Posted on 05/03/2006 9:29:04 AM PDT by okvalvaag
There is a power that everyone is affected by. Some recognize its wrath and other’s have a way of exerting its power. There are two sides of every coin. And in this country it seems more like a rubrics cube of varying theories for every issue. The current events this past week in news were merely variations of people using the power of words and images to convey either their feelings or what they want the public to believe they feel. My purpose in writing today is to remind us all to take the time to consider what news is merely one’s perspective and what is the proper panorama of facts necessary to detail events.
President Bush has been giving speeches around the country to promote support for the war in Iraq. In West Virginia he spoke to many soldier’s families and their response was overwhelming. One after another many stood and thanked him for his integrity and expressed that they were very glad he has been our president through these times. But, for some reason, when President Bush spoke to American Journalists at a Press Conference their questions were exceedingly harsh. Bush even joked about what a tough crowd they were. The journalists said things such as, ‘what are your real reasons for going to war?’ and ‘since most Americans have lost trust in you and your administration...’ These comments hardly seem necessary or factual, and they certainly contrast what those most closely affected by the War in Iraq are expressing. Perhaps some have a perspective that we need to beware of.
On the Your World w/ Cavuto show, on Fox News Wednesday, a democratic strategist was on as a guest. He admitted that the economy was doing pretty well and that there was significant progress in Iraq. But he went on to stress the importance of the media keeping the angle that things were not that good so that - in my own words – people will think everything bad that happens is the fault of President George W. Bush and (most importantly) will vote democratic in the upcoming elections. Yikes! Whatever happened to our rubrics cube of views? It seems some people have the ability to get our minds off facts and onto perspectives.
Other groups in the news this past week tried to use perspectives to promote their cause as well. It didn’t fair so well though for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) when they tried to grab student’s attention on college campuses by comparing the treatment of animals with the treatment of African Americans in slavery. Heated debates broke out and African American leaders called for them to stop insulting all they’ve been through. Well PETA I guess you’d better get a louder microphone and keep yelling your agenda! It just takes time and persistence to get Americans to forget the facts and stamp your perspectives on our foreheads.
Many other instances are astonishing to me to see the power of words and media in action. But I’ll end with the maneuver Hillary Clinton pulled when she used Jesus as an example in her speech against the bill that just passed in the House about immigration. Now, where one stands on the immigration issue would not be the point. But the point is that we are seeing a political strategy to super-impose her perspective on immigration onto the average American who at least would say they think Jesus was a good ‘moral teacher.’ And what is worse in this case is that based on previous statements from Hillary one could conclude that she doesn’t necessarily feel that way about immigration, but needed to take that stand so more people would take to her perspective i.e. vote for her in 2008.
To bring it all together, there is a power in words and media, and it would be stupid for those campaigning or promoting certain positions not to use them to their fullest extent. I’m certainly not accusing those who use persuasive words of being sadistic, or anything. In fact, I hope I’ve used some convincing words just now, but I am simply blasting out these key principles to anyone looking to know the truth…don’t forget to take time to consider, what’s truth and what’s just perspective.
"There are two sides of every coin."
Good or evil...
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