Time Trashes Bernard Goldberg Bias Book As One to 'Toss' Instead of Read

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By Tim Graham (Bio | Archive)
February 24, 2009 - 18:22 ET
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Last year, Time magazine created a little mini-book review featured called "The Skimmer," to quickly determine for readers whether a new book is something they should either Read, Skim, or Toss. In the March 2 edition, Time took up Bernard Goldberg’s media-bias expose A Slobbering Love Affair. Unsurprisingly, they trashed it as a book to "Toss."

A look back over the feature quickly demonstrates that Time has used the feature to offer raves and "Read" recommendations for fellow members of the liberal media, especially when they’re bashing President Bush or his war on terror. The list begins with former Wall Street Journal reporter Jane Mayer (July 28, 2008 issue), Washington Post bias legend Bob Woodward (September 22), Washington Post reporter Steve Fainaru (November 24), New York Times columnist Paul Krugman (December 22), and New York Times reporter David Sanger (February 2).

Time’s Gilbert Cruz bashed Bernie throughout his mini-review:

As a conservative media critic writing for a conservative publishing house addressing a conservative audience, Bernard Goldberg, a former CBS journalist and the author of the media-bashing memoir Bias, doesn't have to do much to notch a best seller.

Step 1: sarcastically criticize the "mainstream media" as hopelessly liberal. Step 2: repeat for 20 or so abbreviated chapters. Goldberg's objections to "mainstream media" coverage of Barack Obama are fairly well worn. Among the many complaints, he notes that Obama's associations with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and former Weatherman Bill Ayers didn't get enough press scrutiny during last year's election campaign, while Sarah Palin's clothing and Joe the Plumber's personal life got too much.

Because of their fawning over Obama, the "mainstream media" – if the author removed that modifier, this book would be a pamphlet – have left their credibility "in tatters," Goldberg writes. Of course, just saying something doesn't make it so. But that won't matter to Goldberg's readers, who will devour his latest with gusto.

Cruz could easily look at his first sentence and realize he is a liberal book critic writing for a liberal magazine addressing a liberal audience. But perhaps that’s too much to ask.

—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.


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Hmmmm

February 24, 2009 - 18:27 ET by rick007

 

 Don't toss the NYT. It's needed in the outhouse. 

Hey Bernie... Cruz and

February 24, 2009 - 18:30 ET by bigtimer

Hey Bernie...

Cruz and the few Time Rag readers just boosted your book sales!

Leftists just don't know how happy they make me at times like this.

If the Times says it's

February 25, 2009 - 10:56 ET by TheConservativeChemist

If the Times says it's crap, you know it has to be good!

 

All of Bernie's books are right on the money anyway...

Of course, just saying

February 24, 2009 - 18:31 ET by Trix Rabbit

Of course, just saying something doesn't make it so.

That's right Junior.  And just because you skimmed through Goldberg's book, doesn't give you the right to get your panties in a bunch because Time magazine has been the stuff for the trash bin for the past four decades.

For the MSM: In your pomp and all your glory, you're a poorer man than me.  As you lick the boots of death born out of fear.

Ian Anderson "Wind up"

 

 

.....But that won't matter

February 24, 2009 - 18:34 ET by MidAmerica

.....But that won't matter to Goldberg's readers, who will devour his latest with gusto.

   hhmmm... There's something of a contradiction here.  They are saying to 'toss' it but at the same time saying that Goldberg's readers will 'devour' it.  So wouldn't the correct recomendation be to 'read' it if you like Bernies witing?  A 'toss' would only be called for if hardly anyone would like reading it.  It's almost as if they don't care about people who like to read Goldberg's books.

Almost?

February 24, 2009 - 19:22 ET by Dan Diego

Bernie cut open the belly of a dying beast and climbed out, exposing the rotting entrails of the MSM. He will never be forgiven for that.

"Of course, just saying

February 24, 2009 - 18:40 ET by ckc1227

"Of course, just saying something doesn't make it so. But that won't
matter to Goldberg's readers, who will devour his latest with gusto."

Hey genius, that's the point of writing the book: to show that it's a little more than someone "just saying something".

 But maybe Bernie is wrong. Maybe they didn't really write about Obama's "glistening pectorals", lol. Or maybe that's how they write about every president they cover. 

Yeah, sure they do.

 


There is no need to ban or

February 24, 2009 - 19:04 ET by RR GOP

There is no need to ban or burn books.  The Nazi book burnings were publicity stunts, and their book censorship program (surprisingly not very centralized apparently) were probably ineffectual as the believers wouldn't want to read them anyway...so neither would most modern Time subscribers want to read Goldberg's book.

Attack and discredit the author, thus his message, and dismiss the work as propaganda is all that is necessary. 

It does not do to create 'forbidden fruit' for people to want, but instead to make the ideas sound boring, unfounded and a waste of time.

One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.

There's a shock!

February 24, 2009 - 19:30 ET by NC Cop

Unfortunately for Slime magazine, I've already bought it.

 Maybe next time!

Get it from the library

February 24, 2009 - 20:56 ET by William Teach

I don't agree with the idiots at the Times, but, to be honest, I downloaded it to my Kindle, like I do most non-fiction I get, and, I kinda wish I had waited till it showed up at the library. It really was not his best work. Yeah, it hit some of the normal points, but, it was a little too bare bones. Not as good as his previous books. I'd give it a C+

i read this book a few weeks ago ...

February 24, 2009 - 21:14 ET by pmohbuck

of course TIME panned it ... some of the evidence used by goldberg was provided by them ...

 

 

 

Time's Gilbert Cruiz is

February 24, 2009 - 21:16 ET by TN Mom

Time's Gilbert Cruiz is liberal so of course he sarcastically dismisses the Bernie's book. 

Gee, I expect nothing less from a liberal-biased magazine. I bought 3 copies of Slobbering Love Affair, one for me, the other 2 for friends.  I canceled my subscription to Time a LONG time ago!

Loved it!

February 25, 2009 - 03:17 ET by klchadwick

I bought the book the day that it went on sale.  Of course it was pretty hard to find here in a city where the local newspaper is named "The Democrat".  In any event, I started the book the day that I bought it and finished it the very next day.  I thought it was superbly written in a style that just about anyone could easily comprehend, but also gave very pertinent facts as well as several amusing points of view.  I was reading it in one room of my house and my husband kept banging on the wall wanting to know what I was laughing at! 

The only entities (and particular individuals) that would give this book a negative review would be those that were targeted and portrayed in a negative light....but what can I say, you can't portray someone in that light unless they give you the ammunition to do so.  Right?

I'm Currently Reading It

February 25, 2009 - 17:43 ET by deerjerkydave

I'm currently reading it.  My wife gave it to me for valentines day! It's not a lengthy book.  It provides a quick recap of the liberal propaganda for the Obama campaign by the media.  Since I'm a regular here at newsbusters I'm already familiar with many of the subjects he discusses.

One great point he brings up is how the liberal media feels threatened by talk radio and Foxnews.  In an attempt to show that they still have power over Americans they jumped in the tank for Obama harder than ever before.

But it's so right-on!

February 26, 2009 - 00:54 ET by MeowMeow

I just finished reading this book, and while it's hardly an epic, Goldberg makes some salient points that should make any reporter who shilled for Obama in 2008 red with shame. But of course they trash it. He's the biggest kind of traitor.

Am reading his book Arrogance now. Love it.

What I want to know is this: after the Commun...er...libs reinstitute the Unfairness Docterine, how long do you think it will be until that thought-police mentality trickles down to the only conservative outlet we'll have left...the internet?

I'm 32 now and I bet when my kids are in high school, I will tell them about a day when you could say anything you wanted in this country. And they won't believe it.  

Obama: A glittering jewel of colossal ignorance. --RL