Do you trust and/or think David Brock should be forgiven?

[Up2Late]

David Brock is on Fresh Air w/Terry Gross right now. He was the
"Number one Clinton Hater/writer in the 1990's. Now he's says he's changed, wrote the book "Blinded By the Right" and "The Republican Noise Machine." :eyes:

Do you think we should trust him (and or buy one of his books)?
Or is he just chasing the $$$$$?

[On the Road]

1. Accept Him

It would be perverse not to.

[BOHICA06]

2. I'd say he is still ....

conflicted! Give him another decade.

[IStriker]

34. Good idea

I remember when he was writing all that stuff about the Clintons and I would NEVER EVER buy any book he writes EVER. He would have to do a lot more for a lot longer to convince me.

[laheina]

43. He addresses that in his book

"blinded by the right." It's actually quite a compelling story.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

3. do

I think he's sincere. And he's as ferocious as only a convert can be

[hlthe2b]

8. ditto...

[zann725]

31. ditto too...

He works hard to de-bunk the Right, and does a good job at it. Let's cut him some slack.

[DELUSIONAL]

29. Ex smokers are ready to battle for a smoke free environment

and -- born agains -- who have just "discovered" their personal "savior" are ready to go out and recruit and try to convince others that "god" is on their side.

Same with Brock -- he is a born again liberal -- and more power to him. He has the "balls" to admit that he was following a false god -- he also knows how the dark side operates.

Good for him -- I believe that he has seen the light.

[NYCGirl]

4. Check out his site. He's great! Media Matters for America:

www.mediamatters.org

[laheina]

42. Ditto.

I've also read his books, and he's on Al Franken. He's a brilliant man.

[htuttle]

5. He also runs MediaMatters.org now -- and it's a very good site

And appears on Al Franken's show every week.

Given what he's been saying, I trust him as much as any other democratic talking head/author. I don't think he's just chasing the money, since he might have made much more staying with the Republicans.

[tsuki]

54. I have seen others like him...totally pissed that they accepted

the kool-aid for so long unquestionally.

[Cocoa]

6. his website project is amazing

www.mediamatters.org is one of the best websites I've ever seen, maybe the best. Incredibly valuable info there, and tons of it.

Based on his current work, I trust him. And I understand your question, anyone who was part of that machine deserves to be looked at skeptically.

[KT2000]

46. Agree with you

Media Matters is fighting back - and getting results.
No matter what people may think of him - he seems to have decided he would be judged on his actions because he is really into it.

[Brundle_Fly]

49. MEDIA Matters...

needs its own cable channel.

[KT2000]

62. Yes Yes!

We need a a funder like the RW has Mellon-Scaife.
The RW could not have done what they have without the huge money. Of course they also have the corporations.

[blondeatlast]

7. I suggest you read "Noise Machine."

He's one of us and he rakes the mud with the best of them in that one. He uses his inside knowledge very well to blow the lid off the "MSM."

If you don't want to fork over cash, check it out of the library.

[laheina]

44. It's a great book.

A little on the scholastic side, but it is impeccably researched. A very informative read.

[Akbar]

9. Don't Forget Media Matters

I believe it's pretty clear that he is sincere.

If he was just after the bucks, he'd still be writing the kind of stuff he used to, aimed at people who buy books but don't (can't?) bother reading them.

[proud patriot]

10. I forgave Brock as soon as he asked for forgiveness

:shrug: just call me a softy

[demnan]

11. Of course he should be forgiven

hey we're the liberals right? We don't act like mean Republicans. This guy has a lot of talent, and now he's using it for our cause.

[MnFats]

12. i admire him but I worry that he might be 'blinded' again...

...and flip back.
...I don't worry about that too much, though.
...he is so hated by the right, etc., now that I don't think they'd take him back under any circumstances. He nailed 'em good.

[Up2Late]

15. I think I agree with your cautious stance

He admitted, for the first time I've heard, that he's Gay, so you know the GOP won't take him back. :pals:

That's a pretty good reason to think he's not flipping back B-)

[Crunchy Frog]

52. Admitted for the first time you've heard, that he's gay?

His homosexuality practically forms the centerpiece of his first book, and his orientation was known by his close associates even before he broke with the right.

I think this post shows why it's important not to make snap judgements of people. Learn a little bit about them before you jump to conclusions.

Sorry if I'm sounding judgemental, I'm just up too late.

[underpants]

17. Yeah but he is dealing in actual facts now

Pretty good gig really just report what people actually say.

He should be not only forgiven but cherished. He would be a great national point man.

[blondeatlast]

24. He should be doing media strategy on the Left.

He knows the RNM from the inside.

Please, everyone, we need to get "The Republican Noise Machine to the top of the NYT lists.

Read it, and buy a copy for your favorite independent or progressive.

It's the muckraking book of the decade.

[mairceridwen]

13. his website is wonderful

I take just about everyone and everything with a grain of salt anyway.

I don't buy stuff like that anyway (spend too much on books for school as it is) but I read his site and listen to him on AAR every now and then.

I say we should harness as many resources as we can...he has nothing to gain from the right by doing this so why the hell not?


Besides:

WE WILL WE WILL BROCK YOU
WE WILL WE WILL BROCK YOU

[janx]

14. I have Blinded by the Right

on my shelf, and I don't buy many political books. David Brock has been through one heck of an oddysey. I can't recommend the book enough.

[grumpy old fart]

16. and read his letter to O'Slimey....it's GREAT

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1435169

[BrklynLiberal]

18. That was then..this is now....... n/t

[MessiahRp]

19. I trust him

If he was just chasing the dollars I don't think he would do as much work or sacrifice as much time as he does working hard for our cause. Look the guy was wrong before but he realized it and unlike the rest of the Republican sheep, corrected himself.

That's commendable in the day in age where once you're a Repub you will vote for them for life no matter how far right the party line is from you.

Rp

[TroglodyteScholar]

20. "Blinded by the Right"...

.....is a kickass book. Really exposes everything you already knew about the way Republicans do things.

[Eloriel]

21. Absolutely and then some

He has more than made up for his former transgressions. ANYtime we can actually get a true-blue defector, we should welcome them with open arms.

And the way to tell if they're true blue or not? By their works ye shall know them. His Media Matters is outtasight. His Blinded by the Right book was pretty awesome as well.

I've not understood AT ALL why some on the left have been slow to accept and fete him.

[blondeatlast]

26. Read "The Republican Noise Machine," too.

He exposes the propaganda machine from the ground up and connects all the dots from the tax-exempt RW "stink tanks" like the Heritage Foundation right through to the mega-corporate boardrooms and takes no prisoners in the process.

After reading that, there is no question in my mind that he's one of "us."

If he gets well-enough known, he will be a real threat to "them." That comes at a very high price, I suspect.

[Bleacher Creature]

22. 100% -- He's put too much into it to be a fake.

He's burned all his RW bridges, written 2 books, raised money, etc.

[Cheswick2.0]

23. I read his book and I believed he was sincere several years ago

I don't know about you, but I like the giu very much and I trust him.

[Darth_Kitten]

27. it takes guts to admit your mistakes and make amends.........

his site is great. :)

[Lefty48197]

25. You should definately read Blinded by the Right

It's a nice introduction to how the right wing media machine works.

[Krupskaya]

28. I read him, but...

...I wouldn't ever vote for him. ;)

[Vox_Reason]

30. Media Matters rocks.

I'd like to see them continue to refine the site design; to me, it's probably the #1 site I can think of that has a real imbalance between the quality of its content and its design. The design isn't horrible; it just needs to be cleaner, with better organization and accessibility.

But regardless, Brock is a truth-teller and I'm happy to have him on our side. I catch him on Al Franken's show every chance I get. "Blinded by the Right" has been on my book list for too long, and now thanks to this thread I know to add his 2nd title. Thanks again, DU! :toast:

[journalist3072]

32. David Brock

I think David Brock should really be forgiven. I think he realizes the mistakes he made, and he's sorry.


And look what he's done. Media Matters for America is dedicated to accuracy in the media, and particularly debunking the lies told by the Republican media.

We should salute him for that.

[MikeDuffy]

33. Who are some "double agents" for the right

who have been unmasked in recent years?

[UpsideDownFlag]

dupe, self delete. nt

[UpsideDownFlag]

35. peruse his website before judging...nt

[FrenchieCat]

36. Love David Brock....

He has done more by uncovering the true nature of the right and illuminating the torch on the media than any other media advocate.

His admission as to why he even went into cahoots in the Arkansas Project is very revealing.

Our media is why we keep losing elections. He knows that and has been catalyst in helping us "fix" this giant unsurmountable issue.

If we alienate those who want to join the fight.....doesn't that make us fools?

[ldf]

37. you need to

do a little homework.

[Missy Vixen]

38. I've met David Brock

He has a lot of courage, in my opinion. He had the courage to walk into a room of 250+ red meat Democrats, shake hands with them, and apologize all over again.

He has gone out of his way to make amends for his former life.

Julie

[Maat]

39. I read his book, 'Blinded ..' about 2 years ago...

it is what got me politically involved.

I consider him a true, courageous hero. He really explained in depth in an easily understandable way how the Right built the Republican Noise and Political Machine that they have. Woke me up to a huge universe. God bless him!

And I really relate to his relationship - that had its ups and downs - with his REAL father (his adoptive father), because I'm my daughter's REAL mother (yes, I 'dopted her). That part of the book was really heartwarming.

[Griffy]

40. no mole coulda put up with all this.. hes for real IMO nt

[comsymp]

64. He showed a lotta courage AND class at that event, IMO-

especially hanging out for so long afterward and just talking to folks.

Plus, he's a cutie.

[RandomKoolzip]

41. Yes, of course. He is to be trusted.

"The Republican Noise Machine" is the most essential purchase this year. If you haven't read it, you must.

[blondeatlast]

58. Indeed. I've been hawking the book on DU till I've probably

made people sick or will be accused of spamming, but you are absolutely correct.

I'd love to see it hit the NY#1 pretty much solely by word of mouth (keyboard???).

[rman]

45. i'm sure certain people would like us not to trust him

if he's just chasing money, would that mean there is no such thing as a well funded highly organized republican noise machine?
what do you think?

[Up2Late]

50. I'm still pissed off at Brock, but all these comments are helpful

I was really disgusted with his original appearance on "The Daily Show" when he was pushing "Blinded By the Right." It felt like I was being sold a bill of goods by a Used Car salesman. It's going to take a few weeks for me to start to feel better about this guy.:grouphug:

Hell, I'm still pissed off at Micheal Moore for all the anti-Democrat stuff he said in "Stupid White Men" and how he bragged that he voted for Ralph Nader in 2000. I've had "Dude, Where's my Country" for a year, but still haven't read it.

Thank Folks :yourock:

[donheld]

47. I have faith in Mr Brock

He seems to be working harder to debunk the garbage he put out before his conversion. I've read both "Blinded By The Right" And "The Republican Noise Machine" and found them to be quite compelling. HIs website shows how much work he is doing everyday for our side.

[Krocksice]

48. He's fucking great

Republican Noise Machine was a great history of the corporate/conservative media... and mediamatter.org is all over media innacuracies all the time.

[Crunchy Frog]

51. I trust him. I've read both of his books. I check on his

web site periodically. Forgive or not, I think he came over from the dark side and has a great deal of important knowledge and insight that we wouldn't otherwise have access to.

I'm not into holding grudges against people for things they did in the past, as long as they've truly reformed and are doing the right thing now. That's just me though.:shrug:

[Garbo 2004]

53. If he was chasing the $$$ he'd still be whoring for the right.

Lots more money in that than what he's doing now. The right has a very supportive network for its mouthpieces. Look at the others who are still in the fold. They're punditing all over the media, have tv/radio programs, book deals etc. It's a gravy train. Which is, I think, why many if not most of them do it, not because they're necessarily true believers. It's like pro wrestling, except the pro wrestlers are far more honest about what they do.

I was dubious when Brock reformed and came out with his "Blinded" book but he's done good work since then.

[tsuki]

55. Lots more money...does anyone know how much these

pundits make? I know Hannity signed for 25 million, and an office worker told me that Katie Kuric (sp, phonetic, don't know her)signed for 65 million. What about Loopah Bill, Oxy Rush and the rest?

[greenohio]

56. I will never forgive him after what he did to Anita Hill.

Just watch...that man will betray us.

[Karenina]

60. IIRC,

She has.

[Skittles]

57. yes and yes

I've seen him interviewed and I believe he is sincere - there is a sadness in his eyes and in his voice that tells me he really knows he came from the dark side.

[theangrydem]

59. MM Better than FAIR

MM is providing a available service, I used to depend upon FAIR (still use them), but MM is doing a much better job of policing wing-nut misinformation. Love them!!!

[primavera]

61. If Zell Miller can switch to the dark side...

...surely it's no less plausible that some should turn towards the light. If we rebuke Miller for turning traitor (as well we might), it's only fair to applaud Brock for having sense enough to pull back from the abyss.

Besides, even amongst Dems, there are differences of opinion on Clinton and his contributions. In other words, reasonable people can differ.

[Warren DeMontague]

63. We need all the help we can get, these days...

As others have noted, he's whoopin' ass over there at media matters.

Unfortunately, the reality is there's probably more money in being a self-appointed right-wing dingbat than in agitating for the left. All Ann Coulter needs to do is scribble some shit in crayon about how 'prominent libruls should made examples of by being fed into meat packing machines!!!!!' and whoomp- she's on the NY Times Best Seller list. It's less work to be a bloviating right wing gasbag, you need about 100 fewer IQ points, all you have to do is keep repeating the same 3 jingoistic dumbf*ck slogans over and over again, and you can publish your 40 page books in that giant font that they use for children and old people.

Besides, it's the right wing that doesn't believe in forgiveness; not me.

[GalleryGod]

65. Forgave DB a lonnnnnnnng time ago, Fans!

:pals: