KSFO's Rodgers accused Katrina victims of "sniveling," "whining," riding "gravy train"
SUMMARY: On his radio program, Lee Rodgers said of Hurricane Katrina refugees,
"[T]he people who have
been freeloading for two years are whining because the gravy train is slowing
down," adding, "At what point after
a disaster and personal hardship are people expected to start taking care of
themselves again? Is one hurricane supposed to be a permanent lifelong ticket
on a bleeping gravy train? Come on!"
On the August 29 broadcast of San Francisco radio station KSFO's The Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Program, co-host Lee Rodgers said: "Today, we are limiting ourselves greatly when it comes to taking part in this sentimental orgy about New Orleans on the second anniversary of [Hurricane] Katrina," adding: "They built a city in a swamp that's below sea level. Get over it." Rodgers also asserted: "I for one -- now, I'm all in favor of helping needy people, but at what point do you say, 'Hey, it's time that you people got off your asses went to work and earned your own way'? " He went on to say: "Two years later, the people who have been freeloading for two years are whining because the gravy train is slowing down," and added: "At what point after a disaster and personal hardship are people expected to start taking care of themselves again? Is one hurricane supposed to be a permanent lifelong ticket on a bleeping gravy train? Come on!"
Also on the show, after asserting, "I love New Orleans. ... I had some very happy times
there," Rodgers asked: "Save New
Orleans? For what?" adding, "Now they got the French
Quarter up and running again. OK, fine. It's a theme park, but that's what it's
been for years anyway. The rest of it's a sewer." Co-host Melanie Morgan
responded by asserting: "[T]hey're trying to fix the unfixable in the rest of
the city and in the mean time every politician in the country is pandering,
spending billions of dollars and putting it in what? A rat hole." Rodgers
also suggested: "Keep the parts of New
Orleans that are above sea level, or at least closer to sea level, as a theme park, which is what it's been to
many people anyway," adding, in reference to the French Quarter: "It's a theme
park with booze."
Blogger "Spocko" noted the comments by Rodgers and Morgan in a September 15 post. Spocko further noted that, on the August 30 edition of the show, Rodgers similarly asserted, in reference to the New Orleans refugees: "But two years later, for God's sake, people, solve your own bleeping problems, we're sick of hearing about you," adding: "Maybe those people down there ought to stop their sniveling and whining and watch an example of self-reliance right there in their own community." Later on that show, Rodgers asserted: "I don't wanna hear anymore of this crap from people in Louisiana saying 'Gimme, gimme, gimme.' Shut the hell up. Solve your own problems. It's been two years, grow up."
As Media Matters for America has documented, Rodgers and Morgan have a history of inflammatory comments:
- In an April 20 column for the conservative website WorldNetDaily, Morgan compared Media Matters for America to the Virginia Tech gunman who killed 32 people before shooting himself to death. Morgan wrote: "Like that mentally unbalanced and angry gunman at Virginia Tech, they'll methodically march through the domiciles of the conservative movement, targeting the movement's leaders for career elimination -- until and unless we stand up and fight back against their campaign of mayhem against conservative leaders and causes." Morgan also attacked Media Matters as "left-wing free speech Nazis."
- On February 8, KSFO Morning Show hosts Morgan, Rodgers, and Tom Benner, known on the show as Officer Vic, repeated and expanded upon the false accusation that billionaire philanthropist and progressive financier George Soros collaborated with the Nazis as a 14-year-old boy in Hungary. Rodgers claimed that Soros "apparently very cheerfully and willingly went to work for the Nazis," and Officer Vic added that "he just kind of complied willingly," while Morgan alleged -- without explanation -- that Soros did so "[i]n order to further his own career."
- On the November 14, 2006, broadcast of The Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Program, Morgan said, "We've got a bull's-eye painted on her big, wide laughing eyes," referring to then-House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). On the November 20 broadcast of the show, Morgan again asserted that "it's time to put the bull's-eye" on Pelosi.
- According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Morgan asserted in June 2006 that if New York Times executive editor Bill Keller "were to be tried and convicted of treason" for the Times' publication of an article about a Treasury Department program designed to monitor international financial transactions for terrorist activity, she "would have no problem with him being sent to the gas chamber."
From the August 29 edition of KSFO's The Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Program:
RODGERS: I just started to say: Today, the news is and will be full of stories about the second anniversary of Katrina. I love New Orleans. In the days of my misspent youth, I left part of my liver in New Orleans. It's a very -- I had some very happy times there. Love the music, love the whole ambiance. I once turned down a job in New Orleans because at that time I knew it would destroy me. There was just too much fun to be had.
MORGAN: Oh, well, what a level of self-awareness.
RODGERS: Yeah. Yeah. There was just too much fun. It's a great place to visit. But it is time, I think, that we took an unsentimental view of the reality. Did you know that parts of New Orleans where some these silly people are trying to rebuild houses are 14 feet below sea level and sinking by another inch every year? And nothing has been done, really, that would prevent another Katrina. Nothing. Now, where in God's name is the logic about trying to rebuild a city in a location like that? Let's do the logical thing: blame the French, who built it there in the first place, just say it's another piece of French stupidity, and move on. You know, keep the parts of New Orleans that are above sea level, or at least closer to sea level, as a theme park, which is really what it's been to a lot of people for many years anyway. It's a theme park with booze -- the French Quarter --
MORGAN: Yes.
RODGERS: -- and get past that. And I for one -- now, I'm all in favor of helping needy people, but at what point do you say, "Hey, it's time you people got up off your asses, went to work, and earned your own way"? Two years later, here -- Dallas Morning News, some of the refugees from New Orleans were settled in Dallas, and the community had an outpouring of generosity and they were giving them all kinds of freebies, housing, so on and so forth.
MORGAN: Yeah.
RODGERS: Two years later, the people who have been freeloading for two years are whining because the gravy train is slowing down.
MORGAN: Oh, no! That's terrible.
RODGERS: It says -- I'm looking here at The Dallas Morning News, says "Hurricane Katrina relief, once an outpouring of support for evacuees displaced in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has slowed down to a trickle on the second anniversary of the storm. While official figures are available, an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 evacuee households," people from New Orleans and vicinity, "still call North Texas home, and countless evacuees still need help paying for basic necessities such as rent and utilities."
Ah, at what point after a disaster and personal hardship are people expected to start taking care of themselves again? Is one hurricane supposed to be a permanent lifelong ticket on a bleeping gravy train? Come on!
[...]
RODGERS: Today, we are limiting ourselves greatly when it comes to taking part in this sentimental orgy about New Orleans today on the second anniversary of Katrina.
MORGAN: Yes.
RODGERS: They built a city in a swamp that's below sea level. Get over it.
MORGAN: Yes, and they are led by ridiculously liberal and incompetent and corrupt political power people.
RODGERS: Yeah, sure. And I mean -- and that's the kind of people they elect. There is something to the old saying that people deserve the kind of government they get. Well, that's the kind of people they elect in New Orleans and largely in the state of Louisiana. But it was two years ago today that Katrina came to visit New Orleans. Alex Stone, ABC News, covered the aftermath in the days following the storm, and he is back in New Orleans today as part of the media herd.
[begin audio clip]
STONE: The New Orleans police department is struggling to keep up. Headquarters is still in FEMA trailers. And there's not enough money to buy bulletproof vests or new patrol cars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're not pleased with the progress, nor are we satisfied of where we actually are.
STONE: Sergeant Joe Narcee [ph] says he and his fellow officers are making do, but things are so bad that when the one bathroom inside the headquarters trailer is locked after hours, it means officers have to use the bathroom at a local gas station. Alex Stone, ABC News, New Orleans.
[end audio clip]
RODGERS: Two years later, and they can't even get something like that fixed. Save New Orleans? For what? Now they got the French Quarter --
MORGAN: For another hurricane.
RODGERS: -- now they got the French Quarter up and running again. OK, fine. It's a theme park, but that's what it's been for years anyway. The rest of it's a sewer.
MORGAN: Well, the French Quarter wasn't even that badly hit. I mean --
RODGERS: No, because it's on higher ground.
MORGAN: Exactly, so there wasn't much of a problem there to begin with. But they're trying to fix the unfixable in the rest of the city, and in the meantime, every politician in the country is pandering, spending billions of dollars, and putting it in what? A rat hole.
RODGERS: These transplanted New Orleanians -- "Oh, it's my home, I gotta go back." No, you don't. People have moved all over the world throughout human history. You can do it, too. Get off your butt and go to work.
Insensitive comments, yes, but only because of the broad sweep of them. I do think that they reflect the growing sentiment that there needs to be some sort of plan, some kind of benchmarked time-frame for reconstruction to be complete.
Fix the levies first.
Insensitive comments, yes. It is so reassuring that this Melanie broad and those wonderful he-men around her can articulate such fine gems of wisdom. Makes their Republan followers all warm and fuzzy. But have a blogger write the truth about them and they get their panties in an uproar...I am only speaking of the he-men.
But, fix the levees first...PRICELESS
Yeah, heaven forbid that the government should actually come through with it's promises and fix something! Are republicans just becoming stupid? They can't follow through on their commitments, they just threw away the black and latino vote by refusing to show up at sponsored debates, and they just love calling people names. Boy, y'all sure know how to draw a crowd...
They sure didn't have the black vote to throw away. Their main strategy with the black vote in fact is to throw it away.
Sun,
I believe that just wish we wouldn't show up for the polls at all. In fairness Mehlman made an effort to reach out for the AA vote, but his fellow Republicans including some very prominent public voices undermined his efforts. Now the Hispanic vote was in play for them, but I told my daughter about two years ago that the slight shift of Hispanic voters towards the GOP wasn't going to last. They are being insulted away. These same people that believe the Blacks vote is dispensable seem to feel the same way about the Hispanic vote, which could only explained why they y well lets say keep making at best insensitive to blatant xenophobic remarks they make about Hispanics. You know all those browning of America type remarks.Those are my wifes' thoughts as well. She's getting pretty tired of the right asking for money out of one side of their mouths while they denounce her hispanic roots out the other side.
I can't believe how careful everyone thinks they have to be about the racist vote. We're just supposed to pretend that there isn't such a thing. Apparently as we've eliminated most of the institutional racism in America all of the personal feelings simply vanished in a generation. It's like magic! Clearly there are still racists in huge numbers and they vote. If a party makes moves to specifically target that demographic by playing on those feelings that are essentially a disease, they should be called out on it.
Of course a Democratic politician trying to point out anything in this regard will quickly be accused of 'playing the race card,' as though talking about race in connection with politics is simply irrelevant. To the party of Strom Thurmond, willing to pull 'Willie Horton' tactics it's pretty important that we don't talk openly about race but rather pretend it's not really an issue and make underhanded references to it instead. The shift of the old 'Southern Democrats' to the GOP since Thurmond made that switch is a pretty traceable phenomenon. Maybe they've all been cured in the last couple of decades?
And no, it's not a straw man. I'm not saying all Republicans are racist. But there is evidence to suggest that many racists may be voting Republican. Call it a hunch.
And no, it's not a straw man. I'm not saying all Republicans are racist. - Sundog
Just the ones they choose to elect and represent them, are. - David Cross
That was his set up, I had to follow it up.
Well, this sure isn't helping the republicans' case one bit. Why are they afraid to give DC representation? Is it because it has a large minority population? Hmmmm?
Sundog, you're da man! I love reading your comments. You're on the money as usual.
So now MMFA calls out insensitive remarks by local morning radio shows? If so, I am very impressed. ;-)
Actually it being local has no bearing on the hate that is being voiced from them on a daily basis. Good for MMFA.
Yes, but only because she, and of course Ann Coulter, speak for all conservatives, really, don cha know?
That's not too far off from the truth, Tommy. Conservatives should grow a spine and stop letting these mouthpieces represent them.
I'm doing my part.
Expect the new Giuliani commercial calling for Romney to apologize for Rogers' comments any day now.
They know their audience
The real question is, how many times a day is this type of rhetoric repeated across the country on the local talk stations? Rush Limbaugh can be thanked for this. He made racism, selfishness, and xenophobia fashionable again.
Thanks, Rush.
Nerzog,
The nut here in Pittsbugh is a guy named Quinn. Tried to listen to him to see if any sanity exists. NONE. He denounces a liberal or anything considered liberal or a Clinton every two(2) minutes. It is a shame an idiot like this exists on the radio, but, it is his right.
But if this clown can exist (by the way, his viewing audience covers the rural areas surrounding Cleveland and Pittsburgh) and spew his hate, Nerzog is right..stop all of them or voice disagreement with their hate-filled shows.
Prince, you're a better person than I. I've never been able to stomach Jim Quinn. He was better off on the Top 40 station with "Banana Don" Jefferson (now I'm dating myself, of course. But then, he was at least slightly funny.
The problem is that Conservatives allow these people to say some of the most vile things but yet complain about moveon.or, the dailykos and Rosie ODonnell.
J,
Conservatives don't allow anything, nor do liberals who don't get up and denounce every horrible thing that some liberal out there says. If sensible people went around distancing themselves from this type of stuff, it would be a full time job.
Private citizens have free speech rights and speak only for themselves. To hang their words on anyone else is unfair and unwarranted.
Tommy is right...When MoveOn put the Petraus ad in the paper, the Cons went nuts just like they did when the SwiftBoaters did the same thing to Kerry. OOPS, sorry, they kept quiet on that one. Forget I said anything.
Some Cons went nuts, I did not. Moveon.org's hideously disrespectful ad was their own......what they do is of little interest to me.
but you don't represent the republican leadership. Tell your elected officials to stand up and voice their dissatisfaction with this type of defining rhetoric.
I prefer my elected officials spend their time on substantive issues that they were elected to work on, instead of responding to inflammatory talk show hosts and just giving them more publicity.
Yeah, french fries need another new name, don't they? ;)
I prefer my elected officials spend their time on substantive issues that they were elected to work on, instead of responding to inflammatory talk show hosts and just giving them more publicity Tommy
Tommy, sorry but that's a chickensh*t way out. If we want change then we MUST demand it. When a person who claims to relate to the party you most likely vote for YOU have to request change. Rush, Sean and Melanie do not speak to an audience of Dems, they speak to and for Republicans. If Melanie spoke for Dems with this kind of bull you bet I'd be on her happy *ss. ENOUGH! Both parties have changed in many ways. I appreciate the fact that them Dems want to be closer to the middle, I DON'T appreciate that they want to move closer to Republicans just to get elected therefore I want candidates who represent what I have always liked about Dems and disliked about Republicans. I will work towards getting my party back. There is no third alternative at the moment so we the people have to demand that they come back to where most of the country is, somewhere in the middle. That song and dance about what you prefer your elected officials to do is disingenuous. YOUR party's elected officials are spending their time pandering to the Melanie, Sean and Rush's to try to raise money and retain power, not to do the work you want them to do. Can you imagine if moderate Republicans took back their party from the Rush, Sean and Melanie's of the world? I DO remember when the Republican party WAS NOT hijacked by the current racists, evangelicals nuts that appear today front and center today. Maybe you're happy with them.
Pearlene,
You can disagree but to my feelings on this disingenuous is way off base. They are my honest opinions, if you don't agree, fine.
As for who is hijacking what party, I would suggest you look to the moveon.orgs in your party and your leaders who pander to their sensibilities, and their influence, financial and otherwise, while putting their far left agendas ahead of good, decent and fair minded Democrats who want no part of their venomous control of your Democratic party.
Extremes from both parties just drag it away from the middle, independents who ultimately decide elections - it's who tugs hardest I suppose that determines who loses.
And you are free to rail against talk show hosts, I will stick to concentrating on those with legislative powers to make policy and laws......not ego driven screamers whose only interest are their fat wallets.
Ooops, (first line) >.......but to SUGGEST my feelings.....
"And you are free to rail against talk show hosts, I will stick to concentrating on those with legislative powers to make policy and laws......not ego driven screamers whose only interest are their fat wallets." Tommy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Most people can do both Tommy you just have to multi-task.
Tommy, I did not mean to suggest your feeling are disingenuous I should have said I think your actions are disingenuous. You prefer to concentrate on legislative powers of your elected officials. What drives many to vote for “legislators” who then have “legislative powers” are in some part things that are seen and heard on radio (Melanie, Rush) and TV (Bill, Sean). Is all of the Republican party like Melanie, Sean, Bill and Rush? Current Republican elected officials are pandering to those who give them money which gives them power. To do what? The will of the people? No to do the work that a small few who have $$ that controls power. I notice that you counter with talk about Moveon.org and others but you have no comment on Melanie, Sean, Rush and Bill except to say you prefer to work elsewhere which leave us back around full circle. Let’s take the Republican party since that’s the party that you relate to. You and fellow moderates have it in you to remove the Melanie, Sean and Rush’s. Is the last 6 years and the current list of Republicans candidates what you want your party to represent?. The current list of candidates cannot or will not find the b*lls to tell the truth about Junior and the last 6 years. The most McCain will do is not mention the word “B”. Does not look like much will change in the party nor in the "legislators" chosen to represent "the people".
Just a small note about Moveon.org and the ad. Did I approve of the ad, you bet. It told the truth even before the General spoke. See we knew that this report was coming and we had been told that this report would determine our actions in Iraq. The right before the report was due we find that the White House would actually write the report not the General. I don’t believe a single word from this administration. They have lied, change their story and even changed the subject all with the desire to move whatever THEIR agenda is forward, all at the expense of “we the people”. They and those who speak for them I noticed don’t tell the truth UNTIL they leave office, so no I'm sorry I don’t believe the general and the ad was appropriate IMO.
Pearlene,
Perhaps you've missed it, but I have opined plenty on Bill, and Sean, and Melanie as well as others, on these boards - so you are mistaken saying I never do.
As for the Republican party, they are also of no interest to me since I am not a member.
The title to the ad may have been disrespectful. But the rest of the ad contained factual information and made a good argument.
If your factual ad containing a good argument can't be headed by a decent headline, then the meat of the ad is suspect.
If your factual ad containing a good argument can't be headed by a decent headline, then the meat of the ad is suspect.
And if the people who speak for your side spew nohhing but lies, hatred, and innuendo, then the meat of your agenda is VERY suspect.
Ever heard of "don't judge a book by its cover"?
Even if they use a title like "General Betray us", it doesn't even come close to anything as vile and disgusting as Ann or any other right-wing bigot said to a national audience.
Tommy, my non-comment was not directed at you personally.
You are correct, but the same people who think that way are the same people calling out moderate muslims for not denouncing terrorism enough.
Tommy, you do have a point, and I know exactly how you feel. I was watching "Morning Joe" this morning and Scarborough was talking about the ridiculous comments Isah Thomas made, where he suggested that it's okay for a black man to call a black woman a b*tch but it's not okay for a white man to call a black woman the same thing. Instead of saying Thomas remarks only represented his sexist attitude, Scarborough made a huge leap and said perhaps Thomas repesented how many people of color feel towards their women -- as if sexism is only a black thang. After he said that I quickly turned to another channel and vowed to never watch Scarborough's show again. I'm sick of the media setting up a single racial/ethnic voice, and whatever that single racial/ethnic voice say or do that is morally reprehensible, this represents the entire racial population. So I can see how you feel when folks like Ann Coulter and others are used as a way to paint all conservatives as if what she says represents folks like yourself who completely disagree with her. You and other conservatives shouldn't have to explain her remarks and prove to others that you're not like her.
Then again making broad sweeping generalizations of certain groups is something that keeps our sensationalistic media alive; sadly, it's what brings in ratings.
Well said Preston.
People are responsible for their own words and actions, and should be held personally accountable for them. They do not speak for anyone else unless they have explicit permission to do so. I do hold public officials to a different standard however as sometimes they do speak and represent others, and their comments should be viewed in that context if appropriate.
Coulter and Mel Morgan no more speak for me than I do for them.
Preston:
I generally agree with you and I certainly understand why Tommy feels the way he feels, but if there is indeed a large silent majority of conservatives who feel the way that Tommy feels about the dominance of these vitriolic voices on the right not being representative of mainstream conservatism they should help put an end to this as well. They can tell these people how they are being irresponsible and that they are doing more damage than good for the conservative cause by e-mailing them directly or the outlets that feature these folks. I think that people of all political persuasions if they believe in civil debate have a responsibility to condemn this type of rhetoric and be proactive in forcing these people to behave in a civil manner if they want to be apart of mainstream discussion or send them to the margins where they belong.Oh I totally agree with you, Lynn, but to be fair, when Ann Coulter made her “John Edwards is a fa*got” remark at CPAC, many conservatives afterwards denounced her and said that she tainted the entire event with her rhetoric. Now, we can say that it really didn’t amount to anything when they denounced her comments because she is continuously invited on major networks to give political commentary. However, I guess I can see where Tommy's point on this because the media has the tendency to create spokespersons for a particular group of people, and whatever a pseudo-spokesperson says that is reprehensible, then the group the spokesperson is a member of is obligated to denounce the remarks, almost as if these members must pass a litmus test to prove that they’re morally superior than the person in question. I think that is pluralism at its worst. It’s like the example I used for Joe Scarborough, he assumed because Isaiah Thomas is black man, and an unabashed sexist, he is the representation of black men in America and their feelings towards black women. No need to conduct a study that’s scientific to prove whether black men as a whole feel the same way about women as Isaiah Thomas, all it takes is to assume that "commerical Hip Hop" and it's sexism towards women represent black men, and that we all think alike and act alike, to prove a point about our behavior. It doesn’t matter how vocal people within a group are who disagree with those who have a platform to spread their beliefs, when a sophistic idea is pushed for so long and so aggressively—especially when it’s sensationalistic and outlandish—it will always drown out those who are on the opposition that are reasonable. That’s just how our media is setup to operate.
I remember one time at the job I use to work at this one lady asked me, “I don’t like Jesse Jackson. Why do black people continue to follow him? Why did black people make him their leader?” I responded, “Jesse Jackson is MY leader? Maybe you can remind me when black folks collectively held an election to where we made Jesse Jackson our ‘leader’ and perhaps you would have a point.” In this respect I can see where Tommy is coming from, because our media does have the tendency to self-appoint “leaders” for a group, and whatever these leaders do that is morally unacceptable, then all who are black must suffer the consequences and answer for their “leaders’” actions.
So I can see where Tommy is getting at when he says that he shouldn’t have to answer to any remarks or actions of someone like Coulter: she represents herself not the entire conservative party. She may have a strong constituency among conservatives, and true, but I think it’s too easy to stereotype people because of the actions of a few.
Ugh, my grammatically errors. I'm still sleepy for staying up too late studying. :)
Yes, but only because she, and of course Ann Coulter, speak for all conservatives, really, don cha know?
If they truly don't speak for all conservatives, Tommy, then conservatives need to open their pieholes and tell these creeps to shut theirs.
And since we've heard no opposition from the right to what these people are saying and writing, we're all left with the impression that these right-wing shills are speaking for ALL conservatives.
WZ,
No more than left wing shills speak for all liberals?
Maybe we're all on the same page. If you find something objectionable go ahead and let it be known. Not that it fell along political lines, but the outrage was so intense that it got Imus kicked off the air.
If either you, your friends, or MMFA wants to orchestrate a movement to pull all talk radio off or make equal time, go ahead.
Those on the left speak the truth. Those on the right speak lies, hatred, and right-wing propaganda. It's a shame you can't see the difference.
Spoken like a true partisan shill. Thanks!
I'm sure you have a list handy of all the left wing equivelants, right? ;)
But I will concede that there might be a few that we should denounce as well. We are probably gonna be in disagreement on the scope though.
"Yes, but only because she, and of course Ann Coulter, speak for all conservatives, really, don cha know?"
By lumping all Katrina victims into one class of lazy people who won't "get off their ***es".
Where are the "real conservatives" who can tell the difference between someone milking government aid for all it's worth and someone who's been struggling to start over after seeing their home and livelihood wiped out?
If you're insisting that they exist, why aren't the "compassionate conservative" talking heads at the forefront? Why allow Ann, Melanie and their ilk to hijack the message?
Tommy
I can only assume that they speak for a sizable portion of conservatives. That’s the only thing that could explain Limbaugh and Coulter and their imitators large following among conservatives. Moreover it explains why they are featured so prominently and accessed regularly for commentary by serious news outlets. It also explains why Bush invites these people to the White house and why they are used as a tool to get out wing nut propaganda. Maybe you aren't aware of all the public accolades official Conservativedom has bestowed upon Limbaugh and others during their careers. Well Tommy, until these ignoramuses are marginalized as the extremist that they are by your fellow conservatives every insensitive, stupid, racist, homophobic utterance should continue to be pointed out by responsible voices that want to promote civil political discourse. IGNORING THEM DOESNT' WORK, IT'S ALREADY BEEN TRIED.Lynn,
The are given access and exposure to espouse their opinions, not to come on and give the all encomassing conservative response to the day's events. For the life of me I don't understand why that is so difficult to comprehend?
Using your logic and if you are consistent, then it is your obligation to denouce every liberal inflammatory viewpoint that you don't agree with.....did you stand up and rail against those that said Bush knew about 9/11, or orchestrated it? I doubt you did because you realized it was their own opinion, and nothing more.
Trying to hang the noose of somebody else's words on another is so you can falsely demonize the overall message, or the ideology within, is what this is really about. Link the hyperbole to all conservatives so they spend their time refuting it and then they won't have time for substance and real issues.....do it if you must to avoid such debate, but it does nothing to advance any issue's discussion, which ironically is what liberals claim they want, I wonder?
Drat, can't spell - They are given access........and the all encompassing......
Yes Tommy. For instance I e-mailed Real Time with Bill Maher and asked that they never ever have Mos Def on that show again. He wasn't able to contribute to any serious debate and Def's opinions (rambling conspiracy theories) were used in an attempt to pant all Liberals as loons by the usual suspects as I knew it would be. Now I don’t want to shut up Mos Def but I consider Maher’s show a serious forum for political discussion and debate and it wasn’t the place for Def’s paranoid incoherent ramblings. They have public access cable stations for that. Evidently Bill Maher felt likewise because on his show this past Friday night he spoke about these 911 conspiracy theorists at length. BTW, I write my local politicians, national politicians, newspaper and magazine columnists to compliment what I feel is good or to condemn what I feel is wrong. I haven’t suggested that you do anything that I wouldn’t do myself, but of course Tommy we are all free to do nothing if that’s what we want. But I do know that ignoring these people didn’t make them go away. There numbers grew and they became prominent regular fixtures in the MSM. Your advice on this issue isn’t good advice in my opinion and I certainly will not follow it.
Lynn,
I have not advised you to do anything, obviously if you feel compelled to offer your voice, then I admire that. Combatting constructively misinformation in hopes of advancing serious and necessary dialogue on important issues is highly commendable - I do if often in various forums and ways.
But to spend a moment's notice refuting talk show host's hyperbole and inflammatory rhetoric is not useful or time well spent for me.......I would much rather mix it up here with you and the others. :)
Of course you have given no direct advise to any individual on this board, but you usually say something like these people just want attention and if they are ignored they will go away.
Lynn,
Other people love to summarize my positions, why not just state your own?
In any event, I will clarify - I have said these talk show goons are media attention driven whores who long for relevancy, ratings and headlines, I do not deny that.
But I don't recall saying specifically that ignoring them will make them go away, what I said was highlighting them feeds their egos, gives them publicity and emboldens them even further. Ignoring them is the last thing they want, under any circumstance.
Tommy you're going over into prickly mode again and I'm not going to be drawn into that today. I've said my peice on the topic and I'm done.
Fair enough, but you took to summarizing my positions, I however, did not take it upon myself to do the same to you.
But if I am the prickly one, so be it.
If these talk show hosts are not part of the Conservative agenda, may I ask, how many Liberal hosts have been invited into the White House for private briefings? Not once...But how many times have the Cons been ushered-in? Seems a little odd.
Do you think if Hillary is elected that Hannity, or Ingraham, or Limbaugh will get a personal invite? Kind of doubt it.
My point exactly...the talking heads are in bed with the Administration but the Democrats are just supposed to be quiet. The President of ALL of the United States calls in these hacks and never does critisize them...Does he? And let's hope that the next President either R or D tries to get this country back from the Red/Blue nonsense which this Administration has helped create.
I have to agree with you there, Lynn. I lost MAJOR respect for Mos Def with his appearance on Bill Mahr's Real Time. I was shocked that someone so smart could believe such nonsense like that. And Cornel West did nothing to debunk such conspiracy theories; he sat there and nodded his head in agreement. Another reason why I marked him as a phony "intellectual." W.E.B. Dubois is probably rolling in his grave right now.
I was actually very suprised. Mos Def gave a riveting performance in Something the Lord Has Made. He's a damn fine actor but he's no deep thinker. I told my daughter about the show and she was suprised as well, but I'm not sure why we were ince I've never seen him in that kind of venue before.
In his music (I have a few of his CDs) he's a pretty deep thinker. For a rapper to know anything about the late James Baldwin, to the point where he can recite Baldwin's classic "The Fire Next Time" page to page, shows that he's a bit above the usual rappers that peddle that same garbage to sell records (e.g. Fiddy Cent and his "magic stick"). I believe the reason why Maher put him on that show because due to his music he's considered one of the best intellectual rappers on the scene. But, damn, he blew it totally when he picked up Rosie O'Donnell's mantle and ran with the whole Bush planned 9/11 conspiracy theories. He lost all my respect with that, only because someone such as himself should know better. Even REAL intellectuals like Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn aren't into the whole "Bush planned 9/11" movement. Furthermore, for Cornel West—"the best black intellectual of today," as Tavis Smiley likes to say—to sit there, nodding in agreement with Mos Def, while blabbering simplistic, black-and-white, good-and-evil theories of America, pretty much proves that despite his Harvard and Princeton credentials, he’s more of a “celebrity” than a real intellectual in the same vain as Dubois, Baldwin, Frazier, Cruse, Ellison, Wright, etc.
I agree that Mos Def's conspiracy theories were pretty cringe-worthy, but I also thought that West made a subtle effort to contextualize why a young black man would subscribe to those theories. He was sort of saying, "My man is full of it, but here are the circumstances that would lead one to come to these conclusions.
And Def even pulled out a hilariously timed punchline when West and Maher were questioning his judgement: "But I do believe in Bigfoot!" Trouble was, I think he was being sincere.
I see your point, CC, I guess I'm a bit harsh on West because I think West, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Michael Eric Dyson are extremely overrated while more thought-provoking and "serious" black intellectuals like Adolph Reed, Jr., Michael K. Brown, Charles W. Mills, Derrick Bell and Robin D.G. Kelley get sidelined when it comes to booking such guests on shows like Real Time. I get tired of the usual suspects when they offer nothing provoking, and dare I say “radical,” to the table when it comes to challenging the status quo.
But I see your point about West how he attempted to signal to Maher and the audience that Mos Def, while becoming borderline insane with his theories, is understandable how a black man like Def can come to such conclusions. I guess it’s the fact that West even had to placate that to an audience, with Def buying into such theories, that made it so disappointing for me, especially since I have a lot of respect for Mos Def as a rapper and actor.
Preston & Lynn, I'm sorry to admit that I watched for a few minutes and then turned in embarrassment. I should e-mailed Bill as you did Lynn and I think I will cause it's never to late.
The reason why I didn't turn away because I thought he was being sarcastic with his remarks, but turned out he was being serious! I was saying to myself, "C'mon, man, please don't go there!" What a letdown and disappointment from him, though. I agree with Lynn, he’s one helluva actor, but he should try to stay away of these type of venues if he’s going to propagate crackpot theories that would make Rosie O’Donnell feel ashamed.
Lynn,
Conservatives don't want to disengage themselves from these fools because to them none of what they are saying is racist, classist or homophobic. If you ever listen to AM radio (which, to my chagrin and at the cost of my mental health, I do), the vast majority of people calling in are sycophants who invariably congratulate the hosts for "callings them like they sees them". Have you ever listened to Savage? He has people postively gushing when they call him, saying he's like a father to them, all kinds of sick DSM-IV-type stuff going on. Imagine Rosie McDonald having a forum where she is endlessly congratulated for her ridiculous views. There is not even a forum where liberals can distance themselves from views like hers, but conservatives have every chance to rebuke their spokesmouths but don't. On the contrary, every call is one of support. Ergo, Rogers (and all of the other wonderful Americans of talk radio) are not "extreme", they simply reflect the desires and feelings of their mean, intolerant and A-hole listenership. And they do this very well.
It is in a huge metro area and probably broadcasts to many other areas through syndication. Melanie Morgan has appeared on the cable news networks.
And besides, I don't think it's the size of their market that counts, it's the size of the B.S. they're spewing.
"So now MMFA calls out insensitive remarks by local morning radio shows? If so, I am very impressed. ;-)"
You must be new around here.
I wonder if either of these low-lifes ever filed as claim after an earthquake.....
I'm betting Melanie mOrgan tried to get some bucks to pay for her gambling addiction.
Yeah, those victims have it so easy. They're livin' it up in those diseased FEMA trailers in the middle of some parking lot. Seems to me they went from the Big Easy to Easy street.
"spending billions of dollars, and putting it in what? A rat hole."
Gee, for a minute there, I thought she was talking about Iraq...
Funny, (but offensive to Iraqis.)
And I for one -- now, I'm all in favor of helping needy people, but at what point do you say, "Hey, it's time you people got up off your asses, went to work, and earned your own way"?
It's a fair question. Is there a cut-off point for able-bodied needy folks to be told, "Enough?"
MMFA I believe is stretching a little on this story. Conservative misinformation? No. I just see a couple of jerks expressing a simple-minded opinion.
Nice name.
Tha nks.
MMFA I believe is stretching a little on this story. Conservative misinformation?
Actually it is misinformation. There are people in Florida who are still living in FEMMA trailers and seeking assistance from hurricanes that happened a lot longer than 2 years ago. Notice Melanie did not tell them to stand up on their on and get a life. Why should they be allowed to pretend that the only people seeking ad from hurricanes are the people of New Orleans?
They were speaking about hurricane Katrina victims, not Ivan, Charley, Jeanne, Dennis, Rita, or Wilma. They were going off about Katrina victims. Why would they go off-topic to talk about other hurricane victims? Like I said, this isn't misinformation, they're just rambling on about Katrina victims like idiots. MMFA shouldn't have even stooped to giving them the acknowledgement.
Like I said, this isn't misinformation, they're just rambling on about Katrina victims like idiots. MMFA shouldn't have even stooped to giving them the acknowledgement.Bushlies
"[T]he people who have been freeloading for two years are whining because the gravy train is slowing down,"
They were speaking about the Katrina victims as if they were asking for “special” treatment from the government. The victims of Katrina are asking for no more than those who have suffered losses from hurricanes that happened far longer than 2 years.
"At what point after a disaster and personal hardship are people expected to start taking care of themselves again? Is one hurricane supposed to be a permanent lifelong ticket on a bleeping gravy train? Come on!"
You would think from this statement that other victims of previous hurricanes stopped receiving help from the government long before their 2 year anniversary. That is not true. There are people in Florida from hurricane Ivan who after 3 years are still living in FEMA trailers and requesting aid
As I like to state when stories like this come up. If these folks from Katrina are getting such a great deal, and a free ride, I'm pretty sure that Morgan and her cohorts would be more than happy to trade places with them for a little while, because, you know, these folks are living off of the gravy train. What a ridiculous thing to say of course, because she doesn't even realize what has happened.
Most of the folks who went back, and are now living in bad conditions aren't doing so by choice. No. What Morgan is saying is the same line of reasoning a lot of conservative talk show hosts were spewing out when Katrina first happened about "why didn't they get out of town", "why didn't they just evacuate". Easy to do of course, if you have something to evacuate in. They fail to grasp that some people are, get this, poor. Don't have vehicles to drive away from the storm in when it rolled through. These are also the same people who can't relocate from the FEMA trailers because once again, they're poor, and they don't have the means to just pick up and move. Where are they going to go, and how are they going to get there in the first place? Do these people want a free hand? While I don't doubt that there are a few out there, by and large, from what I've read, these folks just want to get back to a "normal" life. Why can't they get jobs? Well, take into account that most of the city is still shut down, and a lot of people and businesses (you know, those places where people WORK) didn't come back. It's even worse in the rural areas I'd have to believe.
Get a clue Morgan. Go out there, trade places with a Katrina survivor and live their "gravy train" lifestyle for a few weeks, and then let us know how good they have. She's an idiot.
Mag,
I hope this doesn't bother you but I agree wholeheartedly with your comments.
WHAT?! This can't be the same AA I've been reading here at Media Matters for some time now. Where is AA and what have you done with him. ;)
See, we can all agree sometimes. I never doubted the ability of some to agree with me on some things, as there are certain times where I might agree with you as well. I'm not "that" close minded, just most of the time when it comes to right wing arguments. :-)
Just kidding of course. I do listen to what others have to say.
"Let's do the logical thing: blame the French, who built it there in the first place, just say it's another piece of French stupidity, and move on."
While we're at it, let's blame French stupidity its role in winning America's independence from British rule.
Argh, that's *for* its role...
Oh, I almost forgot...
This symbol of French stupidity was also bought by the United States. So let's be sure to drag Thomas Jefferson through the mud for his buying decision.
Don't forget the old Statue of Liberty. You know, created by the French, and presented as a gift to the US from France.
Insensitivty and a total lack of empathy from a right-winger? Never. Everyone knows they are the paragons of compassion, the highest believers in altruism in the land...not black-hearted alienated/dyssocial sociopaths who hate all of society and want to see people destroyed to humour their sick fantasies. Yes, my fellow liberals, we are at war with insanity.
Christmas and insanity have formed a coalition against us. We've got to do something before they acquire WMD's.
If you've started writing the foundiing documents for our coalition, please tell me there's a sanity clause.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You can't fool me. There ain't no Sanity Clause!"
-Chico Marx, A Night At The Opera
Katrina victims were left to fend for themselves for days after the hurricane because FEMA fell down on the job. Many are still in tough straits because the Feds haven't chosen the difficult but responsible choice here.
We can't keep allowing people who live in dangerous areas to keep getting money to move back to those dangerous areas.
We need to help people get back on their feet, and lots of people in New Orleans and the surrounding areas didn't get sufficient help (yet). Part of the help should come in the demolishing of whole neighborhoods that were destroyed in the flood and are still in dangerous areas. If they rebuild in those areas, they should have to build on 15 foot high concrete stilts, and not have any living areas at ground level.
They should build affordable housing for those people who work in the French Quarter and for other businesses, and they should provide compensation for those people who lived in New Orleans who didn't realize how dangerous it could be. No one should be under any misconception that it's dangerous now, and we need to stop allowing people to put their lives, rescuers lives and our government's money at risk to continue to live in those areas.
I doubt there's any poor blacks whose lives were destroyed 2 years ago who are living the gravy train. Trading in your own home with your own stuff and your old memories to live in a trailer with all foreign stuff and no good memories isn't a gravy train. When you get hurt like they did, complaining about your problems isn't sniveling and whining, and for this guy to say what he said was wrong.
You do realize though that your economic and social ideas have nothing to do with Katrina...you are advocating changes instead of simple restoration. There is a big difference, and "owing" or "we should" be doing something to make a reality that wasn't Pre-Katrina therefore has nothing to do with Katrina.
Yea who needs forethought, working for mediation of future events so maybe they're less damaging. Why? Mutual altuism.
"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed." Herman Melville I always think of rich right wing hosts like O'Reilly and Limbaugh when i read this quote, but it fits on this douchebag, too.
DAVID080765, Can't listen for more than three minutes at a time...
Tried to call him once by he will not allow discussion....
And this guy's from San Francisco???? If the big one ever hits SF we won't have to worry about an onslaught of "refugees", just identifying bodies...with DNA.