I formerly believed reporters don’t tell the public what to think. Instead, they tell the public what to think about — as if that made claiming “objectivity” while misusing your influence an acceptable practice.

Experience disabused me of that erroneous notion. For as Martha Bayles observes, “What [the media] does is condition us, gradually and over time, to accept, or at least view as normal, attitudes and behaviors we might otherwise reject.”

Wash, rinse, repeat and soon the sparkling clean brain is ready to vote Democrat.

The ongoing debt crisis offers two examples of how liberal media preoccupations distort coverage. First, let’s eavesdrop on how a family cuts their budget. Mary is worried about credit card debt and wants John to reduce the $250 a month he spends on lunch at Hooters, so they can increase the monthly payment to Indentur–card. John recognizes the problem and agrees to a 20 percent cut. Next month he’ll spend $200, a $50 reduction.

Compare that to coverage of “cuts in spending” the debt ceiling deal will allegedly produce. When the Washington Post refers to cuts, it doesn’t mean a reduction compared to what was spent last year, it means a reduction in the amount of increased spending. Government isn’t spending a penny less, it just doesn’t get to increase spending as much as Leviathan would prefer.

If John applied this pretzel logic to his agreement with Mary he would say, “Gee Hon, the new Hooters waitress is smokin’ and I was fixing to spend $350 this month. But since you’re such a Debbie Downer, I’ll cut 50 percent and only spend $300.”

Obviously any news outlet that uses the word “cuts” instead of “reduced spending increase” in reference to the debt deal is slanting the facts.

Case two: the Congressional Debt Supercommittee. Rational people wonder if the committee can produce a package of cuts that will stop the nation’s slide into insolvency. Sunday the irrational Post runs a hysterical story complaining the committee “is marked by a problem that has plagued Congress — a lack of gender and racial diversity.”

This is the equivalent of demanding the Titanic offer a drum circle, in addition to the orchestra, to entertain passengers entering the lifeboats. So far voters, to their eternal credit, do not appear to be concerned with racial and reproductive bean–counting, but are worried about results.

When news consumers are presented with an endless litany of stories that posit illiterate minority youth can’t find a job because “society failed them,” the recession continues due to a “lack of government economic intervention” and homosexuals should be able marry because “love is love;” it’s no surprise many voters eventually support social programs, think politicians can actually manage the economy and wonder if a nice homosexual couple will buy the foreclosure next door.

So how do conservatives and independents combat media ideological contamination? They can start with “Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind,” by Tim Groseclose a professor of political science and economics at UCLA.

Groseclose uses a complicated mathematical model to analyze print and broadcast media to arrive at what he terms a “slant quotient” or SQ. A score of 100 for a news outlet indicates the product resembles Nancy Pelosi’s constituent newsletter and a score of 0 means that news organization generates fan mail from Ayn Rand.

Details on methodology are in the book or you can visit Groseclose’s website: timgroseclose.com.

The website also has the SQ rankings of major news outlets and the Political Quotient (PQ) of prominent elected officials. Even better, you can take a test to see how your PQ matches up with current and past office holders.

On his scale, Michele Bachmann (R–MN) comes in at a negative 4.1, which I assume means she voted against all liberal legislation and then assaulted a Democrat. Barney Frank (D–Debauched) scored 103.5; meaning he voted for all the liberal legislation and then, well, let’s not think about that.

My test score was 5.3 and means I’m less conservative than Sen. Jim DeMint (R–SC) at 5.1 and more conservative than Groseclose who scored 13.

The site can also helps one make prudent purchasing decisions. I subscribe to four newspapers, which is one too many. Either the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Times must go.

You can imagine my surprise when I learned the Journal has a SQ of 85.1, which is 18.5 points higher than the Post’s 66.6 and puts the WSJ smack dab between Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton! While the Times is a respectable 35.4.

Come November, when I let my WSJ subscription lapse, I’ll be saving hundreds of dollars and fighting media bias.

Michael R. Shannon, a public relations, advertising and political consultant with experience around the globe, can be reached at michael–shannon@comcast.net.
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WesternFront America

The state of the union is godawful! There. That is a truthful and complete statement concerning the REAL state of the union.

I have mentioned, a number of times in the past, how much I would like to see a President stand before the Congress, and the nation, and say either the state of the union is good, or the state of the union is awful – and then sit down.

See, the President is not required to make that speech. He IS required to make the report to Congress, however. But, he can mail it in, if he so chooses.

In modern times it has become pure theatre. Nothing substantive, just pure politics, pure entertainment, and of little, if any, use to a nation as well informed about it’s government as the American nation.

I rarely watch a State of the Union address. I don’t need to watch it or listen to it. Like many Americans today I pay attention to what the government and the nation are doing so I don’t need to have the President tell me what I already know. Unfortunately, that does not stop them from preening before the cameras and having their ego stroked by their fellow dogmatists on the left and/or the right.

Look: Americans don’t need to hear Obama’s speech to know that he is tacking right — toward the center. He got his knuckles rapped, AND HARD, last November, and he knows Americans are fairly PO’ed at him and his fellow democrats for their far left/socialist agenda. He got it.

Understand, though, this is all for show. I mean, of course, Obama’s feint to the center. It is not to be taken seriously. Oh, the mainstream media will taut his centrist governing, etc, ad nausium. But one must remember — the mainstream media is a propaganda machine for Obama and the political left in America.

Mr. Obama is too much a leftist/socialist ideologue to actually move to the center, even to move right an inth degree. Even this “kabuki theatre” stunt must be galling to him. At some point in the near future watch for him to break from his tenders and make a blatant leftist move. He can’t help himself. It WILL happen. And we will be waiting. In fact, we need to nudge him on towards that break with his political minders sooner rather than later. The sooner the “centrists” façade is lifted the better it will be for conservatives in the November election of 2012.

Another thing: The symbolism of democrats and republicans sitting shoulder to shoulder throughout the House chamber is, I think, an awful idea. It only serves the democrats, who were trounced last November, to be seen smoozing with the republicans who cleaned their clocks. They hope to send the message that THEY GOT THE MESSAGE and will do better for their constituents back home. It is pure bovine scatology. Nothing more — and I do not like it.

There is an aisle between the dems and the repubs because there is a political chasm between them that should never be bridged. The differences between the leftists and the rightists are deeply profound. That is the core reason why we have the political divide. Having them sitting together, all lovey-dovey, is purely cosmetic and will serve only to confuse the TV viewer.

Heck, I like to see the different parties rise to acclaim something their president says. I also like to see those who remain seated in defiance or disagreement. That is pure Americanism on display. There is such a thing as “too much togetherness.”

The point is – we conservative sent a new batch of conservative congresspersons to Washington to get in the faces of the old crowd and shake things up and reclaim the constitution as the supreme authority for law making in America.

As much as some would like, the US House of Representatives is NOT a communist Duma. In the old communist Dumas nobody cared who sat beside whom because all were going to vote the same way or be shot dead — and a bill for the price of the 9 MM bullet sent to the family of the late departed. No. We’re not there – yet.

With dems and repubs sitting together it smacks, to me, of more “collectivism,” which is un-American, and it portrays an inaccurate picture of the American government to the world. But – it helps the liberal-socialists of the Democratic Party. THAT – I cannot abide.

Conservatives have a very tough slog ahead over the next two years. Our primary concern should be to see that we stop the liberal-socialists of the Democratic Party and hold them until we can secure the US Senate and deny Obama a second term in November of 2012.

For Obama to have a second term, with no fear of re-election, would be devastating to the United States. So far, Mr. Obama has been holding back. A second term would remove the reins altogether and his socialist agenda would be rammed down the throats of the American people.

My Congressman is a conservative “Blue Dog” democrat. He is going to sit with a couple of republican congressmen from my state – and I don’t like it. I’d prefer that he remain on his side of the aisle.

No matter from which side the idea sprang, left or right, republican or democrat, it is a BAD IDEA and will help only the democrats. That is why they seized on it as quickly as they did.

There is divided government in America because America is divided — and it ought to be.
One has to wonder, after Obama made a point of attacking the Supreme Court Justices last year, if all of them will attend this State of the Union. Any of them can make a powerful statement simply by staying away.

When all is said and done, this State of the Union will be nothing more than political theatre with the mainstream media acting as cheerleaders for Obama and the liberal-socialists of the left. I can read their swooning reports in the morning papers, tomorrow, and regurgitate!

J. D. Longstreet blogs daily at INSIGHT on Freedom at: http://www.csadispatch.blogspot.com/

E-Mail: longstreet1862@gmail.com

 

WesternFront America

Have you taken a second look at Sarah Palin lately? Maybe we conservatives should. Hey! I’m just saying…!

I must tell you that anytime a conservative, candidate or not, strikes fear in the hearts of the Socialists, Marxists, Communists, and Progressives in the Congress, the White House, and the leftist Mainstream Media in America, we conservatives are selling ourselves short — if we do not sit up and take notice and, at least, try to determine what, about this particular conservative, is driving “those people” mad.

Of course, like so many other conservatives it bothers me, greatly, that she quit the office of governor of the state of Alaska. I cannot, so far, put the feeling that she is a “quitter” to rest. Why did she do it? I wish I knew the real answer to that question. Maybe someday we will. Someday, should the occasion arise for a face to face with Ms. Palin, I intend to ask just that question. Whether it will make a difference, or not, I cannot say. Her answer to that question , I would think, will make, or break, any future national political ambitions she may have.

In the meantime, though, she is selling books like hot cakes and making appearances across the country and drawing record breaking crowds in some cities and towns.

Representatives of the mainstream media are tagging along like bloodhounds sniffing for any mistake, or misstep, or misspoken word that offers even a meager opportunity for them to discredit her further. Battalions of reporters and investigators are pouring over her book looking for errors or, well, anything that could be construed as less than truthful in their never ending campaign to belittle her, and diminish her standing among conservative and independent voters in America.

Now here is what is troubling me: I had written Ms. Palin off as another “also ran”. A “has been,” a failed “wannabe politician” on the national stage. Now, as a result of the left wing’s oh, so obvious fear of this little woman, I am forced to take a second look and reevaluate my most recent negative feelings toward her as a possible candidate for something or other either in 2010 or 2012.

See, any conservative who can throw the “Fear of God” into the socialist/progressives/communists/democrats in our Congress and the White House compels me to sit up an utter the words: “What the H**l??? And THAT, dear reader is what Ms. Palin has done.

There is a reason the socialist leaders of American run screaming from the room at the mere mention of Sarah Palin’s name. I mean — she is bright, eloquent, obviously has a “presence” in any room she enters, and to top off the package, she is strikingly beautiful. And she is resilient. She has managed to fend off all the arrows fired at her by the left-leaning media and the left’s hit men and hit women and remain posed, with that striking smile, and her continuous profession of faith in a God who will never forsake her in good times or in bad.

So, she can be “folksy.” That is NOT A BAD THING IN MY REGION OF THE USA — the South. Plus, her “folksy” manner of speech is obviously NOT FAKE. That will go a long way toward establishing the honesty factor in her favor.

Having said all the above, Yes, I am taking a second look at Sarah Palin. If for no other reason than because the mainstream media, which is so biased toward the political left, is expressing such overt fear of her.

When the Left fears the Right, conservatives are doing SOMETHING RIGHT! Is that RIGHT THING conservatives are obviously doing…  Sarah Palin? I DON’T KNOW! But, You can bet — I an going to try to find out!

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J. D. Longstreet blogs daily at INSIGHT on Freedom at: http://www.csadispatch.blogspot.com/

longstreet1862@gmail.com

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WesternFront America

“The Obama White House “new media” operations Czar recently contracted a technology vendor to conduct an enormous secret program to gather personal information on millions of Americans from Internet social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, according to the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC).”

This is a MUST READ article. You will find it HERE.

The power grabbing continues at the White House.

Americans of my generation recognize this behavior at the White House. This is NOT NEW! We have seen it all before — and it makes our blood run cold. Where have we seen it? At the Kremlin — in the USSR (The Union of Soviet Socialist Russia) that’s where.

Have you seen any reports about this in the National Media – the Mainstream Media (MSM)? It is not likely that you will — until we make so much noise about it that they can no longer ignore it.

Remember the hell that was raised by the MsM when the Bush Administration wanted to listen in on the phone conversations of suspected terrorists? Yet, Obama is going much farther — plus, he is reportedly formulating a “White House Enemies List.” No doubt, “Yours Truly” will be on it along with several million other conservative bloggers. Actually, when one thinks about it, one must agree that it would be something of an honor to be on Obama’s White House Enemies List.

There was some talk about setting this up sometime ago but then things became quiet. Now, however, the lid has been opened on “Pandora’s box” and all sorts of unhealthy things have been let loose into our once free society.

You may have noticed a certain “unease” in America in the last few months. Have you noticed folks speaking in subdued tones to each other? Have you found yourself whispering, or lowering your voice, when making reference to the President or a White House Czar, or even a Congressperson or Senator? You conservative bloggers – have you hesitated before publishing an article you had passionately written concerning your disagreement with certain White House policies? (I’ll bet you have.) Think about it. Is this America? Is this the kind of America YOU want to live in and rear your children in? Well, is IT?

It is only going to get worse. This is just the “camels nose under the tent” phase of the erosion of our freedoms and liberty in America. Pretty soon the whole camel will be IN the tent!

America is in DESPERATE trouble and she has not completely awakened to it yet.

We have been warning for months now that if the Obamacare bill passes, it will give the government unheard of power over the citizens of America. It will be the largest transfer of power from the people to the government in the history of the country and will negate much of the Bill of Rights!

What if each time the little boy cried, “WOLF!” there REALLY WERE wolves after the sheep? Well, that is what is happening in America today. At some point America must awaken and drive off the wolves or the sheep will be gone!

Somewhere long the way our politicians seem to have forgotten they are public servants. They were sent to Washington to SERVE US! Now, however, everything is topsy-turvey. We are expected to serve them! Especially Obama. And if we don’t serve him happily and if we have the temerity to grumble and complain about our loss of freedom, our names will be added to a growing list of enemies of the Obama Administration. It makes me wonder how long it will be before the knock on the door between 3 and 4 AM and the men in trench coats and fedoras drag us off into the darkness never to be heard from again.

You think it cannot happen here? Remember Elian Gonzalez? Remember how that child was ripped from the arms of his loved ones in Florida and returned to the communist Island of Cuba after his mother gave her life to get him to America? I assure you, it CAN happen here.

There is something dreadfully wrong in America today. It won’t get any better until the American citizens decide enough is enough and begin demanding the resignation of the President of the United States. Already, Obama’s ratings are dropping so fast he has been dubbed “The Disappearing President.”

Americans MUST clean the House and the Senate in 2010. We must send home as many of the socialists as we possibly can. That will be a start. Then, we must gird up for the battle for the Presidency in 2012.

Yes, we DO want “change” this time around. We want our country back.

© J. D. Longstreet

J. D. Longstreet is a conservative Southern American (A native sandlapper and an adopted Tar Heel) with a deep passion for the history, heritage, and culture of the southern states of America. At the same time he is a deeply loyal American believing strongly in “America First”.

J. D. Longstreet blogs daily at INSIGHT on Freedom

 

WesternFront America