P. J. Murphy

Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 1:52 a.m.

Carping about the "mainstream media" and it's supposed left-wing bias is a familiar refrain on the right. But when you look more closely at the companies who deliver the "news" you'll find they are run by corporate bureaucrats whose only enduring bias is black ink vs. red. Fox News has a business model that panders to the right, MSNBC's model is similar, but weighted to the left. Both rely on viewers who want information tailored to their particular political notions. Neither is a reliable source of good journalism. When you are in the news business, your only source of necessary income to pay salaries, rent, and investors, is advertisers. And to get advertisers you need audiences. And to get audiences you need good stories. So missing blondes get more coverage than budget deficits and there's lots more attention paid to sports than social problems. Like all business enterprises, news companies are after profits more than politics. And because they need to sell their product (audiences) to other business owners, their sympathies rarely tend toward the left side of the spectrum. There isn't anything new or particularly remarkable about this long standing relationship. Those who run Fox News are aware of this reality, but they also know that their right leaning audience is further captured by the narrative that their version of the news is more accurate, and unbiased. It makes them feel good, which makes them loyal viewers. Their ratings, their audience, and their profits testify to the success of this ploy. But it's just another of the common manipulations that make so many people cynical and disappointed with the business of news. Ironically in an age where we are saturated with media, the pursuit of accurate and truthful information still remains stubbornly elusive.

maallen

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.

Very well said. I have watched MSNBC for weeks (up to the point of Storm Sandy) and they refused to even mention the terrorist attack, but yet covered Romney quite well, albeit in a negative way. One day they pointed out all the different states Obama was flying to and pointed out how Romney was only in one state. And they talked about this for a half an hour trying to point out how Obama is such a hard worker and Romney was not. And meanwhile we have a terrorist attack in Libya being covered up because they don't want it to affect Obama's re-election.

walktheplank

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.

Why? Because they don't agree with your viewpoint? If Romney was reputed to be leading in the polls, the only thing you'd be doing is crowing. Well be prepared to eat some. I hear it's bitter.

walktheplank

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.

add up the replies with the comments

walktheplank

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.

And EVERYBODY, right and left, knows it.

Thoughtful

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.

Do you want a president who eats family pets (Obama eats dog), or one who abuses them (Romney strapped his to his car roof)? Neither has common sense. We are in trouble either way.

Roger Kuhlman

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.

Obama now says there are not two Americas. There is only blue America. They are the only ones that count. Anyone else is a racist and bigot.

maallen

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.

walktheplank, "That's the most common excuse used by losers." Care to explain that? In reality, polls don't matter much to the actual voters. And people saying one candidate is awesome and the other is terrible doesn't matter either. What matters is the election. What matters is people voting.

walktheplank

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.

That's the most common excuse used by losers.

Mona Norton

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.

the thought has crossed my mind that if the people of Michigan are dumb enough to vote for Obama just because he is a Lib because it is a fact he has done a crappy job .. That maybe I should show my stupidity as well and Vote YES on every Proposal !

Cindy Heflin

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.

Indeed, it should have said 42 percent backed Romney. That's been corrected.

jcj

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.

Dorchester I just threw that out there because Atticus was blaming everything but leadership in cities that have gone bankrupt. And if you do the research MOST but not all bankrupt entities are run by Democrats.

Dorchester

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.

jcj The 10 wealthiest states I dare say are mostly dominated by Democrats. I'm not sure what point you were trying to make but I thought I come back at you with some facts.

Dorchester

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.

10 poorest states... Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina... Except for Montana and West Virginia they are all politically dominated by Republicans.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.

What do the top ten cities with the highest poverty rate all have in common? DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP! Detroit, MI (1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961; Buffalo, NY (2nd) hasn't elected one since 1954; Cincinnati, OH (3rd)… since 1984; Cleveland, OH (4th)… since 1989; Miami, FL (5th) has never had a Republican Mayor; St. Louis, MO (6th)…. since 1949; El Paso, TX (7th) has never had a Republican Mayor; Milwaukee, WI (8th)… since 1908; Philadelphia, PA (9th)… since 1952;

walktheplank

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.

All the right wingers got this info from Fox News and Limbaugh. I don't know how they missed Orange County or San Diego.

Dorchester

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.

JCJ... hmm.. I believe the largest bankruptcy ever was in the very conservative Orange County, CA. San Diego is just as close to bankruptcy as Detroit is now!

Superior Twp voter

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.

You are SO correct.

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.

jcj, many of the cities that have went bankrupt, have done so because of huge disparities in wealth, and inequities in jobs, education, ect. part of the problem in cities like Detroit, is that people who have investment capital, who live in outlying areas set up businesses that pull money out of the city. It's a simple case of the rich getting richer, and has nothing to do with democrat or republican.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.

I'll be back later so you have plenty of time to dig!

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

Atticus Can you point to a single US city that went bankrupt that had a Republican run city government for years?

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.

Can't believe how the republicans have let Detroit go down hill in the last 50 years!

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2 p.m.

Look at Ann Arbor if you seek proof... Also, Detroit has been a vicitm of organized crime, and was notorious for the practice of 'redlining'... Entire neighborhoods, of mostly minorities were denied home loans based on nothing more than the neighborhood they lived in, with no consideration for any other factors.

Cindy Heflin

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.

Indeed, sigdiamond. That's been fixed.

jcj

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.

Rabbit Lets take your statements one at a time. Let's ask who are the real freeloaders in our society. They are the people who don't work, -False in some cases. But I worked long enough to get a pension and SS. I do not work now who don't have to work, see above statement who don't want to work, Where do they get their food and housing? Gov! who have enough money that they inherited or given to them so that they can live of their investments, You have a problem with that? These are not freeloading off gov so I don't care who are young enough to work, but don't really want to work because it is easier for them just to enjoy the wealth that someone else created. If their Parents created it fine! IF the gov provides it they are freeloaders Poor people on welfare would like the dignity and money of work, but no one has given them the opportunity to work. There are many "poor people on welfare that would work if given the opportunity. BUT do not discount those on welfare that choose not to work BECAUSE they do not want to.

Ed Kimball

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.

@ Roger Kuhlman: What you say is true -- as far as it goes. And Obama's plan, to restore tax rates for the top 2.5% of incomes to the rates they were at the end of Clinton's second term will not fix the problem. But it will at least make some dent. Romney's plan, to reduce all rates by 20% and make it up in unspecified (and in fact impossible) changes in deductions and credits, will make the deficit a lot worse.

Rabbit1

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 5:10 a.m.

Let's ask who are the real freeloaders in our society. They are the people who don't work, who don't have to work, who don't want to work, who have enough money that they inherited or given to them so that they can live of their investments, who are young enough to work, but don't really want to work because it is easier for them just to enjoy the welath that somone else created. Poor people on welfare would like the dignity and money of work, but no one has given them the opportunity to work.

Roger Kuhlman

Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.

Seriously folks if you think our nation can afford our present entitlements system in perpetuity you do not understand economics and finance at all. You can't get away with running annual deficits in excess of $1 trillion year in and year out and you can't dismiss the accumulated federal debt of $16 trillion. Even more threatening, there are at least $100 trillion of unfunded liabilities for programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Government pensions, and Obamacare coming due in the relatively near future and we as a nation have set aside no fiscal assets to pay for them. Where are we going to get the money to pay for these things as they come due?

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.

Atticus The "skills" taught to me were taught by my parents not the government. And it was not so much the skills as a work ethic. It does not matter what skills you may have if you have no work ethic!

Peregrine

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.

@sneakysneaky: Why don't we look at the whole quote. He said what you said, and if he stopped there, it would be fine. But he said a lot more, and what he added offends many good, patriotic, noble Americans. Here's the quote: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it -- that that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. ... These are people who pay no income tax. ... [M]y job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

maallen

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.

elganned, And what exactly has Obama put fourth concretely for the next 4 years? Other than pretty much the same as the last 4 years.

elganned

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.

Funny how you would single out the Democrats for 'discredit the opponent', when Romney's entire campaign has been centered aroud discrediting Obama from Day 1. Even now, Romney has not put forth one, single, concrete proposal as to what could be done to reform the tax system (I'll make up a plan after I'm elected") or produce the 12,000,000 jobs he says he can conjure out of his hat. 'Discredit the opponent' is ALL he has done, and all he can do.

sneekysneaky

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.

47%...............................This was taken out of context. Romney referred to the 47% of voters for Obama at the time. He wasn't going to try & change their minds but, instead go for the 53% of voters that supported him or was undecided. Obama & Democrats should stick to what they have done for 4 years to help us, but they can't. All they can do is try to discredit the opponent.

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.

jcj, my work background is similar to yours... But, I have the forsight to understand that these values, as well as the actual skills required to get a job were taught to me, and that some people were failed by the system becuase they were never taught these skills to begin with.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.

I have worked since I was 12. For a couple years on a farm then at 14 got a work permit and worked as a stock boy. Got married at 18 and NEVER borrowed money from my parents or in-laws. I know without a doubt that there are lots of people that would like a job and are willing to work. But I also know there are too many that either have gotten used to hand outs or realize that they can do better on gov assistance than low paying jobs. And I take offense to that. I have relatives that fit that description to a T!

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.

jcj, you would be suprised at how many people DO want to work, but simply don't have the opportunity, or even the skills to pass a job interview. I recently went to an interview seeking part time work to supplement my income, and there were people lined up, from every walk of life, desperate for a job... All applying for the same position. Some people take for granted that they were taught how to dress properly for in interview, and that they happen to have the verbal communication skills that employers are seeking. These are skills, that most of us aquire from others.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.

"As a middle class American, who has paid income tax, property tax, sales tax, ect., for my entire adult life, I take offense to that." I agree its not 47%. I do not know what the percentage is. But TOO many in this country do not want to work IF they can get a handout from government. And to say otherwise is not being honest.

Basic Bob

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.

The Chinese will not allow U.S. built Jeeps in China. But they will happily let Jeep build a plant to build Jeeps for the Chinese market. They will never end up in the United States. This is good for Chrysler engineers and U.S. machine builders who will stay busy starting up this plant in a market that does not compete with ours. The Chinese don't import from Japan so they come to the U.S. and Europe for expertise.

maallen

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

Atticus F. Did you even hear the ad? Where in the ad did it say "Jeep would be "shutting down American plants, and moving their jobs to China?" What the ad did say is "....who are going to build jeeps in China." Again, that is absolutely true. Jeep has already announced it. So the question is, why can't they build it here, create american jobs, and then sell it to the chinese? Why do they have create Chinese jobs?

maallen

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.

Atticus F, Obama is "capable of bipartisan cooperation." Really? How does one explain all of his derisive remarks? "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Speaking about americans in Pennsylvania. "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back." Referring to the GOP. Hardly a President that reaches across the aisle.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.

Atticus The original term seems to have been bald-faced

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.

maallen, Romney and his cohorts were claiming that Jeep would be "shutting down American plants, and moving their jobs to China". This is a Bold face lie by anybody's standards....

maallen

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.

According to the liberal media, Romney was caught in what they call a lie. But in reality, what is Jeep actually doing? Instead of building jeeps here and shipping them to China. They are taking away american jobs and going to China to build jeeps there. Jeep has already admitted that they are going to build Jeeps in China. That is a fact.

Skyjockey43

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.

Actually Jeep is shipping jobs to Italy http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-31/fiat-tumbles-on-doubts-over-italian-production-plan.html

Mona Norton

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.

You need to do your homework instead of listing to the liberal news . Romney was right about Jeep that has been reported in the last couple of days .. Smarten up !

Atticus F.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

At least Obama is capable of bipartisan cooperation... Romney is doing nothing but the same ol' divisive, hyper partisan bickering.

jcj

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.

Of course Christie "can't praise The President enough" the president can make things happen for him. Photo op's is what ANY President would do in this situation.