"Now the Republican Party runs the risk of alienating voters it desperately needs as it faces a scandal of sex and drugs, a profoundly troubled election “audit,” accusations that party members are afraid to speak out because they fear for their lives, and suggestions from the former third-ranking offici…
"Now the Republican Party runs the risk of alienating voters it desperately needs as it faces a scandal of sex and drugs, a profoundly troubled election “audit,” accusations that party members are afraid to speak out because they fear for their lives, and suggestions from the former third-ranking official in the House Republican conference that the first official in the conference should be subpoenaed."
Joe Voter, and especially Joe Non-Voter, almost certainly hasn't heard of any of this. I play drums, and there's a guy I jam with. I like him a lot. He also has Fox News on all day. Or his wife does. Anyway, these folks COULD be changeable if they had a better media diet. But they will never hear about Matt Gaetz. Or anything other than the glory of dear leader.
Honestly, my friends would be better off not watching any news at all than watching Fox News. Maybe that's the best we can hope for. Then they might vote on what's really happening in their lives instead of what Fox tells them is happening in their lives.
Several studies have confirmed that a person who watches no news is better-informed than a person who watches Faux Snooze or any of the other Conservative Entertainment Inc. propaganda.
Fox News viewers really should practice better informational hygiene. At the risk of using an excessively low metaphor, perhaps we should start mailing out free, head-sized condoms to Republican primary voters. "Safe sex begins with the ears!"
Agree, that the country’s media diet is a critical element (possibly the most critical) in re-establishing a level of civil discourse and a functioning congress. As there’s probably no silver bullet, small steps are important (and money is always important).
Fox is a business and they are included in most of our monthly cable/streaming bundles, and they get a healthy revenue stream from our monthly fees. Find a way to stop subsidizing Fox. The majority of Americans do not watch Fox News; but the majority of Americans pay for Fox through media bundling fees. KICK FOX OFF THE DOLE!
I called my cable company and they just laughed when I told them I didn't want to pay for fox with my cable listing. I have to dump the whole thing (and I can't due to my husband's obsession with sports.)
wondering how to go about that. Is there a more specific ask than that? Like others here I have to "compromise" with other family, but when my children were growing I would not allow that crap into my home. Still I would love nothing more than getting cable out of my home. I've argued & fought for years with cable companies re just bundling a package for homes that only want educational, art, science, public broadcasting. How can one question "brainwashing" when so many homes let that crap continually broadcast into their minds.
If your internet service is robust enough, I'd just recommend getting rid of cable altogether. I did so about five years ago and haven't missed it. For a long while, live sports were difficult to access, but now with a subscription, I can get what few sports I follow (Olympics, Wimbleton, etc.).
My ability to access news is actually greater, since I can roam far more in-depth, original reporting. And I've become virtually allergic to commercials -- how could I ever stand them before? As for Fox News? Who cares?
That said, I was never able to protect my children from either the internet or cable. I'm quite certain that they've been damaged in myriad ways by the experience of growing up with the damn screen, something I was never able to prevent without completely uncoupling them from the rest of American society.
Like Peri, I called my cable provider to ask about packages that don’t include fox; met with a silent pause, then a chuckle and a “no” that sounded more like “duh.” The difference for me is that my cable fee is part of my HOA fee. If I chose another type of provider I’d still have to pay my share of the group fee for cable coming into my condo - hence trying to “hurt” fox only hurts me.
Where we live, the only source for reliable internet is comcast/xfinity. We have tried to find other ISPs, as we don't even have a television and use our computers for entertainment streaming as well as for internet, but this area doesn't have as many options as we had when we lived in Seattle. Some of our neighbors have satellite dishes from a dish company that offers internet along with TV, but the ones I've checked out offer such slow speeds that we have stayed with the big cable company. Heavy sigh. Trying to limit our service to internet only means a big conversation every time the current contract runs out - no, we don't want this cable package, no, we don't need that add-on - we just want high-speed internet, thank you!
I noticed my father-in-law became a little bit less rabid a "conservative" when his wife (who is my age, and I thank Providence for her every day because she is dealing with his current health issues and not my wife or my sister-in-law) insisted that Fox not be on in the house.
He is one of the most perfect samples of white male privilege's that I can think of, and his absolute denial of systemic racism is stunning.
Paul, Those lines of Heather's that you referred to I think have more to do with the death of the party, not 'Joe Voter'. I think your friends and many like them are emotionally attached to Trump and what they watch on Fox. The messages they are getting taps into their hearts. That is important to remember, but it isn't whole story. There are other forces in reality and in a majority of people, which appear to be stronger. This is ugly, difficult and not over.
I think that the message taps into their collective amygdalae rather than their hearts. They are wired for fear of "other", and what Faux feeds them pleases their brains in a very damaging way.
Except for a very few, people are not without heart. I have heard 'his' supporters say they love him. Fear is not the only emotion. The folks we are talking about believe that they finally found a savior, and he gives them permission to 'go wild!' I don't doubt that they have been waiting to destroy. The Republicans have targeted and embellished the targets.
I disagree. They will hear of it. What is unfortunate is the extreme that is occurring. The “Samson alternative” as TC describes means many casualties.
💯 agree! Maybe they’ll turn Fox off once they see in real time the wheels of justice and prosperity making fools of Fox??? Maybe I’m forever an optimist?
Healthy alternatives to Fox. There are alternative sources of news info (e.g., podcasts on YouTube). “The Hill – Rising” with Saager and Ball—a conservative and a progressive who are honest, civil, and searching for truthful answers while not allowing any politician from either party to get away with nonsense. Also, there is Jimmy Dore on “The Jimmy Dore Show” (though the language may be a bit rough for sensitive ears). Further, Matt Taibbi on “Useful Idiots”. And there are a number of other worthwhile podcasts discussing policies and political issues.
I can see how they would. I've read that he was impressed by successful speculators/investors and wished he was in that club. IMHO, Churchill's real value to England during WWII (1939-45 for the British) was when he stayed publicly vocal in resisting the Nazis, and he served as a beacon in keeping up British esprit during WWII. My father met him a few times during the fighting in Italy (1943-45). Dad was a young American officer on General (later Field Marshall) Alexander's staff for two years. Alexander commanded all Allied forces in Italy in the Anglo-American 15th Army Group. In my father's considered opinion, "General Alexander was perhaps the finest soldier in the war." He was Churchill's favorite general and was called in to save situations (e.g., Dunkirk, Burma, North Africa). Also, Eisenhower idolized Alexander. I better stop now as I get carried away with talk of WWII and the Mediterranean Theater. You might enjoy seeing some historic photos of the period on my website: www.buckandbernice.com.
Of this observation, I am dubious:
"Now the Republican Party runs the risk of alienating voters it desperately needs as it faces a scandal of sex and drugs, a profoundly troubled election “audit,” accusations that party members are afraid to speak out because they fear for their lives, and suggestions from the former third-ranking official in the House Republican conference that the first official in the conference should be subpoenaed."
Joe Voter, and especially Joe Non-Voter, almost certainly hasn't heard of any of this. I play drums, and there's a guy I jam with. I like him a lot. He also has Fox News on all day. Or his wife does. Anyway, these folks COULD be changeable if they had a better media diet. But they will never hear about Matt Gaetz. Or anything other than the glory of dear leader.
Honestly, my friends would be better off not watching any news at all than watching Fox News. Maybe that's the best we can hope for. Then they might vote on what's really happening in their lives instead of what Fox tells them is happening in their lives.
Several studies have confirmed that a person who watches no news is better-informed than a person who watches Faux Snooze or any of the other Conservative Entertainment Inc. propaganda.
Fox News viewers really should practice better informational hygiene. At the risk of using an excessively low metaphor, perhaps we should start mailing out free, head-sized condoms to Republican primary voters. "Safe sex begins with the ears!"
... entertainment? More like entrainment ... unless one's idea of entertainment would be bloody dog and cock fights to the death ...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EIrz6uCDnu8
Marcy Meldahl (see below) mentioned this too. If either of you can remember where you saw the survey(s), inquiring minds want to know.
Agree, that the country’s media diet is a critical element (possibly the most critical) in re-establishing a level of civil discourse and a functioning congress. As there’s probably no silver bullet, small steps are important (and money is always important).
Fox is a business and they are included in most of our monthly cable/streaming bundles, and they get a healthy revenue stream from our monthly fees. Find a way to stop subsidizing Fox. The majority of Americans do not watch Fox News; but the majority of Americans pay for Fox through media bundling fees. KICK FOX OFF THE DOLE!
I called my cable company and they just laughed when I told them I didn't want to pay for fox with my cable listing. I have to dump the whole thing (and I can't due to my husband's obsession with sports.)
Sounds like we need to be calling our senators and reps to get Faux unbundled from cable offereings.
wondering how to go about that. Is there a more specific ask than that? Like others here I have to "compromise" with other family, but when my children were growing I would not allow that crap into my home. Still I would love nothing more than getting cable out of my home. I've argued & fought for years with cable companies re just bundling a package for homes that only want educational, art, science, public broadcasting. How can one question "brainwashing" when so many homes let that crap continually broadcast into their minds.
If your internet service is robust enough, I'd just recommend getting rid of cable altogether. I did so about five years ago and haven't missed it. For a long while, live sports were difficult to access, but now with a subscription, I can get what few sports I follow (Olympics, Wimbleton, etc.).
My ability to access news is actually greater, since I can roam far more in-depth, original reporting. And I've become virtually allergic to commercials -- how could I ever stand them before? As for Fox News? Who cares?
That said, I was never able to protect my children from either the internet or cable. I'm quite certain that they've been damaged in myriad ways by the experience of growing up with the damn screen, something I was never able to prevent without completely uncoupling them from the rest of American society.
Like Peri, I called my cable provider to ask about packages that don’t include fox; met with a silent pause, then a chuckle and a “no” that sounded more like “duh.” The difference for me is that my cable fee is part of my HOA fee. If I chose another type of provider I’d still have to pay my share of the group fee for cable coming into my condo - hence trying to “hurt” fox only hurts me.
Where we live, the only source for reliable internet is comcast/xfinity. We have tried to find other ISPs, as we don't even have a television and use our computers for entertainment streaming as well as for internet, but this area doesn't have as many options as we had when we lived in Seattle. Some of our neighbors have satellite dishes from a dish company that offers internet along with TV, but the ones I've checked out offer such slow speeds that we have stayed with the big cable company. Heavy sigh. Trying to limit our service to internet only means a big conversation every time the current contract runs out - no, we don't want this cable package, no, we don't need that add-on - we just want high-speed internet, thank you!
I noticed my father-in-law became a little bit less rabid a "conservative" when his wife (who is my age, and I thank Providence for her every day because she is dealing with his current health issues and not my wife or my sister-in-law) insisted that Fox not be on in the house.
He is one of the most perfect samples of white male privilege's that I can think of, and his absolute denial of systemic racism is stunning.
We must have the same FIL. I wish my MIL would forbid Fox in the house but she's brainwashed too.
Paul, Those lines of Heather's that you referred to I think have more to do with the death of the party, not 'Joe Voter'. I think your friends and many like them are emotionally attached to Trump and what they watch on Fox. The messages they are getting taps into their hearts. That is important to remember, but it isn't whole story. There are other forces in reality and in a majority of people, which appear to be stronger. This is ugly, difficult and not over.
I think that the message taps into their collective amygdalae rather than their hearts. They are wired for fear of "other", and what Faux feeds them pleases their brains in a very damaging way.
Was at family gathering for first time since covid. In conversation someone remarked about Americans being the most fearful people in the world.
Except for a very few, people are not without heart. I have heard 'his' supporters say they love him. Fear is not the only emotion. The folks we are talking about believe that they finally found a savior, and he gives them permission to 'go wild!' I don't doubt that they have been waiting to destroy. The Republicans have targeted and embellished the targets.
The other issue is a problem I discovered in my reading. It's Grievance Addiction. A psychiatrist w/ 40 years in the field wrote this article: https://www.salon.com/2021/02/12/dr-justin-frank-on-the-trial-for-trump-capitol-riot-was-a-source-of-incredible-pleasure/
I disagree. They will hear of it. What is unfortunate is the extreme that is occurring. The “Samson alternative” as TC describes means many casualties.
I saw some survey that said FN watchers were less informed than those who watched NO news. Seems about right.
TCinLA mentioned this too. If either of you can remember where you saw the survey, inquiring minds want to know.
Jolene Voter, too.
💯 agree! Maybe they’ll turn Fox off once they see in real time the wheels of justice and prosperity making fools of Fox??? Maybe I’m forever an optimist?
Healthy alternatives to Fox. There are alternative sources of news info (e.g., podcasts on YouTube). “The Hill – Rising” with Saager and Ball—a conservative and a progressive who are honest, civil, and searching for truthful answers while not allowing any politician from either party to get away with nonsense. Also, there is Jimmy Dore on “The Jimmy Dore Show” (though the language may be a bit rough for sensitive ears). Further, Matt Taibbi on “Useful Idiots”. And there are a number of other worthwhile podcasts discussing policies and political issues.
The biggest argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter - Winston Churchill.
If Churchill was anything, he was an elitist.
True. He was a real Tory.
Except for a couple of decades (1900s-1910s) when he wasn't a Tory. For a long time people saw Churchill as an unprincipled opportunist.
I can see how they would. I've read that he was impressed by successful speculators/investors and wished he was in that club. IMHO, Churchill's real value to England during WWII (1939-45 for the British) was when he stayed publicly vocal in resisting the Nazis, and he served as a beacon in keeping up British esprit during WWII. My father met him a few times during the fighting in Italy (1943-45). Dad was a young American officer on General (later Field Marshall) Alexander's staff for two years. Alexander commanded all Allied forces in Italy in the Anglo-American 15th Army Group. In my father's considered opinion, "General Alexander was perhaps the finest soldier in the war." He was Churchill's favorite general and was called in to save situations (e.g., Dunkirk, Burma, North Africa). Also, Eisenhower idolized Alexander. I better stop now as I get carried away with talk of WWII and the Mediterranean Theater. You might enjoy seeing some historic photos of the period on my website: www.buckandbernice.com.