I would agree, and go further to state that political parties (at least the two party system in place) hinders the process, as does any advocacy of it. I firmly believe that it no longer matters whether a Republican or Democrat wins a given election, because ultimately America will continue to lose. While there may be ideological differences between the two parties, their methods of operation make them identical inasmuch as both are ineffective and only serve themselves. Republicans laughed whenever Democrats used the word change, and Democrats laughed whenever Republicans used the word reform. Both were right in laughing, because neither party is capable of reform or change -- both are too vested in keeping things broken.
Bringing it back to news coverage on television, both FoxNews and MSNBC (because SOMETIMES the two can be lumped together) place too much emphasis on political parties. Can "the party" survive the new political climate? What does this mean for "the party"? How will things change when "the party" is in charge? When they mention the American people at all, it is either as an afterthought or they are treated as victims -- as if the American people aren't complicit in all of this. As for the differences between the two networks, I think FoxNews is less obtuse in its advocacy role because its viewers do not generally dispute the role it plays in partisan politics. I believe FoxNews can more shamelessly throw its collective support for or against something or someone (health care being a prime example), omitting facts or inflating numbers to fit its cause. But I also believe the only thing stopping MSNBC from doing the same is its reluctance to admit its clearly partisan stance. MSNBC's bias will be displayed in more oblique ways, though its position on an issue will be just as clear to viewers (again, look at the issue of health care and tell me MSNBC did not advocate a point-of-view). MSNBC's viewers (and this message board seems to demonstrate this point effectively) are reluctant to concede the point of partisanship, as though MSNBC's sh*t doesn't stink. Or they concede the point while defending it as somehow working on a higher moral ground than others who do the same. As for me, I don't see the need to keep pointing out different ways in which FoxNews is shameless and unethical because I've never been a fan and don't even have low expectations of that organization. But I do wish MSNBC (and its supporters) would acknowledge its mistakes and take corrective action. Keith could lead a team of journalists who root out corruption (as Stewart suggests) or showcase good ideas. It could be done simply by not talking about either political party, not talking about anyone at FoxNews, and focusing instead on individual merits and failings of ideas and the people in power who support or reject them. -- Kevin M. (RPCV) -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
