I have been so disappointed with the fact that the debate on health care reform has not been on policy, but trying to correct the organized misinformation. It takes a huge effort just to agree on (almost) self evident facts. Why does media report on "Death Panels" when it should not even pick up the story? If they indeed think it's worthy to report, it should be that Palin is so misinformed or bent on muddying the waters she is stating, incorrectly, there are "Death Panels" and role their eyes when saying it! This is not a valid concern from one side, it's twisted garbage. Yet most media gave it credence by having some conservative "expert" interpreting that, yes, it could lead to killing old people. They get to scare even though It's completely without foundation. The gullible viewers are made to think there could be "Death Panels." Not only does the left have to fight the disingenuous Right but a lazy and biased media helps the process.
Today, using much the same technique, I watched John King on CNN give substance to the idea that taxpayer dollars could be spent on abortions. He asks Mary Landrieu if she, "would favor a bill that includes taxpayer funded abortions." The very question makes viewers think taxpayer funded abortion could be in the bill, inferring it's on the table and being debated. IT IS NOT. The question reminds me of the one asked of the innocent man, "So when did you stop beating your wife."
Everyone, including Democrats realize including such a thing would be the death of any reform bill, EVERYONE recognizes it would never see the light of day. True, Republicans who want to kill the bill are floating the idea it could include taxpayer funded abortions to scare their base into getting all riled up about it. Just like Death Panels. The law that currently prevents taxpayer funded abortion will apply to any healthcare reform. Hey John King, if you take the bait so easily, ask your guests if they are in favor of health care reform if it reduces costs by pulling the plug on old people? Yes John, since that is EXACTLY what they are proposing (Snark). John King is such a lousy journalist that either one side can play him like a putz or he is showing his bias to play along with this stuff. In either case he should be on FOX, not CNN, where being a putz and biased are rewarded. Or maybe CNN wants to become a clone of FOX. For the ratings. I know John King likes to try to give the aura of unbiased journalist, but to intelligent viewers it's obvious he is not.
What are todays schools of journalism teaching? It seems many journalists don't know what their profession is all about. When they pick up on Death Panel or taxpayer abortion stories, it's not their job to put up one person that says there WILL be panels/abortions and another person that says there WILL NOT be panels/abortions and call it a day. No, it's your job to take the statement, look into it, investigate it and then come out with a report. In these cases it would have been to state there is no reason to believe anything remotely like Death Panels or taxpayer funded abortions will take place. Period. John, Republicans stating that on your show, should be met by you saying, "I investigated that, it's just not true. DO YOUR JOB!