No Stand-Ins Needed
Nick Coleman is back.
In more ways than one.
Coleman has the vapors over the president allegedly flipping off "the media" (even going so far as to video from an obscure leftyblog in the process).
And in Nick Coleman's world, if you're flipping off the media, well...
...I'll let Nick explain it:
Bush, it seems, has given the press the presidential bird, a digital message of the kind you see exchanged between angry drivers at stop signs. At least we know where we stand.
Finally?
Mr "I Know Stuff" has taken nearly five ever-lovin' years to figure out where he the media stands with this Administration?
George Bush, who promised to change the tone in Washington and restore dignity to the highest office in the land, deliberately flipped off the press.
I'll say it.
Thank you, George Bush. I wish you'd do it more. The tone did indeed change in Washington; the wailing of a thousand agenda-driven hacks become more and more shrill. The modern mainstream "elite" media - the self-proclaimed high priests of knowledge, the Imperial Media - perform a function in our society (badly), but there is no need to scrape and bow to them like they run the country.
In solidarity, I'm flipping off the Strib Online even as we speak.
That's his right, even if it makes him the only born-again man whose favorite philosopher is Jesus Christ who flips people off like a sailor.
It's called "sin". It happens.
But the press -- we whipped dogs and disreputable stand-ins for the American people -- didn't even raise a whimper.
Huh?
"Stand-ins for the American people?"
No. The press is solopsistic, self-referential, self-reverential, and a business. Not a holy calling. Not a noble crusade for the truth. It's a job; people explaining what happened (supposedly).
A president showing disdain for the media is nothing new. But doing it with a contemptuous gesture that is offensive to millions does not just insult the press. It insults anyone who relies on the press to tell us what our leaders are doing. When presidents flip off the press, Americans get the finger.
There you have it; the most arrogant, stupid thing Nick Coleman has said.
(So far this year).
No, Nick. No, self-proclaimed high priests of knowledge. You do not represent this country; we elect people to do that. If the president flips off an elected representative, like Betty McCollum...well, bad example. But whatever - the press doesn't represent me (or anyone who wants unvarnished fact) any more than Johnson and Johnson or Nike or Enron does.
Did I mention the left was getting the vapors? Coleman quotes John Aravosis of the left of center Americablog:
"The president thinks his conservative moral beliefs should be shoved down our throats. Then he flips people off. He's a phony. That's the story. I don't know about you, but my priest doesn't run around in public flipping people off."
Aravosis, and Coleman, are mixing apples and axles.
If some moron cuts you off on the road, or if a bunch of empty Brooks Brothers suits consistently flog their agenda at your expense, anger knows no political alignment. It happens. I do it, the President does it, I'd suspect Mother Theresa did it once or twice.
Anyone who cares about the role of the press in a free society might worry when a president dismisses the press with an emperor's crude gesture.
Sorry, Nick.
It's a gesture any working stiff knows - and, for the most part, lets slide.
But maybe it was only a thumb. I'd like to believe that. Yes, the president gave the press a thumbs up! He really likes us! Just a thumb! The longest thumb we ever have seen.
Right in the eye.
Nick Coleman: Drama Queen.
Posted by Mitch at
August 3, 2005 06:49 AM
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I've seen the video....in slow motion....you see its his thumb he's using.
Although, personally, I wish is WAS the finger.
Posted by: Dave at August 3, 2005 08:26 AMYeah, even the lefty bloggers/commenters had to eventually admit that it was his thumb. I concur with Dave though...
Posted by: Dean at August 3, 2005 09:15 AMNick would love the Democratic Underground forums. Lots of people over there still believe President Bush was giving the finger despite being shown that it was unquestionably his thumb. His wrist is skinny because it's perpendicular to the camera angle and when his arm comes down - lots of clips cut that part out - you can see that it's his thumb that is extended.
Don't expect Coleman to change his tune when shown the truth, though.
Posted by: Jinx McHue at August 3, 2005 11:23 AMWhere can I view the slow-mo version of Bush thumb-up or flipping the bird, whatever it may be?
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 12:11 PMWhat's all this bad-mouthing of Norm Coleman? Isn't he just the perfect example of a right-wing, hard-line politician? Ah, I see. It's the politician part that doesn't appeal to some. Aren't all politicians a little bit nasty (or alot nasty), a little bit of a willow in the wind, and a little bit selfish in their actions? Who would we abuse if all the politicians went away? There would be no fun to be had whatsoever.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 12:24 PMWhy - your site would not exist at all, would it?
Teena,
I'm going to assume for a moment that you're not someone yanking my chain - always a dubious proposition, but here goes:
I love Norm Coleman. He's the best Senator Minnesota's had in decades.
I'm criticizing *Nick* Coleman, the Star/Tribune's version of a metro columnist.
Posted by: mitch at August 3, 2005 12:33 PMOops! My mistake. Thanks for setting me straight.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 12:42 PMIs Dave still around or anyone else who knows? I was still wondering where I can see Bush's hand gesture in slow motion, because I have seen it on two different sites and on one his wrist appears narrow, but on the other, it seems he is using his middle finger because his arm does not appear to twist as it would if he is giving the thumbs-up. Slow motion may clear that up for me.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 12:48 PMJust solved the puzzle myself by rolling down to the Olbermann video in your article. It is more than clear that Bush gave the thumbs-up when seen in slow motion and with a longer version of the video which shows him lowering his arm afterward. The press, over-dominated by right-wing dollars and threats, has certainly suffered greatly during the Bush administration's reign. But it seems to be feebly grasping at anything they can in this case. Sad that they must resort to such unprofessionalism.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 12:57 PMNick has stated repeatedly that dissent is no longer allowed in America. If that were the truth, then Bush would be hauling them off to Gitmo instead of flipping them the bird (which he isn't doing anyway).
Posted by: Nihilist In Golf Pants at August 3, 2005 01:09 PMExcuse me?????
"The press, over-dominated by right-wing dollars and threats"
I want some of what you've been smoking.
Posted by: FJBill at August 3, 2005 01:30 PMNick Coleman....at Club Gitmo....behind bars....receiving a few "treatments".
As Homer Simpson would say: Auuuuugh!
We can all dream, can't we?
Posted by: Dave at August 3, 2005 01:38 PMYes, FLBill. One need not smoke anything to know that the media are owned and controlled by 5 major corporations, all of which support George Bush. If this were not true, we might be able to trust such blatherings as the interviews and "reports" of people like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Paula Zahn, or ven morning hosts like those on Today. Alas, we cannot. The nearly wholesale takeover of the media is a crime against all Americans, no matter their voting habits. Thank God for the Internet.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 04:36 PMYes, FLBill. One need not smoke anything to know that the media are owned and controlled by 5 major corporations, all of which support George Bush. If this were not true, we might be able to trust such blatherings as the interviews and "reports" of people like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Paula Zahn, or even morning hosts like those on Today. Alas, we cannot. The nearly wholesale takeover of the media is a crime against all Americans, no matter their voting habits. Thank God for the Internet.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 04:37 PMI notice that nick hasn't been on the radio the last few days between 7 and 7:30 at least. Instead there was the much more talented Marc Marin (sic).
The Air America Highland Park (oops I mean Air America Minnesota) website didn't mention the change, nor for that matter is there yet any pictures of last weekends soiree.
Lots of great pics of their tent at the gay pride festival, however.
Posted by: rick at August 3, 2005 05:03 PMTina's absolutely right - the day Fox is finally sold to Soros is the day O'Reilly and Hannity get instant credibility with me.
Providing the Illuminati let Soros buy a network, which I doubt would happen.
Posted by: Lileks at August 3, 2005 06:01 PMLileks, if you haven't yet found it, Al Franken's Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them is very good reading. I doubt that you really believe George Soros owns EVERYTHING, but since he does have quite a bit of cash, I hope he is able to take over some of these cesspools of misinformation, and soon. Like I said in other words, withholding the truth from the American people hurts everyone, not just the hillbillies -and the name's Teena, not Tina.
Posted by: Teena at August 3, 2005 06:58 PMTeena (or Tina...both grating): Go away. You're so foolish I'm almost embarrassed for you.
Posted by: Colleen at August 3, 2005 09:47 PMColleen,
I believe this is an open forum. If you don't like people with a different perspective than yours posting here, maybe you should find some place else to spend your time.
I hear FreeRepublic is lovely this time of year.
Posted by: Doug at August 3, 2005 10:17 PMNow, now. We can all get along here. It's an open forum.
Except for that jagoff, Dan, who I banned. Not open to him.
Everyone else is welcome.
Posted by: mitch at August 3, 2005 10:43 PMI'm sure he's all torn up inside.
Posted by: Doug at August 3, 2005 11:45 PMDoug wants to be the next to go apparently.
Posted by: Sav at August 4, 2005 08:47 AMThanks, Mitch. This is, indeed, meant to be an open forum, isn't it? One of the reasons we are having so much trouble coming together over the problems we are ALL forced to endure by the current administration is because we all want to hold on to our little piece of choice. I live in Ohio, so, believe me, the instinct to protect Americans' right to vote is very strong. If you don't live in my state or Florida, you would not understand. Ohio Republicans are switching parties in droves because they are sick to death of the lies. Open your ears and minds and pay attention to what is really happening because its happening to you, too.
Posted by: Teena at August 4, 2005 10:11 AMTo illustrate my point, anybody follow the 2nd Congressional District special election in Ohio in which Iraq War veteran Paul Hackett(D) came in a very close second to Jean Schmidt(R)? In the November presidential election Kerry - also a veteran - got 36% of the vote in that district. Hackett, who doesn't refrain from criticizing Bush and calling him a "chickenhawk" in reference to his war agenda, finished with 48% of the vote. Interesting, no? Before anyone else points it out, I'll admit I'm off topic and stretching this thread too thin. Over and out.
Posted by: Teena at August 4, 2005 11:00 AM"In the November presidential election Kerry - also a veteran - got 36% of the vote in that district. Hackett, who doesn't refrain from criticizing Bush and calling him a "chickenhawk" in reference to his war agenda, finished with 48% of the vote."
Thus, another example of voter fraud in Ohio.
Or was that not where you were going with that?
Posted by: Sav at August 4, 2005 10:26 PMThanks!!! furniture Very nice site.I enjoy being here.
Posted by: furniture at July 7, 2006 09:17 AM