mediacopp.blogspot.com

"On April 23, Sean Hannity was asked if he would indeed agree to be 'waterboarded for charity.' That request came from rival pundit Keith Olbermann. When he chickened out, Fox News fired the Lou Costello-like commentator, requesting that HE never return. Deep down, he knew they were right...with no other alternative, he decided to join his former rival Olbermann on the MSNBC set. Sometime earlier, ESPN had thrown Olbermann out, requesting that HE never return. Can two equally insane, hypocritically challenged talking heads share a news desk without driving each other crazy?" Cue opening theme song...

Fade to the news desk...Hannity is busy wiping his nose with a tightly folded handkerchief. He motions to the director, "Would you happen to have a fresh box of Kleenex? Since I agreed to be waterboarded, my nose hasn't stopped running." The director smirks and shakes his head..."no, no tissue"...then, under his breath, "Running? Running is what you did to get AWAY from the waterboarding. Your NOSE isn't running...it's growing."

Olbermann interupts, "hey, HEY, lay off the little guy, will ya? He was around (Bill) O'Reilly so long, he doesn't just dangle participles, he throws 'em off the Sears Tower." Hannity, hearing the exchange, interjects, "Keith, Keith, I can handle myself. You don't have to keep sticking up for me." Olbermann quickly counters, "that's not what you said when you came crawling over to MSNBC."

The director calls for quiet and motions for the cameras to roll. "Less than five...three...two... (he points to Olbermann)." "Good Evening America...and welcome to 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann.' Tonight, I would like to welcome my new co-host...from the 'soon-to-be failed' Fox News network, I am of course talking about the all talk-no walk, tail between-the-legs, 'waterboard works on everyone but me,' Sean Hannity."

"Hey," Hannity yells, "that's it...I've had it with your snide remarks. I WILL take you up on your offer. You CAN waterboard me. It's NOT torture. I'll prove it. I'll show you. I'll show everybody. I'm not just some hypocrite."

Olbermann pulls Hannity aside..."are you sure you want to go through with this? Come on, we know you can do it. I mean, you talked to Ollie North, right? He was waterboarded. Come on, that should be good enough, okay?" Hannity rubs his eyes and nods his head..."yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. You agree with me, right? I mean, it's NOT torture, right?

Olberman responds, "Of course...of course, I agree...come on, let's go back to the set." The director shakes his head...but seeing no other choice, he again cues Olbermann..."Welcome to Countdown with Keith Olbermann...again, let me introduce our viewers to our new co-host, the all knowing, all seeing, all torture-all the time, favorite right wing whacko, Sean Hannity."

"Heeeeeeeyyyyyy Olbermann!" Cue to the new Neil Simon bumper theme...

Hey, in the interests of brevity (whew, these long winded posts are hard to take), quick kudos to the Sacramento Bee for the "puff" piece on the brave 17 year old Galt High School student who is preparing to go to her prom after undergoing brain surgery less than two months ago.

Seriously, I am thrilled that the Bee did this piece. Usually, the Bee gives us human interest stories of a brave soul who overcame drug addiction or homelessness (neglecting to mention, neigh cowering, from the word "choice") to return and contribute to society (like EVERY ONE OF US)...of course with the assistance of our gallant government.

But this was a good story...except for the Bee tossing in a "Nordstrom" reference (i.e. that the kid is obviously from an affluent family), this is a very good story...please check it out...go to http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story.1806092/html

Conversely, jeers to Congress (what else is new?)...for "backtracking" on the torture issue. Okay...whether you believe it's "coerced interrogation" or "torture," please pick one...and if you DO have a "change of heart," SAY SO!!! Don't be like Nancy Pelosi and feign knowledge of what you now say IS torture.

According to the Washington Post (and I have no reason to believe this and other reports are false), our Speaker was one of the many (MANY) legislative leaders who were briefed on the "specifics" of waterboarding and other "interrogation techniques"...

The CIA reportedly gave key legislative overseers no fewer than 30 private briefings which included demonstrations of waterboarding and "other harsh" interrogation methods...and the good speaker pulls an "Ollie North" and can't recall being briefed? Suuuure...

Not so fast there, Republicreeps...you guys are fast on Pelosi's heels in your own "runs for cover." Hmmm, maybe we're not only a bi-polor country, but schizophrenic as well...go to...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/political-browser/ ...from April 24, 2009...

And lastly, oh I'm sorry, I already mentioned Pelosi...

I'm getting pretty tired of the non-stop whining coming out of the Republican ranks (both the political and media elite)...GET OVER IT! YOU LOST! Stop putting up roadblock after roadblock in an attempt to "slow down" the Obama Express...hey, WE voted for change...WE wanted change...WE should stop crying now that we're finally getting change...but what can WE do?

Well, when I say "WE," I really mean you right wing whackos out there who spent eight years complaining about all the "Hate Bush" rhetoric from the left...and now that the shoe's on the other foot, you are doing the exact same thing. Oh sure, you're calling it, "political differences," or"ideological perspectives," and such...but no, that's not it...it wasn't when they were "Bush hating," and it isn't now that you're "Obama hating." GET OVER IT!

Improvise, adapt, and overcome...the unofficial Marine Corp motto...it's as simple as that. Simply improvise, adapt, and overcome...I would think that since most of you right wing whacko crowd are pro-war, pro-defense, pro constitution, etc., you would be the "rugged individualists" (that you are)...and find a way to make this work for you.

For instance, Nationalized Health Care...ooh, wah, wah, we're going to have to stand in line for rationed health care...boo hoo...HEY! News Flash! We're standing in line NOW...if President Obama can find a way for US to ALL stand in the same line, well, I'm all for it...

Item #2...Nationalize the Banking system...how scandalous! HEY! News Flash! Ever hear of FDIC, the Federal Reserve, etc., etc. It's ALREADY nationalized...just tell me which line to stand in (so I get in the one that gives rather than takes)...

But the BIG item of the day...and the reason for this blog entry...is the non-stop whining from the right that President Obama is "showing weakness," by going overseas and "shaking hands" with our enemies...never mind that Bush did the same thing when it suited him...HEY! Ever hear of keeping your friends close...and your enemies closer?

Stay tuned for more revelations of political double standards...I have always said, we are a "bi-polar" society...as a matter of fact, I've been writing a book entitled, "The Bi-Polarization of America." Then, the other day, somebody told me that Rush Limbaugh (of all people) used that expression just last week...oh great...another one of my ideas plagiarized...oh well, I won't cry...

So, the anti-Obama forces went out on tax day and had their mostly ineffectual "tea parties," at various (small) venues throughout the country. Nope...uh-uh...I wasn't there...

It's not that I disagreed with their theme...or what I believe was or should have been their main theme; that is, higher taxation is not the answer to our economic malaise.

The left was quick with their first dismissive counter punch; i.e. that the right wing loonies didn't even "get" the basis for the original Boston Tea Party. In other words, the colonists, they say, were NOT protesting paying taxes; they were simply against taxation without representation.

Of course, the organizers said nothing, thus allowing the Liberals to frame the debate. Then, the Left quickly chimed in with their "tried and true," line that higher taxes would only be on the rich...or a loosely defined interpretation of the rich. Again, not a peep from the "partiers."

However, those of us in the TRUE ideological middle understand that higher taxes on the rich only produce what I've called real "trickle down economics." The "rich" will never, never, never, never pay (their fair share of) taxes...it WILL always trickle down to the middle class...but the Tea Party organizers never offered rebuttal, (again) marginalizing their own efforts...

And if that wasn't the kiss of death to the project, Tea Party organizers then allowed, neigh encouraged the involvement of "Fair and Balanced" Fox News...

Boy, if ever the libs, or their talking heads at CNBC and CNN, needed proof positive that Fox News is in the tank for the Republican party, this was it...all the Fox folks were there...Sean Hannity, Neil Cavuto, Glen Beck, all the fellas (hmm, what do these folks have in common...oh well, more on that later...).

Back to my first paragraph...no, I wasn't there...good idea, but poor, POOR execution. One of the "demonstration" sites was Sacramento (CA), from where this blog originates. I turned on the television news stations, both network AND cable, national AND local. I must say, it was a strictly segregated fiasco. Despite the constant (hollow) assertions by the Fox "hosts," that there was "bi-partisan participation," well, no, uh-uh, I don't think so...

The demonstrations looked more like family reunions...not only that, but a family reunion in the mold of a high school reunion...in other words, the participants appeared to be getting older (and whiter) by the minute and if the Left just waits a few years...well, how many 100 year class reunions have YOU heard of?

When will the (media) powers that be...

...report that (St Louis Cardinal slugger) Albert Pujols has never been accused of using steroids DESPITE his "inflated" stats (what if his name was Barry?)...

...decide that oil prices fluctuate on more that just "supply" concerns and "demand" concerns...

...stop perpetuating the (California) drought myth while at the same time printing water table totals which clearly show no such thing...

...take a stand on "something" they should actually take a stand on...like that Al Franken should be seated as the new junior senator from Minnesota...

...end this love affair with Barack Obama (come on, for God sakes, he had us at "shalom")...

...similarly lighten up on the Republican bashing (news flash...they have no power...the Dems get "whatever" they want)...

...decide to "cancel" the NBA playoffs and skip right to a Lakers-Cavs Finals' showdown (with of course Kobe holding the trophy)...

...do one of their patented "investigations" into steroid use in baseball and "decide" that "hey, juicing helped the pitchers as much as the hitters...hmmm..."

...ever question why public utility companies can get away with retroactive rate increases with only token opposition...

...reveal why they reported that (Fed Chairman) Ben Bernanke was such a boob under George W. Bush and the best thing since sliced bread under Barack Obama...oh yes, this also goes for (Defense Secretary) Robert Gates and General (Commander, US Central Command) David Petraeus...

...call the current economic malaise what it ACTUALLY is...the fault of everybody, including Democrats AND Republicans (both congressional and executive), Big Business AND Individual borrowers, the Rich AND the Poor (wanna-be rich)...and MOST OF ALL, THE MEDIA...


I just thought of these...do you have any...reply to http://mediacopp.blogspot.com/

There are many examples of agenda driven stories in the media...it's a long and detailed list...and one of the (main) reasons for this blog...I am reminded of one of the first times I got a hint of media bias (which has always existed) AND agenda driven media (which is more subversive and much, MUCH more prevalent today).

MADD...Mothers Against Drunk Drivers...a once true altruistic organization founded by Candy Lightner in honor of her 13 year old daughter, Cari, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Candy founded the organization and took her cause to the heights of public awareness and legislative attention. Unfortunately, along with it, came media scrutinizing (I call "finagling").

The media, I believe, was responsible for the bastardization of a once great organization. What originally brought much needed attention to the plight of forgotten victims--victims of people who thought nothing getting bombed and then getting in a (several) thousand pound hunk of metal and haphazardly driving on PUBLIC thoroughfares with ZERO regard for innocent human beings--soon became a lobbying group which demanded change simply to enhance their own agenda (re: power) with little regard for the actual victim(s). Lightner was subsequently forced from the organization because she didn't adhere to their "neo-prohibitionist" agenda, saying she started MADD to deal with the issue of drunk driving, not alcohol per se.

This was savagely brought back to my attention upon my hearing of the tragic death of Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart who, along with two others (a third is in critical condition) was killed in a vehicle accident. They were killed by a drunk driver who ran a stop sign. The driver, a scumbag named Adam Thomas Gallo, was driving on a suspended license from, yep, you guessed it, a prior drunk driving conviction.

Yeah, MADD, you've really helped...oh sure, in the beginning, you helped tremendously by shedding light on the plight of forgotten victims...but MADD soon became more fixated on legislation which dealt with a "Joe Six-Pack" who might have consumed a few beers after work...and less on repeat offenders (yes, Cari Lightner was killed by a "repeat" offender)...

So, why blame the media? Because I believe that they bear much of the blame (along with attorneys and the courts) for causing this paradigm shift; a shift from offender accountability to attempting (very poorly I might add) to legislate responsibility. Yes, the media is tremendously to blame...for making MADD their one time "cause-du-jour," much like their obsession with gun control, abortion, and other constitutional issues...oh, that's right...the constitution doesn't mention abortion...oh well...that's a post for another day...

MEDIACOPP HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!

Yep, once again the Master Prognosticator known as MediaCopp has called it... IHSS ...the In Home Supportive Services program...uh-huh, seems to me, I've been on my perpetual soapbox on this one...i.e. that there has always been rampant fraud in and around this program...and as I've always maintained, the acronym has changed but the song remains the same. In the IHSS case, this acronym gained prominence around the time of the WELFARE REFORM BROUGHT FORTH BY THE (drum roll please) CLINTON ADMINISTRATION (1996).



Remember back when Welfare Reform was all the rage...yes, it happened right around the same time the SSI (ANOTHER ACRONYM?), roles changed in so far as those eligible (for federal disability income) could no longer be classified Substance Abusers, Alcoholics, etc.; rather they must have gained their "disability" via a mental health diagnosis (i.e. depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.).



So, just as the powers-that-be were re-diagnosing all the "junkies" with conveeeeeeeenient mental disorders, the GA, AFDC, TANF (insert your choice of free money program here) would soon...I BELIEVE IN MANY CASES...morph into IHSS...and I (along with others in the field at the time) could clearly see that those folks ON welfare (many of them), simply went on to "caring for nana," while collecting the same friggin' (welfare) check...



One of the folks (entities) I reminded often was the Sacramento Bee...especially after they ran several editorials commenting on the "noble workers who perform tirelessly, etc., etc. to help keep family members out of more costly group care" Well, I reminded them (AGAIN) how many (NOT ALL, but many) of these "workers" were just "tweaker nephews extorting poor nana for personal gain." Well, naturally...I was ignored...


Fast forward to the Sacramento Bee's lead editorial, dated April 4, 2009..."Another day, a new county crisis," whereby the Bee now references their own "investigative reporting," of the 18 page Grand Jury report alleging Sacramento County IHSS program's lack of "accountability for caregivers and safeguards against fraud." Your welcome...


(Please) don't get me wrong. The Grand Jury report would have happened whether (or not) I reported ANYTHING...HOWEVER, I CALLED IT!! Much like other headlines from today, for instance stories about the call (now) for legalization and taxation of marijuana...and the (new) measure ("proposed" by the Cali Supreme Court) that "might" solve the legal conflict over a gay marriage ban by issuing civil-union licenses to BOTH straight and gay couples...YES, BOTH SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IN THE MEDIACOPP ARCHIVES!!!


Of course, I'm not saying I'm perfect...I was also the one who said that former San Francisco 49er wide receiver Jerry Rice (back when he was a rookie) would only be a "mediocre" football player...yeah, that Jerry (unarguably the best receiver in professional football history)...oops...

BEGINNING NEXT WEEK...Tuesday AND Friday posts...

But for today...a few random thoughts...


If President Obama is giving a speech in a forest, and there is no teleprompter, does he make a sound?

Does Jay Cutler realize he is an overrated Quarterback?

Does Fox News understand what the words "fair and balanced" actually mean?

If you're at the gym during a morning workout...and you are wearing headphones, can you sing along with the music without anyone else hearing?

You have a bottle of Vicodin and a plate of Fig Newtons...if you give them to Rush Limbaugh, which will he finish first?

...more to come