It is disgraceful that the networks aren't carrying Bush's speech

[dsc]

By any reasonable standard this speech is news. The networks get bandwith worth billions for free every year on the grounds that they are serving the public interest. There is no planet on which it is in the public interest not to cover this speech. Shame on them.

[Liberal Veteran]

1. I'm glad they aren't being used as the propaganda arm of the WH

We have enough of that shit already.

[dsc]

4. and when they do this to President Kerry?

what will you say?

[Liberal Veteran]

11. I rather doubt President Kerry will use the networks to try to prop...

...up his shitty ratings for a disaster of a foreign policy and therefore he will only do so when there is something worth noting.

On a secondary note, President Kerry can string more than one syllable together so it doesn't contribute to the dumbing down of America like Bush speeches do.

And hey! How bout if Kerry actually held PRESS CONFERENCES?

[Snoggera]

5. I see it as being anti-propaganda

A man who can't string two syllables together, looks like he got into a bar fight telling the country what the "plan" is?

I would pay money for a front row seat.

[FleshCartoon]

15. Ditto here.

I think they're aware that they'll be losing millions of dollars in ad revenue by airing this speech--if they hold out, he'll eventually pay for the air time, not put it under the guise of "presidential address."

Most people in the U.S. have cable or satellite, and those who don't usually at least have a TV and VCR, so a friend could tape it for them--there is really no reason for anyone to miss this speech, even if it's only being aired on cable.

[Vickers]

2. On the off-chance that you are being serious, I remind you

that in spite of the current administration's efforts, it's still a free country.

[qwertyMike]

26. The White House

didn't request the networks to b/cast it.
It's their call

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Befoer you are too hard there are raesons for this

1.- THey are making a point, this is historic that they chose to stand up to Karl Rove and Company

2.- The boy is not saying anythying new, hence it is no longer news. They got a preview of it.

3.- It is now on Cable... will be in fifteen minutes, so it is not like you wre being deprived

I think you are seeing a revolt against Chimpy, that is what is news about this.

[dsc]

7. not everyone has cable

which does cost money last I checked. We would be screaming like stuffed pigs if they did this to Kerry and we should be doing it now.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. I see this is histioric, truly historic

What you are seeing is a full media revolt

And if the media starts doing this on a regular basis, then they
will shoot themselves even further.

[Lin]

19. Then turn on the radio, couldn't miss this bullcrap if you tried <eom>

[dsc]

25. this isn't about me

Clearly I could get it on the net if nothing else. But this is about corporations doing their share. Again we would be outraged if they did this to Kerry.

[Jacobin]

20. Not to dispute your point, but

If you have broadband, I think there will be any number of websites that will stream it.

I have mixed feelings about their decision. On the one hand, its an indication that they know it will be more blather and most don't want to see it. Translation: Smirky is an idiot and a failure.

On the other hand, they may be covering for him. Allowing him to pretend to be having these neat strategy sessions about IraqNam, but not showing what a blithering idiot he is by televising it.

I'll take it as a good thing either way.

[dsc]

27. This isn't about me

I do have cable (that is where I get my broadband) but we would be outraged if they did this to Kerry and you know it.

[Speck Tater]

6. They know the chimp is going to look and sound like a fool so

they would rather the public doesn't see that. They need time to edit the footage into 4 or 5 seconds of film they can risk showing to the general public.

[NWHarkness]

8. I don't think it is news

According to the journalists who have seen the advance copies of the speech, it contains no new information or changes of policy. It is just a campaign speech, a pep rally for Bush's supporters.

[Lin]

9. Don't you think they've behaved as trained

monkeys long enough? I do. Anyone who wants to be lied to yet again can easily hear him spew on MSNBC,CNBC, CNN and shrub's ever faithful servent FOXNEWS. Isn' _that_ enough exposure for this non-event?

[thinkingwoman]

10. there is nothing newsworthy

about a campaign stump speech.

If there is nothing substantially new in this speech (which by all accounts there is not) then regardless of bandwidth, there is nothing newsworthy about it.

Seriously.

[cheezus]

12. they should have to carry it

as well as give equal time to Kerry to outline his plan for Iraq.

This is a campaign speech. But it's one that the country needs to hear - from both sides!

[dsc]

18. Yes

I certainly wouldn't be advocating only Bush be covered.

[cjbuchanan]

13. Here is why I disagree

If this was a real news conference, I think the nets would have to carry it. Seeing that it is just a chance for whistle ass the put forward his own bs, i don't think it is really news.

Again, if reporters got to ask questions, with follow-ups, then it would be a real news event.

[Piperay]

14. The speech is just designed to

get chimp reSelected and if the networks all show it then they should have to give equal time to Kerry.

[charlyvi]

16. Bush*s Speeches.....

and interviews have historically not done him much good; actually, they tend to make him look like the ass he is.....the networks probably don't want him to look any worse than he already does....they probably think they are doing him a favor.

[Malva Zebrina]

21. I am really perplexed over this

do they fear for their ratings? or are they taking a stand, too little too late? or, are they fearful of being sued because this is obviously a political campaign on the part of
Bush the stupid? Or are they telling the Bush regime that they will not longer do what the Rove machine tells them to?

I mean do they think they will have to give equal time to Kerry?

I fail to get a handle on this. I could care less what the idiot has to say because for sure, it will all be an act and he will be for sure full of shit.

I hope with every hope that he will make a fool of himself. And we will have six more of these virtual "campaign speeches" to suffer through.

Come on Kerry guys--figure out how to crush this idiot and his six more "speeches"

[Memekiller]

22. Only if he does a press conference...

If he won't answer questions, don't give him the PR.

[kaitykaity]

23. Imagine the amount of makeup Bushie* will have to wear?

I think Rove told the nets to give it a pass. That would be
the only reason they wouldn't give Chimpy the air time. The
media doesn't actively go against the WH. It just doesn't.

[Postman]

24. F**K Bush and his speeches...Its all BS anyway.

Iraq people blah blah freedom blah blah blah democracy blah blah blah blah GOD BLESS AMERICA..

No mention of why they are killing the very people they are liberating ...hint----O-I-L

[Liberal Veteran]

28. You forgot nukular evil doers in spider holes to be smoked out.

:)

[trumad]

30. What's to stop the Chimp from having one a week?

Next week he could talk the economy,,,the next the environment...the next Free Trade..and so on and so forth... Free rain for propaganda? Me no thinks so.

[dsc]

38. Then give Kerry a response to each one

that would put a stop to it one would imagine.

[LowerManhattanite]

29. I recall a lot of us progressives...

...being very upset when the free media balked at carrying a few of Clinton's speeches (that he felt were important). The networks are super tight-walleted with how they dole out their airtime and have been so for the last five or six years.

I remember when they'd interrupt programming for something as inane as the wedding of Tricia Nixon (Cox) in the early seventies.

They have a pretty good idea what he's going to say and are loathe to give up precious air-time for simple reiterations of previously regurgitated blather.

This isn't a big deal.

[charlyvi]

31. I hope he does....

I hope he stumbles and mumbles and embarrasses (sp?) the Repubs so much--I hope the whole country has Shrub burnout!!!!

Oops--this post was in answer to trumad.

[Eric J in MN]

32. you can probably find it on the radio if you don't have cable (nt)

nt

[MAlibdem]

33. i agree...

even Fox isn't showing it. All about money...they should have to start paying for the airwaves...

[KoKo]

34. So far it's a Disgraceful Speech so why would they bother? n/t

[Kahuna]

35. Not a disgrace. He's not putting forth anything new and they know it...

No reason to interrupt their programming for more blah blahs.

[dsc]

36. so when they decide there is nothing new in what Kerry is saying

you will be just fine with that. They shouldn't get to decide what is and isn't news.

[librechik]

37. My LOCAL NEWS is playing it without commercial interruption

nice to be in a flyover state where Shrub doesn;'t disturb prime time May Sweeps (NOT)

[Piperay]

39. Your wish has been granted

anyway here in Los Angeles they all ended up carrying the IDIOT! :puke: :argh: :mad:

[dsc]

40. No coverage in either Cleveland Ohio or Erie PA