Much of the public, I fear, agrees with Gingrich. Freedom of speech is an abstraction to them. Their idea of a media controversy is: Should or shouldn't Brittany and "K-Fed's" sex tape be posted on the Web?

by Russ Wellen (58 articles, 1029 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 335 comments) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 8:38:21 AM

  (0+)

You're probably right.

by Rob Kall (953 articles, 4178 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 8:50:04 AM

  (0+)

Todays reporter is simply one who gets the quotes right, does nothing in the way of investigative reporting or even fact checking. These "reporters" simply write a 'she said, he said' sort of article, make their editors very happy because it makes their advertisers very happy and we are not so happy.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 7:13:41 AM

  (0+)

"The media is broken and in need of repair." -- This is so fundamentally obvious and true...Our Constitution and freedoms are in great peril and without a "free and independent press", we are greatly disadvantaged in our efforts to sound the alarm and mobilize an informed citizenry to produce a curative action. The bias of the MSM is outrageous. The United States' press/news media is now ranked "54th" amongst countries who claim to have a free press. Apparently, our "free press" isn't quite as free as many would like us to believe. In light of this, my question is, "How difficult would it be for the current Congress to reverse or nullify the offending legislation and/or mergers that are responsible for producing this "MSM" monster?"

by Mike Browne (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 17 comments) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 9:33:22 AM

  (0+)

American "journalists" are notorious for seeing no evil, hearing no evil, and speaking no evil, when it comes to the thoroughly corrupt and criminal, U.S. mainstream media. It's not that the media is "broken" it basically no longer exists. It's been replaced by a corporate owned, government controlled propaganda apparatus, that works diligently to decieve and misinform the U.S. public. We delude ourselves when asking questions like "Why isn't the Mainstream Media Skewering Gingrich for Anti-Free-Speech Remarks?" A better question would be: When will the U.S. public stop taking the mainstream media seriously? A propaganda apparatus like the U.S. mainstream media's sole purpose, is the dissemination of government propaganda nothing more, nothing less. It's therefore not surprising that they remain silent when a fascist like Gingrinch rails against free-speech. His diatribe is after all in the service of the fascist dominated U.S. government. Fascism is alive and well in the U.S. fully aided and abetted, by the utterly worthless mainstream media. To continue to take such a despicable institution as the mainstream media seriously, as a news and information source, is tantamount to supporting the domestic fascists such as Bush and Gingrich, who've done so much recently, to deprive us of our constitutional liberties such as free-speech. The American people are in the midst of an monumental information war. This conflict pits the Orwellian forces of domestic U.S. fascsm against true U.S. patriots and pro-constitutional forces. The mainstream media is the standard bearer of Orwellian doublespeak, propaganda, and fascism. It has arrayed itself squarely against the public, in the U.S. government's ruthless campaign against truth and freedom.

by Rasoul Acheh (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 122 comments) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 10:11:01 AM

  (0+)

I have come to think that the constant din in our ears about "the liberal media" has become an excuse for the "mainstream" media to take sides in the name of proving that they aren't "liberal". They want more deregulation, and lower taxes, and they love not having to give both sides of the story (no fairness doctrine). Hence their Republican affinity. They threw their lot in with Repugs before the war, in the hopes that it would make great viewing in US livingrooms. As such, they have a vested interest in not criticising what they helped instigate. As more people turn to the internet for news - CNN, Fox, MSNBC and the likes will find they have chosen the short end of the stick. But it will be too late to save them from their self-imposed marginalization.

by John R Moffett (89 articles, 18 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 697 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 10:12:15 AM

  (0+)

Rob, Great article. This issue is the most dangerous thing I've ever heard. I think they're mad because they lost the mid-term elections. They realize what a potent force the people can be.

by Dean Powers (138 articles, 8 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 4:14:18 PM

  (0+)

I cannot imagine how such an idiotic, senile and 'beyond weak' , 'senior moment' thought would even be noticed by anyone who listens to the 'main-street media', or taken seriously...not to mention have an influence on anyone except make you feel embarrassed for yet another 'fart'. I don't find the comment the least bit threatening. It's just too unimportant to pick up. Freedom of speech in this country is the equivalent of 'babble with little impact', and nobody is listening anymore. Unfortunately, this also means nobody listens to the exceptions. Arche is right on, I think!

by Katrin R. (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 657 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 7:27:45 PM

  (0+)

Gingrich and the main stream media are becoming increasingly irrelevant ~ it's all happening in cyberspace.

by Allen L Roland (1045 articles, 7 quicklinks, 44 diaries, 420 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 12:02:58 AM

  (0+)

That anyone even buys a newspaper, listens to radio, or watches tv anymore is infallible proof of the failure of our educational system. But behold! I actually thought I was safe subscribing to just one magazine: Discover Newt

by Daniel Geery (26 articles, 95 quicklinks, 126 diaries, 912 comments [27 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 12:37:19 AM

  (0+)

The media are broken and in need of repair. Yes, they are. Further, they have been for some time now. I would have to put the beginning of the trouble somewhere near the Reagan years. Iran contra and Arms For Hostages would shine as examples of the damage. Obviously, Reagan knew more than he was letting on. He may have been suffering from Alzheimer's at the time, but his claims of, "I don't recall," always had a false ring to them. He recalled alright, but the media did nothing about it. To me, it seemed they considered it gauche to give our Grampy in Chief a much deserved ration of sh*t. If they had, his reign could have been cut short. Too bad Hinckley was such a sh*tty shot. Gingrich and the main stream media are becoming increasingly irrelevant ~ it's all happening in cyberspace. Yes, cyberspace is more or less "where it's at". However, to glibly discount the media as irrelevant might be ignoring the slumbering giant. Like it or not, stupid runs rampant in this country...either by design or because of laziness. There are still many people who glean their world view from the emptiness of the not-so-liberal media. Their opinion, whether correct or not, can guide the political debate in the coming months and years. Also, to assume that everyone who wanders in cyberspace is "smarter than the average bear" is just as big a mistake. I need only point to the plentiful web sites devoted to white supremacists, neo-nazis, christian sepratists, and right-winged bloggers. Beyond that, I also point out to others that even sites that aren't run by the dregs listed above show illiteracy and other forms of intellectual inferiority. Ergo, it is a serious mistake to assume that just because the internet exists, those who traverse it are of above average intelligence. Also, with the ever present possibility of the loss of Net Neutrality, we cannot afford to assume that the internet will always exist as a place where freedom of speech will reign forever. It is only due to having those working to end Net Neutrality in congress being shown as total morons that has kept the internet free up to now. You can rest assured that the Republicans and their fascist supporters will find someone who can make a more cogent case for ending Net Neutrality. Why isn't the Mainstream Media skewering Gingrich for Anti Free-Speech Remarks? Simple, they agree with him. Freedom of speech means that reporters and other media people are bound to do a real job. Without freedom of speech, all they have to do is use a bit of creative writing to frame the talking points given them by the powers that be. That's so much easier than researching facts, asking opinions, and risking one's career by taking a real stand. Bill Clinton was hounded pretty much from day one. The congress and the media wasted millions of dollars and years of time investigating him for the most trivial things. When they finally thought they had him for lying, they were crushed to find out there was no real support for carrying his impeachment through to its bitter end. Conversely, we all know that the crimes committed by DUBYA, Dick(LESS) and the rest of that den of vipers is the stuff of legend. There exists all manner of evidence of the wrong-doings of the DUBYA regime. Whether the evidence is written, audio, or video, there is no denying in any way, shape or form that the DUBYA regime is the ultimate in criminal government enterprise. Yet the Mainstream Media has practiced a complete hands-off approach. Why isn't the Mainstream Media skewering Gingrich? Perhaps it's for the same reason they aren't trying DUBYA in the media the way they tried President Clinton. They are whores, and they know which Johns pay the best, and like it or not, it's the Republicans. Is it any surprise? The Republicans are good at the game. As long as the almighty dollar exists, and as long as people are willing to erect altars to it, those who have the most money will remain able to get people to bow before their altars. Money makes the world go around, and it turns reporters into prostitutes. That means the Mainstream Media will do nothing about anyone with money who is obviously speaking anarchy and un-American ideology. Just like the politicians, they are more concerned with their ability to buy buy buy than with the truth. Blessed be! Pappy

by Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 1:41:56 AM

  (0+)

Not the issue of our not-so-covertly fascist "mainline the propaganda" media, but the issue of curtailing free speech to deal with the "threat" of "terrorism". If we indeed get anywhere close to what that little piss ant Gingrich is suggesting, it could trigger unprecedented response from the people. It might sound crazy, but we may actually need such an occurance for America at large to finally wake up and act to save itself from the bastards who have hijacked our great country. Maybe we actually need to be brought to our knees before we can stand up tall again.

by John Perry (31 articles, 32 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 81 comments) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 8:24:29 AM

  (0+)

Its name was New Orleans.

by Mark Sashine (72 articles, 19 quicklinks, 269 diaries, 4101 comments [131 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 9:25:11 AM

  (0+)

First of all, the media is NEVER going to skewer the GOP or a member of the Bush family, never, ever. Secondly, we have already been making major strategic mistakes and we aren't even in office yet. Why was it Matt Lauer who told America Iraq is a civil war? Why didn't a member of the new Democratic leadership call a press conference to inform the media that from now on when a member of the Democratic congress speaks of the war in Iraq it will be called "The Civil War in Iraq" and any news outlet that left out the modifier would not be receiving any attention from the Democrats. The Democrats are the ones who should be bringing this to everyone's attention screaming it from every available outlet. "Newt Gingrich, this serial adulterer, is trying to get you people ready to accept the further abridgement of your civil liberties." But too many Americans believe that if they haven't done anything wrong they have nothing to worry about. If the Democrats don't get aggressive, and I mean pit bull aggressive, about leaving Iraq, impeaching both Bush and Cheney, impeaching at least a couple of Supreme Court justices and appellate court perjurers, the 2008 elections are not going to be pretty. Someone better pull their head out of their ass and strategize. And don't leave it to Emanuel and his group of DLC moles. They are out to destroy the party, not refurbish it.

by matt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Thursday, Nov 30, 2006 at 9:25:14 PM

  (0+)

I can't improve on what all of you have to say. I do have a question though. What is Pappy holding in that picture? It looks like a giant woodchuck or something. Any ideas?

by larry booth (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 303 comments) on Saturday, Dec 2, 2006 at 12:11:37 AM

  (0+)

says it's a person. His eyes are better than mine. He's 16.

by Katrin R. (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 657 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 2, 2006 at 3:25:53 AM

  (0+)

What am I holding in the picture? That's a Dusty Strings Allegro 26 string Celtic Lever Harp. Actually, I am not only holding it, I am playing it. Of course, you can't hear that part..hehehe Hope that clears up the mystery. Blessed be! Pappy

by Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 2, 2006 at 4:08:21 AM

  (0+)

...you can see the bigger version of that photo at my Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/pappymcfae . While you are there, you can also check out some videos as well as some of my original tunes. You can see there is more to me than just a guy who writes wandering political diatribes. All are welcome! All are welcome! Blessed be! Pappy

by Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Dec 3, 2006 at 1:13:48 AM

  (0+)