FOX News ridicules PETA, Children, Eat KFC

As someone who takes my little blogging outpost here seriously, I feel obligated to get my info so I can be "fair and balanced". That said, I try and avoid FOX News, as it is neither, though claims both. I just can't take that kind of a hit for readers. Turning into Uncle Rupert's brainchild is a little too much like having my brain starved and raped simultaneously.

That said, many others do. Many consider it their primary source of news/talking points. Fox usually returns their loyalty with standard issue corporate mindfucking, feeding those with lazy minds with plenty of information that supports their simplistic world views. Too harsh?

Here's a case in point: Listen to them rag on PETA during a protest of KFC...



These hosts are so half-witted, I'm shocked that FOX actually archives their videos online. Not only slamming PETA people as "a bunch of lonely people," they give KFC on-screen product placement as well. They also slam the bikini girls PETA is using to attract attention as sexist while having the Ann Coulter look-alike with them in the mini and open blouse.

After that, they go after kids who are trying to get their parents to think more eco-conscious, then top it off by mocking people who think you should avoid having large families.

I would actually feel bad for them, if they went hurting the country.

By the way, KFC has an awful track record in regards to chicken cruelty, etc. It's not just a protest of eating chicken. Here's a clip from last year showing some KFC workers bash the living shit out of some poor animals. Don't watch if you are squeamish.



Story originally found on ecorazzi.

NEWS ALERT: Daily Show's Jon Stewart beheads two pundits on national television

People have turned from corporate news for lots of reasons. Many now get their news from "fake" news like The Daily Show and Colbert Report. For my money both those shows give me realer news than any FoxNews "ALERT", and nobody makes the fake news realer than anchorman/writer Jon Stewart.

Here he is being interviewed back in 2004 by former CNN "Crossfire" jackass turned "Dancing With The Stars" jackass Tuker Carlson, he of the silly trademark bow tie. I've always loved this clip. I think this interview was the moment that transformed Tucker from prime-time cutie-pie pundit to... well... nothing. Watch how he takes the show over. Brilliant. By the way, between the insults are DEAD ON insights into why corporate news is "hurting America."

TIP OF THE HAT: Jon Stewart interviews John McCain

There's all kinds of statistics out there about people who are watching Comedy Central's The Daily Show for their news fix. While Jon Stewart himself regards his show as something closer to a political cartoon, I think many of his viewers know better. People know something isn't right with network and cable news. It's little more than compressed "tell it in two minutes" fluff, flying 3D graphics titles, and a banal obsession with all things superficial and/or tragic. As Don Henley's incensed insight from Dirty Laundry claimed: "It's interesting when people die." It's trite and phony.

In the age of corporate news acting as little more than political machinery, Stewart's earnest approach to the insanity of the day rings true.

At times, his Buster Keaton act fails him and the jokes are off the desk, as they did last Wednesday when John McCain tried to answer questions with talking points.

Stewart: All I'm saying is you cannot look a soldier in the eye and say questioning the president is less supportive to you than extending your tour for three months when you should be coming home to your family.

McCain: Every American..

Stewart: And that's not fair to put on people that criticize…

McCain: Jon…

Stewart: And you know I love you and respect your service and would never question any of that—this is not about questioning the troops and their ability to fight and their ability to be supported. And that is what the administration does and that is almost criminal.

As someone who used to like McCain (I even voted for him in the 2000 primary, albeit in order to use my vote to undermine Bush) I have found it sad and disappointing to see his slow eight year decent from "The Straight Talk Express" to... well... something that smells political... in the most pitiful sense of the word.

I'm grateful Jon was able to call him on it. He's one of the few journalists to do so, even if that's the last thing he'd want to be tagged as. As for McCain, time to get real again. Either way I doubt he'll be back on Comedy Central any time soon.

Haven't found it on YouTube, but you can catch the interview HERE.

TIP OF THE HAT: Diane Rehm

In a world where "Big-News" floods cable television with talking heads spewing politically biased crap-du-jour from their corporate task masters, there are still some real journalists to be found. One of the finest is Diane Rehm.

Monday through Friday, she has a two hour talk show dealing with a wide range of domestic and international topics. She is particularly good at bringing on guests from all sides of a given topic and knows what to ask them. She doesn't dodge handing out hard questions, and calls bullshit when someone tries to dodge giving an answer. She spends an hour on a topic, giving you plenty of detail from all angles. Best of all, though I would assume her to be right-leaning, she does not pomposusly inflict us with her own political agenda (read: RUSH).

She's not all politics either; many of her guests are authors, musicians, and artists. She almost got me to buy a Mary Chapin Carpenter Album last week. Almost.

Every Friday Diane sponsors a "Weekend Round-Up" where her and her guests review the big news items of the week and discuss. Best of all, if she isn't on a station in your area, you can download her shows FREE from her site: drshow.org. If you want to be an informed citizen, this show is not optional listening.

Plus she's kinda hot, in an old, super smart lady kind of way.