Barbara Walters, who plays an objective journalist on TV, loves to offer her ringing endorsements for left wing films. About a year ago, in June of 2006, Walters, upon interviewing Al Gore, asserted "it’s very important to see [‘An Inconvenient Truth’]." On the June 19, 2007 edition of "The View" Walters spoke with Michael Moore and again endorsed his new socialist advocating film "Sicko."
"A lot of the film is about, is about the insurance companies and the condemnation of them. I just have to say, I don't usually give opinions, but whatever you're Republican or Democrat or whatever you are, this is an amazing film. I thought it was -- I think everybody should see it. When it premiered last night, you got a standing ovation. That's unusual for you. Everybody loved you."
As expected, "The View" was more balanced than usual with conservative activist Star Parker alongside Elisabeth Hasselbeck. However, that did not stop Walters from asserting her authority over the guest co-host. Through the course of the Michael Moore interview, Walters along with Joy Behar, cut off Parker in a fashion similar to how Rosie O’Donnell treated Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
WALTERS (TO STAR PARKER): Excuse me, can I just ask my question? I know we, we promised each other that we would try to each one get a question
STAR PARKER: That’s true.
WALTERS: Okay, fine (looking pack to Parker)
PARKER: (laughing)
[...]
PARKER: Thank you. I get to ask my question, because, you know, it's a real complicated issue. Because I did watch the film and I thought about the points that you were making. It's so personal. But my question is about the socialized medicine part going into other countries to decide it. But I want to preface it with okay, what we have in our country now, you know, you mentioned the 47 million that our uninsured. That down the households, that's about ten percent of Americans. Ten percent have no insurance. Then you have about ten percent that are like people like myself, who go and buy their insurance on the open market. And there are complications there, of course, because I can’t buy across state lines--
JOY BEHAR: What's your question?
WALTERS: This has to do with socialized medicine. That’s what you’re talking about.
PARKER: I'm getting to it. Now, there’s two other segments. 80 percent of Americans have their employer buys their insurance for them. And that's the ones where you're talking HMO’s. They have complications because a third party is paying the bill.
WALTERS: Star, darling, would you ask your question?
PARKER: Socialized medicine, the other half. I lived in that. I lived on welfare. That other half, 50 percent of that group the government already pays for. My question is, why would you go to a foreign country, you know you talk about --
BEHAR: Got the question.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Objective Journalist
June 19, 2007 - 12:56 ET by allanfBarbara Walters an objective journalist? She just plays one on TV. (oh and she stayed at a Holiday Inn Express). Let's just call her a television performer.
This is a woman who displayed pique at George Bush when his motorcade delayed her stroll home in Manhattan. On the other hand she had great praise for the dictator Hugo Chavez, who she found "dignified" "warm" and "friendly".
Whats said is that a cadre of faithful viewers actually listen to this drivel.
Michael Moore and the MSM fea
June 19, 2007 - 14:50 ET by ZoneDaiatlasMichael Moore and the MSM fears the truth about Universal Health Care and the so called Cuba's Best Health Care system in world...
Cuba's Health Care
TheRealCuba.com
Canada's broken Health Care
http://onthefencefilms.com/video/brainsurgery.html
http://onthefencefilms.com/video/twowomen.html
http://onthefencefilms.com/video/deadmeat/
Gravy Train
June 19, 2007 - 13:05 ET by takingmyconstitutionalSuggesting that someone should see a movie is not the same as advocating it. Both "An Inconvenient Truth" and "Sicko" are, indeed, films that everyone should see because they raise important questions and are much in the public eye. Only mental children avoid exposing themselves to information because of a philosophical predisposition to reject it.
And a comment on that knee-jerk conservative use of the terms "socialist" or "socialism" when referring to universal health care: The U.S. is now the only advanced industrialized country in the world without some form of universal health care. The thirty-odd other industrialized countries that do have it run the gamut politically and have a variety of health-care systems. What they all have in common is a simple, common-sense recognition that eludes American conservatives: Assuring basic health coverage for everyone helps to assure a healthy, prosperous nation. If we want to do that while maintaining private doctors and medical facilities, fine. But there is no reason why powerful health insurance companies should be taking 30 percent off the top and buying politicians to keep the gravy train rolling.
Right But Wrong
June 19, 2007 - 13:10 ET by allanfYou have a point, but only a small one. Critics recommend movies all the time. That is fine. It is an artistic recommendation
But what Walters is doing goes beyond a mere educational recommendation. It is advocacy. Moore's film is a political statement. Walter's fawning is also a political statement.
There is nothing artistic about Michael Moore.
needsaconstitutional
June 19, 2007 - 13:25 ET by RJSo "everyone" (including students, I suppose) should see these movies because they're in the public eye. Doesn't matter that Gore has admitted his movie to be not wholly truthful. Doesn't matter that Moore has admitted his movies to be not wholly truthful. Doesn't matter that it makes the movies propaganda. Doesn't matter that students shown Gore's movie aren't given the other side. Odd sense of civic responsibility, you have there, needsaconstitutional. Gee, one could almost call this one-sided "instruction" socialistic brainwashing. I'm shocked.
Can you show any success of u
June 19, 2007 - 13:28 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveCan you show any success of universal healthcare in the other industrialized nations? I read things that indicate they aren't that great. And just because we are the only industrialized nation without it doesn't mean we need it. I might be the only guy on my block without a riding lawn mower, but it still doesn't mean I need one or that I am underprivileged or that I am missing out on something that I shouldn't be. The U.S. will cease to be "advanced" among industrialized nations if we implement a universal healthcare system. There is already a big enough problem with people in the U.S. with a sense of entitlement, we don't need everyone running to the doctor every time they get a runny nose. When we rely on the government to take care of our personal responsibilities, the government begins to take more and more control away from your life, and they start making decisions for you. Think about it. Read this article: Smokers Told to Quit or Surgery Will be Refused. I am not a smoker, but think on a broader scale...what if they decided that caffeine slowed the recovery process and made a policy that any caffeine "users" would be refused surgery? Are you willing to give up your colas, chocolate, coffee, asprin, etc? They make these policies because they are continually looking for ways to cut costs in an already bankrupt system. Universal healthcare means more government interference in our personal lives...which means loss of personal freedom.
When taxes are taken from taxpayers to pay for services for everyone (taxpayers and nontaxpayers alike) it is socialism. Our tax structure in the United States is socialistic. Take from some and give to others. Penalize big earners to reward non-earners.
Universal healthcare is un-American.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
"Universal healthcare is
June 19, 2007 - 13:39 ET by Agnostic front"Universal healthcare is un-American." That is not true. Where does it say that that the government can't pay for health care? I am not necessarily advocating a totally state run system, but just bashing the state-run system solely due to the fact that it's state run is not rational.
The point here is that the insurance companies are unnecessarily skimming from the top. We don't need them! We can come up with a better way of pooling a medical expenditures so that more of the money goes directly to paying for health care. It doesn't have to be a government system, but we can, and should, do better than we are.
Where does it say the governm
June 19, 2007 - 14:17 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveWhere does it say the government has any responsibility for my well-being beyond protecting my rights? It is un-American because it takes personal responsibility and choices out of the citizen's hands and makes it the responsibility of the government, which means they get to tell us how we can and can't live.
Healthcare is not a right, it is a privilege.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
"Healthcare is not a rig
June 19, 2007 - 14:48 ET by Agnostic front"Healthcare is not a right, it is a privilege." You write that like a true elitist. We, as citizens, can choose to provide healthcare to all. It's not the government's responsibility, it's our responsibility. It's makes economic sense to provide coverage up front, so we don't pay more later. Catastrophic health care costs are the number one reason people have to file for bankruptcy in this country. We all pay for that. And it's primarily the working stiffs who suffer.
Ok AF, show me in the Constit
June 19, 2007 - 14:57 ET by bassndudeOk AF, show me in the Constitution where we are supposed to provide health care for everyone.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Maybe we could try something
June 19, 2007 - 14:57 ET by TruthMongerMaybe we could try something in the private sector that pays taxes instead of consuming them...we could call it "health insurance companies" or something like that...
...it was hard but I managed to keep religion out of it:)...
"Catastrophic health car
June 19, 2007 - 15:40 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"Catastrophic health care costs are the number one reason people have to file for bankruptcy in this country."
You are wrong. The number one reason people file for bankruptcy is because they live beyond their means. Some people may be able to get by living beyond their means, and then when a medical emergency comes up it pushes them over the edge they are already choosing to live much too close to in the first place. Medical bills are not the number one reason for bankruptcy in America. Financial irresponsibility is.
I can live you with thinking I am an elitist. That's fine. I don't make a lot of money by today's standards, but I still believe that it is an individual responsibility to provide for one's healthcare...it leads to a healthier population because their health is literally tied to their own pocketbook, making people more aware of what they are doing to their bodies so they can avoid unwarranted healthcare expenses.
Since bankruptcy already affects working stiffs, you would like to see us finance everybody's healthcare? The working stiffs will suffer even more if universal healthcare is adopted in the U.S.. The Western European unemployment rates are in part caused by their socialized medicine...they still get treated even if they don't have a job. What if everyone decided not to work any more...how would the healthcare be paid for then?
You really need to research the universal healthcare schemes in other countries to realize that they are bottomless money pits that continually grow into bigger and bigger problems.
Do you want to wait on a list for months before you can see a doctor?
Are you familiar with the military healthcare system (TriCare)? It sucks. If the government can't even provide more than minimal and lack luster care to the armed forces (2.33 million people), how can you ever expect the government to provide excellent healthcare to 300 million people?
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Well said, Mean One. My husba
June 19, 2007 - 18:35 ET by QueenMumWell said, Mean One. My husband and I pay quite a chunk of our monthly income for health insurance. We could probably get something cheaper. But we believe that the most important security we can provide for ourselves and for our loved ones is good health insurance. It's a priority. For instance, we'd like to buy a new Sebring convertible. But we have two cars that are in excellent condition and provide us with good transportation. We budget our money with our health insurance premium near the top of the list of priorities. We'll wait till we can get on Medicare to spend money on new furniture or that Sebring convertible. If we have to give up a couple of meals out, we won't starve. So, we have a health insurance plan that is quite comprehensive and provides us with the security of knowing that if we have serious medical problems, we'll be able to get the best of care without going bankrupt. It's called being a grown-up.
Our adult daughter has friends who prefer not to spend their money on health insurance. They're healthy and don't see the need. And some of them are waiting for Obama to be elected President so they can get their health care for free. LOL
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria
To quote satirist/columnist P
June 19, 2007 - 15:34 ET by GalvanicTo quote satirist/columnist P. J. O'Rourke: "If you think health care is expensive now, just wait'll it's free!"
In defense of journalism
June 19, 2007 - 13:06 ET by TheGingermanIn defense of journalism itself (not Barbara Walters), Star rambled on and left the audience hanging:
"But I want to preface it with okay, what we have in our country now, you know, you mentioned.."
It was really annoying to read the lead up to her question. There is indeed a difference between properly prefacing a question and non sequitur babbling. Sometimes people (both Liberals and Conservatives) really do need to be interrupted if they are getting nowhere. Time is money.
You make a good point, Ginger
June 19, 2007 - 18:40 ET by QueenMumYou make a good point, Gingerman. But I imagine Star was a bit intimidated by her minority status in the group. (Not referring to her race.) And I'm sure she'd watched Elizabeth regularly get steamrolled by Rosie, et al.
I was especially offended when Walters addressed her as: "Star, darling" So condescending. Could you imagine Walters talking to O'Donnel like that? When did Walters ever say, "Rosie darling, would you please let someone else make their point?"
IMO, Walters is tired and operating on auto-pilot.
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria
True, that is pretty condesce
June 20, 2007 - 10:15 ET by TheGingermanTrue, that is pretty condescending. And you're right, I can't imagine BW saying that to Rosie. Not because of any minority status, but in order to avoid the rage that would inevitably ensue.
I'm a bit confused: what do you mean by "minority status" if you aren't referring to race? Can you give some clarity on this?
}}---->Gingerman
June 20, 2007 - 10:25 ET by Cool ArrowHer status as a Conservative on a Socialist show.
Thanks and please forgive my
June 20, 2007 - 13:31 ET by TheGingermanThanks and please forgive my brain lapse.
"I think everybody shoul
June 19, 2007 - 13:06 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"I think everybody should see it"
Code for: The average American believes everything they hear, and once they see this they will press congress for a universal health-care system because Socialism is good.
I still can't understand why the millionaires (like Wahwah and Moose) even care if other people can't afford their own healthcare. I don't make nearly as much money as they do, and yet I still think everyone needs to work to provide for their own needs. I don't care if someone that doesn't make as much as I do can't afford the same things I can...it's not my problem, it's theirs. I know it sounds terrible and insensitive, but that's life. If I have enough to share with someone else, I should have the option to do that on my own (or not) rather than having the government confiscate my hard earned money and force me to pay for services/handouts for people that haven't earned them. I live healthily so I can avoid health problems, I don't take unnecessary risks so I can avoid injuring myself. I purchase insurance to cover what I can't in the event of an accident or a debilitating disease. I don't want my money taken from me to finance the healthcare of someone that is getting it no matter what...that means they can drink, smoke, do drugs, take crazy risks, eat unhealthily, and not exercise with reckless abandon because they will always be able to see a doctor on my dime. There's not much that is more unAmerican than that.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
That is the argument used to
June 19, 2007 - 13:18 ET by TheGingermanThat is the argument used to justify, as takingmyconstitutional pointed out, "why powerful health insurance companies continue to take 30 percent off the top and buy politicians to keep the
gravy train rolling."
"I still can't understand why the millionaires (like Wahwah and Moose)
even care if other people can't afford their own healthcare." Perhaps altruism?
Star on Wawa
June 19, 2007 - 16:42 ET by kiwikitJoy Behar could hardly sit still, she was so furious. I had to watch it with captions because there was so much screaming. Joy just make a nasty face everytime the work Christian was used. Michael Moore is absolutely GROSS in so many ways. Why do people come the the US for their health care if they can afford it; because it's the best in the world. I'd love to see Star become a regular on the View; maybe I'd even watch it if they'd lose Behar. She's been hate filled since she was a regular talk host on WABC making fun of Clinton's behavior. Hates everything but most of all her ex-husband.
"Why do people come the
June 19, 2007 - 18:23 ET by QueenMum"Why do people come the the US for their health care if they can afford it; because it's the best in the world. "
kiwikit: You've hit the nail on the head. The libs don't want the best for everyone. They want everyone to have mediocre health care.
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria
As Glenn Beck pointed out ear
June 19, 2007 - 13:14 ET by Phan of TruthAs Glenn Beck pointed out earlier this morning, the Rutgers hat was a nice touch by the "sicko." Kind of like an advertisement against free speech.
Barbara - an objective journa
June 19, 2007 - 13:42 ET by whatajoyBarbara - an objective journalist - isnt' that an oxymoron? And wawa pressuring Star to get to her question - gosh, give her a break. Let her get to the question, set it up, not every question is as simple as 1+2=3. Give her a break. And Barbara is so delusional, she probably doesn't even understand the HMO or private sector insurance genre. Who what who? She never even sees her medical bills. Her accountant or assistant or butler takes care of those for her. So she is giving her thumbs up to a movie that she has no clue what reality is. Please. What color is the sky in her world?
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Take it easy! We're not making a western here.
~ Uncle Junior (The Sopranos)
Under universal coverage, Mic
June 19, 2007 - 14:17 ET by TobysMom97Under universal coverage, Michael Moore will get no free health care until he loses 150 pounds. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Good God, he's a fat pig.
"Sicko" This is a
June 19, 2007 - 16:43 ET by mattm"Sicko" This is about healthcare? I thought it was an auto-biography of Mr. Moore-on...
Walters.....I just have to sa
June 19, 2007 - 16:53 ET by bigtimerWalters.....I just have to say, I don't usually give opinions,
JOY BEHAR: What's your question?
WALTERS: Star, darling, would you ask your question?
Tells ya' all you need to know about not wasting your time on this elite leftist feminazi lying group of witches and their little show with an agenda....
I am past sick of WaWa and her ilk....she has been a leftist all her life...her pretense is fool-hardy for some in the real-world...always has been for me, even as a young gal...
I detest her....more so than Rosie...at least she isn't phony, unlike Baba.
These ARE the same two harpie
June 19, 2007 - 18:41 ET by drillanwrThese ARE the same two harpies that sat there as Rosie rambled on and on with her clap-trap "google it" ... "fire can't melt steel" ... "blah-blah-blah", but Starr Parker can't put forth intelligent information in prefacing her question to this fake? Expect this sort of treatment from these broads whenever a conservative is in the chair ...
I saw this live, this morning
June 19, 2007 - 19:06 ET byI saw this live, this morning.
It appears to me that Joy Behar is taking over Rosie's job of being the big-mouthed bully.
Seriously, it was a disgrace, how she treated the Christian guest host in an earlier segment. And yes Barbara Walters was terribly rude to the lady in the Michael Moore segment.
As for this Michael Moore: The Christian guest host handled him brilliantly. He tried to say that government health care would not be socialism but that it would be "Christianism." He said something to the meaning of that Jesus would want us to take care of the poor and needy. The Christian guest host let him know that he had that wrong, that Jesus wants us to personally take care of people, not get into other people's pockets to do so and that that is what the government wants to do -get into our pockets. (She said, something to that meaning.)
Debra...