I just read Michael Scherer's post on Swampland over at Time. http://www.time-blog.com/...
I've had enough. This is the second time today I have read where a "journalist" or media personality (and that's giving Scarborough a wide berth here) talk about McCain's media availability. It seems they are both in agreement that they don't have to pursue the story, let the story come to them. As Scarborough put it, they'll talk about whatever the McCain campaign wants them to talk about because they are more assertive. Bullshit. Sherer's post is even worse. http://www.time-blog.com/... The fact that our MSM is unwilling to take on the so-called "Straight Talk Express" is exasperating. My question to him is what he is afraid of? Being left out of the steno pool, because it's sure obvious he's only riding around on the plane to take dictation, not to do any real work. If a regular citizen can ask questions of Palin (not that she got a response, but gets an "A" from me for at least trying to do the work of the press)then why can't they? What if every journalist aboard that plane said, wait a minute, we want some answers. Sure, the McCain camp is going to say they'll throw them off the plane, but consider this. If enough of those journalists were willing to stand up for their profession, how would it look if he kicked off most of them (I'm assuming Fox Noise would still be left on)? What a story this would make. Freedom of speech, you don't need no stinkin' freedom of speech. No freedom of the press for you!
Considering the press' complicity in the run up to the war in Iraq, you would think they would have learned their lesson. I realize low information voters (primarily Republican evangelicals) listen to Fox (I should know I work with a bunch of them) and they aren't going to read or listen to any other sources. But there is a large group of people out there who are seeking answers and aren't getting them from the fourth estate.
It's time to take our press back and hold them accountable. So far it seems to be mostly bloggers and a few brave reporters who have taken on this task. It will have to start at the grassroots level because obviously the mainstream press is only interested in sensationalism. I propose writing your local paper and calling the press out. Do it everyday until they finally publish your letter. Let them know you are rejecting shoddy reporting and "steno pool" stories. Tell them you want accountability and real reporting. Let's make them start working for their money and mostly, if possible any more, our respect.