Part of me thinks this is genius in a way. Not necessarily a good way, but a... a way.
I was talking to Mom this afternoon after work, and the TV started playing an advertisement in the background, seemed to be about people losing their houses due to storm surge damage, apparently being shafted by the government afterward. Couldn't tell if it was an advertisement for insurance, or a political party ad, or maybe something to do with global warming advocacy.
Then I turn around to leave the room, and I happen to see it's a commercial for the Al Jazeera America network.
So I come over here to Current Events, and apparently -- that wasn't a joke, that's a real thing.
Which makes sense, from strategic perspective: their people have our channels (if bootlegged), so why not start a legitimate American channel here in the home of free speech etc.? Turnabout's fair play. ;)
Anyway. Since we don't have an official thread on it yet, for people to make observations... here's one? I guess?
(Note to mods: might need to go in "Enigmas of the Mystical" instead...?)
IIRC Al Jazeera America has been around for a few years.
Really?
Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. Here in West Tennessee we don't get much culture. ;D
Hee Haw is very cultured.
The Al Jazeera Media Group is based out of Qatar, which was a member of the British Protectorate (not commonwealth) until sometime in the 1970's. While the group claims to be a politically independent broadcaster, they receive the majority of their funding from the Qatar government.
Don't forget that the great patriot Al Gore sold his struggling station, Current TV, to them so they could reach more households. ::) Ok I just threw up a little in my mouth after typing that..... :-[
QuoteLOS ANGELES — Al-Jazeera, the Pan-Arab news channel that struggled to win space on American cable television, has acquired Current TV, boosting its reach nearly ninefold to about 40 million homes.
With a focus on U.S. news, it plans to rebrand the left-leaning news network that co-founder Al Gore couldn't make relevant.
The former vice president confirmed the sale Wednesday, saying in a statement that Al-Jazeera shared Current TV's mission "to give voice to those who are not typically heard; to speak truth to power; to provide independent and diverse points of view; and to tell the stories that no one else is telling."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-current-tv-al-gore/1805685/
Ah, yes, now I remember He Who Invented The Internet and the inconvenient truth of his sale to AlJaz this spring. ;)
That would explain why it's suddenly showing up on our DirectTV.
THIS IS THE FAULT OF A TENNESSEAN, I AM SO ASHAMED!! (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wargamer.com%2Fforums%2Fsmiley%2Fembarassed.gif&hash=4e2d34c78d906879e9b239f744238bc6d3cc2c6a)
(We prefer to ignore his existence, or to pretend he isn't from TN, but that's cheating....)
MANBEARPIG!!!
God you guys whine and cry like little girls. Free enterprise and an unfettered market remember? You also have the cable channel called Russian TV. that's right the ruskies are beaming TV signal right to your homes where they can brainwash your children into becoming communists. You guys are being as reactionary as liberals.
;) ;D :o
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2Fdonotfeedtroll.gif&hash=bbba720d790ac8bb2c496424b234f9e31a499af7)
Says the AGW denialists. Oh the trollite irony. And trolls appreciate irony.
says the global warming tree hater.
theres more then enough irony to go around.
I never said LB's and my own roles were'nt .... uhhhhh.... complex ones. For that matter neither is yours mister bacon eating Jewish carpenter, master of the f-bomb, dedicated and loving son, and high-practitioner of the carnal arts.
:P
thats the nicest thing youve said to me in months.
I wuv you!
is it hugs time now? ;D
No! I have an issue with being raised in a redneck family, homophobic reactions and all.... I'll just take your warm fuzzy feelings and put them in my Memories beer bottle. Or is it a champagne bottle... I forget.
drunk man hugs are not gay.
its not like we're getting pedicures and Smuck shavings together.
Ok you got me there... Especially as a I already got my first pedicure about five years ago on Olivia's sixth birthday.
you actually got a pedicure? :o
Im telling Azz youre available.
Get a daughter... You'll understand.
I will not as I cant deal with jail time.
I have a niece and Ive already started the legal fund for that.
Quote from: Windigo on August 29, 2013, 12:56:26 AM
Get a daughter... You'll understand.
I have nieces; I'm pretty sure there's finger and toe work in my future. :-\
As for whining, I will note that I did say that this is part of a free enterprise system and that turnabout is fair play and that it even makes strategic sense. ;) I may not
like it, but I appreciate the principles which allow it. 8)
It also occurred to me that it might make for an amusing thread of commentary if people were following along with it already, and I didn't see a thread for it already even down in RPFW (though this thread might have to be moved down there to Gehenna. ;D )
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on August 27, 2013, 03:04:09 PM
MANBEARPIG!!!
That's... an astonishingly accurate description of Boss Gore, now that I think of it...
Quote from: Windigo on August 29, 2013, 12:24:36 AM
I never said LB's and my own roles were'nt .... uhhhhh.... complex ones. For that matter neither is yours mister bacon eating Jewish carpenter, master of the f-bomb, dedicated and loving son, and high-practitioner of the carnal arts.
:P
Huh. Maybe Star should change his name to Hey-zeus (Jesus).
Quote from: Windigo on August 29, 2013, 12:30:49 AM
Or is it a champagne bottle... I forget.
Azz, is that you?
Quote from: Centurion40 on August 29, 2013, 07:39:16 AM
Huh. Maybe Star should change his name to Hey-zeus (Jesus).
when asked by other Jews who are doctors and lawyers why I didnt go into a more white collar field I remind them that one of the worlds biggest religions was started by a Jewish contractor. ;)
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 29, 2013, 07:34:58 AM
Quote from: Windigo on August 29, 2013, 12:56:26 AM
Get a daughter... You'll understand.
I have nieces; I'm pretty sure there's finger and toe work in my future. :-\
As for whining, I will note that I did say that this is part of a free enterprise system and that turnabout is fair play and that it even makes strategic sense. ;) I may not like it, but I appreciate the principles which allow it. 8)
It also occurred to me that it might make for an amusing thread of commentary if people were following along with it already, and I didn't see a thread for it already even down in RPFW (though this thread might have to be moved down there to Gehenna. ;D )
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on August 27, 2013, 03:04:09 PM
MANBEARPIG!!!
That's... an astonishingly accurate description of Boss Gore, now that I think of it...
Absolutely fair comments Jason. RT is one of those channels that makes me smile. In its fashion it's a lot like Fox TV with its smugness and certain amount of self righteousness . But come to think of it msnbc is the queen of that.
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on August 29, 2013, 11:48:37 AM
Quote from: Centurion40 on August 29, 2013, 07:39:16 AM
Huh. Maybe Star should change his name to Hey-zeus (Jesus).
when asked by other Jews who are doctors and lawyers why I didnt go into a more white collar field I remind them that one of the worlds biggest religions was started by a Jewish contractor. ;)
So...you're looking to start your own religion? Doesn't seem like the type of thing you'd want to put effort into. :P
im not sure hes going to get a handle on the whole celibacy thing
i think hed look good on a cross though
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on August 29, 2013, 11:48:37 AM
Quote from: Centurion40 on August 29, 2013, 07:39:16 AM
Huh. Maybe Star should change his name to Hey-zeus (Jesus).
when asked by other Jews who are doctors and lawyers why I didnt go into a more white collar field I remind them that one of the worlds biggest religions was started by a Jewish contractor. ;)
ROFL! ;D
The experiment is ending
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/business/media/al-jazeera-america-to-shut-down-in-april.html
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
The great part is that AJA bought Current TV from Al Gore and now both are going to be gone. That's a win-win.
Quote from: mirth on January 13, 2016, 09:33:55 PM
The great part is that AJA bought Current TV from Al Gore and now both are going to be gone. That's a win-win.
Al Gore, the
profit Prophet of climate doom......
No wait...I had it right the first time!
I never heard of Current TV and didn't know ISIS Al Jazeera had an America outlet.
Can't say I'm surprised they tanked.
I am glad, hope the worse one will be gone soon (Aljazeera Arabic).
I really liked their show, "Islamic Idol". They're not allowed to sing, dance, or play music. They just line-up on stage and shout, "Death to the Infidels"! So the one that carries the rocket launcher ALWAYS wins. Big controversy this season as one contestant had her veil slip and you could see her whole nose. That got some hearts racing I tell you. :P
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 14, 2016, 10:46:09 AM
I really liked their show, "Islamic Idol". They're not allowed to sing, dance, or play music. They just line-up on stage and shout, "Death to the Infidels"! So the one that carries the rocket launcher ALWAYS wins. Big controversy this season as one contestant had her veil slip and you could see her whole nose. That got some hearts racing I tell you. :P
Ah, the old Nasal Slip. Gets past the censors every time!
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Well we can agree on the NPR staying though can't we?
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Well we can agree on the NPR staying though can't we?
Heck no!!!
Quote from: OJsDad on January 18, 2016, 05:48:23 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Well we can agree on the NPR staying though can't we?
Heck no!!!
Geeze I hate decisions by committee?
PBS?
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Well we can agree on the NPR staying though can't we?
HELL no! Although they're welcome to give it a shot without taxpayer dollars.
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 18, 2016, 06:51:17 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM
Quote from: Windigo on January 18, 2016, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 13, 2016, 09:14:19 PM
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Al Jazeera. And take the Times and MSNBC with you.
Don't forget FOX... please don't forget FOX.
And the CBC, BBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN. Thanks.
Well we can agree on the NPR staying though can't we?
HELL no! Although they're welcome to give it a shot without taxpayer dollars.
Amen to that.
While we are cutting tax payer funding can we add the UN to the list?
^I'm good with that too.
I'll second the motion! As long as we kick their HQ and all of their personnel out of the country.
Quote from: OJsDad on January 18, 2016, 07:42:30 PM
I'll second the motion! As long as we kick their HQ and all of their personnel out of the country.
Still good with the plan.
Quote from: Bison on January 18, 2016, 07:04:59 PM
While we are cutting tax payer funding can we add the UN to the list?
Never happen, they're too useful to you guys when you want to play by the rules.
I don't mind PBS/NPR. They have lots of programming that I enjoy. However they should not be taxpayer funded, particularly these days. The corporate sponsorships are essentially paid advertising. NPR is basically taxpayer funded commercial radio. They should learn to live without the tax dollars.
I used to listen to NPR a lot, mostly because PBS had talk programming and radio is in general utter shite. It got really annoying whenever they had pledge drives, begging for money.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 20, 2016, 02:44:41 PM
I used to listen to NPR a lot, mostly because PBS had talk programming and radio is in general utter shite. It got really annoying whenever they had pledge drives, begging for money.
They do a one day "super" drive here, now and try to get all the fundraising done in a single day. It usually works, so you only have to avoid them that one day.
I pledged one time 20 years ago and then wised up. I'd be more inclined to donate if they weren't tax-funded.
Quote from: mirth on January 20, 2016, 02:48:46 PM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 20, 2016, 02:44:41 PM
I used to listen to NPR a lot, mostly because PBS had talk programming and radio is in general utter shite. It got really annoying whenever they had pledge drives, begging for money.
They do a one day "super" drive here, now and try to get all the fundraising done in a single day. It usually works, so you only have to avoid them that one day.
I pledged one time 20 years ago and then wised up. I'd be more inclined to donate if they weren't tax-funded.
AFA tax funded goes:
QuoteWhile NPR does not receive any direct federal funding, it does receive a small number of competitive grants from CPB and federal agencies like the Department of Education and the Department of Commerce. This funding amounts to approximately 2% of NPR's overall revenues.[20]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR#Funding