I've noticed a disturbing trend in the media that has finally reached the point, that silence is no longer an option for me. What has happened to "Responsible Journalism"? Where have all of the people gone that look at an issue through the prism of an objective view? Are they a thing of the past?
If you will bear with me, let's explore this phenomena. I think that collectively "We" can find an equal and proportionate response, to those who would distort the truth, rather than state the facts. Those who would inject their own views into an issue rather just report with tangible facts or "Spin".
Is there an attainable solution? Of course there is. Fellow Kossacks have always been my best crtics. They're not too shy to say I'm Wrong, which I appreciate. With this in mind let's look at this dilema, and hopefully come up with a solution to the problem.
As previously mentioned, there are some Televised News Outlets, that clearly have no concern for the truth, but rather for their own station sponsored agenda. You know who a lot them are already, and really don't need me to name them. This is not a mistake. If you will, allow me to ellaborate.
This morning I watched Heidi Collins on CNN, shortly after President Obama's speech to the United Nations. Immediately follwing the President's speech, Miss Collins started drawing parallels between George Bush's speech to the U.N., and President Obama's speech. Folks I'm sorry but I don't see any similarity between the two. You'll have excuse my case of computer "Dumb Ass", as I don't know how to transfer the video to this forum but it's out there for your review.
Don't all of us remember News Outlets stating Sarah Palin's, or Chuck Grassley's claims of "Death Panels"? With only one news outlet rebutting the false claims.
Here's my situation. I subcribe to DirecTV in my home town. We have a competitor but their service is inadequate to say the least, unless you like looking at those funny digital squares when you get bad reception.
The cable company I have has several "Packages" in their channel line up, that range from 100 to 255 channels. In this line up regardless of package selection, I can choose which movie channel to keep or discard. I can choose which genre of music I wish to keep or discard. I can even choose which sports team I want to follow or discard, but I can't choose which News Channel to keep or discard.
Without fail, every package has a cluster of News Outlets that I get rammed down my throat, whether I want them or not. CNN, FOX, MSNBC along with several others, most which you know. I asked my cable provider if I could remove any of these outlets from my channel line up , but was told "That's not possible".
Now look. I'm a consumer, and I don't choose to consume the sort of rhetoric people like Glenn Beck are putting out there. More over I have kids and grandkids in my home all of the time exposing them to this idiot's absurd remarks and, for the lack of a better term, "Bull Shit".
Yeah sure, I have Parental Controls, but people lets be honest. There are kids out there that can hack a government data base, much less circumvent a parental control. I'm just a guy trying to raise a family with a sense of respect for other people, not mentally bulldozing my way into their heads.
I think it's time the communication monopolies were broke up. Let me choose who I allow into my home. There are in fact some reputable news outlets out there, but with out a doubt there are some that don't even resemble that of a news organization, but rather an outlet for propaganda. FOX is one of them, and if CNN can't get their act together they're next.
I welcome spirited debate in my home. But venomous, vile, distortions of the truth have no place in my home. I would like to see Legislation introduced giving me this right to choose which news outlet to allow into my home.
The Republicans shouldn't have a problem with this if they truely support "Free Markets". Let the news stations stand on their own meritts. If they're credible, they will survive. If their main objective is to distort the truth they won't. I like to think most people are sensible, and I appeal to your common sense on this issue.