Cenk Uygur challenged the control of government by the establishment: i.e., by the large, multinational corporations and their principals. Because Cenk Uygur attacked the establishment, he was ostracized from the mainstream media. It is important to bring back Cenk Uygur to MSNBC TV so that MSNBC TV has at least one free voice speaking the truth to the American public.
The Reverend Al Sharpton has replaced Cenk Uygur at 6 PM EST on MSNBC TV. In comparison to Cenk, Al Sharpton is a disappointment as a political analyst. For starters, he declared in a recent Leslie Stahl interview on 60 Minutes that he would never criticize President Barack Obama because he is black. Is that not a rascist remark? Is it not ironic, if not hypocritical, for a civil rights leader to utter such a statement? Is this the appropriate posture for a political commentator? Is it objective to side with a politician strictly on the basis of race? Should not the purpose of a political news show be truth telling and challenging the government?
Secondly, in my opinion, the Reverend Al Sharpton is not an eloquent speaker. At times his syntax seems discombobulated and his enunciation incomprehensible, leaving me with the impression that he may not have command of the English language. Often I wonder if I am listening to a bible-thumping minister rather than a journalist. I do not believe that Professor Higgins would have any difficulty identifying his geographical origins from his speech.
Lastly, Al Sharpton, though perhaps street-wise, does not impress me as having the appropriate contextual legal and economic knowledge to adequately challenge his astute, polished, well-scripted and rehearsed political guests on the show. Recall that Cenk Uygur holds a law degree from Columbia and a business degree from Wharton; consequently, he possesses the requisite understanding to delve into the intricacies of law and government involving the economy and taxation, the bread and butter issues of working and middle class Americans.
Al Sharpton, on the other hand, dropped out of Brooklyn College. Although he possesses a solid background in civil rights issues, given what I have heard over the past couple of weeks on MSNBC TV, I do not believe that he has the required detailed understanding of law and economics and taxation to address his guests in as successfully a challenging manner as Cenk, who scored many hits in exposing the weaknesses and fallacies of the arguments of his guests. In my opinion, Cenk cross-examined his political pundits with the skill of a prosecuting attorney. Al, on the other hand, sort of pounds his guests with the fervor of an evangelist in a preachy fire-and-brimstone, huff-and-puff manner, at times appearing not to truly listen in detail to the statements and responses of his guests, and consequently, failing to respond in point-by-point fashion to them in order to expose their weaknesses.
For all of the above reasons and others (I also liked Cenk’s playful manner and sense of humor), I want Cenk Uygur back at 6 PM EST on MSNBC TV. I can no longer endure watching and listening to the Reverend Al Sharpton on MSNBC TV at the 6 PM news hour. If you feel similarly, please join with me in informing Phil Griffin and MSNBC TV that unless they bring back Cenk Uygur on the 6 PM show, or on an equivalent evening hourly program, and own up to having exerted pressure on Cenk and other program hosts not to challenge the powers of the “establishment”, that you intend to boycott the network, too.
Bring back Cenk Uygar’s show.
Amen.
Thank you.
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I could not have said it better myself! Al does not have the political knowledge to hang with some of the distinguished guests he interviews.
Thank you, Todd. Please sign the petition, if you haven’t yet, to let MSNBC know, since Phil Griffin appears clueless.
Yes, by all means bring back Cenk!
Please, please bring back Cenk. If Pres. Obama is to be re-elected, he needs to be pushed to support Democratic policies and not the Republican policies. He needs to stand for something and not capitulate to Republican pressure. Cenk urged the president to do that. Just agreeing with him does not help him do the right thing for the country. We need Cenk’s voice. Bring him back soon. Can’t stand listening to Al Sharpton.
Imagine Phil Griffin replacing Cenk Uygur with Al Sharpton?! And Phil Griffin makes millions of dollars every year while millions of Americans cannot find a job at minimum wage!
It just goes to show you that ANYONE can be president, doesn’t it?
But why didn’t you sign the petition to bring back Cenk?!
Rev. Al is passionate in his beliefs that’s for sure. Cenk is also passionate and many others on MSNBC. But the difference I see between the two is Cenk can talk and Rev. Al bumbles and stumbles to get his words out.
MSNBC refuses to take a one of Chris Matthews shows time even though most days it’s just a repeat. There would be room for both Rev. Al and Cenk if Chris would loose his 5PM show. I’m 48 years old and only Rachel is younger than me from 5-11PM. MSNBC needs to wake up!
Al Sharpton doesn’t deserve a one-hour show. There are just too many individuals much more eloquent and intelligent than him.
I agree Chris Matthews’ show should only occupy one hour of prime time.
You should be President of MSNBC instead of Phil Griffin. Thank you for your idea.
Cenk Uygur added a much needed younger and progressive voice. In my opinion, Al Sharpton’s agenda is largely along race. We need someone who would fault politicians whether they are white, black, yellow, brown, or blue.
The Barefoot Accountant