well, sir, I believe you make my point within your own. The original question was if the quality of journalism was directly proportional to the quality of government. I believe it is not. nor can true virtue be swayed by the media, though many others can.
Virtue, or rather its rarity, are like the parable of Jesus and the 10 lepers. Though all were cured, only one returned seeking truth and a change in his life. The others went about their merry, sinful ways. So also do I see echoes of virtue in Gideon's 300. Where, how can propaganda possibly sway these?
My point in the rest of that note was that I believe the Founding Fathers have set up a mechanism whereby each generation must respond to the timeless tests that civilizations have always faced. As we face our own defining threat - islamo-fascism - we no longer really need to be reminded via reflection on our past of what is needed to defeat it. Yes, we can and should look to our ancestors for inspiration, but how or why our fathers fought should not be sought after as to whether or not we should fight our own battles. Each generation has it's test. No tests = generations who forget what was fought and bled for. Freedom and virtue are precious, and are not free. It falls to us to not just know this in our heads, but in our very souls.
We either will have it in us to face down this threat, or we won't. Our Founding Fathers are betting on the former. That was my point.
I believe, sir, your line of thought opens another discussion, but don't see a strong link between your thoughts and mine.
I may be missing your point altogether, but I would submit journalism can have a tremendous effect on our government. The more monolithic the media, the greater the potential impact IMHO. In fact, I have gone so far to suggest in the past, the Dims could in fact be taking their marching orders in large part from the media. You know, if it plays well in Peoria??? At the very least they're using the same playbook.
We either will have it in us to face down this threat, or we won't. Our Founding Fathers are betting on the former. That was my point.
Point taken, but at least one of our founders had some misgivings. Ben Franklin, when replying to a question concerning what type of government the founders had created, "A republic, if you can keep it".
A quote from one of our founders I really like:
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence
FGS