happydreams
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:06 PM
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Bush Admin Media Collusion Memos Surface |
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I got this in a e-mail. Hope it isn't a dupe. http://www.fox-news.us/story/0,3566,190215,00.html Bush Administration Media Collusion Memos Surface Monday, April 3, 2006 WASHINGTON — In a disturbing turn of events for an administration already plagued by sagging poll numbers and waning support for the Iraq war, Friday's revelation that the Bush Administration issued direct guidelines for programming to media outlets is troubling even die-hard conservatives.
Late Friday a series of memos between senior Bush Administration officials and management at Viacom, Inc. were leaked calling for the media giant to focus on stories and programming choices that "reinforce the Administration's positions" and to "ignore and/or discredit points of view in opposition to the Bush Administration's foreign policy objectives for the purposes of National Security."
Democrats and key civil rights figures were quick to comment on this latest chapter of alleged government malfeasance. Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer issued a statement calling for a congressional inquiry. "This is it. This is a smoking gun. For years we've been saying that liberal and moderate points of view aren't being accurately reflected in the media and this proves our point. The Bush Administration is clearly out of touch with the American people, and Viacom should be ashamed."
Other prominent figures were less forgiving. Rev. Al Sharpton called the memos "treasonous" and "genocidal" and reiterated his desire for impeachment proceedings to commence. "What we have here is a complete disregard for the law, for what is morally correct and for the will of the people. It's been no secret to anyone with a brain that the majority of programming that we are exposed to by certain companies is negative, but now it's out in the open. Look at BET. Look at the exclusion of voices that accurately represent communities of color. It's insidious."
Media companies have come under increasing fire as of late for their portrayal of minorities and for inaccuracies in reporting stories of interest to activist communities.
Most recently, estimates in the participation numbers of protesters at anti-immigration legislation rallies were hotly disputed.
The media's alleged embracing of artists and stories depicting people of color in a derogatory manner has become a hot-topic issue with media watchdog groups and prominent entertainment commentators alike.
Davey D, a San Francisco-based music writer and hip-hop historian, echoed the sentiment. "It's true, there is no balance in the media, especially in hip-hop, where the negativity is most prevalent. All we hear of on a commercial level is pimps, players and gangsters. That's not all us. What about the revolutionary voices? What about artists like The Coup? Like Public Enemy and Paris? They have a new album out together that speaks on exactly what's going on right now, but they don't get played on commercial radio. We've always argued that our voices are systematically suppressed. Well, here's the proof."
Not all agree, however. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist took a more defensive stance. "Of course it raises some concerns, but we can't let this issue be blown out of proportion. Of course there have to be media guidelines. Hell, if we want to plant I.D. chips in people and torture their loved ones until they break, we will. I know the idea of governmental control over what the media can or cannot say during wartime may be an uncomfortable topic for some to digest, but it is a necessary fact of life when our enemies are trying to kill us."
Debra L. Lee, president and CEO of Viacom's Black Entertainment Television, agrees. "Even though our moniker is BET, our allegiance lies with our government and its directives, not the African-American community. Anyone who believes that we will endorse messages in contrast to our government's wishes, or that express dissent, is sorely mistaken."
Some entertainment industry insiders are becoming increasingly concerned, however. One longtime employee of Interscope Records, a leading record label and home to rap superstars 50 Cent and Eminem, stated recently under the condition of anonymity that the company "has a unique relationship with Viacom" and that it "deliberately focuses on marketing campaigns that depict black people in the worst possible light." When told of Rev. Sharpton's likening of the practice to 'genocide' on African-Americans, he agreed wholeheartedly, but expressed fears of reprisal should he publicly address his concerns.
"It's beyond national security. That was the reason given at first, but now they just tell us what we have to endorse, and what we have to avoid." He added, "these kids eat it up. They don't know the difference between what's real and what's fake."
An Interscope company spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
"We will get to the bottom of this," Sharpton continued, "and heads will roll. Now that their practices of propaganda are common knowledge even Americans with limited political awareness will demand change."
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stepnw1f
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:09 PM
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1. fox news...? snif, sniff |
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I'll wait and see if another source picks up on this.
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movonne
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:16 PM
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15. Yes, it makes you wonder...faux news only does what they are told.. |
november3rd
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:18 PM
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16. I'm with Boxer and Sharpton |
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Think of Al Gore during the 2000 election: the guy couldn't get any fair coverage. The recount stank, too.
Then there was the run-up to the war and every newsstory after September 11th. P U !
Kerry? Oh, sure. He got fair and balanced coverage.
What I'm wondering about is why the hell Fox picked this up to the exclusion of the others.
This story is being suppressed.
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Schema Thing
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:10 PM
Response to Original message |
2. good lord! Is this a late breaking April Fools joke? |
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"Debra L. Lee, president and CEO of Viacom's Black Entertainment Television, agrees. "Even though our moniker is BET, our allegiance lies with our government and its directives, not the African-American community. Anyone who believes that we will endorse messages in contrast to our government's wishes, or that express dissent, is sorely mistaken." "
????
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babylonsister
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:11 PM
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6. Tavis Smiley needs to see this though I imagine he has. nt |
babylonsister
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:10 PM
Original message |
And from Fox? First I've heard of this! Thanks. nt |
marmar
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:10 PM
Response to Original message |
3. The blitzkrieg of bullshit continues... |
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There's seemingly a new revelation twice a day with this administration - clearly the most corrupt ever - to the point that nothing is shocking anymore.
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Tiggeroshii
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:10 PM
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BootinUp
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:10 PM
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5. Uh, something doesn't seem right with this |
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Not all agree, however. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist took a more defensive stance. "Of course it raises some concerns, but we can't let this issue be blown out of proportion. Of course there have to be media guidelines. Hell, if we want to plant I.D. chips in people and torture their loved ones until they break, we will. I know the idea of governmental control over what the media can or cannot say during wartime may be an uncomfortable topic for some to digest, but it is a necessary fact of life when our enemies are trying to kill us."
come'on this is some kind of joke.
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happydreams
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
9. Made me wonder too, but its posted at FOX. nt |
Richard Steele
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:19 PM
Response to Reply #9 |
18. That's NOT the real foxnews site! |
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The real Fox site is 'FOXNews.com' your link goes to 'FOX_NEWS.US'...it's a fake.
Someone has mirrored the Fox site, and added this fake story to it.
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happydreams
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:23 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
25. And somebody put it in my e-mail box. I wonder if anybody else |
babylonsister
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:13 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
10. Maybe his hubris exceeds his common sense. nt |
happydreams
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
23. Frist was alluding to enemies in war I think. |
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It has to be the most outrageous quote I've ever heard coming from a politician.
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electropop
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:40 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
33. The ID chips and torture thing gave it away for me. |
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Frist would happily do those things (personally) but wouldn't talk about them in quite that way. Hell, he engineered the Anthrax attacks, a little torture and cruel medical experimentation (his hobby) would be nothing for him.
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bemildred
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:11 PM
Response to Original message |
7. Distraction, don't want to talk about real scandals. |
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Anybody with a functional brain knows Fox is a government mouthpiece.
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ChairmanAgnostic
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:12 PM
Response to Original message |
8. I have a serious problem with this. |
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first, look at the source. FAUX GNUS? second, even though I have always felt the content described here to be accurate and true, I cannot help but look back at my first point. third, the fact that documentary evidence exists and supports this is no surprise, but for the fact that I cannot believe it because I cannot help but look back at my first point. fourth, look at the source. fifth, if true, this puts the nail in their coffin, except for the source. sixth, look at the source.
damn. I have to stop thinking about this. of COURSE IT IS TRUE. despite the source.
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bling bling
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:38 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
32. I completely agree with you, but I would add one point to your post... |
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Consider the source.
But seriously, all the media org's have lost credibility with me, aside for one or two, such as the Christian Science Monitor. Fox news is just more in-your-face about the fact that they are a propaganda machine run by the state. But I don't trust any of them anymore. I just distrust Fox News the most, I guess.
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Richard Steele
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:13 PM
Response to Original message |
11. This is a FAKE, people! Phoney, false, a sham, a fraud! |
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The events described in the story NEVER HAPPENED!
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ClintonTyree
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #11 |
28. But not totally out of the realm of possibility....... |
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people are having a hard time believing it isn't real. When I read down to the Frist "quotes" then it dawned on me but up until then it seemed entirely plausible. ;)
I guess some here at DU are so shell shocked by the bush administration's imperial hubris that they can't see the forest for the trees anymore. :shrug:
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gunsaximbo
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:14 PM
Response to Original message |
12. Been saying the same thing for 15 years. |
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So when is tweety going to be fired?
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Laelth
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:14 PM
Response to Original message |
13. Did Frist really say this? |
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"Hell, if we want to plant I.D. chips in people and torture their loved ones until they break, we will."
If so, we need to bury him with it. That's over the top in a way that even Joe Sixpack can understand. :scared:
-Laelth
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nannah
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:16 PM
Response to Original message |
14. Bill Frist said, "Hell, if we want to plant I.D. chips in people... |
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Edited on Mon Apr-03-06 07:16 PM by nannah
and torture their loved ones until they break, we will." Where did that come from????? A spontaneous truth utterance!
"Hell, if we want to plant I.D. chips in people and torture their loved ones until they break, we will." Senator Bill Frist
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Danieljay
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:18 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
17. huh? This has to be some kind of prank. Unbelievable...but not really |
nannah
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
22. i clicked on the link at fox news |
Richard Steele
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:25 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
27. That's NOT the real FoxNews site! It's a FAKE as well. |
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HERE is the real site: http://www.foxnews.com/usworld/index.htmlAnd there is no such story there.
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Laelth
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:22 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
24. This thread should be moved to GD. |
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Edited on Mon Apr-03-06 07:22 PM by Laelth
It's a good joke, but the URL is wrong for the "real" Faux News. -Laelth
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nannah
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:30 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
29. it is a fake. good eyes for those who caught it! n/t |
Renew Deal
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:37 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
31. WTF is wrong with planing ID chips in people? |
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Huh? You must obviously be an american hating treasoner!!! :argh:
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rocktivity
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:21 PM
Response to Original message |
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Edited on Mon Apr-03-06 07:22 PM by rocknation
Fox News.com is the only channel that picked up the story? And SHARPTON is among the Democrats reached for comment? And why is it on Fox-news.us rather than Foxnews.com? Is their Fox's way of attacking Viacom, they're going to have a hard time explaining the bias THEY'VE shown.
:shrug: rocknation
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damntexdem
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:21 PM
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20. These anti-American idiots are not just people off the street: -- |
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they're people in positions of leadership of our institutions. Sharpton is right on this one.
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BrightKnight
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:21 PM
Response to Original message |
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Edited on Mon Apr-03-06 07:29 PM by BrightKnight
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High Plains
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:25 PM
Response to Original message |
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It's a fake page, apparently courtesy of these people: http://guerrillafunk.com/Look at the URL in the story. It's bogus, and it tracks back to Guerrilla Funk. Nice job.
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Renew Deal
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:35 PM
Response to Original message |
30. There is something not right here. |
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I don't think that's the Fox News website.
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banana republican
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:46 PM
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Domain Name: FOX-NEWS.COM Registrar: EMARKMONITOR INC. DBA MARKMONITOR Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com Referral URL: http://www.markmonitor.comName Server: NS1.LOUDCLOUD.COM Name Server: NS2.LOUDCLOUD.COM Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK Updated Date: 28-sep-2005 Creation Date: 14-oct-1996 Expiration Date: 13-oct-2006
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Pirate Smile
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:47 PM
Original message |
It is an AP article, NOT FAUX. |
Moderator
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Mon Apr-03-06 07:47 PM
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This is not a real news story
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