Dylan Ratigan? Really MSNBC, Don't We Have Enough Ranters Already?

On June 29th, Dylan Ratigan, the former host of CNBC's Fast Money, will premiere his new show, The Meeting With Dylan Ratigan, to air Monday through Friday at 9am on MSNBC. The show will address a variety of topics spearheaded by Ratigan, its pugnacious fast-talking star, who as the video below will demonstrate, offers a frenzied two-hour beginning to his viewers' early day.

By adding Ratigan's two MSNBC hours to Morning Joe Scarborough's preceding three MSNBC hours gives viewers five consecutive rancorous hours to start off nearly every day. Really MSNBC, is this what an anxious nation needs? Two more bellicose hours to agitate a public already overwrought by financial worries, unemployment, local and global violence, health care woes, and more? Do you really need to heighten the disharmony of our national ideological divide?

It seems that all three corporate cable/satellite networks, MSNBC, CNN and Fox, believe Americans are better served through agitation than information. Indeed, the only true journalist working in the so-called cable "news" arena today is CNN's Fareed Zakaria, whose intellect, integrity and experience preclude him from the need for hyperbole and noise.

Honestly, MSNBC, you really blew it this time. Leave it to you to exacerbate the stress of the already overburdened.

But don't just take my word for it. See for yourselves how agitating and frequently illogical Ratigan is from this clip of yesterday's appearance on The Ed Show on MSNBC. Can you understand what Ratigan is saying through his double-talk and gesticulations? For me, all he offers is a migraine:

So what do you think? Does Ratigan pass your test for how you choose to spend your mornings? How about this line?:

"Not everybody in America is entitled to the most expensive health care for every single person."

Can you get more elitist than that? Interestingly, something tells me Mr. Ratigan believes he's entitled to the most expensive health care - but perhaps you and I are not.

What's behind MSNBC's corporate logic that this agitator is their guy for the morning? Don't we have enough anger in this country? Shouldn't we be looking for calm, reasoned, informative voices instead of Limbaugh-like rants? I've become more and more certain after this poor choice of programming that the people's airwaves are an ever growing danger, and that foolhardy complicit executives should be relieved of their jobs.

Some of you may deem me unfair for judging The Meeting before its premiere, but please understand that Ratigan's appearance on The Ed Show was to advertise his new show. This was MSNBC's public appeal for viewers. This was MSNBC's chosen commercial for Dylan Ratigan's show. So while I admit I am prejudging, I'm using the network's own marketing tool to judge.

Fortunately in my case, I'm not home at 9am Monday through Friday so I won't be dealing with Dylan. But for those of you who are, this choice of programming is completely up to you. Will you choose a morning rant on cable to stir your aggression, or perhaps community volunteering to add value to your day?

It's entirely up to you!

Now a little aside: Since posting the above youtube on Ratigan it has attracted several comments. Here's one by an unnamed source - perhaps a prelude of things to come. Can YOU figure out what it means?

next monday, RIDE TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS, dylan, and make THE BASTARDS OF THE UNIVERSE, dred the name of DYLAN RATIGAN 4 EVER

Hmmm...I wonder...?

Follow Linda Milazzo on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindaMilazzo

Comments

[Sannerwind]

Dylan Rattigan and HealthCare. Not against his Style, but, Healthcare has a huge number of buried bodes, and structures akin to the GM old boys network, which should be exposed and open to dissection. Interested in working with someone to expose why this crises has dimensions that are manufactured, and very soluable. JR Sannerwind­@gmail.com

[BOin08]

MSNBC is tabloid TV. Expect nothing else. Welcome aboard Mr Ratigan.

[ednacarole]

After watching Mr. Ratigan for two days, I need therapy. He has done something that was previously deemed impossible. Chris Matthews now seems measured, reasoned, and polite.

[csbtampa]

Dylan Ratigan is a jerk! He knows absolutely nothing about reality. This morning there was a discussion on his show about banks being too big to fail. Well, I would suggest that Mr. Ratigan look at the lesson of Bernie Maddoff, Sir Stanford, and all the famous companies that failed over the last 15 years, that have affect the lives of average people who trusted this "free market ride" that only the rich at the very top know how to manipulate.

Also, I am sick and tired of hearing the phrase "it's the peoples tax dollars". Well, if the tax dollars are truly mine I want my money deposited into my checking account immediately. Dylan keeps saying "WE" when it comes to taxpayer money, I would like someone to ask him how much effort he puts into avoiding paying any share in taxes. You see the people that make a lot of money do not want to pay any taxes, and have their accountants look for ways to avoid paying any money to the IRS at all. So, how does he come off saying "WE". He's not a WE, he's a non-taxpaying, hypocrite, loud-mouth idiot. Thanks for letting me post.

[jade7243]

Ratigan started showing up on Morning Joe last September as the economy melted down. From his appearances then, he proved to be ill-informed, loud, and illogical. Even when another panelist told Dylan about Barack Obama co-sponsoring Google for Government, (which became law and was in place at the time and is now,) he continued to insist that then Sen, Barack Obama needed to propose "a kind of website where you could go to get information about the cost of government, and government spending and other information about government so that it would be, you know, transparent." He was on Morning Joke for a week running and every day he made the same claim... "we need a website..."

Ratigan, like his good buddy Joe Scarborough, thinks that yelling louder makes one "righter."

I don't know if I'll make it through the week in an attempt to be fair to Ratigan...

And you didn't mention Dr. Nancy "We Need Universal Tort Reform Not Healthcare" Snyderman who will be following Ratigan's shoutfest.

[Cat401]

When I heard he was having a show, I was very disappointed in MSNBC. First it's Morning Joe, they sit there for 3 hours bashing Obama on everything. Now we got the Dylan who just talk so loud without meaning. Plus, MSNBC doesn't even have news on weekends and they wonder about there ratings. Unreal....

[GiannaX]

"Shouldn't we be looking for calm, reasoned, informative voices instead of Limbaugh-like rants?"

YES!
I have no interested in watching another pompous talking head spouting off hateful vitriol. I'm becoming increasingly disenchanted with the direction MSNBC seems to be going. With the exception of Keith and Rachel's show, I see no reason to watch MSNBC any longer.

[Tammie]

I agree with you especially after Maureen O.got on the network and disrespectfully spoke so ILL of Michael Jackson hrs.after his death.They allowed for her to go on ALL DAY ranting.The only one who had sense enough to cut her off was Matt Lauer. I was already done watching Morn.Joe.Tameka after that show was the calm. I can't say I will watch anymore. I think I will continue to give Rachel Maddow her ratings she is balanced and investigates her reporting.

[Sannerwind]

Gianna: The reason is if we can introduce Rattigan to some of the significant buried skeletons in the Healthcare closet, which needs to be exposed or at least examined, he will pounce on it.

When you get an antagonist with elevation to look at what needs to be looked at, thats better than just a friendly broadcaster already discounted by their views. If I told you via this diminutive post, it would knock your socks off, but be bastardized by some of the talking heads, whose competency and judgement I question. Ultimately, I would like to see these skeletons attacked by both Dr. Gupta (who carries considerable respect). and Rattigan. Odd couple. Good. News is also entertainment! But, how does one reach these folks. Remember, Ralph Naders Unsafe at Any Speed. Every muck raker wants to get a good scoop. With healthcare 15% of our GDP, there is very specific skeletons, which are being overlooked (Forest tree situation). Ideas? JR Sannerwind­@gmail.com

[Dap]

Dear Linda,

That's why I heart ya, you go girl! As always, Agape, dap

[GiannaX]

Agape dap? Code talk for.....?

[GiannaX]

Sorry Dap,

I get it. Agape.

[6bd]

I love the intellectual types, who research, ask informed questions, are respectful and have current "in the know" guests.....like Rachel and Fareed. Knowledge, facts and personality.......