The stench of mainstream media narcissism

Townhall.com ^ | 29 March 2003 | David Limbaugh

[prognostigaator]

As the article stated, they [the reporters] desire to be 'neutral' overlooks the fact that their allegience to America must take priority over their misguided allegience to their profession..especially in time of war when our GI's lives are at great risk.

The message is the media and it fails to accentuate the positive aspects , objectives and goals of this nation as repeatedly said by this Adminstration..& which they conveniently ignore as 'spin'.

They also were so thoroughly frightened by the sniper attacks in Washington DC not one ventured in the streets....

[harpo11]

Excellent article. Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Limbaugh Fire!

David Limbaugh speaks for many of us who believe that if Perjurin' Bill Clinton was running OIF the mainstream press would be on bended kneepad swooning in delight while basking in Clinton's crackling jeans.

Although, Bill Clinton would never endeavor to mount such a worthy and righteous mission to liberate the Iraqi's from tyranny. He could never take on the responsibility as it may have negative political impact on his prospects for remaining in the OO chasing interns with cigar. Dick Morris and Bill SOP would be to poll it and focus group it prior to any engagement, if any.

It makes me sick to see these gutless fools treat our CIC, George Bush, his courageous Generals, and our brave Armed Forces in such a snide and insolent fashion.

Luckily, I do think that most Americans are far more in stride with our President than the mainstream press could ever hope to realize as they have made it their mission to chip away at the support we have for our President.

[walden]

Ah, but you know, blacks in positions of power aren't really black-- just look at Colin Powell and Condi Rice. Just two more cogs in the white "establishment."

[AquariusStar22]

Again Mr. Limbaugh, in his clear and concise way, points out the obvious. I am really enjoying the idea that we have TWO Limbaughs now to rely on to state the conservative case.

The liberals and the media must really hate the thought.

[Toskrin]

We need to keep in mind that the media outlets all have target audiences. Before FNC, networks like CNN had to apppeal to a broad audience. Now they have lost the conservative viewer and are competing with other networks only for moderates and liberals. The more they appeal to the viewers' ideology, the more successful they are. ABC has staked a claim on the far left viewership. The networks are finding more success with identifying a niche market rather than competing for the broad market. Discussing journalistic integrity is like discussing breakfast cereal integrity.

[Woahhs]

The thing that struck us most peculiar when my wife was going through J-school was the constant reinforcement of the notion that the trained journalist possessed a more refined set of critical thinking skills than the average American.

We also noted there were absolutely no courses in logic or critical thinking required, and we're talking one of the top five J-schools in the country at that time.

To this day, she tosses alumni solicitations in the garbage with a snarl of contempt. And don't get her started when one of the poor benighted dears actually calls the house for a donation!

[ALS]

Dateline 0900: CentCom Briefing Room, Dohaha, "Gutter"

General Brooks: "We've determined that the media is a dual use facility and will be taken out with precision guided munitions at 0930."

Media: "Won't this be playing into the hands of regular Americans the enemy?"

[cgbg]

artificial anti-Western filter

There is another "artificial" about this filter. This filter reveals for all to see the values of the reporters.

Even when terrorists have made clear that the killing of American civilians (including these very reporters) is their top priority the reporters remain opposed to any effort to protect us (including them!)

I am becoming convinced that the major media has become like a Jim Jones Kool-Aid cult working for their own suicide.

I really wouldn't care except they seem intent on taking the rest of us with them.

The administration should view them as enemies in this war. They deserve the same treatment that an Irqi intelligent agent would get.

Feed them lots of disinformation, and if they get in the way on the war front kidnap them and hide them in a dark basement for the duration.

[Carolinamom]

Let's call them the LAMEstream Press. They're not the MAIN source of info anymore.

[IronJack]

Wars are career vehicles for journalists. Dan Rather built his name in Vietnam. Wolf Blitzer and Peter Arnett both were nobodies until Gulf I. Every two-bit mannequin is in Kuwait or Iraq these days, trying to be THE face of the war.

Never mind that the war isn't about faces or journalism careers. It's really about the soldiers and sailors and airmen who are laying their lives on the line to right a grievous wrong. That's where the spotlight should stay focused.

[SteveH]

Even more outrageous is this notion among some in the American media that their obligation to be objective in their reportage requires them to be neutral in the war.

I've specifically buttonholed journalists and editors during the earlier clinton years, asking them why they were biased towards liberal causes and how to justify that bias.

The invariable response (presuming they were truthful enough to admit bias at all, which most were) was that no one is unbiased and so therefore lack of bias is impossible; but they claimed that their bias averaged out to offset each other. Therefore if someone objected to the way that a story was reported, they chose to take that as a positive indication that they were doing their job well {!?!?).

All this was over and beyond the factual errors that they would make. As an exercise, consider running for political office sometime (not as a Democrat) and get a firsthand lesson on just how accurate and fair the coverage actually is.

[GOPJ]

Reporters and news people once came from the working classes. Now they're elite class college grads with specialty in writing. Not thinking, not analyzing, not debating ideas. Writing. Wordsmyths. Period.

In the room the women come and go talking of Michelangelo. The quintessential comment from Prufrock on superficiality.

What has happened to the mentality of these journalists? They once were able to ask questions that were informative and insightful. The questions I've heard since this started are just stupid for the most part concentrating on trivia. They don't seem to be able to assimilate information and ask cogent questions.

[GOPJ]

Reporters and news people once came from the working classes. Now they're elite class college grads with specialty in writing. Not thinking, not analyzing, not debating ideas. Writing. Wordsmyths. Period.

In the room the women come and go talking of Michelangelo. The quintessential comment from Prufrock on superficiality.

What has happened to the mentality of these journalists? They once were able to ask questions that were informative and insightful. The questions I've heard since this started are just stupid for the most part concentrating on trivia. They don't seem to be able to assimilate information and ask cogent questions.

[PeterPrinciple]

I find this "slant" by the mainstream media very frightening.

I agree with you but this is also an opportunity for the truth to come out....and it appears it is. For a long term investment, would you invest your money in Fox or CBS right now? There is only one truth and it will come out in the end but lies are easier.

[DearAbby]

Peter Jennings has to be at the top of the list. He, in my opinion, is the most biased reporter ABC has.

He is an unabashed liberal and I'm sick of his kind of journalisem.

[facedown]

General Brooks deftly responded, "First, I would say it's your choice." Translation: "There's the door; don't let it hit you in the rear on your way out." As for Tommy Franks, "He's fighting a war right now."

I've watched this guy at the last couple of day's briefings. He is the right man for the job.

[Rockpile]

Since so many in the News Cartel here believe they must not take a pro-American stance then surely they must excoriate Al Jazeera and the rest of the Islamic press for their own biases. Right?

[Rockpile]

You know something I would truly like to see is an enforced IQ test. Let's say that the US Marshals pick a random classroom at the United States Military Academy and at the Columbia School of Journalism, chain the doors shut and administer an identical IQ exam.

Gee, who would return the highest average score?

[txradioguy]

"....surely they must excoriate Al Jazeera and the rest of the Islamic press for their own biases. Right?"


The silence on that point is deafening.

[txradioguy]

"Let's call them the LAMEstream Press. They're not the MAIN source of info anymore."



Agreed. Wish I'd thought of it. I'm glad that you did.