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On the same day he trashed The New York Times on his blog for covering petty and completely meaningless tabloid stories (and nominated Peggy Noonan for a Pulitzer Prize), NBC's Brian Williams runs a 2+ minute "report" on the latest "controversy" surrounding teen superstar Miley Cyrus and the pictures Annie Leibovitz took of her for Vanity Fair magazine.

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MediaBloodhound notes that Williams spent almost twice as much time on this nonsense than he did on the landmark Supreme Court voting rights case decided yesterday.

What's more, Williams and NBC poorly handled those eighty whole seconds they allocated to the Supreme Court ruling on voter IDs. They not only failed to present one dissenting viewpoint - whether from a Supreme Court Justice, legal scholar, civil rights lawyer or voters in Indiana - but also to point out how this ruling will impact the upcoming primary in Indiana, where, as the Associated Press reported yesterday, "more than 20 percent of black voters do not have access to a valid photo ID."

Glenn wants to know, What Liberal Media?

C&L's Jamie Holly weighs in:

I think the ones who look at that picture as sexual are the ones we should be concerned about. Of course Drudge had this headline Sunday night:

UPDATE: Glenn has a "response" from Brian Williams to the Pentagon propaganda story, something Williams and the entire elite media has refused to cover.

Didn't know that cameras also took 10 years off your age.

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111 Comments
P.D.'s picture

You can't have it both ways Brian. You and your fellow Journalists(???) are soon becoming obsolete.

jeffenator98's picture

Is anyone surprized?

Note who NBC teams with on its polling. Yep, WSJ. Any wonder the love fest for Peggy Noonan?

Hypocrisy is coin of the realm in the "news" media.

Or as Aaron Brown put it [paraphrasing], it's not journalism, it's television. Pretty much sums 'em all up.

Maybe they oughta deal with their own truth and integrity issues, the lot of 'em. Learned nothing from Colbert, nor Moyers, nor Brown. They are spiraling into the maelstrom of obsolescence and these are the last thrashings.

FunMe's picture

Why do you think they are called MSM Whores?

There is NO journalism left in the media. It's INFOTAINMENT - that's all.

And the media wonders why they are losing viewers to the internets.

pinkobait's picture

"On the other hand, one sparkling piece of journalism (which touched on a lot of themes frequent readers of this space will recognize) was by Peggy Noonan in this weekend's Wall Street Journal. Curl up with this one and give it the quality time it deserves. I'll say it again: Peggy is doing the work of her career and must be considered an early favorite for next cycle's Pulitzer for commentary."

You go girl friend.
After I finish "curling up" with the Piggy maybe we could have hot coco and gossip about boys.

Roket's picture

Sounds like it’s time for another Congressional Hearing. Hopefully they will not only discuss the dangers of exposing bare supple backs but also too much botox in the lips. Some of the pictures in that vid looked like her lips were about to explode. Geebus.

flamethrower's picture

This is rich from the outfit who elevated the Reverand Wright story to a 24 hour sensationalization. The day would start with 3 hours of Morning Joe (Ho?) and just run on from there. I'm sure poor Chandra and Natalie would be shocked by this development. Maybe OJ is one of their consultants?

Samson-'s picture

brian williams and nbc "world news" are pathetic. NYT, coming from these buffoons this is a compliment.

i can't remember the last time i paid attention to abc/cbs/nbc "world news", it is just a truncated Today show, without al roker. and, sadly, that is, for many americans (if they watch "news" at all) where their only "information" comes form.

and we wonder just how and why we have been cursed with our corporate overlords....

Aaron Haynes's picture

On the Indiana SC decision -- does anyone know if there's any kind of volunteer effort to get voters government IDs in time for the May 6 primary? Shouldn't there be one?

Give Me Convenience's picture

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

P.D.'s picture

This is the reason I watch C-span. Iraq a disaster, losing Afghanistan, Deficits, all of that and we hear about Rev. Wright and Miley Cyrus. The rich idiots don't have a clue.

cmac's picture

It's interesting that the MSM remain so clueless. On the one hand, they continue to offer material that's biased, sloppy, or downright misleading. On the other, they complain non-stop about the loss of their audience. What they don't get is that we aren't stupid. Apparently, they are.

Agent_M's picture

HaHa, the media is gonna need alot more fluff to divert attention from the nation's catastrophic economic situation! Their advertising sponsors Chevron, Exxon, BP, Ford and GM depend on it.

Albatross's picture

Williams like the others are simply marketing personnel for the corporations that own the news agencies.

Old Billy Hussein's picture

This just in from the department of the obvious:

Adolescent actress coyly titillates with forbidden sexuality and puritan media freaks out.

ThunderMonkey's picture

I was watching TV the other night (MSNBC or CNN) the other night while I was flipping between channels and this story came up...

My eldest daughter (age 8): had the best observation... If she's sorry, then why don't they accept her apology and just move on.

(I've taught my daughters that if someone has wronged or offended you and they are truely sorry, you forgive them and move on, don't bring it back up.)

JonAtWork's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

Embittered-Max-Hussein-1's picture

.

Tabloid Journalism at it's best... Ahhhhhhh...

.

Action News's picture

P.D. @ 11:

This is the reason I watch C-span. Iraq a disaster, losing Afghanistan, Deficits, all of that and we hear about Rev. Wright and Miley Cyrus. The rich idiots don't have a clue.

BBC news (at 6PM) is available on most local PBS channels. Here in the NY/NJ area it's available on cable on 13, 21, and 23, off the air with an antenna and it's also on channel 92 (if you have FIOS TV).

BobD's picture

C&L, you complained about NBC running a fluff piece, by running the fluff piece?

Granted there has been a hell of a lot of real news happening that they should cover. But isn't there a better way you (C&L) could gripe about hypocrisies, than by replaying it for them? It's like Fox pissing and moaning about porn web sites, by showing the porn web sites ad naseum!

Bonkers Hussein's picture

What the hell is wrong with any of those photos, especially the one with her dad? Those perverts need to get real jobs or at least ones that they are suited for, like maybe spin-testing garbage disposals or something.

Jeebus, no wonder the 'Murkan publik seems collectively retarded.

Chuck U's picture

God the media in thsi country is such an utter embarassment. I learn more watching Jeopardy in one night than I would if I watch the so called news.

Bonkers Hussein's picture

JonAtWork @ 17:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

I like the part where it sounds like GMC has implied that people without the cash for IDs might be spending their extra money on cigarettes.

drtoxic's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

Bud's picture

For more insightful, hard-hitting journalism check out this interview w/ Shell Oil President John Hofmeister:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/30/shell.qa/index.html

Sure didn't take long for the fat cats to start harping on Chimp's speech yesterday...

And John Roberts - now THERE'S a fine lookin' man!

Albatross's picture

BobD @ 20:

C&L, you complained about NBC running a fluff piece, by running the fluff piece?

Granted there has been a hell of a lot of real news happening that they should cover. But isn't there a better way you (C&L) could gripe about hypocrisies, than by replaying it for them? It's like Fox pissing and moaning about porn web sites, by showing the porn web sites ad naseum!

Yeah, we can't talk about things for fear of being accused of talking about them. :roll:

uncle joe hussein mccarthy's picture

nbc does a tabloid story and misses the real tabloid story

the pics in vanity fair are tame....fully clothed in a shot with daddy is meant to shock? please

the real story is that miley has a myspace page, and the pics from that site are all over the internet

and those kids that parents wish to protect have now seen miley, looking stoned out of her mind, in different stages of undress

and what of the paparazzi pics of miley and teen friends out on a night on the town in short, tight dresses, leaving little to the imagination

the real story is that miley got popular thanks to the hype machine that is disney and a bs cover story of how much of a pure, innocent, christian she is

the msm needs to give up on doing tabloid...the internets have them beat

oh, and thx to the supremes, the corporatists will have complete rule over this country

Albatross's picture

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

A citizen ought to be able to vote without having to apply to the government for a license to do so.

Bonkers Hussein's picture

Roket @ 6:

Sounds like it’s time for another Congressional Hearing. Hopefully they will not only discuss the dangers of exposing bare supple backs but also too much botox in the lips. Some of the pictures in that vid looked like her lips were about to explode. Geebus.

Oh god ...*choke*... You typed "bare supple backs" and then I read it! Now I am flushed and embarrassed and I can't stand up at my desk for at least another 10 minutes. Somebody get me an ice pack!

Prepare to be sued!

Love,
What-the-MSM-Assumes-Must-Be-The Average-Viewer's-Mentality Man

/snark directed at MSM

Bud's picture

BobD @ 20:

C&L, you complained about NBC running a fluff piece, by running the fluff piece?

Granted there has been a hell of a lot of real news happening that they should cover. But isn't there a better way you (C&L) could gripe about hypocrisies, than by replaying it for them? It's like Fox pissing and moaning about porn web sites, by showing the porn web sites ad naseum!

Au contraire - C&L is connecting the dots in order to prove a point. And its hard to prove a point if you don't display the examples. Look beyond your concern troll goggles.

Embittered-Max-Hussein-1's picture

JonAtWork @ 17:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

The concept of poll taxes gets lost on some people(R).

Old Billy Hussein's picture

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

What's wrong with that, every black guy in Utah smokes menthol cigarettes. I just talked to him yesterday.

via's picture

I don't even know who the hell Hannah Montana is, but from the clip above, why would any mother want her daughter to watch, let alone see that kind of behavior as a role model?

Bonkers Hussein's picture

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

Glad someone else caught that, too. Unreal, ain't it?

Old Billy Hussein's picture

via @ 33:

I don't even know who the hell Hannah Montana is, but from the clip above, why would any mother want her daughter to watch, let alone see that kind of behavior as a role model?

Please don't try to apply reason to the process of raising an adolescent daughter in these United States.

Bonkers Hussein's picture

Old Billy Hussein @ 32:

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

What's wrong with that, every black guy in Utah smokes menthol cigarettes. I just talked to him yesterday.

Haha. Now that's funny. Sad, but funny.

I was watching the Utah Jazz on teevee the other night (not for long, just in passing) and couldn't help but notice what appeared to be the bulk of the ethnicity of the crowd. Yyyyyep. Of course, this isn't exclusive to Utah's NBA fan-base, but anyway.

bozobaggins's picture

Bonkers Hussein @ 23:

JonAtWork @ 17:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

I like the part where it sounds like GMC has implied that people without the cash for IDs might be spending their extra money on cigarettes.

Menthol cigarettes.

no longer a proud american's picture

what a putz. just another media whore sell out. "gotta be number one." and the country goes to hell, but you're number one.

Old Billy Hussein's picture

Old Billy Hussein @ 35:

via @ 33:

I don't even know who the hell Hannah Montana is, but from the clip above, why would any mother want her daughter to watch, let alone see that kind of behavior as a role model?

Please don't try to apply reason to the process of raising an adolescent daughter in these United States.

Just be happy you don't know who the hell Hannah Montana is. I'll give you a hint, her real name is Mylie Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus - he of the heart that is both achey and breaky.

cervantes's picture

Oh come on now. Of course the photo is intended to be erotic. You can disagree about whether that's appropriate or not, given her age, but that's also why BW and the rest of the corporate media spend so much time on the story -- so they can be mildly titillating.

My take on the photo itself is that the controversy is just one more manifestation of the puritanism that's so deeply embedded in American culture. Obviously 15 year olds are post-pubescent and they are sexual beings. It's wrong to exploit children but it's also wrong to pretend that adolescents are asexual. That's where we get abstinence only sex education. Leibovitz tried to calculate exactly how much suggestiveness she could get away with photographing a girl that age and some people think the photo is appropriate and others don't. Hence controversy, which is what Cyrus's parents and handlers also wanted because it means publicitity. She'll be 18 pretty soon and then it will be time to start marketing her sexuality explicitly. Anybody who doesn't know what's going on here is an idiot, as far as I'm concerned.

And I'm sure I'll get all kinds of nonsense from people who don't understand what I'm saying.

via's picture

Old Billy Hussein @ 39:

Old Billy Hussein @ 35:

via @ 33:

I don't even know who the hell Hannah Montana is, but from the clip above, why would any mother want her daughter to watch, let alone see that kind of behavior as a role model?

Please don't try to apply reason to the process of raising an adolescent daughter in these United States.

Just be happy you don't know who the hell Hannah Montana is. I'll give you a hint, her real name is Mylie Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus - he of the heart that is both achey and breaky.

Ugh. Not sure what to think of that shot of her and her father, to be quite honest. Gave me more than a little bit of a creepy feeling.

Old Billy Hussein's picture

cervantes @ 40:

Oh come on now. Of course the photo is intended to be erotic. You can disagree about whether that's appropriate or not, given her age, but that's also why BW and the rest of the corporate media spend so much time on the story -- so they can be mildly titillating.

My take on the photo itself is that the controversy is just one more manifestation of the puritanism that's so deeply embedded in American culture. Obviously 15 year olds are post-pubescent and they are sexual beings. It's wrong to exploit children but it's also wrong to pretend that adolescents are asexual. That's where we get abstinence only sex education. Leibovitz tried to calculate exactly how much suggestiveness she could get away with photographing a girl that age and some people think the photo is appropriate and others don't. Hence controversy, which is what Cyrus's parents and handlers also wanted because it means publicitity. She'll be 18 pretty soon and then it will be time to start marketing her sexuality explicitly. Anybody who doesn't know what's going on here is an idiot, as far as I'm concerned.

And I'm sure I'll get all kinds of nonsense from people who don't understand what I'm saying.

How dare you! Now I have to pluck out my eyes!!

/snark

Rusty Shackleford's picture

Bonkers Hussein @ 36:

Old Billy Hussein @ 32:

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

What's wrong with that, every black guy in Utah smokes menthol cigarettes. I just talked to him yesterday.

Haha. Now that's funny. Sad, but funny.

I was watching the Utah Jazz on teevee the other night (not for long, just in passing) and couldn't help but notice what appeared to be the bulk of the ethnicity of the crowd. Yyyyyep. Of course, this isn't exclusive to Utah's NBA fan-base, but anyway.

I love it when sports teams move but don't change their previous region-specific name. "Utah Jazz" is the best, but L.A. Lakers is pretty good too. I always wished the Oilers had kept their name when they moved to Nashville. But my fondest hope is for the Heat to move to Minneapolis.

Norma Stephens's picture

JonAtWork @ 17:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

Thank you JonAtWork. This guy is an idiot.

Zenrage's picture

FunMe @ 4:

Why do you think they are called MSM Whores?

There is NO journalism left in the media. It's INFOTAINMENT - that's all.

And the media wonders why they are losing viewers to the internets.

...and to Comedy Central. At least Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are up front about being entertainment first.

miss_kitty's picture

Good Christ. They don't have a hope of a clue now, do they.

Bonkers Hussein's picture

cervantes @ 40:

Oh come on now. Of course the photo is intended to be erotic. You can disagree about whether that's appropriate or not, given her age, but that's also why BW and the rest of the corporate media spend so much time on the story -- so they can be mildly titillating.

My take on the photo itself is that the controversy is just one more manifestation of the puritanism that's so deeply embedded in American culture. Obviously 15 year olds are post-pubescent and they are sexual beings. It's wrong to exploit children but it's also wrong to pretend that adolescents are asexual. That's where we get abstinence only sex education. Leibovitz tried to calculate exactly how much suggestiveness she could get away with photographing a girl that age and some people think the photo is appropriate and others don't. Hence controversy, which is what Cyrus's parents and handlers also wanted because it means publicitity. She'll be 18 pretty soon and then it will be time to start marketing her sexuality explicitly. Anybody who doesn't know what's going on here is an idiot, as far as I'm concerned.

And I'm sure I'll get all kinds of nonsense from people who don't understand what I'm saying.

I think you make plenty of good points. Readjusting my opinion a bit after reading what you have to say still brings me to at least being aghast and amused at how titillated, as you aptly put it, the media gets by this kind of crap.

Maybe Myley's publicist should get a raise.

miss_kitty's picture

via @ 41:

Ugh. Not sure what to think of that shot of her and her father, to be quite honest. Gave me more than a little bit of a creepy feeling.

You rest my case.

Bushed!'s picture

OFF TOPIC DESERVES its very own thread

Kos Diary about robo calls in NC -- Women's Voices Women's Votes, group tied to Clinton machine, doing robo calls with deceptive registration information. Worth a follow up....

Hope I haven't offended w/off topicness!

Old Billy Hussein's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So, just to drop some information here, a lot of older folks who were not born in hospitals (or who were born black in some regions of this country) were not issued birth certificates. And Utah has an apparently lax policy compared to many other states.

Austin's picture

Rusty Shackleford @ 43:

Bonkers Hussein @ 36:

Old Billy Hussein @ 32:

drtoxic @ 24:

What's wrong with that, every black guy in Utah smokes menthol cigarettes. I just talked to him yesterday.

Haha. Now that's funny. Sad, but funny.

I was watching the Utah Jazz on teevee the other night (not for long, just in passing) and couldn't help but notice what appeared to be the bulk of the ethnicity of the crowd. Yyyyyep. Of course, this isn't exclusive to Utah's NBA fan-base, but anyway.

I love it when sports teams move but don't change their previous region-specific name. "Utah Jazz" is the best, but L.A. Lakers is pretty good too. I always wished the Oilers had kept their name when they moved to Nashville. But my fondest hope is for the Heat to move to Minneapolis.

L.A. Smog?

broadsword's picture

Good natured hairdo fails to report 'both sides' of an issue when it suits his corporate masters.

Brian; you're a bitch. Hang it up.

Albatross's picture

Now THIS is an indecent picture of Miley Cyrus. Look at those enormous bare boobs!

uncle joe hussein mccarthy's picture

via @ 33:

I don't even know who the hell Hannah Montana is, but from the clip above, why would any mother want her daughter to watch, let alone see that kind of behavior as a role model?

because of the pics, or the vapid nature of the show and music?

Marge's picture

It's certainly odd that stories about corruption in politics. Lying in politics are reported and disappear. But some stupid story about sex, or in this case a sort of racy picture gets 24/7 attention for days and days and days.

Bud's picture

I was just in my office and I heard a ruckus.

Could you describe the ruckus, sir?

Rusty Shackleford's picture

Old Billy Hussein @ 50:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So, just to drop some information here, a lot of older folks who were not born in hospitals (or who were born black in some regions of this country) were not issued birth certificates.

True. A few years ago I helped an elderly black woman in Memphis get a photo ID so that she could visit her son in prison. She had to get a copy of her birth certificate, which was hard (she was born in a small county in Mississippi) and then she had to get a certified copy of her marriage license from yet ANOTHER small county in Mississippi to prove that her married name was what it was. Quite a few hoops to jump through.

dosido's picture

Brian takes himself waaaaaay too seriously.

He could be more pompous than Charlie Gibson. Charlie will at least laugh on occasion.

Bonkers Hussein's picture

Austin @ 51:

Rusty Shackleford @ 43:

Bonkers Hussein @ 36:

Old Billy Hussein @ 32:

Haha. Now that's funny. Sad, but funny.

I was watching the Utah Jazz on teevee the other night (not for long, just in passing) and couldn't help but notice what appeared to be the bulk of the ethnicity of the crowd. Yyyyyep. Of course, this isn't exclusive to Utah's NBA fan-base, but anyway.

I love it when sports teams move but don't change their previous region-specific name. "Utah Jazz" is the best, but L.A. Lakers is pretty good too. I always wished the Oilers had kept their name when they moved to Nashville. But my fondest hope is for the Heat to move to Minneapolis.

L.A. Smog?

Heat in Minneapolis. Har! How about the Marlins getting moved to Kansas City?

How about the LA Implants?

I've been thinking that Utah would have been good as the Raptors, as opposed to Toronto who took the name because of the popularity of the dinosaur movies. I mean, aren't there a lot of digs out there? Do they find raptors? Fine, then they could pick another dinosaur name. Anyway, Utah "Jazz" really doesn't work.

My fondest wish, as it relates to sports, is that the Cleveland Indians retire Chief Wahoo altogether. Now that is offensive.

Hoookay! Wayyy off topic....

k's picture

Since when did a 15 year old corporate puppet become news ? Oh, I forgot... people are actually *attached* to their reality television. Save your words for prose or poetry expanding on the profundity of Scalia's insight into torture not being punishment... Are journalists listening to anything that normal people are saying ? How about the Rev. Wright's speech at the national press club ? It was brilliant ! If your people were slaves, being lynched, and still being discriminated against, wouldn't you want to stand up to this injustice ? I don't see anyone revisiting the horrors that summary judgements leading to lynchings and the lingering shame that as a country, we should still be atoning for. But then again, my mindless banter is not going to sell disposable DVD players that are going to be used by polar bears working on the national alaskan wildlife reserve oil pipeline, because we all know how great things are going in Iraq/Afghanistan - come to think of it, please, sign the petition below for George to be made King for life, and even like that Ashcroft in Missouri that lost to a dead guy, we should innovate and get a dead King George to lead us to glory... but I digress.

I.......

Want.... George W. Bush....

For Permanent (vacation?) king !!!!!

signed...... Ghandi of the media (peace be it to those that buy nothing)

lj's picture

But how can the kids know what they are talking about---partial nudity etc, unless they keep showing it again, and again? Is this what they call pious pornography?

Bonkers Hussein's picture

lj @ 61:

But how can the kids know what they are talking about---partial nudity etc, unless they keep showing it again, and again? Is this what they call pious pornography?

LOL

You get a cookie. Very good point.

Szin's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

How stupid do you have to be to post something contrary to your own name? Wow.

shaker o salt's picture

Maybe the picture wasn't exactly "sexual" but it was innapropriate as all get out. Smeared lipstick? Just get out of bed hair? WTF???? The girl is 15 years old and Vanity Fair should have known better. Hell, Annie Liebowitz should have known better.

Still, original point taken. No argument there.

anon's picture

IF they want to protect Cyrus, arrest Billy Ray.

This is actually about protecting Disney's valuable property - Mickey Cyrus.

anon's picture

shaker o salt @ 64:

Maybe the picture wasn't exactly "sexual" but it was innapropriate as all get out. Smeared lipstick? Just get out of bed hair? WTF???? The girl is 15 years old and Vanity Fair should have known better. Hell, Annie Liebowitz should have known better.

Still, original point taken. No argument there.

This is about her papa - Billy Ray. She is a kid and shouldnt be a billion dollar monkey. This is her daddy's influence. (And our sick commercialized society)

Old Billy Hussein @ 50:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So, just to drop some information here, a lot of older folks who were not born in hospitals (or who were born black in some regions of this country) were not issued birth certificates. And Utah has an apparently lax policy compared to many other states.

Nay nay, Utah is quite strict in their requirment that the parents listed on the birth certificate must be second cousins or closer.

shaker o salt's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

As a fellow Utahn, you embarrass the shit out of me. God I am so sick of you self-righteous a-holes without a clue.

Workpost's picture

Does Brian Williams make the decisions about what stories will or will not be aired?

bitter kep306's picture

The news media is just selling soap - topless 15 year olds are more interesitng than 9 old men taking away voting rights. Bill OReilly would be proud.

bitter kep306's picture

bitter kep306 @ 70:

The news media is just selling soap - topless 15 year olds are more interesitng than 9 old men taking away voting rights. Bill OReilly would be proud.

My bad - 8 old men and a woman.

bitter kep306's picture

Albatross @ 28:

drtoxic @ 24:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes.

What kind of racist crap is that? Jeesus H. Christ, you f*ckers never stop, do you?

If you're going to make ID required, they should be free. After all - you wouldn't want to rob corporate tobacco from their $2.50 (generics) cigarettes.

A citizen ought to be able to vote without having to apply to the government for a license to do so.

Geno's picture

Drudge, posting from his closet, says the girl is 5 years old.

He's really more interested in 5 year old boys.

Geno's picture

The real problem with photo I.D.'s (in addition to poor blacks and others who do not drive, etc.)...is the impact on those who are elderly or infirmed. My mother is 87, has never driven and has voted in every election since eligible and I have no idea what she would have to go through to get such an I.D. nor do I understand why she even has to in the first place.

This is nothing more than a means of stifling or suppressing those who generally vote Democratic and anybody who doesn't think so is dreaming.

Oh, and think of all those who have voted via absentee ballots for years on end and who may forgo their constitutional right to vote because of the hassle involved in proving who they are.

ZapPow's picture

With this new "scandal", the US are, one more time, the joke in Europe.

Nicole Belle's picture

Workpost @ 69:

Does Brian Williams make the decisions about what stories will or will not be aired?

Yes, he's Managing Editor.

Dr. Acula's picture

P.D. @ 1:

You can't have it both ways Brian. You and your fellow Journalists(???) are soon becoming obsolete.

Correction: YELLOW

Dr. Acula's picture

flamethrower @ 7:

This is rich from the outfit who elevated the Reverand Wright story to a 24 hour sensationalization. The day would start with 3 hours of Morning Joe (Ho?) and just run on from there. I'm sure poor Chandra and Natalie would be shocked by this development. Maybe OJ is one of their consultants?

I prefer to call it "Morning Jo(k)e"

geek-xtian's picture

anon @ 66:

shaker o salt @ 64:

Maybe the picture wasn't exactly "sexual" but it was innapropriate as all get out. Smeared lipstick? Just get out of bed hair? WTF???? The girl is 15 years old and Vanity Fair should have known better. Hell, Annie Liebowitz should have known better.

Still, original point taken. No argument there.

This is about her papa - Billy Ray. She is a kid and shouldnt be a billion dollar monkey. This is her daddy's influence. (And our sick commercialized society)

I agree with both of you. I keep hearing that this picture is not inappropriate because it was Annie Liebowitz that took it. WHAT? If it had been a guy named Vinnie taking pictures of the local 15 year old cheerleader he probably would be arrested. You're right Liebowitz should have known better.

Technically it is a pretty picture. But still I see exploitation of a 15 year old.

Old Billy Hussein's picture

Bonkers Hussein @ 59:

My fondest wish, as it relates to sports, is that the Cleveland Indians retire Chief Wahoo altogether. Now that is offensive.

Hoookay! Wayyy off topic....

I totally agree with retiring Chief Wahoo and the name of the Washington Redskins.

Old Billy Hussein's picture

By the way, the link to Williams's blog should be marked "not safe for sanity." Williams says that Peggy Noonan should get a pulitzer for some random column in which she is writing another thinly veiled argument for racial profiling.

I want to slap Peggy Noonan. She reminds me of all the characters in Steel Magnolias whom I hated.

Jake's picture

Wonder if the Iraqies had to present ID to vote in their elections.

Ryan's picture

This Brian Williams guy doesn't even look trustworthy. He always looks like he's speaking out of one side of his mouth. The "world news" is a joke.

On the other hand, the BBC is very good at journalism and not sensationalism.

Give Me Convenience's picture

JonAtWork @ 17:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

You idiot. There's no legal requirement in this country to have an ID. So yes, they do not have an ID.

No legal requirement you say? Tell that to your bank, to the person cashing your check, to the person processing your loan for a house, a car, etc. Tell that to the person serving you an alcoholic beverage. They seem to have some idea in mind that a form of ID is required, illegal as it might be, in your highly informed opinion.

Meat's picture

Bonkers Hussein @ 47:

cervantes @ 40:

Oh come on now. Of course the photo is intended to be erotic. You can disagree about whether that's appropriate or not, given her age, but that's also why BW and the rest of the corporate media spend so much time on the story -- so they can be mildly titillating.

My take on the photo itself is that the controversy is just one more manifestation of the puritanism that's so deeply embedded in American culture. Obviously 15 year olds are post-pubescent and they are sexual beings. It's wrong to exploit children but it's also wrong to pretend that adolescents are asexual. That's where we get abstinence only sex education. Leibovitz tried to calculate exactly how much suggestiveness she could get away with photographing a girl that age and some people think the photo is appropriate and others don't. Hence controversy, which is what Cyrus's parents and handlers also wanted because it means publicitity. She'll be 18 pretty soon and then it will be time to start marketing her sexuality explicitly. Anybody who doesn't know what's going on here is an idiot, as far as I'm concerned.

And I'm sure I'll get all kinds of nonsense from people who don't understand what I'm saying.

I think you make plenty of good points. Readjusting my opinion a bit after reading what you have to say still brings me to at least being aghast and amused at how titillated, as you aptly put it, the media gets by this kind of crap.

Maybe Myley's publicist should get a raise.

This is what I thought as well. Frankly, when I saw Miley in that plaid, yellow skirt with the white stockings, I thought, 'Huh, that's pretty attractive!' Well, it wasn't a thought so much as a biological reaction (which I'm sure you're all interested in hearing about). I feel mildly awkward saying that, not because I think there's something wrong with it, but because we live in a culture that--while not as sexually repressed as some--tends to live in a world of huge double-standards. A girl can be cute and post-pubescant and attractive, since the law doesn't determine these things. I'm always worried that there are so many who can't tell the difference between someone saying 'That person is attractive!' and the far more dubious, 'I have plans to date and ultimately have sex with that person!'

Not that any of this matters. I mean, Christ, her entire life--let alone career--will ultimately be destroyed by the same mainstream news outlets that are feigning concern about her alleged innocence and young fans. (See: Spears, Britney.)

Give Me Convenience's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So apart from calling me an idiot, a racist (is it even possible to know a person's race on a web log?) and whatever else comes to mind immediately, no one out there in C&L land seems to be able to explain how it can be that a person living in the US in 2008 can have NO access to ID, none whatsoever. So how is it possible?

Rusty Shackleford's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 86:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So apart from calling me an idiot, a racist (is it even possible to know a person's race on a web log?) and whatever else comes to mind immediately, no one out there in C&L land seems to be able to explain how it can be that a person living in the US in 2008 can have NO access to ID, none whatsoever. So how is it possible?

See post 57. Some people have substantial difficulty acquiring a current photo ID.

But if an old black lady in Memphis can't vote, no skin off your back, right?

Manu's picture

"C&L’s Jamie Holly weighs in:

I think the ones who look at that picture as sexual are the ones we should be concerned about."

That's exactly what i keep telling anyone who will listen. The people outraged over this are the same kind of people who are the most vociferous against homosexuals and pedophiles and then get caught in precarious situations themselves. It's the beautiful human body. Why does everything have to be so sexual. Poor repressed puritan minds...

Give Me Convenience's picture

Got it. More with the "I am a racist" crap.

According to post 57 - You jumped through some hoops and you obtained and ID. You obtained and ID. So she could visit her son in prison. SO apparently when the right situation arises then getting an ID is mandatory. It just so happens that voting isn't one of those important enough situations, right?

CEO,citizens,eyes,open's picture

How nice I can use the same comment two times. Control tv and you control the stupid,control the stupid and you control the world. Why are we watching tv? ceo

Zeek's picture

Brian Williams walks into a bar.
The bartender asks, "Why the long face?".

Give Me Convenience's picture

Rusty Shackleford @ 87:

Give Me Convenience @ 86:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So apart from calling me an idiot, a racist (is it even possible to know a person's race on a web log?) and whatever else comes to mind immediately, no one out there in C&L land seems to be able to explain how it can be that a person living in the US in 2008 can have NO access to ID, none whatsoever. So how is it possible?

See post 57. Some people have substantial difficulty acquiring a current photo ID.

But if an old black lady in Memphis can't vote, no skin off your back, right?

Got it. You think I am a racist.

Post 57 points out that you went to a great deal of effort to get the lady an ID. You obtained an ID. So she could visit her son in jail. SO apparently when the right situation arises having and ID is mandatory. It's obvious that voting isn't one of those situations.

WTF's picture

P.D. @ 1:

You can't have it both ways Brian. You and your fellow Journalists(???) are soon becoming obsolete.

If only they were obsolete. But very sadly, a majority of Americans still take their cues from TV personalities, especially those who seem to have "gravitas." This is why this presidential election will be based on tabloid issues rather than on health insurance, war or the economy.

republicanSScareme's picture

How does Brian Williams keep his job? He has to be one of the most unappealing and incompetent "journalists" ever. I guess he serves his masters well.

Rusty Shackleford's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 91:

Rusty Shackleford @ 87:

Give Me Convenience @ 86:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

So apart from calling me an idiot, a racist (is it even possible to know a person's race on a web log?) and whatever else comes to mind immediately, no one out there in C&L land seems to be able to explain how it can be that a person living in the US in 2008 can have NO access to ID, none whatsoever. So how is it possible?

See post 57. Some people have substantial difficulty acquiring a current photo ID.

But if an old black lady in Memphis can't vote, no skin off your back, right?

Got it. You think I am a racist.

Post 57 points out that you went to a great deal of effort to get the lady an ID. You obtained an ID. So she could visit her son in jail. SO apparently when the right situation arises having and ID is mandatory. It's obvious that voting isn't one of those situations.

What about demanding that voters pay a thousand dollars to vote? I mean, it IS possible to acquire a thousand dollars, even if it takes a lot of effort. Should we do that too?

Since, apparently, the legal standard is "an obstacle is not undue as long as it is technically possible to overcome it." Is that about right?

WTF's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

No comment on the rest of the post, but you do realize that charging even one cent for a requirement to vote is unConstitutional. It would be a poll tax which is banned by the 24th Amendment.

I am torn on this ruling. I don't think it's as broad as some people are making it out to be as it has declared Indiana's law Constitutional, but that doesn't mean every state's law would be. For example, if Utah didn't offer free picture IDs then any voter ID law there would be unConstitutional. At least the Indiana ensures that voters can get a free ID and can cast a provisional ballot.

Of course, the lamest part of this is that this solves a problem that does not exist.

WTF's picture

Give Me Convenience @ 86:

Give Me Convenience @ 10:

No access to an ID? That makes absolutely no sense. Here in Utah any person with a birth certificate can get an ID card for $25, good for 10 years, or $2.50 a year, less than a pack of menthol cigarettes. How is it possible to have no access to an ID? That just sounds like a BS argument to me, and it looks like I agree with the Supreme Court. Scary!

So apart from calling me an idiot, a racist (is it even possible to know a person's race on a web log?) and whatever else comes to mind immediately, no one out there in C&L land seems to be able to explain how it can be that a person living in the US in 2008 can have NO access to ID, none whatsoever. So how is it possible?

It's very possible. Maybe you don't have any living grandparents. Some older Americans were born at a time where birth certificates weren't issued, so getting a picture ID is difficult. Many of them don't drive any more so haven't applied for and received a driver's license in some time. Some older women never got a driver's license. Many who can't afford cars also never got a license or haven't had one in years.

The Indiana law makes provisions for people without birth certificates, but they are complicated provisions that are not at all straight forward. The law also allows a voter to cast a provisional ballot and then take up to 10 days to get an ID and then present it to authenticate the ballot. http://www.photoid.in.gov/

But this is quite a process and for many citizens, the burden is not minimal. This is why the decision is careless. Other voter ID laws are better, allowing voters to bring in substitutes for a picture ID (such as a couple utility bills with their name and address on them and other documents).

I mean, there is a reason why we all have polling places so close to our homes - to make participating in our democracy very easy and simple. This requirement may disenfranchise many people. Good thing the decision left the door open to showing the Court that there is an undue burden for some.

abdiel's picture

Yeah, this is just one more example why thinking people don't watch network news anymore -- and if they do, it's only to expose the MSM as the reality twisters that they are. But I just have one question regarding the AP revelation:

"..more than 20 percent of black voters do not have access to a valid photo ID.”

Why is that? I'm assuming that black voters have the same requirements for a valid photo ID than any other population. If not, why isn't THAT a story? I'm sure that a measure of homelessness is involved with that statistic, but there are many homeless of all races -- why isn't the argument framed in that context? Or is this statistic just another non-story. I know that in the state where I live, the arguments against valid photo IDs for voting tend to be more concerned about the elderly who cannot get to the state agencies and sit for long periods of time while waiting for their turn, as well as the elderly who do not drive. Why isn't that concern mentioned?

I think it's because so many people have chosen to make this election a "race" election -- and in that sense, MediaBloodhound is just as disingenuous as the rest of the MSM. I'm FOR photo IDs for voting -- it's one way to deter fraud -- but my concerns for mandatory photo IDs stem more from the surveillance society aspect than any other.

"What liberal media?" The question answers itself.

abarts's picture

Each state records births with vital statistics bureau. I had to contact Richmond Virgina for a new birth certificate when my driver's license expired and I was late renewing it.
It is very easy to obtain proof of birth.

Rusty Shackleford's picture

abarts @ 99:

Each state records births with vital statistics bureau. I had to contact Richmond Virgina for a new birth certificate when my driver's license expired and I was late renewing it.
It is very easy to obtain proof of birth.

Not in some states, if you're over a certain age.

Shagata Ganai's picture

I just wonder how BW gets to work with that big mattress on his back everyday. Someone should ask him how much NBC paid for his soul.

Jimmy Fungus's picture

Brain Williams, and Charlie Gibson are both kind of goofy. Quite frankly, neither one of them could lift one of Walter Cronkite's eyebrows. It seems everyone is getting in on with their opinion on Miley Cyrus. This article chronicles what the most important people in America think about the Miley Cyrus issue:

http://jviz.blogspot.com/2008/04/advice-for-miley-cyrus.html

Otay's picture

Not a surprise, since Brian Williams is really into the tabloid type questions. Consider his praise of Peggy Noonan:

Curl up with this one and give it the quality time it deserves. I'll say it again: Peggy is doing the work of her career and must be considered an early favorite for next cycle's Pulitzer for commentary.

Concerning Peggy Noonan's tabloid-style story on how unpatriotic Barack Obama is based on the famous lack of a lapel flag pin. And her starry-eyed teen love for John McCain:

Main thought. Hillary Clinton is not Barack Obama's problem. America is Mr. Obama's problem. He has been tagged as a snooty lefty, as the glamorous, ambivalent candidate from Men's Vogue, the candidate who loves America because of the great progress it has made in terms of racial fairness. Fine, good. But has he ever gotten misty-eyed over . . . the Wright Brothers and what kind of country allowed them to go off on their own and change everything? How about D-Day, or George Washington, or Henry Ford, or the losers and brigands who flocked to Sutter's Mill, who pushed their way west because there was gold in them thar hills? There's gold in that history.

John McCain carries it in his bones. Mr. McCain learned it in school, in the Naval Academy, and, literally, at grandpa's knee. Mrs. Clinton learned at least its importance in her long slog through Arkansas, circa 1977-92.

Mr. Obama? What does he think about all that history? Which is another way of saying: What does he think of America? That's why people talk about the flag pin absent from the lapel. They wonder if it means something. Not that the presence of the pin proves love of country -- any cynic can wear a pin, and many cynics do. But what about Obama and America? Who would have taught him to love it, and what did he learn was loveable, and what does he think about it all?

Another challenge. Snooty lefties get angry when you ask them to talk about these things. They get resentful. Who are you to question my patriotism? But no one is questioning his patriotism, they're questioning its content, its fullness. Gate 14 has a right to hear this. They'd lean forward to hear.

Oh, and notice how anyone who questions why the media should be infatuated with lapel flag pins is a "snooty lefty"? Brian Williams certainly thinks so, as this is Pulitzer-quality writing, according to him.

LiberalsVSConservativesDOTcom's picture

Hypocrites, all of em'.

Shan's picture

Rumour has it that provisional ballots are never counted and thrown out anyway according to Greg Palast, who has spent a lot of time researching this.

Is he correct?

blognround's picture

Brian Williams is gaining a sordid reputation.
and drudge a moron, political equivalent of the national enquirer

kravitz's picture

wright is sexier than healthcare. (Nora O'Donnell, MSNBC Wig Wearer.) GE has a healthcare business, and the lobbyists don't want you to know about their wonky naughty dealings. hehehehe.

Sailor Art Thomas, Jr.'s picture

Brian Williams is the walking definition of "empty suit". If you dare to stare deeply into his eyes, all you will see is the back of his skull.

oh really's picture

Thanks for the tip, Brian. I followed your link and read Noonan's column.

Pulitzer Prize?

Brian, you are a complete moron.

John's picture

No nipple, no story.

Otay's picture

Brian Williams when Bush landed on the aircraft carrier for the infamous "Mission Accomplished" moment:

"The pictures were beautiful. It was quite something to see the first-ever American president on a -- on a carrier landing."

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