One group we could certainly do without - the Biden Bashers

[ThomWV]

If you listened to the news you'd believe that Vice President Biden is a clown. And this drivel coming from clowns who make their living babbling on TV and radio. Joe Biden is among the most experienced, sensible, and intelligent persons in Government - and it doesn't hurt a thing that he is sober as well. The man speaks his mind, and I for one learn from listening.

Rant over.

[laureloak]

1. Yea, we don't need that crap. Time to squelch it. n/t

[onehandle]

2. Agreed. nt

[SeattleGirl]

3. Exactly.

Irks the hell out of me that so often, the talking heads refer to Biden as "Gaffe-Prone", as if that's his first name.

[Deja Q]

4. I agree.

He does support measures to protect intellectual property - I remember the days when I was against it; I was naive...

I don't like people stealing or exploiting IP and the products made by IP workers.

[MADem]

5. I listen to the news, and I don't hear that. Maybe you're listening to the wrong news? nt

[SeattleGirl]

6. Really? I hear it all the time, and I'm not talking Fox. n/t

[MADem]

10. You need to listen to a better qualilty of news. nt

[SeattleGirl]

13. What the hell are you talking about?

I know what I've heard, and I've heard it on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, on radio and TV both.

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[RaleighNCDUer]

19. The point is, in the US neither BBC nor PBS is mainstream news.

And I doubt that 5% of the population uses them as their primary news source. So it is NOT the irresponsible RW FAUX and affiliates that are the problem.

[MADem]

20. So, you have to do what everyone else does, yet you complain when you get

the expected result? Why don't you join that "five percent" of which the complainer speaks? Maybe it will help your blood pressure.

Most people who get cable can get BBC America. You can get the radio broadcasts for free with a decent radio. PBS is all over the country, and you can even get it "over the air" without cable in many places.

You have a computer, too. You can log in to the Canadian news and look at their news clips, or the news from other countries, and get a more balanced world view.

Why do you support these news outlets with your viewership, and then come and complain about them? Turn the TV off. If they're crap, these news broadcasts, don't stay glued to the tee vee-- don't patronize them.

[RaleighNCDUer]

24. Pretending that which you do not like does not exist is NOT a solution.

Being aware of it and calling them on it IS.

Doing otherwise is being no better than the FAUX viewers who refuse to see anything else.

Getting all the news from BBC and PBS would be enough to delude a person into believing that half the country is NOT batshit insane. I don't know about you, but if I'm dealing with crazy people I like to know it.

[MADem]

25. Yes it is. If you don't give them business, they have to change their business model.

Sheesh. No wonder Fox has so many viewers. They've got the cheerleading morons, and the equally obtuse crowd who sit, glued to the screen, shaking their fists, screaming "Isn't that AWFUL???" and then posting on the internet about it.

You don't have to watch EVERY corporate news program, obsessively, to know that there is a continually shrinking cadre of crazy people out there. You really don't. You just want to do it, and so you do it.

[RaleighNCDUer]

28. I pay for a cable package that includes Fox, and CNN, and MSNBC,

and PBS and none of them make any money from me based on the hours spent watching them. What I do or do not watch has nothing to do with anyone's business model UNLESS I TELL THEM ABOUT IT. Simply not watching them does nothing to their bottom line.

You think there is a computer somewhere that tracks Joe Blow's viewing - On monday he spent 3 hours watching Fox News, 2 hours on the History Channel, and 16 hours on The Shopping Network!

Seriously.

[MADem]

34. Ah, so you've paid for it, ergo you've EARNED the right to torture yourself?

That's a lot like people who go on cruises, and eat ten meals a day to "get their money's worth." It's bad for you, it turns to shit anyway, but it's THERE!!! So it must be CONSUMED!!!!!

Seriously, yeah, you're the one who needs a little "educating" on this topic--there is a "magic computer" that does just that. If you've got a cable box, they know what you're watching. How do you think they manage to send you your pay-per-view?

How do you think the networks are able to determine their market share and set their ad prices? They use a number of means to establish viewership numbers.

Do you seriously think that you are "credited" with watching every cable station you subscribe to?

They track "eyes on ads" in a big way. They likely don't (YET--see the link down below) retain individual data (Susie Smith is watching channel 122, e.g.) except when they want extra money for the service (pay per view), but using two-way boxes, they know how many people are feeding off their signal. That's how they're able to set a price for their advertising. TV monitoring is also done via survey (most popular for over the air customers), that's where companies like Nielsen and Arbitron come in. And let's not forget TIVO and things like it that also track viewership.

You can buy this data if you would like. http://www.datamonitor.com/store/browse/?N=4294853706+368+357

You seem to forget that a certain "Joe Blow" had his viewing tracked after he murdered his wife--Scott Peterson. He was watching porn, I believe the prosecutors said.

Here's some light reading for you--this is the direction they're heading in--you really need to read it, because you don't have a grasp as to how the industry functions or where it is headed: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30094299/

[SeattleGirl]

36. I have come to the conclusion that this person we are talking to is as

bad as a Faux Noise viewer, in that they have one point of view, and anyone who doesn't fall in line with it is inferior.

[MADem]

44. Based on this post, I can only conclude you are an instigator. NT

[wildflower]

37. I heard it on Stephanie Miller's show this morning

They weren't really bashing, but they joke a lot about how it isn't a good idea to have Biden participate in anything because of what he might say.

[MADem]

47. He has a reputation for being loquacious. People who like him call him an

enthusiastic conversationalist, people who don't like him call him a gasbag.

[paulsby]

48. for pete's sake

i like biden a lot. but he IS gaffe prone. this is the guy who made the obama is a "clean articulate black" candidate etc. he's got a long history of speaking his mind, unscripted. frankly, i LIKE that in a politician. he's no yogi berra, but it's not some media creation that he does this.

this is what is so tiresome about political sites in general. nobody can be honest about people on OUR side.

biden is the guy who said: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

if that's not a hilarious bidenesque gaffe, what is?

[MADem]

49. One man's loquacious is another man's gasbag. People who talk a lot make mistakes.

I don't understand why Democrats are making such a big deal about it.

Who gives a flying fuck what the continually shrinking GOP base thinks?

[paulsby]

51. who is making a big deal about it

when you think about biden's "foibles" you think gaffe prone and poor quality hair plugs. sorry, but that's just reality. i think people should be able to find humor in both dems and repubs. i find people who are just blatant partisans can dish it out about the other side, but can't take it about our side. heck, even obama has joked about biden's gaffe-pronery. be honest. if a repub had made the clean articulate comment about obama would you be equally as accepting?

i like biden a lot. but i;m not going to pretend he's not gaffe prone. imo, it's part of his chahm

[MADem]

56. Well, I think hair plugs and Neil Kinnock, actually, but I'm old.

I also think he has a decent grasp on foreign policy. I could chat with him all day on geopolitical issues, because he's not a nitwit on that score unlike a lot of people within and without government.

I don't worry about his gaffes as much as people here are doing. He occasionally steps on his tongue. People who talk alot do. They are just "Oh, that Joe!" type things. If Obama can handle them, everyone else should be able to.

[Name removed]

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[daedalus_dude]

7. Three words:

Voted. for. Iraq.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Yup. Biden's a neo-lib who supported the invasion.

[inna]

21. and he pushed that horrible anti-consumer bankruptcy bill

through the congress several years ago. Biden is totally a neo-lib.

(but of course unfortunately that is NOT why he's being "bashed" in the M$M, they won't address real issues but just discuss some superficial crap, like his foot-in-mouth habbit...)

[MADem]

26. You have to consider his constituency. He's from the Credit Card State--Delaware.

You've seen the jokes, e.g., "D-Mastercard" after his name.

[Individualist]

23. Three more...

Democratic Leadership Council.

[Muttocracy]

73. When was Biden part of DLC?

[Romulox]

32. Three more: War on Drugs. nt

[theoldman]

8. I have listened to Biden several times on the Sunday morning TV shows.

He came across as very intelligent and very knowledgeable. He spoke his mind so you knew exactly where he was coming from. Biden was about the only guy who said that Iraq would always have problems between the Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. I would much prefer to sit down with Biden and have a beer than with most politicians.

[MADem]

16. He'd make more sense, he's not a drinker.

That's why he had one of those no-alcohol beers.

[PatSeg]

45. It was because of his appearance on MTP

that I started following Joe back in 2004. He didn't talk in "talking points" language and was refreshingly forthright.

I can't think of any politician I'd rather have a beer or near-beer with. He is a fascinating and engaging person. Great sense of humor too.

[snagglepuss]

66. What an i wonderful quote from Emerson. I'm writing it down.

Oh and btw I agree with your post.

[PatSeg]

67. Thanks

I love that quote. It sums up conservatives quite nicely.

[snagglepuss]

70. No thank you for including it . It strikes me to the core. I find it profoundly illuminating

on many levels.

I love how such densely packed statements can get castup like shells on other shores, how their meaning survive centuries.

[PatSeg]

72. I always found Emerson profound philosophically,

but never expected an Emerson quote to be applicable to today's politics. Some people are truly timeless.

[Steely_Dan]

9. I Agree

Biden is being made to look like a clown. This pisses me off. This is one intelligent guy that deserves respect. He was my first choice for President. I was really depressed when he dropped out. When Obama picked him as VP, I started to realize how smart Obama was. In some ways, I wish they would turn him loose a little. Damn the fact that he misspeaks once in a while. He speaks his mind. We could use a little of that.

-P

[PatSeg]

39. Hi Steely Dan

Haven't seen you in a long time!

I posted something about the media and ridiculous gaffe references in the MSM this morning at the support group. It is really getting old and tedious.

[arthritisR_US]

11. when anyone else makes a gaff they just summarily dismiss it out of hand but not with Biden. Look

how they handled the 8 years of the pResident turd's buffoonery... a shameful display at every turn and they ignored it all with excuses and slight of hand. I share your sentiments with respect to Biden, thanks for speaking your mind :-)

[PatSeg]

40. The media has created the "gaffe" tag

and then they reinforce it daily. They don't REPORT the news, they CREATE it. His trips aboard were ignored by the MSM, even though he was greeted enthusiastically and respectfully.

[MADem]

50. They did the same thing to Gerald Ford. This is not new.

Gerald Ford was extremely athletic. But all he had to do was stumble once and belt a lady with a golf ball, and that was that. He was a clumsy stumblebum ever more....and Chevy Chase helped.

[PatSeg]

54. That is true

I guess it is inevitable, but I'd like to see more coverage on the many positive things he is doing to balance it out. Yeah, in my dreams! The media that gave us non-stop Michael Jackson coverage for two days!

[MADem]

58. That's why I say "Turn that shit off!!" And I say it "con brio" too!

I have had it with the talking heads. They're all bullshitters, and they're dumb, too. They shoot off their mouths without doing much in the way of research, they recycle talking points handed to them from their respective corners, be it political parties or corporate entities, and they're all possessed of the most obnoxious Ph.Ds--the Piled Higher and Deeper variety.

They do not "add." They simply make noise. It's a waste to shake one's fist at them, unless one is in need of light arm exercise.

The MJ train hasn't disappeared over the horizon yet, either! Now we're getting "Murdering Doctor" coverage! This shit is bound to go on like TITANIC did!!


AGGGH--makes ya wanna watch cartoons with the kids. Those have more substance!

[PatSeg]

59. Sigh, I'm a hopeless news junkie

And I need my fix of Ed Schultz, Keith Olbermann, and Rachel Maddow. I wasn't always this way.

Fortunately I use my TIVO and fast forward through the mindless crap. During the MJ insanity, I just turned it off.

[MADem]

60. If you have a TIVO you can at least "select out" the total garbage. That's good.

And at least you're getting your fix from a NOTF (network other than Fox!!!). That counts for something!

I like reading the papers on the internet, and looking at the odd news clips lately. I may go back to the TV one day, but I just got "over saturated" with the BS. I'm happier not watching so much of it!

[PatSeg]

62. Oh no, I could never stomach FOX

I swore off CNN long ago. They've just gotten worse with each passing day.

I read the news clips here and receive news stories from The Sacramento Bee and The Washington Post.

[MADem]

64. Your blood pressure must be manageable then! nt

[PatSeg]

65. Yeah, haven't screamed at the TV for quite a while!

But my fast-forward thumb gets a workout.

[madokie]

12. I know you've heard this a hundred times before

so I won't say it but I do agree with what you're saying. If I watch them I'm wanting to tear heads off and shit down necks, thats what it does to me.

[Frustratedlady]

18. They were just doing it last night, since Biden was at the beer bash.

He was made to look like a buffoon. It is unfortunate. I've talked to him and he is just as down-home and honest as he can be. That's why I voted for him and I will continue to support him.

Some people have to find something wrong with every word, every action, every expression on someone's face. It gets so old and irritating.

Why can't they act like adults are supposed to act?

Good job, Joe!

[LeFleur1]

31. Biden

The assault on Biden is a good illustration of the power of the media. They take everything he says and pretend it is silly. Why they feel the need to make condescending remarks about Biden is puzzling considering the group of nutcakes they supported from 2000 to 2008, and also considering the knowledge Biden displays about subjects important to the country.

The cable shows are mostly ridiculous. Once, I actually heard Chris Matthews say that Rove is a genius! That was the last time I heard him say anything. I use the OFF or CHANGE button whenever his face fills the TV screen. I decided if he thought Rove a genius he doesn't know enough people, and certainly he doesn't know any real geniuses, and he has no business doing the kind of show he is doing. Rove is devious and there seems to be nothing at all to admire about him, certainly not his intellect. For a media person (even a talk show) to make a statement that Rove is a genius labels everything else Matthews says as well...not worth a listen. That kind of crap isn't limited to talk shows, more's the pity. They throw out statements that are so twisted one wonders how anyone can take them as fact or even measured opinion.

The blathering news opinionators run Biden into the ground every chance they get. Yet they fully supported, and often lied in favor of, Bush/Cheney. Bush, who couldn't string an organized sentence together if the country depended on it, was supported fully by the main stream media even when they had to cover stuff up or change wording to do it. MSM is as much at fault for the eight years of devastation to this country as anyone. And evil Cheney was given absolution for his actions, even when it was found he ignored warnings of an attack before 9/11, even when he yammered unqualified support for invading a sovereign nation, even when he supported and even demanded spying on US citizens in the USA, even when he proposed prisoners guilty until hell freezes over, even when he got kicks from the torture and rape going on with his permission, even when he told bald faced lies on camera, even when he pretended the programs of he and Bush weren't responsible for the downward spiraling of the economy, even when he got drunk and shot a friend in the face!!
Yet, it is Biden they ridicule.

[PatSeg]

42. Well said

It would help if the White House wouldn't reinforce that image by acting like they have to go into "damage control" mode every time the media distorts what Biden says. They might try defending him instead of apologizing for him. Joe isn't Dan Quayle.

[PatSeg]

41. Yeah and he didn't do anything!

I heard a stupid crack about his non-alcoholic beer - wouldn't want to risk having Joe there if he's been drinking, god only knows what he might say.

[Think82]

46. He was my fav in the primaries, though I'm pleased with Obama. Kick!

[Statistical]

27. Voted for Iraq, anti consumer bankruptcy "reform", the stupid assault weapons ban and ....

near constant gaffes. Bidden was useful because he got Obama elected (experience, foreign credentials, etc) other than that. Meh.

[timeforpeace]

29. Agreed. No one can misspeak every time he opens his mouth without intending it. He's sly like a fox

and saying un-pc things that need to be said.

[AllentownJake]

30. I like Joe

but his bankruptcy bill deserves a few nasty looks...not his gaffes.

[BlooInBloo]

33. Yah! No bashing anybody but Obama here!

[PatSeg]

38. Thank you

I am so sick of the "gaffe" references by the media who has painted our VP as a fool not to be trusted. When Biden went overseas, he was greeted with respect and honor (the MSM ignored his trips however), but back home he only gets media attention if they can tag him with another gaffe moment.

Very early this morning I actually heard Joe Scarborough of all people come to his defense after Harwood said something about "gasbaggery", which was totally uncalled for. It's not often I hear anything out of Scarborough's mouth that doesn't enrage me, but this morning he was spot on, referencing Biden's decades of experience as an asset to President Obama.

[livvy]

52. I like your rant and agree. Thank you...knr

I'm sick of hearing people bash, ridicule, and disrespect him, also.

[AspenRose]

53. They're bashing him because he doesn't drink?!?

OK, I think I've heard everything now. And I think I've heard enough. Especially with that dry drunk who occupied the WH for the last 8 years, and nary a peep.

I also find it offensive if they were indeed bashing him for being sober....because of the "drunk Irishman" stereotype. They're frustrated and pissed because they can't find anything new that's silly to pin on him, and are too lazy to do the research required to formulate *constructive* criticism. No, it's gaffe this, hairplugs that.

I'm sick of the M$M.

God love ya, Joe.

[PatSeg]

55. Yeah, that was pretty desperate

They see Biden sitting at the table unexpectedly and they have to find something - omg, he's drinking non-alcoholic beer!

[anonymous171]

61. I love Biden. nt

[Cha]

63. It's the corporatemediaWhores we

have to get rid of..They did the same thing with Pres Al Gore.

Someone like bush who really is a gaffe addict gets protection from the whoremedia base.

I cancelled my corp media in Nov 2002 because of the way I saw they manipulated the midterm elections.. so this shit is really getting old.

[Muttocracy]

74. When BushCo called our middle east policy a Crusade, did that get labeled "gaffe"

good point about Gore - media decided it was more fun to stereotype him than report on him - they're like a bunch of 11 year olds.

[Cha]

77. Prepubescents who are Propagandists in

training with Pravda.

[EFerrari]

68. K&R

[carpetbagger]

69. Let them misunderestimate.

Except, of course, Bush really did turn out to be an ignorant, sulking child. I suspect Biden, given the chance, would somehow not turn out like that.

[iverglas]

71. I'm his biggest Canadian fan

Have been since I watched the Clarence Thomas hearings on teevee.

I do know that there are people in the US with possibly quite genuine grievances with his record, and I don't minimize them or attempt to dismiss them, because I am not familiar enough with the details.

I have quibbles with him too, on reproductive choice in particular.

But I also know that he is about the smartest cookie in US politics, Obama not excluded - when he's got the experience and track record, he'll be up there too. And that he is basically one hell of a decent guy.

When I pointed out, watching CNN this morning, that he was at the beerfest - that was the back of his head we were seeing, I'd know it anywhere - and CNN was talking about "three guys", my co-vivant observed that he hadn't drunk his beer.

You have two sober brains in your White House today. Two sober, serious, smart brains.

Celebrate them, please!

[TayTay]

75. I agree with this.

The Vice President is constantly being maligned on TV by pundits who think he is some sort of comic relief to the President. Oh, except when they want Biden's opinion or expertise on a subject, then they love him.

Leave Joe alone. He's a good man.

[aikoaiko]

76. Joe "I am the guy who originally wrote the assault weapons ban" Biden

I like Joe mostly, I just wish he would get his head out of his ass on gun ownership rights.