The Media vs President Obama

[H2O Man]

In the past week, I have been focused on the issue of how the media engages in perception management. If one were to believe the news -- specifically from yesterday afternoon until this morning -- it would seem that the United States is losing the war with ISIS, because of the weakness of President Obama. Last night on MSNBC, even Chris Matthews acted as if President Obama had somehow let the nation down, by not announcing that a million troops were being sent to Iraq, and martial law declared in the United States.

Perhaps the only sane voice heard on MSNBC and CNN has been that of Malcolm Nance. I noted that another forum member had an OP about Mr. Nance two days ago; shortly before it “sank,” another forum member questioned who Nance is? It is difficult to imagine how the public could have informed opinions on American policy on ISIS, without an awareness of Malcolm Nance and his beliefs on the topic.

If the media’s intention was to inform the public -- to provide rational, factual information that appealed to the public’s intellectual potential -- Mr. Nance would be provided with a bit longer than 40 seconds to speak. But instead, the general public is far more familiar with what Donald Trump says about President Obama betraying the nation, than Mr. Nance’s saying that President Obama is approaching the issue in the best way possible.

The result is that much of the public believes that sending ground troops to Iraq and/or Syria would lessen the chances of domestic “lone wolf” terrorist attacks. A growing number of republicans actually are convinced that Donald Trump could make the United States “safer” than has President Obama. And even those Democrats who are unfamiliar with Malcolm Nance know who Donald Trump is. Thus, even they tend to discuss ISIS et al in the context of the definitions provided by the media and Donald Trump.

I’m not in full agreement with President Obama. I do not favor an emphasis on military action to “defeat” ISIS. By definition, this is not a “problem” that the military can solve by killing “bad guys.” But I believe his approach is sane, while the republican-media approach is insane. It is troubling to see the nation being swayed by the drum-beats for war.

[livetohike]

1. The media will forget about this after the next mass shooting

(If the next shooter is not of the Muslim faith). I'm watching Jeb Bush talk about what should be done with Isis! This is how low our media is these days that they even consider asking his opinion.

[H2O Man]

8. Well said.

The media is promoting a fairly specific agenda. It is, to borrow a phrase from Dick Nixon, "crystal clear." Yet, the majority of the public seems to be swallowing it, hook, line, and sinker. I saw a poll that said that something like 62% of those asked favored sending US troops to Iraq-Syria, to combat the threat that ISIS poses to the USA. That's obscene.

[malaise]

2. I feel really sorry for Obama

Last edited Mon Dec 7, 2015, 07:40 PM - Edit history (1)

His belief in America prevented him from doing what was necessary from day one - putting the war criminals on trial.

Now he is trapped as he has allowed the neo-cons to surround him and poison every attempt to return to a more sane foreign policy approach.

The media represents six corporations - all with varying interests in the business of war. Additionally, they are so obsessed with ratings and Citizens' United money that they refuse to deal with facts for fear of upsetting ReTHUGs and war mongers.

I fail to understand how any country can illegally invade and occupy another country, let alone a region and not expect blow back. I fail to understand why there is no discussion in the media of what we in the West have done to Iraq, Libya and now Syria (we don't even mention Afghanistan these days).

It seems to me that all this shite has one aim - to make Jeb Bush look like a solution which is beyond an inversion of reality since his brother created most of this mess.

The only good news for my generation is that we are in the last quarter of our lives. I am so fed up of all the lies and spin. Truth has been the major casualty since 9/11. Imagine there are folks in the media trying to compare last week's slaughter with 9/11. That's the last straw for me.

The pursuit of greed and power have completely destroyed America.

[H2O Man]

9. Yep.

The very idea that a Donald Trump can be mistaken for a "strong leader," while President Obama is being portrayed as "weak" (much like Jimmy Carter) is insane. And the republican elders are surely looking to insert Jeb for Trump, in the upcoming months. They will attempt to make the choice of Jeb appear as some type of compromise .... a "middle of the road," moderate leader who can keep the nation "safe."

I recognize that there is a possibility, because of their inability to sell Jeb, that they will substitute another necroconservative. But the program is the same.

I think that people of our generation recognize what is going on. We know that the only thing being compromised is what remains of the Constitution. For whatever reason, as I'm typing this, I'm reminded of back in 2004 .....I wrote that if Bush-Cheney were "re-elected," that we would no longer be able to recognize this country as a constitutional democracy. Another forum member commented that I was being histrionic.

In fact, I was accurate in my prediction. I have a fairly high opinion of President Obama. I am fully aware that he has found that the power of his office is far more limited than he could have possibly anticipated. These days, a president can do a fuck-load of damage to the country, but little good.

[malaise]

10. Excellent points

THIS
But the program is the same.
and THIS
These days, a president can do a fuck-load of damage to the country, but little good

[H2O Man]

11. By any chance

are you watching MSNBC's coverage of Donald Trump now? I do not think it is a coincidence that they are bowing to Trump, while taking cheap shots at President Obama.

[malaise]

13. No

I refuse to watch the rubbish anymore - watching Jeopardy

[H2O Man]

15. Good!

I may turn it off, too. I think I'll read a book.

Trump's speech is really troubling.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. I saw the OP about Nance and asked where to find what was being discussed.

I think that OP and this one would benefit from links to the material. I saw that OP, Googled for new material from Nance and found nothing new from him. So I moved on. Mr Nance is worth listening to, but people have to know where to listen.

[Octafish]

4. Funny how that works.

It's like the media have a pro-war agenda and it isn't just for ratings.

http://reclaimdemocracy.org/powell_memo_lewis/

[H2O Man]

14. Thanks for

the link!

There is extended, live coverage of Donald Trump's rabid rantings now. This is terrible, especially because the media attempted to disgrace President Obama last night through today.I found the coverage on both CNN and MSNBC to be troubling. It is, in my opinion, extremely dangerous.

I saw a poll earlier today, that suggested that 62% of the public believes the US should invade Iraq-Syria. They foolishly believe that will translate to greater safety in the streets of America.

Dangerous times.

[spanone]

5. war profits media, hence their disappointment

[hibbing]

7. Most are part of the MIC also

GE has huge military contracts.


Peace

[H2O Man]

17. Very important.

Thank you.

[H2O Man]

16. Right.

People need to be aware of that. I don't think that most of the public appreciates what that means.

[countingbluecars]

6. Flipping through the "news channels" this morning,

I could not find one that wasn't criticizing the President's address to the nation. I think they really want President Obama to sound like Trump. I am left disgusted and sad.

[spanone]

12. listening to NPR radio, they had one person respond, and it was completely negative.

[H2O Man]

18. Right.

It's obscene. The media is damaging national security, by doing this -- and then giving Trump unlimited coverage to spew hatred.

There are times when it is so tempting to turn off the news, and just live a quiet, isolated life. But our culture requires the best efforts of everyone -- every sane, compassionate person, anyhow. There sure is hell is a tidal wave of hatred in our land today.