When it comes to politics, I consider myself a realist. By which I mean, I accept that politics can be dirty, petty, and primarily driven by self-interest. Politics is about power, and it's a *game*, and you have to respect people who play it well. Fine. Fair enough. (Note: My politics are still idealist - I want good things to happen. But my approach to accomplishing them fully embraces rough and tumble electoral smashing.)
But, this shit pisses even me off. It deflated me; rattles my realist take on the system. If you don't want to click the link, apparently John Kerry told some college kids that if they didn't want to end up in Iraq, they should study harder. It's sort of a weird statement, and a bit tacky. The Republican spin is that Kerry said dumb kids end up in Iraq I guess. My take is Kerry is getting at the mess in Iraq and the danger of it going on so long a draft happens. But whatever.
What pisses me off is that, first, Republicans are spinning this in such a stupid way. But it's election season - it's their job. In a political world where big electoral changes are unlikely because of a number of reasons, such as incumbency advantages and incresingly professionalized campaigns, gaffes are a key element in elections and opponents have to grab them. What REALLY gets at me is that CNN has this right up front and center on their website, as does the NY TImes and the Chicago Tribune. As though, you know, there isn't *real news* that needs reporting. Nothing happening today in Iraq, Sudan, the Congo, Somalia, North Korea, or in any state or electoral district where the shit is tight.
I don't want to get preachy, but the media really DOES have a sacred trust to a fucking responsible carrier of information (and we also have a responsibility to be informed and to be critical of that which the medias presents us with). It disheartens me that our media is letting us down SO BADLY this close to a (crucial) mid-term election.
Maybe I'm overreacthing to this. I'm sure this is not big thing, maybe it was just a slow news day. I'm sure it will blow over and mean nothing next week. But, man, it *still* burns my ass.
I really do believe in our institutions. And I really do believe in voters. But not so much today.
But, this shit pisses even me off. It deflated me; rattles my realist take on the system. If you don't want to click the link, apparently John Kerry told some college kids that if they didn't want to end up in Iraq, they should study harder. It's sort of a weird statement, and a bit tacky. The Republican spin is that Kerry said dumb kids end up in Iraq I guess. My take is Kerry is getting at the mess in Iraq and the danger of it going on so long a draft happens. But whatever.
What pisses me off is that, first, Republicans are spinning this in such a stupid way. But it's election season - it's their job. In a political world where big electoral changes are unlikely because of a number of reasons, such as incumbency advantages and incresingly professionalized campaigns, gaffes are a key element in elections and opponents have to grab them. What REALLY gets at me is that CNN has this right up front and center on their website, as does the NY TImes and the Chicago Tribune. As though, you know, there isn't *real news* that needs reporting. Nothing happening today in Iraq, Sudan, the Congo, Somalia, North Korea, or in any state or electoral district where the shit is tight.
I don't want to get preachy, but the media really DOES have a sacred trust to a fucking responsible carrier of information (and we also have a responsibility to be informed and to be critical of that which the medias presents us with). It disheartens me that our media is letting us down SO BADLY this close to a (crucial) mid-term election.
Maybe I'm overreacthing to this. I'm sure this is not big thing, maybe it was just a slow news day. I'm sure it will blow over and mean nothing next week. But, man, it *still* burns my ass.
I really do believe in our institutions. And I really do believe in voters. But not so much today.
As for almost spoilering my all the time, it just means that we both have excellent taste in film.