A Challenge for AT P&N Readers

[cubby1223]

Now I'm sure this thread may be locked for not linking an article, but let's see if it can stand. Pretty please mods? I'll be good, I promise

I propose a challenge to everyone who reads AT P&N.

For the period of one week, watch Hardball with Chris Mathews, The O'Reilly Factor, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hannity's America, and The Rachel Maddow Show.

That's all that is required. And with these shows repeating nightly, it's easy to fit them all in.

Then come back in one week, and see who amongst us:

(1) took on this challenge in good faith
(2) disregarded this as pointless
(3) urged others against this challenge
(4) locked this thread
(5) deleted this thread

People on the left, listen to both sides.
People on the right, listen to both sides.

Do not accept the right's view of the left, and do not accept the left's view of the right. Go directly to some of the sources for a period of just one week.

 

[polarmystery]

I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

 

[palehorse]

I'm sorry, but I can't stand ANY of those commentary shows, regardless of political slant or bias. I prefer to read the news from as many sources as humanly possible, discuss the news with anyone who is willing to do so in a civil manner, and then come to my own conclusions on each individual issue -- which, of course, are subject to change at my discretion based on new and/or impressive evidence.

The opinion shows are practically useless... ALL of them.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I'm not willing to devote 5 hours a day to TV, no matter what happens to be on. If it's "infotainment talking head drivel" like you've mentioned... Yeah, not gonna happen.

 

[StageLeft]

Rather lacerate my scrotum with an axe than spend a week watching hannity or olberman, truly I would.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I don't watch television

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: palehorse
I'm sorry, but I can't stand ANY of those commentary shows, regardless of political slant or bias. I prefer to read the news from as many sources as humanly possible, discuss the news with anyone who is willing to do so in a civil manner, and then come to my own conclusions on each individual issue -- which, of course, are subject to change at my discretion based on new and/or impressive evidence.

The opinion shows are practically useless... ALL of them.

This.

 

[nobodyknows]

Just put me down as (2)

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: polarmystery
I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

This is the whole point.

And it absolutely sickens me as an American that we cannot listen to *anyone* anymore. Even centrists seem to have shut themselves off to both sides.

I believe that knowledge is power - and the suppression of knowledge is even more powerful. Look at AT P&N as a micro-example of what's happening - this subforum is little more than sensational headlines filled with non-stop partisan bickering. And I hope that someone here will take on this challenge to at least gain the knowledge of where these ideas originate from. Then after that, it is up to everyone to form their own opinions.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: polarmystery
I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

This is the whole point.

And it absolutely sickens me as an American that we cannot listen to *anyone* anymore. Even centrists seem to have shut themselves off to both sides.

I believe that knowledge is power - and the suppression of knowledge is even more powerful. Look at AT P&N as a micro-example of what's happening - this subforum is little more than sensational headlines filled with non-stop partisan bickering. And I hope that someone here will take on this challenge to at least gain the knowledge of where these ideas originate from. Then after that, it is up to everyone to form their own opinions.

And what I would say that none of those shows actually provide knowledge.

 

[nobodyknows]

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: polarmystery
I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

This is the whole point.

And it absolutely sickens me as an American that we cannot listen to *anyone* anymore. Even centrists seem to have shut themselves off to both sides.

I believe that knowledge is power - and the suppression of knowledge is even more powerful. Look at AT P&N as a micro-example of what's happening - this subforum is little more than sensational headlines filled with non-stop partisan bickering. And I hope that someone here will take on this challenge to at least gain the knowledge of where these ideas originate from. Then after that, it is up to everyone to form their own opinions.

And what I would say that none of those shows actually provide knowledge.

And when they do it's only an accidental side effect.

 

[Skitzer]

I don't have that much time to watch much Prime Time TV ...... besides, Keith Olbermann makes me physically ill.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Now I'm sure this thread may be locked for not linking an article, but let's see if it can stand. Pretty please mods? I'll be good, I promise

I propose a challenge to everyone who reads AT P&N.

For the period of one week, watch Hardball with Chris Mathews, The O'Reilly Factor, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hannity's America, and The Rachel Maddow Show.

That's all that is required. And with these shows repeating nightly, it's easy to fit them all in.

Then come back in one week, and see who amongst us:

(1) took on this challenge in good faith
(2) disregarded this as pointless
(3) urged others against this challenge
(4) locked this thread
(5) deleted this thread

People on the left, listen to both sides.
People on the right, listen to both sides.

Do not accept the right's view of the left, and do not accept the left's view of the right. Go directly to some of the sources for a period of just one week.

I am sorry cubby, I don't have a TV, only NPR.

 

[nobodyknows]

Originally posted by: Skitzer
I don't have that much time to watch much Prime Time TV ...... besides, Keith Olbermann makes me physically ill.

LOL, my brother is about as hardcore right as they come and last week?? I think it was Olberman had him so mad he almost threw hois phone through his TV set. He said he called the cable company 3 times and bitched about him. Like that was going to make a difference. LOL

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
I don't watch television

+1

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: palehorse
I'm sorry, but I can't stand ANY of those commentary shows, regardless of political slant or bias. I prefer to read the news from as many sources as humanly possible, discuss the news with anyone who is willing to do so in a civil manner, and then come to my own conclusions on each individual issue -- which, of course, are subject to change at my discretion based on new and/or impressive evidence.

The opinion shows are practically useless... ALL of them.

This.

Yeah, pretty much my POV as well. I don't need or like other people doing my thinking for me.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: palehorse
I'm sorry, but I can't stand ANY of those commentary shows, regardless of political slant or bias. I prefer to read the news from as many sources as humanly possible, discuss the news with anyone who is willing to do so in a civil manner, and then come to my own conclusions on each individual issue -- which, of course, are subject to change at my discretion based on new and/or impressive evidence.

The opinion shows are practically useless... ALL of them.

This.

Yeah, pretty much my POV as well. I don't need or like other people doing my thinking for me.

You'd never be a good Dittohead then.

 

[Fern]

I pretty much already do that.

I have difficulty geting through an entire Olbermann show. Usually he make some whopping factual error (made up example: "Gietner's only problem was that he was unaware of some obscure tax rule regarding IMF salary taxation" (wrong because was informed quarterly by the employer and received 'extra' money from them to pay the SS tax, plus he also tried to deduct his kids' summer camp fees as a business expense even after told that it's not deductible by the accountant that reviewed his return etc)

IMO, the only 'news-type' show worse than Olbermann (for facts and anything else) is Fox Friends in the Morning (or whatever it's called) with the three idiots who seem to know absolutely nothing about politics (or anything else for that matter).

I suppose you listed these shows because they are pretty much pure opinion shows. Otherwise I would have recommended Special report with Bret bear (the pannel in the last 20 minutes generally has a good discussion about very relevent topics with a nice range of differing opinions and no yelling or interrupting each other)

Of the shows you listed, my favorite is Chris Matthews.

O'Reilly often devotes considerable time to non-political topics.

I think liberal/Dems would find the Hannity show difficult to sit through, I know I do.

Fern

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
I don't watch television

Smart man.

 

[yllus]

If you create a new thread and swap opinionated television gasbags for newspaper columnists, I would very seriously consider joining the challenge.

Who are the well-known respected conservative and liberal columnists out there? I guess I'd throw David Frum's name in on the conservative side.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: palehorse
I'm sorry, but I can't stand ANY of those commentary shows, regardless of political slant or bias. I prefer to read the news from as many sources as humanly possible, discuss the news with anyone who is willing to do so in a civil manner, and then come to my own conclusions on each individual issue -- which, of course, are subject to change at my discretion based on new and/or impressive evidence.

The opinion shows are practically useless... ALL of them.

 

[cwjerome]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: polarmystery
I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

This is the whole point.

And it absolutely sickens me as an American that we cannot listen to *anyone* anymore. Even centrists seem to have shut themselves off to both sides.

I believe that knowledge is power - and the suppression of knowledge is even more powerful. Look at AT P&N as a micro-example of what's happening - this subforum is little more than sensational headlines filled with non-stop partisan bickering. And I hope that someone here will take on this challenge to at least gain the knowledge of where these ideas originate from. Then after that, it is up to everyone to form their own opinions.

No, the problem is you think good, meaningful knowledge and discussion can come from watching 5 hours (or whatever) of partisan TV infotainment. Seriously, has this stuff replaced the scholarly pursuit of historical and philosophical meaning?

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: cwjerome

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: polarmystery
I don't think many can empathize with opposing views no matter what challenge has been laid before them. I could be mistaken though...

This is the whole point.

And it absolutely sickens me as an American that we cannot listen to *anyone* anymore. Even centrists seem to have shut themselves off to both sides.

I believe that knowledge is power - and the suppression of knowledge is even more powerful. Look at AT P&N as a micro-example of what's happening - this subforum is little more than sensational headlines filled with non-stop partisan bickering. And I hope that someone here will take on this challenge to at least gain the knowledge of where these ideas originate from. Then after that, it is up to everyone to form their own opinions.

No, the problem is you think good, meaningful knowledge and discussion can come from watching 5 hours (or whatever) of partisan TV infotainment. Seriously, has this stuff replaced the scholarly pursuit of historical and philosophical meaning?

Magnificent post. Nominated for magnificence.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: cwjerome
-snip-
No, the problem is you think good, meaningful knowledge and discussion can come from watching 5 hours (or whatever) of partisan TV infotainment. Seriously, has this stuff replaced the scholarly pursuit of historical and philosophical meaning?

Yes, it can.

I often hear of bills, policy changes etc that I never see in print

While the Olbermann-style partisanship cheerleading rarely results in any nuggets of true info, other shows like Matthews do.

Newspapers have been getting lamer and lamer, and with their reductions in staff less-and-less is getting covered. And it seems what does invariably has bias.

So, I think there is merit in watching the news and in watching different news broadcasts. I vividly recall watching the news in the days before cable. What stands out so vividly were broadcasts about Bernard Getz (he shot some gangster type thugs that attacked him on the NY subway).

Tom Brokaw ended his segment before going to commercial by say "and Getz approached the wounded man and put his pistol to his head and pulled the trigger' he did in a very dramatic manner and, IMO, purposefully left the impression that Getz executed the guy in cold blood (nothing to do with self defense).

Fact of the matter is he did not execute the guy. He never shot the guy in the head at all. The guy was not killed. I wouldn't have known that had I not compared one reporting of the incident to another.

To this day I still don't like/trust Tom Brokaw.

Fern

 

[cubby1223]

What happens when you watch 5 hours of partisan TV is much more. That is just step 1.


The first thing that happens is you begin to understand who the extremists are and what they stand for

-The heart of the conservative movement is the desire to inspire individuals to do great things.
-The heart of the liberal movement is the desire to inspire government to do great things.

Both sides have good intentions. They are good people. But we are becoming a society that associates conservatism only with hating bigots. We associate liberalism only with whacko loons. These stereotypes must come to an end or else this country will continue our downward spiral. Most people are centrists, but without knowledge of the extremes, it is not possible to define the center, and neither is it possible to understand if politicians or the media are presenting fact or opinion.



The second thing that happens is you realize that there are always multiple ways to achieve the same goal.

Barney Frank recently talked about affordable housing again, and I will use this as an example because it is very easy to exemplify. Liberals believe the path to achieving affordable housing is to now use the Federal Reserve to make loans more accessible to low income families. Conservatives believe the path is to allow free market Capitalism to kick in and cause home prices to fall, whereby home buying becomes more affordable that way.



The third thing is you realize that anyone who tells you there is only one option, is full of it

When Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Emanual, etc. get up behind the microphone and say their path is the only path to prosperity, you have the full knowledge to know they are lying to you. When they tell you the government cannot do nothing, that obstructionism is not an option, you have the knowledge to know they are lying to you. Doing nothing is always an option. Doing something else is always an option.

When the media proclaims there is only one option, they are lying to you. When forum members here tell you there is only one option, they are lying to you. When forum members here tell you that if you oppose them then you are a hateful bigot, they are lying to you, and you have the knowledge to back it up.



The end result is that you realize we do have a choice to make every election cycle

There are always multiple options to solve a problem, and my God I wish we were able to make these decisions based on principles and values. Every decision has an up side, every decision has a down site. Every politician, most forum members here, and even now most in the mainstream media, will prop up their choice and highlight only their upsides and the oppositions downside.

We no longer as a nation make decisions based on values and principles, but based on who lived down the street from whom, or what the price tag was on someone's clothing. It is not possible to fight against partisanship unless you first understand the partisanship.

These are all common sense things, but I think it is important for everyone everywhere to become as knowledgeable on as many different viewpoints as possible, but more than that learn why others believe in what they do. Take my advice or not, it is always your choice.





So I challenge those here to watch partisan television for a span of just one short week