Journalists, Left Out of The Debate

WaPo ^ | Aug. 23, 2009 | Howard Kurtz

[Al B.]

For once, mainstream journalists did not retreat to the studied neutrality of quoting dueling antagonists.

They tried to perform last rites on the ludicrous claim about President Obama's death panels, telling Sarah Palin, in effect, you've got to quit making things up.

But it didn't matter. The story refused to die.

The crackling, often angry debate over health-care reform has severely tested the media's ability to untangle a story of immense complexity. In many ways, news organizations have risen to the occasion; in others they have become agents of distortion. But even when they report the facts, they have had trouble influencing public opinion.

In the 10 days after Palin warned on Facebook of an America "in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel,' " The Washington Post mentioned the phrase 18 times, the New York Times 16 times, and network and cable news at least 154 times (many daytime news shows are not transcribed).

While there is legitimate debate about the legislation's funding for voluntary end-of-life counseling sessions, the former Alaska governor's claim that government panels would make euthanasia decisions was clearly debunked.

[StormEye]

"The crackling, often angry debate over health-care reform has severely tested the media's ability to untangle a story of immense complexity."

Yeah, it severely tested the media's ability to cover-up and hide the facts from the American public. The internet will be the death of the Wa. Post yet! Hurry up and fold Washington Post! And take Howard with you!

[Right Wing Assault]

Journalists, Left Out of The Debate

Good. You don't BELONG in the debate. You are supposed to rport both sides accurately. Start doing that first. Remember the old days? Too dang many 'pundits' and 'columnists' trying to tell us what to think, not enough old-fashioned reporters.

[GOPJ]

A must read :

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2322458/posts?page=12#12

[AmericanVictory]

Few urinalists seem to hear the truth; they only want to wee wee on it.

[OCC]

On Aug. 13, the Senate Finance Committee pulled the plug on the provision

They killed the death panel provision?

[okie01]

There are about five absurd statements in Kurtz's piece. It's rather obvious Howie relies the media reports rather than read the bill or speak to a protester himself.

But one was especially juicy:

Beck's charge (of racism) was so incendiary -- and bizarre, considering that Obama's mother was white...

Has Howie not heard? Obama dissed his own grandmother for being white. His recitation on his audio books takes on a different, more menacing tone when he speaks of white people. Recall the obvious rush to judgment against a white policeman. Not to mention, Howie, that Obama's mother hated white people, too.

The liberal media is not just biased. They're terminally stupid.

[uncommonsense]

Cost cutting, health plans approved by gov, mandatory coverage, electronic access to health records, access to bank accounts, mandatory enrollment in gov plan if between jobs - prohibiting private plan enrollment, hiring medical “ethicists”, excluding unions, medicare and SS underfunded by $100 trillion, requiring vets to pay for their combat injuries (from another plan) - connect the dots dolts...

[Al B.]

Sarah Palin never said anything about euthanasia. She never used the word. She talked about rationing.

Yep, and she only used the phrase 'death panels' twice in her various postings. As Kurtz said, the media used it at least 198 times in the first 10 days.

Thanks media. PWNED by the 'Wasilla chillbilly'...LMAO.

[Texas Eagle]

Dang... I sure hope that word sticks - it is so appropriate.

Heh, heh. I took a liking to it right away my own self. I wish I could take credit for coming up with it. The credit goes to a radio guy named Joe Getty who co-hosts The Armstrong & Getty Show here in Sacramento.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Kurtz is desperately trying to rationalize how an ex-Governor who supposedly was finished completely turned the healthcare debate upside-down and put the Zero administration on its heels.

If conservatives want to win, then we need to start being passionate and inject some emotion in the debate.

[sionnsar]

"Journalists, Left Out of The Debate"

Journalists have long since proved themselves to be nothing but biased shills.

Lower than used-car salesmen and congresscritters. (I have one example of each of these categories as trustworthy folks.)

If they end up unemployed, I will cheer. They spent decades trashing their professionalism -- let the liars rot. In government Projects.

There they will be among their own ilk.

[Rocky]

Will Obamacare pay for a lobotomy for Kurtz?

[kcvl]

they (media) have had trouble influencing public opinion

No kidding! And what is wrong with that?! YOU (media) shouldn't be able to INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION. You should REPORT THE FACTS and let people decide!

[Clint Williams]

What do you call a "journalist" with his camera smashed on the street in front of him?

One heck of a good start!

[muawiyah]

We all hope and prey that Kurz gets his eyesight back in time to read the bill someday.

[kcvl]

Yeah, that's why they took it off.

Exactly!

How do you remove something if it wasn't there?!

[redk]

Oh jeepers. She's using Alinsky tactics on them and want to cry foul. Boo Hoo.

[kcvl]

Sarah Palin never said anything about euthanasia. She never used the word. She talked about rationing.

Howard is obviously not taking his own advice. STOP MAKING THINGS UP, Howard!

[muawiyah]

Another one? I think he’s used up his lifetime cap on lobotomies.

[The Wizard]

they were NOT debunked...you slimy bug.