Eugene Robinson: The Flimflam Strategy

[babylonsister]

:loveya:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602637.html

The Flimflam Strategy

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, October 7, 2008; Page A21


Let's see: The financial system is still in grave peril, despite Congress's approval of an unprecedented $700 billion bailout. Unemployment is rising, the economy is slowing, and the question isn't whether we're in for a recession but how long and how deep the recession will be. Meanwhile, U.S. troops are still fighting in two places -- Iraq and Afghanistan -- where, as a rule, foreign occupations end badly. The terrorists who struck us on Sept. 11, 2001, have been allowed to regroup within the borders of nuclear-armed Pakistan and are busy plotting new attacks. Rarely have there been bigger or more urgent issues to talk about in a presidential campaign.

But John McCain wants us to talk about Barack Obama's acquaintances. He and Sarah Palin are going to try their best to make us talk about anything but the big issues facing our country, because most Americans think Obama's solutions are better than McCain's.

Knowing that, are we in the media going to aid and abet the McCain campaign's obvious ploy?

snip//


If we in the media really believe what we say about serving the public interest, we have a duty to avoid being turned into instruments of mass distraction. Of course we should cover what the candidates say, putting their words in context and pointing out when the candidates are exaggerating or lying. But we should also think hard about how much prominence we give to smears and counter-smears.

And we should be relentless in demanding that the candidates talk about the economy and the wars and America's place in the world. If they won't sit down to be interviewed, we can shout our questions at them. If they filibuster, we can cut them off. If they give evasive answers, we can ask follow-up questions until we run out of breath.

The McCain campaign has made clear that it wants to change the subject. We can, and should, change it back.

[redqueen]

1. I love that man. (nt)

[tblue]

2. I love you, ER!

[Overseas]

3. K&R !!

Many thanks to dear Eugene Robinson who still remembers when journalists used to do more to "serve the public interest."

I always enjoy Eugene's commentary on MSNBC too.


Alas now, with media consolidation into right wing hands, more journalists serve the corporate interest.

[myrna minx]

4. K&R n/t

[Cha]

5. Thank you, Eugene Robinson for calling

out "the media"!

[ailsagirl]

6. Spot on, ER!! I always enjoy hearing him talking to Keith... n/t

[FlyingSquirrel]

7. Eugene Robinson is my hero. n/t

[hvn_nbr_2]

8. They need an emotional hot button. "Look! Gays!" doesn't have the clout it used to. nt

[1corona4u]

9. I love Eugene!

He's such a treat to watch too. :-)

[redqueen]

10. I think I'll send this to lots of other media outlets.

:kick:

[ohtransplant]

11. Next it will be "Terra, Terra!"

The alert level will go to orange based on "new" intelligence of imminent threats.

These guys (McSame & Co.)are running the '04 campaign all over again.

If there's justice, BO will nail him to the wall tonight. (figuratively speaking of course)