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Hardly fair or balanced

Rich Kullson
Letters |
Saturday, October 17, 2009

This is in response to the letter from Colby Roy (Oct. 7) about how Fox News is very biased. I have to agree.

I had been an avid viewer of Fox News until recently, due to the consistently negative tone about everything that President Barack Obama is trying to accomplish.

I feel Fox News should portray a more positive outlook on issues that are reported. It's a constant stream of how the Democrats are wrong, and that any move Obama makes is wrong.

I guess, according to Fox News, the definition of fair and balanced only applies to the views of the network officials. A year ago, when President George W. Bush was in office, nothing negative about him appeared on Fox News. Is that fair and balanced?

I believe a fair and balanced news show should not be influenced by network officials' political party, race, religion or agenda.

I will still watch the Fox business network, even though a few innuendos are used from time to time. Stock quotes, gold values, job loss numbers, etc., are facts that are more difficult to twist around, but Fox can still blame Obama for lower stock values or job losses.

Rich Kullson, Lewiston

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

snokssecy's picture

THANK GOD FOR FOX

By snokssecy, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:20

THANK GOD FOR FOX NEWS......the only station that doesn't report through rose-colored glasses, or choose to ignore what should be OUTRAGEOUS connections with the Obama administration!! Obama has surrounded himself with terrorists (Ayers), racists (the good Rev Wright), felons (Van Jones, Ayers, etc), Communists (Van Jones, Anita Dunn, Jarrett........etc, etc, etc), and one cannot ignore the direct quotes from these people that Fox reports on.
As BHO said, in his own words.......he is defined by those he associates with........Hmmmm..so is he so out of touch with those he hand-picks, or is this the plan???

Lil's picture
verified

What was Van Jones convicted

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 19:11

What was Van Jones convicted of?
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

snokssecy's picture

Really???????? OK, one

By snokssecy, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 20:00

Really????????
OK, one example....he was involved in the rioting, destruction of private property, and inciting violence after the Rodney King issue in LA. Have you not EVER seen the video of him bragging about participating in/leading the chaos?? Have you not seen or read his quote, describing how he [came out of prison a self-avowed Communist].....................??

Frostproof's picture
verified

This is the LSJ's mandatory

By Mike LeBlanc, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:47

This is the LSJ's mandatory weekly LTTE complaining about FOX. Rich, you must have been asleep for 8 years when daily FOX complained about GWB for (1) not using the veto, (2) spending wildly in general, in particular (3) the stupid No Child Left Behind nonsense and (4) the even more stupid Medicare Drug fiasco, and (5) waging a war without trying to win it.

The MSM, with the exception of FOX and talk radio, is the Propaganda Ministry of the Obama administration. That's why the libs are so rabid to shut them down.

Pirate's picture
verified

Good post Frostproof

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:24

Good post Frostproof

momof4's picture

Nobody makes anyone watch

By momof4, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 09:46

Nobody makes anyone watch anything. Watch it or don't. who cares.

Scotty_O's picture

My eyes have been opened. I

By Scotty_O, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 09:36

My eyes have been opened. I will watch nothing more than "The View", I feel Fox has raped the minds of it viewers for years. Oh wait, "it wasn't rape,rape".

tron's picture

That oft quoted response by

By tron, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 09:55

That oft quoted response by Whoopi Goldberg was during her attempt to correctly identify what Roman Polanski was convicted of. Now we all can agree what it really was, but legally he did not plead guilty to rape. Whoopi was just trying to be accurate and fair, unlike FOX News, to whom fairness and accuracy is a foreign concept.

rstonge's picture
verified

Tron, I know you can help

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:39

Tron, I know you can help with this. I have asked Lil, multiple times for an example of Fox's false or inaccurate reporting. Can you give me an example.

Rinoblast's picture

A few weeks ago, Fox ran ads

By Rinoblast, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 14:39

A few weeks ago, Fox ran ads claiming that they were the only news agency following the "Tea Parties" and that the other news agencies were biased (and not Fair and Balanced) because of it. After, CNN came out and replayed the news reports they showed about the tea parties.

http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/18/fox-news-you-say-what/

rstonge's picture
verified

That's an ad not a news

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sun, 10/18/2009 - 06:23

That's an ad not a news report. What have the reported that was false?

tron's picture

Look to my reply to your

By tron, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:08

Look to my reply to your answer of your previous post. This is one such example. Now they reported what Ms. Goldberg said, but used it in an entirely different manner than WHAT she meant. They are guilty of this time and again. Sometimes unfair reporting is not telling lie, but telling the truth in ways that the viewer will interpret differently than what was meant.

rstonge's picture
verified

Tron, I heard the audio,

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:17

Tron, I heard the audio, that is exactly what she said.
Here is what she said.
"I know it wasn't rape-rape. I think it was something else, but I don't believe it was rape-rape.

"He pled guilty to having sex with a minor and he went to jail, and when they let him out he said 'You know what, this guy's going to give me 100 years in jail. I'm not staying'. And that's why he left."

So how did Fox lie about what she said? Was this on O'Reilly, Beck or Hannity? I suppose that the other news channels are 100% accurate and never make up the news?

Pirate's picture
verified

Tron might feel quite

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 10:19

Tron might feel quite differently about it if the 13 year old girl who wasn't rape, raped had been HIS 13 year old daughter.

rstonge's picture
verified

Legally, Polanski plead

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:37

Legally, Polanski plead guilty to “unlawful sexual intercourse”.

The definition of "rape" is :
–noun
1. the unlawful compelling of a woman through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse.
2. any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.
3. statutory rape.
4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.
5. Archaic. the act of seizing and carrying off by force.

I guessing the legal definition is different.

From boston.com today,
"The grand jury charged Polanski with “rape by use of drugs,’’ “lewd and lascivious acts upon child under 14,’’ “perversion,’’ and “sodomy’’ (the latter two for acts that are now legal if consensual, and are sexual assault if not.) After pleading guilty to the mildest charge, Polanski - now a convicted sex offender - fled before sentencing."

tron's picture

And that was precisely what

By tron, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:04

And that was precisely what Ms Goldberg was trying to communicate, that Polanski did not plead guilty to "rape, rape" which has a specific legal definition different from general usage. I agree what he did was rape, and so did Ms Goldberg, but she was trying to be fair and honest about the truth. Unfortunately the "rape, rape" comment was the only thing people like Pirate heard or wanted to hear since he doesn't care for Ms Goldberg. Too bad that in this environment it isn't necessarily want you say, but what people want to hear that matters.

Pirate's picture
verified

"People like Pirate"? "He

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:31

"People like Pirate"? "He doesn't care for Ms. Goldberg"? What are you, some sort of clearvoyant? I heard every word Goldberg said. It required no interpretation unless you wanted to hear it in Swahili. She communicated her intention of speech quite clearly. Too bad that in this environment, people like Tron look at reality and see sugar plum fairies.

tron's picture

perhaps you should let your

By tron, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:18

perhaps you should let your bird do the talking, it is obvious you don't read what is written, you just attack based on the name. You must be related to bobby

Pirate's picture
verified

Opinions and responses are

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:45

Opinions and responses are attacks? A pirate named bobby? What ARE you smoking, T? Paranoia strikes deep; into your mind it will creep. It starts when you're always afraid; step out of line-the man comes, to take you away.

Daymnnibmem's picture

I'd be willing to bet that

By Daymnnibmem, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 09:15

I'd be willing to bet that this letter to the editor authors favorite show is either Hard Ball or Keith Olbermans show on MSNBC.
By the way , what facts have been twisted around? The ones about Acorn? the ones about Van Jones? The new video that show Obamas white house communications director favorite philosipher was Chairman Mao? Thank God for Fox News!!!

Lil's picture
verified

McCain frequently quotes

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 10:10

McCain frequently quotes Mao, boy are we lucky he wasn't elected!
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Pirate's picture
verified

Me parrot says, too much Mao

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:13

Me parrot says, too much Mao is not good for a turkey sandwich.

rstonge's picture
verified

I'll go out on a limb here,

By Ray St. Onge, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 08:14

I'll go out on a limb here, but those who say Fox is not fair and balaced would say that the New York Times is fair and balanced.

ke6pij's picture

Rstonge, I don't really

By ke6pij, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 19:28

Rstonge,

I don't really care for the New York Times either, that might be true for some Fox news fans.

Jabba's picture
verified

You must have the mental

By Andrew MacIsaac, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 08:08

You must have the mental acuity to differentiate between a NEWS show and an OPINION show. Once you have that figured out, Mr. Kullson, you will realize that you are wrong.
________________________________________________________

ke6pij's picture

HI Jabba, Wrong in what

By ke6pij, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 19:33

HI Jabba,

Wrong in what context, yours???? That is the good thing about America, we can express our views and get varying opinions like yours. Thanks for responding!!!

Pirate's picture
verified

Rich writes, "It's a

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 07:49

Rich writes, "It's a constant stream of how the democrats are wrong, and that any move obama makes is wrong."
Rich: What, exactly, has obama done right? We're still in Iraq, we're getting our asses handed to us in Afghanistan, moral in the military is at a 10 year low, unemployment is nearing 10%, our foreign allies wonder what the hell we're doing, while our enemies are salivating over America's new found weaknesses, the national debt just hit 1.4 trillion dollars, and, except for his one dimensional obsession with national health care, which if it passes, will totally bankrupt this country, he's done nothing but campaign for 2012. The man was an empty suit on the campaign trail and he remains one as "president". Any responses to this post should not include the names of George Bush, Dick Cheney, or Haliburton. I'm interested only in what obama has done right, so far. It's an empty bag.

ke6pij's picture

Pirate, I agree with you,

By ke6pij, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 19:38

Pirate,

I agree with you, but I really don't think the Democrats or Republicans have done a good job when it comes to Afghanistan or Iraq,, I disagree with both wars. My point was that I wish Fox news along with all news channels would cast a positive tone with all of the points you mentioned. Thanks for your comment.

Rinoblast's picture

1) Restored our standing in

By Rinoblast, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 09:41

1) Restored our standing in the global community. 2) Averted a BIG disagreement with the Russians over a missile shield. 3) Cash-for-clunkers helped stimulate the economy and improve our long-term fuel consumption (I guess Pelosi should get credit for that, but that would really throw Conservatives for a loop) 4) Repealed a Bush decision on embryonic stem cell research, now allowing federal funds to be used for it and 4) If the economy really is turning around, he can take credit for the stimulus package (even if it didn't cause the turn around, most people will ook at it like it did)

Pirate's picture
verified

Restored our standing in the

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 10:26

Restored our standing in the global community? We are laughing stocks. Averted BIG disagreement with Russians? It was capitulation and a major sell out of our European allies. He might as well have kissed Putin's ass in Times Square on New Year's Eve. And,finally, you couldn't keep Bush out of it, could you. I knew you couldn't. And, for the record, the American people are blind and stupid. Just ask your buddy, Bill Maher.

Rinoblast's picture

Point me to an article or

By Rinoblast, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 14:32

Point me to an article or quote from a foreign leader laughing at us. And capitulation? Our military leaders agreed that it was actually a better idea to establish a mobile missile defense shield than the Poland station because the threat was no longer of long-range missiles, and a mobile unit provided flexibility. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/17/missile.defense.shield/index....

You're right though, I realized I brought Bush in when you said not to, but considering it wasn't the typical "But Bush was SO bad!" comment and was rather a specific, real policy change I still think it's worth mentioning.

Lil's picture
verified

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) –

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 10:52

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091005/lf_nm_life/us_usa_status
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Pirate's picture
verified

Yep...and Peter Pan is a

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:15

Yep...and Peter Pan is a kitchen utensil.

Lil's picture
verified

And with the Dow at or near

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 10:11

And with the Dow at or near 10,000, Cavuto calls it the Bush recovery.
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Pirate's picture
verified

Start bragging when it gets

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:16

Start bragging when it gets back to 14000 where Bush had it.

Lil's picture
verified

Where did Bush leave

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:09

Where did Bush leave it?
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Pirate's picture
verified

Why don't you tell me? I

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 12:33

Why don't you tell me? I can't wait for your distorted response.

tron's picture

Well right now it is almost

By tron, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:24

Well right now it is almost at the same level as when Bush took office, so that's an accomplishment.

Pirate's picture
verified

We can say accomplishment

By Paul St. Jean, verified user — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:50

We can say accomplishment when it gets back to a SOLID 12,500 or 13,000. Right now we're getting nothing more than window dressing. I wouldn't trust today's stock market with my kid's piggy bank. Honestly, whatever good is taking place is happening in spite of obama not because of anything he's done or doing. But that's an opinion T, not an attack on you or obama's integrity. OOOps...the parrot read that and he's taking another convulsion.

mad dad's picture

Fox news and CNBC are

By mad dad, unverified — Sat, 10/17/2009 - 07:16

Fox news and CNBC are networks which have shows which express opinions. Whether they are fair and balanced is up to the viewer to decide. If some are unfair and unbalanced that is also a possibility, as well as whether or not they are truthfull. The viewer is the only one who can decide which he wants to believe. The hosts are in the business of making the networks money, and if they don't have sponsors or viewers they don't stay on the job very long. Agree or disagree with either network, but remember one thing, no one is always right or always wrong.

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