“When co-moderator Brian Williams of NBC noted the 234 executions that took place in Texas on the watch of Gov. Rick Perry, the current frontrunner in the GOP presidential contest, the crowd assembled in the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, roared its approval. Asked if he ever lost sleep worrying that one of those executed might have been innocent, Perry replied, “No, sir. I’ve never struggled with that at all.”
I’ll say this for Rick Perry—At least he invites us to revel in the contempt for life and hope that often defines this country in so many aspects of public policy and daily conduct.
At least he makes no excuses in a culture where leaders of both parties and much of the public turn their backs everyday on the people who need help the most.
At least he tells you what he is all about.
Rick Perry offers Americans a clear choice. People can decide what they want.
An editorial from Friday’s Investor’s Business Daily states that, “ABC crosses the line from journalism to advocacy in turning its coverage of health care over to the White House.” The Drudge Report chimes in my noting that ABC has “ignited an ethical firestorm.” Hot Air ain’t happy either. Really? I think that these folks are missing the point.
Merriam-Webster defines journalism as “an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium.” ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox News, with just a few exceptions, haven’t presented the American people with objective news in over 10 years. If a real journalist showed up to any of those news outlets, they would be quickly shown the door. News outlets in 2009 produce infotainment. In days gone by, we used to get experts who were interviewed by news anchors and they would explain to us why a certain topic was important and put it in context. Those days are long gone. Now we get pundits. Normally, will get one pundit but sometimes, if we’re lucky, there’ll be two. The pundits will look at a particular topic and break it down into the conservative view and the liberal view, as if those were the only two ways to look at whatever the topic is.
Our major news outlets are now owned by major companies. These corporations are all about making profit and billions of dollars are at stake. I’m not sure what the profit is in providing infotainment but it seems to be paying very well.
NBC’s Brian Williams was the first major news anchor to move into the White House. I did not see the special. I wasn’t all that interested. When Charlie Gibson of ABC news begins broadcasting from the White House, I suspect that I will miss this also. Maybe I’m different but I’m not looking for infotainment. I’m looking for solid information. I’m looking for facts. I’m looking for experts to put these facts into context. I’m not going to find this type of thoughtful analysis on any of the major networks. If it happens, it’s by accident. Instead, I, like most Americans, need to quench my thirst for information from somewhere else. Mainstream media is not the oasis in the desert. The mainstream media is the desert.
I’m not sure how to fix this problem. I know that Jon Stewart pointed out this problem many years ago (see the video below). The mainstream media has lost its ability to provide objective information, whether it is the war in Iraq, healthcare reform or the economy. Maybe news organizations should not be owned by major corporations? Maybe they lose their objectivity being housed inside a large money-making factory. I don’t know. All I know is our media needs to do better.
The economic stimulus packagepassed the Senate yesterday by a 61-37 vote, which was no surprise. Lawmakers begin now the difficult task of reconciling the two versions of the bill. Remember that both the House and the Senate will vote on the compromise bill and if it passes both Houses then the bill goes to President Obama.
Progressives and moderates seemed to like President Obama‘s news conference yesterday. Predictably, conservatives — not so much.
Overseas — just to prove that the Bush administration did not corner the market on government scandals, Taiwan’s former first lady has admitted to laundering $2.2 million. To make matters worse, her husband is in jail and her son has already pleaded guilty to corruption charges.
An internal Pakistani memo suggests that five of the 10 gunmen who attacked Mumbai, India three months ago were from Pakistan. Tensions between Pakistan and India remain high.
There is a provision in the economic stimulus package, back here in the United States, that has set aside $1.1 billion for research comparing medical treatments/drugs/devices. The pharmaceutical industry and the medical device industry are not interested in such research projects. They are gearing up to pressure lawmakers to take this provision out of the bill while lawmakers from the House and Senate reconcile the two versions. I think this is a small window into what is going to become a much larger fight as president Barack Obama and the Democrats are planning on health-care reform.
Just when you thought you’ve heard the last of Sarah Palin and Trooper-Gate it appears that the state Attorney General is resigning. Oh, by the way, Governor Palin was invited to speak at that big conservative convention (CPAC). Interestingly, she has declined the offer and will instead send a video.
Yesterday, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithnerrolled out what was supposed to be the administration’s plan to fixing our banking system and take care of toxic debt. Unfortunately, it appears that the plan was not all that detailed. I was somewhat disappointed but, more importantly, Wall Street had a hissy fit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down over 300 points. Remember, is the third major speech that we’ve heard from a Secretary of the Treasury on how they plan to fix our financial crisis. Each time, they have failed to come up with a clear and concise plan. Noble prize-winning economist Paul Krugman was less than impressed. With luck, over the next several days, Secretary Geithner will begin filling in the details.
NBC’s Brian Williams interviews Timothy Geithner. Watch:
