June 17, 2003
Tsk, Tsk Bill
Bill O'Reilly's upset about internet reports that his radio show was dropped by a San Franscisco radio station.
Nearly everyday, there's something written on the Internet about me that's flat out untrue.
And this is different from The San Francisco Chronicle that originally ran the story exactly how? Wider circulation? No deep pockets?
Bill says this story isn't true, he was "moved" not "dropped".
If anyone had bothered to make even one phone call, they would have learned that Westwood One made a deal with another San Francisco radio station, weeks ago to move The Radio Factor. Thus the word "dropped" is obviously inaccurate and dishonest.
So shouldn't you be burning up the phone lines to bitch out the reporter who actually wrote the incorrect story instead of whining about the Evil Internet EmpireTM?
We'll see if The Chronicle runs a correction, but you can bet you won't be seeing many corrections on the net.
But Bill, this is the Evil Internet EmpireTM....we can fact-check your ass in a few nanoseconds....and each other's asses. Corrections are posted all the time. I've even done it myself on occasion. Didn't hurt a bit to say "I was wrong". You should try it sometime. It's so...refreshing.
The reason these net people get away with all kinds of stuff is that they work for no one. They put stuff up with no restraints. This, of course, is dangerous, but it symbolizes what the Internet is becoming.
"These net people"? Bill sweetie, we're called "bloggers"....if anyone had taken a few minutes to Google, they would've learned the correct term. Thus to use "these net people" is....ummm.....how did you put it, "obviously inaccurate and dishonest". And makes you look like an ignorant asshat. IMHO. *ahem*
I hate to break it to you Bill, but "these net people" have the same restraints as say, journalists. Like being subject to suit for libel or slander or defamation of character. Of course it's true that, unlike journalists, Anyone Can Post On The Internet, (which is, BTW, where I found your article) but they're also subject to much more scrutiny and ridicule when they post something asinine or untrue.
The Internet has become a sewer of slander and libel, an unpatrolled polluted waterway, where just about anything goes.
True, like everything else, freedom of expression/speech is a double-edged sword....but IMO, ya gotta take the bad along with the good. People post things that *gasp* you don't like or agree with. Isn't that one of the things you'd expect in a free society? You'd think a pseudo-Populist would like that, wouldn't you? The "People" with an unregulated forum for their "Voices", united to speak out against their repression by the "man". Or is that only OK when they're not talking about you?
The point you're missing, Bill, is that the story you say is incorrect was first published in a newspaper, not by "creeps gossiping about celebrities in the crudest of ways" on the Internet. Here's a ClueTM, it's not the first time a newspaper has published untrue things that were widely circulated. It's likely not going to be the last. It even happened before the Internet existed, believe it or not.
Should people post things that aren't true? Of course not. I'm plumb agin it. Should the Internet be regulated? To an extent, sure. Certain things can't be tolerated by a civilized society, like pedophilia. But I have a real problem with the type of "regulation" you're implying....you, like most philosophers and pundits, seem to think the world would be a better place if run by people like you. I don't think the Internet would be a better place if run by people like you. I've seen your show. You appear to have a real problem with those who disagree with you....as in they don't get to say much at all.
The real "threat" of an uncontrolled Internet to people like you is the aforementioned "fact-checking your ass" and worldwide discussion and criticism of your espoused views. Does that keep you awake at night, Bill?
Or are you just completely clueless?
Posted by Rita at June 17, 2003 07:03 AM
Comments
I love it, Rita!
You know, I think we should vote to see which blogger gets to spend five minutes with Brutha Bill and who can shred him faster
Posted by: Da Goddess at June 17, 2003 06:28 PM
Very well said, Rita! Of all the critiques I've seen today re: Bill's ridiculous rant, yours is one of the best.
Though I was once a fan of his, I stopped watching him many months ago. And I'm glad I did, It sounds like he's gone over the edge and become "completely clueless."
Posted by: roscoe at June 17, 2003 11:43 PM