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Scarborough Probes the Stewart-O’Reilly Feud

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Posted on Aug 24, 2006
Joe Scarborough
From MSNBC

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough asks whether Bill O’Reilly has a point when he argues that Jon Stewart isn’t really running a “fake news” show. (Great clips included)

As a primer:

  • Jon Stewart’s first appearance on “The O’Reilly Factor”
  •  

  • Bill O’Reilly’s subsequent appearance on “The Daily Show”

  • Crooks and Liars:

    Last night Scarborough covered the little feud going on between Fox and Comedy Central

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    Scarborough seems to think that Stewart gets a free pass because he is left of center. Anyone who watches TDS knows that Stewart will take the opportunity to point out mistakes made by any politician, right or left. It just so happens that we have a government totally controlled by the right and they happen to make very easy targets right now.
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    By TammieBurch, August 30, 2006 at 9:52 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    The honest facts are this - So called *real* News is worried about people like Jon Stewart because he threatens their bottom line. Why does that surprise anyone? It should be be obvious that these guys are republican - They make too much money *not* to be. At some point, folks are going to stop just laughing and tuning out, they are going to (dare I say it?) start THINKING and realize our government is for sale and we will rise up against it.  We will start demanding that these hacks take responsibility for selling us out - and all these other fellows who try to discredit some “Fake Journalists” (comedians), will see something they never wanted to see - equal treatment.

    Report this

    By Busdriver, August 29, 2006 at 2:11 pm Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    Really, TDS shouldn’t be classified as “news” (relaying *new* information).  They’re not in the business to have timely reports on the latest happenings to keep you informed.  TDS is simply entertainment that’s relevant.

    But O’Reilly et al know TDS is in the entertainment, not news, business yet he still called it news, fake or not.  Perhaps this is the closest thing we’re going to get to an admission by a corporate-press pundit that “news” has nothing to do with their agenda.  Our adulterated and subjugated press is all about entertainment and satisfying a consumer demand (and/or creating that demand).

    Report this

    By r.t.thaddeus, August 29, 2006 at 10:10 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    Obviously O’Rielly, indeed the whole Fox Network is a fake.  It’s really a Republican Propaganda Organ masquerading as a real “News” network.  Fox is the first network I can recall in my six decades plus on this planet that is truly a wing of the Republican party: its mouthpiece.  never seen the like of it before.  So the issue of whether Jon Stewart is running fake news show is moot.  However it spins the news it is definitely not a propaganda organ like Fox is for the Republican party.

    Report this

    By walter tomion, August 29, 2006 at 7:48 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are just modern day examples of America’s long history of political satire. I find it interesting that the people who complain the loudest about their jokes are conservatives and their pundits. When their humor is focused at the Media or Democrats you just don’t hear all these complaints. Perhaps the conservatives should learn to laugh at themselves occaisonally. Its really good for your mental health and keeps things in perspective.

    Report this

    By JamesV, August 25, 2006 at 4:49 pm Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    There are several things I wish that the two guests had pointed out at some point during the interview: First to reject the use of the term “Fake News” as disingenuous and second the role that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert play in raising awareness on the issues of the day.

    The news in this country is no longer news. It’s spin. It’s propaganda. It’s even entertainment. But it is certainly not unbiased reporting of issues nor a pursuit of truth in which people are held accountable for their words and actions. The “Real News” people (like they do when they report “Their News”) simply use carefully crafted language with ulterior motives. In this case they directly attack TDS and discredit it as “Fake News” thereby casting themselves as the opposite of this position or “Real News” and thus credible. This also allows them to avoid discussing the real issue which is why the “Real News” isn’t doing it’s “Real Job”. But, there you have it. They are the “Real News” and they have spoken so they must be right! But enough of this…where is that Karr guy now?!?!?!

    There can be no argument that TDS had an impact on the last elections nor that it continues to have an impact today. That impact is called awareness. Jon and Stephan actually TALK about issues. They encourage discussion and use humor as a means of doing this. What they don’t do is regurgitate the Talking Points that were faxed to them that morning (unless of course that’s part of the story!). And it’s that very awareness that scares the “Real Media” to death because it threatens them with irrelevance. Once people see the deceptive nature of mainstream media for what it is then the jig is up. The lie won’t work anymore. Like in the Matrix, once unplugged you don’t want to go back and you see the reality of the situation…unless your Cypher and want to sell your soul and friends to return to living a lie! In which case, why are you here on Truthdig? HURRY! You’re missing something important on FOX News!!!

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    By rob, August 25, 2006 at 11:50 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    “stoners and slackers”

    Is O’Reilly trying to shore up market share by dissuading viewers from checking out TDS?

    Only tin-foil hats go on-line, and stoners and slackers watch Comedy Central, but Fox only deals in real news and analysis…

    Report this

    By kevin99999, August 25, 2006 at 8:41 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    “Scarborough seems to think that Stewart gets a free pass because he is left of center.”

    Tired old cliche by the right wingers to dupe the public. The GOP has no agenda, no polcies other than tax breaks for the rich and give away to corporations. The primary reason they stay in power is because of the right wing corporate media. Just look at the entire MSNBC lineup. Carlson, Scarbough, and also Mathews….and one can go other stations as well such as CNN, FOX, ABC, and on and on….the media is dominated by the right wingers doing 24 hrs a day propagana. Scarborough should be ashamed of himself for playing a con man.

    Report this

    By Alien, eh?, August 25, 2006 at 5:31 am Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    So, what Scarborough is really saying is that in today’s America, only ‘real’ journalists (Geraldo?! LOL!) should be allowed to express an ideological viewpoint; comedians can’t be trusted with that kind of power. Would have come as real news to, oh Tom Lehrer, Will Rogers, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin.

    Sounds like yet another roadhouse psycho on your slide toward the new fascism, neigbors.

    Report this

    By charlie steele, August 24, 2006 at 6:37 pm Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    It would be great if Scarborough and Riley would talk about Stewart every show.  Maybe some of their audience will eventually tune in to see what the furor is about and learn something.

    Report this

    By DailyBuff, August 24, 2006 at 6:28 pm Link to this comment
    (Unregistered commenter)

    If it wasn’t for TDS the morons in our government would not have any redeeming quality…with Stewart we are privledged to laugh our asses off at our leaders.  Of course, the joke is on us because these guys are only funniest when they blatantly.

    BTW- Why does everyone say TDS is “fake” news?  All the clips they use to show politicians lying are REAL…and calling TDS fake assumes there is REAL news out there somewhere…please let me know where it is and I’ll watch it.

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