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Atman

(31,464 posts)
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 08:27 AM Jul 2012

While you were busy hating Joe Scab...

...I was once again finding myself amazed at Soledad O'Brien interviewing former UN Ambassador Richard Williamson, appearing as a spokesman for Mittens. While he tried desperately to tap, spin, duck, dodge and bullshit, Ms. O'Brien kept the heat on and asked for specific answers regarding Mitt's foreign policy goals, primarily regarding the bombing of Iran. Off course, since Romney has no actual clue, Williamson had to display some fancy whirling Dervishness to avoid direct answers. Soledad O'Brien finally had to give up, and laughed lightly, shrugged, and said "Well, I guess that's the best we're going to get."

I can't remember seeing a real interview like that on Morning Joe. Just Joe yelling over people and telling stories about what it was like when HE was in Congress.

I'm no CNN fan...not yet, anyway, but it's a refreshing break from the Morning Joe Old Boy's Club.

44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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While you were busy hating Joe Scab... (Original Post) Atman Jul 2012 OP
Glad to hear this ...I'll have to give CNN a shot as I can't stomach Joe anymore. Thanks. nt snappyturtle Jul 2012 #1
there is a change in cnn ceo coming. let's hope it doesn't backslide. eom ellenfl Jul 2012 #4
Me neither... good to know. :-) secondwind Jul 2012 #6
Yup. I've had to switch to CNN to avoid smashing my flat screen. TahitiNut Jul 2012 #13
Thanks Atman, I watched Soledad O'Brien a few weeks ago and had the same impression... nenagh Jul 2012 #2
i will not listen to his cindyperry2010 Jul 2012 #3
He derided Obama for threatening sanctions, but then when pressed about what Shitt Romney would do Erose999 Jul 2012 #5
Good have been much worse, Luke vinny9698 Jul 2012 #10
gave up on Joe oldhippydude Jul 2012 #7
I have followed Bill Press for quite a while ... bayareaboy Jul 2012 #12
I've always liked Press, but Charter doesn't offer Current TV up here. Atman Jul 2012 #19
She has been with the program for a while now. lonestarnot Jul 2012 #8
CNN's new "Starting Point" is a good show. Atman Jul 2012 #18
I heard that Joey (dead aide in office) was being considered for SoCalDem Jul 2012 #24
I guess that would give me one more reason not to watch MTP! Atman Jul 2012 #25
Second that what you said! lonestarnot Jul 2012 #33
Joe is a political hack vs Soledad is a journalist vinny9698 Jul 2012 #9
"Sell the Mystery, Not the Mastery" . . . HughBeaumont Jul 2012 #11
I've been switching to O'Brien's show . . . janet118 Jul 2012 #14
I've proudly never watched Mourning Joe. sellitman Jul 2012 #15
Anyone watch Current TV's Stephanie Miller Show? n/t Pryderi Jul 2012 #16
Yep, great stuff. Snarkoleptic Jul 2012 #28
I concede - I turned on Soledad two days last week malaise Jul 2012 #17
I have yet to find a reason to watch Morning Schmo. progressoid Jul 2012 #20
You should watch him for a week... Atman Jul 2012 #22
I stopped watching CNN when Soledad and Miles (no relation) Jazzgirl Jul 2012 #21
soledad is a journalist. MJ scab is a... not sure what he is... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #23
I think she is awful dreamnightwind Jul 2012 #26
Your response wasn't even worth finishing. Atman Jul 2012 #27
Very rude you are dreamnightwind Jul 2012 #34
I'm with you, dreamnightwind Carolina Jul 2012 #29
"I haven't watched her in twelve years, so I know!" Atman Jul 2012 #30
blah, blah, blah Carolina Jul 2012 #31
You read a lot into what I posted. Atman Jul 2012 #32
First of all Carolina Jul 2012 #35
LOL dreamnightwind Jul 2012 #36
Nice. Totally misrepresent what I posted. Atman Jul 2012 #37
Nope I've seen her somewhat recently actually dreamnightwind Jul 2012 #38
Actually, it was Altman Carolina Aug 2012 #39
Sorry, Carolina...that was you who said that. Atman Aug 2012 #42
And once again, I wasn't talking to you! Carolina Aug 2012 #43
I'm with you. I stick to non-MSM news sources. sabrina 1 Aug 2012 #40
R#67 & K n/t UTUSN Aug 2012 #41
You're right ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2012 #44

TahitiNut

(71,611 posts)
13. Yup. I've had to switch to CNN to avoid smashing my flat screen.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:47 AM
Jul 2012

The Morning Joke has gotten so full of GOP fellatio I've been nauseated. They provide Dan Senor a pimping forum as favorable or more than Faux Snooze. He spews lies and distortions like a full-on fire hose and goes unchallenged and uncorrected. When coupled with Harold Quisling Ford, Jr., it's more than I can stomach.

Soledad can be very good when she's not being reined in by the corporate whores in CNN.

nenagh

(1,925 posts)
2. Thanks Atman, I watched Soledad O'Brien a few weeks ago and had the same impression...
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 08:43 AM
Jul 2012

but was afraid to continue viewing her, in case that was a mirage...

Erose999

(5,624 posts)
5. He derided Obama for threatening sanctions, but then when pressed about what Shitt Romney would do
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 09:48 AM
Jul 2012

differently, all he could come up with was "sanctions".

It was a proper skewering.

Speaking of Joe Scabarous' morning show, MSMBS pretty much ruined the Olympics for me by picking Willie Ghiest as an anchor for their Olympic coverage.

vinny9698

(1,016 posts)
10. Good have been much worse, Luke
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:28 AM
Jul 2012

Luke Russel would have been the cherry on top To really screw up their coverage He acts like a frat boy and is a frat boy.

bayareaboy

(793 posts)
12. I have followed Bill Press for quite a while ...
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:33 AM
Jul 2012

He did great work with California State Government, then came to where he is after writing some decent books. But I hope he gets out of the radio format soon. He could deliver more in TV if he delivered more to the visual. I know he has radio folks to consider but he still is vastly superior to BS Joe.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
19. I've always liked Press, but Charter doesn't offer Current TV up here.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 11:16 AM
Jul 2012

I'm stuck with the usual offerings. And of those usual offerings, CNN astonishingly appears to be rising to the top, at least in the mornings. It tried to watch CNN on Sunday morning, though, because MSNBC is doing all Olympics all the time as is NBC (although I can't stomach MTP anymore, either), and it was insufferable.Some typical Fox-style blonde trying to a "political" show, but it was just another parade of GOP mouthpieces telling us why Obama sucked. No balance, no news, no nothing but "I hate Obama." Just like the typical CNN of recent years. I even tried a little bit of George Snuffleupagus's show, but almost dropped off into a GOP-induced coma the moment George Will and some woman from Breitbart.com appeared on my screen.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
18. CNN's new "Starting Point" is a good show.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 11:09 AM
Jul 2012

I find it to be a good mix of interviews, panel discussions, politics and real news. Joe has become terribly tedious. It is the EXACT same show every day, with the exact same "guests." They're not even guests, just friends of Mitt's and Joe's. And pretty little Mika there to roll her eyes and scold the bad boys. It wasn't always this bad, but they've seem to have fallen totally into a rut. And Joe looks and acts either bored to tears, or indignant and insulted that everyone doesn't respect him for back when HE was a Congressman. I think he's actually kind of upset that people aren't knocking down his door asking him to run. Maybe he didn't get the vetting call he was expecting from the Romney team. Whatever, he just seams like a bitter asshole.

Soledad, while I gave her lots of grief in the past, when CNN was trying to be The Fox Today Show, doing right-wing cooking segments, has been showing her true stuff lately. From back when I liked her the first time...I think she is one of the few people on cable news now (of the celebrity anchors, anyway) who actually takes her job seriously. She's not just a facilitator for her guest's talking points.

I don't watch enough CNN to know whether or not this is a network-wide move toward becoming a serious news station again, or if it's just Soledad O'Brien. For instance, I see Wolf Blitzer is still on, and I'd rather have a root canal while undergoing a colonoscopy before listen to that idiot's monotonous fawning over the GOP. But whatever...at least in the morning, I'm thinking the Morning Joe has just gotten cold and bitter. Time to switch blends.

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
24. I heard that Joey (dead aide in office) was being considered for
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 05:55 PM
Jul 2012

Meet the Press...

It would be good to get him off my tv every morning

Atman

(31,464 posts)
25. I guess that would give me one more reason not to watch MTP!
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 06:05 PM
Jul 2012

David "head up the GOP's ass" Gregory wasn't enough? Now Joe Scarborough?

Chris Hayes and MHP. I don't give a flying fuck about any of the others.

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
33. Second that what you said!
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 12:25 AM
Jul 2012

C.H. and MHP, and I remember being furious at O'Brien but for the life of me I can't remember what about, so I guess she's off the hook for now. She is a new improved version for some reason

vinny9698

(1,016 posts)
9. Joe is a political hack vs Soledad is a journalist
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:26 AM
Jul 2012

You can not compare the two This going to be Romney's achilles heel, does not and will not give specifics. He did that in his senate run and lost to Kennedy. The more specific he gets the more voters will disagreed with his nonsense

HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)
11. "Sell the Mystery, Not the Mastery" . . .
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:30 AM
Jul 2012

. . . a corporate technique that Mittens thinks he can get away with using when it comes to convincing the American people why they should vote for him.

Unfortunately for him, the U.S.A. isn't a corporation.

Hypothetically speaking, that is . . .

janet118

(1,663 posts)
14. I've been switching to O'Brien's show . . .
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 10:49 AM
Jul 2012

whenever Joe starts his smarmy Republican lies. . . which is a lot. He is an egotistical bully who pushes the GOP spin whenever he gets the opportunity. The rest of the "panel" are afraid to say boo when Joe starts his schtick.

I only wish more time were spent on hard news interviews on Soledad's show.

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
28. Yep, great stuff.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 08:28 PM
Jul 2012

I generally catch the last half hour of The Bill Press Show and the first half hour of Stephanie Miller.
http://current.com/#

Atman

(31,464 posts)
22. You should watch him for a week...
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 01:12 PM
Jul 2012

Then change the channel and watch Soledad for a week. The contrast is STUNNING.

BTW, I don't want to hear "but they all suck! I get the Utne Reader and watch Bill Press!" MOST PEOPLE don't. Most people, even DUers, only get whatever their cable systems offer them. I don't get Current TV, so your love of his show isn't germane to what I posted. Lots of us actually like to have the tv on in the morning and while drinking our first, second and third cups of coffee.

The Today Show? I'm sorry, if I want cooking and fashion I'll watch Food Channel or Travel Channel or History Channel or MTV or Oprah...I can't tell them apart.

Good Morning America? Do people really watch this? Is it still on?

Fox and Friends? Need I say more?

My point is, of course I have choices. But when you're just trying to wake up, shower, have a cup of coffee and prepare for your day, morning news is "comfort food." People my age -- 50ish -- grew up with morning news programs that were really news programs. And the occasional monkey cooking brunch or something. I don't need Bill Press getting heavy in my face. And I don't need a bunch of rich Republican white guys fellating each other over a picture of Mitt Romney or Grover Norquist. I have options. I choose to watch a little tv in the morning, and hope to catch up the news. Currently, I find Morning Joe (as much as he sucks) and CNN (as much as it shocks me to say that) are the best choices.

Jazzgirl

(3,744 posts)
21. I stopped watching CNN when Soledad and Miles (no relation)
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 01:02 PM
Jul 2012

got pulled off the morning show. They both used to pin people down and didn't give them any wiggle room. I figured that was why they no longer hosted the morning show. Then they brought on the FauxSnooze duo and I quit watching totally. I never could stand Leslie.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
26. I think she is awful
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 07:41 PM
Jul 2012

Didn't see the show you're talking about, stopped watching long ago. But I've seen her (and going back, her husband Miles) way too many times over the years, and they would be one of my best examples of shallow, don't rock the boat corporate news. YMMV and obviously it does, but I've seen too little of this sentiment on this thread so thought my point of view (probably shared by others) should be part of this thread.

You're comparing her to other shows I don't watch, so that shows your perspective is more of a mainstream news perspective. I've seen Morning Joe, I hate them with a passion, though there is some good discussion once in awhile (99% RW propaganda and 1% good discussion). But pretty much across the board, it's all terrible and it's limited to whatever point of view their corporate owners will allow. O'Brien is certainly no exception to this. I remember when CNN tried to promote Don Lemon as a journalist, giving him some room to appear serious. Ha, that was funny. I suspect O'Brien is jut their latest attempt at putting a legitimate sheen on the corporate taint. No thanks, their entire world view is bogus and their programming is propaganda for that point of view.

I'm not that far out there, I think corporate news is just really terrible.

I enjoyed the Alyona show on RT network, however they just aired the last show of that so once again I got nothing. I guess she'll be on HuffPost livestream in August, will see if it's any good. Olbermann was decent, gone. Cenk was decent, gone (still on Current, we don't get Current, though I watch Young Turks on their YouTube channel). Maddow/O'Donnell/Sharpton are mostly limited to partisan horse race issues, nothing that challenges the mess we're in. So the dominant paradigm continues to discard dissenting points of view. Luckily the internet gives us some news alternative. I like Real News, Thom Hartmann, and a few others. But it's pretty bleak out there for people who won't swallow whatever drivel is spewed at them from the tube.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
27. Your response wasn't even worth finishing.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 07:57 PM
Jul 2012

Hell, I couldn't even get through your first paragraph.

Perhaps if you had actually read my post, you'd have realized that I had given up on Soledad years ago, too. She was a primary reason I STOPPED watching CNN.

I think she's always had the chops, but during the Bush years, when CNN wanted to be just like Fox, they reined her in. They shut her up, they gave her fluff. I don't believe it was her doing.

So now CNN is tanking in the ratings, and Soledad is a familiar face, with some real willingness to kick some ass. I could be totally wrong...but at least I've watched the show, and am not just pulling old stale turds out of my ass.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
34. Very rude you are
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 02:53 AM
Jul 2012

I did not intend to be rude to you, and don't think I was. I wanted a different and IMO a valid point of view to be represented in this thread.

"at least I've watched the show, and am not just pulling old stale turds out of my ass."

You did not post a link to the portion of the show your OP was about, a link would have been helpful and if posted I probably would have watched it before posting. It's possible that I would have responded well to the interview, dunno, but I've seen brief spurts of good journalism from plenty of reporters who otherwise offer very little of substance. It happens. Hopefully you're correct about O'Brien but I seriously doubt it.

And though I would not have used your phrasing, from my point of view Soledad O'Brien is an old turd you're pulling out of your own ass. I've seen some really disgusting stuff from her over the years, classic corporate apologist stuff where the real question was sure ass hell not going to be asked, where the real story was obscured (I seem to recall her fascination with the "odor" of Occupy Wall Street (meaning they are dirty hippies that haven't bathed recent;y enough for her taste) rather than with the message and purpose of that movement. So no, sorry not buying what you're selling. If she develops an actual body of work that will stand up to scrutiny, then I'll reconsider, until then shes a classic hack in y mind, and one of the worst.

Carolina

(6,960 posts)
29. I'm with you, dreamnightwind
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 08:50 PM
Jul 2012

I don't watch any of them. After theft 2000, I stopped watching cable news and political commentary shows, even TODAY which I used to have on as background noise for traffic and weather while getting ready for work. I don't miss any of the bullshit. Instead, I have classical music on in the background in the AM and find it much more relaxing, plus I arrive at work less stressed.

So Soledad pressed the MitTwit rep and he gave a non response... what else is not new!
So, Joe "Dead Intern" is an ass... again, what else is not new!
Same shit, different day.
It's still corporate news and views.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
30. "I haven't watched her in twelve years, so I know!"
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 09:24 PM
Jul 2012

Both of you seemed to have missed it. I haven't watched her in almost 10 years. But I have watched her a couple of times recently, and she's good. Very good.

So how is your cassette tape player holding up? The world does move on, you know.

Carolina

(6,960 posts)
31. blah, blah, blah
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 09:44 PM
Jul 2012

Signing off of cable "news" is liberating. And BTW, my vinyl records and turntable (everything old does become new again) are fine. And yes, I do still have a cassette player that works as well in addition to all the made in China Apple i-things!

Your snarky remarks notwithstanding, cable news/views does not equate with keeping with the times and certainly not with INTELLIGENCE.

Atman

(31,464 posts)
32. You read a lot into what I posted.
Mon Jul 30, 2012, 09:57 PM
Jul 2012

I merely stated that I was pleasantly surprised at the level of journalism coming from Soledad O'Brien. YOU said I was wrong because YOU watched her twelve years ago. Stick it in your eight track deck.

Carolina

(6,960 posts)
35. First of all
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 07:12 AM
Jul 2012

I wasn't even talking to you!

I was talking to nightdreamwind. With your attitude, you obviously missed that. Or can't you read? But no, you just had to chime in with snarkiness which you have obviously continued with your comment: "Stick it in your eight track deck." So I didn't read a lot into what you posted, I read what you wrote and gave back in equal measure. You're just being a total ass.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
36. LOL
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 05:50 PM
Jul 2012

That about sums it up from over here. I guess we're supposed to have more respect for the journalistic skill and instincts of Soledad O'Brien, or we're outdated, out of step? Kind of bizarre really.

I actually hope the poster is correct and she's turned a corner towards more substantive analysis and reporting. Not holding my breath though. More likely is the author of the OP just has a point of view more favorable to things we find offensive, which is why it made sense to me to speak up here with the other side of that coin.



Atman

(31,464 posts)
37. Nice. Totally misrepresent what I posted.
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 06:08 PM
Jul 2012

I merely stated that on a couple of separate occasions, I've switched to CNN in the morning, as Morning Joe has become more and more Fox-like. I pointed out how Soledad was turned into one of those Today-show bimbos doing cooking and fashion segments, but that she (or the management at CNN) seems to be trying to turn things around and make CNN a serious player again in the news market.

YOU, however, stated that you haven't watched her in twelve years. So, therefore...why should I place any validity in your twelve-year-old opinion, when I was posting about the last seven days?

Just curious.

.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
38. Nope I've seen her somewhat recently actually
Tue Jul 31, 2012, 08:41 PM
Jul 2012

"YOU, however, stated that you haven't watched her in twelve years."

You got us confused, Carolina said that.

I have less sense than Carolina and have seen plenty of MSM. I haven't seen Soledad in the last week though. Used to be a CNN regular though I never liked it, went through an MS-NBC phase and I still watch it now and then but I'm trying to focus on the systemic societal problems we're dealing with rather than corporate misdirection or partisan hair-splitting.

It would be great if CNN would host a good show opposite of Morning Joe. Seemed strange to me when they gave Scarborough that show, given the orientation of their afternoon/evening programming. A lot of misinformation in the guise of frank discussion gets sold by Morning Joe. It's like the corporate union between what's left of moderate Republicans and blue dog Dems.

Carolina

(6,960 posts)
39. Actually, it was Altman
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:51 PM
Aug 2012

who said, or rather misrepresented my words, by heading HIS post as: "I haven't watched her in 12 years, so I know." Take a look. Those are his/her words framed to look like a quotation. S/he can even get that straight.

What I said was:

"I don't watch any of them. After theft 2000, I stopped watching cable news and political commentary shows...
So Soledad pressed the MitTwit rep and he gave a non response... what else is not new!
So, Joe "Dead Intern" is an ass... again, what else is not new!
Same shit, different day.
It's still corporate news and views."

Truth be told I stopped watching regularly, reading is so much more edifying. However, on rare occasions spurred by DUers, I have tuned in, only to find myself still disgusted and totally unimpressed.

That "quote" is Altman's interpretation and should be appropriately attributed to him/her. But it shows, once again s/he is being the flame thrower... nastily interjecting his/her words in my replies to you and yours to me! How twisted

Atman

(31,464 posts)
42. Sorry, Carolina...that was you who said that.
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:52 PM
Aug 2012
"I don't watch any of them. After theft 2000, I stopped watching cable news and political commentary shows,..."

You inferred that you stopped watching in 2000. It is now 2012. Twelve years. Say what you mean, mean what you say. And read what I write. I did not claim O'Brien is suddenly deserving of a Pulitzer. I merely pointed out that there is a recent marked contrast between the CNN of the Bush era, Joe Scab of now, and the "new" Soledad O'Brien. That's all I said. Will it be a continuing trend? Who knows. They still give Creepy Crowley and Leslie Blitzer airtime. Maybe it's a good strategy...Morning Joe has become an insufferable GOP Morning Bore. So CNN offsets him with perky, yet "tough" Soledad O'Brien. In the evenings, MSNBC switches to liberal-leaning shows, while CNN gives us Wolf Blitzer. It's all a freaking game.

Again, my point was simply that if you're a news/politics junkie and like starting up your day with a cup of coffee and some morning news, and your cable company doesn't offer Current, CNN is suddenly, finally, offering an alternative to the pap that is The Today Show or Good Morning America (neither of which I've watched in a generation). Fox & Friends, of course, doesn't even count.

Oh, and ALTMAN is a movie director. My screen name is Atman.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
40. I'm with you. I stick to non-MSM news sources.
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:24 PM
Aug 2012

I didn't know that the Alyona Show is going off the air. That's too bad. We are fortunate here as we get RT and Current and the BBC and online I subscribe to Al Jazeera and Amy Goodman.

The thought of turning on any of the MSM shows makes me ill and whenever someone else does and I hear a little of their 'news' I have no regrets for having simply tuning them out a long time ago.

I love Cross Talk eg, on RT where you get a variety of viewpoints and actually learn something. I cannot truthfully say I've ever learned anything from watching the MSM. Except maybe their coverage of disasters which is usually worth watching.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
44. You're right
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 11:38 PM
Aug 2012

I saw her interview some puke Congress member a month ago when she filled in for Cooper about Fast and Furious, and she had him sputtering.

But hey, some people don't think Maddow or Olbermann were pure enough to carry the liberal beacon of media, so this is what you get.

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