Has the Media Finally Jumped the Shark?

Dems2002

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Fri Apr-06-07 05:49 PM
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Has the Media Finally Jumped the Shark?

Poll after poll after poll are conducted by newspapers all of the time to provide public opinion on major issues -- time and time again, these opinions end up directly contradicting the MSM's reporting on "people's opinions" with nary a raised brow.

Obviously, once the MSM latches onto a particular narrative, pesky facts aren’t allowed to intrude. And their reporting on the Democratic Congresses' actions is awash in these fact less partisan diatribes. And all of them convey one overriding message to the American Public: We don’t care what you think.

While it can no longer surprise when the Main Stream Media adopts White House/Republican Talking Points, it's fascinating to me how total the condemnation has been in the MSM against Speaker Pelosi's trip to Syria. The hysteria has been so great and so completely at odds with the reality, that I think it may be looked back as the official moment the MSM 'Jumped the Shark.'

Let's take a look at the facts:

The Speaker of the House takes a trip to a Foreign Country.

This is not the first time a Speaker of the House has left US soil. It's not the first time a Speaker of the House left US soil with policy ideas different than those held by the President.

From all accounts Pelosi has been respectful to the administration, and if the MSM isn’t capable of researching past Speakers’ behaviors, the internet sleuths have kindly provided that information for them.

In other words, the facts are there and clear for all to see, including the MSM, so why does the insane narrative continue?

I believe that it's because many in the MSM have built successful careers in this environment, this environment has been the dominant force for the past 15-25 years while the Rathers were replaced by the Russerts, and change to them is a threat to their very livlihoods.

So, why is this their Jump the Shark Moment? Because the Democrats in Congress, their most faithful audience, is no longer listening.

The ability of the MSM to affect public opinion was never as strong as they might have liked, BUT there was one group over whom they had sway -- Elected Democrats in DC, and these guys have suddenly grown spines.

The examples are numerous:

Scooter Libby – MSM Message -- Good guy, fall guy, no story here, move along folks the President should pardon him...
People's opinion -- If he outed a spy he should be punished
Democrats Message -- Investigate further

Iraq War Timetable – MSM Message -- This is ‘bad for Democrats’ and even if it’s a loss for the President, a loss is a ‘good thing’ for the President on this issue.
What do the people want? A timetable.
Democrats -- Reid signs on to cut off the money supply after the end date.

Firing of Federal Prosecutors – MSM Message -- This is a ‘partisan witch hunt’ the Democrats are salivating over putting Rove under oath – this will ‘backfire’ on the Democrats.
What do the people want? Rove and Staff to testify under oath.
Democrats -- Have not eased up on AG, aren't letting Asst. off the hook, requesting RNC e-mails and working to force Rove and Co. to testify

Speaker of the House visits Syria and passes along a message encouraging peace talks with Israel – MSM suggests that she could be the ‘most controversial Speaker ever’
What do the people want? Peace.
Nancy Pelosi/Democrats -- Tells them to check with the State Department who attended the same briefing she did to showcase she didn't misinform.

Frankly, I think the people in the US, awash in the talking points of republicans and the MSM are a lot smarter than they’re given credit for.

The people are clearly saying to the Media – "We know what’s important. We don’t care what you think."

Meanwhile, the US MSM is strapping on the water skis and ready to take a flying leap -- Let's hope the sharks don't bite too hard.

Best,

Dems