Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Mastermind Behind Media Matters

With the recent controversies involving Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh, the faux liberal group Media Matters has gotten some exposure as the ones responsible for exposing the aforementioned conservative talk show hosts. Their purpose, as stated on their website, is "comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." To some, they're a godsend, but before you jump on their bandwagon (if you're inclined to do so, that is), it's necessary to look at one of the particulars, David Brock.

David Brock is the conservative-turned-liberal who was responsible for two of the most popular and controversial books of the 90s, The Real Anita Hill and The Seduction of Hillary Rodham. Since his conversion, he has written two more books, Blinded By the Right and The Republican Noise Machine. When he came out with the first two books, the faux left attacked Brock as a liar. With the last two books, they praised him without hesitation because, well, they have no sense of intellectual consistency.

Or maybe it's because he was always just like the faux left. I've read almost all of Brock's books, save The Republican Noise Machine, and I came away from the first two wondering why he was praised by conservatives. Certainly, his politics were in question because the "hit pieces" he wrote on Anita Hill and Hillary Clinton were...soft. To me, he was always hedging his bets, saying things that would ensure book sales while at the same time giving himself an out in case he made a decision to jump ship. This bothered me.

At least until I read Blinded By the Right. In that book, Brock not only admits he's a liar, but that the only reason he became a Republican was because he was being contrarian. And while he was a Republican, he would say and do anything to draw attention to himself. Now, he's "seen the light" and switched sides...and still saying and doing anything to draw attention to himself and, now, to Media Matters.

I've had the opportunity to review a few incidents reported on Media Matters involving Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, and I would be remiss if I didn't point out how Brock's intellectual dishonesty is rampant throughout the website. Instead of "monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media," they're guilty of creating, analyzing, and dispensing misinformation about conservatives. Most often, they take statements out of context, twist the actual statement so it means something that wasn't stated or intended, and then rail against their twisted interpretation. Some of the things Media Matters has said about Beck alone have been out and out dishonest, considering I actually heard the shows they "quote" and knew what Beck was driving at from the outset.

But Media Matters isn't trying to be accurate. They're trying to be a one-stop-shop for faux liberals who already believe conservative media lie to produce "proof" of their beliefs. But any proof with a heart of dishonesty doesn't help the cause. If Brock honestly chronicled the foibles of conservative media and their moments of misinformation, I would be fine with that. But he doesn't. Instead, he's resorting to the kind of misinformation that he allegedly is trying to beat back with Media Matters.

Then again, that is how Brock rolls.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

So if liberals accused Brock of lying in his Anita Hill book and then Brock admitted he was lying in his Anita Hill book that makes those liberals perceptive and intelligent, not intellectually dishonest.

Interesting how you are so certain that Media Matters twists things and takes them out of context, and yet you are unable to provide any concrete examples.

Perhaps it is you who is intellectually dishonest—or as is common with post-Bush conservatism, intellectually lazy.

TLindaman said...

Anonymous said...
So if liberals accused Brock of lying in his Anita Hill book and then Brock admitted he was lying in his Anita Hill book that makes those liberals perceptive and intelligent, not intellectually dishonest.


Ummm...no. It makes them intellectually dishonest for saying Brock lied with the Hill book and the praising his honesty now. See, One, that's why you keep losing debates to me. Logic isn't your strong suit. :-)


Interesting how you are so certain that Media Matters twists things and takes them out of context, and yet you are unable to provide any concrete examples.


I guess citing how Media Matters have twisted what GLENN BECK has said wasn't concrete enough of an example for you, One. I guess typing out NINE LETTERS is just too much darn work for you, huh One? :-)


Perhaps it is you who is intellectually dishonest—or as is common with post-Bush conservatism, intellectually lazy.


One, you should really seek help for your projection issue. Seriously. You can't keep projecting your faults onto me and think that you're scoring points.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the intellect of Oneuron on full display.

1) Can't follow simple logic.
2) Can't recognize concrete examples when presented.
3) Projects his faults onto his superiors.

Strike three, One. You're out. Again.

Anonymous said...

For once I think your Imaginary Oneuron has done a bit more than matched your simplistic thinking. Usually it's a bit of a toss up as to who is more vapid. Imaginary Oneuron is correct that you provided no examples of this "twisting." Given that you think you did - by merely saying the word - suggests you are ignorant of what an example is. However, this does follow a very distinct pattern of presumptive passages in your typing, ("writing" would be a bit of a stretch as a definition)where the reader is either presumed to know what you're talking about, or is as oblivious as you are, and therefore can create their own meaning as you have created yours.
This is why your efforts are ignored by the Big World Out There. This prattle wouldn't even get graded in a College Writing Course, just written all over in red ink in a vain attempt to get you to understand what effective communication is. Since I did pass a College Writing course, allow me to help you out here. You are a poor writer because you are a poor thinker. You use your own definitions, such as the laughable "faux Liberal" because it affords you the comfort of avoiding an intellectual analysis you are incapable of. I guess we can blame the entire Right Wing movement for this, as it has spawned a cottage industry of weak-minded hacks who think they're going to get syndicated if they just persist in pumping out trite twaddle.
I was discussing politics with far more informed and active people than you will ever be since I was 14 years old, and the crap you type about is just short of having you declared Non Compos Mentis- it has little relation to real politics, or real logic.
Perhaps I should be flattered that your goal in life is to someday best me in battle. Let us note here that if you could, you would, but since you can't, you hide like a coward behind arguing with a Phantom Oneuron. Even this guy, Ace, is above your level. You will NEVER, in your lifetime, get to my level. You should set more reasonable goals, like outwitting an amoeba, or outrunning a cripple.
I'd be embarrassed for you if you weren't so enthusiastic about bleeding your well deserved insecurities all over me. I can hear the child's whine as the kids picked on you for being a misfit- the sadness of always being chosen last for a pick up game - the bumbling lil' nose-picker chewing on his glove in right field, hoping the ball never came his way, and wetting his pants when it did. Later in life the rejections by women for any relationship beyond “friendship” and as a shopping buddy. These emotional and mental infirmities are not my fault, and it doesn't matter to me which persons are responsible for the genetic train wreck that is your being.
Anyway, you know where to find me when you want to bleed some more. Note also that I would never respond anonymously to anybody, much less an immature jackass with emotional problems.
The REAL Oneuron. ( A Bottom Line Blog First!....but don’t expect another anytime soon)

Anonymous said...

Claiming that Media Matters twisted Glenn Beck's words and citing concrete examples of such are two different things. If your claims are true, then you should have no problem providing specific details.

Let me do some of your legwork for you and provide what I believe to be Media Matter's latest entry on Glenn Beck. Please provide specific details (citing sources, of course, what with you being intellectually honest and all) of how the following twists Beck's words or takes him out of context. If the following entry is in fact correct, then please provide a different posting from Media Matters and the details to back up your claims.

Fri, Oct 5, 2007 1:51pm ET:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200710050003

Beck to Muslim-American guest: "How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?

On the October 4 edition of his CNN Headline News show, Glenn Beck hosted Sharida McKenzie, a Muslim American who recently organized the Muslim Peace March, to discuss the recent report that a Toronto mosque's website "says that Muslims should stay completely away from Halloween, Christmas, New Year's, anniversaries, birthdays, and Earth Day." During the discussion, McKenzie stated: "Well, I'm not going to stand in judgment on Toronto, but what I would like to do is offer a personal perspective on this, and so -- I'm an American. I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. My family -- it's a time for us to get together. We invite Christians. We invite our non-Muslim friends. And it's a time for to us get together, and in that time, we take an opportunity to thank God for all of our blessings." Beck responded: "But how do we know the difference -- I mean, you're reasonable. How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?"

McKenzie replied: "Well, maybe open some more lines of communication. Get out there and meet Muslims. And I encourage Muslims to be more open and build bridges instead of barriers, also." Earlier in the segment, Beck had asserted: "[I]f I'm not mistaken, Sharida, last time you were on, it's because you were inspired in part by this program to get out and march against those who are hijacking your own religion." McKenzie responded: "Yes, you were an inspiration to me on that peace march." The peace march McKenzie organized took place in Austin, Texas, so that, she said, "people will know Islam as the peaceful religion that it really is."

As Media Matters for America documented, during the November 14, 2006, edition of his program, Beck said to then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), who became the first Muslim elected to Congress, "I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.'" Beck added: "I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way." As Media Matters also noted, Beck later stated that his comments to Ellison were "poorly worded" and "wish[ed]" he "could take back and rephrase."

From the October 4 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: Oh, Allah humbug. A Toronto mosque is telling Muslims not to say, "Happy Thanksgiving," or invite friends over for turkey and all the trimmings through the holiday. They also say you should avoid participating in parties or greetings during Thanksgiving because it is a kafir -- a non-Muslim celebration.

And just to make sure that nobody has any fun, the mosque's website says that Muslims should stay completely away from Halloween, Christmas, New Year's, anniversaries, birthdays, and Earth Day. Damn it, not Earth Day!

Say what you will about religious tolerance, but anybody that tells me I can't have pumpkin pie and a drumstick, you're an extremist. Sharida McKenzie joins us now. She is a regular American practicing Muslim.

And if I'm not mistaken, Sharida, last time you were on, it's because you were inspired in part by this program to get out and march against those who are hijacking your own religion.

McKENZIE: Yes, you were an inspiration to me on that peace march.

BECK: OK. Sharida, your thoughts on this?

McKENZIE: This is actually a very difficult topic for me because I do believe that everyone can believe what they want to believe, as long as they don't hurt anybody, and -- for example, I called a Jehovah Witness organization today in Austin, Texas, and they, too, don't celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, holidays, or birthdays.

BECK: OK.

McKENZIE: And I respect that. I do. And -- but it is -- it's difficult for me 'cause I want to build bridges instead of barriers, as a Muslim.

BECK: OK. So, help me out, Sharida, because, you know, the difference between the Jehovah Witness and those in other religions that are blowing themselves up, namely Islamists, is quite stark. When the Jehovah Witness starts to say, "I'm going to start blowing things up if you don't agree with me," or "I'm going to behead you, when you don't agree with me," the problem is, is how do we know what's extreme and what's not?

McKENZIE: Well, that is extreme. Like I said, if it's going to be hurting somebody then I have a --

BECK: Well, no, but this isn't -- but wait, hang on. This isn't hurting anybody. They're also banning watching sports or soap operas, walking dogs, family photos, wedding bands, Western hats, mingling, shaking hands with the opposite sex. They are banning all of these things, which will completely separate us. Are these the kind of people that will say, "The U.S. Constitution is a good thing" or "The U.S. Constitution is a bad thing"?

McKENZIE: Well, I'm not going to stand judgment on Toronto, but what I would like to do is offer a personal perspective on this, and so -- I'm an American. I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. My family -- it's a time for us to get together. We invite Christians. We invite our non-Muslim friends. And it's a time for to us get together, and in that time, we take an opportunity to thank God for all of our blessings.

BECK: So --

McKENZIE: So --

BECK: But how do we know the difference -- I mean, you're reasonable. How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?

McKENZIE: Well, maybe open some more lines of communication. Get out there and meet Muslims. And I encourage Muslims to be more open and build bridges instead of barriers, also.

BECK: So, is this -- are these policies building bridges?

McKENZIE: No, I personally don't believe they are.

BECK: OK.

McKENZIE: In Austin, we have a lot of interfaith activities that we do here with Jews and Christians.

BECK: All right.

McKENZIE: And --

BECK: Sharida, I've got to run, but thank you very much. I appreciate it. And we'll see you again.

TLindaman said...

Gee. Looks like One had a LOT of time today to post two separate posts within a half hour or so of one another. Unless the "fake Oneuron" monitors my blog like a hawk, the only possible explanation is...there is no fake Oneuron. But there is one real Oneuron lying to everyone about never posting to my blog. :-)

Busted again, One.

Now, when I can expect another blog post from the "fake Oneuron" talking about how stupid I am? Shouldn't be long now, and this time One actually has a real sign on so he doesn't have to keep posting anonymously. :-)

Anonymous said...

You seem to be avoiding the central issue, that being displaying the intellectual honesty and effort to back up your claims.

From above:

Claiming that Media Matters twisted Glenn Beck's words and citing concrete examples of such are two different things. If your claims are true, then you should have no problem providing specific details.

Let me do some of your legwork for you and provide what I believe to be Media Matter's latest entry on Glenn Beck. Please provide specific details (citing sources, of course, what with you being intellectually honest and all) of how the following twists Beck's words or takes him out of context. If the following entry is in fact correct, then please provide a different posting from Media Matters and the details to back up your claims.

Fri, Oct 5, 2007 1:51pm ET:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200710050003

Beck to Muslim-American guest: "How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?

On the October 4 edition of his CNN Headline News show, Glenn Beck hosted Sharida McKenzie, a Muslim American who recently organized the Muslim Peace March, to discuss the recent report that a Toronto mosque's website "says that Muslims should stay completely away from Halloween, Christmas, New Year's, anniversaries, birthdays, and Earth Day." During the discussion, McKenzie stated: "Well, I'm not going to stand in judgment on Toronto, but what I would like to do is offer a personal perspective on this, and so -- I'm an American. I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. My family -- it's a time for us to get together. We invite Christians. We invite our non-Muslim friends. And it's a time for to us get together, and in that time, we take an opportunity to thank God for all of our blessings." Beck responded: "But how do we know the difference -- I mean, you're reasonable. How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?"

McKenzie replied: "Well, maybe open some more lines of communication. Get out there and meet Muslims. And I encourage Muslims to be more open and build bridges instead of barriers, also." Earlier in the segment, Beck had asserted: "[I]f I'm not mistaken, Sharida, last time you were on, it's because you were inspired in part by this program to get out and march against those who are hijacking your own religion." McKenzie responded: "Yes, you were an inspiration to me on that peace march." The peace march McKenzie organized took place in Austin, Texas, so that, she said, "people will know Islam as the peaceful religion that it really is."

As Media Matters for America documented, during the November 14, 2006, edition of his program, Beck said to then-Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), who became the first Muslim elected to Congress, "I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.'" Beck added: "I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way." As Media Matters also noted, Beck later stated that his comments to Ellison were "poorly worded" and "wish[ed]" he "could take back and rephrase."

From the October 4 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: Oh, Allah humbug. A Toronto mosque is telling Muslims not to say, "Happy Thanksgiving," or invite friends over for turkey and all the trimmings through the holiday. They also say you should avoid participating in parties or greetings during Thanksgiving because it is a kafir -- a non-Muslim celebration.

And just to make sure that nobody has any fun, the mosque's website says that Muslims should stay completely away from Halloween, Christmas, New Year's, anniversaries, birthdays, and Earth Day. Damn it, not Earth Day!

Say what you will about religious tolerance, but anybody that tells me I can't have pumpkin pie and a drumstick, you're an extremist. Sharida McKenzie joins us now. She is a regular American practicing Muslim.

And if I'm not mistaken, Sharida, last time you were on, it's because you were inspired in part by this program to get out and march against those who are hijacking your own religion.

McKENZIE: Yes, you were an inspiration to me on that peace march.

BECK: OK. Sharida, your thoughts on this?

McKENZIE: This is actually a very difficult topic for me because I do believe that everyone can believe what they want to believe, as long as they don't hurt anybody, and -- for example, I called a Jehovah Witness organization today in Austin, Texas, and they, too, don't celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, holidays, or birthdays.

BECK: OK.

McKENZIE: And I respect that. I do. And -- but it is -- it's difficult for me 'cause I want to build bridges instead of barriers, as a Muslim.

BECK: OK. So, help me out, Sharida, because, you know, the difference between the Jehovah Witness and those in other religions that are blowing themselves up, namely Islamists, is quite stark. When the Jehovah Witness starts to say, "I'm going to start blowing things up if you don't agree with me," or "I'm going to behead you, when you don't agree with me," the problem is, is how do we know what's extreme and what's not?

McKENZIE: Well, that is extreme. Like I said, if it's going to be hurting somebody then I have a --

BECK: Well, no, but this isn't -- but wait, hang on. This isn't hurting anybody. They're also banning watching sports or soap operas, walking dogs, family photos, wedding bands, Western hats, mingling, shaking hands with the opposite sex. They are banning all of these things, which will completely separate us. Are these the kind of people that will say, "The U.S. Constitution is a good thing" or "The U.S. Constitution is a bad thing"?

McKENZIE: Well, I'm not going to stand judgment on Toronto, but what I would like to do is offer a personal perspective on this, and so -- I'm an American. I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. My family -- it's a time for us to get together. We invite Christians. We invite our non-Muslim friends. And it's a time for to us get together, and in that time, we take an opportunity to thank God for all of our blessings.

BECK: So --

McKENZIE: So --

BECK: But how do we know the difference -- I mean, you're reasonable. How do we know the difference between you and those that are trying to kill us?

McKENZIE: Well, maybe open some more lines of communication. Get out there and meet Muslims. And I encourage Muslims to be more open and build bridges instead of barriers, also.

BECK: So, is this -- are these policies building bridges?

McKENZIE: No, I personally don't believe they are.

BECK: OK.

McKENZIE: In Austin, we have a lot of interfaith activities that we do here with Jews and Christians.

BECK: All right.

McKENZIE: And --

BECK: Sharida, I've got to run, but thank you very much. I appreciate it. And we'll see you again.

________________

I would add a post script that if you do not want anonymous comments on your blog it is only a few key-clicks to change the setting that allows them.

TLindaman said...

Anonymous said...
You seem to be avoiding the central issue, that being displaying the intellectual honesty and effort to back up your claims.



Awwwwwwwwwwwwww...did the "fake Oneuron" get upset at being BUSTED AGAIN? LOL

Gotta love it. A proven liar like Oneuron preaching to me about intellectual dishonesty. Just like Bill Clinton being a marriage counselor. LOL

Well, we did establish one thing. Oneuron is a fake. :-)

Thanks for playing, Oneuron, but you're simply not capable of telling the truth, now...or ever. LOL

TLindaman said...

Oneuron says...

I would add a post script that if you do not want anonymous comments on your blog it is only a few key-clicks to change the setting that allows them.

October 7, 2007 10:12:00 PM CST



But I'm having so much fun watching you post to my blog and then have to LIE to people in The Podium that you don't do it, One. LOL

Anonymous said...

And yet you still are unable to substantiate your claims about Media Matters. I wonder why that is?

Hypocrisy is the act of condemning or calling for the condemnation of another person when the critic is guilty of the act for which he demands that the accused be condemned.

I think the person that has been "busted" here is you.

I don't know what the history is between you and "Oneuron," but are you so insecure about your writing abilities that you think only one other person has ever read and commented on your blog?

That is the true laughing matter.

TLindaman said...

Anonymous said...
And yet you still are unable to substantiate your claims about Media Matters. I wonder why that is?


Maybe because you fail to see the screamingly obvious. Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, and others, all have been purposely misquoted by Media Matters, as has been pointed out on several occasions.

Or is the "O'Reilly is a racist" scam Media Matters pulled a couple of weeks ago not concrete enough for you? LOL


Hypocrisy is the act of condemning or calling for the condemnation of another person when the critic is guilty of the act for which he demands that the accused be condemned.


And so far, you haven't proven that I am guilty of misquoting anyone purposely.

But I have proven that you lied about not posting here, Oneuron. :-)


I think the person that has been "busted" here is you.


Projection is such a problem for you, isn't it, One? LOL


I don't know what the history is between you and "Oneuron," but are you so insecure about your writing abilities that you think only one other person has ever read and commented on your blog?


Oh, I know it's you, One. You've left more than a few calling cards to prove that you have been posting here, then running to the Podium and claiming you don't. :-)


That is the true laughing matter.



Nope. The real laughing matter is that you keep proving me right, One. Now, run along to The Podium and talk smack about me while I'm not there. That IS how you operate these days, isn't it, One? LOL

Anonymous said...

"Maybe because you fail to see the screamingly obvious. Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, and others, all have been purposely misquoted by Media Matters, as has been pointed out on several occasions."

When? Where? What specifically was misquoted?

TLindaman said...

Anonymous said...
"Maybe because you fail to see the screamingly obvious. Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, and others, all have been purposely misquoted by Media Matters, as has been pointed out on several occasions."

When? Where? What specifically was misquoted?

October 8, 2007 5:25:00 AM CST


ROFLMAO! You're seriously asking this after the O'Reilly situation involving Media Matter? I thought you were smarter than I am, One! LOL

To quote you, One, "...the only one busted here is you." :-)

Anonymous said...

And still after all your bluster, you are unable to provide any specific details to corroborate your claims. You can LOL, :-) and ROFLMAO! all you want--the fact still remains you cannot back up your words with facts, but merely claim others have made your case for you. I stand by my original proposition that you are both intellectually dishonest and intellectually lazy.

Anonymous said...

Checkmate, Ace.

TLindaman said...

Real Oneuron said...
Checkmate, Ace.

October 8, 2007 3:29:00 PM CST


Thank you for admitting I beat you again, Oneuron. And considering you were playing 2 people, I guess that makes it a double victory. LOL

By the way, you wanted concrete proof of what I said about Media Matters? You only had to look down one or two posts for the concrete proof you claim I never posted. LOL

Busted again, Oneuron. You can't beat me on your turf, and you can't beat me on mine. :-)