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Jon Stewart Is The Only Real Journalist In America

Posted by Oliver Willis at 5:55 AM on August 15, 2007.


Oliver Willis: Stewart does what the mainstream media refuses to do as they play complicit lapdog for the Bush administration.
Jon Stewart vs. Bill Kristol

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This post, written by Oliver Willis, originally appeared on Like Kryptonite To Stupid

Last week the mainstream media went wild with Kenneth Pollack and Michael O'Hanlon, describing them as anti-war when in fact Pollack wrote a book arguing in favor of invading Iraq and both are on record in favor of the surge. Nobody in the mainstream media seriously challenged this dominant theme:

*Purporting to document Pollack's evolving views on Iraq, CNN left out his original gung-ho Iraq "tune"
*CBS Evening News falsely described proponent of Iraq "surge" as former opponent of it
*Fox News Sunday is latest program to call Iraq invasion proponents "critics" of the war

But then on Monday night, on what is - theoretically - a "fake" news show hosted by a comedian, conservative pundit Bill Kristol tried to get away with the line about Pollack / O'Hanlon and Jon Stewart did what the mainstream media refuses to do time and time again as they roll over and play complicit lapdog for the Bush administration: He said nuh-uh. Jon Stewart does not have superpowers.

In fact he jokes regularly about being silly. Yet, in this instance (and in numerous others) he demonstrated the lost art of journalism that the msm does not practice anymore. Somebody made an assertion and he challenged the assertion with factual information.

Caution, the following video clip may contain journalist-like material.

Digg!

Tagged as: media, iraq war, kristol, stewart, pollack, o'hanlon

Oliver Willis is the blogmaster at Like Kryptonite To Stupid


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Pointy Headed Political Pundits
Posted by: ccluelessfl60 on Aug 15, 2007 8:57 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Jon Stewart and the gang at the Daily show helps a lot of us retain our hope in this country. Often silly, it still is serious when it comes to pointing out the hypocrisy of this administration. When you think you have heard it all from the corrupt administration , turn on the Daily Show, and get a fresh perspective.The last six years seem like a Orwellian nightmare without end, but then Jon makes a point with the pointy headed political pundits and make us laugh. And we know we are not alone.

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Things are going better, and no one questions it?
Posted by: Chickensh*tEagle on Aug 15, 2007 9:14 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
WeeklystandartenfĂĽhrer Kristol must not be hearing anyone but his fellow pastramofascists.

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» Thanks for the compliment, Posted by: Chickensh*tEagle
September Report
Posted by: Astroboy on Aug 15, 2007 9:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Bill Kristol says to wait for Petraus' report at the end of September because it will convince us that the "surge" is working.
So either Kristol is a prophit or the report is already written, regardless of real facts on the ground between now and then.
They've just lost ALL credibility.

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» ha ha ha. suckers! Posted by: KaptainSpiffy
William Kristol comes across these days
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Aug 15, 2007 9:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
as the guy who smeared peanut butter on his genitals and went down to the basement looking for his cat, only to walk into a surprise party...and then desperately tried to convince everyone in attendance that they didn't see what they saw.

Then again, that's kinda how he's always come across.

plur

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Francis
Posted by: Francis on Aug 15, 2007 10:19 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
William Kristol is our Josef Goebbels. He propagandizes for total war. Know him by his deeds. Millions of splattered bodies, all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, do not deter him. Of what is this creature made? What blackness pervades his psyche? What is it's origin? Why is he tolerated and even promoted by the likes of John Stuart? What protects him? Who does he represent? What is his sacrifice? His gain? How can he not represent pure evil?

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» RE: Francis Posted by: Lauren
The war in Iraq is lost:
Posted by: gregii on Aug 15, 2007 10:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There were three publicized goals for the war in Iraq:
1. Establish a self sustaining democracy in the near East;
2. Eliminate the possibilities of Iraqi terrorism;
3. Leave behind a nation friendly to US interests.
None of these goals are any longer attainable. Not in September, not this decade, not in our lifetimes.

So, why are Americans still dying there? Why are our resources still being wasted there? How can an intelligent, honest, person who applies reason and logic suggest we can yet "win" this war? What in hell do they mean?

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A clouded Kristol-ball
Posted by: maxloen on Aug 15, 2007 11:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So Kristol says that invading Iran would be a good idea. Has he gotten some investments in the entrepreneurial new Chinese army?, 'cause it is going to supply the ayatollahs with all the weapons they need and the ones they will develop with the help of the S.C.O. (Shanghai Cooperation Org.)
This powerful group consists of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Also 'observers' as Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India will/are joining the SCO. Large producers of energy as Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and avid consumers as China and India are therefore linked, cooperating in energy, foreign policy and international security. China joining the profitable weapons producing counties is just the logical next step, with the added benefit of all the technological advances it brings, as our Military/Industrial complex has shown the world.
By the way, all these countries have common borders with at least two other members; China with all but two. That is, this is a solid geographical block.

Plus, aren't our oil suppliers like Kuwait, UAE, the Saudis, all at striking distance of Iran's conventional weapons?
Of course, this "brilliant idea" of the neocon manipulators will later be qualified as that: "brilliant, but badly implemented by..." the ones who will be blamed for the catastrophe. But of course, by that time whatever is left of the sycophantic Faux press would have consistently forgotten their names as they jump off the sinking ship, once again.

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» RE: A clouded Kristol-ball Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Think Castration... Posted by: Bearzerker
» RE: A clouded Kristol-ball Posted by: maxloen
It's true, you need Jon Stewart to hear the truth on television
Posted by: badkitty on Aug 15, 2007 11:16 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So often these days I turn to my husband and say, "that's not true, I remember when it happened, what is NBC thinking?". How stupid do the networks and newpapers (NY Times) think we are? We were mature adults when this illegal war started, and we clearly remember who said what Furthermore, we have clear memories going back to the Gulf of Tonkin "incident" and we can identify a lie when we hear it. We never miss the Daily Show, and we love the little quote montages. We're always disappointed to see Kristol and McCain, but we still watch.

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.
Posted by: sui_generis on Aug 15, 2007 11:20 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only place I felt that Jon dropped the ball is when Kristol ADMITTED that things were terrible in 2005-2006. The correct followup to that answer should've been - "But back then you guys were telling us we were about to turn the corner any minute too! Why should we believe you yet again THIS time?"

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"MSM' or MainStreamMedia is a misnomer!
Posted by: thoughtcriminal on Aug 15, 2007 11:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What you are talking about is the CORPORATE media - the media that is controlled by the same financial interests that also control US oil corporations, US pharmaceutical corporations, US telecom corporations, US agribusiness, and US weapons corporations, among others. Barclays UK, State Street Corp, Fidelity, Vanguard, Capital Research & Management - as well as all of the more secretive hedge funds. It's a network, and the message is well-coordinated, from the 'liberal' outlets like CNN and NPR to the 'conservative' outlets like the Wall Street Journal and FOX News.

Jon Stewart is a comedian, folks, not a journalist - a brilliant, hilarious comedian whose main source of material is the corporate media. You watch Jon Stewart, you get the corporate media view seen through the lens of a comedian - and is it ever hilarious!

However, Jon Stewart isn't going to start breaking stories that the corporate media won't cover - that's what real journalists are for - a very endangered species here in the land of Disneyland Media.

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Jon Stewart is not too craizy about far left
Posted by: saml on Aug 15, 2007 12:39 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Watch his interview at Oxonian society
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUrEgN3rf1I&mode=related

Here are some of his quotes:
"There is a real problem with Islamic Fundamentalism... They have clearly taken us on... They are not right."

"It's interesting to see Left defending a theocracy … and I don't mean democratic left, I mean the OTHER left"

I don't think he likes Chomsky very much (although I never heard him mentioning it), and I am pretty sure he is pro Israel, so I am surprised to find such a fan base here at Alternet.

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"Jon Stewart Is The Only Real Journalist In America"
Posted by: YogiBear on Aug 15, 2007 11:52 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Is this an acknowledgment of the Alternet's shoddy journalism?

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Our soldiers are the voice of reasoning?
Posted by: francomef on Aug 16, 2007 7:24 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When our soldiers are suffering from battle fatigue, complaining about inadequate medical care, and conscientious objection they are being unreasonable. Yet when they are standing knee deep in despair Mr. Kristol uses them as the voice to continue the surge. Does the President listen to the troops? Does Kristol use the same argument with the President? Like Bill Maher said, conservatives are sentalmentalists. That just can't understand why these stupid people don't want are help.

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It is funny
Posted by: Susan Kipping on Aug 16, 2007 9:52 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hey, I think it would be funny, very funny. In fact I can laugh just thinking about it. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, I haven't laughed so hard in years. But I have shed many tears and my heart has been broken at the killing, stealing, rape and theft these men have caused. It's nice to laugh once in awhile, the pain, it will never go away. What has been done can never be undone.

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Let's not forget Keith Olbermann
Posted by: ibelieve on Aug 17, 2007 2:16 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Jon Stewart is great, and fortunately a lot of younger people who would not otherwise pay attention to news listen to him. But let's not forget Keith Olbermann who has been the most passionate, outspoken, and eloquent voice against the atrocities of our illegal war and the assaults on the Constitution and the people of the US perpetrated by the Bush administration. He, like Edward R. Murrow is a hero, and I hope everyone who listens to Jon Stewart will spend some time listening to Olbermann.

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lets not forget ....
Posted by: Shey on Aug 17, 2007 10:54 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
.... Stephen Colbert and Bill Mahr, who complete the triumverate of "truth told through the lens of humor and satire".
And on the serious side, as ibelieve pointed out, Keith Olbermann, perhaps the last legitimate TV journalist in America. The comparison to Edward R. Murrow is well deserved.

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» RE: lets not forget .... Posted by: davidt