On Friday's edition of Moyers & Company, the conversation focused on "The Case For Old-School Faith and Politics". Moyers' first guest was Eric Alterman who, among other things, writes for The Nation, so it's probably pretty obvious where he stands on the issues.
However, it was his second guest, and the conversation that followed, which illustrates once again, by comparison, how sadly lacking modern television journalism has become in taking the time to explore an issue thoroughly and having a respectful exchange with someone who sees the world quite differently.
The video version (26 minutes) of Moyers' conversation with Ross Douthat, conservative op-ed columnist for The New York Times can be found here, and the full transcript can be found on the link just below the video, if you would rather read the interview.
It was obvious that, not only had Moyers read Douthat's book Bad Religion: How We Have Become a Nation of Heretics, he was also excited by the ideas contained in it, and interested in the author's viewpoint. I can't imagine an interview of this length and civility occurring on any other television news show. It wouldn't happen on The Ed Show (although I'm willing to bet that Rachel Maddow would consider it) and it certainly would never happen with either Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly.
As an aside, I would also urge you to watch Bill Moyer's three-and-a-half minute essay on keeping political ads off of public television, which can be found here. As he says in his essay:
The Public Broadcasting Act was signed into law in 1967. It uses the term “noncommercial” 16 times to describe what public television and radio should be. It specifically says, and I quote, “No noncommercial educational broadcasting station may support or oppose any candidate for political office.”
This decision should not be allowed to stand, and I imagine the case will go to the Supreme Court, but I am not hopeful. If you can, please renew your membership in your local PBS station so that they'll have enough money to be able to decline to run any political ads.
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Comments
-R-
I caught Moyers show on in the background with half my mind focused on it and the other half doing other things.
Alterman and Moyers were going after what happened to the liberal spirit. I don't know if I was annoyed with Alterman or just annoyed that he was right about the liberal spirit or its replacement by what he called NEO-liberals!!! Grrrrrrrrr. The NEO-liberal pragmatics make me crazy!!!!
I thought the conversation with Ross and Moyers was VERY civilized. I liked what Douthat said about the conservative Christians who are not hot-air Christian hypocrits but who actually walk the walk in their religion-oriented ways. I didn't expect to listen that hard to that part of the program but Moyers is a good interviewer.
I hope Moyers turns his spotlight on Jill Stein of the Green Party. She is not getting any media attention!
Thank God Moyers is back on the tube!!! I try to catch him on Thursday nights!
I hate what corporate sponsorship has done to the Newshour and Charlie Rose makes me ill now he is so cronied up with the ruling class elites. Bleccccchhhhhh!!!!
best, libby
markinjapan, yes, the real deal. But I fear that he is the last of his kind.
Tom, the subject matter may or may not be terribly important to you - it's more the underlying principle that I think is noteworthy.
Bernadine, yes! I think he has a lot of "groupies"!
libby, I figured you would be a Moyers fan. There are many people that I wish he could get on his show. Douthat did make some really good points, and I agree with your assessment of Moyers' skill as an interview.
greenheron, absolutely. I can't imagine anyone from CNN or Fox or MSNBC watching him and not feeling somewhat ashamed.
Steel Breeze, it is a vast wasteland. Giving serious thought to cancelling my cable subscription. I can watch Moyers online, and there is precious little else that is worth the time to watch at all.
Dicky, you've certainly got me pegged! Yes, Moyers for President!
I'll bet he has some funny stories.
Spumey, I guess you feel like you're telling me something I don't already know about Bill Moyers. In fact, if you'd like to read more about it, you can do so here.
Is this a stain on Bill Moyers' career? It would be hard to argue that it's not. However, I do believe that, in the nearly 50 years that have gone by since he held a political position in the Johnson white house, Bill Moyers the journalist has made up for that chapter.
Truly, he's one of a kind.
Ain't technology grand?
Peace.