Cool. Did you have fun? I only saw 45 minutes of it streamed online. It was amazing how many people were there.

Now if all those people will bother to vote. :eyebrow:

Fun Stuff, now fortified with Irony!
 

“Rally to Restore Sanity” pledges to “strictly prohibit filming” at National Mall
By: J.P. Freire
Associate Commentary Editor
10/29/10 10:35 PM EDT
Irony reaches new heights as Comedy Central is going to “strictly prohibit filming” of the Rally to Restore Sanity/March to Keep Fear Alive. PJTV’s Washington Bureau chief Richard Pollock inquired with the Comedy Central’s senior vice president of corporate communications Steve Albani about receiving credentials. Albani claimed that Pollock would not be given credentials because of limited supply, and as such there would be no room on the “press riser” for PJTV’s camera and crew. When Pollock said that he’d be fine with filming not on the press riser, Albani said that filming would be “strictly prohibited” between 3rd and 7th streets on the National Mall (ground zero for the event). The email exchange is further down.

The claim that Comedy Central can prohibit filming on federal property during an event open to the public is completely wrong. I know this because I co-organized the first D.C. Tea Party event with John O’Hara (again, prior to my employment at The Examiner, yadda yadda), meaning I’ve gone through the process of getting a permit on federal property run by the National Park Service, which is precisely what Comedy Central had to do. And under the special events guidelines, which Albani may not have taken time to look at, is this:
News coverage of the event is allowed without additional permits unless significant additional equipment set-up, which is not depicted on the Permittees site plan, is involved. Arrangements for press and broadcast media coverage of the event must be made at least seven (7) days before the opening day of the event.

Here’s another resource, too. If PJTV’s crew walks around with handheld cameras, they’re well within their rights, particularly as a media organization — especially considering the number of camera phones, Flipcams, and personal camcorders that will be used during the event. But wait — it looks like somebody at Comedy Central read the rules because there’s a list on the Rally’s Frequently Asked Questions page about what is not permitted, and cameras are unlisted. In fact, the FAQ even says that the event is open to the media and to contact about credentials.
You don’t need credentials to film an event open to the public on federal land that has already permitted other media outlets. Comedy Central has not leased the National Mall, nor could it. In other words, quit it. Either this is a fun publicity stunt steeped in irony or it’s an exercise in corporate control. And last I checked, it’s not “Comedy Central Planning.”

In fact, the Tea Party movement has done a bang-up job allowing as many kooky reporters and camera-toting people into their rallies, and simply found ways to deal with it without clamping down on free press. (The most innovative is using signs to expose Tea Party imposters.) In fact, as Lachlan Markay notes, the press is going wild for this event, but Glenn Beck’s Rally to Restore Hope was willing to provide more credentials (though it’s uncertain who, if any, were ever denied):
For some perspective, consider that the September 12, 2010 Tea Party on the Mall received roughly 150 requests for press credentials, according to FreedomWorks, which sponsored the event.

Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally granted 450 such credentials to journalists, but in the brief contact NewsBusters had with Beck’s staff there was no indication that any reporter who had requested credentials had been turned down.
There’s the real irony: While this rally seeks to make fun of Tea Party activists who advocate for freedom, Comedy Central is looking to tightly control the event as much as possible. Lame.

Be sure and read Pollock’s fantastic rejoinder at the end of the email thread.
From: “Albani, Steve”
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:59:27 -0400
To: Richard Pollock
Subject: RE: DC Rally Update
Richard – you should have received notification yesterday. Unfortunately, due to extremely limited riser locations, we are not able to accommodate your request for credentials. However, the event is free and open to public so we encourage you to attend with the general audience.
Please note, taping for television or any other filming is strictly prohibited between 3rd and 7th Street without a media credential. The event will be broadcast live on Comedy Central and comedycentral.com and a clean feed will also be available by satellite – coordinates will be released when they are available. Please contact Renata Luczak to receive the satellite coordinates.

From: Richard Pollock
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 3:14 PM
To: Albani, Steve
Subject: Re: DC Rally Update
Dear Steve,
Thanks for your reply. Can we get media credentials without a riser position?
Yours,
Richard

From: Albani, Steve
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 3:15 PM
To: Richard Pollock
Subject: RE: DC Rally Update
The only camera crews that will receive credentials are those for the riser. We are not issuing any other TV credentials.
Sorry.
Steve

From: “Richard Pollock”
Date: Oct 29, 2010 6:33 PM
Subject: RE: DC Rally Update
To: “Albani, Steve”
Hi Steve,
Well your risers, you own. As Comedy Central, you have property rights and complete control over that. No one will deny you that. We are content, though disappointed with your decision to withhold media credentials to us.
However, the last I heard the First Amendment still does apply to America. It not only applies to TV hosts, show producers and to networks, but extends to the public and to events held on federal land. Yes, public lands! Although it may not make any sense to you at this moment, the National Mall is not a TV set, although it may look like one.
As the former chief Washington producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America” for nine years, let me assure you that you cannot bar cameras from public walkways on the Mall. It has never happened.
And so we will be there crew and all.
It does seem a bit incredulous that a rally for “reasonableness” should exclude freely based camera crews exercising their First Amendment rights to cover your attendees walking on public property. Unless this is Prague in 1968. And unless Comedy Central own tanks. Or unless it deploys a Comedy Police with enforcement powers.
On the other hand maybe I got this all wrong…I thought you were merely trying to be clever when you said it was a rally for fear. If is that, then I certainly understand your attitudes and rules.
See you tomorrow!
All the best,
Richard


Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...#ixzz13tF6MPad

It was fun, but mostly from reading the signs. The audio system wasn't set up for the number who showed up, and I couldn't always hear.

You lie,Foot, there's no more at the link, it's all here. :p:

It would appear Pollock's disdain for Albani, has caused him to commit ashattery. :rolleyes:
I wonder if anyone else has been denied?

HaHa they snuck that in at the end. But it's true, you can read more at the link, just not more about that particular subject...;)

Another view.

I checked Fox about it, and apparently they were able to have a crew there. No mention of restrictions.

Ah, but they're all moderates, so who would they vote for?

But nobody's mentioned the most important part of the Rally . . .

Ozzy and Yusuf!!!! Whoohoo!

http://www.yusufislam.com/uploads/34...88813c7d32.jpg

The reason there's nobody on those grassy squares is that it was fenced off.

The reason there are people on those other grassy squares is that some felt it reasonable to open the fence and relieve some congestion.

HM, what you couldn't hear...

That's good eats.

just in case no one has posted this link before: 100 best signs a the rally


... and my :2cents:

Heres another bit of sanity...

No no, 6 minutes is way too long to listen to facts, when slogans can be shouted out in seconds. ;)

True dat...:rolleyes:

That was really great. Thanks!

So, if I'm understanding all of the post-game wrap up correctly,

sanity ≠ tea party.

Has anyone seen anything from the rally, any sign or slogan, that makes fun of liberal extremism? No?

Cool.

Just checking the plumb-line.

Smooth again with the reality-check....mate!

Oh and it wasn't political - riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

So the liberals are making fun of the conservatives? I don't see that as being a bad thing. I wish the conservatives were making fun of the liberals. It would be much better than the hate and fear mongering they're spreading.

For one thing, the Tea Party put a big bulls eye on its forehead with the Beck Rally. Did you see their signs? Have you heard their rhetoric?

Stewart also nailed the lefty talking heads like Olbermann and Matthews. But mostly, he was attacking the rhetoric of hate and fear that you see on TV by politicians and talking heads alike.

Secondly, whats really your beef here? That moderate leftys attended a rally? So what?

Who said it wasn't political?

Nobody claimed it wasn't political.

Plenty of people claimed it was "centrist" or "moderate". I object to the co-opting of those terms as the exclusive provenance of the left. I object to the implication that the right is the only side that needs to be "moderated".

I object most of all to Stewart presenting himself as the everyman above the fray, speaking out for the voiceless middle, when he is in fact nothing of the kind.

Objection noted.

But the 200,000 that attended and millions more that watched, don't feel that way. In fact a lot of us really appreciated the rally. It was really nice to see a sane counter reaction to the hate and fear directed at liberals.

They claimed it wasn't political and therefore didn't have to give equal time to the "other side" for free. There was a big brew ha ha about it. If they admitted it was political they would have had to give equal time...
Link
Link
Link

Most of that is hatred of liberal ideology, and fear of the likely consequences if that ideology is played out as policy.

Classic, Stewart and Colbert didn't endorse any politician...didn't name one or show one. Their show at the rally was apolitical.

They cant control the attendees, tho.

I agree with you that the rally was a good thing. But make no mistake it was political AND there was plenty of hate from those that were there which was not shown in the media. For example...

Ive looked at at least 100 of the signs and yours is the first of that kind that I've seen.

No kidding - Thats the point. They aren't being shown. HELLO??? THIS THING ON?

So you saw the ones not being shown?

Come on, Classic, share more.

Google them yourself.

How about putting a link with that quote.

Its your point. Back it up. Otherwise, I am just going to continue with the assumption that signs like that were rare.

In fact, Classic, here is a site that is tallying the signs. So far they have 350 to list and they are so not like the one you showed that my assumption still stands.

Sorry bout that. Done.
That's fine with me. I never claimed anything other than that they were there and a quick Google search gave me some without any trouble. There is no point in putting any more up. How many would I have to put up anyway? 5? 10? 100? And to what end? Whats the point?
It doesn't really matter.
The point is that the mainstream media didn't point out one, not one. And there were plenty there. Were they in the minority? Of course. But again, As far as the mainstream media reported it, it was a love fest against extremists. That simply wasn't the whole truth. I have no intention of convincing you of anything. It was a political rally and there were hate signs there. Inconvenient for you - maybe, but facts nonetheless.

from NBC...
Bold mine.
From NBC

Just for fun ... Here is another pic.

But those very very few signs didn't define the rally. The hundreds of other signs did. See the list at the link in my post above.

This is why we can't have nice things.

Heres hundreds more for you to look at, Classic.

He's not gonna look! He's too busy bursting his buttons over a rally.

He's being twerpy about this whole thing.

But you left out he lead in to that quote...
Stewart pitched this to Comedy Central as a publicity stunt, but considering his audience, and being the first opportunity for people to demonstrate their displeasure with the hate rhetoric, the attendees made it political.

When money talks, it spews hate. The ads on television are 1% vote for me, and 99% vote against him.

So now you admit that some hateful signs were there... well at least that's progress.
Perhaps you also missed this...
ETA - Bri - I'[m nt busting shit over the rally. you all and your "We're better than them attitude" makes me sick. Especially when proven wrong.

Twerpy? WTF is that? You don't like the reality that there are people on "your side" as hateful as those you despise on the other. Tough shit. Welcome to the real world.

Who me? I didn't see any hateful signs. I don't think the one you posted is hateful. Calling anyone who doesn't agree a socialist/Nazi/communist is hateful.

Cuz you're being a twerp. I never said that there weren't such signs, only that I didn't see them and that they must be rare...AND THEY ARE. You haven't proven me wrong.

Picture on post 159?

I hadn't seen that when I posted, I was talking about the previous sign he had posted. Yes that's hateful, to respond in kind with the same type of signs as the teabaggers. But mpt's point still stands, those signs were few and far between.

What have the Democrat's done?



Oh, and here's what the Republicans are doing...
http://pol.moveon.org/republicorp_orgchart/

This one is a parody on the TP hate slogans, not a serious statement:

http://cellar.org/attachment.php?att...1&d=1288669681



Though I cannot prove it, the inconsistent JPEG artifacts in different parts of the image below seem to suggest it was shopped:

http://cellar.org/attachment.php?att...1&d=1288675247

Not having your party in power seems to correlate with how likely you are going to start calling your opponents Nazis or at least it will make you yell it louder. If conservatives take over and have full power five years from now I bet it will switch back to how it was five years ago.

Also, despite Stewart's obvious liberal leaning, I don't doubt that he tried to make the rally apolitical, even though his audience would make it impossible for him. Intolerance from both sides are going to make it that much harder for politicians to get anything important and controversial done and both liberals and conservatives have figured this out, not just unbiased observers.

That's not hate, it's humor.

Wasn't last week nice? Where's Redux?

Thanks for posting that, Bruce.

Its a mystery to me why that 'cheerleading' started so late. Too late.

Tell that to NBC.

Which by that sign is what the liberals did. Thats all I was saying.

Agreed. The problem lies where one side criticizes the other and yet part of them do exactly the same thing.

That piece is by this very same Bill Maher. :eyebrow:

A very, very, very small part, if you are talking about the signs. The signs at the Comedy Central rally were much more calm and funny than the signs at the various tea party rallies. You had to look past the thousands of nice signs to find examples of "negative" signs, and even then, one of the "negative" signs was just a joke that you didn't get.

They are being led by the nose to fear liberal ideology- in toto, and its irrational.

Much of liberal policy has helped to improve the lives of the everyday working person and to also protect them from the abuses that would be caused by unregulated businesses. Its that same liberal ideology that led us out of the world of Sinclair's The Jungle.

Inocorrect, I quoted Stewart in post #146