returning liberal (Atlanta, Washington, Jersey: movies, live, dangerous)
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You're neglecting The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times, and a number of conservative leaning papers throughout the U.S. in major cities.
Plus, Fox News has higher ratings than all other news networks. I'm waiting for their viewers to realize the "poor little old us" alternative news routine is a sham since they have been dominating for a few years now. And they're now contributing directly to the Republican Party. They're beyond establishment now, but whatever.
ABCNews can be pretty conservative at times. And talk radio has a significant listenership that is almost completely dominated by the right wing. Again, people need to stop pretending like this stuff isn't mainstream.
I don't see how CNN is all that liberal, especially when compared to MSNBC and Fox.
Most mainstream media isn't all that liberal, IMO, except for reporting on global warming and discrimination issues (gay marriage, race relations, etc.) They are pro-sensationalist more than anything else--i.e,, they report whatever stories will get them the highest ratings. And they're extremely pro-big business/pro-Wall Street, which is much more of a conservative bias anyway.
The bottom line is that over the last two decades, conservatives have worked hard to try to convince the public that "the media" is liberal in order to make outfits like Fox News and Rush Limbaugh somehow look more moderate and middle-of-the-road.
I see that you totally glossed over the BIGGEST Liberal bastion that has the MOST influence, Hollywood. NO sane person can deny that Hollywood isnt dominated by the left from top to bottom. Only the most entrenched, popular actors like Jon Voight or Clint Eastwood can proclaim their Conservative views without being black listed. Virtually every A list Movie Star, Producer and Director that you can think of actively campaigned for Obama and donated millions to the Democratic party. They pump out Liberal policies in one movie or TV show after the next.
I see that you totally glossed over the BIGGEST Liberal bastion that has the MOST influence, Hollywood. NO sane person can deny that Hollywood isnt dominated by the left from top to bottom. Only the most entrenched, popular actors like Jon Voight or Clint Eastwood can proclaim their Conservative views without being black listed. Virtually every A list Movie Star, Producer and Director that you can think of actively campaigned for Obama and donated millions to the Democratic party. They pump out Liberal policies in one movie or TV show after the next.
Suprascooby - I think perhaps that the most influential of the liberal groups (for lack of any other term) are not the Hollywood denizens but rather the highly educated people who lead, for the most part, our colleges and universities, including the professors, scientists and other academicians within that sphere.
I live in the northern suburbs while OctoberMoon is in Conyers, and I'm more likely to be found at the symphony than in a pool hall, so it seems this phenomenon cuts right across the metro area and social spectrum. People with strong anti-liberal/progressive/Democrat views (call it what you will) cheerfully assume that everyone in the vicinity shares those opinions and will appreciate hearing them aired. It's disconcerting and is probably the principal contributor to that exaggerated feeling of isolation on the part of some liberals (like me) that arjay57 and I were discussing earlier on the thread. When you keep encountering people who carry on like this, you start assuming you must be the only liberal around.
I'm an independent (former Democrat years ago). I appreciate certain aspects of both parties and vote for the person running for office, not the party. I'm in the northern suburbs and run into people who immediately assume I'm a right wing Republican like they are. I find some of their comments offensive (such as "Obama doesn't love our country--he only loves money" What???) So I try to simply say nothing in answer usually, which makes for an uncomfortable situation for me. But to reply will just start a political argument, which is impossible to win because these people never listen or consider my opinion.
We had one couple from CA over for dinner at our house after meeting them and having dinner at restaurants a few times. Nothing was ever said about politics at any of these occasions. Almost the minute they arrived at our home, the wife started in on her right wing political views, assuming, I guess, that we agreed with her. Finally, we expressed our differences on some of the subjects she brought up. She was very brash about it all and the whole thing was extremely uncomfortable. Needless to say, we've not met with them again. Good riddance! I don't mind people having different views, but I do mind how and where they express them.
I'm an independent (former Democrat years ago). I appreciate certain aspects of both parties and vote for the person running for office, not the party. I'm in the northern suburbs and run into people who immediately assume I'm a right wing Republican like they are. I find some of their comments offensive (such as "Obama doesn't love our country--he only loves money" What???) So I try to simply say nothing in answer usually, which makes for an uncomfortable situation for me. But to reply will just start a political argument, which is impossible to win because these people never listen or consider my opinion.
We had one couple from CA over for dinner at our house after meeting them and having dinner at restaurants a few times. Nothing was ever said about politics at any of these occasions. Almost the minute they arrived at our home, the wife started in on her right wing political views, assuming, I guess, that we agreed with her. Finally, we expressed our differences on some of the subjects she brought up. She was very brash about it all and the whole thing was extremely uncomfortable. Needless to say, we've not met with them again. Good riddance! I don't mind people having different views, but I do mind how and where they express them.
staywarm2, I much appreciate the validation of my experiences! It seems like in the northern suburbs there's a quite widespread assumption on the part of white middle class right wing Republicans, that everyone who appears demographically like them (other white home owners) is in their political camp. The problem with it is that I've not infrequently found myself in a group of people at coffee hour after church, or with a group of parents, the conversation turns to current events and the whole group starts violently agreeing that Obama hates our country, or the like. As you say, it usually feels too awkward to speak up - especially since the opinions are so strong, just saying "I think he means well" would seem aggressively combative. When this happens repeatedly, it makes one feel isolated and out of place.
It's good to be reminded that even people from CA can be brash right-wingers! I guess the problem is just living in the northern suburbs (at least, some parts) - there's a real self-reinforcing culture out here that assumes it's fine and enjoyable to air strong right-wing opinions because everyone else around here agrees with them.
Suprascooby - I think perhaps that the most influential of the liberal groups (for lack of any other term) are not the Hollywood denizens but rather the highly educated people who lead, for the most part, our colleges and universities, including the professors, scientists and other academicians within that sphere.
Very good observaton and I would totally agree except that Hollywood reaches a much larger audience where as not everybody attends or has attended a college or university. With that said you bring up a very valid point and another very large organized group that is almost totally Liberal/Democratic with many more on the lunatic fringe than dare say even Hollywood.
I see that you totally glossed over the BIGGEST Liberal bastion that has the MOST influence, Hollywood. NO sane person can deny that Hollywood isnt dominated by the left from top to bottom. Only the most entrenched, popular actors like Jon Voight or Clint Eastwood can proclaim their Conservative views without being black listed. Virtually every A list Movie Star, Producer and Director that you can think of actively campaigned for Obama and donated millions to the Democratic party. They pump out Liberal policies in one movie or TV show after the next.
Yawn the mega corp's that own Hollywood only care about money. Spare me the black list lie. The only time Hollywood black listed people was 60 years ago.
Who cares what so and so in Hollywood believes? I don't know one person who pays attention to it. Not one. Whether I agree with one who supported Obama or what Voight says - I just don't care and do not know anyone who does....
The fact is that Time Warner, Viacom, News Corp, Universal, Clear Channel, Sinclair etc all are conservative, not liberal.
One only need to look at their actions (or inactions) to see where their agenda comes through.
staywarm2, I much appreciate the validation of my experiences! It seems like in the northern suburbs there's a quite widespread assumption on the part of white middle class right wing Republicans, that everyone who appears demographically like them (other white home owners) is in their political camp. The problem with it is that I've not infrequently found myself in a group of people at coffee hour after church, or with a group of parents, the conversation turns to current events and the whole group starts violently agreeing that Obama hates our country, or the like. As you say, it usually feels too awkward to speak up - especially since the opinions are so strong, just saying "I think he means well" would seem aggressively combative. When this happens repeatedly, it makes one feel isolated and out of place.
It's good to be reminded that even people from CA can be brash right-wingers! I guess the problem is just living in the northern suburbs (at least, some parts) - there's a real self-reinforcing culture out here that assumes it's fine and enjoyable to air strong right-wing opinions because everyone else around here agrees with them.
One thing that I will take issue with in your statement is the assumption that if I am talking to a "white home owner" in the northern burbs where I live that I will just assume that they are Conservative or a Right winger as you put it. NOTHING could farther from the truth and I will tell you why. One word TRANSPLANTS. Call it what you will but I tend to think that if you are from New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, etc. that you are probably NOT in my political camp.Those are solidly Blue states with a majority white population. Now obviously I dont know what political affilation they have but I never ASSUME that a transplant is a Conservative. Now to be fair if I am talking to someone from here or the southeast I do tend to think that we may be like minded. In the end I never just put it out there as some have done with you without knowing for sure where the other person stands politically. There are non-threatening ways of figuring out where someone stands politically without being rude or brash about it.
Very good observaton and I would totally agree except that Hollywood reaches a much larger audience where as not everybody attends or has attended a college or university. With that said you bring up a very valid point and another very large organized group that is almost totally Liberal/Democratic with many more on the lunatic fringe than dare say even Hollywood.
You clearly didn't recognize the point I was making, but am glad you agree with my premise nonetheless.
You clearly didn't recognize the point I was making, but am glad you agree with my premise nonetheless.
No I understood your point about the influence that the acedemics provide in regards to a liberal indocternation. The only thing that I am not clear on is whether you tend to agree with said indocternation or not. Either way I appreciate you bringing up Acedemia in your response.
It's good to be reminded that even people from CA can be brash right-wingers! I guess the problem is just living in the northern suburbs (at least, some parts) - there's a real self-reinforcing culture out here that assumes it's fine and enjoyable to air strong right-wing opinions because everyone else around here agrees with them.
California has been Ground Zero for right wing politics for a long time. It's where the John Birch Society took hold, where Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon came from, and where Barry Goldwater was elevated to the national stage. It's the home of Proposition 13 and is where the Taxpayer Revolt got started.
And it would be a mistake to think that Hollywood doesn't have a very large and powerful conservative community. You may see some popular actors speaking out from time to time -- and being seized upon by the right as evidence of West Coast liberalism -- but a lot of the big private and corporate money swings right. In the studio era the moguls were notorious for their conservatism and even today many stars are outspoken Republicans. (Bruce Willis, Dennis Miller, Mel Gibson, Chuck Norris, Ben Stein, Kelsey Grammer, James Woods, etc.)
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staywarm2, I much appreciate the validation of my experiences! It seems like in the northern suburbs there's a quite widespread assumption on the part of white middle class right wing Republicans, that everyone who appears demographically like them (other white home owners) is in their political camp. The problem with it is that I've not infrequently found myself in a group of people at coffee hour after church, or with a group of parents, the conversation turns to current events and the whole group starts violently agreeing that Obama hates our country, or the like. As you say, it usually feels too awkward to speak up - especially since the opinions are so strong, just saying "I think he means well" would seem aggressively combative. When this happens repeatedly, it makes one feel isolated and out of place.
