MyDD :: Cut Them Off

Cut Them Off

by Steve in Sacto, Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 05:09:55 PM EST

Every weekend Atrios has a thread for people to "Document the atrocities" of the Sunday shows. The Daily Howler and Media Matters are virtual encyclopedia's of Noise Machine bias in media outlets that hide behind the myth of journalistic ethics. That the Democrats and progressives cannot, will not, get fair and equal treatment on CNN, Fox, MSNBC and CNBC is really beyond doubt.

This raises the question: Why do we participate in this charade?

The conventional answer is we need to avail ourselves of whatever opportunity we have to cut into the Noise Machine. However, perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. They need us -- our token representation -- to maintain their charade that they're playing it fair. If destroying this charade and this bias is a critical element in returning Democrats to power, why are we continuing to enable it?

Why not attack it directly, call them on the bias and refuse to participate until they correct it? Why not cut them off?

Take Pumpkinhead Russert for example. The bias of his "reporter" panels and his questioning are well documented, yet we continue to defer to his preeminent status on the Sunday circuit. But turn it on its head and ask whether Russert could maintain that status, indeed his job, if the Democrats were to refuse any further participation in Meet the Press until he corrects the balance on his show. Democrats boycotting MTP would be a major story in the MSM and would provide the springboard for attacking the Noise Machine directly.

Beyond MTP, why should a Democrat ever appear on Scarborough Country, Hardball or any program any time on Fox? Why confer any legitimacy whatsoever on those programs? Why do we help them maintain the charade?

We've documented the "atrocities." The facts are on our side. It's time to call "bullshit." It's time to cut them off.

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Ha! (none / 0)

Pumpkinhead Russert - great handle!

I wish we could come up with something better for Tweety.

by synthia on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 08:29:11 PM EST

Totalitarianists depend on a news blockade.. (none / 0)

So the best thing we can to is go to GOP blogs and tell the blind ones there the truth.

Nothing makes some of them madder! And others get a chance to think, for a change.

So it must be a good thing.

But, protect yourself.. Use a proxy or something like that.. And a disposable email address.

Seriously.. GOP disinfo activists are swarming all over the Dem blogs blathering away like babboons whenever people start making sense..

So, its basically using their own tactics back on them..

Boy, it makes them mad to realize that they don't control the world..

by ultraworld on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 01:10:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Hrumph! (none / 0)

I actually think this idea has some merit -- but what are the downsides? And, would it have legs?

by Trammell on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 08:36:37 PM EST

Re: Hrumph! (none / 0)

The downside is that the Republicans will accuse us of being obstructionists who can't face the truth.

So, basically, nothing that isn't happening already.

by craverguy on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 08:49:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hrumph! (none / 0)

Yeah, but also, we could end up giving the GOP the stage and the whole thing could backfire. It's a risky stunt -- the law of unintended consequences and such -- however, I think the idea is worth a full vetting.

Potentially, it could turn the liberal media / backlash narrative on its head. Potentially.

Christ, could we do this? And who do we boycott? And, who do we not??? And, what measure do we use to call it a "win" so and move forward? The concept needs some metrics, focus, discipline, and specific demands that must be met by which to measure success.

by Trammell on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 09:16:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't take life so seriously.. (none / 0)

The GOP is a sick and greedy bunch who are begging for attention.. they like being hated as much as being liked..

They don't ask us if we want to give them our firstborn children, or the equivalent..

So why should we go on being so f** polite to them by ignoring their blogs and letting them think that everyone agrees with them, just because we are disgusted by their tactics..

Hold your nose and jump in ... ugh...

by ultraworld on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 01:14:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hrumph! (none / 0)

The key is we have the facts on our side. A simple tally of the repeated unbalanced panels on MTP, Hardball etc. tells the tale. I still get frosted thinking back on the horrific MSNBC talking head panels after the conventions and the debates. It continues today, unabated, and the Democrats just play along, giving their blessing to this stacked game. It's time to call bullshit and cut someone off.

Look, a key reason CNN and MSNBC have shifted is the GOP threatens to cut them off from access to lawmakers and, just as importantly, from news sources. The media trades on information and withholding it from the media is like withholding crack from an addict. The GOP is willing to play fascist hardball. We don't have access to power as our carrot/stick, but we do have news sources to withhold as well as the legitimacy cover they need to pretend they're "journalistic" news outlets.

The simple fact is that big media, as presently constituted, is our enemy. When and where do we draw the line and say enough?!

by Steve in Sacto on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 03:17:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

What's the downside? (none / 0)

Seriously, appearing on a show like Hannity's is a no win proposition. He controls the debate and a couple of good points by our guys do not outweigh the general tenor of the show. Let's start with Hannity.

by weinerdog43 on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 10:00:07 PM EST

I Think This Is A Great Idea--But Needs Refining (none / 0)

There are a number of different ways this could be done, and I'm wide open for a discussion of what would be the best approach.

One possibility would be a one-month boycott across the board--to grab attention and make an unmistakable statement--followed by a negotiated return, one network at a time (and a maximum of one network a week), which would place the networks in competition with each other to get the Dems back. The negotiation would be to meet certain standards, which would be monitored by a panel of academic experts.
I'd like to hear other people's ideas.

by Paul Rosenberg on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 10:29:46 PM EST

Boycott what? (none / 0)

Their blogs? Are you nuts?

(or am I misunderstanding what you mean?)

If that IS what you want, I think its a BAD idea..

Thats just what they want.. our silence... They would pay for that..you want to give it to them?

Now is the time to get a MAJOR discussion going..everywhere.. People are up in arms about the privatization scam..

Ideas and talk..

Thats exactly what they fear the most.. people starting to think independently...

by ultraworld on Mon Feb 21, 2005 at 01:19:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

There will always be Quislings (none / 0)

There will always be Quislings looking for their fifteen minutes of fame. Either that, or the pundits will dress up someone and call them a Democrat (okay, so they already do that...).

Late August of 2001 (think about that date - a few weeks earlier there was a Presidential Daily Brief with an "historical" bent) dubya was on vacation taking side trips for photo-ops. He showed up in Independence, Missouri for a town hall event at Truman High School (the low rumble to the northwest everyone heard was Harry Truman rolling in his grave). A local, a sometime Democratic Party volunteer, was tapped to be a part of the bipartisan window dressing. She ostensibly thought it was a great honor and couldn't understand the dismay of her party colleagues who weren't invited to attend or allowed in and had to stand outside in a designated protest area. Close to one hundred decided to do just that. She made the choice to go on stage with dubya.

I believe part of the program concerned Social Security. She made the news. The protesters outside hardly made a ripple in the media.

Less than three weeks later dubya hit the trifecta.

A boycott would be good, but you have to give your a-list another effective competing outlet, otherwise the ringers and Quislings will be perceived as the voice of the party.

543,895 votes

by Michael Bersin on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 10:41:34 PM EST

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