CNN bias on website

[spanone]

www.cnn.com check out under Top Stories.

"Bush Barnstorms Midwest / Kerry in Wisconson" This kind of (not so) subtle shit pisses me off.

[omnithrope]

1. You're unhappy about "barnstorm"? Uh... what?

Why? It's not a loaded word... It just means a series of small campaign stops. (midwest vs one state). My assumption is that Bush is visiting several states while Kerry is just in WI today.

This isn't "bias", but rather, proper use of the language.

[bullimiami]

3. no its the other word....bush...

eeek it grates on the soul.

[kwolf68]

5. You can't see the bias?

Come on.

Bush Barnstorms xxx

as compared to

Kerry in xxx


Kerry "in" a state is accurate journalism. Kerry is, in fact, in this state.

However, Bush "barnstorms" projects an image...it doesn't merely convey a fact.

[omnithrope]

10. Barnstorm is a judgement-neutral word.

What if they had said "bush visits multiple venues/kerry campaign in WI"? Would you have been mad?

Same thing.

I guess I assume the American people are mostly literate, but I probably give them too much credit. (NO, this statement is not a slam on the people in this thread!!! Just telling you my assumptions.)

[tom_paine]

13. Bullshit. Barnstorm has a very positive rating

Very positive connotations.

In fact, "barnstorm" is a common favorite for writers slanting in favor of Busheviks.

Naturally, you will be VERY hard-pressed to find a news article which describes Kerry or any other Democrat as "barnstorming".

Democrats "program" "or "scheme" or "land" on a place.

Bullshit. I call bullshit on you.

[omnithrope]

14. I'll start using my own definitions for words now, too.

Hey!

President Bush was so REFERIGERATOR today!
Kerry looked a little KNITTING NEEDLES.


"Referigerator"?! How can I be so biased!

[spanone]

15. cute

[tom_paine]

16. Well, that is as nonsensical as a Bushevik

Who is speaking of denifitons, O'Reichley?

I am speaking of Newt's Contrasting Words and the entire multi-billion dollar field of study devoted to psycholinguistics.

http://www.fair.org/extra/9502/language-control.html

http://www.wealth4freedom.com/truth/8/words.htm

http://www.africa2000.com/PNDX/sscience.htm

I'll be you are the laff riot of your Totalitarian Cell, eh Rush?

[omnithrope]

18. If you'd like to have a philosophical/linguistic/english argument...

We can take this offline. I'd be happy to.

[tom_paine]

20. What's that supposed to mean?

[MsTryska]

22. God. Why is it whenever people don't goose-step

the "party line" around here, all of sudden people get hostile and irrational and start calling them traitors and busheviks, and rush limbaugh?



do you not realize this is the exact same thing we accuse freepers of doing on a regular basis?



we're supposed to be the tolerant liberals ones. we're supposed to be the people understanding that not everyone holds the same opinion as us, and that's OK. wtf?

we're not fuckin' fascists. let's stop acting as if we are. please. all it does is shut down any sort of rational conversations.

[tom_paine]

24. Because the barbarians ALWAYS use the hesistantion and thoughtfulness of

civilized people to destroy us while we are examining our navels.

"Is it right? Am I doing the right thing? Is it ethical? Is it..."

(Bushevik immediately stabs knife into the belly without a second thought, nor conscience nor remorse)

Well, you know what..No more Mr. Nice Guy! No more of the soft underbelly of liberalism that Nazis have been crushing us with for CENTURIES.

You know what? I am NOT tolerant of Totalitarians or Totalitarianism, especially when it begins to actively do waht it did in the 1930s!

Actually, when they aren't trying to take over my country, as was largely the case in post WWII America, I AM tolerant of Totalitarian Scum. They have the right to believe whatever they want, even if it belongs to the same family of thought as Nazis, Soviets, and the followers of Papa Doc & Ferdinand Marcos.

But this is not such a time, and they are COMING. When their takeover is complete, only then will we see how truly evil they are.

[MsTryska]

28. But the inherent flaw in being ever-watchful.....

is that sometimes it causes paranoia.


when one gets to the point that oyu lash otu at anyone that disagrees with you, you've become no better than any other fascist.


it's great to be on your toes, but exercise judgement.


i mean i got read down one side and up the other, earlier today for trying to give JK a way out of this cheney mess. it wasn't a popular idea with some, but i really don't think that makes me some sort of bush supporter, which is what i was called.

i jsut find that to be more self-defeating on our part than anythign else.

yes these right-wingers are fascists - but you know what? they don't eat their own. and that's soemthign we're real quick to do around here. and i find it disappointing.

if we're gonna goose-step let's at least do it right, ferchrissakes.

[omnithrope]

29. Honestly...

If this person is indicative of the kind of Kerry supporters you get around here, perhaps I'm in the wrong place.

Thanks for the thoughtful words, Ms. Tryska. I agree. Discussion should be a centerpiece to the Kerry movement.

[misterphelps]

39. bingo

you nailed that exactly

[MsTryska]

40. thanks! nt

nt

[omnithrope]

25. What's with the personal attack?

I was serious. I love a good debate.
Why question my politics.

I'm here.
I volunteer for kerry.
I try to educate my friends.

What's your problem?
Why is a healthy debate "Bushevik"?

You're just a fanatic, and that's just sad.

[tom_paine]

30. I was wondering by what you meant by "offline"

sounded like a personal threat to me, as I said, a "calling out".

If you are who you say you are, then I apologize.

If not, well just imagine the stream of cussing...

[omnithrope]

33. Ever hear of email? I was serious... I love a good debate.

What do you mean "if you are who you say you are."

What? Do you think I'm a freeper or something? I'd be happy to give you my blog address if you want to see what a fan of Bush* I am.

I'm sorry, I just hate to see people ... well... butcher language like that in the name of politics.

[tom_paine]

37. Check the links I supplied above on Contrasting Words

Psycholinguistics is a very real marketing tools and has been for decades.

Barnstorming is an American tradition with VERY positive connotations.

I guess I just don't see the butchering of language in asserting that fact.

[MsTryska]

34. Unfortunately it's been rampant around here lately.

Many people are so vigilant about freepers that it's gotten to the point where if anyone seems like they are being even remotely off-message, they get torn a new one....

take a look at what happened to me this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...


imo - this is self-defeating behavior and makes us just like them.


either way welcome to DU!

[omnithrope]

36. Teehee

Thanks for the kind welcome! =)

People have to understand that debate is constructive... and it sounds like you do.

[MsTryska]

38. Your welcome....

and yes, i do love a good debate. and I'ms ure there are others here who do too. it's just a matter of cutting through the signal-to-noise ratio sometimes. and taking the bad with the good.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spanone]

6. Bullshit.....Yes I'm unhappy with barnstorm.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spanone]

41. Bush is visiting Two states. Kerry is visiting One.

Bush is visiting several cities. Kerry is visiting several cities. Does two states constitute a barnstorm over several cities?? I think one would FAIRLY describe them BOTH as barnstorming. Or maybe it has to be state to state? Nothing in the dictionary to describe it.

[Mabus]

2. and that's surprising? How?

It's no better than the "Will X hurt Kerry and how will it help Bush?" crap they've been spewing for a while.

I think they have toned down just a bit (albeit not enough to make a difference) since the debates started and Bushie looked so bad.

Would it be rude for all of us to send bags of pretzels to WH?

[henslee]

4. CNNtv no better. Right now its nonstops "our soldiers love" bush memes.

Judy "Need some" Wooddruff" is in top form. Guests are spewing facts from polls. It don't stop.

[oasis]

8. The military favors Bush over Kerry by 4 to 1. Amputees love Chimpy

decorated heroes adore their commander in chief etc.:puke:

[omnithrope]

7. Just so you guys know - definition of "barnstorm".

I think you're reading too much into this.

2 : to travel from place to place making brief stops (as in a political campaign or a promotional tour)

[spanone]

9. I'm not interested in the literal meaning.

[omnithrope]

11. That's silly to say.

Just because a word "sounds" important, it doesn't make it important. That's just silly.

You find me a non-literal definition of "barnstorm" that projects a positive image, and I'll see your point, perhaps.

[spanone]

12. So you'd be happy if it read:

Bush* travels through rural districts staging theatrical performances/ Kerry in Wisconson. Or maybe Bush* pilots one's aiplane in sightseeing flights with passengers or in exhibition stunts in an unscheduled itinerant course esp. in rural districts / Kerry in Wisconson? These are also literal translations. Then Webster says 'to travel across while barnstorming'. That's the definition I would use.

[omnithrope]

17. Wrong again.

I like how you even picked the wrong definition of Barnstorm.
I bet that "to travel from place to place making brief stops (as in a political campaign or a promotional tour)" is probably the closer definition.

So, if they were to say "Bush travel from place to place making brief stops/Kerry stayed in Wisconsin", no, that wouldn't bother me.

But, once again, guess I'm using my English skills, and not unlogical rhetoric. Next time I'll make sure to toe the party line.

[spanone]

21. Hey pal you picked the first definition and if you don't see a bias that's

your choice, don't try to convince me.. Also those are not the WRONG definitions of barnstorming. They are Websters' definitions. You used the first and I used the others. I see a bias, you don't. See, it's easy to disagree.

[omnithrope]

27. *boggle* I used the political definition

We ARE talking about politics, aren't we?

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

26. Rhetoric. Fascinating that you used that word.

Becuase that's what this is all about. "Barnstorming" is being used as a rhetorical device here. The equal word used in the Kerry statement is "in". Boring. Lifeless. But Bush BARNSTORMS the midwest. It's all in the image that the word delivers, not the definition. (Besides, how many Americans can truly look at the word "barnstorming" and remember exactly what it stands for?)

Rhetorically, Bush's statement is more dynamic, more lively. In two simple sentences, CNN has portrayed Bush as an active campaigner who's hitting all the spots, while Kerry merely goes to Wisconsin. And the human mind will notice that, and make the connection. Considering the media's consistent portrayal of Kerry as "boring" and "lifeless", this isn't surprising.

[George W. Dunce]

23. The term evolved after WWI

When pilots came back from WWI they used their new skills to fly all over the country and give death deifying air shows. They would call this Barnstorming. History 101

[omnithrope]

31. Uh...

Yeah, I know that.

How is this germane to either side of the argument?

[George W. Dunce]

43. Well since I replied to the post that

supplied the definition I thought I would clarify. Do I have to check with you first? What is with the attitude around here?

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goodboy]

35. pisses me off too...nt

[Gabi Hayes]

42. do they have a story about Rove and the grand jury?

Leslie did NOT mention it in his headline rundown....first or second was the Cheney/lesbian story