We the people must get smart.
Our freedom is under attack.
Islamic radicals? Nope
Al quaeda? Nope
Resurgent Russia? Nope
Wal Mart? Nope
The most significant attack on our freedom comes from within. There are two primary principals. Those who aspire to power at all costs, and those who support them.
Demonize the media. Suggest that the media is the enemy. Respond to criticism in the media, not with substance, but a claim of bias that has absolutely no basis in fact. Manimpulate the media. Refuse to talk to the media except on your terms. Neuter the watchdog.
Suddenly the press, which is as important, perhaps more important than the three branches of government to our freedoms, becomes the enemy of the people. Why? Because we the people are acting so stupidly. We choose to believe this ridiculous ploy. We can't handle the truth. Or at least we don't want to.
The Republicans are the ones. (You'll note I have not tried to present a false fairness by suggesting that this is a problem of both parties right now. It is not.) It is a Karl Rove signature tactic. Apparently it doesn't get old. Sadly, because it works.
When John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate, the media responded with surprise. They reported as much of the truth as they had ready, and generally presented it with a courteously positive spin. The New York Times, supposedly a liberal bastion, introduced Palin in a very positive article. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/mccain-vice-president/?ref=politics Other outlets were similarly positive. Ironically the Republican talking heads were more critical. For fun check out conservative analyst Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan when the mike was off http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg
On Labor Day Sarah Palin wisely disclosed her daughter's pregnancy, and talked a little more about her family. She ultimately brought them all to the stage at the RNC. The media reported what she said.
After the media reported what Sarah Palin chose to say and disclose , the Republican propaganda machine cranked up. On every show the Repub talking heads had the message to attack the media for reporting these personal things about poor Sarah Barracuda Palin. As far as I can tell in checking the mainstream media, the media reported what Palin said for a reasonable news cycle, two or three days, and then quit. It was briefly brought to our attention again through Palin's own desires at the RNC, at which she talked openly about her family, who were with her on stage. Again, the family was news for a couple days of sound-bites from Palin, ususally accompanied by a side bar of how typical the Palin family was. But Palin's family facts were brought up far more often by Republicans than by the media, or even the Democrats.
Now it continues. Sarah Palin makes statements to huge crowds while campaigning. She will not generally talk to the press. So, the media examines the only statements they get from her. Some significant statements are not true. The media reports the truth. The media seems to be acting very conservatively, careful to stay away from anything that cannot be proven, certainly staying away from rumours of the blogosphere.
How dare the media do that? How dare they actually attempt to investigate and report on a person who may become the president of the United States within the next four years.? How sexist can they get? Treating a female candidate as they would a male candidate?
I know it's hard. I complain about the media. (See the last blog) But the media is not our enemy. The free press is a source of the citizen's power, as much as the ballot. S0 we better not join in that chorus. If we lose the power of the independent press, we lose our country. We can encourage the media. We should hold them to task. All our voices need to be heard, whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent. Letters to Editors and emails make it easier than ever to keep the press aware of what we think. And make no mistake, the media cares what we think. A little too much for my taste. But they do.
So don't join in lockstep. Do not encourage the propaganda machine. Listen for the truth.
Treasure the growl of the watchdog, anatomically intact.
No comments :
Post a Comment