Wheeeeee, Freedom of the Press

[~Rocktar~]

So much for journalism and openness and so on.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/msnbc-suspends-mark-halperin-obama-remark-145819640.html

[Parkbandit]

Calling the President "a dick" isn't exactly what a political show wants to put out IMO. It was well deserved.

[~Rocktar~]

Honestly, people want to whine and cry about Freedom of the Press and of Speech and here you see that those who supposedly champion it, don't. In years past, we have seen far worse said, printed and yelled about the President and yet, no actions taken. I can agree that it lacked taste and class and there are better ways to describe the Whiner in Chief. Where are the actions against those that goaded for a bit of sensationalism, or perhaps the technical people for failing to do what was asked of them? One must consider that it just may come down to a question of the extent of Political Correctness and of the infatuation with the first half-black, Socialist, President. Why should Obama get a shield when in the past far worse has been said, broadcast and printed?

[Kuyuk]

Wow... the people on that show are astounded by the word dick?

wtf?

[Tgo01]

Honestly, people want to whine and cry about Freedom of the Press and of Speech and here you see that those who supposedly champion it, don't. In years past, we have seen far worse said, printed and yelled about the President and yet, no actions taken. I can agree that it lacked taste and class and there are better ways to describe the Whiner in Chief. Where are the actions against those that goaded for a bit of sensationalism, or perhaps the technical people for failing to do what was asked of them? One must consider that it just may come down to a question of the extent of Political Correctness and of the infatuation with the first half-black, Socialist, President. Why should Obama get a shield when in the past far worse has been said, broadcast and printed?

Employees of news stations have said worse about a president in the past on the air and weren't reprimanded? Examples? Sources?

Even if you're correct it doesn't mean it's okay for this guy to say what he did.

[Tsa`ah]

Employees of news stations have said worse about a president in the past on the air and weren't reprimanded? Examples? Sources?

Even if you're correct it doesn't mean it's okay for this guy to say what he did.

Other than Fox you mean.

Halperin isn't exactly a journalist ... he is commentary/opinion. Suspending someone for giving their opinion (his job) is a bit over the top. Then again, most people in his position are smart enough to use better terminology.

That aside, I think you (squiggles) are confused about what constitutes freedom of the press.

The government yanking Halperin for calling the POTUS a "dick" is actually a violation of this protection.

MSNBC yanking Halperin for calling the POTUS a "dick" is actually the furthest thing from violating this particular protection.

By your logic, South West suspending James Taylor for his bigoted rant over an open mic would be a violation of his right to free speech.

[Cephalopod]

Honestly, I had no clue who this guy was, but he's listed as "Senior political analyst at Time and MSNBC " -- IMO, if those media outlets want to be viewed as professional, they can't have a 'senior analyst' calling the president (or anyone) a dick on the air. Appropriate move on their part.

[Parkbandit]

Honestly, I had no clue who this guy was, but he's listed as "Senior political analyst at Time and MSNBC " -- IMO, if those media outlets want to be viewed as professional, they can't have a 'senior analyst' calling the president (or anyone) a dick on the air. Appropriate move on their part.

Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?

It boils down to this: MSNBC is working for Obama 2012 and they can't afford to have some of their employees being disrespectful to the boss.

[Cephalopod]

if those media outlets want to be viewed as professional


Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?



want to be viewed as professional


Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?



want to be viewed


Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?



want to be viewed


Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?



want to be viewed


Who views MSNBC as a professional media outlet? Really?



want to be viewed

.

[Parkbandit]

Easy Nachos. It will be ok.

[Warriorbird]

Notably lets all think about who Halperin used to work for.

[Parkbandit]

GEORGE W. BUSH!??!?!?!???

[Latrinsorm]

I'm with Rocktar on this one, the working man is having his freedoms impinged upon by those he works for due to some misplaced bourgeois sensibility. As I'm sure Rocktar would agree, the answer is obviously to unionize - you want to try and suppress one of us, Mr. Fat Cat owner? Good luck broadcasting with no workers.

[Warriorbird]

GEORGE W. BUSH!??!?!?!???

Hillary Clinton.

[msconstrew]

Interestingly enough, a couple years ago, there was a similar kerfluffle (http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/medialog/archive/2008/02/12/dubious-quote-of-the-day-halperin-on-edwards-on-obama.aspx) over Mr. Halperin calling Obama a pussy.

So he’s a pussy for not being tough enough, but when he does stand up for his policy, he’s a dick.

There’s some analysis about use of ugly gendered language and its relation to gender stereotypes to be made here. There’s also some observations about how pundits will use whatever justification presents itself to bolster their prejudice against a given political figure, rather than maintaining any consistent principles.

However, I completely disagree that there's any valid analysis about "freedom of the press" to be made.

[Drew]

He was goaded into it by the host, so I assume they'll be suspending them as well? I think it's super dumb to call someone "a dick" on a news program but if you say "TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL WE'RE COOL WITH IT" you shouldn't be upset when they do just that.

[TheEschaton]

I have no problem with him calling the President a dick, if the President has free reign at his press conferences to call him a dick.

[Parkbandit]

He was goaded into it by the host, so I assume they'll be suspending them as well? I think it's super dumb to call someone "a dick" on a news program but if you say "TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL WE'RE COOL WITH IT" you shouldn't be upset when they do just that.

He was also expecting to have the 7 second delay kick in.

[~Rocktar~]

Other than Fox you mean.

Halperin isn't exactly a journalist ... he is commentary/opinion. Suspending someone for giving their opinion (his job) is a bit over the top. Then again, most people in his position are smart enough to use better terminology.

That aside, I think you (squiggles) are confused about what constitutes freedom of the press.

The government yanking Halperin for calling the POTUS a "dick" is actually a violation of this protection.

MSNBC yanking Halperin for calling the POTUS a "dick" is actually the furthest thing from violating this particular protection.

By your logic, South West suspending James Taylor for his bigoted rant over an open mic would be a violation of his right to free speech.



Not confused at all dumbass and I didn't accuse the government of suppressing the press. I did accuse those that tout it so highly of not being able to deal with it when it does not support their cause. I also said they guy was tactless and I am saying now that he was stupid for saying it regardless, it would have been much better to simply say something along the lines of "I think the President was having a pity party and whining to try and pass the buck, and the blame to Republicans."

[CrystalTears]

Employers have every right to suspend and fire who they deem necessary, regardless of whether what he said on the air was wrong or illegal. It's also not because it was aimed at the president, it's been their SOP lately.


Halperin is the latest in a string of MSNBC suspensions this past year. Scarborough himself was suspended last November for violating the network's campaign contribution policy, as was Keith Olbermann, who left MSNBC several months later. More recently, Ed Schultz was suspended in May for calling pundit Laura Ingraham a "slut." And former MSNBC dayside host David Schuster also got a suspension in 2008 for complaining that Hillary Clinton had "pimped out" her daughter, Chelsea, on the presidential campaign trail.

[Warriorbird]

Halperin was one of the ones who worked to get him suspended over the "pimped out" comment too.

[Tsa`ah]

Not confused at all dumbass and I didn't accuse the government of suppressing the press. I did accuse those that tout it so highly of not being able to deal with it when it does not support their cause. I also said they guy was tactless and I am saying now that he was stupid for saying it regardless, it would have been much better to simply say something along the lines of "I think the President was having a pity party and whining to try and pass the buck, and the blame to Republicans."

The title of the thread, that you created, implies an infringement upon "freedom of the press". The only entity capable of doing this is the government ... for whom the 1st amendment, largely, protects us (and the press) from.

Don't blame anyone but yourself for responses that point out that this particular infringment hasn't occurred.

Just in case though ....


... this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZLVi4v7lSM) is the press.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBgZhoPRlQ0) is the press bitch slapping Halperin.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_iCnc-JIQk) is the government bitch slapping the press.

Just in the very likely case that you still do not understand .... of the second two examples ... only one has actually happened.

[~Rocktar~]

The title of the thread, that you created, implies an infringement upon "freedom of the press". The only entity capable of doing this is the government ... for whom the 1st amendment, largely, protects us (and the press) from.

Don't blame anyone but yourself for responses that point out that this particular infringment hasn't occurred.

Just in case though ....


... this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZLVi4v7lSM) is the press.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBgZhoPRlQ0) is the press bitch slapping Halperin.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_iCnc-JIQk) is the government bitch slapping the press.

Just in the very likely case that you still do not understand .... of the second two examples ... only one has actually happened.

Do us a favor and shut the fuck up. I said what I meant, meant what I said and was quite specific. If you can't understand that, please, again, just shut the fuck up. Your own additions to what I said do not change what I said and I was pretty clear. Stop arguing based on your assumptions of what I said.


Oh, and based on this rep: "Neg rep until you post some hypnolactating pics from the laboratory. Preferably large half-Pygmie half-Mornon she-males with nipple fur and I can't even finish this. I really want to positive rep you, but, no."

Someone out there has some real issues. Get help, learn to google on your own, I am sure you can find the pics you want.

[msconstrew]

. . . I said what I meant, meant what I said . . .

An elephant's faithful 100 percent?

[Tsa`ah]

Do us a favor and shut the fuck up. I said what I meant, meant what I said and was quite specific. If you can't understand that, please, again, just shut the fuck up. Your own additions to what I said do not change what I said and I was pretty clear. Stop arguing based on your assumptions of what I said.

Is someone in need of a diaper change?

I'm not sure if the collective members of the PC would feel all that comfortable with you as a spokes person ... unless by "us" you mean yourself and your horde of bondage lactating slaves ... then by all means, excuse my confusion.

Other than that ... it is abundantly clear (from your posting history) that you clearly don't know your head from your own ass ... let alone what you're talking about. That you have convinced yourself of anything else is entirely irrelevant.

[~Rocktar~]

Take a poll fuckhead, bet you will find enough votes to suggest that you shut the fuck up.

It is absolutely clear that no matter what you post, it has no value.

I would suggest that the only person needing a diaper change is you, however, I know you don't because your head is so far up your ass there is no way you can soil yourself.

[Tsa`ah]

I give you an A for the rage, originality of thought, originality of content, level of thought ... I'll save you time ... D- on the rest.

[~Rocktar~]

Take a poll fuckhead, bet you will find enough votes to suggest that you shut the fuck up.

Never mind, I did it for you.