Murdoch, Ailes, Weymouth Pump Bloomberg At Breindel Awards
“I’m sworn to secrecy,” Rupert Murdoch told The Observer as he was leaving the New-York Historical Society’s auditorium last night. But: “We’re making progress,” the News Corp. chief added.
Mr. Murdoch hosted the 9th annual presentation of the Eric Breindel awards for opinion writing alongside Fox News boss Roger Ailes and Newsweek senior editor Lally Weymouth.
Ms. Weymouth glowingly introduced Mayor Bloomberg.
“Everybody in New York that I know thinks he’s a brilliant mayor,” she said. “And everyone thinks he would be a brilliant president.”
“Nine years ago, who would have thought this would be one of the most prestigious awards in journalism?” Mayor Bloomberg said. “But, then again, nine years ago, who would have guessed the hottest thing on television would be a national talent show called American Idol. Or that the highest-rated news program would be one calling itself a 'No Spin Zone.' Or the most popular site on the Internet would be an interactive photo album called MySpace.”
“What will Mr. Murdoch think of next?” he asked. “I guess you’ll just have to ask the Bancroft family.”
But the Mayor had to cut things short.
“I would love to stay with you, but to show you how diverse this city really is,” the Mayor said, “I am going from a place where [News Corp.'s] Martin Singerman invited me, to a place-- to give another speech--where Arthur Sulzberger Jr. has [invited me].”
Mr. Ailes played the part of M.C. and presented this year's awards two writers: Max Boot, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and John Wilson, a recent graduate of Claremont McKenna College. Mr. Boot takes home a $20,000 prize, while Mr. Wilson—a young journalist—receives a $10,000 check and internship with the New York Post’s editorial page.
“We’ve become increasingly successful, and yet we’ve been increasingly criticized," he said to the crowd about his company. "Sometimes for being too pro-American. Sometimes we’re too pro-Israel. Sometimes too pro-democracy.
"I’ve been quoted as saying, ‘This is a great country.’ A lot of people are trying to get in, nobody’s trying to get out. The press is an essential pillar of that democracy. The press didn’t invent democracy. Democracy invented freedom of the press. So we will investigate anything and find the truth, and report it, but we do not get up every morning, assuming that our country is guilty. We just happen to like democracy."
And he had some choice words for Democratic candidates who have decided not to debate on Fox.
“The candidates that can’t face Fox, can’t face Al Qaeda,” said Mr. Ailes. “And that’s what’s coming.”
That was followed by applause from the crowd which featured several News Corp. executives and journalists from Murdoch-owned papers—Richard Johnson, the Post’s Page Six editor, for one.
And there were other notable figures who knew Mr. Breindel, an accomplished journalist, who died in 1998.
“While he and I didn’t always agree on editorial policy, he was a consummate gentleman,” Former Mayor David Dinkins told The Observer, during the cocktail hour.
”He was a fine man,” continued Mr. Dinkins, “and I’m sorry he left us so early.”
Ailes can say all he wants about the Democratic candidates, but until Bloomberg gets in front of anyone as a candidate I don't want to hear it. How's the view from the sideline Mike!?
I can see it now, the NY trifecta presidential race Rudy, Hil and Mike. It will be like the subway series of 2000, no one else in the US cared, but we had fun in NY.
But Roger, finding a likely Democratic primary voter who watches Faux News in 2007 would be like finding Al Qaeda in Iraq in 2003. They don't exist.
No Mr. Ailes. What's coming in the not-too-distant future we all hope, is the time when all Americans recognize and tune out what claims to be a fair and balanced member of the fourth estate but is simply and only a propaganda front for the neocon White House. Then we will indeed have only one group of belligerent bullying theocratic crackpots to contend with...Al Qaeda.
Hey Shemp,
Remember Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian terrorist, an Al-Qaeda affiliate. He ran a training camp in Afghanistan for Al-Qaeda, then migrated after we went into Afghanistan and shut 'em down there, he went to Baghdad. He took up residence there before we ever launched into Iraq, organized the Al-Qaeda operations inside Iraq before we even arrived on the scene and then of course led the charge for Iraq until we killed him last June. He's the guy who arranged the bombing of the Samarra mosque that precipitated the sectarian violence between Shi'a and Sunni. This is Al-Qaeda operating in Iraq, and as I say, they were present before we invaded Iraq.
Sorry if the truth ruins your lib fantasy. So other than being completely wrong, way-to-go-bro.
But Shemp, "Faux" News consistently takes most of the top-five ratings slots for TV news, literally mopping the floor with CNN and its ilk. Indeed, all the years of having to put up with the true ersatz TV news -- the other "mainstream" network news establishments which shamelessly and nauseatingly mollycoddled and sheltered their far-left-leaning darlings with their fringe ideology and their socialist rhetoric -- has led people to abandon these networks *en masse* in favor of "Faux" News. Which, of course, no partisan Democrat voters are watching. Got it. Why, it's a sure bet that not even moderates or swing voters would flip on FN. That station is only for rabid, rabid Republicans. The rabid, rabid Republicans alone made it the imposing presence it is today. Uh-huh. And the Democrat candidates treat it like the elephant in the living room, thinking they might just try ignoring it.
It really is amusing, how liberals rant and rave against the upstart-turned-800-lb-gorilla news organization that is Fox. Call it the Fake News: that's it! Whatever helps you sleep at night. By the way, Shemp, are you a Democrat primary voter? If so, having not seen FN in the recent past, how are you qualified to impugn it? Are you just taking it on the word of other foaming-at-the-mouth fringe leftists? But, theoretically, they're not watching anymore either. Correct? Well, someone's watching it. What a bunch of circular illogic. What it amounts to is a hissy fit on the part of the Dems. They cannot cope with a powerhouse news organization that does not toe the line set by their radically leftist agenda. (By the way, I don't watch FN, I canceled my cable service long ago because I watch very little TV. But comments like yours insult even the below-average intelligence.)
“The candidates that can’t face Fox, can’t face Al Qaeda,” said Mr. Ailes. How would Fox News headline this story? My guess is it would read something like: "AILES COMPARES FOX TO AL QAEDA"
optionfootball and biff
thanks for reinforcing my point about your group of belligerent bullying theocratic crackpots
geez. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was a street rat that Saddam kept kicking into Iran for years. he started Al Qaeda in Iraq AFTER we invaded them. and wasn't really even part of Al Qaeda until some time after that. i remember when all of this was formulating and KNEW the pigs would convince the sheep Al Qaeda was already there because of that little peeon. let me guess, you guys get your infor from pill junkies (rush), alcoholics (pig cheney), and baseheads (w). football and biff, do you not ever get tired of these people lying to you? you should have stood up to them long ago. peace
Actually, Fox New's ratings have been dropping and they have been losing money. Their viewership focuses exclusively on far right-wing nut junkies which is why it is slipping. If we had the Fairness Doctrine in place, Fox News would not exist as it does today. "Fair and Balanced" should be more appropriately be named "Fake and Bullshit". Its fancy graphics only high light its lack of journalistic expertise.
Right-wingers can whine all they want about not being able to host a real debate all they want. When Neo-cons, excuse me, Nazis wish to hold their debates on Air America, they may certain do so. I am sure that they will receive "fair and balanced" treatment.
"Calling all right-wingers... calling all right-wingers... please get back in the closet. We have a 'don't ask, don't tell policy here'".
Screw Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch! They would not know the truth if it hit them in the face!
Notice how the libs "sign" their opinions with pseudonyms? They sure don't want to go on the record. Those they attack have the courage to opine with their words read globally ... not the libs though!
Screw Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch!
There sure are a lot of cowards in NYC who don't have the gonads to sign their name to their insults of Conservetives. Wimps, my momma could whip all of you paintywaists.
What I would like to know if Ailes ever met a pig he didn't want to eat!
Ailes' Fox News/Al Qaeda analogy is dead on. Both are sources of terrorism and disinformation. Can we not get along without 'terror threat-elevated' across the screen, Roger? Our government, this administration and Fox News share one attribute - zero credibility.
The Democrat objection to FoxNews reminds me of William F Buckley's observation on the reluctance of Bobby Kennedy to engage him in debate: "Why does baloney reject the grinder?"
Democrats do best in debate when they hold the guns, the microphones and the cameras. They do poorly when all sides are heard, without editing or interruption.
That's why they reject FoxNews ---- they just can't take "equal heat" along with the Republicans. Chris Wallace ain't no pushover.
Yi Ha **
Minister of Information
Peoples' Capitalist Republic of Whizbangistan
** Pronounced "Yeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaa!!!"
Liberallncarnate- you crazy libs are just too much. The so called "liberals" like you who are so adamant about civil rights and free speech are coming out and supporting the "fairness doctrine" which is intended to restrict just that. We already have a fairness doctrine jackass- its called ratings. People who watch fox news are perfectly capable of turning to one of the many other news channels. Obviously more people watch fox news than CNN, CBS, NBC....(the Crescent News Network, the Communist Broadcasting Service, and the Nagging Bimbos Club) for some reason- perhaps because Fox at least maintains some substance. And you have the nerve to call conservatives Nazis? Was it not the Nazis who restricted free speech to silence the critics? Oh yeah. It doesn’t get anymore fair than letting the American people decide who or what they want to watch or listen to. So hurry up and go get a latte and a copy of the New York Times, maybe a bottle of lotion, and make it back in time to beat off to queer eye.
Rockin tha Republic
Didn't Mr. sKerry and the Dimwits learn a lesson by dodging the #1 rated news outlet in 2004...? Keep on being IGNORANT!
To be honest we all know that FNC leans a little Right while CNN, et al, leans a little Left. Each has it's fringe elements on the respective sides, as well as panders to the other side.
I watch mostly FNC, but I do include CNN, MSNBC, and HLN in order to round out my entertainment. I even get some quality info from all of them at times, but I do fact check before regurgitating.
FNC tends to understand the 'Water's Edge Theory' a little better, while most others subscribe more to a 'Watergate Theory' of journalism. Watergate, by the way, in a sense was both the best and worst thing that happened to journalism in the USofA.
If you want an unbiased perspective tune in to CSPAN when they aren't allowing callers to comment. Then you have an opportunity to hear the masters spin their tales without commentary.
Watergate brings to mind one more thought. Richard Nixon may be the POTUS who did more to protect the office of president, and he did it 8 years before he took office. By not challenging the election in 1960, which by most counts he had as much ground to as Gore did in 2000, he allowed the country to move forward and not create a country where half of the voters felt cheated. Nixon was a much better loser than sour Gore.
Just to give you a little background on myself...I spent 26 years in the intelligence community in service to this wonderful country...you can ask anyone in the community regarding decisions made based on intelligence and they will tell you that at best it is an educated guess and at worst a crap shoot...so the folks that say the President lied about what was or wasn't in Iraq just plain don't know what they are talking about...plain and simple...as we have heard in the last few days very few of the most critical of politicians have admitted they never read the reports but based their vote on briefings they were given...lets break down the word "briefing"...it means no in-depth information... sooo any intelligent person really interested in what the intelligence really said would take the time to read the in-depth intelligence reports...having not done that they are trying cover their "sixes"...military talk for their backsides...
I do find it facinating that when the liberal side of the debate runs out of substance for their arguments they immediately turn to name calling...That shows a true lack of credibility, but it doesn't seem to bother them at all...
All ya all just remember that your information is only as good as your last intelligence report and oh by the way there are reasons that somethings have to be taken on faith...giving out too much information could jeopordize a very lucrative intelligence source and you never never want to do that...
Remember what President John F. Kennedy said regarding the Cuban missile crisis information..."I'll tell you (the American people) what I think you should know"...
I don't care about those two old farts, but who's the babe in the middle--let's get some bio on her!!!!
Frank.K.
I'm an independent. I absolutely detest Fox News. As the Jerry Springer/National Enquirer news channel, they hold no credibility whatsoever. They're a bunch of rude,loud mouthed a-holes who constantly interrupt each other & those they interview. Their entire cast exudes a sense of urgency of a bunch of idiots who have clearly overdosed on caffeine (or some other drug).
Saying Fox News is the #1 rated news show is like saying the Jerry Springer show is better viewing than other TV shows because it's ratings are much higher. All it really means is there's more idiots in the world than non-idiots, & they all have the same viewing habits, like Fox News, Jerry Springer,National Enquirer, etc.
Oh & don't forget the recent study that found the IQ's of Fox News viewers to be much lower than CNN viewers (heh heh).
Hell, John Stewart's Daily News is better at the news than Fox News, & it's a damn COMEDY show...
The Republican era is OVER, all you hangers on from the last election have failed to fully understand - AMERICA voted you OUT! So now your news channel is even less credible than it was, which is funnier than shit.
I just hope & pray when this regime is fully ousted, all of their atrocities will be fully dealt with, retroactively, beginning with the rape of our country, starting with that evil sham we call our last presidential election, which they got away with (for now).
You know what's scarier than Al Qaeda? The realization that the missing link, who is a complete imbecile holds the most important job in the world, AND he has degrees from both Harvard & Yale. Just imagine what he'd be like if he hadn't gone to those schools... Oooo, shudder.
Nope, everyone who sailed with that ship, is ALSO going to sink with that ship, no matter how much they try to distance themselves from him now.
Sounds like Ailes is telling us the truth: Fox 'News' IS Al Qaeda. I agree with him. I am sure they are both run by the same corporation(s). This 'terrorist' organization (Al Qaeda) was created so that the resource wars could commence. 911 was the trigger for the resource wars, which is why the bush administration Let It Happen On Purpose...
Frank K - FYI, Springers a democrat, and his show is predominately watched by Democrats. Remember, he was part of the team that helped make Air America a success..
Democrats recognize FOX for what it produces: all-out partisan degredation and manipulation of image to intentionally distort perception in favor of Republicans.
Democrats simply hold FOX's journalistic integrity in low regard, a reputation that FOX earns. They recoginze that FOX's contribution to public discourse, democracy, and Democratic causes is at best a sucker game.
FOX NEWS has no Dan Rathers. Bill O'Reilly Show has the highest educated viewer on TV and this is a proven fact. Keith Olbermann has NEVER had Osama on his " Worst Person " list.
2 Months ago Sean Hannity was Cindy Sheehan. Brit Hume had Steney Hoyer. I tuned to Chris Matthews and he had a panel of 6 Drooling Liberals lol.
Ny Times placed the Ft Dix Terrorist Story on page 37.
CNN News Chief Eason Jordan was forced to resign over blatant lies.
CNNs Peter Harnett was on Saddams payroll.
Wake up you liberal droolers before its TOO late for America.
FOX NEWS has no Dan Rathers. Bill O'Reilly Show has the highest educated viewer on TV and this is a proven fact. Keith Olbermann has NEVER had Osama on his " Worst Person " list.
2 Months ago Sean Hannity had on Cindy Sheehan. Brit Hume had Steney Hoyer. I tuned to Chris Matthews and he had a panel of 6 Drooling Liberals lol.
Ny Times placed the Ft Dix Terrorist Story on page 37.
CNN News Chief Eason Jordan was forced to resign over blatant lies.
CNNs Peter Harnett was on Saddams payroll.
Wake up you liberal droolers before its TOO late for America.
Democrats are afraid of tough questions from Brit Hume. I am proud the GOP has faced Matthews and Blitzer now. Thats REAL Democracy. Watching CNN toss SOFTBALLs to Dems accomplishes nothing.
The Bill O'Reilly Show has the highest educated viewer????? One viewer? Who is he or she?