Stephen A Smith is going to be a little richer & the highest paid ESPN talent
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America hasn't had a free press for decades, anyone that thinks we have is either totally ignorant or just not paying attention.
I've often said that todays media outlets would have made Hitler so proud.
The level of constant hatred we've seen from the media the last 5 years should have us all hanging our heads in shame. It's beyond embarrassing.
My 2 favorite Stephen A Smith moments:
1) About 10-12 years ago he's the guest on a radio show and they're talking about Chinese prospects who might come after Yao Ming. When the two hosts are done, Smith says, "I'm tired of talking about all the European players, let's talk about..." Yes, Smith thought China was in Europe.
2) Way back when he was on the NBA Pre/Half Time show with Barkley & Kenny Smith. He was blabbing on and on and Barkley and Smith are getting visibly irritated. Finally, Smith says, "Have you ever even put on a uniform?"
1) About 10-12 years ago he's the guest on a radio show and they're talking about Chinese prospects who might come after Yao Ming. When the two hosts are done, Smith says, "I'm tired of talking about all the European players, let's talk about..." Yes, Smith thought China was in Europe.
2) Way back when he was on the NBA Pre/Half Time show with Barkley & Kenny Smith. He was blabbing on and on and Barkley and Smith are getting visibly irritated. Finally, Smith says, "Have you ever even put on a uniform?"
My apologies to the board in advance for contributing to an off-topic political thread. Feel free to ignore the following comments as they are not related to IU basketball. I will promise that this is my last response in this thread but I believe the previous comment should not stand without rebuttal:
America has always had, and continues to have a free press. Never in this country's history has the government successfully suppressed the media's criticism of it, despite efforts that date all the way back to John Adams. Even in wartime, when the media was particularly respectful and restrained, there are still many examples of media criticism of Presidents, Congress, and the military.
If your commentary is meant to refer to media bias, of course we have that - as we have always had. Every President in the history of this country has complained about it. It's just that 24-7 coverage in multiple media formats and the general increase in incivility today makes it more pervasive. And I agree that the level of vitriol is shameful and blame lies with both liberal and conservative media. That's a sad consequence of media becoming intertwined with entertainment and shock jocks looking for ratings being mistaken for journalists.
My point in the earlier post is that we as a society should worry when a politician seriously suggests that media criticism of him personally is treasonous or that particular media should be shut down or banned - even harmless parody. It's more worrisome when a significant number of citizens agree with him. We still have libel laws in this country. Any politician who believes the media has told damaging lies with malicious intent is free to sue. The problem for those politicians is that you can't sue when what has been reported is a damaging truth - or that exposing a media untruth means you have to expose and lay bare things you yourself have lied about. Ask Dick Nixon.
I won't respond beyond this.
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What we have today is not news, it's only meant to point fingers and sway public opinion. I'm talking about everyone here, not just certain media outlets.
Isn't it interesting how we will overlook the sins of some when we actually agree with what they are saying, even if we know it's not based in fact?
One thing the media has stopped doing is providing a retraction when they've falsely accused someone and been proven to be wrong. Now they just make excuses and move on to the next set of accusations.
We can agree to disagree, but the truth is there are different rules for different people.
Agreed, I do not appear to be in their targeted demographic. The research must show it is not cost effective which I find difficult to believe.
I agree with your thesis. Intellectual debate on the issues is a root of the American experiment. But when intellect and courtesy disintegrate into profane insults and intimidation the debate becomes lost along with any positive ideas that might better the conditions being examined.
I don't want a TV color person talking about way off topic and stupid things while I watch a game. The stoned kids in high school and college were pretty funny to listen to. It isn't fun when the person is 70 years old and not high.
