FOX NETWORK UNDER FIRE
Paula Abdul Caught in Media Power Struggle
The ABC network plumbed new depths in broadcast indecency Wednesday when it aired a one-hour episode of Primetime Live entirely devoted to exposing behind-the-set hanky panky at American Idol — a top-rated talent show televised by the Fox Broadcast Network, an ABC competitor.
 |
In the realm of politics, however, such methods are standard. Paula Abdul may well have found herself caught in the crossfire of an ongoing battle for control of mass media. ABC's smear campaign fits a disturbing pattern of politically motivated attacks targeting the Fox Network in recent months.
The Lady and the Cad
 |
In fact, Clark was thrown off the show after Fox executives discovered that he had concealed a prior criminal record. The New York Times of May 4 explains:
"He was disqualified from the program on April 1, 2003; producers said he failed to disclose that he had once been arrested and accused of assaulting a younger sister. He later pleaded no contest to a lesser charge."The disgruntled Clark is now peddling a CD which features a song called "Paulatics" about his alleged affair with Paula Abdul. One minute after his Primetime Live interview ended Wednesday night, Clark began offering an e-book for sale on his Web site, called, They Told Me to Tell the Truth so… The Sex, Lies and Paulatics of One of America's Idols.
Target: Fox
Corey Clark's caddish behavior requires no comment. ABC's exploitation of it is more despicable still.
But we at Moonbat Central see more sinister forces at work behind this sordid display than mere greed. We see the long arm of the organized left.
On December 2, 2003, then-presidential candidate Howard Dean had the following exchange with Chris Matthews on MSNBC's Hardball:
DEAN: First of all, 11 companies in this country control 90 percent of what ordinary people are able to read and watch on their television. That's wrong. We need to have a wide variety of opinions in every community. We don't have that because of Michael Powell and what George Bush has tried to do to the FCC.Dean's off-hand remark proved to be just the tip of the iceberg. Since then, the left has unveiled an ambitious strategy to bring down the Fox Network through class-action lawsuits, anti-trust litigation and other regulatory actions — all based upon the paper-thin argument that Fox News evinces a conservative political bias inherently more odious than the pro-Democrat bias displayed by its competitors.
MATTHEWS: Would you break up Fox?
{LAUGHTER)
MATTHEWS: I'm serious.
DEAN: I'm keeping a...
MATTHEWS: Would you break it up? Rupert Murdoch has "The Weekly Standard." It has got a lot of other interests. It has got "The New York Post." Would you break it up?
DEAN: On ideological grounds, absolutely yes...
The Center for American Progress — the flagship think tank of George Soros' Shadow Party — has played a prominent role in promoting anti-Fox activism. It may not be wholly irrelevant to point out that ABC News political director Mark Halperin happens to be the son of Morton H. Halperin, who heads Soros' Open Society Policy Center. The younger Halperin raised eyebrows last year when he circulated a memo to ABC news staff urging reporters to go soft on John Kerry but hard on George W. Bush.
ABC News heavily promoted Wednesday's Primetime Live exposé, airing interview excerpts from Paula Abdul's accuser on its Tuesday night newscast.
We at Moonbat Central will follow with interest the ongoing travails of Fox's American Idol. ABC's unseemly effort to sully Paula Abdul's reputation may well conceal a larger agenda to besmirch the very ink with which James Madison wrote our First Amendment.
19 Comments:
Man does the Center for American Progress blow!
Check out the marxist class envy, where they compare
a school teacher's day with a pharmaceutical sales persons day
They do not mention the teacher only works 9 months out of a year, and the salesman has a quota, that if not meet will cost him his job.
They also do not mention that on the whole, public school teachers are failing miserably when it comes to their students test scores.
Catholic Schools teach their kids with only 60% of the per student revenue the public schools get, and Catholic School students absolutely clean the clocks of public school students, with respect to test scores.
My daughter never put one foot in a public school, and she never will, even if I have to flip burgers to pay the extra tuition.
YOU LEFTIST, JEALOUS, SCUM, DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH, AND YOU MUST LIE THROUGH YOUR FANGS TO KEEP IT IN EXISTENCE.
Mr Poe
The question of corporate media in the digital cable and internet era is a joke. I can get my news from Al Jazera or from any source with a few keystrokes. .
Media companies are traded on stock exchanges and are guided more by proffit then by ideology.
The fact is I am surprised there aren't more imitators of Fox.
The charges against Abdul have zero evidence. Anyone can claim they slept with Mae West etc but it doesn't make it true.
of course they are trying to bring down Fox, they cannot exist without a Media monopoly. When lefties I know start on about Fox and its right wing bias I say; Hey! remember when for about 30 years we complained about left wing bias at the big three? Well i'm just going to tell you what I always heard, "It's all in your head"
So let me see if I've got this straight: a TV show whose only reason for existance is to create intense, "real" drama has a dose of intense, "real" drama created by ABC's Primetime, under the guise of a special report of naughty goings-on, and that's a sign of conspiracy?
If it is, it's a poorly conceived one: stuff like this won't damage the show, it'll just feed it. I'd be highly surprised if American Idol's ratings don't go up a bit due to the "scandal," as new viewers will probably tune in just to see what all the fuss is about. And once they're hooked...
If Primetime wanted to really kick the show in a way that would count, they should have found some way to prove that the voting public - who supposedly really decide which contestants go forward - are being duped, and the show's outcome is actually being scripted by writers in a back room somewhere. That probably still wouldn't be enough to kill the beast dead, but it'd take some of those precious numbers and sponsors away.
But largely unproveable accusations about a judge and a contestant getting it on? Please.
As "written," this scandal is so win-win for everyone involved that it's hilarious. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was set up in advance, or at least on the sly. And even if they have to go through the motions of firing Abdul, she was making noises about quitting and going back to her own music, anyway. So this would just be a career boost.
And there would be your "conspiracy" for you - straight out of 'The Great Rock & Roll Swindle.'
J
The reason that one network will not attack another is that the reporters know that they can easily be replaced and don't want to burn any bridges before they come to them. If you ever need a job it looks bad when the biggest thing on your resume is a three part series about how your prospective employer is a crook, a liar and beats his wife.
All that ABC's attack on Fox means is that no one at ABC would ever consider working for Fox. The reason should be obvious, Fox is the minor leagues of broadcasting having an audience one tenth that of the major networks. The networks could blow O'Reilly away with "I Love Lucy" reruns. O'Reilly may have the top rated cable show but that is like being the best singer on "American Idol". They will never earn 1/10,000th of what Bruce Springsteen has made and Springsteen is almost completely talentless.
Fox is the minors and the major networks want to keep it that way. This is primarily economics, not politics. A fourth major network means a major cut in revenue for the other three.
Dean's threat, on the other hand, is serious. When the Democrats return to power it is lights out for Fox. The FCC will shut down everything by reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine which is what gave the networks their power years ago. You can expect hugely expanded regulation of cable and the web as well.
The worst part is that the Republicans will then start singing their old "limited government" song. But who will believe that the party that oversaw the greatest expansion of government since Lyndon Johnson really means it this time?
I said that Bush was the worst president in my lifetime. His complete destruction of the Republican Party will manifest itself by turning over the reigns of unlimited government to the Democrats. Think about the Fairness Doctrine in the hands of Howard Dean. Do you seriously believe that Dean would allow political blogs to continue on the web?
The perpetual BUGGER said,
"I said that Bush was the worst president in my lifetime. His complete destruction of the Republican Party will manifest itself by turning over the reigns of unlimited government to the Democrats."
Now, that's a snout full, considering the likes of Kennedy, LBJ, Carter, and above all Clinton!
Actually, the Republican party is in the process of clarifying their position of being the party of God, while the Vic-ticrats are hastening their demise by being recognized as the party of the Godless.
A belief in God is, for most Americans, a sign of character. According to a March 2002 national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, more than half of those polled thought negatively of "nonbelievers." Only half that number had a low opinion of the "Christian conservative movement."
America has always been a country that reveres God, and Republicans need to start really turning the heat up, and flat out refer to the "rats" as the "Godless Party."--because for all intents and purposes, that is what they are.
THE NEO-AMERICAN REVOLUTION GROWS, AND THANK GOD FOR "43"!
Bob Meyer is off his meds, again...
He said: "Dean's threat, on the other hand, is serious. When the Democrats return to power it is lights out for Fox. The FCC will shut down everything by reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine which is what gave the networks their power years ago. You can expect hugely expanded regulation of cable and the web as well."
Riiiigggght. Fox will fight that all the way to the Supreme Court and the rest of the cable companies will join them. Because if Fox is regulated, they're next. And as for the web -- you think they can stop all of us? You have no idea what kind of firefight that would be.
"I said that Bush was the worst president in my lifetime. His complete destruction of the Republican Party will manifest itself by turning over the reigns of unlimited government to the Democrats."
The Democrats are in *no* shape to win anything. Dean is their albatross.
"Do you seriously believe that Dean would allow political blogs to continue on the web?"
Do you think Dean can stop us? All the money for hosting blogs will just move offshore if he did manage to get past the EFF, the ACLU, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
You are delusional, man. Go find your pills!
Fox will fight that all the way to the Supreme Court and the rest of the cable companies will join them. Because if Fox is regulated, they're next.
There are noises in Congress right now aimed at regulating cable for "indecency." It might not make it past the Supreme Court, but you never know...
And as for the web -- you think they can stop all of us? You have no idea what kind of firefight that would be.
Good point. That would be an amusing spectacle.
J
rightmined, russet shadows:
Kennedy, LBJ, Carter and Clinton were not sold to the American people as apostles of limited government and individual responsibility. Yet, only LBJ increased spending and expanded government faster than Bush.
Bush ignores the Bill of Rights, expands federal regulation of business, continued the insane anti-trust suit against Microsoft, allowed a crackpot federal prosecutor to burn up valuable time and money prosecuting "stars" like Martha Stewart while ignoring most of Enron's thieves who are only now beginning to be brought into court.
The Federal budget was 18.5% of GDP when Bush came in and stands at 20.5% now and almost certainly will hit 21.5% before Bush leaves office. He is botching Social Security reform as only a Bush can and will leave it a welfare program instead of a private pension plan.
He is three years too late in opening up the ANWR and still will not rescind the ban on issuing new offshore oil leases around Florida and Californina because he wants to protect Republican governors.
He will not order the Department of Transportation to allow pilots to carry firearms and he said that if the "assault weapons ban" had made it to his desk he would have signed it.
He has called for increased regulation of campaign contributions and has not opposed new regulations regarding the internet.
His solution to every problem is more government and less choice.
Face it, as a president Bush stinks. But for you two the only way that you would denounce him is if tomorrow he became an atheist.
You will let him steal your money, invade your privacy, ruin your businesses, restrict your gun rights, silence your internet bloggers and probably double the national debt before he's done and you will endure it all because "Bush is a believer".
Well here is something else for you to believe: When Bush goes to sleep at night he thanks God that you two are such patsies.
As for a firefight over the web, don't make me laugh. One arrest and you guys will be begging the ACLU for help!!!
On what grounds will you protest? Will you demand that the Supreme Court protect your rights? That door is being shut by Mark Levin right now.
Will you insist that legislators ignore public opinion polls that demand that the net be regulated? That will sit just fine when people like Michael Medved are insisting that public opinion override court decisions in matters of abortion and gay marriage.
You guys are cutting your own throats. I just wish that I wasn't standing so close that the knife won't get me as well.
Meyer goes on, and on, and on, and on,...........
WWII style carpet bombing!
"W" has a major Crusade for our very future to prosecute, and he does not have the luxury of a Bureau of Censorship, as did FDR.
Can you imagine where we would be now, if FDR had to deal with the relentless self serving and nation be damned, Godless party and Bob Meyer-an libertarian bed wetting, "W" must deal with on a daily bases.
Now Bob, calm yourself, and tell me, would eight years of Al Gore been your choice?
P.S. Save some of that rabid people of faith hating, for when all those "W" judges get appointed, and the country turns even more red, next election!
Can you imagine where we would be now, if FDR had to deal with the relentless self serving and nation be damned, Godless party and Bob Meyer-an libertarian bed wetting, "W" must deal with on a daily bases.
That's easy. Roosevelt would have been the worst president in my lifetime had I been born three years earlier.
Roosevelt, because his love of Stalin and communism, gave us forty years of Cold War that cost America nearly 100,000 lives lost in Korea and Vietnam as well as approximately two trillion dollars in excess defense expenditures.
Had American had a decent president, we would have waited for Stalin to be captured and killed by the Nazis before sending aid to the non-communist Russians. The result would have been the destruction of communism and, most likely, a very peaceful and productive era.
Roosevelt used to be the symbol of everything the Republican party opposed. Now, he is the symbol of everything that the Republican party stands for.
Bush, now in full Roosevelt emulation mode, is prepared to pack the Supreme Court. The only difference is that Bush will try to do this with evangelicals who think that the source of American sovereignty is God.
The new GOP (God's Own Party), will go the way of William Jennings Bryan, that is, off to historical oblivion.
Do you think Dean can stop us? All the money for hosting blogs will just move offshore if he did manage to get past the EFF, the ACLU, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
Restricting political speech has already been endorsed by the Supreme Court.
You damn fool, all bank transactions are monitored. One check to an offshore bank account suspected of being the account of a "illegal blog" and you will be in jail.
You never read the Patriot Act did you? It applies to all crimes, not just terrorism.
I say again,
"Now Bob, calm yourself, and tell me, would eight years of Al Gore been your choice?"
Pray answer Bobbie Boy!
Bob Meyer writes: "As for a firefight over the web, don't make me laugh. One arrest and you guys will be begging the ACLU for help!"
I don't often agree with Mr. Meyer, but he has raised a valid point.
It will take more than bravado to resist serious repression of the blogosphere. I often wonder how many U.S. bloggers fully appreciate the threat, and how many are equipped mentally, spiritually and logistically to meet it.
Boy Meyer writes: "On what grounds will you protest? Will you demand that the Supreme Court protect your rights? That door is being shut by Mark Levin right now."
Sorry, Bob, you lost me there.
As you pointed out yourself, the Supreme Court has already endorsed the suppression of political speech through its McCain-Feingold decision.
What door is left open in that direction that Mark Levin or anyone else could shut?
More to the point, Mark Levin is one of the strongest voices speaking out today against McCain-Feingold and the doctrine of the "living Constitution" which gave rise to it. Why then do you count him among your foes?
Mr. Poe
What I meant was that there is a fairly concerted attack on the Supreme Court going on and Mark Levin's book captures most of the complaints.
Levin asserts that an "activist" court created a "right to privacy" that doesn't exist in the Constitution.
Well, does the Constitution protect the right to blog? It talks about freedom of speech and of the press but a blog isn't speech and the government gives press passes to the "legitimate" press. (This last is actually an argument used for reporters being able to protect sources while a private citizen witholding information about a crime is an accomplice after-the-fact)
Is blogging protected by "penumbras and emanations" of the First and Fourth Amendments?
The people who believe that Griswold v Connecticut was judicial tyranny would be placed in the position of wanting a broad interpretation of the First Amendment to strike down Campaign Finance Laws just as a broad interpretation of the Fourth Amendment was used to strike down laws banning the use of contraceptives. The Fourth Amendment would also strike down much of the Patriot Act, in particular, the computer snooping parts.
Either the Supreme Court can uphold rights against the legislative and executive branches or it can't. Levin is inconsistent when he says that CFR is unconstitutional and should have been struck down by the courts but that the courts have no business protecting the right to use contraception.
Mr. Poe:
The threat to the freedom to blog is not an idle one and it may involve the willingness to be arrested, go to court and even to jail. With juries as they are and the legal system as it is, this could mean years of imprisonment even if the Supreme Court eventually finds in your favor.
Even if you make bail during appeals do you want to apply for a job with a felony conviction on your record?
You are right, bravado is not enough. Those opposing this kind of tyranny will be asked to risk their fortunes and their sacred honor. At least their lives are not at stake. At least, not yet.
Meyer said,
"Well, does the Constitution protect the right to blog?
No, if the same unscrupulous, agenda driven radicals, interpret the Constitution in similar fashion as the ones who interpreted,
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," to mean a community cannot say a pray at a football game, a nativity on public property is unconstitutional, ect, ect, ect,.......................................................................................................................ect!
AND I WILL ASSURE YOU THE JUDGES APPOINTED BY "W," WILL ENHANCE THE ODDS THAT THE PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE FRAMERS INTENT, UNLIKE, JUDGES APPOINTED BY MEMBERS OF "THE CULTURE OF DEATH", THE GODLESS PARTY, AND THE MORE I LEARN ABOUT THEM, THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY!
P.S. Tell me Bob, how would you run a Presidential press conference if there were not press badges? One, and all show up at a football stadium, and start asking questions!--Is that your idea of freedom of speech, and freedom of the press?
Alinsky's Rules for Radicals Number 4-- Make the target live up to its own book of rules. If the rule is that every letter or E-mail gets a reply, send thousands.
Post a Comment
<< Home