Rude Awakening: Has Me-Centric Culture Stymied Our Democracy?
It's "awkward public outbursts by public figures" week! Woo-hoo! We can start with Michael Moore, who always has had a penchant for public stunts and the embarrassment of his foes, and his new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story, is no exception. (Watch the trailer here.) Ted gives us a quick review (more on his blog), pondering the unchecked dangers of a free market system and wondering if Moore gives us a compelling argument for socialism. Maegan and Teresa, well, they're less on board; they're sick of Moore's tactics and believe this new movie will only help fuel the "Obama is a Muslim socialist terrorist" meme on the Right. But there's no stopping that anyway, right? Because it's the truth, and we all know how fast that travels...
Next up in our hall of fame of rudeness is South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson, whose outburst during President Obama's health care speech - "You lie!" - has been roundly criticized. With Wilson's half-hearted apology and his Democratic challenger raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in its aftermath, this is just another distraction from the real debate. But who cares? It's a me-centric world, and Joe Wilson's got a right to get his part of the Reality TV pie!
Oh, and Kanye? Mr. West's public outburst on stage at MTV's VMAs this week made for great TV and for an embarrassing moment for everyone involved. Was it staged? Are there no rules of civility in pop culture? (See: MTV's The Hills.) No matter. What's more important is that Obama called Kanye a "jackass" (why is this in quotes, MSM? You know what it means, right?) during an off-the-record interview. Well, crap. Can't Obama speak his mind with a live-mic on? (That did doom a certain California State Senator last week.) Is there even an off-the-record anymore? Can public figures trust anyone these days, or are they doomed to paralyzing total restraint in the fear that someone, somewhere is recording?
Finally, Obama's doing the full Ginsberg this Sunday, hitting each of the morning talk shows, all except one - Fox News. Boo. Wouldn't it be better if Obama took questions from a hostile host for once? I'd buy popcorn and watch. But this does seem like a big ol' case of overexposure; do we need to see Obama so much on TV? What about online? What about through social media? YouTube videos? What's with the social media snub, Mr. President?
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Wilshire & Washington, the weekly Blog Talk Radio program that explores the intersection of politics, entertainment, and new media, features co-hosts Ted Johnson, Managing Editor of Variety; conservative blogger Teresa Valdez Klein (www.teresacentric.com), and liberal blogger Maegan Carberry (www.maegancarberry.com). The show airs every Wednesday at 7:30am PST on BlogTalkRadio.com.
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Yes, it has..
Is it "pondering the unchecked dangers of a free market system" or "pondering the dangers of an unchecked free market system"?
It seems simple to me...it is called a tax revolt...not only the right but the left should revolt. I don't support war, increased troops, I don't support not having a public option, who is looking out for the American tax payer...we are the ones who keep this country running not the lobbyists! One day the tax payers are going to wake up and say ok enough is enough, I am not going to pay...is the government going to throw ten million people in jail? Michael more should challenge the left if they are not happy with their elected officials to stop paying taxes...I could care less what the right thinks...most of them don't think.
yeah lol like the american population is that motivated
M. Moore.....THERE HE GOES AGAIN.....
Don't know why Pres. Obama won't go on Fox news.
They have legitimate questions that really need to be answered.
Very inquiring minds want to know the answers.
Anyway, the Pres. pegged Kanye West the right way. This wasn't the first time Kanye overstepped the bounds. Whenever he has a mic in his hand he starts his pity party if he doesn't win. He is so full of himself it's a wonder he doesn't implode.
The Pres. is pushing his Ins. reform. Maybe if he went on the Fox
show, and gave some real answers, it would cut down a lot of insecurities about what he wants to do with ins. reform.
Seems he is finding out what it really is to be Pres. criticism comes from all directions, as previous Presidents have found out.
"Finally, Obama's doing the full Ginsberg this Sunday, hitting each of the morning talk shows, all except one - Fox News. Boo. Wouldn't it be better if Obama took questions from a hostile host for once?"
Agreed! He would only benefit from appearing on Fox, as well as all the far right radio shows from Rush to Hannity. He should publicly and repeatedly ask to be a guest just to see if they have the guts to invite him. If they refused, it would be interesting to hear how they would explain turning down a chance to interview the President. If they accepted, I would love to see him challenge some of their crazier assertions to their faces and see how they respond. Either way, it seems like it could only be a win/win situation for Obama.
Fox reporting is patently dishonest and they take major liberties in editing.
They are not a news network. They are info-tainment and should be treated as such.
"Info-tainment"? That is charitable.
I would have called them a subversive, divisive source of fifth-column propaganda.
"Fifth-column", because they aren't even representing the best interests of their devotees.
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