reflections on being duped

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Saturday December 25, 2010 · 2:37 PM PST

2010/12/25 · 14:37

First and foremost: Thank the gods of "plagiarism software and additional linguistic evaluation," Meteor Blades, Bob Johnson and the fierce troll and zombie hunters at DKos that the insidious, and sadly pathetic Rainbow Girl has been exposed and banned.

Second:

I humbly apologize for anything I did to lend her credibility where she clearly deserved none, especially if it served to extend her stay here.

I also apologize to Master Literary Sleuth Bob Johnson for my intemperate remarks to him personally, and by extension, to his dog Rex, in case I went there.
I have a new found respect for you all, and I will do my best to keep it on display.

I will also pledge to them all to try to live up to my own personal motto to be "open, but not gaping."

I will read your diaries and comments with a new sense of appreciation, recommending them when I believe they contribute something important to the conversation, and on those days I'm mysteriously endowed with TU status, I will use it sparingly, if ever.

What I won't do, however, is abandon my own principles, values and issues, or the others who promote and defend them on these pages.

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday November 07, 2010 · 12:01 AM PDT

2010/11/07 · 00:01

First, in the interest of disclosure, and of avoiding some of the inevitable flaming, let me say I was an early admirer of Countdown With Keith Olbermann, and I remain so today. For years I never missed a show and I continue to watch fairly regularly. He was, for far too long, an oasis of sanity and unparalleled writing chops, and can rightly be called a true progressive hero.
In 2006 I got way too embroiled in an ongoing comment war with the despicable people at Olbermann Watch (I won't insult KO or my DKos friends, or be complicit in generating traffic to them by providing a link) and succeeded in getting almost everyone I knew at the time hooked on him as well.

But I'm not going to sign the petition to demand MSNBC bring him back, and I'll tell you why below the fold.

Poll

189 votes Show Results

Regarding the Petition to Reinstate Keith Olbermann

189 votes Vote Now!

Regarding the Petition to Reinstate Keith Olbermann

I signed it already

138 votes

I haven't signed it because I can't find a link to it

2 votes

I won't be signing it

34 votes

I won't sign unless KO asks me personally

6 votes

I'm going to sign it if this isn't resolved soon

5 votes

I'll think about it after some pie

4 votes

"We Bring Up The Rear"- an animated anthem for ex-gay ministries

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday July 05, 2010 · 2:29 PM PDT

2010/07/05 · 14:29

As Independence Day comes and goes, I'm thinking about the freedom that finally comes for many LBGTQ people when they reconcile with their orientation, and overcome the lifetime of brainwashing that leads them to believe they are inherently evil, and must, at all costs, become heterosexual.

Having been out since the early Seventies, and being something of a student of the Gay Rights movement, I can think of nothing that has been more damaging to the psyche of individuals and our society at large than has been the pray-the-gay-away crowd.

I was raised by a Pentecostal family and was fortunate to have avoided most of the torment that comes with squaring deeply ingrained beliefs with my own nature, except for a few embarrassing episodes of spontaneous ecstatic dancing in the early 80s.
I've been conflicted, but relieved, when when well known leaders and proponents of "reparative" therapy have "found" each other or more importantly, found themselves, and left the "ex-gay" movement to live out well adjusted lives.

The ones that have always bothered me most, though, are those with real power and influence who anonymously haunt restrooms, parks, chatrooms, gay bars and adult services only to return to their public lives to align themselves with anti-gay forces and do real damage.

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday May 27, 2010 · 8:52 PM PDT

2010/05/27 · 20:52

cross posted at Democratic Underground

Phil Griffin already said he wants to be more like FOX News, so maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise that he once again makes it clear he doesn't care what MSNBC viewers have to say, this time by refusing to accept their Petition To Bring Back David Shuster...
The petitions were sent via certified mail to Griffin, Jeffrey Zucker, and Steve Capus of NBC Universal, as well as to Brian Roberts of Comcast and Jon Klein of CNN in an effort to demonstrate to these employers and potential employers that David Shuster does, indeed have a loyal following and there is an audience for a progressive and assertive media.

No. We're not forming a new church around David Shuster, or even a cult. Some of us, myself included, agree that he has occasionally earned his reputation as the bad boy of cable news. But he's our bad boy.

We are incensed that Griffin takes MSNBC's progressive viewers for granted to the point he refused to even open our petition.

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday May 15, 2010 · 6:53 PM PDT

2010/05/15 · 18:53

UPDATE: MSNBC Dayside Ratings Lowest In 11 Years

Progressives don't usually take kindly to attempts by the far right wing, or even from the growing false equivalency gangs serving as their propellers, to ridicule our media heros.

We should like it even less when they kick them when they're down, or in a situation where they can't, for whatever reason, defend themselves.

But that's exactly what's happening to the "indefinitely suspended," contractually muzzled David Shuster.

Finally, this past week, Shuster could no longer hold his legendary tongue, and spoke out.

About Softball.

Poll

53 votes Show Results

What Is The TOP THING David Shuster Can Do While He Is Left Twisting In The Wind By Phil Griffin?

Open a trendy new DC restaurant featuring a crow sushi bar and humble pie for desert.

"Pimp" his rider in his contract to make sure Griffin could never pull a petty hissy fit again.

Work on becoming more vapid, so he'd fit in better in most cable newsrooms....

Film a new reality show with Orly Taitz called "HELP! I'm A Natural Born Journalist! Get Me Out Of Here!"

Team up with Donatella Versace for a new line of non-dorky softball uniforms.

Begin a "Scared Speechless" program for journalists at-risk of becoming intrepid.

Get himself imprisoned so he can at least be on MSNBC on the weekends.

Open a "gag" gift shop at 30 Rock specializing in gags and muzzles.

Offer interpreting services for teabaggers who can't speak fluently with their mouths full.

Practice his play-by-play color commentary for the upcoming melodrama "SURVIVOR - Comcast/NBC/Universal."

53 votes Vote Now!

What Is The TOP THING David Shuster Can Do While He Is Left Twisting In The Wind By Phil Griffin?

Open a trendy new DC restaurant featuring a crow sushi bar and humble pie for desert.

3 votes

"Pimp" his rider in his contract to make sure Griffin could never pull a petty hissy fit again.

7 votes

Work on becoming more vapid, so he'd fit in better in most cable newsrooms....

6 votes

Film a new reality show with Orly Taitz called "HELP! I'm A Natural Born Journalist! Get Me Out Of Here!"

1 vote

Team up with Donatella Versace for a new line of non-dorky softball uniforms.

0 votes

Begin a "Scared Speechless" program for journalists at-risk of becoming intrepid.

0 votes

Get himself imprisoned so he can at least be on MSNBC on the weekends.

15 votes

Open a "gag" gift shop at 30 Rock specializing in gags and muzzles.

5 votes

Offer interpreting services for teabaggers who can't speak fluently with their mouths full.

8 votes

Practice his play-by-play color commentary for the upcoming melodrama "SURVIVOR - Comcast/NBC/Universal."

8 votes

Polling The TOP TEN Things David Shuster Can Do While Phil Griffin Leaves Him Twisting In The Wind

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday May 14, 2010 · 5:46 AM PDT

2010/05/14 · 05:46

Last night, embattled, but intrepid, newsman David Shuster broke his Corporate-imposed Garbo-esque vow of silence to answer the insipid Byron York's rightwing Washington Examiner's "exclusive" hitpiece on him.

Had Shuster once again taken York to task for his pathetic reporting and excretable defense of Scooter Libby, using some Vulcan mind trick while he is contractually muzzled?

Had he confronted Orly Taitz and her bizarre birther notions on national TeeVee?

Had he and Markos so angered racist Tom Tancredo with a dogged insistence on facts that Tancredo removed his earpiece and walked off the set during a live interview?

more below the fold

Poll

71 votes Show Results

What Is The TOP THING David Shuster Can Do While He Is Left Twisting In The Wind By Phil Griffin?

Open a trendy new DC restaurant featuring a crow sushi bar and humble pie for desert.

9. "Pimp" his rider in his contract to make sure Griffin could never pull a petty hissy fit again.

Work on becoming more vapid, so he'd fit in better in most cable newsrooms....

Film a new reality show with Orly Taitz called "HELP! I'm A Natural Born Journalist! Get Me Out Of Here!"

Team up with Donatella Versace for a new line of non-dorky softball uniforms.

Begin a "Scared Speechless" program for journalists at-risk of becoming intrepid.

Get himself imprisoned so he can at least be on MSNBC on the weekends.

3. Start a head buffing salon for an exclusive clientele of, say, bald execs at NBC-Universal.

2. Offer interpreting services for teabaggers who can't speak fluently with their mouths full.

1. Practice his play-by-play color commentary for the upcoming melodrama "SURVIVOR - Comcast/NBC/Universal."

71 votes Vote Now!

What Is The TOP THING David Shuster Can Do While He Is Left Twisting In The Wind By Phil Griffin?

Open a trendy new DC restaurant featuring a crow sushi bar and humble pie for desert.

0 votes

9. "Pimp" his rider in his contract to make sure Griffin could never pull a petty hissy fit again.

12 votes

Work on becoming more vapid, so he'd fit in better in most cable newsrooms....

3 votes

Film a new reality show with Orly Taitz called "HELP! I'm A Natural Born Journalist! Get Me Out Of Here!"

2 votes

Team up with Donatella Versace for a new line of non-dorky softball uniforms.

3 votes

Begin a "Scared Speechless" program for journalists at-risk of becoming intrepid.

2 votes

Get himself imprisoned so he can at least be on MSNBC on the weekends.

33 votes

3. Start a head buffing salon for an exclusive clientele of, say, bald execs at NBC-Universal.

0 votes

2. Offer interpreting services for teabaggers who can't speak fluently with their mouths full.

12 votes

1. Practice his play-by-play color commentary for the upcoming melodrama "SURVIVOR - Comcast/NBC/Universal."

4 votes

David Vs. Goliath at MSNBC

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 21, 2010 · 10:42 AM PDT

2010/04/21 · 10:42

What is going on with MSNBC? It's now offering Morning Joke followed by frequently unwatchable "hosts," repetitions of shows many of us won't watch the first time, and finally, two measly hours of "must see T.V." in the evening.

Sorry, Progressives, but starting at 10 p.m. on Fridays, it's weekend prison and predator marathons.

Reliably assertive and informed host David Shuster has been put on "indefinite suspension" after filming an un-aired pilot for "the enemy." After years of being shuffled around the MSNBC schedule and passed over for his own branded show as his current contract comes to an end, MSNBC President Phil Griffin, has, instead, branded Shuster Not "Moral, Ethical or Professional"

Had Shuster's "transgression" actually violated his contract, he would have been summarily fired, but an MSNBC spokesperson says David Shuster must be "punished appropriately ."

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 06, 2010 · 2:03 PM PDT

2010/04/06 · 14:03

Indefinite Suspension is not adequate punishment, like was promised to the world, for bad boy David Shuster.

When news broke that the MSNBC anchor had filmed a CNN pilot, the network did not immediately comment; spokesman Jeremy Gaines would later say that, if the report turned out to be true, Shuster would be "punished appropriately."

Poll

173 votes Show Results

How Should cable news punish David Shuster?

173 votes Vote Now!

How Should cable news punish David Shuster?

With his own branded show

82 votes

Teabag him

8 votes

Sit in a corner facing a camera and teleprompter

1 vote

Make him interview Liz Cheney

8 votes

Give him Tweety's second hour

24 votes

Give him Dylan Ratigan's spot

20 votes

Give him Jon Kings spot

7 votes

Give him Ed Schultz's spot

4 votes

Give him at least one of Rick Sanchez's hours

4 votes

Send him to FAUX Noise

3 votes

Make him take a "time out."

1 vote

Nominate him for a Peabody Award

9 votes

Force-feed him pie

2 votes

Senate Reconciliation Day 3 Liveblog (shuttlepod #1)

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 25, 2010 · 9:13 AM PDT

2010/03/25 · 09:13

Please REC this Mothership diary and not the Shuttlepod diaries.

For past Liveblog Motherships, See:
House Debate Mothership by Adam Blomeke
Mothership I for Day 2 by Cedwyn
Mothership II for Day 2 by NDakotaDem

Shuttlepod diaries:
#1: sgary
#2: sheba

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday March 21, 2010 · 2:02 AM PDT

2010/03/21 · 02:02

After the fun response I got from my Friday morning Diary, in which I riffed on Stephen Colbert's brilliant take-down of G.O.P. hackstress Mary Matalin, I was inspired to assemble some Republican Talking Points Bingo! cards specifically for today's Historic vote on the Floor of the U.S. House.

Keep them handy to play along with the inevitable meltdown from an endless array of right wing pundits during procedural lulls.

You're apt to win faster if you have the stomach to watch FOX News, but there should also be plenty of excellent scoring opportunities emanating from CNN, MSNBC, or C-SPAN.

Since we won't have a celebrity church basement caller, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine we're hearing echos on the U.S. House Floor, generated by the GOP All-Stars topping each column .

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday March 19, 2010 · 4:27 AM PDT

2010/03/19 · 04:27

The last time Mary Matalin wandered off her GOP talking points, it was to declare:

"I was there, we inherited a recession from President Clinton and we inherited the most tragic attack on our own soil in our nation’s history."

Thankfully, those trial balloon talking points were shot down in the days that followed, in a rare instance of actual journalistic follow up.

On Thursday evenings edition of the Report, the ever reliable Stephen Colbert wrung the sarcastic whine right out of Ms Matalin when he announced at the beginning that they'd be playing a little game of GOP Talking Points BINGO!

If only all interviewers would play his new bingo game!

sgary

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday January 08, 2010 · 2:02 PM PST

2010/01/08 · 14:02

This morning I got a fancy, glossy, full color "survey" on heavy card stock from Congressman Steve King (R-IA) prominently titled "2010 ISSUE SURVEY & CONTACT INFORMATION."
The pretty, snowy Iowa farm scene on the front, above the perforation, was heartwarming enough, even though it was besmirched with our illustrious Congressman's official mugshot in the upper-right hand corner. King's graven image took a lot of the shine off (and warmth out of)the reminder of honest constituent outreach and effective representation, but was inoffensive compared to the disclaimer situated under the return address:

PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
This mailing was prepared, published
and mailed at taxpayer expense.

I thought it, and my responses, were worth sharing below the fold.

Newer
Older

RSS

reflections on being duped

Why I'm not signing the KO Petition w/ poll

"We Bring Up The Rear"- an animated anthem for ex-gay ministries

MSNBC Prez Refuses To Even LOOK at Viewer Petition To Bring Back David Shuster

UPDATED: The r/w Dorking of David Shuster w/POLL

Polling The TOP TEN Things David Shuster Can Do While Phil Griffin Leaves Him Twisting In The Wind

David Vs. Goliath at MSNBC

Punish David Shuster With His Own Show/ UPDATED with poll

Senate Reconciliation Day 3 Liveblog (shuttlepod #1)

Print out your GOP Talking Points BINGO! (HCR edition)

BINGO! Stephen Colbert leaves Matalin talking pointlessly

Franking, My damned Rep. King (R-IA). I DO give an answer.