USD College Republicans

Oliver Stone's script "W" leaked to internet

The first few pages of Oliver Stone's "W" have leaked

Take a look. I think it looks UNBEARABLY melodramatic. Another current events-themed flop, to be sure.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 10:55PM Apr 08, 2008 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

RIP William F. Buckley, Jr.

National Review founder and brilliant author William F. Buckley, JR died yesterday.

HERE is the New York Times' article about him. It's very long, but an excellent read.

Buckley was an interesting man, and he will be missed.

HERE is the National Review, the magazine that Buckley founded. It's still an excellent source for conservative/libertarian viewpoints and analysis.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 02:40PM Feb 27, 2008 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[2]

A response to Bill

I thought I'd make this an entry rather than a comment on the previous post.

Bill Muller stated in a comment: "I agree Keith Olbermann is the liberal equal to Bill O'Reilly (I like his show, but do not necessarily think it is fair) but I feel that Chris Matthews plays both sides of the spectrum and think it is unfair to label him as bias. He is my favorite of the TV "pundits" (Along with Scarborough and Dan Abrams). BTW if you are pointing out biases in the media where is Fox News? I would say that between Hannity and Colmes, O'Reilly, Shepard Smith, Greta Van S., Brit Hume and others they tend to show a conservative bias? I just see a feeble attack at liberals Matt, nice try."

Fortunately, Bill played right into my trap.

Olbermann and Matthews, like O'Reilly and Hannity, have shows in which they are NOT news anchors. That means, they espouse their opinions, be them liberal or conservative, or a mix (like Hannity's show with Colmes). Such is their right.

However, when those people are hosting a non-opinion forum, such as reporting election returns, they should do their very best to be even-handed. Realize that I don't begrudge Olbermann making fun of conservatives on his show or Matthews giggling at a Republican's speech. I DO think it is unethical for him to spout those opinions when viewers are expecting unbiased election reporting.

What liberals fail to see when lampooning Fox is the fact that Fox hosts are almost never put in positions in which they should be ethically required to be unbiased. They have news anchors for that. Therefore, The Hannitys and O'Reillys are always in "opinion" mode.

This is a very important distinction that Bill failed to see, and I think many liberals and conservatives fail to see it, as well.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 11:05AM Jan 20, 2008 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

MSNBC isn't even trying to cover up the bias anymore

MSNBC hosts are still incredibly biased.

We know that Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are liberal. They could do a better chance of being a bit more even handed, though.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 12:05AM Jan 20, 2008 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[1]

Is CNN corrupt?

Tim Rutten of the LA Times accuses CNN of political bias and corruption.
-
"Corruption is a strong word. But consider these facts: The gimmick behind Wednesday's debate was that the questions would be selected from those that ordinary Americans submitted to the video sharing Internet website YouTube, which is owned by Google. According to CNN, its staff culled through 5,000 submissions to select the handful that were put to the candidates. That process essentially puts the lie to the vox populi aura the association with YouTube was meant to create. When producers exercise that level of selectivity, the questions -- whoever initially formulated and recorded them -- actually are theirs.

That's where things begin to get troubling, because CNN chose to devote the first 35 minutes of this critical debate to a single issue -- immigration. Now, if that leaves you scratching your head, it's probably because you're included in the 96% of Americans who do not think immigration is the most important issue confronting this country. We've got a pretty good fix concerning what's on the American mind right now, because the nonpartisan and highly reliable Pew Center has been regularly polling people since January on the issues that matter most to them. In fact, the center's most recent survey was conducted in the days leading up to Wednesday's debate."
-
"So, why did CNN make immigration the keystone of this debate? What standard dictated the decision to give that much time to an issue so remote from the majority of voters' concerns? The answer is that CNN's most popular news-oriented personality, Lou Dobbs, has made opposition to illegal immigration and free trade the centerpiece of his neonativist/neopopulist platform. In fact, Dobbs led into Wednesday's debate with a good solid dose of immigrant bashing. His network is in a desperate ratings battle with Fox News and, in a critical prime-time slot, with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. So, what's good for Dobbs is good for CNN.

In other words, CNN intentionally directed the Republicans' debate to advance its own interests. Make immigration a bigger issue and you've made a bigger audience for Dobbs.

That's corruption, and it's why the Republican candidates had to spend more than half an hour "debating" an issue on which their differences are essentially marginal -- and, more important, why GOP voters had to sit and wait, mostly in vain, for the issues that really concern them to be discussed. That's particularly true because that same Pew poll reported findings of particular relevance to Republican voters, the vast majority of whom continue to support the war in Iraq."
-
A great column, indeed. Rutten makes some intense claims, but backs them up with well-reasoned proof.
-
-Matt Hittle

Posted at 08:07PM Dec 02, 2007 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

Environmental reporter wanted...knowledge of environment not required...

Oh CBS....
-
“CBS is expanding its coverage of the environment,” the ad reads. “We seek a talented reporter/host for Internet video broadcast. We are looking for smart, creative, hard working up and comers, who can bring great energy, creativity and a dash of humor to our coverage. A deep interest in the environment and sustainability issues will serve you well.”
-
Deep interest...ok...tell me more...
-
“You are wicked smart, funny, irreverent and hip, oozing enthusiasm and creative energy,” the ad reads. “This position requires strong people, reporting, story telling and writing skills. Managing tight deadlines should be second nature. Knowledge of the enviro beat is a big plus, but not a requirement.”
Ironically, the ad shows irreverence to what kind of carbon footprint the job duties might require. The ad includes: “Be prepared to see America. Heavy domestic travel.”
-
I'm definitely going to CBS for all of my environmental news!
-
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2007/20071130160308.aspx
-
-Matt Hittle

Posted at 04:14PM Nov 30, 2007 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

More evidence that the mainstream media sucks

On this YouTube video, Erin Burnett, a newswoman from MSNBC refers to President Bush as a "monkey." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HgvQgGDJuw
-
This is unacceptable. Newsmen and women should be held to a much higher standard than this.
-
Those who claim to be unbiased should live up to those claims. This definitely would not have flown if it were a Democrat in Bush's spot.
-
-Matt Hittle

Posted at 02:11PM Nov 30, 2007 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

People don't care about Hollywood stars' opinions

And it's about time, too!
-
I don't watch many movies, but apparently, the new Tom Cruise movie "Lions for Lambs" flopped BIG TIME.
-
"UA [United Artists] doesn't try to hide its disappointment at the film's failure to grab the attention of auds, saying it was one in a string of dramas about the Middle East and the war on terror that didn't work this fall. At the same time, studio says no one is panicking, including its investors."
-
http://www.variety.com/VR1117976775.html
-
-Matt Hittle

Posted at 07:39AM Nov 30, 2007 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]

People must like CNN

According to Mediabistro, the recent CNN Republican and Democratic debates were the most-watched.
-
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/politics/debate_ranker_cnn_has_top_two_debates_71922.asp
-
Personally, I liked the Democrats' Chicago AFL-CIO debate just for their policy proposals' humor factor. (http://www.cfr.org/publication/14004/)
-
-Matt Hittle

Posted at 07:24AM Nov 30, 2007 by College Republicans in Media  |  Comments[0]