Can I trust the "liberal blogosphere" to give me all the facts ?

[steve2470]

Serious question here, NOT flame bait. I pride myself on having a bit of judicial temperament, in that I want all the relevant facts on an issue before I finally make up my mind. Therefore, I feel very wishy-washy for a long time. Anyway, I do not read the "conservative blogosphere" because my perception is that 1)they lie; 2)they do not tell the entire story; 3)they're propaganda organs of the Bushco administration; and 4)their social darwinist bent alienates me. Should I bother to read the conservative blogosphere, or is it truly a waste of time because here at DU and other like-minded sites, that I can get all the facts I need ? Thanks in advance for your time.

[annabanana]

1. On this board we are RABID for links

to original documents. No one in their right minds believes EVERYTHING they hear online. We expect our members to hunt and dig and wonder; posit and postulate. There is a genuine discussion here, and a desire for the truth. Without the truth there can be no America.

Many of our members are disillusioned Republicans who have spotted such glaring irregularities in what passes for "mainstream media" that they've gone searching.

We agree here (liberal, conservative, libertarian, Tom, Dick and Harry) That the decisions on the future of this Country are best left up to an educated electorate and we are attempting to educate ourselves. There is very little hard information available to us on TV.... (just watch any newscast and see for yourself if the old "what, when, who, where and why" have been answered).

Welcome to DU
:toast:
Happy Hunting

[steve2470]

3. Thanks Ms. Annabanana for your time

:-)

[lala_rawraw]

2. You should seek facts everywhere

Using reason to distinguish between what seems likely and what seems simply like spin. There are conservative outlets I respect, like Judicial Watch for example. So it is not like "they all lie". It is simply that the majority of them are either the one's who lie or the one's being lied to, producing the worst results. But there are conservative voices that are honest, a few, but they are there.

[comradebillyboy]

4. no

you need to look at all relevant views and supporting facts. you will never get the complete picture from any partisan source.

[SnowGoose]

5. Speaking as someone brought up to believe a 6000 year old earth

My inclination is to seek out facts for the contrary opinion, because "my side" doesn't always have a monopoly on the truth. I agree with you, however, that there are those with an intent to mislead - even if they're offering 'true' facts. It's tough, but that 'grain of salt' is useful all around. For instance, I'm a vegetarian (mostly for ethical reasons). I do think it can be a healthy way to live, but some of the blatant *crap* I hear some vegetarians/vegans spewing about consuming animal products is just wrong, even though I'd be considered in the same group by most others.

I'd also suggest that beyond facts, the opinions and reasoning of those who disagree with you is also useful. It seems to me that there are 'world views' and feelings that guide many in their thinking, and it's probably short-sighted to summarily dismiss opinion simply on the basis of its subjective nature.

At least that's my opinion.

[steve2470]

8. great points, thanks ! nt

[gandalf]

6. Depends on the definition of liberal blogosphere, perhaps

My impression is that characterizations like "liberal" are not that helpful. If you follow a certain blog for some time you can evaluate its use for your information needs, without the distinction liberal/bushpropaganda.
Probably not a single source or a small group of sources can fulfill your information needs. What I personally like is an RSS reader that gathers information from several news sources like DU, The Guardian, some blogs (here I recommend http://xymphora.blogspot.com/ , for example). That is an efficient way to check lots of sources.

[brainshrub]

7. The blogosphere reports, the corporate media disseminates.

That's how it works now. The Corporate media has outsourced it's investigative reporting to the blogosphere, it's cheaper to allow The DailyKos to find break news... especially since the blogs don't pull rating away from the giant networks.

This is going to backfire big-time on the CM because the cost of quality production is almost nill these days. It's a matter of years before web-streaming will enable sites like DU or Kos to start live-streaming video and audio.

[donco6]

9. I don't think you can trust anything, but here's what you'll get . . .

in the liberal blogosphere: Links, Links, Links. But even those you have to verify. But at least you'll see the issues raised and some decent backup material. For example, the DSM was mentioned here almost immediately after it was released in Britain. Links directly to the memo, full text.

On the conservative blogosphere, you might see issues raised, but so often the links are to whacko sites that also need to be investigated, ad inifinitum. No one seems to check Snopes before posting. It's a lot more time commitment over there.

[steve2470]

10. kick nt