Oh dear, gentle reader, I fear a storm is brewing. In an interview with the New Republic, released this morning, President Obama criticized some elements of the media - naming Fox News by name - for helping to feed the Republican obstructionism and hostility that marked his first term in office. And I can already hear the first ominous rumblings of thunder in the distance.
The interview covered a variety of topics - gun control, executive orders, and football - but a lot of it focused on the dysfunction in Washington. When asked about Republicans' unwillingness to work with him, Obama responded: "I don't think the issue is whether or not there are people of goodwill in either party that want to get something done. I think what we really have to do is change some of the incentive structures so that people feel liberated to pursue some common ground. One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates. If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it."
Greta Van Susteren has already written a critical blog post: "Apparently President Obama wants his usual media pass and Fox challenges his policies – which happens to be the media’s job." She also accused Democrat brass of intimidation: "Some Democrats have told me that they want to come on Fox to discuss issues but they get heat from their Leadership for appearing on Fox. Does President Obama know that? So which Party is intimidating its members?"
Van Susteren is one of the more reasonable Fox personalities. I am waiting with bated breath to see how some of the others respond.
(h/t Mediaite for putting me onto this story)
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Ray Michaels commented
2013-01-30 07:23:01 -0500
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I think now that some people here sound like they are on the FOX payroll! :-)
mj - the same one commented
2013-01-30 01:10:20 -0500
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@ Kenzie Lan: “Once again I really hope that you do not think tht the media an the government tells us everything that is going on…because if ou do then you may need a reality check”
TRANSLATION: I’d much rather remain blissfully ignorant and continue to think Dumbya and Fox could do no wrong (and Obama can do no right) than to have any reality intrude on my fantasy . . .
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TRANSLATION: I’d much rather remain blissfully ignorant and continue to think Dumbya and Fox could do no wrong (and Obama can do no right) than to have any reality intrude on my fantasy . . .
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Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-29 22:24:16 -0500
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Like I am not talking about anything that George Bush did. Once again I really hope that you do not think tht the media an the government tells us everything that is going on…because if ou do then you may need a reality check
mj - the same one commented
2013-01-29 21:56:14 -0500
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@ Kenzie Lan: “You don’t know exactly why those missions failed during his terms because there is a lot that we the people do not know about the government and especially intelligence therefore cannot assume.”
CIA disbands Bin laden unit
Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
The Guardian, Tuesday 4 July 2006 13.23 EDT
Nearly five years after George Bush vowed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice “dead or alive”, it’s the end of the line for the CIA’s Alec Station, the unit dedicated to the hunt for the al-Qaida leader.
The unit, named after the son of a counter-terror official, was disbanded last year, it emerged this week, and its agents reassigned in what intelligence officials described as a recognition of the changing nature of al-Qaida.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jul/04/usa.alqaida
Hm — maybe shutting down the unit that was dedicated to finding bin Laden had a lil’ sompin’ to do with why that mission failed . . .
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CIA disbands Bin laden unit
Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
The Guardian, Tuesday 4 July 2006 13.23 EDT
Nearly five years after George Bush vowed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice “dead or alive”, it’s the end of the line for the CIA’s Alec Station, the unit dedicated to the hunt for the al-Qaida leader.
The unit, named after the son of a counter-terror official, was disbanded last year, it emerged this week, and its agents reassigned in what intelligence officials described as a recognition of the changing nature of al-Qaida.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jul/04/usa.alqaida
Hm — maybe shutting down the unit that was dedicated to finding bin Laden had a lil’ sompin’ to do with why that mission failed . . .
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Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-29 17:54:28 -0500
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I did not saying anything directly about Bush I was sayingthere were many times during his presidency when he had big failures in trying to capture him and people were not happy. However, intelligence communities during his presidency were part of putting together the puzzle that enabled us to see the full picture of how bin Laden was communicating and eventually where he was hiding, which began the day after 9/11. You don’t know exactly why those missions failed during his terms because there is a lot that we the people do not know about the government and especially intelligence therefore cannot assume.
mj - the same one commented
2013-01-29 17:25:19 -0500
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@ Kenzie Lan: “The getting rid of *Bin Laden was a plan proposed by George Bush however the Bin Laden was literally hiding in a cave for years, it was not until May 2011 that he was located by the C
CIA who proposed the attack to Vice Admiral William McRoven who took it to higher authority at which Obama enforced the plan, just like any other president would have done.”
“Who knows if he’s [bin Laden] hiding in some cave or not. We haven’t heard from him in a long time. The idea of focusing on one person really indicates to me people don’t understand the scope of the mission. Terror is bigger than one person. He’s just a person who’s been marginalized. … *I don’t know where he is. I really just don’t spend that much time on him, to be honest with you.”* — George W. Bush, six months after 9/11
Well, Kenzie — sure doesn’t SOUND like “any other president” would enforce the plan of getting bin Laden . . .
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CIA who proposed the attack to Vice Admiral William McRoven who took it to higher authority at which Obama enforced the plan, just like any other president would have done.”
“Who knows if he’s [bin Laden] hiding in some cave or not. We haven’t heard from him in a long time. The idea of focusing on one person really indicates to me people don’t understand the scope of the mission. Terror is bigger than one person. He’s just a person who’s been marginalized. … *I don’t know where he is. I really just don’t spend that much time on him, to be honest with you.”* — George W. Bush, six months after 9/11
Well, Kenzie — sure doesn’t SOUND like “any other president” would enforce the plan of getting bin Laden . . .
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Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-29 08:20:32 -0500
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Ray Michael- I hope you know that the “phony WMD” was not just the Republicans it was backed by both Hilary and Bill Clinton along with other democrats in office. As far as Afghanistan would you rather have the war fought on their land on ours? If we didnt act then they would be over here right now. The getting rid of *Bin Laden was a plan proposed by George Bush however the Bin Laden was literally hiding in a cave for years, it was not until May 2011 that he was located by the C
CIA who proposed the attack to Vice Admiral William McRoven who took it to higher authority at which Obama enforced the plan, just like any other president would have done. Wow see I didn’t say anything about black people and Fox doesn’t either your the one who brought up you are assuming that is an opinion not a fact. Why would you say they don’t like black people? Give me one good reason, and maybe ill add that I alonng with my whole family are African American…
Aria Prescott- death threats?? And Fox News is definitely not the only network who has a crew with a bad past
CIA who proposed the attack to Vice Admiral William McRoven who took it to higher authority at which Obama enforced the plan, just like any other president would have done. Wow see I didn’t say anything about black people and Fox doesn’t either your the one who brought up you are assuming that is an opinion not a fact. Why would you say they don’t like black people? Give me one good reason, and maybe ill add that I alonng with my whole family are African American…
Aria Prescott- death threats?? And Fox News is definitely not the only network who has a crew with a bad past
Ray Michaels commented
2013-01-29 05:16:02 -0500
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Kenize Lan-well lets start with saving the country form thr worts depression since the big crash tears ago! Alo he ended the fgalse war in Iraq that was started over the phony WMD claim! He is still working on getting us out of that other mess in Afganistan that has dragged on since 2001 and cost us trillions on the nationla debt. He got rid of Ben Laden by taking postive action. The lits does go on perhaps others here can add more to it. The main reason he gets all the abuse on FOX is becasue he is black to begin with.
Aria Prescott commented
2013-01-29 01:02:34 -0500
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Wasn’t Sanchez fired for making a hateful rant that targeted Jon Stewart as a “bigot”? Come to think of it, they also hired Don Imus right after he was fired for the “nappy headed hos” comment, and Juan Williams got his Fox News gig after the fallout for his comment about muslims.
Fox News sure does like to hire people who were fired from their former employers for hate speech. Might explain why their viewers are so comfortable preaching hatred and making death threats on Fox Nation.
Oh, and both links to articles, as well as videos of it happening on the network are included with the articles. if you were capable of reading MJ’s links instead of just running your mouth, you’d know that you could turn up the “actual fox news articles.”
Fox News sure does like to hire people who were fired from their former employers for hate speech. Might explain why their viewers are so comfortable preaching hatred and making death threats on Fox Nation.
Oh, and both links to articles, as well as videos of it happening on the network are included with the articles. if you were capable of reading MJ’s links instead of just running your mouth, you’d know that you could turn up the “actual fox news articles.”
Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-28 22:32:37 -0500
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You do know that Rick Sanchez was fired from CNN and is now working at Fox News, I do not recall him ever showing a picture that fox stole. Doochey bag?? The Fox crew you are talking about are only some not all like I said there are plenty of people who work for fox news who would not work up the “teabaggeds”
Average American Patriot commented
2013-01-28 22:01:01 -0500
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Will a video showing the Fox crew working up the teabaggeds or Rick Sanchez showing how fox stole a CNN picture and published it as their own, will that suffice to prove FOX lies?
Maybe the Doochey bag apologizing, on the air, for making up BS quotes?
Did he get fired as Fox management had promised?
No. He didn’t.
The Fox gNOpig BS Network keeps churning them turds without regard for fashion.
Maybe the Doochey bag apologizing, on the air, for making up BS quotes?
Did he get fired as Fox management had promised?
No. He didn’t.
The Fox gNOpig BS Network keeps churning them turds without regard for fashion.
Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-28 21:19:32 -0500
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You do realize how bias these websites are right…..I didn’t ask for a website talking about what Fox said I asked for an actual Fox article.
mj - the same one commented
2013-01-28 20:41:19 -0500
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@ Kenize Lan:
*Ray Michaels, the thing is what exactly has Obama done right that people should be complimenting him about? *
Updated and Expanded List of 212 Obama Accomplishments, With Citations!
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html
You will never see Fox News praising Romney
“Fox’s Desperate Romney Debate Rehab: The Marines Still Use Bayonets!”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_s_desperate_romney_debate_rehab_the_marines_still_use_bayonets_10222012
“Fox Pretends Romney Leads In Early Voting”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_pretends_romney_leads_in_early_voting_10192012
“It’s Not Just Bias: Four Fox News Contributors Work For Romney”
http://www.newshounds.us/it_s_not_just_bias_four_fox_news_contributors_work_for_romney_09122012
“Fox News: The Go-To Network For Romney Campaign Speeches”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_the_go_to_network_for_romney_campaign_speeches_11052012
“Who Cares If Romney Lied During The Debate? He Looked Good!”
http://www.newshounds.us/who_cares_if_romney_lied_during_the_debate_he_looked_good_10092012
“Fox News Disappears Romney’s Gaffes In England”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_disappears_romney_s_gaffes_in_england_07262012
“Fox Helps Romney Out by Exploiting 1998 Obama ‘Redistribution’ Video”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_helps_romney_out_by_exploiting_1998_obama_redistribution_video_20120919
“Fox News Rehabs Romney’s Middle East Blunder”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_rehabs_romney_s_middle_east_blunder_09122012
“Fox & Friends Applaud Romney’s ’47 Percent’ Comments”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_friends_applaud_romney_s_47_percent_comments_09182012
.
*Ray Michaels, the thing is what exactly has Obama done right that people should be complimenting him about? *
Updated and Expanded List of 212 Obama Accomplishments, With Citations!
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html
You will never see Fox News praising Romney
“Fox’s Desperate Romney Debate Rehab: The Marines Still Use Bayonets!”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_s_desperate_romney_debate_rehab_the_marines_still_use_bayonets_10222012
“Fox Pretends Romney Leads In Early Voting”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_pretends_romney_leads_in_early_voting_10192012
“It’s Not Just Bias: Four Fox News Contributors Work For Romney”
http://www.newshounds.us/it_s_not_just_bias_four_fox_news_contributors_work_for_romney_09122012
“Fox News: The Go-To Network For Romney Campaign Speeches”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_the_go_to_network_for_romney_campaign_speeches_11052012
“Who Cares If Romney Lied During The Debate? He Looked Good!”
http://www.newshounds.us/who_cares_if_romney_lied_during_the_debate_he_looked_good_10092012
“Fox News Disappears Romney’s Gaffes In England”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_disappears_romney_s_gaffes_in_england_07262012
“Fox Helps Romney Out by Exploiting 1998 Obama ‘Redistribution’ Video”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_helps_romney_out_by_exploiting_1998_obama_redistribution_video_20120919
“Fox News Rehabs Romney’s Middle East Blunder”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_news_rehabs_romney_s_middle_east_blunder_09122012
“Fox & Friends Applaud Romney’s ’47 Percent’ Comments”
http://www.newshounds.us/fox_friends_applaud_romney_s_47_percent_comments_09182012
.
Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-28 20:10:32 -0500
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Ray Michaels, the thing is what exactly has Obama done right that people should be complimenting him about?
Kenize Lan commented
2013-01-28 20:09:33 -0500
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Actually Fox News criticizes both the democrats and the republicans, both stating facts. Also they are always having democratic contributors on and half of their anchors are not republican, some examples include, Shepard Smith, Patrick Cadell, Mary Anne Phurch, Kristen Powers, Laura Schuertz, Doug Schoen, Marj Halpurin, Donna Brazil, Alfonso D’Amonte, Jenny Buchus, and many many more those are just a few. You will never see Fox News praising Romney or praising the Republican Party, ESPECIALLY Rush Limbaugh. Find me one time where Rush is saying something good about the Republicans, and find me one article where fox is praising, and talking great things about the Republicans, you will probably have an extremely difficult time. Go to MSNBC, or CNN and you’ll find plenty of praising and worshipping of the liberals and of Obama.
Ray Michaels commented
2013-01-28 15:44:38 -0500
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Well as the old saying goes, " If the shoe fits then you have to wear it!" Thye NEVER have one postive word for Obama ever! they are hell bent on pouring ice water on everyting the man does and constantly stirring up hatred and resentment! They have been a non stop RAIN ON OBAMA’S PARADE since hew was elected. I am not saying they need ot appove of all he says and does but gee once in awhile they might try throwing the guy a compliment for doing something right! I have never seen such a hateful bunch in yeras!
Aria Prescott commented
2013-01-28 14:38:39 -0500
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*Oddly he said nothing about MSNBC….
Go figure. *
Aside from what Visitor said about MSNBC not having a problem with Democrats and Republicans working together (neither does CNN), they also have no problem calling out wrongdoing from the left.
They called out Obama for policies they feel are wrong.
They called out Anthony Weiner for lying to the people.
They called out Carl Levin for his role in writing the “Indefinite Suspension” clause of the NDAA, and held a debate on whether Obama’s executive priviledge did enough to stop it.
They’ve had no problem calling out Pelosi and Reid when take the bait.
MSNBC has no problem giving honest criticism of Democrats. Fox News, on the other hand, seems to think that the only crime a Republican can commit is bipartisanship- They change the® to a (D) for everything else they can’t just ignore.
Go figure. *
Aside from what Visitor said about MSNBC not having a problem with Democrats and Republicans working together (neither does CNN), they also have no problem calling out wrongdoing from the left.
They called out Obama for policies they feel are wrong.
They called out Anthony Weiner for lying to the people.
They called out Carl Levin for his role in writing the “Indefinite Suspension” clause of the NDAA, and held a debate on whether Obama’s executive priviledge did enough to stop it.
They’ve had no problem calling out Pelosi and Reid when take the bait.
MSNBC has no problem giving honest criticism of Democrats. Fox News, on the other hand, seems to think that the only crime a Republican can commit is bipartisanship- They change the® to a (D) for everything else they can’t just ignore.
Janet Tuhey commented
2013-01-28 13:51:41 -0500
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I am really looking forward to the next four years! President Obama has nothing to lose, and the Gruesome Oppositionist Party has everythng to lose. That nonstop, relaxed “I’m lovin’ it” grin on his face makes me smile back. WooHooo! Bring ’em on Fuxites!
