Rosie O'Donnell

[Karried]

Speaking of... Imus is in a world of hurt... ouch..

[BaconCheeseburgerDeluxe]

I am going to play devils advocate for a moment....

If you really think about it we have become a very thin skinned society. If you are confident enough about yourself a derogatory word should not phase you.

If we as society were truly mature adults people and their useless opinions would not even be news. The only mention they would get is at the watercooler at work. The statement would be something like "Did you see _________ make an ass of themselves.....You would think they would learn to engage their brain before they open their big fat mouth."

I think we all practiced the awkard silence method, we could end hate and unmotivated bias real quick.

[MadMonk]

Sometimes that "just a little jab" is "just a little" insulting... and unnecessary when nothing in my post was a personal attack on you.

Sorry about that. I was just giving you a hard time; I didn't intend to insult.

I wasn't ignoring your question because there was no question in that post at the time I responded. However, I will now oblige your request for an answer.

I know, that's why I put that bit in parenthesis saying I edited it while you were probably already in the middle of posting your reply. Just a little bad timing on my part.

I used to enjoy Rosie's act and/or comedy many years ago before she became so militantly bitter and angry. When ABC announced it was adding her to The View, I was a bit surprised. I've watched her on there a few times and don't particularly enjoy the show much when she's on there because it always seems like there's tension on the show. But, of course, it's not really a show aimed at my demographic, so maybe I'm not supposed to enjoy the show. But, I frequently exercise my right and ability to change the channel when I don't enjoy what I'm watching.

What's fascinating to me is that people are surprised that Rosie is expressing her view on a show called... wait for it... The View. It's equally surprising when people are shocked by what Ann Coulter says. I find her comments frequently offensive and outrageous, but you don't hear me — at least I don't recall ever — saying she should be booted off the air or that she should keep her mouth shut or result to childish insults of her.

Ever since being the opinion editor for my college newspaper years ago, I have operated with the philosophy of allowing and encouraging diverse and sometimes polarizing viewpoints on any given issue to be expressed in public. First, you can see someone's true character by the things that they say, spout or spew. Second, you expose to the light of public scrutiny the belief systems that exist in our society — even (and especially) the repulsive ones. Even the most partisan rhetoric shouldn't be stifled because airing them out often exposes the silliness and/or faultiness of the extremity of the position.

I personally don't agree with a lot of what Rosie has said. Am I outraged? No. It's one person's opinion.

I definitely do not agree with just about anything Ann Coulter says. Am I outraged? No. It's one person's opinion.

Do these television personalities have a right to express their opinions? Certainly.

Do they have the right to use television to do it? If someone will air it, sure.

Do they think they are important voices? Don't we all, at least to some degree?

If we could express our opinions on the same stage (i.e. television) as Rosie or Ann Coulter, would we take advantage of it? I think most of us would. If we didn't think our opinions mattered, why would we participate in a forum like this.

Is Rosie doing all this simply to boost ratings? I don't think so. I think she's been that provocative for some time; the difference now is that The View and ABC are now able to capitalize on it.

But it all boils down to this: If people don't like what Rosie has to say, turn the channel!

I do agree with you that she has every right to say anything she wants and as long as she has a audience she'll be on the air. I've not called for her dismissal or censure and as far as I can tell neither has anyone else here. I've just given my opinion of her and what she says; and I wouldn't call it outrage so much as loathing and a bit of pity. Wasn't that the whole point of the thread?

Baconcheeseburger has a point that if we just ignore these people they might go away, but I think that there are enough people in the world who tend to view TV personalities as authority figures for that to happen. Sadly, if you are on TV it seems you are automatically considered by many an expert (Of course! Otherwise they wouldn't be on TV...right?) - this seems to be especially true for the talk shows. How many dolts out there now firmly believe that the WTC7 building collapse was "the first time in history that fire melted steel" because Rosie said so?

[PUGalicious]

Sadly, if you are on TV it seems you are automatically considered by many an expert (Of course! Otherwise they wouldn't be on TV...right?) - this seems to be especially true for the talk shows. How many dolts out there now firmly believe that the WTC7 building collapse was "the first time in history that fire melted steel" because Rosie said so?

I agree. But that's also what frightens me so much about Fox News.

[Easy180]

Pug...CNN and MSNBC are almost as bad coming from the other side...Fox is more extreme, but those two slant many of their stories to the left

Just like politicians...The three cable news stations just sit around and wait for one to screw up so they can pounce on them...Just a pissing match most days

[PUGalicious]

Pug...CNN and MSNBC are almost as bad coming from the other side...Fox is more extreme, but those two slant many of their stories to the left

I would generally agree that CNN and MSNBC are also sloppy, lopsided and opinionated in their coverage rather than sticking to hard news reporting. However, my experience and the research suggests that Fox News is the worst offender and has the most viewers so they are the biggest threat, IMHO.

My point is that a large percentage of people in this country are letting the "boob tube" do their thinking for them — and that's dangerous no matter where you fall along the political spectrum.

[Easy180]

Or worse yet...They only watch Lou Dobbs and the only thing they think is going on in the entire world is Mexicans coming over illegally

Good lord man move on...We gotcha..We know what ya saying...Find another issue to bitch about for 3 years straight

And...Scene

[PUGalicious]

Indeed.

[NE Oasis]

My point is that a large percentage of people in this country are letting the "boob tube" do their thinking for them — and that's dangerous no matter where you fall along the political spectrum.

Far too many folks fail to understand bias in the media. The NE Oasis challenge - by an Oklahoman and a Tulsa World and notice the bias 100 miles bring. That same gullible group follow Rosie becuase "she's on TV, therefore she must be informed". Rosie is doing no more than you or I, using the largest forum avaiable to express her views. We have a humble internet forum and letters to the editor, she's riding (are dare I say dragging down) the coat-tail of Barbara Walter's credibility.

[Dark Jedi]

Pug...CNN and MSNBC are almost as bad coming from the other side...Fox is more extreme, but those two slant many of their stories to the left

Just like politicians...The three cable news stations just sit around and wait for one to screw up so they can pounce on them...Just a pissing match most days

I saw a nice jab at Faux News lately. A political cartoon, Fox News showing Al Gore holding his Oscar. Caption says "Gore recently seen in public with small nude man."