-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 'Leftist' media? Not right ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- © 2001 WorldNetDaily.com I am incredulous. I keep getting e-mails denouncing the "liberal media." How many newspaper editorials in the past week have not called for retaliation? How many have not hailed the unity of spirit in the country? I haven't read a single one. Folks, I present excerpts from two recent, widely syndicated commentaries. Please tell me which one comes from the "liberal." "For the mass murder of our citizens has filled this country with a terrible resolve that could lead it to plunge headlong into an all-out war against despised Arab and Islamic regimes that turns into a war of civilizations, with the United States almost alone." "We are destined to shadowbox with the devil, with no easy victory in sight." Both of these commentaries were carried by "the liberal media" – along with many more calling for everything from restraint to considering the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Guess the "liberal media" just publishes all different kinds of opinions, eh? For the record, excerpt #1 comes from Patrick J. Buchanan, who is usually identified with the right – even the extreme right. Excerpt #2 comes from Robert Scheer, who is usually identified with the left – even the extreme left. Buchanan's commentary, "U.S. Pays the High Price of Empire," and Scheer's, "Destined to Shadowbox with the Devil," both appeared on the same page in the Sept. 18 Los Angeles Times. Doesn't #1 seem more like the cautioning of an advocate of restraint? Doesn't #2 seem more like the dire warning of someone advocating military action? The events of Sept. 11 have blurred labels that have so politically polarized this country in recent years. This is not to say that there is universal agreement, but it is to suggest that you might find valuable thinking from across the political spectrum. Those who generalize about a "leftist" press deny themselves a basic advantage unavailable in, say, Iran. As I wrote to a "leftist media"-denouncing reader the other day: You're lucky to have a free press. My suggestion: Be open to reading all points of view, all reporting, instead of merely looking to have your existing ideas reinforced. Leftist media? Who has been the most powerful voice in "the media" for the past 10 years? I'd say Rush Limbaugh is pretty near the top. Is he "leftist"? Is WorldNetDaily? The Washington Times? Thomas Sowell? Am I? According to some readers, I am. Yet, I maintain that I am neither left, right nor center, and that to label yourself accordingly precludes open-minded evaluation. The late senator Barry Goldwater, lambasted for having supported a candidate who favored abortion, reacted with contempt, saying something to the effect that anyone who based a vote on a single issue is an idiot, and that this candidate was the best of the given choices. Yet many readers have indicated that they have stopped looking at "mainstream" media, as if all newspapers and networks are conspiratorial purveyors of lies. So they turn to other sources of information that are in general agreement with their viewpoint. What is the result? More deeply ingrained convictions, prejudices, less challenge to their perspective, less thinking. Does Limbaugh read only conservative tracts? The reason the people who built this government opted for a free press was not so the populace could have its prejudices and viewpoints reinforced. That can be done well enough by totalitarian government propagandists. The reason for a free press was to allow the populace access to many opinions, and lots of information – in order to be more educated and reasoned in its decisions. As for a conspiracy, this makes me fall down laughing. The newspapers where I worked were cacophonous dens of barely controlled chaos. That they conspired to get a paper produced each day always seemed a minor miracle to me. Newsrooms are microcosms – you'll find as much debate there as you will anyplace else. Yet, I admit to a type of "liberal" bias in reporting. It's inherent. Why do people get into journalism in the first place? To "right wrongs," to "do justice," to stand up for the "underdog," to "seek truth." Organic to the goal of digging up information is skepticism of information presented – whether by governments, corporations or any bureaucracy. Those-who-have-something-to-lose. (These phenomena tend to be aligned more with the political right – that is their "bias.") For a reporter to have this type of "liberal bias" is not only inherent in the job – it is as admirable and natural as fighting a fire. Besides, reporters are just people, with foibles and prejudices and ignorance (and varying degrees of skill). What is your job, then, as a citizen? Be skeptical, but not necessarily disbelieving. Be questioning, but not necessarily dismissive. Look for reliable, substantiated information in any reporting, and good points in commentaries, whether or not you think they are left-leaning or right-leaning. Read if it makes you smile. Read if it makes your blood boil. Then think. To do otherwise is not right, and we are left with nothing but the opportunity for greater wrong. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Rip Rense is writer and columnist whose work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Emmy Magazine, TV Guide, and Free China Review. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
