In what a sorry state we remain when Republicans spew lies over and over and go totally unchallenged

[flpoljunkie]

Just listening to Senator John Barrasso, R-WY, on The Daily Rundown go totally unchallenged by the Republican bootlicker Luke Russert who's guest hosting today for Chuck Todd. Of course, Luke has a lot of company. It is the rare cable show host who challenges Republicans on their lies--Martin Bashir is a notable exception. He has been know to chastise Luke Russert himself on more than one occasion when Russert's echoed Republican talking points.

Tragically, this maddening state of discourse is nothing new. Yes, it was heartening to read the recent op-ed excerpted below by Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein calling for journalists to try to find out which 'politician is telling the truth.' What a concept! Yet these men have been totally ignored by most of the main stream media--which is very telling of the state of today's 'mainstream journalists.'

We understand the values of mainstream journalists, including the effort to report both sides of a story. But a balanced treatment of an unbalanced phenomenon distorts reality. If the political dynamics of Washington are unlikely to change anytime soon, at least we should change the way that reality is portrayed to the public.

Our advice to the press: Don’t seek professional safety through the even-handed, unfiltered presentation of opposing views. Which politician is telling the truth? Who is taking hostages, at what risks and to what ends?

When will journalists start to do their jobs? Evidently, no time soon.

[ladjf]

1. That's because the media has been bought and paid for by the Republicans.

[EC]

2. Yes, just once I'd like to hear

one of them say, "Well, to set the record straight, (such and such) was not quite accurate about (such and such)." Then set the record straight with whatever facts apply and citing the source. Is it really too hard for these guys to really report the NEWS as it is instead of lies? They aren't reporters, they are readers - figureheads - ciphers - pretenders...especially David Gregorey.

[Iceberg Louie]

3. Sadly, the MSM is too cowardly to do so

because, God forbid, they should validate the notion the they have a liberal bias.

[WingDinger]

4. As David Gregory said, to ingratiate himself to the overlords,

"I dont think it is the place of media to ask the hard questions." Right before he was promoted to new Tim Russert, another sycophant.

[flpoljunkie]

5. It is truly incredible Gregory would make such a remark, but very, very telling

[just1voice]

6. We let torturers go too, they all get book tours and AARP and NAACP awards

for being such great citizens.

We're a criminal nation, full of propaganda and greedy-ass corporate cronyism. Here's the latest war criminal book:

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/9698-colin-powell-another-war-criminal-cashes-in

[hrmjustin]

7. Where the hell is our war room?

Where the hell is James Carville when you need him?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. Occupy the media

[imjalar]

9. Spam deleted by Warren DeMontague (MIR Team)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

10. I think TV journalism is a big problem....

These are "television shows" and, just like the Tonight Show and Letterman and Conan, they live and die off their ability to book A-List guests. So when you have shows like "Meet the Press" and others that rely on guests coming on their program, the hosts are loathe the beat up on them. The guest won't come back and other A-List politicians will stay away. Think about it. When was the last time Nancy Pelosi or ANY prominent Democrat appeared on Fox News?

So the MSM journalists treat their guests with kid gloves, whereas print and internet journalists will rough them up.