tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post7912229503404362594..comments2023-12-16T16:50:25.810-08:00Comments on The Heart of the Matter: Journalists and BullshitBarry Eislerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17785333622697500192noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-39426039906547059612008-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:002008-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00Barry,David Brooks has repeatedly shown himself to...Barry,<BR/><BR/>David Brooks has repeatedly shown himself to be about as disconnected from fact as it is possible to be; almost every single position he attributes to the public is nothing more than his own, unsubstantiated by polling data or other concrete support. I am at the point where I largely ignore him, reflexively.<BR/><BR/>The debate was an absolute disgrace, but what is heartening is the fact that more than 10,000(!) people left comments stating that fact at ABC News' blog. That said, politicians and big media wouldn't be catering so single-mindedly to the lowest common denominator if there wasn't a market for it. I am relieved to see, however, that - spurred on by what has been an eight-year beat-down for the general public - in today's world of alternative information sources, they appear to have misjudged demand for the shameless pabulum they're peddling by a significant margin. I think it's too early to sing praises for a newly educated and involved American body politic, but there are certainly hopeful signs. Who knows - if we keep the pressure up by ignoring them, maybe we can even force the members of the mainstream press who work so closely with establishment politicians to actually begin acting like the adversarial fourth estate envisioned by the founders! <BR/><BR/>Now all we need to do is get them to start putting both candidate McCain - he of the serial flip-flops, questionable personal morals, corruption and pandering to religious extremists - and his positions (four more years of Bush, anyone?), and we'll be all set!<BR/><BR/>(I can dream, can't I?)<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>Paul<BR/><A HREF="http://sensen-no-sen.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Sensen No Sen</A><BR/><BR/>PS.<BR/>As a fellow, huge fan of Glenn Greenwald, I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my pre-ordered copy of his latest!PBIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05643553811799195520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-84744785851198568462008-04-19T08:52:00.000-07:002008-04-19T08:52:00.000-07:00Ok, I think I'll start reading your books. You ta...Ok, I think I'll start reading your books. You take on David Brooks' words are spot on! With Mr. Brooks voluminous verbal excretions, one doesn't need to step in it- to see it, or smell it. You called it what it was....Bullshit.<BR/><BR/>I do think journalists try to get a politicians dander up- or rather on ANYONE they interview for the sole purpose of ratings. When do you ever hear about a kind and gentle interview? No, buzz is on about making people angry or cry. <BR/><BR/>And while I understand the reason for ratings, I think this type of 'journalism' sullies the newsworthiness of what's elicited from the engagements. It may be interesting to know if Stephanopolus and Gibson are responsible for all the content of their questions or if they are fed some by producers.<BR/><BR/>It pleases me you spoke on the ridiculousness of the lapel pin issue, or really NONissue. This was another example of making something out of nothing, just like wearing a red ribbon was in the Academy Awards broadcast years ago. Celebrities were basically bullied into feeling as though they had to wear one to 'prove' solidarity or they were actually questioned about their beliefs and compassion! McCarthy would be proud.<BR/><BR/>THANK YOU for posting your article on MySpace for us to read, and bravo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-20493998593936497982008-04-19T06:40:00.000-07:002008-04-19T06:40:00.000-07:00Brooks doesn't do analysis; he's basically writing...Brooks doesn't do analysis; he's basically writing press releases for the RNC. I don't even bother to read him anymore.JD Rhoadeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123361739160525998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-56442379758476128262008-04-18T17:12:00.000-07:002008-04-18T17:12:00.000-07:00Bravo, Barry! Your analysis of that worthless deba...Bravo, Barry! Your analysis of that worthless debate is superb!<BR/><BR/>Shari MeyrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-50141672504471855712008-04-18T16:32:00.000-07:002008-04-18T16:32:00.000-07:00I think the problem is that journalism has become ...I think the problem is that journalism has become less and less about the facts, and more and more about how these facts affect public opinion. so where journalists once would focus on reporting the facts to stimulate public opinion, now it's about reporting the facts in a way to lead or support public opinion. the opinion is only as important as the person with the opinion it seems, and this case it's increasingly about the journalists opinion. I mean sure there are opinion articles where this is relevant, but everyday journalism should never be this way. it makes it hard to form our own opinions when the 'journalism' is now designed to promote the 'journalists' opinion instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-29904180782222158142008-04-18T14:53:00.000-07:002008-04-18T14:53:00.000-07:00Unfortunately I missed the debate. But watching Fo...Unfortunately I missed the debate. But watching Fox last night, even Bill OReilly seemed appalled at how partisan Stephanopoulos seemed, giving Hillary a pass on really tough questions. It was pointed out that Stephanopoulos was propped up by Hillary during the Clinton administration.Randy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627907086811387527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-73078404757608931142008-04-18T14:14:00.000-07:002008-04-18T14:14:00.000-07:00Amen, Barry.Amen, Barry.Joshua Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08239067667651048280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-44815444590675289212008-04-18T14:00:00.000-07:002008-04-18T14:00:00.000-07:00Let's face it, Brooks has finally decided Obama is...Let's face it, Brooks has finally decided Obama is the heir apparent for the Dems is, so he can stop pouncing on Hillary and take on Obama. Is their any doubt who his candidate is?pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-41065799734895266982008-04-18T11:28:00.000-07:002008-04-18T11:28:00.000-07:00Body slam!!!Wow, what an interesting post. I thin...Body slam!!!<BR/><BR/>Wow, what an interesting post. I think one of the most interesting things about this election is that there is a battle going on over the intelligence of the electorate, and honestly I don't know who's going to win it. <BR/><BR/>The mainstream press, and certain candidates I won't mention are on the one side (they are clearly skeptical of the electorate's intelligence -- i.e. soundbites, manufactured "issues," etc.), and on the other side, the blogosphere and one candidate (they think America is smart enough to know what's what -- i.e. longer speeches, analysis of real issues, etc.).<BR/><BR/>Are we a smart nation or a dumb nation? It may be too simplistic to say that this election is going to decide that, but I think there are divergent views on that question that are being played out on a national stage.Nathan Bransfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938449789819847825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22165230.post-13762049539564363432008-04-18T11:13:00.000-07:002008-04-18T11:13:00.000-07:00When Obama says people are bitter, he's got his fi...When Obama says people are bitter, he's got his finger planted squarely on the pulse of the nation. I wouldn't know all that much about the rest of the debate, however. When the question of whether or not he was a patriot because he didn't wear a flag pin came up, I turned off the TV. I was embarrassed for the media, not the politicians.Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.com