BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: bankley
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 11:22 AM

'I go dialing through the hotspots on the all talk radio
The dialog's distorted on those sketchy sponsored shows
Stupidity runs rampant, common sense is rare
Their slanted limping words, all they ever do is foul the air

We trade liberty for security, reality for a facade
You and me, we lose authenticity whenever we drink from the mirage
C'est dommage"

from 'Mirage' RB

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:45 AM

"Red Eye" comes on at midnight, which means, one can co to the 'Biography' channel, or watch a late night show...or PBS, or anything but, 'Red Eye' which is an embarrassment to Fox!

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 10:39 AM

If the people of the US were going to protest this kind of thing from FOX NEWS every time they do it, we would be protesting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Same goes for Rush Limbaugh and most of what is in the US known as "Talk Radio". This kind of thing is the norm for these people.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 03:26 PM

Not the issue DougR. Of course the priest has the right to not attend.

The issue is: is Fox News fair and balanced, as they claim to be? (and as you no doubt believe them to be).

Seems to me that if you have an avowed Roman Catholic as a moderator in a discussion between a priest and Phil Donahue, that's kinda 2 on 1 instead of fair and balanced, dontcha think?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: DougR
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 02:44 PM

Mick: If you are going to report something you saw on a cable network you do not approve of, you might want to include all the facts. Obama's stance on Stem Cell research was not the only problem the young lady you mentioned had with Obama. As you said, she is Roman Catholic. How many practicing Roman Catholics do you see leading the charge for abortions? The Bishop is not attending the ND graduation where Obama will speak because the president champions some things Catholics devoutly oppose.

It's their right, right?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Peace
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 09:32 PM

I am not going back to that particular Youtube site anymore. It is very 'inflamed' now. I took the opportunity to post words that expressed what was said in some earlier posts. It is a few assholes who did that 'skit' which I suppose serves as comedy for some. BUT, it was NOT Americans. Lord knows, we have our share of idiots in this country, too. I applaud heric's post in which he suggested it wasn't wise to expend the energy/anguish. Then he indicated that families from many countries faced a uniformed person come to their doors with the worst news parents or wives/husbands can hear.

I will be writing letters to the sponsors of that show and informing them that I will not purchase their products until such time as it is removed from the airwaves.

I wrote to the show itself but don't expect to hear back. There isn't much to say when someone tells you to FUCK OFF. I 'signed' my name to it and it went via e-mail. I couldn't find a way to write to the FOX administration. If anyone knows, would you please let me have an e-mail address for them?

Thank you.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 09:01 PM

..."it has the largest audience of all the cable companies by a rather large margin..."


And lots of people fill their faces at McDonalds regularly. That must mean it's good for you. Look at all those healthy people out there.

Garbage in = Garbage out. And you're nothing but a trash receptacle.
One could hope people would be more discerning with what they fill their heads with.

One could hope...

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 07:17 PM

I watched an interview this afternoon on Fox. Some blonde interviewer had Phil Donahue in studio, and a priest from Notre Dame. The subject was the invitation of the President of the United States to Notre Dame to receieve an honorary degree. There is a protest of this given the President's decision to open up stem cell research. Give it a watch (I am sure it is available on some website) and tell me that was unbiased. The interviewer id'ed herself as a Catholic, was in full denial on the problems, purposefully slanted things towards the priest, and continually cut off Donahue.

News? Hardly.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 07:04 PM

"... it has the largest audience of all the cable companies by a rather large margin."

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if that were true.... after all, they are quite clever at getting **attention** with outrageous statements and egregious distortion of the facts..... and really good critical thinking is hard work. Better let O'Reilly & Hannity explain it for you! (and Rush, to hammer home the details!)

I DO hope you aren't going to suggest that we judge truth & reason by Neilson polls?

(something stirring in my aged memory about 'you can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time...)

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: number 6
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:57 PM

Hey Doug .... I do watch Fox, Sean Hannity on a regular basis .... I'm in much need a good laugh these days.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: DougR
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:32 PM

Yet, Number 6, despite your displeasure with the Fox News Network, it has the largest audience of all the cable companies by a rather large margin. Someone must be watching it (I do for example).

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:43 AM

Once upon a time in America, there was a genuine 'conservative' movement, with intellectuals like William Buckley to make their case.

Now, it seems, there is no easy way to BE a conservative and listen to sane, well thought out voices giving one side of the story.

With Fox News, owned & run ..(if I can use the term 'run')... by Rupert Murdoch, whose attitude seems to be 'make money, no matter what the cost to truth & reason', we in the USA are seriously tested.
   We have a tradition of "Freedom of the Press", which allows alternative opinions to be freely disseminated... as long as they are done in a fair & honest way without slander, libel and direct lies.

   Fox "News" and various right-wing radio/TV hosts walk VERY close to this line these days, using every rhetorical device in the book to appeal the fears & prejudices of the willfully ignorant and to slant the truth....because it makes $$$$$ in some areas. (and if you parrot enough lies long enough, you probably begin believing them, too.)

Thus, we have the occasional lapses into bad taste like the crap these supposed 'humorists' created about Canada.
Perhaps we don't need to apologize for it, but we do have an obligation to show that we are aware, and to protest TO the perpetrators when the more egregious examples appear.

'nuff said...

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:24 AM

Maybe people who use MySpace might take a good look at that clip and reflect: this is the sort of organization I'm getting into bed with.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: number 6
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 10:56 AM

Most certainly ... no need for our American friends to apologize .... we up here are fully aware that Fox News is a sick joke and certainly does not represent the voice and views of the American people.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 10:45 AM

To my American Mudcat friends, please do not feel that any apology is needed from you! That in some way would insinuate an empathy with Fox News that we know does not exist! We are disgusted with the broadcast but we certainly don't hold a nation accountable for the action of a few idiots. I do not think , however, that your major networks carry unbiased news coverage of wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. Freedom of speech at somepoint crosses a line that shows the stripe of the speaker. Far better to let such bombast be exposed for what it is than to stifle it!

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 10:42 PM

"...inundating his inbox with clips of an episode that aired..."

A case of shit moving in the wrong direction.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 09:43 PM

"JESSICA LEEDER

Globe and Mail Update

March 23, 2009 at 1:17 PM EDT

Renowned comedian and political satirist Rick Mercer has a few words of advice for the Fox News panelists who incited the Canadian government to demand an apology for their mocking of the Canadian military.

"If you're going to do satire, three of the most important rules are you have to tell the truth, you can't be a bully and don't be an asshole," said Mr. Mercer, who hosts his own show on CBC. "Being a bully is not satire."

Mr. Mercer learned of the controversial comments, made by Greg Gutfeld, host of the late-night program Red Eye with Gret Gutfeld after fans of his program began inundating his inbox with clips of an episode that aired on March 17."



Part of the article.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countries
From: robomatic
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 09:30 PM

When I saw the thread title I thought it was about the exchange of gifts during our new President's reception of a significant head of state:

From the Herald Sun:
Brown thought hard about his presents, giving Obama a desk pen-holder carved from the timber of a Royal Navy anti-slavery ship of the 19th century. To that he added the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a British ship saved from Arctic ice by America and whose timbers a grateful Queen Victoria had made into a desk now standing in the Oval Office.

To top it off, Brown gave Obama a first edition of a new seven-volume biography of Winston Churchill.

So what thoughtful gift did Obama give in return to the half-blind Brown? Twenty-five DVDs of American films.

How much to read into this faux pas is unclear. But add to it Obama's decision to return to Britain a bust of Churchill that stood in his office.

The after-report of this exchange is even more ludicrous- supposedly Gordon Brown attempted to watch one of the DVDs (were they even Blu-Ray?) when he got home and found they would not play in Europe due to the geographic restriction imposed!

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:53 PM

Perhaps it might be beneficial to pause for a moment in reflection on the losses of 594 American families, 152 British families, all 115 Canadian families, 31 German families, 27 French families, 25 Spanish families, 23 Danish families, 18 Dutch families, 13 Italian families, 10 Australian families, and those of the smaller nations.

After that, a Fox cable show probably won't trouble your minds. I'm sure those families don't think about it and their soldiering offspring would never have had a fear of it.

I'm not trying to be clever - I really think it is best not to put mental energy there.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:50 PM

Where is the apology from FOX?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:49 PM

Fox host apologizes for mocking of Canadian Forces

Last Updated: Monday, March 23, 2009

The host of an over-the-top, late-night Fox network show has apologized for disrespecting the Canadian military with a recent segment on his intentionally inflammatory program.

"The March 17th episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a 'synchronized break,' which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts," host Greg Gutfeld said in a statement issued Monday.

"However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.

In an interview with the CBC on Monday, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he accepted the apology — pointing out it came only after his department contacted Fox demanding one earlier in the day.

MacKay called the comments "totally, totally inappropriate, ridiculous [and] demeaning."

The vast majority of Americans, from President Barack Obama on down, "have nothing but respect and admiration for the Canadian forces and their families," he said.

"I don't think we should dignify this with more commentary other than to say it's highly regrettable," he added.

"The apology at least represents some recognition of the insensitivity — and we all move on."

"Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner," he added.

Gutfeld, a former Maxim and Stuff magazine editor, hosts the cultural commentary show, which is broadcast on Fox weekdays at 3 a.m. ET.

He moderates a round table of panellists who deliver off-the-cuff musings and crack jokes about a wide range of topics from the worlds of news, entertainment and sports. Commentators have included comedians, Fox News anchors, actors and Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis.

'… The Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants.'
— Greg Gutfeld, Fox News moderatorIn a five-minute segment broadcast March 17, Gutfeld mocked the Canadian Forces, noting Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie's recent comment that the military may need a year to recover after Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011.

"Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants," Gutfeld said.

"I didn't even know they were in the war," panellist and comedian Doug Benson added. "I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada."

The panellists continued by joking about soldiers needing a break for "manicures and pedicures," how Canada should be invaded and poked fun at the RCMP.

Canadian soldiers, who have been fighting in Afghanistan since 2001, have spent the last four years in the country's most violent regions. On Friday, military officials announced that four more Canadian soldiers were killed and eight others were wounded in two separate roadside bomb blasts outside Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan.

Canadians express outrage
Over the past few days, the Red Eye segment has sparked outrage from a range of Canadians, including thousands of comments on YouTube and Facebook.

"Our soldiers are dying for them and they have the audacity and the ignorance … to say something like that, it is insulting. It's the most ignorant thing I've ever heard," Sam Warren told CBC News after watching the segment.

The segment also drew criticism from Conservative author, columnist and commentator David Frum.

"The clip in question is a sequence of goofs about the feebleness, uselessness and absurdity of the Canadian armed forces. Why would I call that dumb? Here's why," Frum wrote on his New Majority.com blog last week, before listing the Canadian soldiers, aid workers and a diplomat who have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

"Sorry I disrespected your show, Red Eye fans, but you disrespected the dead," Frum added.

"My apologies to the Canadian military, they probably could at least beat the Belgians," Gutfeld mused in his Twitter account on Sunday."

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:39 PM

The below was psoetd there about 1 1/2 minutes ago:


"FoxNews Number: 1-888-369-4762"

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:35 PM

By the way, one of the boys that came home by the low road today is from my little town. I didn't know him personally, but some of my friends and family did. By all accounts he was well-liked and will be missed. I wish I had had the chance to know him. He had apparently volunteered for this mission. His infant daughter had been induced slightly early in order for him to be able to see and hold her before he shipped out.

Make a joke about that if you can, Laughing Boy.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:25 PM

FYI, the hits on that video are going strong. Comments posted every five to seven seconds or so. I hope the majority slam FOX and Greg and NOT Americans in general. There have been a few who do, and that's too bad.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 07:48 PM

I just posted a message to the Youtube site and signed it with my name and address. It seems not to be there now. Guess I shouldn't have told Greg to go fuck himself, huh?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 07:26 PM

Aw shit, it's only FoxNews, the only news channel you can watch all day and come away LESS informed. Who takes them seriously?

I hope nobody is dignifying this with any real attention. Don't think you have to apologize for this tripe, my American friends.

The really big sin here is that these douches think they are putting on a comedy news show. They should be forced to watch The Daily Show or Colbert Report to see how it is done properly. Those shows regularly poke fun at Canada and we laugh right along with them, because it's funny.

These infected anal hair follicles wouldn't know funny if you ducked their heads in it and gave them a swirly. Here's a hint: if you're gonna to riff on a subject, inform yourself about it first.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 07:24 PM

So have there been significant numbers of protests from members of the American public? Has there been any kind of apology from Fox?

Those are real questions, not rhetorical or anything. Those are the kind of things I'd actually expect to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 06:14 PM

Mick and others..Thanks for the apologies, explanations, and sentiments. I was dumbfounded to hear of this story on the same news program that showed our young men returning home and their processional down the highway of heros.

The opinionated buffoons in question need a scolding from someone very high up the food chain, maybe the president in whom the world has such high hopes? That, plus an education. I feel for my friends at the Legion hall down the street.

Just when you think the world is getting beyond this sort of crapola, some assholes go and prove you wrong.

Sigh.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 06:02 PM

"They try to present both sides of an issue and that's what they did with this clip.

both SIDES? You call that tripe a SIDE? It is, simply, not one 'side', but a 90° departure from honest disagreement. The very pureile, snickering attitude they display is designed to appeal the lowest common denominator.
   There is room for a diversity of opinion about such a complex issue, but that kind of stupidity is not worth of an entity that wants to be considered a major news source.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:29 PM

Sorry - that last post of mine went out m9inus a link, because I hadn't typed in a ">" Here's how it should have read:

There weren't too many people who actually heard this notorious broadcast last year live, but that didn't stop a massive row, which led to one of those involved getting sacked and the other suspended, plus abject apologies from the BBC.
..............

"It could possibly be called the most popular motoring programme"... Are there any others? Well, maybe on some of the satellite channels that virtually no one watches.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:15 PM

A word of comfort, I hope, to all of the North American Continent. Yes, "Top Gear" is a programme shown on BBC but to suggest everybody clamours to watch it is way off the mark. It could possibly be called the most popular motoring programme but there are hardly any others of note. Jeremy Clarkson, who owns the production company, has over the years set himself up as self important controversial chatterer and one of his colleagues is lucky to be alive. He nearly died in a crash during very high speed stunt. Clarkson has also earned the dis-approval many of the British public as a result of his utterances.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Amos
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:03 PM

"Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner," he added.

He can say that again. Pity he is not even literate enough to recognize his self-characterization. I assume he meant "sarcastic" or "ridiculing" manner, but in modern usage, at least, ridiculous describes things worthy of ridicule, not those expressing ridicule.


A

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: gnu
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:03 PM

I will remember you.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: number 6
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 04:44 PM

Canadians are making sacrifices as is the U.S. ..... We may not all agree with this war, and I am one who disagrees with it. But I do respect the ones who are serving and I feel the pain of the ones who sacrifice all they have.

Bodies of 4 Canadian soldiers return home

There is no room for tolerance for this kind of mockery of a nation who for right or wrong is making the ultimate sacrifice.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 04:42 PM

Don't misunderstand me - the puerile show and its panelists is totally insensitive and stupid.

I read that the Greg Gutfeld show airs at 3 AM- that's the best part about it.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: number 6
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 04:29 PM

Regardless ... it still is rather insensitive especially when 4 more boys who gave their lives where shipped back home to Canada today.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 04:23 PM

I know. He was "misunderstood".

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: number 6
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:59 PM

Greg Gutfeld apologizes

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:50 PM

Kevin, I could look it up but- who are Brand and Ross? Are they the guys in Alabama?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: DougR
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:22 PM

Mick I got to thinking about our little feud and think it's a bit ridiculous.

No doubt about it, the world would be a lot simpler place if we all thought alike. But would it be a better world?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:14 PM

No, Doug, there you go again. You addressed me in a comment to gnu. I simply responded. This thread is not about you and I, so I am ending all of that now. Comment on the video, I will do the same. Attack my ideas, that will be fine. I will not address you personally, but I will surely address whatever you put forth.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: DougR
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:10 PM

There you go again, Mick! Great job!

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:09 PM

There weren't too many people who actually heard live, but that didn't stop a massive row, which led to one of those involved getting sacked and the other suspended, plus abject apologies from the BBC.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:05 PM

He knows how to read for comprehension, Doug. It is a skill you should try to acquire, along with original thought.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: DougR
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:01 PM

Gnu:If you didn't watch the whole clip, how can you be sure it is so vile? Reading Mick's posts again, eh?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: DougR
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 02:59 PM

Kevin:the first and only time I ever heard or saw anything about this flap is on this thread. The relations between Canada and the U.S. is very good and very close.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 02:49 PM

Since I don't watch Fox, Kevin, I can't speak to that. I had never even heard of that group of geniuses. DougR may be able to discuss them.

I'll see if I can find bloggers' responses to the show.

Sugarfoot Jack: "However, your comments about the North were equally ill-considered."

See? I don't even know what that means. "North"? Where is that?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 02:28 PM

So are there masses of complaints from Americans about this crap about Canada? All kinds of offensive rubbish can get broadcast, as we know over here - but when there's a storm of protest about it from ordinary people, that puts it more into proportion, and shows it up for the self-indulgent nonsense of self-important fools.

But if there isn't a storm of protest from ordinary people, that makes it rather more significant.

So how did people react to this?

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: gnu
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 02:16 PM

DougR... "They try to present both sides of an issue and that's what they did with this clip."

Really? Well, I can't agree because I turned the fucking garbage off after about a minute. Anybody who has studied any history of Canucks at war might agree that Canucks might just be exempt from even being in Afghanistan. Vimy Ridge, Dieppe... that's enough.

Just because we don't spend big bucks on equipment does not mean we can't scrap.... oh... I gotta leave... have fun.

Subject: RE: BS: How to lose friends and alienate countri
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 02:10 PM

I am a winner enough to be able to see a man trapped by demogoguery and cliche' driven thought, Doug, and that is you. And you consistently tell me I am insulting when I am responding to YOUR words and ideas. I laid out for you what is wrong with this whole bit of diatribe and you defend it. If you cannot see the problem with this type of crap being shown on a national network, then you are a poster child for the Ugly American stereotype. In our country, and on our Mudcat, one is free to express opinion, just as you and I have done. It is necessary, however, to understand that by posting opinion, you are eligible for the response it gets. And you got mine to yours.

Mick