[txradioguy]

"Is it them, or their schooling, or the networks or what???"

I'd say all of the above. IMHO the "mainstream" media are the self-ordained conscious of this country whether we like it or not. They view us as sheep who are merely supposed to believe 100% their version of the news and not ask questions. Most of the "mainstream" media can't fathom the fact that you and I can actually think on our own and possibly not believe the news as they report it. Are there exceptions? Yes there are. But I find there are far more Bob Simon's than there are Sheppard Smith's.

[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!