Bits & Pieces
Bits and pieces from this reporter’s notebook.
Da-deet-da-deet-.....Some questions about the election: Why are people having to wait hours to vote? Why are we using voting machines that cheat? Why are broadcasters allowed to air blatantly false political messages? How can religious groups participate in campaigns and not lose their tax exemption? Why does it cost $600 million to win the White House?
Da-deet-da-deet...Susan Jacoby’s book on the uneducation of the American public reports that one-in-five adults believes the sun revolves around the earth, two-thirds of young Americans can’t find Iraq on a map, and two-thirds of the voters don’t know the three branches of government. No wonder so many scurrilous campaigns sought the support of what are referred to as “low information” voters.
Da-deet-da-deet...The media disgraced itself with very few exceptions. On Saturday, the Associated Press led with the story of Obama’s aunt living in the U.S. illegally. On Friday they had run a report that falsely, inanely claimed that press coverage had favored Obama. The moniker “lamestream media” doesn’t begin to describe the failure of the campaign coverage, with insignificant personal issues dominating the headlines while vital issues were virtually ignored.
Da-deet-da-deet...Over 33 million people watched Obama’s half-hour message last week. If it had been followed by a serious Q-‘n-A from qualified journalists, it could have replaced all of the campaign commercials he ran. It would have been a much more effective method of telling the American people what we needed to know about the candidate.
Da-deet-da-deet...Finally, though a lame-duck administration, the Bush people continue to do damage. For instance a U.N. General Assembly panel voted overwhelming on Friday to draft a treaty that would establish international standards for arms sales. Some 147 countries voted for; only the United States and Zimbabwe voted against. There will be much to fix starting January 20th.
©2008 SetonnoteS
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