Originally Posted By piperlynne I would REALLY love to find a "balanced" news program. I'm pretty liberal and I really enjoy watching Keith Olbermann cos I think he's smart and funny. But I also don't pretend that he's giving an unbiased view of the facts. And conservative media just makes me want to go out and shoot something. (not literally). I know media has always had a slant in some direction and there isn't going to be a perfectly balanced and fair reporting of anything. But I grew up in the 70s/80s and I think (maybe, I was "growing up" so I have to preface that I may have been naive) that the news was actually reporting the news and not so much conjecture and opinion. I guess, news wasn't so much "entertainment" as it is now. Sure there were news shows for entertainment value. But now it seems like ALL the news is for entertainment purposes. The only site I really like at this point is factcheck.org. At least I know they're pointing out misconceptions and lies on BOTH sides of the aisle.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney That's where I told my mom to check. Really don't think it will make a difference for her, it's too late.... As far as the conservative media making you want to go out and shoot something, that's certainly my fear. And it's the Republicans that have most the guns (oh, and the gang memebers most of whom probably don't care about politics!).
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Ugh, stinking typos. I'm using a lap top on which I find it very difficult to type.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Ugh, stinking typos. I'm using a lap top on which I find it very difficult to type.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <I would REALLY love to find a "balanced" news program. > The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and BBC America is about as close as it gets to old-school "just news" any more.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <On most channels you get A yelling at B. That is supposed to inform, educate or inspire? I don't think so.> I hear you. I used to actually like "talking heads television." "Yelling heads television" not so much.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Good ol' Dr. Doom, who has been right on with his predictions so far, now changes his mind and says the first quarter just concluded was the worst of it. <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/223197/Roubini-Go-Ahead-Keep-Dreaming-of-That-%22V-Shaped%22-Recovery?tickers=xlf,%5Edji,%5Egspc?sec=topStories&pos=9&asset=TBD&ccode=TBD" target="_blank">http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-...code=TBD</a>
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "SPP -- are you referring to the fact that I've mentioned my mom before in this way? I have, but it's gotten worse. And my fear is all the others who feel the same way as her." That's probably it. The problem here as I see it is that outlets like Fox News and other right leaning places, like the usual talk radio vomiters, can't merely disagree. They have to be drama queens about it. "Oh no, we're going Socialist!" and the like. Patience is a virtue, and if they let things just take their course and wait for the next election cycle, we'd all be better off.
Originally Posted By piperlynne On the flip side. What frustrates me is not really the media. It is the public proclivity to just buy into what they hear without vetting the information. There is a "news site" or "reporter" for pretty much any opinion you want to support, if you look hard enough. And it is the public responsibility to be informed and not take things at face value. Alot of people have gotten so used to being spoonfed by Fox, CNN, MSNBC etc etc that they've gotten lazy about thinking for themselves. And then there are some people that just want to be angry and bitter about an election/situation and will seek out things just to justify their anger and bitterness (no I'm not talkig about anyone here). I just removed a friend from Facebook (and yes, we are still friends) because she was getting extremely mean spirited and fanatical about her negative opinion of the Obama administration) I love debate. I am up for disagreements and discussion. But the extent she was taking things to was insane and pointless. And it was starting to make me defensive (I had to stop myself from posting tirades several times). So instead of reacting to it (which is what she was looking for). I just removed her so I dont' have to see it. LOL. Which was hard. Because I don't have my head in the sand. I voted for this administration. I want to see it work. I don't think Obama is the messiah. But my opinions and my politics match his pretty well. I don't think anyone has the magical answers. I think that mistakes have been made in this administration. But I think good things have been done as well. I recognize that people with differing opinions are just as sincere in their beliefs and opinions as I am in mine, so I try to hear them out. But when they wont meet me part way and actually discuss things or try to (for lack of a better term) make up facts, I disengage. This has gotten totally OT, so I'm gonna stop now. . .
Originally Posted By DAR You know there's been hysteria over Fox News. And there's been hysteria over MSNBC. There's been hysteria over talk radio. Or over the perceived slant of newspapers. And there's really no need to because you don't have to watch, listen or read any of this if you don't want to. So if news outlets are biased then so be it.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <Oh, put a sock in it, Douglas.> Understood. Complaining that conservatives are evil and ruining everything - a okay. Pointing out that liberals are no better - not allowed.
Originally Posted By DAR <<As far as the conservative media making you want to go out and shoot something, that's certainly my fear. And it's the Republicans that have most the guns (oh, and the gang memebers most of whom probably don't care about politics!). >> There have been many dopey and assinine statements on these boards, some even said by yours truly. But that was probably the most dopey and assinine statement I've ever read.
Originally Posted By piperlynne I consider myself a democrat and believe in the right to own guns. I don't think most Republicans want people that are crazy enough not to have the good sense to use a gun responsibly to own them either. There are plenty of extemists on both sides that "could" go down the road youlre alluding to . . . We can't blame conservative or liberal media for whackos going out and hurting people. The fact is these shows get ratings and are here to stay unless folks stop watching. Its up to us as citizens to responsibly educate ourselves and take appropriate actions (like via the ballot box and in the case of tv shows . . Through advertisers) to make our points.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I would REALLY love to find a "balanced" news program.*** You might try some foreign news sources. The ones in America at this point, sadly all of them, are biased propaganda machines. Except MAYBE PBS in a sense (ecdc always links to very interesting, informative programs they run). Or else, get your news directly from the source. Watch c-span and read AP bulletins which provide facts without commentary.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh 90% of those working for PBS and AP lean left. Even if they're trying to be fair, they naturally lean left, and their bias affects how they approach the story. The best thing to do is to seek out the source material. Don't rely on what a reporter says someone says, check out what they actually say. Thinking for yourself and being aware of bias helps a lot.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***90% of those working for PBS and AP lean left. Even if they're trying to be fair, they naturally lean left, and their bias affects how they approach the story*** I have no idea where you get your "90%" figure, nor do I care, but I'd say this is proof positive that YOU, even if you're trying to be fair, naturally lean right and that bias affects all of your posts (including the ones where you ridicule others). What do you think, Douglas?
Originally Posted By Mr X You'll note, by the way, that I said "maybe" PBS, and in reference to the AP I wrote about factual "source material" (AP bulletins generally don't contain much if any commentary, as I mentioned).
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <What do you think, Douglas?> I have no problem with admitting I'm biased right.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF >>Understood. Complaining that conservatives are evil and ruining everything - a okay. Pointing out that liberals are no better - not allowed.<< No, it's your smarminess and self-righteousness that I have a problem with. You try to make yourself seem like you're above everyone else around here, but you're just as -- if not worse than -- the people you denigrate here. It has gotten WAY WAY beyond old.
