Media Felatio

[legion]

Obama is apparently going to announce his running mate at some point today, or tomorrow, or maybe next week. I could car less.

The media is in a feeding frenzy. Turn on any news program on the radio or TV for five minutes. Count the number of times Obama's coming VP announcement is mentioned. Even better, count the percent of that five minutes that is devoted to this "story".

Now, you might be lucky in that five minutes, to hear (in passing) that McCain has apparently picked Romney as a running mate. But chances are, you probably won't hear McCain mentioned in that five minutes.

What irritates me the most is that the media not only decides what stories the public should and should not hear, but how the stories should be viewed. The Chicago Tribune recently replaced its senior editor with Jane Hirt, a lady from the tabloid business:

"Jane brings a keen eye for creative storytelling and a remarkable sense of timing for stories that are top of mind for readers," he said in a statement. "She understands audiences and how to satisfy them, and she will apply this skill now to the Chicago Tribune. Jane will infuse the newsroom with energy and imagination, and open us to a new range of possibilities."

Creative storytelling!? Sense of timing!? Whatever happened to reporting the facts in an unbiased manner? Why should a story be "timed", unless it is to get a desired reaction from the audience?

The media places itself on a pedestal. They believe it is their job to tell us how to think. When they fail in that (as they often do), they resort to "creative storytelling" and "timing" stories to try to manipulate the public. William Randolph Hearst would be proud.

They are clearly trying to push the public into voting for Obama. I've seen stories that use guilt. (You wouldn't want to be racist, would you? If you don't vote for Obama, you may be.) I've seen many stories that paint a picture of Obama as a flawless individual who has a plan for America. Of course, those stories gloss over Obama's many shady associations and the fact that he really hasn't given ANY policy plans, just pretty speeches filled with vague hints.

Why does the press want Obama to win so badly?

Why do they think they have the right to use such dishonest tactics?

[varmint]

i am impressed that he will announce his decision through a mass text message. after all, texting is the medium of choice for 12 year old girls. and that is the mental age of most of his supporters.



i worked on the alternative paper in college. and hung out with a lot of journalism majors. most of them saw it as a vehicle for liberal social activism. "afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted" and all that bullcrap. simply telling the truth was really never even a concept they discussed.

[Superman]

The media you guys find so disgusting is the same media that, in the final months and weeks of their campaigns, CRUCIFIED the liberal candidate. Yeah, the media is building up Obama. He is the fatted calf.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by Superman

The media you guys find so disgusting is the same media that, in the final months and weeks of their campaigns, CRUCIFIED the liberal candidate. Yeah, the media is building up Obama. He is the fatted calf.

I guess there is HOPE.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

If McCain's camp was smart, they'd roll out Britney Spears to do something nutty in order to distract from the Obamarama media frenzy.

[dipso]

Originally Posted by legion

the fact that he really hasn't given ANY policy plans, just pretty speeches filled with vague hints.

You're kidding, right? What is he supposed to do? Knock on your door and tell you.

There are plenty of his foreign policy plans available for those who want to know.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

You know, being an informed voter isn't a bad thing.

Here, this can get you started, the rest is up to you. I provided the link so it is easy.

Iran
The Problem: Iran has sought nuclear weapons, supports militias inside Iraq and terror across the region, and its leaders threaten Israel and deny the Holocaust. But Obama believes that we have not exhausted our non-military options in confronting this threat; in many ways, we have yet to try them. That's why Obama stood up to the Bush administration's warnings of war, just like he stood up to the war in Iraq.
Opposed Bush-Cheney Saber Rattling: Obama opposed the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, which says we should use our military presence in Iraq to counter the threat from Iran. Obama believes that it was reckless for Congress to give George Bush any justification to extend the Iraq War or to attack Iran. Obama also introduced a resolution in the Senate declaring that no act of Congress – including Kyl-Lieberman – gives the Bush administration authorization to attack Iran.
Diplomacy: Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions. Now is the time to pressure Iran directly to change their troubling behavior. Obama would offer the Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our best way to make progress.
Renewing American Diplomacy
The Problem: The United States is trapped by the Bush-Cheney approach to diplomacy that refuses to talk to leaders we don't like. Not talking doesn't make us look tough – it makes us look arrogant, it denies us opportunities to make progress, and it makes it harder for America to rally international support for our leadership. On challenges ranging from terrorism to disease, nuclear weapons to climate change, we cannot make progress unless we can draw on strong international support.
Talk to our Foes and Friends: Obama is willing to meet with the leaders of all nations, friend and foe. He will do the careful preparation necessary, but will signal that America is ready to come to the table, and that he is willing to lead. And if America is willing to come to the table, the world will be more willing to rally behind American leadership to deal with challenges like terrorism, and Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs.
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Obama will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority. He will make a sustained push – working with Israelis and Palestinians – to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.
Expand our Diplomatic Presence: To make diplomacy a priority, Obama will stop shuttering consulates and start opening them in the tough and hopeless corners of the world – particularly in Africa. He will expand our foreign service, and develop the capacity of our civilian aid workers to work alongside the military.
Fight Global Poverty: Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal. He will help the world's weakest states to build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth.
Strengthen NATO: Obama will rally NATO members to contribute troops to collective security operations, urging them to invest more in reconstruction and stabilization operations, streamlining the decision-making processes, and giving NATO commanders in the field more flexibility.
Seek New Partnerships in Asia: Obama will forge a more effective framework in Asia that goes beyond bilateral agreements, occasional summits, and ad hoc arrangements, such as the six-party talks on North Korea. He will maintain strong ties with allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia; work to build an infrastructure with countries in East Asia that can promote stability and prosperity; and work to ensure that China plays by international rules.
Nuclear Weapons
A Record of Results: The gravest danger to the American people is the threat of a terrorist attack with a nuclear weapon and the spread of nuclear weapons to dangerous regimes. Obama has taken bipartisan action to secure nuclear weapons and materials:
He joined Senator Dick Lugar in passing a law to help the United States and our allies detect and stop the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction throughout the world.
He joined Senator Chuck Hagel to introduce a bill that seeks to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, and stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
And while other candidates have insisted that we should threaten to drop nuclear bombs on terrorist training camps, Obama believes that we must talk openly about nuclear weapons – because the best way to keep America safe is not to threaten terrorists with nuclear weapons, it's to keep nuclear weapons away from terrorists.
Secure Loose Nuclear Materials from Terrorists: Obama will secure all loose nuclear materials in the world within four years. While we work to secure existing stockpiles of nuclear material, Obama will negotiate a verifiable global ban on the production of new nuclear weapons material. This will deny terrorists the ability to steal or buy loose nuclear materials.
Strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Obama will crack down on nuclear proliferation by strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty so that countries like North Korea and Iran that break the rules will automatically face strong international sanctions.
Toward a Nuclear Free World: Obama will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and pursue it. Obama will always maintain a strong deterrent as long as nuclear weapons exist. But he will take several steps down the long road toward eliminating nuclear weapons. He will stop the development of new nuclear weapons; work with Russia to take U.S. and Russian ballistic missiles off hair trigger alert; seek dramatic reductions in U.S. and Russian stockpiles of nuclear weapons and material; and set a goal to expand the U.S.-Russian ban on intermediate- range missiles so that the agreement is global.
Bipartisanship and Openness
The Problem: Under the Bush administration, foreign policy has been used as a political wedge issue to divide us – not as a cause to bring America together. And it is no coincidence that one of the most secretive administrations in history has pursued policies that have been disastrous for the American people. Obama strongly believes that our foreign policy is stronger when Americans are united, and the government is open and candid with the American people.

[ZOA NOM]

Those are wonderful ideas, when viewed through American values. Put on your radical Islamic glasses and tell me how that plan looks to you.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by varmint

i am impressed that he will announce his decision through a mass text message.

I am very unumpressed that millions of idiots are dumb enough to give his campaign their phone numbers. This is a fundraising tactic and all these sheeple will get called and called for years afterwards. Obama will own quite a huge list to mine for new donors and also rent out to other political fundraisers. I think I can wait until the VP pick is on tv.

[varmint]

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Obama will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority. He will make a sustained push – working with Israelis and Palestinians – to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.


dipso, do you even read these things? how can you describe that pile of banalities as a plan?

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I think I can wait until the VP pick is on tv.

It was announced on TV first (1a on Fox News). Texts to follow in the morning.

Suckers...they deserve every bit of text-spam they'l get over the next four years.

[artplumber]

Originally Posted by varmint

... to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.

Sounds to me like "Israel" will include the Jewish state and something else? Maybe the Palestinian state will be "Israel" and there'll be some Jewish portion?

Oh and banalities fit that poster.

[dipso]

Originally Posted by varmint

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Obama will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority. He will make a sustained push – working with Israelis and Palestinians – to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.


dipso, do you even read these things? how can you describe that pile of banalities as a plan?

Blah,blah,blah,, just blow up a picture of your avatar and shut up.

[dipso]

I didn't say I agreed with all the points of his plan, I only posted it because one of you Ostriches said he doesn't have a plan.

There you go, there's a plan. Love it or leave it, there it is.

Just don't embarrass yourself by saying he doesn't have one.

It sure beats McCains plan, Sell more Budweiser!

[legion]

Hey Dipso, ever been to Alaska? There's a little island there that I think you might want to check out.

[dipso]

Originally Posted by legion

Hey Dipso, ever been to Alaska? There's a little island there that I think you might want to check out.

Yes, and you are going to have to be a little less obtuse.

[varmint]

troll isn't allowed to look at my avatar.

and you keep using the word "plan" in reference to that mass of banalities you cut and pasted. none of those sentences have any meaning. they sound like a parody of corporate speake ripped off from a dilbert cartoon.

[dipso]

Nice use of capitalization.

P.S. I will look at what I want. The last person to tell me what to do will be you

Silly conservatives, Scary" don't do this. don't do that". AAArrrrhhhheee What color is the terror code?

You guys are funny. BOO.

[DanielDudley]

Don't blame Dipso if he tries to make a point and then chooses to join you at your level.

It's really what you all wanted anyway.

[Mule]

Questions #12 & 13 from "431 Questions for the Messiah"
12. Senator Obama, in your July trip overseas you visited eight countries in eight days, which one fawning CNN anchor described as “Incredible!” We assume you were not piloting the plane, didn’t press your own suits, and had your meals prepared by others. Would you describe what you did as “incredible,” or do you think the media has gone overboard in its unabashed enthusiasm for you?

13. Senator Obama, blacks and the media support you in overwhelming numbers, but that support does not extend to many other segments of the population. What do blacks and the media see in your candidacy that others do not?

[MichiganMat]

Last I heard, McCain cut off unfettered media access to him just a few months back. Its not the medias fault if they can't get to the guy, and with his raging case of foot-in-mouth disease I can't imagine anyone is trying to leave McCain out of the narrative.