The third and final debate . . . and what we learned is that Acorn is destroying the fabric of democracy. John Lewis is out of line. And Joe the Plumber is a target of Democratic class warfare. Meanwhile, the economy isn’t getting better anytime soon and it's been confirmed that the White House explicitly endorsed waterboarding. Secret memos about torture made the cover of the Washington Post this week, but the pickup on the story is slim. Is anyone explaining how we got into this mess and how we might get out of it? In other words who's asking the tough questions?
We'll take the bait for a little while as we talk about the best and worst of recent media coverage. Let's talk about Joe the plumber for the next 48 hours!
Liza Sabater of Culture Kitchen points out the extremely clear moment between McCain and Obama in their definition of middle class and grey collar worker - Obama made it clear that if you're making more than $250,000 you're doing really well and can afford to have your taxes adjustment. On the other hand, the candidate whose net worth is $100,000,000 is opposed to the sharing of wealth. How this discussion of money didn't flow into a question or two about the bailout was probably the biggest ommission of a surprisingly solid moderation by Bob Schieffer, according to Rebecca Traister, of Salon. Brandon Brice, joining us from HipHopRepublicans, sticks with the party line -- Joe the plumber needs big government to stay out of his pocketbook.
Traister's lowest moment of the debate was McCain's belittlement of women's heath; Sabater was dumbfounded by the "air quotes" - that's what McCain thinks of women's health? Is that exceptable from any candidate running for our highest office? Brice's low moment was Ayers - and he blames the media for highlighting associations over issues in the campaign.
And then a discussion of media ethics where it comes to supporting campaigns. Traister explains her own publication's policy, which is about transparency - the idea that disclosure makes way for objectivity.
Stories to watch out for? How about a gleeful embrace of The Economy Is Back On Track? Oil's down to $76 a barrel....
Joe the Plumber is the new Lipstick on Pigs non issue. Have you seen Amy Goodmans coverage on the Iraq War Vets Against the War (IVAW) who were protesting outside of the debate and were arrested and one was trampled. What way to deal with our Vets, their concerns and needs….IGNORE THEM TALK ABOUT JOE THE PLUMBER.
Very few in the so called progressive blogosphere ignoring these arrest and the protest. The MSM is obsessed with the Plumber
Amy goodman has the story.
http://www.democracynow.org/20….._debate_in
Laura could you give the issue some sun light
By Leen on October 17th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I agree with you Leen, and I’m sure GritTv will give coverage of the IVAW protests outside the final debate.
By DavidV on October 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
So far only Amy Goodman last week. The progressive blogs too caught up in the Joe the Plumber new Pig in a Lispstick horse shit to give any coverage to the Iraq War Vets arrested. Joe the Plumber got the coverage in the MSM and the blogosphere….pathetic and telling
By Leen on October 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Laura, please see this article:
http://earthhopenetwork.net/fo…..p?tid=1337
How about getting some of those arrested on the show?
Thanks, d.
By DavidV on October 19th, 2008 at 6:04 am
This episode plays to my pet peeve. “Fair and balanced” discussion panels usually mean a liberal talking issues and critiquing current events across a table from a GOP stooge parroting talking points read from his morning e-mail. There is no discussion with these people.
It has to be better to have good minds giving the plus and minus of either side than capitulating to the noise machine and letting them hammer talking points.
By moondancer on October 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Thanks for filling out the story with the DN/IVAW link. Our online peeps might not know this: GRITtv is on Free Speech TV right after Democracy Now — and Amy and her crew of course did a fantastic job getting the shameful attack on the IVAW protestor on the air.
Just a note, that we fulfill different roles on the same FSTV network (DISH ch 9415.)
Of course we’re committed to continued coverage of the Iraq Vets Against The War and the issues they raise – here’s weds show: Winter Soldier: Kris Goldsmith and Aaron Glantz , which just happened to be the night that guy got stomped by the police horse.
Thx for the links, Leen and DavidV
By LisaG on October 19th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
It’s just so damn pathetic that the MSMer’s have not said anything about that protest and the arrest. Ignoring our Vets is a damn crime. All the MSM did was interview JOE JOE the Plumber. I can’t imaging how infuriating this is if you are a Vet.
I keep thinking if the progressive blogosphere would really pick up on these arrest it would play well for the Obama campaign too. But most of all what our Vets do should be covered not just ignored
By Leen on October 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
When will the progressive blogosphere grab a hold of those Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW) who protested and were arrested outside of the debate and get them in the blogs and then Matthews and the other MSMer’s who now draw a few of their stories from these blogs might just might jump on. Let’s get the war back on some front pages..let’s get those young men and women who have had their lives put on the line based on a “pack of lies” on the front pages instead of Joe the Plumber.
By Leen on October 20th, 2008 at 9:29 am