Review: Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV

I just finished the Kindle version of Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV by Ben Shapiro. If you subscribe to the Sean Hannity / Newt Gingrich school “That the Big Bad Left-Wing Media is Out to Get You” then this book will be right down your alley.

The author seems to see a conspiracy around every corner virtually starting as far back as the beginnings of television. If he's to be believed, the entire reason for the innovation of television was for the indoctrination of the masses with a left wing ideology. Just about every Hollywood writer has a nefarious political agenda, just about every advertiser is a mindless dupe and just about no television executive or owner can be credited with having true capitalist instincts or a genuine market understanding… not even the venerable Rupert Murdoch of Fox Television fame. Worst of all, the author gives viewers little credit in determining what programming appeals to them and suggests that they largely lack the ability to turn the channel or find the off switch.

The author doesn't pretend to have anything but a one-sided view. Anything to the left of his Far Right ideology is considered bad. Every term used to describe the Left is used as a pejorative… liberal, liberalism, leftist, radical, socialist, communist, urban. All terms considered bad. All terms used to describe mainstream television and those who are involved in creating it. The author is so hell-bent on defining mainstream television as bad that he even considers several of his Top 12 Conservative Shows of All Time as being liberal shows.

I read the book because I am an avid television viewer and enjoy the inter-workings and history of TV. In my opinion it could have been of value had the author shown the least bit of objectivity. Unfortunately he leads with his right wing politics which ultimately calls into question the legitimacy and/or accuracy of any of his so-called investigation and interviews, and causes many of his assertions to ring hollow. Additionally, it's hard not to consider how his own experience with, as he describes, ‘discrimination against conservatives’ impacts his entire narrative.

For the record, it seems just as plausible that owners and executives have identified a profitable business model; that writers, producers and actors choose to follow a proven winning strategy; and that advertisers are and have been reaching an audience that meets their needs...especially in light of the multitude of creative outlets and advertising venues available. Or that the author is just pissed because he couldn’t make it in Hollywood. Or even more simply, it seems that the likes of a Rupert Murdoch (nobody’s left-wing yellow belly) would not have led with a liberal staple such as The Simpsons for some 20 years, if not for the capitalist profit motive.

$$Cha-Ching$$ - Friday Plays & Update

$$Cha-Ching$$ - Friday Plays & Update

** UConn -4 vs. Iowa St.

* Boise St. -20 vs. Toledo
my system actually tells me that this ought to be a 3 star play on Toledo, but my gut tells me otherwise PLUS on lines of 20+ over the last five seasons Boise covers 70% of the time (21 of 30 games) while over the same period and same spreads Toledo has lost on every occasion (0 of 4)

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College Football (9/15 - 9/17) Week 3 thru 9/15 - Bankroll +9.1%
NFL Football (9/18 - 9/19)

College
** LSU -3.5 vs. Mississippi St. (winner)
** UConn -4 vs. Iowa St.
* Boise St. -20 vs. Toledo

NFL

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A Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers....

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or golf balls.

The same goes for life.If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.....The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented...

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

$$Cha-Ching$$: Week 3 - Huge SEC Thursday Night Match Up - LSU vs. MSU

$$Cha-Ching$$ - Huge Thursday Night Match-up and we've got a play:

** LSU -3.5 vs. MSU

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College Football (9/15 - 9/17)
NFL Football (9/18 - 9/19) - Bankroll %

College
** LSU -3.5 vs. Mississippi St.

NFL

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$$Cha-Ching$$: Week 2 Updated & Final

Week 2 closed with a Monday Night Football Doubleheader...and 2 more WINS! $$Cha-Ching$$

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College Football (9/8 - 9/10) 8 plays - 6 wins, 2 losses
NFL Football (9/8 - 9/12) 9 plays - 6 wins, 3 losses - Bankroll +22%

College
** Arizona St. -10 vs. Mizzou (loser)
** North Carolina -10 vs. Rutgers (loser)
** Michigan St. -32 vs. Florida Atlantic (winner)
** Georgia Tech -11 vs. Middle Tennessee (winner)
** TCU +1 vs. Air Force (winner)
** Georgia Tech / Middle Tennessee over 56 (winner)
* TCU / Air Force over 49.5 (winner)
* Oklahoma St. -14 vs. Arizona (winner)

NFL
*** Buffalo +5.5 vs. Kansas City (winner)
** Atlanta / Chicago over 40.5 (winner)
** San Diego / Minnesota over 41.5 (loser)
* Green Bay / New Orleans over 47.5 (winner)
* Tennessee +1.5 vs. Jacksonville (loser)
* New York Giants -2.5 vs. Washington (loser)
* Dallas +5.5 vs. New York Jets (winner)
* New England -7 vs. Miami (winner)
* Oakland +3 vs. Denver (winner)

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$$Cha-Ching$$: Monday Night NFL Doubleheader

Week 2 is coming to a close...Monday Night Football Doubleheader...and 2 more plays to $$Cha-Ching$$

* New England -7 vs. Miami

* Oakland +3 vs. Denver

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College Football (9/8 - 9/10) 8 plays - 6 wins, 2 losses
NFL Football (9/8 - 9/11) 7 plays - 4 wins, 3 losses - week 2 thru 9/11 Bankroll +14.4%

College
** Arizona St. -10 vs. Mizzou (loser)
** North Carolina -10 vs. Rutgers (loser)
** Michigan St. -32 vs. Florida Atlantic (winner)
** Georgia Tech -11 vs. Middle Tennessee (winner)
** TCU +1 vs. Air Force (winner)
** Georgia Tech / Middle Tennessee over 56 (winner)
* TCU / Air Force over 49.5 (winner)
* Oklahoma St. -14 vs. Arizona (winner)

NFL
*** Buffalo +5.5 vs. Kansas City (winner)
** Atlanta / Chicago over 40.5 (winner)
** San Diego / Minnesota over 41.5 (loser)
* Green Bay / New Orleans over 47.5 (winner)
* Tennessee +1.5 vs. Jacksonville (loser)
* New York Giants -2.5 vs. Washington (loser)
* Dallas +5.5 vs. New York Jets (winner)

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New Strategy: Betting Discipline + Bankroll Management - Week 1

After years of sticking up a wet finger to see which way the wind was blowing, this year we've employed a new wagering strategy...and so far $$Cha-Ching$$

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College Football (9/1 - 9/5) 13 plays - 6 wins, 6 losses, 1 push - Bankroll +4.7%

*** Idaho -5.5 vs. Bowling Green (loser)
*** New Mexico +6.5 vs. Colorado St. (winner)
*** Boston College -3.5 vs. Northwestern (loser)
*** LSU +3 vs. Oregon (winner)
** Kent St. / Western Kentucky > 48.5 (loser)
** Baylor +4 vs. TCU (winner)
** Miami-OH +20 vs. Mizzou (winner)
** Notre Dame -10.5 vs. South Florida (loser)
* Indiana / Ball St. < 54 (winner)
* Ohio / New Mexico St. < 53.5 (loser)
* West Virgina -21.5 vs. Marshall (push)
* SMU +15 vs. Texas A&M (loser)
* Maryland -4 vs. Miami (winner)

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Countdown to Kick Off

Countdowns

Make The Season More Interesting With A Little Extra Action!!!



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Top 10 Hardest Holes On The PGA Tour from Auctions 4 Golf

Top 10: Hardest Holes On The PGA Tour #1 No. 17 - The Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa #2 No. 18 - TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course #3 No. 11 - Augusta National Golf Club #4 No. 10 - Pebble Beach Golf Links #5 No. 6 - The Champion Course at PGA National Resort And Spa #6 No. 14 - TPC Southwind #7 No. 15 - Colonial Country Club #8 No. 14 - Pebble Beach Golf Links #9 No. 17 - TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course "Island Green" #10 No. 18 - Doral Golf Resort & Spa "Blue Monster"

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Basketball Shoe Buying Tips from Victory Shoe Shop

Basketball Shoe Buying Tips

1. Durability
   
   
   
   1. Whether you're playing on a
      concrete court in a public park, or on the floor of a first class
      gymnasium, your shoes are going to get a work out. Look for quality
      brands and materials that will stand up to all of the up and
      down the court action you're bound to encounter.
      
   
   
2. Stability Support and Cushioning
   
   
   
   1. Of course, your basketball shoes
      are going to need first class stability, so, look for shoes that
      feature mid-foot, heel and ankle support, as well as a quality
      lacing system. You'll also want to consider a lot of padding
      in the shoe for load distribution and added cushioning. After
      all, countless jump shots can cause quite an impact on your feet.
      
   
   
3. Breathability
   
   
   
   1. During a game, you're going
      to sweat. Look for basketball shoes with uppers made of leather,
      nylon, mesh, or other breathable material to remain as cool as
      you can.
      
   
   
4. Style
   
   
   
   1. Half of the fun in buying basketball
      shoes, is in getting a pair that looks great, and makes all your
      buddies jealous.
      
      

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- courtesy About.com