# MSNBC: Do you know the meaning of **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 15, 2000, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346 "2000-11-15T19:30:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/1 "2000-11-15T19:30:46Z")
Has anyone else noticed that MSNBC seems to have permanently installed a banner across the bottom of the broadcast screen reading “BREAKING NEWS” or “BREAKING STORY?” For three days the “Breaking” news was that the presidental race was too close to call. You don’t say?!?! Now, for several days, the “breaking” newstory (hot off the teletype apparently) is that there is a recount in Florida! Bush still leads though. I think the reason I’m so irritated is that for the first 48 hours or so that I actually gave a rat’s ass about this election mess, I would be flipping channels and I’d get taken in by it. I must have fallen for the “BREAKING NEWS!!!” thing a half-dozen times. Slow learner. I probably just answered my own question about why they keep the banner. Now that I’ve wised up, though, am I allowed to mock them? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/2 "2000-11-15T19:39:52Z")
My fav has been CNN “breaking in” on interview with one partisan asshole, to listen to an opposing partisan asshole, both of whom are restating the same shit I’ve been hearing all week! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/3 "2000-11-15T19:41:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Now that I’ve wised up, though, am I allowed to mock them? \*\* Just so long as their lawyers don’t catch on. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/4 "2000-11-15T19:45:05Z")
Oh! My fave is ABCnews using George Steffanopolus as a commentator. He’s still as partisan as the rest, he just has a national network seat to apologise and explain the Clintion admistration from. Oh, and nightline last night… Damn. I’ve never seen so many people go to such great lengths to reassure everyone that old algore still has a chance. I don’t know if they actually want him in office, or are just doing it to keep everyones attention and fake the excitement level. I actually hit mute, or otherwise avoid all election BS now. Thankfully, our local stations have moved it to the second tier stories, right after the first commercial break. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/5 "2000-11-16T00:12:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stuffinb \* > \*\*My fav has been CNN “breaking in” on interview with one partisan asshole, to listen to an opposing partisan asshole, both of whom are restating the same shit I’ve been hearing all week! \*\* Was that the debate between some rabid liberal and Ollie North? ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/6 "2000-11-16T03:53:48Z")
I have been glued to CNN for the past several days. If anything can be considered breaking news, this can. Every two hours or so, there is a major decision or statement of a court or official which changes the status of the whole issue. As far as news items demanding round-the-clock saturation coverage, this Presidential election dispute is probably the only story deserving of this type of coverage in the past 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/7 "2000-11-16T05:04:00Z")
> [@](#): > > this Presidential election dispute is probably the only story deserving of this type of coverage in the past 20 years. Didn’t they say the same thing about the OJ Trial? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/8 "2000-11-16T05:12:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Billdo \* > \*\*I have been glued to CNN for the past several days. If anything can be considered breaking news, this can. > \*\* Well, no. Hence the question “do you know the meaning of…?” Breaking news is - Something is happening RIGHT NOW that we have to tell you about. It’s breaking. Like Gore is right this second conceding. Updating the ungoing process regarding who will be President is important. Very important. But so far nothing has broken. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/9 "2000-11-16T05:15:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by betenoir \* > \*\*But so far nothing has broken. \*\* I’d say a whole hell of a lot is broken. ---
**Author:** ![Eo\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Eo\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eo_Echo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/10 "2000-11-16T05:45:33Z")
Blame Florida. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/11 "2000-11-16T05:50:56Z")
JB, wasn’t that a song from the South Park movie? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-do-you-know-the-meaning-of/41346/12 "2000-11-16T06:14:59Z")
(Sung to the tune of “Blame Canada”) Times have changed Bill’s packing up his stuff It’s gonna be Al or Georgie Pie But two counts isn’t enough Should we blame the Constitution For the dumb Electoral C.? Or should we blame the idiots on TV? No! Blame Florida! Blame Florida! The goddamned voting machines went snap And now we’re shoulder-deep in crap Blame Florida! Blame Florida! For screwing up the whole damned vote, we’re all in the same boat! Don’t blame George for this constitutional scare It’s got more to do with voters with hearing aids and big blue hair And trusty old Al and the Dems want a fair shake But Florida’s screwups just about take the cake Well? Blame Florida! Blame Florida! We don’t know the people’s will And it makes America ill Blame Florida! Blame Florida! Just how hard is it to count votes anyway? The butterfly ballot was a little confusing, it is true You’d almost have to have a room temperature I.Q. Well, George has won it twice, but Al wants a third look And it’s the other 49 states that are goona get rooked! Yes! Blame Florida! Blame Florida! Everywhere else it went fairly well But the old folks blew it to hell Blame Florida! Shame on Florida! For… The West Palm Beach mess The lame partisan-ness The ballot distress And Kathy Harris We must blame their voters, or else you see There won’t be a Prez until 2003!!!