Short blog this Monday. I've been meaning to say something about what I have found to be extremely "sore-thumbish" since Obama's inauguration.
Does anyone find it odd that beginning with Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20th, corporate media has spent a tremendous amount of time plumbing the depths of some imagined Republican Party comeback?
Let's just set aside for a moment the overwhelming ratio of conservative guests to progressive guests on corporate teevee "news" programs. That's just standard operating procedure. From the Republican Party teevee network, FOX, to hapless CNN, down through the alleged-to-be-liberal network NBC-MSNBC…..daily questions and Very Serious analysis addressing some fantasy comeback by the minority party has been a part of every program.
It's odd because I'm sure I don't remember corporate media blathering on and on, after the Supreme Court appointed George W. Bush president in 2000, about how Democrats could come back in 2004 and who would lead them back, etc., etc.
But because Republicans, according to corporate media, are, by definition, America's Serious Leaders, and not Democrats, even with a mandate from voters…..if Democrats would happen to, you know, by accident, gain the majority in Congress and the presidency…..then the most important question for Serious Experts in Knee Pad Media Land goes something like this…..
Question from David Gregory on yesterday's Press the Meat…
"David Brooks, how does this Republican Party of the future chart a new course. If you look back historically from Nixon to Reagan to George W. Bush. In each case, it was not only a kind of an indictment of the past, but also the charting of a new course for the future of the Republican Party."
We are 6 months into Democrat, Barack Obama's presidency. Al Franken, the Democrats 60th vote in the Senate, has yet to be given his rightful seat. But the most asked question by the Experts is….How can Republicans quickly come back to lead the country? I've heard this topic being discussed every day by those who call themselves objective journalists.
Why?
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On a lighter note. The picture above is from this past Friday night at Akron's Lock 3. It was a great turnout on a great night,…..and did I mention that the Corona was cold. The Eric Clapton tribute band, Slowhand, did not disappoint this Reverend. Akron should be very proud of Lock 3.
This Friday night's Lock 3 band is Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones tribute band. We've seen them twice before and they are freaking phenomenal…..and you know me….I mostly hate everything. Iffin' you have a mind to, and like the Stones, bring your lawn chairs and have a good time. No cover charge, food is available and beer and wine coolers are $4.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Funny how the human memory works. If I recollect George Bush was treated like Sarah Palen from the very start. The press never forgave him for beating Al Gore, they are ravenous about that to this day.
Why pay tribute to a musician who allowed his five-year-old boy to fall from a skyscraper window then wrote a song cashing in on the tragedy? This comes just two days after posting a photo of another musician who harmlessly frolicked with his child from the safety of a railed hotel balcony?
On a more serious note, the vast majority of GOP stories are about how "lost in the wilderness" the party is–you post on this topic incessesantly as well in regard to Limbaugh. It's on the Messiah's orders, really. But you knew all that, I hope.
I forgot–Love the Stones but have big problems with supporting a band that drowned one of its founding members.
Hey, it was an accident….and Mick Taylor made the Stones…the Stones.
I knew if I brought the Lock 3 stuff up, I'd get hit for the Jackson piece…but Clapton's tragedy and Jacko's baby-stunt for his fans, I'm thinking….aren't comparable.
I agree there's "lost in the wilderness" coverage. But it's more than that….watch Stephanopolos or Gregory or Gibson or even Blitzer, listen closely to the questioning and pay attention to the number of GOP'ers and/or conservative spokepeople. The number of individual 7-10 minute segments dedicated to asking who will lead the GOP, what does the GOP have to do to come back and what do GOP'ers think about Obama's every move….I think, is noticeable. Perhaps I'm too sensitive, but I don't think so based on, you know, my own two eyes.
"George Bush was treated like Sarah Palen from the very start. The press never forgave him for beating Al Gore, they are ravenous about that to this day."
Now lookit average….I'm getting old too and forget stuff, it's embarassing sometimes….but 8 years ain't that long ago….and the press loved them some cowboy-Bob, Georgie style presidential acting. After losing the popular vote and having the election decided not by electoral vote but by a handful of Supremes, the Bushies declared a mandate, immediately led deep tax cuts benefitting mainly the wealthy, and the press loved him….then, even though his boyz were asleep at the swithc on 9-11, he became GI Joe dress up BoyKing and the press was so impressed with the Codpiece they all melted before Commander Guy's petulant little feet. Nary was heard or seen a dicouraging word for the Decider.
Now, that's what I remember.
By contrast, the press, as it did in 1993 with Clinton, immediately began attacking Obama upon his inauguration. See, nothing counts with these guys except money, wealth , fame and greed and Democrats raise taxes, rightly, on the wealthier. Media people and the corporations they work for are mostly part of that wealthier group. Not everyone, it's never everyone….but it's the trend.
In addition, Democratic presidents are more cerebral, they're smarter and quicker than the moronic press idiots. That makes the press mad and they become even more strident in their silly little attacks. They take it all so personally, because, duh, it's all about them.
larry,
It seems the Rev only likes SOME drug addicts.
Keith Richards and Eric Clapton were both heroin addicts. Not that I care, but the Reverend should, to be consistent.
Rev,
I think you should provide us with a flowchart so we can track all your weird and contradictory beliefs.
Also, I'm sorry that the media covers Republicans sometimes. I know how that irks you. You're going to have to endure it for awhile longer, though. I don't think Obama is going to get around to reversing the First Amendment until his third year or so.
Rev,
Did you see the Winwood-Clapton concert on PBS last week ? Those guys are still great, and they are both over 60 years old.
Clapton also stole poor George Harrison's wife. Then wrote a song indirectly cashing in on that. The hypocrisy!
That's right. Layla. I hope the Rev plugged his ears if the tribute band played that one.
Perhaps Senator John Ensign is a Clapton groupie, you know, going after his friend's wife and all.
I don't believe in god but when it comes to guitar playing, Clapton comes close. Missed the PBS program. They're old like fine wine.
I thought it was "You are wonderful tonight."
You want a videotape or CD of Clapton/Winwood ? I got 'em both. Could run you copies.
I hear Eliot Spitzer is a big fan of the Police tune, Roxanne…"you don't have to put on the red light."
Good one. I'll catch the Clapton PBS thing on the rerun…but thanks.