Sometimes I Have to Give the Left Credit

As someone who is becoming increasingly conservative by the day, I need to sometimes put myself in check. Listening to one of my favorite talk radio hosts this afternoon, I was reminded that we need to always be intellectually honest. He (Jason Lewis) was talking about President Obama’s address at Westpoint – and his now public plan for the war in Afghanistan. Conservatives, like myself, seemed ready to jump all over the president and we were quick to find fault with anything and everything had to say. My favorite commentators on Fox seemed like rabid dogs ripping on every syllable that came out of the president’s mouth – just like the Left did when President Bush was in charge. While we do need to poke holes in their approach, we cannot always foam at the mouth with anger every time the president speaks. Trust me, we’ll have ample opportunity to be truly critical of Democrat leadership in the months ahead.

But trying to look objectively at this, the Left is actually angrier about President Obama’s move to bolster our forces in Afghanistan with 30,000 more troops. Sure, I can take issue with setting an artificial timetable to begin a troop drawdown. But the converse sure doesn’t seem to work that well. The president followed some of the suggestions of the commanders in the field. I guess I can’t find too much fault with his decision. (However, I don’t like the fact that he seemingly intentionally kept the word “victory” out of his speech at Westpoint).

As I searched the universe for interesting videos that I could conceivably post, I came across this one of the John Stewart show. (be patient, you may have to sit through a commercial)

I really do NOT like this show. I can’t take his left wing rants, and his apparent hatred for anything right of center. But in this case, John Stewart is being (somewhat) intellectually honest about the latest stories that cast significant doubt on the “science” behind global warming theory. I appreciate when someone can take shots at his or her own side. God knows there are enough buffoons on the Left and Right. We have to find humor among our own ranks sometimes, and I was pleased to see that John Stewart is occasionally prepared to do just that.

I really do NOT like this show. I can’t take his left wing rants, and his apparent hatred for anything right of center. But in this case, John Stewart is being (somewhat) intellectually honest about the latest stories that cast significant doubt on the “science” behind global warming theory. I appreciate when someone can take shots at his or her own side. God knows there are enough buffoons on the Left and Right. We have to find humor among our own ranks sometimes, and I was pleased to see that John Stewart is occasionally prepared to do just that.

Larry David Blasted for ‘Curb’ Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting – FOXNews.com

Check out this story:

Larry David Blasted for ‘Curb’ Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting – FOXNews.com

This is beyond unacceptable and beyond simple “satire.” For HBO to dismiss the concerns of people underscores the growing disconnect we see between people and faith. It also underscores an amazing double-standard that the left holds, since such an act of “satire” against other faiths would bring about an immediate outcry. Where’s the media on this one? Where is the outrage?

 

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Maybe CNN should stop fact checking SNL and focus on REAL issues?

Interesting article out today regarding a fact check of insurance company profits (below). As I read this, I’m reminded of just how laughable it was that CNN did an in-depth fact check of a Saturday Night Live skit that lampooned President Obama’s successes in office (you’ll recall his successes were “Jack” and “Squat”).

Every day, Democrats continue to vilify free markets, capitalism, entrepreneurial ambition and success. They want to pin the blame for our nation’s ills on some easy villain (“big oil,” Halliburton, insurance companies, etc). So now insurance companies are in the crosshairs. It’s easy to go after insurance companies, because nobody really likes their insurance company – until the insurance companies save their butts from something catastrophic.

This report (see below) shed some light on the supposedly obscene and immoral profiteering in the insurance industry. Interesting sidebar in the news today is that CNN has dropped even further in the ratings. Perhaps they need to reassess their priorities and the fact they’ve strayed so very far from the mission of true journalism. More on that later as we delve into “media watchdog” mode in this blog in the months to come.

FACT CHECK: Health Insurers’ Profits Not So Fat – Political News – FOXNews.com

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CNN Does it Again

Check out the video below. Yes, they’re cute. Yes, the kids are confident and well-spoken (but perhaps….just perhaps a little bit coached by a teacher….perhaps?), but CNN seems overly enamored with the students from Ron Clark Academy. This is not the first time CNN has hosted these students on their set.  The lyrics are included in the video (below). Watch the video and read these lyrics – then tell me if you truly think these kids did the writing for this. They praise the president and they’re demanding health care reform (but as usual, reform is not defined).

More media bias on the part of CNN? You tell me.

Does SNL Have Buyer’s Remorse

After the cast of Saturday Night Live seemed hell-bent on destroying any opposition to the chosen one last year, it seems that the show’s producers may be changing their tune a bit. I missed the show this week (okay…reality is that I’ve pretty much missed the show for the last decade or so), But I caught a video circulating on Facebook since the weekend that gives me a reason for hope regarding NBC. In this SNL skit, they say flat out that Obama’s accomplishments are “Jack and Squat.” Great stuff.

Seems that SNL is finding more and more humor at the expense of President Obama as of late. This past weekend’s opening skit was absolutely great political satire. I, like many folks on the right, may have been concerned that SNL would give the prez a free pass for four years – based on the extreme favoritism shown to Obama in the run up to the ’08 election.

The question, though, is whether our budding backlash against media bias may be taking hold with the network brass. NBC and its properties (MSNBC, in particular) have shown a lack of objectivity, from news operations to entertainment programming. ABC and CBS aren’t much better, if at all. However, much like the Tea Party movement has forced moderate democrats and wobbly Repbulicans to begin to fear their electorate, the networks may be feeling the pinch from a viewer backlash as well.

I, myself, have made it a point to not only curtail my viewing of major network programs, but I’ve also contacted the various networks to voice my displeasure over specific cases of biased coverage. This is part of being a “Lost Republican.” If we want to reclaim our place in politics – if we want to force the blow-dried anchors and anchor bunnies at the networks to check their opinions at the dressing room door, we need to take action and make our voices heard. I encourage you to do the same. It can be a simple email or phone call. It’s easy to find the contact information for network organizations right on their websites.

We should congratulate NBC for beginning to temper its love affair with President Obama. But as Lost Republicans, we need to also hold the networks’ collective feet to the fire. As an example, the left-wing MSNBC needs to hear from viewers like you that you want balance in their coverage. Next time Chris Matthews feels a “thrill” up his leg and talks about it publicly, or the next time Olbermann spouts off with his hatred of anything right-of-center, we need to demand balance.

The opposition constantly whines about Fox News and whether it lives up to its promise of being “fair and balanced.” But Fox is NOTHING compared to the extremism of MSNBC. Dirty little secret here – the networks fear nothing more than losing viewers. Compare the viewership of Fox to MSNBC and CNN. They know they’re losing to Fox big time. If they can connect dwindling viewership with their far-left bias, they’ll begin to change their coverage and programming accordingly. Make your voice heard clearly and frequently. We can make a difference. This is part of what I hope will become a “Lost Republican” movement.

So NBC may be changing its tune. Maybe it’s a bit of buyers’ remorse, or maybe it’s a response to growing public frustration with the media. That’s great. In the meantime, check out the video. It’s pretty funny.

Conservative Women ROCK

Maybe I’m biased, because I’m married to a gorgeous proud conservative. She’s as good as it gets when talking about a spouse, mother, friend, etc. But I must say that my foray into blogging has shown me that conservative women are on the move when it comes to political involvement. In the short time that I’ve had this blog, I’ve been doing a lot of searching for other blogs – using Twitter, WordPress and other ways to search. I’ve been stunned to find so many blogs being authored by women who are voicing their political opinions.

These are some exceptionally written blogs. You can sense the frustration, passion, commitment, strength and character of the people behind these blogs.

I’ll miss many, but here are a few that seem to be getting a lot of attention:

The Lady Patriot

Another Everyday Woman

Conservative Gal with a Voice

Hollycon Blog

Sue Jeffers

The Right Wing Chick

Great stuff out there. Let me know your blog recommendations (male or female-authored). It’s a great way to get more perspective than just relying on the often-biased networks and cable channels.

Power Line – Another One Bites the Dust

Great post on Powerline (see below). Powerline is one of my favorite blogs. The ACORN busters strike again. This is great stuff. Glad to see ACORN being shown for what it really is. Also this video duo that has uncovered truth behind ACORN has really shown the mainstream media’s inability to do real investigative journalism.

Power Line – Another One Bites the Dust

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Steele Shows Intellectual Honesty Against Blitzer

A few years ago, a newsletter for a teachers union in Los Angeles included a photo of a teacher wearing a t-shirt with the words “Buck Fush” in big letters. The teachers were taking part in a demonstration of some sort – I believe it was about gay rights. Ironically enough, the “Buck Fush” teacher was holding a sign that read “teach respect.” As usual, the teachers were aggravated with President George Bush. Around that time I happened to be involved with a couple of teacher-related events and saw first-hand teachers and teachers union officials punching an inflatable punching bag in the image of George Bush. Very mature behavior on both accounts (if you can’t tell, I’m being a tad sarcastic with that comment). It sure was reassuring to know that these folks were teaching our kids (yep, still being sarcastic).

But do I think it would be fair to paint all teachers with that same brush and assume that they are all rampant GOP haters? Did they all proclaim “Buck Fush” and did they all disrespect the president in other ways – simply because he was a Republican? I don’t think so. Sure, teachers are more often than not left of center. But not all are filled with hate and rage toward conservatives or Republicans in particular. In fact, the vast vast majority are respectful, hard working, devoted professionals who have the ability to separate their politics from their teaching activities.

So why do we see the media now clamoring to paint all opponents of President Obama with a single brush depicting us all as racist? Why do they highlight a sign or two at a rally of thousands and then portray that as the norm at a tea party event? Why didn’t they show pictures of teachers wearing “Buck Fush” t-shirts in 2005 and apply the same rationale in their coverage?

CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC and ABC have long abandoned the “government watchdog” role that the media was once known for. They have become empty shells of what they had been – and they are becoming irrelevant to people who truly want to hear both sides of a story. That’s why I was thrilled to see this video of Michael Steele taking on CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. Blitzer doesn’t even attempt to hide his agenda or his disdain for conservatism. Instead, he wants to highlight a few ill-conceived signs and make it seem as though there was a klan rally in DC last weekend instead of a peaceful well-executed rally by conservatives, Libertarians, Republicans and probably some moderate Democrats.

Way to go, Michael. Intellectual honesty in the public discourse is all but gone. Thanks for doing your part to keep it alive.

RealClearPolitics – Video – Carter Claims There Is “Racist” Tone Against Obamasm

I try to be respectful of anyone who serves or has served in the highest level of elected office. It is a firm belief of mine that the president of the United States deserves our respect. As Americans, it is our duty to be respectful – challenging, but respectful at the same time.

However, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain respect when a former president charges racism essentially against anyone who voices opposition to our sitting president and his policies.

Our opposition comes from a deep belief that the policies of the administration are bad for this country and that they go against the fiber of our nation and the intent of the constitution. Opposition comes from those of us who believe in limited government, liberty and a system of checks and balances that keeps our government from amassing too much power over our lives. Here’s a link to a recent video of President Jimmy Carter essentially calling millions of Americans “racist.” With each word that he utters, a little more of the limited respect that I had for him drains from my soul.

RealClearPolitics – Video – Carter Claims There Is “Racist” Tone Against Obama

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By the way, where was NBC’s challenge to this assertion? Oh yeah…we wouldn’t want to appear to oppose the anointed one.

Maybe People Are Seeing the Mainstream Media for What it Is

Pew Research has a compelling report out on public perceptions of media bias. Interesting – but not surprising there is a big divide on favorables for MSNBC and CNN in particular. All the more reason we all need to be diligent about adequately filtering the information that we receive. Don’t allow the media to spoon-feed information to you.  Here’s the report:

Press Accuracy Rating Hits Two Decade Low: Overview – Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

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