From American Correspondent Kyle Brady… 

As is already widely known, Sarah Palin has joined FOX “News” as a commentator, not the host of a show, but there is a point of interest being widely ignored within the opinions on this not-so-unexpected issue:  any hopes that Palin had of a future political career are now dead.

Sarah Palinis best known for being the Vice Presidential running-mate of John McCain in 2008 that very likely destroyed the campaign, and went on to quit her job as Alaskan Governor, long before her Term of Office was up, in order to pursue a career of media attention, Facebook blogging, and fake book writing.  The most shocking part of her entire situation, however, is that she seemed to believe that, between her blogging, carefully prepared soundbites, and book/booktour, she was laying the groundwork for a run at the Presidency in 2012 – one that she assumed she would win without much effort.

Despite Palin’s criticism of Barack Obama for supposedly having “no real experience” in either governing or politics, it’s worth remembering that the position of U.S. Senator is a higher office than that of State Governor, not to mention that Palin’s only legitimate political position was given up because it no longer interested her – a far cry from disappearing from the Senate to campaign for a very timely Presidential run.  But the war of words from this Alaskan blogger has only strengthened over the last year, after discovering that she has a small but faithful audience among the fringe-party teabagger nutjobs, and she seems to relish this power.  Ever since Sarah Palin began speaking of her own accord on political topics, the Republican Party has accelerated its devolution into a party run by the tenet of lunacy, an “in the bag” election was lost because of intra-party division, and 2010 midterm elections are not likely to be as profitable for her favorite side of the political divide as she’d hoped.

Do these decisions seem like those of an individual that wishes to be President?  Perhaps she would be amenable to people demanding that she take an IQ test before being sworn in as President – that would be an ironic allegory to her support of the birthers.

She has, however, ruined any remote chance she had at taking a national political office, even if she hasn’t realized it yet:  joining FOX “News”does not make a politician appear more likable, sane, rational, or even believable.  Whether or not her commentary role involves live or carefully pre-recorded and edited pieces is irrelevant, because she has decided to be under the direct employ of a “news” network that dedicates itself to promoting conspiracy theories, outright lies, opinion as fact, and de factoopposition of anyone that’s not, in their minds, “conservative enough”.  This move may benefit Sarah Palin in the short term, through an increase in book sales and a greater fervor among the small minority that finds her favorable, but, ultimately, this ruins any and all credibility.

The extreme wings of both sides of the political divide tend to stalwartly vote for their own candidates, so FOX “News” will not effect the future voting behaviors of the teabaggers – the important change is within the moderates and the mainstream swing votes.  American people, while not necessarily the smartest group of people at every turn, tend to have an innate ability to sense the viability and sincerity of both individuals and institutions, so when the then-former commentator from FOX “News” decides to campaign, it seems highly unlikely that anyone but the most irrational voters would decide such an unrepentantly biased person even deserves a chance at a national office.

When the time comes, this moment may be remembered as a day that Democrats, Progressives, and rational Republicans will celebrate for the rest of time:  it was the watershed event that returned American politics to rationality and responsibility through a rather insane, twisted, and unintelligent career choice by a woman who had created a fake political career around her consistent failures.

Click Here for Kyle Brady’s Bio   

Kyle can be found on his blog, via email, or on Twitter.

This is what is wrong with American Politics today. In what you are about to watch, there is no added left wing commentary; nothing but the host, Mr. Glenn Beck, and his introduction to a documentary broadcast by FOX News on January 22nd entitled”The Revolutionary Holocaust: Live Free 0r Die.”  Listen to Beck’s words, then watch the promotional trailer for the documentary. Afterwards, remind yourself that what you just watched is purported to be about Barack Obama, the policies of his administration, and where these policies will take the United States of America.  Such extraordinary irresponsibility, blatant fear-mongering, and outright manipulation of history were once used by only isolated individuals holding cardboard signs at radical rallies – not anymore. This Fox News documentary was watched by millions of Americans and broadcast by one of our planet’s largest media conglomerates, News Corporation, which has not disassociated itself from the film in any way.  The United States would say its powers- that- be believe all men are created equal and only a small lunatic fringe absolutely hate the fact a progressive black man by the name of Barack Hussein Obama, the son of Kenyan Muslim,  is President of the United States. That’s right. There’s only just a few.         

Recently the Obama administration reffered to the FOX News Network as not really being a news channel. Their claim - FOX is sensationalism that works to support an agenda, rather than report the news. Watch the following collection of clips and decide for yourself.

Journalism, whether in print or on television, is supposed to stand for truth. Integrity is the cornerstone of any news agency and any organization only has its own credibility, its own reputation to rely upon. Complete balance may be difficult, but it is the responsibility of those working withing the news media to strive towards it at all times. FOX News, or the Bush Channel as some call it, is not a legitimate source of news. RELATIVITY OnLine’s David Anthony Hohol looks at Glenn Back, the FOX News poster boy for idiotic journalism, and how he represents the growing trend of yellow journalism in America -tabloid sensationalism with a pre-determined agenda and built in audience disguised as news.  The goal - dilute the truth, get big ratings and make lots of money. Who needs the truth?

Glenn Beck, an infamous American radio and TV personality, is a hate merchant, a pea-brained moron with little to offer the world in the way of fairness or diplomacy. He’s also a ratings grabber, as people tune in to hear what he has to say, if only to laugh at or despise him.

The truth is Beck is a freak show, a car accident at the side of the road – people cant stop themselves from staring. Although he certainly takes himself very seriously, few others do. His rants read like Saturday Night Live comedy bits or an old fashioned British farce. In short, he’s a joke.

The fact of the matter is not many reasonable people would concur with statements like, “This president (Obama) has exposed himself as a guy over and over and over again who has a deep-seated hatred for white people … this guy is, I believe, a racist.” Or better yet, “If you’re a guy, you can get past it (being ugly). I don’t think you can as an ugly woman. You’ve also got a double cross, because if you’re an ugly woman, you’re probably a progressive as well.”

We hear what he says and his blind and unthinking leaps into the total absurd and we’re blown away by how anyone, even  the dumbest amongst us, can believe he’s speaking anything even remotely close to the truth. But yet still… he marches on.

When Keith Ellison became the first Muslim ever elected to to the American Congress, he agreed to appear on Beck’s program. I believe Ellison did so to once again show people Beck is a complete moron and he did not disappoint. Within seconds of the interview’s onset Mr. Beck hit Ellison with,  ”Sir, prove to me you are not working with our enemies,” successfully insulting Muslims everywhere in the process; not to mention gleefully making Americans look like complete assholes.

His latest tangent inspired me to write a brief blog about him, if for no other reason to point out to those outside the United States that if they ever come across a clip or quote from Glenn Beck, to take it with a grain of salt. He does not represent America or its people. He only represents idiocy and the media’s ravenous appetite for ratings at any cost.

As a side note journalist, newsman and comedian Jon Stewart, quite possibly the most adept, intelligent and honest person working today’s American media, came back with a pearl of his own. He suggested if Ellison had to prove he wasn’t working with the enemy, then with ” a conservative white guy (Stewart referring to himself), the burden is on me to prove to you I’ve neither blown up a federal building with a fertilizer bomb, nor sucked off a gay hooker in the men’s room of a Denny’s.”

Recently Obama began social awareness campaign, calling for people to be more active in their communities, to get involved with after school programs and volunteer positions, in order foster a sense of empathy and connection to the neighbourhoods in which people live. Television shows have picked up on the idea and written story lines about volunteering and giving back to the community, showing that something as simple as volunteering at an animal shelter can make a real difference. Glenn Beck claims Obama is attempting to brainwash  the American people, controlling them, pushing them into a Communist-like mindset. “Its almost like we’re living in (Chairman) Mao’s China right now,” he exclaims.

At one point in the program, he plays a clip of Michelle Obama thanking the TV and Film industry for joining the adminstarion in promoting the idea community service. The entire time the screen remains picture-in-picture in order to show Beck’s face, his ego too huge to allow the clip to appear on its own. Beck does so only to make sure everyone sees him mock the first lady as she speaks. He later slams Disney for granting  one free entry into Disneyland with every day of volunteer service and then suggests Obama will smash anyone who does not obey.

Bottom line, FOX news is not news at all. Its tabloid agenda driven journalism… but it gets ratings, has a loyal audience, and represents human nature.; at least what’s wrong with it. Freedom of speech is important and so FOX News has every right to rant twenty-four seven. I like Saturday Night Live, Jim Carrey, and Farrelly brother movies too. Dumb and Dumber is my all time favorite… or is that FOX News and Glenn Beck.