lOOK, we all know who the real culprits are in creating public perceptions during these elections, in terms of who has some of the largest sway in this election. It is the media, and how they choose to frame just about everything. We can try to deny it, but it would still be true. They decide after a speech, who is a Rock Star. They decide what stories they will cover and which they won't. They decide if Race and Gender are going to be used as political tools in these elections. They decide whether this contest will be about the issues or about personalities.
So, it is because of this that I ask; what are we doing about the Media?Are supporters of Barack Obama writing letters to the Media, to Media Watchdogs? Or have most just given up and are simply commenting on Blogs?
If we take the easy road and simply sit around analyzing and decrying the Corporate media's direct complicity in their bias towards our candidate, but we dont bother to making our voices heard by the exact people who are tipping the scales of their reporting favorably towards McCain, then we will get what we deserve.
Here's what I'm suggesting: We must communicate directly with the MediaWhores. We have to shame them, if that is possible. We must make them aware that we know the game that they are playing. We must confront them, not by whining on Blogs (although that's OK too), but by demonstrating that we, the people, have so much energy and intensity in our wish to stop their bullshit, that we are willing to do what we normally might not; hold their feet to the fire when it comes to their coverage of these elections, and keep them there.
For those who think that someone else is doing this, and rationalizing that they don't have to, you are making a colossal mistake, which will be too late to correct sooner than later. Save the responses like "I'm not used to writing letters, I don't do this well", or "It won't do any good, they aren't going to change because of my letter", than you are part of the reason why we can lose this thing, and you should not exclude yourself from blame as to the outcomes of this election. If we don't address the media via letters and phone calls, etc.... than we are not doing all that we can in helping our ticket as much as we could. It is just that simple.
You see, that is what the Right does; it intimidates the various reporters, and it keeps the fire lit under their corporate interest protecting asses.
If we choose not to communicate directly with those who are perpetuating manipulation to our election process, then they will not stop their heavy Right wing bias.
One of our jobs should be to point out daily their uneven approach towards the two parties, and to cite specific examples and to do this via thousands of letters addressed directly to them and to their editors and producers. Yes, we need to let the Tom Brokaws, the Stephanopolouses, and the Ron Fourniers of the media know exactly that their bullshit is transparent.
You see, some media folks opine that our elections are for Obama's to lose, others say that Obama's race is the issue, still others say that it is the issues that will be the determining factor, while others claim that its about personalities.
Well I'm here to say that a large part of it is how we manage the media (yes, US), and how effective we show them up for who they really are; a biased arm of the Republican Party.
So in fact, the media will decide this election, unless we start doing something about them directly. It is an awesome task, but it can be done, if we decide that we are up to it collectively. The media is dangerous, and they must be confronted, because unless they are inpugned, they will not suddenly become "fair".
If the Right can cry about the media, then so should we.
Here are examples of what I mean:Howard Fineman, McCain undercover lackey and cheerleader of the Republican ticket wrote an article in Newsweek yesterday. It was called "Beware of the Barraccuda!" you can read it here:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157697I wrote to him yesterday at this email address: webeditors@newsweek.com
Plus I CCed Media Matters, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow in this case.
Dear Mr. Fineman,
It's like Barack Obama stated today, you guys think we are that stupid. Ms. Baraccuda is so effective, she can't even get permission to use "her" song. She is no rock star; she's a McCain's gimmick in his pathetic "Country Last" attempt to win an election. Considering that she isn't qualified, let alone anyone should "fear" her are your words and those of other reporters.
In his book Social Theory and Social Structure, Merton gives as a feature of the self-fulfilling prophecy:
“ The self-fulfilling prophecy is, in the beginning, a false definition of the situation evoking a new behaviour which makes the original false conception come 'true'. This specious validity of the self-fulfilling prophecy perpetuates a reign of error. For the prophet will cite the actual course of events as proof that he was right from the very beginning.”
In other words, a prophecy declared as truth when it is actually false may sufficiently influence people, either through fear or logical confusion, so that their reactions ultimately fulfill the once-false prophecy.
My observation is that the clownlike corporate media is playing the same game it always plays, and forcing their manufactured reality upon us, the people that they are supposed to "inform". The corporate press fawns about a speech full of lies and degredation. The truth is that reporters knew of the lies when they praised the speech. It is as though lying to the American people is a generally accepted principle, when it shouldn't be. Gov. Palin's speech should have been judged not simply on its delivery, but on its substance, but of course it wasn't. To coronate Ms. Baraccuda, and insinuate that she is the Republican Obama, is the media's doing. We are not fools, and in fact, I for one am insulted. I realize that you have to eat, but please, you're literally killing the citizens of this nation in the process.
Respectfully,
XXXXXX
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157697 Or this letter that I wrote last week, pointing out that I could see the GOP talking points from a mile away! sent to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152 /
I find it interesting that many in the media, especially GOP operatives are attempting to play up Gov. Sarah Palin's executive experience as something that she has that the Democratic ticket Obama-Biden does not. I believe that this is grossly incorrect.
It is my duty to remind us all that Barack Obama started his campaign from scratch, and in so doing, created the best political organization our history has ever witnessed. For nearly two years, using vision, innovation, intelligence, endurance, tactical genius, and a strong macro management style, Barack Obama has shown us all exactly what his executive skills are, and they are far superior to those of Ms. Palin.
We should also not forget the early executive experience that Sen. Obama gained as the President of the Harvard Law Review, as well as his singularily important role in the succesful Project Vote, in where he spearheaded an unprecedented registration drive which would elect Sen. Moseley Braun back in 1993.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-1993... /
And most recently, the Democratic Convention; the yet unsung crowning glory showcasing the executive brilliance of Barack Obama. The cable media tried hard to ruin it with their dedicated 24/7 instigation for disunity. Yet, in spite of cable and the network commentators, it came off without a nary a hitch. Certainly there are many people that participated and did a fantastic job, but let us give credit to who credit is due as we would had the convention failed.
The truth is that Barack Obama, in his calm and collected manner consistently provides a preview of what will be the Obama executive style; tactical adept dexterity without the drama.
Respectfully,
THE POINT IS THAT WE NEED ALL HANDS ABOARD!WHEN WE SAY, NOT THIS TIME....THEN WE MUST DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
THIS TIME, BECAUSE WE ARE AS MUCH PART OF THIS THING AS ARE OUR CANDIDATES
AND THIS THAT I HAVE RANTED ABOUT IS CLEARLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT!! :patriot:
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