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Higher Logic · 08-01-2006, 09:19 PM

If the WMD story wasn't enough for you, then this ought to be a good read.

Quote:

"We're covering the story from every angle!" enthused a Fox News anchor Friday, as Rupert Murdoch's all-news channel, like CNN and MSNBC, went wall-to-wall covering the latest round of violence in the Middle East. Despite that hype, Fox News has pointedly refused to cover every angle of the bloody, on-going story and in the process has walked away from professional journalism and crossed over into dutiful propaganda; a dangerous new chapter even for Fox News.

Based on a review of the blatantly one-sided collection of guests and experts FNC has booked to discuss the conflict recently, it's obvious Fox News has opted to present an hermetically sealed version of events from the Middle East and spoon feed its viewers a preschool-like account of the news. Fox News has moved beyond the warmongering it trademarked during the run-up to the Iraq war in 2003 and slipped into a conscious, company-wide decision to purposely cordon off topics of discussion.

That the Middle East battle is told primarily through the eyes of Israelis is not surprising. American news organizations have more resources inside Israel, better sources within the Israeli government and most Americans clearly sympathize with the Israelis in their never-ending conflict with Arabs. And Fox News has certainly had its thumb on the scale. Last week Bill O'Reilly warned about a coming Holocaust. And during one of the endlessly looping FNC conversation about Iran's alleged puppet-like manipulation of Hezbelloh, Fox News' on-screen text asked, "Are Saddam Hussein's WMDs Now in Hezbollah's Hands?"

But what's been startling about Fox's overall coverage, and especially the roster of guests it has hosted, is that it obliterates the traditionally tilted American media stance and crosses over into something else entirely. Following Bush's lead of openly picking sides in the Middle East conflict and chucking the notion of acting as an honest broker, FNC has decided there is no 'other side' of the story to report on. Not if you look at the collections of experts FNC has invited on the air.

My tabulation is by no means exact, but covering a roughly six-day period covering late last week, I identified, via TVEyes.com, more than 100 guests who appeared on FNC to discuss the current Middle East violence. Of those 100, I counted less than ten who raised serious questions about Israel's military assault which, to date, has killed nearly 400 Lebanese, or questioned America's strident support for Israel or its slow-motion approach to diplomacy. And it's not as if there isn't a wider debate going on regarding the Middle East. According to a recent CNN poll, a clear plurality of Americans last week thought Israel should agree to a cease-fire as soon as possible, a position rejected by Washington, D.C., Jerusalem and Fox News.

Of those 100 on-air FNC guests, I counted fewer than five Muslims during that six-day span who were invited on-air to raise doubts about the Israeli offensive, or even to give a Muslim or Arab perspective on events. Finding a Muslim to discuss the Middle East on Fox News is almost as difficult as finding a woman; I found less than five among the more than 100 guests. In fact, I could not find a single, authentic, independent expert on Arab politics and history who appeared on Fox News to discuss the roots of the escalating violence. Not one.

HL: You have to admit that was funny

While FNC could not, or would not, find experts to give an Arab perspective to the ongoing tumult, Fox News programs have been positively brimming with rich details provided by Israelis, who clearly enjoy an open door policy at FNC. Indeed, the Fox News green room and satellite feeds have been elbow-to-elbow with Israelis, including former prime ministers Benjamin Netanyahu (repeatedly) and Ehud Barak, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman (repeatedly), Israel ambassador Daniel Ayalon, Yossi Olmert, the bother of Israel's current prime minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner, Israel's consul general in New York Arye Mekel (repeatedly), and former Israeli United Nations ambassador Dore Gold (repeatedly). Not to mention former U.S. ambassadors to Israel Martin Indyk, Ned Walker, and Dennis Ross (repeatedly).

Perhaps the only institution better represented on FNC than the Israeli government has been the Israel Defense Force. Fox viewers have been briefed by IDF spokesman Capt. Ishai David, IDF reserve Hesky Hutscher, IDF Capt. Eric Snyder, Staff Sgt. Adam Harmon, Ret. IDF Brig. Gen. Yehil Gozal, IDG Capt. Guy Spigelman, former IDF commando Aaron Cohen and Ret. Lt. Col. Gal Luft.

Of course, FNX has made lots of room for far-right, pro-war press partisans such as Bill Kristol, Charles Krauthammer, Rich Lowry, Ann Coulter, Dick Morris, Mort Zuckerman, New York Post columnist Ralph Peters, and radio talk show host Michael Gallagher. FNC also trotted out the same pro-war policy wonks who got almost everything wrong about the U.S. invasion of Iraq; Frank Gaffney, former CIA director James Woolsey, and Newt Gingrich. They were joined by anti-Arab activists Steve Emerson (repeatedly) and Daniel Pipes (repeatedly).

And then there was the scrum of military and terrorism experts—the same pro's FNC paraded on-camera before the invasion of Iraq—who, nearly to a man, explained how Israel was taking exactly the correct approach and how much firepower was required to finish Hezbelloh off.

Taken in context, there's nothing wrong with FNC inviting any of those individual guests on for a robust debate about the Middle East troubles. The shocking part is that there's basically nobody on the other side taking part in the FNC-sponsored debate. And by the other side I don't mean terrorists from Hezbelloh, but simply including Lebanese officials or Arab experts to offer a different, non-Israeli perspective.

Things are so skewed on Fox that when Israel does come under rare scrutiny, it's from the conservative right. The Post's Ralph Peters and Daniels Pipes, for instance, both suggested Israel could have avoided the current bloodshed if they hadn't been so 'soft' on its Arab enemies in previous years. (Enemies Peters graphically described as "termites.")

On Monday night, FNC's Greta Van Susteren invited Israel ambassador Daniel Ayalon on the show for one of the cable channel's signature, simplistic and patently dishonest discussions about Middle East turmoil; turmoil that has waged for the better part of a half-a-century and been rooted in deep religious, political and geographical conflicts that have reeked havoc inside Israel as well as accounted for untold damage to Israel's Arab neighbors. Van Susteren cut to the chase: "Why do they hate you so much" she asked. In respone, Ayalon told Van Suteren Islamic radicals wanted to use the Middle East as a springboard to turn America into an Islamic country, that Israel's sweeping military attack on Lebanon was for the Lebanon's own good, and that Arabs have been "brain washed."

The same might be said of Fox News viewers these days.

HL: Ok, now that was funny!

Source

***rick*** · 08-01-2006, 11:17 PM

Hey now! Is this directed at anyone in particular?!?

I resemble that remark!

Higher Logic · 08-02-2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick

Hey now! Is this directed at anyone in particular?!?

I resemble that remark!

You resemble that remark? Tell me, Rick, how does one resemble a remark

Just fucking with ya! On a serious note though, nah, that wasn't directed at you, although you do love your Fox news. I watch it for the sheer amazement and awe that others actually watch and believe what they say.

2point4 · 08-02-2006, 02:17 AM

I agree. I watch FNC cause it pisses me off. In fact, in a recent post, you can hear me say something to the effect of, "Sean Hannity deserves a smack upside his head".

And he does. And so does Bill O'Reilly for being a pussy and letting Condoleeza Rice skirt around every question he asked.

...and so does Alan Colmes for talking to Hannity.

Higher Logic · 08-02-2006, 06:05 AM

Bill is the worst, but what I really fucking hate is how Alan, the "liberal," is some skinny ass, ugly, cannot-stand-up-for-himself tool and they portray Hannity, the "Republican," as a handsome, big, strong aggressive guy. If I was there I would bitch slap Alan for being such a pussy and tell Hannity to fuck off. You don't even wanna know what I'd do to Bill

**dedbr** · 08-02-2006, 08:52 AM

intrigued. I may watch this news show just to identify the talking heads you guys are talking about....

It sounds fun....

Some Where In Rick Land.......

MarcEmory4Prez · 08-28-2006, 03:33 AM

I watch several news stations in order to get a well rounded idea of whats happening. The interesting thing about this conflict was there was NO coverage of the Hezbelloh line. Oh the media was embedded with the Israeli army but why no coverage of the terrorist side, other than a few missile shots.
This all started as a result of a kidnapping. I read today that the terrorist leader now regrets kidnapping the soldiers. He didn't think Israel would tear up Lebanon like they did.

Higher Logic · 08-28-2006, 04:39 AM

Yeah, that's the way to do it. Watch a little bit of each station, your local news, read some of the papers, and definately check the blogs and internet news.

Explicit · 08-28-2006, 10:24 AM

If I were to encounter Bill O'Reily or Sean Hannity in a secluded location I would rape them. Being heterosexual and against rape in any form I would be severly scarred by said encounter but I fully feel they would deserve it and I would wear my scarring with pride knowing I delivered justice for the rest of the sane people in the United States of America.

MarcEmory4Prez · 08-28-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explicit

If I were to encounter Bill O'Reily or Sean Hannity in a secluded location I would rape them. Being heterosexual and against rape in any form I would be severly scarred by said encounter but I fully feel they would deserve it and I would wear my scarring with pride knowing I delivered justice for the rest of the sane people in the United States of America.

Why do you got to hate on people who differ with you? If you got to beat up someone because their views are different than yours, then your point of view must be the weaker one, because you now feel the need to suppress his view with violence.

08-01-2006, 11:17 PM	#2
*rick* Developer/Admin Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 1,261 Grams: 50,540.29 Groans: 3 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 172 Thanked 283 Times in 101 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: -1.000%	hahaha! Hey now! Is this directed at anyone in particular?!? I resemble that remark! __________________ Marijuana.com is Proudly Hosted by Crucial Web Host, Ltd.

08-02-2006, 08:52 AM	#6
dedbr Always Faithful Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 6,942 Grams: 35,482.90 Groans: 11 Groaned at 22 Times in 15 Posts Thanks: 2,469 Thanked 2,284 Times in 1,031 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I am.... intrigued. I may watch this news show just to identify the talking heads you guys are talking about.... It sounds fun.... Some Where In Rick Land....... __________________ "We have met the enemy, and he is us" .......... Pogo (for Prez...) Remember to check out our most wonderful Posting Guidelines!

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08-02-2006, 02:17 AM	#4
2point4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 591 Grams: 1,864.30 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I agree. I watch FNC cause it pisses me off. In fact, in a recent post, you can hear me say something to the effect of, "Sean Hannity deserves a smack upside his head". And he does. And so does Bill O'Reilly for being a pussy and letting Condoleeza Rice skirt around every question he asked. ...and so does Alan Colmes for talking to Hannity.

08-02-2006, 06:05 AM	#5
Higher Logic Web Developer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6,123 Grams: 5,802.38 Groans: 3 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 2 Thanked 58 Times in 33 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Bill is the worst, but what I really fucking hate is how Alan, the "liberal," is some skinny ass, ugly, cannot-stand-up-for-himself tool and they portray Hannity, the "Republican," as a handsome, big, strong aggressive guy. If I was there I would bitch slap Alan for being such a pussy and tell Hannity to fuck off. You don't even wanna know what I'd do to Bill

08-28-2006, 03:33 AM	#7
MarcEmory4Prez New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 30 Grams: 668.75 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I watch several news stations in order to get a well rounded idea of whats happening. The interesting thing about this conflict was there was NO coverage of the Hezbelloh line. Oh the media was embedded with the Israeli army but why no coverage of the terrorist side, other than a few missile shots. This all started as a result of a kidnapping. I read today that the terrorist leader now regrets kidnapping the soldiers. He didn't think Israel would tear up Lebanon like they did.

08-28-2006, 04:39 AM	#8
Higher Logic Web Developer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6,123 Grams: 5,802.38 Groans: 3 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 2 Thanked 58 Times in 33 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Yeah, that's the way to do it. Watch a little bit of each station, your local news, read some of the papers, and definately check the blogs and internet news.

08-28-2006, 10:24 AM	#9
Explicit Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 454 Grams: 2,676.25 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	If I were to encounter Bill O'Reily or Sean Hannity in a secluded location I would rape them. Being heterosexual and against rape in any form I would be severly scarred by said encounter but I fully feel they would deserve it and I would wear my scarring with pride knowing I delivered justice for the rest of the sane people in the United States of America.

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