Climate of Deception at Fox News

Written By: - Date published: 11:42 am, July 22nd, 2011 - 98 comments
Categories: making shit up, Media, Politics, spin, tv, uncategorized - Tags:

It has been long known that the name “Fox News” should really be known as “Faux News” because it doesn’t believe in reporting reality. It just makes crap up and spins everything to avoid dealing with reality. This video looks at their performance on climate change.

Amongst other practices of appalling journalism at this station, the video shows that Faux appears to only talk about climate change when it is snowing. I guess they have instructions from on high that weather is climate.

Of course it is owned by those paragons of hard news and good journalism – News International.

hat-tip: Climate Crock

98 comments on “Climate of Deception at Fox News ”

  1. framu 1

    “biased and reporting fear”

  2. queenstfarmer 2

    Meh. I favour hearing all views and making my own mind. That’s why try to make my own reading / watching “fair & balanced”. Listen to ZB and RadioLive (Willie & JT). Watch Fox, and CNN BBC Daily Show and Colbert. Read HuffingtonPost and The Standard, and Kiwiblog. etc.

    • Tigger 2.1

      But surely you judge certain sources as not being reliable (eg. Fox). I can understand watching it so you know what misinformation is out there but, frankly, I wouldn’t waste my time with a news outlet that I knew lied to me.

      • queenstfarmer 2.1.1

        I don’t know that Fox lies. I’m sure there are a number of mistakes it makes in its programming, but name one station that doesn’t. Opinion is different. Fox is very opinion rich (compared say with the BBC) and has very strongly opinionated hosts, who all (or mostly) appear to lean moderately to heavily to the political right. Like all robust opinion hosts, they emphasise their views, de-emphasize opposing views, and occasionaly (or often) “spin” or even get things wrong. Everyone knows this and I don’t think anyone is misled into thinking they were watcing some left-leaning view. The mistake is assuming that other media outlets don’t do it. Fox stands out because most other news outlets are centrist to heavily leftist and thus haven’t had their own biases “challenged” by an organisation on the right.

        I personally find that Fox is “the balance”. Just like Daily Show is great at putting together strings of clips showing right-wing politicians’ hypocrisy and stupidity and biased reporting, Fox highlights the same on the left. The recent fuss over “violent rhetoric” in US politics was a good example. Other networks were openly talking about the issue as though it was only a right-wing phenomena, and the clips shown were all in support of that. It was only by watching Fox that I saw that it was the same on the left, word for word in some cases.

        • McFlock 2.1.1.1

          … and yet you fail to notice the strings of clips on the Daily Show that demonstrate Fox news lyi-sorry getting things blatantly wrong that even a three year old would regard as doubtful.

          In fact, Fox is a regular contributor of material for TDS.

          • queenstfarmer 2.1.1.1.1

            I didn’t actually say that (you lie!!!!! ahem sorry). I do notice them, they’re hilarious and sometimes shameful. And on Fox I’ve seen clips of other networks getting things blatantly wrong too. I don’t know but would think that Fox is more guilty of this than some other networks with a much lower opinion content. Having big opinion guys presenting news-based stories makes this as inevitable as a heavily opioniated newspaper columnist writing about a particular current event.

        • felix 2.1.1.2

          It goes a lot further than that. Fox isn’t really “news” by any conventional definition, at best it’s opinion but it’s presented with virtually no differentiation to show where the reporting ends and the opinion begins.

          It’s not even a left/right thing, it’s a new kind of animal altogether.

          I you don’t know how Fox is lying to you, this film is well worth a look: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6737097743434902428

          • queenstfarmer 2.1.1.2.1

            Yes there is a blurring of the lines, and it aint just Fox who’s doing that but I think they are clearly the leader / pioneer / most creative / most guilty / most evil. That’s why I like to watch/read/listen broadly so I can make my own mind up on each matter.

            Seen Outfoxed, entirely unconvincing in my view. I read Al Franken’s book a few years ago and that made better arguments (and was very entertaining) but again nothing that isn’t mirrored on the left.

            • mik e 2.1.1.2.1.1

              qF You might want to see the Kaiser report as well the to get a truly balanced view

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.2.1.2

              That’s why I like to watch/read/listen broadly so I can make my own mind up on each matter.

              That’s actually the first illusion to shake off. Bottom line is that all of us are unavoidably influenced by the spin and the doctored messages out there to some extent.

              This blog writes about the phenomenon of presstitution on behalf of the richest and most influential in society:

              http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/07/presstitutes.html

          • Lanthanide 2.1.1.2.2

            Yeah, it’s as much Fox presenting opinion alongside the news, flavouring your perceptions of what you’re seeing and leading you to think in a certain way.

            They’re also simply biased about what they cover, as this post makes clear – they only talk about climate change when it’s snowing, so they can go “haha all those stupid people who believe in climate change are clearly lunatics!” and thereby making the viewers think climate change = weather.

            • felix 2.1.1.2.2.1

              Awful really, a huge organisation like that dedicated to actively making people stupider.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.3

          Opinion is different.

          When you go round saying that everything is opinion is when you get things wrong. ACC is not an opinion but fact.

    • In order to get a more completer view and perhaps some antidote against the venality and spiteful toxic sludge from Fox you might consider watching RT. I hear it’s on freeview!

  3. Jason 3

    Alas. If people were to “make up their own minds” based on scientifically acquired and analysed data that they could understand, then that would be great. Unfortunately, this is purely an ideal. Instead, people just rearrange their prejudices
    based on the slanted opinions and “Readers Digest” info bites delivered by TV, radio etc. They have neither the time nor training for proper evaluation of scientifically gathered and presented evidence.
    Very few people have actually read the scientific literature on topics such as Climate Change. I’m not criticising folk – just pointing out a fact.
    It becomes sad though, when people feel that they are “properly informed” on matters just because they’ve listened to a raving looney like, for example, Leighton Smith who present spurious arguments for ignoring the truth. And it becomes next to impossible to have rational arguments with people who have had their minds closed by propaganda.

  4. randal 4

    roopit said it was the worst day of his career.
    what a silly man.
    didnt he have a life?

  5. Afewknowthetruth 5

    I thought it was Fox Noise, not Faux News. Rather like the drivel that TVNZ churns out and decsribes as ‘news’.

    Funny how all the really important matters, like peak oil, acidification of the oceans, the Sixth Great Extinction Event, or the scams associated with carbon trading, never get a mention in any mainstream ‘news’ source. Oh, and the massive lies surrounding the false flag operations carried out on 9/11. The mianstream media are still managing to convince people that concrete and steel buildings can fall down at free-fall speed and in their own footprint as a consequence of short-lived, low temperature fires. Truly remarkable!

    Keep the proles distracted, misinformed and believing in the system, even as it goes down. That way corporate profits and CEO bonuses are maximised.

  6. John D 6

    BBC’s biased reporting on Global Warming:

    • mik e 6.1

      What about Leighton Smiths unbiased Tipler the astro physicist/Garden variety right wing christen climate denier who doesn,t even talk about climate when he is putting his ides forward at his lectures , he just baffles his audience with the theory of relativity. and then says climate research is all made up. no research to back it up!

  7. Lanthanide 7

    Where’s the Fox News story saying that global warming is really true after all?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/5328018/Massive-heat-wave-kills-22-in-United-States

  8. joe90 8

    The lies keep Fox News out of Canada.

    As America’s middle class battles for its survival on the Wisconsin barricades – against various Koch Oil surrogates and the corporate toadies at Fox News – fans of enlightenment, democracy and justice can take comfort from a significant victory north of the Wisconsin border. Fox News will not be moving into Canada after all! The reason: Canadian regulators announced last week they would reject efforts by Canada’s right-wing Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, to repeal a law that forbids lying on broadcast news.

  9. randal 9

    fox news used to be on late at night but it seems to have gone now. It was too plastic for New Zealanders who whatever their faults expect a bit more than what they dished out as truth.
    the people were plastic too and looked like they had all been grown in a petri dish out the back.
    creeeeeepy!

  10. Classic Liberal 10

    To be fair, I think the left can’t stand the fact that there is ONE news station that DARES speak out against the rest of the mainstream media.

    Besides faux news, is there any other American news station you’d attack? Of course not, they’re all fascist/left wing.

    Eco fascism is a real threat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCtanyNmWKY&feature=related

    • Billy Fish 10.1

      twat

      Could explain why your comment is bullshit but its late and I have a child just started crying so I will do something useful instead.
      And by you comment , with another dull flutulant fart, the moronisphere expanded again

      • Classic Liberal 10.1.1

        I think I understood some of what you tried to make out.

        My advice to you is that you seek english tutoring, and learn to tolerate opposition.

        • Billy Fish 10.1.1.1

          Witty, droll, Wildian in its rapier like wit, your reponse truely is.

          Nicely implying that I either am educationally deficient or ESOL

          I tolerate opposition but not blatant stupidity or propoganda of a venal nature.
          I get sickened by ignoramuses of your ilk who espouse the view that Fox is the ONE TRUE source of news and speaks for all those cut out or victimised by the left wing (fascist I think you called it) mainstream of American media.
          Attempting to create a victim mentality amongst a group that is still the dominant paradigm is a false dichotomy and disingenuous to say the least.

          Your use of the term Fascist/left wing highlights your hypocrisy in your statement of “tolerating opposition” by its aggressive negative use of the word Fascist to immediately invalidate all opposition.

          PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try and maybe develop an opinion of your own, turn off the TV, read some books maybe, talk to some people of opposing political view points. All of which will make you a much more rounded person.

          • Classic Liberal 10.1.1.1.1

            “Your use of the term Fascist/left wing highlights your hypocrisy in your statement of “tolerating opposition” by its aggressive negative use of the word Fascist to immediately invalidate all opposition.”

            Who said that’s a negative connotation? I take it you assume it was one. Fascism calls for controlled press, a controlled economy and strong environmental protection – is that not the state of the modern left? Fascist CAN be used as an insult, but in this case I was talking to fascists and leftists >;)

            You, however, used the word “Twat”. A seemingly childish insult used by someone who claims to have children.

            “I get sickened by ignoramuses of your ilk who espouse the view that Fox is the ONE TRUE source of news and speaks for all those cut out or victimised by the left wing (fascist I think you called it) mainstream of American media.”

            It doesn’t. I never said it does either. I just wondered why, of all stations, does the left get so wound up because of Fox? Why do they only attack Fox news? There are so many other stations, yet it’s ALWAYS Fox that gets attacked! Could it be because it holds a different opinion to the rest of the media? I don’t deny it manipulates stories, but to the extent of MSNBC, or racist CNN? I don’t think so.

            • rosy 10.1.1.1.1.1

              “Why do they only attack Fox news? ”
              Why? because it lies, not because holds a different position. Joe90’s link above (8) gives a good summary of this in terms of Fox’s future in Canada:

              Canada’s Radio Act requires that “a licenser may not broadcast … any false or misleading news.” The provision has kept Fox News and right-wing talk radio out of Canada and helped make Canada a model for liberal democracy and freedom. As a result of that law, Canadians enjoy high quality news coverage, including the kind of foreign affairs and investigative journalism that flourished in this country before Ronald Reagan abolished the “Fairness Doctrine” in 1987. … When Stephen Harper moved to abolish the anti-lying provision of the Radio Act, Canadians rose up to oppose him fearing that their tradition of honest non-partisan news would be replaced by the toxic, overtly partisan, biased and dishonest news coverage familiar to American citizens who listen to Fox News and talk radio.

              • grumpy in Thailand

                Fuck me…….

                “The provision has kept Fox News and right-wing talk radio out of Canada…”

                and

                “….helped make Canada a model for liberal democracy and freedom…”

                How do those 2 things go together????

                • felix

                  Presumably rosy is suggesting that right-wing talk radio is anti-democratic.

                  And from what I’ve heard of it, I’d have to agree.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Anti democratic? How so? Example?

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Name-calling, child you may be, makes you look bad and is not evidence.

                    If right wing media (if it exists HA!) is so “Anti democratic” there should be loads of examples.

                    Show me one.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Spoon fed from birth I see.

                    • felix

                      The fact that you doubt the very existence of right wing media itself indicates that your views are so extreme that I have no doubt that you will reject any “evidence” I provide.

                      So no, I’m not going to waste my time.

                      The tactics you’ve been employing here are easily recognised. The moment I provide you with an example of, say, Michael Laws pouring scorn on democratic concepts (as he does daily) you’ll do one of the following:

                      a. argue that Laws isn’t right wing
                      b. argue that democratic principles are overrated.

                      Neither of which will be very interesting, we’ve been over all of this ground before.

                      If you don’t like the names I call you, then don’t be so transparently obvious and don’t make such retarded demands.

                    • rosy

                      “Show me one”
                      Try Media Matters
                      or for something more entertaining Jon Stewart Or maybe you should just google ‘fox news lies’ and then after that ‘CNN news lies’ and make your own mind up. (hint the CNN search gives mostly info on fox news lies).

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Yea, I didn’t think so.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “No, you didn’t think.”

                    No I didn’t. So enlighten me. Show me one of the many examples of how anti democratic right wing talk radio is.

                    • felix

                      You’re an extremist. You’ve made that clear.

                      Your definitions of “right wing” and “anti-democratic” are likely to be so far from mine that you won’t accept any examples I give you.

                      So why would I waste my time playing your games?

                      To a normal person what I’ve said is completely uncontroversial. It’s like you’re asking for evidence that reality tv shows are facile and shallow.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      No I didn’t. So enlighten me. Show me one of the many examples of how anti democratic right wing talk radio is.

                      The US has nothing to teach the world about democracy any more. Your elections are a choice between The Bankers Party and The Other Bankers Party.

                  • grumpy in Thailand

                    Nope, I think Rosy is suggesting censorship is necessary for liberal democracy and frredom”.

                    Bit like giving a cancer patient poison – fixed the cancer but killed the patient!

                    • rosy

                      No I’m suggesting a basic premise that a news organisation should tell the truth (from whatever perspective) is important for liberal democracies.

                    • felix

                      Could read it either way I suppose, you’ll have to ask rosy what s/he meant.

                      Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine over there – it’s fraking cold back here at 5 in the morning!

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “The fact that you doubt the very existence of right wing media itself indicates that your views are so extreme that I have no doubt that you will reject any “evidence” I provide.”
                    Given that you provide anything credible.

                    “So no, I’m not going to waste my time.”
                    Because you can’t.

                    “If you don’t like the names I call you, then don’t be so transparently obvious and don’t make such retarded demands.”
                    If asking for evidence of your ridiculous claims then think who the real “extremist” is here.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “You’re an extremist. You’ve made that clear.”
                    You’re the one making outrageous claims without any evidence.

                    “Your definitions of “right wing” and “anti-democratic” are likely to be so far from mine that you won’t accept any examples I give you.”
                    Right wing: favouring a free market, focus on law and order.
                    Anti – democratic: authoritarian; critical of the democratic system.

                    Giving you do provide any examples (which I highly doubt you can) they’ll probably be either:

                    A – Manipulated
                    B – nonsensical and extreme

                    “So why would I waste my time playing your games?”
                    What games?

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Classic Liberal = Foot Soldier Bringing the End of American Empire

                    • felix

                      If those are your definitions then my statements have been entirely uncontroversial.

                      What games? Demanding that I prove the sky is blue.

                      Keep spinning, little spinner. You’ll turn all that straw into shit by morning.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “Demanding that I prove the sky is blue”

                    Then I’m not asking much. Face it, it’s clear you’re the extremist here seeing as how you’ve gotten so irate when I merely asked you to provide me with clear evidence of right wing media being anti democratic.
                    I’ve tried to find some myself, but to no avail.

                    Could it be that maybe your extremist views are maybe… false?

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “To demonstrate that the sky is blue I would tell you to go outside and look up”

                    From where I am at the moment, the sky is either grey or black.
                    I’d need to see pictures, or videos.

                    • felix

                      You beautifully illustrate my point, thanks.

                      The reason I said that was to demonstrate that you were entirely insincere when you said you weren’t asking much.

                      And any evidence of anything I provide will be met by exactly the same type of reply.

                      You want to argue very uninteresting points in a very uninteresting way.

                      Do it on your own, retard.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Fair enough.

                    That means MSNBC is racist, anti democratic, hateful and bigoted. So’s Hollywood.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Oh good GOD you are hopeless!
                    NZ of course!
                    I live in Cambridge for goodness’ sake!

                  • Classic Liberal

                    I’m from Auckland.

                    By the way, you should take a look at this:

                    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vkAnhL7OH1E/TMkSDitM1TI/AAAAAAAACVY/dNByz9na9ho/s1600/five-pillars-of-the-liberal-faith.gif

                    You fit all of them.

                    Oh yea, a different opinion = “retardation”. But that’s ok, your kind isn’t well known for being tolerant.

                    • felix

                      And that explains the arrogance.

                      ps what do you mean by “your kind”? Is that a race thing?

                  • Classic Liberal

                    “And that explains the arrogance.”
                    Oooohh judging me by where I come from, are we? Tell me, how horrible did it feel knowing the Hitler Youth is no longer around?

                    “ps what do you mean by “your kind”? Is that a race thing?”
                    Typical fascist. Bringing race into the matter every way you can. You don’t know my race, nor do I know yours. How could you make that connection?

                    By “your kind” I meant neo-nazis.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    And where was the name calling in that, might I ask?

              • Classic Liberal

                I’m not defending Fox, I’m criticizing those who attack it for media manipulation and don’t attack stations like CNN or ABC.

                Might I assume you’ll be attacking them next seeing as how they’ve been caught in the act of lying and manipulating as well?

                • Colonial Viper

                  Meh, Faux News rules supreme at the game, there’s plenty of blame to go around but 90% of it lands on Murdoch’s doorstep.

              • Classic Liberal

                Rosy, Jon stewart is as reliable as Glenn Beck.

                • rosy

                  I did say for something more entertaining (not newsworthy – there is a difference) and suggested you google it yourself. There’s plenty there.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    I don’t deny Faux Noise lies, as does CNN and the rest of the media.

                    I just want to see evidence of it being anti democratic.

                  • Classic Liberal

                    The sort of evidence was to back up claims of hosts spouting anti democratic rhetoric… not some blog looking for loopholes…

                  • Classic Liberal

                    Be fair, I mean it doesn’t exactly hold any quotes or footage now does it?

                    • rosy

                      yeah, I know… you might have to click on a couple of those blue linky thingies.

            • grumpy in Thailand 10.1.1.1.1.2

              This week , staying in one of those Asian hotels with 100’s of satelite channels, I found FOX sandwiched between BBC and al Jazierah. A wonderful time waking up at 4 in the morning surfing between the 3. All different perspectives and all, in their way, reasonably credible.

              However, a narrow points victory to Al Jazierah over FOX, with BBC distant 3rd.

            • grumpy in Thailand 10.1.1.1.1.3

              This week , staying in one of those Asian hotels with 100’s of satelite channels, I found FOX sandwiched between BBC and al Jazierah. A wonderful time waking up at 4 in the morning surfing between the 3. All different perspectives and all, in their way, reasonably credible.

              However, a narrow points victory to Al Jazierah over FOX, with BBC distant 3rd.

            • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1.4

              Fascism calls for controlled press, a controlled economy and strong environmental protection – is that not the state of the modern left?

              Please don’t be stupid. Fascism and the Left are not the same thing and you are being highly dishonest in your proposition.

              Yes, we are in a world of a controlled economy (crony capitalism/kleptocracy), we are in a world of a controlled press (majority of media controlled by 3-4 major capitalist news corporations who deem to write what is news and actively influence it) and we are in a world which environmentally is destroying itself (natural environment stripped bare, not protected).

              This is not a world of Left wing, worker orientation, where the many have a chance at a decent secure life instead of just the few who are the wealthiest.

              • Classic Liberal

                “Please don’t be stupid. Fascism and the Left are not the same thing and you are being highly dishonest in your proposition.”

                Nonsense. Calling someone a fascist is like calling someone a capitalist or a socialist.

                “we are in a world of a controlled press (majority of media controlled by 3-4 major capitalist news corporations)”
                That’s not controlled press, though I can easily admit that anti capitalism is highly profitable for capitalists.
                Take Hong Kong for example, each business tries to claim it’s “eco friendly” and all that sort of garbage because they know they will make more money from it.

                “(natural environment stripped bare, not protected).”
                Where abouts?

                • Colonial Viper

                  🙂 hey mate you may not know which end is up, but gravity will still kill.

            • blly fish 10.1.1.1.1.5

              “Who said that’s a negative connotation? I take it you assume it was one.”

              calling anyway Fascist is a negative – simple linguistic fact, unless of course they are a paid up member of a Fascist party in which case they would probably accept that.
              There was something called the 20th century, maybe you missed it , it was while ago and maybe you missed the article on the News

              As to the left only attacking fox – nah thats crap – simple – but your reponse will be SHOW ME, I
              SEE NO PROOF – tell you what use a search engine and have a shufti. In the past it may have been the case – oh and by the way comments on youtube clips aren’t valid sources for this sort of dicsussion – but a quick check will see there is a fairly good level of analysis
              Thing is, its a number game – if you put out 50 pieces of bollocks and someone else puts out 5 peices of bollocks then its only logical that you would get 10 times the amount of flak.

              Now lets see- Fox is the one channel that DARES to challenge the rest
              which are, by your definition Left/Fascist – so therefore state controlled – um – ok, so the US govt controls all the rest of the US media apart from poor little Fox?
              Right,,,,, so the major media corporations are all utterly under the control of the US Government?
              I assume commisars from the Ministry of Truth patrol the corridors hourly squashing dissent in CNN, MSNBC etc just in case some low level functionary lets the truth out?

              Ok next delusion –
              “Nonsense. Calling someone a fascist is like calling someone a capitalist or a socialist.”
              Really? Ok so again the 20th century thing….. so words have no emotive power then?

              BTW your assertion that twat is childish insult – I did a straw pole – nope Twat is not a childish insult – its more in the mnor, potentially affectional grown up range of swearing.
              Calling you poo poo pants would be childish – I have verified this with a reliable source – 3 year old (yep do have one of them)
              Now – a follow on from that question – a childsih insult from one who CLAIMS to have children?!?!?
              WTF – if one insults in a “childish way” then one cannot have children – btw I refer you to the point above about the use of the word twat not being childish.
              Can you please provide proof I do not have children, I see no proof in any of your comments therefore I can disregard all your opinions.

              So as I stated earlier please STOP WATCHING TV, maybe read a book, go out, talk to someone who may have a slightly different view to yours and listen to them. Maybe turn off the internet for a while.

  11. mik e 11

    Classic liberal all spin and no evidence. so atmospheric co2 is at a 70% higher level than any time previously and you are denying that fact . Any one who dares to speak out against fox gets lampooned by poorly educated poorly researched Murdoch Cheerleaders !They usually find some tiny Christian faith university hack professor to put forward opposing views but won,t put their lack of evidence out their for the general science community to compare to genuine research. then they belittle the general scientific community with their Murdoch sponsored propaganda!

    • Classic Liberal 11.1

      70% higher? Compared to what? You’re trying to argue that correlation = causation. Why won’t this CO2 go to the plants? Last time there was a significant increase in plant growth.

      • Colonial Viper 11.1.1

        Climate change denier.

        • Classic Liberal 11.1.1.1

          “Spoon fed from birth I see.”
          Explain.

          “Climate change denier.”
          Sheep.

          • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1.1

            The funny thing is that the US population is now so disorientated and misinformed, that many are quite happy to fully support political economic measures which will hurt them and their families, and help the top 0.1% influential and wealthy.

            Cut big oil taxes! Cut taxes on the wealthy! Cut taxes on the estates of multimillionaires and billionaures! Make private jets cheaper to run!

            Oh but shame, social security, medicare/medicaid, food stamp programmes now all have to be cut back.

            Trillions in aid for the biggest banks and financial interests, no problem, sign here for your 0% Fed window loans worth hundreds of millions of dollars!

            But no more money to keep police, cleaners and school teachers employed. No more money to run school buses or hire Americans to rebuild bridges and railways, upgrade a failing power grid.

            Failure of the USD is imminent. Another 50% effective devaluation in the next 12 months is my pick.

            And now the funniest thing. Congress has said that it will be announcing debt ceiling decisions in time with the opening of financial markets.

            At least now they aren’t pretending who is actually in charge. This really should go into the ‘End of Empire’ thread, but Faux News has been so instrumental in this that I decided to post it here.

            • Classic Liberal 11.1.1.1.1.1

              “Cut big oil taxes! Cut taxes on the wealthy! Cut taxes on the estates of multimillionaires and billionaures!”
              Not just taxes, spending as well! Separation of government and business wouldn’t be such a bad idea, either.

              “Trillions in aid for the biggest banks and financial interests, no problem, sign here for your 0% Fed window loans worth hundreds of millions of dollars!”
              Let them sell their assets and end this crony capitalist system rather than claiming bailouts and ruining their country!

              “But no more money to keep police, cleaners and school teachers employed. No more money to run school buses or hire Americans to rebuild bridges and railways, upgrade a failing power grid.”
              So eliminate the capital gains tax! Remove unnecessary regulations and for the love of God will they CUT SPENDING!

              • Colonial Viper

                Of course they’ll cut spending.

                They’ll cut your spending, and cut your neighbours spending, and cut your families’ spending, and cut the spending of your local school, and cut the spending of your local hospital, and cut the spending at your local police station.

                The infrastructure in your town is going to be cut too, as will support for the most vulnerable in your community.

                And all that nice spending and all those nice services they take away from you, they will monetize and give to the richest 0.1% in your society, those who already have a net worth in the hundreds of millions plus.

                Feels good to be bent over doesn’t it? Glad you are enjoying it.

                • Classic Liberal

                  I was referring to federal spending. Wars, bailouts and the likes.

                  You can’t cut the infrastructure of a town, it’s mostly privatised already.

                  “they will monetize”
                  *Privatise.

                  ” and give to the richest 0.1% in your society”
                  How? Separation of government from business…

                  “Feels good to be bent over doesn’t it? Glad you are enjoying it.”
                  Explain. I doubt you will.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    The end of American empire. Sad to see. 200 years of granduer, 50 years of decay. It’s coming to an end, denials, obfuscation, Fox News and all.

                    Explain. I doubt you will.

                    Not my job to help you wise up in life.

                    • Classic Liberal

                      “It’s coming to an end, denials, obfuscation, Fox News and all.”
                      Not necessarily. Fox News is growing in popularity and the other side now has a voice.

                      “Not my job to help you wise up in life.”
                      First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      A reference to scripture! Can we expect you to share more with us now?

        • grumpy in Thailand 11.1.1.2

          Chicken Licken

  12. grumpy in Thailand 12

    Grumpy is finishing a project in Thailand on his way to Czech Republic and thus has an “International” perspective on this.

    It’s bloody hot here, and my wife tells me it’s snowing outside of Christchurch. My assistant for the last week is a Thai guy who did his Masters in Sweden on sustainable development and can’t get a job in Thailand.

    I was driven to the airport by a woman who is a university lecturer in Chang Mai who is giving a lecture next weel on “global Warming” in Manila.

    I mean, like, how would you fucking know????????

    • rosy 12.1

      “Grumpy is finishing a project in Thailand on his way to Czech Republic and thus has an “International” perspective on this.”

      Rosy is living in Europe and also has an ‘international perspective on this’.

      btw – the weather sucks at the moment, but not as bad as Wellington 😉 Looking for summer to return on Wednesday what’s with the sun taking leave in July *sigh*.

      Oh and the broadband in int social democracy has unlimited downloads – 22mb/s on the cheap plan, awesome.

      • grumpy in transit 12.1.1

        Oh, that explains it then!

        I find that I can only stand some parts of Europe (esp. UK) for short periods before I start banging walls.

        Currently in Dubai and reading anything in English in the Lounges. Seems there is a lot more doubt on Climate Change/Global Warming than out MSM let on…….

        • rosy 12.1.1.1

          I’m closer to the Czech Republic than the UK so understand the grabbing hold of anything English in the airport lounge (I’m trying to learn German, but I’ve never been good at languages).

          Anyway good luck – usually it’s only ‘USA Today’ or business newspapers so I don’t doubt you’ll be reading about doubts about climate change. It’s be nice to see the Guardian in a lounge sometime, but just between you and me I’m not sure it’d get read a lot 😉

  13. grumpy in Thailand 13

    WTF is this “your comment is waiting moderation”, have you seen what laughingly goes by the name of “broadband” in this country?

  14. Colonial Viper 14

    CIA actively uses journalists and news media organisations

    *Sigh* It looks like the idea of a free, open and impartial press has always been a lie.

    http://carlbernstein.com/magazine_cia_and_media.php

    The Agency’s special relationships with the so‑called “majors” in publishing and broadcasting enabled the CIA to post some of its most valuable operatives abroad without exposure for more than two decades. In most instances, Agency files show, officials at the highest levels of the CIA usually director or deputy director) dealt personally with a single designated individual in the top management of the cooperating news organization. The aid furnished often took two forms: providing jobs and credentials “journalistic cover” in Agency parlance) for CIA operatives about to be posted in foreign capitals; and lending the Agency the undercover services of reporters already on staff, including some of the best‑known correspondents in the business.

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