Posted on 03/04/2007 9:18:02 AM PST by disraeligears
Normally I agree with Bill O'Reilly about 80-85% of the time regarding his take on political and social issues. Originally, his was a libertarian/pragmatic viewpoint in which he would not suffer fools gladly, but insisted upon a "no-spin" zone.
As a result of a relatively refreshingly new point of view, he attained unheard of ratings in the media niche known as cable news. His "O'Reilly Factor" became a phenomenom. Liberals and conservatives, democrats and republicans, willingly appeared on his show to suffer truly hardball questions (unlike the tripe which Chris Matthews proffers). Moreover, his skewer was not reserved solely for conservatives.
Recently, however, while insisting that his guests not prevaricate, bloviate, nor obfuscate, recently he has, at times, become somewhat of caricature of himself, spinning at will in attempts to identify examples of "secular-progressives" in our midsts in order to define and ridicule.
Sometimes, his attempts to create controversy and alarm amongst the viewers were relatively transaparent, such as his flap regarding the rapper Ludacris. But usually, his commentary cut deep and was spot-on, especially as they related to media bias.
Recently, he has repeatedly pointed out the leftward drift of NBC/MSNBC news. In particular, he voiced outrage regarding the biased slants of two NBC news employees, an NBC defense analyst and an NBC war correspondent.
More to the point, he stated that if NBC continued its descent to the left and did not repudiate some of the more biased commentary, both being expressed as opinion and presented as "fact," that NBC would suffer in the ratings.
Well, the chickens have come home to roost. Charles Gibson and crew at ABC News have been soundly beating Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News.
More and more, NBC is being epitomized by the rantings of Olbermann, the spitle of Matthews, and the hypocrisy of Russert. Gone are the evenings of Huntley and Brinkley, replaced by the mornings of Today.
Defending NBC, corresopondent Andrea Mitchell deadpans that NBC is not biased in its reporting, leaving you to wonder if she will soon follow-up with an 1-800 number of her exclusive investment program for buying real estate with no money down.
Evidence of NBC bias? Do I have to mention David Gregory? David Shuster? Scooter Libby? The Virginia and Tennessee Senate races?
For balance, we have a "regular" Joe Scarborough, and a re-tread CNN expatriate, Tucker Carlson. Tucker sticks to his principles but there have got to be photographs in somebody's desk drawer regarding the former congressman from the redneck riviera.
So kudos to Bill. Keep up the good work (but with a little bit less of the body language please).
Disraeligears
Bill O Really is so dial up
Bill O'Reilly is a dirty old man, and blow hard.
"Recently, he has repeatedly pointed out the leftward drift of NBC/MSNBC news."
As if no one else had noticed.
Then Andrea is either crazy, a liar or, uh, stupid....
*laughing* Bill drives the left out of their minds outing them as who they are.
That is why they focus on him. If he did a poor job, they wouldn't worry about him one bit.
Good on O'Reilly!
So much Falafel.
O'Reilly has never been anything resembling a libertarian. He's always been a blow-with-the-wind populist, with few discernable political principles. He'd tell you that himself, in fact. He's proud of it.
More and more, he's becoming much like the "duty drunks," etc. found on all Marines messageboards/forums, and a few other...sites--he had ingrown his usefulness.
S/Fidelis
D1ck Gaines
Bill is a pain sometimes- but because of his standing up loudly and frequently for the safety of children- I ignore the rest.
And his observation about NBC is accurate.
Bill is an opportunist he tries to get the most viewers.
So O'Really pointed out that Water is Wet, good job!
Pray for W and Our Troops
NBC is liberal? I knew that long before Bill O'Reilly got his show.
A fish doesm't realize he is wet because all he knows is water. Has no concept of dry. Andrea totally lives in a leftist world. All her friends. All her reading, listening and viewing. So left to her is like water to a fish. Normal.
Good work, Bill!
Telling it like it is!
Considering that Bill "tries" to follow a unbiased approach with his presentation of events it is years better than the MSM BS.
All things considered, I give BOR a thumbs up.
Since she obviously isn't close to the truth, I'll refer her back to my previous suspicions.
Without a doubt. You see I in no way said she was not responsible. Just expalaining the dynamic. Not defending it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.