I've been thinking about trying to make some intelligent comment about the differences among CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CBS and ABC.
Here it is: They are all revolting disgraces. From the standpoint of unbiased, objective reporting, there is no difference between Rachel Maddow and Glenn Beck. They are both horrible. There's no significant difference in the quality of the commentary of Keith Obermann and Sean Hannity. They both suck.
Anyone who thinks they can get straight unbiased reporting from any kind of television signal is dillusional. Anyone who thinks either Chris Matthews or Bill O'Reilly are serious journalists has never seen, or read, a serious journalist.
Consequently, if you are basing your opinions upon the opinions or reportage of any of the talking heads on any television network, you are likely as dumb as they are.
My friend, Bill Fleming, with whom I disagree more often than I agree, had it right on another blog: Read. (Unfortunately, Bill's implication was that only smart liberals read and dumb conservatives don't.) Seeking unbiased, well-written reporting, whether printed on dead trees or "published" on the internet, won't necessarily make you a conservative or a liberal; Republican or Democrat. It'll just make you smarter.
Allowing the nonsense on television to influence your opinions will turn your brain to unflavored gelatin.
8 comments:
Well, Mike, that wasn't really my implication, but it's probably a demographically demonstrable factiod.
To be clear, I know quite a few conservatives and libertarians who also enjoy a good read.
p.s. Mike. I think I also said smart people read BOOKS. As in not just watch TV and read newspapers, blogs and magazines
"Anyone who thinks they can get straight unbiased reporting from any kind of television signal is dillusional." -- Sanborn
"Dillusional" (according to the punabridged dictionary); characterized by dabbling superficially in art, literature, etc. while smelling like pickles and persisting in psychotically holding false beliefs.
Etymology: Dilettantes of the early 21st century began over-ingesting dill while listening to Glenn Beck respond to Rachel Maddow's critique of Sean Hannity, resulting in psychoses of keyboard transposition. Usage of the word was later connected to the demise of General Motors, because, as everyone knows, what's good for GM is good for America.
Bill:
I just finished Conrad Black's Nixon biography and Robert Caro's bio of LBJ's senate years.
Both good books. Neither made me smarter.
Bob:
Thanks, I needed that.
Mike, maybe you got the cart before the horse?
I said smart people read books,
not that books made people smart.
Here's perhaps a better overview:
"Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before… He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way.” — Kurt Vonnegut
Bill,
Boy, do I miss Vonnegut.
Yeah, me too.
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