I have to make an observation about something here that been bugging me for a while now.  We always talk about how poorly women are represented in the media and in movies and TV.  I have noticed this and do not like it, but in the same token, do you guys ever notice that in all these gross-out movies such as "American Pie", "Van Wilder", "Old School", "Something About Mary" and "Zoolander", there are very poor represntations of men?  Not all guys are necessarily dumb and disgutsing, and this makes it bad for guys.  And,also, why are people so quick to attack guys for being metrosexuals?  I mean, if I'm not mistaken, we all wanted our men to look great and be polished up, but now theyre finally doing it, and they get picked on even more.  And why is it that when a man is sensistive and appreciates art and music people always assumes he's gay?  Isn't that as sexist as saying that a woman can't hold a job?  Uh, sexual discrimination does go both ways, you know.

Interminable irony is the problem.

Our "pop culture" doesn't use satire on authority and oppressive forces in our culture, it spoofs us instead.  It dumbs everything down into predictable stereotypes and harps on them endlessly.  Stand-up comedy is a lost art.  "Humor" runs hand in hand with commercials and shoots barbs at all of our insecurities.  Whether your young, old, short fat, ugly, dumb, smart, from the country, from the ghetto, white, black, poor, middle-class, virgin, slut....you name it, they rank on you for it.  Everything from Queer Eye to Colin Quinn, it's all sh*t and deserves nothing but your scorn.  Period.
>:(

I have to make an observation about something here that been bugging me for a while now.  We always talk about how poorly women are represented in the media and in movies and TV.  I have noticed this and do not like it, but in the same token, do you guys ever notice that in all these gross-out movies such as "American Pie", "Van Wilder", "Old School", "Something About Mary" and "Zoolander", there are very poor represntations of men?  Not all guys are necessarily dumb and disgutsing, and this makes it bad for guys.  And,also, why are people so quick to attack guys for being metrosexuals?  I mean, if I'm not mistaken, we all wanted our men to look great and be polished up, but now theyre finally doing it, and they get picked on even more.  And why is it that when a man is sensistive and appreciates art and music people always assumes he's gay?  Isn't that as sexist as saying that a woman can't hold a job?  Uh, sexual discrimination does go both ways, you know.

For men, these things don't bother us. And for someone to assume a guy is gay just because he likes art, you would have to understand how heterosexual males are raised from an early age.
If you take a look at high school art class, a girl draws a naked girl - perfectly normal. A girl draws a naked guy - perfectly normal. A guy draws a naked girl - he gets repermanded by the school district. A guy draws a naked guy - he gets repermanded by the school system plus, made fun of, beaten up, other forms of bullying.

...and no, I'm not the one who drew a naked guy.

it should bother you!  men have rights just the same as women, and you should be allowed to speak out just the same as women!

Metrosexuals ::) I admit it, i'm ignorant. I had to google this term because I had no idea what it meant.

So they made up a word to describe a man that likes to shop, likes art, and takes care of his body. What a load of crap! So I guess that makes me a metrosexual. But wait. I also enjoy watching football while dripping hot sauce on my undershirt and scratching my butt. Does that make me a bi-metrosexual?

The person that makes the mistake of making fun of me because I like to read poetry will find out that it's a lot harder to call someone names when they are swallowing their teeth.

For men, these things don't bother us. And for someone to assume a guy is gay just because he likes art, you would have to understand how heterosexual males are raised from an early age.
If you take a look at high school art class, a girl draws a naked girl - perfectly normal. A girl draws a naked guy - perfectly normal. A guy draws a naked girl - he gets repermanded by the school district. A guy draws a naked guy - he gets repermanded by the school system plus, made fun of, beaten up, other forms of bullying.

...and no, I'm not the one who drew a naked guy.

What about a naked guy drawing a picture of a guy with all his clothes on? ???

So they made up a word to describe a man that likes to shop, likes art, and takes care of his body. What a load of crap! So I guess that makes me a metrosexual. But wait. I also enjoy watching football while dripping hot sauce on my undershirt and scratching my butt. Does that make me a bi-metrosexual?



:D

Guess that must make me one too!

Eh? I'm confused. Being a man is a state of mind. It doesn't matter what these spoofs say - we know what we are.  :)

Maxwell, I agree with what you say.

What's really offensive are "serious" movies that are just made for shock value, like the "Friday the 13th" movies or video nasties like the H.G. Lewis films that exploit women by subjecting them to torture. The worst of these has to be the scene from a movie called Bloodsucking Freaks (I didn't see the movie, I got the description from the Marsha Potter review book) which a women gets her brains sucked out with a straw. Although most aren't to be taken seriously, I do find scenes like that sickening. :P 

If you find a movie offensive, dont watch it! I personally find American Pie to be very funny.  I resently went through the whole sex and prom thing and that really made me relax.  I understand that some of the material is not something that everyone would enjoy, but seriously, nobody forces you to watch. 

Hmm one movie I know I am going to find very offensive is the new Tom Cruise film they are making at the moment.I certainly don't intend to go and see it incase I feel the need the trash the cinema screen.I have ranted about it on these boards in the past but basically he is going to win the Battle of Britain more or less singlehandedly with his crew of American pilots.As you can imagine many people are extremly angry and upset by this latest Hollywood rewrite of British history! I'll stop now before I get too carried away ranting.........

And Sly Stallone singlehandedly stopped Apartheid. ::)
I agree Gis, that Americans shouldn't rewrite history to suit Yanks taste. Mel Gibson (or whomever wrote "The Patriot") didn't have to change American history to make a good story. The sad truth is there is going to be some or a large number of inaccuracies for Hollywood to make an historical epic. Hardly anyone saw "The Alamo" and I don't believe anyone's going to see another film on the Battle of Britian, unless Tom Cruise somehow clones himself and what's left of his fans to see the "story".

Hmm one movie I know I am going to find very offensive is the new Tom Cruise film they are making at the moment.I certainly don't intend to go and see it incase I feel the need the trash the cinema screen.I have ranted about it on these boards in the past but basically he is going to win the Battle of Britain more or less singlehandedly with his crew of American pilots.As you can imagine many people are extremly angry and upset by this latest Hollywood rewrite of British history! I'll stop now before I get too carried away ranting.........

The person that makes the mistake of making fun of me because I like to read poetry will find out that it's a lot harder to call someone names when they are swallowing their teeth.


Hmm...you like to read poetry and you're  good looking(I saw ur pic)? I don't see how any reasonable person would make fun of you. ;)

Now to address the topic: Yes sexism does work both ways BUT women have the worst of it. I used to get very easily offended by a lot of movies, but lately I've become very unfazed and desensitized by alot of things in this world. If I find myself in front of a movie that I don't like I just walk away.

The only thing I would find offensive about a film is if I paid out at the cinema just to find out it's a load of rubbish.  ;)

The person that makes the mistake of making fun of me because I like to read poetry will find out that it's a lot harder to call someone names when they are swallowing their teeth.


Hmm...you like to read poetry and you're  good looking(I saw ur pic)? I don't see how any reasonable person would make fun of you. ;)


Aw shucks ;D Thanks for the compliment. You're not too bad yourself ;)

Most of my guy friends are "Mens Men" I guess. I am who I am. I'm not going to act like moron like Tim the toolman Taylor or any other bumbling idiot on TV just because that's how men are supposed to act.

Malibu's Most Wanted Jamie Kennedy was spoofing Eminem.


Howard

If you find a movie offensive, dont watch it! I personally find American Pie to be very funny.  I resently went through the whole sex and prom thing and that really made me relax.  I understand that some of the material is not something that everyone would enjoy, but seriously, nobody forces you to watch. 

I agree with you entirely.  However, the makers of "American Pie" knew there would be an audience for it.  Hollywood will argue, "we're just giving the people what they want."  They're right.  But how do the people get to want what they want?  I've seen a gradual dumbing down and dirtying up of entertainment over the past thirty years.  Not that I can REMEMBER watching movies when I was five, my observations come through retrospective observation.

I'm not AGAINST violence, profanity, nudity, or sex in entertainment.  What sickens me is the numbness and inanity with which the entertainment industries treat these subjects.  For instance, there's a world of difference between the use of violence in "A Clockwork Orange" and "Kill Bill."
I see a very thuggish and rotten use of sexuality among young people today.  This is not the bed-hopping of yesteryear.  It's all flavored by the pornography, exotic dancing, and mardi-gras-type exhibitionism made normal--even mandatory--over the past ten years.  It's insensitive, angry, cold, and tinged with violence. 

I don't have an answer.  The right-wing is calling for a government-enforced clean up the entertainment biz.  They're no one to scold others about behavior.  If I had a teenaged daughter, I'd still rather see a picture of Snoop Dogg on her wall than a picture of Jerry Falwell! LOL!  It's hard when the hypocrites calling for purity are dirtier than those they call impure.  I just deal with the alienation as best I can, and hope our culture heals on its own.

Of course it is folly to pay for entertainment that offends you.  However, I'm not sure all who decry raunchy entertainment are as offended as they make themselves out to be.  Dr. William Bennett, for instance, has been one of the country's biggest moral scolds over the past fifteen years.  Turns out he blew eight million dollars gambling over the same period.  Does he really expect us to believe he'd lose 100K one evening in Vegas, and then go to his hotel and read the Bible.  Come on!  Casinos give all kinds of perks to high rollers!

Yes, Dr. Bennett has The Big Book of Virtues, but I bet he's also got The Big Box of Porn!
;D

Aw, please.  This has been going on as long as there's been an electronic popular media.  Mae West was "dirtying up" and the Three Stooges were "dumbing down" things long before any of us were born.  When I was a kid the old folks were squawking about mini-skirts and women burning their bras.  Kids were wallowing naked in the mudpits at Woodstock and the world gasped. 
Take my word on this one:  It ain't a sign of the apocalypse.  If our parents and grand-parents could survive the likes of Ralph Ginzburg, Betty Page and Lenny Bruce, we can survive whatever they throw at us now.

Sure, we'll survive.  If the apocalypse comes, it won't be on account of degenerate pop culture.
Some of the problems I mentioned are much more severe than in the past, due to numerous factors.  I'd rather not pontificate ad nauseam.  Observe and judge for yourself.

Great post, LisaLisa

Most men don't mind being laughed at until they get divorced or have to deal with male-bashing garbage at work. Same for women too.
>:(
"...do you guys ever notice that in all these gross-out movies such as "American Pie", "Van Wilder", "Old School", "Something About Mary" and "Zoolander", there are very poor represntations of men?"
I think the studios will crank out what ever they think/know will sell. And sell it does. And oddly, probably mostly to people over the age of 24.

Thanks. Your post was a good read and so were the follow-up posts.

:D

If you find a movie offensive, dont watch it! I personally find American Pie to be very funny.  I resently went through the whole sex and prom thing and that really made me relax.  I understand that some of the material is not something that everyone would enjoy, but seriously, nobody forces you to watch. 

I agree with you entirely.  However, the makers of "American Pie" knew there would be an audience for it.  Hollywood will argue, "we're just giving the people what they want."  They're right.  But how do the people get to want what they want?  I've seen a gradual dumbing down and dirtying up of entertainment over the past thirty years.  Not that I can REMEMBER watching movies when I was five, my observations come through retrospective observation.

I'm not AGAINST violence, profanity, nudity, or sex in entertainment.  What sickens me is the numbness and inanity with which the entertainment industries treat these subjects.  For instance, there's a world of difference between the use of violence in "A Clockwork Orange" and "Kill Bill."
I see a very thuggish and rotten use of sexuality among young people today.  This is not the bed-hopping of yesteryear.  It's all flavored by the pornography, exotic dancing, and mardi-gras-type exhibitionism made normal--even mandatory--over the past ten years.  It's insensitive, angry, cold, and tinged with violence. 

I don't have an answer.  The right-wing is calling for a government-enforced clean up the entertainment biz.  They're no one to scold others about behavior.  If I had a teenaged daughter, I'd still rather see a picture of Snoop Dogg on her wall than a picture of Jerry Falwell! LOL!  It's hard when the hypocrites calling for purity are dirtier than those they call impure.  I just deal with the alienation as best I can, and hope our culture heals on its own.

Of course it is folly to pay for entertainment that offends you.  However, I'm not sure all who decry raunchy entertainment are as offended as they make themselves out to be.  Dr. William Bennett, for instance, has been one of the country's biggest moral scolds over the past fifteen years.  Turns out he blew eight million dollars gambling over the same period.  Does he really expect us to believe he'd lose 100K one evening in Vegas, and then go to his hotel and read the Bible.  Come on!  Casinos give all kinds of perks to high rollers!

Yes, Dr. Bennett has The Big Book of Virtues, but I bet he's also got The Big Box of Porn!
;D
I couldn't agree more, MawellSmart

You want to know what's offensive?Turn on Fox(FAUX)News Channel! Or CNN,MSNBC(cable news)or your local news. According to them,the world's going down the toilet!Rarely is anything POSITIVE reported! And we complain about Arab news channel Al-jazeera!

You want to know what's offensive?Turn on Fox(FAUX)News Channel! Or CNN,MSNBC(cable news)or your local news. According to them,the world's going down the toilet!Rarely is anything POSITIVE reported! And we complain about Arab news channel Al-jazeera!

FAUX news, MSNBC?
According to them the world is going down the toilet because we don't allow prayer in public schools, not because a cabal of apocalyptic maniacs are running our government.

CNN?  They're not as extreme as other two, but they're so beholden to their corporate sponsers they can't say anything to make a difference.

FAUX news, MSNBC?
According to them the world is going down the toilet because we don't allow prayer in public schools, not because a cabal of apocalyptic maniacs are running our government.

CNN?  They're not as extreme as other two, but they're so beholden to their corporate sponsers they can't say anything to make a difference.


The 2 mentioned news networks can be easily summarized in that their content is very reflecive of their owners.

FOX News-  right-leaning...is owened by outspoken right-wing conservative Rupert Murdoch. 

CNN-  left-leaning...is owned by an outspoken liberal left-wing activist (he's married to Hanoi Jane for cryin out loud).


I take what they both say and beleive the average of the 2.  They are both on the extremes of the spectrum.

It's no Hollywood production,but I nominate the Jerry Springer Show as the most disgusting show on TV! I don't see any of those televangelists protesting about that hideous waste of a good blank videotape!!

Personally, I think the word "offensive", or "offended" gets thrown around waaaay too much these days.  I'm tired of hearing about people being "offended" by everything.

Given that everyone has a choice as to what they watch, listen to, etc, how can anyone really claim to be offended by movies, TV, etc?  If you're watching a TV show that you don't like, turn the channel.  If you're at a movie you don't like, get up and leave.  It's not the end of the world.

Personally, I think the word "offensive", or "offended" gets thrown around waaaay too much these days.  I'm tired of hearing about people being "offended" by everything.

Given that everyone has a choice as to what they watch, listen to, etc, how can anyone really claim to be offended by movies, TV, etc?  If you're watching a TV show that you don't like, turn the channel.  If you're at a movie you don't like, get up and leave.  It's not the end of the world.




???I worry about kids seeing shows like SPRINGER when their parents are not around! ??? INNOCENT kids should not be exposed to absolute CRAP like his show! >:(

???I worry about kids seeing shows like SPRINGER when their parents are not around! ??? INNOCENT kids should not be exposed to absolute CRAP like his show! >:(


Personally I think there are worse things kids can be exposed to than Jerry Springer.  If the kid has any sense in their head they will realize that the show is ridiculous and totally phony.

But as far as keeping kids from seeing things they shouldn't, I think that is the parents job.  There are ways to prevent kids from seeing shows they shouldn't see (TV parental locks, V-Chips, etc).  The shows will go on whether kids see them or not, Its up to the parents to decide if their kids should see them.

Just my 2 cents.

Me, Myself & Irene with Jim Carey...pushing public opinion of mental illness back 50 years. In fact, most Carey movies offend me personally, but that's 'cos I don't like him, but M,M&I definitely pushed the barriers of taste.

The only thing I would find offensive about a film is if I paid out at the cinema just to find out it's a load of rubbish.  ;)
Based on me totally agreeing with you Bobby, I'd say a LOT of movies are offensive nowadays ::)

It's no Hollywood production,but I nominate the Jerry Springer Show as the most disgusting show on TV! I don't see any of those televangelists protesting about that hideous waste of a good blank videotape!!



That show is just a piece of CRAP! All they do is fight on the show and call each other names. >:(


Howard

Based on me totally agreeing with you Bobby, I'd say a LOT of movies are offensive nowadays ::)


:)

It's no Hollywood production,but I nominate the Jerry Springer Show as the most disgusting show on TV! I don't see any of those televangelists protesting about that hideous waste of a good blank videotape!!


I think the worst thing about this show is the lack of dignity these guests have and the sheer willingness of the production team to allow them to show this on daytime TV. Have you noticed that when Springer says something slightly ironic, the trailer trash think he's condoning their actions and they cheer him - idiots.  :(

This was probably good for a series or two but it has since scraped the barrel in a huge way.

What about a naked guy drawing a picture of a guy with all his clothes on? ???

LOL!  :D

:)
;)

What about a naked guy drawing a picture of a guy with all his clothes on? ???



Is that a movie? ;D

Howard

I don't see what people have against "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"-that five men who happen to be GAY are giving a hetero guy a chance to look-and BE-classy guys? Also doesn't it make a difference that the hetero's GIRLFRIEND is the person usually nominating them for a 'Fab Five' makeover?Can't the anti-gay crowd see that the show is NOT going to contaminate our society,that it's just a FUN show?

I don't see what people have against "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"-that five men who happen to be GAY are giving a hetero guy a chance to look-and BE-classy guys? Also doesn't it make a difference that the hetero's GIRLFRIEND is the person usually nominating them for a 'Fab Five' makeover?Can't the anti-gay crowd see that the show is NOT going to contaminate our society,that it's just a FUN show?



How do you feel about The L Word.Man,that is one excellent show.I try not to miss it whenever I can. :D


Howard

I don't see what people have against "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"-that five men who happen to be GAY are giving a hetero guy a chance to look-and BE-classy guys? Also doesn't it make a difference that the hetero's GIRLFRIEND is the person usually nominating them for a 'Fab Five' makeover?Can't the anti-gay crowd see that the show is NOT going to contaminate our society,that it's just a FUN show?


Nothing wrong with that. It makes us heterosexual guys out to be pretty clueless, but I am so . . . There.  :)

I don't see what people have against "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"-that five men who happen to be GAY are giving a hetero guy a chance to look-and BE-classy guys? Also doesn't it make a difference that the hetero's GIRLFRIEND is the person usually nominating them for a 'Fab Five' makeover?Can't the anti-gay crowd see that the show is NOT going to contaminate our society,that it's just a FUN show?


Queer Eye, doesn't offend me, it's just tireing to see this stereotype that hetero guys have no fashion sense or are slobs. Believe me, I know of gay women & men with terrible fashion sense and are WORSE than slobs...

They trend in makeovers shows(like Queer Eye) however, IS offensive to me. If the guys girlfriend isn't happy with the guy and how "UN-classy" he is, why is she with him? Why change him?

Why is it, in a society that supposedly supports and welcomes the differences in people, are we so obsessed with makeovers?
It bothers me that we get so much enjoyment out of changing someones appearance to one that is more accepted by the rest of us & the fashion police of the world.

Queer Eye, doesn't offend me, it's just tireing to see this stereotype that hetero guys have no fashion sense or are slobs. Believe me, I know of gay women & men with terrible fashion sense and are WORSE than slobs...

They trend in makeovers shows(like Queer Eye) however, IS offensive to me. If the guys girlfriend isn't happy with the guy and how "UN-classy" he is, why is she with him? Why change him?

Why is it, in a society that supposedly supports and welcomes the differences in people, are we so obsessed with makeovers?
It bothers me that we get so much enjoyment out of changing someones appearance to one that is more accepted by the rest of us & the fashion police of the world.



"Queer Eye" is only offensive to me because it is inane.  A high percentage of TV programming is inane, and I don't watch it.  Some gays spoke up agianst "Queer Eye," notably Mass. congressman Barney Frank, who said it relied on demeaning stereotypes.  Maybe so, Barn, but demeaning stereotypes of all types are on TV.  Demeaning stereotypes SELL.

As for "makeovers," that falls under the "inane" category and I can't click past them fast enough.

Oh, yes, we do celebrate "differences" in TV Land, as long as you're rich and good looking while you are being "different."  Got it?
8)

"Queer Eye" is only offensive to me because it is inane.  A high percentage of TV programming is inane, and I don't watch it. 


So you find a lot of TV programming to be offensive then, Maxwell?

And The L Word are for guys who love lesbians. :D


Howard

So you find a lot of TV programming to be offensive then, Maxwell?

Not offense in the way conservative prigs define "offensive," but offensive to human intelligence, yes!  While these two men seem to be dead opposites, both are offensive to human intelligence:
Howard Stern and Bill O'Reilly.

Not offense in the way conservative prigs define "offensive," but offensive to human intelligence, yes!  While these two men seem to be dead opposites, both are offensive to human intelligence:
Howard Stern and Bill O'Reilly.


Ah! The insulting the intelligence shows. A lot to hate there, Maxwell, lol.  ;D

I can think of somebody worse than Howard Stern and that's Tom Green.

Ah! The insulting the intelligence shows. A lot to hate there, Maxwell, lol.  ;D

I can think of somebody worse than Howard Stern and that's Tom Green.
Personally,I think Howard Stern is a pig!I do NOT see what other women see in that oversexed and lame-brained piece of work! :D Same with RUSH LIMBAUGH
and certain members of the Religious Right,namely gay-hating JERRY FALWELL! Hey,the Bible I read says to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.Hating gays is not Godly,Mr. Falwell,just BIGOTED!!

Personally,I think Howard Stern is a pig!I do NOT see what other women see in that oversexed and lame-brained piece of work! :D Same with RUSH LIMBAUGH
and certain members of the Religious Right,namely gay-hating JERRY FALWELL! Hey,the Bible I read says to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.Hating gays is not Godly,Mr. Falwell,just BIGOTED!!

Limbaugh and Falwell are much more destructive than Stern.  Howard isn't even in the same league.  Limbaugh and Falwell command legions of zombie-like followers who will act upon whatever these fascist gurus tell them to.

People throw the word offensive around to much. I really don't find anything offensive. There is alot of crap that pisses me off. Like that little scum MandM, cRAP music as a whole. South Park, all kinds of stuff on T.V. and Radio. Stuff I don't want my almost 10 year old son to see or hear. Howard Stern comes to mind, No wonder his wife left him. Anyway, I just shut if off.


Tim
RATT-n-ROLL

I remember a thread about Rush Limbaugh back in the old boards but it happened when I didn't care who he was. Who is he and what was his role in the media? Everybody seems to hate him.

I remember a thread about Rush Limbaugh back in the old boards but it happened when I didn't care who he was. Who is he and what was his role in the media? Everybody seems to hate him.
>:(RUSH LIMBAUGH is a big,fat,right-wing oxycontin addict hypocrite who spreads his Neo-Fascist beliefs all over the radio airwaves to millions of DIMWITS who are dumb enough to hang onto his every word and ACT on them! :-\\

:P :P :PWell Hannibal had a .lot of stuff to offend people.Especially the part with the little Japanese kid on the plane.That explains why kids shouldn't take treats from strangers,at least. :P :-\\Cheers!

I remember a thread about Rush Limbaugh back in the old boards but it happened when I didn't care who he was. Who is he and what was his role in the media? Everybody seems to hate him.

Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing talk show host.  He started as a disc jockey, and went into talk radio in the '80s.  He gained great popularity in the Sacremento, California, area.  I don't remember the full story, but somebody realized he was a goldmine.  He went national in 1991, I think. 
His confrontational ultra-conservative style won him unprecedented audiences among supporters and detractors alike.  He lit up every market he touched, and he revitalized (and revolutionized "talk radio).  To his credit he is a gifted orator and a great broadcaster.

I BELIEVE HE REPRESENTS A NATIONAL DISGRACE!

Rush and his supporters say he got where he is through what Rush calls his "talent on loan from God."  They claim there was a great conservative silent majority unrepresented by the "liberal elite media."  With Rush, they finally had a voice representing the beliefs of the common man and woman.  And THAT'S why Rush is the most successful talk show host in history.

I'm skeptical.  I believe Rush represents the interests of corporate America.  Most of his popularity is what Noam Chomsky calls "manufactured consent."  What appeals to peple about Mr. Limbaugh is his "us versus them," accusatory, jeering, and righteously indignant rhetoric.  The politics come second.  An angry leftist could as easily have tapped the same wild response.  However, the corporations that own and sponsor commercial media would never allow political rhetoric that might cause consumerst lose faith in shopping.
>:(

Rush is wantonly one-sided and partisan Republican.  He only gets away with this montonous propaganda due to the rescinding in 1987 of an FCC regulation called "The Fairness Doctrine."  Interested further?  Go to Google!

With all this talk about Rush Limbaugh in the wrong, I'm sort of dissapointed that nobody mentioned the so-called "Air America" radio network.

Its the same exact thing, same purpose, just on the opposite side of the spectrum. 

Something worth mentioning though, is that the so-called "liberal network" is failing miserably and has even been pulled off the air in most of their few markets because they couldn't even get enough sponsors to pay the bills.  In TV/Radio, the listeners are the ultimate bill-payers, as they determine how many sponsors, and how much the sponsors will have to pay to be part of the show.  And the fact that "Air America" has virtually no listeners, no audience, and no sponsors is quite telling.

Perhaps Rush is on to something?  I'm not a big fan, but just because he is successful and has a huge audience doesn't automatically make him a bad person.

With all this talk about Rush Limbaugh in the wrong, I'm sort of dissapointed that nobody mentioned the so-called "Air America" radio network.

Its the same exact thing, same purpose, just on the opposite side of the spectrum. 

Something worth mentioning though, is that the so-called "liberal network" is failing miserably and has even been pulled off the air in most of their few markets because they couldn't even get enough sponsors to pay the bills.  In TV/Radio, the listeners are the ultimate bill-payers, as they determine how many sponsors, and how much the sponsors will have to pay to be part of the show.  And the fact that "Air America" has virtually no listeners, no audience, and no sponsors is quite telling.

Perhaps Rush is on to something?  I'm not a big fan, but just because he is successful and has a huge audience doesn't automatically make him a bad person.



I could have told you that before they started.  It's ironic how much "bombing" this anti-war "Air America" crowd is doing!
Advertising does not follow the rules of supply-and-demand, it sets them.  Rush Limbaugh exists to supplement the advertising, the advertising does not exist to fund Rush.  Sponsors will not risk their dollars on messages that may alienate consumers from their products.  That is why there is so much hatred of PBS, NPR, and the BBC among conservative commentators (ie corporate spokespeople).  It's not about conservative versus liberal, it's about public versus private, citizens versus consumers.  Again, I recommend Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent.  The right-wing has made the public sector its mortal enemy and profit its God.  Christianity is just a veneer.

What the "left" is demanding is analysis, nuance, and the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts in one's head and reconcile them.  Too much work.  Thinking is dangerous to obedience and shopping.  Limbaugh fans use the term "Dittohead" without irony. 

Did you ever notice how the right-wing cannot work with irony?  Why does John Stewart seem to side more with "liberals."  To say nothing of Stewart's personal views, The Daily Show is SATIRE.  When the right-wing tries to do satire, it dies.  Limbaugh tries, and it always falls flat.  Why?  Because the elements of satire don't work when it's the king mocking the peasants.  When Air America was planned as a satirical network, it was dead in the water.  The seething masses dumbed down by Limbaugh and Fox Newt will never get the same visceral charge if they have to do the extra "thinking steps" it takes to analyze satire.

The left does emotional fist-pounding hate rants exceedingly well.  However, the powers that be would never allow a left-wing corollary to Fox Newt (never mind the lack of sponsors).  The last lefties who tried that, THE BLACK PANTHERS, were riddled with bullets in their beds, though their apartment walls!! Thanks a lot, J. Edgar Hoover.
Lastly, John Stuart Mill (not to be confused with the first John Stewart) said, "Not all conservatives are stupid, but most stupid people are conservative."  In a dumbed-down society, what chance does Bill Moyers have against Bill O'Reilly?

When Air America was planned as a satirical network, it was dead in the water. 


No offenxs, but I hardly find the speakers on "Air America" as satire.

Some of them sincerely hate Republicans, Christians, Conservatives, etc.  They have made that very clear.

No offenxs, but I hardly find the speakers on "Air America" as satire.

Some of them sincerely hate Republicans, Christians, Conservatives, etc.  They have made that very clear.




Well, a lot of it was pitched as satirical, but I don't know how it turned out because even I, a die-hard leftie, have yet to tune in!  If it was available on a station near me, I'd have it on as a go about my business, but it's not over the "air" in my area.  I'd have listen on the internet.  Jeez, the shoulda called "Internet America."
:P

Thank you Tonyfan and Maxwell Smart for the info on Rush Limbaugh. I'm not too sure we have any one like that over here in Britain (I think Robert 'Kilroy' Silk may have come close).

I could have told you that before they started.  It's ironic how much "bombing" this anti-war "Air America" crowd is doing!
Advertising does not follow the rules of supply-and-demand, it sets them.  Rush Limbaugh exists to supplement the advertising, the advertising does not exist to fund Rush.  Sponsors will not risk their dollars on messages that may alienate consumers from their products.  That is why there is so much hatred of PBS, NPR, and the BBC among conservative commentators (ie corporate spokespeople).  It's not about conservative versus liberal, it's about public versus private, citizens versus consumers.  Again, I recommend Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent.  The right-wing has made the public sector its mortal enemy and profit its God.  Christianity is just a veneer.

What the "left" is demanding is analysis, nuance, and the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts in one's head and reconcile them.  Too much work.  Thinking is dangerous to obedience and shopping.  Limbaugh fans use the term "Dittohead" without irony. 

Did you ever notice how the right-wing cannot work with irony?  Why does John Stewart seem to side more with "liberals."  To say nothing of Stewart's personal views, The Daily Show is SATIRE.  When the right-wing tries to do satire, it dies.  Limbaugh tries, and it always falls flat.  Why?  Because the elements of satire don't work when it's the king mocking the peasants.  When Air America was planned as a satirical network, it was dead in the water.  The seething masses dumbed down by Limbaugh and Fox Newt will never get the same visceral charge if they have to do the extra "thinking steps" it takes to analyze satire.

The left does emotional fist-pounding hate rants exceedingly well.  However, the powers that be would never allow a left-wing corollary to Fox Newt (never mind the lack of sponsors).  The last lefties who tried that, THE BLACK PANTHERS, were riddled with bullets in their beds, though their apartment walls!! Thanks a lot, J. Edgar Hoover.
Lastly, John Stuart Mill (not to be confused with the first John Stewart) said, "Not all conservatives are stupid, but most stupid people are conservative."  In a dumbed-down society, what chance does Bill Moyers have against Bill O'Reilly?
It seems to me that the Conservative goons have made the America Online news message boards their virtual 'soapbox' for spewing their anti-gay,anti-woman,anti-minority,anti-choice'Christian'views! Which is why I (as a Democrat and a woman),do not post there anymore!

What's really offensive are "serious" movies that are just made for shock value, like the "Friday the 13th" movies or video nasties like the H.G. Lewis films that exploit women by subjecting them to torture. The worst of these has to be the scene from a movie called Bloodsucking Freaks (I didn't see the movie, I got the description from the Marsha Potter review book) which a women gets her brains sucked out with a straw. Although most aren't to be taken seriously, I do find scenes like that sickening. :P 


God I remeber that movie. Didn't they use women as coffee tables too? I thought it was really truly  pornographic.

God I remeber that movie. Didn't they use women as coffee tables too? I thought it was really truly  pornographic.


How much better if they used coffee tables as women?
:D

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/flamethrower.gifHow much better if they used coffee tables as women?
:D


Sexist

How much better if they used coffee tables as women?
:D


Not a bad idea.

Plus I'm so damned lonely.



BRB.

http://www.dewaltpowertoolsonline.com/sitebuilder/images/Dewalt_Cordless_Drills_Drill_DC730KA-315x313.jpg

How much better if they used coffee tables as women? :D


Dude, I'm as Rule 34 as anyone - and I can readily imagine a coffee table (presumably flipped on its back) as a man (or even three or four men, depending on the configuration of the table).  But if you're gonna use a coffee table as a woman, we're gonna need some pics. 

(I said we're gonna need some pics.  Not that we want the pics.)

Dude, I'm as Rule 34 as anyone - and I can readily imagine a coffee table (presumably flipped on its back) as a man (or even three or four men, depending on the configuration of the table).  But if you're gonna use a coffee table as a woman, we're gonna need some pics. 

(I said we're gonna need some pics.  Not that we want the pics.)

Dude, I'm as Rule 34 as anyone - and I can readily imagine a coffee table (presumably flipped on its back) as a man (or even three or four men, depending on the configuration of the table).  But if you're gonna use a coffee table as a woman, we're gonna need some pics. 

(I said we're gonna need some pics.  Not that we want the pics.)


Sorry no pics but here  Bloodsucking Freaks you can check it out yourself. And no the woman was on all fours. I watched for about two minutes and then could not tolerate the rest of the film. It had to be 25 yrs ago, but I never forget that one scene. Although there are more horrifying scenes. I really considered this porn because it was so demeaning to women and apparently midgets too.

Sorry no pics but here  Bloodsucking Freaks you can check it out yourself. And no the woman was on all fours. I watched for about two minutes and then could not tolerate the rest of the film. It had to be 25 yrs ago, but I never forget that one scene. Although there are more horrifying scenes. I really considered this porn because it was so demeaning to women and apparently midgets too.


I've never heard of it before, good thing I didn't.