Ahh, we finally got around to THEM.
Some people say the Democrats are the problem. Others says its the Republicans.
They are both right but they missed the Real Problem, which is the press. I have NEVER seen a story about which I had some knowledge that the press got right or at a minimum they left out important information. And then you get into the press carrying the Flag Of Journalism which purports to be fair and unbiased. There have been study after study after study regarding news stories and how they are biased strongly to one side. The last study I read about came out of one of the CA universities.
In the early 80s PBS had a series of shows about the Media. The format of the show was that there was a narrator, for a want of a better word, and a panel full of experienced people The people on one show, about the Media and Military, included exPresidents, high level Congress Critters from both houses, Historians, Law professors, media anchors/editors, Judges, and high ranking generals/admirals.
This was when tension was high regarding Nicaragua. The narrator threw out a scenario about a country in Latin American whose name as very similar to Nicaragua but which I'll call X since its easier to type.
On the panel was Dan Rather and either Jennings or Brokow. Can't remember which pretty much the same anyway. The following questions where asked to the "journalists".
You have a source. The source is high level and always right. The source tells you that the US will have a surprise invasion of X in 24/48 hours. Do you report this story?
Rather and the others said yes. No hesitation.
The narrator continues. Your source tells you that even if the invasion is reported it will go on regardless of the loss of surprise. Do you report the story?
Rather and the others said yes. No hesitation.
Your source tells you that the if X knows of the invasion US forces will suffer 10,000 dead and wounded. Do you report the story?
Rather, without hesitation, said Yes. The others waffled and said they would have to think about it.
At this point, it was a good thing the panel was sitting at tables because the only thing stopping the generals/admirals jaws from hitting the floor was the table tops. I think most of the people where shocked at the medias reaction. Even the, we have to think about it response, was appaling. Rather was most insistent that it was his duty to report to the American people this news. The fact that there would be huge causualities did not bother him at all. I find it enlightening his casualness about killing US service people in light of the press's focus on casualities during the current war. I guess casualities are ok if they make ratings.
The problem is the press...
If you are given bad information how can you make good decisions?
Later,
Dan
