|
As some of you are aware I've taken an interest in this whole U.S. presedential race. Being Canadian I will have no say in its outcome but at the very least it gives me a different, perhaps less biased, perspective on what's been going on. Like so many in and especially outside the U.S. I've taken an interest in Senator Barack Obama, for what its worth, but I think what i have to say goes beyond these primaries and election.
Everywhere I look, be it from the media, forum posts, YouTube clips, rally Q&A, or people on the street, Americans are saying STOP these petty distractions like Reverend Wright, low-ball negative attacks, sniper-gate, muslim-garb, lapel, race-card, sexism, kitchen-sink, blah blah blah and "get back to the real issues" like Iraq, the Economy, Lower Gas Prices, Education, Health Care.
It's absolutely laughable that the media is trumpeting the same "Back to the Issues, Damnit" statement when 10 out of 10 stories have a sensational entertainment quality about it. Basically long-time republican fuck-buddy that is the corporate owned media has a vested interest in ratings and so be it with Chris Tucker, Pat Bucannan, Joe Scaraborugh, or whichever Republican mouth-piece, it's in their best interest to keep the conflict going; endorse the obviously weaker Clinton and ridiculously denounce Obama at every turn. So i cant blame the media for being hypocrites since ratings and continued republican corporate perks are branded into the Journalism Code of Ethics.
What pisses me off are the american citizens who are pleading for "the issues" yet will incessantly listen to and read those non-issue headlines. I'm not saying many of you dont actually care about the important issues (you are on DU and exploring other resources online besides TV) but it's more like this annoying duality Jekyl - Hyde thing happening with many other americans, or at least enough to pump those ratings and sales to encourage the media. Ok, sure get your entertainment fix but come time to cast your vote on the issue why oh fucking why do the POLLS reflect a strong influence by that source of entertainment. A case in point: Reverend Wright. Obama struck back with the absolutely brilliant "A More Perfect Union" speech. It explained it all revealing honesty, a first in politics, and beautifully meshing with his campaign message speaking volumes about the kinds of values he'd bring to the White House. It's really quite astonishing how different the two democratic candidates approach adversity. Now with Wright's re-emergence the media is doing their part once again "telling the public how they should feel" and like mindless sheep the polls reflect it. It was incredible to see the media panicing in real-time to find that next angle: Rev Wright makes fun of Kennedy, Rev Wright talks about blacks and learning, Rev Wright says "just politics", on and on. They made up their mind that this guy, and more importantly Obama, is going down regardless of how feable the information or out of context they were being. Granted the media attacks front runners but come on public dont you see whats happening here. Thoughts of Apple Computer's 1984 TV Ad come to mind.
Didnt someone say freedom is an illusion created by those in power. With Rupert Murdoch et al at the helm and the publics laziness and willingness to participate america is being primed for another George Bush term through Clinton or McCain. When will this shitty video-game end. Either the media should not be corporate owned or the public should be less trusting of their corporate news source, get off their fat-asses and gather the whole facts. I dont see either happening. Perhaps this time around god really has damned america.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
