Republicans silent during Bush, Democrats silent during Obama? The litmus test of credible journalis

It struck me the other day that during George Bush's eight year presidency, criticism from his camp (i.e. Republicans, conservatives, people on the right) was silent. There was little to no criticism of his foreign policy, his unconstitutional actions, etc., etc. The criticism came from his political opponents (i.e. Democrats, liberals, people on the Left). People like Air America, NPR, MSNBC and Saturday Night Live. His own camp was not critical at all. You would not hear anyone like Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or Glenn Beck criticize him at all. This makes sense.

Similarly, one would never look to Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or Glenn Beck for even a shred of journalistic integrity. Further, one would see that their motives were not for the health of our Republic, but instead for the defense of their party. If it had been for our Republic, they would have spoken out against the Patriot Act, the Iraq War, the Military Defense Act of 2007, etc., etc.

Today, the litmus test is just as discretionary.

Today, the political opponents are Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, et al. This is to be expected. It's what they are supposed to do. It's not that they truly are against Obama's policies; they would be policies well at home in a Bush presidency. No, they are against their political opponents, the Democrats.

The difference, and the point of this writing, is that there are notable voices from the Left that are speaking out against Obama. Voices like Nader, Chris Hedges and Tariq Ali. These voices from within the camp are the voices that I find to be the most interesting and the most courageous.

And speaking out against Obama, as a member of the Left, is a litmus test of REAL journalism, and journalistic integrity. So, people like Rachel Maddow, who do little to absolutely nothing to criticize Obama reveal themselves as nothing more than pundits. So Rachel Maddow becomes little more than Bill O'Reilly or Glenn Beck. And Piers Morgan and Anderson Cooper become little more than a Rush Limbaugh.

reply to post by franklin555


I was against Bush from day 1. I was a democrat.. At about year 2 or 3 of Bush Jr's first term I started getting the feeling he was not in control. Alex jones may have helped me there, but I had my own angles too.. After that I researched a lot and found out that every president is a little controlled weak azz punk..

I don't like Bush (either one) or Obama... They're tools.. They need a screw driver and a hammer.. I just don't want to see the deck they are building..

Count me as weird or as the norm, but this government is corrupt and no president or majority controlled senate/house will save us.. It's US now.. The United States of Us.

We run this.

My personal views are that I am a conservative socialist.. We should help each other out, but not by force or law or decree.. Not by Debt.. I owe nothing to this earth but my body, and I plan on giving that back.

reply to post by franklin555


Bullcrap. "Conservatives" were quite critical of Bush's economic spending. Moderate and fiscally Liberal Republicans were quite silent. Bush certainly wasn't a fiscal Conservative, not by a long shot.

Yea Rush Limbaugh attacked Bush regularly. He never liked him.

He especially went after his support of the low cost housing lend program which we all know ended up being a huge mess.

reply to post by franklin555

Similarly, one would never look to Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, or Glenn Beck for even a shred of journalistic integrity.

You mean no one other than the majority of people who kept them solidly at the top of the p2 ratings week in and out?



Believe it or not, most people flock to those above mentioned folks to hear the side of the news the MSM refused to report.

Originally posted by Spookycolt
Yea Rush Limbaugh attacked Bush regularly. He never liked him.

He especially went after his support of the low cost housing lend program which we all know ended up being a huge mess.

As did Michael Savage and Mark Levin. David Webb is also another who was often critical.

Bush wasn't a Conservative and was raked often by media personalities who are. Bill O'Reilly was the most objective in his coverage, which one would expect from an Independent. He's not afraid to ask tough questions from any person. That's a big reason he's the most watched show on cable news.

reply to post by franklin555

Originally posted by franklin555
So, people like Rachel Maddow, who do little to absolutely nothing to criticize Obama reveal themselves as nothing more than pundits.

Many on the left have criticized Obama. I am not a member of a political party, but I see the the left-leaning pundits have more integrity and are willing to criticize the president. The right keeps quiet out of allegiance to the idea that the GOP is always right or something...