March 13, 2004, Damned Biased Media...
This week's visit to Pravda gives us this discussion of a perceived anti-Russia bias developing in the Western media, in part because of a perceived autocracy being set up by (shoo-in to be reelected at the upcoming Russian national elections) President Vladimir Putin.
Methinks the Pravda piece overstates this: most of the West (certainly the United States, and I suspect most of Europe) no longer cares enough about Russia these days to have a distinctly negative bias. I suppose that in Russia itself, since one is focusing on that coverage, that may be the effect. But I tend to think that (at least until something major happens somewhere involving Russia) . But I'm glad to see that the Russians think that what we think of them is important.
Which takes me over to this piece from Hawspipe lamenting alleged "liberal media bias" against the President. I suppose its only natural to read any negative accounts of one's performance and be offended (see above, re: Russia). What I find troubling is the apparent perception that somehow, if Senator Kerry's handlers manage to create an ethos that attacking HIM is off-limits smearing, that this is a PROBLEM. Essentially-- the complaint is "WE CAN'T NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN" (and presumably, the other side CAN).
Well, last I looked, the First Amendment didn't get repealed (even as the press and protestors are often penned into "First Amendment zones" so that their elected leader can be free of annoying voices of dissent). Bush can negative campaign away... if it sticks, he'll be reelected. If the public RIGHTLY believes that a President who goes all-negative all-the-time is doing so because his own record is INDEFENSIBLE, then he will lose.
Let the fur fly; the joy of free exchanges is... they're FREE! Everyone is entitled to an opinion-- even if I don't agree with it.
Which takes us to this gem sent by the Unseen Editor:
"Bush cost me my job, my kids and my home"
Dear Editor:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak my mind.
I lost my job this past year. When Clinton was president I was prosperous
and secure, but in the past year, we had to close up shop completely.
We simply could not compete with foreign labor. The foreign competition
was willing to work long shifts for low pay under very bad conditions. Many
of these workers even died on the job but still others carried on. Such
competition could hardly be called "fair."
I had worked in the same place for 34 years, and now I am completely without
a job, and I have even lost my pension. And when I lost my job, not a single
government program was there to help me. How can Bush call himself
"compassionate?"
Far worse than my job, I lost two of my sons in Bush's evil war in Iraq.
They gave their
lives for their country, and for what? My pain of losing my sons is
indescribable.
While it is trivial next to the loss of my sons, I regret to say that I also
lost my home.
I simply have nothing left. How can Bush call himself a Christian when he
neglects
people like me? I am a senior citizen with various medical problems. I'm not
in a position
where I can begin a new career. I was reduced to the point where I had to
live out in the
open, like a beggar, all because of President Bush. And when the authorities
found me
there, did they have any compassion for my misfortune and ailments? No, I
was arrested.
Mr. Bush, I dare you to look me in the face and tell me you are a
compassionate man! I
dare you to look me in the face and tell me you are a Christian. If I had
any money left, I
would donate it to the Democrat Party.
As far as I'm concerned, Bush is the worst US President ever. If Al Gore had
been
elected President, I would still have a job, a home, and most importantly,
my dear sons!
Sincerely,
Saddam Hussein
Hey-- its great righty agitprop. CONTEST: Do the same kind of letter, signed by OBL. The winner gets... a prize to be determined later (and undying recognition on this site!)
Comments
Three points:
1) My "lamenting" is not over the First Amendment. Of course Democrats have the right to claim that Republicans are "sliming" them by pointing out their voting record, as silly as that really is;
2) It's about the hypocrisy of claiming that criticism of Democrats' voting record is "smearing" them or impugning their patriotism when they've been flat-out calling Bush a "liar," a "usurper," someone who "stole the 2000 election," "knew about 9/11" beforehand and "betrayed the nation" in Iraq. The 2002 Cleland ads notwithstanding, there's nothing like that coming from the Republican side in this election; and
3) It's also about the media being uncritically accepting of Democratic charges while casting aspersions on nearly everything Bush says or does.
Posted by Lawrence at March 13, 2004 06:11 PM
That's a fair point.
Obviously, I concede my own bias although (calling Bush a "liar," a "usurper," someone who "stole the 2000 election," "knew about 9/11" beforehand and "betrayed the nation" in Iraq) is not what I personally tend to do here (largely because God knows you call me on it whenever I DO!)
I certainly agree that it would smack of more than a bit of hypocrisy while mudslinging toward Bush while feigning untouchability at his mudslinging back.
I will, of course, concede a rooting interest on my part, and I will note that the media, to date, has been incredibly friendly to this President (compare and contrast its treatment of not just Clinton, but George Bush the Elder-- seriously-- the media SAVAGED Papa Bush).
Frankly, even if the media now turns on George Walker Bush with a vengeance with 8 months ago (and it won't; just some outlets here and there may be a little more critical than they had been before), on balance, he will still be the President best treated by the media in my lifetime. So far, for all practical purposes, he got a pass on tax cuts, he got a pass on 9-11, he got a pass on Plame, he got a pass on the rapidly evaporating justification for the Iraq war... if he's called on them now, well... what you gonna do? He's the incumbent: he gets a lot of power to defend himself, if he likes. Andhe's got a coupla hundred million bucks to say whatever he likes to whomever he likes.
Honestly, its up to the media what they do with the criticisms; if Kerry manages to beatify himself and be "above" the accusations the Bush team throws at him, and convinces most of the mainstream media to do the same, all while feeling free to smear away at Bush and his record-- I say-- bully for Kerry! He will have out-Roved Rove!
We're in the early stages of what's going to be the dirtiest campaign any of us will have ever seen; let's all just sit back and enjoy it, shall we?
Posted by the talking dog at March 13, 2004 06:47 PM
Dear W,
It's been difficult these past years, living half a world away from you. I still remember those quiet nights in Texas when you would hold me close and tell me how I was the "Bigger Unit," an Arab Randy Johnson. After all, the "Base" was named for third base, your place of preferred intimacy. You made me so angry when you wouldn't leave your wife. I had to do something to get your attention. But I knew that no matter what I did, you would never try to harm me.
Yours, still, The Big O Man
Posted by OSL at March 13, 2004 06:48 PM
The news media plays an inescapable role in U.S. domestic politics, helping to shape agendas and create (or destroy) politicians.
That being said, to argue there is some overall media slant siding with the Democrats is nearsighted at best.
The media operates on a lassie-faire mentality, trying to fill a 1/2 hour time slot with what the media conceptualizes as the best way to get ratings. They play no favorites.
When the players are Bush and Kerry, public officials, so long as there is no actual malice involved, the spin that the media puts on Bush or Kerry is fair game. (See New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254).
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