Streets Lined With Palm Trees In Fox News’ Coverage Of Wisconsin Protests

By JacobSloan on March 2, 2011 in News 60

Bill O’Reilly reports that the massive pro-union protests in the Cheese State are largely comprised of “professional left-winger” thugs bussed in to stir up violence. The Fox News camera crews caught footage of the intimation, physical attacks, and ugliness unfolding on the streets of tropical Wisconsin.

Fox News, Media, Propaganda, Protests, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Protests

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Liam_McGonagle

Oh, too rich my good man!

But do give Fox some credit–they managed to keep the wind machines from taking down the carboard cutout gangsters rotating on the conveyor belt in the background!

Seriously, though, Florida is the logical place for Fox to stage their coverage of the Madison Uprising. Remember Jane Akre?

http://www.2dca.org/opinions/Opinion_Pages/Opinion_Page_2003/February/February%2014,%202003/2D01-529.pdf

And if that link don’t work, try Jane Akre’s wikipedia page, link at footnote #5:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Akre

But, in my view, you really need look no further than the final paragraph of the Court’s decision in favour of Fox:

“Because the FCC’s news distortion policy is not a “law, rule, or regulation”
under section 448.102, Akre has failed to state a claim under the whistle-blower’s
statute. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment in her favor and remand for entry of a
judgment in favor of WTVT.”

English Translation: “Screw you, informed public. There is no constitutional requirement for Fox to tell the truth.”
- Rrauben
  
  Liam,
  
  I read your stuff here all the time and know you’re only miles away from us and in sympathy. Help us keep the momentum up. We’re scrambling to make more happen– there’s a lot going on. Contact us via http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/03/sacred-clowns-bring-krampus-to.html until we get our own site up.
  
  MISSION STATEMENT – Sacred Clown Union
  
  Yep. Some of our clowns definitely take inspiration from Krampus –“the henchmen of Saint Nick” thing you find in the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps. We live in Wisconsin, a bastion of German heritage, and we see those clowns as something we lost– something we want back!
  
  The Nazis apparently hated Krampus. Our antlers tip in respect to those clowns. But this is global. We love love love the Japanese Namahage and the Native American Heyokas too! We embrace them all.
  
  If we have one reservation though, it involves terrorizing little children into obedience, servitude or serfdom. That makes us cry. We no like that. Here, we do take our cues more from the Native American clowns (as well as other intact tribal traditions), more so than Krampus (as it is performed in the Alps today).
  
  We’re here to sweep away the vile spirit of big, greedy, power-mad ego– the ones that seemingly care so little for the children– the ones that would imperil their own grandchildren just to line their own pockets. Our heart-sworn ethic is to do this with humor, creativity, art, dance, music and absurdity. Yes, we would willingly spank naughty parents and politicians, but the children are sacrosanct.
  
  Sacred Clown Union is for the children– for their creativity, playfulness, and egoless-ness. We laugh and rampage, but we also cry over the loss of those qualities in “more mature” people. WE ARE HERE TO SAY: RETURN RETURN RETURN RECOVER RECOVER RECOVER get back to that creature you were before someone or something corrupted your mind!
  
  We don’t care how you put on your clown or what you do to entertain the folk, just evoke love, empower your own personal sense of creativity, and get out there and get silly! And be REALLY sweet to the moms and the kids and the animals in particular!
  
  OK, an admission here: we really do want to spank Sarah Palin until she squeals in orgasm! It would be healing for her! We are cunning linguists! We guarantee her satisfaction! As John Cleese once said, “Michael Palin is the funniest Palin.” No argument there.
  
  Now it is time for all clowns to practice their silly walks. Get busy. Everyday! Silly walk practice for 5 minutes!
  - Liam_McGonagle
    
    LOVED THIS SHIT! AWESOME! Posted it to Facebook immediately!
    
    On a more serious, contemplative note, I think this truly does represent a necessary ingredient in our redemption as a nation: criticism without the condemnation. That’s the spark that only certain brands of humor can provide.
    
    Again, my hat off ye!
    - Rrauben
      
      Yeah to that!
      
      Thanks everyone. We’re working hard. And your appreciation makes us work all the harder.
      
      We’re tired, we’re poor, but our spirit is undaunted!
  - Tuna Ghost
    
    Nice. Very nice. Except the bit about the children; as a teacher I feel they ought to be beaten at least as often as I was
    - Rrauben
      
      Wilhelm Reich. Mass Psychology of Fascism. Might be worth a perusal.
Anonymous

Oh, too rich my good man!

But do give Fox some credit–they managed to keep the wind machines from taking down the carboard cutout gangsters rotating on the conveyor belt in the background!

Seriously, though, Florida is the logical place for Fox to stage their coverage of the Madison Uprising. Remember Jane Akre?

http://www.2dca.org/opinions/Opinion_Pages/Opinion_Page_2003/February/February%2014,%202003/2D01-529.pdf

And if that link don’t work, try Jane Akre’s wikipedia page, link at footnote #5:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Akre

But, in my view, you really need look no further than the final paragraph of the Court’s decision in favour of Fox:

“Because the FCC’s news distortion policy is not a “law, rule, or regulation”
under section 448.102, Akre has failed to state a claim under the whistle-blower’s
statute. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment in her favor and remand for entry of a
judgment in favor of WTVT.”

English Translation: “Screw you, informed public. There is no constitutional requirement for Fox to tell the truth.”
Andrew

What do you expect from Straussian plutarchists?
- Liam_McGonagle
  
  I don’t get the Strauss reference.
  - Andrew
    
    Leo Strauss, neocon hero and apparent believer in Plato’s “noble lie.”
    - http://voxmagi-necessarywords.blogspot.com/ VoxMagi
      
      I wish more people had a solid understanding of the influence of Strauss’s work and where its led us.
    - Liam_McGonagle
      
      Thanks. Embarrassed to admit, but I’ve a little deja vu here–I think I asked and you answered precsiely this same question maybe 4 months ago or so.
      
      Did a little more research this time. I have only the shallowest education in formal philosophy, so to date I’ve only been able to do a few quick online searches of criticism of his work rather than directly diving into the works themselves.
      
      So far what I’m seeing suggests to me that he was more-or-less another shade of 20th century fascist. Wickedly ironic considering the guy had to flee Nazi Germany for his life. But then life is just chock full of absurd but nonetheless true ironies.
- lilyboosh
  
  Plutocrats maybe? Plutarch was a writer.
  - Andrew
    
    I’m pretty sure it’s the correct plural for believers in plutarchy, which is plutocracy + oligarchy. I used the term to differentiate between those who believe that whoever is rich should rule, and those who believe that only the currently rich should rule and others prevented from becoming rich.
Andrew

What do you expect from Straussian plutarchists?
joerobo

Roger Ailes has No Fucking Shame! If you are stupid enough to watch The Factor, you deserve to eat whatever shit sandwich they feed you.
- Rrauben
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMyNk8J1c8g
  
  A shout out to the USA from Wisconsin:
  
  Walker is hardly the tip of the iceberg here. The tip actually got shoved into our tender places quite some time ago already.
  
  Meditate on a President Palin. Think it can’t happen? She’s so gah-damned idiotic? It was said of Bush Jr. too. And yet…
  
  OMG, let them microwave me in my clown suit before that happens!
  - quartz99
    
    Yes, those of you who think there can’t be a President Palin… those of us who can think who live/lived in the Milwaukee area (which granted is a minority these days) never thought there could be a Governor Walker either. Worse, his Lt. Governor is basically a Palin clone.
Anonymous

Roger Ailes has No Fucking Shame! If you are stupid enough to watch The Factor, you deserve to eat whatever shit sandwich they feed you.
Liam_McGonagle

I don’t get the Strauss reference.
Rrauben

I’ve been present at the Madison protest everyday. The police are smiling and friendly. The people are warm and over-joyed to discover a sense of unity in the face of… what? Neocon MF? Fascist? Whatever. There has been no violence at all. Arrests are actually lower than usual. It’s big! It’s loud! And it is SWEET!

And… hilariously…

http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/03/sacred-clowns-bring-krampus-to.html

They want to spank Walker!
Rrauben

I’ve been present at the Madison protest everyday. The police are smiling and friendly. The people are warm and over-joyed to discover a sense of unity in the face of… what? Neocon MF? Fascist? Whatever. There has been no violence at all. Arrests are actually lower than usual. It’s big! It’s loud! And it is SWEET!

And… hilariously…

http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/03/sacred-clowns-bring-krampus-to.html

They want to spank Walker!
- Liam_McGonagle
  
  Trust Wisconsin people to turn everything into a party!
  - Rrauben
    
    Oh yeah! A party… but a very empowering and transformative one. This is not drunken snow mobile riders racing for there next Miller Lite and basket of deep-fried curds.
    
    Feel it pal. Santa is checking his list.
Anonymous

Trust Wisconsin people to turn everything into a party!
Rrauben

Liam,

I read your stuff here all the time and know you’re only miles away from us and in sympathy. Help us keep the momentum up. We’re scrambling to make more happen– there’s a lot going on. Contact us via http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/03/sacred-clowns-bring-krampus-to.html until we get our own site up.

MISSION STATEMENT – Sacred Clown Union

Yep. Some of our clowns definitely take inspiration from Krampus –“the henchmen of Saint Nick” thing you find in the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps. We live in Wisconsin, a bastion of German heritage, and we see those clowns as something we lost– something we want back!

The Nazis apparently hated Krampus. Our antlers tip in respect to those clowns. But this is global. We love love love the Japanese Namahage and the Native American Heyokas too! We embrace them all.

If we have one reservation though, it involves terrorizing little children into obedience, servitude or serfdom. That makes us cry. We no like that. Here, we do take our cues more from the Native American clowns (as well as other intact tribal traditions), more so than Krampus (as it is performed in the Alps today).

We’re here to sweep away the vile spirit of big, greedy, power-mad ego– the ones that seemingly care so little for the children– the ones that would imperil their own grandchildren just to line their own pockets. Our heart-sworn ethic is to do this with humor, creativity, art, dance, music and absurdity. Yes, we would willingly spank naughty parents and politicians, but the children are sacrosanct.

Sacred Clown Union is for the children– for their creativity, playfulness, and egoless-ness. We laugh and rampage, but we also cry over the loss of those qualities in “more mature” people. WE ARE HERE TO SAY: RETURN RETURN RETURN RECOVER RECOVER RECOVER get back to that creature you were before someone or something corrupted your mind!

We don’t care how you put on your clown or what you do to entertain the folk, just evoke love, empower your own personal sense of creativity, and get out there and get silly! And be REALLY sweet to the moms and the kids and the animals in particular!

OK, an admission here: we really do want to spank Sarah Palin until she squeals in orgasm! It would be healing for her! We are cunning linguists! We guarantee her satisfaction! As John Cleese once said, “Michael Palin is the funniest Palin.” No argument there.

Now it is time for all clowns to practice their silly walks. Get busy. Everyday! Silly walk practice for 5 minutes!
Rrauben

Oh yeah! A party… but a very empowering and transformative one. This is not drunken snow mobile riders racing for there next Miller Lite and basket of deep-fried curds.

Feel it pal. Santa is checking his list.
Anonymous

LOVED THIS SHIT! AWESOME! Posted it to Facebook immediately!

On a more serious, contemplative note, I think this truly does represent a necessary ingredient in our redemption as a nation: criticism without the condemnation. That’s the spark that only certain brands of humor can provide.

Again, my hat off ye!
Rrauben

Yeah to that!

Thanks everyone. We’re working hard. And your appreciation makes us work all the harder.

We’re tired, we’re poor, but our spirit is undaunted!
Anonymous

Plutocrats maybe? Plutarch was a writer.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1370027711 Fredric L. Rice

Republican Christians will believe it. They’ll buy anything that’s treasonous.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1370027711 Fredric L. Rice

Republican Christians will believe it. They’ll buy anything that’s treasonous.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1370027711 Fredric L. Rice

Republican Christians will believe it. They’ll buy anything that’s treasonous.
Andrew

Leo Strauss, neocon hero and apparent believer in Plato’s “noble lie.”
Andrew

I’m pretty sure it’s the correct plural for believers in plutarchy, which is plutocracy + oligarchy. I used the term to differentiate between those who believe that whoever is rich should rule, and those who believe that only the currently rich should rule and others prevented from becoming rich.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4X5XIMECXSLI6PS7JAWXXAAY64 Joe

LOLOL!!! It’s Sacramento California, what a bunch of goofs.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4X5XIMECXSLI6PS7JAWXXAAY64 Joe

LOLOL!!! It’s Sacramento California, what a bunch of goofs.
Tuna Ghost

Nice. Very nice. Except the bit about the children; as a teacher I feel they ought to be beaten at least as often as I was
http://voxmagi-necessarywords.blogspot.com/ VoxMagi

I wish more people had a solid understanding of the influence of Strauss’s work and where its led us.
Zigfried

Morons! Fox News did not lie. If you watch the COMPLETE segment, O’Reilly says before the footage roles, that it was taken from “All over the country.”
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeLK3YbVQA
They then roll the footage again under Tobin’s interview, but O’Reilly had already identified the footage as being from all over the country.
Zigfried

Morons! Fox News did not lie. If you watch the COMPLETE segment, O’Reilly says before the footage roles, that it was taken from “All over the country.”
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeLK3YbVQA
They then roll the footage again under Tobin’s interview, but O’Reilly had already identified the footage as being from all over the country.
Zigfried

Morons! Fox News did not lie. If you watch the COMPLETE segment, O’Reilly says before the footage roles, that it was taken from “All over the country.”
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeLK3YbVQA
They then roll the footage again under Tobin’s interview, but O’Reilly had already identified the footage as being from all over the country.
Zigfried

Morons! Fox News did not lie. If you watch the COMPLETE segment, O’Reilly says before the footage roles, that it was taken from “All over the country.”
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeLK3YbVQA
They then roll the footage again under Tobin’s interview, but O’Reilly had already identified the footage as being from all over the country.
Zigfried

Morons! Fox News did not lie. If you watch the COMPLETE segment, O’Reilly says before the footage roles, that it was taken from “All over the country.”
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeLK3YbVQA
They then roll the footage again under Tobin’s interview, but O’Reilly had already identified the footage as being from all over the country.
- rumaging_pinz
  
  Maybe they didn’t lie, but they definitely misled. While the “Palm-Tree” video was playing O’Reilly was debriefing a reporter in Madison, Wisconsin about “increasing pro-union violence”.
  
  Fox obviously rolled that video of a confrontation to compensate for the fact that there has not actually been any violence in the protests.
- Rrauben
  
  No. You’re right. It has “plausible deniability.” Nevertheless, it is very misleading journalism, albeit par for the course w/ such jokers.
  
  The FOX news trucks have been there all along shooting. They know damn what is going on. So why juxtapose the audio with the video in order to make it seem otherwise (to those who would not bother to investigate further?
rumaging_pinz

Maybe they didn’t lie, but they definitely misled. While the “Palm-Tree” video was playing O’Reilly was debriefing a reporter in Madison, Wisconsin about “increasing pro-union violence”.

Fox obviously rolled that video of a confrontation to compensate for the fact that there has not actually been any violence in the protests.
Rrauben

Wilhelm Reich. Mass Psychology of Fascism. Might be worth a perusal.
Rrauben

No. You’re right. It has “plausible deniability.” Nevertheless, it is very misleading journalism, albeit par for the course w/ such jokers.

The FOX news trucks have been there all along shooting. They know damn what is going on. So why juxtapose the audio with the video in order to make it seem otherwise (to those who would not bother to investigate further?
Rrauben

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMyNk8J1c8g

A shout out to the USA from Wisconsin:

Walker is hardly the tip of the iceberg here. The tip actually got shoved into our tender places quite some time ago already.

Meditate on a President Palin. Think it can’t happen? She’s so gah-damned idiotic? It was said of Bush Jr. too. And yet…

OMG, let them microwave me in my clown suit before that happens!
Anonymous

Yes, those of you who think there can’t be a President Palin… those of us who can think who live/lived in the Milwaukee area (which granted is a minority these days) never thought there could be a Governor Walker either. Worse, his Lt. Governor is basically a Palin clone.
Anonymous

Yes, those of you who think there can’t be a President Palin… those of us who can think who live/lived in the Milwaukee area (which granted is a minority these days) never thought there could be a Governor Walker either. Worse, his Lt. Governor is basically a Palin clone.
Liam_McGonagle

Thanks. Embarrassed to admit, but I’ve a little deja vu here–I think I asked and you answered precsiely this same question maybe 4 months ago or so.

Did a little more research this time. I have only the shallowest education in formal philosophy, so to date I’ve only been able to do a few quick online searches of criticism of his work rather than directly diving into the works themselves.

So far what I’m seeing suggests to me that he was more-or-less another shade of 20th century fascist. Wickedly ironic considering the guy had to flee Nazi Germany for his life. But then life is just chock full of absurd but nonetheless true ironies.
jake

YOU KNOW UNION PROTESTS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE NOT JUST WISCONSIN YOU IDIOTS. CLEARLY SAYS “UNION PROTESTS” JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WISCONSIN, THEY WERE MERELY SHOWING THE UNREST.

Sorry I have to use caps, but I have to clear it up for the hundred or so people who ignorantly lashed out here. Damn its easy to manipulate, just gotta get people to think they’ve uncovered some plot to dupe them and they immediately lose all common sense. Wonderful. Its called Television. TELL A VISION. I mean, its TV. Hello!?
jake

YOU KNOW UNION PROTESTS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE NOT JUST WISCONSIN YOU IDIOTS. CLEARLY SAYS “UNION PROTESTS” JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WISCONSIN, THEY WERE MERELY SHOWING THE UNREST.

Sorry I have to use caps, but I have to clear it up for the hundred or so people who ignorantly lashed out here. Damn its easy to manipulate, just gotta get people to think they’ve uncovered some plot to dupe them and they immediately lose all common sense. Wonderful. Its called Television. TELL A VISION. I mean, its TV. Hello!?
jake

YOU KNOW UNION PROTESTS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE NOT JUST WISCONSIN YOU IDIOTS. CLEARLY SAYS “UNION PROTESTS” JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WISCONSIN, THEY WERE MERELY SHOWING THE UNREST.

Sorry I have to use caps, but I have to clear it up for the hundred or so people who ignorantly lashed out here. Damn its easy to manipulate, just gotta get people to think they’ve uncovered some plot to dupe them and they immediately lose all common sense. Wonderful. Its called Television. TELL A VISION. I mean, its TV. Hello!?
Montana

O’rielly, what a joke, didn’t he say “video comes in video comes out never a miscommunication”. Why is it that so many fools follow this liar? It looks like that the top republican candidates for president will be coming from “Fake News/ Fox News”, or should I say “Big Business”, how funny.

I wonder if “Fake News” has a stable of likely republican supreme court justices (I am sure they will all attend the republican state of the union, unlike Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas, scum bags).
Montana

O’rielly, what a joke, didn’t he say “video comes in video comes out never a miscommunication”. Why is it that so many fools follow this liar? It looks like that the top republican candidates for president will be coming from “Fake News/ Fox News”, or should I say “Big Business”, how funny.

I wonder if “Fake News” has a stable of likely republican supreme court justices (I am sure they will all attend the republican state of the union, unlike Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas, scum bags).
Montana

O’rielly, what a joke, didn’t he say “video comes in video comes out never a miscommunication”. Why is it that so many fools follow this liar? It looks like that the top republican candidates for president will be coming from “Fake News/ Fox News”, or should I say “Big Business”, how funny.

I wonder if “Fake News” has a stable of likely republican supreme court justices (I am sure they will all attend the republican state of the union, unlike Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas, scum bags).
Montana

O’rielly, what a joke, didn’t he say “video comes in video comes out never a miscommunication”. Why is it that so many fools follow this liar? It looks like that the top republican candidates for president will be coming from “Fake News/ Fox News”, or should I say “Big Business”, how funny.

I wonder if “Fake News” has a stable of likely republican supreme court justices (I am sure they will all attend the republican state of the union, unlike Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas, scum bags).