Gore Vidal on the media

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Have TV journalists learned anything from the last several years?
Says Vidal: "Everybody with an IQ above room temperature is on to the con act of our media. They are obeying bigger, richer interests than informing the public -- which is the last thing that corporate America has ever been interested in doing."

[@notrombones5041]

An incredible quote from this video: "I've been around the ruling class all my life and I've been quite aware of their total contempt for the people of the country." Listen to this man, if you dare to hear The Truth.

[@beaniegreen4849]

Who will ever fill the shoes of our beloved Gore Vidal

[@BloodMilkSky1969]

A politician divides mankind into two classes; tools and enemies.-Nietzsche

[@kamranii]

People are either idiots or swindlers.-My uncle.

[@judymeyer4315]

re-visiting these in 2019 and sharing all of them.

[@bendkafka]

Gore Vidal is the best. I hope The Real News finds viewers. You have one in me.

[@makkein]

I am officially amazed. I have to read and research more of this man.

[@guerillatraveler]

Mr Vidal hits the nail firmly on the head. Editors and broadcasters have become increasingly reluctant to investigate stories. Not all of us reporters are lazy. Trust me. With few exceptions like Vanity Fair, we just can't get editor's to stop thinking about Britney and Paris and selling ads in the United States of Advertising (my phrase). The question is what are we going to do about putting some thought back into reporting. Suggestions?

[@cookiesonsteve]

"They lie and apply it to the other person..." ^_^

[@dvader42]

I absolutely love Gore Vidal! This man has an open mind about our society and is a voice that needs to be heard in Corporate America. His views on media and the American mind set are the finer points of his I like to concentrate.

[@nabilkanso]

thanks for posting even a brief glimpse of the great voice of truth

[@taoofmichael]

Well said. Keep it up.

[@rajasmasala]

What an inspiring vid. If I would kill to give such a solid, authoritative damn about my own country, Singapore. I suppose I'll be nearer in ten years. TheRealNews, good luck. Thank you so much. Keep it up.

[@timirish2563]

Even in the decline of his last years, Vidal says something worth hearing, noting. His life as writer was heroic. That's what matters to me.

[@rrmond]

Just goes to show how our American culture always resents the smartest guy in the room. Keep dropping knowledge Gore!!!

[@britishempire01]

What an exceptional man. And if only all people listened.

[@chicobond89]

RIP Gore Vidal. a true Dear and eloquent sir.

[@sastal]

Right on!

[@vasp99]

I learned more about American history from Vidal's fiction than I did in school. He's a brilliant, heroic man.

[@taoofmichael]

JamesR1969 You are the voice of reason around here, between the right-wingers and the rabid ronpaulites. And you write coherently. Keep it up. Since when did Americans stop respecting the wisdom of the old and experienced?

[@peterbilt47]

Thank you.

[@foxdragoon84]

Well done! You, sir, are the master of wit. Please indulge us some more, as there are not enough of your little comments on the thread already - I like to call them "flashes of brilliance."

[@luvmegan]

Gore Vidal is one of the greatest essayist and intellects this country has produced. It's nice to see someone who is sharp, deep, honest, and smart. In short:everything Hannity, Rush and O'reilly are not. Love, God. PS One of my better creations.

[@MustacheVerra]

I like that guy!:) I keep saying that the Republicans keep accusing their adversary of their own crimes to create confusion. And it works. :(

[@JoySynthesis]

"the underclass don't deserve a voice." What? Excuse me? Also, I saw Mr. Vidal's lecture in the Festival of Ideas here in West Virginia, part of his tour promoting Point to Point Navigation. Despite Vidal's age, his wit and demeanor are impeccable. I was priveledged enough to shake his hand and get an autographed copy of the new book. :)

[@Knobbyboy88]

I never said anything about his family. His father was a great man. He was a Patriot who served his country honorably. Mr. Vidal on the other hand...

[@hitch4645]

i could listen to him talk for days

[@hob976]

Wow. The final moment in this video was bizarre. Vidal had an interesting discourse with Tim McVeigh that was outlined in "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace". Very worthwhile reading. One very smart dude.

[@pgadeb]

I think Jon Stewart's Daily News Show, as it satires the mass media news, gives a more realist portrayal of the world news. Gore Vidal has an important message and AMERICA needs to listen to this man. Vote for Ron Paul 2008.

[@avatar723]

Run like hell, Knobby! Cut n' run!

[@hardlinemonk]

This man speaks my mind!

[@bernlin2000]

@xxplosive661 This video is the first time I've heard him speak and it's quite remarkable to hear: he has a great voice and he speaks very very eloquently (love the accent too, wherever it comes from). And, of course, everything he says is true, if anyone takes the time to listen to him. This video should have 1000x more views

[@Telcontar1962]

The thing I like about Gore Vidal is he knows the players involved on a personal level in many cases. Of course what he says are his views and opinion but they have a great deal of credibility because he understands the mindset of the leadership class having lived amoung them for so long. One day we'll grow up and be a cynical as him because after all those who lead us are just men and women with no more right to dictate what a the average person should do or not do than my pet rabbit.

[@bscottb8]

Age clearly hasn't diminished Gore Vidal's capacity for hyperbolic grandstanding.

[@avatar723]

Yeah, that's what gives him so much credibility in my book--he's got generations of elbow-rubbing with the top powers-that-be in the country--in military, political, financial and literary circles. He's seen the corridors of power from the inside, up close and personal.

[@senateb]

he so perfectly summed up the seemingly dominant political strategy of our time- lie and attribute your own faults to your opponent. ive always noticed that, but never bern able to put it in words

[@zamolxis]

He does have a huge ego, but it's at least partly justified by his work. He's not a Dem, he's a cynic and does a good job at that. Didn't know about the book he mentioned. Thank you, Gore Vidal and Paul Jay!

[@jnfakaros]

"The unexamined life is not worth living" let us all take a step back and think about that for a moment.

[@joefranks69]

The McVeigh thing is uncomplicated - the piece wasn't apologetics, it simply fleshed out the man and his motivations. Sun Tsu would agree that this is the proper treatment to give an enemy. The America Firsters are more complicated.

[@DragonDDT]

What angers is me is that multinational corporations outsource so many jobs, but rather than lash out against them, Americans sit around and blame the poor people who GET the jobs. I've never understood this mentality, but it seems to be the prevailing school of thought today, as if some poor guy in the Punjab working for $2/hr. is really to blame for trying to get out of poverty.

[@avatar723]

"....don't be shocked when our grandkids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity." "After Pat's Birthday", by Kevin Tillman, 2004

[@fdh2006]

There are alternatives, Gore Vidal mentioned the Nation and the Daily Show. There's also internet blogs, websites of foreign newspapers, Free Speech TV and Pacifica Radio.

[@unqtious]

Brought to you by the committee to elect Ron Paul.

[@RainyRaver]

That's arguable. The initial definition of a Liberal is someone who believes in loose interpretation of the constitution. While Conservatives believed in a strict interpretation. Though it would seem today that Conservatives are trying to get around the constitution (Patriot Act), and Liberals are trying to keep it in line. Jefferson I believe was a Conservative turned Liberal. He had to do things that was not listed in the Constitution. Hence, he went to loose interpretation.

[@TheSkinzilla]

Where are the modern equivalent of intellectual giants like Vidal nowadays?

[@trollfinger]

Well he always went for elections and didn't take the seats when he could have. "What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do" Aristotle. I love that quote.

[@CutterScene]

Vidal is absolutely among the highest ranking intellectuals. He's up there with Noam Chomsky and others... Check out his appearance in 'Why we fight' by Eugene Jarecki.

[@celshader]

Interesting concept. Real news independent of the politics, sponsorship of the media industry and their backers. Good luck.

[@RainyRaver]

That's arguable. The initial definition of a Liberal was someone who used a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Verses a conservative who was a strict interpretation (you can only do what the constitution says you can). Jefferson was originally a Conservative. But seeing as how inflexible the constitution was to expansion and what not, he became a liberal.

[@Knobbyboy88]

Colin Powell, for instance, was a general and served honorably in Vietnam.

[@Gillhoolee]

Now all America can see who that was on "The Simpsons".

[@foxdragoon84]

Thanks for that comment. I had not realized that, but it seems so obvious now. There are too many of those Orwellian terms going around all the time.

[@guerillatraveler]

Good point. Mainstream papers and TV have become infotainment to a great extent. Editorials have become so jesuit-like that it is often hard to find the point. There is far too much hedging. The spade, that handy little shovel, is no longer a spade. So what do you call it? A photo/sound/print bite?

[@jupiter7795]

His final comment confused me about his opinion on Jon Stewart. What is his opinion on Jon Stewart and company?

[@beta447]

awesome video, about says it all

[@midwestcharm]

Listen to people on the mainstream news when something bad happens. Everyone sounds the same, Horrifc, Surreal,Your in our prayers, great people/great state,artery....it's scary that most Americans get their education, influence and dialogue from T.V.

[@Gillhoolee]

hey! that's NOT your opion, your not Dirty Harry!

[@TheSkinzilla]

Yeah, he could be considered one. My point is there sure isn't many of them anymore.

[@fidobarks]

bless u gore ur one of a kind and brilliantly witty.

[@farric1]

At at last, a conservative that glimpses the truth..

[@DragonDDT]

Actually Thomas Jefferson would be the poster child for the modern Democratic party. He was very much against a unified country under one banner and preferred more power to the states.

[@S1MBRS]

Now that is an intelligent comment. Milton Friedman,... genius. Perhaps more genius than these Economic Opinionaters can understand.

[@foxdragoon84]

That may be, sir, but it will never be as infantile as calling Gore Vidal a "rambling old man."

[@bscottb8]

Genius? I'm sure Gore Vidal would be the first to agree, but more accurately a bloviator par excellence.

[@Euractiv]

Vidal really knows what he is talking about! ...talking from experience...

[@coolmamac]

Thanks. You say it with style. Do you remember Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley doing the election as a pair?

[@shaka222]

Goes Vidal is a GENIOUS. He sees things as they really are. At least someone out there 'GETS IT"

[@taoofmichael]

Love your comments. I couldnt say it better.

[@LucianTSkeptic]

testing how long does it take to get posted. thank god for christopher hitchens.

[@ssancak]

Aferin len, kültürünle Türkiyeyi senin gibilerin temsil etmesi gerekli zaten. Bravo, ilgiiyle izliyorum.

[@Knobbyboy88]

I really pray to God that you're refering to people like Gore Vidal and Michael Moore. I think I'll just go ahead and crack open my copy of the "Crusades," by Hillaire Belloc, or the, "Spirit of Free Enterprize," by William F. Buckley, thank you kindly.

[@HarryS77]

Gore Vidal FTW! An awesome writer that speaks the truth.

[@rsmoove2000]

Is there an F-1 race going on in the background?

[@greatbroad]

On Tuesday, August 28, 2007 the group, MoveOn(dot)org held candle-lighted vigils across the nation (over 700 I think). I was on page A3 of the local paper, "The Beacon News," on August 29. I think the web sights will soon have pictures up.

[@blacknwhitesalright]

I'm going to agree with you on that, TheIllestVillain.

[@guerillatraveler]

Where is this quote documented?

[@DragonDDT]

I refuse to let you compare Mr. Vidal to Jack Lemmon.

[@madamoiselle0sahara]

Americans, I suggest you listen to sadamp1. I live in Australia and the feeling here is much the same.

[@fntime]

It's funny how everyone sees the world differently.I love his comments about the 'right'. But, when talking about the left heloses he objectivity and becomes blinded by his own self delusion.Biases of thoughts and prejudgements does almost everyone ineven those with a remarkable intelligence.

[@titolovely8237]

+fntime the right wing in the US is completely unhinged. if you cant see that you're hopeless. theyre as extreme as the most rabid italian fascists. half the republicans running for president want to start a war with russia and carpet bomb syria. the leading contender wants to bomb muslim families indiscriminately. to compare the left and the right in the US is to obfuscate reality - the right has lost it's mind and lives in total fantasy. it's important to add that gore vidal defines himself as a conservative, a label i agree with. it's just that what's called "conservative" in the US is a radical strain of state capitalists, and doesnt even begin to resemble what's referred to as "conservative" in the rest of the world. vidal actually believes in the constitution, and doesnt just pay lip service like the republicans do. theyve utter contempt for whats written in the constitution, as demonstrated by their policies.

[@fntime]

+Fightneit 90 Do you ever examine yourself? You are a perfect example of an 'intellectualized mind'. Similar to a computer, all 1's and 0's! Because of that your mind lacks descernmentand lacks an understanding of 'probability' the natural development ofa mind not captured to 'black & white'. If you ever knew the weaknessof your minds operating system, it would probably appall you if youwere an honest person. Stopping being the 'silly shmuck' in the room.You have a long way to go, Grasshopper!

[@LESTERBATE]

I agree. Around the ruling class his whole life; If junior ever flew a plane; Absolute truth; Americans hate truth; acquired so many enemies; We set them off; adnausium... Self-appointed and constipated

[@CaptainBluebear08]

All true. Bless him.

[@DadeMurphy666]

2:00

[@NathanArnoldCharging]

65 people just don't Get IT!

[@mrdeill]

I second that. Please explain. Don't do what most neocons do and say, "If you are too stupid to know...." Please respond.

[@jyuja]

Another great American passes away :Gore Vidal was an eloquent and elegant writer who represented the best of America's free spirit and wonderful humanity whose books are a pleasure to read: he thought the 911 official tale was BS and criticized compellingly in his "Perpetual War for perpetual peace" US policies at home and abroad which only served a greedy and corrupt elite and victimized the middle classes .

[@taoofmichael]

I can see that he is honest and sincere, he is just overly simplistic. He is like Perot. "Just gotta get under the hood and fix it." Well yes, but, there is a bit more to it. I know I am going to regret this, but what is CFR?

[@grailmaiden]

People vs. "Sheeple" there are people and then there are sheeple. most of humanity is sheeple early to bed, early to rise, fight like hell and organize

[@bon1042]

Oh, put a cork in it !

[@NihilNominis]

@Consumerofknowledge Yeah, because Mr. Vidal's interview in this months Humanist showed his deep respect for and belief in the American people. The guy's an intellectual elitist rather than political or economic, but he plays the game just as much as anyone.

[@quickymgee]

and i am not saying the democratic party is right, but the fact that it is a centrist party improves its position in my eyes. a governing party should do what's best in the interests of its citizens (with respect towards other citizens of the world) not blindly follow a doctrine. with some education people will no longer base their political preference on what they are told or given, and will take an active interest to inform themselves of every perspective and to research respective policies.

[@taoofmichael]

Yeah, like he said.

[@funnyguise]

why doesn't he talk about Ron Paul?

[@DragonDDT]

Does anyone know why America is in the shape that it's in? Because all of us (myself included) are wasting our time debating a Gore Vidal video on KZbin instead of actually trying to make a difference. Hook, line, and sinker. We've just been had, fellas. :P

[@taoofmichael]

syuster Yes! finally an intelligent comment that isn't rabid Ron Paul gibberish. Lets get back to Gore Vidal please. The debate is about left and right. RonPaulers are idealists living in a dreamworld. Yes, Saul Bellow, Daniel Schorr, sane people. Keep it up.

[@Knobbyboy88]

I do sincerely hope that the proceeding comment wasn't levelled at me...

[@drgonzo1971]

All 100% true.

[@BennyEternET]

"Hm, thank you, cool ???" Was the journalist trying to prove Gore Vidal's point at the end ? :o....

[@DragonDDT]

I dunno if they so much changed their names as they did their ideals. There was a massive polar reversal around the Civil Rights movement that saw a lot of Dixiecrats associate themselves with the modern Republican stance, and a lot of Republican viewpoints became the basis for the new "Democratic" party. OK, you're method is easier & less complicated. They changed their names.

[@manly427]

Rip buddy

[@DVincentW]

Good on you well you have just changed my mind i am so easily influenced by your superior presence.

[@bon1042]

WAY TO GO AVATAR !! NICE COMEBACK.