Should the media be legally allowed to offend or disrespect the president?

[LoZoccolo]

[jtrockville]

1. It should be REQUIRED when the presidents commits CRIMES!

[Kutjara]

2. Of course.

The President puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else. If he screws up, he shouldn't be immune from the displeasure of those that pay his salary. Just like any other employee. The media is about the closest we get in this country to a "voice of the people" (pathetic, isn't it?) so its their responsibility to call him out when he makes a mess of things.

[Benhurst]

3. They have the right ( at least did have before the so-called "Patriot" Act) to

do so under the Constitution -- and a duty to do so if, as in Bush's case, it is warranted.

[Redstone]

4. Do you think ANYONE here is going to choose #2? On some of those "other sites,"

I'd expect that you might get votes for #2 because, well, they're fucking morons Over There, but here? I doubt it.

Redstone

[LoZoccolo]

5. I would hope not.

But some of them support someone who would choose #2...

[Redstone]

22. Who's that? I must have missed something.

Redstone

[LoZoccolo]

Fonzie...I mean Chavez!

Busy jumping the shark.

[Redstone]

35. Oh, isn't he. Hugo, please shut up. You're over. You just could NOT leave well enough

alone, could you? Now you've gone from a ray of hope to just another tinpot dictator.

What a disapointment.

Redstone

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pastiche423]

8. Great post!

[Gabi Hayes]

13. thank you....I have to go now. chavez dogma starting to eat at me.

another flame fest is starting up, and I don't want to spoil the rest of my Friday thinking about how many DUers have been so willingly fooled, so easily duped, by the first "information" they received on that terrible diktator. reinforced, repeated, over and over, they think, somehow, they're getting the truth. THEN, they receive, through this 'knowledge' the gift of seeing into the future! Isn't it amazing how they KNOW that, bad as he is today, that he is FOR CERTAIN going to become a real dictator next month, or maybe the month after. Sometime soon, for sure, though. you can count on it, because he's a VERY bad man, with only his own self aggrandizement in his heart. they KNOW, because along with clairvoyance, they have the power to see into men's souls. perhaps they had a George Bush moment, and were able to look into his eyes, via one of the photos the M$M publlishes of him, constantly repressing the 62+ percent of the Venezuelans who voted for him

btw...where in Oregon?

every time I go out there I really hate to come back to hell...I mean the midwest

[Pastiche423]

28. I'm not so sure it is that they are fooled

IMHO, it is their lack of education on Venzuela's history and President Chavez.

Btw, I live on the southern coast. It's nice here but I am still homesick for SF.

P.S. I just realized who you are! lol (Looked at your profile.)

[Gabi Hayes]

33. HA! I forgot about that incarnation

thanks for the reminder

don't tell anybody

they might think I'm a radical anti-corporatist

sounds like you've had the best of both worlds between those two places

co worker today was waxing about Bandon, and parts north. I've never been too much south of there

still haven't seen any of the really big trees.....must return soon, before they decide that it's OK to cut them all down

I'm sure Chavez would be for exfoliating, right? he represents all that is evil, apparently

[Pastiche423]

40. Mum's the word!

I live in the next town north of Bandon. This was an idyllic area until big oil started it's move to bring LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) into our pristine community. And yes, I am a BIG activist against it. (I've had my picture in the local paper a few times.) I am bad and rad. lol

You must once in your life drive through the redwoods south of here. It's like you are on a different planet - tiny streams of sunlight coming through the branches of the giant trees. The quietness. The earthy aroma. It is breathtakingly beautiful. (I love trees. Can't hug 'em, but still love 'em.

I'll bet Hugo likes trees too.

[Codeine]

36. But of course, YOU

The Most Great and Wise Gabi, have been able to see through the shrouded mists that cloud our own easily confused mortal minds and glimpse the Secret Truths of our Universe.

Or it could be we've simply come to a different conclusion regarding the Blessed Saint Hugo that you lot have. Rather than assume we're all easily duped idiots perhaps you'd give us the ounce of respect required to chalk it up to a difference of opinion rather than assume naive stupidity on our part and a penetrating nose for the Truth on your own.

[NoPasaran]

10. Oh, you have trouble telling Bush and Chavez apart too?

Yeah, I think they're both scumbags.

[Gabi Hayes]

15. figures...from one of those who only offers snide remarks and namecalling

without substance

why don't you do something different, and find a source not linked to those with a vested interest in seeing Chavez, legally elected twice (overwhelmingly) to support your assertions

that would be a nice change of pace

instead you employ the typical Bush=Chavez talking point, which has the same merit as cut and run, or fight them over there, etc. can't you think for yourself?

pretty sad

[NoPasaran]

34. What's really sad is the way the left in this country

What's really sad is the way the left in this country hasn't been able to develop any native leadership or program of its own since Gene Debs' time. Instead they end up glomming on to great leader du jour---Stalin, Castro, Mao, take your pick---and end up as marginalized cheerleaders explaining away the brutalities of their heroes as actions they're forced to take because they're so threatened by imperialism.

Now, do I really think Chavez = Stalin? No. Not at the moment. But I find his consolidation of power, shutting down an opposition TV station FIVE YEARS after an attempted coup, threatening another broadcaster... all very troubling. I'm certainly not going to cheer him on, and I wonder what the reaction of Mr. Chavez's supporters on DU will be like if he takes another step toward dictatorship.

[Gabi Hayes]

37. are you really that ignorant, or just being disingenuous?

do have the slightest clue what the licensing process involves in Venezuela

when you deal with that aspect of the situtation, you might have some slight smidgeon of credibility

five years after the fact? you argue against your own premise, obviously. if he were the powergrabbing megalo you claim, why didn't he close them down immediately, and jail everyone involved? oh...he didn't? and nobody from any of the TV stations calling for his violent overthrow did, either?
oops. sad when facts get in the way of a 'carefullly' constructed assertion

do not pass go

do not collect your $200

wise up

[NoPasaran]

42. This grows tiresome

See ya when Chavez takes the next step.

[liberal N proud]

7. The media should be tough on who ever is in public office.

No matter Democrat or republicon it is the media's responsibility to scrutinize and report everything the public official does beyond taking a shit. Depending on the outcome of that, it to may be relevant. With bu$h you just can't tell which end the shit is coming from.

[abb9]

9. We should play by the same rules

When Bill Clinton was the prez,it was legally ok to dissent,diss the prez,protest,and impeach him for his lies and affairs,even though his action did not destroy any lives,or restrict our freedoms,our rights,violate our constitution,or brought death,destruction,misery,and untold suffering,to hundreds of thousands of others and almost 4000 American lives on a war for oil based on lies and deceit.

It is only right that we the American people,have the same rights to disrespect this prez which is what he and his cabal deserves.

In fact if justice is to be served,the prez and his criminal cabal should to be brought up before the Hauge.
There should be no double standard.
As a matter of fact I was dissin this decider way before he was selected by the courts and became the unelected prez. :grr:

[sandnsea]

11. I've missed something

I've had a busy couple of days. What the heck is this about??

[LoZoccolo]

12. We're trying to see if we still believe this.

It's become unclear!

[mike_c]

17. the DUer is going to extrapolate this information to disapproval...

...of Hugo Chavez.

Oops, was that supposed to be a secret? :rofl:

[sandnsea]

19. oooohh

I get it. Criticizing a President isn't exactly the same thing as participating in a coup.

[Richard Steele]

46. Yup, SUBTLE, innit?

:eyes:

[Marr]

21. Oh, you know- just a little sophistry.

I remember during the last elections in Venezuela, I had an exchange with one of the usual anti-Chavez people here. We agreed that the election results would be a sign of the country's true wishes. When Chavez won, the person made the same old bullshit arguments as before. Completely oblivious to both their promise and the evidence.

[sandnsea]

24. I don't trust Chavez

However, Venezuela did elect Chavez and he does have honest support because capitalism so savagely destroyed lives, like it's doing to many here. But I don't think removing economic power from some necessarily means the ones who need it are going to get it. I think it means nobody will have power except Chavez, and that's never good. But we'll see.

[Marr]

30. I don't trust anyone who seeks elected office.

That definitely includes Chavez. However, the man was elected, and considering the circumstances, seems to have done well by the average person in Venezuela, at least up to this point. I'm not a member of his starry-eyed fan club, but if you're looking for a villainous south american dictator, I think there are much better examples than Chavez. Problem is, they're all doing a pleasant trade with Wall Street.

[baldguy]

14. If the President doesn't want to be offended or disrespected

He shouldn't do anything offensive or disrespectful.

The media should be legally required to tell the truth, no matter where it takes them.

[mike_c]

16. lol-- disingenuous much?

Tomorrow we'll see this poll cited as proof positive that DUers utterly detest Hugo Chavez. :rofl:

[Marr]

18. Should the media be allowed to urge and participate in violent revolution?

No, and it isn't.

I assume this is a reference to Chavez. You should know that the media outlet in question wasn't just "criticizing the president". It participated in the attempted coup from a few years back, and receives funding from the US.

[LoZoccolo]

20. But they still could be jailed for offending or disrespecting the president. n/t

[Marr]

23. Why don't you go on television and organize a little coup and see what happens?

I expect you'll be treated to alot more than a simple non-renewal of your broadcasting license.

[LoZoccolo]

26. Don't change the subject! n/t

[Marr]

32. Oh I'm sorry- I forgot- I'm meant to pretend we're talking about Bush.

Pardon me if your smoke isn't thick enough.

[Solo_in_MD]

25. disrepect and diss are not verbs, but of course it should be allowed, even in Venezuela

[UTUSN]

27. Oh, come on now ---------- it's YOU, Hugo,ain't it!!!1 n/t

[Nunyabiz]

29. #1 Bush is illegitimate he was never elected

He was anointed into office in a Coup and has committed at least 25 impeachable offenses and the MSM is 100% complicit in the cover up of all of it.
The so called media should be bound by law to TELL THE PHUCKING TRUTH!

[lpbk2713]

31. Calling a crooked, inept SOB a crooked, inept SOB is not being offensive.

In AWOL Monkey-Boy's case it is simply stating a point of fact.

[sniffa]

38. oooooooooooh, i can't wait to see what angLe this is about

:bounce:

[mentalsolstice]

39. Especially for the current twit! n/t

[lynne]

41. This poll is a 180 degree turn from some other -

- posts that have been saying its okay for a government to shut down media that contradicts their administration! I am so relieved! My faith in DUer's has been restored! :bounce:

[mike_c]

44. lol-- most of the folks taking this poll probably don't understand...

...what it is all about. It's a pretty good object lesson in push-polling.

[fishwax]

56. it's no contradiction to say (a) the media should be allowed to disrespect the president and

(b) that a broadcast entity--licensed, as in every country, because it uses the scarce and public resource of the broadcast spectrum--should expect to automatically have their license renewed, particularly when they have tried to overthrow the government.

[Bucky]

59. I hate it when DUers mimic Bushies.

For the record, opposing a leader's policies is not the same as overthrowing the government. The TV station in question may have been a cheerleader for anti-Chavez forces, but they did not participate in the failed coup.

[fishwax]

60. well, if you don't have the facts on your side, you can always accuse others of mimicking bushies

For the record, opposing a leader's policies is not the same as overthrowing the government.

Thanks for clearing that up. Did anybody say otherwise? Most of the sources I've seen acknowledge that RCTV was complicit, and I've certainly never seen anything showing otherwise.

[no_hypocrisy]

43. Sedition Laws. See U.S. Sedition Act and Espionage Act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition

[1932]

45. Should a president have a defamation cause of action against the press if they tell lies?

[LoZoccolo]

47. Does he get to decide which things are lies? n/t

[1932]

51. So that's a 'no'? The media should be able to lie all it wants?

That'll make a lot of wealthy and powerful CEOs very happy.

[LoZoccolo]

52. That wasn't the original question. n/t

[1932]

53. So I have to start my own threads and hope you respond if I want a question answered

by you?

[LoZoccolo]

58. No.

That wasn't your original question.

[MadBadger]

48. Is this a joke?

[LoZoccolo]

49. No.

Case in point: one person voted "no" already.

[rasputin1952]

50. Of course, just what part of Free Speech seems to be missing

here?

Just as the media should commend just and good presidential acts, they are almost required to call on a president for absurd decisions and poor judgement.

One may respect the office, but if the individual holding the office is an affront to the nation, they should be portrayed as such...bush is an affront not just to this nation, but the world as a whole...x(

[Terri S]

54. Their job is to report the TRUTH

not worry about whether that truth is 'respectful' or not. The truth just IS!

[fishwax]

55. of course n/t

[LynnTheDem]

57. Yes, of course. As long as they don't incite violence and the

overthrowing of the government.

That's considered a no-no even in America.