Ye gads! Fox is top cable news channel

20 Responses to Ye gads! Fox is top cable news channel

1. Sandra Price

   January 5, 2010 at 3:29 pm

   I did not bring it up.  It was Griff who brought up an old link on the subject.  I am not clever enough not to be baited.  I thought I made myself clear that my opinions will never be accepted at CHB.  You can cut anything you desire but it will not stop the problems found in our government.  So I won’t bother. I desperately want to discuss issues but I will not be dragged into issues made months ago just to get your attention.  It always works.  It’s your site and your rules.  It always has been and I respect it.  But it does not touch on what is wrong in American politics.  Are you a peace keeper or a place to discuss what is wrong in America?  You know chief, I do not speak lightly on any subject.  I have thousands of books that I have read and used for research.  But that isn’t good enough when there is always a group who will complain and want me silenced.  This subject of religious influence in our government is back in the news and easily 50 other sites are interested in discussions of what we should do about it.  I want no churches closed!  I donate heavily to the Salvation Army and many charities who do good work for the less fortunate Americans.  But when the government gets involved in any level of religion, it turns into extremist war-like actions.  Read Madison and Jefferson and their words of warnings on this subject.  No!  Better to stop the discussions and keep the wars going in places like the Middle East. 

   I did not want to put you on the spot.  There is nothing more to say. 

    

    
2. almandine

   January 2, 2010 at 6:55 pm

   In a nutshell, yeah, except that it’s not a Wall Street Plot, it’s a truly leftist takeover attempt using the largesse of govt as a way to bankrupt the country (read middle class) so as to redistribute the wealth “fairly”. You have TOO much, so give it to them. What’s interesting in the link(s) I provided is the strong hand of ACORN, SEIU, Obama – and his organizing ilk – moving the checkers around the board. 

    Haven’t we ALL wondered.. “why are they taking our country deeper, deeper, and deeper in to debt without ANY ability to pay the money back? What are those fools thinking?”                                         

   The reason it’s related to the current thread is that the talking heads, for whom you seem to have little use, are using that frame of reference and others of similar principle for their diatribes against the left, the crimepols, healthcare reform, cap-and-tax, TARP gone wild, etc. They have the platform for much of what you and I would say, given the chance; i.e., the last I checked, we rant likewise here.

   Except for the Republican thing, which is the only political roadblock in DC – and thus the only turn-to in the short run, our views seem pretty consistent with Beck’s, just to pick one of them. Google Beck and Cloward-Piven just for starters.

   It’s become too trendy to support any of these talking heads publicly, but when the spotlight shuts down and the principles are sorted through, it’s theirs – and not Obama’s, Pelosi’s, Reid’s… you pick the politician – that you’ll find yourself leaning toward… seriously. And whatever their personal motives you think you discern, it’s the relative outcome I think we should ponder.

   I say whatever they can do to thwart the current “Chains we can believe in”… that are headed our way, GO FOR IT!

    
3. griff

   January 2, 2010 at 5:52 pm

   Ha. I probably could, but I actually mean what I write.

   As for the Cloward-Piven strategy, it seems to be wildly successful. Kind of how communism was introduced in Russia. A supposed “people’s movement” financed by Wall Street and London that used the people themselves as a springboard to totalitarian government.
4. byreen

   January 2, 2010 at 9:36 am

   You got it Griff, Murdoch/Rush etc, are laughing their ass off as the band of merry ditto heads trash the fourth estate. For those that believe the few morsels of fact spewed by these figureheads are not wrapped in sinister underlying lies to manipulate and usurp our right to honest representation of the facts proves main street mentality is defunct. Damn, the Nazi’s would be proud.
5. almandine

   January 2, 2010 at 10:58 am

   And here I thought you actually wrote for Beck.

   OK, calm down, just a Joke!

   But on a related front, what do you think of the Cloward-Piven strategy?

   http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6967
6. griff

   January 2, 2010 at 8:46 am

   Those points of departure are the reason I can’t stomach Rush, et al. Actually I stopped watching televised news almost two years ago, but I mostly watched MSNBC prior.

   I recall MSNBC cancelling both Phil Donahue’s show and Jesse Ventura’s show during the Iraq propaganda campaign because they were opposed. They went so far as paying Ventura’s three year contract so he couldn’t go to another outlet.

   I also recall Fox’s treatment of Ron Paul during the primaries. Now all of a sudden they’ve taken up his very causes? While their rhetoric may be attractive to many, I for one realize their game and refuse to play it.

   They’re just herding people back to the Republicans, and I’m afraid they’re being quite successful. Glenn Beck has become some kind of cult hero with his false libertarian bent and bipolar rhetoric. It pains me to see the kind of following he’s attracted.

     
7. Sandra Price

   January 3, 2010 at 12:30 pm

   Had Dr. Paul been able to bring up some solid changes in the many problems we all have with D.C. he may have been able to get more support.  And yet, Goldwater did just that and the abrupt changes he promised in the government frightened the voters.  Dr. Paul has been involved in some activities that I find questionable and I will look into them again.  My daughter involved in a form of law enforcement and has doubts about his agenda.  I keep wishing Rand would step in and clear this up.  It will be he who will run in the next election.  We need to draw people who are seriously concerned with freedoms.  The tea parties are of no interest to many that I deal with.  We are concerned with the bill of rights. 

   I took some nasty hits on RR years ago when I mentioned my participation in legalizing Marijuana for medical purposes.  I had spent several years as Hospice worker and saw the need.  I hesitate to get involved again as it causes some really bad reactions to even more of my agenda items.  I will always give the American citizen the freedom to choose their vices and habits.  This has annoyed the GOP for decades. 

    

   Sandy
8. griff

   January 2, 2010 at 7:21 pm

   I’m afraid you’re all too accurate in your assessment. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, yes?

   When it comes to talking heads, I listen to the only one that I trust – my own. The rest are pimps.

   I will admit that I’m pleased they’re widening the discussion, particularly on the financial issues; but again they’re the minority opposition, and they’re extremely skilled and efficient in that role.

   I’m also pleased with the early success of Rand Paul’s senate run in Kentucky. It’s getting some play nationally.

   If you paid close attention to Ron Paul’s campaign last election, there were serious battles taking place in districts all over the country with the Republican Establishment. Many lessons learned for many political newbies, myself included.

   Lindsay Graham was recently shouted down at a town hall so bad that he insisted the Republican party wasn’t going to be taken over by Ron Paul. The spirit of 1776 is being reignited.

   The Democrats have shown us how easy it is to play the opposition and win an election.

   Sleep is no longer an option. It’s up to the People to tune back in and keep ‘em honest.  
9. almandine

   January 2, 2010 at 8:20 pm

   As you allude – we must take minority positions that grow nationally, as long as we wake up, tune back in, and keep ‘em honest.

   In support, I registered Repub (gag) this last election, coming out of 40 years of independence, just to become precinct captain and push the Ron Paul (Freedom) agenda. It was amazing the number of others in my county doing the same thing. The message IS getting through.

   Campaign for Liberty !   Let those talking heads lead the way !

   Back them in their righteous moments… don’t stand down in political correctness  (not that you ever have, I’m thinking). We need all the help and voices that we can muster.

    

    
10. Sandra Price

    January 3, 2010 at 8:32 am

    almandine, I have been a Paul supporter for many years.  I did this publically and still have my bumperstickers on my car and front door.  I got tired of being laughed at on the internet and told by my close conservative friends that Dr. Paul is a freak!  This included many here at CHB.  Is there a chance for Rand? 

    This movement seems to be a repeat of Goldwater’s agenda in 1964.  It was the RNC that tore him apart.  Will we see this again and again?  His opinions on the Federal Reserve are valid and we all learned that Greenspan was not aware of the corruption depth that destroyed this freedom.  Dr. Paul is aware of the corrpution that has permeated the government and I know of no one else who could clean this up.  But I absolurely believe that Rand has the best capability of working this out.  What do we have to lose? 

    It could take 20 years to pay off our debts and clean out the corruption but do we have a choice for our future?  Personally I believe the GOP has gone so far into corruption it may take a new party to clean the slate.  I’m with you if this is the case. 

    2012 may be too soon to build anything except the Congress.  I was so certain that Goldwater would have the votes but I was shocked when the Rockefeller power group worked against him.  The Social Conservatives are afraid of Paul as their agenda would never be acceptable. 

    Selling this fiscal agenda to the people will be the biggest challenge ever set up in America.  The voters want their free stuff more than they want their freedoms. 

     
11. griff

    January 3, 2010 at 10:14 am

    Yeah I was forced to register Republican last time as well. I’m determined to stay in and see this through. Tough slogging last time.

    Although I really wish it wasn’t so, we have the Democrats and Obama to partially thank for this awakening. They’ve really dropped the ball, particularly considering the ridiculous hype of Obama’s campaign and subsequent election.

    I was precinct captain as well, and was amazed at the recognition Dr. Paul received from even lifelong Democrats. Some liked him because of simple issues like online gambling or marijuana. But alas, when push came to shove, they played it safe and toed the party line.

    Having closed primaries didn’t help us much either. Many people didn’t bother to change affiliation or weren’t aware at all.

    In a recent interview, Rand Paul pointed out that tea party events were drawing significantly more people than Republican events. A good sign, if only we can break the media’s misrepresentation of these movements.
12. griff

    January 3, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    Yeah I seem to remember you writing a blog in which you abandoned the Paul campaign because he didn’t believe in evolution. As if that has any thing to do with government. That’s all I needed to know.

    http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/4238

    In case you’ve forgotten. I’ll repeat my response of that day…good riddance…don’t let the door hit ya…

    I look at the overall, not the minutae. For instance, Rand Paul is an advocate of term limits; I am not. Those are peripheral issues that have little significance both in the overall scheme and the immediate concerns.

    But we decide on emotion and peripherals, and not the long view. I prefer the latter.
13. Carl Nemo

    January 2, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Thanks Sandra, I’ll check out the title.  I haven’t had a chance to get back to RR since posting some comments yesterday.  I’ll do so now.

    Happy New Year 2010…! : )

    Carl Nemo **==
14. CynthiaK2

    January 2, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Comcast offers a Digital Starter package for $60 a month, which includes MSNBC.  I have the Digital Economy package ($30), which includes Fox cable but not MSNBC.   Your skepticism can be verified by contacting Comcast in the western Massachusetts viewing area.

    Fox broadcast network is in dispute with Time Warner, not Fox cable. 

     
15. almandine

    January 2, 2010 at 11:37 am

    Comcast is not the ONLY game in town (the country)… and contacting Comcast in western Mass would surely not be definitive for the entire country, would it? Show me real numbers.

    I didn’t say FOX cable, I was talking about TIME Warner removing FOX News from its cable offerings.

    And my point about FOX having twice the viewership of the other news networks was related mostly to MSNBC, because – as the link shows – CNN competes well (#2) in some ratings, although FOX still leads ALL of them in market share. Do you get CNN?

    I personally think the reason MSNBC falls short is the common perception that they are nothing more than shills for the White House. Ever listen to Chuck Todd? Boy, what a suck-up.
16. Sandra Price

    January 2, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    Carl, on R.R. Slipped Mickey has suggested a book that might be of interest to this subject.  Empire of Illusion is the title by Chris Hedges.  Many are ordering it. 

     

    Sandy
17. Carl Nemo

    January 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Sensationalism sells both newspapers and tabloids bigtime as well as TV media of the same genre’.  It’s all about sponsorship and selling evermore “stuff” to the unwashed masses.  That’s why Rush Limbaugh is so popular.  His style appeals to a mob based mentality and his network sponsors are willing to reward him handsomely. 

    Neither Fox ‘News’ or Rush might appeal to folks that find CHB or RR to be their cup of tea, but there’s millions that thrive on such reporting and it sells products bigtime.

    Accuracy in reporting nor reason have anything to do with these modern era ’news’ reporting phenomena.

    Carl Nemo **== 
18. almandine

    January 1, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Hey Carl…                                                                                 

    I’m really interested in the notion that Rush, Beck, and Hannity would not be the cup of tea around here. I get them on the radio every now and then going back/forth to work, and what I hear is Exactly the same kind of rants and raves we promote here daily. Their’s is about the fallacy of big govt and economic bailouts, the problems with health insurance reform, cap-and-tax, the new socialism and its attack on your wallet, and the criminal pols now in control of the govt who foist it all upon us. Sound familiar?

    Their points of departure are foreign policy and Republicanism – much in support of the MIC – as a better way forward… which seriously strains credibility, but not near as much as the crap hurled in response. I have a completely hard time trying to rationalize what the left is trying to accomplish, i.e., the transformation of our republic into just another banana.

    Of course, what I’ve described is not their “reporting” but the output of their most lightning-rod-like opinioneers, who are what most people who rail against FOX are actually railing against. Tis easier to throw rocks than address issues.

    During my recent recovery from shoulder surgery I had the opportunity to watch the FOX Business Channel, which was a truly enlightening look at the economy, real data, govt reports, policy makers, and analysis by ALL sides of the economic spectrum. It was remarkable for the fair-minded approach they took throughout the entire day… every day. MSNBC, CNN, etc., have nothing even remotely like it, and I advise anyone to watch that channel in the afternoons for up-to-date, reality-based economic news and analysis.

    I’m of the opinion that – on balance – FOX actually has the best coverage of all the issues that we here at CHB find most useful to know about. Of course, a good look at their competition would provide useful counterpoint.

     
19. acf

    January 2, 2010 at 12:16 am

    Absolutely. In my market of greater Boston, MA, the 3 primary stations run 60 to 90 minutes of half hour news programs starting between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The majority of time consists of teasers to get you to come back after the commercial, and hopefully when the next 30 minute program starts. Incidently, many of the commercials are, believe it or not, ads for the station’s news program. Next, there are the inevitible celebrity ‘news items’ that end with a “You can see more about this on the XYZ Show, tonight on our station”. Add in the daily animal story flavor of the month (bears in the winter, and sharks in the summer), and you can see that there isn’t much time for any serious coverage of the news that’s important. And don’t get me started about the giggling “happy talk”, that makes the whole thing sound like it’s for and by 12 year old girls.
20. Hoosier_CowBoy

    January 1, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Considering that all news programs on the boober are total crap to begin with, putting Faux at the top of the poop pile is highly appropriate.

    The news is dead, and has been dead for a long time. It irrelevant and a total waste of time.

    The local news and national news consisyts of a half hour, 14 minutes of which is commercials and the the actual content many times is disquised commercial messages.

     

     
21. almandine

    January 1, 2010 at 11:43 am

    No argument there.
22. darknyt4

    January 1, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    It doesn’t matter. The Repubs will take back both houses of Congress in 2010, they will impeach Obama & Biden and Boehner will be President. One of the first pieces of action will be to mandate that Fox News  is the National News channel and will outlaw all other news outlet. Olbermann, Madaow, and all the rest of us who consider ourselves Progressive will be packed of to Gitmo or some other black prison becasue we do not fit their narrow definition of what a patriot is.

    ************************************************************

    As they say around the Texas Legislature, if you can’t drink their whiskey, screw their women, take their money, and vote against ‘em anyway, you don’t belong in office.-Molly Ivins
23. byreen

    January 1, 2010 at 9:31 am

    All the numbers prove is that lies, innuendo, sensationalism, derision, and diversion sell to the low IQ masses.

    Both camps, liberal and neo conservative are products of the sewer that bubbles from a swamp in Olde Maryland, and to call either a news source in the true sense of the word is blasphemy.

    On one side it’s all T&A, on the other it’s brother can you willingly spare a dime before we take it from you anyway.

    They’re interchangeable, no sense trying to guess which is which, who is who, or separate the two leeches feeding on the American psyche.

    Ratings ,BAH…
24. dooziew0

    January 1, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I object to the use of the word “News” in their name.  News with any kind of slant at all is not news, it’s propaganda.  They should call it the Fox Propaganda Channel.
25. almandine

    January 1, 2010 at 11:19 am

    All so-called news (any information transmitted to the masses) is filtered by All providers and is thus propaganda by your definition, with which I agree. Sorting wheat from chaff is your task… and mine.

    As for FOX, they are no less authentic in their approach than are CNN, MSNBC, etc. Given that a far larger plurality of Americans report themselves as conservative, as compared with being liberal, the numbers reported in this article are not surprising.
26. CynthiaK2

    January 1, 2010 at 10:31 am

    Fox News is offered to more cable subscribers, thus more viewers.  I have Digital Economy cable service and can get Fox but not MSNBC.  If I want MSNBC I have to pay $30 more a month.  This is a bias within the cable provider industry. 

     

     
27. almandine

    January 1, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    I am skeptical about your claim. The number of FOX viewers is far and away larger than the other networks, and the market penetration of each cable news network doesn’t seem that different to me. With Huffington being part of the vast left-wing media, they would likely have pointed out any such discrepancies based on market-share percentages.

    A link to mediabistro shows the latest viewership number differences, in which FOX often doubles other networks’ viewers:

    http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/

    I also find it interesting that Time Warner is threatening to remove FOX from its cable news offerings; my thoughts lead me to the conclusion that they want the viewership FOX enjoys for their own news shows, which can’t compete.
28. issodhos

    January 1, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    All so-called news (any information transmitted to the masses) is filtered by All providers and is thus propaganda by your definition, with which I agree. Sorting wheat from chaff is your task… and mine.

    Quite.

    Yours,
    Issodhos
29. Carl Nemo

    January 2, 2010 at 3:32 am

    Good point Almandine and one that I hadn’t considered. I’ve listened only to short segments of Rush, Hannity, Beck et al. over time and have never listened to a complete program on Tv or the radio.

    I have the attention span of a chicken when it comes listening to television broadcast views. I gather most of my information from print media; ie., magazines, newspapers etc. I have IBD (Investors Business Daily) delivered to the house, always looking forward to the latest Ramirez cartoon.  The December 30 issue of IBD had a cartoon on page A10 of a Barney Fife styled TSA cop done in Ramirez’s inimitable style with a caption “Don’t worry we’ll be much better at healthcare”.   

     When I watch the one eye, I generally switch between the History Channel and Discovery with an occasional snapshot of what’s current in the news on CNN. I wished I could subscribe to a six pack bundle instead of the expanded basic I now have with 71 channels minus three that interest me. Occassionally I’ll watch AMC or TNT for some entertainment. I haven’t watched local news channels in years.

      On new years eve AMC had an all day showing of ”Three Stooge” movies which were truly a hoot based on their simple-minded humor. I could even relate them to our three branches of government; Larry, SCOTUS, Mo, the Executive Branch, and Curly, our Congress with their slapstick comedy routines, although our three branches of government are involved with that which is deadly to the well-being of our nation.

    Maybe I need to get back into listening to AM radio.  I’m serious too, in that way, I can feel the pulse of that which excites most folks when it comes to spirited news coverage and commentary presented in a grassroots manner. Possibly I’m operating with a bucket on my head…? : ) 

    Carl Nemo **== 

     
30. sherry

    January 4, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    It’s just too funny when people choose to single out Fox News as being biased.

    Is anyone here seriously going to suggest BSNBC is not biased? Or CNN?

    As for BSMBC. I had it until August of last year. I don’t miss it.

    CNN is ok, but they were in the tank for Obama as well.

    I don’t watch the ranters, but their basic news is OK. So are the others. It’s the commentaries you dislike. I get that. It is important to understand the difference.

    As for me, I don’t watch the news. I will never vote again. The people will elect the guy the media tells them to vote for and they do.

    Dear America, we regret to inform you, your country is lost because you were stupid.

     
31. Doug Thompson

    January 5, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    I cut a traditional pissing contest short and removed from comments because it turned personal and has no place in this debate.

    Sandy, stop dragging religion into every discussion thread you get involved in. I’m tired of it and so are others. This discussion had nothing to do with religion or evolution or even Ron Paul and — as too often happens when any of these three are brought into a discussion it goes to hell quickly.

    We are here to discuss issues not bash each other.