Greenwald's Brave New Films Behind Limbaugh Smear?

There must be some deep pockets somewhere in all this liberal mess. Video and audio at the Mark Levin fan site go into the details behind what appears to be one significant aspect of a Progressive effort to spread the false quotes that have been attributed to Rush Limbaugh.

It points out a video made by Hollywood's Robert Greenwald and his political video effort Brave New Films. Wiki on Greenwald here.

It's claimed that the video was dated October 13, attributing the quotes to Jack Huberman's 101 People Who Are Really Screwing Up America published by alternative publisher Nation Books.

Commercial culture's relentless focus on celebrity and entertainment has put serious publishing into partial eclipse. Nation Books is dedicated to continuing the long tradition of progressive, critical thought in America and is one of the most provocative and exciting imprints in independent publishing.

Founded in 2000, the mission of Nation Books is to publish arresting titles on the social and cultural forces that shape our lives today. Nation Books publishes new, nonfiction works on politics and current events, human rights, feminism, race, gay and lesbian issues, history, art and culture, popular science and the environment.

Nation Books has published an eclectic range of writers that include Gore Vidal, Walter Mosley, Ann Louise Bardach, Norman Mailer, Jeremy Scahill, Kristal Brent Zook, Nick Schou, and Gabriel Thompson.

Nation Books is a project of The Nation Institute and a co-publishing venture with Perseus Books.

Hamilton Fish, Publisher
John Sherer, Publisher
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The Nation Institute: Founded in 1966, The Nation Institute has a fundamental commitment to the values of free speech and open discourse. The Institute places particular importance on strengthening the independent press in the face of America's increasingly corporate-controlled flow of information, and through its programs the Institute promotes progressive values on a variety of media platforms. The Institute sponsors conferences, investigative research, seminars, televised town-hall meetings, original web content, book publishing, film production, fellowships, internships, and awards for truth-telling and social activism.

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Hamilton Fish
President

Ellen Chesler
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Victor Navasky
Tim Robbins
Howard Shapiro
Domna Stanton
Catharine Stimpson
Rose Styron
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Davis Weinstock

Here's a read by Eugene Volokh at HuffPo on the Nation Institute:

Fellow of The Nation Institute Calls for Suppression of Speech by "the Radical Christian Right"

From American Fascists by Chris Hedges, Senior Fellow at The Nation Institute, former reporter for the New York Times and NPR, and (paragraph break added):

This is the awful paradox of tolerance. There arise moments when those who would destroy the tolerance that makes an open society possible should no longer be tolerated. They must be held accountable by institutions that maintain the free exchange of ideas and liberty.

The radical Christian Right must be forced to include other points of view to counter their hate talk in their own broadcasts, watched by tens of millions of Americans. They must be denied the right to demonize whole segments of American society, saying they are manipulated by Satan and worthy only of conversion or eradication. They must be made to treat their opponents with respect and acknowledge the right of a fair hearing even as they exercise their own freedom to disagree with their opponents.

Comments

[unseen]

There arise moments when those who would destroy the tolerance that makes an open society possible should no longer be tolerated

And who decides? ALL SPEECH SHOULD BE PROTECTED. From the vilest, to the most hate filled, to the purest. You need the enite range to understand good from bad.

that is why there is a 1st amendment.

[Southen Values]

I agree. Some opinions are better grounded in empirical facts than others, but as opinions go, they all have relevancy.

The problem arises when opinions are based on complete nonsense ( e.g death panels ), presented by self-serving interests and accepted as gospel because it aligns with one’s world view.

[irongrampa]

"Must be forced"--that's just too cute for words. Unfortunately all too typical. Another example of freedom of speech for me, but not for thee.

*spit*

[Sissy Willis]

FYI, more about Greenwald's roots and mindset -- silencing dissent in the name of "tolerance" -- in my own post of July '04, "True Patriots" MoveOn:

http://sisu.typepad.com/sisu/2004/07/tim_blair_just_.html

Classic paranoia from the website of Greenwald's "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's war on journalism" at the time:

"This film provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public's right to know."

[seekeronos]

"--- The radical Christian Right must be forced to include other points of view to counter their hate talk in their own broadcasts, watched by tens of millions of Americans. They must be denied the right to demonize whole segments of American society, saying they are manipulated by Satan and worthy only of conversion or eradication. They must be made to treat their opponents with respect and acknowledge the right of a fair hearing even as they exercise their own freedom to disagree with their opponents. ---"

I suppose this guy would be happy to see a few hundred thousand Fundamentalist Christians shipped off to death camps as well.

But he's got us all wrong:

1) *Everyone* is, or has been, under the influence of Satan at some point in their lives, not just "segments of society". You are either adopted children of God by the redemption of Jesus Christ's atoning blood sacrifice, or you are the children of the devil (John 8:44)

2) Nobody is "worthy" of anything except eternal death and punishment in the fires of Hell. HOWEVER, we have a (undeserved) "worth" in that Jesus died for our sins because of his eternal and infinite love for the souls of sinners. Therefore, we'd really like to see everyone saved (converted), although the Bible also tells us that not everybody will heed the Gospel of their salvation:

"----- Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. -----" (Matthew 7:13-14, KJV)

3) The Christian is commanded to love his enemy; but he is not commanded to respect their sinful lifestyle being imposed upon them or submit to them. By the same token, we are not commanded to "eradicate" anyone, but rather to witness and preach the Gospel to them. (Matthew 28:16-20)

The power to judge and to kill the body AND the soul belong only to the Lord.

[syn]

Even though the Dalia Lama and Mohammad say exactly the same thing about h*&os*&ual, never will be seen Tom Hanks or Ron Howard out in front of a Mosque or a Buddhist monastery yelling, screaming and condemning either religious entities as EXTREMIST.

The only reason why Christians 'on the right' are constantly attacked is because Political Correctness forbids attacks on feminists, colorists, gayists, classist and environmentalist as well as Buddhists, Jews and Islamists.

Speech codes, hate crime laws, sensitivity training courses are all indicators of living in a Totalitarian State.

I never thought Big Brother tyranny would come in the form of a Liberal, but the tyrants are here and thy name is Liberal.

[WestWright]

Syn, IMO most Big Brother tyranny comes in the form of a Leftist and other intolerant collectives.

[Southen Values]

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

[Terrye]

Southern Values:

What do you mean by "your Christians?" Some of the most narrow minded, provincial, intolerant, hypocritical, racist, bigoted and anti Semitic people I have ever encountered are on the left. They like to make fun of people for their religion and even where they were born. Regional snobbery and elitism on the part of people like yourself is far worse than some radio talk show host like Rush Limbaugh. At least he does not pretend to be anything he is not.

[Rob Crawford]

"The problem arises when opinions are based on complete nonsense ( e.g death panels )..."

*snort*

Obama himself has called for panels of "experts" determining who gets treatment and who doesn't. You may not care for the term, but it's an apt description.

[Southen Values]

Terrye

The quote is from Gandhi and I believe presents the argument that Christians should be more like Christ. Notwithstanding your charitable opinions of people on the left, the quote stands on its own merit. Moreover, your response clearly supports the premise of Gandhi’s point.

[Lala]

Yes, (death panels) shut Robert Reich up now.

[WPE]

"Obama himself has called for panels of "experts" determining who gets treatment and who doesn't. You may not care for the term, but it's an apt description."

No, it's not.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- Regional snobbery and elitism on the part of people like yourself is far worse than some radio talk show host like Rush Limbaugh. At least he does not pretend to be anything he is not. --"

Hahahaha. Yeah, the guy who practically coined the phrase "San Fransisco Values", "Drive By Media", and "Limousine Liberal" is nothing if not devoid of regional snobbery and elitism.

I also love the blank wanking against "the left", like it's a crowd of people on the opposite side of the room.

Perhaps this is why Republicans can't win elections. The party hasn't tried to run against an actual ideology or politician in years. All Boehner, McConnell, and Steele can do is tilt at windmills and blast away strawmen.

It's very hard to win a debate on health care when the only policy you can bring yourself to oppose is made up from whole cloth.

[Neo]

They aren't "death panels" .. they are "medical contingency operations"

[Lala]

Those suffering from dementia will be sent to hospice since dementia is incurable.

[LampofDiogenes]

Posted by: WPE | Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 03:38 PM

So, WPE, are you calling Robert Reich a liar? The "triage" panels in Oregon for Oregoncare don't exist?

Look, it would be a lot easier to have these discussions if people were prepared to be honest.

[Thom]

WPE, I look for you to be honest. Tell me how, in Britian, everyone gets the healthcare they need.

Also, how is putting a tax on heathcare and health benefits is going to make it more affordable? Honestly? It is not about caring, it is about power and greed. It is hard to believe BO cares for anyone other than himself when he can live in a mansion while his aunt lived in public housing. It is a truer test of a man to judge him by his actions than his cheap talk. Sorry, Americans have been punk'd.