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Crier: Time for Journalists to Revolt

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:14:10 PM EST
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Catherine Crier, writing on Huffpo, lambasts the media coverage of the election. Whichever candidate you support, she's right. The pundits are little more than shills for their candidate and the anchors display excessive bias.

I think viewers should revolt as well as journalists. But, what to watch? Despite the end of the writers' strike, my favorite shows have not had new episodes in weeks. There's really nothing on.

A good friend (and ardent Obama supporter)waxed eloquently yesterday about HBO's In Treatment. I'd never even heard of it. Gabriel Byrne is the "star" and it's on for a half hour Monday through Friday nights. With On Demand to replay the episodes to date, it may be a way to avoid the cable news until Pennsylvania.

Any other ideas out there?

< Poll: Obama Drops in Perception of His Capacity to Unite | Eliot Spitzer and Roger Stone, Part II >

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    Crier: Time for Journalists to Revolt | 137 comments (137 topical)

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    Ok... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:20:32 PM EST
    Bill Moyers, the only think I do watch when it comes to news or politics.  

    I second Bill Moyers (none / 0) (#35)
    by Iphie on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:45:17 PM EST
    I tivo it every week. Frontline on PBS is good too.

    [ Parent ]
    I particularly love his segments... (none / 0) (#112)
    by Dawn Davenport on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 06:27:59 PM EST
    ...with Kathleen Hall Jamieson, the media scholar who talks about political messaging. I've followed her for years, through many campaigns, and find her commentary among the most astute in analyzing media coverage of political campaigns.

    [ Parent ]
    it is amazing (none / 0) (#131)
    by Kathy on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:45:23 PM EST
    how differently American reporters talk when they were on the BBC.  They speech in a much more frank and upfront manner.  It's night and day.

    [ Parent ]
    I think that journalists... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by dianem on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:21:09 PM EST
    ...are already revolting. Well, some of them, anyway.

    Check out BBCAmerica, it has great (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:39:29 PM EST
    programming and wonderful news with real journalists and interviewers. The sort that actually ask hard questions. And they have Dr. Who, too.

    [ Parent ]
    BBC radio is awesome (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:42:31 PM EST
    They did some incredible pieces on the financial meltdowns.

    [ Parent ]
    Dancing with the Stars (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:40:57 PM EST
    American Idol.

    Both are mindless TV, which these days is "spiritual comfort food" to me.  

    Too pissed off to sleep?

    Tune in the Dancers.  Watch Marlee Matlin dance.  The woman is deaf -- can't hear the music -- but is graceful as a bird and follows her partner's cues amazingly well.  Talk about inspiration.  Of course the rest are good too.

    American Idol?  Chakeezie(sp).  The guy continuously makes me smile.  The kid with the dreadlocks who looks like Vinnie Barbarino's long lost son.  He's going to be great.  The rocker guy who turns a Lionel Richie song into something that sounds like a rock classic.  Sunshine girl Brooke.  When I'm not gagging, she's totally mesmerizing.

    MSNBC?  They're still on TV?  I wouldn't know it.  Wouldn't care.  Propaganda TV is just wrong....won't support it ever again.

    Entertainment TV is all that's left.

    I'd add Top Chef to your list... (none / 0) (#76)
    by Maria Garcia on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:08:38 PM EST
    ..and BBC America if you can get it.

    [ Parent ]
    BBC America (none / 0) (#101)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:19:33 PM EST
    actually aired Dancing with the Stars Season 2.  I didn't start watching the show until Season 4, so the re-airing was a TREAT!  Unfortunately, it wasn't in Hi-Def, but oh well.

    [ Parent ]
    Sad but true (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by waldenpond on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:05:05 PM EST
    I like Lost, House, CSI, I read a lot.

    Seriously... (none / 0) (#64)
    by kredwyn on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:23:10 PM EST
    CSI re-runs everywhere are tons better than most news coverage currently going on.
    "Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words." Dorothy Parker
    [ Parent ]
    if you like spy and investigative (none / 0) (#146)
    by cy street on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 09:22:56 PM EST
    takes, then try bbc's show spooks.  there are four or five seasons to be had.  real good stuff without all the twenty four bs.

    [ Parent ]
    Treatment is excellent (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Paladin on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:17:27 PM EST
    My wife and I love it.  Great acting and it's only a half hour.  John Adams has been great too - looking forward to the next installment.

    We definitely avoid TV news, pundits et al and get our info on sites like this.

    There's always this: (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by badger on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:10:16 PM EST

    Howard Beale: I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's worth, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter.

    Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV's while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be.

    We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don't go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, 'Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.'

    Well, I'm not gonna leave you alone. I want you to get mad! I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot - I don't want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you've got to get mad.

    Howard Beale: [shouting] You've got to say, 'I'm a HUMAN BEING, Goddamnit! My life has VALUE!' So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, [shouting] 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!'

    I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!'

    Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!'

    Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: [screaming at the top of his lungs] "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

    Network 1976

    I'm so glad things have changed since Chayefsky wrote that speech.

    Oh god, so true (none / 0) (#53)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:17:05 PM EST
    and he didn't even have the latest tranquilizer - the computer.

    [ Parent ]
    Howard Beale would be a blogger now (none / 0) (#56)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:18:12 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    So, we need to yell? (none / 0) (#60)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:22:21 PM EST
    OK, so we need to send e-mails to MSNBC and NBC and CNN, etc. and tell them that we are not watching them anymore until they stop being so bias and start being journalist (questionable on calling them that)? Hmmm, yep, they might not be aware we have stopped watching them. I know NBC is mad about Shuster and hate Clinton. And the rest are just talking heads using up time. Is that a small start?
    Maybe they are getting away with it because we are letting them get away with it. OK, I will go right now and tell them I am Mad as Hell with them. I am yelling.

    [ Parent ]
    another (older) movie about the media (none / 0) (#66)
    by cay on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:33:46 PM EST
    Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole from 1951 is one of those movies that's gotten more bite as time goes on. Wilder doesn't let consumers of news (or his audience) off the hook.

    [ Parent ]
    I've never seen it (none / 0) (#77)
    by badger on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:16:15 PM EST
    but Netflix has it and it's on my queue.

    Thanks!


    [ Parent ]

    Ace is deeply cynical (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by cay on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:33:24 PM EST
    (hey, it's Billy Wilder) but I thought it was the best thing we rented last year. Don't want to spoil anything but there are some great one liners. The commentary is worth a listen too. Hope you enjoy it.

    [ Parent ]
    OK, I got a standard reply from CNN (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:49:02 PM EST
    Due to the volume of emails we receive, we do not personally reply to emails sent through this section. However, we pride ourselves in making the opinions of our viewers known to CNN senior management and producers. Your comments will be part of the Viewer Response Report provided to our news division on the next business day.
    Right. Still working on MCNBC. Think I will try Dan Abrams and then the others. And Yes, I am politely explaining why I am no longer watching their station anymore. And you know, it feels good taking action vs just ignoring them.

    you know what is funny about Crier's (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by TheRefugee on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:14:02 PM EST
    comments?  She decries the media for getting stuck in self-created loops, that nobody does journalism anymore.

    The only two examples she cites?  Wright and "typical white person".  Who does she applaud?  Commentators who were fed up with the non-stop anti-Wright, anti-"typical.."rhetoric. (which is applause worthy) but where is the indignation for Ferraro being reduced to a common KKK sympathizer?  Where are examples of an MSNBC commentator getting fed up with anti-Hillary memes and speaking out?

    What I get from Crier?  FOX has a couple people with more class than Matthews or Olbermann on MSNBC (though Wallace is anything but a competent journalistic voice...).  That anti-Obama loops are bad.  

    Yeah, I wonder who Crier is backing.  I don't know her politics but I'd bet it isn't Clinton.

    Top Chef and Real NYC housewives... (none / 0) (#1)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:18:43 PM EST
    Top Chef is always great.  

    NYC Housewives is a great contrast to the Orange County one.  I must say, I loved the Orange County gals much more.  

    When is Big Love back on?  

    NYC Housewives are much 'cattier' (none / 0) (#108)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:52:14 PM EST
    from what I've seen. Cracks me up.

    Top Chef is a good watch along with Iron Chef on the Food Channel. The Food Channel and Animal Planet are a good rotation for me to break the insanity of MSM. And then we have baseball starting very soon!

    [ Parent ]

    Skip TV except for March Madness and (none / 0) (#3)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:20:48 PM EST
    go to the book store. I'm going to look for those legal thrillers that were in your blog ad because I love the authors mentioned in the reviews.

    I still give in and watch cable news but I'm really happier when I don't.

    Weil (none / 0) (#9)
    by Step Beyond on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:31:17 PM EST
    I stopped watching most news years ago. I used to watch it compulsively and then I read Andrew Weil's Eight Weeks to Optimum Health (Oprah made me). One of his suggestions was to stop watching the news because of the negative impact it can have. And I noticed a huge difference when I did stop.

    I went cold turkey for a while and then slowly worked into watching/reading some. Even now I'll read some news but I'm selective about what I'll read and I'm conscious of its impact on me.

    I notice blogs are the same way. Sometimes its necessary to step away a little to regain perspective. Especially as some blogs have become very negative.

    [ Parent ]

    That would be hard for me. I am a (none / 0) (#11)
    by Teresa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:35:35 PM EST
    news junkie. News and sports are pretty much all I watch. I do watch some Discovery shows but not much else but news.

    I've watched so much basketball this week that I didn't know a Fox anchor walked out until I read this post.

    [ Parent ]

    Another (none / 0) (#122)
    by tek on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:21:38 PM EST
    Andrew Weil fan! I love his stuff.  He lives in Tucson during the academic year but in the summers he lives in Canada.

    [ Parent ]
    I still have things to watch (none / 0) (#5)
    by Step Beyond on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:23:28 PM EST
    HBO also has John Adams. I've enjoyed the first couple of episodes even though the tar and feather scene was hard to watch. And the small pox vaccine scene make me wince.

    Top Gear on BBCAmerica is one of my must watch weekly even though I'm not into cars. Sadly they are going to be making an American version which usually equates to taking away everything that makes it good.

    Adams (none / 0) (#20)
    by Dave B on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:05:26 PM EST
    I've loved the first two episodes, the final two are programed into my DVR.  I guess the bood it's based on is being marketed on Audible.com.  I listen to books on my iPod and will likely get it.

    On another note, is it just me or has Bill Mahr's show turned into the Obama show?  All these folks are so in the Dumper for Obama, it's amazing that Hillary can withstand the onslaught.

    [ Parent ]

    Another vote for John Adams (none / 0) (#32)
    by otherlisa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:42:06 PM EST
    which is also available On Demand.

    I really liked AMC's Breaking Bad. Bryan Cranston is just brilliant, and I think the show is as good a portrait of America in decline as anything I've seen. Not sure if they are repeating it but it might be available on demand as well.

    [ Parent ]

    Real Time used to be (none / 0) (#54)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:17:18 PM EST
    one of my favorite shows but this season it has definitely turned into Obama Time. Very disappointing. It's strong point used to be the range of views expressed by guests-now, not so much.

    [ Parent ]
    Agree Stellaaa (none / 0) (#6)
    by NJDem on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:24:01 PM EST
    I miss Big Love--what a show!  

    I'd add American Idol and Hell's Kitchen, which is coming back soon--they're easy to watch, mindless fun.  So is Dancing with the Stars.  

    When all else falls, there's always the Golden Girls on Lifetime--and Frasier too!  

     

    Frasier (none / 0) (#124)
    by tek on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:22:41 PM EST
    Yes!

    [ Parent ]
    And (none / 0) (#137)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:14:25 PM EST
    Two and a half men reruns.  Funniest show on TV if you ask me!

    [ Parent ]
    What to watch? (none / 0) (#8)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:30:42 PM EST
    Read a book.

    A radical suggestion, (none / 0) (#80)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:31:55 PM EST
    which I second.

    [ Parent ]
    I agree... (none / 0) (#115)
    by dutchfox on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:01:16 PM EST
    Actually, I've been avoiding the big box book stores and going to my local library! You would be amazed how many books your library has! Free, too!

    [ Parent ]
    I recommend (none / 0) (#120)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:18:44 PM EST
    WWIV....

    [ Parent ]
    I second that (none / 0) (#138)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:16:01 PM EST
    In addition, our library has books on MP3.  I bought a little Sandisk player (IPod doesn't support the format used) and I can download the books without ever having to venture out.  Nice for gardening, in the car, helps with falling asleep.  Really great

    [ Parent ]
    I can read the NYT book review, go on line (none / 0) (#151)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 10:46:44 PM EST
    and request the library purchase the book and reserve it, once purchased, all at once.  Then I get an email saying--come and get it.  Terrific service.

    [ Parent ]
    I faced the same problem (none / 0) (#10)
    by annagranfors on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:33:23 PM EST
    ...when I gave up on broadcast/cable (the only reason I still have Dish Network is for Free Speech TV).

    since you're in the legal profession, I can't really suggest bittorrenting shows from the UK, which have done more than see me through--there are some amazing shows being made in England, these days.

    how about borrowing friends' DVDs? if you were in my 'hood, I'd gladly loan you my three seasons of Doctor Who, which has been charmingly subversive re: the US, and just all around wonderful anyway.

    a well-used Netflix account has been essential, too...if you remember to stick the things back in the mail quick, you've got non-stop movies for less than $20/month.

    the notion (none / 0) (#12)
    by white n az on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:37:17 PM EST
    that you can be informed from television vastly overstates:
    • the power of the medium
    • the fact that we tend to turn off our brains while watching

    The notion of the days where our champions were Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, etc. have long since disapated to the reality that we have Brian 'thank G-d that Cheney wasy VP' Williams, Katie 'perky' Couric, etc. and it's obvious what the main stream media has become.

    Even worse, the cable system has migrated into infotainment which give a stooge like Glen Beck credibility when he suggests that his mission is to entertain rather than inform. At least he is honest.

    The fact is that it is only the +50 crowd that is buying newspapers and watching the nightly news in any significant numbers and those under 50 largely are informed by other media.

    That said, the only place to get informed is the Internet - which places paramount importance to the notion of 'net neutrality'

    Make that +65 (none / 0) (#30)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:32:09 PM EST
    I agree, but I think you might have to update the age of that demographic a bit.  I'm 50 and no one I know watches the nightly news, or ever has in our lives. We do read newspapers though - still the best place for local sports, after all!

    I know it is hard to imagine, but those of us who are around 50 now were the first ones to start getting our information from Al Gore's internet. We had the internet in our offices long before it was popular at home and in schools, libraries, etc.  Some of us invented it, as a matter of fact.

    [ Parent ]

    I can't let this go by (1.00 / 1) (#123)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:22:31 PM EST
     from Al Gore's internet.

    If you believe that you do need an additional source of information.

    [ Parent ]

    degrees and semantics (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by TheRefugee on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:27:15 PM EST
    people who dismiss Al Gore's function in pushing through legislation that made things like the INTERNET possible are the same people who think Hillary is a racist for giving LBJ and other politicians credit for civil rights legislation instead of blindly believing that MLK did it all by himself.

    Al Gore never claimed invention--he claimed, accurately, that he helped usher pro-technology legislation through Congress.

    So I don't agree with the term "Al Gore's Internet" but neither do I agree with the summary dismissal of Al Gore's contributions.


    [ Parent ]

    I was being snarky (none / 0) (#154)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 06:36:46 AM EST
    I know its hard to get that in post when you don't know me!!!

    I call it 'Al Gore's internet' a lot, both as a tribute to him because he was so instrumental, and a little to make fun of those who actually believe he said he invented it.  I should have used quotes or something!  Or I'll just stop saying that.  I know feelings are still raw about 2000. (mine too)

    [ Parent ]

    Clarification (none / 0) (#40)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:53:01 PM EST
    I was assuming that by "nightly news" you meant the 6:00, or 5 or whatever - I don't even know what time it is on - network news shows with Brian, Katie, and....who is ABC?

    [ Parent ]
    TeeVee (none / 0) (#13)
    by judyo on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:37:36 PM EST
    Between good books and the Web, I feel little need to watch the tube.
    But then, I've felt since the 60s with PBS as an exception that the medium was geared to the intellectual bandwidth of a 3 year old.

    Low info voters, those 3 year olds. (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:38:35 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    that's about my mental capacity (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:54:02 PM EST
    after some long days at work.

    [ Parent ]
    If you get BBC America (none / 0) (#59)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:22:18 PM EST
    tape or TIVO three hours of "Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" on Saturday afternoon.  Between the bleeps for his bad language and the rapid-fire accents of various Brit and other restaurant people, you miss half the dialogue, but there's nothing like watching the turmoil as Ramsay takes apart a botched-up restaurant operation and its staff and puts it back together again to take your mind off politics and other bad news.

    Besides, the man is one of the sexiest bastards I've ever seen...

    [ Parent ]

    Although we felt we were ripped off (none / 0) (#67)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:48:20 PM EST
    big time in one of his London restaurants.  Lousy seating by the kitchen (3 women, you know; they won't care); my friends were served stale champagne and then the somelier came over and sd. she had noticed it wasn't bubbly; poor advice on wine selection; food not memorable; very expensive.  

    [ Parent ]
    Back to basics for me... (none / 0) (#116)
    by dutchfox on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:05:44 PM EST
    Ramsay's just a celebrity chef.

    I've been reading Elizabeth David, my huge Larousse Gastronomique, and the New York Times cookbook.

    [ Parent ]

    I'm not recommending (none / 0) (#142)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:40:03 PM EST
    him as a cookbook writer or even a chef, just for a fun and attractive outsize personality that's a gas to watch in action.  The show is NOT a cooking show!

    I don't have any interest in any of these "celebrity chef" types in terms of food.  They probably started off well, but by the time we hear about them, they've totally compromised their food and their cookbooks in the interests of commercial success.

    Except for Julia Child, that is, who always stayed true.

    (I agree, Elizabeth David definitely rocks.)

    [ Parent ]

    Hmmm (none / 0) (#127)
    by tek on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:25:27 PM EST
    sounds like an experience we had at the CIA in St. Helena, CA.  Hugely expensive (run by students) and not very good.  The building was beautiful though.

    [ Parent ]
    It's a horror show.. (none / 0) (#72)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:51:53 PM EST
    Makes you scared about going to random restaurants when traveling.  

    [ Parent ]
    But it wasn't random. The woman (none / 0) (#84)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:33:49 PM EST
    from whom we rented a flat was "like this" with GR and wanted to know if we wanted her to try and get us a reservation.  BTW, restaurant was no where near full.

    [ Parent ]
    Torchwood... (none / 0) (#133)
    by AmyinSC on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:48:44 PM EST
    Also on BBCAmerica, is an EXCELLENT show (and Robin Hood will be coming on in April!).  And I love the "Big Bang Theory", which has started its new shows again (the CBS Mon. night lineup is pretty good in general, especially if you have had a long day and just want to watch something funny).

    Like many of you, I have given up on our media.  Keith was my last holdout, until abt 1 1/2 months or so ago.  I have written him and MSNBC abt why I stopped watching.  Same with CNN.  The flow of misinformation and partisan journalism was just too much...

    I do read, but I admit - I love tv!  Looking forward to NUMB3RS to come back on, too!

    [ Parent ]

    Opening day (actually night) in San Diego (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:37:46 PM EST
    is April 1.  Go Padres.

    We use to take off work every year (none / 0) (#25)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:20:31 PM EST
    for the Opening Home Game. Tailgating at Jack Murphy/Qualcom Stadium and always with nice weather. Now, you are downtown. I moved back to Penna just when that was taking place. BTW, I voted against it because I figured it was really a real estate deal but my brother tells me it is very nice.

    [ Parent ]
    Petco Park is fun, although not as (none / 0) (#28)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:25:58 PM EST
    "intimate," every seat is a good seat, as touted.  You would not recognize the area around Petco, as all the homeless have been pushed East, the police to panhandler ratio heavily favors the former, lots of high rise condos, restaurants, bars, and some boutiques.  Team compares unfavorably with 1998 though; now the goal at the beginning of the season is to win NL West.  

    [ Parent ]
    Going to sports events is another outlet (none / 0) (#50)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:12:17 PM EST
    I was at the game in 1984 when Garvey hit the home run against the Cubs. Then we went to Detroit. I was at the two games in SD, but it was all over quickly. In, 1998, My Mother, who was an ardent fan of the Padres, passed away the day they clinched the title. We had the game on in her room. We had to fly East for the funeral and I ended up watching the games in a Comfort Inn Bar. That was the coolest team that Moore could ever buy just before the vote for a new stadium. Political and all real estate. But it worked.

    [ Parent ]
    Moore was a genius on that vote (none / 0) (#69)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:50:19 PM EST
    and it made for a very exciting year.  As T. Gwynn sd. at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, we got beat by the best Yankee team of the decade (or, at least, that's our story).  

    A touching story about your Mom.  

    [ Parent ]

    Sorry how Cammi turned out (none / 0) (#85)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:36:55 PM EST
    One time I was sitting directly behind home plate watching the back of Santiago's 00.Row 2.Aisle seat.I kept yelling at the bad calls, IMO, and the ref finally stopped the next throw, turned around and just stared right at me.I toned it down a bit. Heh.

    [ Parent ]
    Go PADRES!!!!! (none / 0) (#33)
    by otherlisa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:43:02 PM EST
    Whoo-hoo! Another fan! I'm wearing a very cool Padres sweater/sweatshirt as I type this. I've been a fan since I was nine years old. Which was, uh, a few years ago...

    [ Parent ]
    I'm sticking with Mike Cameron's (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:51:02 PM EST
    give away shirt.  Can't remember where he's playing this year though.

    [ Parent ]
    I have a Cammi jersey (none / 0) (#87)
    by otherlisa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:46:09 PM EST
    and my Aki give-away shirt.

    [ Parent ]
    Me too. Wonder where Aki is now? (none / 0) (#90)
    by oculus on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:50:22 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Texas Rangers, I think (none / 0) (#93)
    by otherlisa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:01:39 PM EST
    He was going to be their closer and then they traded for Gagne. The reason we have the new Japanese second baseman (forget his name) is that Aki recommended San Diego to him (he could have gotten better deals elsewhere.

    Would love to get Aki back. There's been some talk...

    Cameron I think is at the Brewers.

    [ Parent ]

    Oh, YES!!! (none / 0) (#134)
    by AmyinSC on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:50:09 PM EST
    BASEBALL!!!  I cannot WAIT!!

    And your team has my favorite pitcher, Greg Maddux (Yanks fan here)!  Good luck this year!

    [ Parent ]

    Bias for CLINTON???? (none / 0) (#15)
    by TalkRight on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:37:58 PM EST
    Does anyonet mean there is bias for Clinton ON Cable also ???

    Can anyone Please provide me the list of anchors that are bias towards Clinton.. please... I am feeling nostalgic.. anyone??
    crickets (none / 0) (#22)
    by waldenpond on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:06:29 PM EST
    ................... (that's white noise)

    [ Parent ]
    counter example: (none / 0) (#136)
    by english teacher on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:12:32 PM EST
    carville and begala were taken off cnn for ties to clinton campaign.  brazille not so much.

    [ Parent ]
    Must Watch Guardian You Tube (none / 0) (#21)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:06:05 PM EST
    Excellent video about the Sunis that joined to fight Al Queda.  

    Suni Resistance

    Isn't it Sunni? (none / 0) (#41)
    by kostaway on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:55:47 PM EST
    ya know, one more consonant than Shia?(I realize it boggles John McCain.)

    [ Parent ]
    Sorry...missed the N (none / 0) (#49)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:11:43 PM EST
    can you explain the comparison to McCain?

    [ Parent ]
    confusing Sunni & Shia (none / 0) (#57)
    by kostaway on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:18:38 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    It is for westerners... (none / 0) (#70)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:50:44 PM EST
    considering I am from the middle east...it's piece of baklava, or basboosa, or kinafa.  

    [ Parent ]
    The Huffington Post is guilty of the same stuff (none / 0) (#23)
    by gish720 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:14:08 PM EST
    I agree with Crier wholeheartedly, but it bothers me  when you read the comments they're all about the unfair treatment Obama has received here recently.  This is nothing compared with what will happen in the GE.  I was also dismayed when I scrolled down and saw a poll you could take with a ridiculous picture of Clinton right next to Obama looking very presidential. I hope The Huffington Post will begin to listen to Crier as well.

    Bias towards Hillary? (none / 0) (#26)
    by wiredick on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:25:04 PM EST
    To some out there just reporting the campaign stictly from a news perspective is showing bias for Hillary.  If you claim no sainthood for Barack and John, you are a Hillbot.
    Don't really know what it would take for the countries media to get back to reporting.
    At one time I had hope in the youth, but with recent events that hope is now gone.
    The so called liberal blogs are going the way of the so called liberal media.

    In Treatment (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:25:13 PM EST
    I've been watching 'In Treatment'.  I'm addicted, even though I'm not sure I like it that much.  It is very true to life in that there is no hero - all the characters have serious flaws.  Some are likable and some are not.  But I can't stop watching - maybe I'm just waiting for something to happen. You do have to have to love language and faces, and not crave action, that's for sure. Byrne is great.  Interested to hear others' opinions on this site.

    But what I have been watching to escape politics is - don't laugh- Season Two of "Columbo" on DVD.  I loved the show as a teenager, and it has not lost anything with age.  Still highly entertaining, Peter Falk is a god, and it is fun to see those old 70's staple TV character actors like Robert Culp, Dean Stockwell, etc, and the location shots of Los Angeles in that era.  One of the episodes guest starred John Cassavettes as the killer, and knowing what I know now about his relationship with Peter Falk, it is terrific fun to watch them work together in this show.  Thoroughly enjoyable!!!

    I read a lot too - currently "The Swamp" about the Everglades.  I can't bring myself to read any of the books about politics or the war in Iraq  that have come out in the last few years.  I get too mad. Maybe after a Dem is in the White House and these wrongs are being righted I will be able to handle it.

    I agree with you (none / 0) (#44)
    by Iphie on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:58:23 PM EST
    about In Treatment. I watch it and would say that I'm hooked -- but I don't actually like it. I find some of the situations and dialogue to be somewhat contrived -- but I think it almost has to be in order to make therapy watchable as entertainment.

    I like Gabriel Byrne a great deal, but I feel like many of his choices are so obvious, like he's trying to telegraph to the audience what's going on with his character instead of trusting us to figure it out. Case in point -- in the very first episode (Laura) is talking about her feelings for him. The reaction shot of him listening to her shows him fiddling with his wedding ring. Part of me wishes the acting could be a little more subtle, but the other part of me acknowledges that there are inherent constraints of the medium.

    I love watching Sophie though, her sessions and those with Diane Wiest are the highlights of the series for me.

    [ Parent ]

    I like Jake and Amy (none / 0) (#48)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:11:40 PM EST
    I think their dialogue seems the least contrived.  I know what you mean about that - sometimes it is a little grating. I like the Sophie sessions a lot also, but sometimes I don't quite believe her lines.  It must be hard to write for a teenager though, and not sound fake.

    I forgot to mention Diane Wiest.  I do think she does a great job with that character - probably one of the most original characters on TV these days, given what we know about her.  You don't see a lot of women characters of that age, in between careers, husband recently deceased, unless they are played as desperate in some way and played for laughs.  She is very true to women I know.

    Reminds me I've missed the last two nights!

    [ Parent ]

    Jake and Amy (none / 0) (#73)
    by Iphie on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:54:44 PM EST
    are sort of growing on me. I really did not like either of them in the beginning -- I felt like they deserved each other. But now I'm softening a little towards them. I haven't seen most of this week yet, so who knows. I know what you mean about Sophie though, sometimes she'll say something that pulls me out of the scene for that same reason -- would a sixteen year old really say that?

    [ Parent ]
    you say you want a revolution? (none / 0) (#29)
    by kostaway on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:28:06 PM EST
    but in this commentary piece where the author decries the state of journalism, almost all of the commenters talk about their favorite TV shows.

    It sounds to me like wanking about journalists is some cover for a collective shallowness. Like those whose abortion is the only moral abortion, journalists are despicable when they fail to bias in the correct direction.

    I do, just not right this minute (none / 0) (#37)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:48:16 PM EST
    sorry.

    [ Parent ]
    ha ha ha (none / 0) (#39)
    by kostaway on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:52:59 PM EST
    much more typing must precede revolution.

    [ Parent ]
    did ya read the post? (none / 0) (#51)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:12:33 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    yyyeeessss IIII ddiiiiddd. (none / 0) (#61)
    by kostaway on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:22:33 PM EST
    but I took in the overall context of other postings here. which I guess is a crime. or politics. or the politics of crime.

    I must have spoken out of order.

    [ Parent ]

    I just don't get you folks (none / 0) (#156)
    by kostaway on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:08:40 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I agree with Crier (none / 0) (#62)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:22:41 PM EST
    She is just writing this about 10 years too late. None of what she mentions is anything new. It's like she woke up from a Rip Van Winkle nap.

    I think that's why most people have not commented much on it here.  We've been saying it for years.

    [ Parent ]

    the Beatles just went a wanderin' through my head. (none / 0) (#128)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:38:18 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Huffington (none / 0) (#31)
    by wiredick on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:33:59 PM EST
    claims she is no longer a Republican.
    I have major distrust of some former Repubs that have now found god in the Democratic Party.
    How can you live in this country that long and not be aware what the two parties stand for?
    We are never too old to learn, but damn I dont get it nor do i trust them.  To become a Repub to begin with means you have problems.

    Wesley Clark and David Brock are okay. nt (none / 0) (#78)
    by Maria Garcia on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:19:32 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    In Treatment is a good option. (none / 0) (#34)
    by Iphie on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:44:12 PM EST
    In addition to watching them On Demand, on Saturdays and Sundays they recap all of the weeks episodes back to back. A cautionary note though, it is often followed by Bill Maher. *shudder*

    For those of you who haven't yet experienced Dexter -- it is truly fascinating and engrossing (pun intended). I think it is the best show on tv right now. Well, we're in between seasons at the moment, but if you have On Demand, you can watch there -- I think the first 6 episodes of season 1 are currently available.

    When it first started, I avoided it because I really didn't want to watch another show that I thought would be just a thinly veiled excuse for viewing highly sexualized images of mutilated women's bodies. (Which is what I think a lot of entertainment about serial killers is about -- especially films.) Dexter is a serial killer whose day job is as a forensic analyst with the Miami Police Department, which is why I had this apprehension. Anyway, it's not. After the first three episodes, a friend of mine convinced me to give it a chance and watch at least one -- I did and I was totally hooked.

    It is so well written (based on a novel) and the acting by Michael C. Hall is reason enough to watch. The acting of some of the peripheral characters was lacking during the first season, but improved greatly in the second season (and some of the other production elements are not fabulous -- but I can overlook that). It's clear that we're supposed to identify with Dexter, but I don't find myself feeling manipulated by that fact. Instead, I find what they do with that identification very interesting intellectually. I find it very sophisticated on a number of levels, yet completely satisfying as entertainment.

    If you haven't given it a chance and are looking for some distracting entertainment, I completely recommend it. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on in a bigger way yet.

    I watched Dexter too (none / 0) (#38)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:50:09 PM EST
    and liked it, but was kind of appalled at myself.

    [ Parent ]
    Another DEXTER fan (none / 0) (#46)
    by otherlisa on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:08:45 PM EST
    It is not deep television but it is really well-executed and, well, a lot of fun. In a perverse sorta way...

    [ Parent ]
    Love Dexter and the soon (none / 0) (#65)
    by Joan in VA on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:23:44 PM EST
    to be back The Tudors.

    [ Parent ]
    I like the CSI, Law & Order & Mystery (none / 0) (#36)
    by BarnBabe on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:47:39 PM EST
    PBS merged them into the Masterpiece Theater, but I enjoy watching the English detectives and the romantic in me loves the Jane Austin series. I will miss Helen Miren in Prime Suspect. Then I enjoy Top Chef, Survivor, CSI's and Law & Order. The good thing about the Law & Order CI is that I never saw the originals and on USA they have all these first time shows for me. OK, I like the Biggest Loser as I sit there eating pop corn or something else unhealthy. House is good. I always liked KO, but don't watch anymore. I liked Bill Mawhr.It was ok last night. I loved Barnie Franks and especially with his new Federal decriminalization of grass bill he plans to introduce. I get my news from the Internet which allows me which stories I choose to read. And that is it.

    At night, pre lights out, I read for an hour. Currently enjoying Undertow by Sydney Bauer. Keeping me up too late.

    PBS and Reading (none / 0) (#42)
    by waldenpond on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:55:53 PM EST
    I always like the series on PBS.. but yes, I watch CSI and House (I liked Hugh Laurie on Wooster and Geeves when it was on PBS.)  Not a reality teevee watch but I also like Lost.

    [ Parent ]
    Turn off, tune out and drop in (none / 0) (#43)
    by badger on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:57:24 PM EST
    Last night I watched the last episode of season 1 of Rome (I won't tell you what happens to Julius Caesar in case you haven't seen it yet, but it's easy to picture Axelrod and Plouffe as Brutus and Cassius).

    Tonight we'll watch either 12 Angry Men or No Country for Old Men as both came in the mail yesterday.

    After that it'll probably be season 2 of Rome again - it's nice to have a classics major daughter who buys DVDs and leaves them at home. That only works out to a few thousand dollars per episode.

    We canceled our satellite service almost 2 months ago ($70/month or more vs $14/month for Netflix) and can't get broadcast TV up here. I haven't watched TV news since it was "all OJ all the time". I can barely stand to listen to NPR (except Terry Gross), and I can only get that in the car.

    And once the rest of the snow melts and the days are longer, we won't bother watching TV at all. After that, I'm thinking of relearning calculus (seriously).

    Rome (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:15:05 PM EST
    Yes - Rome Rules!!!!  (well, for a while)

    The Tudors is good raunchy fun too - add that to your netflix Q!!

    [ Parent ]

    Tudors (none / 0) (#63)
    by badger on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:22:51 PM EST
    Thanks for the reminder - I've seen on or two of those and they were very good. I'll have to see if my daughter bought that set too.

    [ Parent ]
    Never get tired of "L&O" reruns (none / 0) (#45)
    by kenosharick on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:02:06 PM EST
    on TNT, and new dramas like "Friday Night Lights" and "The Closer" rock.

    Don't you like any defense-oriented shows? (none / 0) (#139)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:19:32 PM EST
    I won't watch L&O and Closer is another cop show. Another thing that's wrong with the media....only guilt sells.

    [ Parent ]
    la law, the practice, matlock (none / 0) (#144)
    by TheRefugee on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 09:13:42 PM EST
    ally mcbeal, boston public...are all atty protecting the rich shows, the practice even threw in the odd show where they protected the poor.

    Instead of Law and Order: SVU or CI etc, I want a Law and Order: Public Defender series where the PD isn't some night school reject who is only a PD for lack of options.

    [ Parent ]

    of course for 'serious' (none / 0) (#145)
    by TheRefugee on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 09:16:04 PM EST
    people there is always the inimitable Nancy Grace---wow I even experience nausea when I type her name.

    [ Parent ]
    bring back Perry Mason (none / 0) (#149)
    by white n az on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 10:12:57 PM EST
    obviously Raymond Burr won't be available though...

    my mother and I always played the 40 minutes after rule where you had to declare who you thought did it...I still get a kick watching the re-runs.

    [ Parent ]

    as a few people said above ... (none / 0) (#55)
    by cay on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:17:51 PM EST
    Netflix is a boon.

    I had just started watching "Life" last year as the writer's strike started. I think it's going to return, but shows I like often get the cancellation kiss of death.

    Then I'm trying to get to the list of books I've been meaning to read for years. Halfway through Balzac's Lost Illusions at the moment. Since the sleazy state of journalism in 19th century Paris is a theme, that aspect is really a treat.

    Life (none / 0) (#74)
    by echinopsia on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:05:00 PM EST
    was my favorite new show last fall. I'm a very picky TV viewer and I only have peasantvision (antenna for local broadcast (I live close enough to six stations)- no sat, no cable).

    This was a show with a mix of subtle and outrageous. You had to watch each episode twice to catch everything. Besides, I love me some Damian Lewis/sexy redhead.

    It is coming back in the fall.

    [ Parent ]

    Damian Lewis (none / 0) (#79)
    by cay on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:19:34 PM EST
    right there on the DL love going back to "Peacekeepers" on the BBC. I really like the sense of the absurd in "Life."

    Are they currently doing repeats for the rest of the season? I missed a lot and should try to catch up before the fall.

    [ Parent ]

    My TiVo isn't picking up any repeats (none / 0) (#97)
    by echinopsia on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:09:04 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    thanks, (none / 0) (#98)
    by cay on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:13:01 PM EST
    dvds it will have to be then.

    [ Parent ]
    Glad to hear "Life" is coming back (none / 0) (#152)
    by shoephone on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 11:22:01 PM EST
    I've been in withdrawals...