Saturday, November 24, 2012

The Common Cult

By Bill Maher

Fox News, you win. You have spewed your fact-free bile so insistently and so repetitively that the hypnosis has worked. A significant percentage of your viewers have accepted your ravings as gospel and what you report is no longer just a diversion or entertainment. Your fan base has become a dangerous cult.

We really do have to look at the level of hate and paranoia that's been stirred up in people by a right wing propaganda machine that has not just mischaracterized, but demonized, this President of the United States. The Secret Service recently had to pay a visit to 22-year-old California resident Denise Helms who posted on Facebook, "Another 4 years of this nigger. Maybe he will get assassinated this term." Without even a smiley face or an "LOL" or anything.

When the posting went viral and the local press caught up with Denise, she said, "I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. The assassination part is kind of harsh. I'm not saying like I would go do that or anything like that, by any means, but if it was to happen, I don't think I'd care one bit."

And then Denise went back on Facebook to post, "So apparently my post last night about Obama got onto Twitter and Fox 40 came and interviewed me cause apparently a lot of people in Sacramento think I'm crazy and racist. WOW is all I got to say!! I'm not racist and I'm not crazy. Just simply stating my opinion.!!!"

Thanks to Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh and Fox News and all the other anything-goes, whatever-it-takes hypnotists, our President has officially become dehumanized in the eyes of their cult followers, a thing to be dreaded and feared like the Plague or communism or Mel Gibson after a few Captain and Cokes.

We all read what Trump said about Obama's election, as well as Ted Nugent and Victoria Jackson. I'm just saying, it's the second term -- maybe it's time for those re-education camps. There are a lot of people in this country who are in need of some serious deprogramming.

14 comments:

wayner said...

A Canadian, I find the right-wing nuts including Fox news to be frankly embarrassing for sane Americans with a modicum of intellectual capacity. Nothing wrong with being a little right-of-center (I consider myself to be fiscally conservative but socially liberal), but the vile hatred and disrespect by Fox News for President Obama, who became president at a time of two wars and financial collapse and has done a calm and admirable job handling it all, is beyond the pale. At least CNN attempts to provide an opposing conservative perspective at times.
-The USA (and Canada) have bigger problems in dealing with the Achilles Heel of democracy; politicians use deficits to buy votes and do not pay it down in good economic times. Time to pay the Piper and that takes a willingness to accept long-term pain, or become a bigger version of Greece. Unbridled capitalism without fair spending and taxing parameters won't work in the long run.

Batmensch said...

I remember how Fox News, especially people like Hannity, would react whenever a Liberal, criticized Bush in any way at all. The hypocrisy is just ... breathtaking. An entire "news" network dedicated to making Democratic Presidents as ineffective as possible. Isn't that, frankly, treasonous?

Anonymous said...

The problem with any society is extremes. They are either too far left or right. The attack in Benghazi should be investigated. (Sorry Michael Moore). It has nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. It has to do with the truth.

Patreus didn't happen overnight. It happened under the watch of President Obama, whom I voted for. These are incidents that can only hurt our liberal views. I am a proud liberal but wrong is wrong.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, and after we investigate the Benghazi deaths, we should investigate the tens of thousands that died in Iraq by our hand, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands in Iraq too. Or does our four in Benghazi just count a bazillion more cause their Americans? What we frame too often as the truth has not been touched by polly-wanna-by-my-vote-ticians or by our edifying media. Tragically those four individuals lost their lives in the on-going-never-ending foreign war we've been cultivating over the past few years...
How about instead investigating some of our own doo-doo here at home like the war on drugs as Eugene Jarecki has done in his documentary: The House I Live In. Now that's asking and naming some crappola that needs to be aired.

Anonymous said...

Bill you are right! The right wing and it's media are a cult. But just like a cult, they don't realize what they are. We need you back on air to bring some sanity into the craziness.

Just One Voice said...

Isn't it about time we change some of the words we use to politicize actions, or programs, or ideologies? ...I believe it is.

For too long we've been told, through innuendo and metaphor, how we ought to feel about certain people, certain beliefs, certain policies. Not surprisingly, as they seem to do many things with a greater enthusiasm and organization, the most effective jargon comes from the right, in equal parts unfair negativism aimed at any and all detractors and inaccurate positivism aimed at any and all supporters.

One of many examples of this is a timely one, as it has been echoing in our ears during nearly every debate or speech on our impending vault off the proverbial fiscal cliff. The term, of course, is "entitlement." The sound of it alone, even without any background or formal definition attached, is offensive to the senses. When digging deeper, though, it only gets worse. Merriam-Webster defines entitlement as "a belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges." And, their use in a sentence: "celebrities who have an arrogant sense of entitlement."

Now, I’m not sure why I’m to feel that the Social Security and Medicare into which I’ve been paying for the better part of my life are “privileges to which I’m entitled.” Why can they not merely be investments I’ve made in myself? Why can they not be savings plans which were built on my dollars, set aside from my paychecks, for work I performed over x number of years?

And, even if those who ill-label programs are peering around Social Security and Medicare to aim their crossbows at Medicaid and other “low income” programs, the difference is of little significance. The issue on which to better focus is the purposely-negative (and, contrarily, the overtly-positive) word association inflicted on people, ideologies, and programs. And, if we do so, we can certainly then ask the question: “Why is defense spending not considered an ‘entitlement’ program?” Are Americans not “entitled” to safety? Do we not feel, collectively, that we are “deserving of the privilege” of protection from enemies? Why do Republicans not include defense spending under the “entitlement” umbrella? Other than that it is an intentionally degrading, unfair, and overtly negative term to associate with things many people value, count on, or hold dear to them, I can’t imagine why.

Similarly, do Republicans not feel “entitled” to highways on which to drive, national parks in which to gaze, police forces through which to enjoy security, and clean air and water by which to LIVE? We don’t hear many ideologues, on either side of the isle, professing deep desires for reductions in any of these “entitlement” programs, do we?

Oh, and while we’re at it, can we please stop referring to the Republican Party as the “conservative” party? “Conservatism,” according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as “marked by moderation or caution,” and as a “disposition in politics to preserve what is established.” Hmmm. What part of these definitions applies to today’s Republican Party? The right wing in this country is moderate and cautious…but selectively so. And, hard as I try, I cannot find any mention of selectivity in Merriam-Webster’s—or anyone’s—definition of conservatism. And, more than just selective, the right’s desire for moderation and caution (i.e. less government spending) is applied only to those things they don’t like or see themselves as ever benefitting from. Today’s “conservatives,” for instance, in all but unanimity, would never think to reduce the defense entitlement program. We spend more on guns and fighter jets and soldiers than do the next 10 nations on the world’s list combined. “Conservative”? …No.

NEW RULE: “Spend less on ‘entitlements’” must be translated to read, roughly, “spend less on them and more on us.” And, therefore, I recommend we replace the term “conservative,” in labeling many of today’s Republicans, with the term “selfish,” as that, at least, syncs with what many of them believe in, what they stand for, and how they vote.

Andel Javon Jowers said...

To the Concerned News Personalities,

My name is Rev. Andel Javon Jowers and I am just wondering why there is little to no coverage about the vicious murder of another 17 year old African American male in Florida? I understand that the economy or better government is important, but at the same time these mundane stereotypes are unfolding over and over again in Florida, and across the world. These banal stereotypes breed the murders of "Innocent" children around the world. These routine stereotypes plague our government as well as our economic system.

Meaning the following:

Men and women who think they are superior to other races are trying to enforce their ungodly will on anyone and everyone they feel inferior to them and calling it of God. Thus, without pointing the finger we have people and politicians with deep rooted superiority complexes trying to subjugate one another, the American people, and as well as POTUS.

I cannot sit silent anymore and watch two men claim self-defense for murdering teenagers. Murder or killing in itself has become too common place within our own borders as well as overseas.

I know it has to grieve God to see such destruction and chaos being done in his name. The Bible teaches us to love, the Koran teaches us to love, and every religion or faith is based upon the principals of love. So, why is it so easy for any man or woman to take a life?

Why has it become so easy for a man to kill his fellow man for any disagreement? What has happened to contacting the proper authorities? Are they not meant to serve and protect? Are they not meant to enforce the letter of the law? Is the thought of a bruised ego or machismo more important than the loss of a life? Who gave these men involved in the deaths of Jordan Davis or Trayvon Martin the right to say this is the day you will die? Not God...I dare not even speak his name for we know who the author of death is.

The facts still remain that two young lives would not be lost and both of those men would not be in jail today had they just contacted the police department and "Observed" the conduct of the men until the proper authorities had arrived. Instead we have families that are devastated and all the lives involved or not are cut short. Thus, the impact of sin and the feelings of injustice are sent rippling throughout the world. Will true justice be served for the two African American teens? Can a man or a woman change their stereotypical ideologies?

My only true source of solace in these biblical last days is that I know my God in Heaven and Earth who reigns. However, I believe that the media can become more of a medium to blaze a trail for love, peace, justice, and equality by shining more light on these stories of the two young men who lost their lives and men or women with these rift producing stereotypes.

In closing, I end with a word of encouragement to all the Saints of the Most High God, never give up, never back down, keep up the fight, keep with your faith, and keep keeping on. Amen and God Bless You.

R&RQueen said...

Agreed! Conservative can not be defined by only the far rights dictatation. Well said. Thank you

Anonymous said...

oh deomocrats. does thou not know what facts are? if they were a snake they would have bit you in your tiny deom-nuts! i have never seen so many dumbasses gather in one place. worship god he loves you and keep intouch with him! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

Anonymous said...

BILL MAHER GO FUCK YOURSELF YOU BLEEDIN HEART WORTHLESS OVER SIZE-NOSED TAKIN IT UP THE ASS PIECE OF FILTH! YOUR ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THAT BLACK SCUM THAT SITS JUST UNDER THE RIM OF AN UNKEMPT SHITTER! I BET YOUR MOTHER WISHES YOU WERE THAT SCUM. AT LEAST THEN YOU WOULD BE USEFUL! BITCH !

Anonymous said...

ISORRY BILL, THAT LAST COMMENT WAS JUST PLAIN RUDE. I GET A LITTLE ANGRY SOMETIMES WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF. I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF THAT FOLKS LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MISINFORMED AND IGNORANT YOU REALLY ARE. YOU CAN'T HELP IT THAT YOU'RE A FOOL ANYMORE THAN I CAN HELP IT THAT I'M RIGHT :) FOX NEWS, RUSH LIMBAUGH, ALEX JONES, JOHN HAGEE, DRUDGE REPORT, SEAN HANNITY, MARK LEVIN, AND PEOPLE WITH WISDOM ABOUT THEM CAN ONLY PRAY FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU. IT IS YOU AND THOSE LIKE YOU WHO PROPAGATE THE NEW WORLD ORDER WITH ALL SICK IDEAS THAT COME FROM DAMNED GLOBALIST EUGENICISTS WORLDWIDE!

M. Fournier said...

WOW there you go they come on and make your case for you.

Anonymous said...

True Dat!!! haha

Anonymous said...

MAHER, I LOVE YOU