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Michelle Malkin can't tell the difference between journalists and politicians?

November 23, 2009 3:45 pm ET by Eric Boehlert

Seems odd, even for Malkin.

The right-wing blogger doesn't like the fact that among the nearly 500 times MSNBC mentioned "Palin" last week, on three of those occasions, comments were made about how Palin's fans were nearly all white. Malkin took offense. Not because the observation was inaccurate. Even Malkin doesn't claim Palin draws any real support among minorities. Instead, Malkin tries to turn the tables by pointing out MSNBC's lineup of TV hosts are really white. In fact, all-white.

Okaaaaay, and Malkin's point is what exactly? I'm all for increased diversity on TV. And I'm total agreement that all the cable news channels, including MSNBC, ought to employ more minority hosts and invite more minority guests on their shows.

But the supposedly offensive MSNBC comments made about Palin were, of course, made in the context of her being a politician and (theoretically) leading a political movement, which is all about getting votes. The MSNBC hosts and guests who commented on the all-white crowds Palin attracted last week were making a political observation. That's their job.

But Malkin, ignoring the difference between journalism and politics, thinks its hypocritical and unfair for pundits to talk about Palin's all-white crowds if the pundits themselves are also white, or work for a cable channel whose hosts are white. Or something like that.

Just curious, does Malkin think pundits shouldn't comment on economics unless their a economists, and foreign policy unless they used to work at the State Dept.? Or is it just race specifically, and pundits aren't allowed to comment on how Palin's fans are all-white unless the pundits themselves are minorities? 

Seems like Malkin's pushing to be the new PC police chief.

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    • Author by wzwriter (November 23, 2009 3:53 pm ET)
      3  
      If this is the case, then starting now Michelle Malkin can only comment about people of Phillipine ancestry......
      Report Abuse
    • Author by jcamp (November 23, 2009 3:54 pm ET)
      3  
      This is not a new accusation from Malkin. She is right, the commentators on MSNBC are all white. Their ethnicities have never really been established, except for Chris Matthews, who reveals everything about himself at all times.

      I have a problem with Malkin's claim that non-economists are not qualified to comment on economics, or non-political scientists not being qualified to comment on politics. What exactly are her qualifications to discuss anything besides right-wing blogging? She is clearly not knowledgeable about either economics or politics herself, so who is she to challenge anyone else's qualifications?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MickD (November 23, 2009 3:59 pm ET)
      2  
      Malkin gets paid to express whatever agenda her overlords want to push (I'm sure there is an approval process). She thinks, with the protection of her "people" and the cash cushion she has that no one will push back. Sorry, MM, to burst your insulated bubble.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by overmars jr. (November 23, 2009 4:06 pm ET)
      4  
      Has she ever made a lick of sense? Even once, as a novelty? I do not recall that ever being her modus operandi.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Wrangler (November 23, 2009 4:14 pm ET)
          8
        She makes a lot of sense but only intelligent people are able to understand her. Lols.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Wrangler (November 23, 2009 4:20 pm ET)
          7
        She makes a lot of sense but, only intelligent people are able to understand her. Lols.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by MickD (November 23, 2009 4:36 pm ET)
          2  
          If you put yourself in that vaulted category, you're obviously not intelligent enough to keep repeating yourself.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by bilbo_dies (November 23, 2009 4:45 pm ET)
        1  
        Malkin is a good example of what I term the "closed mind syndrome".

        I like to think that I have an open mind on most subjects and am open to debate on them. If you can convince me that your opinion makes more sense than mine I will admit it, and change my opinion.

        Malkin appears to be of the other type, those who have made up their minds, are positive that they are correct, and can not be convinced otherwise, regardless of the data.

        Sad to say, there are a lot of them out there.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (November 23, 2009 4:49 pm ET)
          1  
          Malkin is a good example of what I term the "closed mind syndrome".

          She's a better example of the Empty Mind Syndrome.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by epkklk851 (November 23, 2009 4:39 pm ET)
      1  
      Well, I guess I can't comment on this because I am white, too. Years ago, I had a friend who was Jewish. Not many people knew that and she claimed she didn't look Jewish. She used to go to parties and listen to people talk and she claimed that when people didn't know there was a Jew present, they talked about Jews very differently. I have seen some of this for myself, even though I don't have to practice any deception. I am not now, nor have I ever been, Jewish, but my husband and children are. And some people will say things about Jews when no Jews are present that they would not say to someone's face. The same goes with race. I think that a lot of Sarah's followers are uncomfortable with Jews, Muslims, and people of other races. They may not really be aware of this, but then again, maybe they just don't care, but they don't want their discomfort exposed, either. Michelle is a mean person, when she talks to or about liberals, she spits her words. I try to ignore her.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by achrispage6992 (November 23, 2009 4:53 pm ET)
      1  
      Has anyone ever watched the Dave Chappelle show where he does the skit of a blind black man who is a member of the KKK? Does the shoe fit Ms. Malkin?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by pros2pros2940 (November 23, 2009 5:19 pm ET)
      1  
      Malkin only has a job due to her ethnicity
      Report Abuse
    • Author by RustyJones (November 23, 2009 9:43 pm ET)
         
      Okaaaay, maybe Malkin's point is people should practice what they preach. I mean Eric, you CLAIM you're all for more minority hosts on cable including MSNBC, why not act like it rather than the much easier attack on your potlitical enemy? And is there that much of a difference between "leading a political movement" and presenting the viewpoints of a nation, or does MSNBC only claim to represent the views of a certain segment of society?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by political_left-religious_right (November 24, 2009 11:22 am ET)
         
      If an African American had made the observation, instead of MSNBC hosts, wouldn't Malkin and others being singling him/her out for "reverse racism," whatever that means?
      Report Abuse

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