I frequently read and listen to conservative views. My own viewpoints are decidedly liberal, but I find it boring to listen to people that agree with me. How can you effectively argue against the policies of your rivals unless you understand their reasoning and talking points.
Granted, listening to the likes of Limbaugh, Boortz, Savage, Hannity etc. sometimes makes me so angry that I want to smash my radio but, most of the time, I laugh at their fallacious logic and the ignorance of their callers.
Having read and heard complaints about the MSM from both sides, I frequently ask myself, "How can both sides be correct?" Conservatives blast the MSM for it's "liberal bias" while liberals state that journalists frequently "shill for the administration".
Is it possible that both of these assessments are correct when they are diametrically opposed? Or could it be that the MSM is not the monolithic organization that proponents on either side would have us believe? The Christian Science Monitor, New York Times and New York Post are all major newspapers with wildly varying views on political issues. Fox, CNN or Al Jazeera, which one represents the so-called "Main Stream Media"?
I read with amusement this post about Katie Couric and the many rabid comments about her that followed. Well here's a news flash, conservatives hate and denegrate Couric far more than you ever will!
The media in this country is driven by market forces. The endless coverage of Natlie Holloway, Anne Nichole Smith etc. is aired not because there is some grand conspiracy to steer attention away from the truly depressing aspects of our world. These stories recieve coverage because most Americans don't care about politics or the functioning of the government. Less than half of us even bother to vote. Out of those who do, how many are truly informed? How many bother to analyze or seek sources other than the cable news channel or their favorite radio personality?
As much as we like to rail against the media, I believe that it is a reflection of our citizenry. As long as we can buy cheap things from Wal Mart, drive our cars at 80 MPH, and eat all of the cheap fast-food that we can stuff into our obese bellies, why should we worry about politics?
Now give me that remote, American Idol is about to start.
Mr. Vonnegut, your wisdom and insight will be missed. Peace out.
"If flying-saucer creatures or angels or whatever were to come here in a hundred years, say, and find us gone like the dinosaurs, what might be a good message for humanity to leave for them, maybe carved in great big letters on a Grand Canyon wall? Here is this old poop's suggestion: WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE SAVED OURSELVES, BUT WERE TOO DAMNED LAZY TO TRY VERY HARD..."
-- Kurt Vonnegut