Democrats & Liberals: Archives

I’m forever hearing about how Rupert Murdock’s group is trying to manipulate their media holdings for some right-wing agenda. Yes, unlike virtually every other media mogul Murdock is conservative. Fox is the least liberal of the cable networks, but why such an outcry because the left doesnt’ control all the marbles?

A Murdock company also publishes Michael Moore. Murdock also publishes Ralph Nader. Does that make him a radical leftist? No, it makes him fair and balanced.

He keeps those guys on his list and in print because he knows if he didn’t, somebody else would snap them up. It’s good business. FOX, too, is a product with a clear market—a news sources that’s not slanted to the left and which is has clearly struck a chord with a greater percentage of the population than any other outlet. If anybody thinks that CNN or CBS exist only to serve some objective truth, they’re kidding themselves. They too are serving the bottom line, but they’ve been out-Foxed by a superior businessman.

I am 100% positive that Bert has a point hidden in his post somewhere. Precisely what that point is remains a mystery. Is he wondering whether the “right” will challenge what the “left” says?
Is he trying to claim the media isnt biased, by showing examples of how the media IS biased?

Perhaps Bert simply thinks Jon Stewart is funny. If that’s the case, I’ll go along with that premise…Stewart IS funny. And he’s funny whether he’s taking Bush apart or whether he’s taking someone else apart. Its amazing to me that many who liked Dennis Miller now claim to hate him. The reason?….he is now seen as conservative. How silly. The man is either funny or he’s not, but his political background shouldnt be the issue of his comedy. Of course, those who have switched will never admit to ever having liked Miller, for that would prove their silliness. They’ll deny it forever.

So, Bert, your point once again is????

I love the daily show, and can see it’s affectiveness, a buddy of mine who voted for Bush in 2000 now thinks Bush is a liar, and his favorite show on T.V. is the Daily Show.

I managed to get myself hooked on The Daily Show while at my freshman year of college and found it an excellent, albeit relaxed, source of news. They manage to put things into a perspective that I find other news channels are incapable of doing. Essentially, Jon Stewart has managed to become one of the leaders in secondary and tertiary news sources for the country. And, as Bert mentioned, they are managing to grab a large share of the liberal audience from so called “liberal” media. So what does that point to?

The Right keeps claiming liberal media, but if the liberals are not satisfied with the main media and news outlets, what does that say?

Dennis Miller’s work on HBO was true genius. From his first standup hour (“Mr. Miller Goes to Washington”) to his rants on Dennis Miller Live, there was no touching the guy. Smart, thought-provoking, topical humor that occasionally forced me to the dictionary or the Internet to figure out one of his obscure references.

Is he still funny? Of course. But his current show, like his previous foray into the late night talk show format on Fox, isn’t a suitable outlet for his talent. I also worry that he’s straining to live up to his current image as The Right Wing Comedian, when his true political beliefs lie closer to Libertarian than Republican. He once said, “I’m a pragmatist. Which means I think everyone who isn’t me is an asshole.”

I’d say today’s Dennis Miller, the comedic icon of President Bush’s Right, is no longer him. So what does that make this Dennis Miller?

I’m waiting for the day when he announces he was wrong about Bush. When he stands up in front of us and admits that, at some Bush fundraiser or family barbeque, he looked around and said to himself, “Who the hell are these people and what am I doing here?”

Then he’d say something about the Bush crowd being a cross between the Dukes of Hazzard and the Children of the Corn, but much funnier and more incisive. And we’d laugh and say, “Forget it man. We all make mistakes. Good to have you back.”

Jerome, don’t you think both parties are pretty big tents? There is a very large libertarian element in the Republican party, and I count myself among them—the Dennis Miller wing of the party. The reason for not actually being a Libertarian is the choice not to live in the permanent political margin (and also the slightly whacko black-helicopter tendencies of its party leadership). I have a libertarian friend who says that whereve you find a big tent, there’s probably a circus… but whatever. If the Democrats have room for everybody from fiscal conservatives to aging sixties-era communists, the Republicans can easily accomodate a Dennis Miller.

Once again for joebagodonuts:

My premise here is driven by the fact that anyone who dares challenge or disagrees with the Right eventually draws their wrath.

After posting this on my weblog, a friend told me that on several message boards, the ‘freepers’ (or, those of you on the Right) are up in arms about the obvious ‘liberal slant’ taken, when The Daily Show delivers the news. They are so upset, that there is a call for a boycott of Comedy Central!

This is a result of Jon Stewart spending nearly 90% of the time, taking direct aim at the Bush administration due to the abundance of deceit and hypocrisy they supply as material. The show’s take on the failings of this President are not at all different from what we Watchblog Lefty’s offer here - just funnier.

Its worth noting that given ample examples, even you will not directly label the show as bias. That is how important, impactful and pivotal the show has become with an ever growing audience (especially young adults) who are paying attention, and will most likely vote in November.

but his political background shouldnt be the issue of his comedy. Of course, those who have switched will never admit to ever having liked Miller, for that would prove their silliness. They’ll deny it forever.

I have two books by Dennis Miller (from back before he crossed over to the ‘dark side’), saw him live once, and he was one of the main reasons I got HBO when I my cable was installed.

I find your statement silly and disengenious, if you think his political background is not at the heart of his comedy. If so, why would Bill Maher have such a partisan audience every night?

Political humor, attracts an audience of highly educated people. Therefore, political humor only succeeds when one is convincing in their argument, enlightening in their observation, and satirical in its deliverence.

Miller has now proven that you cannot filter the deceit of current Conservative politics thru this equation, and hope to retain his old Libertarian audience, or just make it funny.

I’m not disappointed that Dennis Miller isn’t supporting the Libertarian Party. I have views that are consistent with the Libertarians, but many others that are not. The same goes, in fact, for the Republicans and Democrats. I’m unenrolled and plan to stay that way unless events compel me to do otherwise.

I’m not disappointed that Dennis Miller supports Republicans. He backed Arnold in California. Fine.

I’m disappointed that he’s become such a big fan of Bush— of whom he once said “He’s not my dream date”— simply because 9/11 shook him up. That day shook us all up, but most of us didn’t shift our views as substantially as he apparently did.

I’m also a little disappointed because I believe Miller is one of the smartest people in the public eye. I feel like he should know better about Bush and support the guy I do, Kerry.

I can live with his choice, of course. I know many other smart people who support Bush and the Republicans, including most of my friends and family. But I can’t help being disappointed when a person whose intelligence and opinion I respect doesn’t agree with me on an issue I consider important— even if I should be used to it by now.

But none of that has changed my opinion of Dennis Miller the personality. Over the last 15 or 20 years, Miller’s comedy has often been brilliant, combining a sardonic wit with complex, but poignant geopolitical, historical, or literary references…not to mention some well-chosen, expertly delivered expletives.

I have no problem with Dennis Miller’s politics. If he’s found a tent that accommodates his views and he can sleep when he lays his head down in it, I’m more than fine with that; I envy him.

Where I have a problem, Martin, is with Dennis Miller’s humor. It’s not up to the standards he’s set over the years. That’s what is truly disappointing.

I believe politics plays a role because Miller is trying to be someone he’s not. At least on his CNBC show. Or so it seems.

When they announced his new show, I looked forward to having him back on television. But now I can’t find the energy to turn it on. Being on CNBC already mutes his ability to figuratively eviscerate miscreants and fools. Add his newfound reluctance to offer anything but the most tempered and cautious criticism of Bush and his circle, and the show commits the cardinal sin of comedy, political or otherwise: It just ain’t funny.

Bert:

I dont subscribe to cable, so I’ve never seen Stewart’s show. Perhaps that’s the reason I dont call it biased. You make it sound as if it is the hottest thing in politics, when it sounds as if its really just a comedy show. You say that it is “important, impactful and pivotal”. Perhaps in a way it is….but again, so what?

I find it interesting how you perceive attacks and the “wrath” of the Right. Seems to me that you are okay with whatever the left says, but if the right responds, then it is a wrathful attack. Some on the left have over the years called for boycotts of Rush Limbaugh, or of Anita Bryant, or G. Gordon Liddy based on the content of their viewpoints and shows.

I’ve got no problem with boycotts—they are a perfect example of free speech at work. If you dont like something, work within the system to make it go away. If you have enough similar thinkers, you might be successful. Personally, it takes a lot for me to boycott something, but if i believe strongly enough, then I do it.

Lastly, Bert, for you to use Dennis Miller’s comedy, or lack thereof, as proof of the “deceit” of the right is simply silliness. It doesnt wash, nor does it really make sense. Perhaps next you’ll look to Carrot Top to provide some salient point about economic strategies?

Joe,

I fully understanding people’s adversion to television, therefore opting not to purchase cable seems reasonable. However, not having cable puts you at a disadvantage when crafting an argument about current issues and politics. If not the majority, many Americans watch more cable than read, thus it becomes their prime source of information.

And yes, The Daily Show is the hottest thing in politics, as well as being a comedy show.

What I deem as ‘wrathful’ attacks by the Right, are ones that either offer not pointed and specific reason for their criticism (such as calling one a Bush hater, but never bothering to counter their criticism in detail), or distorted and hateful attacks on those they feel threaten by (MoveOn.org, Ann Coulter - Max Cleland).

Lastly, knowing Dennis Miller’s talent as well as I do, he is at his best when he is at his most righteous and fervent. You would now expect him to apply this tool to his new found Conservative ideals.

Then why is he taking a pass on defending the Bush administration?

Actually, I think Dennis Miller is pretty funny—but I doubt his comedy crosses over well for those who don’t share his politics. I think the same can be said of Al Franken, a generally funny guy whose recent disasterous unfunniness has led to the tanking of Air America.

‘whose recent disasterous unfunniness has led to the tanking of Air America.’

Martin,

Have you been living under a rock recently? Tell me you did not hear this unbelieveable news?

Franken Crushes Rush Limbaugh in New Arbitron Ratings

Good job of selective quoting there.

Franken “crushed” Limbaugh among 18-34 year olds in New York—-a place where Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-1. And only in a single age bracket—the least likely, incidentally, to vote.

Working pretty hard there to find a silver lining, eh? That would be like polling at the Republican National Convention to figure out how popular Hillary Clinton is.

Put a fork in Franken because he’s done.

Martin,

If you had hit the link ‘extrapolation of Arbitron data’, it would’ve taken you to the Chicago Tribune article, but requires registration.

You’re in luck! Here is the additional info you (overlooked? ignored? denied exsistence?) about the NY ratings:

But in New York, where Air America still broadcasts over WLIB-1190 AM, the network beat Limbaugh’s station, Disney-owned WABC, among both 25-to-54-year-olds and 18-to-34-year-olds during the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. period. In the 25-to-54 demographic, WLIB garnered a 3.4 share to WABC’s 3.1; among 18-to-34-year-olds, WLIB won sevenfold with a 2.9 share to WABC’s 0.4.

I’ll take your word about the 5-to-1 Dem majority in NY, but seeing Limbaugh’s ratings I guess a larger percent of those outnumbered Republicans are glued to his radio show.

Also, here in Chicago, where the network has been off the air for the last 7 weeks, Franken pulled in a 3.0 rating versus Limbaugh’s 4.8. This being the bastion of the Daley Democratic legacy, even I can’t spin this one!

Last, a clarification. Franken decided to fore go a salary, in lieu of the amount of shares he has invested in Air America Radio. This decision was a direct result of the truly impressive and unprecedented, first Arbitron book numbers which will guarantee a quick infusion of tens of millions in Ad revenue, across the network’s stations.

Why discount or disrespect Dennis Miller? He, like others who travel a path of inquiry and thought, leading to new conclusions provide us valuable insights, from which we are free to learn with no obligation to accept. He certainly is very knowledgeable and bright, so his “opinions” are not cheap whims but solidly thought out positions.

We should revel that there are many potential solutions to problems. A Dennis Miller “pragmatist” helps me see when I am on an ideolog bandwagon.

attempting to take Comedy Central down a notch, would be like an all out assault by O’Reilly/Hannity/Scarborough on ‘Friends’!

I just heard O’Reilly assault “Friends” for encouraging unmarried women to have children.