Todd Starnes.. A former contributor???

[Jon Estes]

If I remember correctly, Todd Starnes used to post at bl.com.

Regardless, his comments on global warming are spot on.

[William Thornton]

TS has done well with the outrage du jour genre. He is a clever writer who hit the *right* notes.

[KeithE]

[Sandy]

What a great piece of conservative crap. No facts, full of citations of unrelated information, and a sharp, critical tongue that drips with derision for the straw man "liberal" enemy that it creates. Good, "rally the base" article. Todd is good at this sort of thing, which is why it's kind of surprising that he hasn't advanced any further up the Fox News chain. He doesn't sexually harass women, and he keeps his zipper up, which are obvious detriments to promotion at Fox.

Jon, maybe you can help me find those passages in scripture where name calling, derisive criticism and bending facts are laid out as values. According to you, it should be clear.

[Jon Estes]

[KeithE]

[William Thornton]

I don't much read Starnes stuff but old Sandy gives a cheapshot tour de force...

[KeithE]

[Jon Estes]

Climate change is not universally accepted among many in the field of study...



The sky is falling... is the bl.com cry from too many (and even 1 would be too many).

[David Flick]

[KeithE]

[Haruo]

[Sandy]

It's amazing how the mere mention of climate change gets the posts moving quickly. It's really just one more example of political polarization, a required point that must be bought into, not because facts support it, but because it fits with the political agenda of those who want to make everything fit into "liberal" or "conservative" categories. Acceptance of global warming as fact, and the intertia of resources and actions being taken in a positive direction to reduce greenhouse gasses and work toward solutions to prevent further damage, and to resolve what can be fixed has such widespread, global support, that the little, reactionary faction in the US doesn't have the power to stop it. It's really not a "liberal" vs "conservative" issue anyway. Among the science teachers and professors I know who are evangelical Christians, and I know quite a few, I can't think of one that is a global warming denialist, and several of them are actively involved with Christian groups that promote stewardship of the earth as a position derived from a Biblical worldview.

As far as Todd Starnes is concerned, I do remember him making some posts here. I met him, years ago, when we were both participants in a mission project in Cherokee country, in Northeastern Oklahoma, doing rehab work for some low income homeowners. We shared a couple of lunchtime conversations about topics long since forgotten. I think he was working for Baptist Press at the time. I don't really pay much attention to Fox, and the first time I heard him on the radio, with a brief report from somewhere, I looked it up to see if it was the same guy, and it was. Interesting that a guy who no longer works for Southern Baptists, mainly because of poor quality journalism, and a habit of getting the facts wrong, in other words, lying, winds up at Fox, where that kind of propaganda and fact twisting is not only welcome, but affirmed and celebrated.

Now here's one of those places where I might agree with Jon, that the Bible is clear when it comes to lying. But apparently, if the liar is a conservative commentator, and is bashing liberals, it's OK.

A little something on Mr. Starnes.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... ty/405118/

[Jon Estes]

[Sandy]

Conservatives don't do "news." They do commentary on news, slanted their way, and tend to avoid facts. I certainly believe the Bible's teaching about lying is clear. What I might not agree with, when it comes to Jon's perspective, is giving a pass to conservatives who lie. His interpretation of the Bible's clear teaching seems to allow for lying as long as a conservative is doing it. I'd disagree. I'm not on board with any public commentary or journalistic outlet that lies, or obfuscates facts. "Bashing" is an opinion. Most conservatives are enraged and intolerant of anything that doesn't cast their heroes in a positive light, and so, to them, that is "bashing," even though it is really just reporting of facts. On the other hand, they cheer on their "faves" in "journalism"--and I use that term very loosely when referencing conservatives in that field--when they are critical and sharp tongued, and generally don't bother with facts. That's hypocrisy. I do believe the Bible is clear about lying, and it doesn't make any difference to me who is doing it, liberal, conservative, or fundamentalist Baptist.

It is very easy to check facts when watching news or commentary. I've become accustomed to having a tablet out and on when I'm watching news, whether local or cable. Makes it easy to check several sources. You can detect the bias pretty quickly. Being "fair" is also a matter of opinion, but I have yet to watch a news report on one of the "mainstream" networks, or on MSNBC or CNN, where a representative of the opposing position was not invited, and given equal time to state their position. Several of the MSNBC evening commentators never even interrupt, or try to change the direction of the conversation, but generally just let them speak. You never get that on a conservative media outlet.

So you can call this article on Starnes a hit piece, but I see nothing here that isn't factual. You're welcome to point out if anything is. He was dismissed from Baptist Press, in their words, for not substantiating claims he reported as fact. I know it's shocking for some here, but gee, even Baptist Press holds to some journalistic standards.

[JE Pettibone]

Ed: Do they still have the Ledbetters?

[Stephen Fox]

Starnes had an hour gig on weekend Cspan, Booktv.org couple months ago to promote his new book.

Easy google, you can listen and watch the little fundy toad in full display of his political fundamentalism, hate mongering of Hillary

[Jon Estes]

[Stephen Fox]

get my meanin, dontchu Jon Estes. Did you find the interview and watch it online?

[Jon Estes]