Friday's Stuff

I have been doing frequent channel surfing lately. Fox News, CNN and MSNBC being the main stops on the circuit.  These three cable stations comprise the spectrum of coverage from right to middle) or as close as you can get) to the very, very far left.  

When Fox News repeatedly talks about fair and balanced coverage, I am not quite sure it defines the term "fair and balanced" the same way I do. The channel leans right, no denying it.  CNN tries to toe the journalistic line, but seems to fall more often than not to the left of center, but hey, at least its tries.  MSNBC is in a league all by itself.  

It gives new meaning to playing out in left field.  In fact, I will go so far as to say when the game is being played, MSNBC is so far out in left field, it is in an entirely different ball park.  Think I am off base with this assessment.  Read the article in The New York Times, in which MSNBC is described as Fox News' "Liberal Evil Twin". Note, not just its twin, its "evil" twin.

I could go on about this supposed news station, however, it is best summed up in the Times piece as follows:

Fox is still well ahead, especially during a Republican convention, but on Tuesday, there were times when MSNBC drew significantly more convention viewers than CNN. 

That’s because MSNBC offers counterprogramming, not coverage. All that arch sarcasm and partisan brio may rev up the cable channel’s fans, but it constrains — and stains — NBC News, its corporate sibling, which is still the country’s No. 1 source in the evening.

While MSNBC's mainstream sister station may be #1, there is a reason this pathetic cable "news" station consistently gets hammered in the ratings; and, while the the reporters and newscasters at the big sister station stay out of the games played at MSNBC.

While Fox News hosts and commentators lean right, and their style can be that of an attack dog, the difference between them and their counterparts at MSNBC is night and day.  Call it style and substance.  When a station's super star's "questioning"/"commentary" is described as a "bruising harangue" by a paper like The New York Times, the station and star loose all luster.

Looking at the two stations side by side, it is the comparison that allows Fox News to get away with the "fair and balanced" tag.  

When you are left of center, and The New York Times gives you a hard slap in the face, you might want to consider it a wake up call.  When you are consistently far behind your competitor in the ratings, you might consider the fact you have an extremely limited audience.

Every time you see a link to anything from MSNBC or its "reporters" or "commentators" remember the link to The New York Times article.

Those in journalism in any form of media, at all papers, stations and networks, would do well to remember these words:

Confrontation is not a dirty word. Sometimes it's the best kind of journalism as long you don't confront people just for the sake of a confrontation. - Don Hewitt

Seems like the debate for the Democratic Primary for the Congressional 9th district got a little MSNBC in style.  Admittedly that statement comes from reading The Standard Times article.  No I didn't listen to it. My bad, I know.  

Still worth noting.  

Talk around town seems to indicate where this one is heading in Fairhaven anyway.  Unfortunately for Sam Sutter, it appears there is too much of Keating's old district in the new district.  It is by no means over, and I would love to be surprised.  

Locally, and much farther down the road, I am hearing two names for people exploring a run for selectman in April.  I personally am thinking of playing Switzerland again.  A very critical one mind you.  The blog possibilities are so very tempting.

I am not naming names to be a tease, I just do not wish to start publicizing, or taunting, any particular candidate.  This definitely should be exploratory time for anyone serious about a run though.  But hey, depending on what pans out over the next few months, it could be another wild west show.  

We have a holiday weekend starting, with a great weather forecast.  Again, if you can go, remember the Our Lady of Angels Feast in North Fairhaven this weekend.  It starts tomorrow at 5:00 P.M. and runs through Monday.  

Enjoy yourselves and be safe.