Friday, August 27, 2004

The Spectator and the Spectacle


A word of caution to the wise. If you aren't already in the know, media outlets already have a political viewpoint that informs their coverage of certain events.

As the RNC kicks into full swing this coming weekend, the winds of disapproval from many are rustling many political branches. But who will be giving you the most accurate representations of these opposing voices?

Examples:
Today's NY Daily News reporting on the ACT UP activists' nude civil disobedience that took place in Midtown yesterday, have already set the standard for the distorted atmosphere from which Bush opponents are to be viewed--lunatics.
"The madness has begun: Naked activists, Bush-bashing rappellers and drum-thumping, tie-dye-wearing marchers unleashed a torrent of wacky and daring civil disobedience yesterday."
Suggestive and imposing content?--Yes. Surprising?--No.

CNN is reporting that a survey of 876 registered voters shows that Kerry and Bush are neck and neck with Kerry leading by a point.
Personally, I find it hard to believe that a majority of voters are not yet in the loop about the very blatant acts of deceit and manipulations perpetuated by the Bush administration and corporate media outlets in an effort to forward their war agenda.

So how accurate are these surveys? Who sponsors them? Which cable networks air these statistics? Are mainstream media outlets so afraid to go against the major flow of information that they'll just distort statistics to come up with median results? Wasn't that how George W. Bush was declared president select--elect?

These are just some of the basic questions that I implore you to ask and investigate before you even consider resolving a political opinion that might inform your vote in November.
I not only call for you to excercise your critical evaluation skills with mainstream, but also with left wing media venues.
Again, most (I can't say all because I haven't been privy to all media outlets) media outlets have an agenda and in the process some critical information or events may be omitted as a result of narrow vision or purposeful censorship in an effort build a stronger argument.

My agenda: To not have George Bush re-elected.
This does not conclusively establish that Kerry is who I consider the best representation of my views. I also know that voting for Ralph Nader would increase the chances of Bush winning.

Long story-short: Question and evaluate your flow of information about your world. It's okay if your opinion does not subscribe into any mold that the press has laid out for you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"This does not conclusively establish that Kerry is who I consider the best representation of my views. I also know that voting for Ralph Nader would increase the chances of Bush winning."--
Are you not perpetuating the "Choose a Winner" menatlity, when you vote who you'd like to win, rather than who you want in office?
Choose Republican or Democrat, it makes no difference. They are different sides of the same coin. Vote who you WANT to be President, not who you think has the best chance of WINNING.
JMHO