"They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment, or anti-trade sentiment, as a way to explain their frustrations."
-- Barack Obama, famously speaking last year about small-town Americans
Some in the "mainstream" media seem to have the same dim view of many Americans.
It's sickening, really, to see how news outlets such as CNN and MSNBC "covered" the nationwide tea parties on Wednesday. After providing precious little advance coverage -- a good way to hold down the crowds, one supposes -- they openly mocked participants, even doing so in subtly profane ways.
Amazingly, anchors such as Anderson Cooper on CNN and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC snickered about the participants at the tea parties being "teabaggers" and "teabagging" -- knowing full well that the term is slang for a disgusting sexual act. At one point, a guest on Maddow's show even explained that.
Although on separate, competing networks, they seemed to be working from the same sordid script with the same dismissive narrative. Curious.
It was disgusting and reprehensible, and a full-throttle insult of everyone who attended these protests to express legitimate concern about the direction of the country.
In one of the most unprofessional acts of "journalism" we've ever seen, CNN's Susan Roesgen "covered" a tea party by combatively peppering a young father with leading questions, arguing with him, then giving up and disparaging the entire event as "anti-CNN."
Illegal immigrants marching in U.S. streets demanding tax-paid services and citizenship from the country they entered illegally got better treatment from the media.
It appears that CNN and others were so far behind the curve on the tea party movement that they ceded coverage to Fox News Channel -- then, ironically, used the rival network's coverage as a reason not to take the events seriously.
How utterly sad -- for both the country and for any semblance of journalism left. Easily over 100,000 concerned Americans interrupted their busy lives Wednesday to commiserate over the financial future of the nation. And for their trouble, major news networks laugh, call them names and walk away.
It says much more about the news gatherers than the people they so arrogantly look down on.
When Republicans were in charge, dissent was considered the highest form of patriotism.
Now, apparently, it's just a joke.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
There are 390 million plus souls in America and the ACES writes that "Easily over 100,000 concerned Americans interrupted their busy lives Wednesday to commiserate over the financial future of the nation." I would suggest that 100,000 participants nationally is an infinitesimal number IF the issue was really as important as the AC would have one believe. It apparently wasn't to those folks that chose not to make the sacrifice of their time to cast teas bags in the wind! And, ACES, your childish attempt to put the blame for the poor turnout on the shoulders of the leftist media is ridiculous! There is very little the general public doesn't hear about through television, internet, newspaper (and opinion sites), radio or general word of mouth; or from their far right friends during Sunday services. There is more than enough VERY legitimate reasons for political protest in America and a tea bag protest against government spending just isn't strong enough reason at present, nor has it been in recent history. The past 8 years of government spending, in which there were absolutely no presidential vetoes during the first 6 years, should be proof enough of my latter statement. GGpap
Teabagging is disgusting to whom?????
The Tea Parties served multiple useful purposes. One unexpected one was to clearly expose the biases of many journalist. Another was to expose their very crude thought processes.
Perhaps the coverage was not warranted as you so put id GGpap and your obvious disdain towds any protest against this administration. The I suppose your litmus test would also serve for the Jena, LA case, or the recent tragedies of the mass slayings since so few people were actually involved. Were there more hispanics marching for equal rights for all immigrants? Apparently it is alright to continue to bash the Bush administration, but no one better say a word concerning the sainted Obama, who can do no wrong!
I like the editorial cartoon... it says so much. I wonder why dem 'Dems' didn't cover the stained glass windows at Georgtown; such a glare must have made the telepromter hard to read. But then again it did add that 'holy' look to the chosen one.
Teabaggers hate the guy in the White House. "They" will use transparent arguments (which will not stand up to scrutiny) like taxes, but 95% of workers won't have their taxes increased. Teabaggers don't care about that. Spending they say, "its out of control", but didn't bat an eye when Bush borrowed money to fight an illegal war and the cost is still unknown today. So why protest now? Again, it because of who is in the White House. Most intelligent minorities know & predicted these actions and "we" know somethlng else: White supremacy groups are working overtime to funnel their rage within the Teabaggers activities, which again is being diguised as personal expressions protected by the First. African-Americans knew that whites would CHANGE the rules, once we won the game. Here is how: NEVER during the last eight yrs did any radio talker of Right-Wing cable nut discuss how many citizens didn't vote for Bush. In 2000, it was close, within 1000 votes, but no one ever said, "well, 53 million voters didn't vote for Bush" but some did say he was "illegitimate" but not using the numbers argument. Yep, just like everything in America, racial hatred is at the core of "their" problems.
The objection to the individualists and independent thinkers by the coordinated chanting of the left wing media is not new. The reason FOX came into being is because you could change channels during news programs and not only not miss any news, but you could hear it chanted in the exact same order. The left has owned the media since the mid-60's. As far as projecting the "teabagging" concept onto the conservatives goes, that's a common trick of the mindless left. Those that have been "dipped" like to use the term on a regular basis. You could see it on CNN and here on the AC. I'll bet the "dippees" tried to project all over the country. All they did was identify themselves. The fine reporting by Roesgen was typical for CNN and typifies why their viewership has fallen to about 30% of their previous level. People watch CNN for comic relief and turn to FOX for information. The reaction of the easily tricked to the attempted blanketing of the TEA parties is similar to the way the German population acted in the early 30's. History is repeating itself, but the size of our country and the conservative media will break the back of this effort. 3 1/2 years from now, this effort will end.
I missed the tea party because I had to go to work. Taxes to pay. I missed CNN's coverage. I will miss it today, tomorrow and always.
Did the stations have the right to cover, what they wanted?This was a Fox network thing. They had all day coverage, I guess?Why are you people whinning about everthing, since Obama became president? Mabe you would have gotten more coverage if you people were sincere, about why you all were 'teabagging'. When George Bush, was in the control, you never had a reason to rally against, anything that he done.He invaded a country, that did not even have an Air Force, least of all , weapons of mass destruction.You all did not see anything wrong with that.Stop whinning, and deal with the fact, that 'The One"is our president for the next four years.
I would say that Hussien's comment about small-town Americans is degrading.Clinging to religion???Against illegal immigration??Against sending jobs out of the U.S.???Sounds pretty patriotic to me.
1941, thinking isn't a bad thing. Go ahead, try it.
I agree with the theme of the editorial. Something is going on with most of the national media and this anti-conservative basis that goes beyond coincidence. Don't buy into their obscene inferences to teabagging either. That's their lack of class and shouldn't preclude anyone from using the term. It's hard to believe that Rachel Maddow would openly play up the obscene angle about testes on national TV when she is in a relationship that doesn't have any. Have you seen the pictures of her dressed in her dykey outfit complete with fedora with her female lover? It is hilarious. She is hardly the one to be combining politics with sexual humor.
PT 7:07 I tried that when bush was invading other countries, it smacked of 1941 then and not now
I get it. It's newsworthy if protesters sympathize with the terrorists who attacked and want to destroy Amercia or those who break in to this country illegally. It's not newsworthy if hard working Americans object to a confiscation of their hard earned dollars by politicians. When individuals take money by force from it's neighbors, it's a crime. It's compassion if government does it for them....hmmm.
giveitsomethought, go back and research 9-11-01 and tell me which country Bush was invading. National defense appeals to Americans.
95% of Americans WILL NOT get a tax cut. Over 40% of American do not pay income tax. Tax cut is for those who actually pay taxes. There is an accuarate word for those who gets taxpayer money for nothing, WELFARE.
By the way, I heard Helen Blocker Adams did a fantastic job at the rally. She is turning into a leading conservative black voice. Doesn't she have a radio program? Anyone know when it's on?
Get a grip AC and stop being so delusional. 100 THOUSAND people spread out in a country of 300 MILLION is nothing. Almost that many attend UGA football games in Athens. About 60 MILLION voted for John McCain last November; 70 MILLION for Barack Obama. When viewed in this context it's clear the tea parties represented the views of an extreme fringe of the American public. One has to wonder why the events got as much coverage as they did.
First of all, FAUX News Channel used the term; secondly, many of those who could afford to take a day off from work to complain about 16-year old tax rates had TEA BAGS adorning their person. Thirdly, you LOST the election; it's been less than six months and you're ALREADY throwing tantrums? Incidentally, why is it we hear all this bellyaching from the 'right' about the boogey-man (aka "Mainstream media") but you don't -at ALL - question FAUX News Channel pulling your puppet strings? Did you know - according to a recent NON-PARTISAN Media Matters report, that FNC donated - DONATeD $500,000 in free advertising to the Tea Parties??? Fair and balanced indeed. Oh, and the ULTIMATE irony of the tea whiners - you rallied against taxes while TAXPAYERS paid for the park land you protested on, and TAXPAYERS had to foot the bill for the police presence, too. Thanks for running up ANOTHER tab for us to pay off, Republicans.
And let me call ACES out for the ULTIMATE lie: dissent was NOT the ultimate form of patriotism when the GOP was in charge. PLEASE - it was QUITE the opposite. "You're either with us or you're against us" ring a bell? Do you not recall your loudmouth pundits mocking anti-war protestors? Do you not recall the sneering at the French ("freedom fries?") The French, it turns out, were RIGHT about Iraq. And folks question why Americans are treated rudely when they visit France. Indeed.
Oh, PatriciaParrotThomas... your posts are always good for a laugh (since they come with little information and truth). So you tune away from Faux News Channel for a laugh? Oh, not me....Hannityhead is hilarious!! Bill O' hollering at his dissenting guests is riveting laughter - but the BEST is watching Glenn Beck tossing fake tears. Oh my stomach hurts from laughing so much!
Angry old white Republican men who hate Obama because he's black? This is NEWS?!
1941, you are completely full of it, you dicide what. If it's offensive to you, that's great. Justus4, is likewise. HE is the only thing that comes across as transparent and by the way THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AFROAMERICAN. EITHER YOUR ARE AMERICAN OR YOU ARE NOT. Which are you? Sometimes I even wonder if you are even from this country. Just remember, both of you that after NObama iniates his polocies and everyone you know is BROKE, that with $7,000,000 in the last two years alone plus what you (if you pay taxes) will be paying him for the rest of his life he will still not care. Sure, he's not the only one who will still live high on the hog, but, YOU will have encouraged it.
Sour Grapes
GLad they explained "teabagger", that's what you all are. Idiots. RR, you are absolutely correct! Idiots.
The idiots who say that only 100 thousand people are concerned with TAXES are as stupid as they are blind. You know that 69 million voted for Obama and 62 million voted against him, ALL of the 62 million and I bet some Obama's supporters are angry about the direction this country is heading. Did you idiot Dems. see where Obama was shaking the hand of Hugo Chavez...he seems to be bowing to Saudi kings, and laughing it up with dictators....GET A GRIP IGNORANT DEMS!!!
Wonder why one distraught mother got so much attention for so long?
Now there's the attitude that keeps the devisivness in play. I did not vote AGAINST anybody. I voted for the person I felt was best qualified to lead this nation.
the tide is turning...........be prepared and protected..............
"When Republicans were in charge, dissent was considered the highest form of patriotism" Not by the Augusta Chronicle! I well remember Mike "Oh, puleeeeze" Ryan constantly calling liberals who dissented over Bush's war and intelligence gathering policies "traitors" and worse. So, Ryan, is dissent patriotic only when conservatives engage in it? Pure hypocrisy.