The Media have been an "utter disgrace"- and the people get con'd again

[cthrumatrix]

Allow me to rant for a second. There are soo many issues that are facing this country:
--------------------------------------------------------
* Bush lies and deception (documented and now revealed)

* Medicare Reform Scam on Seniors not discussed

* Social Security and it's future (privitization or not?)

* 43 million americans without health care - #1 cause of bankruptcies

* More women filed bankruptcy than graduating for college last year.

* Largest deificits in US history

* Jobs leaving this country to India/China in record #'s.

and what do we get..."the illusion of democracy" when NO issues above are discussed with American's.


Instead - we get...
-------------------
* whose ahead...10 polls a day?
* Fox (fair and balanced) calling candidates dead before one vote
* CNN playing the Dean yell 600+ times.
* zero substance debates with "gotcha questions"
* and two states with which DO NOT represnt america in it's population driving the media coverage and "winner status"


I raved before about "the media/corporations and the powers that be" calling the shots.


Do you see what I was talking about now?

[mopinko]

1. here, we all do

out there, even if the scream sinks dean, i can tell you it is making people wonder.

[cthrumatrix]

2. the people are not "informed"... and this is by "choice"...not our choice

it's pathetic...

[montanacowboy]

3. You are right on!

I blame the media as much as I blame the administration and the neo cons - they put * into power - they are continuing with his lies and deceptions - what do they think in the end they are going to get out of it? maybe, just maybe, in *'s new world in the next term, they won't need media whores any longer - no need to spread the word - why would they need these fetid mouthpieces any longer? just do business with the corporate heads and can all the plastic talking heads.

[HFishbine]

4. This subject and one good thing I can say about John Edwards

You make an astute, if not obvious, observation. The counter to the problem is in your face at this moment: The Internet. There is no doubt in my mind, and I'm sure few would disagree, that the source for truthful information today is the 'Net.

Yet, only about 50% of the population has regular access to the net and only about 15% use it as their primary source of news and information. If the people cannot get the truth through traditional media, then the new media must must be spread to the people.

Expanding Internet access is something I've heard John Edwards talk about on the stump (although, not much lateley). It's something for which I give him credit.

[cthrumatrix]

16. late am kick

[mhr]

5. Jobless Recovery - Washington Post Editorial

Hi All,

The Washington Post ran a terrible editorial today justifying the jobless recovery. The article and my letter to the editor are found below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50822-2004Jan26.html?nav=hptoc_eo


The Jobless Recovery

Tuesday, January 27, 2004; Page A16

AS THEY AWAIT the results of the New Hampshire primary, Democrats should take a lesson from the nation's central bankers. Out on the campaign trail, the candidates (with the honorable exception of Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut) have been blaming the "jobless recovery" on President Bush, the trade system and the new phenomenon of "offshoring" service jobs to India. In rather less arresting tones, meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has been trying to explain why this blame is exaggerated. As Chairman Alan Greenspan said yesterday, the United States has lost jobs to foreigners before, yet it has always created others. The Fed committee that sets interest rates meets today and tomorrow, and will demonstrate one of the reasons why the new protectionism is misguided.

Snip ......

My letter to the editor.

WP Editors,

The WP editorial from the Tuesday, January 27, 2004 edition titled The jobless Recovery is one of the most insensitive and callous missives printed.

To suggest that a jobless recovery is good mystifies me. To further suggest that the Bush Administration is not culpable is mind boggling.

I have been unemployed for 43 months. I have sent 1,430 resumes out the door. My resume is posted on 105 job boards. I have over networked all known acquaintances. Regrettably, I have not had a serious employment inquiry in two years. Past colleagues are having similar experiences.

Some would claim that one must not have enough education or experience. I must assume that a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering are irrelevant today. An experienced Naval Officer just does not rate any consideration. Honorably discharged veterans are of no consequence. And, experienced commercial pilots are too trivial to mention.

Sadly, the Washington Post editors are truly out of touch with the economy. If a dose of reality is needed, come spend a week with me. After experiencing the umpteenth pot of beans, the Spartan accommodations, the threadbare clothes, the ever diminishing savings account, and repeated job rejections, one just might come to the conclusion that a jobless recovery is not good or justifiable.

Sincerely,
MHR

[cthrumatrix]

7. thank you...corporations at work...protecting the "king" and the corrupt

and we better damn well have a candidate who can "fight like champion" becuase the medai will do nothing but give an "illusion of choice"

[cthrumatrix]

6. I should add ...it will only get worse in the GE. It will be "patriots" vs

the "non-patriots"...people who support soldiers and security vs those that don't.

Simple "BIG" fear-based, religion based, confusing issues.

[Salkin]

9. We're not losing in the media!!

We're doing ok in the media...look at how much coverage we're getting just for these primaries!! The problem with the 'net is there's no check and balance. At least when Rather lies, Brokaw can check him!!

[cthrumatrix]

10. illusion of choice - are they covering issues ...NO

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. I think it's the other way around

Brokaw is a shill for the administration. Rather is a little more honest.

The media is still biased. You can hear the contempt in Bill Schneider's and Candy Crowley's voices when they report from the campaign trail. They are ignoring the issues that the candidates are running on and quoting "polls, polls, polls". It's pretty repetitive.

[trag]

8. Is that what they mean by..

Freedom of press???

[cthrumatrix]

11. freedom to deceive -- like they ignored "wmd experts before the war"

remember poor old Scott Ritter?

remember hans blix?

remember an 11-4 UN vote saying "no"


this is just on one issue........there are plenty.

[pnziii]

12. It's all about the dollar

Republicans
Washington Dems
Cable News
Etc.......

It's all about getting maximum profits off the working class.
It's always been that way and until America wakes up and stops listening to the career politicians we will always get the short end of the stick.

[OKNancy]

13. Prediction

after this race there will be a shelf of books and reams of articles written about the smearing of Wesley Clark.

Like "The Hunting of the President" there will be a post election analysis of how the media (and the Democrats for that matter)were manipulated by the rightwingers....and the RW will be laughing and boastful about it too.

[cthrumatrix]

14. what you may not hear...the surge in voters in Iowa .... who were they

and why....the independents in NH (40-50%) of the population can go either way..

Why in the hell do we give these 2 states to drive the "media endorsed winner"...way to easy to manipulate...and too short to cover any issues of substance.

[TexasSissy]

17. I agree. They've crucified several of the candidates in the media

and have actively tried to kill their campaigns. The media have too much power. Thank God for C-SPAN.