MRC's Bozell Shares Thoughts on Civil Political Discourse on C-SPAN's 'Washington Journal'
Earlier this morning, NewsBusters publisher and Media Research Center (MRC) president Brent Bozell sat down with C-SPAN's Libby Casey for an interview on "Washington Journal."
Among other topics, Bozell addressed media coverage of the Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona) shooting.
"Where's the harm in having this discussion about civil discourse?" Casey asked Bozell.
"I think it's a very good discussion, don't get me wrong.... But don't tie it to what happened [in Arizona]," Bozell answered. "Don't say it's because Sarah Palin and the crosshairs [on her PAC's targeted midterm race map]."
For the excerpt, check out the video embedded below the page break or click here for MP3 audio.
"When you use words like that, 'liberal sickos' and language that has its own punch to it, are you adding to the negativity in [political] dialogue?" Casey asked Bozell, referring to a recent press release critical of media coverage.
"I'm going to respond when someone in the press suggests that I'm responsible for this, that the movement I believe in is responsible," Bozell countered.
The NewsBusters publisher agreed that political discourse has deteriorated "on both sides," before sharing a story about his friendship with Sam Donaldson, a liberal journalist whom he personally respects but with whom he has many political disagreements.
"Always professional, never personal," Bozell recalled Donaldson's motto regarding political debate. "If we can all remember that... then that resolves everything."
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Comments
I wish Brent could be on
Submitted by obxray on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 6:21pm.
I wish Brent could be on every network this coming Sunday to set these people straight.
Thank you
Submitted by grammajane on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 6:54pm.
Mr. Brozell..........You are such a decent and kind man!! I have been listened to and watched TV for some 60 years and have NEVER in that time heard such extremely hateful views coming from from "hosts" Why these people are still on the air makes me wonder if there are zero ethics in the news busines anymore?? Your views today are the same views as most caring American's who love this country. I support you and your NewsButers web and so do many of my "old time friends" We appreciate your time and concern and most of all, your truth. Thank you kindly!!
EXTREMELY inappropriate for Obama to mention "civility"
Submitted by krendler on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 7:12pm.
...at the memorial-turned-pep-rally, as if the lack of civility in political discourse had the slightest thing to do with the tragedy. He was just parroting the meme of the hard left media.
Obama should have been there strictly to honor the victims (altough, gee, I don't remember him going to Fort Hood). Not to take indirect shots at Glen Beck and Palin. Disgraceful.
For example
Submitted by krendler on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 7:17pm.
Why in the hell are these words being uttered at a memorial for the victims, who were shot by a madman?
Obama: At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized, at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do, it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.
Is there someway of getting
Submitted by ProudAmerican58 on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 7:22pm.
Is there someway of getting the entire CSPAN interview to view?
The bullshit has to stop NOW.
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 7:44pm.
The bullshit has to stop NOW. Conservatives have the right to put forward our hopes and dreams for our, our children and their children's future in America, without fear, shame or mourning period taking place.
The Obama Socialist Regime has made it perfectly clear to the American people, in no uncertain terms, their funda - MENTAL transformation's implementation means the death of the country and way of life We the People have enjoyed for 230 years.
The mid term election was a referendum on the strong arm tactics employed by the current regime's total control over all three houses of government for the past three years.
The new Republican majority must fight, tooth & nail, to restore America to the way she was before the Ass Clown and his czars moved into our White House.
They along with all real Americans must not be deterred from fulfilling the oath they swore to uphold by the tragic circumstances of this past week.
If it requires a few kicks in the nuts here & there combined with a boot to the throat for good measure, than so be it.
We are fighting for our lives and the future of our country here, not a medal or honorable mention at the county fair.
So lets wake up, more importantly GROW UP and smell the reality.
The only reason the douchebag liberal losers are asking for something as unatural and foreign to their kind as civil discourse , is because they are losing.
It's time to get back to business ( politics) as usual.......our very lives depend on it.
Barack_Must_Go.....
AMEN
Submitted by obxray on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 7:46pm.
AMEN
"Civil discourse" = muzzling conservatives
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 8:12pm.
It's time to take the gloves off.
This country, whether it realizes it or not, is rapidly nearing the final throws of its existence. Obama's coup has progressed far further, and far faster, than even I had imagined.
Our treasury is empty, our currency is dying, and our economy is going down the crapper at an alarming pace.
Everywhere you turn, America is in a state of decline - a decline that appears to be accelerating daily.
If this ship isn't turned around now, and I mean 180 degrees, we are going over the falls, and that right soon.
The time to save this nation for those who come after us is right now.
November of 2012 is going to be to damned late.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
That first caller is the
Submitted by Smartypants on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 8:20pm.
That first caller is the epitome of the brainwashed masses that fall prey to the drivel that spews from Democrats and their media friends. He thinks Republicans are "terrorists," not because of anything they have said or done, but because of what Democrats and the media say Republicans represent. If we had a fair media, there might be some folks like that walking around, but not nearly as many as what exists. A liberal psycho shoots a bunch of people in Arizona, and it is the Republicans' fault. Amazing, just amazing.
You said it brother.I thought
Submitted by obxray on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 8:32pm.
You said it brother.I thought the same thing.So many people are so ill informed.
I haven't seen or heard a
Submitted by Chris Norman on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 12:51am.
I haven't seen or heard a liberal asked about "civil political discourse" since the Tucson atrocity. However, if par for the course, I would bet that:
when an MSM interviewer asks a Democrat about his or her take on "civil discourse", it's framed as an invitation to attack conservatives. When a conservative is asked the same question, it's framed as an invitation to apologize to liberals.
did anyone hear if 0bam0
Submitted by gr29az on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 9:18am.
visited our border when he was here for his campaign rally?
hey 0 we still have a problem with illegals if you haven't heard
Not A Chance
Submitted by IrateNate on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 7:44pm.
Of course Obama didn't inspect our border - it's too dangerous. They listen to Fox News on their side, too.
¡dios mío!