Why Americans Hate Journalism, Part 62

Ron Suskind's new book reports that in 2003, the White House ordered the CIA to forge a letter to "prove" that Iraq had a hand in 9/11 and that Saddam was buying yellowcake uranium from Niger for his WMD program with the help of Al Qaeda.

When this came up on MSNBC, moderator Chuck Todd asked Politico's Mike Allen whether this would lead "the anti-war crowd" in Congress to call for impeachment. Allen replied that it would "give the lefty blogosphere something to grab onto."

And so, in less time than it takes to say "Dick Cheney," the subject is changed from what would be one of the most outrageous violations of the Constitution in the history of the Republic to a left/right issue. Instead of taking a breath to consider the merits and consequences of Suskind's charges, MSNBC's It's-Always-Super-Tuesday-Over-Here reframing machine instantly transforms a shocking allegation about the abuse of power into a piece of political football, a tactic, an occasion for the players in the grand political theater that cable news says Washington really is to assume their designated roles, like a Punch and Judy show.

Only it's not that funny, is it? I don't imagine that the families of the tens of thousands of American soldiers killed and wounded in Iraq think that wanting to hold the president and vice president accountable for breaking the law means you're part of "the anti-war crowd" (meaning, the un-kewl kids). If the White House asked the CIA to cook up this disinformation aimed at the American people, why shouldn't the righty blogosphere, too, be up in arms? Why doesn't every American, regardless of political party, have a stake in the truth and the rule of law?

I know, I know: that's not Chuck Todd's or Mike Allen's jobs. Unfortunately, the closest that the MSM usually comes to weighing the evidence is saying: Ron Suskind charges X, and the White House denies it. This is what is now called reporting.

Comments

[robert234]

May,I say it in another way: 90% of Americans worship at THEIR governments alter as ferently as their religious one. There is a massive shunt that closes all entry to their neo-cortex. In fact I am virtually certain that they would turn on their church as on their country! They tremble in massive fear at the thought of anarchism y and atheism. As Bastiat said, "They would rather wear the yolk and learn to love it!" Yet what they really need is exactly that---anarchism and atheism! As for the mainsteam media, they are just intellectual and ethical cowards---plain and simple.

[provgrays]

If the media doesn't know what objective facts and reportage are, how are the legions of anti-intellectual Americans supposed to know?

George Stephanopoulos comes to mind. This guy went to Columbia and served in the Clinton Administration. Remember his laughably biased performance as a debate moderator not long ago? That passes as objectivity in 2008. Just as the media grows more cozy, self important and inept, newspapers are being turned into glorified phamplets thanks to the internet.

The bottom line is that the media and everyday people alike think that their opinions, however ignorant, are all that matters.

Just like Emperor George himself.

[wolfgangmo]

On the other hand it is not as if America has a long tradition of journalistic excellence.

Sure there have been brief moments that slipped through the cracks, but on the whole this nation has never had good news reporting. Unlike other countries where democracy is not considered a product for sale to the highest bidder.

If you want to see what reporting looks like then try to CBC, BBC, or even Al Jazeera.

But don't piss and moan about missing what you never had.

[annsnewfriend]

Put the name "Merrilee Carlson" into the Washington Post Archives search window and see what you get. Put the name "Cindy Sheehan" and see what you turn up. And why should one turn up hundreds of hits (even allowing for accidental similarities) and the other turns up four (all of which are accidental similarities)? Who made Cindy Sheehan famous and made sure that Merrilee Carlson is obscure?
Guess which girl is left-wing?

Of course, everything I'm saying is probably just hot air. I doubt you'll even publish it. That, dear Censor, is why "American's hate journalism." But, not to worry. We have the internet and we have Right Wing Radio! You better vote early and often! [Part two of Comment]

[annsnewfriend]

A news report:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20080706_Iraq_s_nuclear__yellowcake__moved_to_Canada.html

Left-wing spin:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/07/06/yellowcake-uranium-found-in-iraq-bush-was-right-well-not-so-much/

Americans don't hate journalism. Americans hate left-wing journalism, which is why they listen to a lot of right-wing radio. Journalists, however, have grown to hate journalism -- favoring propaganda instead. Americans love journalism and would welcome seeing it return to American life.
The yellowcake that Saddam didn't want, the 16 words of lies in Bush's State of the Union address (that turned out to be true), Joseph Wilson's Pollyanna world view, the sale of yellowcake to Canada that is blithely being described as "legal" and "well known" in the left wing blogger's version) was secretly moved to Canada where it proves less dangerous to the world -- all this demonstrates why "Americans hate journalism." No. It demonstrates how journalists have learned to hate the truth or even the search for truth. Ideology trumps truth on the left, and that's where the journalists live these days.

"Journalism" largely consists of "all the news that liberals want to hear." Oh, by the way, there's a war on. In Georgia. Where is Ms. Sheehan? She should be camping out in Vladimir Putin's backyard about now. Where's the outrage? Where are the protesters? Why isn't ANSWER all over this? What happened to the candlelight vigil?

[foxinthebox]

To quote the Masters, Pink Floyd: "Hello, Hello, Hello, Is there anybody in there?" Please go back to your right-wing radio, you have officially been brainwashed and there is no hope!!!

[wolfgangmo]

Red alert. Prepare the translators. Thinking impaired zone detected.

[springsm]

Journalism is one thing, passing the unresearched hot air as news facts and reporting is another. But wait..right now we are too busy outting John Edwards and blaming Elizabeth for minding her own business. Oops. Now back to "journalism"........blah.

[dana94591]

Why am I not surprised?? There was so much deception and lies during that time that I don't put it past any of them. Of course they deny it: the very people he quotes in the book are running away and denying that they said anything. Well, Suskind has some info that is out there now. Building the case for the International community to use in the prosecution of these suckers.

[TomR]

----
When this came up on MSNBC, moderator Chuck Todd asked Politico's Mike Allen whether this would lead "the anti-war crowd" in Congress to call for impeachment.
----

Since we've crossed over into bizarro world Chuck, why don't you also ask:

"Would this lead 'the pro-forgery crowd' in Congress to block impeachment investigations?"

- Tom

[Uosdwis]

"Your Highness, they have dumped your tea into Boston Harbor."
"Oh, it's just the anti-England crowd. You know, the 'printing-press-osphere'"

[mjtaylor22]

WOW, CAN ONE SAY IMPEACHMENT AND JAIL TIME....
THE ISSUE IS WILL THE DEMS MAN UP AND CALL THEM ON THIS.......

[paixa3]

NEVER, and that is clearly the problem.

[Davwbaird]

not as long as the senate is controlled by filibuster by the repugs.

[luckyt]

The Question was, read between the lines, (There goes that trouble making Ron Suskind making trouble for our great President what do you think we should do about it Mike?) Well Chuck as always pretend that we are neutral and claim that its a left-wing conspiracy.

[daddysboy]

Unscripted television has been this way for a long time and has degraded to this kind of buffoonery almost continuously. One by one, sensible Americans are coming to this realization. I can suppose with certainty at this point that well over half of the viewing audience of the programming you are describing is incapable of critical thought. It's very telling that the pro-war rhetoric can really only find a home on television and has trouble with a voice in print. Printed facts belie the horrible mistruths, exaggerations, and lack of objectivity these people attempt to shovel on their unsuspecting audience minute by minute. The end of television is here, some folks just don't know it yet. Have you ever found yourself still at a party long after all intelligent conversation went home and to bed? This is how I picture the few remaining journalists with scruples attempting to capture an audience on television - they better pray for syndication and DVD sales.

[haimchaim]

daddysboy is my favorite - so is MK.. great minds think alike...

[Davwbaird]

But now any republican running for re-election are co defendants. Democrats need to let that be the battle cry. Look what these monsters let happen and then stood in the way of justice. File impeachment articles in the house and then watch the re pugs block it and then see them kicked out or worse.

[undeluded]

This is the most dismaying and disheartening part about the last 8 years: Americans haven"t been 'up in arms' - either figuratively or (oh horror!) literally - about the loss of freedoms, the killing and maiming of peoples thousands of miles away, or the death of thousands of American soldiers. Yes I know, YOU"RE outraged (and how dare I try to say otherwise), but really, for the complacency, apathy, and fear shown by the citizens of this country on whole, not only since 9-11, but really at least since Viet Nam, aren"t we living the nightmare we deserve? Where"s the outcry? Why isn"t "our" press all over this instead of playing badminton with it? When the people in power chose to start and run a war without drafting the nation"s youth, most everyone breathed a sigh and chose-up sides, like a game of skins-and-shirts. To hell with the ramifications and the realities of war, like fluctuating gas prices (mostly up), $10 - $12 billion a month drained out of the treasury/economy, and still no national health care because¦well, we can"t afford it. Isn"t anybody just livid at being lied to? Are Americans just not smart enough to get it, "u no, like 2 stuped, like 4, like demacrazy"? Commercial adventurism, tinged with revenge, and promulgating freedom, are not the same thing.

Maybe we all should try standing together and, as the Senatorial oath says, "¦defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC"!

[Ironfox]

PBS: Bill Moyers Journal, NOW, Branchachio. The truth is out there, if you want to support it. Otherwise it's the same old GIGO.
Moyers has shown remarkable courage in taking on topics and individuals that no one else would dare touch. He has the history and credibility to do this, and he does it very, very well.
Check it out, you will be enlightened, incredulous, enraged, or even amused. You will not be bored.

[dana94591]

Hail to Moyers!!! He is doing the hard work. But "the masses" are busy with Paris and Brittany, Bangelina's babies and all the National Enquirer stuff that the media has taken to disseminating. I just don't think that the masses have the energy or the attention span to deal with all of the madness. I think those of us who care need to cast the first boulder!!!

[magen]

This is a very serious smoking gun.

There's laws that the CIA should not engage in disinformation campaigns on Americans.

Forgery of such a serious thing should upset everyone not just progressives.

[lvdragonlady]

I am so tired of pathetic reporters and journalists that let their views interfer with their job. If you can not report the news honestly and fairly, get another flippin job.
Americans want honest journalism not the crap we are being presented with now.

Do your damn job or find another one..............

[mjtaylor22]

YOU DO REALIZE THAT MANY NEWS OUTLETS ARE OWNED BY THE RIGHT........YOU KNOW CONSERVATIVES........THE RIGHT DIDN'T EXECUTE A PLAN TO CONTROL THE MEDIA, THE GOV'T AND THE WHITE HOUSE AT THE SAME TIME........GREAT STRATEGY REPUBS.....EVEN YOUR OWN PARTY IS KEEPING YOU IN THE DARK AND SPITTIGN IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU ARGUE OVER TRIVIAL ISSUES.......