An Educated Flea Knows It
I know it. You know it. Independents know it. Republicans and Democrats know it. An educated flea knows it. And, I suspect the President's inner circle knows it, but doesn't want to admit it.
Sure, it's only been ten months. It's possible things could improve. But let's not kid ourselves. Barack Obama is shaping up to be one of the worst presidents of the last 100 plus years. Move over Hoover and Carter.
The question is, how did we get here?
Again, it's no secret. It's the media, stupid...with a big assist from a complicit populace. And, if we're not careful, it could happen again in 2012.
We shouldn't dismiss someone of Obama's limited relevant experience out-of-hand. Such individuals must have a chance to compete. Great leaders can emerge from nowhere. But, that's normally the beauty of long, hard campaigns. They're supposed to separate the pretenders from the contenders. It's a marathon for a reason, or at least it's intended to be. Unfortunately, in the last election, the mainstream media used the time to coronate, rather than investigate.
It's not necessary to rehash the details here. The warning signs were quite evident. All but the most partisan have to, at least in retrospect, recognize that there was little persistent probing in the media's examination of Obama's record, and equally unsatisfactory inspection of his policy views. They may have asked him the questions, but certainly didn't follow-up on his evasive, platitudinous responses.
Disturbingly, the groundwork is being laid for a repeat performance in 2012. Journalism is dead, or at least on a respirator. In its place is a bifurcated system that falls out along party/ideological lines. Candidates get to pick and choose their spots. They're conditioned to be attracted to the light that is guaranteed friendly coverage. You see, the candidates are also educated fleas. It's too bad that light is not a bug zapper every now and again.
One can easily imagine a Republican being swept into office in 2012 much the same way Obama was in 2008. He/she can largely avoid the mainstream media and have practically unlimited time on Fox News and conservative talk radio to present views that need not hold up under the weight of aggressive questioning.
As we're learning the hard way, we all lose when the system breaks down.
It's highly unlikely that the media bias problem will get solved anytime soon. As such, a much more discerning, thinking voter is required.
Adlai Stevenson, during one of his presidential campaigns, was told by a supporter that he was "sure to get the vote of every thinking man." Stevenson replied, "Thank you, but I need a majority to win."
Nearly 60 years later, the truth still hurts.
Sure, it's only been ten months. It's possible things could improve. But let's not kid ourselves. Barack Obama is shaping up to be one of the worst presidents of the last 100 plus years. Move over Hoover and Carter.
The question is, how did we get here?
Again, it's no secret. It's the media, stupid...with a big assist from a complicit populace. And, if we're not careful, it could happen again in 2012.
We shouldn't dismiss someone of Obama's limited relevant experience out-of-hand. Such individuals must have a chance to compete. Great leaders can emerge from nowhere. But, that's normally the beauty of long, hard campaigns. They're supposed to separate the pretenders from the contenders. It's a marathon for a reason, or at least it's intended to be. Unfortunately, in the last election, the mainstream media used the time to coronate, rather than investigate.
It's not necessary to rehash the details here. The warning signs were quite evident. All but the most partisan have to, at least in retrospect, recognize that there was little persistent probing in the media's examination of Obama's record, and equally unsatisfactory inspection of his policy views. They may have asked him the questions, but certainly didn't follow-up on his evasive, platitudinous responses.
Disturbingly, the groundwork is being laid for a repeat performance in 2012. Journalism is dead, or at least on a respirator. In its place is a bifurcated system that falls out along party/ideological lines. Candidates get to pick and choose their spots. They're conditioned to be attracted to the light that is guaranteed friendly coverage. You see, the candidates are also educated fleas. It's too bad that light is not a bug zapper every now and again.
One can easily imagine a Republican being swept into office in 2012 much the same way Obama was in 2008. He/she can largely avoid the mainstream media and have practically unlimited time on Fox News and conservative talk radio to present views that need not hold up under the weight of aggressive questioning.
As we're learning the hard way, we all lose when the system breaks down.
It's highly unlikely that the media bias problem will get solved anytime soon. As such, a much more discerning, thinking voter is required.
Adlai Stevenson, during one of his presidential campaigns, was told by a supporter that he was "sure to get the vote of every thinking man." Stevenson replied, "Thank you, but I need a majority to win."
Nearly 60 years later, the truth still hurts.
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