Originally Posted By skinnerbox ... we're still making the same mistakes: “Those who have been bred in the school of politics fail now and always to face the facts.” “A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length ever become the laughing-stock of the world.” “Now-a-days, men wear a fool's cap, and call it a liberty cap.” “If there is any hell more unprincipled than our rulers, and we, the ruled, I feel curious to see it.” “Probably no country was ever ruled by so mean a class of tyrants as, with a few noble exceptions, are the editors of the periodical press in this country. And as they live and rule only by their servility, and appealing to the worst, and not the better nature of man, the people who read them are in the condition of the dog that returns to his vomit.” “There is no such thing as accomplishing a righteous reform by the use of 'expediency.' There is no such thing as sliding up hill. In morals, the only sliders are backsliders.” -- "Slavery in Massachusetts" by Henry David Thoreau, 1854 <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/13300298-slavery-in-massachusetts">http://www.goodreads.com/work/...chusetts</a> Wow. Just... wow.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox “Probably no country was ever ruled by so mean a class of tyrants as, with a few noble exceptions, are the editors of the periodical press in this country. And as they live and rule only by their servility, and appealing to the worst, and not the better nature of man, the people who read them are in the condition of the dog that returns to his vomit.” The latest WE thread to hit the boards today proves Thoreau's point. We are so overwhelmingly absorbed by tabloid journalism in this country, nothing of substance ever rises to the level of serious consideration. This presidential election cycle is the final nail in rational governance. We are the bathroom humor of democracy. And it's only going to get worse. Fourteen posts in just under six hours for Cruz's alleged adultery compared to twenty-four hours and two posts (both of them mine) about a well-regarded 19th century American author's take on politics and its implications today. We're toast.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Skinner, I know I just read the OP, thought "good quotes," (most of which I was already familiar with), and felt no need to add to them.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Fourteen posts in just under six hours for Cruz's alleged adultery compared to twenty-four hours and two posts (both of them mine) about a well-regarded 19th century American author's take on politics and its implications today.*** I recommend splashier headlines.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I felt there was really nothing to comment on. Who the hell is going to dispute Thoreau? I thought about questioning skinner's statement that we are doing the same today. As usual, I thought that was something of an over-reaction. The tabloids of that time were far more sensationalist than today's mainstream media. Does similar crap exist on the internet? Yes, it does, but I don't know that anyone really expects that crap to be anything other than propaganda. But then I decided that post would just be one more instance of RT saying that skinner was over-reacting, so what was the point? She would have felt I was just picking on her and the post would have accomplished nothing.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<The tabloids of that time were far more sensationalist than today's mainstream media. Does similar crap exist on the internet? Yes, it does, but I don't know that anyone really expects that crap to be anything other than propaganda.>> Let's agree to disagree, RT. I really do believe that tabloids today are worse than almost 200 years ago. The Gawker lawsuit with Hulk Hogan is a good example. And the latest mess with Breitbart refusing to defend one of their own against Trump's machine is telling. The editors didn't just through her under the bus... they basically condoned the assault by siding with the Trump campaign! WTF! I was really hoping that our society would have evolved a bit beyond that nastiness from Thoreau's antebellum days. But the whole Presidential circus this year continues to prove me wrong.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip My comments were about MAINSTREAM media. The organizations you mentioned don't qualify.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Sorry, but I still stand by comments. MSM falling into the abyss as well. Even media giants like CNN aren't holding the clown car responsible with their lame debates and inept questions. Nothing but softball fluff inquiries that NEVER get followed up when the candidate(s) lie through their effn teeth! They are ALL bad about doing this because the reporters want return engagements. They won't stay employed if they don't get invited back by the candidates' campaigns. And if the questions are too difficult or point to less-than-favorable histories of those candidates, then those reporters are SOL. MSM may not bald face lie like Fox does. But... running 24/7 with the Trump Reality Show or refusing to act like REAL JOURNALISTS is just as bad. Not calling out BS you know to be BS and can prove is BS is no different as spewing the BS yourself.
