Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Why I Hate Television News, part 678749386456392.


I went out to play music last night and had one really great set before someone came into the bar, sucked all the joy out of evening and I had to leave. But that's another story for another day.

I got home early enough to hear Hillary's speech, and I thought she did a really good job. Regular readers will know that I'm not a big fan of Hillary's. I really disliked some of the slimier aspects of her primary campaign, like the as-far-as-I-know moment on 60 Minutes, but last night she delivered a really good speech. It was nicely written and well-delivered.

I woke up this morning, walked Duncan in the rain, and then turned on the TV to watch some blather while I did mindless exercisey motions against my better judgement. And what comes on the TV? People picking apart Hillary's speech like a circle of shaman combing through buffalo dung looking for hints of the future. I mean, holy shit.

As I flicked around, trying to find anything that wouldn't make me want to poke my eyes out, I ran across the CBS Morning Twaddle with some asshole (an asshole with a book, of course) actually divining Hillary's intent by reading her goddamn body language. HER GODDAMN BODY LANGUAGE.

And amazingly, he can discern subtle nuances in Hillary's true intent based on what he can see above the fucking podium. Sweeet Jesus, have we, as a nation, become so mouth-breathingly stupified that this is what passes for political discourse on a major network?

Holy Mother of God. Somebody shoot me.
Somebody shoot me now.

11 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I so agree. It's as if these media types can't let go of what they saw as a good story. It's sickening.

JD Rhoades said...

I'm mostly watching the convention on C-Span. Even ABC had me rolling on the couch with my hands over my eyes moaning "THE STUPID! IT BURRRRNS!" I can't even see Chris Matthews without wanting to punch him in his fat face. And CBS has bent so far backwards to avoid looking liberal and upsetting the wingnuts that it's managed to stick its head up its own ass.

Thank God for David Gergen.

pattinase (abbott) said...

And on all those networks, what you do see is Chris Matthews' face or Olberman or whoever it is, more than you see the people on the podium trying to put forth a platform. A bunch of narcisists that think only they can explain it to us.

Anonymous said...

Another slow day at work ...

Just curious. How do you guys/gals feel about Keith Olbermann? I used to love him doing sports, but he’s kind of become the left’s Bill O’Reilly … it’s pretty hard to watch a “debate” hosted by a guy so in the tank for one party (never mind the candidate), he can’t stop himself (lately) from arguing on air with anybody who doesn’t agree with him/his choice. MSNBC seems to love him. Joe Scarborough referred to him (and those like him—including himself) as “carnival barkers” in regards to Olbermann’s discussing Tim Russert’s fairness (and I thought he'd be fired for it)

… I thought Keith-O's “tears” were worn …

Again, just curious what you think about Keith-O …

David Terrenoire said...

Charlie 3X,

I like Keith OK, but he takes himself far too seriously with his windy Special Pronouncements.

But, his embarrassing sycophancy (his admission, by the way) aside, I'm glad there's someone out there to balance the so called objectivity of the networks, 90% of the bloviator class and the pronounced right-ward tilt of people like Joe. If you caught even a moment of Scarborough this morning, you know what I'm talking about.

And I do love Keith's Worst Persons segment.

JD Rhoades said...

I respect Olbermann for taking Bush on when every other talking head was continuing to toe the Rove line. But yeah, the guy's unwatchable.

JD Rhoades said...

Patti: I was incensed that CNN wasn't showing Republican representative Jim Leach's speech, since they'd drooled so much over Zell Miller at the Republican Convention last time. Then I flipped to CNN and discovered that there was a reason they were showing network talking heads. Leach was about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Anonymous said...

I'm done. So done. I'm voting for Obama and, again, will be the only one in this county who voted Democrat. (yeah, okay, I did hope for a nanosecond to have a candidate living nearby and living in the safest place in the county ... )

You know, there's only two months left and my head will explode if I listen to any more. When people tune into entertainers (Jon Steward), former sportscasters (Olberman) for political commentary and analysis ...

I'm so tired of all this that the only news item today that got me passionate was the demolition of a former brothel and speak-easy in my old hometown. I mourned over that photo of piled bricks and debris. I walked by or drove past that place for 25 years. I mean, where's the respect for local landmarks?

Anonymous said...

Fair enough ... (did I type this?).

Dave 3x's ... I agree, worse persons is hilarious. So are the puppet theatres ... and you're right again, it's the self-righteous sweeping statements (like the one he went after HC with -- and I hate her) ... still, he's MSNBC's boy.

David Terrenoire said...

Charlie,

He's MSNBC's boy because he's got good ratings. He makes money for GE. Left right doesn't matter as long as the man's getting paid.

Karen Olson said...

I like Olbermann for the same reasons cited here: that the left needs this. I watch Morning Joe every morning while I'm working out to get the other side. Personally, I wasn't thrilled with Hillary last night, but it was mostly that video montage before she spoke. Have any other primary losers gotten one of those? Did Howard Dean? Uh, no... The pandering to the Clintons is driving me nuts.