How to argue with your friend who claims that FOX is no different (two steps)

Talking Point Joint for this week (sorry it's a little late)

If you say that the number of blue whale attacks on America's seniors has risen sharply since Obama's election and I point out that blue whale attacks have remained steady, are we both equally biased?

If you think so, then you're probably down with the latest talking point, that FOX is no different than MSNBC. There are two useful steps to challenge a person who holds this belief. It's all about the lies Lebowski.

First, point out several lies given voice on FOX and ask your friend to name the lies that started at MSNBC. Focus! Pointing out media personalities that annoy them doesn't count! Wait a few minutes and be gracious when your friend doesn't have any answers. Here's a few FOX 'untruths' to get you started.

1. There is a clause in a Democratic health bill that provides for death panels
2. Obama's education czar condoned statutory rape
3. 3-in-one lie. The VHA has a death book that 'promotes pulling the plug'. The Bush administration suspended its use. VHA doctors must direct patients to the book.
4. Terrorist fist jab - E.D. Hill apologized for reporting on how others 'in the media' had characterized the Obamas' gesture, when in fact she alone characterized it that way.
5. Obama's first annual budget four times larger than any of Bush's
6. The number of czars are growing under Obama and they have unchecked power
7. Acorn has someone inside the White House
   

This list could go on as long as I could keep typing. Your debate partner might feel that the links I provide in this list to point out FOX's lies are all liberally biased websites, which brings me back to my original point - if you lie and I point out your lie, that doesn't make us both equally at fault.

Which ties into the second step. Ask another question.

Where are the websites that point out MSNBC's lies? There is an industry of organizations devoted to pointing out the misinformation effused by FOX. If all the cable networks are equally bad, then where are the websites that point out lies on MSNBC? In fact there are some websites that purport to point out lies, but in fact they only point out things they disagree with.

Take a big one like Newsbusters, whose mission is 'Exposing and Combatting Liberal Media Bias'. Here's a list of their headlines today. Did they uncover any media lies?

1. 40 GOP Senators Sign Letter to Reid Demanding Internet Posting of Healthcare Bill
2. New Coalition Targets Limbaugh, Beck, Dobbs, Buchanan and Brown
3. Revolving Door: Clinton & Newsweek Alum Walderman Takes Job with Obama FCC
4. CBS Interviews Levi Johnston Again, Palin Says network should be 'Ashamed'
5. Really? Online NPR Poll Finds Even Split in White House- Fox News Feud

It's not clear that today, Newsbusters even accomplished its mission of Exposing Liberal bias, but they definitely didn't point out any lies, which is the most important difference between FOX and the rest. There's even a website called Olbermann Watch, but when you read through it, they can't point to any untruths the host voiced on air.

So to recap, when you're battling your misguided friends on this very important point, ask them to list lies they saw on MSNBC, and don't let them get away with pointing out hosts they don't like. Focus on the lying issue. Then, when you point out lies on FOX and your friend claims that those lies were pointed out by liberal media websites, just point out that the industry is so fertile because there are so many lies coming out of FOX. Challenge them to take you to a website that exposes lies of hosts like Rachel Maddow. When they are unable to produce any lies, celebrate your victory internally and don't gloat. It's not about winning or losing; it's about bringing more reality to our national discourse.

Better yet, if you don't want to go through all that trouble, send this post to your favorite 'FOX may be bad, but it's no different than the others' proponent.

Rise of Conservative Media (video)

There is a fight, and that fight must be met - with words and tactics before the battlefield changes.

This video shows how lies become mainstream and why the President needs to fight back. The frame of the video is that Conservative media aims to take down the 'Progressive Agenda'. I actually have no problem with people who argue against a progressive agenda, that's America. I have a problem with actors playing reporters who lie and incite violence to promote their political agenda.

A Christian thing to do? (9-12 video)

You can keep your guns and religion - seriously that's awesome! But would you please rub a couple brain cells together, so that we can have a reasonable discussion in America? Thanks to Flying Rice for linking to this video. How did we get here? I have a theory that might be a bit controversial, which I hope you'll read below.


Readers might think that I relish posting videos like this, so that I can gloat about how those who disagree with me are in league with so many uninformed folks. I don't. I worry about America when I see so many of my confused compatriots.

So what's going on here? The answer, as I see it, is hidden in plain sight.

First, I don't think these people are any more stupid than anyone else (but people, when you chant U.S.A. like that, it really doesn't help me make that assertion). I think they're highly emotional about their religion and therefore susceptible to right-wing propaganda - have been since the merging of Republicans with the religious right. There was nothing about Republican ideology that made it more compatible with Christianity. The Democrats could have co-opted the Christians just as well, but Republicans decided to give certain powerful Christian leaders a political voice.

So now Christians and Republicans have this symbiotic relationship - but it's an awkard one. How do you get Christians to go along with the rest of the Republican agenda? Number one rule- don't tell them the truth. It's illustrated in the video. Here's what I mean.

You can't tell them that Democrats have a plan to reform health insurance so that poor people will have access to health care, and that similar plans work well all around the world. That would sound very reasonable and a Christian thing to do. So you have to tell them that this is a giant step towards Nazism.

You can't tell them that Democrats have a plan to ease unspeakable suffering of some families, by paying for consultations with doctors to communicate a plan in advance about what medical steps to take if a family member is unable to communicate. That would sound very reasonable and a Christian thing to do. So you have to lie to them about death panels.

And you can't tell them about the unconscionable wealth gap in America that is widening daily, and how with a small tax on the very wealthy and some government involvement, we could force insurance companies to end immoral practices and ease the suffering of the least of us. That would sound very reasonable and a Christian thing to do. So you have to tell them that Obama is going to tax us all to death and pay for abortions with it.

There are many reasonable arguments against some more progressive plans, but if the Christian Right were to have an honest discussion about these policies, many more of them would support Democrats on some issues. We can't have that now, can we?

The results are many Americans who are passionate about their religion and feel social and political support from the Republican party, but who must believe lies in order to elocute support for the rest of the Republican agenda and sound silly doing so.

I know I said a mouthful. Am I on target?

Week in Review

Flying Rice joined the conversation with a monster link, which shines a light on the elephant in the room that right-leaning opponents of the healthcare reform refuse to acknowledge so far - the abject dearth of knowledge displayed by the masses of protesters. The link was to a video of a citizen journalist who interviewed a ton of 9-12 marchers. The video will be tomorrow's 'Let's Get Teabagged!' posting.

Opponents of healthcare reform can't continue to point to massive protests to bolster their opinion, while being silent to the obvious lack of knowledge of their participants. You know who you are. What do you have to say about it?

On the blog this week, we also had our first open thread, which wasn't really "open" as I framed the subject. Someday when TrulySkewed has many more visitors, it'll be different (so invite your friends on Facebook or by e-mail - shameless I know). Still, if quality of comments are more important than quantity, then it was a success.

Katie and Scott both expressed being on the fence about their fence sitting on the issue of whether to label themselves Republicans, obviously something they've been thinking about a lot. Katie's comment is here and is worth a read, as a good illustration of how tough it is for people to fit themselves into the box of a political party. Scott's comment follows, and expresses a similar feeling of being torn between Republican fiscal resonsibility and his more liberal social philosophy. Might I be so bold as to say that, since the only president in the last several decades to balance the budget was Bill Clinton, maybe Scott is closer to being a Democrat than he thinks. As Michael Steele would ask us in these times of uncertainty - "What up?"

Some of you may have noticed the newsletter subscription form. Putting together this blog, I've learned a thing or two about the Internet and news. In the newsletter, I'm going to share some tips and maybe some other, more personal thoughts. Plus I'll ask subscribers their opinion about blog features. I need that feedback. So please sign up for that if you're so inclined.

Oh, this week the open thread will be about religion, so it should be a good one. Also, Friday's feature will be my 'uber unbiased healthcare guide'. I think it will be really helpful and I hope you share it with people who could use it. I've been working hard on it and I think everyone will get something out of it; I know I have.

Finally, this last month has been a record for viewers, nearly a thousand, so that's cool! Also Wednesday's 'Talking Point Joint' will be renamed (any suggestions); I can't continue the talking point - smoking a joint metaphor...haha!

Thanks all

Clueless Tea Party Signs Rebutted

Friday Feature - an album of clueless tea party signs with facts to show why they're wrongheaded. Sources follow album.



Truth about czars
Wealth in America
National Debt
Health Care reform saves money
communist?
Canadians more satisfied (FOX News)

Good idea for Michael Steele to ask readers why they're Republicans?

Open thread: What is a Republican?

On Michael Steele's first blog post, the big guy asks readers, "Why are you a Republican? Think about that for a minute."

Ironically, I think many people nowadays are asking themselves just that. I'm surprised he only received 74 responses in over a week at the time of writing.

Michael says he became a Republican because he did some research and found out that Republicans protect his 'God given liberties'.

Here's what the new GOP.com 'What we Believe' lists as core guiding principles:

We're fortunate to live in America
The Republican Party believes that the United States has been blessed with a unique set of individual rights and freedoms available to all.
You can be what you are, and become what you are capable of becoming
The Republican Party is inspired by the power and ingenuity of the individual to succeed through hard work, family support and self-discipline.
Helping those around you is worthwhile
The Republican Party believes in the value of voluntary giving and community support over taxation and forced redistribution.
Small government is a better government for the people
The Republican Party, like our nation's founders, believes that government must be limited so that it never becomes powerful enough to infringe on the rights of individuals.
You know what to do with your money better than government
The Republican Party supports low taxes because individuals know best how to make their own economic and charitable choices.
Free markets keep people free
The Republican Party is supportive of logical business regulations that encourage entrepeneurs to start more businesses so more individuals can enjoy the satisfaction and fruits of self-made success.
Our Armed Forces defend and protect our democracy
The Republican Party is committed to preserving our national strength while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

I'm curious to know what you think. Ideas for comments might be why you are or aren't a Republican. Do you think these are good guiding principles? Do you think Republicans really follow them? Do only Republicans think that? What would be a more realistic list of core beliefs for Republicans? What would a list of your core beliefs look like?

Government takeover of healthcare - paranoid much?

Let's burn down this week's talking point joint.

Gobs of Americans are scared of government, and when they hear that politicians have an agenda to 'fix' health care, they go on quite a bad trip.

Some special interest organizations, like the Christian Coalition for America, stoke up the paranoia to raise money on Americans freaking out.

And the GOP knows you got the shakes and tries to score political points - on gop.gov's healthcare talking points web page, the first point is:

It is clear from town hall meetings held across the country that the American people are rejecting the Democrat plan for a government takeover of health care.

Sounds heavy! But before you get out your markers and go shopping for poster board, let's have a think about whether this talking point is the good stuff. In order to judge whether the Democrats' plan amounts to a government takeover of health care, we need to first consider two questions: 1) What is 'health care'? and 2) What is the Democrats' plan?

America's health care system obviously has many parts - the drug companies, the hospitals, emergency response teams, family clinics, research laboratories, medical instrument producers, nursing homes, health insurance companies and much more. Its too big for the human mind to even imagine, man! Have the Democrats hatched a plan for the government to take over all of that?

Not even close! So what do the Democrats plan to take over? Well, the Senate Democrats are still arguing about it, but the stoners in the House have passed a bill and its bound to be more liberal than what the Senate eventually passes, and it includes the public option, which is what most people refer to when speaking of their fears about a government takeover. Let's consider that, just to be on the safe side.

The House plan is a far cry from a 'government take over'. In fact it only plans to tinker with one part of the system - health insurance - and it doesn't even plan to take that over! Here's the deal. The government would create an Exchange (basically a website), where all the qualified private insurance plans would compete for customers. The public option would be one of the choices on that Exchange and it would have to follow all the same rules as the private plans and would be funded by customer premiums.

"But," you exclaim, "private insurance can never compete with a public option," (I don't know why you care about the private insurance companies so much - you trippin'). Well, that's where the Congressional Budget office comes in, the nonpartisan group that Republicans trusted so much earlier this summer. They predict that only about 10 million Americans will sign up for the public option in the first ten years, while private insurance enrollment will increase by about 12 million. Furthermore, the CBO thinks that premiums for private plans will decrease substantially due to increased competition. That means you get to keep your plan and it will probably be cheaper. Right on!

So, let's recap. The U.S. health care system is huge and has many parts. The most liberal plan, the House's public option, only slightly tinkers with one part of that system - health insurance. And the public option doesn't even take over health insurance, as only a fraction of Americans will use it. Plus it will probably increase competition and lower premiums for all Americans.

If you call that a takeover, you're really buzzin'. Still, if that's too much government involvement for you, then I encourage you to get out there and speak against it, but I hope this article helped clear up for you the 'government takeover' talking point.

If you know someone who could benefit from reading this article, please pass it on to them. Don't bogart the talking point joint!

Armed Americans Seize Government Buildings and Officials - Hilarious!

It's Monday - time for your weekly teabagging!

Do you dream of a world where Anne Coulter's "Treason" is required reading in U.S. high schools? Where CIA agents, the true patriots that they are, help lead a rebellion against an Obama Coup and are free to torture former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? And where Sarah Palin and Joe Wilson each lead patriots to victory in battles against domestic Hamas forces and Obama's loyalists?

This is the world you will fight for in the online video game, 2011 Obama's Coup fails. On the game's website, there is a long plot line that starts with sweeping Republican victories in Congress and continues its justification for revolution:

In January 2011, two days prior to the swearing-in of the new Senators and Congressmen, President Obama holds an emergency conference that interrupts the regular broadcasting of every station in the United States, and is replayed on major news networks throughout the day. The news is horrifying, and the ramifications of what the president has said have a numbing effect on the public.

Americans re-tell the speech to each other, repeating Obama's flowery language and tired cliches. The swearing-in ceremonies are suspended indefinitely, and the current Congress is to remain in place until this "historic transition" is completed. The United States is a creation of "racists and warmongers," Obama says to a stunned America, and is to be replaced by the North American Union. In the course of this very broadcast, Obama, with two simple pen strokes, signs the "treaties" into law. One dissolves the United States and its Constitution, and the other disarms what is left of the gun-owning United States citizenry, as part and parcel of a United Nations Treaty to ban all firearms, which had already been signed into law by over 40 nations.

Private ownership of firearms has been outlawed, and Obama promises a new era of equality and peace. Unfortunately for Obama, Americans will not act like the sheep he has taken them for. Revolution begins. Over 20 million armed American citizens begin seizing local and federal government buildings and officials.

Chaos ensues throughout the nation! The Second American Revolution is in full swing by February of 2011, with lists posted by patriots, county by county, naming dozens of government employees and the bounties that can be fetched by their capture.

In a weak attempt to cover themselves from accusations of inciting violence, the authors of the game call it a war game filled with "satire", but then follow that with:

It has been said that America would never be destroyed by a foreign power. It does seem our biggest enemies are not from outside our borders. Could the scenario described above ever really happen? If current events keep transpiring as they are, then 2011 Obama's Coup may in fact become a dark chapter in American History.

It never ceases to impress me how right-wingers don't comprehend satire. I swear, if I could, I would buy them all a sense of humor. To wit - in this right-wing fantasy, the CIA agents use Nancy Pelosi as a surfboard, since she is so rigid from Botox, thus water boarding her and celebrating their freedoms. Hah! That's a good one!

Ah well! Remember, when you're getting teabagged, try to keep your eyes open; it's a fuller experience.

Week in Review

If this blog could be compared to an extraterrestrial in its last throes of life here on Earth , then this week was that magic moment, when, just as the little girl thinks E.T. is gone forever and is wondering what to do with a dead alien, she sees the heart-light glow through the sheet and the finger-tip ignite, and is nearly moved to tears by a classic Neil Diamond song. TrulySkewed is back baby, with a new plan!

The 'Ten Reasons Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize' was picked up by several other sources and had hundreds of viewers. Still, this week there were very few comments - Mike agreed with me that Obama is dreamy, Katie threw a right-wing essayist under the bus, and a Canadian, clearly not seeing the need for America to kick ass, questioned the Nobel Prize.

On TS's Facebook page, Katie and I shamelessly bared our childhoods to one another in our continuing pursuits to get the other to switch sides. Also, Steve the Canadian refused to believe that every single person in the world loves America now.

In the news, Americans threw away an afternoon watching a shiny balloon on television, Obama got hammered for taking a second to consider sending a small town's worth of American kids into the Graveyard of Empires, and health insurance companies terrorized Congress by threatening to raise premiums and thus kill thousands of Americans if it doesn't force every American to be their customer, possibly causing even the most ardent town hall rabble-rouser to scratch his thick head.

I've decided to have a schedule, a tentative version of which can be seen in the sidebar. Hopefully, this will focus my efforts and give people a reason to pop in. In keeping with the spirit of the blog, readers are very welcome to contribute posts, even and especially if they disagree with me.

LGTB: Obama the Evil Snail and Other Nutty Right Wing Tales

No, it's not a typo. LGTB stands for 'Let's Get Tea Bagged!', a new TrulySkewed feature where I'll do reconnaissance in Nutwingery and bring back the 'intelligence' here. From time to time, I try to find reasonable right wing media outlets - I don't want to live in a bubble - but every time I try, I am stunned. So let's get tea bagged!

Let's start off at Pajamas Media, where blogger David Solway recounts his attempt to take his mind of politics by reading some Japanese haiku. Unfortunately it didn't work, because he came upon this -

A slug carrying
Serene sunlight on his back —
A hen nearby

Obviously this got Solway fuming about Obama, who is clearly the snail. The sunlight represents the president's naivete and the hen is our enemies. This image so disrupted Solway's serenity that he went on a stream of consciousness rant, which I highly recommend, that leads him to this-

For Obama and his entourage, it appears that America is the battlefield. It is there that the war is to be waged, the enemy defeated, a new dispensation to be imposed, a makeover of society to be enacted.... Meanwhile, Obama unleashes a massive media blitzkrieg, overexposing himself at every turn, which is strangely reminiscent of the iconic strategy of dictators like Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-il plastering their likenesses in every corner of the public square. From the standpoint of an outsider looking in, the spectacle is scarcely credible. And judging from tea parties, town halls, and the march on Washington, for many insiders, too.

Something tells me it's kind of pointless to argue against this kind of paranoid teabaggery, but I will say this - if you read a Japanese haiku about snails and it makes you think of how Obama is just like Kim Jong-il, might it be possible that you have a tendency to read into things just a little?

In the comments, of course, there was high praise, including a proclamation that Solway is one of the greatest essayists of our time.

Well that will do it for now - remember to rinse with mouthwash after a teabagging.