Do Political Commentators Really Believe What They Say?

[WIcruizer]

How can anyone defend Ann Coulter?

I don't think anyone's defending her. I just think it's ironic that the tolerant left isn't tolerant of other points of view. As for my own opinion, Ann Coulter is no different than anyone else. I agree with some things she says, I don't agree with others. Same thing with Rush, Hannity, Al Franken, Michael Moore, or anyone else.

The quotes you reference may or may not have been taken out of context, I have no idea.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Why should he do that? I think you are confusing issues here and that's probably what is intended.

Why should he do it? Because if he likes to maintain his supposed crediblity, then he should. He has been complaining on just about every show recently about the "Atrtack on Christmas" just because people are saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". Then, when the White House, easily the biggest political target in America, puts out a "Happy Holidays" card, he's unusually mute on the subject. Methinks that O'Reilly likes his cozy relationship with the Bush Administration and neutured his "Attack on Christmas" to be Bush-friendly.

Why this is so confusing, I'll never know...O'Reilly's whole stand reeks of hypocracy.

 

[eclectics]

Cindy Sheehan spoke at UConn. She was certainly inflammatory, making outrageous statements against the country and the president. Their were conservatives protesting OUTSIDE of Jorgenson Auditorium but when the "show" began, they went inside and listened quietly. What happened at UConn should not have been allowed to happen inside the auditorium. People who were there said that it wasn't just a loud boombox but an inside job in which the PA system was used to drowned her out. Coulter uses "absurdity to illustrate the absurd". Most people who listen to her recognize that. Her comments about Ted Kennedy were truly funny. If people don't like her they don't need to listen but they need to respect her right to speak and other people to listen.

I have to disagree with Ann Coulter using absurdity to illustrate the absurd for entertainment value. Bill Mahr and Jon Stewart do that to perfection. Ms. Coulter on the other hand wants the viewer to take everything she says seriously, or that's my take on her anyway. Same with James Carville, so you can't say I'm being partisan. I'm not a big fan of any political commentator. I prefer to digest the facts of a story and come to my own conclusions. I don't need someone telling me what my "take" on it should be. As to the OP's question, I believe they must have some leaning toward their employers policies. If they are pretending, not only must that be difficult for them to do on a daily basis, I would imagine, that also wouldn't be an example of a very good journalist, imho.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

By the way, LaughOGrams, am I wrong in detecting a Stephanie Miller influence in some of your posts? (Which I consider a good thing, btw...)

Actually, I just checked her website, and I have never heard of her. Is her show broadcast in the tri-state area? I used to listen to Air America on Sirius until it went over to XM. We're moving to Florida at in a couple weeks and am I'm looking forward to listening to Randy Rhodes again locally.

 

[castleview]

Cindy Sheehan spoke at UConn. She was certainly inflammatory, making outrageous statements against the country and the president. Their were conservatives protesting OUTSIDE of Jorgenson Auditorium but when the "show" began, they went inside and listened quietly. What happened at UConn should not have been allowed to happen inside the auditorium. People who were there said that it wasn't just a loud boombox but an inside job in which the PA system was used to drowned her out. Coulter uses "absurdity to illustrate the absurd". Most people who listen to her recognize that. Her comments about Ted Kennedy were truly funny. If people don't like her they don't need to listen but they need to respect her right to speak and other people to listen.

The people that shouted her down were wrong, although I'm having trouble believing the PA story. Who was in charge of this event? There should have been planning for it. Her comments about Ted Kennedy may have been funny, but she groups every non-conservative in with him...that's where she drives me crazy. I posted the question because I can't believe someone with her education and intelligence really believes every non-conservative is anti-American, elitist, immoral, etc.

As far as O'Reilly goes, it's his ego that is driving the subject matter of his show. Anytime he talks about left wing websites, he gets bitter and it's all about him. That's what may kill his show. Even my super Republican grandparents are cringing at that.

 

[castleview]

As to the OP's question, I believe they must have some leaning toward their employers policies. If they are pretending, not only must that be difficult for them to do on a daily basis, I would imagine, that also wouldn't be an example of a very good journalist, imho.

That's a good point. Dick Morris best exemplifies "playing to the audience".

 

[Mugg Mann]

Why should he do that? I think you are confusing issues here and that's probably what is intended.

O'Reilly said he would target anyone who used the phrase Holiday instead of Christmas, and that's just what the President did when he sent out the "Holiday cards". Seems quite clear and unambiguous to me!

 

[Mugg Mann]

Actually, I just checked her website, and I have never heard of her. Is her show broadcast in the tri-state area? I used to listen to Air America on Sirius until it went over to XM. We're moving to Florida at in a couple weeks and am I'm looking forward to listening to Randy Rhodes again locally.

I brought it up because you use some of the same catch phrases that she does. Based on your postings, I think you'd enjoy her very much, especially if you enjoy Randy Rhodes.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Cindy Sheehan spoke at UConn. She was certainly inflammatory, making outrageous statements against the country and the president. Their were conservatives protesting OUTSIDE of Jorgenson Auditorium but when the "show" began, they went inside and listened quietly. What happened at UConn should not have been allowed to happen inside the auditorium. People who were there said that it wasn't just a loud boombox but an inside job in which the PA system was used to drowned her out. Coulter uses "absurdity to illustrate the absurd". Most people who listen to her recognize that. Her comments about Ted Kennedy were truly funny. If people don't like her they don't need to listen but they need to respect her right to speak and other people to listen.

What is incredibly absurd about this incident at UConn was one group, Students Against Hate, who were protesting Coulter, showing pictures of her portraying her as Hilter, talking about wanting to bomb her, etc. Hmm... "Students Against Hate" -- what's wrong with this picture?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Why should he do it? Because if he likes to maintain his supposed crediblity, then he should. He has been complaining on just about every show recently about the "Atrtack on Christmas" just because people are saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". Then, when the White House, easily the biggest political target in America, puts out a "Happy Holidays" card, he's unusually mute on the subject. Methinks that O'Reilly likes his cozy relationship with the Bush Administration and neutured his "Attack on Christmas" to be Bush-friendly.

Why this is so confusing, I'll never know...O'Reilly's whole stand reeks of hypocracy.

I wonder how many people who are saying this have actually listened to or read what O'Reilly actually said. And I mean listened to or read the entire message, not a slanted synopsis posted on a leftie web site. If one did take the time to listen or read, you'd understand how way off base this allegation is.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

O'Reilly said he would target anyone who used the phrase Holiday instead of Christmas, and that's just what the President did when he sent out the "Holiday cards". Seems quite clear and unambiguous to me!

I believe you, like so many others, are deliberately misquoting what O'Reilly said. He has never said at any time "I will target anyone who uses the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas." If you have a link to where this is posted as a quote from O'Reilly, I'd love to see it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I wonder how many people who are saying this have actually listened to or read what O'Reilly actually said. And I mean listened to or read the entire message, not a slanted synopsis posted on a leftie web site. If one did take the time to listen or read, you'd understand how way off base this allegation is.

But I've watched O'Reilly's Attack on Christmas segments myself on a number of occasions and have seen his rant first hand. I guess what you're saying to me is "Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?"

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I believe you, like so many others, are deliberately misquoting what O'Reilly said. He has never said at any time "I will target anyone who uses the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas." If you have a link to where this is posted as a quote from O'Reilly, I'd love to see it.

If you know exactly his take, T_M, then by all means...enlighten us!! What are O'Reilly's Attack on Christmas segments all about? An unprovoked penguin assault on Santa's Workshop?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

...or, you can look right here, on Fox's own website for more info on Bill O'Reilly's Crusade to save Christmas from the evil secularist "Happy Holiday's" people, like President Bush, in Bill's own brilliantly titled "Somewhere Jesus is weeping..." column!!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142171,00.html

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If you know exactly his take, T_M, then by all means...enlighten us!! What are O'Reilly's Attack on Christmas segments all about? An unprovoked penguin assault on Santa's Workshop?

My apologies, but I am at a loss to recall on any of O'Reilly's shows for the past year where he said "I will target anyone who uses the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas." I cannot recall where he's issued an clarion call to absolutely forbid the use of the word "holiday" or the phrase "Happy Holidays."

What I do recall is him calling on businesses to use "Merry Christmas" along with all the other holiday greetings; to not deliberately and knowingly exclude the word "Christmas" from advertising, greetings, store displays, mailings, etc. I do recall him being VERY SUPPORTIVE of using inclusive greetings for any and all celebrations that take place during this time of the year and to avoid the appearance of excluding any one or any holiday.

I am simply unable to make the Grand Canyon leap from this position to a wholesale condemnation of the White House for not putting the word "Christmas" on their greeting card. O'Reilly's position has never been that it is "Christmas" or nothing (unlike what is attempted to be portrayed here).

I still await a link showing that's what he has said at any time in any place.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

...or, you can look right here, on Fox's own website for more info on Bill O'Reilly's Crusade to save Christmas from the evil secularist "Happy Holiday's" people, like President Bush, in Bill's own brilliantly titled "Somewhere Jesus is weeping..." column!!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142171,00.html

I've read that Talking Points memo and I just re-read it (twice). I am at a loss to see in that column where O'Reilly is saying what you want to attribute to him.
O'Reilly's position is perfectly summarized in this statement from your link:

"The Factor" believes all holiday symbols should be allowed in public. To believe otherwise is ridiculous, with all due respect.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I've read that Talking Points memo and I just re-read it (twice). I am at a loss to see in that column where O'Reilly is saying what you want to attribute to him.
O'Reilly's position is perfectly summarized in this statement from your link:

How about the following from the above hyperlink:

Revenge of the secularists. That is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points Memo."

Well, the giant has awakened. Millions of Americans are now aware that the traditions of Christmas are under fire by committed secularists, people who do not want any public demonstration of spirituality. The situation is, of course, absurd. Department stores refusing to post Merry Christmas banners, Denver having a holiday parade that bans a float honoring Jesus, a school in Maplewood, New Jersey (search), forbidding any song that mentions Christianity, even "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

"The Factor" has been exposing these anti-Christmas people and they are under heavy fire.

What's so confusing? I mean the title is "Somewhere Jesus Is Weeping" for God sakes!! Unless you're just refusing to see what the old man is saying...in which case, I can't help you.

 

[WIcruizer]

Wow, I can't believe people don't undertand what OReilly is saying. He's not trying to REPLACE other symbols, messages, etc. with CHRISTMAS, he just doesn't want Christmas excluded. That's a big difference, and pretty simple to comprehend.

Now you can disagree with that. You don't have to like him. But don't twist around what he's trying to say.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

How about the following from the above hyperlink:

Revenge of the secularists. That is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points Memo."

Well, the giant has awakened. Millions of Americans are now aware that the traditions of Christmas are under fire by committed secularists, people who do not want any public demonstration of spirituality. The situation is, of course, absurd. Department stores refusing to post Merry Christmas banners, Denver having a holiday parade that bans a float honoring Jesus, a school in Maplewood, New Jersey (search), forbidding any song that mentions Christianity, even "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

"The Factor" has been exposing these anti-Christmas people and they are under heavy fire.

What's so confusing? I mean the title is "Somewhere Jesus Is Weeping" for God sakes!! Unless you're just refusing to see what the old man is saying...in which case, I can't help you.

What is confusing is how you leap from this to demanding he condemn the WH over their greeting card?

Well, come to think of it... when I apply some convoluted logic to this, maybe I can see how you made the huge leap. Unfortunately, in doing so I sprained my ankle, pulled a muscle in my back and nearly broke my wrist. I better go take some Aleve, start a hot shower and find a couple of Ace bandages. I'm really getting too old for these extreme sports.

 

[toto2]

Well , Chrismas is included in the "hollydays" in "happy Hollydays" ! It Happy Hollydays as in , all the Hollydays. It is very simple to understand !