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Fair and Balanced
Posted 8-15-2003
So the Right-wing news network Fox News has its panties in a bunch over
Al Franken's new book? Apparently, they don't like him using the words "fair
and balanced" in the subtitle of his new book. The book examines the lies
and distortions perpetrated by Right-wingers on the American people. I'm
sure Mr. Franken's book, like his earlier book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat
Idiot" pokes fun at the Right-wing propaganda machine of which Fox News is a
large part.
What is most amusing is the
thin-skinned nature of Fox News and Right-wingers in general. As the saying
goes, "they can dish it out, but they can't take it". I've seen that
phenomenon even in dialogue with local Right-wingers who dished out
criticism of former President Clinton, but got their noses out of joint when
I would criticize the current un-elected cowboy occupying the White House.
For too long, this fringe
element of society has bullied its way into dominating the public discourse
in our country. From the days of Lee Atwater and his well-oiled hate
machine's attacks on anyone considered "liberal", to Limbaugh and his
mean-spirited attacks on Chelsea Clinton, the Right has gone beyond the
limit of civility. They've bred a new generation of political activists who
think that is the way it is. They can say whatever they want about anyone
deemed "liberal", but their candidates or officeholders deserve softer
treatment.
Frankly, I don't blame them
for thinking that way. Our side has cowered from fighting back for too long.
In the 1980s, liberals were in denial that that the world was changing
around them. By their very nature of tolerance to differing views, liberals
let the criticism go unanswered and most importantly, let the Right create a
warped definition of what liberals were and are. By the 1990s and through
Bill Clinton's election, too many Democrats bought into an idea that being
"middle-of-the-road" is what won back the White House for the good guys. In
very practical terms, what won it for Clinton was Ross Perot's candidacy.
Without Perot siphoning off 20% of the vote, Clinton likely would not have
won. Of course, the same is true in 2000. Without Nader taking the votes he
did in Florida, Al Gore wins the election.
So while the debate rages
within the Democratic Party as to whether a perceived "liberal" should be
our candidate in 2004 versus some milquetoast candidate like Liebermann, Al
Franken is bringing not only humor to the national discourse, but turning
the tables on the thin-skinned Right. And they don't like it! Fox News'
lawsuit will surely help with publicity for Franken's book. The lawsuit was
intended to stop the use of the words "fair and balanced" by someone not
deemed worthy by Fox News, but now they suddenly thrust Franken's book and
those words into the public's awareness at a level that makes them look
silly and petty.
I think Al Franken's efforts
are part of a growing effort by fair-minded people that enough is enough
with the hate mongering done by the likes of Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Ann
Coulter. While it may not translate into television or radio ratings, since
many "liberals" don't even listen to talk radio or watch the political
talking heads on television, it will be the awakening of the great silent
majority. Maybe now Right-wingers will be flushed out for the thin-skinned,
greedy, divisive, element of society that many of us have known they are for
a long time. |
