SERIOUS DEBATE: The American Media

[SuperXAsh]

Let's face it... the only worthy news to our media is bad news. They love it, it's what sells, and it's what makes them money, and/or gets them recognition.

I'm going to try and keep this totally domestic politics free... but if it does become such a debate, I just want you all to know that it wasn't the original intention of this post.

That sad truth, concerning the media, cannot be any more obvious than how they're handling the Iraq Situation. Take a look at any typical report from any of the usual news shows. They're painting a picture that looks like we're in a hopeless situation, that we shouldn't be there, and that nothing good is happening in Iraq.

Which, if you read the many letters from the actual people who are in Iraq, that is far from the truth.

The fact and reality is, besides what Dan Rather or Peter Jennings may have yold you, is that we ARE making a difference in Iraq. There are people there who are thankful for what the American military has done for them. They have been allowed to do so many things that they weren't allowed to do when under the harsh dictatorship of Saddam. News there can be about whatever it wants, not what Hussein wants. People can have their voices heard, which wasn't even heard of about a year ago. The newspapers print what they want, TV channels play what they want, people in Iraq can now go out and buy things that weren't available a year ago. Like how they've now gotten some new video game console systems.

Any marine will tell ya in their letters that they've gotten quite a few thank-yous from the Iraqi citizens. Take that and compare it to what CBS or NBC tells you, which tries to paint a picture that everyone in Iraq hates us and doesn't like what we've done for them.

So, if you buy into what the media is telling you, that our efforts in Iraq are in vain... you're helping the enemy win this conflict. Cause they know that that's how we "lost" Vietnam, bad news representation of true facts and an overall sense of failure doomed our efforts in Vietnam. Let's not let that happen with this current situation.

I HATE the Media.

http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kinggojismilie.gif  http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/gamerasmilie.gif  http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingkongsmilie.gif

[MechaV]

What irks me is that they disclose just about everything our boys are doing over there. The enemy could just turn on the TV and find out where our troops our! What the crap, man!

[kritaya]

Quote[/b] (SuperXAsh @ May 30 2004,19:57)]So, if you buy into what the media is telling you, that our efforts in Iraq are in vain... you're helping the enemy win this conflict. Cause they know that that's how we "lost" Vietnam, bad news representation of true facts and an overall sense of failure doomed our efforts in Vietnam. Let's not let that happen with this current situation.
I don't know if you'll accept a recommendation from me, but rent or buy the documentary The Fog of War (I picked it up at Best Buy), and see if your opinion about how we "lost" the Viet Nam war changes.

[Lord Jimifulss]

Quote[/b] (MechaVaran @ May 30 2004,20:45)]What irks me is that they disclose just about everything our boys are doing over there. The enemy could just turn on the TV and find out where our troops our! What the crap, man!
<font color='#000080'>I agree full heartidly. I think it's disgusting that every random schpoo in America thinks they have the right to know exactly what's going on over there, when they really don't.

I also think it's disgusting that everyone is jumping on Bush's case for taking us to Iraq. Yeah, sure, we love our President, WHEN HE DOES WHAT WE WANT HIM TO DO. Part of having a leader is trusting their decisions, even if you don't always agree with them.

But yeah, the media sucks. Not just the news outlets, but just about everything media related has gone to the dogs.

[MetalMonster]

Bah, I wouldn't be the least bit suprised if half the reports of marines getting letters are fabrications, and the other half DID get letters, but were manufactured by Iraqi collaborators.

Fact is, you're not in there for Iraq's wellbeing.

You're certainly not there for oil, but if America has ever done a truly humanitarian military operation in it's entire existence, then I swear I will chop my balls off as a sign of admission.

[MechaV]

Come on man,even in times of war there are those on the other side you support our cause.

When my grandfather was in WW2 he had to bail out of his plane that was shot down over Italy. He landed in the garden of this little old Italian man who took him in and hid him when enemy forces came searching for him.

That man risked life and limb to help a soilder in an army his countrymen were at war with.

[Dark Warrior]

Since I live here in Britain,I dont know how the news on Iraq is reported at the other side of the Atlantic,but if its anything like you've said,its kinda the same here.Only news I do see from Iraq is about the war crimes and stuff like that.

You know,you could be prbably right about saying a difference is being made but in my own opinion Iraqs something of a fiasco now.The WMD's are no where in sight,theres conflciting news(eg making a difference/war crimes) and Bush and Blair(I really wish our Prime Minister wasnt a yes man to Bush,he seemingly goes along with everything Bush decides to do)really dont seem to be making clear answers on questions asked about Iraq.Only time will tell if this situation sorts itself out.

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>^What?!

But yes, the media is stupid. They only tell us what THEY like and what THEY want to say, intead of what WE need to know. And that goes for everything.

[Raptor]

I do not believe we will ever get the WHOLE STORY on ANYTHING when it comes to the &quot;popular&quot; media. Everything is either watered down, exaggerated, sensationalized, tucked into a 13-word (or whatever broadcasting dictates is the preferred maximum &nbsp;length of a single sentence) sound bite or &quot;off limits&quot;. Instead of focusing on the issue, it's the byline/station logo, as if THAT makes the &quot;information&quot; more creditable compared to the &quot;competition&quot; because their talking head looks better/won the ratings poll or whatever. &nbsp;JOURNALISTS now seem to be just so many interchangeable a/v extras the news desk might as well go CGI with them. &nbsp;http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Komissar]

Two words: FOX News.

Seriously, I'm not crying wolf when I say that just about everyone else has leapt on G-dub for his &quot;poor handling&quot; of the war. Though I will admit we were a bit hasty to go in, we've got to put our force behind our troops, in order that we make this less of a fiasco. I love how nothing about progress ever comes out, or talking about the unfortunate death of Mr. Nick Berg, and all we get to hear is &quot;Abu Ghraib...prisoner abuse...Bush...Rumsfeld...&quot;. Seriously, while I indeed find the acts deplorable, it's unadulterated foolishness to proclaim that it went far beyond the actions of a few sick individuals. And this masks all the progress Bush is making, here at home economically, or overseas in Iraq. Kerry may win this election (I pray not, but time will tell) due to mass voter misinformation.

[Kaiju Fan]

Quote[/b] (Komissar @ May 31 2004,20:20)]Oh, MetMon, do the words &quot;WWII&quot; and &quot;Holocaust&quot; ring any bells? I hope either your post was a sick joke or you have some anaesthetic and a knife ready...
Actually, the Holocaust was unknown to everybody except for obviously the Nazis until near the end of the war when the Russians began uncovering the death camps. *In fact, most people thought that it was a Russian hoax until more and more photos came out and helped confirm that the Holocaust actually happened. *As for the U.S., it actually wanted to stay out of war and isolate itself from the events going on in Europe and the Pacific at the time. *It was only after Pearl Harbor that the United States went into war against Japan and then Germany and Italy. *The Allies knew how high the stakes were in their war against the Axis, but unless I'm mistaken they weren't fighting to help the people of Europe and/or the Pacific as much as they were to protect their own countries. *

* * * * http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/bagansmilie.gif

[kritaya]

Quote[/b] (Komissar @ May 31 2004,20:18)]Two words: FOX News.

Bias is bias. A conservative bias is just as detrimental to the truth as a liberal bias.

Quote[/b] (Komissar @ May 31 2004,20:18)]Though I will admit we were a bit hasty to go in

If you mean &quot;hasty&quot; in the sense of ignoring and disparaging advice and counsel from middle eastern cultural and military experts that's contrary to what Dubya, Rumsfeld, and Chaney wanted to hear, then yes, they were hasty.

[kent]

While the media is dumb most of the time, we are in, somewhat of a hopeless situation in Iraq as far as turning power over by June 30.
Do you really think these people are ready to govern themselves? Hell no! It's all a political ploy so when the elections come around, Bush says, Hey, we won in Iraq and now they're governing themselves. Big mistake!!! For one, the country isn't ready yet to govern itself. And two, the political crap needs to be thrown aside and completely dealt with until Iraq is ABSOLUTELY ready to take care of itself on every step of the ladder! Even if it means remaining occupied there during election time.
The media does like bad news because people really don't wanna hear much good news. They figure it doesn't really help them out, so why report it?

[Komissar]

Quote[/b] (kritaya @ May 31 2004,22:21)]Quote[/b] (Komissar @ May 31 2004,20:18)]Two words: FOX News.

Bias is bias. A conservative bias is just as detrimental to the truth as a liberal bias.
By those words I meant the most cited form of bias. Though indeed I recognize its right-wing slant, it gets far more criticism than the other, more liberally leaning stations.

Bias is everywhere. Just flip a coin for your decisions.

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>With media in general, I don't really think there's any bias at all. Some media is liberally biased, some of it is conservatively biased (Fox News), most of it is pretty much in the middle. People have accused many stations of being liberally biased just because they focus on all the bad things that happen in Iraq, the reason they do it is simply because it gets more ratings. People don't want to hear about good things, they want to hear about blood and gore and thus the news organizations dedicate most of their time to bad news because it gets more viewers and thus most good news is not really considered newsworthy. This is what I hate about our media, the way it fixates on horrible events when there are just as many good things happening around the world right now, we just don't hear about it and thus from watching the news people think that the world is a truly evil place full of endless war, crime and death.
That said, I'm pretty much a bleeding heart liberal and I think Bush is the most sorry excuse for a president ever. The other nations of the free world were starting to feel compassion for us after 9/11 but that compassion quickly went away and turned to anger after Bush started his crazy war. Bush has also used the 9/11 attacks to promote his agenda, basically threatening that it would happen again if we didn't go to war now (and all we found were two crappy canisters of Sarin gas) all the while more or less ignoring nutty Kim Jong Il as he threatened to terrorize the world with his nukes. Bush is also closely allied with the Christian Right, a very frightening thing indeed.

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>That's mostly doom and gloom *****, remember Y2K? Nothing ended up happening then and people thought it was going to be the end then, there's always something going on and people always think the world is going to end.

[Raptor]

How about we focus on the DELIVERY (the media) rather than the issues? Feel free to start a new topic for some of the material mentioned but remember to keep politics and religion out of it. We know how THOSE subjects can end up... &nbsp;http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[MetalMonster]

The media is not reporting on Peak Oil because it'll freak investors in energy firms the hell outta their seat.

That's all that really remains to be said on the media, seeing as how I feel the topic pivots more around WHY the media is reporting what it is in the first place, and why that conflict has even come into being.

[kritaya]

Quote[/b] (MetalMonster @ June 04 2004,00:55)]And as for your Occum's Razor postulation, I'm brought to think of the Greek thinker Heraclitus, who said that we can never step into the same river twice, because the water will never be the same there, ever... ergo, everything is changing, and everything is deceiving us in appearance. Nothing is as we see it with our eyes.

Whether Occum or Heraclitus are more correct is not the issue... the fact is, there is no conclusive way to say that one precedes over the other, and that quoting a wild supposition that happens to have a respected name attached to it means squat, if all it was, was a wild supposition to begin with.
What I meant is...aw, never mind. It probably hasn't seeped into the mainstream media yet. http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif But if the situation with peak oil is as dire as it's made out to be or even if it's not, I think eventually it will become a subject of discussion. I'm not sold on an apocalyptic outcome, though. We may have backed ourselves into a corner, but it doesn't mean there's no way out. And I have a feeling I know exactly what you're going to say to that, but it doesn't have to be that way. I don't have science or numbers to back that up. Just...faith, I guess...in humanity.

I'm going to back out of this thread now. But thanks. It was interesting.

[Raptor]

Quote[/b] (MetalMonster @ June 03 2004,23:36)]2010 refers to the approximate date by when arable land in the US will be reduced to half of it's current state.
Since that is only six years away, this looks like a &quot;newsworthy&quot; topic for the mainstream media to chew on for at least a Special Report, Ted Koppel or whoever. Of course, most folks in the midwest can always check with the local Extension Office and cut to the chase without all the Chicken Little histrionics.

[MetalMonster]

Quote[/b] (Raptor @ June 04 2004,20:27)]Quote[/b] (MetalMonster @ June 03 2004,23:36)]2010 refers to the approximate date by when arable land in the US will be reduced to half of it's current state.
Since that is only six years away, this looks like a &quot;newsworthy&quot; topic for the mainstream media to chew on for at least a Special Report, Ted Koppel or whoever. Of course, most folks in the midwest can always check with the local Extension Office and cut to the chase without all the Chicken Little histrionics.
Hah!

Have you forgotten that you're talking about the country that was fanatically obsessive when Britney Spears and Madonna kissed on television, while Georgia was having their Velvet Revolution?

Bread and circuses, my friend. Bread and circuses.

[Raptor]

Believe it or not, we're BACK ON TOPIC! The medium of the Internet is being utilized to "spread the word" like never before. TV and radio have "clutter" with commercials and now, the Internet has SPAM. Thank you for the demonstration, MetalMonster/Creature/whatever.

[Raptor]

Looks like they went and did it again. Actually, it's been going on since Katrina, with everything from photo journalists focusing rather than panning their cameras to articles like THIS (http://abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneRita/wireStory?id=1155691), via ABC and the AP.
Yes, it is an observation but is it the wire service's place to make it? Can't we ourselves (or commentators whose articles are at least presented as OPINION) handle this kind of stuff on our own? I would these links EDITORIALIZING myself, not what RESPONSIBLE journalism is about.
Many outlets across the country cannot send reporters to the scene of every occurrance that might be "newsworthy" so they use these big wire services.
As many of us are aware, the President went to Colorado to observe the storm and response operations from the Northern Command Center (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1156418). Again. I'm seeing biased reporting by what is fast becoming a loose cannon in this country. :angry:
Politicians can darn well shoot their own selves in the foot without the media aiming the gun for them.

[Burkion]

Those Death Camps sound mighty fine right about now...expect, instead of the Jews, let's shove in the Media. (Or atleast the Bullshiters...)

[Kiryu goji]

Freedom of the press is one right which, in my opinion, is being abused horrendously. These people, as has been stated earlier, only report their side of things, and not both sides of the coin as it should. My newspapers are all democratic and liberal, which means I get NOTHING from the other side, which I have a right to. All the political cartoons are anti-Bush, and I've yet to see one that goes against democrats or liberals. As for our 'situation' in Iraq, when they mention it, I just turn the TV off, because I know they'll just say how much sh## we're in, and never anything positive. There is no good news anymore, and I can't remember the last time any station broadcasted something positive. It's complete and utter crap, and has gotten to the point where The Tonight show gives more reliable news than Fox News or ABC.

[Gorjirus]

Hey. fox News is at least the most "balanced" you can find.

How do you know? Let's look at two of the best/most famous: "O'Rieley Factor", and "Hannity and Colmbs"

For O'Reily, the veiwers that write in either think that he is a filthy liberal, or a stinking conservative. That's seems balanced to me.

And on, H&C, one host is a conservative, and the other is a liberal. That's awefully balanced to me.


Woot! Watch Fox News Channel!

[Goji Son]

Hey. fox News is at least the most "balanced" you can find.

How do you know? Let's look at two of the best/most famous: "O'Rieley Factor", and "Hannity and Colmbs"

For O'Reily, the veiwers that write in either think that he is a filthy liberal, or a stinking conservative. That's seems balanced to me.

And on, H&C, one host is a conservative, and the other is a liberal. That's awefully balanced to me.


Woot! Watch Fox News Channel!

Fox is far from balanced, it's not the information that any of these news programs give you, it's what they leave out. It's all sensational with no real point to them, honestly, a conglomeration of images that is supposed to inform you yet in reality you never get the full story.

In Iraq, no one mentions that terrorist activity is higher than ever or the fact that with the expelling of Saddam now the Sunni and Shiite factions of the Muslim religion are at war with eachother for power since the nation was ruled by the Sunnis who, in population, are the minority compared to their hostile brothers.

You don't hear much about Rita now because everyone in Houston and around that area were smart enough to get out of harms way or were forced out. And the only tragedy to focus on are NO reflooding because of their shitty Levee system, the traffic in Houston, and the bus of elderly people that blew up in Dallas. The first "victums" of Rita who were neither in the storms path, nor were they going to be in the path of the hurricane if they had just stayed home.

Hell a local reporter in Houston tried to get the Mayor and a local district judge to go against eachother because the judge expressed some frustration about the evacuation. These men are good friends but the reporter was trying to get these guys to exchange words by telling the mayor about the judges frustrations towards him but the mayor quickly discounted his swarmy *** and told him to cut the bullshit.

You have to understand that people who work in the media are not trying to inform the public, if so, we would really need only one local outlet and a national outlet. They are looking for ratings and what brings that in is human suffering.

To work in media, atleast in investigative reporting, you really must have no sympathy for the human soul. Like in NO, how they were interviewing all these people who were walking through the waist high sludge and these guy is shoving a mic in their face and a camera. Do you think that's what they really need? And these reporters like that one ******* on Fox, Mic ******swallow, I don't know, is complaining about no help coming through and how these people are suffering while that ******* has plenty of supplies in his van and air condition too to last him a week. If he really cared he would help these people rather than complain about the problems they have, the camera shows that, I don't need you to comment on it. Why doesn't this guy help these people rather than playing the cowardly observer?

These networks are not looking at these "Human Interest" pieces and thinking that they are getting their message out to the world, they are thinking, "HOT DAMN! This is going to the the ratings up!" It's no more reality as it is theater now.

Sorry if I seem a bit on edge but I work at the local TV Station at my community college and I have to watch all the CNN, Fox, whatever, bullshit all day. If anything, watch the Daily Show or read a newspaper.

[Gorjirus]

no one mentions that terrorist activity is higher than ever

Nor do they say how many of the SOB terrorists that our guys kill (even estimates) each day.

You don't hear much about Rita now because everyone in Houston and around that area were smart enough to get out of harms way or were forced out.

Than what exactly IS there to report? Besides what I watched on tv this morning? (ie damage, since there were few people there)

[Goji Son]

Nor do they say how many of the SOB terrorists that our guys kill (even estimates) each day.
Nor do they mention how many more terrorists are propogated each day and given a gun.



Than what exactly IS there to report? Besides what I watched on tv this morning? (ie damage, since there were few people there)

How about how fast everyone evacuated? How this was vastly different from the NO experience? Or better yet, why are there so many powerful hurricanes this year? But that doesn't create ratings because people don't have an interest in what others are doing unless there is some form of suffering involved.

[Orga777]

He is right Gor. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Rateings is the only thing they care for. Nothing else. It will always be that way. I hardly bother with the news anymore since I know I am not getting the full story.

[Tomzilla]

How about how fast everyone evacuated? How this was vastly different from the NO experience? Or better yet, why are there so many powerful hurricanes this year? But that doesn't create ratings because people don't have an interest in what others are doing unless there is some form of suffering involved.

You are absolutely correct. But the blame should not be entirely directed at the reporters and executives. How exactly do news stations retrieve high ratings? The people watching them. The reason reporters ask such stupid questions and try to capture heart-breaking stories that have no real good in them is because that is what their audience wants. As a whole, the majority of people who watch the news would complain: "this is terrible" but the truth is, they like it. When they hear good news, do they cry, flock to the streets, and show how good they feel? No. They wait to hear the bad news, and if there isn't any bad news, they change the station and/or ignore it.

Not all of reporters are scum, but those that purposely try to capture the bad news are. But scum like them only have jobs because of ratings, and ratings only exist because of the people. Blame the people first, before blaming the reporters.

[Goji Son]

You are absolutely correct. But the blame should not be entirely directed at the reporters and executives. How exactly do news stations retrieve high ratings? The people watching them. The reason reporters ask such stupid questions and try to capture heart-breaking stories that have no real good in them is because that is what their audience wants. As a whole, the majority of people who watch the news would complain: "this is terrible" but the truth is, they like it. When they hear good news, do they cry, flock to the streets, and show how good they feel? No. They wait to hear the bad news, and if there isn't any bad news, they change the station and/or ignore it.

Not all of reporters are scum, but those that purposely try to capture the bad news are. But scum like them only have jobs because of ratings, and ratings only exist because of the people. Blame the people first, before blaming the reporters.

True, they are giving the people what they want but at the same time they aren't don't even try and see what happens if they went into something that might actually be important to for the masses to know.

[Raptor]

GS is right. If the 5 o'clock national news decided to go see what LA or Weevil was doing about preparing for earthquakes or other disasters (which would provide a HUGE contrast to what we saw in NOLA!), no one would watch, INCLUDING THOSE WHO WOULD DIRECTLY BENEFIT.
You can bet there are still plenty great stories back in areas that are still unaccessible but that would be too much work, yet look how the news folks "rode with the troops" at the beginning of the war in Iran, putting themselves at even greater risk (and hardship) than they would be in the disaster areas. Even Ted Koppel was out there!
I do believe things will pick up when the NOLA Katrina response investigation gets underway so the media can play out its political agendas. As far as the "real world" goes with the situation, POLITICS is a bad word after seeing FEMA and Louisiana under the gun.

[Burkion]

I'm telling yall, this is the perfect chance to break out the Death Camps. Just herd all media bullshitters into 'em, problem solved. Oh, and we can shove WB KIDS in there as well...and Dean Devilin will have his own specail camp....

[Goji Son]

I'm telling yall, this is the perfect chance to break out the Death Camps. Just herd all media bullshitters into 'em, problem solved. Oh, and we can shove WB KIDS in there as well...and Dean Devilin will have his own specail camp....

I wouldn't go that far but you know, you can when you become the dictator.

The problem is is that the media is very useful and helpful on informing the public on somethings I just care for some of the things they focus on.

[Burkion]

^My dictatorship should start in a few years, give or take my spies progressions...er, uh, forget everything you just read. Now.

Anyways, I just want one thing: on media, which gives ALL the information ALL the time.

[Raptor]

I just want one thing: on media, which gives ALL the information ALL the time.
Forget the "all the information" because it's basically a "need to know" thing in some instances.
Speaking of which, how about ACCURACY? Look at all the back-pedalling about false reports regarding the Superdome situation alone. How come no one challenged the Mayor and Chief about how/where they got THEIR information? Was their "source" the rumor mill? I don't think either one DARED go inside the Dome myself.

[Gorjirus]

For me, I don't want to have the exact same thing that I read in the newspaper be on TV. I read about the evacuations and all that in the newspaper. On TV, I want the story story's. For hard factual information, I'll read something.

[Cyndi]

I can't watch those reports from back east because I'm always scared the reporter will get blown up while they're talking...

Anyway, I hate the media. You hear about a mine blowing up twelve soldiers so often that it's kind of an "eh, another bomb" rather than "oh...those poor people!" Even I've noticed this numbness in myself and it makes me sick to my stomach.

The media is desensitizing us to the horrors of war. Mainly I think it's the "well it ain't happenin' here, so I'm safe!" attitude mixed with too many unrealistic war movies.

[Hybrid Gojira]

I have to agree with just about everyone else - Media sucks. Facts are important, but if you interview two different people concerning the same subject you are likely (in the media) to get 2 radically different views. Why? They enjoy confrontation and conflict.

As for Iraq, I'm not longer sure what I think. I'd like to see us pull out, but can we do it and not what little stability is there and cause a bigger problem? Don't ask the media, they'd tell you "yes, no maybe so..."

[Raptor]

CBS online (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/14/world/main2007311_page2.shtml)'s coverage of the Montreal shooting incident. And what do we see on the left hand side of their page? Guns In America - State-by-state gun laws and death rates, maps of recent school and workplace shootings and facts on who's at risk. Duh! :angry:

[Raptor]

Guess what! We can cover both guns AND the media at the same time, thanks to Urban Outfitters (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/16071089.htm?source=rss&channel=inquirer_local)!
That little tree ornament got them a LOT of free publicity and the thing is sold out. Check THEIR (http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/) website for more neat holiday offerings. WARNING TO THE YOUNGUNS is in order!
What the heck is the matter with a CHEESEBERGER ornament, may I ask? We already have the Christmas pickle.... FWIW, they also have beer mug, pizza and hot dog ones so EVERYONE should have something to humbug about.
Where's my "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" disc? :p

[Raptor]

Los Angeles, CA got the worst of THIS (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/16184625.htm?source=rss&channel=dfw_living) little report. Although funny in a way, there is some good info about what too much pavement can do to your immediate environment (and electric bill in the summer!)
A big development going up that will be denuding the area? Consider the one-for-one route where for every tree they cut down, they have to provide a replacement.
Tree hugging? Nope, just "environmental economics" if you need a handy PC buzz term! :laugh: "Not in MY backyard!" and "Git offa my block!" work just fine when the cameras are rolling. :p

[Raptor]

Considering THESE (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2006-12-14-americans-media_x.htm) figures, one had best be selective in what they take for FACT, even if it's reported as "news". If it SOUNDS biased, it probably is. ;)

[Orga777]

Well, after Morgoth's great post I must say he hit the nail right on the head.

In any case NBC is at it again. Does anyone else think that their little video of this psycho shooter sensationalism with all of this over publicizing? I mean day after day now every news station has Cho's picture on it with him pointing a gun at the camera. I have heard that some of the victems parents cancelled interviews as well (don't know if it is true, just something I heard), and public outcry on this is very much against NBC. Personally I think they just want ratings. I mean hell, the video is just a hateful rant that doesn't even have much sence to it. Was it really needed to be shown all over the place like it is now for pretty much no reason at all since we already knew before the video was released that he was mentally unstable?

[bloodyarts]

NBC isn't the only network guilty of sensationalizing the VaTech massacre...

[Goji Son]

NBC isn't the only network guilty of sensationalizing the VaTech massacre...

Fox is having a hay day with Cho, saying he was possible possessed by the devil and that the Korean film Oldboy was in primary influence.

[Gorjirus]

Fox News was also the first station to say they are going to stop showing the video too.

[Cyndi]

To me the media just seems like a bunch of vultures, waiting to dive and pick at any story that involves one or more of the following: celebrities, death, lots of money, a scandal, or violence.

I think the only time I stayed glued to the news for anything was September 11th.

[Raptor]

RERUN (http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showpost.php?p=219404&postcount=41). I'm thinking a lot of the general public was "uncomfortable" with the coverage as early as TUESDAY. I took a friend to a medical appointment in Jonesboro (scene of another school shooting) and the clinic waiting room had the overhead TV turned to CNN (I believe) when everyone was delivering their responses/speeches. We worked together so have similar background regarding criminal behavior and tragedy, as well as having recently lost family members. And to think that on top of everything, we were in a HOSPITAL setting with its particular apprehensions!
The clinic is a pretty good-sized operation and "business savvy", I would say, but their choice of "entertainment" left a lot to be desired. The folks at the sections where the appointments were didn't have a TV and everyone was a lot more convivial, chatting, comparing notes, etc. as folks do around our area.
With other "disasters" and truly newsworthy events, people gravitated TOWARD the constant updates and compared notes.
NBC did end up itself "in the news", unfortunately, something that responsible journalists try to avoid. There was stuff on the tapes that provided some additional information about Cho. It has been noted that he made a point of preparing the "message" and sending it to the media; part of his "master plan" to "make a statement".
Of course, the satellite trucks converged on VTech BIG TIME and anyone in the area no doubt got a microphone shoved in their face. One student even vowed to get as much air time himself to "counteract" Cho's coverage. Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070419/tv_nm/massacre_dc_2) take on the airing. Canada (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/story/3947215p-4558695c.html), which also had a college shooting.
There was concern that the video could "inspire" similar incidents. I would say ADD TO the possibility. We know these types aren't very original, right? :hmmm: I posted a link to "copycats" in the History repeating itself thread (http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5996) but there are much more extensive reports now.
What I'm thinking is that whatever concern that might develop regarding "personal freedom/privacy" as a result of this incident also address the way the media conducts itself in respect to the survivors. Local coverage can be particularly intrusive trying to find every angle possible to cover big news. You also have to deal with the fact that the reporters could be friends or neighbors and you'll have to co-exist after things settle down. As Morgoth mentioned, you have every right to defend yourself and that includes telling GOOD MORNING AMERICA/CNN/Channel 24 to BUZZ OFF. "No comment" is always good. TVs and radios also have OFF buttons and channel selectors. Use them.
In the VTech thread, Bloodyarts mentioned rap music. I'm thinking of the wake-up call that the Imus boner might have generated. Again, time for Morgoth's hammer. Big media = BIG TARGET! ;)

[Raptor]

Fox is having a hay day with Cho, saying he was possible possessed by the devil and that the Korean film Oldboy was in primary influence.Then there is MSNBC's header: Questions unanswered 8 years after Columbine (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18226635/). No doubt every school shooting is going to be rehashed today until the next media frenzy finds something new to hit on (See Cyndi's list :p ).
Yes, might as well blame the Devil (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266860,00.html) for what happened... Still, I guess we have to figure out whether it was Satanic “possession” or “oppression”. I'd say neither but I haven't read “The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil”. :laugh: I'll stick with Ressler and Douglas, the FBI Behavioral Science guys.

[Figment]

Fox is having a hay day with Cho, saying he was possible possessed by the devil and that the Korean film Oldboy was in primary influence.
I thought they were sticking with Jack Thompson's bullshit ideas and blaming "the videogames"(Counter-Strike to be precise) despite Cho not having any games in his dorm whatsoever...

[Goji Son]

I thought they were sticking with Jack Thompson's bullshit ideas and blaming "the videogames"(Counter-Strike to be precise) despite Cho not having any games in his dorm whatsoever...

They are just throwing out any idea that comes to their head

[Orga777]

I think that your story is a good point in showing how a normal person reacts to ostracism and bullying. You can thank the damn media for using Columbine as another of their 'spread paranoia to boost ratings' scares. Bird-flu anyone? Seriously, if they'd stop making a big deal about the anniversary of that tragedy, then maybe it wouldn't be a big deal. But, no, this way once a year they have a nice scarecrow to trot out and maybe give some nutjob some ideas. Meanwhile, fellows who wear black long coats get looked at as though they are timebombs. Win-win situation.

Oh god I agree 100% here. I am sick of the media as well with their ****ing scare tactics to get ratings. They always do that when something like this happens. It doesn't help that the media practically flies to these stories like a flock of hungry vultures to rip at the families of the victims... But hey, what do you expect from the media?

[Orga777]

They are just throwing out any idea that comes to their head

Don't you mean empty heads?;)

[Raptor]

Don't you mean empty heads?;)That's the way I see it.
I've been wondering where to put this but here seems a good place since it's one of those things that might be just what the doctor ordered with all this school shooting CRAP. It's not very polished but everyone should get the idea.
Yes, today does mark the 8th anniversary of the Columbine mass killing. While we're at it, let's review a bit about multiple killings.

Serial killers HUNT their separate targets and don't expect to get caught.
Spree killers claim a number of victims at different locations over a period or hours or days.
The mass killer is in an endgame strategy and does not expect to come out alive. They either kill themselves after "making their statement" or otherwise cause their own death (suicide by cop/blowing themselves up with their victims). Why do they do this? They know they can't get away but want to remain in control (finally) by not letting ANYONE stop them or bring them to justice. Why a school? There is often a relationship between perpetrator and target. WHERE did these killers have a bad time? AT SCHOOL (http://www.alternet.org/story/24801/).
Once again, the negative spotlight falls on the local school district. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, TAXPAYERS AND PARENTS! All the Head Starts and PBS programming in the country isn't going to compensate for what goes on nine months out of the next 12 years of a kid's life.

School shooters have been as young as what, 12? And the older they are, the more dangerous. They can also better PLAN their attack and have been exposed to more stuff to get ideas from. I guarantee Virginia Tech is going to replace Columbine.

So what is it about April anyway? Yes, Sept. 11, Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963 and Whitman's Texas Tower attack (Aug. 1, 1966, with 15 people killed and 31 wounded before he was killed by police) are significant for violently shaking this country out of its naivete but it wears off, right? Let's settle in for a little history, compliiments of Timothy McVeigh and a truckload of manure on April 19, 1995. 168 people were killed and over 500 injured.
April 19, 1775: Basis for the original Patriot's Day observed on the 3rd Monday in April, commemorating the Revolutionary War battle of Lexington and Concord. The militia movement recognizes it big time.
1993: April 19 is also the anniversary of the end of the siege at Waco. Since 2003, Patriot Day is Sept. 11.
May 18, 1927: Three bombings in Bath Township, Michigan which killed 45 people and injured 58. Most of the victims were children in the Bath Consolidated School. Their deaths constituted the deadliest act of mass murder in a school in U.S. history until VTech. The perpetrator was school board member Andrew Kehoe who was upset by a property tax levied to fund construction of the school building. He blamed the additional tax for foreclosure proceedings against his farm.

Kehoe first killed his wife and then set his farm buildings on fire. As fire fighters arrived, an explosion devastated the north wing of the school building, killing many of the people inside. Kehoe used a detonator to ignite dynamite and hundreds of pounds of pyrotol which he had planted inside the school over the course of many months. As rescuers started gathering at the school, Kehoe drove up, stopped, and detonated a bomb inside his shrapnel-filled vehicle, killing himself and the school superintendent and killing and injuring several others. During the rescue efforts, searchers discovered an additional 500 pounds of unexploded dynamite and pyrotol planted throughout the basement of the school's south wing. - Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster)


April 20, 1999: The 3rd deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, behind the Virginia Tech massacre and University of Texas (4th deadliest school related killing behind Bath). Twelve students and a teacher were killed and 24 people wounded before Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed suicide. Journal entries revealed they had a plan for a bombing rivaling that of Oklahoma City. The entries contained blurbs about hijacking an aircraft and crashing into a building in New York City. The pair hoped that after setting off bombs in the cafeteria, they would rampage through the school and shoot any survivors, then continue their attack on surrounding houses as neighbors came out to see the commotion. This part failed when their main explosives didn't go off.
Many theories exist about the original date being April 19. Due to delays in making the bombs, it was moved to April 20. Some noted that the date of the shooting coincided with Adolf Hitler's birthday and was one day after the anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing and the demise of the Branch Davidians in Waco, further strengthening the theory that the intended date was April 19. Both shooters mentioned in videos that they hoped to outdo both these events. - Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre)

Now it looks like April 16 will be another day the caution lights go on and national anxiety is increased... :confused: I do not think the media will use its powers to make things any easier for the time being or discourage wannabe copycats as that just doesn't pull in the ratings. What we all should be concerned with is zeroing the body count.

[Raptor]

The media can come in handy for "getting the word out" but SOME (http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=6426696) people will find fault with about anything, it seems...

[SuperXAsh]

..... wtf? Drop Shrek because he's fat and it supposedly promotes obesity?!?

God some people are retarded.

[Goji Son]

..... wtf? Drop Shrek because he's fat and it supposedly promotes obesity?!?

God some people are retarded.

I remember when Happy Feet came out (pre-stated pun) and a lot of people were claiming that one troop of penguins were *** and promoted their *** agenda on impressionable kids. That was a low point but this is just as bad. I guess all characters must be within a weight limit, straight, have no personality traits that can be detrimental to a child besides the villain. You know, just like the Aryan race... only for cute animals and ogres.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I remember when Happy Feet came out (pre-stated pun) and a lot of people were claiming that one troop of penguins were *** and promoted their *** agenda on impressionable kids. That was a low point but this is just as bad. I guess all characters must be within a weight limit, straight, have no personality traits that can be detrimental to a child besides the villain. You know, just like the Aryan race... only for cute animals and ogres.

http://aftermathnews.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/goebbels-speech.jpg

[godofPH]

..... wtf? Drop Shrek because he's fat and it supposedly promotes obesity?!?

God some people are retarded.

Better pull Spider-Man 3 from the movie house, fighting a black costumed villain will make impressionable kids racist!

Oh my, and how could I forget Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer! That one better not be released either, it promotes intolerance to silver-skinned people, not what our children need to be seeing!

[Orga777]

...................I hate the media and their stupidity. They need to actually figure out what NEWS really is before they write their next stories.

[Raptor]

...................I hate the media and their stupidity. They need to actually figure out what NEWS really is before they write their next stories.I often hit the CNN/FOX/ABC etc. websites for a peek at what the top stories of the day might be and all too often, the index looks like a supermarket tabloid with NEWS OF THE WEIRD. Some totally INANE and stupid stuff gets national coverage as the local stations pick up on their network feeds. Next thing you know, THAT is what gets the most discussion rather than more serious stuff we ought to be thinking about.
A little more along the lines of fictional characters being injected into everything from the grocery store to the U.S. Government: Stop by the nearest Post Office and check out the Star Wars tie-in.
Anyone want to bet it's all about MONEY (licensing fees)? As far as characters "selling out", that has been a sad fact since Snoopy got mixed up with Met Life. Frankly, that relationship doesn't make a bit of sense to me.

[Raptor]

A patchwork (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18513128/) story, if there ever was one. The headline presents VTech as not being the best place for Cho but first thing you read is a bunch of stuff about "demons". When we finally get to the original premise, I find it rather lame. High school over college? Come on!
Back to what I think the supposedly prestigeous Post is trying to get at: Afflicted by a 'demonic power'
"His problem needed to be solved by spiritual power," said Lee, whose church members met with Cho and his mother. "That's why she came to our church -- because we were helping several people like him." Those churchgoers told Hyang In Cho that her son was afflicted by demonic power and needed deliverance, Lee said.That is really reaching for it IMO. :angry:

[Dr. Strangelove]

A patchwork (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18513128/) story, if there ever was one. The headline presents VTech as not being the best place for Cho but first thing you read is a bunch of stuff about "demons". When we finally get to the original premise, I find it rather lame. High school over college? Come on!
Back to what I think the supposedly prestigeous Post is trying to get at: That is really reaching for it IMO. :angry:
This reminds me of when the Pope declared Hitler to be "Demonically inspired"..

[Raptor]

ABC NEWS (http://abcnews.go.com/) online. FOUR headliners about the 'D.C. Madam'?! Come on!

[Dr. Strangelove]

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Politics/story?id=3145675&page=1


<.<..


How many times will this focker's popularity drop to "All time low"?

[godofPH]

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Politics/story?id=3145675&page=1


<.<..


How many times will this focker's popularity drop to "All time low"?

How ever many times the Liberal-biased media tells the public to drop the approval rating.

[Goji Son]

How ever many times the Liberal-biased media tells the public to drop the approval rating.

Oh yes, the liberal media is the cause of the approval rating to drop. Let's excuse the fact that Bush has made horrible decisions and won't own up to them, has caused a country to disintigrate into a civil/holy war, has put his trust in the hands of men who cannot do their job (FEMA, Attorney General), and many other things. Evidently for this administration there is an excuse for everything.

[Raptor]

From Talk2Action comes a story of a prominent SBC leader endorsing one of the Clinic Bombers...:

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/5/2/155843/5848.Even though we do have a sudden rash of religious discussion going on, I would say reviewing this item not be limited to those of a particular faith/denomination.

What I picked up from the EDITORIAL was:The silence is not limited to Baptists. There is silence across the entirety of the religious and political spectrum, at least as far as my Google searches indicate. To me, this is quite inexplicable. A top official of the largest protestant denomination in the U.S. endorses domestic terrorism -- and the nation is silent? This is referring to a May 2, 2007 time frame. Still, a search on major news sites themselves comes up empty. Mr. Clarkson has a good point IMO about the lack of even basic coverage.

[Cole Deschain]

How ever many times the Liberal-biased media tells the public to drop the approval rating.



...


You know, I can watch Fox News and still hate this administration.

In fact, that makes it easier...

[Raptor]

"Shoot the messenger" might be a good idea, according to the EDITOR (http://www.thejenatimes.net/upload_posts/editorial_sammy.html) of the Jena Times.

[Raptor]

I regularly check the local TV station (http://www.kait8.com/) website to see what's "newsworthy" in their opinion. As well, you can go back and review coverage easily; something you can't with an over-the-air broadcast.
News or Not? Does Media Coverage Create Copycats? (http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7166621) - There have been a rash of bomb threats at area schools and we all know about lame-*** copycats with limited problem solving skills. :sleeping: There is even a poll that is running 60/40 IN FAVOR of reporting on them. In about any town, school safety is an ongoing concern. AWARENESS is a great tool, no matter what the topic IMO.
At the bottom, KAIT states their policy on reporting these things. It's not just parents who need to be aware of what goes on in schools IMO. Our paper, despite supposedly being under-staffed, has followed up on about EVERY school incident with how the board handled it; the REPERCUSSIONS/OUTCOME of doing stupid stuff. THAT is what seems to be lacking IMO. Sure, there were arrests made in a murder case. Thing is, the paper isn't too good about keeping a COURT CALENDAR nor does it run the daily docket. This is public record, people. Yes, criminal cases are convoluted and drag out; "old news" if you will but those AFFECTED or concerned about stuff don't have short term memory or limit themselves to sound bites. FOLLOW UP is part of the whole picture IMO.

[Raptor]

I was searching for some "making of" info on a classic sci fi film about a big robot and a flying saucer landing in DC and THIS (http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/other-topics/the-day-the-earth-stood-still/) popped up. :laugh:
I hadn't read it before myself, only similar pieces. Note what website it's on.