FAUX "News"--'Fair and Balanced'*

*Except not so fair or balanced.

I love Jon Stewart and The Daily Show in general, not only because he is hilarious, but also because Stewart very bluntly and often sarcastically points out some of the most obvious political faults and biases we face in the world today. When I heard that Stewart was going on The O'Reilly Factor I could not wait to see what fast ones O'Reilly would try to pull--as he often does to make himself seem more intelligent than he actually is. Turns out I wasn't the only one anxious to see what would unfold.

Recently an editorial came out in TIME magazine critiquing how the intense debate went between Stewart and O'Reilly. The editorial seemed to report what had actually happened during the discussions between the two while also providing personal insight into who the author felt defended his case better. O'Reilly actually managed to pose some insightful questions for once and "Stewart responded truthfully and unrehearsed" the author remarked even when asked about President Obama. Stewart is known to be pretty liberal but still managed to review Obama dispite party lines while applauding him in some areas and not in others. Stewart kept this coy "onlooker" manner throughout the interview which the author liked as well. O'Reilly kept on referring to those who follow Stewart on his show, The Daily Show, are "stoned slackers". The author was quick to point out that O'Reilly's remark was "just a lazy shot" when in fact "[TDS] has one of TV's best-informed news audiences". Stewart's main focus of the evening though was his persistent jab at FAUX News oops, I mean FOX "News" often taking stupid nonsensical stories and blowing it extremely out of proportion [observe the picture I posted along with this entry] as well as the whole "fair and balanced" claim, the author states. The author, and I also, absolutely adore how Stewart sarcastically refers to old, tired, and rehearsed FOX's alleged "selling of the clearest narrative of any news organization". The author didn't rip on O'Reilly too harshly but he definitely applauded Stewart for "winning that battle".

I could not agree with the author of this editorial more. Stewart is amazing at what he does. I don't agree with him just because he is a liberal, it's the fact that he actually takes a thoroughly honest approach when confronting political issues. Other than that, his hilarity is a definite bonus. I often find myself being pretty sarcastic as well when referring to certain politics and policies just because I watch The Daily Show and Saturday Night Live THAT much. Anyways, back to the point, like I had said, I watched Stewart online and I was really proud of him. The reason I watched the interview online was because I had expected FAUX to mess with the tapes and my God, they did! When the show aired, it was an edited version that took out all the parts where Stewart cooked O'Reilly really good. The kicker is that O'Reilly was all over Stewart's case during one segment [OF THAT EXACT INTERVIEW] for editing TDS clips when O'Reilly in fact did it himself! Newsflash O'Reilly, Stewart is on a comedy show not a so-called "news" show like yourself. Also the "stoned slacker" reference O'Reilly made was absolutely pathetic and trashy especially considering how the author pointed out how incorrect that claim really was. Stewart really didn't back down on his morals yet he wasn't a complete douche about his beliefs either--like pretty much every one on FAUX. I agree that Stewart did burn O'Reilly pretty badly when O'Reilly tried to outsmart him, especially with how he started out asking Stewart how he felt about Obama at this point, but it's the fact that O'Reilly hadn't even chose to air the good parts [AKA when he was being burned] which really just shows how hypocritical and sad he is to use is own devices to essentially manipulate the "news" for the public. I especially liked how Stewart mocked the extremely right-winged channel on their brainwashed beliefs that perhaps if THEY think they are "fair and balanced" perhaps OTHER people will as well. Not anyone with a brain for that matter. (: Calling themselves something doesn't make it true--they're only saying what they want to hear. All in all I am very proud with the way Stewart carried himself, he didn't pretend to be someone he's not and still held his head high in a room that despised his guts.

Source: http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/02/04/stewart-and-oreilly-taking-on-fox-news-on-fox-news/

Stop-And-Frisk

So an article recently came out that questioned the legitimacy of cops stopping random people on the street and frisking them for weapons, drugs, etc. For 2009, a record of 575,000 people were stopped and nearly 90% of that total was African-American or Hispanic. As you can imagine, this editorial was debating the issue on whether or not this was fair. On one hand, the author talked about how racial profiling is taking over the world and one person, an individual cannot represent an entire race. On the other hand, the author was saying that the police often stake out the real rough areas of the slums where the majority of that population would be minorities so the popo weren't intentionally being racist. The editorial ended on a note claiming that if the number of these "reckless and unfair" stops increase, "the [police] department will risk alienating an entire generation of people where trust in the law is needed the most".

I agree with the author to a certain extent. I mean, just because a Hispanic person did something bad for instance, it doesn't mean that that makes all Hispanic people bad. But on the opposite side of the spectrum, it does say that minorities comprise those high-risk areas making the percentage of people skewed more toward the minorities as a whole. This is a tricky editorial to comment on because I don't know in particular the basis of how policemen decide on how to pull people over off the street but the article also commented on how some were beaten and abused in the process. Usually if they show restraint to authorities that is a strong indicator that they have something to hide. We don't have this in Herndon, I don't think, but I believe if a person looks suspicious or somewhat dangerous that should be looked into but not just as a basis on their race or ethnic background.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/19/opinion/19fri3.html

Limbaugh, Shut Your Piehole

This cartoon was drawn by Pat Bagley and published in the Salt Lake Tribune on January 16, 2010. This political cartoon depicts the horrible earthquake that took place in Haiti injuring and killing thousands of people in the left frame. On the right is a picture of the fatty himself, Limbaugh, claiming that all those Haitians are simply "faking being killed or injured".

Now let's back track a little bit. A few days ago, Limbaugh made the usual completely atrocious remarks against the Obama Administration but this time he really hit an all time low. He dragged the recent earthquake into the equation stating that "the Haiti earthquake plays into Obama's hands" and that the President will use the earthquake "to gain credibility with the light-skinned and dark-skinned black community". Wait, it actually gets better. Limbaugh then defended his comments which were brutally attacked by the media by stating that "Obama sees this as a political opportunity to make himself look good and slander republicans as having no compassion". Wow, just wow. Limbaugh's doing the republican party just as good as Palin! I mean really Limbaugh, Obama and all the dirty Liberals caused the earthquake to use that tragedy just to make themselves look better--that's exactly it Limbaugh, you caught us.

I honestly thought this was some sort of sick tasteless joke but apparently not. The cartoon's message conveys that Limbaugh is a complete psycho and constantly wants to remain in denial just to prove the Obama Administration is incompetent and manipulative. You know, if he really wanted incompetent and manipulative, he could have just looked back at when Bush was in office. (: But really, I am appalled that someone could even say such a thing. I sure as hell agree with the message this political cartoon expresses. Limbaugh should really get off the air because he is a complete moron. I believe the only reason anyone agrees to broadcast him and hear all this ridiculous crap he constantly spews over the radio is to show that even the clinically insane can become radio talk show hosts. :D

My Political Sphere

Now that half of my senior year is pretty much complete, I noticed that my future is becoming more and more clear. I was never fully sure what I actually wanted my career to be and always ended up changing my mind. This year in particular, I have taken a liking to politics in general and thought about entering the political sphere. I remember being bored out of my mind when my parents would watch the news, but this year I learned that all that stuff is actually really interesting. The biggest shocker would actually be my new found liking to C-SPAN 2, the Senate channel of course. It's neat to see what actually takes place thirty minutes away from my house which in turns affects the whole country.

Also, with the blogs we have to keep current with, I have found that it reinforces my feelings toward politics in general. I love being able to voice my opinion and correct all those backwards, completely warped claims people try to present as a "legitimate argument". Now I know that everyone has different views on different matters but when speaking about a certain topic, he or she better make sure that they are familiar with what they're trying to say and not spew useless garbage in "retaliation".

I find that this year I keep more current and I'm very well read with what is going on in the world today. In turn, I have become more confident in my beliefs regarding politics and conveying these beliefs through my posts for example. Anyways, I'm glad that we're doing these blogs because not only does it open our eyes to what is actually taking place around us, but also allows everyone to express themselves however they may please. (:

Airline Security--So Great!

With the recent terrorist attacks brought on by the Christmas Bomber, extra precautions have been taken by TSA. Hmmm, that sounds familiar...

Mike Luckovich drew this political cartoon for the Atlanta Bugle on December 30, 2009. This cartoon deals with the Christmas Bomber who tried to detonate and "underwear bomb" on Christmas Day. Despite being on the Suspected Terrorist List, the Nigerian man breezed on through the airport security with no luggage, despite the fact that this flight was half way around the world, and the fact that it was a one way ticket should have raised some flags but nah, of course it didn't occur to any one. Anyways, he tried to set of the bomb but there was a technical difficulty when he tried to ignite detonator resulting into a failed mission to him yet great relief for us.

The cartoon suggests that in lieu of this recent attacks, it's necessary for us to have our underwear go through the x-ray scanner. It's ridiculous if you think about it--it takes a terrorist attack to increase security just to prevent that same attack from happening again. Take the Shoe Bomber for example, we always have to take off our shoes now. Also, no more liquids are allowed on board. It took real attacks to make security crack down on those specific areas, but they overlooked all other possibilities it seems.

I agree with the cartoonist in that he is simply proclaiming that things used to be "easier" to a certain extent when it came to airport security but after all these attacks with bombs in hidden areas make everything that much more difficult to track. I also agree with the cartoonist and his message subtly indicating the ineffectiveness of TSA and Security as a whole because they must wait for an actual attack to happen then they strengthen security to prevent THE SAME sort of attack from happening again. All those "extra precautions" taken on by security is to ensure the exact plot will not happen again. It's time they really should just take on fully body scanners because this crap is getting ridiculous. Especially considering how it gets past all that security.

A New Year With The Obama Administration!

Well it's the start to a whole new year ahead of all of us, 2010! While most of us have resolutions [for the most part], the Obama Administration has a whole bunch of tasks ahead of them as well. I believe we are headed in the right direction though. I remember when the end of 2009 was steadily approaching and President Obama said that he'd like to get the Health Care Bill passed before the end of the year, everyone knew that it couldn't be done--there was simply too little time, but look how that eventually turned out. (:

I know Obama and his administration are doing much more good than they actually seem to get credit for, but I have high hopes for this year. The economic catastrophe is far from being completely over, but it takes time for something like that to completely heal.

Regarding the status of War on Terror, it seems as if we are in fact doing worse because of the Christmas Plane Bomber and the CIA Bomber and it is true that Obama took responsibility for those unfortunate circumstances but in reality, he had nothing to do with what had happened. It's nice to see that he is in not playing the blame game and just accepts the responsibility like a true president should. This helped reinforce my views on Obama because it shows his noble and true character rather than snitching on those whom are actually responsible for these incidents. As for the actual war and extra deployment of troops, it is too soon to tell how things are progressing right now. It's best that we sit tight and wait until they begin to report on the circumstances before making a thoroughly informed opinion on that matter.

All in all, I'm pumped for 2010 and I have high hopes what is to come from Obama and his administration.

Lieberman--The Giant Ass!

John Sherffius published this cartoon on December 16, 2009 in the Boulder Daily Camera. The issue Sherffius so blatantly shows is the whole recent Lieberman controversy. Live under a rock? If so, Lieberman is one of the two Independent Senators currently in Congress. Both Senators are essentially considered "Democratic" because they almost always lean in that direction when voting to pass legislation. The Democrats need sixty Senate votes, the fifty-eight Democrats and the two Independents in order to pass the Health Care Reform Bill. Lieberman comes into play because he wasn't making a fuss about the bill, he pretty much just sat there quietly not making a big deal about anything in particular. Now as the Democrats work hard to secure that the sixty senators are on board, Lieberman decides to jump up and say he doesn't agree with this bill now. Good timing, Lieberman. He is now controlling the passage or rejection of the Health Care Bill. Lieberman is refusing to compromise on Medicare for instance and the Democrats have no other decision but to meet all of his demands in order to pass this bill. Now the Democrats may have to make these compromises in the Senate but outside they unleash their feelings toward this "flip-flopping, thin-skinned, conniving, untrustworthy" excuse for a Senator.

The message this cartoon expresses is that being an Independent, Lieberman doesn't even belong to either party therefore he is essentially the ass of both parties and pretty much an ass in general. President Obama actually gathered all the sixty senators in a conference recently and told them they all literally "have to get their acts together" in order to fix the flaws the current health care system in hopes that Lieberman would get the message.

I agree with the cartoon's message that Lieberman doesn't belong to either party entirely and that he's basically a giant ass because his recent behavior really shows what kind of man he really is. He also gives a bad name to the political sphere in general because as Americans grow more and more distrustful of their own government, this stunt Lieberman just pulled enforces that belief! If he really had a problem with the Health Care Bill in the beginning, he should have made it clear in the first place. Sheesh Lieberman, hold every one back why don't you.