Actor Paul Newman throws down the gauntlet, following Fox News' example of suing satirist Al Franken for using the phrase "fair and balanced" in the title of his book.
Newman first announced that he was suing the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for absconding with his movie acronym, "HUD" and, by implication, lending unwanted and unearned morality and wholesome goodness to his fictional character from that film.
Then he writes this:
"A coalition of the willing � i.e., the Bratwurst Asphalt Company and the Ypsilanti Hot Dog and Bean Shop � has been pushed forward and is prepared to label its products "fair and balanced," knowing that Fox News will sue and that its newscasters will be so tied up with subpoenas they will only be able to broadcast from the courtroom, where they will be seen tearing their hair and whining, looking anything but fair and balanced, which would certainly be jolly good sport all around."
Go Paul, go! To the extent he/it isn't already, Bill Reilly and Fox News are about to eat some serious crow.
Although employing a blowhard/jackass might make money in the shortrun, it will cost a lot in long-term reputation, as Fox is about to learn. (Though it has little reputation to waste as things stand . . . . ) Viewers are fickle and ultimately respect credibility. Witness Walter Cronkite. Buh-bye, Bill Reilly. Buh-bye, Fox "News."