The point I think I'm trying to make is that the range of political debate has been narrowed by the media. The media has done this because the audience is lazy and (also generally dumb) needs to see things in terms of pros and cons.
It is a mentality that has been conditioned by a firm belief in black and white, right and wrong, god and the devil, Yankees and Sox . . . indeed this attitude limits our perspective.
On the world stage there are many forces at work, but it takes a broad knowledge of too many subjects for the average audience member to make any sense of it.
Instead, the audience member, with the media holding their hand, has a limited perspective: Osama attacked America, Republicans took action, and Democrats must be against the Republicans.
I'm not blaming the media since they so often give us what we ask for, I'm just annoyed because life isn't True-False . . . it's an essay question. __ Alan ironmelf
PS: And I'm not really afraid of you, Bob, but your voice does carry weight around here. If you were to dismiss my notions--even if they have merit--most people would go along with you simply due to your 'scholarly' reputation. That fact can be intimidating--especially when we enter a discussion that poses the danger of sharp criticism.
Re: Who's voting for Bush
The point I think I'm trying to make is that the range of political debate has been narrowed by the media. The media has done this because the audience is lazy and (also generally dumb) needs to see things in terms of pros and cons.
It is a mentality that has been conditioned by a firm belief in black and white, right and wrong, god and the devil, Yankees and Sox . . . indeed this attitude limits our perspective.
On the world stage there are many forces at work, but it takes a broad knowledge of too many subjects for the average audience member to make any sense of it.
Instead, the audience member, with the media holding their hand, has a limited perspective: Osama attacked America, Republicans took action, and Democrats must be against the Republicans.
I'm not blaming the media since they so often give us what we ask for, I'm just annoyed because life isn't True-False . . . it's an essay question.
__
Alan
PS: And I'm not really afraid of you, Bob, but your voice does carry weight around here. If you were to dismiss my notions--even if they have merit--most people would go along with you simply due to your 'scholarly' reputation. That fact can be intimidating--especially when we enter a discussion that poses the danger of sharp criticism.