Comments on: Good Riddance To The Gingrichites

CBS' Meyer: GOP 'Chess Club' Ruled The House For 12 Years And Won't Be Missed

[ademeyer]

I was shocked and amazed to read the truth about this twelve year reign of Republican weirdos printed on an MSM site. Usually I have to go to the independent bloggers like Eric Alterman to get the straight scoop.

It is disheartening how it took a flood of books written about the fiasco in Iraq before the MSM began to report on dissenting opinions in the military, as just another example of how the mainstream news organizations have morphed into parade followers under corporate rule. I don't watch Katic Couric since CBS put Rush Limbaugh on "the News" and I don't read ABC's The Note since I realized its a right wing screed. I wish the Bosses in the news division realized why people are turning their TVs off in droves, and seeking their news on the 'net. Anyway, thanks Mr. Meyer. Your column keeps me coming back to this site.

[exusmcsgt]

notblue-

Are you able to independently dispute any of Myer's statements? If not, your comments are nothing more than "shoot the messenger".

You obviously feel that blatant corruption (both financial and moral) are qualities we should tolerate in our elected officials, as long as they are Repubs.....

[heresmy2cent]

*** Meyer's commentaries are always well written and thought-provoking. And this article only proves that.

Many thanks to him and to CBS for allowing the public to place their comments on these pages. People should realize that it is a wonderful privilege to be able to do this.

[notblue]

Same old left wing ***. Mr. Meyer has truly risen to the top as the left wings darling. Anyone who believes the politicians on the right are the only corrupt ones on capitol hill need to take a reality pill. The truth isn't easy to see when the left wing press missinforms and journalists like Mr. Meyer search and destroy anything right until a self perceived victory is achieved. I for one am sick of the ongoing extreme partisan rhetoric displayed by both sides while the media has done nothing but polarized and divided our country. Please Mr. Meyer the election is over what can you print that would actually start to unite this country? If your past track record is any indication I would say nothing.

[muprock]

Fantastic, Mr. Meyer. Thanks for your honesty. My question: Why does it take so long for Americans to challenge this insanity? Why do we wait until we are stuck in a military quagmire and many billions of dollars in debt before we say something? Are we simply afraid to go against the grain? While the media is partly to blame, so are individuals. As long as we hold back and don't speak up among our colleagues, family and friends, we are destined to repeat our mistakes and allow corrupt hypocrites (Republican or Democrat) to continue to run our country.

[heresmy2cent]

"Newton" Gingrich is one of the biggest hypocrites that every lived. Hopefully him and his "Contract ON America crowd will be become a distant memory.

And I always wondered why someone would name their kid "Newt."

[pamona9]

I agree with Mr. Meyer about the job of the press. I get extremely tired of people bashing the press. I get the impression that people want their news spoon fed to them and slanted just the way they like it. As if the critics of the press expect them to personally take up the banner of causes, and protest in the streets, or something! The press is the reporting tool. It's up to us, The People to use the information and either act or not upon it. I do have a problem with not getting a well-rounded world view that I can get from foreign sources. However, what's reported to America is controlled by the owners of the media! I'd love to hear Mr. Meyer give me some feedback on this.

[soxperk]

PTL! This is great stuff. Finally, Illinois Republican leaders Hyde and Hastert exposed as partisan frauds trying to amass personal fortunes. I have been writing letters to the editors about these fat-*** hypocrits for years. Hyde, the Champion of the Right and anti-abortion foe had an affair in his 40's and called it a "youthful indiscretion". He also profitted during the S&L scandal and actually sat on the board of Clyde Savings and Loan when it went belly up. Anyone else would have been prosecuted. Hastert, the one-time high school teacher and wrestling coach has become a millionaire land baron and real estate speculator since he became speaker. Coincidence - naw just insider information baby! Then, he allows Foley to stay in office and lacks the character to admit he screwed up. Throw the bums out. Power to the people. Maybe we can elect fewer political hacks and more men and women who actually care.

[soxperk]

PTL! This is great stuff. Finally, Illinois Republican leaders Hyde and Hastert exposed as partisan frauds trying to amass personal fortunes. I have been writing letters to the editors about these fat-*** hypocrits for years. Hyde, the champion of the Right and anti-abortion foe had an affair in his 40's and called it a "youthful indiscretion". He also profitted during the S&L scandal and actually sat on the board of Clyde Savings and Loan when it went belly up. Anyone else would have been prosecuted. Hastert, the one-time high school teacher and wrestling coach has become a millionaire land baron and real estate speculator since he became speaker. Insider information baby! Then, he allows Foley to stay in office and lacks the character to admit he screwed up. Throw the bums out. Power to the people. Maybe we can elect fewer political hacks and more men and women who actually care. P

[oleander8]

Mr. Meyer, I have enjoyed your column for a very long time - but I have to agree with the critics of the media when they ask "where were you?". The fourth estate has totally bought into the Republican propaganda of being liberally biased to the point that they censor themselves and thus short-change the public on reporting the state of the country and the "statesmen" running it.

It's safe now to bash the party no longer in power, but Mr Meyer - Where were you when we needed you?

[godseyesore-2009]

Great to finally see some rational expression in the media. The recent "smackdown" of repugnican policies and politicians was sweet, but the media also needs a smackdown for being such wimps for so long. Where has the high quality journalism been over the past decade?

[theyelladawg]

This answers the question, "Where was the press?" The answer is, "looking the other way" - with the lamest of excuses, "the press didn't call a duck a duck, because that's not something we're supposed to do." Bull! That is PRECISELY what the press is supposed to do! The press enjoys a special status in the U.S. that comes an equal responsibility. The sad truth is that the press has let us down. Where was this generation's Katie Graham and Woodward and Bernstein? The answer is NOT pretty. Katie has been replaced by corporate managers more concerned with quarterly numbers than the First Amendment. And Woodward and Bernstein have been rifed for cheaper cubs who accept the PR flacks' handouts at face value instead of doing the hard work to dig out the REAL story. You can't put this off on a bunch of crazy and corrupt politicians, Mr. Meyer. You WEREN'T doing your job to get the blatant corruption into news leads, and to hammer the rascals instead of playing "politically correct" by repeating the spin instead of exposing the fiction that it was. SHAME on you, Mr. Meyers! Yours should be the next public resignation for aiding and facilitating the fraud and corruption. The damage to the social safety net, the budget, the Bill of Rights, and habeas corpus was done on your watch. "Would have", "could have", "should have" doesn't cut it. Meet your responsibility! Do your job!

[ressigmann]

Before Mr Meyer talks about Foley he should review former Democratic Congressman Stipp. Stipp had a homosexual relationship with a page (far more than a dirty text message) and all he got was a censure and was re-elected several times, it seems certain things are despicable only if Republicans do them.

[MomsHugs]

Hope I don't sound too cynical, Mr. Meyer, but where have you & the rest of the so-called 'liberal' media been for the past 12 years? Iowans elected one of Gingerich's 'boys' - on just those 'family values' - a young guy from a small town with a wife & 3 little kids, one of whom was disabled. Newly minted Rep. Nussle didn't take his family to Washington, had an affair instead & divorced his wife. So much for his 'family values.' However, Iowa's GOP got him re-elected several times... while redistricting, too. You might remember 'Paper Sack' Nussle soon speaking on the House floor about corruption in use of the House Bank (the very same bank Gingrich was using...humm??). This year the GOP put him up for governor this year & FINALLY Iowans wised up. He was soundly beaten & about time!

[mjv2944]

The neocons are gone at last, but I have grave doubts about the dems. I am afraid they don't have the smarts to look and learn from the last election. It appears that it will be business as usual in DC, just under a different banner. Pelosi is *** up by putting Murtha in as #2. I think they should look at some of the newcomers, but then, they haven't learned to play the game. Hope voters will be even more vigilent next time.

[plainthinker]

It's sad that a lot of immoral and corrupt politicians were voted for because they claimed to be "pro-life", and have "family values". These immoral politicians assume a religious facade because it works. I hope these facts are read by our religious leaders, and it makes them realize they should teach religion, not tell their flocks how to vote!!!

[bluestardad]

Mikekleber, we will work to get Mark Souder removed from office in the next election. The Indiana Democratic Party needs serious help. I agree with you that this guy Souder is a serious looser who was a conscious objector during Vietnam and ran on a platform of %u201CLet Freedom Ring%u201D like he had anything to do with securing Freedom for any American.

[bluestardad]

lie, cheat, steel, foley, ted haggert, stay the course.

[mikekleber]

Mr. Meyer, you have written a beatiful piece. Please don't forget Rep. Mark Souder from Indiana who was just re-elected somehow from our area. The only thing he has accomplished for our district was to spend $70,00.00 to have two signs made in order to call a section of highway around our city the "Ronald Reagan Freeway." And, I can't forget, he proposed legislation to have Ronald Reagan's image placed on the dime. What a winner!!!!!!!