I recently watched a documentary (Media Malpractice) that points out many examples of how the Media can manipulate our minds (understanding and opinions). It was fascinating to watch.
I have long held this tactic when I see something on CNN, Fox, MSNBC. I know each network has a slight agenda (in general), but there are certain individuals you learn to trust and others you can predict their spin on something. When these networks launch into a biased view of a news or analysis story, I try to turn the topic as if the other side said it (or perpetrated it, etc.). Whatever the thing is….
Sarah Palin is a great example of someone being butchered in the media. However if you look as something with deeper inspection and context, the sound byte we get fed wasn’t as damning as you might think. If you take the things Sarah Palin said and had them come out of Joe Biden’s mouth, would you react the same way. Likewise, if Palin had said the FDR were President in 1929 after the Stock Market crash, she would be treated… well, like she has been treated. Yet, Biden gets a pass. Yes, there are some smaller outlets that might make note, but in the context of Katie Couric and CBS news (the same reporter who blasted Palin), one might think that Bidens remarks would get more negative attention. (watch it)
If Bush had said he travelled the 57 states, would Ed Schultz have pounced on it? Probably.
My main point in all of this… We are human. We are fallible. This is an election season and I wish everyone would consider the candidate that best suits the needs of the country.
