Bowling 1, Health Care 0: Elizabeth Edwards Op-Ed Slams McCain's Media
By SilentPatriot Sunday Apr 27, 2008 1:00pm
Elizabeth Edwards has written a fabulous op-ed for The New York Times that takes the media to task for ignoring substantive issues in favor of mindless gossipy side-issues.
NYT:
FOR the last month, news media attention was focused on Pennsylvania and its Democratic primary. Given the gargantuan effort, what did we learn?
Well, the rancor of the campaign was covered. The amount of money spent was covered. But in Pennsylvania, as in the rest of the country this political season, the information about the candidates’ priorities, policies and principles — information that voters will need to choose the next president — too often did not make the cut. After having spent more than a year on the campaign trail with my husband, John Edwards, I’m not surprised.
Why? Here’s my guess: The vigorous press that was deemed an essential part of democracy at our country’s inception is now consigned to smaller venues, to the Internet and, in the mainstream media, to occasional articles. I am not suggesting that every journalist for a mainstream media outlet is neglecting his or her duties to the public. And I know that serious newspapers and magazines run analytical articles, and public television broadcasts longer, more probing segments.
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First! Ha. Go get em, Elizabeth.
I am not suggesting that every journalist for a mainstream media outlet is neglecting his or her duties to the public.
I am.
I voted for your husband, Elizabeth. (sniff) Thanks for kicking McStain and the complacent media.
Woulda been a great First Lady. Maybe next time.
Agree with Rusty.
Elizabeth for first lady.
"Vigorous press" and "mainstream media" don't belong in the same sentence unless there's a "not" in there somewhere.
We need every Democrat to lay hard on the press... Each day, a new argument. Keep them on their heels - so we can move the country back to respect (for 'we' 'the people' and 'the commons').
But, this monthly trickle of well-worded direction allows the press and the Repubs the chance to beat each down in turn...
Tomorrow...
I hate to be off subject but in a way it is on the subject since none of the media seemed to carry this story correctly. You have to watch the clip all of the way through then gather your opion.
http://rawstory.com/rawreplay/index.php?p=9130
This is interesting. Watch this and tell me what you think.
I just think the guy is a pastor.
Mainstream Media is nothing but a tool of Big Corporations.
If you want serious content you have to look for alternative sources.
A beautiful, thoughtful, caring, intelligent woman would had been a marvelous first lady. Instead we get stuck with Nancy, Barbara(the worst), Hillary, Pickles the last thirty miserable years. What a dog show.
We are honored to have the Edwards in our lives.
I'm touched that Elizabeth didn't just fade away, when corporate media succeeded in snatching away their chances, with their blackout of attention to their campaign. It makes me feel glad that I donated to them.
I've often thought, wouldn't it be great if those of us with our own Web sites decided that, for one day or one week--all at the same time--our sites went completely BLACK, with only links to opinion pieces like this one.
I'm afraid it's going to take our own version of "shock and awe" to make this country wake up to what's going on.
The subcommittee on House Subcommittee on National Parks Forests and Public Lands and House Subcommittee on Fisheries Wildlife and Oceans are meeting at The University of Texas at Brownsville (UT-Brownsville has been in the news because the 'Wall' is going to place the universities golf course on the 'Mexican' side of the wall).
Tancredo is in attendance and some other condescending congressman. He speaks as if he's tying to educate our local Bishop and land owners.
Live web stream: http://odestreaming.utb.edu/live.wmv
Elizabeth Edwards was far too easy on them. She should not have caveated her words. And she should have included more examples like the orange juice vs. coffee "fiasco". Don't be afraid to go for the jugular, fellow Dems.
rev wrights defense aired on cbc.
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-hi/champ-3wright080428.rm
does the fair and balanced Fox news air them?
Look, people, here is a good chunk of the problem, namely the stand-up comics that are picked to entertain at broadcast and print media dinners:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-04-26-correspondents-dinner...
p.s.- I voted for John in the Tennessee primary. My conscience is clear.
The problem here, is that a fair and balanced report of a candidates issues is very difficult.
For example one side says, "The men that serve our country and risk their lives deserve to have their resulting medical issues treated well and efficiently."
The other side says "We cannot afford to do that, anyone who is for doing that hates our country and wants terrorists to win. Instead lets stimulate the economy by giving billions to people who already have billions."
It takes a great writer to make that fair and balanced. As a result, issues are best not discussed. Instead we will show a blond, a cute kitten, and tell you why the democrats need to be more like the republicans.
Thrilling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgPeyO0Xvxw
Have you seen junior's grades?
Either the media THINKS Americans want to hear about the minutia, or Americans actually are more interested in the minute. My guess is a combination of the two. Most of America is mostly sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching NASCAR of WWF. The problem with the press is that it has become Corporate and it's all about the "$$-Bottom-Line-$$" and they are catering to the shareholders. This is not to excuse the The Forth Estate, the press is supposed to be asking the hard questions and exposing the truth. Unfortunately, the Truth is something that is not found often in the media.
To make this statement clearer, read it this way: in 1954, one-third of the nation's televised bandwidth was devoted to the hearings. Nowadays, with 2000 channels to choose from, what percentage is devoted to actual insightful issues-oriented journalism? And why, with a clearly criminal Executive branch colluding with the Judiciary to stonewall the justice process, is there essentially no media coverage?
Here Mrs. Edwards comes close to the problem, while still not fully addressing it. The problem is NOT a slipshod, money-driven media. The problem is a CORPORATE media, whose editorial choices are being controlled by the same wealthy companies that are profiteering off the deaths of U.S. soldiers in the Mideast, as well as the healthcare organizations fattening themselves by denying healthcare to working class Americans.
The "news blackout" to which Elizabeth Edwards refers is DELIBERATE. Our media is being controlled and censored by powerful corporations, the same corporations determined to install a pro-corporate candidate in the White House.
If voters want a vibrant, vigorous press, apparently we will have to demand it. Not by screaming out our windows as in the movie “Network” but by talking calmly, repeatedly, constantly in the ears of those in whom we have entrusted this enormous responsibility. Do your job, so we can — as voters — do ours.
This is a weak conclusion. I want a flying sparkle pony, but I won't get one whether I bellow out the window or talk calmly and repeatedly to whoever. The REAL conclusion is that we must institute substantive campaign finance reform, in order to detach corporate money from the machinery of government.
And the only way CFR will ever pass is if we undertake a long-term progressive grass-roots effort to elect progressive, CFR supporting candidates to Congress. We need not only the votes, but the committee chairs and other tactical roles necessary to navigate through the rules committees.
If we don't do this, we will never get any of the things we want, whether we want sparkle ponies or better journalism. What we will get is an increasingly fascist state and an ever growing gap between the wealthy and the rest of us.
The so-called "liberal media" destroys the character of Democratic candidates for President time and time again.
Bush over Gore?
Bush over Kerry?
Gore and Kerry are two very intelligent qualified men that would've made great Presidents.
But look who's been in the White House for the past 7.5 yrs!!!
Was Elizabeth Edwards born between June 21st and July 22nd?
Bud @ 18:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5t5GukrWOU
Needless to say (although I'm sure someone beat me to it) the media will somehow manage to ignore this, too.
What about Edward's Campaign Love Child? Why didn't the media choose to ignore that "mindless gossipy side-issue."
FastMovingCloud @ 24:
uh, it's an op-ed in the nyt. I don't call that being ignored.
Once vigorous, now Vapid Vapors Media...because it's all about their lemming circular push-polling selves
Or as Aaron Brown has observed about his stint at CNN [paraphrasing], it wasn't about journalism, it was about television.
only problem with Biden is that his inaugraul speech would take 2 years to complete....
donviti @ 28:
This is just the sort of crap Elizabeth was talking about. The press is unable to get a five second sound bite out of Biden, so he becomes verbose. With Gore, his detailed policy positions killed him - they couldn't be reduced to a bumper sticker so he was "wooden and invented the internet."
Not blaming you donviti, but you've bought into the conventional wisdom instead of listening to what Biden was saying or trying to say - of course the media never really gave him the time to say it. Watch Matthews ask a question then step on any answer over six words.
Oh well, I've gone on way past the attention span of the average American voter. We deserve what we get.
With all due respect to John but I think the wrong Edwards was running. Forget Hillary, nominate Elizabeth as first woman president. John can be VP.
I wish I could say I was surprised. The MSM, that bastion for truth has long since been suborned for those who wish to keep the American public ignorant and pliable.
SouthTxMan @ 12:
Tancredo just told the audience, "If you don't like the fence being built on the south side of your city (Brownsville, due to our cultural views of our area), he said, "You should build it on the NORTH SIDE OF YOUR CITY".
The flocking nerve of this guy. Again, with that comment, he's basically saying...I don't care if your city has anything to say, in fact, he would be happy with making our city part of Mexico.
Trancredo is a pendejo.
Elizabeth Edwards justifiably takes the media to task for not doing a sufficient job in covering the issue of health care, and cites as examples the media's failure to do its job regarding the lack of coverage of Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, and their proposals on how to fix health care in this country. But she inexplicably leaves out the only candidate who advocated single payer health care in this country and that would be Dennis Kucinich. In the meantime, the American public is left with Clinton and Obama, both of whom are against single payer while wanting to keep the insurance companies in the equation, thus ensuring that profit will be kept ahead ahead of the needs of the people. Will the American public ever finally realize that Clinton and Obama are more similar than they are dissimilar?
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson
We'll the cable infotainers are getting what they want , sensationalism ; fights between politicians ; gotcha reporting ; gotcha questions ; and a Reverend that just won't " go away ". CNN reports " Rev. Wright hasn't apologized " ..assuming he sHOULD . MSNBC " obama's Problem " .
The arrogance of these infotainers is astounding , for them to sit in their high chairs whining aBOUT why there is no apology by Rev. Wright , asserting who has a problem , however certain politicians don't seem to have any problems , i.e. John McSame .
As Rev. Wright put it .." no, no, no " ...CABLE " NEWS" owes US an apology for MANY acts of disservice to our country that we will have to pay for many , many years .
From Contessa Brewer's idiotic assertion Mr. obama was flipping the bird in a photo , to Don lemons saying the U.S.'s prison's are an " asset " and the slew of Generals , colonels and ex-CIA they paraded during the "news" masquerading as objective analysts for one goal , to manufacture Consent to wage war against an already broken down country , IRAQ .
NO CABLE and Network " newS " ..you owe us a goddamn apology for misleading us into a war without doing your job , verifying what the White House was saying or the Pentagon or even challenging their ridiculous assertions , that Iraq was a " threat to the united States ". No instead of functioning as an independent media , you served your masters well , spreading lies and misinforming the public and serving as a platform for the NUMEROUS propagandists , in addition to LYING by omission .
CNN , you owe US an apology for not translating Amadenajan's speech TRUTHFULLY , because I read the true translation by Prof. Juan Cole's and he correctly point out , the words " wiped off the map " were never said , it it a deliberate fabrication by MEMRI , Israel's propaganda arm in the U.S. , to manufacture consent for attacking IRAN and just as CNN and the rest will purposely lie about that , they will lie by omission by not reporting the U.S. attack on Somalia that has displaced hundreds of thousands, killed thousands , led by Ethiopian puppet military , trained and funded by the U.S. GAZA's horrific living conditions are off the radar screen , once again to protect Israel , as well as the increase of Illegal settlements .
No CABLE , CBS, ABC, NBC you owe US an apology for hyping and spending more time on a shark attack ; brush fires ; Rev. Wright than Serious issues that affect our country , instead regurgitating Fox's slanderous , nonstop accusations , that keep even right wing sheep misinformed . No , hide from the GENERAL-GATE , your disgraceful behavior acting as a platform for military propaganda and now that you were caught , you hide like the sniveling little cowards that you are , not addressing the harm you have done to this country .
YOU OWE US an apology CNN, CBS, ABC, nbc and Faux News !
yellow dog @ 29:
dude I live in Delaware. Joe Biden is as pompous as they get man. He voted for the Bankruptcy act when all his money was coming from MBNA. I’m sure his health care program is great but he is no better than any of these other guys when it comes to being in the pockets of lobbyists.
crap...that post didn't work too well.
I here you yellow dog
read the entire op-ed, and its beautifully written.
you know whats ironic though?
off to the right of the article discussing the candy-coating and dumbing-down of our candidates and the issues they should be discussing...
is a banner ad that read:
"Is Obama a Mac and Clinton a PC?"
thats irony right thurr... would have grabbed a screenshot if I could have.
I truly wish people would stop putting up youtube links "starring" bush I can't stand to even look at the bastards face much less watch him make a fool out of our country.
donviti @ 35:
Biden may not have gotten my vote - the point is - I'll never know who Joe Biden is because he wasn't packaged so the press could cover him in a five or ten second commentary sandwiched between missing blonds and the latest Nextel standings.
yellow dog @ 38:
understood
why didn't this lady run...
obama should find a cabinet position for mrs edwards.....offer john the AG post (nothing more), but give mrs edwars a prominent role....i get the feeling she is someone who should have been in politics long ago....
I love her. Would have made an awesome First Lady. I remember when she called into [i]Hard-On with Chris Matthews[/i] when he had that twit Coulter on. What a fucking contrast.
JohnMcCainLovesViagra @ 41:
Hehe. Fucked up the italics there.
Not having this lady as our next First Lady is this country's loss. I voted for John in my state's primary, even after he had dropped out. Our delegates were distributed by caucus anyway, so it wouldn't have counted. Thanks for staying true, Elizabeth.
I like and respect Elizabeth Edwards and I applaud her for this piece.
I do have to say, though, that she and the candidates are being a little misleading when they talk about "universal health care". It's a misnomer to call it "care" and serves only as a giveaway to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. It should be called "health insurance reform" and NOT "universal (as in single payer by govt) health *care*".
Again, I do respect her and I wish her only the best.
Yea, she would be an awesome first lady, and her husband a great Pres.
I would really love to see John Edwards on Barack Obama's ticket, what a pairing that would be!
*sigh*.......probably too much to ask for, but we shall see.
Lollimom @ 11:
What we now have is shock and "aw shit" now we've done it.
JohnMcCainLovesViagra @ 42:
How can a person use "Elizabeth and ann" in the same comment?
180degrees apart. not anywhere close.
The Media is Dead. Edwards is too gentle, but that's OK. I think the MSM's corpse will be stinking up America's living rooms for another few years, but it's dead. Deader than a shitbug.
It's a fantastic piece. That's about as close to the liberal blogosphere's critique of the MSM as you'll see in a major MSM outlet.
Lollimom @ 11:
Everyday I talk to people who are still asleep. It is absolutely amazing that so many have no clue about the destruction the GOP has visited upon their personal lives now, and in the immediate future. It is really depressing to see how "out-to-lunch" people are.
donviti @ 35:
You mean he voted for the "legalizing loan-sharking" banking bill? Obama did too! Makes me ill.
I know of several people (including myself), who have had nearly all of our disposable income eaten-up by the outrageous increases banks keep putting on our debt. Why? Because they can, thanks to the asshole politicians!
Careful Elizabeth. McCain has a history of stomping on the hearts of women with cancer.
Edwards says: "I am not suggesting that every journalist for a mainstream media outlet is neglecting his or her duties to the public.
She's always seemed like a wonderful person. Here she seems far too generous. No, not every journalist all the time. Just most journalists, most of the time and virtually all journalists some of the time.
The media in this country have betrayed their vital responsibilities in a way similar to and as destructive as the way George Bush has betrayed the Constitution.
A great big THANK YOU to Elizabeth Edwards. She is one of the most genuine, courageous people on the political scene.
Brava, Elizabeth, Brava.
I think another way to tell the networks that we would like some indepth reporting is simply turn the channel. They would do anything for good ratings. I do that now, I just turn the channel or turn the tv off, there really isn't any content there to begin with. When you look at the major networks owned by large corporations that are very worried about their ratings, the public has all the control but sorry to say isn't intelligent enough to use it.
So which stupid people believed that John “the republican” McCain was going to follow the rules…
Can signing statements be far behind?
Vote Democrat and Vote Often…
You can cry all you want to cry….
OR YOU CAN GET YOUR FRIENDS TO REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAIL AND AVOID THE POLLING PLACE BULLSHIT…
I have verified that my neighbors and children are registered and ready to vote…. We cannot always control the count--- but if the numbers are large enough (as in 2006) the truth will override the bastards.
SUGGESTION--- have a voting party…. Tell all your friends to come over for a party--- entrance fee…. Any form of proof of voting
The GOP hates a big turnout…. The pyramid is VERY LARGE at the bottom
Needless to say (although I’m sure someone beat me to it) the media will somehow manage to ignore this, too.
It's probably worth noting that it was NYT that published the piece in the first place...
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