{"article":{"id":35481,"heading":"have some freedom fries","author":"ketchup is a vegetable","created":"2003-03-14 07:12:43","modified":"2005-08-15 01:15:41","last_modified":"Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:15:41","article":"

...........................<\/p>\n","contact":"","link":"","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","summary":"....................","numcomment":21,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/2003\/03\/freedom_fries.jpg","filesize":"38.3 kibibytes","article_url":"\/news\/2003\/03\/35481.php","image":{"original":"\/uploads\/2003\/03\/freedom_fries.jpg","small":"\/uploads\/2003\/03\/freedom_fries.jpgthumb.jpg"}},"attachments":[],"comments":[{"id":35499,"heading":"Reagan used to call his wife MOMMY (no joke)","article":"...............","author":"ketchup is a vegetable","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"image\/gif","created":"2003-03-14 07:41:26","modified":"2005-08-15 01:15:41","fileurl":"\/usr\/local\/www-domains\/la.indymedia.org\/public\/uploads\/2003\/03\/reagan.gif","image":{"original":"\/usr\/local\/www-domains\/la.indymedia.org\/public\/uploads\/2003\/03\/reagan.gif"}},{"id":35501,"heading":"this is funny","article":"freedom fries!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA","author":"YDR","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 07:44:04","modified":"2003-03-14 07:45:14","fileurl":""},{"id":35545,"heading":"Reagan is a vegetable","article":"from what I heard the man can't even hold his piss or shit anymore\r\nand his brain is going going gone...I know, like as if he had one\r\nin the first place...\r\n","author":"apache","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 17:34:25","modified":"2003-03-14 17:34:25","fileurl":""},{"id":35546,"heading":"Simple","article":"Compassion comes so naturally to the Left. They fawn all over a B-movie actor who fell from a horse, but they savage a man with an incurable disease who, by the way, won the Cold War and gave us the economic prosperity we enjoy today.\r\n\r\nTo suggest people shouldn't watch Martin Sheen is 'McCarthyism' but to work actively to silence Dr. Laura and Michael Savage is 'progressive'.\r\n\r\nFunny stuff.\r\n\r\n","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 17:44:27","modified":"2003-03-14 17:44:27","fileurl":""},{"id":35551,"heading":"There is a Qualitative Difference","article":"I disagreed with the attacks on Dr. Laura. I don't care for her show but she is welcome to express her OPINION as far as I am concerned.\r\n\r\nMichael Savage is a crude, boorish, jingoistic, anti-American, Loggorheaic Imbecile (with apoligies to legitimate Imbeciles who cannot help themselves) and as long as it is not enforced by government edict, I would support a boycott and even protest of his continued access to an audience. However, unlike advocates of the NeoCon movement I actually support Freedom of Speech.\r\n\r\nI have probably disagreed with Martin Sheen more than I have ever agreed with him but would not oppose his right to speak. I have never watched "The Left Wing" and so pass no judgement on his acting. (Although I loved his made for TV Movie "California Kid".\r\nThe qualitative difference here is that what appears to be going on is the enforcement of a homogeneity of opinion on Major Media. How this is enforced is debatable but I think it real - just from observation.\r\nOne of the mistaken, being charitable, propositions put forth by NeoCons is "he is just an actor". True but his position makes him an Opinion Leader. Whether the NeoCons wish to admit this or not. Regardless of the validity or invalidity of his publicly expressed opinions they are going to affect the opions of a good many people.\r\nThe attempt to silence him by writing him out of the script is simply, IMHO, a move to silence dissent in the Major Media and impose a pall over the freedom to dissent and further the homogeneity of the propaganda message being further in Major Media.\r\n\r\nThankfully people are beginning to wise up and it is, obviously, not working as well as the Opion Shapers would like.\r\n\r\nThree cheers for Independence of Thought, and the freedom to speak your mind.\r\n","author":"Diogenes","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 18:12:57","modified":"2003-03-14 18:12:57","fileurl":""},{"id":35560,"heading":"Simple","article":"You have a point, my comparison of Martin Sheen to Michael Savage and Dr. Laura was somewhat inept.\r\n\r\nSavage and Schlesinger are commentators. Their whole purpose is to comment on the political and social scene as they see it. They make their statements without any disclaimers - they are paid to say what they think.\r\nWhen someone who is opposed to their point of view decides to put pressure on radio stations to silence these views (rather than just changing channels), they are engaging in an attempt to muzzle political speech. There is, however, little acknowledgement of this fact. People who scream 'McCarthy' at the treatment of a Bill Maher are silent when Dr. Laura is cancelled after an extensive and intensive campaign to silence her. \r\n\r\nSheen is an actor. He portrays the President of the United States in a popular show. Yes, he is a public figure, an Opinion Leader, to borrow your term. The problem is, that he was hired to play a role in a show - not to express his opinions on politics. Unlike Savage and Dr. Laura, his opinions are not what he is being paid for.\r\nHaving decided to offer his opinions, he finds that a significant number of Americans disagree with him, and their dislike of being preached to by unelected 'Opinion Leaders' has resulted in a significant impact upon the show's popularity.\r\n\r\nThe producers and programmers of the major networks (both radio and television) are driven by market demands. The market for political commentary tends to support conservative thinkers. The market for popular entertainment tends to support liberal entertainers. Thus it is unlikely that Rush Limbaugh will be hosting The Tonight Show any time soon. Similarly, when Martin Sheen steps outside his role as a make-believe President, and makes political pronouncements, he is judged, rightly or wrongly, on his views in the political arena. If his show gets cancelled, he has no one to blame but himself.\r\n\r\nIt would appear that Americans don't like to be lectured by their entertainers. If Martin Sheen wants to be a political commentator, then let him make the attempt. I suspect that if he does, he will be merely the next in a long line of Leftists who fail to find an audience.","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 19:04:55","modified":"2003-03-14 19:04:55","fileurl":""},{"id":35564,"heading":"Half a Tuppence is better that half a' Penny","article":"\u201c....Unlike Savage and Dr. Laura, his opinions are not what he is being paid for. \u201c\r\n\r\nIs this now a test of the ability to speak one\u2019s mind - that for it to have validity you must be paid for it? Does that make PR more valid than honest news reportage?\r\n\r\n\u201cHaving decided to offer his opinions, he finds that a significant number of Americans disagree with him, and their dislike of being preached to by unelected 'Opinion Leaders' has resulted in a significant impact upon the show's popularity.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe \u201cLeft Wing\u201d did not get it\u2019s nickname for being the model of balance and fairness. So, I would have to say \u201cwhere\u2019s the Beef\u201d? Are Sheen\u2019s publicly stated, privately held, opinions actually having an affect on the show\u2019s ratings? I do not know that to be the case. You have made a quantitative assertion supported by qualitative arguments. What brings a television program into and out of favor is the fickle audience. If ratings are declining it is just as possible that the writing has become stale and repetitive, or simply that people are wrapped up in so much angst over current real world political matters that they simply do not wish to watch it as a diversion.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt would appear that Americans don't like to be lectured by their entertainers. If Martin Sheen wants to be a political commentator, then let him make the attempt. I suspect that if he does, he will be merely the next in a long line of Leftists who fail to find an audience.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\nNo one particularly likes to be lectured at by anyone. One can make a hortatory exposition without talking down to one\u2019s audience. It is not evident that Sheen has been talking down to anyone but those who would accept unquestioned the simplistic rationales for killing that the Bush Junta is trying to sell.\r\n\r\nI do agree with one thing - public entertainment, notably TV (radio as well - I remember one posting by a small businessman who attempted to advertise on one program and was offered free time on Limbaugh\u2019s slot to keep up the appearance of a full board of advertisers) is driven by the profit motive. If advertisers apply pressure behind the scenes they can, and have, caused changes in or elimination of actors and programs.","author":"Diogenes","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 19:32:25","modified":"2013-11-10 23:49:02","fileurl":""},{"id":35595,"heading":"OneEyedMan","article":"Bullshit...it's all entertainment, and not very good entertainment at that...it is not meant to foster political discourse...it is meant to sell soap.","author":"KPC","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-14 21:28:15","modified":"2003-03-14 21:28:15","fileurl":""},{"id":35738,"heading":"Iconoclash","article":"Simple Slopmon must like racism, the type dished out by Michael Savage. It figures. Forget the Alamo.","author":"Ernest Romero","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 07:53:41","modified":"2003-03-15 07:53:41","fileurl":""},{"id":35781,"heading":"Simple","article":"How did the Alamo find it's way into this discussion? We're talking about FRIED FOOD, junior. Keep up or get out.","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 16:04:00","modified":"2003-03-15 16:04:00","fileurl":""},{"id":35793,"heading":"ok, simon","article":"ok simon, so why don't you tell us what you think about "freedom fries". \r\n\r\ni mean, do you think that this is a good idea - to change the name from "french fries" to "freedom fries"? \r\n\r\nfor? against? why.. why not.. \r\n\r\nyou can do it, soldier. ","author":"HS","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 17:51:22","modified":"2003-03-15 17:51:22","fileurl":""},{"id":35802,"heading":"Simple","article":"I think the idea of changing the name of French Fries to Freedom Fries is assinine. It reminds me of the changing of many street names in Cincinnati and Chicago from German names during WWI. Sauerkraut became 'Victory Cabbage'. All stupid.\r\n\r\nThe beauty of this country is that it is composed of a wide variety of people from a wide variety of countries - to insult the citizens of French descent and French visitors here is counterproductive.\r\n\r\nThere is no question that the French have worked counter to our national interests on this issue, and that they are the ringleaders of the revolt against action.\r\n\r\nWith a quick, decisive victory and the liberation of the Iraqi people, the French will be so piqued it will be fun to watch.\r\n\r\nAnd I'll celebrate by having a Burger King Crossandwich for breakfast and French Fries with my Whopper at lunch.\r\n\r\n","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 18:27:06","modified":"2003-03-15 18:27:06","fileurl":""},{"id":35813,"heading":"Pvt. Fido pulls through!!","article":"so, Simon, what are these "freedom fries" people thinking? \r\n\r\nwhat ails your fellow pro-war people that they are reduced to such pitiful silliness?\r\n\r\ndon't be afraid to speak your mind. \r\n\r\n","author":"fsh","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 19:23:29","modified":"2003-03-15 19:23:29","fileurl":""},{"id":35819,"heading":"Simple","article":"These people are only passing feel-good do-nothing measures for populist reasons. They are political lightweights looking for a little free press.\r\n\r\nNot to mention, if you're opposed to the position of the French, then bite into some French Fries! Cut, gnaw, chomp, take that Frenchie!\r\n\r\nI","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 19:37:32","modified":"2003-03-15 19:37:32","fileurl":""},{"id":35828,"heading":"you know what makes me sick....","article":"\r\nyou know what grosses me out about you, Simon?\r\n\r\nthe minute the tide really turns and the war party collapses..... you'll abandon your flowery words.\r\n\r\ni hope i'm wrong but you come off as the kind of elitist scum that'll spout whatever doctrine the lucky snobs are spouting. \r\n\r\nwhat are the chances you'll suffer for your positions.... try and convince someone of THAT. never you're way too smug, snotty, and spoiled sounding. teacher's pet all the way. ","author":"urgui","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 20:31:22","modified":"2003-03-15 20:31:22","fileurl":""},{"id":35842,"heading":"Simple","article":"I don't often suffer for my positions, true. That's because I am usually right.\r\n\r\nYou on the other hand must spend hours on the cross. Do those nails hurt?","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 21:24:48","modified":"2003-03-15 21:24:48","fileurl":""},{"id":35845,"heading":"simpleton","article":"

                \r\n\r\n       \r\n\r\n<\/font><\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Dishing Disinformation & Dogma Daily<\/font><\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\n","author":"tuna on wheat","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/html","created":"2003-03-15 21:30:05","modified":"2003-03-15 21:30:05","fileurl":""},{"id":35860,"heading":"i guess you think principles are a big joke","article":"Simple wrote - - "I don't often suffer for my positions, true. That's because I am usually right."\r\n\r\npeople respect people who stand by their principles through thick and thin. like steadfastly political prisoners for example. with an attitude like yours you will never be truly respected but it wouldn't matter to a snot like you anyway. \r\n\r\n","author":"the hulk","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 22:13:01","modified":"2003-03-15 22:13:01","fileurl":""},{"id":35871,"heading":"Simple","article":"Kindly demonstrate an act of shiftlessness on my part. You are the yellow dogs who bite the hands that feed them, not I. You have turned on your country out of your own self-loathing.\r\n\r\nCompared to the spineless weasels and mental patients here, I am the ideological freaking Rock of Gibraltar.","author":"Simple Simon","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-15 23:12:27","modified":"2003-03-15 23:12:27","fileurl":""},{"id":35887,"heading":"A smart person","article":"A smart person will look at a situation and gather together the available information fully aware that they may not have everythin and come to a conclusion.\r\nThey will however be open to the fact that aditional information may arise that contradicts this position and if it is compelling and from a reliable source then they will be willing to change their mind.\r\nthis is not hypocracy this is just not being an idiot.\r\ninfact if a single person contradicts themelves after new information comes to light like for example USA supporting and then opposing Iraq that gives credibility to their second view point as they are not just blindly trying to avoid the critisism of hypocracy (which is infact a meaningless critisism as it is not attached to anything of fundimental moral worth).","author":"Scottie","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2003-03-16 00:15:14","modified":"2003-03-16 00:15:14","fileurl":""},{"id":35889,"heading":"poli-lightweight, I love it!","article":"These guys are willing to use national tension to better their saladbar? Not! \r\nIt is pretty lame to take the stress of a nation and use it against her --to push a warped message (and fried too)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI love this picture gather round 'yall \r\nit's photo-op time!\r\n(go to Jones state web site)\r\n\r\n\r\nps Any Congress folk publicly smack this guys for being toads?\r\ninquiring minds want to know.\r\n","author":"Jones, founder of FREEDOM FRIES","parent_id":35481,"mime_type":"image\/gif","created":"2003-03-16 00:21:01","modified":"2005-08-15 01:15:42","fileurl":"\/usr\/local\/www-domains\/la.indymedia.org\/public\/uploads\/2003\/03\/jonesfreak.gifjsrmj5.gif","image":{"original":"\/usr\/local\/www-domains\/la.indymedia.org\/public\/uploads\/2003\/03\/jonesfreak.gifjsrmj5.gif"}}]}