The fed’s ‘Fair and Balanced’ is creeping back (Addended) (updated 18feb14)

George Rebane

[This is the addended transcript of my regular KVMR commentary broadcast on 14 February 2014.]

In the roaring 40s, that’s the 1940s, when socialism was still trying to reestablish its Depression era foothold in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission was one of the federal agencies that worked hard to spread its wings over what Americans could be exposed to by the broadcast media.  The FCC bureaucrats were worried that our citizens would forget all the ‘great things’ that the federal government had done for them during the Great Depression.

In 1949 the agency finally issued the regulation known as the Fairness Doctrine.  This mandated all broadcasters to disseminate news of important national issues, and do so in an “honest, equitable, and balanced” manner, especially when it came to contrasting and contending views.  And back in the days when the broadcast spectrum supported only a few outlets, the Supreme Court ruled that the FCC had the right to impose the Fairness Doctrine, but had no obligation to do so.

The doctrine was more or less followed in the ensuing decades until cable and other over air media channels began to proliferate in the 1980s.  At the same time talk radio, geared toward liberal and conservative viewpoints, started drawing audiences.  But the problem quickly arose that liberal talk radio was nowhere near as popular as was the conservative brand.  As liberal audiences dwindled, so did the advertising dollars, and the outlets began dropping leftwing talk radio programs.  Meanwhile conservative programs continued to grow in popularity.

The ensuing proliferation of channels and the unbalanced public reception of political commentary programs began drawing the ire of liberal advocacy groups in the late 1980s.  And soon they lobbied Democratic members of Congress to introduce new bills that would compel the FCC to start enforcing ‘fairness’ and ‘equal time’ regulations on each broadcaster.  However, such efforts to stifle the markets’ selection of desired programming didn’t go very far, because the main argument that there were only a limited means for people to get the word no longer held.  Cable, radio, TV, and soon the World Wide Web or internet swamped all those concerns.  Anyone with a political or ideological message could get on a media channel that could reach out to the world for very low or no cost at all.

The main consideration again focused on interest in the delivered message, and there the progressives’ view of the world and events came up short.  This trend has continued and, in fact, doubled down as conservative talk radio and Fox News commentary program ratings have soared, while leftwing outlets like NBC and its cable cohort MSNBC audiences have dwindled to insignificance.  Now this unhappy situation has again attracted the attention and apparent ire of the ever progressive FCC.

This week FCC Commissioner, Mr Ajit Pai, reported in the 11feb14 edition of the Wall Street Journal that the FCC is once more starting to investigate fairness and balance in media (here).  It will do this through a new survey that it is sending to all broadcasters and print media publishers.  The latter is somewhat interesting since the FCC has no jurisdiction over print media.

Commissioner Pai tells us the agency plans to launch its "’Multi-Market Study of Critical Information Needs,’ or CIN, (and) send researchers to grill reporters, editors and station owners about how they decide which stories to run. … The purpose of the CIN, according to the FCC, is to ferret out information from television and radio broadcasters about ‘the process by which stories are selected’ and how often stations cover ‘critical information needs’, along with ‘perceived station bias’ and ‘perceived responsiveness to underserved populations.’”

This study gives strong evidence that the FCC is planning to involve itself once again and more than ever in managing what Americans will see and hear that in the government’s opinion will be of adequate content that is also fair and balanced.  Given that the lamestream will give the story a pass, we all should continue to view this development through a gimlet eye.

My name is Rebane, and I also expand on this and related themes on NCTV and georgerebane.com where the transcript of this commentary is posted with relevant links, and where such issues are debated extensively.  However my views are not necessarily shared by KVMR.  Thank you for listening.

[Addendum]  Whenever a report such as the above reappears, it raises (or should raise) the question as to why the popularity differences in the flavors of America’s talk radio.  I have offered a sprinkling of my thoughts on the matter over the years, and will attempt to gather them here for a more comprehensive and coherent record of what factors I believe contribute to the failure of collectivist talk radio of all stripes, and the success of talk radio that promotes conservetarian principles and solutions.

1.    Socialism is a system that on its face is inimical to the traditional spirit of liberty and self-reliance that was intrinsic in the character of the people who colonized and then immigrated to America.  To this day socialism is a philosophy of governance that cannot speak its name, and must be denied even as its principles and programs are promoted.
2.    The modern history of collectivism in its various forms comprise the dismal chapters in the post-Renaissance story of Man.  They too must be either ignored or rewritten for mandated consumption that starts in our government schools.  On talk radio they lay themselves open for unanswerable criticism from the educated listeners.
3.    The natural audience for leftwing talk radio is comprised of transfer payment recipients.  When such listeners are continually exposed to the ‘shortcomings’ of a society that does not pay them and theirs enough, they sooner than later come to realize that they are, in fact, wards of the state.  This is not something that one bathed in unwarranted self-esteem wants to be reminded of day in and out, so they don’t listen.
4.    Many (most?) who believe that their fair share has been taken by the rich, the greedy, the rednecks, the religious, the … have little understanding and/or interest in competitive politics, economics, and/or the intricacies of public policies.  And most certainly their interest in such affairs stops when the government checks arrive.
5.    Most people of the Left persuasion believe that to remain ignorant and unskilled is an unalienable right that should be protected and promoted by government.  They also believe that pure democracy is the best form of social organization, and the America bequeathed to us by the Founders.  They take as prima facie evidence of rightwing evil when they hear or are told that conservative talk radio daily preaches their belief to be a lie, and exhorts its listeners that staying dumb is socially irresponsible and bad for the Republic.
6.    But most fundamentally, the leftwing listener by his nature and capacity is bored to tears hearing the (especially numerical) specifics of the socially just and more desirable public policies, or how the environment is protected by layers of beneficial regulations, or the details of the overwhelming evidence for AGW and its world saving palliatives, or the latest gains made by teachers unions and in new progressive curricula like Common Core, and on and on.  This is not the sum and stuff of the informationally thin, ideologically innocent but intrinsically collectivist listener who always wants a more ‘equitable share’ of the national weal to come his way, and not be bothered by extraneous details of how that may happen.  The liberal listener needs to hear only about who will promise him the largest largess, and that can be easily determined (if at all) just before election time.  (After all, why did God invent soundbites?)
7.    On the other hand, conservetarian talk radio has an ever growing trove of evidence, factual material, and everyday observables that speak to the follies of central planning, ignorant bureaucracies, inept government workers, and common senseless waste.  Its hosts and guests can and do present this unending stream of data and information in an entertaining and (sometimes painfully) humorous manner.  The monologues are interspersed with vignettes of the small and agile citizen end running, outsmarting, or avoiding the heavy hand of the leviathan.  Conservetarian listeners not only become more aware of the scale of government overreach and encroachment, but also that their own efforts to survive in a rising sea of regulation and taxes is vindicated and celebrated.  They draw from the programs’ contents the validation that they are the producers, the socially responsible, the wealth creators, and those whose taxes make it all possible.  And they also draw hope from proposed public policies that will allow them to regain their lost liberties, and enable their enterprising efforts to achieve more for their own and their neighbors.  These listeners walk away with a greater understanding of what is happening and why, and of their positive role in the larger scheme of things.  Then tomorrow they tune in again for the next entertaining and uplifting chapter of the American saga.
8.    So to summarize, in order to attempt intellectual peerage with conservative talk radio, America’s liberal talk radio must painfully remind its listeners who and what they are also in the larger scheme of things.  Then with their identities confirmed, these listeners look around and see a dynamic country worked by people knowledgeable, skilled, and rewarded - a world from which more and more they feel excluded.  So why submit to such self-denigration?

[18feb14 update]  Our designated reader reports that the Left is all in a hissy fit about The Union’s latest columnist George Boardman.  I have not had the pleasure of meeting the man and know him only through his writings.  But regardless of his ideology and writings, I do feel a certain kinship with him since I also fall into that group of (former) Union columnists proscribed by our self-proclaimed and auto-congratulated Great Community Uniters.

The Union’s editorial policy is what it is, and as a privately owned newspaper and business enterprise it can publish what it will.  If I disagree enough with that trumpet, then I can argue my case with its management, and as a last resort I can always vote with my wallet.  For the record the Rebanes have been Union subscribers since we moved here in 2002.

Getting back to Mr Boardman, who advertises the source of his worldview as providing “observations from the center stripe”, I would ask him the question that I have always asked people from that part of the ideological highway – can you list any specific tenets that distinguish you from those who inhabit either lane of the road (or even reside on the shoulders)?  I forget the last go around I had with such a reader, but a memorable one was with my friend RL ‘Bob’ Crabb who operates a delightful blog nearby.  As with others of similar ilk, I was not able to draw out any specifics beyond generalized platitudes.   (more here and here and here)

And there it stands, we simply don’t know what the folks in the center believe, because their message is always a critique of positions they ascribe to one side or the other.  Having done that they leave their audience contemplating their purist position that is untrammeled by anything that permits understanding the shape, cohesion, and breadth of their belief system.  They seem enjoy casting their rhetorical bolts from the central divide, all the while being enveloped in a swirling fog of ideological ambiguity.

Comments

[Bill Tozer]

Yes, the ole Fair and Balanced is creeping back. Something is wrong with all the millions of listeners tuning into conservative hate speech radio and million of viewers tuning into hate speech right wing demagogs on the tele, aka, the boob tube.

Remember when President B. H. Obama first became America's post racial half white President? Immediately he went after Fox. Like from day two. After folks pointed out what they were saying on MSNBC, Obama later added the caveat "and MSNBC" to his bashing of the extreme right wing vileness of conservative cable TV. He always threw in at the end of his long diatribes "and MSNBC" just to make it Fair and Balanced.

What brought this up was his Supper Bowl interview with Bill O'Reily. Did not see it, but read the transcript. Obasma could not help himself. There he goes again reaching back into his broken record collection and blaming people like O'Reily for telling folks that the IRS is full of corruption....corrupted by politics. Its all the hate speech filling people's heads making them think it was actually more than a one day story. People don't care about Fast and Furious or Benghazi or the NSA. Nothing to see here, move on...er...except for them irritating Fox news types telling people that there really is an is here, life would be splendid.

[Russ Steele]

I think that any current FCC enforced Fair and Balanced is doomed to failure. In the past an audience was defined by their geography. They could only listen to, or view the TV signals, they could receive at their geographic location. Now, with the Interent, instead of 10s of stations, it is possible to receive 1000s of stations, both radio and TV. My Roku box has over 1,400 TV station and over 1,500 radio stations. I can receive many of those radio signals on my cellphone, where ever their is cellphone coverage. How can the FCC control the flow of information from such a large selection of information and views? Not when you and I could start a conservative radio station tomorrow and launch it on the Internet. However, if the FCC could control who has access to the Internet, then that maybe another story. Will we some day need a government licence to put content on the Internet? Anything is possible.

[Walt]

On the subject of this topic, I found a little "fair and balanced" info
on political donors. ( And we know how Progressives love to pound on the Koch Bros.) The Left yells from the highest of the trees about "big money influence"
where the Right is concerned, but not a peep ( unless making an excuse to marginalize their hypocrisy).

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/15/think-the-koch-brothers-are-among-the-top-10-all-time-political-donors-sorry-you-are-wrong-very-wrong/

[MikeL]

The socialists endgame is currently playing out in good ol' Venezuela. Humane nature is something that the central planning goons can not control. The next step in the socialist nightmare will be mass murder in a feeble attempt to quell the so called rebels.

[Bill Tozer]

The demise of left wingnut talk radio is simple. People turn that garbage off. It is depressing, angry, whinny, caustic, and not fun. One big lead balloon. Life is too short to waste hours feeling yucky after listening to that type of downer.

To make it fair and balanced, right wingnut talk radio is fun and entertaining. I see no problem here.

[fromtheweb]

Where the money comes from:

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list_stfed.php?order=A

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php

The influence of Indian tribes shouldn't be a surprise.

[fish]

To make it fair and balanced, right wingnut talk radio is fun and entertaining. I see no problem here.

Partial disagree William! Haven't been able to listen to Limbaugh in years.....Hannity...nope, Savage...mentally ill I suspect....Blecch! Very pleased when I hear Mark Steyn guest host every time Limbaugh gets the sniffles.....wish he had a show of his own!

Love me some Armstrong and Getty!

[Bill Tozer]

[Addendum] points 3, 5, 7:

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1901630_10151923815710911_2099728538_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1911956_10151922354345911_1306071452_n.jpg

[Russ Steele]

We would like Mark Steyn to have his own show at our house. His insight is wonderful.

Here is a link to his web site: http://steynonline.com Steyn is currently being sued by Michael Mann the "Hockey Stick" Mann, as Steyn called him a fraud. The discovery phase of the trial should be really interesting.

[Bill Tozer]

Mr. Fish. I have to agree. I don't listen to Rush but 30 seconds here and there. Not that I don't like Rush, he is just a day or two behind me and I have to have 3/4 of my brains tied behind my back just to make it competitive. Also, Hannity cuts off his guests too often. I used to watch, but I am going through this transitional phase where the TVs are in the closet unplugged, along with the DVD player and the ole faithful VCR. No Hulo, no Netflix, just a little radio.

I do miss Steward Varney and Greg Gutfield terribly. Most of my favs are on Fox Business news. And Cavoto.

Yep, when I said left wingnut talk radio was caustic, Michael Savage did pop into my cranium. I should have echoed Dr. Rebane and simply said left wingnut talk radio will bore one to tears and they have to repeat over and over again why what we heard with our own ears is not what we heard, what we see with our own blurred eyes is not what we really are seeing, and what we think with our own feeble minds(if contrary) is really really bad, always using the trump card of moral superiority. At least Mr. Paul is never quite that arrogant.

Speaking of Mr. Paul, I do like his station for the most part. That rush hour home stuff with the talking heads I can do without, but I love the blues and his station plays great blues as I welcome the new day. But, Mr. Paul with think I am being sarcastic after tossing him some real doozies in the past about getting my rocks off by stealing homeless people's blankets, lol. Or was it tossing wet blankets soaked in ice water upon those sleeping in the brush. I forget now. Must be another white out.

[fish]

Steyn is currently being sued by Michael Mann the "Hockey Stick" Mann, as Steyn called him a fraud. The discovery phase of the trial should be really interesting.

Already bookmarked Russ! I am profoundly enjoying the bravado that Steyn is displaying in the face of the "experts" calling for his certain defeat.

[Bill Tozer]

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1511195_10151916567915911_478484504_n.jpg

[fish]

...and now truly something for everybody!!

http://www.ncc-1776.org/tle2014/tle758-20140216-02.html

[Ben Emery]

George,

Any commentary on the next Florida unarmed teenager gunned down with the killer being found not guilty of murder. We are moving backwards when it comes to humanity will laws such as "Stand Your Ground" laws.

November 2012
The Killing of Jordan Russell Davis
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/11/the-killing-of-jordan-russell-davis/265704/

From Florida we get the sad tale of a teenage boy killed by a 45-year-old man after a dispute about loud music:

February 15, 2014
Jurors reach verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Michael Dunn's murder trial
http://www.freep.com/article/20140215/NEWS07/302150054/Jurors-in-Michael-Dunn-loud-music-murder-trial-due-back-today

[Russ Steele]

Bill if you are interested in a refresher on Mann's Screw Ups, Check out this web site:

http://hiizuru.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/a-list-of-manns-screw-ups/

For all the left leaning readers and commenter, I recommend that you not read, as it will just screw up your AGW talking points, mess with your mind, and get you all confused. Ignorance will make your life much easier by not introducing any relevant facts as to why Mann's Hockey Stick is an outfight fraud. Steyn is on solid ground.

[fish]

We are moving backwards when it comes to humanity will laws such as "Stand Your Ground" laws.

sigh.... no we're not.

[Bill Tozer]

Ben, we cannot control the outcome of juries. If the glove don't fit, you must acquit. Your dismay with several outcomes you disagree with is not a larger picture of connecting the dots. You and I are not experts in all the 59 states nor their laws. You and I did not sit in the jury room. You nor I were read the instructions to the jury. You nor I sat in the courtroom day after day trying to get into the mind of the accused. Did he feel threatened? Were threatening words spoken to him? Was it premeditated?

Once had a co-worker sit on a murder trial. Oh, the press and community were convinced the guy did not murder some little old lady by strangling her with her scarf. Letters poured in to support this fine young man and all that stuff. Just because he knew her and did some helpful things for her around her house meant, sure,his fingerprints would be on the scene. Heck, he had a lovely wife and kids and 90% were all convinced he would be exonerated.

So, when I former co-worker came back to work after months and months of sitting on the jury I asked her why she voted guilty. She said she just could not get past his DNA on her scarf. And a bunch of unreported things about this fine young chap not reported in the media and by his character witnesses, including he was a drug crazed helpful man living on the altruistic plane stealing her meds on several occasions while she was napping, breaking in through the backdoor. I figure she woke up and caught him.

Not a step backwards, Brother Ben. It is a case by case thing within the framework of each State law and justice system. Ok, that won't stop ya. Lay some Monday morning quarterbacking on me. I got the cotton in my ears.

[Bill Tozer]

Mr. Fish, my unfurry mammal friend. This is why I miss (at times) TV. Fair and Balanced. Still, I ain't going to plug it in. Nothing new under the Sun.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3193719150001/gutfeld-crazy-gets-a-pass-when-its-progressive/?intcmp=obnetwork#sp=show-clips

[fish]

From Florida we get the sad tale of a teenage boy killed by a 45-year-old man after a dispute about loud music:

Tragic indeed!

White on black crime and we see Ben the Most Moral in full dudgeon! Black on white crime......well dey hads it comin........

Black on black crime....huh, what?

What?!?! No moral outrage surrounding the annual start to hunting season....err I mean...."killed for the new Air Jordans" season?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/24/justice/lebron-sneaker-store-shooting/

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Police-Investigate-3rd-Murder-in-DC-136902518.html

http://www.chucksconnection.com/articles/your-sneakers-or-your-life.html

or type in "killed for tennis shoes" and browse at your leisure!

[Bill Tozer]

Definitely a crime of passion

[George Rebane]

BenE 1006am - Not much to say about it. Dunn is a short-tempered idiot who will probably spend the rest of his life in jail for killing the black teenager. That he could not be convicted on Murder One is not surprising since from all accounts the elements of evidence for that charge were absent. But he was rightfully convicted of lesser murder charges, and will be retried on Murder One. He will probably spend the rest of his life in jail.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/15/michael-dunn-jury/5501117/

And I do think that Mr fish's 1138am makes a valid point. Given the long record of revealing your values and mores in RR comment streams (which I definitely appreciate), you might want to address those observations. I most certainly have made the point that before any ethnic or racial group demands others to show more than 'Bayesian respect' for the lives of their members, they should set the example and show such respect themselves. This pertains especially to black youth who kill each other at prodigious rates without thought or remorse.

[Walt]

Ben must be beside himself with,,, uh,,, " grouchiness".. In a brief moment
of sanity the 9TH circus court,, our Ca. restrictions on obtaining a CWP just
got a tad easier. No more "need to show cause" to obtain a permit. IF you pass the test and background checks, you should be "good to go".
Nope,, that's not good news for the gun grabber gang. Score ONE for the good guy, and common sense.

So a FL. found the guy "not guilty". Deal with it Ben, People are sick and tired of the "thug culture" getting away with murder. This guy's pals had plenty of time to get rid of the "supposed" weapon.
Ya' know what they say Ben,, " It better to be judged by 12,, than carried by six."

On that note, I see more CWPs in Penn Valley's future, if the mass low income housing gets built here. The powers that be must hate PV's lower than average crime rate. ( that was until the now existing low/no income housing known as Broken Oak CT. got built)
That's why I like my little corner of the town. Everyone on my dirt road is well armed, and know how to use what they have. We even have our own early warning system. If any one of us set off our car alarm ( that little panic button on your car key) It's time to grab the weapon and come to one's aid.

[fish]

Posted by: Bill Tozer | 16 February 2014 at 11:36 AM

Crazy gets a pass when it's 'progressive'

Indeed.....!

Good thing it wasn't my front door....I would have been forced to take the Vice Presidents suggestion.... and just get a shotgun.......!

[fish]

Sounds like it's time for another episode of Ben Emerys Urban Apologetics™

http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/black-mobs-terrorize-victorias-secret-shoppers/

[George Rebane]

fish 136pm - Thanks for posting the link. I don't recall that BenE or any other liberal on these pages responds to topics like black-on-white crime which overwhelms its counterpart. Their response continues to be crickets.

So here's a question - do you know if the progressive elites who abet the silence of this ongoing crime wave, do they have a stated long term objective for continuing to cover up this social fracture in the media, and instead make every white-on-black crime a national cause celebre (other than the Saul Alinsky literature)?

[fish]

I haven't a clue George. Progressive policies have caused a restive and unassimilable percentage of the inner city population to degenerate into ....well what its degenerated into! Multi generation households headed by women and funded by a dysfunctional welfare state. As long as it stays out of the better parts of town the "progressive elites" barely give a shit.

[Walt]

The other thing the likes of Ben just can't wrap their forward thinking minds around is the fact (yes,, FACT) that where guns are legal and prevalent, ( like in these here hills, more than one in just about every home.) gun crime and shootings are few and far between. By LIB logic, it should be a war zone up here, and Oakland ( a (ha) gun free zone) shouldn't see a shooting at all.

Way back when, the 15 day waiting period was supposed to drop the "use of a gun" crime. Yup,, that worked out as planned. I do recall a woman getting killed by her ex-significant other waiting to get her gun that she had already paid for, just to protect herself,, from him... She "expired" before the waiting period.

LIBS have their own "war on women" when self protection is concerned.. ( Unless they happen to be passing out rubbers.)

[Ben Emery]

Guys,
I posted and remarked on a man murdering a unarmed child and not being convicted on it despite having three witnesses who were also shot upon and the killer running from the scene. I am talking about justice and truth.

Here are 15 examples of how stand your ground has changed the way murder is defined and legally pursued in Florida. Scroll down and read the captions of the photos. This is insane.

15 Shocking Florida Stand Your Ground Cases (PHOTOS)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/stand-your-ground-cases_n_3606405.html#slide=2703283

[fish]

I am talking about justice and truth.

Of course you are. What you are not talking about are the arguments that Dunns defense team made at trial.

"While stand your ground wasn't used by Dunn, his lawyers did argue that he fired in self-defense.

[Ben Emery]

Fish,
What is read to the jury has been changed due to the law. Zimmerman didn't officially use stand your ground either but the jury instructions changed so the jury had no way to convict Zimmerman based on their instructions. Legal does not equate to justice.

Jury instructions prior Stand Your Ground

“The defendant cannot justify the use of force likely to cause death or great bodily harm unless he used every reasonable means within his power and consistent with his own safety to avoid the danger before resorting to that force.

The fact that the defendant was wrongfully attacked cannot justify his use of force likely to cause death or great bodily harm if by retreating he could have avoided the need to use that force. “

verbatim instructions to the Zimmerman/ Martin jury

“If George Zimmerman was not engaged in an unlawful activity and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he reasonably believed that it was necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”

[Gregory]

"I am talking about justice and truth" - Ben 5:32

Ben, don't use big words you don't understand, and don't expect bloggers at Huffington Post to do any better. Our legal system has prosecutors to speak for the people and victims and have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury of the accused's peers, and the accused has rights. One of those rights is self defense, and if you want to live in a country where a political entity can override the justice system when there is a clamor for blood after the fact, you might want to move.

[Ben Emery]

The link for where the language was found.

http://www.dangelber.com/blog/view_blog.php?ID=268

[fish]

“If George Zimmerman was not engaged in an unlawful activity and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he reasonably believed that it was necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”

Is there is no crime committed by a black(s) against a white...or in the Martin case a Peruvian Jew....or "White Hispanic" if you prefer, that you will not seek to excuse?

...and you call me deplorable?

[Ben Emery]

Go ahead and check out some of these cases. Most of the ones I viewed the outcomes seemed reasonable. Look at the Dooley case very interesting.

http://www.tampabay.com/stand-your-ground-law/fatal-cases

[Bill Tozer]

"Its all about justice and truth." Wrong. It should be all about justice and truth, but its all about legal or illegal. And even illegal and legal has varying degrees. And good defense attorneys will commit the sin of omission to uphold their duty to give their client a vigorous defense to the point of the attorney's own personal detriment.

The wheels of justice turn slowly. Things have a way of catching up with ya in life. Things have a way of balancing out long after courtroom appearances.

Look at the departed Rodney King. While fleeing the police and driving through residential neighborhoods at 100mph, he told his passenger he "is not going back to prison." The motorist Rodney King got his wish and never went back to prison. He received fame and fortune. But, things caught up with him when he got all that money. Imprisoned by his own tortured lost soul and addictions. Extreme loneliness to boot. Seen trolling seedy streets in the dead of night looking for male prostitutes, looking for anything to fill that empty hole in his gut.

OK, perhaps not the best example.

Brother Ben, here is a story I have always liked. Non inflammatory as well. Posted it once before:

A mother had a son who was a deserter in Napoleon's Army. The son was captured and was to receive the death sentence for being a deserter. The mother appeared before Napoleon and pleaded for he son's life. Napoleon listened and told her he will grant her son justice. The mother shot back "I am not asking for justice. I am pleading for mercy." Napoleon replied "If it is mercy you seek, then it is mercy you will receive."

[fish]

Look at the Dooley case very interesting.

So interesting it's not at the link you posted?

[Walt]

Ben.. Do you want and end to the jury system? Just have one judge decide one's fate? All those "uninformed people" (where guns are concerned in the hands of White people) LIB news is real good about not bringing up Whites getting shot by "other people of color". Where is your rage when the shoe is on the other foot? ( We had it coming?)
Yup,, we should end jury's in the name of justice... Right Ben?
Where were you when cops were out shooting up every blue pickup and car
when that ex-cop that went nuts shooting other cops? At least three innocent
people were shot by trigger happy cops. ( two were just delivering the morning paper) BTW.. No criminal charges filed against the " we felt our lives were in danger" cops.

[Walt]

That pesky "settled" AGW info once again shows just the opposite.
( gotta hate it when that happens.) And from NOAA no less. Now grab some Tums
before digesting THIS "true believers".

http://dailycaller.com/2014/02/17/winters-have-been-getting-cooler-past-20-years-with-more-snowfall/

A far cry from that AGW kook who claimed " Snow in D.C. will be a distant memory, and children will only read about in history books."

[Keen Observer]

George,

Since Jeff doesn't feel the need to publish my comment in regards to the "George Boardman" debacle over on his blog, I will repost here:

"Jeff,
The only larger travesty than The Union’s use of George Boardman, is your “beating of a dead horse” in regards to the overblown Ackerman scandal. Rather than belittle The Union’s business model, perhaps speak towards the benefits of your magazine. It is nothing less than poor salesmanship when your biggest sales pitch is only negative words toward a competitor. In regards to your magazine, I call recall an issue a few years back in which you published multiple outdated and unauthorized ads from local non-profits, just to fill page space (seems a little “Enron-ish” to me in regards to your motive for doing this). I could provide a specific examples, should you feel the need to challenge me on this assertion. I have to say that your blog does serve a purpose here locally, by attracting needed attention to local vendors that support our economy. But do keep in mind that The Union’s advertising prowess (which although finite, is still undoubtedly larger than yours) serves a purpose by allowing many fine local businesses to grow and prosper. By denigrating The Union and demeaning its “aging” (your words, not mine) subscriber base, you are in some form personally attacking the clientele served by these businesses. Truth be told, your issue with The Union is less of you being a self appointed watch dog, as your rants serve only to soothe the personal grudge you have with The Union."

[Gregory]

Let's be honest here... Pelline's Sierra Food/Wine/Art is to magazines as the Pennysaver is to newspapers or the Home Shopping Network is to broadcast journalism. A glossy advertiser.

[RL Crabb]

What a maroon.

[Gregory]

What an ignoranimus!

Here's 4 seconds of audio to warm the heart of any Boomer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Kh7nLplWo

[Keen Observer]

It would seem as if Jeff's feathers have become ruffled over the issue at hand. Let it be known that although he is the first to label other as extreme and attack/bully our "aging" (again, his words, not mine) population, he does not respond well to justified criticism of his own shortcomings, especially from a professional and truthful standpoint. He even had the nerve to offer a hollow threat of legal action, which he promptly removed, as his threats have no merit when compared to the truth.

[Walt]

Get ready for the next "new" definition for anything Leftys don't like.
They wore out the race card, so they came up with " “micro-aggression.” For those not up-to-date on the PC lexicon, “micro-aggression” is the latest phrase of choice for leftist radicals seeking to blame racism for common annoyances suffered by people of all races.
You can bet they will be finding ways to write that into law.

[Bill Tozer]

Fair and Balanced is creeping in. Today driving back from The Santa Cruz Mountains, the radio said 3 blacks teenagers did one of those home invasions and took a lady's pot and some stuff. When one of the black teenagers grabbed her purse, she resisted and he gave her a leg warmer. Walt, that's urban dictionary for shot her in the leg. I was horrified that the racist police described the children (each one a mere child) as black teenagers. Shame on the police and shame on the media from Sacramento to San Fransisco for deliberately pointing out the perps' race. Racist? You betcha, cause no other details were given.

Then the news said our fearless Secretary of State equated global warming to an act of terrorism. He might be right. I never thought I would see the day when on a February wintery afternoon is was colder in Atlanta than Fairbanks, Alaska...by 7 degrees. This Global Warming stuff is terrorizing the good citizens of the Peach-Magnolia-Peanut State. 2 inches of snow with a hard freeze and they are up in arms ready to impeach the Gov. Innocent little school children forced to sleep overnight in the school gym missing their Mommies and Daddies wide eyed filled with terror. Motorist abandoning their shiny cars and fleeing in terror.

The only thing worse than a terrorist is a racist terrorist.

The only thing worse than a progressive in the Oval Office is a progressive that resembles Alfred E. Newman in the Oval Office. I feel the terror gripping my racist soul.

[Account Deleted]

Bill - it's way worse than you think. Ben knows about the major crime wave involving crotchety old white guys gunning down black children left and right. At least a couple that he might know about. The fact that they might spend life in prison isn't good enough for Ben. He wants his pound of flesh. And the hispanics with German (or maybe Jewish) names gunning down black children. He's hiding under his bed now just imagining the coming brutality. And volcanic eruptions are caused by global warming or maybe AGW causes volcanic eruptions. And the midwest and the east coast are experiencing the end of snow. Only read the NYTs and watch CNN for accurate, scientific news. Fox just makes you hate Obama by falsely reporting a few glitches in the ACA website. It's working perfectly now. Obama says so. That's fair and balanced.

[MikeL]

Bill,

I am surprised that the radio identified the black African mericans thugs as being black. Usually when the race of the perp is a person with black colored skin you will hear the radio and news outlets describe the thug as a "man" sans the color.

[Barry Pruett]

Keen Observer. I too have been the recipient of the veiled threat of legal action from Pelline in response to certain posts. His blog is read by many, but the readers realize what they are reading now. Grudge against The Union for letting him go. Grudge against Rebane and Steele (and dnow Boardman) for occupying the space that he feels he should occupy. Grudge against anyone who disagrees with him. I think that he could regain credibility by keeping the blog positive, but I fear that such a change is not in line with his negative and destructive personality. Sad because I think that he does have a lot that he could offer the community by focusing on the positive.

[Walt]

On the subject of LIB race "games",, There is a push afoot ( like Bill T. mentioned) to stop using skin color to describe ANY perp, or suspected perp.
( unless he's white.. Of course.) THAT falls under "profiling".. We can't have ANY of that.
Now I read the "big guy" is making threats of legal action? Did Barry say he was going to get between "big guy", and his next plate of fries?( and a diet coke) Yes,, that may be worthy...

[Keen Observer]

Barry,

I couldn't agree more. But as I said to Jeff, his legal threats are hollow, as nothing I said to him was untrue or personally offensive in any way. If I were an advertiser in his magazine, I would question Jeff's alienating and offensive treatment of my clientele base. Make no mistake about it, he has indeed in the past ran advertisements without permission from advertisers, to make it seem as if his magazine was more prosperous. If Jeff continues to make threats, I will in turn post examples of my assertions, both on local blogs and social media. It would be wise for him to "let sleeping dogs lie" on this issue, and instead focus on the positive.

[Todd Juvinall]

All of us have been the recipient of the FUE's threats. Bottom line to me, no one likes the guy. He is a whiner and can't fit in to the area he chose to live. But I have seen many of these "silver spooners" before and they think they are better than everyone else. He is now attacking and alienating Chris Bishop on his blog. No one is immune from his hubris. Too funny.

[Walt]

Uuummmmm I do believe you guys are getting accused of that " mico-aggression"
I referenced.. Then there is the "troll" factor when entering "enemy territory".
hell. On more than one (local)Lefty comment page ANY post from a "righty" is,,, uh,,, moderated, and usually never to be seen by others.

[Gregory]

Pelline is getting more warped by the day... here is one of the latest

jeffpelline says:
February 17, 2014 at 5:17 pm

Well, at least the anonymous “trolls” quit emailing me here, and fled to “safe haven” on the Rebane and Juvinall blogs. Boo! Scat, you coward! LOL."

And he links a self serving screed of his about Machiavellian sadist internet trolls without an apparent clue how much he appears to be a Machiavellian internet troll.

Jeff, if you were half the techie you think you are, you'd realize a post to a WordPress blog isn't "emailing", and it's ludicrous to claim a Facebook exchange behind a "friendwall" is somehow open. It's even less democratic than behind a paywall of a local newspaper and Jeff, people you hate don't post much on your site anymore because you block them except when you think it serves your purpose. Why post only to have the "host" smear you with a comment if he lets it appear (in whole or in part) and block any retort?

That Friends of Jeff would gather at a protected Facebook page to say how bad the people who Jeff has been attacking are isn't particularly surprising.

[fish]

Better for Jeff, "Bruiser" and his other handles to remain safely ensconced where he can control the dialogue.

[Gregory]

He's used "Bruiser" as a nom de net? That would be precious, as that would fit right into the Troll definitions of the Chris Mooney Salon article about machiavallian internet trolls Jeff was promoting...
"Internet Trolls Really Are Horrible People: Narcissistic, Machiavellian, psychopathic, and sadistic" is the Salon title and subtitle.

Mooney is a wannabee Left Wing counter to Ann Coulter who has written books such as "The Republican War on Science" and "The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality". How much science Mooney studied while an English major at Yale may be as light as Pelline's when he was studying Rhetoric at Cal.

[fish]

He's used "Bruiser" as a nom de net?

Pretty sure that was him at Todds. Once we started linking him to the "Bruiser" handle it quietly went away.

How much science Mooney studied while an English major at Yale....

Ah...the Ivy League....where Yalies go to school to study the art of screwing up government and Harvard types go to learn the finer details of screwing up business......

[Gregory]

Watch it fish, my kid goes to Harvard, though as a science grad student cum Teaching Fellow he's more part of the hired help than a blue blood in training.

[fish]

Watch it fish, my kid goes to Harvard, though as a science grad student cum Teaching Fellow......

Well we'll consider him on probation for now....! ;-)

[Gregory]

No, "we" won't. ;)

[Bill Tozer]

Harvard, Princeton, and Yale are ok, but Ball State is were the action is. Its Tuesday night! Suck 'em up bro, weekend has started.

[Todd Juvinall]

Bruiser did leave after he was outed. One of many phony baloney handles by liberal saps. Funny how BenE always uses the "five" comm enters here when that is actually two more the on Pelline's, including BenE. Too funny.

[Bill Tozer]

My, my. If there ever was THE perfect example of "if you point your index finger, you have 3 pointing back", think the PHEW would be the poster boy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UnPzp2lmNk&feature=kp

[Bill Tozer]

http://i.eatliver.com/2014/11558.jpg

[Ben Emery]

Fish and Fab Five,
The continuing inequality and the austerity measures being forced on the people are fueling these protests around the globe. As the ability to meet the necessities of life become more difficult the more people who have the natural disposition of peaceful resolutions will become violent. http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/about-inequality/effects

Coming to a US community near you if the US government continues down this Reagan Revolution style government, pro large corporate and wealthy business women/ men policies paid for by the working poor.

Why is Ukraine in turmoil?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25182823

At Least 22 Reported Dead in Most Violent Day of Clashes in Kiev
http://mashable.com/2014/02/18/kiev-ukraine-violence-parliament/

[fish]

We're you ever planning on defending your accusations about my alleged authoritarianism?

I thought not.

[Ben Emery]

Ukraine President Yanukovych sacks army chief amid crisis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26265808#%22

[fish]

Coming to a US community near you if the US government continues down this Reagan Revolution style government, pro large corporate and wealthy business women/ men policies paid for by the working poor.

Yeah no need to factor in any of the policy inputs from any of the other administrations since Reagan.....It was all him. Congrats Ben you cracked the case....

[Todd Juvinall]

BenE, all those Ukrainians are whote folks. What the heck?

[George Rebane]

Re BenE 1005am - Ben's continued use of the "Fab Five" label has now become a pathetic attempt to diminish and localize to these hills the understanding of government failures (here and globally) that at least 50% of Americans share. It represents either gross ignorance and/or a tacit surrender of reason. But such continued use here does underline that there is not a shred of common understanding left in America, as in the daily round the two polarized groups interpret the same data, information, science, history, current events, ... .

I believe that BenE and his local ilk are fundamentally in error. But I would never isolate that error uniquely to them, for they are just the local outlet of a worldview that is still shared by millions of government (un)educated Americans. And the distance between us is now so great that no conceivable compromise will serve us - if a dedicated group of bridge builders insist that 2+2=5, and the other builders compromise to accepting 2+2=4.5, the bridge will still fall.

[fish]

It represents either gross ignorance and/or a tacit surrender of reason.

Why not both....it is Ben Emery after all?

[Walt]

Just a reality check for good ol' Ben. If the Lefties somehow manage to weasel their way through this Nov. What you see in Kiev will be right here in our own streets. Since it seems our government is more than pleased to have created more "takers" than "makers",, One problem persists. LIBS have written too many checks with "O"'s mouth, their (ours too) butts can't pay.
Hear the latest BS out of "O"? " cars and trucks will be mandated to get double the mileage in just a few years, than they do today." ( something real close to that anyway) And the American people will pay thousands less a year in fuel costs." Where in Hell have we heard that before?
Nevermind that the internal combustion engine is close to the efficiency of gas turbines today. ( in general).
Another feel good statement pulled from the South orifice.

[Bill Tozer]

What is better with Chicken Kiev? Wash it down with a White Russian or a big gulp of a Black Russian? Hey, I saw Citizen X so I know everything about Russia. And Dr. Chicago as well. Made me cry. Never could figure out why that one Soviet President never wiped that wine stain off his forehead. Like the ole elepant in the room and nobody says nothing. Hey dude, look in the mirror and wipe yer friggin forehead. Yellsin would never spill a drop of good Vodka or wine. He may have woke up a few times on somebody's floor not knowing where he was at, but he never would go out in public without first cleaning up his forehead. And that Kruchef dude really had a foot fetish. What the world needs now more than ever is more shoe bangers. Dumb Ahabs throw their shoes....what a waste.

[Walt]

Good news for our Leftists. Government "moderators" in all news outlets from sea to shining sea. ( at least that then plan) All in the name of "learning" of how "news is reported". wouldn't that be great? That way only Progressive certified information would be allowed to be aired. Just the way you want it...

[George Rebane]

An idle observation. I note that the FCC 'study' is now a hot topic of conversation in DC and on informed media. But apparently the lamestream continues its 'page 7 coverage' of the FCC's audacious proposal which it now is busily walking back. And true to their heritage, our local leftwingers have sent their cricket corps to voice their positions on the matter that is not only unworthy of comment or discussion, but apparently totally invisible to those for whom bigger government is always the answer.

[Paul Emery]

Rebane writes:

"And there it stands, we simply don’t know what the folks in the center believe, because their message is always a critique of positions they ascribe to one side or the other."

That's why the powers that be love and support the "middle" and why the middle will always win national elections. Big money hates radical or severe change. They tend to be Republican but expect the troops to stay in line and not shake things up too much. They hate populist movements such as the Tea Party or the Green movement that are driven by passion. As an example, Ron Paul was quickly put in his place by the Repubs when he started to gain momentum.

[George Rebane]

PaulE 722pm - Did you just agree with my 610pm?

[Paul Emery]

No

I haven't had the time o check out your FCC scenerio so I don't have a view of it. I'm referring to what you wrote as an addendum to your post.