Comments on: Breakfast with Jon Stewart, Part Three http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/ Indecision Forever blog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:24:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 By: jeff d. http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-26623 jeff d. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:05:59 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-26623 it's pretty sorry that a comedian--despite his venerable acuity, attentiveness, and thoughtful observance--had to invite media pros to an informal gathering to implore them to do their fucking jobs. regardless, Jon Stewart has emerged as one of the sharpest social and political commentators, utilizing, god forbid, intutitiveness and pragmatism. why rid of assloads of cash for a journalism degree if you're not going to use what you paid for? there are countless better ways to get ripped off, like paying for sex. oh, and Dennis, the length was fine because the event was interesting. however, reread this sentence, and then remind yourself to proofread--out loud--for grammar and flow: "As one of the journalists pointed out, the candidates themselves adore Jon Stewart -- or at least the huge adoring demographic that he delivers -- admitting in the previously mentioned off-the-record dinner dates that Daily Show appearance factor, in no small way, into their campaign plans. And the reason that so many people adore Jon Stewart the decency, honesty and intelligence he projects." it's pretty sorry that a comedian–despite his venerable acuity, attentiveness, and thoughtful observance–had to invite media pros to an informal gathering to implore them to do their fucking jobs. regardless, Jon Stewart has emerged as one of the sharpest social and political commentators, utilizing, god forbid, intutitiveness and pragmatism. why rid of assloads of cash for a journalism degree if you're not going to use what you paid for? there are countless better ways to get ripped off, like paying for sex.

oh, and Dennis, the length was fine because the event was interesting. however, reread this sentence, and then remind yourself to proofread–out loud–for grammar and flow:

"As one of the journalists pointed out, the candidates themselves adore Jon Stewart — or at least the huge adoring demographic that he delivers — admitting in the previously mentioned off-the-record dinner dates that Daily Show appearance factor, in no small way, into their campaign plans. And the reason that so many people adore Jon Stewart the decency, honesty and intelligence he projects."

]]> By: Jackie http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25982 Jackie Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:31 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25982 I don't know if Jon Stewart was speaking to the journalists because of an authority he possesses, but he has insightful and innovative ideas (although it is sad that the idea of being an objective journalist is innovative these days). The fact is, he broadcasting on a channel that lets him say what he wants, yes that's right, even the F word...and I think he raises the point that out of all broadcasts out there, the news should be that way? the News is privately owned, and that really stops journalists from being completely objective, they have to kiss the asses of really corrupt, bad people on a regular basis so they will get good ratings. He mentioned fox news, and their agenda. This raises an interesting question in my mind about how CNN or MSNBC would be if they embraced an agenda not of liberalism, but of tough journalism...and if this makes them appear to have a liberal agenda to a few right wingers so be it. I don't know if Jon Stewart was speaking to the journalists because of an authority he possesses, but he has insightful and innovative ideas (although it is sad that the idea of being an objective journalist is innovative these days). The fact is, he broadcasting on a channel that lets him say what he wants, yes that's right, even the F word…and I think he raises the point that out of all broadcasts out there, the news should be that way? the News is privately owned, and that really stops journalists from being completely objective, they have to kiss the asses of really corrupt, bad people on a regular basis so they will get good ratings. He mentioned fox news, and their agenda. This raises an interesting question in my mind about how CNN or MSNBC would be if they embraced an agenda not of liberalism, but of tough journalism…and if this makes them appear to have a liberal agenda to a few right wingers so be it.

]]> By: psicorp http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25431 psicorp Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:55:21 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25431 dunno if I were Jon i would hit harder,,....i guess thats his charm and i have none i would like to see what he says about this meeting in his own words off the record. As far as im concerned the press in toto has become a bunch of ass kissing syncophants with not even 2 bet cells between them certainly not any decent part of a brain, caring only about the paycheck and no concern for what they are supposed to do...ie incompetent ineffective and immoral to waste any talent they may have at one time had but lost to the political parasite that has eaten it. Not to downplay the idolatry to ratings....like the reality shows that have none! They havent even received compensation for it but they are too stupid to realize this. Reminds me of an old miniseries called V where the aliens schoomezed everyone into loving them and then ate them for lunch......really describes our politicians doesnt it? Very timely remake coming up considering it is an election year. dunno if I were Jon i would hit harder,,….i guess thats his charm and i have none
i would like to see what he says about this meeting in his own words off the record. As far as im concerned the press in toto has become a bunch of ass kissing syncophants with not even 2 bet cells between them certainly not any decent part of a brain, caring only about the paycheck and no concern for what they are supposed to do…ie incompetent ineffective and immoral to waste any talent they may have at one time had but lost to the political parasite that has eaten it. Not to downplay the idolatry to ratings….like the reality shows that have none! They havent even received compensation for it but they are too stupid to realize this. Reminds me of an old miniseries called V where the aliens schoomezed everyone into loving them and then ate them for lunch……really describes our politicians doesnt it? Very timely remake coming up considering it is an election year.

]]> By: WIDTAP http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25417 WIDTAP Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:06:37 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25417 As much as I like the fact that Jon calls these folks out on these issues, I still don't think the key points ever get through. Many in the media refer to Jon as a source of news, yet no one points out the distinction between fact based, independently verified news reporting and news analysis. In my mind the failings of modern news reporting has to do with the collapse of editorial integrity. independent verified sources, fact checking - these have all but disappeared in modern American media. In news analysis shallow contradiction substitutes for informed issue framing from authoritative sources. (Here Jon's assessment of Crossfire was spot on.) "Both sides of the issue" means that we get an expert on the top secret military planes developed at Area 51 and some screamer in a tin foil hat in an insult match on the existence of UFOs. (OK, sometimes it is an MSNBC panel of just tin foil hats at the Democratic convention.) I hope Jon keeps up the good fight because good new reporting and good analysis is all but dead in America. ...on the other hand, it's all job security for Jon, and I like watching Jon. As much as I like the fact that Jon calls these folks out on these issues, I still don't think the key points ever get through.

Many in the media refer to Jon as a source of news, yet no one points out the distinction between fact based, independently verified news reporting and news analysis.

In my mind the failings of modern news reporting has to do with the collapse of editorial integrity. independent verified sources, fact checking – these have all but disappeared in modern American media.

In news analysis shallow contradiction substitutes for informed issue framing from authoritative sources. (Here Jon's assessment of Crossfire was spot on.) "Both sides of the issue" means that we get an expert on the top secret military planes developed at Area 51 and some screamer in a tin foil hat in an insult match on the existence of UFOs. (OK, sometimes it is an MSNBC panel of just tin foil hats at the Democratic convention.)

I hope Jon keeps up the good fight because good new reporting and good analysis is all but dead in America.

…on the other hand, it's all job security for Jon, and I like watching Jon.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25406 Carrie Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:36:54 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25406 The question of why a reporter should/should not be friendly with or suck up to a source is mooted by the "infotainment" that passes for news these days. Ratings are more important than serving the public good, it seems. -Carrie P.S. Watch the News Hour on PBS if you want real (mostly) news, I do. The question of why a reporter should/should not be friendly with or suck up to a source is mooted by the "infotainment" that passes for news these days.
Ratings are more important than serving the public good, it seems.
-Carrie
P.S. Watch the News Hour on PBS if you want real (mostly) news, I do.

]]> By: Michael http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25382 Michael Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:37:28 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25382 This was a great article, and it also frightened the crap out of me. When I think about the whole country (if not world) depending on the news media to uncover the truth about our candidates, and they don't see a problem with becoming buddies with the subjects of their investigations, it blows my mind. Any scientist or cop or any professional at all will tell you that soon as you are emotionally involved with the subject of an investigation, objectivity (or any semblance of it) goes out the window. As Upton Sinclair said: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it." This was a great article, and it also frightened the crap out of me. When I think about the whole country (if not world) depending on the news media to uncover the truth about our candidates, and they don't see a problem with becoming buddies with the subjects of their investigations, it blows my mind. Any scientist or cop or any professional at all will tell you that soon as you are emotionally involved with the subject of an investigation, objectivity (or any semblance of it) goes out the window.
As Upton Sinclair said:
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it."

]]> By: Elayne Riggs http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25376 Elayne Riggs Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:44:00 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25376 Dennis, your job is indeed awesom, but you deserve it. This 3-parter was not only quite insightful but very enjoyable to read. I think I'm going to bookmark this blog now. :) Dennis, your job is indeed awesom, but you deserve it. This 3-parter was not only quite insightful but very enjoyable to read. I think I'm going to bookmark this blog now. :)

]]> By: blw http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25346 blw Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:18:22 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25346 If even half of what little denny-in-the-rafters says is true, Jon has truly outdone himself. That breakfast scene reads like a Saturday Night Live skit, though, it's hard to say who is playing what part. Stewart oozes charm, wit and cunning and uses it shamelessly and effectively at will. Jon thinks in "Power Ranger" metaphors (due to young spawn). I think in more "Fairy Tale" lingo and this smacks of "The Emperor has No Clothes". Remember that one, where the King is buck-naked and no one has the gravitas to tell him? I guess the press would have to represent the Emperor since they are the clueless ones (in this scenario) and no one wants to tell them. Or, at least Jon, Denny and unidentified-rafter-sidekick don't want to. Also, the member of the corps who asks Jon if he isn't doing his own version of "courting" them; perhaps not so different from the politicians. I believe this press member deserves, at least, an honorary figleaf. Jon calls this idea "crazy", which permanently cements my Twain/Stewart channeling theory. There is a true level of genius to this, besides the obvious. Top brass press with no cameras or hidden recorders? Whether by design or defacto, just think about that for a moment. And, everbody, except Lynne Cheney, thinks Jon is on their side, telling their stories, understanding them. What can I say? So far Jon's self-deprecation and sincere desire to ferret out the truth have kept his checks and balances where they should be. I doubt hubris will get the best of him. However; if, you doubted Jon's political power, read Denny's story, and a few others, and ;then doubt no more, Grasshopper. If even half of what little denny-in-the-rafters says is true, Jon has truly outdone himself. That breakfast scene reads like a Saturday Night Live skit, though, it's hard to say who is playing what part. Stewart oozes charm, wit and cunning and uses it shamelessly and effectively at will. Jon thinks in "Power Ranger" metaphors (due to young spawn). I think in more "Fairy Tale" lingo and this smacks of "The Emperor has No Clothes". Remember that one, where the King is buck-naked and no one has the gravitas to tell him?

I guess the press would have to represent the Emperor since they are the clueless ones (in this scenario) and no one wants to tell them. Or, at least Jon, Denny and unidentified-rafter-sidekick don't want to. Also, the member of the corps who asks Jon if he isn't doing his own version of "courting" them; perhaps not so different from the politicians. I believe this press member deserves, at least, an honorary figleaf. Jon calls this idea "crazy", which permanently cements my Twain/Stewart channeling theory.

There is a true level of genius to this, besides the obvious. Top brass press with no cameras or hidden recorders? Whether by design or defacto, just think about that for a moment. And, everbody, except Lynne Cheney, thinks Jon is on their side, telling their stories, understanding them.

What can I say? So far Jon's self-deprecation and sincere desire to ferret out the truth have kept his checks and balances where they should be. I doubt hubris will get the best of him. However; if, you doubted Jon's political power, read Denny's story, and a few others, and ;then doubt no more, Grasshopper.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25333 Melissa Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:13:44 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25333 This piece was absolutely worth three parts...screw anybody that thinks otherwise. It's a great story. It makes a great point about the failure of the modern media's fundamental resposibilities. That is an extremely important and relevant issue that does not get addressed enough. But of course, that is what Jon Stewart is brilliant at doing. This piece was absolutely worth three parts…screw anybody that thinks otherwise. It's a great story. It makes a great point about the failure of the modern media's fundamental resposibilities. That is an extremely important and relevant issue that does not get addressed enough. But of course, that is what Jon Stewart is brilliant at doing.

]]> By: SFT http://www.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/27/breakfast-with-jon-stewart-part-three/#comment-25332 SFT Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:10:42 +0000 http://blog.indecision2008.com/?p=4799#comment-25332 It was a great article. It completely conveyed what I have long suspected. Somehow journalists have become so insulated & disconnected from the rest of us, that when they meet someone "famous" who will speak to them as a normal citizen, it's a novelty. I'm glad Mr. Stewart can at least attempt to get through to them, no matter how bizarre it must seem to him. Hang in there, Jon. It's a weird job, but damn, you're in there, make 'em listen to you. You speak for all of us constantly amazed that things can still get dumber. It was a great article. It completely conveyed what I have long suspected. Somehow journalists have become so insulated & disconnected from the rest of us, that when they meet someone "famous" who will speak to them as a normal citizen, it's a novelty. I'm glad Mr. Stewart can at least attempt to get through to them, no matter how bizarre it must seem to him. Hang in there, Jon. It's a weird job, but damn, you're in there, make 'em listen to you. You speak for all of us constantly amazed that things can still get dumber.

]]>