Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandatime
Are we a reflection of Fox and MSNBC or are they a reflection of us?
Many people turn to those types of entertainment news outlets as their main, if not only, source of information about the world around them. With one source of information, thinking becomes more in line with that source. Because inflammatory news will trump fact based news in ratings any day of the week, the sources become more tilted as they scramble for more viewers.
What we now have are two major "news" outlets that are far more interested in pushing their skewed agenda than in actually reporting news that has been investigated, fact checked, and vetted.
With so many people engaged in one outlet or the other as their major source of information, it is easy to see how political forums can quickly become a tug of war between two complete extremes of the spectrum. Sadly, many of us who are a blend of viewpoints end up not participating in political forums for fear of being harassed rather than enlightened.
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Excellent thoughts. I agree with you, that these quasi news outlets help create partisans that believe that truth and good is only on their side and an opposing point of view is worthy of disdain and ridicule. I am sure that many will disagree in a predictable way, but Al Sharpton = Shawn Hannity = Ed Schultz = Rush Limbaugh etc. etc. As to BTKs point that these discussions need to take place, I would say two things. First, any discussion on a relatively small forum such as this is not going to cause any real change for the better, it is simply a place where people can come to vent. Second, I cannot remember a single time on the poli board, or general discussion, where someone conceded that something posted on a controversial subject caused them to rethink or reevaluate their position, rather they continue to belabor the same talking points. After awhile on the poli board I could predict with near certainty, how each of the dozen or so regular posters would respond to almost anything, in fact this will probably elicit at least one predictable retort.