So I watched the Maher Show where he loses control over some of the morons in the crowd. Sorry, ye unbelievers, but Bill had a right to be upset. As he mentioned, "Where was my audience screeners? The root word of audience is "listen," and that is what the audience should do, ... listen!" But get this, he who talketh about the noisy, audience members, and Maher throwing a fit, didn't listen during the rest of the program, one of his best programs.
" What would Jesus do? Would he vote against health insurance for kids?" Even Maher took the side of the believers, on this one!
He went on to say that "Christians, as a group, are fatter than other Americans." I doubt that, but a lot that Maher says is a bit "skinny" on the proof side. The show's New Rules are funny, but not too politically correct.
I just received a right wing email from a Republican family member that said, "Jay Leno gave a political speech on why we should support our president and be thankful that we do have lights, sceptic tanks, and sewers and freedom of choice." I watch Jay Leno, and he has never delivered a serious, political speech in his time while hosting The Tonight Show. I sent my uncle an email telling him he shouldn't pass things along without visiting "scopes.com."
Maher had a big thing on Degeneres which was a bit more than nothing, (We've spent to much space on the Internet,) but, ... then, the best part of the program was or is, when he visited with Garry Kasporav, a World Champion chess player, who is running for president, of Russia. Kasporav blew Bill Maher into speechless silence. Kasporav assured the panel that Bush and Cheney were morons, though, not as bad as Putin. Kasporav also discussed the high price of oil, and how it is helping Putin remain in power in Russia.
Kasporav derided our president for "looking into Putin's eyes and seeing "good character!" Kasporav has his family in the US and expects to return to Russia without them for their political safety. Maher was dazzled with what Kasporav knew about politics both here and in Russia.
Blown away, ... all Maher could do was lean back in his chair and say, "Checkmate!" Too bad that Kasporav can't stay with us and point out to our voters a little political advice for Bush and Cheney from a Russian professional.
This week's Bill Maher is worth a check-see.
Is a 34 year retired educator with a Masters Degree in Counseling - a free-lance writer with articles in Spanish and English Guideposts, Mothering, Oklahoma Observer, Oklahoma Gazette, Westview, Oklahoma Reader, The Lookout, Christian Standard ... . The author has the largest number of published "letters" in the history of Time magazine and NEA Today. Just had an LTTE in NEWSWEEK in December, 2007. Dale W. Hill is married with 5 children, 4 grand-children, one foster child, and 4 foster grandchildren. He and his wife, Marcella, live near Anadarko, Oklahoma, at which school he retired in 2002. Hill is a computer collector, writer, and musician. Hill is a historian of Country Music, with 1972 Ovation and Martin BackPacker guitars. Favorite diatonic harmonica is a Hohner Special 20 and all chromatics, that "...scream The Blues!!"
I saw that Real Time, too. This season has been Maher's most dismal, and his staff's matching of guests is awful. It's like they deliberately have guests who have no chemistry with each other, and one is always the orphan who's been deprived of works.
It would have been fantastic if Kasporav had gotten the entire hour.
The Kasporav interview was the best of Maher's entire career. Bill should quit while he's ahead.
by
Sandy Sand (173 articles, 0 quicklinks, 222 diaries, 1501 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 8:03:40 AM
flaws, warts and all. I have not yet seen the show in question but plan to do so. I have , in the past, noted Maher chastising an audience for booing or otherwise being rude to a guest and I understand such action.
Considering the paucity of progressive shows available to us we should be less quick to call for Maher's withdrawal from the air. That would be a tragedy and leave the Limbaugh/O'Reilly/Hannity factions with one less voice in opposition.
Maher is what he is, a comedian with leftist leanings, not a pundit with the wisdom of a real political pundit. I watch shows like the McGloughlin Report where the several sides of an issue are given equal time, though the right generally outshouts the left. Maher's show is unique and I look forward to it, flaws and all.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 8:52:45 AM
This comment came from a woman on C-span's Book T.V. as Bill Maher signed copies of his book "The New Rules". Verbatim the woman said "Thank You for keeping us all sane" a mere technicality, but the brunt of comedians out there who are telling it like it is, not the way we should see or think about the current adm. is phenomenal. When fake news(Stewart/Colbert/Maher) has become the real news and we, the thinking freely public come to depend on satire and farce for our real understanding of government and the system...it may be a sign. I adore Bill Maher. I like the way he thinks about stuff.I like his attitude. I like his political and current events prowess on discussing and arguing topics. I like the way he has people from all different walks of life and leanings on his show. Bill Maher pretty much speaks to the rest of us, not at us. His voice echoes America.
by
cheyanne (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 10:33:22 AM
Thanks for the great comments, even those who don't like Maher. I like him because, on his panel, he uses both progressives and non-progressive intellectuals to come on and fight over topics. He keeps the topic, on topic, and when the panel is over, no one leaves mad. I'm not sure, on the show's repeats. I think he may do a new one every weekend, and then it is shown over and over each night. One show is shown each night. With HBO, he isn't confined to regular rules of the public shows, so he tends to be a bit foul-mouthed, but his comments are usual appropriate.
On this show, Kasparov blows him away. It is seldom true that Maher actually finds an over-the-satellite pundit who he can't keep up with, but Kasporav is the man. I'm betting that Ann Coulterguiste beats her head against the wall because Maher remains a cable source, and she can't even get some consideration on her own show.
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Dale Hill (58 articles, 0 quicklinks, 102 diaries, 347 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 11:19:31 AM
I discovered Bill Maher's show only a couple months ago but I never miss it now. Like many others in the humor market today the show depends too much on trying to shock the audience with unnecessary profanity (in the 1960's this was shocking, but it no longer works).
But there is more clever humor and the political discussions are thought provoking. Which leads me to the thought of what might happen if the the show were to deteriorate into a stream of shouts from the audience about whatever cause happened to concern an audience member. For one, I would probably stop watching the show.
I believe strongly in freedom of speech - in a public space. A television audience is a private setting and no program director should have to put up with disruptions any more than any private home should have to welcome unwanted or mis-behaving guests.
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PrMaine (11 articles, 9 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 393 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 11:27:33 AM
I like Maher for all the reasons given but at the same time I'm reluctant to make the same mistake as the rightwing dittoheads who swallow everything Rush et al says without criticism.
For instance, Bill's negative take on Ellen DeGeneris in particular and dogs in general on this latest broadcast. I'll bet he doesn't own a dog based on his superficial reasoning. Moreover, regarding the audience outburst over his stance on 9/11, their tactic was straight from the PETA playbook. By his own admission on the same show, Bill identifies himself as a PETA boardmember. Ironic.
And it's interesting to note that 9/11 truthers have a point. Bill is using Rush Limbaugh's methods when he ridicules them and yet offers no rational argument as to why he believes they're wrong other than the fact that he saw what happened on TV himself. Due to his refusal to take them serious and/or devote a show to the issue, they're responding in the only way left open to them, which is exactly the tactics that PETA uses.
Bill has obviously done no research nor has any curiosity as to the unanswered questions surrounding 9/11. This is inconsistent with his positions on other issues in which he seems to be well versed. If he is as open minded as he claims to be on any given issue then what would it hurt for him to devote a show to the 9/11 issue with a panel of experts representing both sides. David Ray Griffen and Steven Jones would be credible representatives for those who believe we aren't being told the full story on 9/11. Interestingly, Griffin and Jones have an open invitation to anyone on the other side to openly debate the issue but to date, no one has the courage of their convictions to debate them. Obviously, Maher can't debate the issue either which is why he tries to avoid it while at the same time ridiculing those who disagree with him. In this instance he's guilty of hypocrisy.
Personally, I hope 9/11 truthers will continue to pressure him, even if it is in his own forum. His intransigence on the issue of 9/11 hurts his credibility more than it helps.
by
Josephus (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 12:37:50 PM
Josephus...I do agree with you that we desperately need people like Bill Maher out front. But Getting To the bottom of What is being dragged thru our Heads AS the REAL Truth...When we Know What we Know is not What Others may Want to Accept. The best way to Spread the Truths that need to be told..is usually ''Truths wrapped up in pretty paper and delivered in a manner pleasing for All. And then Let people decide for themselves if what they see is really what they are Getting. I have found that Serious matters Delivered in a serious context does tend to turn most people off to even trying to listen...much less to absorb in an intelligent, progressive manner.Try more Humor, Bill. Loosen up and Accept the Fact that others also have an opinion ( whether it seems to be well-conceived or plausible, or not. ) Give them an opportunity to present their viewpoint and do so without becoming bellicose, thus appearing to be someone who is intolerant of any others' views. Who Knows ? You Could very well Prove out to be not so well-informed as you would like others to believe you are. DO have an open forum on the Many unanswered Questions concerning 9 / 11. You need to be aware that the Truth concerning that Infamous, well-planned day of Outright murder has not been Told. And Our Country and the world needs it to be told. Allow full responsibility be placed where it should be..{ And not, out of hand, be alleged to Any Iraqi or foreign force.} Give the American Citizens credit for having Common sense and the ability to know that two plus two adds up to Four ! Be Brave. Tell it like it Is. Endear yourself to your aptly listening Audience by using even-handed fairness before they become turned off to you. People do not live under a mushroom All of their lives, not when bombarded often enough ! I do appreciate Humor, and learn more from it than I ever have..by Being pounded with the ''serious- club'' at every turn. But it has to be mixed in with the Truths ( Even the Truths that Hurt. Go for it , Bill ! God Be with You And The Truth !! Now, back to Josephus..I agree with Your sentiments ..and do like your presentation !! VGF
by
VGF (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 2:20:04 PM
The problem with the bombs in TT stand, is that government officials had to be in on it. That facts brings big problems, if it were planned locally. The greatest example of why there were no bombs planted is that no one has stepped forward with the truth and write a book. Even in government, you can't maintain a bomb shell like that, when the operation was well known by those involved.
Think back to Nixon, or Clinton. Both tried to hide their actions, but in the hearing, it was proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, that their actions were an attempt to cover up . No one involved in a TT cover-up has stepped forward with any proof of the cover-up. Believe me, if any one else was involved in a TT coverup, they would write a best selling about it. The Murrah offices have moved to a closed strip mall on 23rd street. The workers there, could not move into the New Murrah building, because it sets across from the Murrah site, which brings back bad memories.
I have no doubt that other people helped McVeigh had some initial help, but he and he alone drove the truck and lit the fuse which did the damage. Even the judgement stated "McVeigh and others unknown."
I believe that the TT went down because of the way they were built. As Regis Filburn said, ... "They got lucky, when the buildings falled."
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Dale Hill (58 articles, 0 quicklinks, 102 diaries, 347 comments)
on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 3:33:01 PM
The government is not the monolithic entity that some would have us believe. Any number of past examples indicate that rogue elements of any government can operate in secrecy and with impunity. It's not until a generation has passed that the knowledge of such operations are revealed but by then they are history.
Until there is an official, no strings attached, no conflict of interest, international, subpoena powered investigation of what happened on 9/11, we will never know. The shame is that, to date, there has been no such investigation of what could arguably be the worst crime in American history.
BTW David Ray Griffin has answered your questions, including how bombs could have been planted, in his 3 extensively documented and researched books. He has offered an open invitation to debate the issue with anyone on the other side who believes the official conspiracy theory propagated by the 9/11 Commission. To date no one from the other side has been willing or able to debate him. Why?
by
Josephus (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments)
on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 11:25:56 AM
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