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Dangerous Times – The Fourth Estate Doing Their Best To Sway An Election
Pat Caddell (d) -
I think we’re at the most dangerous time in our political history in terms of the balance of power in the role that the media plays in whether or not we maintain a free democracy or not. You know, when I first started in politics – and for a long time before that – everyone on both sides, Democrats and Republicans, despised the press commonly, because they were SOBs to everybody. Which is exactly what they should be. They were unrelenting. Whatever the biases were, they were essentially equal-opportunity people.
That changed in 1980.
There are a lot of reasons for it. It changed—an important point in the Dukakis-Bush election, when the press literally was trying to get Dukakis elected by ignoring what was happening in Massachusetts, with a candidate who was running on the platform of “He will do for America what he did for Massachusetts”—while they were on the verge of bankruptcy.
Also the change from evening news emphasis to morning news by the networks is another factor that’s been pointed out to me.
Most recently, what I call the nepotism that exists, where people get jobs—they’re married to people who are in the administration, or in politics, whatever.
But the overwhelming bias has become very real and very dangerous. We have a First Amendment for one reason. We have a First Amendment not because the Founding Fathers liked the press—they hated the press—but they believed, as [Thomas] Jefferson said, that in order to have a free country, in order to be a free people, we needed a free press.
ht/ corky
Birdie Num Num
September 29th, 2012
Internet based journalism is becoming the genuine heir to the type of free press envisioned by the founders.
The monolithic,uni-think, mega media is throwing everything it can into this election to maintain it’s power and save itself as the defining force in American politics and culture.
FreeMan & Sarah Voting Early & Often
September 29th, 2012
Who has the first 3 estates again? I am a little rusty.
Stranded in Sonoma
September 29th, 2012
I do believe it was Newt Gingrich that called out the press in the Republican debates. He was sick and tired of their democrats-must-win-at-all-costs attitude and took it out on the moderator because he was asking stupid questions about someone’s personal life while the country is going to hell in a handbasket.
Newt would have taken this article to heart.
Anonymous
September 29th, 2012
Heard this speech earlier. He’s spot on with his analysis. Caddell is probably the only lib with anything intelligent and honest to say.
historicus
September 29th, 2012
Sorry, that “Anonymous” was me. And where did my gravatar go? Be back later when I find it.
historicus
September 29th, 2012
Oh, there it is!
Unneutral
September 29th, 2012
You can’t help but know the shit sandwich has the wrong name on it when in reality it’s the liars and cheaters that want to stifle the truth that points out their nefarious designs.
A free press is beyond dangerous if it isn’t an honest press.
RANDO
September 29th, 2012
I also notice plenty of coverage the LSM is giving to high-profile political donors, lobbyists, super pacs, etc., but I suspect the so-called mainstream media has a much more pervasive effect on voter’s opinion.
jwm
September 29th, 2012
Few of the people I know have a clue. I have friends who are on the internet all day, and are still abysmally ignorant of the state of the economy, the threat we face from islam, or how badly things are going in the middle east. Israel? Oh, why don’t they just make peace? Gosh, we shouldn’t be insulting to the nice moslems- that’s racisss…
They know nothing. And I have friends who don’t use the internet at all. They know less.
I have tried to talk to some of them, and I watch their eyes glaze over. I can see the thought balloon rise above their heads- John’s a fanatic- he’s some kind of conspiracy nut . He’s obsessed… Or the ones who will come back and tell me that the problem is that the rich control everything. It’s all the fault of the greedy rich.
Remember the penultimate scene in the old movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”? Kevin McCarthy running hysterical in traffic trying to warn everyone-screaming at people who will not listen, will not believe the truth.
That’s how I feel. And that’s where we are.
The media is the enemy. If we are to have a prayer in the immediate future we need to make war on television. Make war on the newspapers- make war on the Dragon that gives power to the Beast.
JWM
The Doktor
September 29th, 2012
I am glad to see that all of my rants from over 8 years ago have finally gained wide coverage. People thought of me as a loon when I stated that this was over 4 decades of Leftist infiltration coming to fruition. That McCarthy, although a complete jackass, was CORRECT.
I am so very grateful for the Internet and the brave and intelligent souls who fight the good fight – hoping that is not like Tolkien’s Elves, “Fighting the Long Defeat.”
Never give up!
FreeMan & Sarah Voting Early & Often
September 29th, 2012
Kerry owns a few estates. Not sure about 4 unless the illegally parked yacht counts as one.
Toaster
September 29th, 2012
“Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace… Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant.” James Madison
lamchops
September 29th, 2012
Fourth estate or fifth column?
Toaster
September 29th, 2012
Fourth estate
orAND fifth column?FIFY
Edith McCrotch
September 29th, 2012
Too bad Pat will be eviscerated by his fellow liberal media types.
Stranded in Sonoma
September 30th, 2012
@Edith — At which point he will have an epiphany and leave the dark side.