Co.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Law & Order: KSM
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Health Care Crisis
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Not missing the cable news…

Published
by
alice
on November 12, 2009
in media
. 0 Comments

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been living without cable TV since the end of the summer. I haven’t missed it that much, though there have been times when I would have liked to watch the 24-hour news — but then again, when they’re pulling stuff like this, I think I’m better off just reading the internet:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck’s Protest Footage
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Health Care Crisis

I do really miss Jon Stewart, though, and with CNN now being Dobbs-free, I’m thinking about getting my cable hooked up again (still not a word from the epb…).

UPDATE:

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More on Newspapers

Published
by
alice
on October 22, 2009
in media, michael moore and newspapers
. 5 Comments

It’s hard to argue with the point Moore is making here. This is especially true if you are familiar with Chattanooga’s newpaper, which has run two editorial pages since The Chattanooga Times (formerly our morning paper) and The Chattanooga Free Press (formerly our afternoon paper) joined forces to become The Chattanooga Times Free Press — while keeping the two papers’ contrasting editorial styles in place. The difference in reading levels between the conservative/right (Free Press) and liberal/left (Times) sides of the editorial page is breathtaking in its breadth.

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Link To My Lou!

Published
by
alice
on August 9, 2009
in health care, media and willful ignorance
. 3 Comments

Back, by popular demand…

• You have to watch this video to the bitter end to catch the real money quote (after a bunch of clips of Fox”News,” talking heads discussing quid pro quo with regard to the two journalists who were just released from Korea, thanks to Bill Clinton’s efforts, there appears a photo of Oliver North):

You mean kinda like a quid pro quo like an American government would sell arms to an outlaw regime to secure the release of hostages, and then take that money to fund a bloody Central American war, and then have this guy lie to Congress about it? Because if that’s the kind of stuff you’re worried about, you should really ask that guy about it, ’cause he’s got a show on your fucking network!

• Web of Deception has the dirt on so many people you know and love (to hate?). Who knew that Lou “I’m not a racist!” Dobbs pays so little tax on so much property in New Jersey!

• Speaking of Lou… On the Birthers: the stupidity of this “controversy” might be merely amusing, if it weren’t for the way the Republican party still coddles scary racists. But then again, maybe Barack Obama is the anti-christ and maybe he does want to kill Sarah Palin’s baby.

• Why am I keeping my fingers crossed (while eating well and exercising every day)? Because I have United Health Care insurance, so if I get sick (or pregnant, god forbid!), I might just be screwed. But then again, I’m one of the lucky Americans, because I have coverage.

• The Republican response? Obstruction. Violence. Fakery (to put it nicely). Stupidity. Incoherence. But no real plan for fixing health care. But then again, the blue dog democrats aren’t exactly moving things along either (and where’s Obama?).

• And, while we’re at it, why do these people freak out when they hear the truth? Stupid is as stupid does.

• On the lighter side, check out this interloper squirrel.

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Cuts at TFP?

Published
by
alice
on March 25, 2009
in chattanooga and media
. 1 Comment

Someone tells me that Bob Lutgen, Herman Wang, Ron Clayton and Jamie Lackey have been axed at the paper. Has anyone else heard anything?

UPDATE: more here.

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Saturday Links: things you might have missed

Published
by
alice
on March 21, 2009
in biden, food, history, media and tucker
. 3 Comments

I’ve found some interesting reading lately — things that haven’t worked their way into a post, but are worth mentioning nonetheless. Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve done a link roundup.

  • In The Culture Warriors Get Laid Off, Frank Rich reminds us of some glad tidings amidst all the recent rotten headlines:

    Here, at last, is one piece of good news in our global economic meltdown: Americans have less and less patience for the intrusive and divisive moral scolds who thrived in the bubbles of the Clinton and Bush years. Culture wars are a luxury the country — the G.O.P. included — can no longer afford.

  • The interesting thing to take away from the The 20 Worst Foods in America 2009 is that even the sit-down restaurants and innocent sounding menu items (dishes that use words like “salad” and “chicken”) can be loaded with fat, cholesterol and calories. If you’re trying to eat healthy food, it’s not enough to just stay away from the fast food joints, and surprisingly enough, some of the worst offenders are those family restaurants with the ferns and brass rails — maybe places like TGIFridays and Chilis are best avoided as well. (And speaking of gross food, if you haven’t yet seen Supersize Me, you can now catch it on Hulu!)
  • The 25 Most Influential Liberals In The U.S. Media is an interesting list. I was surprised to have not heard of a few of them (and in at least one case, by who is considered to be liberal).
  • It’s good to see Joe Biden out there stumping for Amtrak. This country needs good passenger rail service, and Amtrak has been neglected for far too long.
  • A Hand in the Health Debate is an interesting perspective on health care reform from Eugene Robinson (why MSNBC doesn’t put him out in front more often than they do is a mystery to me. He’s smart, funny, and he has one of the coolest voices since James Earl Jones):

    What is relevant is that I have good insurance, which I obtain through my employer, and haven’t paid a dime out of pocket for my treatment. If I were among the 46 million Americans who are uninsured, I’d be looking at a huge hospital bill. No one should face financial ruin because of a mishap with a fork and an avocado. The way we ration health care now — according to the individual’s ability to pay — is immoral, and if higher taxes are needed to ensure that no one has to choose between health and bankruptcy, I’ll pay. That was my position all along, but now it’s personal.

    What’s changed is that I also feel more strongly about the ability to make my own choices. I decided where I would be treated and, ultimately, what would or wouldn’t be done. I’m willing to pay for that, too.

  • UK Street View Has Arrived and Brits are celebrating — by finding celebs and playing Where’s Waldo? (but they’ve still got some catching up to do!)
  • This one makes me laugh every time I think about it: Tucker Carlson doesn’t think Jon Stewart is funny. Gee, Tucker, I wonder why? Is it because you’re a drama queen, or is it because you’re still smarting from that asswhuppin’?
  • I’m still blown away by this: Do you remember John Tyler? You know, our 10th president. A long time ago. Way back in the days of Tippecanoe and Tyler too. Back when the only way to take a picture was with a daguerreotype. Well, would you believe he still has a living grandson? Wow!
  • And finally, what would we do without Improv Everywhere? I weep at the thought of it! Here’s the latest, Subway Art Gallery Opening:
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Stewart and Cramer: A “Spirited Back and Forth”

Published
by
alice
on March 15, 2009
in comedy, media and stewart
. 9 Comments

I was talking to my brother yesterday and discovered that he was not aware of last week’s battle between Jim Cramer and Jon Stewart. It also occurred to me that all those friends I have out there who live abroad, or don’t have TVs, might have missed out on the fun as well. So, here is what I’ve collected so far. I’ll add more as it becomes available.

Before you start the first video, go check out the video I posted last weekend — it was what got this whole kerfluffle started.

UPDATE: more from GLH, uggabugga and americablog.

Continue reading ‘Stewart and Cramer: A “Spirited Back and Forth”’

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Transcript/Video #2

Published
by
alice
on October 8, 2008
in mccain, media and obama
. 0 Comments

Here’s that magical feature from the NY Times!

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VP Debate Video/Transcript

Published
by
alice
on October 3, 2008
in mccain, media and obama
. 0 Comments

Once again, from the New York Times, a video/transcript so cool, you’ll watch to watch it again!

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The news is the news

Published
by
alice
on September 29, 2008
in maddow and media
. 0 Comments

Rachel Maddow changes the media (here are a few excerpts, but do read the whole thing!):

She is liberal without apology or embarrassment, bases her authority on a deep comprehension of policy rather than the culture warrior’s claim to authenticity, and does it all with a light, even slightly mocking, touch. [...]

Maddow’s immersion in facts rather than in opinions has helped shape her on-air persona. When Pat Buchanan, who joined Maddow on MSNBC’s election-night panel throughout the presidential primary, claimed that the expansion of the health-care program S-CHIP would give money to already well-off families, Maddow quickly pointed out that 8 million children in the very income group he claimed could afford insurance don’t have it. And in another segment, when conservative MSNBC host Joe Scarborough said John McCain had not backtracked on previous support for immigration reform, Maddow was ready with examples of how McCain had reversed himself on the issue during the primary campaign. [...]

Maddow’s wonkery, however, is leavened by a light, sardonic touch that keeps her commentary from veering into the pedantic. Unlike so many televised liberals, who seem almost physically pained by the combative cable-news format, she obviously enjoys herself. A good example came during an election-night panel discussion of Obama’s victory in the Nebraska and Idaho primaries, which Buchanan tried to delegitimize by saying that Obama could only appeal to liberals. Without missing a beat, Maddow responded, “In what kind of a world do Idaho and Nebraska represent the left lane?” She had the entire panel laughing outright. A chastened Buchanan could only manage a wan joke about Marxists.

She’s been on less than a month, but already she has created a large audience for her show, which airs weeknights at 9pm, opposite Larry King’s juggernaut.

An animated dissection of political events and offbeat news, punctuated by the host’s sardonic humor, “The Rachel Maddow Show” has debuted with a strength that surprised even MSNBC executives. An average of 1.64 million viewers tuned in since the show launched on Sept. 8, more than double the number who watched the same hour in the first eight months of the year.

In her second week on the air, Maddow beat CNN’s “Larry King Live,” a cable news institution — quite a feat for a self-described television novice and former AIDS activist who doesn’t even own a TV.

If you haven’t checked her out yet, here’s a sample from a recent show:

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