Segmentation Fault: Core dumped..;-)

Media

Posted : October 19, 2004 at 10:57 am [America/Los_Angeles]

The more I watch the shenanigans of CNN, FOX and MSNBC, the more I am convinced that irrespective of who wins this Presidential Election, this country has a huge problem with it’s Media. They’re not accountable to anybody. Result: Instead of being purveyors of free and fair journalism, they pander to the interests of the corporations that they’re part of.

Sometimes I think this Media is so messed up that if President Bush blurted out “1 + 1 = 4″ and Senator Kerry thoughtfully refuted that by saying “1 + 1 = 2″, the media pundits would report this exchange as follows:

PRESIDENT BUSH AND SENATOR KERRY DEFEND THEIR STANCE

10.19.2004

NOBRAINSLAND: It was indeed a strong night for both the candidates, President Bush and Senator Kerry. President Bush was much stronger tonight than he was a few days ago. He was calm, blah blah. He looked Presidential blah blah blah. Senator Kerry, on the other hand, looked confident and according to some of his supporters “..was more Presidential”.

[A couple of paragraphs later]

When asked what is “1+1″, President Bush answered “4″. Senator Kerry challenged that by saying the answer was “2″. A quick look at FactCheck.org and a phone call with MIT’s Math Professor confirmed that Senator Kerry was factually right.

However, President Bush’s firmness and resolve in the answer, albeit incorrect, may have proven more effective with the “security moms” who want a “strong” leader. As for Senator Kerry, Mr. Bush Gungho, campaign manager for Bush-Cheney campaign said it best, “Senator Kerry’s record shows that he has incorrectly answered ‘1+1′ 250 times in the Senate and dodged answering the question ‘1+1′ 98 times! He can run, but he can’t hide”.

And then a few weeks later, you hear a so-called “Security Mom” participating in Peter Hart’s Focus Group regurgitate “President Bush is strong. Senator Kerry thinks too much”.

It may all sound funny. However, when you think of the US soldiers who continue to die at the rate of > 2 per day, 16 months after this President had the short-sightedness to proclaim “major combat over”, it’s hardly funny.

Infact, it’s downright sickening!

- Anand

Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004