Where does "entertainer" leave off and "idiot" begin?


Off-Topic Discussions

1 to 50 of 66 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>

OK, so I'm driving into work today, listening to the classic rock station, but at this hour in the morning they have some syndicated nitwits instead of, you know, music. And these guys told me some things I never knew. Within the space of 15 minutes, I learned that:

  • Barack Hussein Obama caused the recession so that he could offer stimulus packages which would create a "bubble" that will soon burst so that we'll all be plummeted into another great depression, whereupon he can declare himself the Fuhrer;
  • Barack Hussein Obama, by not shutting down the government after the Ft. Hood shooting, has proven once and for all that he hates Amercia and hates all our men and women in uniform, and that he's a Muslim terrorist sympathizer;
  • Barack Hussein Obama has publically declared that he is the Risen Christ, and that all men shall be judged in his sight. (This obviously proves that he is the Antichrist.)
  • Barack Hussein Obama is a liar! He lies!

    I got to work and turned it off just when they were, I think, going to try and make a case for Obama having engineered the Iraq war himself, in order to kill our brave troops. The thing is, there was no attempt at humor; these "facts" were presented as if they were actual news, that any "reasonably informed American" should already be aware of.

    Now, I understand that this is a morning radio show, and I shouldn't expect journalism or anything. But at what point does "entertainment" leave off, and "idiocy" begin? (Or am I a stupid liberal shill for not necessarily believing every word of this stuff?)

  • Silver Crusade

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    But at what point does "entertainment" leave off, and "idiocy" begin?

    The answer is Carrot Top.

    In seriousness, though, there are probably quite a few people who get their "news" from that radio morning show, sad as it is, and I don't think a little responsibility would be too much to ask.


    Heh, I'm reading This Modern World, and their big running gag is conservatives accusing liberals of hating America and wanting the terrorists to win. Tom Tomorrow makes fun of all those extremists.
    I'm pretty sure all the republicans here are sensible people (except Heathy)just like us, and do not approve of what you heard any more than you do.


    Kirth Gersen wrote:

    OK, so I'm driving into work today, listening to the classic rock station, but at this hour in the morning they have some syndicated nitwits instead of, you know, music. And these guys told me some things I never knew. Within the space of 15 minutes, I learned that:

  • Barack Hussein Obama caused the recession so that he could offer stimulus packages which would create a "bubble" that will soon burst so that we'll all be plummeted into another great depression, whereupon he can declare himself the Fuhrer;
  • Barack Hussein Obama, by not shutting down the government after the Ft. Hood shooting, has proven once and for all that he hates Amercia and hates all our men and women in uniform, and that he's a Muslim terrorist sympathizer;
  • Barack Hussein Obama has publically declared that he is the Risen Christ, and that all men shall be judged in his sight. (This obviously proves that he is the Antichrist.)
  • Barack Hussein Obama is a liar! He lies!

    I got to work and turned it off just when they were, I think, going to try and make a case for Obama having engineered the Iraq war himself, in order to kill our brave troops. The thing is, there was no attempt at humor; these "facts" were presented as if they were actual news, that any "reasonably informed American" should already be aware of.

    Now, I understand that this is a morning radio show, and I shouldn't expect journalism or anything. But at what point does "entertainment" leave off, and "idiocy" begin? (Or am I a stupid liberal shill for not necessarily believing every word of this stuff?)

  • Kirth, is there a way that you could provide a link to the transcript of the show or where we could hear a replay?


    Wow. It seems a bit odd that Bush and Obama could both be responsible for all of those.

    Sovereign Court

    That has to be some sort of parody or comedy skit, I don't think anyone is that foolish.


    Garydee wrote:
    Kirth, is there a way that you could provide a link to the transcript of the show or where we could hear a replay?

    I left the dial on that station, because I love the Stones, so I'll try and remember to make a note of it this evening and see what I can find.


    Callous Jack wrote:
    That has to be some sort of parody or comedy skit, I don't think anyone is that foolish.

    I really do hope that this is some parody - but I can imagine people taking it for real. (At last the last point is true - no politician can be 100 % honest all the time. Its part of the job profile.)

    Stefan

    Dark Archive

    Stebehil wrote:
    Callous Jack wrote:
    That has to be some sort of parody or comedy skit, I don't think anyone is that foolish.

    I really do hope that this is some parody - but I can imagine people taking it for real. (At last the last point is true - no politician can be 100 % honest all the time. Its part of the job profile.)

    Stefan

    I'm with Stefan here. I don't see how any rational person, and no Glenn Beck is not a rational person, could believe any of that crap.

    The Exchange RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Garydee wrote:
    Kirth, is there a way that you could provide a link to the transcript of the show or where we could hear a replay?
    I left the dial on that station, because I love the Stones, so I'll try and remember to make a note of it this evening and see what I can find.

    "When I'm driving in my car

    And the man comes on the radio
    He's tellin' me more and more
    About some useless information
    Supposed to fire my imagination"


    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The other is 107.5 The Eagle and the show is Dean and Rog. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.


    Shock Jock-ing is an art form, you have to piss people off, yet keep them listening at the same time.

    [opinion]
    My opinion is that this type of "reporting" is designed to make people talk about their radio show; and to get other people to tune into the show.

    Why? Because so many people are tuned in listening for "the shock" they can increase their advertising revenue per commercial spot.

    This is why NPR has to ask you for money, and these types of "news" shows make big advertising bucks. It has nothing to do with being accurate, just shocking people in order to get a rise out them, get them to talk about it, and cause others to tune in and listen, and keep listening.

    [/opinion]


    Kobold Cleaver wrote:
    Heh, I'm reading This Modern World, and their big running gag is conservatives accusing liberals of hating America and wanting the terrorists to win. Tom Tomorrow makes fun of all those extremists.

    That's not something he made up. That's what the rightwing commentariat has spent virtually all its time since 9/11 saying. It's who they are.


    silverhair2008 wrote:
    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.

    That's indeed the one! I checked the dial for the station number, but didn't know the show. Thanks!

    EDIT: Alas, I fail to see any hint of transcripts on their web site.

    Scarab Sages

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    silverhair2008 wrote:
    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.

    That's indeed the one! I checked the dial for the station number, but didn't know the show. Thanks!

    EDIT: Alas, I fail to see any hint of transcripts on their web site.

    Wow, those guys are still on the air? They used to be in New Orleans when I was a kid. Back then they mostly made fun of Louisiana politics, especially our then Governor, but that was over 20 years ago.

    The Exchange

    Celestial Healer wrote:
    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    But at what point does "entertainment" leave off, and "idiocy" begin?

    The answer is Carrot Top.

    Carrot Top is always the answer.


    Tarren Dei wrote:
    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Garydee wrote:
    Kirth, is there a way that you could provide a link to the transcript of the show or where we could hear a replay?
    I left the dial on that station, because I love the Stones, so I'll try and remember to make a note of it this evening and see what I can find.

    "When I'm driving in my car

    And the man comes on the radio
    He's tellin' me more and more
    About some useless information
    Supposed to fire my imagination"

    Win.

    Liberty's Edge

    Crimson Jester wrote:
    Celestial Healer wrote:
    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    But at what point does "entertainment" leave off, and "idiocy" begin?

    The answer is Carrot Top.

    Carrot Top is always the answer.

    Yeah, him and Steve-O.


    Tom Green.

    Liberty's Edge

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    silverhair2008 wrote:
    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.

    That's indeed the one! I checked the dial for the station number, but didn't know the show. Thanks!

    EDIT: Alas, I fail to see any hint of transcripts on their web site.

    I guarantee it was a joke. Kinky Friedman does TV spots promoting their show, and last I checked, Kinky is about as far from a right wing nut job as you can get.

    Dark Archive

    This is pretty much an example of where entertainer ends and idiot begins.

    Dark Archive

    On the other hand, this is an example of good entertainment. It's not a rickroll, I promise.


    houstonderek wrote:
    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    silverhair2008 wrote:
    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.

    That's indeed the one! I checked the dial for the station number, but didn't know the show. Thanks!

    EDIT: Alas, I fail to see any hint of transcripts on their web site.
    I guarantee it was a joke. Kinky Friedman does TV spots promoting their show, and last I checked, Kinky is about as far from a right wing nut job as you can get.

    My mother hated Texas when she lived there, but still loves Kinky Friedman enough to own the talking doll.

    Dark Archive

    James Keegan wrote:


    My mother hated Texas when she lived there, but still loves Kinky Friedman enough to own the talking doll.

    Texas is the only place I ever lived where I could wake up and have it be snowing and have it be in the 90's by the afternoon.


    David Fryer wrote:
    James Keegan wrote:


    My mother hated Texas when she lived there, but still loves Kinky Friedman enough to own the talking doll.
    Texas is the only place I ever lived where I could wake up and have it be snowing and have it be in the 90's by the afternoon.

    I think it may also be the only place where a woman with two toddlers in the back seat can be run off the road for having New England license plates.

    Grand Lodge

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    ...listening to ... some syndicated nitwits ... And these guys told me...

    Wow, I didn't realize Fox News had a radio show now.

    What's more amazing is that you wasted 15 minutes of your life listening to that. You can't get that back, you know. The smell will be there for years.

    You gotta be careful, Kirth, listening to that stuff is pernicious. You could deevolve back to erectus or habilis or republican.


    Lyingbastard wrote:
    Tom Green.

    He's living proof of my psychic abilities. Way back when the Tom Green show was still on the air, I wished he'd get cancer and die. I managed to get him halfway there.

    My ability to kill from afar isn't always accurate. I once wished Michael Stipe would drop dead on stage. Instead, his drummer had an aneurysm.

    Sovereign Court

    James Keegan wrote:
    I think it may also be the only place where a woman with two toddlers in the back seat can be run off the road for having New England license plates.

    ???????


    Callous Jack wrote:
    James Keegan wrote:
    I think it may also be the only place where a woman with two toddlers in the back seat can be run off the road for having New England license plates.
    ???????

    My parents lived in Houston for a few years in the eighties, long enough for me and my sisters to be born there. My mother was seriously almost chased off the road out in Texas (with me and my twin in the backseat) for having New England plates. And this was after they had moved back from Saudi Arabia, where my father used to work. Two places my mom now hates passionately from personal experience.


    W E Ray wrote:


    You gotta be careful, Kirth, listening to that stuff is pernicious. You could deevolve back to republican.

    If only he could be that lucky. ;)


    Garydee wrote:
    If only he could be that lucky. ;)

    If only you knew... I was a staunch, registered Republican until roughly 2001. P.J. O'Rourke was my humor idol, and my favorite autobiography was Richard Nixon's Six Crises.

    All that was, of course, before the Christian dominionists and "culture warriors" hijacked the party. The party currently called "republican," to me, no longer even remotely resembles Bush, Sr.'s party. The party I was registered with, and used to vote for, no longer exists.


    Shadowborn wrote:
    Lyingbastard wrote:
    Tom Green.

    He's living proof of my psychic abilities. Way back when the Tom Green show was still on the air, I wished he'd get cancer and die. I managed to get him halfway there.

    My ability to kill from afar isn't always accurate. I once wished Michael Stipe would drop dead on stage. Instead, his drummer had an aneurysm.

    Evidence of similar powers. When Thriller came out, my friends and I hated Michael Jackson so much and were so sick of hearing how great he was, one of them wished he would die. Another friend said "no way" then he becomes an icon, like Buddy Holly or Jimi Hendrix; we should hope he becomes fat and disgusting.

    A different friend said fat didn't stop Elvis's legacy when he died. So I said, we should wish he becomes a child molester, then no one would like him. :p

    Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

    Kobold Cleaver wrote:

    Heh, I'm reading This Modern World, and their big running gag is conservatives accusing liberals of hating America and wanting the terrorists to win. Tom Tomorrow makes fun of all those extremists.

    I'm pretty sure all the republicans here are sensible people (except Heathy)just like us, and do not approve of what you heard any more than you do.

    This Modern World is 856 types of awesome, particularly it's non-political meta-strips (or, it's very silly political strips - I like the ones where Justice Scalia is a vigilante roaming the countryside dispensing justice).


    flyin dog wrote:
    Shadowborn wrote:
    Lyingbastard wrote:
    Tom Green.

    He's living proof of my psychic abilities. Way back when the Tom Green show was still on the air, I wished he'd get cancer and die. I managed to get him halfway there.

    My ability to kill from afar isn't always accurate. I once wished Michael Stipe would drop dead on stage. Instead, his drummer had an aneurysm.

    Evidence of similar powers. When Thriller came out, my friends and I hated Michael Jackson so much and were so sick of hearing how great he was, one of them wished he would die. Another friend said "no way" then he becomes an icon, like Buddy Holly or Jimi Hendrix; we should hope he becomes fat and disgusting.

    A different friend said fat didn't stop Elvis's legacy when he died. So I said, we should wish he becomes a child molester, then no one would like him. :p

    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.


    Shadowborn wrote:
    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.

    Indeed. Fame certainly hasn't ever granted anybody brains, not even to make such elementary distinctions as liking a person's work while condemning his failings.


    Heh. If someone devises a cure for cancer, and then becomes a murderer -- does that cure suddenly stop working?

    The Exchange

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Heh. If someone devises a cure for cancer, and then becomes a murderer -- does that cure suddenly stop working?

    Not at all. However in the Polanski example, I think the man is a genius. I also believe he is a pedophile. I choose not to see his films, I choose not to contribute my money to him. I guess I generally dislike giving my money to people like him. Not attacking you Kirth, you know I have nothing but respect for you, just had to attempt to engage in some intelligent conversation.... can't live on SoFaWTL alone ya' know. ;)

    The Exchange

    Samnell wrote:
    Shadowborn wrote:
    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.
    Indeed. Fame certainly hasn't ever granted anybody brains, not even to make such elementary distinctions as liking a person's work while condemning his failings.

    Are you implying that anyone who refuses to support him, just because he makes great film work, is less intelligent? Because that would be pretty damn ballsy in my book. You can go spend your money on him if you like, that's your call. But I am just as entitled to refuse to do so Samnell. Or am I misunderstanding your post? :P

    Silver Crusade

    Moorluck wrote:
    Samnell wrote:
    Shadowborn wrote:
    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.
    Indeed. Fame certainly hasn't ever granted anybody brains, not even to make such elementary distinctions as liking a person's work while condemning his failings.
    Are you implying that anyone who refuses to support him, just because he makes great film work, is less intelligent? Because that would be pretty damn ballsy in my book. You can go spend your money on him if you like, that's your call. But I am just as entitled to refuse to do so Samnell. Or am I misunderstanding your post? :P

    I interpreted his post as a condemnation of Hollywood types who suggest that his misdeeds shouldn't matter because he is a genius.


    Celestial Healer wrote:
    Moorluck wrote:
    Samnell wrote:
    Shadowborn wrote:
    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.
    Indeed. Fame certainly hasn't ever granted anybody brains, not even to make such elementary distinctions as liking a person's work while condemning his failings.
    Are you implying that anyone who refuses to support him, just because he makes great film work, is less intelligent? Because that would be pretty damn ballsy in my book. You can go spend your money on him if you like, that's your call. But I am just as entitled to refuse to do so Samnell. Or am I misunderstanding your post? :P
    I interpreted his post as a condemnation of Hollywood types who suggest that his misdeeds shouldn't matter because he is a genius.

    Watch his films if you want but lock the bastard up. You don't have to like the artist to enjoy his art but don't ever think that beacuse a man is an artist that every thing they do is art.

    Grand Lodge

    I'm not really tring to learn the lingo but every once in a while I do get curious,

    wtf is "SoFaWTL"?

    Thanks

    Dark Archive

    W E Ray wrote:

    I'm not really tring to learn the lingo but every once in a while I do get curious,

    wtf is "SoFaWTL"?

    Thanks

    It's shorthand for Son of Fourms are Way Too Long.

    The Exchange

    Celestial Healer wrote:
    Moorluck wrote:
    Samnell wrote:
    Shadowborn wrote:
    Well, it was a nice try, but the pedophile angle just doesn't seem to arouse much ire against celebrities. Just look at Roman Polanski.
    Indeed. Fame certainly hasn't ever granted anybody brains, not even to make such elementary distinctions as liking a person's work while condemning his failings.
    Are you implying that anyone who refuses to support him, just because he makes great film work, is less intelligent? Because that would be pretty damn ballsy in my book. You can go spend your money on him if you like, that's your call. But I am just as entitled to refuse to do so Samnell. Or am I misunderstanding your post? :P
    I interpreted his post as a condemnation of Hollywood types who suggest that his misdeeds shouldn't matter because he is a genius.

    Yeah I see what Sam was saying now. That's what I get for trying to read so soon after waking up. I guess I'm not the only one who seems to think that the criteria for being a Hollyweird celeb is a complete lack of common sense. :)

    The Exchange

    David Fryer wrote:
    W E Ray wrote:

    I'm not really tring to learn the lingo but every once in a while I do get curious,

    wtf is "SoFaWTL"?

    Thanks

    It's shorthand for Son of Fourms are Way Too Long.

    David, you know we are required by law to include a disclaimer that the SoFaWTL may cause temporary or permanent insanity when we post links to it. I thought that incedent with the high school girl in Florida taught you that.

    Dark Archive

    Moorluck wrote:
    David Fryer wrote:
    W E Ray wrote:

    I'm not really tring to learn the lingo but every once in a while I do get curious,

    wtf is "SoFaWTL"?

    Thanks

    It's shorthand for Son of Fourms are Way Too Long.
    David, you know we are required by law to include a disclaimer that the SoFaWTL may cause temporary or permanent insanity when we post links to it. I thought that incedent with the high school girl in Florida taught you that.

    What was I thinking? :)

    Sovereign Court

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    silverhair2008 wrote:
    Kirth, it sounds like one of two stations that I know of. One is 93.7 FM and the show is the Walton and Johnson show. The 93.7 station is sold as the Classic Rock Station. I hope this helps.

    That's indeed the one! I checked the dial for the station number, but didn't know the show. Thanks!

    EDIT: Alas, I fail to see any hint of transcripts on their web site.

    Walton and Johnson... yeah they are the reason I listen to NPR in the mornings in Houston. I figure that their transcripts are condemned as "toxic waste" by the EPA and moved immediately to a haz-mat site for disposal.

    Derek is most likely correct when he says that they are a parody of the Glenn Beck approach to politics. I just cannot drink enough alcohol by 8AM to make them palatable.


    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Garydee wrote:
    If only he could be that lucky. ;)

    If only you knew... I was a staunch, registered Republican until roughly 2001. P.J. O'Rourke was my humor idol, and my favorite autobiography was Richard Nixon's Six Crises.

    All that was, of course, before the Christian dominionists and "culture warriors" hijacked the party. The party currently called "republican," to me, no longer even remotely resembles Bush, Sr.'s party. The party I was registered with, and used to vote for, no longer exists.

    That's amusing. I registered independent because the Republicans had moved too far left for me. Of course we're obviously looking for different things... you're looking for Bush I, I'm looking Reagan.


    Orthos wrote:
    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Garydee wrote:
    If only he could be that lucky. ;)

    If only you knew... I was a staunch, registered Republican until roughly 2001. P.J. O'Rourke was my humor idol, and my favorite autobiography was Richard Nixon's Six Crises.

    All that was, of course, before the Christian dominionists and "culture warriors" hijacked the party. The party currently called "republican," to me, no longer even remotely resembles Bush, Sr.'s party. The party I was registered with, and used to vote for, no longer exists.

    That's amusing. I registered independent because the Republicans had moved too far left for me. Of course we're obviously looking for different things... you're looking for Bush I, I'm looking Reagan.

    You're absolutely correct. The Republican party has moved left the last few years, not right. There's a misconception out there (due to the wonderful mainstream press) that "right-wing extremists" have taken over the party, which is simply not true.

    Liberty's Edge

    Garydee wrote:
    You're absolutely correct. The Republican party has moved left the last few years, not right. There's a misconception out there (due to the wonderful mainstream press) that "right-wing extremists" have taken over the party, which is simply not true.

    They haven't taken over the party, they've just become way more high-profile. I'm looking at you, Mike Huckabee.

    Dark Archive

    Kirth Gersen wrote:
    Garydee wrote:
    If only he could be that lucky. ;)

    If only you knew... I was a staunch, registered Republican until roughly 2001. P.J. O'Rourke was my humor idol, and my favorite autobiography was Richard Nixon's Six Crises.

    All that was, of course, before the Christian dominionists and "culture warriors" hijacked the party. The party currently called "republican," to me, no longer even remotely resembles Bush, Sr.'s party. The party I was registered with, and used to vote for, no longer exists.

    I remember my grandmother saying the same thing about the Democratic party back in the early 1990's. In her mind they were no longer the party of JFK. In her mind it was the athiests and the liberal "cultural warriors" taking over the party. I guess it's just all a matter of perspective.

    Edit: I am certainly leaning towards going Independent myself. The Republican Party in Utah seems more concerned with keeping their own power than doing what needs to be done.

    1 to 50 of 66 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>
    Community / Forums / Gamer Life / Off-Topic Discussions / Where does "entertainer" leave off and "idiot" begin? All Messageboards

    Want to post a reply? Sign in.