[pollyannaish]

There are two things that are a little frightening to me about today's politics.

One is how easy it is for the press to manipulate emotions and overhype "risk." This leads to irrational hysteria and reactionary politics. That is a dangerous combination.

The second is how often the public demands that something be done immediately about any hardship, real or perceived. That also leads to waste, ineffectiveness and exceptionally nasty unintended consequences.

There is nothing more damaging to Americans than hysteria, speed and pandering politicians.

[DJ MacWoW]

You've got that right.

One is how easy it is for the press to manipulate emotions and overhype "risk."

And no amount of statistics will ever win when people are buying into the emotional angst. The press lives to frighten the masses and even conservatives will buy into it.