Media Criticism

My level of skepticism for the mainstream media as well as the assertion of “truth” by any group with a clear agenda has grown since my college days. I started out with a skepticism of the larger American system (read: capitalism) and espoused the desire for an egalitarian society in various letters to the editor. I have since narrowed my focus significantly to specific aspects of American politics and culture including cable news networks, the two-party system and IRS. That last one is a bit more about the expenses of being a freelance writer rather than a hatred of taxes.

I have been reading a lot lately about the 9/11 Truth movement including an article in the libertarian magazine Reason as well as a well-written piece by Jennifer Abel in the Hartford Advocate. I have mixed feelings on the allegations that the federal government with the help of a corporate cabal aided in the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11. My skepticism toward the federal government based on historical analysis (Watergate and the results of the Nye Committee regarding WWI funding) is healthy but I find it difficult to believe that such an elaborate plot could be undertaken by the incompetent Bush Administration.

I will say that the scientific evidence against the third tower falling suddenly hours after the collision does ring true in my mind. I am not sure I can reconcile my belief in scientific evidence, my dislike of the Bush Administration’s handling of 9/11 and my hope that a betrayal of that magnitude with any certainty. While I am not an adherent to the various beliefs of the 9/11 Truth movement (including some disturbing anti-religious language) I think that further investigation is needed to help put 9/11 conspiracies to rest. I am confident that a more reasonable expectation lies in the rubble rather than the complex scheme cooked up by believes in the 9/11 Truth movement.

The Christian right in the tangible form of the Council for National Policy met over the weekend to discuss the state of the conservative politics in America. Anyone that has followed the Republican presidential debates understands the quandary faced by earnest conservatives. Mitt Romney is a pretty face and loaded financially but the Democratic media machine would certainly use the “flip flop” attack on Romney in a general election (to good effect). Rudy Giuliani’s run for the presidency brings forth the pain of 9/11 and his inexperience in national politics only seems to be overmatched by his moderate leanings.

The Council for National Policy put out a statement indicating their worries about a Giuliani campaign by stating that they may find it necessary to run a third party candidate. Newt Gingrich has recently declined to run for the Republican nomination but he would seem a likely candidate given his recent attacks on partisanship. Other possibilities include Chuck Hagel from Nebraska and Ron Paul from Texas if they feel like Paul’s momentum would have an effect.

In the same way that the movement of liberal Democrats into Ralph Nader’s camp in 2000 threw the election into turmoil, a Christian right candidate outside of the Republican Party in 2008 would certainly give America a Democratic president. The Republican Party would experience a split in its ranks that it has not experienced in a long time (Reagan and Ford in 1976 or even Taft and Roosevelt in 1912 beyond that). If the Republican Party wants to maintain its conservative principles and avoid kowtowing further to the Christian right, they should stand by their principles and nominate someone to lead the Republican Party instead of the American Christian right.

In case you were able to get past the coverage of Britney’s performance at the Video Music Awards, you realize that today is the sixth anniversary of the September 11th attacks in New York City. I have found each anniversary unbearable because I have to endure a week’s worth of programs about this terrible tragedy. I saw it on television and I was like millions of others glued to their TV in the following days to see how America responded. Six years later, I cannot honestly say that we have responded well.

The political rhetoric and media coverage on each 9/11 anniversary has been focused on our military response. MyGoodDeed.org is an organization that has received over 250,000 pledges by people who want to change our nation’s focus when this anniversary comes around each year. These Americans pledge to do good deeds and celebrate the heroism of firefighters, police officers and others involved in saving lives on 9/11. My cynical heart is warmed a bit by the thought that the public is able to put aside the bile associated with this event on one day each year to help others. If we could only get past the idea that a war on terror is winnable we may be able to begin to heal the wounds that we have allowed to fester in the last six years.