Monday, May 4, 2009

Too nice to tweet

Redbud3 It was way too nice a day to sit in front of the computer, so I've done very little on here. I'll get around to everyone, but don't expect much in the way of comments! I didn't do much more with Twitter today, and have a feeling that I won't dive into it like I did blogging or Facebook. Maybe next winter, but not when it's a beautiful day!

After a little shopping and a few chores, I was finally able to use my new chair and sit out on the deck! It was even warm enough that I was able to put on the bikini I bought this morning. (I don't wear them when we're at the beach--I'm a boardshorts kinda gal--but if it's just me and the birds, I don't care.) I had a magazine and a cool amber beverage, and it was very pleasant. Once I got the chair set up, that is...I struggled for five minutes with the stupid thing, and I'm lucky it didn't fold up and bite my hand off. It's quite comfy, though, and I'm glad I got a couple of them. And don't worry, I didn't spend too long out there. I don't like to burn!

I won't feel right if I don't write something at least a little substantive, so I'll mention a Facebook discussion I incited started. I posted a story about how Faux News was whining that they didn't get called on to ask a question at the President's press conference the other night...the same press conference that Faux decided not to air, running "Lie to Me" instead. (I love the show, but I'd rather watch a press conference.) To every action there is a reaction, and to every decision there are consequences. For whatever reason, Fox (okay, I'll stop calling it Faux) chose not to air the press conference, despite the fact that the President had some important things to say about the flu outbreak. As a result of their decision, the President didn't call on any of their reporters. End of story, so stop whining.

My pal Dirk brought up the fact that CNN and other "mainstream media" outlets are far from "fair and balanced," as Fox claims to be, and their liberal bias is obvious. I can't really argue with that--I watch CNN and MSNBC, because they have a definite liberal slant. Not arguing is quite a breakthrough, because Dirk and I don't agree on much when it comes to politics! We agree to disagree. But the thing about CNN and MSNBC is that they don't have "fair and balanced" as their tagline. Everyone knows that they tend to lean to the left, although I find their actual reporting (as opposed to opinion shows) to be quite fair and balanced. For Fox to claim that they are "fair and balanced" is utterly laughable to me. They obviously can't stand the President, to the point where they didn't show his press conference, although it's considered to be part of networks' duties to show coverage of Presidential speeches and press conferences so that our populace can be informed.

Frankly, I think it was disrespectful, and a virtual "slap in the face" to the President. I'd say that the President issued a little smackdown of his own when he didn't call on any of Fox's reporters. And Fox has the nerve to whine about it? Cry me a river!

26 comments:

  1. I love it how conservatives whine about the President ignoring Faux "News" when the network is totally dedicated to destroying him. Faux is simply a Wingnut propaganda outlet, and it's management, staff, and viewers want nothing more than Obama to fail (or worse).

    So why shouldn't President Obama ignore them? Isn't that what you do to inconsequential nuisances?

    XOXOXOXOXO

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  2. Ok, stepping outside of partisan politics - and you know you and I disagree on the Prez - I don't think it's any networks 'duty' to cover every national speech and press conference. I'm not speaking legally, as I'm not an expert on the FCC, but ethically - especially when the President is a fan of facetime and will no doubt rack up the # of appearances over the years. In this day and age there are any number of media outlets presenting the conference/speech/messages and even if there weren't I'd argue that, barring an FCC regulation saying they must do so, it would be a violation of the first amendment to force feed any politician's statements on the nation. When its a matter of true importance, they'll show it.

    Picking and choosing what reporters you'll use as a reward/punishment may be practical politics, but rather petty.

    Back to partisan politics - I always thought Fox was 'fair and balanced' not in their reporting, but by the fact that their tip to the right 'balances' out the Left lean of CNN and the pack.

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  3. Beth, I really don't see a difference between CNN and Fox. Both at times are balance, other times, bias. CNN hated Mr.Bush and there is no love lost between Mr. Obama and Fox. It would be nice to have one News Channel that can report the news and not take sides politialy.
    But then, again I'm a former Nanny and have been known to encourage to play nicely.

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  4. I blog & I have a small for-pay advice job I do on a site that used to belong to AOL(Hearst now), that is more than enough for me on the Net. I don't need Facebook or Twitter. The concept of Twitter hits me a little add, & I like to focus on the somewhat longer entries in blogs.

    Glad you had a good, summy, adult beverage & bikini day. ~Mary

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  5. ioh please, pretty pretty please continue to call Faux News just that...i sit and giggle my ass off reading that word..why? Because i love your humor....and i think it is AWESOME that our President did not give them a chance to ask a question. Go, Obama!

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  6. Yea! Your day on the deck sounds great!!! Did you see any new visitors?

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  7. I saw your Facebook post and the comments to it. I hadn't realized Fox wasn't going to air the press conference. If they weren't airing it, why did they even have reporters there? I guess they were planning on reporting on it during a news program, but not airing the whole conference? I guess the President has the right to decide whom he calls on or doesn't call on.

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  8. Not cool, he is OUR leader, and there must be a certain amount of respect that accompanies that.

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  9. Well, look at you. Ever since you bought that calculator and your head is not cluttered up with pesky numbers, you can even put a lawn chair up. It's baby steps, Beth, baby steps!

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  10. FOX can go scratch. I seem to recall Bush ignoring Helen Thomas (who used to ask the first question of each PC as a due to her seniority) and they all thought it was great.

    Do as I say, not as I do.

    I can't get the concept of Twitter. My attention span is short enough as it is.

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  11. I think that Fox has been hit or miss on the Presidential Press Conferences before this one ... anywho, you are right. No one else makes the claim to be 'fair and balanced' and then come across as slanted as that channel does.

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  12. I'm glad that you got to enjoy the weather today. = )

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  13. I should be sitting outside in my lawn chair protecting my new tulips. The cops have been over there twice in the last 24 hours. I'm dying to know what's going on.

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  14. faux news. good one. read the franken book "lies and the lying liars that tell them' next time you pull out the lawn chair and the amber beverages.... here's why faux was there? to get snippets of the press conference that they can use totally and completely out of context as leads for rush and his evil twin, sean hannity.

    sheeee-it. this girl for one minute has never pretended to be 'fair' or' unbiased' about her dislike for faux. hate on beth, hate on!

    xxalainaxx

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  15. Hi Beth, I do not watch Fox News or CNN as I don't have cable or Sky here in the UK, but I think that a lot of so-called "private" TVs put together and dismantle news as they like it. I've learnt not to take all what is said on tv not too seriously, as it can be very disappointing. Hope you've enjoyed the beautiful day! Back to cold and rainy here...Ciao. A.

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  16. I also thought it was a slap in the face to the president.
    You know, we all used to think we wanted unbiased news coverage. It's been drilled into our heads that that is what's right. But the fact is, those who choose to follow news on TV are choosing the two networks with clear political bias. The loser is CNN, which, compared to the others, comes across less politicized.
    I'm ready for a fourth news network!

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  17. Fox News is the same to me as being gagged by the fist of a ten ton gorilla shoved down my throat, yanking out my intestines and kicking me in the nads all at the same time.

    I refuse to watch it. Refuse. If there's any way I can avoid it, I will. I will even more around in doctor's offices if they have that crap on.

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  18. I am hear for now Beth but ya never know when that thing acts up. It sounds like you had a beautiful relaxing day, better than I did for sure but you can bet I will win. I agree with you for President Obama. I saw a little of an interview with Barbra Walters and Rush Limbaugh. He is such a unlikable guy.

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  19. The thing is there used to be a time where the news was truly that - news. These days it's based on forced opinions. Miss the days when there was actually something on the news you could take for granted. (Hugs)Indigo

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  20. Damn. I read your entry. Enjoyed myself. Got a comment brewing, scanned through your comments to make sure I didn't repeat and BAM, I was completely distracted by your bent over backwards, worshiping stalker.

    R~

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  22. Hi Beth,
    You describing your fight with the chair brought a visual to mind of Snoopy fighting with the lawn chair and the chair fighting back in one of the Peanuts TV specials! :}

    Thanks for the link to my journal - I really appreciate it. You ARE one of my favorite sparring partners, & for those reading this, we agree to disagree all the time & that's fine. I value & enjoy the friendship I have with you & Ken.

    I loved Slapinions' take - Fox's lean to the right "balances" the CNN's sway to the left!

    Glad you're having a nice day there - been raining almost nonstop for days here - enjoy!

    Dirk
    THE FIRST AMENDMENT, NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT II
    http://tsalagiman2.blogspot.com/

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  23. Can you send some of that nice weather my direction? :-)

    I don't watch Fox News. I do wish we had a place to get unbiased news, the way it's SUPPOSED to be.

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  24. I'd say it was completely fair of Obama not to call on Fox News after their refusal to air the press conference. As you said, airing a Presidential news conference is a public service. Their petulance was a slap in the face to the American people.

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  25. I don't understand how anyone can have so much disdain for the president. If he were a republican, I would like him, even though I'm a democrat. He has a great deal of charm and character. I sit watching his press conferences with a glazed over look that only school girls get watching the latest hunky celebrity. I think the general population is as taken in by him as I am. If nothing else, that alone will bring us closer to the rest of the world, in a way that Bush never could have done.
    Love
    Jamie

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  26. Your day sounds perfect to me....except of course for fighting with your chair for a few minutes. I got burnt to a crisp last weekend while I was out mowing. I didn't think the sun was that intense, oh well.

    I won't be popular with you but I was thrilled and hooted out loud that Fox didn't air the Press Conference. I was livid at the thought of missing Idol. It had nothing to do with the Prez himself.....I never watch any of them.

    Here is my take - nothing nor anyone should be forced on anyone. I don't care about which network did what, my point is, if a person is interested in watching it they can see it on another channel so why insist everyone air it. I don't know if this makes any sense but I know what I am thinking. ;)

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?