Keep up the good work, Fox News
Published on -10/29/2009, 4:02 PM
Printer-friendly version
E-Mail This Story
Glenn Staab
I'm sorry. It didn't have to be that way. I could have bucked it up and written a column for the Oct. 15 paper, but it just wasn't happening, so I took a vacation.
As punishment, I knew my moderate voice would most likely be replaced with Bill O'Reilly, as is the current managing editor's practice; but even that couldn't motivate me.
So, I hope you readers weren't too traumatized to see Bill O'Reilly's surly photo glancing back at you where my smiling face should have been. I promise to try and not to let it happen again; or at least, not very often.
The headline read, "Happy birthday, Fox News Channel." And O'Reilly wrote a glowing article praising the "news" network. I suspect his arm must have been sore as he especially patted himself on the back.
Fox News began on Oct. 7, 1996. At that time, Republicans had the majority of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and, in 2000, would "elect" a Republican president. With Fox News leading the charge, they have lost the Senate, the House and the executive office.
For once, I agree with Bill O'Reilly. Happy Birthday Fox News Channel. Keep up the good work and thank you.
* * *
Health insurance reform is still dominating the headlines (along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, et. al.). Much has been written about the public option. If the private insurance industry doesn't want the government involved, why don't they devise a way to insure those with pre-existing conditions?
Try to get insurance for someone that has had mental therapy of any kind. Good luck.
I am on high blood pressure medication. Could I get health insurance on my own? Gooder luck on that.
This week, I read a story about a young lady who had been slipped some drugs in a drink and date-raped. She woke up in a ditch. Her doctor prescribed her some drugs to deter the chances of her getting AIDS. Sometime later, she applied for health insurance. After seeing the charts and the drugs to prevent AIDS, she was denied. Rape. A pre-existing condition?
It's time. Fix it.
* * *
On a lighter note, it was the wife's 35th Hays High School reunion two weeks ago. I know some spouses avoid their significant other's reunions like I avoid Channel 50, but I enjoy attending these five-year events.
Some highlights of reunions are unplanned and not on the agenda. For those of you from around here, you may remember Chuck Faubion; one of those really, really good athletes. He grew up in Hays and moved away before he graduated. He now lives in Arizona. He noticed his boyhood home was "For Sale," and asked if I could arrange a tour for him and his two daughters. Since it was vacant, that was an easy task. One of his daughters arrived carrying a basketball.
Chuck gave his daughters the tour of the home (I was a mere prop) and stepped outside as he told them about the concrete his father poured for their basketball court. Chuck grabbed the basketball, set himself up about 15 feet from the goal and promptly sank five in a row; there was no iron involved.
After 35 years, some things change and some things don't.
Finally, as with most high school reunions, the locals don't seem to show up. The Class of '74 had folks fly in from California, Arizona, Washington, Minnesota, Florida, Colorado, Texas and drive in from all over the Midwest. Too bad for the local classmates; they missed a great party.
* * *
If you have a moment on Friday, give my father a call or drop by and wish him a "Happy Birthday." He's 75 years young.
* * *
Some weeks ago, Florida's Congressman Alan Grayson said that if Obama ate a BLT, Republicans would condemn bacon (Good luck with that. Bacon is one of the perfect foods.)
I often say, if Obama would walk on water (and there are some that think he can), the Republicans would gripe that he left a wake.
For my ongoing series of "I wish I had said that," here is a note I received from Dan O'Brien from Evergreen, Colo. "If our president cured cancer on Monday, ended the recession on Tuesday, achieved world peace on Wednesday, brought an end to hunger and famine on Thursday, reversed global warming on Friday, saved the environment on Saturday, and shot a few hoops after church on Sunday, the "Rethugs" would still call him a slacker-commie. Nothing, and I mean, nothing, this man could ever do would earn a molecule of credit from those whose overriding passion is to destroy him, his presidency, and the country if, indeed, that was required to bring him down. While I'm not 100 percent thrilled with every decision President Obama has made, I am supremely proud of him and honored to call him my president."
I am too.
Glenn Staab, a lifelong Hays resident and former city commissioner, sells insurance and real estate and is the Democratic Party chairman for Ellis County. glenn_staab@yahoo.com
HDN is, like Fox News, trying to keep the news "Fair and Balanced". In order to do this, they have to print Stabb & Hooper's version of how the left wants to control our country. Personally, I would encourage Stabb to go on vacation more often.
(Posted by: RS)
Keep Up the Bad Work: 11/1/2009
Glenn Staab and Bob Hooper seem to have awakened a sleeping giant. What once was dominated by liberals on this HDNews internet blogs we are finding more and more with a different view speaking out. Why? No rational human being would argue that Obama is doing this country any good. Note that I used the word rational. Keep up the bad work Staab and Hooper and then continue to take your lumps as many informed and intelligent people present their facts on this blog and others to refute your insanity of supporting a president who arguably could be deliberately instituting policies to destroy what America down through the years has been all about and that is the best nation on the planet. As with Obama, your honeymoon is over while we sleeping giants continue to do good work like Fox to refute your bad.
(Posted by: Another Sleeping Giant)
Sickening and Stupid: 10/31/2009
I have to agree with 'Enigma' that Mr. Staab's editorial is very sickening and also stupid. The schmaltzy veneration and praise for someone who has done absolutely nothing makes one want to puke. Obama has accomplised nothing except spend money that America does not have and the high taxes will follow. I am so happy that Mr. Staab and Hooper support this nonsense. Also, think about this: Obama has retained all the Bush wiretaps, the patriot act measures, and increased troop activity in Afghanistan. Where is your criticism of these actions? As a member of the "left wing" that cannot sit well with you liberal folks. Kennedy would not approve of what Obama is doing and neither would previous Democrats who at least had common sense. At least Bush was over spending money for national Defense purposes not to pay off his cronies and ACORN affiliates. I agree that if there is a "D" after their names even the Devil himself would get votes and praise from Mr. Staab and Obamabots like Mr. Hooper. It shows Group thinking in its truest form. There is no thinking here. Health Care reform is needed, but at what cost gentlemen? Is it ok to take money from producers in society and spread it around paying for programs for those who do not work and who refuse to work? Nanny states never work and that is what Obama is building. What effect does that have on businesses who have to pay high fees and higher taxes? I am guessing that Mr. Hooper would be the first to back this plan just like 'Votaire,' 'Redpink,' and all of the other fools who dominate this blog and try to intimidate rational and opposing viewpoints. America is waking up to all of this slowly and they see the lies.
(Posted by: Socrates)
Me thinks the pots calling the kettle: 10/30/2009
One thing about 2N Glen is his memory is short lived. I cannot recall reading one of his "commentaries" that complimented former President Bush and the republicans in any way shape or form. Now he's upset because it's dishing back at him and his beloved d's? 2N is a democratic political hack - always has been and always will be. He'd vote for the devil himself as long as he had a (D) after his name! O'Brien's comment is about as stupid - 2 N must have needed filler - Obama hasn't done anything, other than spend money we don't have - I think that's the point. How's that hope and change working out for you all?
(Posted by: Danno)
It's not sickening: 10/30/2009
I think some people forget that we are currently in two wars that is costing our country well over $100 million dollars A DAY. I'm pretty sure that Kennedy would not be 'sickened' by Obama as he was one of the first presidents to propose medicare. And just like today, it didn't pass because opponents said it was too socialistic. Only 2 years after his death was Medicare implemented. We have seen many signs that our country is starting to come out of the recession - with the help of the stimulus package. He is not the first president to battle with the media. George W. Bush refused to speak to MSNBC on several occasions. Why should Obama waist his time going on a network that only disapproves of everything he does? He's not going to accomplish anything by talking about his policies on there. It's already been made very clear that the Fox News viewers refuse to give him a chance. Lastly, I want health care reform. It is something that I believe needs to be done in this country. Every single person in this country will need health care at some point and our government should provide the security to us that everyone will get it - just like they provide safety with our police and education with our public schools. "The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress."
(Posted by: mlh)
Kudos, Glenn: 10/30/2009
I found it interesting (and revealing) that Newt Gingrich evaluated Faux Snooze as representing a rabid (my word, Newt's assessment) twenty percent or so, enough to turn a corporate profit but not enough to win elections. The Republican brand is at an all-time low--and we have Rush and Glenn and Sean and Ann etc. to thank. It often takes the American people a while to wake up, but more and more are opening their eyes to the lies, exaggerations, and smears from Fox. Recently, Limbaugh fell for and emoted on a supposed thesis that Obama had written as a student at Occidental College. It was a hoax, but Limbaugh was too dumb (or too bought into the crapola Victrola) to get it.
(Posted by: Bob Hooper)
: 10/29/2009
That's exactly right (pun intended), Fox News. Keep up the good work. For somebody who claims he avoids you, the author can't even turn his attention to his wife's high school reunion and his father's birthday for very long but what you "Rethugs" have him finishing his column with the same old bashing of conservatism that he started it with. Yessir, Fox News, keep up the good work.
(Posted by: )
Sickening: 10/29/2009
Mr. Staab, Do you have any idea of the damage that Pres. Obama is inflicting on our country at the moment? Thanks to his administration, we now have the largest deficit in American history. Our economy is broke and we are indebted to China. His stimulus package has failed miserably. He is attempting to censor opposition in the media via the fairness doctrine, the first time in American history. Taxes are estimated to rise with his new programs, including the cap and trade plan, health care and so on. I am a Democrat, have been my whole life, but this is not the same party I recognize anymore. Past Democrat presidents, such as Kennedy and Truman, would be sickened by the Obama admin. Enough is enough. Our country is broke. Who pays for the health care that is proposed? The answer: we pay for it Mr. Staab, and we are already taxed to death. I am sure you would be very happy if Fox news was wiped off the map and only one side was presented: the liberal media. I think you need to wake up and see what is happening here and rethink your support for this administration and individual.
(Posted by: Enigma Jones)
COMMENT ON THIS STORY
All comments are subject to approval before being posted. Please keep comments constructive and relevant. Opinions certainly can be expressed, but comments that are rude, abusive, slanderous, threatening, sexually oriented, contain profanity or are vulgar will not be tolerated. Comments will not be edited. Any comment that violates the above-listed rules will be deleted.
