Being Measured Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry
I saw something today on the web that I thought called for a quick follow up to last night’s post on the current state of partisanship in Washington. I ended that post with a plea for leaders of both parties to tune out the media noise machines from both the left and the right as they search for real solutions to this awful economic crisis. Well, all I can say is, THAT didn’t get off to a very good start.
In the post, I admiringly cited comments from Republican House member Phil Gringey about the difference between being a radio show host calling for aggressively partisan action, and being an actual legislator trying to get the stimulus bill worked out.
"I think that our leadership, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, are taking the right approach," Gingrey said. "I mean, it's easy if you're Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don't have to try to do what's best for your people and your party. You know you're just on these talk shows and you're living well and plus you stir up a bit of controversy and gin the base and that sort of that thing. But when it comes to true leadership, not that these people couldn't be or wouldn't be good leaders, they're not in that position of John Boehner or Mitch McConnell."
Pretty harmless and accurate comment, right? Talk show hosts have their job to do, and legislators have theirs. But a lot of Rush Limbaugh fans didn’t see it that way.
“Turns out that Gingrey’s measured remarks provoked such a violent outcry that he has now been forced to apologize. ‘Because of the high volume of phone calls and correspondence received by my office since the Politico article ran, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to grassroots conservatives,’ Gingrey said in a new statement released by his office. ‘Let me assure you, I am one of you.’”
I guess measured remarks are a tough sell these days. But here’s where you also have to look at the way the whole “discussion” was framed on the websites carrying the story, both the center-right Politico, and the more left-leaning Huffington Post. I’ve read and re-read and re-re-read Gingrey’s quote, and nowhere do I find where he either explicitly or implicitly told Rush Limbaugh to “back off.” That’s an incendiary phrase that, when placed in a headline, is going to draw sharp reaction, reaction that in this case, wasn’t really called for. Bipartisanship, the positive, effective kind, doesn’t stand much of a chance when the politicians finally try to be measured but the media won’t let them.
Look, I know there’s no way to completely cut out the influence of the media on crucial legislative debate. It’s part of the system. Therefore, I’ll just say again that the President and members of Congress have to minimize the posturing, vote their consciences, and pass SOMETHING that might help Americans get through this dark time. Journalists and headline writers have to hold up their end, as well.
| Search Blog
|
Comments: 13
Jim you are just no fun these days. All of this started because the Messiah publically pointed to Rush as the man with three sixes etched in his brain (even if half of it is tied behind his back).
Frankly the Bi-partisan thing is vastly overrated. Democrats can do what ever they please as they redistribute income across the land. Let them. There really is no upside for republicans to come on board. Its not likely they will lose more seats based on demographics currently in place.
So let democrats run wild on their own as they rev up the presses and print trillions. Let republicans stand in complete opposition and let the chips fall where they may.
The Republican party sound like they are really concerned about the spending, and that's great. But wait, where were all these guys and gals during the last 8 years when President Bush outspend any President in recent history including his father. Check the record folks. What bothers me are so called Patriots who want to see the President fail, how anti-american is that? How grossly ignorant is that, and when certain people put that out over the air waves, well what more can I say.
In case nobody noticed, we really need to get our acts together. Your political affiliations and loyalties won't put food on my table.
The Republican party sound like they are really concerned about the spending, and that's great. But wait, where were all these guys and gals during the last 8 years when President Bush outspend any President in recent history including his father. Check the record folks. What bothers me are so called Patriots who want to see the President fail, how anti-american is that? How grossly ignorant is that, and when certain people put that out over the air waves, well what more can I say.
In case nobody noticed, we really need to get our acts together. Your political affiliations and loyalties won't put food on my table.
Just a quick thought on Obama's speech this morning *Jan 30th. He directed his comments to the MIDDLE CLASS OF AMERICA. I wrote another blog, but it got lost somewhere in cyberspace.
DOES ANYONE REALLY WANT TO BE MIDDLE CLASS, I SAY?
The middle class is always known as the second cousin. We pay for everyone, the rich and the poor.
I hope that Obama can resolve this. It will be difficult, if not impossible, unless of course we lived in a socialist society *and thank God we don't.
God Bless Obama and Biden. Let's hope they can do their jobs.
Lee *wishesthefirstproductivehundreddayscouldrollover toonehundredyears
The unions got a quick start in Obama's speech this morning. I'm sure Lee heard about this, but forgot to mention it. The unions, of late are failing. They need a good shot of insulin or whatever makes their pipes work.
Periodically I tune in to Hannity or Linbaugh just to hear what venom they're spewing that day. I tell you I don't last more the a few minutes.
I really feel they both fear President Obama. Because if he succeeds they are both finished. Its to their advantange to keep up the rethoric. Who will listen to someone who is wrong again.
Eight years of their politics has ruined this country. Its time to get off their high horse. If you look closely its limping.
Hannity's theme song is Let Freedom Ring well the bell has tolled and both of you are out of the loop.
If you were worried how much money was spent in the last 8 years then buckle in buddy. Your about to see super spending and over taxing in the upcoming years at a rate you haven't seen before.
PIX's MORNING NEWS SUCKS !
LITERALLY, is it necessary to have 2 women do something AS SIMPLE AS A TRAFFIC REPORT !
They just hired two young women in a pathetic way to draw viewers.
Also that sukanya is one of the two most ANNOYING PEOPLE ON THIS SO CALLED SHOW.
I miss when CHANNEL 11 HAD NO NEWS, and cartoons and shows in the morning.
Why is all regular television, ALL NEWS, AND REALITY CRAP.
Jim, listening to you and kaity talk after a story, I just have one thing to say. Keep your opinions to yourself.
When you and your co-workers, especially from other new york stations, say something after a story its pathetic. You get paid reporting on other peoples problems and get very over paid for it. Like six, seven and in some cases eight figure salaries
.
Then you all complain about making it to the weekend, oh gee
is the gigantic paycheck not insentive enough to go to work, which for you is 1 hour of reading a script off of a prompter
Some people can be cruel, but I think most are just fooling around. I think it's safe to say that is usual for a blog format. Some can be truthful, and relaxed in this type of setting.
I hope you continue blogging, because, you seem like an ok guy.
Some people can be cruel, but I think most are just fooling around. I think it's safe to say that is usual for a blog format. Some can be truthful, and relaxed in this type of setting.
I hope you continue blogging, because, you seem like an ok guy.
Some people can be cruel, but I think most are just fooling around. I think it's safe to say that is usual for a blog format. Some can be truthful, and relaxed in this type of setting.
I hope you continue blogging, because, you seem like an ok guy.
This is in response to Chris.
I agree with anonymous, you say it's cruel when in a way it's true.
They get very grossly over paid for "reporting stories", which in reality is other people's problems and miseries. It's very hard to respect that. In fact in a newspaper some local anchor is making
ten million dollars to sit in front of a camera and read a script off of a prompter. HOW CAN THEY EXPLAIN PAYING HIM THAT, IT'S
RIDICULOUS.