OT: Politics and other stuff that is sure to piss everyone off

[Hokie200proof]

Heh... here's Alex Jones, a right-wing radio host, who claims Glenn Beck spins HIS material, misrepresents it.

 

[VTscores]

The Daily Show, even though it's a comedy show, does a pretty good job of outing hidden agendas.

Like the Daily Show doesn't have a hidden agenda. I like the program, but they really are missing out on a lot of material, as it's only on an exceptional basis that they parody the left as well.

Maddow and Schultz are bad as well, but Limbaugh and Beck really push the limits.

The worst is when Limbaugh takes a winning argument, and changes it to a losing one. Like on an issue where religious organizations are being forced by new government policy to pay for contraception that is against their stated beliefs, but available to Georgetown students elsewhere. Should be a no-brainer for them not to have to subsidize someone else's lifestyle in this case. But Limbaugh takes it too far, calls the Georgetown Law student who is advocating the policy a whore, and changes the focus of the discussion from a "war on religion" to a "war on women"; basically turning a winning argument into a losing one.

In doing so, he converted Fluke from a "5-minutes of fame in a Pelosi-meeting" to career-making notoriety as the person Limbaugh bitch-slapped for no valid reason.

Nice.

 

[Hokie200proof]

Like the Daily Show doesn't have a hidden agenda. I like the program, but they really are missing out on a lot of material, as it's only on an exceptional basis that they parody the left as well.

Maddow and Schultz are bad as well, but Limbaugh and Beck really push the limits.

The worst is when Limbaugh takes a winning argument, and changes it to a losing one. Like on an issue where religious organizations are being forced by new government policy to pay for contraception that is against their stated beliefs, but available to Georgetown students elsewhere. Should be a no-brainer for them not to have to subsidize someone else's lifestyle in this case. But Limbaugh takes it too far, calls the Georgetown Law student who is advocating the policy a whore, and changes the focus of the discussion from a "war on religion" to a "war on women"; basically turning a winning argument into a losing one.

In doing so, he converted Fluke from a "5-minutes of fame in a Pelosi-meeting" to career-making notoriety as the person Limbaugh bitch-slapped for no valid reason.

Nice.

I'm not saying the Daily Show doesn't have an agenda... it's also an entertainment show that isn't claiming to be a news show.

They just happen to do a pretty solid job video research.

 

[VTscores]

I'm not saying the Daily Show doesn't have an agenda... it's also an entertainment show that isn't claiming to be a news show.

They just happen to do a pretty solid job video research.

I agree, and it's usually pretty funny. I just wish they didn't spend half their resources on Fox News, as there is so much other funny stuff out there.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

WWDTM is The Daily Show for real intellectuals

It is funnier as well.

 

[VTscores]

WWDTM is The Daily Show for real intellectuals

It is funnier as well.

They have their moments, but they really are geared towards people knitting (or wearing) cardigans.

I'll listen in sometimes if I'm driving somewhere, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

 

[VT_Football_Fan]

As bad as the Daily Show is, Colbert Report is even worse.

And like hell they don't have an agenda or slant.

 

[Rocky]

As bad as the Daily Show is, Colbert Report is even worse.

And like hell they don't have an agenda or slant.

It may seem that way, but you really must consider the plethora of whackadoos on the right that continue to step on it day after day.

The primary season was high comedy at its apex.

Michele Bachmann: (the busy ditch)

"And what a bizarre time we're in, when a judge will say to little children that you can't say the pledge of allegiance, but you must learn that homosexuality is normal and you should try it."

"There are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design."

"[Gay marriage] is probably the biggest issue that will impact our state and our nation in the last, at least, thirty years. I am not understating that."

"The President of the United States will be taking a trip over to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million a day."

"Now with the president, he put us in Libya," Bachmann said in the debate broadcast on CNN. "He is now putting us in Africa. We already were stretched too thin, and he put our special operations forces in Africa."

Then, we have the inimitable standup of Rick Perry, making love to a jar of Vermont maple syrup. Classic.

Herman "Blow Me Baby" Cain

Newt "Buy my stuff" Gingrich, aka the Grinch

Mitt "dogshitontheroof" Romney, who absolutely hates Obamacare.

And you wonder why the comedians take jabs at them?

 

[VTscores]

It may seem that way, but you really must consider the plethora of whackadoos on the right that continue to step on it day after day.

If you can't find any "whackadoos" on the left, you just aren't looking hard enough.

Can you really defend Charlie Rangle? Maxine Waters? Nancy Pelosi?

C'mon. Be honest.

 

[MattB4VT]

"Its not that all liberals are dumb, they're just wrong." --- Confucius

 

[Rocky]

If you can't find any "whackadoos" on the left, you just aren't looking hard enough.

Can you really defend Charlie Rangle? Maxine Waters? Nancy Pelosi?

C'mon. Be honest.

At least they know where Libya is.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

In my opinion, both parties are right on a lot of things. Both parties also promote different ways to accomplish the same goals. I think it is ignorant to assume that whichever party that you support is 100% correct on any of it. I think it is downright dangerous to hope that the other party fails at solving a problem that you find important just so that you can say "I told you so."

Comments like "all liberals" and "al conservatives" are ignorant and short sighted. The two party system's greatest flaw is how it forms teams that root for and against one another. This is life, not sports, and both groups (whether people want to admit it or not) are working for the same goal. Even the most surly and cynical of observers have to admit that they want a successful country if for nothing else, then for the continuation of their careers and paychecks.

In addition, MOST modern day pundits do a disservice to the country by utilizing half truths, talking points and scare tactics to garner ratings and book sales. The days of the debates between Chomsky and Buckley are sadly over. The great intellectuals and skeptics are dying off (Christopher Hitchens) and one must think that the great thinkers are searching for material and inspiration in other areas. Politics has become a cruel, laughable joke and if you take a second to sit back and look at the current political system, from the media to the local rep, it is truly comical, which is very unfortunate.

 

[MattB4VT]

Not knowing where Libya is... #YOLO

 

[VTscores]

At least they know where Libya is.

Not that that's important.

I'd rather they be competent and law abiding.

 

[Rocky]

Not that that's important.

I'd rather they be competent and law abiding.

It is when you are discussing U.S. military intervention at a presidential debate.

Competent like Bachmann?

Law abiding like Cain?

The difference is this. They are running for president. They step on their cranks almost daily.

Rangel and Waters arent running for president, and step on it less frequently, maybe once a year. As for Pelosi, she is a most effective leader of the Dems in the house, whether or not you agree with her politics. And, for an old broad, I'd do her, lol.

I never said that there werent whackadoos on the other side, but to try to defend those dolts by saying the other side has dolts too, seems to totally ignore the reality of their "doltedness" IMO.

 

[sparko]

...

Comments like "all liberals" and "al conservatives" are ignorant and short sighted. The two party system's greatest flaw is how it forms teams that root for and against one another. This is life, not sports, and both groups (whether people want to admit it or not) are working for the same goal. Even the most surly and cynical of observers have to admit that they want a successful country if for nothing else, then for the continuation of their careers and paychecks.
...

You hit the nail on the head and that quote by Matt was stupid (and I'm sure Confucius would have never said such stupid shit). Anyone who is hard left or hard right on EVERYTHING has a shallow, selfish mind and couldn't give a crap about our country and what's best for it. They seek to have their SELF-interests served and don't give a shit about anyone else's ... but hey -- that's what our country has come to.

 

[Hokie200proof]

Alex Jones is crazy btw... he's as much a blowhard as any of them as well.

What's weird is I was doing some research on him and he has some Illuminati, 9/11 is an inside job, money is what controls us now theories that I wouldn't immediately discount as being "insane". Any conspiracy theory is nearly impossible to prove because -

1) You're right
2) You're wrong

Outcomes of 1) -
a. You can never convince anyone that you're right as the conspiracy you hope to expose is so assimilated into society that people think you're insane for even thinking what you do. The conspiracy uses its influence to make sure you are discredited and dismissed in any forum or public outlet.

b. No one cares because they profit from the current system, or are happy/secure enough to leave it alone (where I think most of us are when it comes to these things).

c. You're killed, removed or assimilated (through some type of bride, threat or blackmail) as to no longer threaten the conspiracy.

Outcomes of 2) -
a. You continue to make your accusations, most people ignore you.

b. Your certainty and search for a conspiracy drives you insane as you refuse to believe it's not true, always falling back on the fact that Outcomes 1a. and 1b. are in play, so that's why no one believes you or ever will.

It's nearly impossible to prove or topple a deeply entrenched conspiracy. This is why corruption within a power structure is so hard to combat, especially through diplomatic or otherwise peaceful means. The corrupt will use all of their power to protect themselves and their interests. As well, they can usually find people who are corruptible to help shield, in turn making more people corrupted and part of the conspiracy.

That said, there have been conspiracies that have been toppled. The Civil Rights Movement immediately comes to mind as most of the State Governments in the South actively worked to keep African Americans under heel. It took an enormous, historic movement to change things and even though it's remembered as a peaceful revolution of a sort, many people died trying to enact the change (lynchings, murders, assassinations, etc... not everyone lived through it).

What I am saying is this... these extremists help to make plausible and perhaps valid ideas seem crazy or fringe. We've been over this before. If there is a system in place that is keeping the majority of Americas, the world, under heel (perhaps not as brutally as once was, but still, not free), the conspirators would benefit from having a widely divided populous, unable to rise together to enact change. The Glenn Becks', the Alex Jones', the Bill Mahers', the Tea Party, Occupy... all of them help to polarize the issues and control the information passed to their followers in order to breed division and keep the status quo.

These extreme loud-talkers are the dungeon masters of our minds, and now it seems we are footing the bill for Glenn Beck's warden salary for another five years.

 

[VTscores]

Rangel and Waters arent running for president, and step on it less frequently, maybe once a year. As for Pelosi, she is a most effective leader of the Dems in the house, whether or not you agree with her politics. And, for an old broad, I'd do her, lol.

I never said that there werent whackadoos on the other side, but to try to defend those dolts by saying the other side has dolts too, seems to totally ignore the reality of their "doltedness" IMO.

Sorry, but Pelosi said "We have to pass it, to see what's in it. She's the most effective lead of the Dems? And you'd do her? Did you really just say that?

If "doing her" is a factor, I'd think Palin and Bachmann would be the serious contenders. Just gag them first. It's difficult for me to believe Pelosi would even cross your mind. Have you seen a close-up? It would be like doing the Wicked Witch of the West. Seriously, don't throw any water on her.

I agree that Bachmann and Cain said some ridiculous things, but if you think for a second that there aren't Democrats saying ridiculous crap every single day you're fooling yourself.

Waters and Rangle are incompetent AND criminal. Everything they say is ridiculous, you just don't hear them much. They shouldn't even be local dog catchers.

My point is that there's plenty of material out there on both parties, if only your ears aren't closed to half of it. I think the Daily Show could cut back on the Fox News coverage a bit. Often half their show is just a replay of Bill O'Reilly, when Lawrence O'Donnell offers up lots of juicy change-ups as well.

 

[VTscores]

I never said that there werent whackadoos on the other side, but to try to defend those dolts by saying the other side has dolts too, seems to totally ignore the reality of their "doltedness" IMO.

Oh, and I never said there weren't dolts on both sides. I actually said that there are. It just seems to me that some people give the dolts from their own political party a big old pass, and THAT is what I find indefensible.

 

[Rocky]

Alex Jones is crazy btw... he's as much a blowhard as any of them as well.

What's weird is I was doing some research on him and he has some Illuminati, 9/11 is an inside job, money is what controls us now theories that I wouldn't immediately discount as being "insane". Any conspiracy theory is nearly impossible to prove because -

1) You're right
2) You're wrong

Outcomes of 1) -
a. You can never convince anyone that you're right as the conspiracy you hope to expose is so assimilated into society that people think you're insane for even thinking what you do. The conspiracy uses its influence to make sure you are discredited and dismissed in any forum or public outlet.

b. No one cares because they profit from the current system, or are happy/secure enough to leave it alone (where I think most of us are when it comes to these things).

c. You're killed, removed or assimilated (through some type of bride, threat or blackmail) as to no longer threaten the conspiracy.

Outcomes of 2) -
a. You continue to make your accusations, most people ignore you.

b. Your certainty and search for a conspiracy drives you insane as you refuse to believe it's not true, always falling back on the fact that Outcomes 1a. and 1b. are in play, so that's why no one believes you or ever will.

It's nearly impossible to prove or topple a deeply entrenched conspiracy. This is why corruption within a power structure is so hard to combat, especially through diplomatic or otherwise peaceful means. The corrupt will use all of their power to protect themselves and their interests. As well, they can usually find people who are corruptible to help shield, in turn making more people corrupted and part of the conspiracy.

That said, there have been conspiracies that have been toppled. The Civil Rights Movement immediately comes to mind as most of the State Governments in the South actively worked to keep African Americans under heel. It took an enormous, historic movement to change things and even though it's remembered as a peaceful revolution of a sort, many people died trying to enact the change (lynchings, murders, assassinations, etc... not everyone lived through it).

What I am saying is this... these extremists help to make plausible and perhaps valid ideas seem crazy or fringe. We've been over this before. If there is a system in place that is keeping the majority of Americas, the world, under heel (perhaps not as brutally as once was, but still, not free), the conspirators would benefit from having a widely divided populous, unable to rise together to enact change. The Glenn Becks', the Alex Jones', the Bill Mahers', the Tea Party, Occupy... all of them help to polarize the issues and control the information passed to their followers in order to breed division and keep the status quo.

These extreme loud-talkers are the dungeon masters of our minds, and now it seems we are footing the bill for Glenn Beck's warden salary for another five years.

Pass the bong, man. It helps when listening to Tool.