The O'Reilly Procedure

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 8:06pm

"Bill O'Reilly has been brought low by the same process that afflicted Jerry Springer. Once respected journalists, they sold their souls for higher ratings, and follow their siren song. Springer is honest about it: "I'm going to Hell for what I do, and I know it," he's likes to say. O'Reilly insists he is dealing only with the truth. When his guests disagree with him, he shouts at them, calls them liars, talks over them, and behaves like a schoolyard bully.

I am not interested in discussing O'Reilly's politics here. That would open a hornet's nest. I am more concerned about the danger he and others like him represent to a civil and peaceful society. He sets a harmful example of acceptable public behavior. He has been an influence on the most worrying trend in the field of news: The polarization of opinion, the elevation of emotional temperature, the predictability of two of the leading cable news channels. A majority of cable news viewers now get their news slanted one way or the other by angry men. O'Reilly is not the worst offender. That would be Glenn Beck. Keith Olbermann is gaining ground. Rachel Maddow provides an admirable example for the boys of firm, passionate outrage, and is more effective for not shouting."

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_oreilly_procedure.html

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 8:47pm

Watch the film Network (1976). This is nothing new. And it existed in ancient times, too.

It's show biz, that's all it is. Even though I tend to like Olberman and Maddow, they also contribute to this circus atmosphere, by constantly snarking at the "competition." Calm, rational, low-talking, respectful "debate" is no longer the norm.

Being a circus clown IS.

Why? Because, imho, one actually has to mull things over and think awhile, and then make up one's own mind about things. Everything today is instant reactionary "analysis". Too bad.

I think the public is a little smarter than we may think. Only the most dumbed down idiot believes that this BS ratings war between corporate entities is actually "news journalism."

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 9:09pm

like my parents

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 12:11am

"I am more concerned about the danger he and others like him represent to a civil and peaceful society. He sets a harmful example of acceptable public behavior."

Go find yourself a hobby. If you think O'Reilly is harmful than don't watch him.

What's a harmful example of acceptable public behavior are people like the Milk writer having unsafe sex and Perez Hilton for passing the pictures around.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 12:23am

I love Bill; not because he's right, but because I love crazy old people.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 12:36am

right goth, cause there's nothing harmful about advocating the murder of abortion doctors at all, no one WOULD EVER act upon that sort of thing...oh wait.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 12:43am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDV1jsPlKD8

[romantico]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 6:51am

Goth I am convinced you would defend Joe McCarthy if he were still alive.You are a pathetic moron.Your avatar says it all. You are just as mean and cruel as he is.Anyone who has to use Perez Hilton to counter an argument about Bill O'Reilly is dumber than dirt.(or Sarah Palin)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 11:20am

What's a harmful example of acceptable public behavior are people like the Milk writer having unsafe sex and Perez Hilton for passing the pictures around.

Hahahahahahaha! While I agree that taking pictures of yourself having sex is often a recipe for blowing up in your face, and having unsafe sex isn't something to be encouraged, but give me a break. That comments speaks more about Goth's dirty, secret obsessions than it does about anything else.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 1:38pm

When it comes to pundits, I'd put Hannity, Beck, and Dobbs at the very bottom of the barrel. Near the bottom would be Olbermann and O'Reilly - they really are two sides of the same coin. Full of bombast, they seemed as obsessed with each other as they are with any real news. The only one I can tolerate is Maddow. She treats all her guests with courtesy and lets them finish sentences and thoughts. I may not agree with her on every issue, but at least I can watch her show without feeling compelled to throw something at the screen.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 1:49pm

What's a harmful example of acceptable public behavior are people like the Milk writer having unsafe sex and Perez Hilton for passing the pictures around.

You mean like almost any committed couple?