From Reuters and the Hollywood Reporter comes news that PBS filmmaker Ken Burns used a New York panel discussion preceding the news and documentary Emmy Awards as a forum to denounce the Republican vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, as proof the selection process devolved "into a high school popularity contest and an American Idol competition" and insisted "in the whole history of the republic there has been no one with as thin a credential" as Palin.
The reporter on this story, Paul J. Gough, treated Burns as an eminence and not as a partisan liberal who endorsed Obama in December 2007. He also completely ignored that Burns made a sappy tribute film to Sen. Ted Kennedy for last month’s Democratic convention in Denver, and then went on MSNBC to tout him as an "amazing, amazing man." At the same event, CBS’s Bob Schieffer insisted the media coverage of Palin was fair, and that "It seems to me that some would suggest we should just accept on faith that Sarah Palin is qualified."
Gough reported that Burns declared at Fordham University:
"He (McCain) selected someone who is so supremely unqualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, and he has turned the selection process into a high school popularity contest and an 'American Idol' competition," Burns said. He said that McCain made a "cynical" pick in what he said was the most important decision of his presidential candidacy.
Burns, whose body of work has focused on American history, said that "in the whole history of the republic there has been no one with as thin as a credential" as Palin. He said it was, for McCain, a "Hail Mary pass" that will be decided in November.
Burns, who became famous due to a ponderously long documentary series on the Civil War, surely knows Abraham Lincoln had four terms in the Illinois House and one term in the U.S. House of Representatives – not unlike the experience of Sen. Barack Obama.
Jill Zuckman of the Chicago Tribune reported the Burns endorsement of Obama on December 18, 2007. Experience was hardly his emphasis:
Burns said he liked Obama right off the bat and felt he could stamp out society's "creeping cynicism" with his "unironic posture."
"I have been attracted from the beginning to his authenticity," he said. With the country facing difficult times, he said, the nation needs "someone able to dream and suggest a future without being tied to the past."
He also said he appreciated Obama's stand against the war when other candidates supported it.
"I think this is a human being who knew in advance how unnecessary and foolish this war was," Burns said, adding that Obama knows how to distinguish between "fraudulent wars," and "those that really need to be fought."
Gough reported that Schieffer didn't take a stand like Burns did, but he did defend the national media's coverage of Palin after she was named McCain's running mate.
"Sarah Palin is a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency. The presidency is the most powerful office in the world," Schieffer said. "It seems to me that some would suggest we should just accept on faith that Sarah Palin is qualified."
Bob Schieffer is 71, so this assertion of frailty might sound a little strong. Conservatives weren't arguing that Palin's experience should be accepted "on faith," but that the Eastern elite media shouldn't rush to endorse instant Democrat judgment. Gough said Schieffer paid tribute to Palin and her remarkable and compelling life story but insisted that the media didn't mistreat her.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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When do we do something?
September 23, 2008 - 11:38 ET by AgentAmericanThis is beyond disgusting and we need to do something....this is an emergency. I have never seen such a witch hunt in my entire life. The mainstream media is no longer trusted at any level, and will never regain its credibility until they make some serious changes!
Media elites, news directors and washed up celebrities are behaving badly on behalf of a candidate who has the thinnest of resumes. Ken Burns' statement was ridiculously stupid. You think someone with immense talent when it comes to filmmaking could be so arrogant and clueless.
The viewers have that power to make that change.
Drill ANWAR
"Palin is not qualified to
September 23, 2008 - 11:44 ET by TruthMonger"Palin is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency"
no sense of irony...? absolutely astounding...
the audacity of audacity
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
Filmmaker Elite
September 23, 2008 - 11:52 ET by Gothampc"You think someone with immense talent when it comes to filmmaking could be so arrogant and clueless."
Let me introduce you to Michael Moore. Have you met Woody Allen? And do you know Spike Lee?
These people are so into their own little worlds that they have no idea about reality.
Stop Fed Funding for PBS
September 23, 2008 - 11:43 ET by flyoverlandAnother example of why we should stop subsidizing PBS. Tell this guy to get a job on MS-NBC.
I contend that with the
September 23, 2008 - 11:45 ET by Dan The Man 2I contend that with the advebnt of popular elections by the populous all eletions are and have been popularity contests. One decides who they like based on who they think the canditates are. I look at modern day elections and the Kennedy/Nixon debates. Kennedy was merely the beauty in the TV debates and Nixon was the ugly one. So beauty over substance has always been in play.
It only comes out when the Republicans are better at it than the Dims.
Yes my example is simplistic but Kennedy won teh debate because Nixon looked better suited to radio than TV.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
And what the hell does
September 23, 2008 - 11:49 ET by Clear thinkerAnd what the hell does Burns think Obama is? I hear he's a Rock Star and totally unqulified for the job of POTUS. At least Sarah has run a state! Obama has run zip, zero, nada, squat.
A Feminist Cat Fight Over Sarah Palin
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
My thought exactly,
September 23, 2008 - 12:51 ET by motherbeltMy thought exactly, CT!
I'm sitting here reading, and yelling at my monitor: Hey, Burns!! What the heck makes Obama "supremely qualified" to be President?
Palin will only be "a heartbeat away"....Obama will BE the heartbeat!
Motherbelt: COncur!
September 23, 2008 - 18:25 ET by BDMotherbelt:
COncur!
I find it amazing that liberals challenge Palins credentials to be standing in the wings on international affairs issues by claiming she has no experience.
And their main man standing on center stage has exactly WHAT experience? He can talk at great length about the couscous he had in Pakistan during his vacation there and exactly how to put on a red robe in the east African style which he did exactly once.
Good God, if Obama expereince rises to the level of expertise, I am an expert on most countries of the globe and can serve as their ambassador after having lunch in their restaurants in DC....
BD... And to take it one
September 23, 2008 - 18:33 ET by Clear thinkerBD...
And to take it one step further... For this exercise, let's assume both Sarah and Obama have the same amount of experience in foreign affairs. Here's what becomes my stick of measurement between the two.
Sarah has experience with hard working Americans, and enjoys being around them.
Obama has experience with home grown terrorists like William Ayers, and enjoys being around them.
Who get's the thumbs up? Should be a no brainer, but some will pick Obama, and this is simply dangerous.
A Feminist Cat Fight Over Sarah Palin
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Candidate examination
September 23, 2008 - 19:33 ET by SchnikeysMy question is: Why isn't McCain pointing out the ridiculousness of this debate over who's qualified and who isn't, in the loudest fashion possible?
- I personally believe that a candidate's years of experience in a given position are not what need to be taken into account when deciding which side offers the better leadership.
But perhaps a better method of candidate examination includes looking at:
What each candidate's policies are, and what he/she/they is/are going to do to implement them.
How strongly each candidate's track record supports the notion that he or she is going to fully and effectively implement these policies. I believe that Sarah's record in this department, while not perfect, is stronger than that of any of her opponents (and unfortunately, the man who recruited her).
The assumptions and beliefs that each of the candidate's policies were founded on.
Now in order for McCain to truly succeed, he needs to be able recognize the subtle goings-on in the minds and beliefs of Obama and all his supporters, illustrate clearly how he differs from this culture in a way that, in the long run, will better serve the Americans, whose votes he seeks to earn.
In short, he has to be logical and effectively calculative- two qualities that I do not believe he possesses.
------------------------------------------------------------
"My morality is your morality."
ANTI-AMERICAN IDOL...
September 23, 2008 - 16:41 ET by danybhoyOh yeah, in American Idol terms, Obama is a "slim-shady" version of Ruben Stoddard. He was the huge(I really don't want to say fat, or overweight, but..)who won the 2nd season of Idol. Seems like a nice guy, can sing a bit, but he's not enjoyed the success of other Idol stars. Obama will fit that mold, not much success, outside of fooling the masses with the help of a corruot MSM.
"...it's still We The People, Right?" Megadeth
Not necessarily stoned, but, beautiful.
September 23, 2008 - 11:52 ET by CrashWow! For someone who produces historical documentaries Burns hasn't a clue. Like everything we do in life we learn from our personal history (experiences) and those of our ancestors. Yes Governor Palin has more executive experience than Obama. She has also displayed a history of better judgement (both personal & professional). It's been said that we can judge a man by the company he keeps. Based on Obama's repetition of errors ... his friends cannot be trusted.
History
September 23, 2008 - 11:54 ET by GothampcIt depends on whose history you believe. Ever read Howard Zinn? His history is always written from the point of view that it's all the white male's fault.
Burns' documentation of history.
September 23, 2008 - 13:06 ET by CrashArguably Lincoln was considered a greenhorn by his contemporaries.
According to several Democrats during the primaries only Edwards, Biden and Hillary were qualified to serve; because of their experience and admission that Obama lacked experience.. Hillary was qualified because she served as, "co-president." I still laugh at that one.
According Zinn ... I guess I'll have to rethink the African, Arabian and Asian continents, though, they were a mess long before they knew of my melanin challenged white ass.
Love child
September 23, 2008 - 11:54 ET by sawing battaIs it any story that a PBS lefty can bash a conservative? Not really.
I find it more interesting to think of him as the love child of Davie Jones from the Monkeys and Curious George.
Burns
September 23, 2008 - 11:54 ET by WonkaVisionAnother liberal wuss. Burns can say whatever he wants.....the reality is he is just another white liberal fully aroused at the chance to vote for a black candidate and make sure to let as many people as possible know about it.
You've touched on a brilliant insight, WV
September 23, 2008 - 22:19 ET by Scout Finch"I'm white, liberal, and I will vote for a black candidate based on the premise that he is black and.... well he's BLACK! Aren't I progessive? Aren't I "open-minded"? So what if he's a Socialist and a Marxist community rabble rouser.
It makes me look "diverse", doesn't it?
"The Civil War" was
September 23, 2008 - 11:58 ET by Kenny Bunkport"The Civil War" was brilliant. But after finding out Burns' leftwing politics, I was too leary to watch his WWII series. (also I didn't have the time).
I was afraid that he'd credit the Tuskegee Airmen, the Redball Express, and Rosie the Riveter as the winners of the war. American GI's would be relegated to a supporting role. I'll concede that I was told, by my friends who did watch, that he didn't denigrate the combat role of the Americans forces.
But this shows the danger of a producer (or entertainer) making his politics clearly known. My reaction was that he would probably turn his series into a revisionism so I didn't give it a chance. He lost a viewer because of his history (no pun intended) of yapping his trap.
Same with movies. If Alec Baldwin is in a picture, I won't even consider it. I figure he wouldn't be in it if it didn't have a lefty message. I've quit watching or listening to so many celebrities because they think they are more socially important than their job and decide to become political advocates.
A gun in your hand beats a cop on the phone.
Yes Civil War was brilliant
September 23, 2008 - 12:06 ET by WonkaVisionYes Civil War was brilliant and the WW2 series was very good....worth watching. But I was definitley waiting for the left leaning turn, I think he was smart enough to realize that he was dealing with a very important and sensitive topic for this country and would be in deep sh*t if he decided to pontificate.
Unfortunately, too many actors/actresses and musicians are left leaning dimbulbs. How can one of the biggest badasses on screen like Deniro be such a left wing dough boy?!!! *sigh*
WV, you got it. I used to
September 23, 2008 - 12:26 ET by Kenny BunkportWV, you got it. I used to be a big fan of DeNiro myself. I used to really like Martin Sheen. Now I can't watch them without trying to see if they've injected their leftwing politics into their roles.
To me a good positive role is someone like Will Smith. There's no doubt his politics are liberal and he supports Obama. However he's smart enough to not alienate half of his fanbase by going on political diatribes. Of course, this could always change.
Another huge lefty, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, was asked about his political preference in the 2004 election (even though he's British!). He said it's not a good idea to say things that can turn off some of his fans. He got bonus points in my book.
A gun in your hand beats a cop on the phone.
There's no lefty message in
September 23, 2008 - 12:21 ET by Hero SquadThere's no lefty message in Cat in the Hat... and Alec Baldwin does have a dog whiz on his taco.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
HS, I'm sure if I worked
September 23, 2008 - 12:31 ET by Kenny BunkportHS, I'm sure if I worked hard enough I could find it. LOL
He was pretty apolitical in Thomas the Tank Engine. Maybe he should stick to kid's fare.
A gun in your hand beats a cop on the phone.
Baldwin does utter what had
September 23, 2008 - 14:57 ET by Hero SquadBaldwin does utter what had to be the hardest line he's ever had to deliver: "Get out of my way, you hippie freak." Which, now that I think about it, since he was the "bad guy" and he hates hippies, he must therefore see himself as an evil Republican.
But yeah, I see a lot of Thomas with my 23-month-old son these days. Baldwin and George Carlin do a fair bit of the narration in those. Fairly apolitical presentations.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Experience?
September 23, 2008 - 12:00 ET by killbill22 years as Governor vs. 2 years as US Senator
8 years as a mayor vs. 8 years in State legislature
Bottom of GOP ticket vs. Top of Democrats ticket
Plenty of Qualified Candidates...
September 23, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Hero SquadIf they are looking for someone eminently qualified to be president, no one has more qualifications than George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, with 8 years of experience under their belts.
Oh wait, the most qualified candidates are not permitted to run for a third term. Hey, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter only served one term each, so perhaps they should run again, since they are the next most qualified people on the planet.
I guess next we'd have to look at vice presidents for qualification. Then we'd get our picks of Al Gore vs. Dick Cheney or Walter Mondale vs. Dan Quayle.
I mean, if we are going to keep touting "lack of experience", these are the only people who have any at the federal executive level.
Sorry, I guess I'm using a silly argument to counter a silly statement.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Stick to filmmaking
September 23, 2008 - 12:03 ET by easygoerAnd Obama would be the heartbeat of the presidency
excuse me
September 23, 2008 - 12:04 ET by WICON42IF you accept the premise ( I don't) but if you do , then , as every American truly knows is that Obama is the one that is so supremely unqualified here and is the Soul Train contest pick. MSNBC is pathetic and has surpassed CNN in race for the crappiest reporting. Get a real job Ken.
As a bald man there's
September 23, 2008 - 12:22 ET by DarkCurrentAs a bald man there's nothing that makes me as bitter as seeing hair wasted like that
Fab Four position has been filled
September 23, 2008 - 12:30 ET by Mica the MagnificentSomeone should inform Ken they are no longer auditioning for the position of 'Beatle.'
Moe.
September 23, 2008 - 16:25 ET by The DistributistMoe.
"Modern man is staggering and losing his balance because he is being pelted with little pieces of alleged fact which are native to the newspapers; and, if they turn out not to be facts, that is still more native to newspapers." -GKC
Et Tu Ken?
September 23, 2008 - 12:22 ET by MexNobamaI have seen his "Civil War" series so many times that I have some of Shelby Foote's comments memorized.
I enjoyed the Jazz program very much but it fell apart as it got into the 1950's period.
The baseball series left me cold, but I am a football kind of guy.
"The War" just stank. How can you make something about Hitler boring? Man, you just stick his face up on the internet and people get worked up one way or the other, but WWII as told by old southern ladies just really took all of the excitement out of it for me.
Ken Burns has a right to his opinion, but to see him fall into Palin bashing, while ignoring the equally thin resume of the Democrat's PRESIDENTIAL candidate shows a true disintegration of a once great film maker's objectivity.
Ken Burns is not supposed to be Oliver Stone, or David E Kelly, or Michael Moore. He is supposed to be a defender of American Patriotism, because he has used American Patriotism to build his career. (BTW despite his "heart on the sleeve leftie" stuff I really like David E Kelly's work.)
Burns doesn't have to vote McCain - Palin to be a patriot, but he does have an absolute duty due to the symbols of American Patriotism that have made his career to be above subjectivity in public.
Governor Palin is as American as loyal and as patriotic as the vast majority of people who appear in Burns' films. She deserves to be represented in an objective fashion. Burns must be able to see that Palin's record of experience is not only similar to that of Abraham Lincoln, but equal to that of Obama.
For a man who obviously possessed at one time a great deal of cutting edge talent, this is beyond bias. The man is publicly raping his own body of work with this kind of comment.
Biden's Running Mate
September 23, 2008 - 13:02 ET by allanfThose who argue that Joe Biden's running mate is some how more qualified than Governor Palin display a rather mawkish solipsism. Biden's running mate had an unremarkable nine years in a state legislature and three and one half unexceptional years in the US Senate.
These people imbue the qualities onto Obama that the wish him to have. It is the same energy that send people to Cuban clinics in search of miracle cures.
"I have been attracted from
September 23, 2008 - 14:13 ET by suzycreamcheese"I have been attracted from the beginning to his authenticity," [Burns] said.
I can call Obama many things, but authentic isn't one of them.
Aw, I actually like the majority of Burns' work--except for the boring baseball stuff. I won't be able to look at Burns the same way ever again. Once a "celebrity" makes my sh!t list, no second chance is given.
Seems to be a comparision here some where...
September 23, 2008 - 13:18 ET by UtherpendPot meet kettle.
The Hollywood liberals calling the Republicans celebrities when they made a star of Obama up till now.
I have now lost what little respect for Ken Burns I had left.
September 23, 2008 - 14:09 ET by R D Helm-Dave
Amazingly...
September 23, 2008 - 14:22 ET by Dan LaHoodhe made WWII boring, no mean trick.
Anyone who has ever heard Santayana's famous quote about History repeating itself is condemned to repeat it.
Dan, I agree.
September 23, 2008 - 14:45 ET by R D HelmBurn's presentation was a real snoozer. I had expected it to be as riveting as his baseball film.
Maybe Ken has lost it as a film maker.
-Dave
Lost Respect
September 23, 2008 - 14:41 ET by Ozark_SunshineI was going to buy some of Ken Burns documentaries, but I have now lost all respect for him and will not contribute money to a liberal liar and hater. Him and Hollyweird can stick it, for all I care.
My thoughts exactly. I
September 23, 2008 - 15:05 ET by mattmMy thoughts exactly. I would like to get his e-mail address so I can tell him that.
Burns shown burning up!
September 23, 2008 - 15:06 ET by KansasgirlWhat concerns me is his statement that the selection process is flawed. This reasoning is leaning toward tyranny, ie "the masses are too ignorant to know what is good for them. Also, his comment about Hussein looking to the future instead of the past. Hogwash! All Hussein talks about is the past. We need to prepare ourselves for their reaction to a loss. It could be dark days. Be safe.
Try this little Documentry on barry boy
September 23, 2008 - 15:14 ET by sjanus11Very entertaining / Eat Dirt Ken Burns
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036
"If your 20 and not a Liberal, You have no Heart. If you are 40 and not a Conservative, You have no Brain" Sir Winston Churchhill
Burns has burned all his
September 23, 2008 - 15:18 ET by bigtimerBurns has burned all his respect or interest in anything else he does from here on out with a huge majority of people on the good side of life.
...these idiots do not know when to shut the hell up and stick to what the pretend to know...with some credibility left.
He lit the match to his own person and burnt himself to the ground.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I'm sorry but ...
September 23, 2008 - 15:44 ET by Rhinoceroswho is ken burns?
Oh well he is correct to a point
September 23, 2008 - 15:56 ET by RhinocerosObama has been groomed by the guys who have run corruption in this country for may a year. They run drugs, guns and prostitution and Chicago so yes, yes, perhaps Obama does have more first hand knowledge of running something.
Maybe we should just pass over Obama and go straight for his boss. I'm sure any of the mob bosses in Chicago would love to run for President of the United States. Hell why go for the puppet when we can have the real power behind the crown.
One thing about Ken Burns
September 23, 2008 - 18:04 ET by StevefromMKEGuy needs a new hairstyle. The Cousin Oliver look isn't cutting it in the 21st century.
Hhhmmm
September 23, 2008 - 18:04 ET by LeftCoastRightieDifficult choice. An American Idol VP pick or POTUS candidate who cannot pass a fed security clearance.
Follow the money trail
September 24, 2008 - 06:05 ET by AmericanEnergistMost of Burns' celebrity comes from PBS. Democrats tend to support PBS (despite there being a jillion cable channels these days) and Republicans tend to want to cut funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Without PBS, Burns' exposure would rely solely on his talent and not a grant from the government or a foundation. Ratings would determine profit or loss - not just producing content.
While some of Burns' work has been great, I know that even during some of his best work, somebody like me has looked at the clock and asked 'is it almost over?'
Another self-important elitist proving his irrelevance.
www.ArmchairEnergist...
While some of Burns' work
September 24, 2008 - 07:03 ET by BDWhile some of Burns' work has been great, I know that even during some of his best work, somebody like me has looked at the clock and asked 'is it almost over?'