Jon Stewart: Crossfire "hurting America" - Salon

[Tuttle]

Jon Stewart: Crossfire "hurting America"



"I think you're a lot more fun on your show," said Tucker Carlson to "Crossfire" guest Jon Stewart this afternoon. "And I think you're as much of a dick on your show as on any other," Stewart shot back. It wasn't the faux avuncularity we've come to expect from Stewart on "The Daily Show" but there, of course, he's playing a role. Here he was himself -- and he wasn't buying any of it.

From the moment Stewart sat down he made no secret of how repugnant he found the show. In fact, he said to Carlson and co-host Paul Begala that he had been so hard on the show he felt it was his duty to come on and say to their faces what he has said to friends and in interviews. What he said was that their show was "hurting America," and he was being only slightly hyperbolic. Stewart told them that when America needed journalists to be journalists they had instead chosen to present theater.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html

Tut-tut

[Lefty48197]

1. Tucker, on the other hand,

seemed to think that it was the comedian's job to ask tough questions of the politicians. I guess that kinda explains the problem doesn't it?

[jdots]

2. A half hour show on the comedy channel

that everyone thought would be cancelled has become the biggest best thing on t.v.

[JoFerret]

3. Good work Jon

Great show

[The Spirit of JFK]

4. That pretty much needs to be said to everyone in the media...

What REALLY gets them is that they don't like Stewart because he has a big audience...he has power....especially when a large part the whole premiss is mocking the media. And in mocking the media, he actually informs the public more than the "real media". This kills them, and they especailly recoil when they are reminded how useless they really are. They are scared the mainstream will find them out.

Self interest over public interest...

Business over ethics...

The easy road over the correct one...

"journalists" and outlets making themselves the story instead of the REAL story..

All enabled and run by a corrupt FCC.

The media needs to be given a collective enema, the system burned to the ground, and rebuilt from scratch.

[lakemonster11]

78. yeah

And did you notice that the audience was behind Jon 100%?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

81. If the "media" types would do their

FUCKING JOB instead of mindlessly shilling the latest GOP talking points or smears in a "he said/she said" manner, maybe they'd RECAPTURE some of the audience that they've lost to Stewart!

There are a lot of people like me who HUNGER for a real media again.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

Stewart puts together video montages showing the contradictory statements made by politicians. This same file film is available to the various media whores too. HOW HARD is it? Why can't they do the same effing thing and put TDS out of business?

Could it be that it's easier to be lazy and report whatever Uncle Karl faxes you, and then you still get your martinis and hors d'ouevres at the fanciest Washington cocktail parties? :shrug:

[Iceburg]

5. Transcript link for those who missed this

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/15/cf.01.html

========================
If you had to give up every TV station but one who would you choose?

[Seabiscuit]

7. Sundance.

[Geek_Girl]

24. Noggin

My child loves it.

[R Hickey]

43. Comedy Central -

I need the news, and Jon Stewart is my anchor-man. (Actually Bill Moyer's "NOW" on PBS is also excellent, and Lou Dobbs is at least trying to do good.)

[Scairp]

58. The transcript doesn't do the exchange justice

You can tell though, that Jon was getting under Bow-tie Boy's skin.

[rocktivity]

76. I read the transcript, and I have to admit I was shocked.

This is a side of Jon that I saw only a hint of when he talked to Ted "I Can't Say B.S." Koppel on Nightline. I suspect that the Sinclair thing triggered it. But what I found even more shocking was Tucker saying that Jon was "more fun" on his show and complaining that Jon didn't ask Kerry a "real" question practically in the same breath!

:headbang:
rocknation

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. Thank God for Jon and John!

:D

[Seabiscuit]

8. Stewart did a brilliant job of reaming Bowtie Boy.

At one point he asked Tucker: "How old are you?"

Tucker: "35."

Stewart: "And you wear a bowtie???"

Stewart wasted no time letting both Tucker and Begala know they're not journalists, they're mere "political hacks" promoting party lines.

Way to go, Jon! It was delightful!

[skooooo]

9. kick

well said. Jon was brilliant.

[Kolesar]

10. Jon's satire reminds me of Mad Magazine's satire of my youth

...and I am delighted that young minds have the Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart to sharpen their minds.

[Seabiscuit]

11. I was a Mad Magazine addict in 8th Grade

and yes, it was a great tool for sharpening my mind. I was an A+ student in High School. With many thanks to Don Martin, et. al.

[Politicub]

14. One of my faves back in jr high

Mad magazine. I also liked Cracked. Is that even still around? :)

[trogdor]

87. Cracked, aka Mad Lite

Or Mad on training wheels. I read it for awhile. Got bored with it. It was the "Diet Coke" of satire.

[Kolesar]

20. "Snappy answers to stupid questions", "A Berg's eye view"

Al Jaffe cartoons, and all that cynical stuff they did about Nixon.

[pauliedangerously]

75. Don Martin...

Haven't heard that name in a long time. I have some old copies of MAD in my attic...from the late 70's...thanks for the nostalgia.

Remember the foldovers on the back cover? I'm sure I have the one with the Neutron bomb...remember that? The bunker-buster of the seventies.

[kurtyboy]

80. Sergio Aragones' little drawings in the margins

My faves--plus spy vs. spy, something my black cat and light colored cat play at all of the time....

[Philostopher]

15. You're right -- and Mad is still at it.

That's where I got the 'G.I. Joke' parody, with the GWB* 'action figure' that I've had taped under my glass desktop for the past few months.

I imagine Jon probably grew up on Mad, as well. It shows, and good on him.

[JoFerret]

40. But it is o so much better

being political and direct and on target.

[nomes]

12. Jon on Crossfire clips!

http://www.sxates.com/mp3/

With thanks to someone on the Daily Kos!

[Laamka]

89. You can find the video of the interview here too

http://mediamatters.org/comments/latest/200410160003

[VegasWolf]

13. Yea, Jon! He calls it like it is! n/t

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Seabiscuit]

16. HERE'S THE TRANSCRIPT!!!

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/15/cf.01.html

[Rose Siding]

17. Ok, now that's a transcriber who doesn't get out much

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART")

JON STEWART, HOST: To their credit, once they found out Cat Stevens, who is of Islam, was on the plane, they immediately called out the Air Force and had the plane followed by a (INAUDIBLE)

MOONSHADOW! ....followed by a moonshadow

I'm just so old. :cry:

[Bluebear]

18. Pass the Geritol, would you?

Inaudible....lmao

[Kolesar]

19. Wow. That was a great read

I want to talk about Mad Magazine some more

[Flammable Materials]

21. TORRENTS

http://bitflood.org:8080/?file=791b2f5d95a54d1381b85f271b51f71e73964185

[nomes]

22. You can just download it straight from here:

http://www.thefreespeechzone.net/

It's on the right hand side.

[Isere]

23. I may be voicing a minority opinion here

but I was not all that happy with Stewart's take-down of "Crossfire."

After all, "Crossfire" is really the only cable news show that has any Democrats with cojones! Carville and Begala outclass any of the "faux" Dems who appear on the other cable shows. Try comparing them with Alan Colmes or so-called Democrats Susan Estrich/Pat Caddell/Chris Matthews, George Stephanopolus, Cokie Roberts, etc., etc. ad nauseum.

I adore Jon Stewart and have been a deep admirer of his ever since we finally got digital cable a few months back. But I wish he would have chosen another venue than "Crossfire" to make his mark in the the sand.

[chiron22]

25. crossfire serves a purpose

I enjoyed jon stewarts performance on crossfire, and i think it was a unique moment in television. but i also think that he was doing exactly what he was accusing the hosts of doing--enacting theater. it would have been less entertaining but more enlightening to have a serious discussion of the shortcomings of tv journalism's obsession with balance (what would wolf blitzer do if he were interviewing hitler or stalin?). but the aggressive content of the show does serve to go beyond the platitudes of normal tv reporting. i think it's format could be less constrained. but its brevity aside, i often find the discussions helpful in roughing out a stance.

[theoceansnerves]

26. mm hmm

sure.

[Sterling]

28. Right

Tucker and Paul were trying to have an honest discussion with John,lol.

[JoFerret]

41. Just a crappy shoutfest

...adds very little to public discourse of important issues and is pure entertainment akin to wrestling or cock-fighting. Stewart knocking down Carlson is wonderfully satisfying but....

[murielm99]

45. Of course he was enacting theater.

Never forget, he is a comedian. He was using comedy to point out how seriously they take themselves, how they have shortcomings that they do not see.

They invited a comedian, so they asked for it.

[smirkymonkey]

63. Yeah, as propagandists for the Reich.

[timezoned]

82. There are two problems.

One of them is that ever since McLaughlin started it, people with utterly polarized opinions literally shouting at each other across a room has been presented as public discourse. It's planned with the same intent as the Jerry Springer Show was, they know what puts Friskies in the dish.

The OTHER problem is that virtually all of the people involved for a long time were right wingnuts, save for a few "liberals" sprinkled in who were chosen expressly because they were either timid, or in other cases screechy, serving as straight men to the wingnut main acts.

Yes, Begala and Carville now in there screaming along with them is better than before. No, it's not journalism or what media could be. And what a shame. Big Time Wrestling was a perfect analogy.

[Orangepeel]

86. excellent point, timezoned

welcome to DU! :hi:

[timezoned]

94. wow

a welcoming committee! Thanks.

[bitchkitty]

84. As if - Tucker Carlson?

Have an in-depth conversation?

[SemperEadem]

91. he's a bloody comedian, not a journalist!!!

of course it's going to be theatre because it's really hard to best a good comic.

The point is that CNN/Crossfire is operating under the guise of 'journalism', which is a profession, not a hobby. TDS is operating under the guise of entertainment because it's a comedy show fronted by a comedian; it's lead in is a show about puppets making crank phone calls. Placing the onus onto TDS to step into the void and do the job that CNN/Crossfire should already be doing is stupid and a glaring example of not understanding the very different roles these two programs play.

It's not Stewart's job to ask Kerry tough questions--it's Stewart's job to get laughs--that's what comedians do; that's what comedy is about. If Carlson's panties are in a twist over Stewart not asking Kerry tough questions, then one has to ask why Carlson doesn't step into the void himself and do the job, instead of whining and pitching snit-fits because Stewart can out-do him on his own turf while not being a 'journalist'.

[timezoned]

95. That's what's really interesting about this

that Tucker Carlson felt the need to go into reactionary "liberal media" accusations against Stewart, showing that an admittedly satirical comedy show is being put on the same level in his mind as things like Crossfire, which is supposed to be real discussion but is in fact theater.

My mind reels just reading that sentence again. What a state of affairs. In fact, if you look at it, Jon Stewart really doesn't take sides much on his show, I've seen him go after either- witness his take on Edwards in the VP debate, or Kerry's tan, etc. In fact the surprising difference between Jon of TDS and Jon on Crossfire should demonstrate this better than anything. This was what he really thought, with no (or little) satire.

[Elbowroom]

98. it worked!

I heard the entire clip...yes heard the entire clip on the radio station this morning. On a top40 "listen at work" station. It is nice to know that this was heard by millions.....millions of people who might not have heard about it at all otherwise.

[Vox_Reason]

27. I agree

I think you're right on target. Stewart really should have said what he said today on Hannity and <ultra smallcase> Colmes (who was on Franken today and seemed quite defensive.)

[maryallen]

29. So, they're just SEMI-HACKS on Crossfire?

And this is good for us, how?

[Rev_Karl]

30. I disagree

Stewarts performance on Crossfire was honest and heartfelt. He was there, he said it and he was right. The audience cheered when he said that the media had failed them. In this venue he was placed as a single guest on a debate forum and he had to debate the hosts. The video of this thing is making the rounds and he was right. It may not fix things today but I believe it will have an impact.

[leesa]

32. I think it is appropriate because Crossfire pretends to have debate but

it's always just a pointless shouting match. He is right to challenge these people to stand up and really report and really debate. The others are probably a waste of space, but Crossfire likes to pretend it is debate...he's calling them on it.

[wabeewoman]

35. I think you're missing his point

which was that they are all just taking part in the theatre of it as played by the politicians who will say anything to spin it their way. Begala admits he has lots of college pals in the bush administration. I think Stewart called them on pretending to represent the public interest when its all just theatre for them. He was right on!! And in some respects its worse on Crossfire because they pretend to be bipartisan while we know exactly what the faux shows are. I already loved Stewart for his show but he just showed he could hold his own and then some with the mean and whinny likes of Carlson.

[western mass]

42. No, Crossfire really is useless...

Sure, I like to hear Begala rant as much as the next guy.

But Crossfire is just another version of the A-said, B-said stenography that passes for journalism in the mainstream media.
Begala shouts his soundbites, Carlson shouts his soundbites, and with no real analysis, the uninformed viewer comes away with the impression that both perspectives are equally valid. It's how the Right gets away with their constant stream of lies and deception.

People may desperately cling to a Begala in the wilderness of right-wing media, but Crossfire is just part of the problem.

[Eloriel]

57. EXCELLENT point

the uninformed viewer comes away with the impression that both perspectives are equally valid.

And that's one of my BIG gripes about contemporary media anyway: they give equal weight to the lies as to the truth (if not more weight to the lies because they can be leveled with so much more noise and/or frequency). Two opposing points of view are NOT equally valid and equally worthy of airing if one is a pack of outright lies. The media no longer thinks it's their job to sort all that out, and they're dead wrong.

And Crossfire IS part of the problem. I thought Stewart had it exactly right when he told them that Crossfire merely serves the two sides' political strategy agenda, that's all.

And for my money, Begala ain't that great to start with. Again and again and again he rolls over and concedes important issues he shouldn't (and needn't), or slams Dems himself or giggles when Carlson takes meritless and gratuitious and often mean-spirited snipes at certain Dems or issues. For my money, Begala is little more than worthless. He might have a little more spine than an Alan Colmes, but he's not all that much better, just more animated.

[leftchick]

61. and if I hear Begala say * "is a good guy" one more time!!!

I will rip my hair out. A "good guy" does not spread death and destruction world wide and continually lie about his deeds, Period! :grr:

[Chicago Democrat]

71. Hey Hitler was a good guy too... Loved his dog...was nice to children

just before they went off to die. Poisoned that same dog to save him from the Russians.

Mussolini was a nice guy and so was Franco and Bismark and Grant and Napoleon and on and on and on and how many swimming pools and ponds and lakes of men's blood are they responsible for?

[Tuttle]

46. I think this is what he *did*

Begala backed way off and let Tucker show himself to be an ass. Stewart has repeatedly stated the Dems do nothing! Begala and Carville *are* political animals and not 'journalists'.

I, for one, hope Stewart can now show the world what sort of CNN-loyalty oath is presented to Crossfire guests to insure they won't blast Novakula: if anyone would crucify him, Stewart would be the most likely and therefore, I advance my theory that guests are 'asked' to not bring the Douchebag for Liberty and his treason.

Total disclosure: I bought a DVD-vcr replacement box and I decided for testing and viewing to record Crossfire and the Daily Show. Consequently, I had the program on disc and popped into my PC after dinner last night to see how the recorder was working - WOW!

Tut-tut

[Tuttle]

67. Just watched it with my wife and daughter

Daughter (8) said "What's up with that bowtie?"

It doesn't get better than that!

Tut-tut

[illumn8d]

96. Maybe so

But they still spin arguments that they don't believe, which in the end undermines the entire process.

[BushOnCrackcom]

31. John Stewart For President

The latest from http://BushOnCrack.com :

[Corkey Mineola]

90. Second that!

[Seabiscuit]

33. Having just read the transcript,

what really disgusts me is how Begala and especially Tucker Bow Tie Boy constantly interrupted Jon Stewart in mid-sentence with absolutely disingenuous B.S. Stewart was brilliant when he managed to get in a complete sentence, but this was CNN's way of trying to censor him, by putting two of their rude, loudmouthed dobermans at his throat to keep his words from escaping his mouth.

I hope Jon Stewart follows up on his own "Daily Show" and finishes saying all the things they wouldn't allow him to say on Crossfire.

[xxqqqzme]

34. I also read it. The 2

questions from viewers near the end - they didn't even let Jon answer. They both just jumped in there....so impressed w/ their own voices & opinions. Who gives a fat f*ck? Jon was the guest.

[OhioChick]

36. Jon....

Did a great job! We need more of the likeness of him in mainstream media.

[anarchy1999]

38. He was a shining star.

N/T I'm very proud to be a fan. He did good.

[Kimber Scott]

37. Yes! Crossfire SUCKS!

I'm so sick of the screaming over one another. The fact no matter what kind of bullshit somebody says, if it's time to move to a new "topic," they move. No rebuttal. No questions asked. They guys on the show are full of shit. They act like they're attacking each other, then when they go to commercial break they're all buddy, buddy laughing. They stress their viewers to the max and think it's funny.

If there is a "debate" show, it should be a real debate. Calm and reasoned and backed up by fact. Not yelling with no answers, no truths and no solution.


I HATE CROSSFIRE!

[Tansy_Gold]

52. "Crossfire" was one of the first "political" shows I ever watched.

For several years, while I was going to school and working at the same time, friends would tell me about it but it was never on when I was home. And I never had time to record and watch it later.

They brought on Carville and Begala just about the time I finished school and then found myself unemployed. I was delirious! Wow, I'd finally get to watch Crossfire!

I watched two whole shows (including one with Ted Nugent :puke: :puke: :puke:) and haven't watched it since. I've never seen such a travesty, such a self-important phony forum that only showcases Little Lord Carlson's ego. I never heard a single "debate" or "conversation" that wasn't interrupted by that pompous pompadoured priss and his subject changing and over-talking and smarmy grin.

Begala and Carville are enablers of the worst kind. They are worse than token Dems on RW cable. They are collaborators.

Jon Stewart had the nerve and the backbone to call them on the lie that Crossfire is news or even honest political debate. He called them what they are, enemies of American democracy and destroyers of American journalism. What's the difference between Tucker Carlson and his little ding-ding-ding bell (does he still have that? shows how long it's been since I've seen the show) to change the subject and Bill O'Reilly's SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!? It's the same kind of attempt to silence any kind of dissent. And there sit Carville and Begala, most of the time, just shutting up.

Begala, if he had a spine at all, would have walked off that show months ago. It's a farce, in the worst way.

Kudos to Jon Stewart for being the boy brave enough to call the emperor not only naked but a naked dick.

Tansy Gold

[Kimber Scott]

70. ROFLMAO! "not only naked but a naked dick" Perfect. nt

[truthisfreedom]

39. Gawwd, i wish i had seen that show.

rats.

double-rats.

[Nlighten1]

47. There is a link to it here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=908216&mesg_id=908440&page=

[psychopomp]

44. Somebody else here made the comparison to Lenny Bruce

...which seems appropriate in the sense that they have both embraced the critical aspect of comedy and used it as a means to directly confront the hypocrisy in mainstream culture.

I have a new-found admiration for this man. He dropped the facade and refused any effort to lessen the gravity of his message. All the while knowing that he has only just recently arrived at a point where he has a great deal to lose.

[Tigerlily]

49. I LOVE this photograph!

Where was this taken?

[psychopomp]

50. Me, too. (Please take it!)

I do not know where it was taken as I merely grabbed it from another DU'er. I get a positive vibe from this shot.

[Tigerlily]

53. It is filled with HOPE, isn't it?

:)

[psychopomp]

56. It just really is an awesome photograph

I never felt spiritually connected with Kerry or his campaign until I saw this photo.

(I just self-deleted something that could only end up sounding like hyperbole)

The other one I just posted in GD04 is good, too, but in a different way.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1086999

[Tansy_Gold]

83. Ironic, but this pic reminds me of Kerry on TDS, when he and

Jon Stewart went nose-to-nose comparing profiles. It was so spontaneous, so human, so funny, the kind of thing two very intelligent men would do when they were compeltely at ease and not afraid of laughing at themselves.

John Kerry isn't afraid of people as human creatures, the way boosh is.



Tansy Gold, adding this to her screen-saver file of campaign pix

[Mabus]

85. Amazing, the children that have been left behind

and Kerry found them.

The photo should be captioned: Help is on the way.

[Mandate My Ass]

59. Long time no see, Tigerlily

You've been a stranger around these parts. I hope all is well with you. :hi:

[Tigerlily]

93. I'm doing great, Monica_L!

Thank you for asking. Hope all is well wtih you also. :)

[Mizmoon]

48. I enjoyed purely for the Tucker Takedown

That bow-tied weasel is an obnoxious pain-in-the-ass. He has zero sympathy for any other human being, and doesn't seem to realize that he's only where he is because he was born into money. His sense of entitlement and superiority is grating to the max.

Yeah, once in a while he'll zing the bush camp, but it's not enough to make him palatable.

The most ironic thing of all is that the freeps hate him too and were just as glad to see him slapped as we are. Now THAT'S a statement about what an annoying prick he is.

[JoFerret]

51. But the more important point was

that Crossfire is a NOT a debate show - it is pure flummery, theater and hackery. THAT is a real attack. It's not whether they have equally rabid attack dogs and give equal time to right and left -it's the very format and basic presentation of the show itself. that is not serious debate and thank you - Jon Stewart - for making that point so well.

[trapper914]

54. Watched the clip

As much as Tucker thought he wasn't being funny, I thought Jon was hilarious ("you have to be smart...tying one of those things is hard!").

Jon makes a great point. There are no true debate shows on t.v. It's scripted for commercial breaks, with real discussions ending before they are seen through. The closest we have to real debate on t.v. is Bill Maher's show on HBO. I saw Carlson on there a few weeks back, and he seemed less "hackish." I was amazed...I couldn't even see his KOOL-AID mustache.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

55. "I think you're as much a dick on this show and any other show you're on"

Jon said to Tucker at the end of the show...it was GREAT!!!

[Gregorian]

60. And the FCC can't touch him. A million dollar comment.

Here's the real dick.

[notadmblnd]

65. This is the results when women are forced

to use back alley abortionists.

[Lorien]

62. DU "thank you, Jon" and flower drive:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2497720&mesg_id=2497720
What I'm proposing (similar to the action taken for Senator Byrd by DU ) is to counter the RW hate mail he'll no doubt receive because he "came out" as a Kerry supporter (the RWers won't see the patriotic act of standing up for a free and honest media). Bravery in these times needs to be honored and encouraged. I'm very doubtful that Stewart reads DU, so all the "Bravo, Jon"! messages here aren't being read by the person they're directed to. I propose sending him a heartfelt letter with a few hundred signatures and a simple bouquet of flowers (a traditional symbol of respect for a performer who has done exceptionally well). Also, I think every one who signs the letter should also write one to the media, saying that we agree with Stewart's statements and we desire a return of the fairness doctrine and civil discourse.

Thomas Jefferson warned that democracy would die without a free press. We need to stand by anyone who will fight for our democracy, and let them know we're there by their side.

[Chicago Democrat]

68. Begala's telling line: "Member's of the Bush Administration are

my friends."

No kidding! Hack Hack Paul Hack Begala

Where's -your- moral outrage, Jon retorts

[robbedvoter]

64. Digby: TDS is a NEWS parody - exists to mock Crossfire et al, not politics

Dumboys
I don't know how many of you are watching Crossfire, but Jon Stewart is on and he's making both Tuckie and Paul a tad uncomfortable.
They seem to be unaware that The Daily Show is a parody of the news and that its mission is to make fun of them. And that's because they are so insular and self-referential that they have no idea how the country really sees them.
They don't like it. Especially the Tuckster who is plainly wants to scratch his eyes out.
Stewart is trying to make the point that they are contributing to the dumbing down of the discourse by presenting this fake news, or political theatre, that they pretend is news. He isn't being funny and he isn't doing the usual celebrity circle jerk and they are finding it very discomfiting.
Good.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2004_10_10_digbysblog_archive.html#109787407241970876

[bvar22]

66. Best. Crossfire. Ever!

Jon Stewart just elevated himself from favorite entertainer to Hero of the Revolution! IMHO

[Chicago Democrat]

69. LETTER TO CROSSFIRE

The Jon Stewart interview was the best Crossfire show ever!!! It was HACKTASTIC!

My God, Tucker please make some more anal or butt sniffing remarks. Did you not prepare at all? Please resign as I don't see how you can ever show your smug face on TV again, ever. You could visit Judith Miller in jail and have a Hackathon raising money so she can buy her own bitch.

Hi Paul Begala.. You suck. You are a hack. Why has Crossfire become the WWF of journalism? Because you let it. Because members of the administration are your "friends, who you went to school with." Have another drink at another cocktail party! How come you didn't resign after Novak outed Valerie Plame. Methinks you are a HACK. or a whore... Choose your poison. PLEASE RESIGN.

To Producers of Crossfire: Get fired! FIRE NOVAKULA. How can you pay this traitor? Bring back KINSLEY AND BUCHANAN!

[BushOnCrackcom]

72. Bush Bulge was O'Reilly's Vibrator!

From http://www.bushoncrack.com



Support Our Jokes!



http://www.bushoncrack.com/bocmerch



http://www.bushoncrack.com/bocmerch

"

http://www.bushoncrack.com/bocmerch

[goforit]

73. Ahhh Jon.........Is anybody watching it????.....I'm not.

[muchacho]

74. Lecturing

I love it that bow-tie tried to scold Stewart for "lecturing"> Ha, lecturing. Somebody from the Right is faulting somebody for moralizing and lecturing...


sniff....too good.....

[Seabiscuit]

77. Hey, CNN whores!

When are you going to address the flu vaccine shortage? And Bush's ultimate responsibility for this disaster?

And when are you asswipe whores going to address anything *real* about the diversion of troops from Afganistan/AlQueda/OsamaBinLaden to Saddam Hussain/Iraq/a country that never threated us/never killed a single American/never had a single link to Al Queda???

CROSSFIRE SUCKS BIGTIME!!!

Jon Stewart Rocks!

[Dover]

79. My favorite Stewart line.........

BEGALA: We're 30 minutes in a 24-hour day where we have each side on, as best we can get them, and have them fight it out.

STEWART: No, no, no, no, that would be great. To do a debate would be great. But that's like saying pro wrestling is a show about athletic competition.

We are so fortunate to have someone like Jon, and have a venue for people like him as well. Unfortunately I don't get cable, but Jon Stewart is probably worth the cost all by himself.

I just love it that these guys were trying to hold Stewart to their own standards of journalism, and Stewart had to remind him that he did comedy. So essentially they are in the same business...it's all about entertainment! Only Jon KNOWS he's all about entertainment while those hacks are under the impression they are journalists.
And because truth is at the heart of good comedy, Jon is actually a much better news source. LOL!

[Tansy_Gold]

88. I just can't wait to see Monday's edition of

The Daily Show.

How much you wanna bet Jon's got clips from Crossfire?

:evilgrin:

[nedbal]

92. Jon Stewart Bitchslaps CNN's 'Crossfire' Show

Jon Stewart Bitchslaps CNN's 'Crossfire' Show
10.15.2004 6:43 PM EDT
http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1492305
In what could well be the strangest and most refreshing media moment of the election season, "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart turned up on a live broadcast of CNN's "Crossfire" Friday and accused the mainstream media - and his hosts in particular - of being soft and failing to do their duty as journalists to keep politicians and the political process honest.

Reaching well outside his usual youthful "Daily Show" demo, Stewart took to "Crossfire" to promote his new book, "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction" (see "Jon Stewart Writes A History Textbook That - At Last! - Features Nudity"), but instead of pushing the tome, Stewart used his time to verbally slap the network and the media for being "dishonest" and "doing a disservice" to the American public. After co-host Tucker Carlson suggested that Stewart went easy on Senator John Kerry when the candidate was a guest on "The Daily Show," Stewart unloaded on "Crossfire," calling hosts Carlson and Paul Begala "partisan hacks" and chiding them for not raising the level of discourse on their show beyond sloganeering.

"What you do is not honest. What you do is partisan hackery," Stewart said. "You have a responsibility to the public discourse, and you fail miserably.

"I watch your show every day, and it kills me. It's so painful to watch," Stewart added as it became apparent that the comedian was not joking. He went on to hammer the network, and the media in general, for its coverage of the presidential debates. Stewart said it was a disservice to viewers to immediately seek reaction from campaign insiders and presidential cheerleaders following the debates, noting that the debates' famed "Spin Alley" should be called "Deception Lane."

"The thing is, we need your help," Stewart said. "Right now, you're helping the politicians and the corporations and we're left out there to mow our lawns."

While the audience seemed to be behind Stewart, Begala and Carlson were both taken aback. The hosts tried to feed Stewart set-up lines hoping to draw him into a more light-hearted shtick, but Stewart stayed on point and hammered away at the show, the hosts, and the state of political journalism. Carlson grew increasingly frustrated, at first noting that the segment wasn't "funny," and later verbally sparring with the comedian.

"You're not very much fun," Carlson said. "Do you like lecture people like this, or do you come over to their house and sit and lecture them; they're not doing the right thing, that they're missing their opportunities, evading their responsibilities?"

"If I think they are," Stewart retorted.

The conversation reached its most heated moment when Carlson said to Stewart, "I do think you're more fun on your show," to which Stewart replied, "You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show."

"That went great," Stewart could be heard sarcastically saying as the show went off the air (a transcript of the show is available on CNN.com).

In an era when the media is increasingly fragmented and viewers can surround themselves with programming that falls right in line with their own views, be they on the right or the left, Stewart's blast seemed especially on point. It seems fitting that the tirade came on a day when much of the media attention focused on the presidential race was directed at the mention of Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter during the last presidential debate, as opposed to the issues addressed at that debate.


Wow.

[Supersedeas]

97. Journalism vs. theater--News vs. Infotainment--Policy vs. Corp Polls

[NashVegas]

99. When Jon Puts On His 'Serious' Cap, I'm Reminded of Howard Beale

and fear a little for him.