Al Jazeera Buys Current TV

[Centexfarmer]

Two observations:

1. Considering how biased news are in the US, one should always welcome outside sources, regardless of where they come from, to balance that.

2. Considering how biased news are in the US, it's not really surprising that so many people on here can't even fathom news NOT being biased, when, frankly, many countries hold their news to much higher standards than America does. There are always interests, but they aren't always the driving force, as it is here.

No shit!

Back when I was a Radioman in the United States Coast Guard, complete with a Top Secret Security Clearance, I use to listen to "Radio Free Moscow."

This was back when Reagan was President, Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of England, MTV played Music Videos, and Michael Jackson was still Black.

The Berlin wall still existed, and threat of the Global Nuclear Annihilation was something that everyone thought about everyday.

Listening to English speaking broadcasts from the Communists Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was akin to listening to Radio Hanoi, or Tokyo Rose.

Then, like now, anything that doesn't "support the American narrative" is considered "propaganda."

What many then, and now view as "propaganda" actually has some truth in what they're saying.

The propaganda within the protected First Amendment Rights of America is that Al Jazeera is a Muslim News Organization, and Muslims are our mortal enemies, and since Al Jazeera is Muslim, there must be something wrong with them.

I say Nah!

They provide a perspective that most Americans aren't use to hearing, or who've been encouraged to NOT listen to.

And a perspective that some don't want us to hear.

And therefore we should protect ourselves and others from whatever perspective they might have to share.

As an American I've always been interested in how my fellow inhabitants on this planet view Americans; our culture, our politics, and our "democracy."

It never means that I have to agree with their perspective, or even like what they have to share.

But I've found it enlightening.

And sometimes they've been able to point out certain truths that we either refused to see, or as clear as the nose on our own face, but couldn't see without a mirror.

If our Republic is so fragile to allow criticism, opposing perspectives, and differing views then those who are opposed have less faith in what it means to be an American than I do.

[Kulindahr]

^^

I agree -- all news is filtered -- but the question is by whom? I don't want mine filtered by a foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country.

You voluntarily put your head in the sand, buying into jingoism.

Sad.

[Rolyo85]

What's sad is the implication that news are regurgitated food that the mother (the news network) is dumping directly into the mouths of the baby bird (Jack). Because that can be the only reason not to want news filtered by a "foreign country that has many deep differences from my own country". Otherwise it is still just information. Seeing how the other culture "skewers" news is essential to understanding what is important to them and how THEY see the world, which is key to understanding THEM. Of course, if one has chosen to view "them" as simply the enemy who isn't worth understanding, this becomes unnecessary. But for the rest of us, who wish to be able to make our own opinions instead of having some "news" network give it to us for ready use, ANY point of view - even the most dramatically opposite to ours - is enlightening and worth considering.

[Jack Springer]

Two observations:

1. Considering how biased news are in the US, one should always welcome outside sources, regardless of where they come from, to balance that.

2. Considering how biased news are in the US, it's not really surprising that so many people on here can't even fathom news NOT being biased, when, frankly, many countries hold their news to much higher standards than America does. There are always interests, but they aren't always the driving force, as it is here.

You can always move.

[Rolyo85]

You can always buy a kite and run giggling on some beach with it. Your point?

Can sanctimonious "patriotic" right-wingers on here move past the knee-jerk reaction to any criticism by a foreigner with "if you don't like it, get the fuck out"? It is WILDLY offensive, insensitive and shows absolute blindness to any nuance in communication and discussion.

No, I do not "hate America". I love it. But as any great country, it has great problems to match its great achievements. To refuse to acknowledge that is to invite willing blindness and deny yourself the chance to grow. Your xenophobic oversimplified response to my two points fails to address either of them, instead safely huddling in a personal attack.

You know what? With your hatred of Obama and everything Democrat, and considering the fact us liberals are now a MAJORITY in this country, I'd say YOU can always fucking move.

[Jack Springer]

^^
I hear Siberia is very nice this time of year. I could send you some color brochures, but they would be mostly snow.

[Rolyo85]

...then again, if one prefers being a troll, that's one's personal choice and who am I to say anything.

Your refusal to ever rise above petty bickering and sad insulting quasi-sarcasm is entirely your personal decision, and you own it. Don't blame others for their reactions to you, because you're the architect of every word in them.

[Kulindahr]

You can always move.

You are aware that telling people to "get out!" if they don't worship their country is an element of fascism, right?

[Rolyo85]

Jack's pathetic derailing posts aside, my two points stand. The US media is MORE biased than many other first world news outlets, and Americans rush to look for bias in everything, when often it isn't there. Not saying Al Jazeera wouldn't be biased, but it would certainly be an interesting contrast that would be worth analyzing. And as someone said, a country that allows the KKK and the Phelps travesty, doesn't have any ground to stand on to refuse a legitimate news network.

[Jack Springer]

You really don't understand America so I can see why you don't understand why some people would be upset about a "news outlet" owned by anther country.

One of the foundations of the USA is free speech. Al Jezeera will get their propaganda station -- but Americans have the right to turn it off as they did with Current TV and Air America.

[Rolyo85]

You really don't understand America so I can see why you don't understand why some people would be upset about a "news outlet" owned by anther country.

One of the foundations of the USA is free speech. Al Jezeera will get their propaganda station -- but Americans have the right to turn it off as they did with Current TV and Air America.

Actually, I seem to understand America way better than you do. What I see with my own eyes is that while many people might be skeptical about its content, the only ones who want to prevent it from airing are those in your party - the party of censorship. And why? When, as you said, anyone is free to just not turn it on?

The only people who have anything to fear from a "propaganda" station (and can this statement be more laughable from a Faux News watcher?), are those who can't think for themselves, and are afraid Al Jazeera will put the wrong thoughts into their heads. Are you one of those people?

[Kulindahr]

^^

You're welcome to move too.

Logically, you're now a self-confessed fascist.

[Jack Springer]

You know nothing about me.

Stop sending me PM's.

[Kulindahr]

You really don't understand America so I can see why you don't understand why some people would be upset about a "news outlet" owned by anther country.

One of the foundations of the USA is free speech. Al Jezeera will get their propaganda station -- but Americans have the right to turn it off as they did with Current TV and Air America.

The evidence says you don't understand America: anyone who did would welcome different points of view.

Is this why you're backpedaling?

[Rolyo85]

It's spelled "know", and goes both ways. Also, it was a post comment, not a PM. Deal with it.

[Jack Springer]

Backpedaling? I said in my initial post that Al Jezerra would be in competition with FNC.

Pay attention.

[Kulindahr]

You no nothing about me.

Stop sending me PM's.

We know a lot about you. For example, in this thread you've demonstrated a preference for mind control through the limitation of what sorts of views are permitted to be presented in the public sphere, and a jingoism that can rightly be viewed as fascism.

As for PMs, I suspect that whoever you're addressing is trying to be polite by not being honest in and open forum. You should probably be thankful.

[Kulindahr]

^^

You're welcome to move too.

Another response:

I'd much rather stay here and take back America to what our Founders wanted.

- - - Updated - - -

Backpedaling? I said in my initial post that Al Jezerra would be in competition with FNC.

Pay attention.

I thought you were one of the cabal who don't want them here.

[JayHawk]

^^

You're welcome to move too.

Dude you're the one with your cunt bleeding all over the keyboard every day about America. Perhaps if you are so unhappy YOU should move.. lol

[xbuzzerx]

^^

You're welcome to move too.

I'm going to pull out my "America hating" Native ancestry and say maybe it is you who should get out. There's absolutely no reason for me to leave because my beliefs don't fit yours. My family's been here since prehistory.

[Jack Springer]

Dude you're the one with your cunt bleeding all over the keyboard every day about America. Perhaps if you are so unhappy YOU should move.. lol

Nice language man. Maybe you should call your mother now.

[Rolyo85]

Again - when you have nothing to say, you stick to sanctimonious prudeness.

[rareboy]

Dude you're the one with your cunt bleeding all over the keyboard every day about America. Perhaps if you are so unhappy YOU should move.. lol

I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly hot I found this post.

I am positively fanning myself on the divan.

[Rolyo85]

Haha, yeah, it made me twitch a bit...

[Jack Springer]

It absolutely pisses me off when people say "well then go somewhere else!!!".

Why don't you haters do that? Last I heard weren't there people wanting to move to Canada after Obama got re-elected?

And who the fuck is anyone to tell anyone else to do something like that?

The last bunch threatening to move out of the US was when GWB was re-elected. Sad to say they didn't keep their promises.

- - - Updated - - -

It absolutely pisses me off when people say "well then go somewhere else!!!".

Why don't you haters do that? Last I heard weren't there people wanting to move to Canada after Obama got re-elected?

And who the fuck is anyone to tell anyone else to do something like that?

The last bunch threatening to move out of the US was when GWB was re-elected. Sad to say they didn't keep their promises.

[Rolyo85]

The last bunch threatening to move out of the US was when GWB was re-elected. Sad to say they didn't keep their promises.

This is a lie. There were a LOT of people that threatened to move to Canada if Obama got reelected.

[Jack Springer]

Let's see your list.

[xbuzzerx]

What's funniest to me is that at least Democrats unhappy with Bush who thought about moving to Canada made sense.

Every Republican who talked about moving to Canada to get away from Obama and his "socialist medicine" and everything else were just demonstrating the usual Republican ignorance of anything outside of the U.S. by threatening to move to a country with socialized healthcare and a very high minimum wage.

[Jack Springer]

No list, huh

What's that thing you guys often say ... faux outrage.

[xbuzzerx]

No list, huh

What's that thing you guys often say ... faux outrage.

No one has any clue what you're asking for.

You want us to give the real life names of people we heard saying this on facebook? lol.

You aren't very good at debate Jack.

[JayHawk]

Nice language man. Maybe you should call your mother now.

If she read half the shit you post she would tell you to dry it up as well.

[rareboy]

No list, huh

What's that thing you guys often say ... faux outrage.

Try here for only a couple of Twitter feed examples and the mockery of the dumb asses that want to go from the frying pan into the fire.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity...obama-win.html

Or here for CNN's acknowledgement of the story.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politi...ter/index.html

However....this wasn't nearly as laughably stupid as all the Americans who want to leave the US....by becoming their own country.

http://swampland.time.com/2012/11/14...secessionists/

sometimes Jack....all you have to do is use Google.

[frankfrank]

No, I do not "hate America". I love it. But as any great country, it has great problems to match its great achievements. To refuse to acknowledge that is to invite willing blindness and deny yourself the chance to grow.

To refuse to acknowledge the problems is, also, one of the most distinctly UNPATRIOTIC things that a person can do.

Unfortunately, the talking points on one side, if taken entirely to their inevitable result, would leave the United States with an economy and social structure, as well as extreme and thorough Christian theocracy, of places such as Yemen. The pogroms resulting from extreme Christian theocracy would be EXACTLY the same shit that the Muslims are doing. Want proof? Consider that some of these same people WANT all of the gays in Uganda to be mercilessly murdered.

To me, that is complete hatred of "America" and everything that our values have ever stood for.

[Jack Springer]

If she read half the shit you post she would tell you to dry it up as well.

Make sure you call her a C*** the next time you chat.

[rareboy]

^ Well that is just about the most idiotic and juvenile thing you've posted in probably ....oh.....the last day or so.

I see that you didn't acknowledge that there were Americans talking about moving to Canada if Obama won.

[Jack Springer]

A much larger, more well known, and vocal group expressed their desire to move out of the country when Bush was elected and re-elected.


I don't like JayHawk's nickname for women, I find it extremely offensive.

[xbuzzerx]

A much larger, more well known, and vocal group expressed their desire to move out of the country when Bush was elected and re-elected.


I don't like JayHawk's nickname for women, I find it extremely offensive.

I see no substantiation offered for that-- from someone who was demanding lists.

[Rolyo85]

Oh, leave the poor dear alone! You see how he struggles!

And by the way, as was already established, at least people moving to Canada because of a Bush win made logical sense.

[rareboy]

Yes...the thing that made Canadians howl about how some Republicans would move to Canada if Obama was elected is that they would be moving to the very social environment they apparently hate.

Although I suspect that for many of them...they may have only wanted to leave because they still don't have their heads around the idea of a black man in the white house.

Christ. Just wait until they discover that Canada is a purely polyglot society and does not believe in the 'melting pot' theory, but more in a community of communities.

[Jack Springer]

^^^

Do you honestly think people are upset that Obama is black. You need to get over your racism, people of any color can do whatever they want to do.

Non French speaking Canadians still struggle with the arrogance of those that do speak French. Many of the people I work with in Canada often say they wish Quebec would separate itself from Canada.

It's evident you don't spend much time in the USA -- our melting pot is not working anymore. We have become a country divided - we speak different languages, we segregate ourselves into communities that don't communicate with each other.

We have become a country divided ... and that's not a good thing.

[xbuzzerx]

^^^

Do you honestly think people are upset that Obama is black. You need to get over your racism, people of any color can do whatever they want to do.

Non French speaking Canadians still struggle with the arrogance of those that do speak French. Many of the people I work with in Canada often say they wish Quebec would separate itself from Canada.

It's evident you don't spend much time in the USA -- our melting pot is not working anymore. We have become a country divided - we speak different languages, we segregate ourselves into communities that don't communicate with each other.

We have become a country divided ... and that's not a good thing.

Melting pot was always a myth. Different subject though. No, it didn't "work before" and then "fail now."

[vulgar_newcomer]

^^^

Do you honestly think people are upset that Obama is black. You need to get over your racism, people of any color can do whatever they want to do.

Oh yeah I talked to 2 rednecks directly face to face on a group chat last eve who called Obama a stupid ass niger who has no right or business being the President of the USA. These are not people I know but not hard to find them at all, and they are live with faces glowing in the cam.
I wouldn't have any problem finding such trash in a web chat room right now and I am talking about in general chat rooms not dedicated to right wing or redneck politics.

How can you be so damn naive to say its not true?

[JayHawk]

A much larger, more well known, and vocal group expressed their desire to move out of the country when Bush was elected and re-elected.


I don't like JayHawk's nickname for women, I find it extremely offensive.

That is not my nickname for women. That is my description of the quality works you happen to post.

It is funny that twice now you have felt the need to draw my Mother into the conversation. Was that a tactic that worked well on the playground when you weren't getting your way Jack?

[JayHawk]

Oh yeah I talked to 2 rednecks directly face to face on a group chat last eve who called Obama a stupid ass niger who has no right or business being the President of the USA. These are not people I know but not hard to find them at all, and they are live with faces glowing in the cam.
I wouldn't have any problem finding such trash in a web chat room right now and I am talking about in general chat rooms not dedicated to right wing or redneck politics.

How can you be so damn naive to say its not true?

It isn't naivete. It is a genuine desire to ignore portions of reality to ensure his concept of Obama remains intact. Despite time and again being proven completely wrong.

[Jack Springer]

That is not my nickname for women. That is my description of the quality works you happen to post.

It is funny that twice now you have felt the need to draw my Mother into the conversation. Was that a tactic that worked well on the playground when you weren't getting your way Jack?

I've never used that disgusting word. You threw it around too easily for it not to be in your daily vocabulary.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

I've never used that disgusting word. You threw it around too easily for it not to be in your daily vocabulary.

A cunt can either mean a vile female, or it can be slang for a vagina. JH used it in the latter context. As for "throwing it around too easily", he used used the word ONCE. That's not "throwing it around".

We're all adults here, Jack. Save the faux outrage for when Michelle eats a plate of ribs, OK?

[Rolyo85]

Yeah, this IS a gay porn site. If the word "cunt" offends you, perhaps you should discuss politics at church and stay away from all of us filthy gays.

[chance1]

Yeah, this IS a gay porn site. If the word "cunt" offends you, perhaps you should discuss politics at church and stay away from all of us filthy gays.

Every post is a train wreck with u

Instead of taking the well respected mod's advice .......

Well this is what we're left with

As for "Cunt bleeding" Jay that's quite fucked up - I imagine u got pms from the little girls who follow u here all offering up their virginity but really u can and need to do better

[xbuzzerx]

The thread is this off topic because Jack said Al Jazeera will be un American news and people with an unamerican view should leave the U.S.

Pointing out a train wreck now?

[rareboy]

It seems that the Chance and Jack show appears to have jumped the shark somewhere over the last couple of months......