Posted on 01/10/2011 9:57:18 PM PST by pissant
In the wake of the tragic shooting in Tuscon, Ariz. that left six dead and 14 injured, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Fox News President Roger Ailes is saying that his network and others in politics and the media need to "tone it down."
In an interview with Russell Simmons, published today by Simmons' website Global Grind, Ailes addressed the tragedy and the partisan rhetoric some say is to blame for the incident.
Ailes to some extent defended Sarah Palin's use of crosshairs imagery during the 2010 campaign, arguing that such rhetoric was not uncommon in politics. Palin has come under criticism in the wake of the shooting for having created a "target list" of lawmakers she hoped to unseat, including Giffords. Palin released a map featuring the 20 targeted House Democrats that used crosshairs to show their districts.
(snip)
But Ailes called the use of such imagery "bulls**t" and said "both sides are wrong, but they both do it."
"I told all of our guys, shut up, tone it down, make your argument intellectually," the Fox News president said. "You don't have to do it with bombast. I hope the other side does that."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
That is stupid. BS is equating metaphorical symbols with actual threats. How do people this dumb get to be so rich?
I'll bet I can guess with three words. Excuses, excuses, excuses.
I don’t understand why anyone watches ANY cables “news” opinion. Talk about hate? That’s the place to see it on full display. If conservatives would just turn off these opinion programs their ratings would be in the gutter, we have the power to shut it off! Fox is a joke, it’s just as liberal as the rest, and what they do is pretend to be more balanced to lure in the more moderate viewer. I haven’t watched that crap since 911 and my blood pressure is better for it.
Fox news is horrible. Just because it is slightly better than msnbc does not make it good.
They weren’t crosshairs, they were surveyor marks.
Amen!! Fox is almost UNWATCHABLE!! So damn many lefties SPEWING UNTRUTHS!!
If Ailes wants everyone to tone it down, how about he start with his own rude and arrogant comments?
People don't appreciate having their own hypocrisy rubbed in their faces.
At least have enough respect for the victims to spell the name of their home town correctly. Not doing so shows just how much you really DO NOT care.
My opinion.
Roger, remember when Harry Truman responded to someone who encouraged him to “Give ‘em hell, Harry”?
Truman responded by saying, “I don’t give them hell. I just tell the truth and they THINK it’s hell.”
That is all Fox News needs to do: tell the truth
To the stupid or gutless conservatives who don’t back Palin, can’t they see that the left fears Palin the most! Every time they get a chance they blame Palin, before it was Bush, and before him, Reagan!
They never mention Mitt, Huchster, Funny!
Ailes is stupid if he doesn’t know the use of metaphors is an intellectual approach. He’s more stupid if he thinks controlling language will change behavior.
Allen West had the best response to all this nonsense:
“Now that Ive been sworn into Congress Im still the type of person that, if there are means by which I can inspire people, I will use historical references and metaphors, which is what I have done. But my background is, I am a tough guy and in tough times we have to use a little bit of stronger language when you start talking about the future legacy of my country”
West showed true leadership when he said, from the same article:
West told the breakfast that hell consider greater security at meetings with constituents, but “we cannot allow those events (in Arizona) to separate us from our constituents ..Its not so much about my protection. Its about your protection. I want to make sure that you can come out in a free and safe environment.
Throw the word “censorship” at those idiots.....cause that’s what they are about.....censoring anyone they don’t agree with.
TV is all about the story of the story. They really cover NO news most days.
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You are so right. I get so sick of how much time they said on what this or that pundit said about another or in response to another. They truly thing the world revolves around their careers.
The past few days have been particularly annoying with the nonstop coverage of the Tuscon shooting. I have really switched the news channels off a lot more so than usual.
Hannity has never had an original idea in his life. And most of the time I really feel like he is firing for effect and does not believe half of what he says.
Well, so much for Fox. The news chief has just sold out the First Amendment.
It’s actually less than that, especially in smaller markets. Now an anchor, who may or may not be the reporter, introduces the package which may or may not have been produced, shot and edited by the reporter himself.
In small markets, the anchor is often the producer as well. Graphics are done by a separate person, but anchors can now operate teleprompters themselves and in larger markets, studio cameras can be computer controlled (I know of at least one top 15 market affiliate that does this with regularity).
We need to be developing more information networks of our own.
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I have often asked this question here:
Why doesn’t Limbaugh start his own network?
Great response from West. Love that guy!
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