What's wrong with this picture: a young, prominent, liberal blogger gets a respectable and highly-coveted position with a leading, leftwing magazine, and for some reason, can't shake himself from the vulgarity and vitriol prevalent in his past writing?
Such appears to be the case for Ezra Klein, a virtual rising star in the liberal blogosphere, who despite being on the staff of The American Prospect, still feels the need to drop an f-bomb now and again while attacking one of the nation's leading television journalists.
As reported by new blogger Unpopular Front (vulgarity warning!):
Last night [Klein] said this about the moderation of the Democrat debate on MSNBC:
It's almost impossible for me to convey the damage Tim Russert and Brian Williams are doing to the republic this evening. So far, the questioning has gone something like: "Hillary, are you a racist?" "Barack, are you a scary black man who will continually remind us that we are racists?" "Senator Obama, why are you such a dick?" "Senator Clinton, would you like to comment on Senator Obama's past drug use?" "Senator Obama, you say you want to move us forward, but your press people have released documents mentioning Hillary Clinton. Please explain."
Sadly, Klein didn't stop there, for according to multiple sources including Unpopular Front and the liberal Wonkette, he later posted on the short-message blogging service called "Twitter,":
f*** tim russert. f*** him with a spiky acid-tipped d***.
Klein has since locked his "Twitter" page such that unregistered members can no longer view his vulgarity-laden threat. However, the curious can see it at UF and Wonkette with his picture proudly displayed.
Speaking of Wonkette, ever fascinated with vulgarity themselves, they seem thrilled with Klein's expletives, especially those not being deleted:
Famous-for-DC American Prospect blogger Ezra Klein usually keeps it clean on his lefty blog, but on his Twitter micro-blogging side project, he's just another sick fucking Wonketteer.
Is this really the future of journalism as we know it?
As Wonkette's founder Ana Marie Cox is now the editor of Time.com, it sadly appears so.
With that in mind, can you imagine such potty mouths being employed by leading conservative publications?
Yes, that was rhetorical.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
How open-minded, sensitive,
January 16, 2008 - 20:59 ET by wiwfHow open-minded, sensitive, and politically correct!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
But notice (on Wonkette) the
January 17, 2008 - 09:09 ET by BeowulfBut notice (on Wonkette) the standard liberal fall-back - "It was a joke". As Noel points out, this is indicative of a growing problem with our so-called journalists and our media as a whole. They have no impartiality, no cogent arguments for their positions, and answer all comments with vitriol instead of reason. They play partisanship to the hilt while continuously denying doing so. Not only do I find their bias offensive, I find their blatant insinuation that no one is smart enough to see it more so. Lastly, the fact that the American public allows such games to go on in the name of journalism is beyond disappointing and is definitely a great danger to our way of life, considering the vast amount of power the media has accumulated and their growing ability to manipulate virtually everything - from our "opinion" on the war, to the health of our economy, to who we elect to office. And we, the people, are facilitating this mind control which is being practiced upon us.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Pulitzer
January 17, 2008 - 09:28 ET by allanfGiven the art and information in Stein's writing he just may be up for a Pulitzer. After all it is now a self congratulatory insider prize for liberals. It not like he is a Bill Kristol who deserves to liberal enimity heaved upon him.
In the words of Maggie
January 16, 2008 - 21:03 ET by donsalesIn the words of Maggie Thatcher....."Who gives a flying cod what this insignificant little worm has to say.....anybody???
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
DS
January 16, 2008 - 21:07 ET by Noel SheppardDS,
None of us. However, it's emblematic of a growing problem. That's why it's both relevant and important.
Don't just swipe it aside because you don't know the guy. Major publications are hiring people like this.
Be afraid. Be very afraid, especially if you're raising children or care about those who are.
Think about it. ns
The DEMS are eating their OWN....LET THEM!
January 16, 2008 - 21:11 ET by donsalesNoel:
This is just one more example of the DEMS trying to kill each other off using dirty tricks, innuendo and outright lies to gain an edge......
As Tim Russert is a part of the great liberal elite, let them throw him to the wolves.....it's just good for him.....and maybe, just maybe, it'll make him stop and think for once in his life.....
I say let them at each other.....and reprise my earlier comment: Who Cares?
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
DS
January 16, 2008 - 21:19 ET by Noel SheppardDS,
Forgive me, but if this is indeed an example of liberals eating their own, assuming you're a conservative, doesn't this please you? As such, shouldn't you care?
After all, if this makes Russert "stop and think for once in his life," isn't that a good thing, and, more to the point, something you should care about?
On the flipside, and more to my point, if this is a sign of the times in journalism -- assuming that Klein isn't fired for this rant -- shouldn't we care that such vulgarity-laden attacks will be accepted by a magazine like The American Prospect? Doesn't that say something about the future of journalism, or shouldn't we care about that? ns
Are you kidding?
January 16, 2008 - 21:24 ET by donsalesI find Entertainment Tonight and shows of its ilk to be a real attack on our country and our moral compass.......
With heroes like Dan Rather, George Soros, Meathead Reiner and heroines like Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears......now we're talking about REAL problems in this country......
So some left wing nut reporting on a liberal website uses the "F" word?????? Sorry, but it's their very own code of honor at play, doncha think? Why do you suppose Air America has such good audience numbers????? NOT!
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
DS
January 16, 2008 - 21:29 ET by Noel SheppardDS,
Good points all. You're suggesting I'm sweating the small stuff. Okay. You're right. This is small stuff by comparison to other maladies facing the nation. No question.
However, as I said from the beginning, this is emblematic of those larger maladies. Should we solve the malignancies first? Yes, but let's not ignore the tumors growing below the surface that could be more serious problems down the road.
Make sense? ns
OK....you've beaten me
January 16, 2008 - 21:44 ET by donsalesOK....you've beaten me into submission....sort of......I'll not carry this argument further but it really is small potatoes on a slow news day IMHO.......
However, I believe the REAL problem we face today is a sorry lot of GOP candidates to catch any rising tide......they are losers to a man in one way or another and nobody has taken the bit and run with it.......it appears that the MSM is going to dictate both the DEM and GOP candidates who take the nominations this year......what a pile of dung we find ourselve in......Guliani let it get away from him.....McCain thinks he's Ronald Reagan today....tomorrow he'll revert back to Ted Kennedy....Romney reminds me of that cartoon character Mr. America.....all flash with little substance.....attractive suit surrounding a plethora of inconsistencies......an Arkansas reverend named Huckabee with a liberal legislative record back in Arkansas that would put Bubba to shame.....and a list of charges to the state for his own personal benefit that makes the Clinton exit from the WH mere child's play......a libertarian who is out to lunch on foreign policy....Ron Paul...."sometimes you feel like a nut"....and Fred Thompson who has all the credentials but no fire in his belly......YIKES!
Houston.....WE HAVE A PROBLEM.......
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
DS
January 16, 2008 - 22:22 ET by Noel SheppardDS,
I hope I haven't beaten you into anything, especially as you have raised very valid points.
Sadly, we seem destined again to walk into our polling booths in November holding our noses. How sad, as you eloquently state.
What's the alternative? Who in their right-mind is going to run for office in this environment? Our best and brightest prefer to stay in business. Can you blame them? ns
Noel, I agree that this guy
January 16, 2008 - 21:16 ET by balboaNoel, I agree that this guy is overboard here, but how is that going to affect your children?
Balboa
January 16, 2008 - 21:24 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Future of journalism, my friend.
After all, the current acceptance of misogyny, vulgarity, and violence in music is impacting our kids, no? Well, if such is now going to be accepted in "journalism," that most certainly will impact all of our kids.
We've gone down this road before, B. You don't have kids yet, and, as such, don't see things from a parental perspective. Those of us that have kids, and actually care about them more than ourselves -- which, sadly, is quite a minority these days! -- have a tendency to see virtually everything from a parental perspective.
If you ever have kids, you will, too...assuming you're a good parent that is! ns
So I just don't get it,
January 16, 2008 - 21:37 ET by balboaSo I just don't get it, that's what you're saying.
Balboa
January 16, 2008 - 21:42 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Sure. Until you hold your first kid in your arms, you can't. I view virtually everything with my kids in mind. You can't.
I'll present this more graphically: have you ever really loved anything?
I suggest the answer is "No" until you've had your first kid, for that's when you learn what love REALLY is. ns
NS
January 16, 2008 - 21:45 ET by BlondeI think that's the sweetest thing I've ever read.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
→ Noel and Blonde
January 16, 2008 - 23:48 ET by Cool ArrowYou think that's love. Wait til you hold a grandchild in your arms.
I ♣ My Seal
Fair enough. While knowing
January 16, 2008 - 21:51 ET by balboaFair enough.
While knowing my viewpoint doesn't count (and not condoning what Ezra wrote), I maintain that I don't see him as a threat to America's future generations either.
No Worrys
January 16, 2008 - 23:07 ET by RovinActually Balboa, we may not have to worry about this sad generation. Stats show conservatives are outbreeding liberals
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/09/19/is_the_right_outbreeding_the_left/
Rovin
Yes, well, I can't really
January 16, 2008 - 23:28 ET by balboaYes, well, I can't really comment any further since I don't have kids. I'm persona non grata! Outcast! Shunned!
balboa, I don't have kids either
January 17, 2008 - 03:12 ET by PamBut I do have an understanding of what these people are clearly trying to say to you. I am not sure if you are just being obtuse, or you really don't understand, but having kids or not having kids is not really the issue. The issue is the moral decay in society with regards to the vulgar language that passes as conversation, or in Ezra's case..journalism?!?! We are seeing a generation that recognizes no boundaries. They seem to think that everything they say and do is okay, and what the parents and grandparents here are saying is that it is not okay. This is not what we want to see society reduced to. They don't want this for their children. They want their children to know that there are acceptable and unacceptable forms of behavior. I want their children to be taught boundaries.
Noel even though your
January 16, 2008 - 21:39 ET by motherbeltNoel even though your question was rhetorical, I have an answer for you:
can you imagine such potty mouths being employed by leading conservative publications?
No, because conservatives are capable of forming and advancing a solid argument, and expressing their frustration and/or anger without the use of expletives. The use of that type of language in an argument is, like the temper tantrum of a two-year-old, a symbol of frustration at being powerless to control events. Another similar behavior is said two-year-old yelling at his mother "I hate you! I hat you!!"
morality defined downward
January 16, 2008 - 22:44 ET by needleMotherbelt, I do believe you are on to something. What we are watching here is Liberal journalism
stepping out on a slippery slope of its own devising. I certainly agree with Noel that this is
worth watching, and I look forward to many more developments. This may well provide conservatism in all its
forms (not just journalism) a bigger and wider role in our society, and maybe even
eventually in the popular culture (no harm in dreaming big).
The following thought is stretch to put it mildly, but still
it is worth thinking about: Restoration England
was a moral cesspool too (sometimes we tend to forget), and the worst of it was
among the elite (roughly – very roughly – equivalent to Hollywood in part). Gradually after the Glorious Revolution
England pulled away from the cesspool somehow (just how is an interesting
question that I have never heard addressed in a fleshed out – ignore the pun – and
compelling manner). By the beginning of
the nineteenth century Jane Austin was writing Persuasion and Sense
and Sensibility. What a transition!
Standing where we do it is hard to imagine such a transition
for our present society and popular culture.
However, history indicates that morality is not always and continually defined
downward. BTW, consider my tag line,
which freely translated means: Impunity always begets greater crimes. (The story of the Clintons in five words.) NewsBusters is doing its bit to help.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat
I will tell you how
January 16, 2008 - 21:32 ET by Pambalboa,
Language like this is becoming the normal speak..Like Diane Keaton using the word F'k on GMA. Is it not possible to speak without using vulgarity?
Pam
January 16, 2008 - 21:35 ET by Noel SheppardPam,
Yes! That's what this is about. How much of this vulgarity are we willing to accept in the public parlance? If everyone is speaking this way, how do I raise kids to not, especially if I believe more genteel language will get them further in their professional lives?
ns
One of my son's 18-year-old
January 16, 2008 - 21:40 ET by motherbeltOne of my son's 18-year-old son let the f-bomb slip in front of me and immediately apologized. I told him OK, but he should realize that that kind of language was so ingrained that some day he might let it slip out in a job interview.
MB
January 16, 2008 - 21:43 ET by Noel SheppardMB,
And, then he doesn't get the job...assuming this nonsense doesn't continue! ns
I'm not sure how many
January 16, 2008 - 22:17 ET by CortillaenI'm not sure how many others here are in my age group (I left the 'teens just a few months ago), but from middle school on, I've been subjected to all manner of foul language, especially the f-word by those around me. Even my own father uses that word on occasion, but I never have, and don't intend to. My mindset on cursing, for as long as I've considered it, has been, "If you have to curse to say something, it's not worth saying." It's become an object of disdain for me, and, at times, amusement when someone goes into a furious string of expletives that mean a sum total of nothing. I can't help but laugh at people like that.
On the other hand, during the Christmas break I heard my younger brother direct that same word at my dad and receive only a day's grounding from television in punishment. I think the biggest problem here is parents who don't bother punishing their children for cursing, in effect saying, "It's not really bad, we just don't like it," instead of sending a more forceful message. Of course, movies and faux-music (my term for rap, hip-hop, etc) aren't helping the matter any. Even many of the women my age regularly curse now, something I find disturbing in some instances.
In the end, no matter how much exposure one gets to foul language from friends and family, it's always a personal choice to use it or not. I just wish more people would make the better choice.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
Language games
January 16, 2008 - 23:56 ET by KC MulvilleMost languages make a distinction between the formal and familiar. In Spanish, you say Ustedes instead of tu when you're addressing someone in authority; in German, you say Sie instead of du. Most English students of a foreign language think that whole "formal" thing is just snotty. English once had a formal, "thou," but that fell away. (Oddly, "you" was once the formal, but somewhere along the line -you- and -thou- switched places.) We pride ourselves on our equality, so we reject such formality.
Well, when you're surrounded by gutter language, you begin to wonder if rejecting formality was such a good idea. Formality conveyed respect. When you used formal language, that proved that you respected your listener. OK, for cultural reasons that was corrupted into class obedience, and we rightly rejected that. English now only has the familiar, and even though the formal was useful, we do without it.
The familiar form is supposed to be neutral. But when it's overloaded with gutter language, it goes in the other direction. It shows active disrespect, instead of the respect of formal language. When you're around constant f*bombs, and everything is modified by reference to body parts and body functions, the language conveys disrespect and insult. Sometimes that language is useful, when you're deliberately trying to convey disrespect. But when it's a constant in your speech, it just means you don't respect anything.
Hey, I won't kid you. I used to talk like that. I don't anymore. That's because I've come to respect other people a lot more than I used to. That's what happens when you get older, I guess.
Rocky....YOU HAVEN"T CHANGED ONE IOTA!
January 16, 2008 - 21:59 ET by donsales"I agree this guy is overboard......."
Pray, do tell and explain yourself most exhalted and intelligent of the bloggers on this here forum.......
Or is that simply one more KNEE JERK reaction from a bleeding lib?????? Yep, that's it all right........haven't changed a bit since we last sparred last year......lol
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
Um...what?
January 16, 2008 - 22:02 ET by balboaUm...what?
Go Fetch!
January 16, 2008 - 22:05 ET by donsalesRocky:
You don't know what you blogged and you don't know how to follow a thread.........
Simply amazing......try looking further up the line to where you posted this jibberish......atta boy.....just hit the arrow up key....good fella......woof!
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
Um...what?
January 16, 2008 - 22:17 ET by balboaUm...what?
Good point
January 16, 2008 - 23:14 ET by celatorI agree with you completely, Noel. It is correct to point out the growing vulgarity in our public and private discourse, and to react against it, to basically protest. I've observed that there is often a high correlation between the nearly compulsive use of really foul language and the speaker's inability to form a cogent argument--a point Motherbelt makes very well.
And vulgar language really is emblematic of a serious decline in the general moral atmosphere we find in public forums, online or in normal daily life. What one hears on television now even during the so-called family hour is despicable--a terrible sign of the times.
My kids are all grown now, but in my household, no such language was permitted. Period. My grandkids are being taught to expand their vocabulary and present their point of view clearly, using appropriate words.
I'm glad you caught this little item.
Bill Maher does have a bastard son
January 16, 2008 - 21:22 ET by Lame CherryWow Bill Maher does have a son he has not claimed..........as Bill Maher is a sexophile like this uninteresting obsessed individual.
Their obsessions by the continuous vulgar sexual f and d word. It also conveys they are afraid of sex and quite bad at it.
On the opposite listen to William F. Buckley jr. sometime in he is quite delightful in smashing people intelligence.......for that matter Pat Buchanan is adept at the intellectual attack too.
I just wonder if this was the first time Tim Russert has been attacked by a penis as a vocabulary weapon.......this Ezra Klein in print is stating that the penis is to be used as a very weapon and that attack is to be rape.
He probably voted for Bill Clinton too.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Free falling
January 17, 2008 - 00:21 ET by nwahsIMO, Hillary Clinton is in a free fall. Her appearance on Meet the Press this past Sunday made her look like an unstable person. Her personal attacks against Russert were out of place and thrown around without any foundation. Basically she was saying "you're picking on me." I imagine the meltdown of Clinton bloggers is a byproduct of the Clinton meltdown which is obviously going on. Only a Clinton could tell a black man that they aren't black enough.
To this point she only had to deal with softball questions. She is showing she doesn't have the substance to deal with adversity.
In the interview with CBS, asked about what was some of the worst advice she had received in her life, her answer centered around fashion advice. I found that typical of a moronic, superficial person. Asked that question, would you think of clothes? Would you want your future President to think "clothes" for that question?
What is it with liberals and their profanity
January 17, 2008 - 03:21 ET by ReaganJrI don't get it. I have read several conservative blogs and a handful of liberal blogs. I usually try to stay away from them because I don't like it when my head explodes.
There are a few conservatives that use profanity but it seems like EVERY liberal has to cuss. Don't they have any self-respect? Well that was a dumb question. People with self-respect are conservatives.
I know, I know!
January 17, 2008 - 03:34 ET by tracheostomy1. It sounds more anti- "the man."
2. Sheer shock to get your attention.
3. It keeps them in touch with their f---in' protest roots, man!
4. It gets your attention. What, you want to read boring facts?
5. It sounds more "British rock-star," which is what every lib secretly wants to be.
6. It distracts from content. "Don't look at the quality of my writing, I just said F$#@!!"
7. It shows they mean business. Don't mess with me, I'm swearing!
8. Refined speech is for the rich, who only pay 2% of the taxes. . .man. >;)
9. George Carlin would do it.
10. It proves how "progressive" they are; pushing acceptable boundaries. It's naughty for naughtiness sake.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
→ Yo Trake
January 17, 2008 - 04:02 ET by Cool ArrowYour precise insight tells me you've spent considerable time around Liberals.
"George Carlin would say it" Priceless.
I ♣ My Seal