The New York Times has a piece on a group of liberal investors trying to create a left-wing radio network. They believe that since there’s a such a lack of left-wing partisans in the media (other than Dan Rather, James Carville, Ted Turner, the Times own editorial staff, etc…) that there needs to be a left-wing alternative.
The major problem with that logic is that there is a glut of liberal voices in the media, and even on the airwaves. One wonders if these people haven’t heard of National Public Radio before, whose programs are anything but conservative.
While the article claims that the liberals are going to take the high road and avoid the kind of "demogoguery" of Rush Limbaugh et al, they obviously aren’t doing a great job of it. Even in the article, we have this gem of a quote:
"Individuals who are liberal in their viewpoints can be all-encompassing," he said. "It’s very hard to define liberalism, unlike how easy it is to define conservatism. So, as a result, it doesn’t evoke the same kind of passion as conservative ideologies do."
Already we have claims of "Look at how close-minded those nasty conservatives are! Why we’re the real party of intellectual diversity!". Not only does such an attiude make me want to gag, it also makes me want to hit that person over the head with a copy of Russell Kirk.
Considering that the highlight of this new network will be Al Franken, whose idea of political discourse consists of calling people "a big fat idiot" I wouldn’t be holding my breath for the kind of high-minded political discourse that these supposedly noble liberals want to inject into the American radio scene. Instead, expect more shrill attacks on the President and more complaints about how evil conservatives are. What liberals fundamentally fail to realize is that they don’t win in the new media because of some conservative cabal, they lose because people just don’t like their ideas. Luckily, I have a feeling that such a message will do about as well as the new Donahue show…
Now, what I’d like to see is a show that features actual, rational debate over political issues rather than the shouting matches seen on shows like Crossfire (I love James Carville as much as the next lefty, but the show is the political media equivalent of Entertainment Tonight- in other words, substanceless. Need I point to the episode in which Max More was on defending the cryonicists… 🙁 )
They have such shows in Europe. Here all we get to see out of our media is pointless, partisan screaming…
(Also, I don’t know if Ted Turner or Dan Rather really count… Turner is an owner, and hardly has full control of the news networks (any of them), and Dan Rather just reads the news… In general, it seems that the media has a liberal bias on social issues and a conservative bias on economic issues and foreign affairs. )
Eh, that’s why I’m so big on the blogosphere. TV isn’t a good medium for involved debates, while print works so much better. (Which helps explains why I’m addicted to blogging but don’t even own a TV…)
Aside from some CNN, I haven’t watched in years either… but internet debates do leave something to be desired. A serious debate forum on national television would be a great contributor to “balanced” media.
how can you make such comments? you, nor anyone in america has ever herd/seen a real leftist (and i don’t mean far left) but are confusing those right wing guys that are closer to center than Rush. If you cant see that than i fear for the future of all americans who aren’t filthy rich….
it is so sad when CNN resembles the propaganda t.v. of cuba….
“left-wing” or liberal: that political effort to alter the existing order as opposed to conserving it.
Opinions held and politics exercised by people who’s goal is to eliminate America’s national sovereignty. They support the agenda’s of other countries including enemies above that of their own country and they get their news, education and belief systems from one world proponents and the universities funded by them.
They’ve been taught that evolution is fact and the Bible is fantasy and therefore hold an anti-Christian, anti- Jewish bias and tend toward the godless globalism they’ve been prepared to inherit. They don’t research past the training their “handlers” have given them and accept the stereotypes they’ve been programmed to believe. They spout slogans and ad hominem slurs rather than argue the merits of an issue. They are partisans. There are fewer of them thanks to the couragous work of Bill Buckley, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanan, Ronald Reagan and now a host of others notably Ann Coulter who’s recent book “Treason” hits it right on the nose. Occasionally, thru the excercise of their common sense and world experience, one escapes the clutches of mindless “liberal” socio/political correctness and breaks out of this “animal farm” mental prison. We heartily welcome escapee Dennis Miller on his new found freedom.
Hey John, I don’t think that I’ve ever come across anyone whom appears to be more indoctrinated than yourself. Cheer up son, you can always imagine yourself as a person with an open mind.
LIBERAL RADIO IS HERE TO STAY. WHEN I LAST CHECKED, THEY EVEN HAVE FM AFFILIATES. HUSH RUSH CLONES, KEEP LOOKING FOR THOSE WMDS. REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE GREAT LATE ‘BOB MARLEY’: “YOU CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE SOMETIMES, BUT YOU CAN’T FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.” TALK ABOUT FLIP FLOPPING, KEEP CHANGING YOU REASON FOR WAGING AN UNJUST WAR AGAINST IRAQ. FOUR YEARS OF FAILURE BY GW BUSH. KERRY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT ADDRESSES THE REAL ISSUES. RIGHT WING SMEAR IS ENOUGH. HOW DARE YOU ATTACK THE WAR RECORD OF KERRY WHEN YOUR INEPT LEADER WAS AWOL AND NEVER SET FOOT IN VIETAM.BUSH MISLED US ABOUT THE WAR COST, WHILE THE U.S TAX PAYERS FOOT THE BILL.DICK CHEYNEY HAS MADE MORE MONEY WITH HALIBURTON ($2MILLION)IN IRAQ, THAN HE HAS MADE AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. FIGURED IT OUT YET? IF YOU HAVEN’T,YOU WILL COME ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER. COUNT DOWN……….