Posted on 10/19/2009 10:40:01 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Andrew Sullivan directs attention to this fascinating query:
All of this gets me to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Both of them have been in the news a lot for their outspoken and controversial views. And once again, people don’t seem to understand that their jobs are entertainment, nothing more…
Talk show hosts have no legal or ethical obligation to do anything but entertain. And judging by their successes, Limbaugh and Beck are brilliant at their jobs. I find it mind boggling that anyone believes a TV talk host is expressing his own true views…
Do you think that Limbaugh and Beck have the same views in private as they spray into the entertainmentsphere?
That question is easy: Yes of course Limbaugh and Beck express the same views in private as in public. Consistent hypocrisy demands exorbitant levels of imagination, energy, and cynicism. Much less exhausting over time simply to bring your private views into alignment with what you are paid to say in public.
Let me put the thought experiment slightly differently however. Suppose an agent arrived in the offices of Limbaugh/Beck/Hannity/O’Reilly etc. with an offer. “I can guarantee you a deal that will pay you twice as much - bring you twice as much fame - and extend your career twice as long - if you’d say the exact opposite of what you are saying now.” Which of them would sign?
My nominations: O’Reilly accepts for sure. Beck likewise almost certainly says yes. Limbaugh would want to think it over, but would ultimately say no. Mark Levin: certainly not. Sean Hannity would need the offer explained a few times. Ann Coulter - that one puzzles me - but probably no. Roger Ailes? Do you even need to ask?
I think Sullivan sells Beck short. I don’t think Beck takes the money.
Yeah, sure, bub.
O’Reilly for sure
Limbaugh absolutely not.
Hannity absolutely not
actually except for O’Reilly I don’t think any mentioned would sell out for money.
I wonder if the writer would sell out?
silly me
The Writer sold out long ago
David Frum. He already did.
The writer already did.
Sean Hannity would need the offer explained a few times.
BOR maybe.
The rest - No.
LOL
I believe that Rush and Glenn do believe in what they are saying and can’t be bought off. O’Reilly will do anything for money. But the fact remains that Rush and Glenn know how to entertain while getting the message out. It is also a fact that if they said anything they really didn’t believe in, it wouldn’t take long for the American people to figure it out and turn on them. That is why the lefts commentators have all failed.
We may never know as his opinion is not worth anything.
What about Michael Savage? ...a true convert?
So, according to Andrew Sullivan proof of Rush and Beck's hypocrisy is their lack of hypocrisy?
Thank you for admonishing yourself! Silly you. :)
This guy is an idiot. He makes an unfounded assertion, then he tries to prove his assertion by making up a situation and then completely fabricating the result of his hypothetical situation as if that is presents some kind of proof.
Does the writer believe what he says and would he take money?
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Stupid question and even more stupid analysis. The presumption that they were handed an agenda one day and instantly became chart toppers when the fact is just the opposite is just as flawed. Their rise was a byproduct of our times and they just happened to be radio DJ’s unafraid to voice an opinion. For being unafraid, they gained credibility to those still able to partake in critical thinking.
Both are intelligent enough to know they are where they are because of how they got to this point in time because of their opinions and not that of soeone else’s. They also would know the carrot could be just as quickly pulled away as it was presented and by vacating their principles would therefore doom their future.
So in my opinion, this prospect is plain and simply stupid wishful thinking to mask the authors own biases and unpinned principles.
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