FOX News Gets A Little Freaked Out By Convention Protesters
By Nicole Belle Saturday Aug 23, 2008 9:00pm
I'm of two minds about these protesters, but the coverage of them on FOX is hi-damn-larious. It is to seriously giggle. They clearly did not expect to see the vitriol towards Pravda, er...FOX News from the "far left" protesters (why are all Democrats "far left" in FNC's eyes? Do they think that moderates stay home or just don't exist?), or they wouldn't have sent relative newbie Griff Jenkins (gawd, if that doesn't sound like a frat boy, I don't know what does) out amongst the riff-raff to ask them if they believe in freedom (of speech). Dude, they're protesting. That IS exercising their freedom of speech. That they choose not to validate the Republican Party's official propaganda arm isn't exactly ignoring freedom of speech.
Griff is shocked--shocked, I tell you!--that there could actually be people protesting at the Democratic National Convention who might not support Obama (because aren't all Democrats lemmings like the unquestioning party-over-country Republicans?), even though he acknowledges that the protest includes Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney and her supporters. Critical thinking skills are obviously not a job qualification for a FOX on-air personality. In fact, it probably helps if you don't have any.
And to be fair--as much as I hate to be--to FOX, I'm not sure how well these protesters come off. I personally stopped going to anti-war protests because the message seemed to get more and more diluted by those who brought their own agendas (including those who just got off on being anarchists). As Will Rogers famously said, "I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!" and there's clearly some truth to that viewing the protests.
Speaking of protests, Howie Klein of DownWithTyranny just told me about a fabulous one:
Word is that SEIU is bringing truckloads of key rings and keys to Denver to distribute to [..] conventioneers, in accord with the suggestion we've all been hearing that they come equipped to honor the (Who Knows How Many) Homes of Young Johnny and the Lovely Cindy McCranky. But a poster on one of my listservs came up with a killer idea to take it one step further: Every time McCranky's name is mentioned, everyone in the auditorium jangles their keys!
It would make great TV, so the media would love it. The public would love it, and be reminded of who the McCrankys are. And Young Johnny and his cohorts would go nuts-- a bit of payback for 2004, when the GOP cleaned the Dems' oh-so-respectable convention clock.
Man, that would be one hilarious prime-time burn to have FOX News explain that one to their audience.
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That was funny. I especially loved the fact that if they didn't want to answer, it means that don't believe in free speech. Not sure I follow the logic, but it is amusing. I will be sure to use that if I am ever ignored in a check-out line or something.
I dont know why Fox is shocked that there are odd people at a convention, there is usually no better place to find odd people than at a convention.
More bourgeois pseudo democracy.
Usually the loudest, most visible supporters are so friggin' nutso, that even candidates/parties get uncomfortable watching them........having said that....great post Nicole........I love the keys idea!!! Make for great television viewing!!
Those demonstrators sure won't stand in the way of FOX News and their definition on freedom. That guy practically got mowed over by people expressing the truth about Iraq and torture!
They're not shocked, they are just playing it up as being shocked so that the bumpkins in front of the tube will be shocked in lock-step. It usually works.
AS much fun as it is to hear someone tell Fox news to go "eff" themselves, it just plays into their narrative. They think DFH's are simply that and will never learn the difference. Take it from an old hippie who became a cynic when they shot students at Kent State. You see, that's the attitude you are fighting. They are willing to kill innocents just to make their point. A smple four-letter word ain't going to phase their tortured and sophistic logic.
Turning your back and shunning the camera would be just as effective and keep the announcer talking like a bleedin' fool.
fuckfoxnews fuckfoxnews
"why are all Democrats “far left” in FNC’s eyes?"
Because you can only call so many people Joe Lieberman?
Free Mumia*
* with purchase of Mumia of equal or greater value.
The number of people who know exactly what Fox is.......and disaprove,
would outnumber Fox viewers by tens and tens of millions.
Anyone not far right.....is far left.
Faux Noise seems to be developing a true bunker mentality.
The amazing story here is that there are sooo many people who have given up television but know that Faux sucks.
The other amazing story is that many Faux viewers watch only because they know that Faux viewership pisses of the other side.
Not exactly the message that Faux executives want known.
That was pretty. Aside from the network's complete lack of credibility, Griff and his camera man should know what would happen when they walked through the middle of a protest march. It's inherently confrontational. Or they knew that would happen and wanted to get as much "crazy Democrats" footage as possible.
Sure, expressing your opinion of FOX "News" by telling them to fuckoff is just exactly the same as not believing in free speech. Publicly demonstrating in a peaceful manner is precisely the opposite of expressing your right to freedom of expression.
*forehead slap* What an utterly clueless "reporter".
f@ck fox noise
Dave Fragments @ 6:
If we're talking about a mindset willing to kill innocents for speaking their minds, turning one's back to the camera isn't going to do much either. It's not even going to get them to note that all they did was respectfully refuse to talk. FUX News is going to run its narrative no matter what.
Do I believe in free speech? Yeah, that's why I won't legitimize your anti-free speech station by talking to you.
A better statement would have been a group removal of lower clothing and the appearance of a group of moons......Faux could make a new reality show out of it........."Moon Over Faux"
It's clear that the narrative Fox "News" was trying to portray was that all left leaning protesters are fucking weirdos. Of course they succeeded, but seeing All-America Chip (Biff, Griff, Skip??) Jenkins acting so stereotypically shocked was like watching a cartoon. This bit was surreal.
Griff: What are you upset about?
Protestor: That Bill O'Reilly paid off the woman he sexually harassed.
Griff: What's your name?
Protestor: Andrea Mackris
Griff: Do you have a actual message?
Protestor: Hannity is friends with the racist, Hal Turner.
Griff: Do you not believe in freedom of speech?
Protestor: Sure I do. "F*ck it, we'll do it live" like O'Reilly. How's that for freedom of speech?
The protestors there need to give answers that make mention of embarrassing things about FOX News employees like Hannity and O'Reilly. Start doing that and the FOX people will quit trying to mess with the protestors.
gosh ..
Fox News GAVE THEM A CHANCE to tell their message and all they did is curse ..
.. INGRATES !!
"A really raucous crowd..."
Honey, you've got to let Father Rupert and Master Roger allow you to get out more. All of those Bible readings and Conservative group think events have really stymied your perception of the world.
Davis @ 18:
All they have to do is say B.O.R. lied about Malmedy and claims America doesn't have any homeless vets.
So if the far left demonstrators are outside protesting the Democratic convention, the Democrats inside must be more moderate, right?
Do you think the concern trolls who whine about Buffy the Vampire Slayer being to naughty and Janet Jackson flashing her nipple on television will protest the solid minute of "Fuck Fox News" that Fox aired? Surely that's an actual FCC violation, right?
And if anyone there gets ambushed by O'Reilly or his people, just mention Andrea Mackris, Malmedy or loofahs and falafels.
Attn Ambushees: Do not play O'Reilly's game!
They've been hyping the security of the DNC for weeks. This reminds me a skit from Mr. Show.
FoxNews - We make the news.
Personally, I'd have been upset that Roger Ailes sent that little boy and not one of Bill O'Reilly's Sinn Fein supporters out to cover the parade.
What's next? Ailes going to staff the convention with some of Cavuto's blond cupcakes and porno stars?
Haven't these people learned how to respond to Faux? You have to make sure you ruin their footage, and you do that by saying things like (with a smile):
"Is Bill O'Reilly not here because he's busy with a new Andrea Mackris?"
"Is it true that Sean Hannity is the love child of Spock and Eddie Munster?"
"Has medical science found a way to give Brit Hume a face lift?"
"Does Chris Wallace have any expression other than that Huckleberry Hound lop-sided grin?"
"Does Bill O'Reilly keep a closet-full of loofahs and a cabinet-full of falafel for special occasions?"
And I like Davis' comment, but I'll change it a little:
"Hey Fox. I learned a new phrase from Bill O'Reilly: Fuck it we'll do it live. Perfect for family fun!"
Patriot Actor @ 10:
I'm sure that all of these far-lefties will go back to their "compounds" later. They (Fox) will replay this clip [sans obscenities] for the rest of the week. Got to remind the "folks" that the Democrats are a bunch of dirty hippies.
Fox News coverage of the protesters makes it more difficult them to promote their propaganda that the Democratic party is far left. Let's hope they keep it up.
I see Operation Chaos is already in full swing. Couple this with the news that the GOP is opening a "war room" a block from the convention, and I think we are going to see a little false flag football going down in Denver.
Sure hope that Obama and Biden are up for THIS particular game.
(let the games begin folks...it's going to be a bumpy ride )
that was the funniest thing i have ever seen in my life
a well organized crowd of protestors, in unison telling fox to fuck off
the idiot reporter screaming about free speech (which is exactly what they were practicing)
and the idiots prattling on about 68....except, chicago cops dont patrol the streets of denver, and abbie hoffman is dead
I also think it might be fun if lots of protestors wore white T-shirts with the name ANDREA MACKRIS written boldly and in easy-to-read block lettering on both the front and back of the shirts. That would ruin much of the video footage FOX News hopes to get of the protestors as they wouldn't dare air those shirts.
But perhaps the other networks would.
Truthseeker @ 28:
except that the protests are being organized by answer, which is communist...and the crowd was made up of a bunch of anarchists
Ok, lets take all the parts of this that make the funny-
A Fox noise reporter walks into a crowd of liberal protesters (I feel like I'm telling a joke)
He asks loaded questions
Asks why they don't believe in free speech
Gets answered with swearing
Tries to interrupt them when they say something he doesn't agree with.
All the while, he walks against the tide of the marchers to encourage the blond nitwit in the studio to make the claim that the liberals are radical crazies and he is being roughed up.
That's some mighty fine reporting, Lou.
Scott @ 22:
yup....this is why the protestors need to curse up a storm
then we send in every tape to the fcc expressing our outrage....my children's heads just exploded
hit those fucks with huge fines
Mark @ 20:
No, that blonde bimbo reich wing hack needs to travel most of the free world where she can announce her support of George Bush. Then that propagandizing bitch will experience a raucous crowd first hand.
He tried to concern troll and almost got his ass handed to him.
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Too god damn funny!
FAUX News SO wants there to be chaos and carnage amongst
the democrats. Trying so hard to compare it to 68.
They look soooooo desperate, and the funniest thing is
since they have NO sense of humor, it totally goes right
over their heads. What bafoons...
The woman news anchor from Fox proclaimed that the crowd was "out of control." One kept expecting to see the city of Denver erupting in flames, which of course did not occur. Unfortunately, what this post did not state was that these protesters are not going to be allowed anywhere near where the Democrats are holding their festivities. Tomorrow, when the citizens of this country dare to exercise their constitutional rights, they will be herded into barbed wire topped "protest zones" and where surveillance will be used against people who decide to engage in such radical acts as taking notes, using maps, riding bicycles or taking photos during the time of the convention. Again, this is not taking place at the RNC but rather at the DNC. Will Obama and the rest of the Democrats speak out against such outrages directed against citizens who dare to exercise their [alleged] freedoms as guaranteed in Amendment I of something called the Bill of Rights in a document known as the Constitution of the United States?
I would not bet the farm on the Democrats actually standing up for the rights of the people.
That key ring is at least 2 keys short.
beckyboo @ 30:
You don't think that Faux would thrust a third tier employee into the middle of a protest in hopes that he would be attacked by the protesters do you?
Oh no, Faux would never stoop to such a cheap trick...............would they?
Critical thinking skills are obviously not a job qualification for a FOX on-air personality. In fact, it probably helps if you don’t have any.
--------------------
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Love the comment really and its fitting shoe and makes me LMAO!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work C&L and danke again for a kick azz blog!!!
Best regards
new post up at my blog,
your friendly euro neighbor :)
Terrorist fist jab.
That Fox Snooze dildo doesn't realize that freedom of speech also means the freedom to not speak to people who are propagandist hacks.
-GSD
If freedom of speech means anything, it means having the right to NOT talk to Fox News.
Why would any self-respecting individual want to talk to them? What good could possibly come of it?
Hahahahahaaaaa!
Fox not try unseemly tactics? Remember that they are channeling UBS from the movie Network. And Roger Ailes is channeling Frank Hackett--"We're not a respectable network. We're a whorehouse network and we have to take whatever we can get."
That was just too funny. I loved the guy who says, "I'm not talking to you" followed shortly by "fuck fox news!" Just too good. I wonder if Fox News even understands how unfair and unbalanced most people think they are. That was great.
Gotta love that chyron: "Leftists" protesters.
As I like to remind these idiots, a "Leftist" is a "Marxist", not someone on the political "left".
The reporter was acting just like Rick Moranis playing the idiot accountant in "Ghostbusters."
"That's not necessary."
Hahahahaha!
Why can't those "leftist" protesters act more like Fox News watching sheeple?
The fun has started in Denver.
Can you say provocateur? I wonder if ole' Griff knew what his bosses were setting him up for.
Jenkins was quickly frustrated enough to just stand there shouting into the air "Doesn't anyone believe in free speech?"
And the cops just let him enter that crowd hoping for an incident.
"Osama, Obama. It's the same thing."
Liz Trotta
Oh, MAN... I wish I was in Denver this week!
There is no way to guess what the ROVIAN HOARDS might have in store for the Dems. I'm sure it will be ugly.
I'm not sure I'm really into the key ring idea, but it's not like I really have a say in the matter. It seems kind of childish and I don't want to see the Dems sink to the level of the purple heard band-aids from the 2004 GOP convention. I'd love to see the convention focus on how great for Americans the Democratic platform is and why Obama/Biden is the right team to lead the country to better days after the Bush administration. If we need to focus on why McCain is a bad choice for president, it needs to be more substantial (there's plenty to go on) than the house thing. It might be a good laugh for us, but the whole country is watching so we need to do more than preach to the choir. I'm not saying we need to be above it all (that never seems to work, sadly), but I don't see this as a way to help get undecideds on our side.
Asking protestors if they believe in free speech is pretty dumb. He does know the freedom of speech also covers the freedom to not be forced to talk, right?
I totally understand your rationale for no longer going to protests, Nicole. It's too easy for mob mentality to lead to stupidity, and I don't think that group did anything to help their cause(s) or improve their image. It's really a tough spot to be in. If protests aren't outrageous, they don't really get covered, and if they're outrageous the participants get labeled as cooks who can be easily ignored.
Che's Lounge @ 53:
It was his second attempt to get "roughed up", the first time was not prime time ready so the crew drove ahead of the protesters to try again.
Was there a third attempt or did Faux think a third try would be too obvious?
It is telling me that "Video not available" anyone have another link please?
"I totally understand your rationale for no longer going to protests, Nicole. It’s too easy for mob mentality to lead to stupidity, and I don’t think that group did anything to help their cause(s) or improve their image. It’s really a tough spot to be in. If protests aren’t outrageous, they don’t really get covered, and if they’re outrageous the participants get labeled as cooks who can be easily ignored"
This is why we fail. Sheer numbers would do two things:
1. Level headed protestors would far outnumber the outrageous fringe.
2. The media woud be unable to ignore us.
They're hoping for 1968.
The problem is it's 2008 and the asshole isn't Johnson, although it's looking like Vietnam.
van4232 @ 58:
You can watch it up at the Politico as well
http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0808/Fox_reporter_swarmed...
The unauthorized MCSame Campaign Store is open for pilfering:
http://www.bgladd.com/McSameStore/
Appropriate imagery at will and disseminate.
I will add to the the stash as time permits.
oh wow... that's rich... that "news" clip...
it wasn't "out of control" until everybody joined in with "FUK FOX NEWS!" ...
pretty funny... i wonder if the foxbots figured it out...
it's gonna be a stoopid week, ain't it?...
Just a couple of things. First the protesters are absolutely begging for conflict and so far, today, the Denver Police have used remarkable restraint. I live in Denver and cannot believe how the "RECREATE 68" crowd are testing the limits. They have given their group lessons in self-defense, why? If they observe the rules of protest there should be no reason for this. Today for instance they formed a somewhat conga line and went into a city garage, just to test the police. I have no idea who these people are, but it appears they want just one thing, conflict. Their name says it all.
Second I know several SEIU groups are planning a peaceful rally on Wednesday to highlight the issues on healthcare reform. I have heard nothing about keys chains etc. Doesn't mean it won't happen BUT considering these SEIU groups have contacted thousands of healthcare workers to take part in this rally I would think something like key chain rattling would be mentioned.
van - refresh and try again. maybe.
I saw this live earlier today.
While I can't argue with "fuck FOX news", I was thinking at the time that it would have been better if everyone started shouting in unison "LOOFAHS AND FALAFELS! LOOFAHS AND FALAFELS!"
That would not have sounded as profane and it would have reminded viewers of the kind of journalistic "standards" upheld by FOX.
"Far left"? "Leftists"?
As our local Reichradio psychochristian says, "there's no such thing as a moderate. Only liberals who don't have the courage to admit it".
And that's the attitude that will doom the Reich to irrelevance.
help,I`m a rock!
C'mon, this is pure theatre. Fox wants nothing more than a replay Chicago 1968 on the streets of Denver. Didn't one of their shills say as much on the air a few weeks ago?
Crazy anarchist Libruhls on the loose at the Democratic Convention!! Horrors!! Vote for John McCain, the only man who can save America!!
Che's Lounge @ 59:
Actually, I don't know that that is true. We had a HUGE protest in DC--at least a million--and it got barely any notice. Those who were noticed by the media were the extremists. It's a lot like the gay pride parades here in SF. If you were here, they're not populated primarily by freaks, but EVERY mention of them in the national media will always show the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and other outrageousness. Not that they are freaks in the derogatory way, but you know what I'm trying to say. I have gay friends that avoid the parade now because they think that the media exploits the fringes to diminish the entire population.
van4232 @ 58:
I'm using Mozilla and I can still see it.
OMG Faux News is becoming "The Daily Show". It's phony reporters doing a reality show.
well, he got what he deserved.
Che's Lounge @ 59:
I really wish I could believe that. It doesn't take too many people behaving badly to ruin things for everyone, especially when the media would most likely use that to drive their narrative. I'm pretty sure there were some pretty large protests before the Iraq war got underway, but I don't recall there being much coverage. Please correct me if I'm wrong. A massive protest of level headed protesters would be sweet, though. I'd really like to see one get covered well and have it do some good.
Wait a minute... if the "far left" doesn't support Obama... then doesn't make Obama the "centrist"?
Doesn't that make Fox News and everyone they support "the far right"?
The mind wobbles!
I always refer to Faux News as "GOP Channel 527".
Utterly apt.
Maybe FOX 'News' is trying to make news and WTO the Convention. I think Li'l Griff there was trying to incite a riot.
With depressing predictability, we can expect Bill O'Reilly to exploit this footage to the max.
There is hope!
The woman at the desk (comeon, i'm born blonde, i can't help it, we're not all stupid) says the far left people have a message...leave iraq. Wow, that's really far left, hardly anyone in this country wants that. Then she incredulously asks "Puerto Rico and Hawaii? What do they have in this?". Why is Hawaii becoming a non-state? We took them over, threw out their royalty, ruined their culture, conquered them fair and square. Now they are a state and they can't even have a say in ending the war? And check out the names of the dead and injured from all the wars you promote bitch, how many are Puerto Ricans?
Fox News people are the only one that think they are legit and pulling it off. Well, and the armchair soldiers.
that was wonderful!
thank you SO much for that cheerful little bit of video.
The saddest is part is people take these idiots seriously.
Baby Jesus has a tear running down his cheek.
Too funny... the marchers are shouting "Fuck Fox News" and the reporter says "these are not Obama supporters" when the marchers were anti-war/anti-torture marchers. Yeah, this is certainly hilarious. Fox thought they were going to film anti-Obama marchers and instead got issue marchers. Ha!
That was awesome. Faux views is getting treated exactly how they should be treated for their unAmerican lies they get away with spewing on their obscene channel.
Gotta love those folks who started in with the "stop fox news"!!!
Maybe that new reporter will rethink the job he took
GOP Channel 527.
BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!
That was beeeeyoootiful. The protesters were charged up and this idiot is doing the spawning salmon routine? What a toadstool. And it all ends in a chant of FCUK FOX NEWS!!! Lurvley. Makes me thankful for being bored. That made my day. Now I can go to sleep giggling...
What would have been better chants?
FOX NEWS FASCIST!!!
or
LOOFAH BABY FALAFEL!!!
or
BUSH'S BUTT BUDDY!!!
dang - that could have been fun... MAybe now those morons will get a clue...
Naaaaa....
Whenever Fox News is on the scene at a protest, everyone should just stop what they're doing and stare silently at them. If asked why they're being silent, simply reply that Fox News is not a legitimate news organisation, and we refuse to help fill your airtime. It's boring, they'll go away soon enough, with nothing of any use to them in the camera.
Based on the inane intro from blondie, describing the protesters as "far left," combined with the nitwit doing the live protest, I actually thought it was really a YouTube fake out by some video geek.
Now that I realize it's a real Fox Report...it's even funnier.
2cents @ 71:
How dare you equate the Faux creeps with the true genius of the Daily Show.Fox`s real "reporters." couldn`t wipe John Stewart`s ass--not that he`d want them to.
many thousands of football stadium crowds would argue that jangling keys is "childish"...
it seems a logical extension to carry on that action at this convention, as a mocking of mcGIGOLO's too-many-to-count property collection... i like the idea.
put a bunch of real keys on that toy keychain and it will be colorful and noisy...
I have to say, the picture of the rainbow keys is awesome!!!!
I heard, certainly don't know if it's true, that John McCain is extremely supersticious about certain things and that jingling keys are one of them.
Again, I don't know whether or not that's true, but if it is......WOW, what a gift!!!
I still can't view the video...damn...I'm sure it's what I call a "PICNIC" :"Problem In Chair Not In Computer"
Thanks Katy and Nicole....
Re-create 68.
Hmm, could they have a nostalgia for a time when protest was not kept behind barbed wire and a mile away from the convention?
here ya go, van - hope it works for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoDsQ2VNArI&eurl=http://www.crooksandliar...