Beck tries to portray right-wing operative who ambushed Rangel as 'citizen journalist'
Yesterday on his Fox News show, Glenn Beck tried to tell us the noble tale of intrepid citizens who are now taking on the mantle of real journalism.
Of course, for those of us in the blogosphere, this is something of an old story. But for Beck, apparently, it's a brand spanking new concept!
But then, his idea of what constitutes such a citizen journalist is a little bit skewed ...
First, take Charlie Rangel — the perfect example of sleazy government. He's the head of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, yet he has allegedly failed to pay some taxes and is also part of an open ethics investigation.
Watch what happened when a citizen, not a journalist, approached with some questions:
[Plays video]
OK, granted, that may have been a little uncomfortable because Rangel was ambushed. But the bigger issue is that we now have citizens doing the job that the media just won't do.
Remember when the media was known as the "fourth branch of government" because they actually served as a check against the government's power? Ah, the good old days. Now we actually need to have citizens roaming the halls of Congress to ask questions the media should've been asking months ago!
Since the year started, the mainstream media Web sites — ABC, CBS and NBC — didn't cover the Rangel controversy once, even though there was a vote to try to strip him of his chairmanship last month. For comparison, those same sites covered "Octomom" dozens of times; NBC alone had 30 references to her.
Beck then hosted an appearance by the young man who accosted Rangel, Jason Mattera, during which they proceeded to bash both Rangel and the traditional press.
Now, Beck has never been a journalist, so no doubt his idea of what kinds of questions journalists are supposed to ask are probably formed by a combination of watching bad movies and reading Bernie Goldberg. But in case he's wondering, no one has covered the Rangel story because there's no there there; the only thing any reporter could ask would involve wild speculation based on right-wing propaganda. And since journalists are not paid propagandists, they have a professional ethical obligation to avoid that kind of questioning.
However, paid propagandists have no such compunction, of course, and are free to ambush whoever they like -- though they shouldn't be surprised to get a hostile reception to such nonsense.
And a paid propagandist and political hack operative is exactly what Jason Mattera is:
Jason Mattera is a spokesman for the Young America's Foundation and has been described as "one of the top young conservative activists in the entire country."
This clown has pulled other, even more notorious stunts, such as viciously attacking Mathew Shepard's mother, helping create a whites-only scholarship at Roger Williams University, and half-assedly attacking Al Gore over global warming. He's also not very keen on press rights for progressive reporters.
You may remember Mattera best, though, from 2005, when he became known as one of the country's most prominent chickenhawks:
I think citizen journalists are great, since I kinda are one. But Jason Mattera is not a citizen journalist. That's evident not just in his background, but in the dumbass, purely propagandistic "when did you stop beating your wife?" questions he tried throwing at Rangel, too.
But then, on Planet Wingnuttia, only hacks are deemed "journalists."
This guy need a serious brain scan. He's just not right upstairs.
me-oww!
Hot air dot com, need you say anymore?
I totally agree. About the only service he provides america is for young Dr. Frists to diagnose various delusional behavior in a non clinical setting.
What is with the new obsession, C&L? Are you just not into Billo anymore?
I can do 200 times more positive good in this world without listening to one single word he spews.
not a lot of difference there.
mattera/palin/NJTNP/newt/ jindal. wow! it's a regular 'you pick em' for 2012! a real confederacy of dunces. with apologies to dunces, of course.
already!
Yuck!
overfed clown citizens watching that crap they don't need us.
I'm starting to suffer from beck fatigue...
Surely there's other more important topics to be covered maybe?
Faux news, Billo, Joe the plumber, Rush Cyst, the Repugs, someone is out there trying to make everyone wish that MacBush won in the election and you what, I don't think they will give up soon, if at all.
"Wed, 03/11/2009 - 13:26 — liberalNmoderation
I'm starting to suffer from beck fatigue...
Surely there's other more important topics to be covered maybe?"
Maybe there are more important topics to cover, but I believe in knowing your enemy. If you want to know what people are really about, you have to look beyond the P.R. and study what they say to each other. That way you can figure out ways to respond to their strategy and talking points.
The biggest reason I will never ever support conservative causes is the National Post. That's the Canadian national newspaper founded by Conrad Black. (He had to give up ownership when he gave up his Canadian citizenship.) The National Post has given me a look at the true face of conservatism, and I found it really scary.
Me too. Can we move on to something, ANYTHING? How about how many bugs are killed each year by cars driving at night? Even that topic is better than Be.. Be.. Be.. can't even type his name, you know, ol' shit fer brains....
housemate who sits around watching Fox.
And I don't know how you do it even as a public watchdog service you have take drugs or something to numb out to do the job? Guzzle a quart of whiskey to stay sane?
Damn I literally get physically ILL from it I don't know how you do it
If I had a roommate who sat around watching Beck, et al, they would be an ex-roommate, post haste.
I find Beck so absurd that he's entertaining in a comedy sort of way. It's kind of fun just watching to see how bizarre he will get. You can't make the shit up that comes out of his mouth. What's even better than watching beck is watching to see what Colbert will do with the material beck furnishes him.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Mattera says he was fighting the war of ideas. WTF does that mean?
Beck is like a big outdoor night light. All the lunatic moths are drawn to his show for the exposure they can get. Where else would this guy and Chuck Norris get tv time?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
new comb-over or maybe some nice hair plugs. I like his new "spit-curl" look. I think we should be glad that he never enlisted, as I can surely see him at Gitmo (or some other holding pen) gleefully
torturing folks. He melds seamlessly with Beck: two idiots - one brain.
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
Shouldn't we start with that horrible rug the guy is wearing?
Yeah, Glenn, maybe back in the 1990s, or before. Now they're mostly in bed with the elected officials/corporate execs they cover. Witness Judy Miller. Maria Bartiromo. David Gregory. Jim Cramer. Who asks tough questions of both sides anymore, except maybe Helen Thomas?
Interesting to see this Mattera guy is an operative for Young America's Foundation. Hardly a neutral journalist.
"hardly a neutral citizen."
Why are we so very interested in Beck? You know Damn well he'll be on every single day spouting incendiary garbage. That's what he does. Why feed the beast?
far left loon >.<
National Post?
You really mean National Compost, don't you?
Tonight beck is worried about an attack on god. So now we have guns (chuck norris), god and yes, he's also talking about gays. It's a full plate for beck to munch on these days.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I've always despised this cretin, but now I'm really beginning to loathe the guy.
However, I am torn. David, I know you mean well by exposing this idiot, but I have to agree with some people above who say they get physically ill when they watch the guy.
One reason I have trouble believing in God is because of Beck. If there were a God, how could that God create a creature like Beck?
Anyway, I tend to send out a lot of emails to people like Beck, and while I am usually very civil about it, Beck is likely the one who might get me in trouble because I so despise the guy. I might say something to him that I shouldn't!
I've always despised this cretin, but now I'm really beginning to loathe the guy.
No doubt.
I'm just superstitious enough to hedge my bets.
God's Creation is not flawed because it includes Glenn Beck. I mean, the world includes things like poisonous plants, predatory animals, parasites, viruses, and bacteria, none of which means God screwed up.
Beck is despicable because he's chosen to preach fear and hate, and make a pretense that it's because he's patriotic, or spiritual, or whatever.
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/why-n...
So what is the difference?
Other than Max embarrasses Wingnuts and Jason embarrasses Moonbats.
Blumenthal's questions were based in a little thing called REALITY.
Mattera's questions were pure propaganda, in an attempt to trip Rangel up and get him to say something he shouldn't have, or maybe just slug him (Mattera) one for insinuating such disgusting stuff.
Big, HUGE difference.
Which disgusting stuff was insinuated?
So Randel did not...
rent 4 rent-stabilized apartments
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/nyregion/11...
fail to report rental income on his taxes
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/nyregion/10...
have taxpayers pay for a Cadillac DeVille leased for $774 per month
http://wcbstv.com/seenon/car.lease.us.2.71377...
Its okay when Democrats do it.
Propaganda? Insinuation? Paul you need to provide links that refute the charges against Rangle not articles that expose him as the pick pocket he is.
Frank Zappa - Make A Jazz Noise Here
...make me feel violent.
So! Rather than entertain fantasies of one-sided, amateur, 3-round boxing matches in which I am winnin' n' grinnin' and giving both of these fellows post-match mega-noogies, I am going to go the office kitchen, make some chamomile, and spend a moment centering myself in an effort to cleanse my conscience of THESE IDIOTIC, BLOCKHEADED, IMMATURE GASBAGS!!!! Nyyeeeargggh!!
Gahh...didn't quite make it. I am, as they say, a work in progress.
:)
I'm just superstitious enough to hedge my bets.
Is Obama a chickenhawk?
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/why-n...
What is the difference?
If you support or agree with the target, it is a ambush.
Blumenthal's questions were based in a little thing called REALITY.
Mattera's questions were pure propaganda, in an attempt to trip Rangel up and get him to say something he shouldn't have, or maybe just slug him (Mattera) one for insinuating such disgusting stuff.
Big, HUGE difference.
Get the point yet?
Expect more on FOX from this whiney "culture warrior". He has to pay off that website plug.
does'nt Congressmen have security of some sort. if not, apparently they should, and if they do i can not wait until one of these so called civilian newsman gets their ass handed to them by a bodyguard. My god is that going to be funny.
It's always so easy to pick out the braindead morons in the Reslug party. They are so disgustingly homely.
...on TBogg the other day. Jason comes across like a chipmunk on crack. It's always heartening to see the high quality of the personnel on the Right.
As for Rangel, if the ethics investigation gets something on him (and I hope the investigation is genuine and thorough) then I hope he is forced to resign. If he's broken laws, I hope he does time. Admittedly, a corrupt politician is not exactly a big revelation, but I'm just fine with getting rid of any and all who use their offices and connections to illegal/unethical ends.
I have no allegiance to scum.
Mattera is an ass, but it seems to me the Left has better things to do than defend corrupt politicians. The truth is I guess I have no trouble with any politician being confronted by a citizen with questions about his or her behavior. Rangel's response made me think he doesn't believe anyone has a right to challenge him. And confronting a politician at his or her place of work is a lot less offensive than going to their homes and harassing them.
I'll be happy if I never see or hear from Mattera again in my life, but if he wants to spend his time roaming the halls of Congress asking Democratic politicians questions, it's OK by me. It's not like he's going to accomplish anything, apart from becoming a hero to the Right Wing blogosphere and getting occasional time on shows like Bozo the Beck's Clown's Corner.
Although, I like Charlie Rangle on many fronts especially, his position on the Iraq War and that he is a decorated Korean Combat Veteran the fundamental question still remains in just how does he and other Congressional servants... Daschle et al.. get away without paying taxes?
These are important questions that need to be asked if, not by the media, then by any punk'd asshat. I really don't care who does the asking.
Why should I be forced to pay for Rangle's Cadillac? Nobody forks over my monthly car payment. Why should Rangle be permitted four rent relief properties? Why not pay my mortgage with your taxes? Why should Rangle be able to fix tax laws to favor his friends when he is a tax cheat? Why should I pay for Rangle's health and pension plan? Pay for my health care, pick up my retirement and I will gladly forego Social Security. Why should Rangle or any Congressman be allowed to avoid taxes unless caught? My ass would be in jail if I tried to conveniently forget the 20G's I owe Uncle Sam.
The questions posed to Rangle are excellent and fuck the ambush bullshit. The problem is much bigger. Congress is an exclusive club of millionaire elites who play off us when in reality it is THEM versus US. Don't lose sight, be they Democrat or Republican, to never trust a politician. These people are the leeches and vermin of society who freely skirt the law and suck the public teat dry even, nice guys like Charlie Rangle.
Frank Zappa - Make A Jazz Noise Here
I love these 20-year-old kids who grease their hair and comb it forward so you can't tell they're already going bald.
The bravest of all of the brave chickenhawk's.
Not only does he have the courage to defend a war he won't fight in, but he has the great courage to take on a woman who's son was killed in a hate-crime murder. What manly balls he must have.
I'd like to meet this MF'r in person. Let's see him confront me...
for Rangel. Rangel was all over another fatal free trade agreement the minute congress got a democratic majority in 2006. Its fine with me if scum like beck go after rangel, just get another democrat in there that isn't pro sell out of American workers.
he seems to be doing alright in the ratings
CABLE NEWS RACE
TUES., MARCH 10, 2009
FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,212,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,376,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,331,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 2,274,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 2,044,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 1,965,000
CNN COOPER 1,214,000
CNN KING 1,185,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,041,000
CNNHN GRACE 986,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 928,000
or true or it tells you he must be right, because he's got good ratings?
That's pretty weak. and a very unintelligent way of judging success or morality or correctness.
me-oww!
beck could never do the damage that Rangel has done, wise up!
Actually he can and does. Try having a conversation with someone who listens to beck 3 hours a day, week in and week out then watches him on television 5 nights a week and you'll understand how much damage he is capable of.
I fully expect him to take his flock to Guyana to live in some underground bunker and call in Glenn-ville. It's those people that need to wise up but it may be too late.
I'll mix the Kool-Aid
This little turd waxer, Mattera, was once Michelle Malkins cabana boy. What happened? Did Beck buy him from her?
Dave, you're on a roll today. Keep it coming.
I tried to dialogue with Mattera on the extreme far right Young Americans Foundation site. I respectfully questioned his dubious contention that American youth were becoming more and more conservative in droves, and that youth in America were by nature, conservative. He retorted childishly, then when he found he could not debate substantivally without making his true ignorance an issue, he deleted all comments for that topic. Mattera is a true coward. Liberals/progressives are treated regularly to his (and YAF regular's) "nanny nanny boo boo"-like comments.
His "investigative reporting" amounts to accosting a Demo/liberal, insulting said Demo/liberal, getting a justified reaction, then reporting that the Demo/liberal was "rude" or "evasive."
Did I already mention that Mattera is a weasel and a coward? I can't mention that enough.
Actually worse. An inslut to credible journalists. Also an invader of pricvacy. His mug should be passed out to everyone in Congress as someone to avoid.
So Jason Mattera is holding up the rear and fighting
da all important culture war. Damn, I feel better already.
"He's not going over till it's over over there"
Yep, we need proud young Merkin conservative *moran*
chickenhawks to act as "citizen journalists". BTW, I don't
need Mattera to tell me that the two biggest embarrassments
in the "D" party are Sharpton and Rangel, two old politician
liars from back in the crooked bad ol days who reward
a culture of ignorance and backwardness in Albany.
Well, damn. There's where I went wrong. When I was shipping off to the Mekong Delta I should have told the Navy, "Sir, don't send me to Vietnam, I'm more valuable fighting the culture war here." I'm sure that would have impressed them all to hell.
Mattera = Little chickenhawk cocksucker.
Democratic Party progressive, Vietnam veteran and proud Union member for 41 years
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