Gabler's Gripe: Fox, Rush, 'Singled Out' WaPo Columnist Who Called Troops Mercenaries

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I was curious as to how Neal Gabler would opine. Surely, there was no way the resident aggressive lefty at Fox News Watch would defend the odious statements of William Arkin, who in this column libeled the US military as "mercenaries" and claimed we treat them to "obscene amenities." As it turns out, Gabler didn't, even going so far as to call Arkin's statements "idiotic."

However . . . that doesn't mean that Gabler didn't find something to complain about in the way conservatives reacted to the column. Kvetched Neal:

"There are literally tens of millions of bloggers out there. Singling out this particular blogger is an instance of cherry-picking by Fox News, who've been on this story, by Rush Limbaugh. And what's worse, in my estimation, as idiotic as these words are, is then to ascribe these to ascribe these attitudes to the entire left, which O'Reilly has done, and which Rush Limbaugh has done, and that is idiotic."

View video here.

Jim Pinkerton pointed out that "singling out" is what media criticism is about, rightly adding that "if he had used the 'n-word,' people would have singled him out for treatment on this."

There's a larger point here. Arkin wasn't some UC Berkeley sophomore pounding out this libel at his "IHatetheMilitary.blogspot.com" for the delectation of himself and his fellow sociology-major roommate. This was a column at the Washington Post by someone to whom the Post has regularly accorded space to write on "National and Homeland Security."

Gabler chose to ignore that.

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Gabler-gripes-about-Arkin-treatment ping to Today show list.

[jdm]

O'Reilly hates that guy.

[n230099]

"...to ascribe these attitudes to the entire left...is idiotic."

Not really. Potentially occasionally inaccurate, but not idiotic.

[Txsleuth]

Arkin or Gabler???

Or both?

[jdm]

Sorry, I meant Gabler, but probably isn't fond of either.

[bboop]

Before the blogs, the MSM could get away with this stuff. People were fried but THEY didn't have to hear about it. Now they are on the hotseat and actually expected to have logical and legitimate news. They HATE to be found out. Life can be so tough...

[sageb1]

"There's a larger point here. Arkin wasn't some UC Berkeley sophomore pounding out this libel at his "IHatetheMilitary.blogspot.com" for the delectation of himself and his fellow sociology-major roommate. This was a column at the Washington Post by someone to whom the Post has regularly accorded space to write on "National and Homeland Security.""

My thought as well. Since Gabler has been on that show, I think I've agreed with him on a small point maybe twice. And Jane Hall isn't much better. She is one of those who thinks leftist media is mainstream and that frightens me, as she is a journalism professor.

[sageb1]

"Singling out this particular blogger is an instance of cherry-picking "

I think we need to do more of this. We can start at Kos.

[tsmith130]

We gotta stop meeting like this. We watch the same shows. Oh, correction...you can stomach the Today show...I can't. I know...you have Prilosec. ;o)

Gabler was dissing almost every show on Fox today. I don't understand how they continue to let that guy go on and on about how bad Fox is. How does he keep his job?

[kittymyrib]

Is Gabler employed by anyone else but Fox? Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

[13Sisters76]

Gabler is a nasty twisted little leftie and every bit representative of the hatefilled little losers and preening little elitists who populate the left. Screw him AND his damn horse.

[okie01]

She is one of those who thinks leftist media is mainstream and that frightens me, as she is a journalism professor.

It should frighten (and disgust) you. But the one explains the other. Journalism has become what the left-wing radical socialist anti-American professors want it to be.

[Bahbah]

And Jane Hall isn't much better.

Jane Hall is the Sandra Day O'Connor of the program. Fortunately, she is less dangerous as a commentator than O'Connor was as a Justice.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"And Jane Hall isn't much better. She is one of those who thinks leftist media is mainstream and that frightens me, as she is a journalism professor."

I have come to the conclusion that the mainstream media is leftist because Jane Hall and those like her are journalism professors.

[popdonnelly]

Arkin singled himself out. His views will soon be echoed by leftists everywhere in the U.S.

[Aussiebabe]

I disagree, Jane is further left and as a professor, much more dangerous that the laughable Galber. Jane just comes across as a nicer person (which she probably is).

[Rumplemeyer]

Gabler is a first class tool.

[ozzymandus]

Gabler and Hall both defended Arkin. Gabler claimed he was some obscure blogger, not mentioning he worked for NBC and the Post. As for Jane, she's the stupidest talking head I've seen for some time. She refuses to admit the slightest leftist bias in the MSM, while constantly repeating DNC talking points as fact. Gabler is a liar, and Hall is stupid. I have slightly more respect for Gabler, but I hate to use the word "respect" in the same sentence as his name. I just don't think he's actually an idiot, just a liar. Jane's an example of what's wrong with higher "education".

[Constitution1st]

gabler is a filthy, caowardly leftist; they can single out anyone they want to, but listen to these losers whine and complain when someone on the Right does it for a legitimate reason.

BRAVO for Rush and Fox!! Keep up the great work!

gabler, go kiss a chicken.