"Patron asks gym in left-leaning Columbia to tune out Fox News" read the teaser headline on the BaltimoreSun.com's front page this morning.
So wait, it's news when a liberal in a left-leaning city in a deeply blue-state Maryland gripes about Fox News being featured on the TV at her gym? Apparently to the Sun, it is.
Sun staff writer Larry Carson explained that this isn't your run-of-the-mill Democrat, however (emphasis mine):
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Ann Geddes doesn't want a "fair and balanced" workout. But the 49-year-old worker for a nonprofit agency is having no luck getting the channel changed in front of her favorite rowing machine at a Columbia gym.
The television happens to be tuned permanently to Fox News. Geddes, a liberal Democrat and former legislative aide to a Howard County delegate, said she can't stomach the conservative lineup that appears nightly as she gets her exercise. Even though the sound is off, the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen infuriate her.
"It makes my blood pressure go up," she said.
Befitting the democratic (with a small "d") pedigree of a planned community founded on the principle of races and classes living side by side, Geddes has taken her complaint up the chain of command, from the attendant at the gym run by the Columbia Association to the new president of the giant homeowners' group.
She's had no success. Now she's going public.
Of course, by going public, Geddes may very well look like a jackass, even to liberal Sun readers. She has a "favorite rowing machine"? Seriously?
It turns out only a few of the TVs in the gym are tuned to Fox News, that there's a wide variety of cable channels on the gyms big-screen TVs, and that a UNANIMOUS vote of a committee of club members endorsed the TV lineup (emphasis mine):
Bob Bellamy, the Columbia Association's director of operations, said 43,000 people use the Supreme Sports Club facility yearly, and Geddes is the only one who has complained.
"She called me up and wanted me to take Fox News off all the TVs," he said, gesturing to the six big flat-screens fixed to the main exercise room wall.
The Fox screen is directly in front of the rowing machine Geddes prefers, though a second one two feet away faces a screen showing NBC. Others broadcast local stations, CNN, ESPN, MSNBC, the Food Network, Discovery Channel and HGTV.
The association's Health and Fitness Advisory Committee, composed of club users, "unanimously endorsed the current selection of stations," Bellamy said.
Nelson said some like the conservative network. "As soon as we ban Fox News from our recreation facilities, I will get calls from that side," he said.
Geddes said she's feeling brushed off and doesn't accept the explanation from association officials that Fox is the highest-rated cable news channel. She says that can't be the case in liberal-leaning Columbia, and she insists she is not giving up.
On second thought, I'm kinda glad the Sun ran this story. It's not every day we see a left-leaning paper report a story that makes a liberal with hydrophobic Fox News derangement look as petty as she really is.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Geddes said she's feeling
September 25, 2009 - 11:21 ET by cajunkingkongGeddes said she's feeling brushed off and doesn't accept the explanation from association officials that Fox is the highest-rated cable news channel.
Another perfect example of how a lib had to disregard the facts to make their point.
This same EXACT situation
September 25, 2009 - 12:05 ET by sean65This same EXACT situation was played out a few weeks ago in Massachusetts.
A woman wrote a letter-to-the-editor of a her local newspaper complaining about FoxNews on the TV at her gym. Even though there were several other TVs to watch during her workout she could not stand to see FoxNews on even on TV at the gym.
The gym originally complied when they read the letter in the paper (the woman did not even complain in person), but when the regional director of the gym found out, he put FoxNews back on.
Why does this seem strange to me? I wonder if the Daily Kos is instructing moonbats on how to remove FoxNews from the airways??
Wasn't this Olbermann's
September 25, 2009 - 12:35 ET by MazziWasn't this Olbermann's idea earlier this year, after Tiller the Baby Killer was murdered?
He said that the tin-foilers should demand that businesses turn off Fox, or walk out from the business. I don't think it made much impact, because the libs won't take the second step and actually leave. They just whine about Fox, but so long as they are enjoying their beer or dinner or rowing mackine, they won't actually stop the activity and leave.
Again - a difference between many conservatives and liberals. I have not shopped at the nicest store in my town in 8 years because of their refusal to honor a store policy. I have not bought any Sargento cheese products since the Color of Change/Beck fiasco. Yeah, it's a bit of a pain in the butt, but principles are principles. Most conservatives I know would do the same. None of the libs I know would.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
Excellent point, Mazzi
September 25, 2009 - 16:28 ET by needlePrinciples are an anathema for Liberals, and it shows up every which way. They are also way short on character and integrity, both of which are important for real leadership. I am looking forward to a reckoning, and part of it may be just around the corner as the wheels come off the Obama Administration.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
simple solution
September 25, 2009 - 13:31 ET by nadadhimmiSimply have Cass Sunstein declare it illegal for any display device to show Fox News. Suddenly the ratings for CNN and PMSNBC will look A LOT better. Is there ANY problem a "proactive" Government cant solve???
My Credit Union plays CNN on it's TV. I asked...
September 25, 2009 - 11:22 ET by jawebster1the manager to play Fox News instead because it was a much better station. She didn't say anything, only gave me a nervous laugh in response. I concluded she was a Lib. You would think a "Bank" would be Conservative. I was thinking "Red Flag" and is my money safe? Jim Webster
Has anyone ever
September 25, 2009 - 11:25 ET by Chris NormanHas anyone ever investigated why all the airport televisons in the country seem to be tuned into CNN? Talk about a captive audience being indoctrinated...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris... Not that I know
September 25, 2009 - 12:47 ET by bigtimerChris...
Not that I know of, it used to drive me batty when I was traveling a lot, but hey, that is always alright if no one on the right complains much, we have better things to do with our time, it still doesn't help CNN any...they can blare away as far as I am concerned, all they and all their brethren do is hurt themselves.
Fox is #1 with or without the whiners.
The agenda is to take Fox down, along with talk radio and control of the internet, one way or the other.
Good-Luck with that, although I know they will try to mandate this...eventually.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Burger King
September 25, 2009 - 13:08 ET by adamsmithThere is a Burger King a stone throw away from my office that I have breakfast at if it's an emergency(I don't really like fast food too much)...They have CNN on the only TV and I figured it's mellower than FNC as far as exposing Democrat corruption and stays away from the raving lunacy of MSLSD....I generally find CNN to be pretty much in the tank for Obama as well. The only good thing about it is I've had a major crush on Kiran Chetry since she was on Fox a few years back, and it's nice to see her again even if she is a libbie...I watch the propaganda and come to my own conclusions. I don't know why that liberal idiot can't do that in front of her rowing machine unless she's looking to stop the first amendment or something. Maybe the truth just hurts too much....
Of course, everybody else is insane, not her.
September 25, 2009 - 11:32 ET by samhermanmdAnother liberal who shouts that she is the only sane person, and everyone else is insane.
"...it can't be the case in liberal-leaning Columbia...". Perhaps if she would remove her head from her rectum, she might stop mistaking her colon for reality.
My Guess
September 25, 2009 - 11:34 ET by jdlybrandMy guess is that if they swapped rowing machines and put her 'favorite' one in front of the NBC TV; the rowing machine in front of FOX would be her new favorite. Can you say beyotch?
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
I think...
September 25, 2009 - 14:28 ET by Border FoxYou hit the nail bang on the head! There is NO pleasing Libs like her...
"If you're a Liberal, anything you say is protected. If you're a Conservative, anything you say is hateful." - Laura Schlessinger
Me too
September 25, 2009 - 11:37 ET by eugeneromeroI've thought the same thing at my gym. When Olberman or Matthews comes on, my blood pressure goes up, to. Lucky there are TVs tuned to FOX news as well. It's amazing how little effort it takes to move to a machine that's in front of a TV tuned in to channel that you want. I don't complain about the crap on the other TVs. And I guarantee if someone tried this at my gym, I'd be the first to react to their complaints.
And the moral of the story is...
September 25, 2009 - 11:38 ET by Sestren_NKIf you don't like something and you can't get it changed, whine, whine and complain until someone caves into your demands because they can't take it anymore. Not much different from a spoiled brat who says she'll stop screaming throughout the night when her parents finally decide to buy her a pony.
So much for the "tolerance" these people speak of.
Dem-witt
September 25, 2009 - 11:52 ET by Airforce_5_OThe association's Health and Fitness Advisory Committee, composed of club users, "unanimously endorsed the current selection of stations," Bellamy said.
So let me get this straight: By a Democratic process of majority vote the club "unanimously" endorsed the TV line up and this liberal wants them to circumvent the system because SHE hates Foxnews?
Sounds familiar to me for some reason.
Liberalism: The haunting feeling that someone, somewhere, can help themselves.
Hey, lady, if you don't
September 25, 2009 - 11:55 ET by fitzfongHey, lady, if you don't like it, go to another gym. Hell, I'm convinced that CNN would be off the air if its force feeding at airports across the nation didn't artificially spike its ratings slightly above statistical zero. And I doubt they're going to change the airport channel at my request.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
What this fascist really
September 25, 2009 - 12:08 ET by mattmWhat this fascist really wants is a total ban on FOX News. That's how open-minded liberals are.
Hey lady, open your own gym and you can set all the TVs to whatever channel you want.
matt -- that would be the
September 25, 2009 - 12:15 ET by Jack Bauermatt -- that would be the All Obama, All The Time channel!
good idea
September 25, 2009 - 12:47 ET by Kekela WardThat'll be a mighty empty gym.
However, it would be excellent for people who go to the gym to actually work out, rather than watch tv. You could really get thru your work out quicker without people longing around on the machines and other equipment!
Sam: "I hurt somebody's feelings once"
You're Right, Ken
September 25, 2009 - 12:12 ET by justbob223She does look like a jackass.
Just gotta love that
September 25, 2009 - 12:13 ET by MazziJust gotta love that liberal "tolerance" huh?
Conservatives get irritated at MSNBC and move to a location where MSNBC is not shown. Liberals demand that the entire process be halted and changes be made to accomodate them. And then when they are refused, they just make a BIGGER stink about it.
How much you want to bet she already has a petition started, with signatures from fifty other wack-o's (thirty of whom don't even belong to the gym) to make it look like the majority of patrons are unhappy?
What's cool though is that people are finally standing up to these idiots. Kudo's to the gym for not giving in to the fruitcake's demands.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
This story needs to be put into context...
September 25, 2009 - 12:19 ET by BKeyserKen, I don't know if you know Columbia, MD, but I have been working in and around that area for a very long time. Columbia, and Howard County in general, is one of the richest per capita counties in the Mid-Atlantic, and is a haven for rich liberals. It's proximity to Baltimore (15 miles) and DC (20 miles) makes it a haven for many in the medical (Baltimore has many prestigious hospitals, most notably Johns Hopkins) -and legal professions (I mentioned it's proximity to DC). Columbia is one of the very first, truly planned communities, and it's build-out was ongoing until the recent housing crash. In fact, Howard County was one of the last markets to suffer in the crash, with the first real drop off not coming until late in '07. This place is a bastion for wannabe limosine liberals.(If anyone has ever checked out my website from my personal page here at NB- I've been designing homes for these folks for years. Every picture in my Gallery 3 page is of homes in and around Columbia.)
The Columbia Association, one of the first large-scale totalitarian homeowner's associations in the country, is the perfect example of the kind of regime people like Ann Geddes want for everyone. They simply can't identify with anyone who thinks otherwise. It's almost like a sickness; they have no critical thinking ability.
Here's an example of the Howard County government at work: The County Executive and Health officer want to ban tanning for anyone under 18 (but you can bet these libs won't require parental notification for a girl under 18 having an abortion.) I've met both of these guys and while they're not bad people, they are surely leftists with the ultimate goal of socialising everything.
Nice houses, Bob
September 25, 2009 - 12:29 ET by BlondeI like the one with the white car in front and the beautiful front doors.
Great explanation for the "context" too. This is what is so insidious about Obamacare....it's all about the control.
I hope he fails, too.
Thanks J
September 25, 2009 - 12:34 ET by BKeyserMost of these were in the $2M price range for the house and one acre.
I grew up a few miles east
September 25, 2009 - 13:26 ET by Ken ShepherdI grew up a few miles east of Columbia in Severn. I've heard horror stories of the community association there and I loathe how hard it is to find things in the town. Can't tell you how many times I got lost trying to get to Lone Star Steakhouse.
They do have a really good Indian place though.
Ken
September 25, 2009 - 14:04 ET by BKeyserYeah, you can't find anything because of the Sign Code. It's utterly ridiculous how they limit signage! Do you remember the sideways-mounted traffic lights in the 70's when Rouse first got Columbia going? It took them awhile to realize that some people are color blind and they couldn'd determine whether the light was red or green!
Severn, huh? I've got a couple of friends in Pasadena... (the 'Dena!)
I was born in 1979, so I
September 25, 2009 - 14:53 ET by Ken ShepherdI was born in 1979, so I don't remember Columbia in the 70s.
young'n! Then you didn't get
September 25, 2009 - 14:56 ET by BKeyseryoung'n! Then you didn't get to properly enjoy the Glen Burnie hair bimbos of the mid-80's either! Well, at least you had grunge, huh? (lol)
got ya beat
September 25, 2009 - 15:03 ET by candanceI was born in 80.
Gosh, Ken, I didn’t realize
September 25, 2009 - 16:34 ET by needleGosh, Ken, I didn’t realize that you lived in Columbia… ;-)
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
I grew up in Columbia and I
September 25, 2009 - 16:09 ET by cr_uvaI grew up in Columbia and I must say I am glad my parents moved us out of there before I hit my teenage years. The place is so far to the left (even rated against colleges and Northern Virginia) that I'd be afraid of leaving my car (with bumper stickers for Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, Ken Cuccinelli, and Sarah Palin) sitting anywhere there for a short period of time.
cr_uva~~
September 25, 2009 - 16:56 ET by BKeyserYou wouldn't have to worry about your GOP bumper stickers in Howard County- someone would just stick one of those damn "Choose civility" stickers over them.
I worked in Columbia from
September 27, 2009 - 07:49 ET by robtjonzI worked in Columbia from 1996-2002. In 1998, I had a bumpersticker on the ledge inside rear window of my car. It said: NIXON: NOW MORE THAN EVER. One day I walked to my car, and a Columbia matron, with the cloned Martha Stewart haircut, was glaring down at the sticker. When she asked me: What does THAT mean?, I told her that, in my opinion, as a man who was a sergeant in the military for 20 years, it meant that, to me, the rotting corpse of Richard Nixon would be a better President than Bill Clinton. She just might still be standing there with her jaw hanging open. I haven't checked.
“When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer ‘present’ or ‘guilty’.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Comcast Cable...
September 25, 2009 - 12:28 ET by FuzzlenutterI noticed something about Comcast Cable not too long ago. When I used to turn it on it would be on the last channel I was watching when I turned it off. Now it defaults to CNN whenever I turn it on. Now, I may be reading a little too much into this, but I don't think so. I mean, if it's going to default to the first channel, wouldn't that be channel two (PBS)?
Just something to ponder, I guess...
My gym has 4 TV's in their
September 25, 2009 - 12:50 ET by TheBigBMy gym has 4 TV's in their Cardio area (treadmills, ellipticals, etc.) in a straight line. 2 of the TV's have any 2 of the 4 networks on a rotating basis. 1 has CNN or Fox News on a rotating basis, and 1 always has ESPN on. They also rotate which networks are on which TVs. The staff is always more than happy, on request, to give you a schedule. They have yet to receive a complaint.
Who will lead the Republicans to victory in 2010 and 2012? Why, Barack Obama, of course!
She doesn't LIKE that EVIL FOX NEWS and DEMANDS SHE BE OBEYED...
September 25, 2009 - 13:07 ET by Darwin Akbar....or she'll take her toys, go home and call Mommy!
Call the Waaambulance!
Cankles alert
September 25, 2009 - 13:19 ET by sevenThe libs are generally Oprah watchers and do not do gyms.
The time of day she describes is popular for people that work and pay taxes.
She can take on ACORN and finance her own gym.
Oprah Curves franchise.
Fox news is poison for
September 25, 2009 - 16:12 ET by criticalthinkingFox news is poison for America. A website dedicated to biased news organizations should be well aware of this, and really, should be just as offended by fox as they are by MSNBC. For you intelecutally brankrupt people, its only biased if you disagree. I would love this site if it just took an axe to all biased news. alas, you guys arnt smart enough.
Of course you have numerous
September 25, 2009 - 16:15 ET by MightyMouthOf course you have numerous examples of Fox bias? Please share. Make NB readers smart!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
Criticalthinking
September 25, 2009 - 16:32 ET by FeynmanFanFirst, let me compliment you on your careful attention to spelling, capitalization and punctuation. It lends the appropriate credibility to your statements.
Second, your reasoning is totally fallacious. Unless you can show definitively how Fox News is poison for America, that the folks on NB are intellectually bankrupt and that they're not smart enough to recognize biased news, your whole premise is specious.
But thanks for sharing your thought.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
FeynmanFan
September 25, 2009 - 16:37 ET by MightyMouthHave you noticed that most liberals on this site choose usernames that have virtually nothing to do with their persona? (with a few exceptions the dumberthandirt guy was totally accurate).
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
MM
September 25, 2009 - 16:42 ET by FeynmanFanI'm guessing that in this case the username represents an unrealized goal.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
The truth is Fox News is
September 25, 2009 - 17:47 ET by BuffNBoneThe truth is Fox News is the antidote for the country becoming Amerika.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
criticalthinking
September 25, 2009 - 18:28 ET by CobraMancriticalthinking,
Hay, Buddy, long time no see! I haven't seen you post your liberal rhetoric at the Washing Times for quite a while! I was wondering what happened to you? It's good to see you found another conservative site where you can vent your frustration in nonsensical and disparaging posts. Welcome aboard!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
I arnt? “When they
September 27, 2009 - 07:43 ET by robtjonzI arnt?
“When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer ‘present’ or ‘guilty’.” —Theodore Roosevelt
TROLL ALERT!
September 25, 2009 - 16:15 ET by Sergeant ROCKEOM
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
LOL!
September 25, 2009 - 16:48 ET by RukusWith the number of trolls we've had here lately you're gonna wear out your keyboard! LOL! At least the really nasty ones are gettin' "Access Denied"ed pretty fast, with some exceptions.
Gary
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. -- Tom Paine
TROLL ALERT! hotkey?
September 25, 2009 - 18:07 ET by Sergeant ROCKI haven't figured that one out yet.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
He's been a long time
September 25, 2009 - 18:15 ET by bigtimerHe's been a long time drive-by trollster. ;-)
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
bt
September 25, 2009 - 18:18 ET by FeynmanFanNot much on follow-up, is he.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
Me neiter Sarge
September 25, 2009 - 18:48 ET by RukusJus' keep givin' 'em hell!!!
Gary
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. -- Tom Paine
The Horror! The Horror!
September 25, 2009 - 18:25 ET by CobraManOMG! There's a TV that's showing something I don't like! The TV's not mine, nor is the rowing machine I love to use that is in front of the TV, not the building that houses the TV, but I have a MEMBERSHIP that allows me to use any of the equipment I choose (except for the TV, my membership says nothing about the right to change channels) so I DEMAND that the rest of the members, and the exclusive, membership only, business that caters to those members, OBEY my demands and change things according to MY wishes!
That pretty much sums up her attitude. Can you say ELITIST?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
My story is in Hartford Conneticutt
September 27, 2009 - 06:10 ET by surfergirl54I spent a week at an hotel in Hartford Conneticutt whilst my husband was at a convention. The T.Vs in the lounge and the bars were tuned to CNN.... it was Michael Jackson ad nauseum. It was also that awful reporter who was stirring up things in Honduras.
Well, one night when I was there with a few other people, male and female, there was a revolt against CNN and Michael Jackson stories being on all of the time.....
The end result was the channel was changed to...... you guessed it.... FOX News.....
This is a true story... it was the men who fetched the manager to make the change.... ROFL
What about meeeeee and my needs?
September 27, 2009 - 14:29 ET by robtjonzMe, me meeeeee! It's all about meeeeee!! Who cares if thousands of other people use this gym!? It's what I want that counts!!
"Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder" - Michael Savage
Maybe Ann should buy one of those machines, plunk it down in front of her TV at home, and watch MSNBC.
“When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer ‘present’ or ‘guilty’.” —Theodore Roosevelt