Trent Lott: "Talk radio needs to be dealt with"

[PSUColonel]

Here are the full comments made Thursday by the minority whip leader on the senate floor while trying to revive the senate immigration bill which supports amnesty:“Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.”

[Subby]

Are you trying to tell us that you want to give Cam Edwards a spanking?

[JPhillips]

I know Doc Walkers new show is terrible, but I had no idea he was running America.

I'm really fucking pissed now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Psst ... Trent ... talk radio often reflects what the listeners are already thinking.
Might be something Congress ought to consider doing more often.

[PSUColonel]

Yes, this combined with the fairness doctorine is just another example of how lawmakers are tired of their "business as usual lives" being inturrupted by something so trivial as the opinions of the American people.

[EagleFan]

The problem with talk radio is that it is normally just the vocal extremes and really isn't representative of the average American anyway.

[st.cronin]

I'm drunk. Whoops, wrong threae.

[SackAttack]

What's funny to me is that talk radio for years has been a stalwart ally of the conservative right.

So, now, when they're in vehement and vociferous disagreement? "Silence them so we can work, dammit."

[EagleFan]

What's funny to me is that talk radio for years has been a stalwart ally of the conservative right.

So, now, when they're in vehement and vociferous disagreement? "Silence them so we can work, dammit."

Are you new to the political process? It's like that for both sides. Whatever suits the agenda of the day.

[Dutch]

What's funny to me is that talk radio for years has been a stalwart ally of the conservative right.

So, now, when they're in vehement and vociferous disagreement? "Silence them so we can work, dammit."

If Talk Radio was the bastion of the right, the internet was the bastion of the left. Both territories are being opened up for alternative voices. Good, I say.

Still working on search engines Yahoo! and Google, but since all they have to work with are AP and Reuters articles, there's still a lot of "silencing" going on.

[SackAttack]

Are you new to the political process? It's like that for both sides. Whatever suits the agenda of the day.

Nah. Not new. But it's still funny.

[stevew]

I didn't realize Trent Lott was still in the senate.

[Flasch186]

Kool aid

[Toddzilla]

I didn't realize Trent Lott was still in the senate.I didn't realize he was still relevant. Our soldiers are getting killed by the dozen, and he thinks Opie and Anthony are ruining this country. :rolleyes:

[JonInMiddleGA]

...and he thinks Opie and Anthony are ruining this country. :rolleyes:

Umm ... Todd. He said "running" the country, not "ruining".
And he's referring to Hannity, Limbaugh, etc., not O&A.

[Bubba Wheels]

Well, if talk radio survives by ratings and making a profit, and that happens by running conservative talk programs, then what we see is the market at work and working like it should. So it just stands to reason that our socialist congress would want to stop that.

[JPhillips]

So I've learned,

Google and Yahoo! = Liberal Bias

Trent Lott = Socialist

[Bubba Wheels]

So I've learned,

Google and Yahoo! = Liberal Bias

Trent Lott = Socialist

Trent Lott = Keeping himself in power, and if a little socialism will do that, well then...

Conservative talk radio has not been kind to Mr. Lott, and alot of these politicians coming under fire from that source are probably looking around at folks like Hugo Chavez for a little inspiration right about now...

[dawgfan]

One of the more remarkable things you can learn from internet communication is just how delusional some people are.

[Glengoyne]

I think the problem Lott describes isn't that "All of those audiences are dead set against a new immigration policy that provides for some sort of guest worker program or a reasonable path to citizenship." It is that the hosts foment a portion of their audience into such a lather over this issue, that those audience members flood congress with mail, email, faxes, and phone calls. Those efforts have an impact, just as they are designed to. I don't believe those efforts reflect that anywhere near a majority, probably not even pushing 25%, of Americans are as millitant about the immigration subject as the conservative talk radio hosts are. I think this is about Talk Radio firing up a small percentage of the public, and coloring the opinion of another significant portion of listeners.

So yes I think Trent Lott is frustrated because efforts to produce a workable reasonable immigration bill are being hampered by a small percentage of the public fired up by talk radio hosts. He is dealing with senators upset that their constituencies are going to hold any vote for a reasonable immigration bill against them. That isn't an entirely unreasonable fear, I guess, as our primaries have shown that attacks can come from the far right(Arlen Specter) or from the far left(Joe Lieberman). I don't think he has a problem with Talk Radio, to the point that he believes the hosts need to be silenced. I believe he is simply stating that more of his peers should dismiss those motivated by such nonsense, and carry on with the business of running the country.

[Toddzilla]

Umm ... Todd. He said "running" the country, not "ruining".
And he's referring to Hannity, Limbaugh, etc., not O&A.pwnt

[Dutch]

So I've learned,

Google and Yahoo! = Liberal Bias

Trent Lott = Socialist

Wait, are you telling me that Google and Yahoo! have a Conservative Bias? :D

(Edit: Ack, I did not make it clear that I was discussing the headlines they choose to put on their homepages. Sorry for the confusion.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

... a workable reasonable immigration bill

If they've got one of those, I sure as hell wish they'd roll it out.

[JW]

I think the problem Lott describes isn't that "All of those audiences are dead set against a new immigration policy that provides for some sort of guest worker program or a reasonable path to citizenship." It is that the hosts foment a portion of their audience into such a lather over this issue, that those audience members flood congress with mail, email, faxes, and phone calls. Those efforts have an impact, just as they are designed to. I don't believe those efforts reflect that anywhere near a majority, probably not even pushing 25%, of Americans are as millitant about the immigration subject as the conservative talk radio hosts are. I think this is about Talk Radio firing up a small percentage of the public, and coloring the opinion of another significant portion of listeners.

I think that is just grassroots democracy at work in America. And, contrary to what a lot of people think, conservative talk radio has been hammering Bush and congressional Republicans on several issues for some time.

I also think when you sort through all the polls and the media spin on them what you find is that most Americans simply don't trust the government to do what it says it will do in the bill, secure the border first and then take care of the illegals. I believe most Americans would either support or reluctantly acquiesce in any reasonable program for illegals if they had confidence that a secure border was a top priority. Or, to put it bluntly, most Americans think that Congress and the White House are a bunch of lying SOBs.

Now the border can never be 100% secured, but we can slow the flow of illegals to a trickle. At that point I don't think you would hear too much opposition to some kind of amnesty program, of course under any name except "amnesty."

[JPhillips]

A vocal minority will always have more power than a silent majority.

[Dutch]

A vocal minority will always have more power than a silent majority.

Propaganda rules the masses.

[JPhillips]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

[Glengoyne]

Propaganda rules the masses.

I think this is close to Trent's position.

Oh and to completely thread jack and run. I think Lott got a raw deal a few years back, and him having to relinquish the helm might have cost the Republican party more than I ever would have guessed. I've never been a fan of Lott's, but I prefered his leadership to that of Frist.

[watravaler]

I agree with him, in a way. Some of the tools that have their own show have a little too much influence on the masses.

[CraigSca]

He's sucked ever since he left the 49ers.

[Daimyo]

Wait, are you telling me that Google and Yahoo! have a Conservative Bias? :D

(Edit: Ack, I did not make it clear that I was discussing the headlines they choose to put on their homepages. Sorry for the confusion.)
I'm pretty sure Google doesn't have human editors choosing the headlines they put on their homepage, but instead a computer algorithm pretty much incapable of bias or even understanding which way an article leans.

[SFL Cat]

HOW DARE THE MASSES DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVES...

Dammit...where are the sheep when you need them?

[sterlingice]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Where's the microfilm, Mike?
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): I don't know, I gave it to York. I thought she was one of your men.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Act in haste, repent in leisure.
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): But he who hesitates is lost.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Never judge a book by its cover.
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): What you see is what you get.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Loose lips, sink ships...
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing or fighting, my friend.
[Gen. Morters, cornered, looks to Mr. Jigsaw]
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): [Mr. Jigsaw consults Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, shakes his head]
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Sorry Mike, no good.

(and if you get that reference without having to look it up, then that's scary since I think I'm the only one in the world who likes that movie)

SI

[Dutch]

I'm pretty sure Google doesn't have human editors choosing the headlines they put on their homepage, but instead a computer algorithm pretty much incapable of bias or even understanding which way an article leans.

If there is little to no bias in AP, AFP, and Reuters, then this is wrong. If all or most of the articles are tilted/slanted, then I would be on board with that.

[Qwikshot]

Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Where's the microfilm, Mike?
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): I don't know, I gave it to York. I thought she was one of your men.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Act in haste, repent in leisure.
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): But he who hesitates is lost.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Never judge a book by its cover.
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): What you see is what you get.
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Loose lips, sink ships...
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing or fighting, my friend.
[Gen. Morters, cornered, looks to Mr. Jigsaw]
Mike McCracken (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001459/): [Mr. Jigsaw consults Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, shakes his head]
Gen. Morters (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/): Sorry Mike, no good.

(and if you get that reference without having to look it up, then that's scary since I think I'm the only one in the world who likes that movie)

SI



Loaded Weapon 1 I think...filled with cameos.

[cougarfreak]

If talk radio isn't with us, then they're against us. They're part of the axis of evil, overthrow them!!

[Noop]

We need to get rid of these crazy mofo's who are trying to run our country to the ground.

[PSUColonel]

I think the problem Lott describes isn't that "All of those audiences are dead set against a new immigration policy that provides for some sort of guest worker program or a reasonable path to citizenship." It is that the hosts foment a portion of their audience into such a lather over this issue, that those audience members flood congress with mail, email, faxes, and phone calls. Those efforts have an impact, just as they are designed to. I don't believe those efforts reflect that anywhere near a majority, probably not even pushing 25%, of Americans are as millitant about the immigration subject as the conservative talk radio hosts are. I think this is about Talk Radio firing up a small percentage of the public, and coloring the opinion of another significant portion of listeners.

So yes I think Trent Lott is frustrated because efforts to produce a workable reasonable immigration bill are being hampered by a small percentage of the public fired up by talk radio hosts. He is dealing with senators upset that their constituencies are going to hold any vote for a reasonable immigration bill against them. That isn't an entirely unreasonable fear, I guess, as our primaries have shown that attacks can come from the far right(Arlen Specter) or from the far left(Joe Lieberman). I don't think he has a problem with Talk Radio, to the point that he believes the hosts need to be silenced. I believe he is simply stating that more of his peers should dismiss those motivated by such nonsense, and carry on with the business of running the country.

Since when has Lieberman ever been on the far left, or Specter ever been on the far right?

[PSUColonel]

I think that is just grassroots democracy at work in America. And, contrary to what a lot of people think, conservative talk radio has been hammering Bush and congressional Republicans on several issues for some time.

I also think when you sort through all the polls and the media spin on them what you find is that most Americans simply don't trust the government to do what it says it will do in the bill, secure the border first and then take care of the illegals. I believe most Americans would either support or reluctantly acquiesce in any reasonable program for illegals if they had confidence that a secure border was a top priority. Or, to put it bluntly, most Americans think that Congress and the White House are a bunch of lying SOBs.

Now the border can never be 100% secured, but we can slow the flow of illegals to a trickle. At that point I don't think you would hear too much opposition to some kind of amnesty program, of course under any name except "amnesty."

here here!!....and I do beleive this IS the opinion of the silent majority

[PSUColonel]

I agree with him, in a way. Some of the tools that have their own show have a little too much influence on the masses.

really...so I guess we should employ some form of censorship?

[PSUColonel]

If there is little to no bias in AP, AFP, and Reuters, then this is wrong. If all or most of the articles are tilted/slanted, then I would be on board with that.

talk radio is very diferent than news organizations, it is considered to be entertainment (much like the view, or Bill Mahr..etc) and does not have to uphold the same unbiased (and I use that term loosely) principles as "news organizations"

[sterlingice]

Loaded Weapon 1 I think...filled with cameos.

Yeah, that was Dennis Leary and William Shatner going at it while Tim Curry watched.

SI

[Bubba Wheels]

I agree with him, in a way. Some of the tools that have their own show have a little too much influence on the masses.

What makes you the one qualified to determine that? Who, then, gets to intitute this new 'censorship' to protect the masses from these dangerous ideas? Obviously, you think that the final arbitrators of what is acceptable and what is not will be you and your own 'like-minded' thinkers. This is not a new idea, comrade.

[JPhillips]

PSU: You should read posts more carefully. It would lower your blood pressure.

Bubba: Will you call me comrade?

[spleen1015]

He's right. I only do what Dan Patrick tells me to.

[Toddzilla]

FWIW, A television show, radio show, podcast, newspaper, etc., can NEVER have too much influence. A show (or any other medium for that matter) only have as much influence as the people who consume that medium give to it, which can never be "too much".

[Bubba Wheels]

PSU: You should read posts more carefully. It would lower your blood pressure.

Bubba: Will you call me comrade?

'As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

BTW, for those criticising Pat Buchanan and his analysis of policy, check out his newest column about the administration getting us ready for military action in Iran. Then read what Sen. Lieberman is advocating on the Drudgereport.

[PSUColonel]

'As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

BTW, for those criticising Pat Buchanan and his analysis of policy, check out his newest column about the administration getting us ready for military action in Iran. Then read what Sen. Lieberman is advocating on the Drudgereport.


I would argue, Lieberman is 100% correct...I haven't had a chance to check out Buchanan's column just yet.

[JPhillips]

And PSU whiffs again.

[Toddzilla]

I would argue, Lieberman is 100% correct...I haven't had a chance to check out Buchanan's column just yet.Lieberman is so out of touch with his own party - not the Democratic party, mind you but his own "Connecticut for Lieberman Party" that he created to run as an independent - the head of said party has called for him to step down.

Joe Lieberman isn't even fit to be in the Lieberman Party

http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_6126214

[Glengoyne]

And PSU whiffs again.

He certainly whiffed in his swing at my post above. Given that there is such a thing as the 'Connecticut for Lieberman" party I can't believe that someone would miss that Lieberman and Specter were seriously challenged from the extremes of their parties in primaries.

In any case. I hadn't posted in a while, and wanted to know how this thread resolved.

[JPhillips]

I've given up arguing with PSU, but I found it very funny that he has such blinders on that he kept reading posts for what he wanted them to say.