Barack Obama: 'Media critic': The Swamp
The Swamp
Chicago Tribune

'Golden days of journalism still lie ahead,' the president said this week.

Posted September 10, 2009 4:45 PM
The Swamp

by Mark Silva

Our good friend David Jackson at USA Today has identified a new role for the president of the United States, really an old role for presidents:

Media critic.

In accepting the apology of Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for calling the president a liar in public during the president's address to a joint session of Congress, Obama today added that most Americans want to see a more civil political discourse, Jackson notes.

"The media can always be helpful by not giving all the attention to the loudest or shrillest voices," Obama said, "and try to stay a little bit more focused on the issues at hand."

From the days of the Muckrakers -- which Theodore Roosevelt did not intend as a complimentary term for investigative journalism -- to the days of the 24-hour cable news cycle, presidents have had varying things to say about the media.

"Watergate had become the center of the media's universe, and during the remaining year of my presidency the media tried to force everything else to revolve around it,'' Richard Nixon once said. "Well, I screwed it up real good, didn't I?"

Obama has lamented not only that inexorable 24-hour news cycle that drives so much of the political debate, but also the impact that new media such as YouTube have played, prompting protesters to speak for the sheer purpose of making the Internet.

"My job is not to be distracted by the 24 hour news cycle,'' the president said in an interview aired on ABC News' Good Morning America this week. ""My job is to stay focused on what's going to help the American people and not try to score political points.''

"Just as the news cycle has shrunk, so has the bottom line," Obama said at a memorial service for CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite in New York this week. "And too often, we fill that void with instant commentary and celebrity gossip and the softer stories that Walter disdained, rather than the hard news and investigative journalism he championed."

''What happened today?' is replaced with, 'who won today?'" the president suggested.

Obama also said this at Cronkite's memorial:

"Our American story continues. It needs to be told. And if we choose to live up to Walter's example, if we realize that the kind of journalism he embodied will not simply rekindle itself as part of a natural cycle, but will come alive only if we stand up and demand it and resolve to value it once again, then I'm convinced that the choice between profit and progress is a false one -- and that the golden days of journalism still lie ahead.''

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Comments

He's a liar! It's a plot to indoctrinate our children and kill granny I tells ya!


Will someone please help me get this damn tin foil off my head?!?!



The Ballad of Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson


Oh Mrs. Wilson, are you proud of your son?
Do you smile with favor on the things that he’s done?
You raised him from a baby to the highest rung
Oh Mrs. Wilson, are you proud of your son?


During the war, he carried no gun
But joined the reserves to avoid all the fun
At least like the hippies, he didn’t run.
Oh Mrs. Wilson, are you proud of your son?


He went to the white school in old Charleston
And later worked for that racist, Strom Thurmond
He’s got some issue, but don’t everyone?
Oh Mrs. Wilson, are you proud of your son?


But now there's this man who’s got him outdone
The President -- he’s Black! and second to none
He ran for that spot, it was hard, but he won
So real Americans call him our number one.


Not so much your beloved son
His world fell apart and his plans were undone
This uppity boy took away all his fun
Oh Mrs. Wilson, are you proud of your son?


So last night he sat with hate on his face
With fancy cufflinks, and a flag pin in place
Like a drunk in a bar, our House he disgraced
Oh Mrs. Wilson, how does that pride taste?



Obama is bothered by media reporting the "loud and shrill voices," especially those with positions opposed to his. Well, not to worry. The old media are doing exactly that, ignoring the Van Jones controversy, the ACORN abuses of the law, the lies about what the "health care" bill includes, or even the cloudy history of Obama himself. Meanwhile, watch how the tax protest Sept. 12 "tea party" in Washington goes unreported.


Keep it up Libs. Tell 48% of us how stupid and dumb we are. You have the majorities in all three. Grow some and freakin' push your far lefty schemes on the rest of us. Oh wait, you can't. It's still somewhat a representative government and many Dems know their goose will be cooked if they sign up for this charade.

But please, keep showing us how smart you are and how dumb we are!!!!

Oh, and . . .

SUPPORT STUPID POSTS, POST THEM DAILY, IDIOTIC AND REPETITIVE. NOW.

that was for you DonnieBoy


As bad as Republican Joe Wilson's behavior was last night, look on the bright side -- at least he wasn't carrying a sign that said "Obama=Hitler". Or a loaded rifle....like the goons who make up todays version of the Republican "base" do.


Then again, rather than look at the bright side, just donate to Rob Miller, his 2010 opponent. Thus far today he's raising close to $1K per minute. Let's keep that momentum going!
.
http://www.actblue.com/page/kossacks4miller
.


Every single one of the batsh*t crazy Republicans should be forced to denounce Wilson tomorrow: "Are you with Wilson or the President of The United States?"


Go to George HW Bush and get him on record.


Go to George W Bush and get him on record.


Go to Zombie Reagan and get him on record.


No mercy....and make the Repukelicans apologize for Druggy Rush again while we're at!
.
http://sweasel.com/wp-content/themes/weasel/graphics/zombiereaganlarge.jpg
.


"American Idiot"

Don't want to be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind fuck America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along to the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Don't want to be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.



The other day I was pondering about the brainlessness within the Republican base and I have come to a conclusion about it.


Some, especially the corporate media, have been giving these rabid fools a break, acting as though they’re just normal "PASSIONATE" Americans, taking leave of their senses because they are so befuddled due to the fear of losing something
that’s precious to them.


BULLSH*T!


Oh they’re frightened, that's for sure, but it’s not passion they’re expressing its pure unadulterated HATE! Worse than that! It’s BIGOTED LOATHING! They hate because never, NOT EVER, within their pea-pickin sized brains, did they fathom a black man as president of the... No...! "THE" leader of their intolerant America!


Yes, there are two Americas’, they exist as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists. One tolerant and broadminded (Democrats), the other intolerant and narrow-minded (Republicans)!



Joe Wilson = "Republican Idiot"


Don't want to be a Republican idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind freak that's Republican America.


Welcome to a new kind of crazy Republican attention deficit
All across the alien Republican nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
AM Hate radio dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow you nuts
For that's enough to argue.


Well maybe I'm a whackjob Republican, stinkin' up this nation.
No, I'm not a part of their redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the Rush Limbaugh propaganda.
And sing along to the age of Faux paranoia.


Welcome to a new kind of Republican crazy
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
AM Hate radio dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow their craziness
For that's enough to argue.


Don't want to be a Republican idiot
One nation controlled by the Faux media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot Republicans.


Welcome to a new kind of Republican crazy
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of Faux news
We're not the ones who're meant to follow their propaganda
For that's enough to argue.



From 2007:

these protesters are , at best, a bunch of misguided idealists who don't know how good they've got it in this country.
now, i'd be really impressed if they protested against the abusive regimes of north korea, iran, cuba - IN THOSE COUNTRIES. that would take REAL cojones!

Posted by: Anonymous | September 15, 2007 8:44 PM

People, you still don't get it. Bush is doing the right thing and all the protesting won't change our committment. Why? We have a LEADER in office, not a politician who waffles and flips. Now, for all of you who say "the american people" don't support the war...what are you basing that on? Polls?
Posted by: Emerson Bolen | September 15, 2007 10:41 PM


If you are truly against the war, you'd *want* the media to ignore the goofball communist/Code Pink/International ANSWER morons who march in them... because their behavior makes those against the war look like idiots. The guy dressed like Santa Claus? Yeah, he looks like he is serious about ending the war. Sheesh.

Posted by: Jim | September 15, 2007 11:13 PM


Peace Now!...they chanted...but hundreds of protesters were arrested for throwing signs [at] and spitting [on] police!

...Ahhhh...the looney left,but now Joplin and Morrison would be proud!
*NICE JOB LOONIES*

Paulo


"Protest march"? Nope. Just a dumb show intended for the media. Intended only to give sympathetic media types an excuse to push the pro-defeat cause.
Posted by: Bruce | September 16, 2007 9:19 AM


The media gave a lot of TV space to this communist peace march and noted 190 of these rent-a-mob protesters were arrested. Ramsey Clark and Cindy Sheehan are both communists. Sheehan had her picture taken with Hugo Chavez she would of had it taken with Mahmood from Iran but, she couldn't afford to travel to Iran.
Posted by: Jerry White | September 17, 2007 10:11 AM


Speaking of the media, Mark, it's been a couple days and you STILL haven't shown the GOP response to Obama's address.

Since media Democrats are obviously afraid of an open, fair debate, it's up to readers to do the job they won't. Here's a link to the GOP response, delivered by a physician and Congressman: http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26072&Itemid=57&limit=1&limitstart=1


********************************************
SUPPORT STUPID POSTS, POST THEM DAILY, IDIOTIC AND REPETITIVE. NOW.that was for you DonnieBoy

Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | September 10, 2009 6:19 PM
***********************************************
.


Teresa,
"Don" or "Donnie" is a voice that lives in your head, "he's" not real and we can't see "him".


How many times do I have to tell you that?



"He's a liar! It's a plot to indoctrinate our children and kill granny I tells ya!


Will someone please help me get this damn tin foil off my head?!?!'

Funniest post that I've ever read from the Swamp! ;-p


Thanks, " Bobby Booby ", at least you can still laugh at yourself. Guys like Wilson have to pull their heads out of their ideology and by all means necessary, wash themselves off !! There is no point in letting that venom harm anybody else !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.


Obama deserves to be called a lair with all the lies he throws out through his teleprompter


Bill r: crackpot! Bill, if you have so much time on your hands keeping track of what folks say in these blogs, then it is quite obvious you truly are nothing but a worthless piece of lefty loon living off the public dime!

If Obimbo wants a more civil public discourse, then he should start with himself and his slimy little cabal of human waste, led by the likes of Obimbo himself, the Little Ballet Dancer and then that propagandist stooge known as Robert Fibbs. Stop attacking everyone from Rush Limbaugh to American housewives who attend townhall meetings to American veterans who attend a Tea Party Rally.


Please pepper all criticisms of this Administration w/ the following. Feel free to be creative and dare we say "LIBERAL" in their use:
Van Jones, ACORN, Socialism, Marxist, Muslim, anti-American, Big Brother, ObamaCare, Change you Can Believe In?, Rev. Wright, Saul Alinksy, Michelle looks like a wookie.


Posted by: John D | September 11, 2009 10:17 AM

John D lecturing on civil public discourse? Classic!!!!

To use your own words Johnny, you truly are the worst the world has to offer. And I mean that in the best possible way.


then it is quite obvious you truly are nothing but a worthless piece of lefty loon living off the public dime!
Posted by: John D | September 11, 2009 10:17 AM


I hear that all the time. Generalization usually brings this on. Fact is John, you couldn't afford my electric bills. I pay more in property taxes for my 6 homes than you pay in income tax. I retired at 52 and still pay over 250K taxes a year on investment income. My boat cost more than your home. As a matter of fact, I'm at anchor right now along the ICW. I don't usually rub this in anybody's face until they come up with this lazy lib stuff. So just remember, while your working, I've got a line in the water and a drink with an umbrella in it. I'll be at the beach house next week...if you can lose your "tude" you would be more than welcome!


Please pepper all criticisms of this Administration w/ the following. Feel free to be creative and dare we say "LIBERAL" in their use:
Van Jones, ACORN, Socialism, Marxist, Muslim, anti-American, Big Brother, ObamaCare, Change you Can Believe In?, Rev. Wright, Saul Alinksy, Michelle looks like a wookie.

Posted by: GOP Talking Points | September 11, 2009 10:26 AM


Well, let's see if you can support those phoney talking points from the DNC?

Start with Van Jones the racist.

Then get to ACORN the criminal community organization. Please explain the voter fraud and recent prostitution ring involvement. They'll be needing more lawyers, maybe president Obama can return to the rool he once held for them?

Socialism speaks for itself goofball

Marxist?

Muslim - whose faith is that?

Anti-American - depends on your own frame of liberal mind

Big Brother = liberal government

ObamaCare? not yet defined by anyone, including Obama

Change you can believe in - where did that go?

Rev. Wright - go back to Van Jones, ditto head!

Saul Alinsky?

Michelle who?


Stop attacking everyone from Rush Limbaugh to American housewives who attend townhall meetings to American veterans who attend a Tea Party Rally.

Posted by: John D | September 11, 2009 10:17 AM

I am an American veteran! Nam....probably while you were wasting your time in journalism school. But enjoy the freedoms that I put my life on the line for. Especially the one where you get to call me a freeloader and couldn't be farther from the truth.


Ok Bobbie Mobbie (John D),
You are Stupid and Dumb (redundant). I checked this morning and I still have my pair, thanks for asking. By the way, just because someone disagrees with your far right BS, doesn't make them Left. I am a moderate Conservative and was a Republican until the right wing nut jobs on radio and cable and the current idiots in the Republican party hijacked it. Why do you mock the troops with your mocking of Don Fitzgerald?


You've got to give it up Don Fitzgerald!

Unless you start posting the murder - death - kill numbers from Afghanistan and Pakistan on a weekly basis, president Obama is not going to pay attention to your daily rants!

Haven't you sent letter's to the White House with your daily demands? If you demand they reinstitute the weekly pictures of flag draped caskets coming back, maybe they'll realize that the Obama administration is no better than the Bush administration was at the game of WAR and begin to pay attention to you. Nobody else is anyway!

You and little bill need a rest, a long relaxing rest somewhere with padded rooms and pictures of George Bush on the walls you can spit on and curse at.


Posted by: John D | September 11, 2009 10:17 AM

"Bill r: crackpot! Bill, if you have so much time on your hands keeping track of what folks say in these blogs, then it is quite obvious you truly are nothing but a worthless piece of lefty loon living off the public dime!"


Results of Google Search (which took less than 10 seconds for both):

"Posted by bill r." on "www.swamppolitics.com" hits = 3,410

"Posted by John D" on "www.swamppolitics.com" hits =14,500

I think the numbers speak for which is the one who appears to have the more "time on his hands" and which would be, therefore, a "worthless piece" of something-or-other. "Living off the public dime" looks like a part of John Dolt's imagination (rather like the friends he claims think so highly of him). And, don't a lot of Dolt's posts deal with how many articles in the Swamp were favorable for such-and-such (Republican), versus how many were favorable to somebody else (Democrat)? Or perhaps what a certain person might have said weeks, months, or years ago?

"If Obimbo wants a more civil public discourse, then he should start with himself and his slimy little cabal of human waste, led by the likes of Obimbo himself, the Little Ballet Dancer and then that propagandist stooge known as Robert Fibbs. Stop attacking everyone from Rush Limbaugh to American housewives who attend townhall meetings to American veterans who attend a Tea Party Rally."


Or maybe Obama should stop wasting his time trying to have a civil discourse with people who are proving themselves daily of being more and more incapable of civil discourse and just smack them down to the earth where they belong. If Bill attacks right-wingers, you attack left-wingers with (as the numbers indicate) a much greater frequency, so where DO you get the sanctimoniousness to start throwing stones about attacks? Weren't YOU pretty much willing to "attack" protesters against the invasion of Iraq a few years ago? Don't you spend at least a few paragraphs a day "attacking" the "Libune"? Wait -- I've answered my own question. Bald-faced hypocrisy, thy name is: "DOLT."


Oh Dopie Opie, as usual you have it all wrong. But then what else should one expect from worthless crumbs such as yourself?
As far as civil or uncivil discourses, I just responded in kind to the filth you and your ilk put forth on a daily basis. I'm not afraid to go right into the gutter with the Loons from the Left. In other words, I just dish right back what you and your worthless brethren put forth.

Anyway, Bill R., perhaps you have the money you say you have. Perhaps not. If you do, I'm wondering who did you rob or who did you sue or who did you cheat over the years to get that money?
As far as whether you are a Nam vet or not. If so, good for you. Still doesn't you have carte blanch treatment to pass the crap like you do and doesn't mean I can't call you on it!


If you do, I'm wondering who did you rob or who did you sue or who did you cheat over the years to get that money?
Posted by: John D | September 12, 2009 12:27 AM


Funny someone who admires the capitalist system would believe the only way to have money is to sue, rob, or swindle someone. Which is it John?


Posted by: John D | September 12, 2009 12:27 AM

"Oh Dopie Opie, as usual you have it all wrong. But then what else should one expect from worthless crumbs such as yourself?
As far as civil or uncivil discourses, I just responded in kind to the filth you and your ilk put forth on a daily basis. I'm not afraid to go right into the gutter with the Loons from the Left. In other words, I just dish right back what you and your worthless brethren put forth.

... which is EXACTLY what you and your ilk put forth daily. For you to claim it's "in kind" is just plain laughable, since our "in kind" is "in kind" to YOU and your brethren garbage.

"Anyway, Bill R., perhaps you have the money you say you have. Perhaps not. If you do, I'm wondering who did you rob or who did you sue or who did you cheat over the years to get that money?
As far as whether you are a Nam vet or not. If so, good for you. Still doesn't you have carte blanch treatment to pass the crap like you do and doesn't mean I can't call you on it!"

AND you have no more right to YOUR carte blanche treatment than he does. If you get called on it, come up with a better argument than: "Oh, but I just give back what I get, you bad bad baddies!" You have NO credibility crying about hypocrisy and vicious attacks as long as you're dishing it yourself.


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