In what can only be described as delusional, Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey attempted to castigate the right wing media as a bitter and resentful group of shameless journalists - attributes that can only describe the liberal media's behavior for at least eight years now.
The title itself, ‘Right-wing media feeds its post-election anger,' demonstrates that Rainey will not be pulling any punches with his article. But why is he focusing on the reaction of conservative talk show hosts less than one week after Obama's election? Did he forget the liberal media's - nay, the mainstream media's - chronic case of misplaced anger since election night of 2000?
The answer, of course, is no. Rainey's employer, the LA Times, has been one of the biggest offenders of liberal media ignorance in quite some time. After all, The Times has produced rants that read like a rap sheet of bias.
An examination of the piece follows...
Rainey's conservative radio bashing dives head first with paragraph one:
You have to give Rush Limbaugh a perverse kind of credit. At least when he is demonizing Barack Obama, fabricating Obama policies, blaming Obama for single-handedly causing the recession and the stock market crash, he doesn't pretend to be fair.
Questioning our under-experienced President-elect isn't being fair? Is it truly unfair to question the effect that a potential Obama victory had on our markets, and what an actual victory has done to send the stock market into the tank?
Rainey is referring to Limbaugh's commentary that with the two day post-election stock market plunge, the Obama recession is in full swing. Rush isn't the first, or only one raising such a point. Investor's Business Daily ran an editorial on October 10th, regarding the link between a market dive and the election of America's first socialist President. Our President-elect will make a dramatic shift away from capitalism, and will raise income, capital gains, dividend and payroll taxes, but it is simply unfair to assume any relationship between that knowledge and the biggest two day market loss since 1987? Rainey wishes only to indulge in mindless Limbaugh bashing.
Rainey then shifts this mindless focus to Sean Hannity, criticizing what he views as insincere support for Obama.
Sean Hannity, on the other hand, insisted on feigning a post-election detente, telling his Fox News television audience last week, "I want Barack Obama to succeed."
Didn't he think anyone would notice that, just a moment later, he was back parroting the failed campaign argument that Obama is a "mystery"?
After eight years of pure unadulterated hatred for President Bush, the liberal media simply do not have the mental capacity to grasp the concept that a conservative just might not hate Barack Obama in the same manner. Or, that a conservative like Hannity or Elizabeth Hasselbeck could throw their support behind our President despite disagreeing with his policies. Hannity has every right as a journalist to question Obama's past, and the media has the responsibility to explore these mysteries as well, though they clearly have no desire to do so.
Rainey confuses such questioning as proof that Hannity doesn't mean what he says, while simultaneously dismissing the argument that Obama remains a mystery as purely false. On the contrary, the mystery of Obama's past associations has never been aptly explored, can therefore not be considered false, and in fact, has been perpetuated by the LA Times themselves when they refused to release the Khalid Al Masour video, creating their own mystery.
The article becomes unintentionally funny with this statement:
But many on the losing end of last week's election want to hold on to their anger.
Holding onto a week's worth of supposed anger hardly compares to several years of tangible liberal anger, but I digress.
Rainey proceeds to attack Limbaugh's commentary about Democrats and a takeover of 401(k) retirement plans.
In a time when the nation calls out for cool leadership and rational discussion, Limbaugh stirs the caldron, a tendency he proved in a particularly grotesque way last week when he accused Obama's party of plotting a government takeover of 401(k) retirement plans.
"They're going to take your 401(k), put it in the Social Security trust fund, whatever the hell that is," Limbaugh woofed. "Trust fund, my rear end."
A slight problem with Limbaugh's report: Obama and the Democrats have proposed no such thing.
The proposal, in fact, emanated from a single economist, one of many experts testifying to a congressional committee.
Research into the issue seems to contradict the assertion that the idea is relegated solely to one radical economist spouting off ideas, as Rainey is suggesting. The proposal was raised at a hearing held by Rep. George Miller, a Democrat from California and chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, who considers 401(k)s ‘a big failure.'
Not to mention, the phrase ‘plotting a government takeover' is quite misleading, when Limbaugh actually had stated that Obama's party ‘is talking about a government takeover of 401(k) plans.'
Talking and plotting are two very different things. Talking and proposing - also two very different things. Rush never claimed they were plotting or proposing anything. He said the Democrats were talking about such things. Rainey skillfully has taken Limbaugh's comments out of context, a staple for an LA Times writer.
Rainey states his disdain for this alleged falsehood:
To broadcast such a report -- so drained of context as to constitute a lie -- would be a shameless act at any time. But Limbaugh needlessly stirred the fears of the millions he holds in his thrall -- making the 401(k) thievery sound like nearly a done deal. Shameless.
‘Drained of context' is more aptly applied to Mr. Rainey's counterpoint, as we've already examined. And shameless, well, that more appropriately describes the LA Times disturbing history of anger and bitterness towards conservatives - something Rainey is deriding in his own work.
Some all-star examples of this hatred follow:
A Times Op-Ed column in 2006 considered George Bush a greater threat to civil liberties than Richard Nixon.
An LA Times Columnist defined President Bush as our Torturer-in-Chief. The columnist's anger was so blatantly obvious, that NewsBusters Mark Finkelstein declared that ‘so virulent is her anger at President Bush that she appears blinded to the bigger picture.'
They also ran a column in which their writer stated matter-of-factly that he despises the efforts of those in Iraq. His words? ‘I don't support our troops.'
A search of past NewsBusters posts involving the LA Times will show a bevy of anger and hatred towards President Bush, and conservatives in general.
Rainey's week of enduring ‘right-wing anger' does not compare on any level to the Los Angeles Times own history of ‘right-wing hatred.'
Photo Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Me.
November 9, 2008 - 22:58 ET by JWFThe only anger I have heard of is me.
Still gonna listen to Rush. Not even gonna follow the link to LAT. I will take your word for it the Rainey guy is a jerk and a half.
Oh, and I heard that 401k talk too, not from Rush. It is called private property. Good luck trying to take away my 401k democrats and socialist trolls.
They are completely dead brain stupid for even suggesting it.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Right wing media?
November 9, 2008 - 23:42 ET by ScrapironWhy are the Right Wing Media outlets they cite gaining viewers and listeners by the millions and rags like the LASlimes/NYSlimes wondering where their readers went? The only pending bankrupt filings I've hear of involve the left wing anti-american media outlets. Several have already bit the dirt and more are standing on the edge of a cliff waiting for their money men to say 'jump'. At least McDonalds is getting a large selection of college educated burger burners.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
House Democrats Contemplate
November 9, 2008 - 23:00 ET by TN MomHouse Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401(k) Tax Breaks Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive.House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-California, and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Washington, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. (GP, 10.25.08).
and speaking of 'stirring fear' wasn't it the OBAMA CAMPAIGN who put out a TV ad stating McCain was going to invest SS in the failing stock market?
$3 trillion 401(k) system
November 9, 2008 - 23:47 ET by ScrapironThe democrats have a lot of bridges to nowhere to fund and personal overseas bank accounts for most of the money to end up in.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Research into the issue
November 9, 2008 - 23:09 ET by balboaResearch into the issue seems to contradict the assertion that the idea is relegated solely to one radical economist spouting off ideas, as Rainey is suggesting. The proposal was raised at a hearing held by Rep. George Miller, a Democrat from California and chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, who considers 401(k)s ‘a big failure.
And Rush ran with it to state that they are in fact going to take over the 401k. Rush wants people to get as upset and alarmed as possible.
....as anyone who has a
November 9, 2008 - 23:46 ET by Snappy....as anyone who has a 401k should be.
Alarmed and upset that is, at the mere mention of the doing away with, the taxing of or the buying out of 401k investments.
...all because of 80billion in "lost" tax revenue. You can be sure that if people dont get alarmed and upset about this it will happen. all for our own good of course.
Then Rush has reached his
November 9, 2008 - 23:56 ET by balboaThen Rush has reached his demographic. But don't say Rush is bitter or angry about any of it.
Angry and Bitter? These
November 9, 2008 - 23:45 ET by BlazerAngry and Bitter? These folks haven't seen angry and bitter yet.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blazer, Me and some of my
November 10, 2008 - 00:06 ET byBlazer,
Me and some of my friends are interested in organizing/focusing our anger and bitterness; what web sites do you suggest for motivated people like us to read?
The LA Times is mistaking
November 9, 2008 - 23:52 ET by Clear thinkerThe LA Times is mistaking anger and bitterness, for sadness. I have talked to so many people that are sad because their fellow citizens have chosen Socialism/Marxism. What happens next is anyones guess.
Comrade Obama - I Told You So!
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
exactly Clear - the sadness is overwhelming
November 10, 2008 - 00:53 ET by Dee Bunkfor me and it's not that Obama got elected - but the way he did. That enough people couldn't see through the media and the despicable treatment of Palin and JTP. The fawning coverage of Obama doesn't bother me nearly as much as the smear machine on those two - especially JTP. We have truly lost human decency and any sense of fair play and right or wrong.
These moderate pretenders on NB here even joined in on making fun of those two and see nothing wrong with what the media did. It could be you or someone they've met face to face and they would justify it.
IF we had an objective media I wouldn't be nearly as upset because he couldn't do all the things he wanted then. Public pressure would be strong enough to stop a lot of it.
Our only chance is to take back congress and I can't see doing that with this new completely in the tank for democrats media. They are going to portray all Republicans as fringe haters who are complaining about some Utopian progress that no one could object to.
As you know - I said during the primaries that he would be our next President and I was prepared for it in a way. I was not prepared for the despicable attacks on Sarah Palin and JTP and I don't see how any rational person can think those are small things. It was during that time that I began to see Obama and his supporters true colors.
I think in a way - I'm more afraid of his pitchfork carrying supporters than I am of him and what he will do. I don't know - it's hard to say - they are both very scary.
pardon me if...
November 10, 2008 - 00:28 ET by i was just thinkingPlease excuse me if I do not choose to bask in the glow of The Chosen One's halo. Perhaps I should take a lesson from the left on how to be a good sport after losing an election.
Los Angeles Times is Paying For Their Left-wing Agenda
November 10, 2008 - 04:22 ET by Rush FanHaving lived in the Los Angeles area for many years, I can't remember when the Times was not spewing a liberal bias agenda. But they continue to pay a heavy price for this bias.
As Ken Shepherd pointed out earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times lost 20% of daily circulation or more than 200,000 copies over the past four years. For the six-month period ending September 2008, the Los Angeles Times circulation dropped 5.2%. Moreover, 250 jobs were cut this year and the number of pages published decreased by 15%.
The decrease in circulation has been experienced by most of the print media as more of us obtain our news online. However, liberal newspapers such as the Times don't seem to understand that one of the reasons we seek our news online is due to the lack of balance and objectivity in the liberal media.
Will the last person to be laid off from the Los Angeles Times please turn off the lights!
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"There is no longer a media in this country. There is simply an established propaganda arm for the Democrat Party and any and all who relate to it in any way, elected and unelected." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Red, Bitter and Very Happy$
November 10, 2008 - 01:31 ET by TelemarkTumaloMake no mistake about it boys, Rush, Sean, Ann and Bill are ecstatic about the Obama victory as it gives them lots of ammo for the next 4 or 8 years. This group of paranoid fearmongers loves to fire salvos at any Democrat, and what ammo they will have. Consider the state of the state, of the economy, the U.S. position amongst the other superpowers and our previous (to 2000) position with our former allies and Obama will have a full slate of repairs to make. A failed war in Iraq, a record setting deficit and debt (whatever happened to Reagan's and Clinton's fiscal restraint?), and absolutely no progress on welfare or SS reform. Worst of all, has been Bush's out and out attack on the Constitution (Gitmo and the Patriot Act “Stop throwing the Constitution in my
face,” Bush screamed “It’s just a goddamned
piece of paper!” Yep, W. has been a real cowboy alright. No wonder the Republicans got their asses handed to them on election night! So, the shock jocks will have quite a bit of jawing to do now. Anger? Naw, that is code for more advertising money as all of YOU angry boys buy into their ketsch. Enjoy the next 8 years boys! Don't blame the rest of us. Maybe you should have nominated Kemp in 2000 when you had the chance.
Hey Tubalo
November 10, 2008 - 04:11 ET by old croWhere do you get off saying that the right is a bunch of paranoid fearmongers? Just a quick review of any leftist/democrat/hollywoodsville statement involving any subject, the economy, global warming, SS etc. will show you who plays on a persons fear. Get real. Please add a link to your President Bush quote also. You wouldn't know class if it walked up your a**. Begone troll and Ohhbama minion, back to the kos, du or huffington postal, and do not litter this fine upstanding site with dreck opinion not worthy of a five year old.
Goog morning old
November 10, 2008 - 13:06 ET by cocodriefrom another old. You're cutting five year olds kinda short ain't you?
Once again, too much stupid packed in too small a skull
November 10, 2008 - 08:24 ET by JWFPinhead,
Our economy has grown 30% since 2000, pinhead
We are the sole superpower, pinhead.
We have lost zero allies, pinhead.
The war in Iraq is all but won, pinhead.
Deficit and debt not record setting, pinhead. Look to WWII and many many many other times. You forgot inflation pinhead. PERSPECTIVE, compare to GDP, pinhead.
Welfare destroys families and cultures, pinhead.
NO ONE outside of terrorists and pinheads have been bothered by Gitmo and the Patriot act, pinhead.
The quote from President Bush is a lie, as a matter of fact, all off your little rant was a lie, pinhead. That makes you a LIAR, pinhead.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Another agitprop spreading
November 10, 2008 - 12:53 ET by stratmanAnother agitprop spreading the manure of unsubstantiated Liberal Facist fantasies.
Where is your proof, comrade?
So, ONE person supposedly told three others who told hater Thompson.
Spurious and completely uncorroborated.
The people looking to bastardize the Constitution are your leader Obama, his administrative underlings, and minions such as your troll self.
Angy and bitter?
November 10, 2008 - 06:23 ET by islero47Sounds like projection to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection
Sarah Palin/Jason Lewis 2012
Obama is a pathological nacissist: http://www.faithfree...
About the so-called "Fairness Doctrine"
November 10, 2008 - 07:16 ET by Blogger Guy00001What the idiot said doesn't matter. It's all about preparing the public's minds to accept government control and regulation of thoughts and speech, through the cleverly named "fairness doctrine" (not fair, and not a doctrine)
Kind of like..
November 10, 2008 - 07:36 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. 'save the children'. A roundabout connection is all you need for justification.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Purge the name McCain
November 10, 2008 - 10:05 ET by BigSpoon65BigSpoon65
Please purge the name McCain from any conversations about the future of the party. I hated his brand of conservatism from the start and only voted for the ticket because Sarah Palin was on it. He is a RINO and will continue to skewer conservatives every chance he gets. I am repulsed by him and his lust for MSM acceptance and the left-wing loons of the democrat party. He needs to just go ahead and switch parties already. I will NOT support a moderate again. No more selling out conservatism to appease the people who hate this country!
Winston Churchill ~ "Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy."
McCain/Huckabee 2012?
November 10, 2008 - 10:13 ET by Sergeant ROCKBirds of a feather.. like I've been saying, 'you can't out-liberal a liberal' and win elections. Ask Bob Dole and John McCain.
Oh, I wouldn't count on Huckabee either.
Alan KEYES 2012
Just another example
November 10, 2008 - 10:35 ET by NorthCoasterof "Lefty Derangement Syndrome". The Left was so incensed at the results of the 2000 and 2004 elections that "they" pissed an moaned and called everyone on the Right vile names. There has been no respect for Bush or Cheney or the Republican Congress in for the last 8 years.
Conservatives/The Right have a responsibility to be observant and concerned with the results of the last election especially since it appears that there was massive registration fraud through ACORN and the Obama/Biden team is "ready to rule" from a Leftist perspective. Everything that the Democrats and the MSM have done in the last 8 years has created the poisonous politicle environment we see today. These stories about "Right Wing Rage" are just a projection of the feelings that the Left has had for 8 years.
The Left needs to get over it and "work together in a spirit of bi-partisanship" (Sarc-off)
And the precident is ?
November 11, 2008 - 02:42 ET by TelemarkTumaloI agree with you that the left needs to work with the right in a spirit of bipartisanship. But, read the postings on this site. If the group of Conservatives represented here are consistent in thought with the elected Republicans of the House and Senate, do you think that bipartisan cooperation is likely to occur? I understand that there is a good deal of wound licking going on right now, but sooner or later, the seven stages of grief in higher primates inevitably leads to acceptance.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the
President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is
not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the
American public." President Theodore Roosevelt
Yeah. Like the Left
November 11, 2008 - 14:40 ET by stratmanYeah. Like the Left "accepted" Bush for eight years.
The Dems have been given free reign by the media to pout, whine, lie and cheat for eight years. The result has been the election of a flim-flam artist, Obama.
Document the bipartisonship and happy-think of Democrats since the Iraq war that you now cajole Republicans to proffer.
Marvelous cognitive dissonance between your post and tagline.
Rush is all Over This
November 10, 2008 - 13:33 ET by Hooterville DenizenMonday, November 10 -
Rush is going over this item by item on his radio show. He "suggests" to the LA Times that they get back to reporting news - not VIEWS posing as news.
LA Times: another outpost of the Ministry of Propaganda