Why Cable News Has Moron Panelists

It is fascinating to watch repulsive wingnuts Christopher Hitchens and Bill Donahue fight. Both always believe they are right. The former is an atheist and the latter a Catholic. Both are intolerant hatemongers.

Hitchens

The discovery of the carcass of Jerry Falwell on the floor of an obscure office in Virginia has almost zero significance, except perhaps for two categories of the species labeled "credulous idiot." The first such category consists of those who expected Falwell (and themselves) to be bodily raptured out of the biosphere and assumed into the heavens, leaving pilotless planes and driverless trucks and taxis to crash with their innocent victims as collateral damage. This group is so stupid and uncultured that it may perhaps be forgiven. It is so far "left behind" that almost its only pleasure is to gloat at the idea of others being abandoned in the same condition.

Donahue

Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It‘s not a secret, OK? And I‘m not afraid to say it. That‘s why they hate this movie. It‘s about Jesus Christ, and it‘s about truth. It‘s about the messiah.

Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost.

You have got secular Jews. You have got embittered ex-Catholics, including a lot of ex-Catholic priests who hate the Catholic Church, wacko Protestants in the same group, and these people are in the margins. Frankly, Michael Moore represents a cult movie. Mel Gibson represents the mainstream of America.

I have been tough on Falwell. I never refered to him as a "carcass." Donahue's anti-semitism rhetoric was his pathetic way of defending Mel Gibson's Jesus snuff film. Neither man can be considered a voice of reason. Which explains why they were booked to debate on Hardball.

The cable news model is find the most extreme assholes and have diss each other professional wrestling-style. It makes no difference if it is James Carville v. Ann Coulter or the Rock v. Hulk Hogan. THe level of discourse has the same level of maturity. Donahue even asks Hitchens if he wants to "step outside." Is this before or after he takes his Geritol? These people get on low-rated cable talk shows and believe they are characters in Roadhouse.

Cable news isn't trying to inform viewers. TV executives are trying to reach people glued to the tube tube. Network suits are after people whom watch Trading Spouses, not read the New York Times. The error in their thinking is that these viewers have no interest in the news. Running numerous stories about Anna Nicole Smith isn't going to change that.